Page 16 of Irresistible Valentine

"Having you help me clean up is so weird," Malcolm confessed.

"Should I go?" Derrick wondered turning to him with an expression that said he was worried he wasn't welcome or that he was pushing himself on Malcolm.

"No. I'm not complaining. It's nice," Malcolm said, not wanting to chase him away.

Once the cleanup was mostly done, Malcolm and Derrick ended up sitting together on the couch with beers in hand. Malcolm couldn't shake off the sense of anticipation, maybe Derrick would stay. Since he was on edge, he talked about theparty. "I was worried Paula would be uncomfortable with so many people here, but she was a champ."

"I think she appreciated everything about today. I even saw her hugging some cute wrapping paper," Derrick said.

"It had teddy bears and kittens on it. She had to," Malcolm said. "I don't think she's used to so much fuss being made for her sake."

"What were things like for her before she came to live with you?" Derrick wondered. "If you don't mind. I don't mean to pry."

"No. It's OK," Malcolm said but he didn't say anything for a while. Thoughts of Kimberley were too heavy. When he started speaking, his voice was rough. "My sister, Kimberley, is an addict. She couldn't take good care of Paula. She left her alone, didn't feed her, but she didn't want to give her up. Then something made her realized she couldn't give Paula a good life, and Kimberley gave up custody to me."

"It's good that Paula has you," Derrick said and his voice sounded rough with emotion too.

"I was terrified that I couldn't take good care of a her either, especially since she had been through so much," Malcolm confessed. "But then I was just happy to have her with me. I love her so much."

"I can tell, but I see that you're sad for her too," Derrick told him. "Just know that you're exactly what she needs."

"It hasn't been easy for her. She didn't have a nice life before she came to live with me, and she doesn't want to go back to it, but she still misses her mom. And at the same time, she's afraid that Kimberley will come back and take her away."

"Poor kid. Is there any chance that your sister could come back and take Paula away?" Derrick asked, his expression grave.

Malcolm shook his head. "I don't think so. She gave up her parental rights."

Derrick's expression was grim and the look in his dark eyes seemed far away. "Sorry," Derrick said. "I guess I sympathize with Paula. My mother had issues with alcohol and pills. Now I would call it self-medicating. But sometimes it was like she wasn't there. I felt like she left me even before she actually did."

"I'm sorry," Malcolm said.

"I had nannies and housekeepers off and on. My mother would get rid of them so they wouldn't witness her condition and report everything to my father. He made her life hell, and mine too. He didn't hit us but the verbal abuse was constant. I've been accused of being unfeeling more than once. I think I shut down as a defense against him. I didn't want to end up like my mother. So I just turned my feelings off." Derrick's face was blank, but Malcolm knew he must be in pain. Talking about Paula had brought back his childhood memories.

"I don't think you're unfeeling," Malcolm said. "You've been wonderful to Paula."

"She's a sweet child. It's easy. But my friends and lovers have told me I'm dead inside, an empty shell, that kind of thing," Derrick said, but that was all wrong.

"Don't listen to them," Malcolm said and took his hand. "You're a great guy. Just a little repressed."

Malcolm smiled and Derrick did too. He squeezed Malcolm's hand then entwined their fingers. His eyes were drawn to Derrick's lips and he started to feel hot. Then he felt even hotter when Derrick put an arm around his shoulders and leaned in for a kiss.

The kiss was gentle at first, but quickly turned hurried. They were locked in a heated embrace, their bodies pressed together as they kissed hungrily. Pulling him closer, Derrick leaned him back on the couch.

His hands roamed all over Malcolm's body, and Malcolm lost himself in the feeling of Derrick groping him and his lips trailingup the side of his neck. His whole body was caught in a wave of arousal, needing more of Derrick's touch. He was on fire for him.

Chapter 12

They kissed until Malcolm couldn't think of anything except wanting Derrick, needing him more than life. They pulled away from each other, taking a moment to breathe. Now Derrick's dark gaze was sinking into him. Leaning closer so their lips barely touched, Malcolm couldn't tell if he was hearing his own heart racing or Derrick's.

As Derrick was licking and biting his lower lip lightly, Malcolm was trying to remind himself where they were. Derrick's hand was sliding under his shirt and Malcolm grabbed it.

"If we don't go to my bedroom now, I won't make it," he gasped.

Derrick nodded then he pulled Malcolm up to his feet like he couldn't wait even one second. Malcolm loved that Derrick was rushing him into the bedroom.

Malcolm locked the door and then turned to Derrick who grabbed him and kissed him hard. The kiss deepened as he felt Derrick's hands slide down his back, kneading his ass thoroughly.

Derrick let him go and now Malcolm's head was spinning with lust. His hand on the back of Derrick's neck, Malcolm leaned his head on his shoulder. "Don't let me fall over," he breathed then he chuckled.

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