The crowd of people provided a buffer between Derrick and Elizabeth. He was facing inner turmoil over what his son had asked of him. To Charlie, she was just someone he saw as a potential playmate. He didn’t understand that she might not be around long. Derrick was still sorting through his own feelings for her. He either needed to take a chance and let Charlie spend more time with her or cut her off now before his son became even more attached. It didn’t matter if he liked her. What mattered was if he thought their relationship would last long enough to make it worthwhile. He had shielded Charlie from his personal life for years. Was it finally time to break from that?
Derrick wove his way through the crowd. The auction had begun. He smiled and nodded as he continued to mingle. A heavy hand landed on his shoulder. “Page! There you are. I was just telling Ethan that I hadn’t seen you yet.” A man with dirty blonde hair patted Derrick’s shoulder roughly.
“If I had known you were looking for me, I would have made a point to find you.” Derrick’s smile hung stiffly from his lips. Daniel Hartman stared at him with greedy eyes.
“It’s a bit loud in here. Why don’t we step in the other room and catch up?”
Derrick glanced around. Elizabeth was watching the auction. She should be fine on her own for a bit. How much trouble could she get herself into? “Very well.” He gestured for the other man to lead the way.
Once they were out of the main room, Daniel smirked mischievously. “You know, I haven’t had the chance to thank you yet for sending Miss Calgary our way.”
“I’m glad you will be able to make the partnership work.”
“So, tell me, Page. Just why did you pass up such a beneficial merger?”
“I thought you could use all the extra help you could get.”
Anger flashed in Daniel’s eyes. “How considerate. So, what exactly is going on with you and that noisy girl from the café?”
“I don’t see what concern that is of yours.” Only people in his company knew that he had asked Elizabeth out on a date.
“Just concerned for your business sense. It’s not like you to let a woman interfere with business. Maybe you’re losing your edge.”
Derrick’s jaw tightened, “I think we’re done here.”
He started to head back into the auction, but Daniel grabbed his arm. “Are you quite sure you know what you’re doing?”
“Are you trying to keep me here?” Derrick jerked away from Mr. Hartman. His heart pounded in his chest. Something was wrong. “Where is Ethan, anyway?”
“Probably bidding on a piece of trash.” Daniel glared pointedly at Derrick.
Heart racing, Derrick ran back into the auction. He searched the crowd for Elizabeth, but didn’t see her. A feeling of dread flooded him. On the stage, the auctioneer called out, “$1000 to Mr. Craft. Going once. Going twice…”
Derrick spun to look at the stage. What was she doing up there?! Without thinking, he raised his paddle “$10,000!” His voice echoed across the room. Elizabeth’s eyes shot towards him. She looked like she was about to cry.
Derrick stomped up the stairs to the stage. His hand closed around hers as he pulled her off the stage and through the crowd. Guests parted to give them a clear path. Derrick’s shoulders shook with anger. Once they were outside, he pinned her against the side of the building.
“What were you thinking? How could you let them bid on you like a piece of meat?”
“I didn’t know what to do.” Tears began to fall down her cheeks. “They called my name. I didn’t know where you went. Why did you put me on the list to be sold off?”
The pain and shame in her face stabbed him in the heart. He pulled her to his chest and held her there. His hand caressed the back of her head. “Elizabeth, I would never let someone buy you.” His heart was racing with her so close to him. “I’m going to find out who’s behind this. I promise you. Come on. Let’s get you out of here.”
Derrick put her in the car and drove back to his house. “I want you stay here tonight until I figure out what’s going on, okay?” The fierce need to protect her swelled up inside of him.
Elizabeth bit her lip and nodded. Once they were inside, he made her a drink to calm her down. They stood awkwardly in the kitchen. Her hands cupped the chilled glass. “Derrick?”
“Hmm?”
“Why were you ignoring me earlier? Why did you just leave me when we go there?”
She wouldn’t look him in the eye. Derrick placed his drink down and lifted her chin up. “I was doing business. I’m sorry I left you alone.” She didn’t need to know the details. “I’ve just been afraid to open up for so long now. When you date me, you’re getting Charlie, too. My decisions affect more than just me.”
“I understand that. I don’t care that you have a kid. I lo—” She snapped her mouth shut. Her eyes widened.
“What?” Derrick could hear his pulse in his ears.
Elizabeth looked up at him sheepishly through her lashes, “I love you.”
He pulled her to him and pressed his lips to hers. He kissed her more forcefully and felt her soften in his hands. Her body arched against his. Picking her up, he placed her on the edge of the counter. Elizabeth wrapped her legs around him and pulled him closer. His lips left a trail of kissed along her neck making her gasp. Derrick’s teeth grazed her skin. She moaned softly and ran her fingers through his hair. The passion drove them further.
He managed to stop himself just long enough to whisper in her ear, “I love you, too.”
In that moment, he knew the decision had been made for him. He had finally found someone he was willing to take a risk on. Their bodies melted together in pulsating desire. For the first time since his divorce, he felt truly satisfied. The hole inside of him was filled with happiness. Derrick let himself go. His walls fell at her touch, and he knew that he was hooked.