You're to Blame(19)

“And in a few years, I’ll graduate, and I won’t be some wimpy, little girl reporter on her college newspaper, but someone who’ll occupy a top spot at one of the biggest newspapers in the nation.” I tap my pen on the notebook, my patience growing thin. “So, you going to tell me about the arrest or not?”

“I like you, Charlotte.” He wags a finger at me.

“What are you doing here?” Hands gripping the top frame, Duke fills the opening. His strong, domineering stature takes up the remainder of the space in the room. His gaze shifts from me to Derks, who comes up behind me. His presence warms my back like a blanket on a winter’s night. Tension fills the room, but I may be the only one to feel it.

As Duke’s stare intensifies, my clothes suddenly feel too tight and itchy. Derks’ closeness has me unconsciously stepping towards Duke, and my breaths quicken when he snorts under his breath.

“Trying to find the damn karaoke machine,” Derks grunts, returning to his search.

“Karaoke machine? For what?” Duke questions, his tone sarcastic. Who doesn’t like karaoke? “And I’m asking Charlotte, not you.”

“Yes, I’m trying something new.” Derks studies the two of us.

“Who gave you this idea? Was it Lyd?” Duke rolls his eyes, annoyed with his boss.

“I love karaoke,” I chime in, looking over my shoulder to Derks, who smiles appreciatively. When I turn back around, Duke’s face is red.

“What are you doing here?” Duke drops his hands from the doorframe and steps closer to me, edging me against the table.

“She’s here to interview yours truly. Agreed to shadow me here at the bar one night this week.” Derks winks behind Duke’s back.

“What?” Duke laughs. “Shadow, you doing what, exactly? Sitting in the corner booth checking out the incoming freshman?” So, Derks is clearly a lady’s man. This comes as no surprise. He’s hot and a tad bit cocky. His rough, razor like edges must have the girls falling at his feet.

“It would give me some insight into the man, the myth, the legend.” I push the button to stop the recorder and jump from the stool.

“Don’t stroke this guy’s ego.” Aggravation fills Duke’s voice. Who is it aimed at, though?

“You can stroke anything of mine you’d like, sweetheart,” Derks skims his bottom lip with the tip of his tongue. His smile is playful, proving what I already know. Although he’s harmless, he’s the kind of man who could sell ice to an Eskimo. “Got it.” He yanks a vintage machine from the back of the shelf and drops it on the table. “Want to give it a go?” The mic twirls in his hand, enticing me to take him up on the offer.

“I would, but I have stuff to do for school.” I stuff my things into my purse.

Duke does a double take between me and Derks. His jaw falls slack as he takes us both in. Why does our easy banter surprise him?

“Maybe just one song.” Derks winks at Duke. He doesn’t try to disguise his gesture. Unapologetic is another way to describe a guy like Derks.

“I’ll make you a deal. When Duke sings karaoke in front of a bar full of people, I’ll give you a song.” I laugh, knowing full well Duke is too uptight for fun and games.

“Well, shit, sweetheart. That means I’ll never hear that beautiful voice of yours.” Derks shakes his head. “For him to sing karaoke, he’d have to remove that ‘no having fun’ stick from his ass.” With the karaoke machine tucked under his arm, he slaps Duke on the shoulder as he passes by us.

“How do you know I can even sing?”

The wild smirk on his face is contagious, and my lips stretch into a full smile. “A girl like you? Something tells me there isn’t anything you can’t do.” He throws a wave over his shoulder, leaving Duke and me alone.

The space in the backroom feels far smaller with it being just the two of us. Duke doesn’t say anything, scuffing his heel on the tiled floor. An embarrassing rumble from my stomach breaks the deafening silence.

“I was going to ask if you’re hungry, but I’ll take that as a yes.” He glances at my stomach and chuckles.

Duke leads me into the small kitchen, and I lift myself to sit on the metal island. He rummages through the fridge and drawers, gathering bread, meat, and condiments. The muscles in his back flex through his tight grey t-shirt. My heart pounds at the show he’s giving. He turns, and his eyes widen.

“What?” I cover my heart with my hand and glance behind me for any sign of danger.

“You do realize we prepare food on that, right?” He drops the food beside me.

“Oh my god!” I wasn’t even thinking.

A deep, amused laugh escapes his lips, and his hand touches my knee. If he meant to relax me, I hate to tell him, but his touch has the opposite effect. My body stills, and my heart races. The tingling in my stomach fades when he moves his hand. Well, I hadn’t expected that.

“You’re interviewing Derks?” he asks, lightening the mood between us. His expression doesn’t slip, but his green eyes soften. “What’s so interesting about him?” He focuses on the plates in front of him.

“We’re actually doing a series of interviews showcasing business owners who graduated from Greystone, and still reside in the area. After Derks, I have to interview Ari St. James.”