44

Over the last couple of weeks there'd been good morning texts, flowers, and so many other, subtle peeks into the kind of person Derrick was. All of them conflicting with the version of himself he'd described when telling me about the last relationship he'd been in. Which made me think it'd been his ex who'd depicted him as the bad guy, because besides the long distance-an unavoidable part of his career-he was the furthest thing from a villain that I could imagine.

Definitely much closer to a Prince Charming.

Fading out of my thoughts and back into the current conversation, I hummed suggestively. « Well, you're physically here now. Or since I came to you, I guess I am. »

« That you are, » he said, lust shining in his irises. « And don't worry, I have big plans for you tonight. »

« Do tell. »

The elevator dinged, and with my bag in his free hand, Derrick led me to the end of the hall. « It'll be better if I show you. » His voice was low and husky, prompting a shiver to run down my spine at the insinuation. « But, » he continued, unlocking his door and motioning me inside, « I want you to see the place first. »

There was a prick of curiosity as I felt a crinkle form between my brows, wondering what he was itching for me to see. It wasn't like I was going in blind. When he'd been deciding which condo to rent, he'd sent me the links of the online walkthroughs and had taken my opinions, choosing one of the two I'd thought to be the nicest. Sure, the condos had been empty in those videos-nothing but hardwood floors and white walls-but how much could really change in just a few weeks ?

Evidently, a lot.

The walls had been painted-one a darker green while the rest were a light gray-and even though Derrick had been hopping across the country for games, the place looked to be fully furnished already.

« Wow, » I said, looking around quickly. « You've had time to get all this done since getting the keys ? »

Dropping my bag beside the couch, he leaned his hip against the arm rest. « I may have hired someone Ruderman recommended to help me out. »

« Smart, » I remarked, and when he stayed silent, watching me intently, I knew there was something more to it. Quirking a brow at him, I saw the corner of his lip twitch before I took a closer look, my gaze arcing around the space. And that's when I realized the true reason behind his eagerness for my reaction. « You went with my décor suggestions ? » I asked in awe.

I'd mostly been throwing out ideas and patterns I'd seen while scrolling through Pinterest over the years when we'd video chatted weeks back about how he was planning to decorate his new place. But I'd never expected him to take me seriously.

There was no missing the shelf of fake plants above the television, or the patterned throw pillows lining the couch. Then there was the liquor cart off to the side and the canvas up on the wall that depicted the Boston skyline. All random, off the cuff suggestions I'd made, yet they were all put to use.

Derrick nodded. « I've never really had an eye for all this stuff, » he admitted, gesturing his arms around us. « And your ideas were good, so I may have passed them on to the designer. »

The way he shrugged nonchalantly had my head spinning. In a good way. « But you weren't writing anything down when we were talking, » I pointed out. « I was just spitballing. »

« I've got a pretty good memory, » he replied, tapping the side of his head with his index finger.

« Well, » I trailed off, moving over to wrap my arms around his waist, « now I'm wondering what other ideas of mine were put to good use. »

« The rainfall showerhead. »

My eyes widened. « You're kidding. »

« Nope, and I'll definitely make sure to be there with you when you first try that out, » he replied with a chuckle. « Oh, and-«  He leaned down so that his lips were brushing mine. « -you also might want to check out the master bedroom. »

Pulling back slightly, I asked, « Why ? » But then a lightbulb went off in my head, and I untangled myself from his arms before scurrying down the hall to see if my guess was correct. And it was. « No way. »

I'd always been a fan of wall paneling and statement walls, and vividly remembered going on a tangent about one such picture I'd seen with gray washed, horizontal wood paneling. It'd been completely random, but now the wall behind Derrick's headboard looked almost identical to the one I'd been mildly obsessed with.

Turning slowly, I saw that he'd followed me, and was leaning casually against the door frame. His full lips parted in a grin that practically oozed sex appeal and had my heart beating overtime.

« You seriously took all my ideas, » I breathed out, flattered.

« I did, » he confirmed. « Besides, I don't see the difference in this and going shopping together, which would've happened if we lived in the same city and I got a new place. »

« The difference is that I would've known about it and-«

« Would've probably tried to convince me to choose something different, » he said, cutting me off as he moved further into the room so there was little to no space between us. Eliminating the remaining inch, he squeezed my hips and pulled me closer so that we were chest to chest. Looking down at me, there was sincerity in his features as he said, « But I didn't want anything different. I liked your ideas. They were fun and laid back, and I figured that if I could only have you here a few times a year, then having you unknowingly decorate the place was the next best thing. »

« That's… » I started, though trailed off when I couldn't find the right word.

« Adorable ? Crazy ? Sweet ? »

I huffed out a laugh, shaking my head in disbelief. « Maybe all of the above. »

When our gazes locked again, the air around us crackled with tension, and the next second, my arms were hooked around his neck, drawing his mouth down to meet mine.

One kiss. That was all it took-knowing we were alone for the first time since the airport and there was a perfectly good bed less than a foot away-to fall back into the delicious pleasure that sparked each time we were together.

Except this time, nothing about it was soft or sweet. No, we were both needy to make up for the last two weeks. I twined my fingers through his hair and after palming my ass with both hands, he lifted me so that my legs were wrapped around his waist as we got situated on the bed.

By the time my head hit the pillows, my shirt was halfway off, and Derrick made quick work of finishing the job before his lips were back. This time on my neck, trailing down my skin hungrily, easily popping the front clasp of my bra open to free my breasts.

« You know you're fucking beautiful, right ? » Derrick growled against my skin.