Page 15 of Softest Touch
I narrow my eyes at him. “Excuse me?” I don't like his tone. At all.
“You walked away. Were. Were. You?” he asks, even more upset, while his eyes pierce me in place. He steps closer, forcing me to look up at him.
I scoff as I move toward a desk, pretending to ignore him and put some distance. “Strange that you noticed my absence.”
“What do you mean?”
“Bye, Derek, see you tomorrow,” the model who was flirting with him before waves goodbye.
“See you tomorrow, Derek,” I mimic her scratchy voice, rolling my eyes. “If you'll excuse me, I'll go back to the hotel.” I walk past him.
“Melinda, wait,” he grabs my wrist, “don't you want to go for a walk in Central Park or downtown, or perhaps have dinner?”
“No thanks,” I peer at his hand on me as he releases his grip, “but if you hurry up, that girl would gladly accept an invite to hang out.”
He looks at me and says nothing more. I can see he's debating whether to say something. Instead, he silently accompanies me to the car, but Derek is so tense he can't sit still. Arriving at the hotel, we reach the suite in complete silence. I wonder what's going on in his head. Is he thinking of firing me? I know I've overstepped my bounds, but now it's too late to take it back.
When the door slams behind me, I freeze in place. “Why don't you want to go for a walk, or maybe have dinner out? Are you so afraid to be seen with me?”
I spin around, shocked by his words. “Stop talking bullshit. What is it? Was the girl from before not available?” I taunt him.
“You're unbelievable. Are you blaming me for talking to women?” He points a finger toward me. “When I saw you laughing and joking with a man?” he blurts out.
“A man?” I ask, trying to recall who he's talking about. “You're free to talk to or go out with whoever you want, Derek, but don't come to me with that attitude.” My eyes are glued to his, and I'll be damned if I'll look away. “And for your information, the man I was talking to is Sheik Mhardjn,” I explain to him, hoping that my reasoning will reach him. “The Sheik buys so many collections every year, and tomorrow he'll come to your parade with some Asian and European entrepreneurs. I was just doing my. Damn. Job.” I poke my finger at his chest for each word.
“For real?”
“Yes, for real!” I mock him.
Derek's expression softens as he rubs his face. “Now I feel like an idiot for being jealous of him.”
I take a step back, unsure if I've heard him correctly. “Jealous?”
“Yes, jealous, Melinda. I'm damn jealous of anyone who looks at or talks to you,” he says as my heart skips a beat.
Please, someone pinch me, because I'm sure this isn't real.
“I don't, I don't understand…” I stammer, my brain trying to process what he's saying, but it's too slow.
Derek comes over, cups my face, and kisses me. No, it's not a kiss. It's possession and anger combined, as if he wants to mark me. And he does. My heart starts beating so hard it almost bursts from my chest. The blood rushing in my veins silences every single noise. My body comes to life and moves on its own. Derek's hand rests on my lower back, pulling me closer as a moan escapes me. My hands rake through his hair while I let my heart beat again and kiss him back. The jolts zapping over my skin make me feel like I'm about to combust.
He backs away, staring into my eyes while catching his breath. “You are mine,” he caresses my cheek with a soft touch, “and no one will ever, ever have you. Do you understand?”
I smile in disbelief at his words. If I'm dreaming, please don't ever dare to wake me up!
“Yours,” I manage to breathe the word out. He picks me up, and I cling to his neck while he takes me to the couch, making me sit on his lap. I rest my head on his shoulder, inhaling his musky cologne that has always seemed like home.
Derek's hands travel up and down my back, relaxing me. “I feel like I've known you for a lifetime.”
I feel the same. From the moment my eyes landed on him, I knew something was about to change, but I couldn't have imagined him being interested in me. I mean, he's surrounded by beauty queens. “It's scary, isn't it?”
He inhales and then kisses the top of my head. “It is, but I was afraid you might not feel the same.”
“What made you think so, Derek? I mean, you're charming, sexy, and so cocky.” I peer into his eyes, getting lost in the emotions that pass through them.
“I take that as a compliment.” He laughs.
I draw a heart over his chest. “But it's just armor. You're sweet, with a heart of gold, and sensitive.”