Page 41 of Paint Me Love
Worry worms its way into my stomach. She’s right. This is not ideal. I never planned to get involved with a taken man, but no matter what mental gymnastics I try, my heart just won’t listen. It wants what it wants, even if it means I’m turning into a bad, shitty person.
“You know, Jesse is a nice guy. He’s hot, too. You were all smiles after the class yesterday.”
I called her because otherwise I’d have called Derek and begged him to come fuck me. I crave him like mad, but that doesn’t mean I have to give into that need every time. Or at least this time. I want to confront him about us, and for that I need to be thinking straight, not with my dick. Hence, my two days of abstaining.
“We are just friends who are helping each other grow as artists.” I wave her off. “He’s super nice, sure, but he’s like that with everyone.”
She rolls her eyes, flopping dramatically onto my bed. “Yeah, right. Don’t give me that shit. I saw the way he was looking at you. Don’t pretend you are clueless.”
Okay, maybe I’ve noticed, too. But there really isn’t anything between us, nor am I interested in changing that. Derek is the only man I want.
“Fine. I have a suspicion. But I’m not interested.”
“Maybe you should rethink that?” She sits up, tilting her head to the side. “He’s hot. Single. You get along.”
“Molly.”
She raises her arms. “I’m just saying. I don’t want you to end up with a broken heart, that’s all. Derek is a walking red flag, and don’t get me started on your sex lessons…”
Ugh. Why does she have to be right? But knowing what’s right doesn’t always mean you can stop going down the wrong path. Besides, she doesn’t know him the way I do, she hasn’t seen the real Derek. Only I have, and that has to count for something. Right?
“I got this. And I’ll confront him about Adam.”
“But—”
I halt her with my hand. “This is my mess. Let me deal with it myself.”
She sighs, stands and hugs me. “I just don’t want you to get hurt. That’s all.”
“I know and I love you for that.”
“Ugh! Fine, I’ll shut up. But promise you’ll ask about Adam. Don’t let Derek’s shiny dick distract you from your objective.”
I laugh, nodding as I head for the door. “I promise.”
“And bring me some sushi. I want the extra deluxe set. If he’s not willing to pay, dump his ass and—”
“A fellow opportunist, I see,” Derek’s smooth voice interrupts Molly, making her eyes go wide. “I can’t say I disagree with that way of thinking.”
I flush even if it wasn’t me who said it. He’s standing at the door, smiling like he’s having the time of his life.
“Why are you here?” Molly demands, placing her hands on her hips.
“The security guy let me in. I was about to knock when Daniel opened the door.”
Talk about perfect timing. I smile to myself and study him. He’s not wearing a suit today, but instead jeans and a dark green shirt which is peeking from beneath his long coat. His hair is a little messier than usual too, as if he’s not bothered to slick it in place. I like this look, it makes him feel more approachable, more like he can be part of my world.
“I suppose that makes sense,” Molly concludes, giving him a hard look before she turns back to me and gives me a roll of her eyes. “Have fun, Dan.” She levels another warning look at him and brushes past us. “I like combo sets with a little bit of everything in them. The fancier the better.”
It sounds a lot like a threat, but Derek just chuckles. “I’ll make sure to pick the one with the biggest variety.”
With a slight twitch of her lips that betrays she’s hiding a grin, she leaves us. Nerves swamp my stomach. I hope Derek doesn’t think she’s an asshole, because she’s my favorite person in the world.
“Your friend is quite the character,” he muses, breaking the silence that settles over us with her departure.
“She was joking about the takeout.” I scrunch my eyebrows, staring in the direction of the stairwell. “I think.” I grab the keys from the table so I can lock up.
“Hmm…”
