CHAPTER NINE
Derek stood in the doorway wearing only his formal black pants, holding a wooden tray that contained a plate with two pieces of French toast covered in syrup with powdered sugar sprinkled over them. Next to the white porcelain dish were two cups of coffee and a small bowl of fresh, homemade fruit salad he’d cut up from Tessa’s selection in the kitchen. He leaned against the doorframe as he took another moment to come to terms with what happened last night, willing the tension to leave his body.
He’d been honest with Tessa from the very start. She understood that he had to go back to his unit in Afghanistan, leaving him only one more week at home. He’d accepted the limits he could provide to any woman a long time ago. This time was no different…only harder.
Why, then, was he still here?
Tessa’s bedroom held the faintest scent of her perfume, but it was enough to beckon him to enter. Derek couldn’t resist the welcoming fragrance. He pushed off the doorframe with his shoulder and stepped over the threshold. He fought the impression that he’d actually crossed into something more than a mere room. It was her lair.
Tessa was still in the position he’d left her in—lying facedown in the middle of the bed covered in rumpled sheets while her long black halo fanned out over her pillow. Her hand was tucked underneath her cheek as the sunshine kissed her bare shoulder. She was sleeping peacefully, and he’d contemplated leaving her a note upon awakening, going so far as to thank her for last night and promising to keep in touch before walking out her front door. The thing of it was…he couldn’t bring himself to do that. He found that he could barely leave her bed to make them both some breakfast.
He’d gone and fucked himself and his heart over by allowing himself to be with his childhood’s unattainable beauty. She was his personal version of a unicorn.
Derek couldn’t prevent himself from reaching out, tenderly moving a flyaway strand so that it blended with the others. Maybe it was time to make some concessions, without altering too much of the original agreed upon provisions. He didn’t question why his chest tightened at the fluttering of her long lashes. Searching for an answer he didn’t want would get him nowhere.
“Good morning,” Derek murmured, waiting for her blue eyes to focus on him. Her instant, warm smile thawed his soul. She rested the back of her hand over one eye, peering up at him in drowsiness and curiosity. “I have your coffee.”
“That deserves a kiss.” Tessa’s tone was slightly hoarse, still filled with sleepiness. That didn’t stop her from rolling onto her back and then scooting up against the pillows, tucking the sheet under her arms. Was that for warmth in the air-conditioned morning chill, or was that for modesty’s sake? Her blue eyes brightened upon seeing the contents of the tray. “Oh, my! French toast and fruit, too? Those might deserve more than a single kiss.”
Derek gently set the tray over her lap, making himself comfortable by resting his elbow on the mattress, effectively trapping her legs underneath his arm. She didn’t seem to mind his gaze as she reached for her coffee and brought it to her lips. Her lashes drifted closed as she savored the ideal java he’d sweetened with sugar and masked the bite with cream. Her expression of satisfaction reminded him of how she looked when she’d taken him in her mouth last night…
He cleared his throat, reminding himself that they needed sustenance before any further physical activities could commence. And there could be quite a few of those, considering how many condoms remained in the box they’d torn open during the night. Derek used the fork to break apart a corner of one of the pieces of French toast before lifting the delicious morsel to her mouth. It was easy for him to distinguish that her lips were still quite swollen from their pleasurable endeavors.
“Hmmm.” Tessa slowly chewed her food before swallowing, as if she were contemplating something. He finally dragged his gaze away from her rosy lips, only then noticing she was studying him. She asked her question before he could divert her attention. “What made you stay?”
Derek did admire her ability to cut to the chase. He sunk the prongs of the fork into a cut piece of strawberry before taking a bite of the sweet, red fruit he’d sprinkled with sugar and tossed with the juices of the other fruits. It gave him time to ponder the same inquiry he’d asked of himself upon awakening. He still didn’t have an answer, so he had no choice but to go with the truth.
“I don’t really know.” Derek carefully set the fork down on the plate, making sure the silverware didn’t dip into the syrup. He then reached for his cup of coffee before settling back into his previous position to drink his morning joe. “Do you want me to leave?”
His question had obviously surprised her. She took another sip of her coffee, giving herself time to think of a proper response. It appeared that last night had thrown them both into the deep end. There was a simple solution though, because the end result wouldn’t change.
“I don’t leave town until next Sunday,” Derek quietly reminded her, studying her expression for any sign that she wouldn’t be interested in the time he had left. “I’d like to continue to spend time with you while I’m in town.”
“I’d like that very much,” Tessa replied softly, setting down her coffee mug in exchange for the fork. She cut a small piece of French toast with one of the four spines and then smeared it in the excess syrup. She used the edge of the plate to catch the lone drip of the sweet molasses and then slowly lifted it to his mouth. He took the offered bite, though his appetite wasn’t for the food on the plate. “Your parents will be—”
“I’ve already called my parents. Dad is doing fine, and the day is already lined up with endless visitors,” Derek divulged, unable to wait any longer to appease his craving for what only she could give him. He removed the tray, along with its contents, placing it on top of her dresser. He’d removed his pants before his knee ever made contact with the bed. Her light laugh enveloped him as he pulled her underneath him, and she eagerly wrapped her arms around his neck to accept his kiss. “I told them I was going to be spending the day with you, getting caught up on old times.”
“Then what are we waiting for?” Tessa whispered, drawing him down until their lips met. The sweetness of the syrup was easily discernable and somewhat addictive. “There are many things we should be catching up on, Derek Spencer.”
“I couldn’t agree more, sweetheart.”
* * * *
Tessa wasn’t ready for the day to end, but Derek had promised his parents he’d be home for dinner. She had turned down his invitation to join them. It was a very sweet offer; however, she didn’t want to overstep her bounds when they both knew this…whatever this was…would end next weekend. That was okay though, because she was very, very satisfied right at this moment.
“Tomorrow?” Derek inquired, his lips still pressed against hers. He deepened their kiss though, so she didn’t answer for some time. He finally pulled away before brushing his thumb over her sensitive lips. He hadn’t shaved since yesterday morning, and a light five o’clock shadow had developed. She liked it. A lot. “How about breakfast before taking a drive out to old man Ackerman’s farm? We can ride the trails on horseback and maybe even enjoy a picnic.”
“I’d love that more than you could imagine,” Tessa murmured, raising up on her tiptoes for one more kiss. Why couldn’t she get enough of him? “Drive safe out there.”
Derek stepped down before turning back around, a concerned expression crossing his handsome features in place of the satisfaction that had been there earlier. Reality was now returning, and she wasn’t ready for it.
“Lock the door behind me,” Derek directed in a rather abrupt tone, resting his palm above the doorbell as he continued to give her instructions. He was worried about her, but the day had gone by without incident. Granted, they’d spent most of their time in bed. Nonetheless, nothing had happened. “Should you feel unsafe for any reason, Tessa, you call me without hesitation.”
“I will,” Tessa promised, resting her shoulder against the doorjamb as she wrapped her arms around herself. She’d honestly forgotten everything that had occurred, even last night’s restroom episode. She certainly didn’t want to ruin the time they’d spent together last night or today. “Don’t worry. You know, it could have just been a prank gone horribly wrong.”
Derek looked like he was going to argue, but instead he stepped forward and kissed her one more time. She readily accepted and then couldn’t help but gaze after him as he strolled away with his tuxedo jacket slung over one shoulder. She smiled when he turned and continued walking backward with a cocked brow.
“I didn’t hear that deadbolt turning,” Derek called out, coming to a stop and sliding his free hand into his pocket. He pulled out the key to his rental car and swung it around his finger while waiting patiently. He really wasn’t going to leave until she was safely locked inside her house. It warmed her to know that he cared, and she pressed her fingertips to her lips, blowing him a kiss. “Good girl.”
Wow. Those two words had Tessa very close to calling Derek back into her house, but she closed the door before she made a fool of herself. She twisted the deadbolt into place and then turned around so that her back rested against the hard wood. So, this was what happiness felt like…but only for a week.
One week. That was length of time agreed upon, and she wouldn’t be the one to ask for more. She could accept that. She pushed off the door with a smile.
Tessa dug her phone out of her purse before she made her way into the kitchen. She was starving and had decided she would have the leftover lasagna she’d made two days ago. She quickly swiped the display on her phone, calling up Kate’s number and initiating the call.
Straight to voicemail. Damn it. Tessa took off the saran wrap before shoving the cold plate into the microwave. She then concealed it with a plastic cover so that the sauce wouldn’t splash all over the inside. One minute and fifty seconds on the timer gave her time to try and call Rae. Her voicemail picked up.
Where was everyone?
Tessa slid her phone onto the granite countertop as she retrieved a fork from the silverware drawer. She needed to talk with someone, but then again, maybe this was fate’s way of telling her that she shouldn’t share too many details of what had occurred. Maybe Derek wouldn’t want her telling everyone they were going to be briefly involved for his short period of leave at home.
Tessa’s thoughts drifted over the last twenty-four hours, recalling every caress, kiss, and orgasm that had taken place. Her body still tingled and it amazed her that it still hadn’t been enough. They’d spent time telling each other about their lives in more detail than just the cursory impersonal facts, delving deeper and really getting to know each other. How could someone she’d known most of her life suddenly become someone she didn’t want to live without?
Ding. Ding.
Tessa was startled when the microwave wasn’t the device chiming, but her phone. She automatically reached for it, only to stop short. What if it was the same person who had called her on Thursday? What if they were aware she was home all alone? She was hesitant about looking at the display, but she couldn’t help herself. Maybe it was Derek.
It was then that her heart fluttered upon seeing his name, the text immediately initiating a smile. Damn, but she had it bad. She needed to restrain herself and face reality, but she could do that tomorrow. Right now, she apparently had plans for later this evening, and she couldn’t be happier that she had this weekend off.
Change of plans. I’ll be back at twenty-three hundred hours with a bottle of wine. Have the wineglasses ready…and yourself well-rested.