Page 24 of Derek

“All right. Give the lady what she asked for.” Derek turned to Sonja. “What’s going on with you, babygirl? I thought we made some progress in our relationship last night.”

“Nothing’s going on. I just want a real drink.” Sonja shrugged. “And I’m not in the mood to play. That’s allowed, surely.”

“Of course, I wouldn’t force you to play, but I think you might have a different game going on tonight.”

Scott brought her drink, and Derek intercepted it. “Let’s go over to a table and we can discuss this further. You can have your drink, just over there.”

Sonja put on a pouty face that made Derek want to kiss her. Instead, he led her to a table in the darkest corner of the lounge. “Your drink, Madam.” He handed it to her with a flourish.

She inclined her head regally. “Thank you.”

“Not even a ‘Sir’ with the thank you?”

“If I call you Sir, then you can say I’ve agreed to power exchange, and I don’t want that tonight.”

“What do you want, Sonja?” He gentled his voice. He could tell something was off, but he was puzzled about what it could be after the previous night’s events. He didn’t think this was the way a woman reacted to being told she was loved.

“Right now, I want to be treated like an adult.”

“Okay. I can do that. Shall we have an adult conversation while we enjoy our drinks?” Derek kept his voice calm, although he wanted to put her over his knee.

“I’d rather have my vodka tonic first. Then, if you insist, we can talk. I’d rather dance.”

“Talk first, dance later. Maybe. If the conversation is satisfactory.” Derek’s temper was rising with every exchange, and he was struggling to keep his tone even. “What’s put you in this mood?”

“I don’t know what you mean,Derek.” Sonja’s voice cracked on his name. “I found this great dress when I was out shopping today, and it made me want to dance. I thought you likeddancing. And my dress has this great halter top you might want to open up later.”

Derek heard more than saw Sonja’s seduction attempt fall apart. Her sultry tone had vanished, and she sounded close to tears, although she still looked sexy enough to draw the attention of every straight man and lesbian in the place. He put a touch of dominance in his words. “Come over here, babygirl. Sit on my lap and tell me what’s really going on? Is this about Monday?”

Sonja downed the rest of her drink in one gulp and stumbled as she moved to Derek’s welcoming arms. “Why do you have to be so nice to me when I’m being a bitch?”

“Because I’m a nice guy? Because you’re beautiful even when you’re trying to throw a temper tantrum, and I can tell it’s not real?”

She dissolved into tears. “It wasn’t supposed to be like this,” she said through heaving sobs. “You were supposed to get mad and dump me.”

“Dump you? Why would I do that?”

Because I’m not a babygirl.”

“I love you, Sonja. We covered that last night. The rest, we’ll work out.”

“If I have c-cancer, it won’t matter. You’ll leave anyway.”

“Where did you get such an idea?” Now Derek was genuinely puzzled.

Tears streamed down her face as she spoke. “My father couldn’t handle my mother’s cancer, and he abandoned us. Why would you be any different? I thought it would be easier for you to leave now, and then I wouldn’t have to worry about when it would happen.”

“Did you consider the possibility that I wouldn’t leave you?” he asked quietly. Derek thought he understood her twisted reasoning, although he didn’t agree with it.

“No.” She sniffed. “Why would you stay with me?”

“Because I love you. I don’t see that changing any time soon, babygirl. Besides, this dress is gorgeous on you, and it looks perfect for dancing. You can’t convince me you’re not a Little with one dress and a vodka tonic. Do you even like vodka?”

She straightened in his lap. “As a matter of fact, I do.” She ruined her outrage with a giggle. “About once or twice a year.”

He chuckled. “Well, at least you’re tipsy on something you enjoy. Are you sober enough to hear me?”

“Yes, Sir.”

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