Page 29 of Spyder
He gives me a sly grin and I suddenly realize he just used the same trick on me that I used on him when I saw him on the street the other night. Put the squeeze on by threatening to leave to get a favorable answer. It makes me laugh.
He’s a clever man. This could be dangerous for me. But I’d also be lying if I didn’t say it’s also kind of hot.
Chapter Thirteen
Bellamy
“You did not,” I say, barely able to control my laughter.
He nods. “I did. The general was none too pleased. I spent a solid month working shit details as penance.”
My control slips and I laugh out loud, making people in the restaurant turn and openly stare at us. When Derek turns and stares back at them, they quickly turn away. For such a sweet man—and I’m thoroughly convinced he is just that—he has an intimidating presence about him that’s tangible.
We’ve spent the last couple of hours talking over drinks and dinner. Derek’s regaled me with tales from his time in the service. Some of them have been harrowing, others have been downright hysterical. His sense of humor, something I never realized he had back in the day, is sparkling. He’s hysterical and knows how to tell a tale, that’s for sure.
“And what about you?” he asks. “Surely, you have some stories of your own from back in Colorado.”
“Nothing that compares with yours. My life there was pretty boring, all things considered. I was just locked in on getting my degree.”
“You enjoy teaching?”
I nod. “It’s more rewarding than I can even begin to tell you. It sounds corny, I know, but it really is.”
“I don’t think it sounds all that corny.”
“Just a little bit?”
He grins. “Yeah, maybe a little. But I can tell you’re a great teacher. You seem to really care about the kids.”
“I do. I really do.”
“I wish we’d had teachers like you back when we were in school.”
He takes a drink of his beer, his eyes never leaving mine. There’s an energy crackling between us I don’t know I’ve ever felt before. It’s strange and yet it feels good at the same time. There’s a comfort between Derek and me that I’m enjoying. And, of course, I’m enjoying the conversation and the laughter. I honestly don’t know the last time I laughed this much or this hard.
“Thank you for tonight,” I say. “It’s been a really nice evening.”
“It has,” he replies. “I can’t recall the last time I had an evening out this nice and this fun. Or with such dazzling company.”
“Smooth, Derek,” I say. “You’re a charmer.”
He laughs. “Too much?”
“Yeah, a little bit.”
“You’ll have to forgive me. I’m a bit rusty at this.”
“Rusty at what?”
“Dating,” he says.
I arch an eyebrow at him. “Oh? Is that what this is? A date? And here I thought it was just two old friends reconnecting over dinner.”
He grins at me. “I’m pretty sure this is a date. It feels like a date. I mean, it’s been a while since I’ve been on a date, but I do remember it feeling a lot like this.”
I laugh. “I can’t believe it’s been a while since you dated. I figured you were the type who had women lined up on a string.”
“Wow. You really do have a warped opinion of me.”
