14. Date Night
Chapter fourteen
Date Night
I was lost in the bliss of post-orgasm, my body feeling like it was floating and dream-like. Derek kissed me on my forehead and mentioned something about making sure his family was all settled. I nodded absently, but if I was being honest with myself, he could’ve said the house was on fire and I still would’ve done the same thing. Yes, that’s how good I felt.
Is this what being high feels like? No wonder people get lost trying to chase the high. It can get addictive.
Well, I could very well be exaggerating. It was my first time, after all. I have no other experiences to compare it to. I wouldn’t have it any other way, though. The way I felt in the moment and the way I feel now is something I never want to forget.
My eyes were starting to cause a mutiny by trying to close despite my best efforts to keep them open. At some point, the mutiny seemed to be successful. For one moment, I was trying to wait for Derek to come back to bed, and the next, I was waking up to the soft light of dawn shining through the windows. Derek’s arm is wrapped around me, his snoring somewhat muted today. I looked over my shoulder to find one of those breathe-right strips across his nose, and my heart swelled.
His willingness to do something like that for me is already making me teary-eyed, and it’s not even eight in the morning! What a sweet gesture. It’s too bad I’ve already gotten used to the snoring in the short time I’ve been with him. I’ve gotten so used to it, in fact, that his snoring became a noise machine of sorts for me. Not hearing it at this point is unsettling.
I reach out to rub my thumb across his peaceful face, only for him to start awake and blink bleary eyes all around him. When he noticed it was just me, he visibly relaxed, planting a kiss on my palm. He stretched, a cacophony of pops filling the air. He finished with a contented moan and reached for his glasses on the nightstand before looking back at me.
“Mornin’ baby. What’re you up to?”
“Nothing really, just making a fool of myself,” I say with a laugh. He raises his eyebrow in question, so I elaborate for him – although I’d rather do anything but that. “I tried to caress your face while you slept so peacefully. It didn’t really work out, as you can see.”
“Oh yeah, I can see that. I thought it was a bug on my face for a second. Good to know I wasn’t completely wrong.” I rolled my eyes while he snorted at his own poor joke, but I ended up cracking a smile anyway.
Traitorous lips...
“What made you want to do that in the first place? Don’t tell me it was all those romance books you read...” Oops, busted.
“Okay then, I won’t.” I search my mind for a way to change the subject, ’cause if we dwell on this any longer, I will never be able to live this down. “Why are you wearing that breathing strip? It’s sweet of you to wear it for my benefit, but I’ve kinda grown fond of the snoring. He bites his bottom lip and looks away, his cheeks turning a faint pink.
“I, uh, actually didn’t wear it for you. My family complains all the time about how bad my snoring is. My dad actually woke me up last night and demanded I put it on.”
“Oh wow...” Having front-row seats listening to Derek’s snores, I knew firsthand how loud he could be, but to have his dad – who sleeps in an entirely different room – come in and tell him that seemed a bit excessive to me.
“I like it when you snore.” Derek looked at me as if he couldn’t believe the words coming out of my mouth.
“You can’t be serious. I’ve been told that I sound like one of those riding lawnmowers-”
“More like a chainsaw trying to cut down a stubborn tree,” I said with a small chuckle, “but I’ve gotten so used to it that when I woke up, I could tell that something was different without even looking.” He was silent for a moment, looking up at the ceiling while seeming to digest my words.
“Well...” he said hesitantly, “just because you’ve gotten used to it doesn’t mean you like it. And it’s okay if you don’t. The partners I’ve had in the past always complained about it.”
“I’m not like past partners.” I straddled him and looked him dead in the eye, trying to convey with more than just words how I truly felt. I gave him a kiss for good measure, morning breath be damned! This brought out a small smile from him.
“You’re right, you most certainly are not like them at all. Sometimes I think that this is all a dream and I’ll wake up all alone.”
“I can assure you, I’m real. This is real. You can pinch me if you like?”
“I’m pretty sure that’s not how it works. In order to prove that it’s not a dream, I’d have to pinch myself,” I said.
“Tomato, Potato. Go ahead and pinch yourself, then. Ah!” Instead of waiting for a reply, he decided to pinch me instead. On my ass cheek.
“You know what? I kinda liked my version better.” I slapped him on his chest, his rumbling laughter causing my body to shake atop his.
“Clearly.” We started kissing some more, but in the back of my mind, I couldn’t help but notice that Alphas have insecurities of their own. Well, as Derek’s Omega, I’m gonna do my best to make sure all those insecurities will never plague him again.
I’ll get rid of them, one by one.
After fooling around for a little bit more, I got up to make some coffee and start breakfast for everyone. I didn’t want to cook a veritable feast, but I also wanted to make sure everyone had enough food to eat, so I opened the fridge to see what I had to work with. Derek and I went to the store not that long ago, but already, the contents inside seemed barebones. I’ll probably go out to the store later.
I heard a heavy set of footprints making its way to the kitchen, probably attracted to the hypnotizing aroma of the coffee being brewed. So, I got out Derek’s coffee mug and the creamer he liked so much.
“Hey Bubba, I’m thinking of going to the store later. Wanna tag along?”
“Sure, but I’m pretty sure Derek would rather go with you.” I whirl around to find Danny grinning at me from across the island.
“Sorry! Thought you were Derek.”
“Don’t worry about it, I know. But seriously, I don’t mind tagging along with you guys before I leave. We have a full house right now, and I’m sure you guys could use the extra help.” He reached for the mug I had set out for Derek and started filling it with freshly brewed coffee. He didn’t add any creamer or sugar, instead electing to drink it black.
I thought people who drank their coffee like that were an urban myth.
“What’s with that face? Don’t tell me, it’s because I drink my coffee black, right?”
“You must get that a lot to be able to tell what I was thinking.”
“Oh yeah, more than you think. But it’s not so bad once you get used to it. I used to be way worse back in college. I would drink like six cups to keep myself awake studying all night.”
“Oof, that must’ve been rough. At least all that hard work paid off in the end.”
“Sure did.”
We passed the time like that, talking about each other’s lives while I got breakfast ready, and he kept me company. It was nice to get to know him a little bit more. Given what happened last night, I was worried that being alone with him would be a little awkward, but he seemed more relaxed and easy-going.
Derek padded into the room right when breakfast was just about ready, giving me a kiss in passing as he reached into the cupboard where the cups and mugs were held. His eyes searched for a little bit before finally settling on a seemingly random one.
“Mornin’ bro, how’d you sleep?” Derek asked, snatching a strawberry from the bowl and darting away before I had the chance to swat him.
“I slept alright. What about you two? You guys retired pretty early. Well, that’s not entirely accurate. You two went to the bedroom pretty early, but I doubt any shut-eye was happening in there,” Danny said with a smile poorly hidden by the rim of his mug. I felt my face grow hot but tried to play it off. I was by the stove and it could get pretty hot around the vicinity.
Yeah...
“That’s my mug in your hands.”
“Huh?” Danny looked at the mug, the words’ Best Alpha’ printed in big black letters above a cartoon rendition of a bear facing outwards. That was in fact, Derek’s mug, probably the one he was looking for before settling for the one he had now. “C’mon Der’, it’s just a mug.”
“I know it’s just a mug, but that doesn’t change the fact that it’s my mug. I’d hate to have to kill you. Besides, I don’t want to put Damon through something like that.” Derek stretched out his hand and made a beckoning motion, causing Danny’s eyebrows to do their best to reach for his hairline.
“You serious right now?”
“As a heart attack. The mug.” I cleared my throat and gave him a flat look. He seems to have gotten the message, because after visibly straining – veins popping out along his neck and his teeth clenched hard enough that they threatened to pop out – he asked for his mug with just a little bit more politeness in his tone. “The mug... please.”
I could see the war in Danny’s eyes. The Alpha genes inside him didn’t want to concede to Derek. Derek saw the same thing, making him get up with a dark scowl on his face, throwing a look that could kill in Danny’s direction. An action which only made Danny dig in his heels all the more.
“You know, I don’t have to feed you. Either of you,” Like a spell, my words seemed to snap them out of whatever pissing contest was about to ensue. “Gimme the mugs, both of you.” They both complied, Danny somewhat reluctantly. I had to pry his fingers off of it! But in the end, I achieved the somewhat impossible task of retrieving the mugs, so all was in the clear for now. I quickly cleaned both mugs and refilled them, the contents inside catered to the tastebuds of their respective recipients.
“If you guys are gonna fight so early in the morning, please do it out of my kitchen.” I passed them their drinks and crossed my arms, unable to keep the irritation off my face. Luckily, they both had the decency to look chagrined, as they should. Was it because they were alphas or because they were men that they were acting like such assholes? Or was it a combination of the two?
“You guys are acting like a couple of alphaholes right now.” I quickly covered my mouth, shocked that I would say something like that out loud. Especially something so crass! If my etiquette teacher could see me now, they’d probably be foaming at the mouth right now.
“What?” Derek only looked confused, and maybe even a little hurt.
“Alphaholes?” Danny exclaimed, sounding like he’d never heard the term in all his life.
“I-I’m sorry. I didn’t mean-”
“Relax, Damon. Knowing these two, you were probably right on the money. Ooh, breakfast!” Henry came around the corner, my knight and shining armor with colossal bed hair. My savior calmly walked up to the island and picked up a piece of bacon, fat dripping off the strip it was so fresh.
“So, what were these two fighting about?” Henry asked around a mouthful of food.
“It wasn’t anything really, just a mug...” Henry only hummed in thought, but before I could ask what was on his mind, the rest of the family came in a wave of hungry stomachs looking for food to eat.
Soon enough, yet another awkward moment was forgotten and lost in the background of my mind as I made sure there was enough food for everyone and prepared more should we need it, compiling a list in my head of things to get while at the grocery store.
“Is everyone staying for dinner tonight?”
“I would love to cause your food is amazing—ow!” Dylan rubbed his arm as Henry scowled at him hard enough to make milk curdle. “What? It is!”
“Keep talking, and you’re gonna be sent to an early grave.”
“You don’t have to worry about that, your cooking is going to do your work for you.” Henry squawked in outrage, trying his best to pull Dylan into a headlock despite his bigger frame. Dylan laughed it off and gave Henry kisses to try and console him. After a while, he seemed to settle down, letting Dylan get back to his explanation.
“As I was saying, we would love to, but I gotta get back so I can get some rest before my shift tonight.”
“No worries, there’s always next time,” I turned to Henry. “Do you have to get to work as well?”
“Nah, I basically make my own hours.”
Danny and Adam also seemed to be planning on leaving. The only ones staying were Dimitri and Lauren, who wouldn’t be flying back until Wednesday morning. That was a huge relief for me, considering that the amount of food I had to make was essentially cut in half.
The morning passed with a leisurely air, the family all gathering in the living room to pass the time until it came time for them to leave. There were a lot of hugs and tears—mostly on Lauren’s part—as her sons and their respective partners got ready to leave. She must have taken at least ten pictures of little baby Emily before Danny finally had enough and promised to send all of the pictures he and Adam had at home.
Once everyone who was leaving left, it was just me, Derek, and the soon-to-be in-laws.
“So, what now?” Dimitri asked in his funny yet blunt way. We all looked at each other as no one really had an answer. What now indeed.
Before things had a chance to get awkward, Lauren proposed to Dimitri that she and Dimitri could go out to see some old friends of theirs they hadn’t seen in a while.
“Ooh! Let me call Tina and Dan and see if they’re open to a double date!” She started to jump up and down, her joy infectious. Which made the scowl on Dimitri’s face all the more surprising.
“I rather be waterboarded than see that old bastard. Can you believe he still hasn’t apologized for what he did? The last time I saw him, he acted like everything was cool. No harm, no foul!” Dimitri threw his hands up in the air in disgust before walking off.
“What happened between him and Dan?” I asked.
“He doesn’t know. The story seems to change every time he tells it,” Lauren said, rolling her eyes and following her husband.
“I have a feeling that the double date mom was looking forward to ain’t gonna be happening tonight…” He gave me a sidelong look. “Do you want to go instead?”
“You want to go on a double date?”
“Oh no, a date with just the two of us. Come to think of it, we haven’t really had a proper date.”
Wait, that can’t be true, can it?
“We went out shopping during the first weekend I was here though…”
“Baby, please tell me you’re not counting us running errands as an actual date. “I was actually, but I wasn’t gonna tell him that. I tried to rack my brain, thinking really hard about what else we did that could be considered a date.
“We went out to eat a couple of times. Oh! What about when we went out on a drive? Does that count?” I finished weakly. All the times we went out to eat, or to the bookstore, or even the time we spent together building my library. Were none of those dates in his eyes?
I refused to believe that.
“We went on plenty of dates. Just because we weren’t wining and dining at a fancy restaurant doesn’t mean it wasn’t a date. As long as we both enjoyed ourselves, that should be all that mattered.” Derek wrapped me up in his arms, planting a kiss on my head.
“You’re right baby, those were all dates in their own way.”
“I feel a ‘but’ coming on.” Derek snorted, pinching me on my butt. I slapped his hand away, smiling.
“But , wouldn’t it be nice to go to a fancy restaurant to wine and dine? It’ll be like a scene from all of those romance books you read. The handsome love interest takes the alluring main character out to dinner, and then afterwards they have mind-blowing sex.“ Damn! He made a good point.
“Well, when you put it like that, dinner sounds amazing. What about your mom and dad though? Will they be alright?”
“They’re adults who can take care of themselves. Right now, I only want to think about one thing and one thing only,” he leaned down to whisper in my ear, his hot breath making my hole pulse and throb. “And I’ll give you a hint. It’s not where to take you to dinner. “He gave my ass a little slap before walking off with a swagger, leaving me in the hallway with legs trembling and my heart racing.
Forget the dinner, I’d be fine if we skipped right to dessert.
It took me a few minutes to get my emotions—and my obvious boner—under control, but to no avail. My thoughts were just filled with every dirty fantasy I’d read and imagining Derek fulfilling each and every one on my body. I shivered just thinking about it.
I decided to head upstairs to vent out these thoughts in a… creative way. And no, I wasn’t about to fiddle with the pickle. My creative outlet was in writing, but the ideas I currently have coursing through my brain was uncharted territory for me. I’ve hardly read erotica, let alone try to write one, but now I feel like I had an idea and wanted to see what I could make of it.
Plus, it’d probably be best not to be around the in-laws sporting a boner. Knowing Derek, he’d probably make it worse.
Trying to be as nonchalant as I could, I skirted around the corner and made a beeline to the stairs. Once I was sitting in front of my computer, I quickly booted it up, opened a new document, and got to work. At first, I left like a newborn deer taking its first stumbling steps after entering the world, but once I found my rhythm, my fingers flew over the keyboard.
Perhaps my fingers flew too fast, for I had to go back and fix mistakes many times. My fingers just couldn’t keep up with my brain. But I didn’t care, I was in the zone and my boner was long forgotten. I was still horny mind you, but all my energies were focused on writing down all the ideas, no matter how silly they may be.
Once my fingers started to ache and my back felt like it had aged twenty years, I decided I deserved a much-needed break. The last thing I wanted was a burnout. I had just laid out on the small couch in the room, my back on fire from being hunched over the keyboard for so long when a knock sounded at the door. A second later it opened, revealing Derek with an amused grin on his face.
“Hey, just came to check on you to see if you were still alive. Why’d you disappear on me?”
“I didn’t disappear , I just had this idea and I wanted to write it down while it was still fresh in my mind. “His eyes go to my computer, where the document I was working on is still pulled up, the cursor blinking ominously.
“Ahhh. Do you mind if I take a look?” Before I had a chance to answer, he already started heading to my desk. I yelped and flung myself from the couch, doing my best to get myself between him and the screen filled with my dirty thoughts. I tried to drag his arm back with little success, which is not all that surprising. He was twice my size and had about a hundred pounds on me. There was simply no way that I was going to move him on my own.
“Why don’t you want me to read it?” He finally seemed to relent to my tugging and slowly backed away from my desk. “I hope you know what with the way you’re acting right now, it only makes it want to read it even more.”
“Well too bad. I just started it and it’s probably just riddled with spelling errors. Besides, it’s probably trash anyway.”
“Hey!” The tone of his voice whipped in the air as if he were a commanding officer in the army. It had me straightening my back instantly, my eyes locking on to his. He inched closer to me until he was taking up my whole view.
“I don’t ever wanna hear you try to diminish anything you make. The fact that you even started is amazing! I’m proud of you and I can’t wait to read it. “I had to break away from his intense gaze, for some reason getting self-conscious all of a sudden.
“You’re just saying that—“His hand cupped my chin and slowly tilted my head back, forcing me again to meet those intense green eyes that seemed to be emerald fires.
“I meant every word. When you’re ready to share it, I want to be the first one to read it. Okay?” I nodded in understanding, my eyesight becoming blurry.
“How could you have so much faith in me? You’ve never seen any of my works...”
“That’s not entirely true. The agency actually added a couple of your works in your file.”
“Wait, really?” The thought never even crossed my mind that they would put something like that in my file.
“Really, so have some more confidence in yourself. Please?”
“I promise to try.” I quickly wiped at the budding tears that were threatening to spill over at any moment now. Derek wrapped me in his arms again, releasing a small sigh. His hand began rubbing soothing circles on my back.
“Beggars can’t be choosers, I guess. I’ll take what I can get.” He took one last look at my computer before he visibly brightened. He had a huge grin plastered on his face, but it looked strained to me. A facade.
“Alright! So, I already called the restaurant and made a reservation, all we have to do now is get dressed and show up. I’m gonna get dressed and run some errands real quick, but I’ll be back in plenty of time. Sounds good?”
“Sounds perfect,” I said, giving him a quick kiss before he headed to the door. I call out to him just before the door closes. “Derek?”
“Yeah?” He pops his head back in, a look of what seemed like concern in his eyes, but it was gone in moments.
“Thank you.” This time, a more genuine smile pulled at his lips, making my heart swell.
“Anytime,” he said with a wink, pulling the door closed with a soft click. As I stood there in the void of his presence—yes, it did feel like a void, for I already missed him, even though he was here only moments before—I heard him bound down the steps at a rapid pace, yell goodbye to his parents and was out the door. A moment later the sound of his truck roaring to life and driving away filled me with such melancholy that I didn’t know what to do.
I knew then at that moment that I would be utterly destroyed when the time came for Derek to leave this world. I made a promise to myself to enjoy every moment I had with him, for as long as I could.
Trying to shake off the foul mood that seemed to cover me like a weighted blanket, I went over to my shelves, admiring my ever-growing collection. My fingers trail the unique spines, my eyes roving over the titles. Slowly, I could feel the repressive weight get a little bit lighter as the thought of bookworms being basically dragons in human form, their horde of ink-filled paper, made me smile.
It was past time I got dressed, ’cause I got a hot date tonight!
Feeling much better about myself and the days ahead, I strode down the stairs and headed to our bedroom, excitement creeping up on me. My thoughts soon filled with all the possible places Derek could take us tonight, which is not a whole lot, not that I think about it. We live in a nice and affluent area, after all, but it’s still Poughkeepsie. Did he plan on driving to a different area?
The front door slammed shut, followed by the jingle of keys being thrown into the glass bowl by the door. That’s definitely Derek, and I have yet to get ready...
“Damon?! You ready yet?”
“Yeah, I’ll be down in a minute!” I rapidly go through my clothes, slightly panicking and praying he doesn’t come up to catch me in my little white lie. I reach for a blain black button-down when a splash of color catches my attention out of the corner of my eye. It was a bold color, a mix between red and purple, sort of like a raspberry. Black and white stripes traveled down the sides, adding to the flair. It was one of the shirts Todd insisted I take before I left OPS, not taking no for an answer. If he was here right now, I could kiss him! A silent thanks will have to do now, but this was the perfect shirt to wear tonight. Black slacks and my favorite white shoes completed the ensemble.
I brushed my teeth and combed my hair in under five minutes, spritzing a little of Derek’s cologne on my neck. Once that was done, I looked in the mirror for the final touches. I looked good, happy at what I saw. My eyes briefly flickered to my cheek, before taking in a cursory glance. Something was missing, but what?
“Baby!”
“Coming!” I ran the brush through my hair one final time, praying for the silver stands to cooperate with me.
Just one night, that’s all I need.
I quickly went to the stairs but was unable to go down just yet, my body locking up on its own. I took a deep breath, trying to calm my frayed nerves by force of will. The first step was the hardest, but then the second one became easier, and the one after that even more so. By the time I was near the bottom of the stairs, I was the picture of calm and collected. And that’s where I found him.
He was wearing a black suit with a white button-down shirt but no tie. A couple of buttons were undone, exposing some of his chest hair and making him downright gorgeous . It seemed that those ‘errands’ he mentioned earlier involved getting a new haircut. His hair was shaved on the sides and cut shorter than usual on top, and his beard was neatly trimmed and oiled.
Once I stood in front of him, he produced a bouquet of roses from behind his back, filling the air with their sweet aroma. I was so happy that a smile threatened to split my face in half.
His eyes traveled up and down my figure, and I could practically feel the lust coming off him, or maybe that was just his body heat emanating from him in waves.
“Hey, beautiful.” His deep voice overwhelmed me, and I felt compelled to claim him right then and there.
“Hey handsome,” My hand travels up his stomach and across his chest. He inches closer, his erection nearly poking me in my belly button. “You clean up nice.”
“So do you, you look amazing.” He gives me this look that practically screams ‘Forget the reservation, I want dessert. Now. ’ I’m inclined to agree.
“Oh my god, you both look amazing! Dimitri, come look!” Lauren was down the hall, hands clasped to her chest, and looked moments away from swooning. Dimitri came and wrapped a steady arm around her, letting out a low whistle.
“Nice, very nice. Hope you kids have fun tonight, and don’t stay out too late,” he said with a chuckle, causing Derek to groan.”
“Let’s go before they give us a curfew,” Derek said, laying his hand on the small of my back and guiding me to the door.
“Wait, I need a picture!” Lauren dashed back into the living room. “Don’t let them leave honey!” Both father and son rolled their eyes at her antics, but I thought it was sweet.
“C’mon Mom, I’m too old for this,” Derek gave a pleading look to Dimitri, but he only held his hands up in defeat, an amused look on his face.
“Hush! You’re not leaving till I get my picture.” She then took charge, making us do different poses and capturing us at different angles. She even took a picture of us on the stairs.
“I feel like I’m back in high school going to prom,” Derek whispered in my ear, his mom showing his dad the current pictures she took.”
“Prom...” I’ve never been to prom, but if this is what it felt like, I wish there was a time machine, so I could always relive this moment. Derek studied me for a few moments before calling out to Lauren.
“Hey Mom, let’s do one more.” With gentle guidance, he positioned my body facing away from him, while his chest became flush with my back. His hands engulfed mine, the both of us now holding the roses aloft.
“Aww,” Lauren immediately got to work, snapping a few pictures. When she was done, she wiped her eyes a couple of times. Even Dimitri looked to be getting sentimental in the back.
“What’s wrong Lauren?”
“Nothing, it just takes me back, what with the pose and everything.” The pose? Derek seemed to sense my confusion, for he quickly came to my rescue with an explanation.
“The pose we just did was one of the more popular ones back when I was in high school.” Understanding dawned on me, followed by so much appreciation that I was about to join Lauren on the happy-tears-train.
I tried to tell him how I felt, but my throat was quickly closing, and words were hard to get out. Words weren’t needed though, because Derek nodded in understanding, his own eyes becoming misty.
“Alright, that’s enough. Laurie, you got enough pictures, let them go.” Dimitri cleared his throat, trying to appear like he wasn’t wiping his eyes as well a minute ago. He wasn’t fooling anyone, but no one called him out on it. It was the perfect reminder that the night was still young, and it was only just beginning.
Derek offered his arm out like a gentleman. “Shall we?” I linked mine through his, trying and failing at a posh English accent.
“We shall, my good sir.” He made a grandiose chuckle, joining me in my goofiness.
“I say, that sounds absolutely smashing darling.” Arm in arm, we made our way to his truck and in moments, we were off, excitement and love filling my heart.