Why Not Now? (The Blue Vista Crew #2)

17. Chapter 17

Chapter 17

Ava

T he first movie we watch is one of my favourites, a stop motion classic called The Year Without a Santa Claus . We hang decorations around Derek’s living room as the movie plays, and he brings in a tiny tree in a pot from his back porch.

“That’s your Christmas tree?” I ask.

“Yep. Got it a couple years ago. Figured a bigger one was a bad idea with her around.” He gestures to where Abyss is curled up on the couch. “I’m actually quite proud of myself for keeping it alive.”

“It’s adorable,” I say.

He has tiny ornaments and we decorate it, setting it on the floor to the side of his fireplace, the gas fire flickering merrily.

I pause decorating when the movie gets to my favourite part and watch as the children sing “Blue Christmas” to Santa Claus, a single tear escaping and rolling down my cheek. Derek wipes it away.

“Still makes you cry, huh?” he asks gently.

I smile. “Maybe a little.”

I don’t mention that this is the first time I’ve seen this in years. I haven’t had much time to watch Christmas movies. The most I’ve done is catch bits and pieces of whatever Lacey puts on.

When we’re finished, he orders pizza for dinner and returns to the kitchen, where he makes hot chocolate and popcorn.

“Lis showed you how to do this?”

“I was talking to Spencer about tonight,” he explains as he whisks the hot chocolate. “I wanted his advice on Christmas movies. He’s a huge movie nerd. He mentioned Lis making this for him before they dated, and it was worth doing.”

Someone knocks on the door and he gives me some cash so I can get the pizza.

“Bring it to the living room,” he says. “This is almost done.”

I set the box on the table, picking up Abyss when she comes sniffing, then return to the kitchen for plates and napkins. I have everything laid out neatly when Derek comes in with two mugs of hot chocolate and a large bowl of popcorn.

“What are we watching?” I ask as he lights a few candles, brightening the room a bit with the flickering flame. They smell like pine and I smile, wondering if he uses them since his tree is so small.

“I’ve got a bunch queued up. Nightmare Before Christmas , Elf , The Santa Clause , Die Hard .”

He settles onto the couch in a corner and I snuggle into him as he wraps a throw blanket around me.

“ Die Hard is not a Christmas movie,” I say.

He gives me a shocked look. “Ava. I didn’t know this about you. How can you say such a thing? It is absolutely a Christmas movie.”

“Just because it takes place at Christmas doesn’t mean it’s a Christmas movie,” I say, deadpan.

“But there’s Christmas music and Santa and presents. His wife’s name is Holly.”

I roll my eyes. “Everything could have taken place during the summer and it would have been the same movie.”

“But it’s a Christmas party. How would anything happen without that?”

At this point, I know he’s goading me, continuing the argument simply because it’s fun. I continue to press my point, anyway.

“It could have been any kind of party. Maybe they were celebrating a big success or a merger. People have parties all the time, as you know, since you’re an owner of a party venue.”

He laughs and kisses the tip of my nose. “We can watch whatever you want, sweetheart. If you don’t want to see Die Hard , we can put on something else.”

I sniff, tilting my chin up. “I never said I didn’t want to watch it. Just that it’s not a Christmas movie.”

He laughs again and I smile, loving the feeling of him next to me, his shoulders shaking with laughter. I slide my hand along his neck, my fingers sifting into the hair at the back of his head. He looks down at me, still smiling, the firelight glinting off his glasses.

I want to freeze this moment. No camera could capture it. The warmth spreading through my chest at the look in his eyes while the Christmas lights wink and the tinsel glitters. The way the firelight flickers, casting shadows. The smell of the small tree and the candles has worked its way into the room, adding the scent of pine to the aroma of the cookies we’d baked earlier. And Derek, that sweet and spicy cologne filling my senses.

Everything is perfect.

When he kisses me, I sigh as I lean against him. The kiss is soft and sweet. His hands roam along my back while my fingers dive through his hair. We shift and suddenly the kiss turns from sweet to hungry. Sex with Derek has always led to me wanting more, and now is no different.

“Stay the night, Ava,” he whispers against my lips. “Lacey’s at a friend’s house. You don’t work until nine tomorrow morning. Stay here. Don’t leave.”

“How do you know what time I work?” I ask, my head tilting as he kisses a line along my jaw.

“I memorized your schedule,” he says.

Something about that statement is so hot. The straightforward way he says it, the fact that he cared to memorize it.

I haven’t ever spent a whole night with someone. When we were together before, we’d still lived at home with our parents. Since then, I haven’t liked anyone enough to break my rules. No one measured up to Derek.

I blink and lean back, searching his eyes.

I definitely like him enough. If I’m not careful, I might even love him again. I nod.

“I’ll stay.”

I wake to the sound of Derek’s phone ringing. He answers groggily and sits up.

“Shit. Really?” He gets out of bed and I unashamedly ogle his ass as he walks around it to the window. “Fuck.” He listens to whoever has called for a moment and says, “No. I’m going back to bed. I’ll see you tonight.”

Then he hangs up and does exactly what he said he would do, slides beneath the blankets, wrapping his arms around me and pulling me close.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. It snowed last night.”

“What?” I jerk up, but Derek grabs me and snuggles into my back, making me the little spoon.

“Yeah. There’s about two inches out there. People are going to be fucking nuts today. Are you sure you can’t call in sick?”

“Yes, Derek, I’m sure. What time is it?”

“It’s only seven. Spencer got up to go to the gym and, since I said I might meet him, he called me when he looked outside.”

“Derek. I have to go.”

He shakes his head where it’s buried in the space between my neck and shoulder. “Sleep for another thirty minutes. Then I’ll get you breakfast and take you to work.”

The idea is tempting. If I thought putting a drop of Refuge on my pillow helped me sleep, it’s nothing to being surrounded by the scent of amber and cardamom, feeling secure in the knowledge that Derek is right there with me.

“I can’t. I have to call Lacey and see if she needs a ride. I should shower. And it’ll take forever to get anywhere today.”

Finally, he lets me go with one arm, keeping the other around me, as he props himself on his elbow. I roll onto my back so I can look at him.

“Calling Lacey, I agree with, but I can pick her up if she needs it. You can shower later. And I’ll take you to work. I guarantee you will be there on time. Even though you should quit that job.”

“Why?”

“Because you have three, and it’s the one that pays you the least. Or will, once you get more photography clients. You’re going to burn yourself out, sweetheart.”

It’s something I’ve been thinking myself, and he’s not telling me to do it. Still, I rebel against the thought, anxiety at having one less pay cheque washing through me. I know he’s saying it out of concern, but that doesn’t matter. The suggestion causes the same anxiety his other suggestions did before we broke up, when he thought I should stay in school and consider selling the house.

Unaware of the turmoil in my mind, he reaches over me, his body pressing into mine as he grabs my phone and places it in my hand. “Call your sister. See if she needs me to pick her up. I’m going to Mom’s house this morning, anyway.”

I call, listening to it ring as Derek lowers his head to the peak of one breast, licking my nipple before drawing it into his mouth.

“What are you doing?” I whisper shout as the phone continues to ring.

“It’s just sitting here. What do you expect me to do?” He returns to his task as Lacey picks up the phone.

Heat arcs through me, straight from where his mouth is pleasuring me to the apex of my thighs, which pulses with need.

“Hello?” Lacey answers.

Derek’s hand slides down my body until it reaches my knees, then he slowly—torturously—glides his fingers up the inside of my thigh, shifting my leg toward him.

“Hi, Lacey. Did you see the snow outside?”

“Yeah. I was just thinking about walking home.”

His hand stops moving right below my pussy, so his finger is grazing me, but barely touching. All the while, he keeps sucking on my nipple, spreading flashes of heat through my body. I wriggle under his touch, trying to get his fingers pressed more firmly against the part that wants him the most.

“Uh, Derek offered to pick you up.” I swallow. My voice is far too breathy. “He, um, said he would come—” He chooses this moment to press a little harder against me, his finger dipping into my wet heat for half a second before withdrawing. I gasp.

“Are you okay, Ava?” Lacey asks. “You sound funny.”

“Yep. I’m just fine. Uh. Derek. He said he was going to visit his mom today. He could come get you.”

“Sure. When?”

That’s a good question. One which I have no answer to, even though there is a part of my brain that says I should. I should be able to tell her when he’ll be by to pick her up. It’s not a difficult question. But Derek’s fingers slide against me again, and it’s all I can think about.

He lifts his head and catches my earlobe between his teeth. “Tell her nine thirty, sweetheart, and hang up the phone. I’ve thought of something better to do than sleep for the next thirty minutes.”

“N-nine thirty. He’ll be there at nine-thirty. See you this afternoon.”

I hang up before she says goodbye.

“No more teasing,” I say, grabbing his face between both my hands. “Get down there and finish what you started.”

He grins at me, kissing me hard before shifting his body so his head is between my legs. “Oh, sweetheart. Your wish is my command.”