A slow, sexy grin crept across Derek’s lips as he stepped closer to me until our bodies were touching. I took a deep breath and said, “I hate how much I want you. It makes me crazy because it just doesn’t make sense to feel this way when we haven’t know each other that long.”
His hands came up to cup my face and he planted a sweet, soft kiss on my lips. “I’m scared too, Claire. This is new to both of us, but I want it—desperately. All I can see is you.”
I smiled. “I’ve been telling myself over and over that we aren’t two twenty year old kids oblivious to the world. Yes, it’s new, but…” I shook my head and continued, “…feels right.”
“Yes, it does.” Derek kissed me again, this time harder and full of the heat we felt between us. I wrapped my arms around his neck to keep him close as his arms circled around my back and held me tight. Damn, the man knew how to kiss! That alone had me all revved up and ready to strip him naked and have my way with his gorgeous body, but I leaned back but he held me tighter even as I said, “We’d better go.”
Amusement spread across Derek’s face. “Is that right? Why the hurry, beautiful?”
I felt my face blush, but didn’t care. I raised an eyebrow and said, “You know why.”
“Say it.” He squeezed my waist.
Out of pure horny lust from our closeness and all the shower dreams still keeping my body stirred up, I said, “I want to do all kinds of things to this sexy body of yours. It’s been way too long.”
He let out a howling laugh that had me joining him. “I wasn’t expecting you to say that. You read my mind, though. It’s all I’ve been thinking about the last few days.”
I patted his chest. “So, let’s get going and by the way, I don’t need a separate room.” I stared into his eyes when I said the words.
“Good, because I cancelled it this morning. No way in hell I was staying away from you tonight…even if all we do is sleep.” I gave him a huge smile of approval.
Derek kissed my forehead, released me and bent to grab my bag. “How’s your knee feeling this morning?”
Always working.
He looked over his shoulder and smirked at me. “Not answering you. Vacation time.”
I stuck my tongue out at him. “Fine, but if I see you’re hurting, I’m going to do whatever the hell I want and treat you.”
“Ooh… ‘treat’ me? I like the sound of that.”
I laughed and slapped his arm. “Men.”
“Come on. Let’s go have a little fun.”
We locked up my house and walked out to a shiny black Nissan GT-R. “Oh, wow! Nice.”
“Thanks. Cars are about the only thing I’ll indulge in with my earnings. It’s a little hobby of sorts.”
“A little hobby? Please, Matt has shown me one of these every day for the last four months. He has it in his head that his dear, sweet mom is going to buy him this for graduation in May.”
Derek laughed. “Hell, yeah! Why not?”
He opened my car door and I rolled my eyes as I sat in the passenger seat. “Not. Happening.”
“Killjoy.”
“That’s my job.” He laughed as he shut the door and made his way to the driver’s side of the car. I watched him cross in front of the car, shaking his head and smiling.
As soon as he sat in his seat, he said, “Poor kid. Tell him I’ll let him take mine out a time or two.” I suddenly sucked in air at the thought of my kids meeting Derek. Would they meet Derek?
“What?” He was looking at me.
“Sorry, I never thought about that…about my kids meeting you. It just hit me, that’s all.”
His face turned serious. “Oh.”
I turned in my chair to face Derek. “No, I didn’t mean it like that. I guess I’ve been focused only on you, on this.” I reached for his hand and held it so he would look at me and hear my words. “Derek, I’m not sure how to go about all of this. What I know right now is that I’m excited to be around you. I want to spend all my time with you. Taking this trip is big for me. But I’m determined to do things just for me…things that make me happy. And being with you makes me happy.”
His body relaxed and he squeezed my hand as I continued. “As for my kids, I know they want me to be happy. I’m not afraid to let you meet them or anything like that. I want you to meet you. And, they will love you, especially Matt and Jon. No doubt they know who you are…even though I didn’t.”
“Oh really?” His humor was back.
I wrinkled my nose and admitted. “Really.”
“Hmm…well, you’re going to know a lot more about me after this trip.” He leaned in and kissed me.
“Good.” I touched his cheek and stared into his beautiful, golden eyes.
“And I understand. Your kids don’t need to know anything about us until you want them to know. It would make me happy if they knew I liked their mom and wanted to spend a lot of time with her. But whatever happens with us, I’ll follow your lead.”
“Thank you, Derek.”
“You’re welcome.” He kissed the tip of my nose, then turned back in his seat and started the car. My whole body felt peaceful. I was happy just where I was, in
that
moment with Derek beside me and the promise of something new.
Chapter 15
Derek
As we set off toward Temecula, I replayed my morning with Claire. My will power had been on the brink of shattering into a million pieces as I laid in her bed with that round little ass pressed against me. And after her little striptease on the way to take a shower, my cock was desperate for relief. I’d limped to the guest bathroom, shut the door behind me and leaned against it. My cock was so hard it felt like it might snap the fuck off if I touched it. God, I needed her wrapped around me in a bad way, but that would have to wait. For now, it was up to me.
I reached down, grabbed myself and started stroking. The memory of her beautiful breasts and her reaction to the soft touch of her nipple had me coming in seconds. I pumped just a few times and sank to the floor as the orgasm ripped through my body. I didn’t care that I’d just made a giant mess. I needed the release and I was headed home to get cleaned up anyway. I wiped myself off, carefully walked out of the bathroom hoping Claire was still showering and sighed in relief when I heard the water running. After checking on her, I drove home, showered and packed. I was excited about the promises the weekend held.
She wanted me as much as I wanted her. That was huge, but I was prepared to let Claire show me how far things would go. I’d had time to process being with other people, she hadn’t.
She said she was happy…with me. I loved it.
Happy. Yep, I felt the same way.
Chapter 16
Claire
We left Torrey Pines, went up the 5 and turned onto Del Dios Highway through Rancho Santa Fe and up to Escondido where we hit the 15. That took us all the way to Temecula and it was a beautiful drive.
Shortly into the drive, Derek reached over and intertwined our fingers before he brought them to his lips and kissed the back of my hand. I watched the movement and couldn’t help the little blush on my cheeks. He didn’t say anything. I looked down at our hands resting on my leg then back out the window. Derek was quiet. I think he was letting me take in all the scenery.
We exited Rancho California Road and drove the short drive to Ponte Vineyard Inn. It was magnificent. The inn had a Spanish mission look to it and sat right in the middle of the vineyard’s vast grapevines.
“Derek, this is unbelievable. Look at this place.”
“I thought you might like it.” He squeezed my hand and when I looked at him, he was grinning with pride.
“Thank you! I’m really excited to be here.”
“Come on, then. Let’s go get checked in and take a look around.”
“YAY!” I let go of his hand and clapped mine together, making him laugh.
“So girly…” he mumbled and shook his head as he opened his door to climb out.
I reached for the handle and just before I pushed the door open, he stopped it with his body. I looked through the window and saw that he was eyeing me. “What?”
He opened my door. “I’d appreciate it if you’d give me the opportunity to be the gentleman my mom taught me to be. Can you please wait for me to open your door for you?”
“Um…I guess so.”
Derek rolled his eyes. “Please?”
“Fine. Crybaby.” I was teasing him and he knew it.
The second I stood up out of the car, he leaned down and whispered, “You won’t be calling me that later” while the back of his fingers barely brushed one of my breasts through my thin cashmere sweater. Chills ran down my back at the sound of his gruff, sexy voice. I was speechless, but let out a moan and closed my eyes. I couldn’t move for several long seconds. It wasn’t until Derek touched my cheek that I opened my eyes and saw his sexy smile. “You are so beautiful, Claire.”
I placed my hand on his face. “Thank you.”
“Let’s go in.”
He stepped back to let me out and I mumbled, “Not sure my legs will work.”
Derek circled his arms around my waist. “Need me to carry you?”
“No, just give me a second.” I pushed away and took a few steps. I was never going to make it through the day.
*****
We checked in and found our room, which happened to be ready even though it was only 11:00am. I was amazed at the vineyard inn. It was rustic, but not. Very quiet and calm with the entire hotel having an open-air, spring-like feel.
Our room had a king-sized bed that I kept eyeing as we toured the room. We were on the second floor and had a balcony that looked out onto the vineyard. The doors were open and I spotted a small iron table with two chairs and a lovely tray full of cheeses, breads and two bottles of wine. “Derek, come look.”
He walked up behind me and rested his chin on my shoulder. “Oh, nice. Want any? I’ll open it for you.” His hot breath was right on my ear.
“Maybe in a little while.” I turned to look at him.
“What do you want to do first?” Wow, that was a loaded question and the look on my face told him so. “I meant do you want to eat some lunch, go do the tour, see the gardens or go to the tasting room?”
“Don’t be mad, but first, I want to call my kids and tell them Merry Christmas. Is that okay?”
“Of course it is! Want some privacy?” Derek was sweet.
“No, you don’t have to leave. I think I’ll sit out here in this chair and stare at the beautiful vineyard while I make the call.”
“Okay. I’ll be in here.” He pointed inside the room.
I tiptoed to kiss his cheek and he leaned his face into my lips, then walked inside. I sat and dialed Matt’s cell phone.
Ringing. Ringing
.
“Hey, Mom! Merry Christmas!” My son sounded so good.
“Hi sweetie, how’s it going? Man I miss you guys.”
“I miss you too. Are you okay, Momma?”
“Yes, Matt, I’m good.” I stole a glance behind me to see Derek sitting on the sofa, feet propped up on the coffee table, tour guide book in his hand and watching me…listening. I winked at him. “I’m actually doing really good. I still miss you guys, but I’m with a friend at a vineyard just north of San Diego.” I slowly walked back inside the room, never taking my eyes off Derek as I sat right beside him on the sofa, our bodies touching.
“That sounds cool. Okay. Jenna is about to pull my arm off trying to get to my phone. I love you, Mom. Merry Christmas! Oh, wait…you have some presents hidden in the bottom of my closet. We shopped before we left.”
I laughed. “Is that right? Well, thank you. And ask your dad about your gifts. I shipped some to Houston a few weeks ago. I guess we think alike, huh? Love you.” I felt Derek shift, maybe stiffen a bit when I mentioned Jake. I looked up at him, but he was looking down at the book in his hand.
“Love you too. Bye, Mom.” I paused for a second, then heard Jenna’s voice. “Mom! I miss you! Merry Christmas! Is it warm there? Not here. Houston is rainy and cold today.”
“Hi, it’s about 65 degrees, I guess. Are you having fun?”
“Yes, I like helping with Luke. He’s pretty cute.” And there went my smile. My head bent down and I could feel the heaviness wash over me. I tried to keep my voice from betraying me. It wasn’t Jenna’s fault. She had every right to love that little boy. He was her half-brother, after all.
“Good, sounds like fun. Well, Merry Christmas, sweetheart. I love you tons. Put Jon on.”
“Okay, Momma. Love you.” Derek’s arm came around my shoulders and pulled me closer to him. I looked up just as a tear rolled down my cheek, which he wiped away with his thumb before kissing my forehead and gently pressing his hand to get me to lay my head on his shoulder.
“Hey, Momma!”
“Hi, honey, how are you?” I pulled it together for my sweet, quiet son. “I’m good, but wish I was home with you.”
“Everything okay?” I lifted my head and looked back up at Derek, my brows furrowed. He watched me closely.
“Yes, I just miss you and my new friends.”
“Jon, what’s wrong? Talk to me.”
“Nothing, really, I like hanging out with Morgan. She’s like my best friend. I feel like Dad and Miss Kaye are always watching us or something. It’s weird.” He made me laugh and Derek looked confused.
“Jon, that’s because they know you two like each other…a lot. They’re supposed to be keeping an eye on both of you. Other than that, are you having fun?”
“Yes, Mom.” He paused. “I’ve missed Dad. I like being here with him.”
“I’m glad, Jon. That was the point of you guys spending this time with him. Your dad loves you and misses you.” And that was entirely Jake’s fault, but I didn’t say that to my son. “Well, you three enjoy yourselves. I love you and miss you! I’ll see you soon. Merry Christmas, honey!”
“You too, Momma. Love you.”
I ended the call and laid my head back on Derek’s shoulder.
“You okay?” He was kissing the top of my head.
“Yes, I know they’re having a good time and Jake is happy to have them there…Kaye too. She’s always loved my kids.”
“But…”
“But hearing Jenna talk about Jake and Kaye’s baby still stings…a lot sometimes.”