Chapter 47
DERRICK
Iam deep in award season chaos and I’ve been able to double the number of clients I was dressing from the year before. Even more so, my clients have been winning best dressed on the carpets, which is thrusting my name into the spotlight more and more.
It’s Isla’s birthday, and we have organized a spa day for her, and I need it, but really, we have to get her out of the house so Finn can organize her surprise party.
“Oh my god, I needed this.” Isla moans as the masseuse does her thing.
“So did we.” Sienna groans, her eyes closed, enjoying the pampering.
“Wonder if they do happy endings,” I whisper to Vanessa, who slaps me and tells me to be quiet and enjoy the silence.
Guess if I want a happy ending massage, I’m going to have to order one from The Paradise Club.
Mental note that. It’s the only place that I can truly let my mind go, usually because someone is sucking my dick.
While here, my mind doesn’t shut up, and I think about anything and everything when I should be relaxing.
Like the fact that Charlie still hasn’t unblocked me.
After the fifth message sent, I’ve given up.
While Charlie may not be messaging me, Chance is.
His messages have flirty undertones, there have been a couple of ‘Hey, are you up?’ or ‘Do you want to come over’ at one in the morning.
Nothing good comes from those kinds of text messages.
I’ve been going on dates, sticking to my New Year’s resolutions, and I’ve been having fun.
Nothing long-term at all but that is okay.
I’m enjoying the company, plus it’s been making me turn off my computer and leave the office on time, so my work-life balance is getting better.
“Happy birthday, Isla,” I toast to Isla as we catch up after being pampered for hours. I feel like a new man.
“Thank you all for coming out.” She smiles.
“As if we’d say no to a kid-free spa day,” Vanessa adds.
“This has been a pretty awesome birthday so far. I’ve been dreading turning thirty, but Finn has made it pretty epic.”
“Well, it’s about to get better, my darling. Because your sexy husband-to-be wants me to take you to Rodeo Drive and pick out something for you to wear tonight. His instructions were something sexy.” And I have an unlimited budget.
“Okay, well, I guess I’m all yours then, D.” Isla smiles.
“Those are the exact words I wanted to hear,” I tell her. Best day ever.
We all pile into the limousine again to drive the short distance down to the luxury shops.
“Finn spoiled me so much this morning. He bought me a fucking Birkin.”
I squeal. A Birkin. “Holy shit. You’d better be on your knees thanking that boy. Where do I find a man like that?” Maybe I need to raise my age range that I’m looking for and aim for that billionaire bracket, I feel like that life is more me.
“Don’t you worry, D. I’ll be thanking him as soon as we get a moment alone.” Isla winks before biting into a chocolate cupcake. “He also bought me diamonds.”
“Cartier?” I ask.
“Harry Winston,” Isla states.
Finn Connolly, I didn’t know you had it in you.
“He’s really pulling out all the stops for you today, which you totally deserve.” Stacey smiles.
“This is my first birthday we can celebrate out in the open. We’ve spent years celebrating it in the shadows,” Isla says sadly.
“It’s sweet.” Vanessa smiles.
“Well, if he’s feeling that generous, his credit card is going to get the biggest workout of its life.
” I smirk. But I know my little ice princess isn’t about the money, hence why Finn contacted me with instructions to spoil her and ignore what she says, because he knows she is going to look at the price of things and say no.
“We’re here,” I say excitedly as we arrive at the famous street.
“First stop, Chanel,” I tell the girls as I lead them into the designer shop like a fashion tour guide.
As soon as we enter, the attendants recognize us and we are ushered into a private shopping area where champagne is made available to us.
“Is shopping always like this with you?” Isla asks me.
“Sweetheart, this is what shopping is like with the wives of Dirty Texas,” I tell her.
“Really?” Isla seems surprised.
“Babe, you’ve been in this world for years. You know how the guys are treated.”
“Yeah, the guys. I’ve never been treated like this before,” she whispers.
“Then let me be your fairy godfather today, ladies. You all sit back and relax and enjoy the bubbles while I pick out a couple of outfits for you. And yes, Stacey, that includes you as Oscar messaged me with clear instructions to spoil you.”
Stacey is surprised by that, but thankfully, she doesn’t fight me on it, it must be the glass of bubbles in her hand and the hours of massages that have relaxed her.
We spend the next couple of hours going up and down the famous street, and even though it is Isla’s birthday, all the girls indulge themselves, something they don’t always do. Best day ever for me, it was like playing with life-size Barbie dolls, as I made them try on things that I liked for them.
“I didn’t think shopping could be this fun,” Isla gushes as she gets back into the limousine.
“You girls need to use your star cred better. This is how your life could be,” I tell them as I sip my champagne.
“It’s nice for a day, but I’m glad we have our own store to go shopping in, the level of attention is a little much,” Sienna states.
The paparazzi showing up being their intrusive selves wasn’t great, but thankfully, we were shielded from most of them by the shops.
“Best birthday ever,” Isla exclaims. I think the princess might be a bit tipsy, and why shouldn’t she be? It’s her birthday.
Finn has set up this gorgeous beachfront home in Malibu for the party tonight, and it’s such a beautiful night.
Isla was seriously surprised when we arrived at the home and all her family and friends were there wishing her a happy birthday.
Sebastien catered the event, and his food was delicious as is he.
It was nice that Finn has been able to put his hostility toward Isla’s boss behind him, that’s growth from that man.
Because honestly, Seb is gorgeous as is Finn, but knowing your fiancée has slept with that Adonis and he’s her boss, yeah, I would feel inadequate near him.
“Derrick,” Isla calls my name and indicates to join her in the garden. Weird but okay, she is drunk. “You called. Why are we in the bushes?”
“Issy. No,” Finn warns her.
Not sure what I’ve stepped into here.
“Derrick, I trust you,” Isla says, grabbing my hand.
“Derrick. Ignore her. She’s drunk.”
“Not that drunk. I know what I’m doing, Finn,” Isla hisses at her husband.
“Issy. No,” Finn pleads with her again.
“What’s going on?” I look between the two of them.
“I want you to give him a blowjob,” Isla says point blank.
I’m so taken aback by her request that I spill my drink all over me. Motherfucker. “I’m sorry, what the hell did you just say?”
“Isla.” Finn is getting upset with her.
“I can’t give you that.” Isla waves her hands at my crotch.
“I don’t want that. I’ve told you that,” Finn says, grabbing her shoulders.
“But I think you do.” Her voice is small, almost a whisper.
“Babe.”
She shakes her head and gives me a serious look. “D, would you?”
I know what she is asking, and I am awfully flattered that she wants me to service her fiancé, but … I feel slightly uncomfortable here. “If it’s not tonight, then maybe another time.”
I get what she is doing, and honestly, it’s sweet that she is trying to accommodate her fiancé’s sexual needs, but I don’t think she needs me to help her fulfill them. “Babe, your man is stunning. And if he were anyone else, I’d be on my knees right now for him. But—”
She shakes her head. “No buts, D. I trust you. I know you could help with this.”
“His sexuality isn’t something you can just work out of him, Issy.”
“But I don’t want to.” Her eyes are a little glassy.
“I want to give him everything, and the only way I know how is with someone I trust. Someone I know isn’t after my man.
Someone who won’t break up my family. Someone who understands that my fiancé has needs that I’ll never be able to fully give him. ”
“Stop it!” Finn says angrily as he cups Isla’s face. “You’ll always be enough. Always. Never … ever … think you aren’t.”
“I still want to give you this. If not tonight, then when we go to The Paradise Club Resort for our bachelor/bachelorette weekend.”
“Issy. I couldn’t bear watching you with someone else. How can you want to see me with another?”
“Another man is different.”
“It’s still the one you love with another, Issy. It doesn’t matter what their anatomy is, the same jealousy will still be there,” I warn her.
“Will you just think about it, Finn?” she asks him.
He nods, but I know this argument isn’t over. He is placating her because it’s her birthday and he doesn’t want to spoil it for her.
“Okay. Well, I’m glad that’s settled,” I say as I scurry away from the conversation.
Isla: I am so sorry about cornering you in the garden last night.
Derrick: I’m flattered that you thought of me.
Isla: Too much champagne made me crazy.
Derrick: I knew you weren’t serious.
Isla: Oh no I was.
Derrick: Isla!!!!
Isla: I am. But not with you. Looking back at that, I think it would be weird. Even though everyone else has hooked up with each other so it’s not that weird.
Derrick: I love you, but I don’t want your man.
Isla: I know you don’t.
Derrick: You have to give this idea up.
Isla: That’s the thing, I can’t. I haven’t been able to talk to anyone about it, but the thought of watching Finn with another man makes me hot.
Derrick: Oh.
Isla: Yeah. But I think I kind of blew that conversation by my antics last night.
Derrick: I don’t think you should do it. You might seem like you could handle it but once it’s done you can’t undo it.
Isla: I know. That’s why I’ve never mentioned anything before. I kind of did spring it on him last night.
Derrick: If Finn doesn’t feel comfortable with the idea.
Isla: What happens if he’s just saying that, so he doesn’t hurt me?
Derrick: Do you think that’s what he’s doing?
Isla: Kind of. How can he just turn that part of his desires off? I can’t stop thinking I’m not enough.
Derrick: Baby girl, you are enough. That man loves you. He is happy.
Isla: He bought us the house in Malibu for my birthday.
Derrick: No, he didn’t. OMG.
Isla: He did and it’s gorgeous. I’ve never been happier.
Derrick: Why the hell are you rocking the boat then?
Isla: You think I’m rocking the boat?
Derrick: Yes.
Isla: That’s not what I want, but I’m also confused about how to deal with his desires.
Derrick: Would it be worth talking to Stacey about it? Without your brother there. They are in the same boat.
Isla: Yeah, I guess they are. Thanks, D.
Derrick: Anytime. I hope you had a great birthday.
Isla: I did. So much. And I’m sorry for propositioning you.
Derrick: I’m flattered.
Isla: To be fair, Finn did say if you weren’t part of the friend group he’d sleep with you.
Derrick: Well, that’s made my day. Thank you, princess.
Derrick: One more thing, if you do decide to explore this, I would recommend to maybe keep it at the club. That way there is no way anyone can come in and mess up your gorgeous family.
Isla: I hear you, D. Thank you.