Page 70 of Why Not Now?

“Okay. Well. He would have one-night stands. That’s as far as he ever went. He’s never introduced us to any of the women he’s been with.”

“At all?”

She shakes her head. “How many relationships have you had since you broke up?”

I swallow and look away. “Um. None.” Like Derek, I’ve had one-night stands, even a few guys I’ve had available for casual hook ups if I wanted. No other relationships. Not that I have any intention of telling Adalie this.

She seems to know, anyway.

“Hm. You don’t say. Well, I’ll see you later, Ava.”

She gets up with her mug and leaves the lounge. Derek comes in a few minutes after she’s gone.

“Ready to go?” he asks, leaning against the entrance.

“Yeah.”

I stand and he stalks toward me, the predatory look in his eyes making me step away, my back pressing into the counter as he cages me in.

“Hi,” he says.

“Hi,” I reply, breathless.

“Have you wanted me today as much as I’ve wanted you?”

His eyes are dark with desire.

I nod, swallowing, my heart racing in my chest where it’s pressed against his.

“I guess we don’t really have time to go to my place before we go to yours, do we?”

“I don’t know,” I say. “What are we doing?”

He grins before dipping his head and claiming my lips. I kiss him back desperately, wanting him. Needing him.

Then I hear a mock gasp and Spencer says, “Don’t look. They’re trying to eat each other.” We part to see Spencer with Lis, covering her eyes. He pins us with a glare. “Get a room.”

Lis laughs as Spencer guides her into the lounge, keeping his hand over her eyes.

“How many times have I caught you two making out?” Derek asks. “Better yet, how many times have you fucked in the building?”

Lis holds up a finger. “Never when other people are around. I am a professional.”

Spencer leans down and whispers in her ear. Her face flushes and her breathing turns shallow.

“Maybe we should go home, Spencer,” she says, her voice husky.

“You heard the woman,” Spencer says. “We’re leaving. Have fun tonight, you two.”

He still hasn’t let go of her eyes, leading her out of the lounge and into the lobby, letting go only when they get outside. Derek grabs my hand and we follow behind them to the parking garage, waving as they continue on.

When we get to the car, Derek drives, even though he has to adjust the seat and I’ll have to adjust it back. He gives me his phone for music selection and I consider for a moment before selecting his Christmas playlist, shuffling it. It starts with “Calling to Say” by Serena Ryder.

“Derek?”

“Hm?”

“About yesterday. You said you want to try again.”

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