When she’d hung out with him all those years ago by the pool, she’d seen something in him. Something that made her show up again the next night, even though she’d fully expected him to blast her with his anger after what she’d said about him.
Later, she’d watched his meteoric rise, all the while knowing he had that it factor. Brains, good looks, the right timing, and knowing how to capitalize on all of it.
All his partners possessed the same thing. Except in her eyes, Derek was beyond unique. He was loyal to his family, humble in ways she hadn’t expected. He’d rocked her world in bed… And she was falling for him.
And though he hadn’t kicked her out after sex, she didn’t delude herself. Nothing good could come of them being together. They had too many outside obstacles working against them.
But that didn’t stop them from being together now.
* * *
Derek didn’t want to talk about himself. Not when he had a pliant, warm woman in his bed. Not when he could pick up where they’d left off. And his cock was ready to play again.
“Let’s shower,” he suggested, knowing full well they’d be doing a lot more than cleaning up in his oversized stall.
“Good idea. I can’t stay too late. I have to take the train to the station where I left my car.” She closed her eyes and groaned at the thought.
“You have got to move to the city,” he said, already liking the feel of her in his bed. Of having her in his life. Around when he wanted to … play.
“Speaking of moving,” she said, her eyes lighting up. “I’ve decided which apartment I want to move into. The one on Eighty-Sixth street.”
“Because it’s closer to me. Good choice,” he said smugly.
She rolled her eyes. “No, because it’s larger than the others. It’s going to be a big enough adjustment leaving a house for a one-bedroom. I might as well go big,” she said, giving him a more rational explanation.
“Ouch. Way to deflate my ego.” He liked his leap much better. But he’d enjoy having her close by, so he had no complaints. “I’ll have Brad send you the lease agreement.”
She nodded. “Thank you. I’d like to deal with this quickly. I don’t want to take up too much time with the move. I’d rather have it be done and get on with my life, you know?”
“Whatever you need, let me know. I’m more than happy to help.”
She blinked in surprise. “Well, that’s nice of you. I’ll keep it in mind.” She leaned down and pressed a kiss to his chest, and his mind immediately stopped thinking about contracts and moves and moved on. “Now, about that shower?”
“I’m all for getting clean.”
He swung his legs over the side of the bed, stood, and scooped her into his arms.
“Derek!” She kicked her legs, and he reached around, swatting her bare ass, causing another squeak. “Shower time, princess.”
“You’re bad.”
“You like me that way. Come on.” He strode to the bathroom and stood her on the rug before turning on the shower jets.
The heaviest spray came from the ceiling, but there were side jets as well as a handheld massager. Personally he wasn’t interested in those. He waited until the water temperature heated before leading her into the steam-filled glass enclosure, shutting the door behind them.
“Let’s start by getting you clean.” He poured a generous amount of liquid soap into his hand and lathered up, then bent down and began to soap up her legs, working his way up her calves, massaging her muscles until she moaned out load.
The sound went straight to his cock, which now stood erect against his stomach. Ignoring the discomfort, he focused on Cassie, pressing his fingers behind her knees, moving upward along her thighs. Water sluiced down her skin, draining the soap away as he moved upward.
“Derek,” she said, a warning tone in her voice.
“You’re saying you don’t want me to do this?” He used his thumbs, easing the pads along the seam of her thigh and her sex, slowly inching upward, pulling her outer lips apart.
“Ooh,” she said, and as he glanced up, her head tipped up, her pure enjoyment clear.
“Step back, lean against the wall,” he said, waiting until she complied. Once she was braced, he raised one leg and placed her foot on the small ledge where he kept the shampoo, exposing her for his view.
And his mouth and tongue. Then he licked her, from as far back as he could reach, along the seam of her inner lips, dipping inside, and ending at her clit, closing his lips over the tiny bud.