He raised his eyebrows, surprise flickering in his eyes. "Here? I was going to carry you upstairs first."
"Yes, here. We're not going to make it to my bedroom."
His face glowed as he leaned over and gathered her in his arms. The intensity in his eyes took her breath away. All that tenderness and hunger focused solely on her … Her heart swooned as she wrapped her arms around his neck and surrendered to the flames consuming them.
In the blissful moments afterward, he held her, their panting breaths mingling as they gradually floated back to earth. She couldn't help a huge smile spreading across her lips as she stretched out, sated and exhilarated. Derek grinned at her, his face radiating satisfaction.
Eventually she sat up and ran her fingers through her messy hair.
"Oh hell," Derek muttered. "Am I responsible for that?" He touched her back, and she twisted round to glimpse a few red marks on her shoulder blades.
"Carpet burn." She laughed. "There're a couple on my butt, too."
"Shoot. Didn't mean to be so rough on you."
The concern in his face melted her heart. "It's nothing, honestly."
Bending down, he pressed his lips to each of the spots on her butt and shoulders. "Let me kiss it better for you, babe."
Oh, he was so irresistible. She felt light-headed and alive in every cell. What was it about making love with Derek that made her feel this way? Maybe it was the way he took such care with her, his focus on pleasing her first rather than himself. That was an incredible turn on. She drew him up to face her and stroked his cheek, rubbing her thumb across his stubble-roughened skin before she leaned in to kiss him lightly on the lips.
"How long can you stay tonight? Do you have to go back to your granddad?"
"Only in the morning. He promised to call if he got into difficulties." He spread his hands wide across her hips and pulled her closer. "I'm glad you've changed your mind about us."
There was a hint of a question in his words.
"I guess I got tired of fighting this … attraction between us. I didn't realize it'd be so strong." She picked up her scattered clothes and shoes. "Well, after that romp on the floor and my shift, I'm in desperate need of a hot shower."
"I'll join you," he said as he scooped up his own fallen clothes. "I'm sure you need help soaping your back and … other places."
As she led the way upstairs, she wondered if letting him stay the night was a foolish decision. Their lives were headed in opposite directions, and she couldn't see any long-term future for them. But she decided she wasn't going to spoil what was left of tonight. Tonight was enough; tonight was all they had, all she could ask for.
Hannah woke up to find herself in Derek's arms, his lips pressing soft kisses against her temples. Early morning light filtered through the drapes. With a happy sigh, she turned to him, her body shuddering awake as his mouth found hers and his gentle kiss became hot and hungry. He pressed into her, his naked body pinning her.
But then he let out a groan as he reluctantly lifted his head, breaking off the kiss. "Sorry, didn't mean to start that."
"Don't apologize," she breathed, famished for his body. "Just finish what you started."
"I intend to, but I have to get back and fix my grandpa's breakfast." He pulled a face before dropping a quick, firm kiss on her mouth. "Don't go anywhere, babe. I'll be back in half an hour, and then I'll give you a finish and more."
"You promise?"
"Cross my heart and hope to die. Now shut your eyes, and I'll return before you know it. I'll even leave my car at Otto's and walk back, so your neighbors won't get suspicious."
He slipped out of bed and groped around for his clothes. Sighing, Hannah rolled over so she could watch him dress. He really had the most beautiful body she'd ever seen. And to think it had been all hers last night …
He padded over to her, kissed her one more time, and then he was gone. Without him the bed felt too big and empty. She snuggled into the pillows, searching for his scent that was imprinted on her linen, her skin, her heart.
Last night had been filled with passion, laughter, and wonder. An incredible experience she could never regret. But it had to stop today. Caleb was sure to sense something between them if they continued to sleep together. Her parents were due to arrive home tomorrow, and then, of course, Derek was leaving a week from now, and she wouldn't see him again for ages …
But while it lasted, she'd make the most of it. She got out of bed to clean her teeth, wash her face, and brush her hair. She tidied the bed, fluffed up the pillows, and put on the racy, black lace teddy that she'd bought on impulse after her divorce but never worn. She climbed in between the sheets and drifted off into a light slumber, dreaming of Derek's eyes.
She started awake to see those same eyes gazing down at her. Derek was already naked, she saw; he must have stripped off in a hurry. She went to smile at him, but he didn't give her time, crushing her mouth with his, his urgency electrifying her. Only when he pulled back the sheet and his gaze fell on her lace teddy, did he pause.
"Wow." He let out a low whistle. "Glad I ran back for this."
His carpenter's hands fingered the lace contours. She smiled up at him. For a few hours more, Derek was all hers.
The alarm clock showed it was almost ten o'clock. Hannah sat up in bed, stretched her arms, and yawned. No wonder she'd slept in after all the attention Derek had given her. He lay still next to her, but as she turned to him, she saw his eyes were bright and alert as if he'd been awake for some time. Smiling, he ran his fingers down her arm. Had he been watching her in her sleep? She hoped she hadn't mumbled out any secrets.
"I guess we'd better get up," she said reluctantly. Unwelcome reality seeped into her. With her parents due back tomorrow she had a list of chores to knock off.
"Want to go out to the lake again? I know a quiet spot where we can swim." And make love, his eyes said.
She bit her lip in regret. "I'm sorry, but my dad and Rosalind are coming back tomorrow, and I need to clean the house and do a few other things."
Derek eyed her steadily for a while. "And I'm guessing you don't want me staying over anymore when your parents are here."
Pushing the sheet away, she searched for her black teddy. It lay crumpled at the foot of the bed, long discarded. "Derek, you know how I feel. Our lives are headed in completely different directions. This … thing between us, it was always only temporary. A-a sort of time-out from our normal lives."
He didn't speak for a while, and his silence became tinged with gravity. "What if you need more time-outs in the future?" he asked. "Would you consider me then?"
Her gaze flew up to his. "What do you mean?"
"I mean … " He paused, and it seemed he was picking his words carefully. "I'd like to see more of you."
He couldn't be serious. "Hey, I'm sitting here buck naked in front of you. How much more would you like to see?"
His mouth lifted at the corners but only for a second. "You could come visit me in L.A. It's only a one-hour flight from Sacramento. I'll buy you the ticket."
He was serious. Panic bubbled in her stomach. "Where's all this coming from? I thought this was just a-a bit of harmless fun." She got up to search for her bathrobe, suddenly feeling vulnerable and naked in more than one way. "Can you please stop talking about plane tickets and L.A.?"
His expression softened as he rose and stood in front of her. "Sure, if it's making you nervous."
"It is."
With a sigh, he ruffled his hair for several moments, a slight frown on his brow, before tipping back his head. "Okay. I won't argue with you. For now."
"How about some breakfast? I can make you French toast. You always liked my French toast."
"Thanks, but just some juice and plain toast will be fine. Don't want to hold you up when you have so much to do."
She put on her bathrobe and left him casting around for his jeans. As she made her way downstairs to the kitchen, she couldn't suppress the regret panging inside her. Regret that the night was over and reality was intruding.
But she could see Derek again if she took him up on his invitation to visit. Instantly, she quashed that notion. What could be more pathetic than a newly divorced woman chasing after a hot, sexy guy five years her junior? And besides, she'd been burned already with Rick and his womanizing ways. Sure, Derek wasn't a liar like Rick, but he was a player, and his L.A. life was very different and very glamorous compared to sleepy old Pine Falls.
And what if she visited Derek in L.A. and he realized he'd made a terrible mistake? That he preferred women like Marla Beaudry? That would be so humiliating.
She'd endured enough humiliation from her ex-husband; she wouldn't risk it again for what was a brief and wonderful fling. Derek could never be more than a friend and a fond memory. She busied herself in an effort to ignore her glumness. She filled the coffeemaker and opened the kitchen windows. She went out to the backyard to fetch a mug she'd left outside, and as she re-entered the kitchen, caught the sound of the front door shutting.