Page 66 of Prudence
“It’s hard to know what’s going on in kids’ heads sometimes.”
“She’s been so much better lately,” he went on. “I don’t want to … I can’t jeopardise that.” He looked so apologetic that my heart sank.
“It’s okay,” I whispered even while a crack formed in my chest. “I understand.”
“No, no, we’re not … I’m not giving you up. Not again.”
“It isn’t that simple, Derek. We both have children to consider.”
His expression was determined. “We’ll make it work. We’ll figure this out. I can’t lose you.” His hands sank into my hair before sliding down my spine and wrapping around me, returning the hug. We stayed like that for a long moment before I tried to break the tension with a little humour. “So, I guess you were lying when you said you wanted to check the quality of the repair work on the ceiling?”
Derek chuckled low, some of his tension fading when he released me from the hug. “I wasn’t lying. Show me.”
Something about the way he said “Show me” had a shiver dancing across the back of my neck, heating the tips of my ears. Maybe it was the fact that he’d just given me the most incredibleorgasm, but suddenly, my brain was interpreting everything he said through a filter of sex.
I cleared my throat. “All right, let’s go take a look, then.”
***
Satisfied with the repairs, Derek went home a little while later without visiting my bedroom. Yes, I was disappointed, but at the same time, I understood why he’d pulled the brakes. He needed to be mindful of his daughter and take things at an easy pace for her sake.
It was also why I decided against bringing up the subject of my aunt. I’d been planning to come clean with Derek about everything that had happened in the past, but I could see he already had a lot on his mind. I’d find a better moment to talk everything through, though admittedly I was stressed about the possibility he’d be angry with me. Not only because I’d allowed my aunt to influence my choices but because I’d never told him what I knew about his father.
Just before he’d left, we’d stood on my doorstep, and he’d cupped my jaw, kissing me so thoroughly it made my toes curl and my stomach flurry in a way that took hours to settle down.
I thought of his intense expression and earnest face when he’d told me he wasn’t going to let me go this time. Whenever I remembered, my stomach would flurry all over again.
Over the next few days, we saw one another a couple of times but never for long enough. Derek was busy with work, making sure everything was running smoothly with his father now retired. He barely had a moment of spare time. In a way, I was relieved because it meant I could delay our inevitable conversation about our past and my aunt for a little while longer. On the other hand, I yearned to be alone with him. The few minutes of hastily shared bliss in my hallway after the concert wasn’t nearly enough.
With his busy schedule, I didn’t expect to see him at our next guided meditation class. Then, as I settled down onto my mat a few minutes before the class started, I turned my head just as Derek lowered onto the mat next to mine. He’d once again abandoned his spot at the back of the class, and my belly whirled at the sight of him. He looked tired but handsome. His hair was rumpled, and the T-shirt and shorts he’d changed into after being at the office caused my attention to go to his waist. Or, more specifically, his crotch.
Okay, Milly, eyes up please.
“Hi,” I breathed, meeting his sexy gaze while air got trapped in my lungs. The way he stared at me in my tight, long-sleeved yoga top and leggings had my entire body breaking out in tingles.
“Camille,” he said, eyes hot as they traversed my breasts and hips. Ever since the concert, a flip had switched, and he was no longer hiding his attraction. It was a little overwhelming to be honest, and I wasn’t sure I was equipped to handle the full force of Derek Balfe’s interest.
“Did you just come from work?” I practically squeaked because he hadn’t looked away from me once, and it was frazzling me in the best way.
He nodded wordlessly, eyes sliding back up to my face before resting on my lips. He blew out a soft sigh and whispered so low under his breath I almost didn’t hear him. “This might be a struggle.”
“Long day?” I went on because I was far too worked up to address his whispered statement.
“Uh huh. You?”
“Not too bad. I’ve been visiting showrooms to decide on a new kitchen. I think I found the cabinets I like best.” This was good. Talking about mundane, boring topics such as kitchen cabinets might douse some of the fire burning between us.
Derek’s lips twitched, his gaze softening when he replied, “Let me know if you need help finding a reputable installer.”
“I will, thank you.”
Roberta arrived and turned on some soothing ocean sounds, a blessed distraction from Derek’s heated intensity. I tried my level best to focus, but it was useless with him next to me. He completely fried my concentration, and all I could feel was his heat, all I could hear were his deep breaths going in and out. By the end of the session, I was no calmer. My head was even fuzzier than it had been before, full of all the things I wanted him to do to me.
“I’ll walk you to your car,” Derek said as we left the class and exited the building. I noticed he’d parked his SUV right next to my bright red Suzuki.
When we reached our vehicles, he stepped close, boxing me in against the back door of his car. His arms bracketed me, one hand flat on the metal behind my head, the other resting beside my hip, but he didn’t touch me, much to my disappointment. His body radiated heat, a presence I could feel without contact, like the air between us had thickened. He didn’t say a word. Just looked at me in that same slow, searing, deliberate way that had the ability to steal my breath.
The car park was relatively empty, and though it was late evening, the sun hadn’t set yet.
