Page 104 of The Cupcake Standard

Derek stood just inside the entrance of the opposite way I’d come, hands clenched into fists. “I am not just some pawn of yours, Father. You can’t push me around however you want. The app is mine, to use how I see fit. When you want to talk to me as an adult, as an equal, then I’ll do business with you.” He spun on his heel, stalking across the floor.

I put a hand to my chest, watching his every movement. It seemed he’d found his voice after all, and my heart nearly burst with pride. That’s my boyfriend.

Liam intercepted Derek, whispering frantically in his ear, then gesturing to someone near the refreshment table below me. I peered over the railing, wondering who they were talking about. I gasped as Derek strode right up to my mother.

“Mabel.”

His voice was perfect, the commanding voice that instantly had me wet and wanting.

“What did you say to Avery?”

I couldn’t make out Mother’s answer, but I’d never seen her cower before. My grin widened. The whole ballroom stopped to watch, fascinated by the scene.

Derek stayed in her face. “You listen, and you listen good. Avery’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me, and you are done walking all over her. Any communication you want to have with her from now on will be done through me. Is that clear?”

Mother’s towering red hair bobbed as she nodded.

Derek pushed away from her. His head moved from side to side, then he once again spoke to Liam who shrugged. I frowned. What’s he looking for? He whirled, scanning the ballroom, eyes frantic. When they crashed onto mine, his lips mouthed my name.

Then he yelled it. “Avery, wait!”

As if I have any hope of going anywhere after that scene. I stood frozen on the balcony, my eyes following him as he wove his way through the crowd and up the stairs, finally appearing before me.

“Running away again?” he asked, not quite approaching me.

I shook my head, unable to read him. “I needed some air after…”

“After what, Avery?” He climbed another step.

My words were barely a whisper. “After you left with your dad. After you didn’t fight. After I ran into my mom.” I watched him close the distance between us, watched him stand in front of me, those brilliant blue eyes looking down at me.

“But I did fight. For you and for us.”

I nodded. “I saw.”

Anger flickered in the depths of his gaze. “You were running. You gave up on me. Again.”

Indignation flared in me. My neck cracked, that was how emphatically I shook my head as I glared up at him. “Never. I’ll never give up on you.” Sparks crackled between us, and I swallowed. I realized I needed this, I needed him to chase me, needed whatever closure this was giving us, so I followed my gut. “What would you do if I did?”

He frowned. “What?” Panic flared in his gaze, warring inside him with the Derek I knew was in there, the one I so desperately wanted to win.

“I changed my mind.” I crossed my arms and jutted out a hip. “I’m leaving.” The panic in his eyes faded as anger took over, my hope growing steadily by the second. His glare should have infuriated me, but instead it ignited something inside me. I resisted the urge to rub my thighs together at the sight of Derek fighting. For us.

“Really?” The word came through his clenched teeth. “Why are you leaving?” He stepped even closer, challenging me, trying to intimidate me.

And I was having all of it. My response came out soft and breathy. “Because I can.” I studied him, watching the war within. The damaged, conditioned part of him wanted to slink off and lick his wounds while the real Derek, the Derek I knew and loved, struggled to make himself heard. “Why shouldn’t I?”

He gripped my shoulder. “Because I love you, Avery. You are the light in my life, you make everything better. Home is not the same without you in it. I walk in the door, and I want to see you there, smiling at me from the couch. I want to wake up in the morning to your ridiculous questions. I want to snuggle in our chair and make love to you every night. Is that reason enough to stay?”

I pulled back to search his face, still not quite seeing the resolve I needed. “I don’t know, Derek. Should I leave?”

His eyes narrowed, locking with mine, and one word came out. More growl than anything. “No.”

I searched him, hope flaring in me so bright it was blinding. “What?” I breathed, grasping the folds of my dress so I didn’t grab Derek and drag his lips onto mine. I waited, needing to hear him say it.

As he leaned down, he smirked. “I said no, don’t leave.”

It was that no-nonsense, all-business tone of his that pushed me over the edge, and the fragile hold on my self-control slipped.

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