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“You there?” I hear him ask.
“Yeah, yeah. I’m free.” I can go. I should go, if for no other reason than just to talk. But I know there’s more to it than talking. I know I’m heading down a path that’s going to suck me in and threaten to take over.
“Yes!” I hear Sandra squeal in the kitchen, her feet padding against the floor. I don’t have to turn around to know she’s practically running in place.
I shake my head, my hand over my eyes. I love my sister, but what was she thinking? My heart squeezes in my chest.
“Great. I'll pick you up at eight,” he says in that deep voice that makes me want his lips on me.
“See you then,” I say softly into the phone, feeling a mixture of emotions running through my blood.
“Bye sweetheart,” he says.
I really should have said no, but the butterflies in my stomach and everything in our past are clouding my judgment.
I just hope this isn’t a huge mistake.
CHAPTER6
Derek
I’ve got it bad. All I wanted to do yesterday was pick her up. I knew she’d be home alone and studying. Some things never change.
I take a look at her in the passenger seat as I slow down at the red light, my Porsche humming smoothly.
She’s playing with the hem of her dress and mouthing along to the song on the radio.
“I like this one,” she says sweetly when she sees I’m looking at her. A beautiful blush rises to her cheeks and she tucks a strand of her hair that’s escaped from her bun behind her ear.
“Why are you so nervous today?” I ask her. The way she’s looking away from me and shifting in her seat makes it more than obvious that she’s apprehensive about something. It’s more than that though. She seems uncomfortable. Like she’s second-guessing this.
There’s a tension between us. I expected it. We’re still feeling each other out, I guess. We haven’t talked about anything, but I don’t really plan on it. I want her, so I’m taking her. It’s that simple.
I don’t like that she’s so uneasy though. It takes her a moment before she’s able to answer me. “Do you still deal?”
I hate her question. Do I still deal? Some. I’m not the dealer though. I’m the supplier. And it’s pot, for fuck's sake. I look out of the window, regretting the awkward tension between us and then drive through the intersection, the quiet air becoming thick.
I lick my lips and pull into the parking lot of Mariani’s Bistro. It’s one of my places of business. It’s close to my place, and it’s a nice restaurant which should impress her.
She clears her throat uncomfortably and barely gets out, “Sorry. I shouldn’t ask.”
No, she shouldn’t. The fewer questions, the better. There’s no reason for her to know anything other than I’ll provide for her. I’ll keep her safe.
But she doesn’t really know either of those things. She’s gotta realize I’m well off by now. The suits and car shoulda given that away. Maybe that’s why she’s asking.
“I just heard-” she starts to say, but then she shuts her mouth.
“What’s that, Sweetheart?”
“I heard you run the town?”
It’s a fucking stupid expression. I don’t agree with it either. I’ve got money and I like investing, so I’ve got my hands in plenty of pockets. Tony likes that particular saying though.
“Fucking Tony,” I mutter, staring away from her and out the driver’s side window.
“Look, last night-”
“Last night was everything I’ve wanted since you left me.” I can hear her looking for any excuse to bail. I see it in her eyes. But I’m not going to let her walk away so easily this time. It’s not happening.
