CHAPTER12
Her body deliciously sore, Abbie nestled on Derek’s chest.Derek had propped himself up against the headboard, and he stroked her arm.“You know, those clothes aren’t going to pack themselves.”
He pulled her in tighter.“You’re saying you want to get out of bed and pack?”
“I don’t want to, but the car is going to be here soon.I need to.”
Derek gave one more squeeze, then made to get up.“I’ll let you pack.I think I’ve distracted you enough.”
She got up on her knees, the sheets pooled around her, and pulled him down for a quick kiss.“It was the perfect distraction.”He dressed quickly and closed the door behind him.
She untangled herself from the sheets, grabbed the sketchbook and pulled free the page with the drawing of him asleep and placed it on his pillow.A little something for him to remember her.
Abbie let out a deep breath and collected her things.It didn’t take long, but she still couldn’t find that pair of underwear that Derek had taken off in the limo.
Well, if he wanted to keep them, then she’d keep something of his, too.She spotted the blue Henley he’d worn the day before and grabbed it.It still smelled like him, like leather and citrus, and a hint of earthiness.
Abbie took her shirt off and pulled on the Henley.The sleeves were too long, and it fell to just past her ass, but she was determined to wear it home.
A small knock sounded, and Derek opened the door.“Hey, Abbie, the car will – is that my shirt?”
She looked down, then back up at him, eyes wide.“No?”
Derek raised an eyebrow and moved to stand in front of her.He ran his finger along the collar of the shirt, into the small dip caused by the open buttons.“It looks good on you, Abbie.”
It was difficult to think.“I’m glad you like it.I was hoping to keep it…if that’s okay.”
Sadness crossed his features, and Abbie’s heart broke at the look.“It’s all yours.”
Abbie could barely breathe.“What…what were you saying when you came in?About the car?”
Derek dropped his hand.“It’ll be here in a few minutes.”He looked as though he wanted to say something, but the only thing that came out was, “Are you ready?”
No.“Yes.”
“I’ll carry your bags out for you.”He picked up her two small bags and headed to the front of the house.
Abbie followed him, her heart breaking into small pieces behind her.The car had pulled around to the front, and Derek loaded her bags into the trunk as she stood by the car door.
There was so much she wanted to say, words that built up in her chest but caught in her throat.Could there be more between them than a weekend of amazing sex?
Time.Abbie needed moretime.Time with him…time to think.Derek had caught her off-guard and she hadn’t been prepared to fall for him.
But he would be off to another country for the next few weeks, then who knew after that.The scrutiny of celebrity life aside, there was no way she could compare to the successful actresses and directors and writers he worked with regularly.It would just open the door for even more heartbreak.
Derek came around the car to stand in front of her.She steeled her spine as best she could, shutting down the desperate sadness.
“It’s been great, sweets.”
“Time to get back to reality, I guess.”She tried for humor, but it landed flat between them, splattered on the concrete driveway.
The world stood still as Derek pulled her in by her hips, his lips soft as he pressed them to hers.“Goodbye, Abbie,” he whispered.
Tears threatened to fall, and she stepped away before they could.“Goodbye, Derek.”She climbed into the back seat, and Derek closed the door behind her.She kept her eyes forward as the driver pulled away from the house, her heart shattered along the driveway behind her.
