Page 26 of Derick

He stared at me, and if I didn’t see the aching, burning need shining in his gaze and radiating off every pore in him, I might have worried that he didn’t take me somewhere and take advantage of me, but he was Derick, my man. The man who looked after me. Who took care of me and put me and my needs first.

I darted my gaze quickly around and then turned from him. I was with my new friends, and I knew when I was ready to leave Derick would gladly take me home. So, I intended to have fun.

A couple of hours later I was very buzzed, but it was early hours, and I had Hope, so I needed to go. Grabbing Ash and Lisa, I guided them to a quieter corner. “As much fun as I’m having, I’m going to head home now. Thanks.”

They both hugged me.

“Stay please,” Lisa moaned.

Shaking my head, I smiled at them. “I have Hope, and she is going to be full of energy tomorrow. If I don’t leave now, I’ll have none to give her.”

They both pouted, and I laughed, loving the feeling of having friends and them not wanting little old me to leave. Unable to help myself, I hugged them. “Thanks. I’ve had the best time. You guys are the best.” They both squeezed me back, and I basked in something I’d never had before. Closing my eyes, I savored it for a moment longer before I eased away.

“We’ll grab our stuff and come with you.” Lisa moved back to the dance floor where, in the middle of our circle, all their stuff was. I didn’t bring anything besides my phone, which I had stashed in my bra.

I reached for Lisa and stopped her. “Nah, you guys stay here and keep having fun. I’m good. I’ve got a lift here and they’re out the front.”

Ash raised her brow before she gazed toward the exit. “I’ll come with you.”

I shook my head. I didn’t want them to see my bodyguards. That would bring up way too many questions that I wasn’t ready to answer. “Stay here. I’m fine, I promise.”

Ash grabbed my hand. “Make sure you message us when you get home.” I nodded and then she smirked. “It’s a pity you have to go home, and you can’t take that hottie you made-out with home.”

Lisa giggled, and I couldn’t help myself, I laughed, because I should really tell them who and what Derick was to me, but right now I was enjoying just being Ruby Decker, their friend. I didn’t want them to know about the Silverman family yet and what I was to him.

They watched as I left out the club exit. Once I was outside, I groaned because seconds later my body melted against a hard chest as strong arms wrapped around me and the scent of sage and lemon surrounded me. “Have fun, precious?”

If the girls had still been watching, there was no way they wouldn’t have noticed Derick follow me outside. But right now, in his embrace, I didn’t care.

“Yeah, let’s go home,” I said.

Turning in his embrace, I hold him tight. I was ready for more with Derick. I even wanted to try some fantasies I’d had, but I had a feeling I would have to start things as Derick always worried about my reactions after what I’d been through. He knew my past and how Hope was conceived, and he still gazed at me with lust. I wanted to make new experiences with him.

Taking a deep breath and using my liquid courage, I asked, “Can I sleep in your bed tonight with you?”

Derick’s body became so hard under me it seemed almost like he’d stopped breathing. Trying to escape his embrace, embarrassment consumed me. Had I taken things too far? Did he not want me? Did he think I was moving too fast? Was I? My head started to ache, but Derick wouldn’t let me go.

He tilted my head up to look at him. Derick seemed to search my gaze for a moment before he gave me a look, that if panties melted, mine would be gone. His lips curled and his eyes blazed with a passion that had my nipples hardening and pussy throbbing. I ached just to be with him.

“Yes,” he sighed, and he sounded in pain.

I rubbed myself against him. “I want you.” I trailed my fingers up his abs, before my arms circled his neck.

“Precious. You’re drunk. I want you more than my next breath, but I want you when you’re sober.”

“I’m sober,” I mumbled. “Enough.” I pressed my lips to his, and he gave me a gentle kiss before he gathered my hand in his and eased back away from me on a loud moan.

“You’re making this real hard, precious.”

“I like you hard.” I tried to kiss him again, but he kissed my forehead and then let me go. I stumbled. I had lied—I was drunk.“Let’s go home. I’m looking forward to sleeping.” I wiggled my brows.

“Ruby, only sleep though. Just sleep.” He groaned and ran his fingers through his hair. “As much as I want to show you all the fun and delicious things I want to do to you, I want you a hundred percent sober for that.” He leaned down and brushed his lips against my cheek. “Come on, let’s go home.”

Ifucking hated my life right now. I’d had maybe two or so hours sleep. Ruby was curled against me, her leg tangled over mine, her head on my chest, and her body fit perfectly against my side.

She’d fallen asleep on the drive home from the club but had roused somewhat when I lifted her out of the car and went into the house. Ruby grumbled sleepily, “I’m looking forward to sleeping with you. I can’t wait to snuggle and be safe all night.” She sighed and wiggled against me like she was trying to get comfortable, and then she moaned, “Mmm, smell so good. So comfy. All night safe.” She nuzzled my chest and mumbled, “So soft, never let go. Safe tonight.” Her grip tightened on me a moment more before she became a dead weight again as I cradled her.

I’d been taking her to her own room as I didn’t want her to regret asking me when she was drunk, but after hearing her sleepy rambling, I turned and took her to my room. Brand followed closely, opening the doors for me. I placed Ruby on my bed. She awoke when I took her shoes off, and I ushered her to the bathroom then left to get some paracetamol and a bottle of water. When I came back into the room, she was in bed, her eyes closed. I figured she was naked as her clothes were flung around the room. Chuckling at her antics, I went to her side, rousing her again to encourage her to drink a quarter of the water with thetablets. She didn’t even open her eyes as I got her to drink and take them.

---