Page 71 of Something Cheeky

“You didn’t text me that you’d be late today.” Zoe pouted and hated herself for feeling so dependent on him to brighten her day. She’d been totally fine during the years when they’d grown apart. Or maybe she hadn’t been fine but didn’t realize it until two weeks ago.

“Sorry.” Derek rubbed her back in apology but dropped his hand quickly. “I don’t think he saw that.”

They both glanced at Shawn, who hadn’t budged from his computer. Zoe sighed in relief even though she ached for the warmth of his hand on her back.

“Greg popped into rehearsal after lunch.” Derek tucked his hands into his jean pockets as if to keep himself from touching her again.

“Again? How many times has it been this week?”

“Every damned day since rehearsal started two weeks ago.”

Zoe grimaced.

“But I didn’t come down here to talk about Greg.” He pulled his hands out of his pockets and sipped on his coffee. No sugar with a splash of half-and-half if she remembered correctly.

“Oh?” She feigned innocence as she pursed her purple lacquered lips around her straw.

“I’m here for my daily update, obviously,” Derek said before lowering his voice to say, “We wouldn’t have to make excuses if we went public about our relationship.”

“We’re having fun aren’t we? And the sneaking around with you makes sex even hotter.”

He pressed his lips together as if to keep from speaking. They’d been having fun with their afternoon trysts. Until today, he hadn’t given any indication that their secrecy bothered him. Then again, they’d barely had time to see each other since he’d confessed his feelings for her. He had a full rehearsal schedule, plus working with Th?o to polish the script and the songs.

“I want to spend time with you outside of this theater. I’m here twelve hours a day and it gets old really fast.”

“We agreed on opening night, remember?” she said under her breath. “How about we see who can make the other come first?”

“I’ll win. You can never hold out.”

“Maybe this time I will.”

His eyes darkened with lust.

“Let’s make our way to the fitting room so I can share what we’ve accomplished since yesterday,” Zoe said in her normal tone.

“It would be my pleasure.” His low growl was an invitation to carnal pleasures.

“Shawn, I’m showing Derek the costumes,” Zoe called out.

“If Greg comes looking for me, I’m not here,” Derek added.

The shop manager nodded and gave a thumbs-up without looking away from his spreadsheet. Zoe grabbed Derek’s hand and dragged him out of the shop and down the hallway.

Once they rounded the corner out of earshot, Derek stopped her and gently pushed her against the cold concrete wall of the basement hallway. He looked deep into her eyes as their breaths mingled. Zoe’s body, now primed for his touch every afternoon, had gone hot with arousal.

“I’m sorry I didn’t text you that I’d be late,” he whispered into the space between their lips.

“All forgiven because you’re here now.”

Her lips tingled in anticipation of his kiss. She tilted her headback to close the gap between them, but Derek only caressed her collarbone.

Before she could protest, he pulled back her hair and pressed his mouth to the sensitive skin on her chest. She’d never thought of the collarbone as a source of pleasure, but her mouth fell open as he dotted it with kisses, each one making her temperature rise.

“How can I make it up to you?” he asked, nibbling her earlobe as his hands explored the curve of her hips.

Zoe moaned. Even after a week of them sneaking around, she was still amazed by how easily he stoked her desire. She’d long accepted that desire would be elusive since realizing her demisexuality. Yet all it’d taken was her best friend—now lover—to wake up her body with a glance or a whisper.

“You can start with a kiss,” she grumbled playfully and turned his chin until he faced her again.

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