Unexpectedly Yours (9 page)

Chapter Nine

The lake sat a few miles out of town, a circle of placid, blue-gray water reflecting the surrounding pine forests and distant mountains. In summer it was a popular place for picnics, swimming, and trail walks, and on a Friday afternoon there were plenty of people enjoying the warm weather, but luckily it wasn’t too busy. Which was just as well because Otto hated crowds and would have demanded Derek take him back home if the picnic area had been swamped.

With Otto in the front passenger seat, Derek used his rearview mirror to get a glimpse of Hannah sitting in the back. This morning he had helped her paint the bedroom of her new house, but Amber had showed up, which meant he hadn’t had a chance to kiss Hannah again.

All day he’d thought of kissing her. Caleb’s warning about squeaky clean boy scouts still pricked his conscience from time to time, but he had built up his excuses. Hannah knew he was no boy scout, and she hadn’t exactly fought him off when he’d kissed her yesterday on the back porch of her house. If it hadn’t been for that stray cat…

For the trip to the lake she’d changed into a skimpy, pink-and-green sundress that floated over her legs and hugged her breasts. She looked so cute and sexy he had trouble concentrating on his driving.

As they pulled up in the parking lot, he snuck another glance at her in the rearview mirror, and she winked at him, causing his blood to tingle. Damn, it was going to be hard keeping his hands to himself. They both got out and waited while Otto maneuvered himself and his crutches out of the vehicle. Derek had forewarned Hannah not to leap to his granddad’s aid, as that only irritated him.

“This place has changed since I was last here,” Otto said as he slowly limped toward the water. “Too many people. And kids. Too much noise.”

“It’s quieter over there.” Hannah pointed to a stretch of grass away from the barbecues and picnics. There were a few wooden benches shaded by trees and overlooking the lake. “Why don’t we grab one of those benches? It looks like we’ll catch a nice breeze coming off the water there.”

“I can get there on my own,” Otto grumped. He paused, glancing at Hannah and Derek. “You two can go off on your walk or whatever.” His tone was slightly more conciliatory.

Derek and Hannah stood and watched as Otto slowly hobbled away.

“He’s not too bad on those crutches,” Hannah said.

“He’s a fighter, but he does need a care assistant. I have another person starting next week, but I’m not holding my breath.” And he only had another week before he was due back in L.A. If he couldn’t find a care assistant for Otto, the only alternative might be a nursing home. That was a battle he dreaded, a battle he’d probably lose. And then what? Would he have to give up L.A. and everything he’d achieved and move back in with his granddad? He wasn’t relishing that.

“I hope it works out.” She shaded her eyes against the blazing sun. “It’s too hot for a walk, and that water looks great. Do you want to go for a swim?”

His problems faded at the prospect of seeing Hannah in a bikini. He’d already noticed the bikini straps underneath her skimpy sundress.

“Sure.” He tried to sound cool but inside he was thrumming with anticipation.

They walked down to the beach and dropped their bags in an empty spot. Derek was already wearing his board shorts, so all he had to do was pull off his T-shirt. Hannah stripped off her sundress. His throat dried at the sight of her in an orange bikini, the triangles of the top hugging her full breasts, while the bottom scrap of fabric molded her lower belly. She looked as luscious as a slice of mango, and it was all he could do to stop himself sliding his hands over her warm, smooth skin.

He realized he was breathing hard and staring at her, making no attempt to hide his mental undressing of her. She was staring back at him, too, but when their gazes collided she glanced away.

“Come on,” she said hurriedly. “I’m dying in this heat.”

He followed after her as she hustled to the water. Every brain cell of his was glued to the hypnotic sway of her butt in front of him. The sun beating down on his skin was nothing compared to the lust scorching inside him, so it was good to reach the water and dive in. The cold water gave him camouflage, but did nothing to cool his libido. No chance of that when Hannah was nearby. The sun gleamed on her wet skin, and the droplets of water clinging to her body only made him want to grab her and kiss her more.

“It’s been ages since we did this,” she said. “Remember those scorching Sundays during summer when it was too hot to do anything?”

Only too well. He remembered coming to this lake with Caleb and Hannah. Sneaking glances at Hannah in her bikini, just like today. He remembered his raw jealousy when Rick had tagged along and monopolized her attention. Well, Rick was gone forever, and he was here with her.

“I remember you shrieking when I got you with my water gun,” Derek said.

She laughed. “You hit me square in the face! It stung.”

“Now I feel bad about that. Here, you can get me back. I’ll be a sitting target.”

“I don’t have a water gun.”

“Well, use your hands. Improvise, woman.”

She smacked the water, spraying it full into his face. He spluttered and blinked. “Go on, again.”

She used her legs to kick water at him, and he stood there, not dodging an inch.

“It’s no fun if you just stand there and take it,” she complained.

“You want me to squeal? Okay.” He clutched his hands together and mimicked a few girly shrieks until she burst out laughing.

He waded closer. Desperate to touch her, he thought maybe he could duck her in the water as an excuse. A sudden blast of water hit the side of his head. Taken completely unaware, he wiped his eyes to see a kid smirking at him a few yards away with a giant water gun in his hands.

“Sorry ’bout that!” a man called out before he sternly addressed the boy, “Bobby, you shouldn’t have done that. Apologize right now, please.”

The boy’s face fell. “Sorry, mister,” he mumbled at Derek.

“Uh, don’t worry about it. He was just fooling around like I was.” Derek waved at the man and boy to show there were no hard feelings.

The father guided the boy away, and soon they were happily horsing about in the water.

“Kids, huh?” Hannah said.

“Yeah.” Derek cast another glance at the father and son. They looked so at ease with each other. How did that happen? “They look like they’re having fun.”

“You sound envious. Are you thinking about having kids one day?”

He swung back to Hannah, shocked by her question. “What? Jeez—no!”

“You don’t have to act so horrified.” She wrinkled her brow at him. “Don’t you ever want children?”

He was standing waist-deep in cold water, yet he was sweating. “I haven’t thought about it much, but I don’t think I’d make a great parent. Not with my upbringing.”

“I think you’re selling yourself short. Just because your mom neglected you doesn’t mean you would neglect your kid. I mean, if we went by your reasoning, then I shouldn’t have kids either because of what my mom did to me and Caleb.”

Neither she nor Caleb talked much about their mom running off when they were young, but Derek knew it had scarred them deeply, knew because he hid his own scars from when his mom had abandoned him. He eyed her cautiously. “So, you want to have kids?”

“One day in the future.” She lifted her shoulders. “A very long day away. When I’ve finished school and got a good job.”

“You’d make a great mom.”

Her eyebrows shot up in surprise. “You think?”

He touched her cheek. “Yeah, I do.”

“Oh, Derek.” She placed her hand over his, clearly moved by his words. “That— Thank you. And I don’t care what you say, you’ll make a great dad, too.”

He doubted that, but it was kind of her to think so. They stood together for a while, not talking, just touching each other while sunshine and water shimmered around them. Then a group of teenagers ran shrieking into the lake, breaking the moment.

“Is your granddad okay over there by himself?” Shading her eyes, Hannah peered toward the bench where Otto sat. “Maybe we should go talk to him.”

“He likes being on his own,” Derek said. “Besides, often I don’t know what to talk to him about.”

“We’ve got some clients at the nursing home who are solitary, too. You know what I find works? Photo albums. Even the quietest resident perks up when they start talking about their old photos. It jogs their memory, helps them remember the good times.”

Derek nodded. “I might try that sometime.” Although he wasn’t sure Otto had many good times to remember. Or if he had any photo albums to start with.

Hannah squinted at the sun which had passed its zenith. “My evening shift starts at three,” she said. “I can’t be late or my boss will chew me out again.”

He pressed his lips together. Earlier today, while painting with Hannah and Amber, he’d heard all about Vera, the starchy supervisor who resented Hannah for reasons unknown. Derek’s hackles rose as his protective instincts kicked in. How could anyone not like Hannah?

“I won’t make you late.”

Their time together was running out. Not just here today at the lake, but in general. He had to return to L.A. in a week. After he left, when would he see Hannah again?

He waded closer to her. Reaching out, he trailed his fingers over her shoulder, relishing her damp, warm flesh.

“What time do you get off?” he asked, unable to keep the gruffness from his voice.

“Um, eleven thirty.”

“I could come by your place.”

He shouldn’t be doing this. Helping her paint her house in broad daylight was one thing, but visiting her late at night was something else completely. This was crazy, reckless. But he couldn’t contain his need for her anymore. One night with Hannah wasn’t enough. As much as they both denied it, there was a fire between them that defied logic. And judging by the way she’d kissed him on the back porch, she felt it too.

She looked startled. “At midnight?”

“Why not? I don’t have to get up early for anything.”

He thought she’d shake her head right away, but instead a small, doubtful frown settled on her forehead. His optimism rose.

“I don’t have much energy after finishing late,” she said.

“That’s okay,” he said. “I’ll provide all the energy.”

“When I get home I like to watch TV and just chill out.”

“Sounds good to me. We can just chill out or whatever.”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “Whatever?”

“Yeah.”
Whatever
covered a lot of ground. He cupped his fingers under her chin to tip up her face. He wanted her to know how much he craved spending another night with her, but also that she had the final say. He brushed his thumb across her lower lip, greedy to touch her, and felt an answering shudder run through her. “It’s completely up to you, babe. You’re in charge here.”

Her tongue darted out to lick his thumb before she drew out of reach. “Whatever, huh?”

“That’s right.” His voice was hoarse. He was practically begging for her permission. He just hoped she was thinking the same “whatever” he was.

She screwed up her eyes at him, and then, without warning, she splashed some water at him. “Okay, come over and watch TV tonight,” she said, breezy and offhand. As she turned and began heading back to shore, she added over her shoulder, “Or whatever.”

God, he never knew Hannah could be such a tease. And such a turn on.

He wiped his face and surged through the water after her. She picked up her pace, leaped out of the water, and ran up the beach to their pile of clothing. By the time he caught up with her, he was breathing deep, though not from the physical exertion.

Derek pressed a hand to his knee to stop it from jiggling. He snuck another look at the clock above his granddad’s television set. It was only nine o’clock. Another three hours to kill. How was he going to make it? He shifted his feet again, dragging them against the carpet.

“Something wrong with you?” Otto muttered from his nearby armchair. “You got ants in your pants or something?”

Derek started. “Nothing.” He tried to settle his limbs, but the restless itch in them quickly became unbearable.

His grandpa sighed. “Why don’t you go down to Jimmy’s? It’s a Friday night, plenty of young people there.”

Derek shook his head. “I’m not in the mood.” Tonight there was only one thing on his mind.

Otto cleared his throat. “I’ll call you if I have any problems.”

Derek blinked at his granddad. “You promise?”

Otto’s brow furrowed. “I just said I would, didn’t I?”

“That’s good to know, but I think I’ll hang around here for a while.”

His grandfather shrugged and turned his attention back to the television, where
Doomsday Preppers
had just come on. Derek rested his head on the couch and gazed up at the ceiling.

“You like her, don’t you?” Otto said when the ads came on.

Derek looked up. “Huh?”

“That Willmett girl. You like her.”

Jeez, this was the first time his granddad had ever brought up the subject of girls. “Yeah, I like her.” No point hiding that.

He waited for Otto to say something more, but the old man just stared at an ad for fried chicken, and then the show came back on.

“Hope you’re using protection,” Otto muttered, eyes still glued to the TV screen.

“Huh?” Derek jerked upright.

“You heard me. Don’t want any little surprises down the road.”

What the hell? Was that the extent of his granddad’s relationship advice? Practice safe sex? Well, maybe that was all Otto knew about relationships, and at least he was showing an interest in Derek. Maybe this was his granddad’s way of demonstrating that he cared.

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Derek muttered.

Chapter Ten

The headlights of Hannah’s car pierced the night, picking out the quiet streets of her neighborhood. As she pulled into the driveway of her dad’s house, she couldn’t ignore the quick thrum of her pulse. It had been there all through her evening shift, that undercurrent of tension and excitement running through her veins, making her feel like she’d gulped a strong cocktail. Like the mojitos she’d downed the night she’d fallen into bed with Derek.

She turned off the ignition, cut the lights, grabbed her bag, and hopped out of the car. The house cast a deep shadow over the driveway, and she’d forgotten to leave the porch light on. A light breeze rustled the nearby bushes. She spun around, nerves vibrating, just as a tall, instantly recognizable figure walked up the driveway toward her.

“Hannah,” Derek murmured.

Relief and gladness flooded her, forcing her to admit that yes, all night she’d been looking forward to seeing him again. “Hi.”

He paused in front of her, shadows swathing his face. “Long shift?”

Long and tiring, but her tiredness lifted as she breathed in his scent on the warm night air. She nodded. “Coming inside?”

He nodded, and they walked up the porch stairs side by side. They’d barely spoken except for a few mundane words, but there was nothing ordinary about the tension fluctuating between them, alive as an electric current.

She opened the door and moved into the living room. Diffused lamplight from the adjoining dining room spilled in. She hoped the light flattered her. Her hair was messily tied up with an elastic band, and her lavender scrubs weren’t exactly stylish.

“I’ve been waiting all night for you,” Derek murmured.

God, he knew just the right thing to say to undo the last of her reservations. She gulped, licked her lips, nervous anticipation swirling into a knot beneath her ribs.

She tilted her head at the TV. “So, there’s a late night movie on.”

“What’s it about?” His hungry eyes never left her.

“I think it’s some B-grade horror movie.”

“I prefer whatever.”

His smile curled through her, trebling her excitement. How incredible that a man as sexy as Derek could look at her with such burning, clothes-ripping intensity.

“What kind of whatever is that?” she managed to get out.

“I’ll show you.”

He reached for her, his hands pulling the elastic band to free her hair before he delved his fingers through her locks, loosening the strands and fluffing them about her face. Sliding his fingers around the curve of her cheeks, he tilted up her face and lowered his lips to hers in a sweet, slow kiss.

She sank into his kiss, letting go of her final hesitation. She’d struggled hard to do the right thing, but Derek was too much temptation. Over the past few days she’d stopped viewing him as a teenager and seen the man he had become. He was generous and sensitive, with a cheeky sense of humor, and he could make her excited just by walking into a room. And the fact that he found her such a turn on aroused her even more. She wanted him so badly, so passionately, that she was willing to take this risk. Caleb was out of town, she had the house to herself.
Take this night
, her body urged her.
Take this and savor it
.

Wrapping her arms around his neck, she poured all her emotion into her kiss until he broke off, breathless and laughing softly.

“Hey, what’s your hurry? We have all night.”

She ran her hands over his torso. Beneath his shirt his chest muscles were hard and taut. “How do you know that? I might change my mind at any minute,” she teased him.

“The hell you will.” His hands clamped on her hips as his growl sent a delicious thrill through her.

He backed her up until she toppled over onto the couch, and he went with her, kissing her like he’d just broken out of prison. All the while, his hands were busy, roaming over her lavender top until he found the side drawstring and loosened the material. His hands slipped under the hem, and she gasped into his mouth at the incredible feel of his palms coasting slowly over her stomach.

Derek wrestled with her top, but there wasn’t enough space on the couch.

“Hold on,” he muttered, sliding his hands beneath her.

He lifted her up and eased her onto the rug. A second later, he pulled off her top, and she was hyperventilating. She pulled the shirt from his shoulders. Sensing her urgency, he helped her shrug off his shirt. As he tossed the shirt on the couch, several small packets fell out of the pocket.

“Condoms,” he muttered.

She glanced at the pile of foil packets then back at Derek. “You’d better hurry up and put one of them on.”

He raised his eyebrows, surprise flickering in his eyes. “Here? I was going to carry you upstairs first.”

“Yes, here. We’re not going to make it to my bedroom.”

His face glowed as he leaned over and gathered her in his arms. The intensity in his eyes took her breath away. All that tenderness and hunger focused solely on her… Her heart swooned as she wrapped her arms around his neck and surrendered to the flames consuming them.

In the blissful moments afterward, he held her, their panting breaths mingling as they gradually floated back to earth. She couldn’t help a huge smile spreading across her lips as she stretched out, sated and exhilarated. Derek grinned at her, his face radiating satisfaction.

Eventually she sat up and ran her fingers through her messy hair.

“Oh hell,” Derek muttered. “Am I responsible for that?” He touched her back, and she twisted round to glimpse a few red marks on her shoulder blades.

“Carpet burn.” She laughed. “There’re a couple on my butt, too.”

“Shoot. Didn’t mean to be so rough on you.”

The concern in his face melted her heart. “It’s nothing, honestly.”

Bending down, he pressed his lips to each of the spots on her butt and shoulders. “Let me kiss it better for you, babe.”

Oh, he was so irresistible. She felt light-headed and alive in every cell. What was it about making love with Derek that made her feel this way? Maybe it was the way he took such care with her, his focus on pleasing her first rather than himself. That was an incredible turn on. She drew him up to face her and stroked his cheek, rubbing her thumb across his stubble-roughened skin before she leaned in to kiss him lightly on the lips.

“How long can you stay tonight? Do you have to go back to your granddad?”

“Only in the morning. He promised to call if he got into difficulties.” He spread his hands wide across her hips and pulled her closer. “I’m glad you’ve changed your mind about us.”

There was a hint of a question in his words.

“I guess I got tired of fighting this…attraction between us. I didn’t realize it’d be so strong.” She picked up her scattered clothes and shoes. “Well, after that romp on the floor and my shift, I’m in desperate need of a hot shower.”

“I’ll join you,” he said as he scooped up his own fallen clothes. “I’m sure you need help soaping your back and…other places.”

As she led the way upstairs, she wondered if letting him stay the night was a foolish decision. Their lives were headed in opposite directions, and she couldn’t see any long-term future for them. But she decided she wasn’t going to spoil what was left of tonight. Tonight was enough; tonight was all they had, all she could ask for.

Hannah woke up to find herself in Derek’s arms, his lips pressing soft kisses against her temples. Early morning light filtered through the drapes. With a happy sigh, she turned to him, her body shuddering awake as his mouth found hers and his gentle kiss became hot and hungry. He pressed into her, his naked body pinning her.

But then he let out a groan as he reluctantly lifted his head, breaking off the kiss. “Sorry, didn’t mean to start that.”

“Don’t apologize,” she breathed, famished for his body. “Just finish what you started.”

“I intend to, but I have to get back and fix my grandpa’s breakfast.” He pulled a face before dropping a quick, firm kiss on her mouth. “Don’t go anywhere, babe. I’ll be back in half an hour, and then I’ll give you a finish and more.”

“You promise?”

“Cross my heart and hope to die. Now shut your eyes, and I’ll return before you know it. I’ll even leave my car at Otto’s and walk back, so your neighbors won’t get suspicious.”

He slipped out of bed and groped around for his clothes. Sighing, Hannah rolled over so she could watch him dress. He really had the most beautiful body she’d ever seen. And to think it had been all hers last night…

He padded over to her, kissed her one more time, and then he was gone. Without him the bed felt too big and empty. She snuggled into the pillows, searching for his scent that was imprinted on her linen, her skin, her heart.

Last night had been filled with passion, laughter, and wonder. An incredible experience she could never regret. But it had to stop today. Caleb was sure to sense something between them if they continued to sleep together. Her parents were due to arrive home tomorrow, and then, of course, Derek was leaving a week from now, and she wouldn’t see him again for ages…

But while it lasted, she’d make the most of it. She got out of bed to clean her teeth, wash her face, and brush her hair. She tidied the bed, fluffed up the pillows, and put on the racy, black lace teddy that she’d bought on impulse after her divorce but never worn. She climbed in between the sheets and drifted off into a light slumber, dreaming of Derek’s eyes.

She started awake to see those same eyes gazing down at her. Derek was already naked, she saw; he must have stripped off in a hurry. She went to smile at him, but he didn’t give her time, crushing her mouth with his, his urgency electrifying her. Only when he pulled back the sheet and his gaze fell on her lace teddy, did he pause.

“Wow.” He let out a low whistle. “Glad I ran back for this.”

His carpenter’s hands fingered the lace contours. She smiled up at him. For a few hours more, Derek was all hers.

The alarm clock showed it was almost ten o’clock. Hannah sat up in bed, stretched her arms, and yawned. No wonder she’d slept in after all the attention Derek had given her. He lay still next to her, but as she turned to him, she saw his eyes were bright and alert as if he’d been awake for some time. Smiling, he ran his fingers down her arm. Had he been watching her in her sleep? She hoped she hadn’t mumbled out any secrets.

“I guess we’d better get up,” she said reluctantly. Unwelcome reality seeped into her. With her parents due back tomorrow she had a list of chores to knock off.

“Want to go out to the lake again? I know a quiet spot where we can swim.”
And make love
, his eyes said.

She bit her lip in regret. “I’m sorry, but my dad and Rosalind are coming back tomorrow, and I need to clean the house and do a few other things.”

Derek eyed her steadily for a while. “And I’m guessing you don’t want me staying over anymore when your parents are here.”

Pushing the sheet away, she searched for her black teddy. It lay crumpled at the foot of the bed, long discarded. “Derek, you know how I feel. Our lives are headed in completely different directions. This…thing between us, it was always only temporary. A—a sort of time-out from our normal lives.”

He didn’t speak for a while, and his silence became tinged with gravity. “What if you need more time-outs in the future?” he asked. “Would you consider me then?”

Her gaze flew up to his. “What do you mean?”

“I mean…” He paused, and it seemed he was picking his words carefully. “I’d like to see more of you.”

He couldn’t be serious. “Hey, I’m sitting here buck naked in front of you. How much more would you like to see?”

His mouth lifted at the corners but only for a second. “You could come visit me in L.A. It’s only a one-hour flight from Sacramento. I’ll buy you the ticket.”

He was serious. Panic bubbled in her stomach. “Where’s all this coming from? I thought this was just a—a bit of harmless fun.” She got up to search for her bathrobe, suddenly feeling vulnerable and naked in more than one way. “Can you please stop talking about plane tickets and L.A.?”

His expression softened as he rose and stood in front of her. “Sure, if it’s making you nervous.”

“It is.”

With a sigh, he ruffled his hair for several moments, a slight frown on his brow, before tipping back his head. “Okay. I won’t argue with you. For now.”

“How about some breakfast? I can make you French toast. You always liked my French toast.”

“Thanks, but just some juice and plain toast will be fine. Don’t want to hold you up when you have so much to do.”

She put on her bathrobe and left him casting around for his jeans. As she made her way downstairs to the kitchen, she couldn’t suppress the regret panging inside her. Regret that the night was over and reality was intruding.

But she could see Derek again if she took him up on his invitation to visit. Instantly, she quashed that notion. What could be more pathetic than a newly divorced woman chasing after a hot, sexy guy five years her junior? And besides, she’d been burned already with Rick and his womanizing ways. Sure, Derek wasn’t a liar like Rick, but he was a player, and his L.A. life was very different and very glamorous compared to sleepy old Pine Falls.

And what if she visited Derek in L.A. and he realized he’d made a terrible mistake? That he preferred women like Marla Beaudry? That would be so humiliating.

She’d endured enough humiliation from her ex-husband; she wouldn’t risk it again for what was a brief and wonderful fling. Derek could never be more than a friend and a fond memory. She busied herself in an effort to ignore her glumness. She filled the coffeemaker and opened the kitchen windows. She went out to the backyard to fetch a mug she’d left outside, and as she re-entered the kitchen, caught the sound of the front door shutting.

Had Derek left without saying good-bye to her? Her heart chilled.

“Hello? Anyone at home?” a male voice called from the hallway. “Hannah?”

The chill in her heart flooded her entire body. She couldn’t move a muscle as her brother strode into the kitchen.

“Hey, Hannah.” Caleb dumped a basket filled with clothes on the table.