Derek Page 10

  I will keep her safe, no matter what the cost.

  No matter what I have to do to make it possible.

  * * *

  Brittany

  I am propped up on the couch, hearing the guy saying there was a bounty on my head and he would be allowed to have a round with me as payment.

  That is just a small clue as to what will happen to me if they manage to take me.

  Derek is just silent, utterly silent. He is deep in his thoughts, and I can feel the anger coming off of him as he paces the room. Even Gareth is silent as we all think.

  I want to tell Derek that they won’t find us, nothing will happen, but how can I? We were at a freaking restaurant in this town when, out of nowhere, some guy went crazy. I am not sure what he was trying to accomplish with the whole road rage thing.

  Derek killed him. I didn’t see it happen, but I know that it had to be done. If we had let him live, he would have told the cartel we were here. Plus I think Derek was ready to kill him the second he admitted the real reason he was here.

  “Baby, come to me.” I finally break down and motion for him. He unclenches his hand and looks at me, his jaw still set. He lets out a deep breath and takes my hand, pulling me off the couch. We walk up the stairs, hand in hand, and he shuts our bedroom door.

  I run my hand up his arm to the side of his neck, letting him look at me. His whole body is shaking beneath my hand.

  “Baby,” I urge and he looks at me. His eyes are dark. I drag him over to the bed, and I put my legs on either side of him, not giving him a choice but to face me. I grab his hand and bring it up to my throat, making sure his fingers are on my pulse. His face finally softens, and he tightens his grip just slightly. I rest my head on his forehead.

  “Better?” I whisper, putting my hands on either side of his face.

  He nods and we sit here together and, little by little, his body relaxes. “Much.” He presses his face into my neck, breathing deeply. He buries his hand in my hair, tilting my head to the side. He kisses his way up my neck, and I don’t even bother trying to hide the moan.

  “Hmm, does my girl need me?” he asks and I nod, digging my hands into his shoulders, completely at his mercy. He stops kissing and he grips my throat. “Who do you belong to?” he asks, rubbing his finger along my pulse.

  “You, all of me is yours.”

  He grins wickedly. “Good girl, for that I will give you a treat.” He stands up and lays me down on the bed; then he rips my jeans down my legs. Before I even have a second to think, his face is buried between my legs. “God, yes!” I moan and I scoot down, bringing myself even closer to him. He is eating me like a starved man, licking, sucking, biting. This isn’t a slow assault—no, this him claiming me.

  “Derek,” I moan, and I grip the covers on either side of me, trying to hold onto something. “It’s too much,” I manage to get out. My legs are shaking hard. I let them fall to the bed, not even bothering.

  “It’s not, you will take whatever I give you, sweet girl.” He stops long enough to wrap his arms around my legs, taking over for me, and I throw my arms above my head.

  I am right on the edge; I just need something to push me over, and he is drawing it out. “Derek, please.” I am not ashamed to beg. He relents and stands up. I let out a deep breath, my pussy aching. I take off my shirt as he strips down, and I eye his hard dick, my mouth watering at the thought of having him inside of me.

  “On your stomach.”

  I turn over instantly, and he pulls my legs so I am lying flat on the bed. He spreads them just slightly and crawls up my body, his legs on either side of me. I lean my head back to look at him, and he winks at me as he slides inside me without any trouble. I bury my face in the blanket. He feels deeper than ever before. This is just pure bliss.

  I clench around him, already ready to come. My clit drags across the mattress with every thrust.

  He moves faster and faster, harder and harder.

  “You’re so fucking tight around me,” he grits out through clenched teeth, his hands circling my ass cheeks.

  I clench down hard on him. “I am so close,” I moan, sweat covering my whole body.

  He sneaks his hand under my body and pinches my clit. I bite the blanket so I don’t scream, and I can feel myself pulsating around him hard.

  He cusses as he comes with me. I don’t bother moving as he slides out of me. “You just killed me.”

  He laughs and walks into the bathroom like this is nothing, but I am still seeing spots. If I tried to walk at this very moment, I know I would fall straight to the floor. He comes back out of the bathroom holding a washcloth.

  He cleans me and throws the washcloth back into the bathroom. He climbs into bed with me, and I close my eyes and enjoy having his arms around me.

  There is nothing that is better than this. I know it’s simple, but I never feel safer than in the arms of the man I love with everything in me.

  We lie in silence, both of us deep in our thoughts. It worries me that Derek is so on edge, and the realization today that he has a reason to worry makes it very real.

  I am not so worried about myself. I’m more worried what Derek would do to keep me safe.

  Chapter Ten

  Brittany

  Today is the day that we’re having Derek’s surprise birthday party; it’s going to be in his parents’ backyard. I asked her how she planned on hiding all of the vehicles. Apparently, they are two ways to go onto the property, and they’ll be parked in the back.

  Gareth is already here. Derek took him to pick up his truck earlier in the day.

  When Derek and I pull up in front of the house, the only vehicles we see belong to Gareth and his parents. There is not a decoration in sight. It looks like this is just a regular visit to their house.

  I slide out of the truck and take Derek’s hand, making a small talk—to myself, pretty much, because he is not huge on that. I am lucky that he likes me enough to speak to me, but other people are not that lucky.

  I get the best sides of Derek. I love that.

  We walk inside the silent house. “They must be outside grilling.” I let him lead me to the glass door that leads outside. We can’t see anyone. How much do you want to bet she made everyone practice?

  Derek opens the door and we both step outside.

  “HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DEREK!” everyone screams.

  Derek’s face is full of shock, his eyes wide, as he takes in everyone. We got him. Willow runs over to Derek and hugs him.

  Derek doesn’t let go of my hand the whole time he is swarmed with hugs and kisses from everyone in his family. Gareth is hanging out beside me, keeping me company.

  Derek just nods and smiles at everyone, trying to be polite. I am sure I will probably get it later for going along with it. I know the second everyone started approaching him, he was done with it, but he made his mother happy and he tried.

  The food is ready, and everyone leaves to go fill their plate. Derek pulls me into his lap, his arms tense around my middle. I rub his arms and kiss the side of his head. “I am sorry, I didn’t know you would hate this so much.”

  “It’s okay baby, I just don’t like half of my family. Eighty percent of them have treated my mom like shit for marrying my dad.”

  Wait, what?

  I go into protective mode instantly; now I can see why he is pissed. “What?”

  “Yeah, they hated my dad. He wasn’t rich, he was from the bad side of town, and his parents were the town drunks. They disowned her, disowned us, up until a few years ago.”

  Wow.

  “Until they saw how well they were doing and they changed their tune. I was already grown and out of the house.”

  Wow again.

  “Which was the worst one?” I ask.

  He nods toward a woman who is standing next to the pool with a wine glass in her hand. I can smell the fake coming off of her from here. I hate those kinds of bitches, the ones who think they are better than everyone else, the ones who look down
on everyone.

  Oh yeah.

  “Who is she to you?” I pretend I don’t really care.

  “She is my mother’s sister.”

  Ha.

  “I am going to go mingle.” I kiss him and stand up, pulling my shoulders back as I strut over. I look back at Derek, whose eyes are on my ass. I wink and his eyes narrow. My guess is that he is figuring out that I am going to cause trouble, but why wouldn’t I? If you fuck with Derek and his family, then my tolerance level goes right out the window. Family is fucking first, no matter what and no matter whom the person ends up with. Love is love and love is not vain.

  Love isn’t money.

  Love isn’t looks.

  Love is who you love and that is that.

  It really gets on my last nerve that sweet little Willow was disowned by her family in that way.

  I notice Derek’s aunt staring at me, but I pretend to grab a cupcake, just waiting for her to open her mouth. “I am not sure if you should be eating that,” she mutters under her breath, and you couldn’t stop the smile on my face if you tried.

  Just what I was waiting for.

  I take a huge bite out of the cupcake, making sure to lick the icing from my fingers slowly, and I notice a man staring at me, his eyes on my mouth.

  “I’m sorry, did you say something?” I ask her.

  Her eyes widen at being caught. “I am not sure what you’re talking about?” She pretends to be innocent, but oh I heard her basically call me fat.

  “Right.” I wink and pull back the cupcake wrapper, taking another bite, moaning. I notice her husband crossing his legs.

  Hmm.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” She flips her hair over her shoulder to act superior.

  Oh, how I want to pull every strand of hair out of her head.

  I roll my eyes because she is ridiculous. “Honey, I was a foot away from you. I could hear you.”

  Her eyes widen and she grips her throat, pretending to be all innocent. “Well, I have never! What has Willow’s family come to?”

  Derek

  I have my eyes on Brittany as she walks over to the dessert table and then talks to my aunt. She is trouble and I love every second of it. I sit back holding my beer and watch the show.

  I notice my aunt’s husband cupping his dick, looking at Brittany. Hell the fuck no. “Did he just?” Gareth asks, and I don’t bother answering because I’m too busy glaring at him. His eyes connect with mine, and he looks down at the ground. That’s right, motherfucker.

  That’s when I notice Brittany grabbing my aunt by the throat, dragging her over the dessert table.

  Well, fuck.

  Brittany

  I don’t say anything, just waiting for her to dig herself a bigger hole. “Oh yeah?”

  She nods, looking around the backyard until her eyes settle on Derek and Gareth. “Just look, that one is an outlaw thug, they have no morals.”

  I laugh loudly. “You know, I am that outlaw’s old lady.”

  Her eyes widen and, before she can even blink, I wrap my hand around her throat. I slam her down on the dessert table.

  Her hands grip mine, trying to tear them off. “How dare you touch me!” she screeches, and I laugh at her attempt to fight back. Then her husband tries to pull me off of her.

  A moment later, Derek is throwing her husband into the pool. “Try to touch her again, I will cut off your hand,” Derek tells him.

  “Now, tell me again about this outlaw thug you so despise, huh?” I ask her, my face above hers, smiling.

  She shakes her head. “No, I was just kidding. I love Willow’s family.”

  I wiggle my finger in her face. “Ah, ah, ah, that is not what you said. They have no morals, remember? But guess what? I don’t either.” I grab the pitcher of lemonade off the table. “Drink up, bitch.” I pour the lemonade on her face, slowly. She kicks and screams, but I don’t relent until every drop is gone.

  “I will never hear a bad word come out of your mouth again, will I? Apologize to my Derek and Willow for disrespecting them.”

  I let her stand and I grab the back of her neck, moving her face toward Willow, who is covering her mouth but I can see the laughter in her eyes. “I am sorry, Willow.”

  I pat the top of her head. “That’s a good girl.”

  I let her go, and she runs straight out of the backyard with her husband on her trail. I laugh at how much she looks like a wet rat.

  “I didn’t invite her anyway.” Willow seals the deal and we all burst out laughing. Willow walks over to me and gives me a big hug. “I didn’t know you had a temper, darlin’, but I have disliked that bitch since the day I was born,” Willow tells me and Zander laughs, coming up to hug me next.

  I had a fear that his family would not approve of what I just did because, in a way, it can be considered cruel, but in my world we settle things with our fists. She disrespected my family. She disrespected Derek most of all, and that is something I will not tolerate.

  Derek grabs my hand and tugs me into his arms. “That was the hottest fucking thing I have ever seen,” he whispers into my ear. I shiver and grasp the front of his shirt, pulling him even closer. “What do I get as a reward?”

  He chuckles and kisses me hard, letting me know exactly what I am getting later, and I can’t wait.

  Now that we got the bitches out of here, everyone around us is happier and lighter. Derek pulls me into his lap and pulls a blanket over me, and we all sit around the fire pit talking for hours, way into the night.

  We head home right around midnight, and we pull into our driveway to see police sitting there, waiting on us, and another car. We pull in front of the garage, with Gareth pulling up beside us. Derek gets out and I crawl out his door; then he steps in front of me.

  “What is the problem here?” Derek asks as two police officers walk up to us.

  Out of nowhere Derek’s aunt runs up to us, pointing at me. “There she is! She assaulted me!” she screams.

  Seriously?

  Snitches get stitches.

  So I decide to fake it. “Oh my God, she’s crazy! She just assaulted me at my boyfriend’s family barbecue.” I cover my face and cry. Derek wraps his arms around me, and I can feel him shaking trying not to laugh.

  “There, there baby, she won’t hurt you again.”

  Now it’s me shaking trying not to laugh, covering the shaking with sobs. “She is lying!” she screams and I gasp, pushing harder into Derek.

  “Ma’am, false accusations are punishable by law. You are under arrest.” I peek my eye open and see the police putting her in handcuffs.

  “This is wrong! She is the one who assaulted me.” She tries to get loose.

  I scream, scooting further away. “Why are you so mean?” I sob and curl around Derek more tightly. “I can’t breathe,” I whisper, trying not to laugh, because this is the best moment of my life.

  “Sorry about this, ma’am, we will take her away from here.” He nods to Derek and Gareth and walks to the car, dragging her along with him. She turns back to look at us, and I wave at her. Her eyes bug out as she screams in outrage.

  The police officers drag her into the back seat of the car and slam the door shut. She pounds her feet against the window. She really is making it believable with the way she is acting.

  They pull away and I couldn’t stop the laughter if I wanted to. I bend over clutching my cramping stomach, which was hurting from trying not to laugh. Derek and Gareth join in with me.

  “Oh my God, that was just great!” I wipe the tears from my face. Derek is leaning against his truck, holding his stomach.

  “I didn’t know you were an actress,” Gareth tells me and I shake my head. “I’m not but I am glad that I have some kind of skills.”

  The MC could have gotten us out of whatever trouble bloomed up, but this is just so much more fun.

  Chapter Eleven

  Brittany

  A Month Later

  I haven’t started my period since I have been
here, and that scares me. At first I chalked it up to stress, but now I just can’t—we have been here for over two months. On top of that these past few mornings have been hell because I have woken up sick to my stomach.

  Oh, I notice the looks that Derek gives me. He looks at the drawer in the bathroom, but I am being naive at the moment.

  Do not get me wrong, I want to be a mother. It’s something that I have always wanted. That doesn’t mean that the idea doesn't scare me. This world has a lot of messed-up people in it, and I don’t want my babies to be exposed to that.

  So here I am peeing on this stick. I set it down on the bathroom counter and sit on the edge of the bed waiting for the minutes to pass.

  “Brittany, you in here?” Derek yells and he opens our bedroom door. He is wearing a pair of jeans and is shirtless and barefoot. He has never looked sexier to me.

  He stops in his tracks, looking at me. “What’s the matter?” he asks. We’ve both been going kind of stir crazy being cooped up in this house.

  You can only have so much sex.

  I nod in the direction of the bathroom, and he walks in there and my heart starts pounding.

  Oh God, what is it going to say?

  I am scared that it’s going to say not pregnant, because I really want that, in the end, no matter how scared I am.

  Derek comes out of the bathroom carrying the little stick. He is staring down at it and my mouth dries.

  “Derek?”

  He looks up at me and his face is unlike anything I have seen before. I walk over and take the test from him: pregnant.

  My heart feels like it could burst. Derek wraps his arms around me, holding me tightly to him. “This is the second-best moment of my life, the first was you becoming mine.” He presses his hand to my stomach. “Now you have made me a father.”

  I choke up at his words. He picks me up, and I wrap my legs around his waist. We stand like this, just holding each other.