Page 118 of Something Cheeky

“Great idea,” agreed Shawn as he winked at her. “Let’s take a fifteen-minute break and stretch our legs.”

The staff murmured thanks to Derek as they grabbed refreshments and followed TJ and Shawn upstairs. The costume shop was silent without the rhythmic whir of sewing machines and the steam hissing from the irons.

It was also the first time she had been alone with Derek after their breakup. Here was their chance to talk without an audience, yet Zoe didn’t know how to start. She bit her bottom lip as she spread the costume out on the table to keep the chiffon from wrinkling.

“I brought you this.” Derek smiled awkwardly as he dug out a large thermos.

“What is it?” Zoe asked as shyness overcame her.

How in the world could she feel this way with a man who had seen her naked multiple times in the past several weeksandmade her cry out in pleasure in more ways than she’d thought possible.

“It’s cà phê s?adá,” he spoke the Vietnamese haltingly. The ice clanged inside as he shook the container.

“I will never turn down iced coffee,” she said a little too loudly for the now quiet room. “Hey, that was good!”

“Thanks. I’ve been watching videos online to work on my Viet pronunciation.” He blushed.

“That’s really smart, Derek. But you don’t have to learn it for me.” She dug through the pile of snacks that TJ had dumped ontothe counter. “Almond chocolate Pocky! I didn’t know there was a place near Prestige that sold it.”

“I’m learning for myself,” he admitted. “I had them delivered from H Mart. After this morning’s excitement, we could bond over some childhood snacks. I got a bunch for the cast, too.”

“I love that you’re always thinking of others,” she said as she glanced at the clock. The staff would return from their break soon. “But I’m done sharing you with others for a while. Let’s go somewhere we can talk in private.”

“Fitting room?” he said the same time she did. They laughed.

Those two words conjured flashes of their various afternoon “meetings.” They’d only been apart for a week, but it might as well have been a month. She hadn’t realized how much she needed Derek in her life and in her arms until he wasn’t.

“This time we won’t be interrupted,” Zoe added in a husky voice.

His eyes darkened and he grabbed her hand. “Let’s go.”

As soon as Derek turned the lock to the spare dressing room, Zoe pinned him against the door. She grabbed his hair as his lips crashed into hers. He was as hungry for her as she was for him.

She deepened their kiss as she pressed her breasts against his chest. He groaned, grabbing her ass and pulling her impossibly closer. Heat flared through her torso as her body reawakened to his touch.

For six days—at least 144 hours—she’d deprived herself of everything Derek. She’d avoided looking at his handsome face, laughing at his jokes, and feeling the heat of his naked body in her bed. They had lost time to make up starting now.

“I’m sorry for making you choose,” Zoe said as she broke their kiss to catch her breath.

“You’re not a mind reader. I should’ve told you how bad thingshad gotten,” replied Derek as he swept her hair back to drop kisses on her neck.

She shivered as tiny jolts zipped across her back. Her eyes closed as she sighed in pleasure.

“You were so hot this morning when you took charge,” she whispered. She rubbed her cheek against his jaw, allowing his stubble to tickle her. He smelled of coffee and cinnamon.

“You’re the one who was sexy in the spotlight,” he said as his thumb drew circles around her nipple through her top.

“I’m usually a behind-the-scenes person.” Zoe’s mouth went slack as she reveled in the delicious sensations his thumb created.

“Zoe, I wish you could see how beautiful you are right now.” His eyes widened. “I have an idea.”

He turned off the fluorescent lights and flicked the switch for the bulbs that framed the vanity’s mirror. A soft, warm glow filled the small room.

“What are you doing?” Zoe laughed. “I’m not putting on makeup or costumes. I’d rather rip your clothes off and do unspeakable things to you.”

“Fuck, yes.” Derek’s voice deepened. “But first, I want you to see how beautiful you are when you come. Trust me?”

Things had gone sour between them when she’d stopped believing that he’d support her. She vowed to never make that mistake again.

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