The Feel Good Factor(67)
“Thank you, sir. I accept.”
*
I say goodbye to Arden and Vanessa before I leave, hugging them and thanking them for being the best friends a woman could ask for.
“You were my besties in grade school, high school, and now. We’ve been through everything, and I love you both.”
They hug me back together. “Group hug,” Arden says.
“Also, we decided you won the bet,” Vanessa adds.
“I did?” I ask with a smile as we separate.
“Didn’t you hear? Your most passionate kiss raised the most money.”
I shake my hips. “I had a feeling we’d own that category.”
*
We choose Derek’s bed.
“The scene of the first crime,” I remark.
“Then expect me to be guilty a helluva lot, officer.” He smacks his forehead. “Excuse me. I meant Detective Keating.”
I grin as I take off my top. “That’s right. I want you to keep calling me ‘detective.’”
“Can I call you ‘detective’ when I cuff you to my bedpost, put you on all fours, and fuck your sweet pussy with my tongue?”
I shiver at the tantalizing possibility. “My cuffs are downstairs.”
“Then consider it an unbreakable promise for next time.” He tugs me close, rubbing his hard-on against my hip through his jeans.
I groan, leaning my head back. “You need to get naked and inside me now.”
“Then undress me, kitten. I’m all yours.”
All mine.
Those words both turn me on and make me unimaginably happy at the same time. I strip off his clothes, he yanks off the rest of mine, and I pull him to me on the bed. Grabbing his chin, I bring his face closer. “I love you, Derek McBride. Will you fuck me like you love me?”
He nuzzles my neck with his trim beard. “Easiest thing you’ve ever asked me to do.”
When he slides inside me, I feel it. Not just his cock, which I adore. But I feel the love between us. The intensity, the connection, the need.
He does fuck me. And that’s what I want. He takes me like he loves me, like he needs me, and as I let go, I give in to love at last.
41
Derek
A few weeks later
I raise the bar in another rep, and then one more while Shaw spots me. Once I finish, I wipe my hands and say, “You ready to grab a beer?”
“I’m always ready for a beer.”
We head to the Barking Pug, trading stories about some of the crazy calls we’ve had in the past few weeks. Shaw’s become a good friend in that time.
“You know what’s cool?” I ask as we stop outside the bar.
“What’s that?”
“That you never pulled one of those don’t date my sister routines,” I tell him as I push open the door.
“You never gave me a chance to, but I’m happy to do it now.” He shakes a finger and adopts an old man tone. “Keep your paws off my little sister.”
I laugh as we grab stools at the bar, but his laughter fades quickly as he clears his throat, turning more serious than I’ve ever heard him. “Speaking of, I need to ask your advice about something.”
“Hit me.”
“So listen, it’s about Vanessa.”
“Yeah?” I ask, remembering the chemistry between them at the bowling alley. “What about her?”
The bartender swings by, and we order. When he takes off, Shaw continues. “I don’t know if you’re aware of this . . .”
I’m pretty sure I’m aware of exactly what he’s about to say.
“But I’ve kind of had it bad for her for a long time.”
“I figured that out.”
He looks at me. “Did you?”
“It’s patently obvious. The two of you flirt with each other as if it’s literally all you want to do.”
“That seems a reasonable assessment.” He heaves a sigh. “Trouble is, Perri’s made it pretty clear she doesn’t want anything to happen.”
“She definitely has.”
Shaw drums his fingers on the bar. “Do you think you could talk to her? Maybe try to smooth the path for me?”
I wince. “Ouch. I do value my life, you know that?”
“You’re saying I have my work cut out for me if I’m ever going to go after Vanessa?”
I nod vigorously. “I’m happy to help you any way I can, but Perri is going to be one tough nut to crack.”
Shaw rubs his hands together. “Then here’s what I’m thinking.”
While the bartender brings our beers, I listen as he tells me what he wants to do.
I raise a glass when he’s done. “Good luck with that. I can’t wait to hear how it goes.”
Epilogue
Derek
A little later
Shaw juggles some chocolate chip cookies that Arden made.
“Look at that!” He tosses three in the air, spinning them in circles out here on the deck.