Race For Love (10 page)

K
iss was improving rapidly
.
Then why do you feel like shit about it?
Derek scrubbed a hand over his face as he filled the high efficiency dishwasher. She'd begged off some of the chores to try to wash her hair. Mostly she wore it in a messy bun, but she complained it needed a good detangling and he couldn't even imagine the pain. If she had hair like Mia or Delilah, then there would be some scary hairballs in the shower.

He had to stop thinking about her. Had to stop obsessing about her. He'd tried doing the night out on the town thing and it hadn't worked. Usually hanging with Dylan could improve his mood, but tonight, he was distracted. He'd have been happier hanging on the couch with Kiss.

Somebody needed to take his player card away. He was going soft. Maybe tonight would be better. Maybe he was just in a funk.
Or maybe you need to get laid
. His cock twitched inside his jeans as if to concur.

No
. That was the same shit that got him in this whole mess in the first place. Following his dick around. One night that had changed everything. Of all the decisions he'd made in his life, it was so rare that he could pinpoint the exact direction of his life from one event. He never should have flirted with Kallie Wintor. His life would be on track right now.

From the bedroom, he heard Kiss call out.

He turned off the water and grabbed a towel to dry his hands on the way. When he reached the bedroom, he said, "What's the matter, you want help picking your workout clothes for tomorrow, princess? Here's a hint. Pick something that you'll sweat in." But she wasn't in her room. "Kiss?"

"I'm in here," she called from the bathroom.

Oh hell. There was no way this was going to end well for him if he went in there. He swallowed hard. "What's the problem?"

"Can you come in here for a sec?"

Fuck yes. But his rational brain stopped him from doing the stupid thing. "Are you sure about that?"

She hesitated a second. "Yes. Please, I need your help."

With an exhale, he knew how this was going to go down. If he touched a wet, slippery Kiss, he was going to want to touch more. Kiss, lick, fuck. But he opened the door anyway.

Steam filled the expansive bathroom. But through it he could see it was a larger version of the guest bath down the hall. The floor was a white marble and white and gray glass tile lined the shower. His gaze raked over her hungrily. From her delicate feet and strong calves to the lean strong thighs. But then her mauve towel stopped the progression of his exploration. Damn. "What's the problem?"

She sighed with relief as she turned, keeping just her head in the stream of the shower, trying to avoid getting the towel wet. She squinted up at him as the spray of water hit her face. "I managed to wash it okay, and even get conditioner in, but I'm dead exhausted and my shoulder started to talk to me. Normally I'd have just kneeled at the tub to wash it, and last time, Leah helped me, but I'm sort of desperate here."

She was wet, and slick. And he wanted his hand in her hair. He'd had a million dreams just like this one. In fact he wasn't entirely sure he wasn't dreaming right now. "Okay, what do you need?"

"If you could just help me make sure that the conditioner is out, I can do a quick detangle."

"Uh, okay." Except to do it, he was going to have to get into the shower. First option was to take off his clothes and climb in with her. He liked that option. The idea of burying himself inside her had him biting back a groan. Yeah no, no naked. He'd have to go in clothed.

He removed his phone and put it on top of the toilet. When he opened the glass door, her eyes flared. "What are you doing?"

"To make this work properly, you need to be under the stream of water right?"

She nodded.

"Okay then, I'm getting wet."

"Oh, uh..." Her voice trailed.

"Do you want my help or not?"

"I do. Sorry. I guess I just didn’t think this all the way through."

He clamped his jaw together.
The sooner you help her, the sooner you can go back to your room and take a cold one
. Once in the stream of the shower, her scent surrounded him and he knew he was going to lose the battle and the war. He was already losing a grip on his control and he hadn't even touched her yet. "Uh, just stand in the stream and I'll rinse you out. While you're at it, give me the wide-tooth comb."

"Oh, you don't have to do that. I'll manage."

"Don't be silly. I'm in here, I'm wet and I know how to detangle hair."

A light flush stained her cheeks. "While I believe you've probably done this before, I, uh, black hair is different."

He blinked at her, the laugh rushing out of him just like always. He never knew what was going to come out of her mouth. "I guess I should have probably mentioned four of my sisters are black, or half black anyway. Two of them with hair curlier than yours. I got this."

Her jaw unhinged and she did a guppy routine for a moment, then she handed over the wide-tooth comb. "Have at it."

"Turn around." Damn, why did his voice sound so hoarse? When she did, the water ran though her hair, rinsing out the conditioner and he massaged the rest out with the pads of his fingers. In front of him, Kiss groaned and let her head relax back into the scalp massage he was giving her. The towel she clutched was soaked and no doubt heavy by this point.

He forced his mind to go blank as he rinsed and massaged. Gently, he began to detangle her hair, starting in sections from the ends to the roots. Growing up, he'd had to help get Brooklyn and Max ready for school sometimes, so he knew what he was doing. When he was done, he couldn't keep his hand out of the softness of her hair and he kept finger detangling.

Slowly she turned into him, blinking up at him through wet, sooty lashes. "Th-thank you. I couldn't have done that myself and it went much faster."

The first step in dealing with a problem was admitting he had a problem. He was fighting the pull, but it had been an uphill battle from the minute he saw her. If he was Clark Kent, she was his Kryptonite. "Kiss, I—fuck it." He cupped the back of her head and pulled her into him. Before melding their lips together, he paused, giving her an out, but she didn't protest. Instead, her fingers dug into his soaked T-shirt and dragged him closer.

When he slid his lips over hers, need took over and all brain function ceased.

First of all, the man could kiss. Like for real kiss. The kind of bone melting, brain fuzzing, skin tingling kind of kiss. She was toast.

With one hand looped around her waist and the other fisting into her hair, he slid his lips over hers expertly.

Gently, he backed her out of the shower stream and up against the wall. When her back hit the cool tile, she gasped and he took full advantage, sliding his tongue deep into her mouth. Tentatively, she met his tongue with hers and he made this satisfied moaning sound at the back of his throat. Sinking into him, she let go of her towel, the sodden material now molded to her flesh, then looped her arms around his neck and poured herself into the kiss. For once she let go of all the shit she'd been carrying around. Her need to be perfect. Everything that happened with Antonio. Christian's expectations. Everything, and let herself feel. All she wanted was more of what this felt like. She craved this feeling. And she knew that it was only Derek that could give it to her.

The towel started to fall, but she made no grab for it. The heat of his body kept her warm, hot, sizzling. Derek pulled back slightly, nipping at her bottom lip as he did. Unsteady on her feet, she swayed into him.

Under heavy lidded eyes, his gaze pinned on her lips. "Jesus, you taste so good. I can't stop."

"I don't want you to." Hell, she'd only been thinking about this for weeks. Suddenly, she knew why she couldn't give Christian the answer he wanted, it was because of him, because of Derek. She wanted what he could make her feel. Kisima ran her tongue over her bottom lip and he groaned.

"Do you know how fucking crazy you've been making me with that? I swear to God, I've thought about kissing you a thousand times," he whispered.

When he kissed her again, his lips were soft, tentative, explorative. But that wasn't what she wanted. She wanted him to devour her. To make her his. To make her feel alive and wanted.

Desperate for him to take more, she twined her fingers into his hair and tugged... Derek tore his lips from hers and her name was both a curse and exaltation on his tongue. "Kiss." His brow puckered as the towel between them fell completely. His gaze dipped and he hissed, "You're beautiful. Every inch of you."

She wanted to believe him. But she knew the truth. She wasn't beautiful. Not anymore. Maybe he couldn't see the scars. They started on the side of her neck and snaked down her back. Next time she'd have to turn down the lights. Next time—

"Hey," He nipped at her lips. "Where'd you go?"

"Nowhere." She shook her head. "I'm fine." She didn't want to lose this moment in time. Not for anything, so she tugged on his T-shirt and stood on tiptoe, pressing her lips to his again.

He wasn't gentle now. Raw passion poured out over his skin, enveloping her until she was all need and longing and wound so tight, she worried she would snap.

He licked into her mouth, his tongue dancing with hers. All the while, his hands skimmed just over her ribs, pausing at the underside of her breasts. With a shuddering breath, she arched her back, inviting him to touch. To continue lighting her body on fire. To tease her and make her burn like he'd done that morning a couple of weeks ago.

When he cupped her, the ache between her legs intensified, making her throb. Making her wet. Instinctively, she parted her thighs, and her legs shook. Her hip barely protested the motion.

With a low deep growl, Derek bent his legs and scooped his hands down over her lower back and her ass. He cupped and lifted her easily, lifting her until she wound her legs around his waist.

He pressed his body into hers, she shuddered. The return of his palm to her breast made her cry out at the contact. The drenched fly of his jeans pressed up against her and she wiggled her hips, seeking contact that would relieve the pressure.

Derek continued stroking into her mouth, exploring deep with his tongue, all the while his thumb rolled over her nipple, bringing her closer and closer to the peak of desperation.

H
ot
, tight, sweet
.

Derek wanted to fuck her. To slide his cock deep inside her and not come up for air until she'd come around him at least three times. Hell, the way things were going, he might be able to tease a preliminary one out of her now. His brain had long since ceased giving counsel and rational advice. The pent up need was what drove his actions.

She slid her tongue into his mouth, mimicking his actions and a hot shudder snaked its way down his body. He was going to fucking lose it...standing in the shower, soaking wet and fully clothed. He was going to come. And he was more than happy about that prospect. Scraping his teeth over her bottom lip, he teased her, "Come on, Kiss. I want to feel you let go."

"Derek. I—"

Shifting her so her sweet core came in contact with his thigh, he continued to plump her breast. If he tasted them, he'd never stop. They'd be in here for another several hours as he explored every single patch of skin.

She rocked her hips into his and he bit back a curse. With their position, every shift and roll of her hips brought her thigh sliding against his jean-clad cock.

She did it again and this time her eyes rolled back into her head. Watching her, fascinated, he gently plucked her nipple with his forefinger and thumb.

"Derek—"

He nuzzled her neck, nipping at the flesh and plucked again, teasing the puckered flesh, desperate to suck on it. He wanted to suck and lick until she broke apart.

She rocked again and again, her sweet pussy sliding along his thigh, and he wished it was his cock.

Her small motions were enough to drive him slowly mad. With every cant, she sent a shiver of need through him. Frustration urged him to go faster. To move her how he wanted, to free his fucking cock and stop the tease, to take her up against the wall like he wanted her.

He gripped her ass tight with both hands, his fingers digging into her flesh.
Oh hell yes.
The tingling started in the base of his spine and he knew that this was single handedly the hottest thing he'd ever experienced in his life. Kiss owned him right now. Whatever she asked of him, he couldn't refuse her. Not now, not ever. "Kisima." His vision started to blur and he kissed her again, desperate for her taste on his tongue. He wanted her flavor on him while he was coming. One more glide. He was close...So close.

Kiss dragged her eyes open and met his gaze, an expression of wonder and surprise on her face. "Derek—"

The sudden ringing of the phone chipped at the cocoon of sexual energy and fire. He ignored it, shutting out the sound. Kiss was his. Finally, this girl, who'd captured his heart by her fire, was going to be— The ringing broke in again.
No, God no
. He could ignore it. And she was so close. So fucking—another ring.

"Fuck!" he muttered against her lips, the spell now broken.

He dragged his lips from hers and she whimpered. He dropped his forehead to hers. "Baby, I'm sorry. I have to get that." He knew they wouldn't be getting back to this moment. His cock screamed in protest and he could tell by the arousal in her eyes that she still hovered on the precipice of ecstasy. But it was too late. Sucking in a deep breath, he released her gently, making sure both her feet touched the tiled floor of the shower.

Kisima blinked up at him and swayed. Yeah, he knew that feeling. He reached around her and turned off the water before grabbing her another towel from the shelf just outside the shower. He wrapped one around her body.

Still his phone rang. He was going to kill whoever the fuck was calling. Even if they were calling about a job. He grabbed her another towel for her hair and gently bent her forward so he could wrap it up for her. Once it was secure, he stepped back. "Let me get you out of here. It's slippery, so please be careful."

Frowning, her lips parted. "Derek?"

He knew what she was asking, but he didn't have the heart to give her the answer right now so he chickened out. "I need to get that." He grabbed another towel for himself as he snatched up his phone. He might not have been super enthusiastic about the call, but at least it had stopped him from taking this thing too far. To some place he couldn't come back from.

"This is Derek." He stalked out of the bathroom without daring to look back. Because if he did, he would be too tempted to stay.

"Jeez baby brother, what's got you so grouchy?"

He ground his teeth together. "I am
not
your baby brother."

Delilah was silent for two long beats. "First of all watch that tone with me. Then I want you to remember who stopped Dylan from kicking your scrawny ass when you lost his Vince Carter Rookie of the Year trading card. Remember that when you want to cop attitude with me."

Derek sighed as he put her on speaker then tossed the phone on the bed. "Sorry." It wasn't her fault that he had no fucking control. She hadn't been the one to force him into the shower with Kisima. He'd done that particular piece of brilliance all on his own. Like an idiot. It was hard enough to sleep with Kiss just down the hall. Most days he fought for control when they were working together. She had grit that he couldn't help but respect and she was funny. And she was incredibly brave. And she tasted so fucking good.
Fuck
. "Sorry Dee. I've just got a lot going on. What's up?"

He peeled off his soaked shirt and tossed it into the bathroom, where it fell with a splooch sound. Next, he unsnapped his jeans and peeled them down.

"Are you okay? Because you sound distracted." Her annoyance at him dissipated. That was Dee. Quick fire temper, but she eased up pretty easily.

Distracted
. Yeah, that was one way of putting it. "Yeah, well, I was in the middle of something." He yanked off the jeans and grabbed a towel to scrub viciously at his head.

She was silent for a beat. "Okay, I'm going to let you go."

Shit
. "No. Sorry. I'm being an asshole. I'm just in a hell of a mood and it has nothing to do with you." Yeah, it was him. All him. His fault.

"You want to talk about it? Maybe I can help. Have duct tape will travel."

That was Delilah for you. Ever since they were kids, she had a knack for fixing shit. In the Donovan house everyone knew if you had a problem, you went to Delilah and she'd get you out of it. She always had just the right thing to say and had a way out of every single jam. So maybe it would be a good idea to have some help on this one because he was clearly fucking things up. "I just—"

"Spill, D3. You were always shitty about keeping a secret."

What the fuck? "Hey, I can keep a secret."

"Yeah, but not without it eating at you. Come on, tell me. I can help, I promise."

"Fine. So you know my new client? The Formula One racer?"

"Yeah, the one that had that accident?"

He cleared his throat. "One small problem, the girl...she's...” What the hell was he supposed to say? "There's something about her. I'm having a hard time focusing on the job at hand."

"Ahh," She said, the understanding dawning. "You like her."

Somebody give his sister a cookie. "Yeah, I
like
her, like her, and maybe she'll even ask me to the Sadie Hawkins dance. Come on, Dee, I need real help here."

Delilah chuckled. "Okay, settle down. I'm not jabbing at you. I want to know what the actual problem is. So you like her, what's the big deal? I'm assuming if you like her she's pretty and has half a brain so she likes you back."

"Well, it's a little complicated. Seeing as I'm her trainer. It's messy, and stupid. After the last time, I really need to know better."

She sighed. "That situation is completely different, D3. Kallie is a vindictive bitch who didn't get her way so she pitched a tantrum."

He grabbed some boxers and a T-shirt and dressed quickly. "Yeah, but I put myself into that situation. And it's the same thing here, she's my patient, my client. I'm supposed to be taking care of her. Instead I'm—" He stopped short.

"You're what, D3?"

"Nothing. It doesn't matter. My reputation is shit right now because I messed up."

"And I think you're too hard on yourself." She sighed. "I understand the reason for your rule. But it’s only useful if it works toward your happiness. Look, I know the getting involved with someone at work thing is always tricky, especially given Kallie and your mom, but you seem into this girl."

His stomach bottomed out. Did everyone in the family know about his mother? "How did you find out?"

"I've known since we were kids. Mom and Dad were arguing. Mom wanted to hunt her down and force visitation on her or something like that. I know she left Dad for some asshole she worked with. I know it's why you have your rule. And the Kallie thing didn't exactly do anything to change that, but I think maybe this girl is different for you."

"Dee. It doesn't matter if this is different."

He could practically see her rolling her eyes. "Look, I give you a lot of shit, but you're a good guy. Any girl would be happy to have you. And yes, she's a client maybe, but if you're both grown-ups and can communicate openly, then there is no real ethical boundary problem."

"It would be different if she weren't my client and if I wasn't, you know, me. I spent most of my life being a pussy hound. Never letting myself get close to anyone. And now. No matter what I do, I just
want
to be close to her. It's like she's under my skin. She deserves the kind of guy who's going to stick around. And we all know I'm not him."

His sister was silent on the other end for several moments. "Maybe you never let yourself be."

"Come on, Dee. Ever since I was a kid, I'm not the guy who sticks. I'm the flirt, the tramp, the one who's never had a relationship for more than a month. Hell, I think Kisima is my longest relationship with a woman who's not family."

"Is that her name, Kisima?"

"Yeah, it means spring in Swahili."

Her laugh was soft. "Oh boy, you're totally into her."

He rubbed at the burning patch in the center of his chest. "Is that what that feels like? I don't think I'm a fan. What do I do about it?"

"Well, here's an idea. Try being honest with her. Tell her how you feel. Ask her out. I mean what's the worst that could happen?"

That she didn't want him. That she heard about his reputation and decided she could use less of a headache. Or far worse, that she had a thing for him too and would expect him to change. That she would expect better of him. "I don't know, Dee."

"Just think about it. You don't have anything to lose. Because, if she's really so great, then someone else is going to figure it out and snap her up. Think about how that would feel. I'm going to head to Mia's for a little joint wedding planning, but do me a favor and let me know what happens." Both Dee and their younger sister Mia had recently gotten engaged so the whole family was in a frenzy getting ready for the big day.

"Yeah, I'll do that." He wasn't telling her shit. Especially since he was firmly in the routine of not telling Kisima a thing. Dee meant well, but in this instance, she was dead wrong. The sooner he placed Kisima in the off-limits range again, the sooner he'd get his head straight.