Page 27 of Derek
How are you?
Are you alright?
How do you feel?
How is your pain?
What color are you today?
The constant checking in on me, my constant smile and lies. It’s all suddenly too much, too exhausting, and I can’t do it anymore.
“No.” I croak. “I-I can’t button my pants, wear my boots, or put on my mascara.” I whimper the last part as I hang my head. I hear glass falling and look to see Derek grabbing my boots and inspecting them for shards from the mirror. Once satisfied that they are free of any glass, he motions for me to sit on the bed while he sits and grabs the chair by the desk and pulls it over. I watch him lift my leg, remove my slip-on Converse, and pause.
“Do you have something against socks?” His question takes me by surprise, and I let out a laugh.
“They are slip-ons. Who wears socks with slip-ons?” I gesture to my bag, and he walks over and pulls out a sock ball.
“You will ruin the elastic doing this.” He states while slipping the socks on my feet before sliding my foot into the boot.
“Well, I guess I’ll just have to suffer through ill-fitting socks then.” I laugh while he expertly laces me up and checks to ensure it’s not too tight before doing the same with my other foot.
“Stand,” He grunts, and I do as he says, gasping when his warm hands slide to my waistband. I feel his knuckles graze my belly button, and I bite my bottom lip to stop the moan as liquid heat pools in my stomach.
I hear the bite of the zipper and feel him button my jeans before his warmth is gone. Derek reaches over and grabs the tube of mascara off my bed. I eye him wearily as he sits on the bed and motions for me to follow.
“So here’s the deal,” he breathes out as he twists the top off. “If you breathe this to a single soul, I will have no choice but to kill you, I need to know that you understand this before I continue.” There is no way he is going to do what I think he is. He can’t… right?
“Okay,” I say softly while sticking my pinky out. “I promise.” He looks down at my hand as though I am offering him a rotten fish.
“A pinky promise?”
“Hey! Don’t underestimate the power behind the pinky promise. I take them very seriously.” I nudge his hand with mine. He finally relents and grips my pinky with his.
“Alright,” he moves his legs apart and motions with his hand. “Get as close to me as you can.” I tentatively scoot between his legs as I put my legs on either side of his hips. “Perfect,” he mutters. “Ash comes in now, and I’m a dead man.”
I can’t help but chuckle, that is, until he grips the side of my neck and uses his thumb to tilt my face up. My body comes alive in a way I’m not sure I’ve ever felt… no I am sure I’ve never feltthiskind of awakening. He is so gentle as he wiggles the wand into my lashes.
“Blink,” his voice is so soft and quiet it sends shivers up my body. He moves the wand to get my inner and outer corners before moving to the other eye. “Again,” he says in the same tone. “Good girl,”oh no, I like that too much. He finishes the job before staring at my lashes, and I feel my heart flutter when the pad of his thumb brushes right under my eye.
Before I can stop myself, I lean in and press my lips to his cheek. I feel his body go ramrod straight, and he intakes a sharp breath before pulling away.
“Indy,” he breathes huskily, “What are you doing?” I watch as he untangles himself from me to stand, and I am so mortified I wish god would just smite me down here and now.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper before standing. “I just. Oh, my god. I’m so embarrassed.” I cover my mouth with my hand as I grab my phone before leaving the room. Turning back, I see Derek still standing frozen, his eyes wide and mouth open.
* * *
“I’m just saying,”the pink-haired girl pops her gum in my face. “If you’re gonna be a piercer, you need something besides, ya know, a tiny little nose ring.” Taking a deep breath, I give her my most pleasant smile.
“As I said before, I’m not the Hel’s Ink piercer. Stevie will be back in a couple of moments. I am her helper.” Stevie went to the bathroom fifteen minutes ago, and our booth is a madhouse. Janie and Ren are helping as much as they can, but the tattoo side needs their attention, and Ren has Howie as well, so I’m kind of on my own.
“Brooks!” I call out to get the attention of the large man. Despite Stevie declaring them mortal enemies, I have no problem with Brooks. He’s hilarious and always helps me when I need it. Hell, I’ve even gotten him to come and play a giant for the kids at the hospital before, though I will never let Stevie know, she would see it as the ultimate betrayal, probably much like she’s going to see this.
“What’s up?” He asks in his deep, authoritative tone as he glares at the people around my booth, looking for a threat.
I laugh. “No, no, they are fine. It’s Stevie. She went to the bathroom about fifteen minutes ago and isn’t answering her phone.”
“She’s probably constipated,” he shrugs, and I snort a laugh—the snarky comments between these two.
