19. Something Wicked This Way Comes
Chapter nineteen
Something Wicked This Way Comes
Despite my best intentions not to have Derek follow me out into the cold to help bring in groceries, he did it anyway. He took one look at the bulging bags in my arms and took them without a word. It was even worse when we got outside. He wouldn’t even say anything to me, just gently nudged me out of the way as he grabbed most of the bags, leaving me with conflicted feelings. On the one hand, I probably deserved the silent treatment, with me being unable to share exactly why the smell of bourbon triggered me so.
On the other hand, I was feeling slightly annoyed at being treated like a delicate flower. The irony was not lost on me, however, as it was just a couple of hours ago that I planned on him doing most of the heavy lifting.
Our relationship felt like the world’s most complicated roller coaster, complete with the highs and lows, twists and turns that leave you breathless. Are relationships always this complicated? Or is it the fact that we were still learning things about each other? It didn’t help that we basically skipped the dating phase of the relationship and went straight to being quasi-engaged.
Groceries were put away in a silence that was almost deafening. I tried to tell him what happened during that silence multiple times, but the words clogged in my throat, my mouth opening and closing but nothing emerging. Derek looked at me, his face an unreadable mask, before heading upstairs. I had just started prepping the chicken for dinner when he came downstairs in sweats and a jacket. He didn’t look at me as he headed down the hallway towards the front door.
Tears gathered in my eyes and I stayed rooted in place, my body either unable or unwilling to chase after him. Because deep down, I knew that if I called out to him, he would ask me to share something I just wasn’t ready to give.
I heard the door open, but the telltale sign of its closing didn’t come. I dared not breathe, my ears straining to hear the front door close and the start of his truck. The ticks of the clock in the kitchen were almost deafening, as if it was counting down the life expectancy of our relationship. Then finally, the door closed, a sob escaping my lips.
Before I could sink to my knees and wallow in self-pity and melancholy, I heard footsteps, and he was back. His jaw was clenched, hands fisted at his sides, and sadness was etched on every line of his face. From his downturned lips, the crease furrowing his brow, to the way his eyes watered as if trying to hold back tears.
He strode over and enveloped me in a bone-breaking embrace, his body surrounding me as if he were doing his best to assimilate my body into his own. I clung to him like a barnacle, not wanting to let go of him.
“I’m sorry,” we both said at the same time. I looked at him in shock.
“Why are you saying sorry? I’m the one who treated you like an asshole, especially considering the shit day you had.” The corner of his mouth twitched, but unshed tears still swam in his emerald eyes.
“Because, for a moment I didn’t even care about your feelings or why you would hesitate in telling me something that’s obviously a difficult topic. To top it off, I was just about to leave you high and dry…” He closed his eyes, the tears now sliding down his face.
“I’ve done that to you once already, you don’t deserve for it to happen a second time.” I had finally calmed down, my face a mess of snot and tears, but his quiet confession almost had me bawling my eyes out all over again.
“You’re wrong,” I began, rushing ahead to explain why I would believe such a thing, “I deserve that and more for even trying to dictate how you cope when life gets too hard. It was stupid of me and inconsiderate and—“ Whatever other hard critique I was about to give myself was cut off as Derek’s lips crashed into mine, his lips stealing my words and bruising my lips. He kissed with the fiery passion of a man going through withdrawal. When he broke away, I had to catch my breath, but the look of anger took it away all over again.
“I don’t ever want to hear you say that again. You are smart, kind, and despite only knowing each other for a few months, the most important thing in my life right now. If you weren’t here, I’d probably be wallowing in self-pity and drinking till I stopped feeling my face.”
“You don’t mean that…” Derek was nice, friendly, and above all, had family right here in New York.
“Oh, but I do.”
“What about your friends or even your family? They wouldn’t come to see if you’re okay?” He shrugged.
“I mean, sure, they’d come to stop by to check up on me, but they’d leave in the end because they have their own lives too, Damon. The end result would have been the same; me alone in this big old house with a bottle of liquor to drown out my sorrows.” My heart was hammering in my chest so hard, I was expecting it to burst from my chest at any moment.
“I’m glad I’m here to keep you company then.” He smiled, the first real smile I saw from him that night, and it was beautiful. He kissed me slow and deep, conveying without words that he felt the same. He didn’t need to say it, he didn’t have to. I could feel it in the way he looked at me with pure adoration and love, the way he held me as if I was going to slip from his arms like a dream that you caught vague glimpses of upon waking.
We stayed like that for a long time, holding each other and speaking without words, for words felt inadequate in that moment. How could words truly convey the intricate thoughts and feelings currently running through our minds? Sure, we could have made an attempt, but I sure as hell didn’t want mere words to sully this perfect moment, and it seemed that neither did Derek.
After such a cathartic experience, we both decided it was best to call it a day and go straight to bed after dinner—no funny business.
Well, not that much, anyway…
Derek wanted to take a shower with me, and at first, I was hesitant, as I was not in the mood to fool around. I was worried for nothing, though, as he simply stood in the shower with me and began washing my body with a tender touch, lighting kisses along my neck and shoulders.
When I felt him get hard behind me, I was seconds away from proclaiming that knocking one out in the shower is beneficial for your health, when he asked for me to wash him next. I said yes, obviously. As I scrubbed his big frame, I couldn’t help but get hard myself, licking my lips in anticipation when I started to scrub his front.
He reached behind me to cup my ass and squeeze, putting a little bit of soap on his fingers and rubbing them together to create a lather. He then inserted two fingers, not deep, but just enough to make me want the real thing.
“No funny business tonight, remember?” He said with a boyish wink.
“I’m not the one playing with someone else’s hole…” I moaned as he pushed in just a little deeper.
“I’m only making sure every nook and cranny is cleaned, that’s all.”
“Mm, sure.” If that’s all he wanted to do, who was I to stop him? In fact, two can play that game. Grabbing some soap and lathering my own hands, I grabbed him and started long, slow strokes up and down his shaft. He jerked violently, his cock slipping out of my hands. He chuckled softly.
“Fair enough.”
“What’s wrong? You don’t want me to make sure everything is cleaned down there?” I didn’t bother keeping the smug grin off my face.
“You and I both know if we keep this up, I’m gonna end up shooting my load, and I want to save it for when I’m inside you.”
Oof, he really knows how to make someone hot and bothered.
We kept our hands to ourselves the rest of our time in there, although it was a struggle every second to not just pounce on him and ride till I was screaming his name.
I understand why we weren’t satisfying our needs tonight, but that didn’t mean I had to like it.
Once we finally got into bed, Derek wrapped me in his arms, the steady rhythm of his heart lulling me to sleep. I really didn’t deserve someone as patient and kind as him. I was truly lucky to have him in my life.
“Derek, you awake?” He probably was, as the telltale sign of his snoring was currently absent. He murmured into my neck, so he was somewhat conscious at least.
“Listen, about my reaction earlier…” I felt him shift slightly, his body tense and on full alert. Whatever drowsiness he may have had was long gone now. I took a deep breath before forging on. He deserved to know, no time like the present.
“My father was a heavy drinker, and bourbon was his drink of choice. I don’t mind alcohol, but that smell alone just brings back memories I’d rather not relive.” His arms tightened around me.
“Taking you for telling me, I know it couldn’t have been easy.” He went quiet after that, the silence growing so long I thought he had actually fallen asleep.
“Did he… hurt you?” The scar on my cheek, a parting gift from my father, began to burn like a brand.
“He didn’t mean to! Things got rough after my Papa passed away.”
It felt weird defending him, but also right, in a way. My Papa was his whole world, so when they found out he had cancer, he was devastated. I was too young to properly understand what was happening, but whatever sadness shrouded me like a warm blanket, his suffocated him completely, to the point where he became a different person.
Derek gently cupped my face, his thumb tracing over the faint scar. He kissed it, causing my heart to spasm in my chest.
“I’m not gonna hurt you, I promise.” I simply nodded, not trusting myself to speak at that moment. Emotions were running high right now, and all it would take was one inhale before the proverbial damn broke.
I fell asleep in the comfort of his arms around me, knowing there was no safer place. As sleep claimed me, all of my worries seemed to simply vanish as if they were never there.
The next day, I woke up early to make Derek’s favorite breakfast; a whole lot of everything. As there wasn’t much I could do to help him with the lawsuit, I could at least send him off on a good note.
He seemed to be in a better mood than yesterday, which was all I could ask for. As I watched him drive off, I snickered as the mental image of the 1940s version of the American Dream, replete with a smiling housewife and white picket fence, stood outside while waving off her husband.
I wasn’t about to go wearing a dress anytime soon, but it’s safe to say I could check off all the other boxes. Well, mostly. Derek isn’t my husband, but he might as well be.
Since I didn’t have class today, I thought I would try to get some work done, either working on my writing project, or on some of my assignments that weren’t due for a couple of weeks.
In reality, though? I laid out on the couch like a fat cat watching Korean dramas. Call me a fish because I was hooked . Besides, one could view it as a learning experience. They blend different tropes into one show so seamlessly. Romance, political intrigue, mystery. I was almost tempted to take notes.
Almost.
It was just revealed that the female main character actually had an estranged twin sister—the twin was impersonating the main and doing evil acts in her name—when the doorbell rang.
Talk about bad timing.
I opened the door expecting to find one of my neighbors, but instead, I found a beautiful stranger.
I was struck dumb by her beauty. She wore a sun hat, the wide brim casting her face in shadow, but it did nothing to obstruct the high cheekbones, pale blue eyes the color of robin’s eggs, and a heart-shaped face. Dark blonde hair was elegantly swept over her shoulder, the fashionable winter coat and the leather pants that hugged her slim figure telling all who saw that she has expensive tastes.
“Um, hi.”
I could tell she was momentarily aback, but then she gave me a bright smile.
“Why hello there, and who might you be?”
“I’m Damon,” I said, momentarily snapping out of my daze from being awestruck by such a beautiful person. “Is there something I can help you with?”
“Gosh, I feel so stupid. I was looking for Derek. Derek Dreyfus? I could’ve sworn he lived here...” She tried to look over my shoulder as if Derek would pop out any minute now.
“He does...” The paranoia in me reared its ugly head. What if she’s connected to the guy that got hurt?
That thought didn’t take time to settle into my brain because I simply couldn’t imagine this glamorous woman interacting with anyone like a construction worker.
“Is there something I can help you with?” I reiterated again. I tried to ignore the fact that she seemed solely focused on Derek, not that I could blame her. Derek is a good-looking Alpha, but he was mine .
She finally stopped swaying back and forth to see into the house and gave me an apologetic grin.
“I’m sorry, how rude of me,” She held out her hand and I took it, her soft skin almost causing my jaw to drop. How can someone like this be real? “My name is Mina, I’m an old friend of Derek’s. I heard what happened and wanted to stop by and make sure he was okay. Are you his housekeeper?”
Wow, this bitch.
I plastered a fake smile and said in a sickly sweet voice, “Oh no, I’m his partner. Derek’s, I mean.” I knew I didn’t need to specify who, but something primal in me wanted to stake my claim and assert myself as his partner.
I’m sure I was mistaken, but for a second there, I thought I caught a glimpse of something dark and ugly flit across her face. She took a step forward, and suddenly it felt like I could barely breathe, as if her mere presence was sucking up all the surrounding oxygen.
And then, just like that, it vanished. I would have crashed to my knees right then and there if Mina hadn’t caught me.
She swung one of my arms around her shoulders and carried me inside. I didn’t even have the energy to object.
What was happening? What was that?
She dropped me onto the couch before she left my field of view. I had to call Derek, the police, anyone. Something was wrong.
I could hear the faucet in the kitchen, and a moment later, Mina was in front of me, offering a glass of water.
“I’m sorry, I lost control of myself for a second.” She settled down next to me, laying a comforting hand on my back as I took a sip of water, my hands shaking like I was a recovering addict.
“W-what was that? What did you do to me?” She withdrew her hand and gathered them in her lap. She looked like a wilted flower in that moment, drooping shoulders, and downcast expression.
“You were subjected to a pheromone overload,” When I gave her an uncomprehending look, she continued further, her hands writhing in her lap.
“The brain can only handle so much stimuli. Basically, my pheromones caused your brain to be overstimulated. It only happens when emotions run high. I usually have a better grip on it...”
Pheromones, that must mean she’s an Omega, and a dominant one at that. I’ve never seen a dominant Omega before, but I don’t doubt that I was looking at one now.
Did she really come to see Derek just to check up on him?
What kind of relationship did the two have?
Mina blew out a hard breath and gave me a discerning look, a pout on her full lips.
“The fact that you were susceptible at all must mean you’re an Omega…” I tried not to let the irritation show on my face, as this wasn’t the first time someone was surprised I was an Omega. What I didn’t understand was why she thought Derek’s partner would be a Beta. Do Omegas and Alphas have more relationships with Betas than I thought? That would be something I’d have to ask Derek or Sarah later, as I for sure didn’t want to seem na?ve in front of Mina.
“Listen, I appreciate you helping me, but I think—“
“When do you think Derek will be back?” she said, absent-mindedly twirling a lock of hair around her finger.
“I think he’ll be home late. He’s dealing with things at work, as I’m sure you already know. I can let him know you stop by though?” I stood to show her to the door in the politest way possible, but she still lounged on my couch without a care in the world.
“Would you mind if I stayed until he comes home? That will give us two time to get to know each other better. Wouldn’t that be nice?”
No, not really…
“That would be nice during any other time, but I have some work to get done and run a couple of errands. Why don’t you come back this weekend when Derek will be around? I’m sure he’ll love to catch up with you then.”
“If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were trying to get rid of me,” she said with a sly smile.
That’s exactly what I’m doing.
“No, not at all. I just don’t deal well with strangers is all.”
“Nonsense, I’m not a stranger! We both exchanged names already, right? Besides, Derek and I go way back.” At this point I left like getting rid of Mina before she saw Derek would be like prying a barnacle off the hull of a ship.
“I think I can spare thirty minutes or so. Can I get you anything to eat or drink?”
“That’s so kind of you. I’ll take a mineral water if you have any.” It was a struggle not to throw her out of my house right now. I was taught better than that because she was a guest, after all. No matter how inherently rude she was, I had to be patient.
“We don’t, so sorry.”
“You hardly sound sorry, but no matter. I’ll take a bottled water.”
Deep breathe in, deep breathe out.
“Sure, let me get that for you.” I went into the kitchen to grab one from the fridge, only for her to reject it as she prefers to drink room-temperature water. Seconds away from losing my patience, I went back to the kitchen to grab one from the cupboard and settled down in Derek’s armchair.
The last thing I wanted to do was sit next to her. I’d likely catch a case of the crazy due to close proximity.
“So, where did you two meet?”
“We met through a match-making service…” Technically, it wasn’t a lie.
“Oh wow! I didn’t even know that was a thing, especially since you’re an Omega. While there’s not a huge gap between Alphas and Omegas like there once was, Omegas are still in popular demand. I’m surprised you had to go through something like that.”
I could feel the strain on my face from having to keep up the fake smile on my lips, cause otherwise there’d be a huge scowl in its place. I wanted to have the benefit of the doubt that she didn’t know what kind of effect her words were having on me, but some nagging part of my brain was telling me that something was wrong.
As I was working up the courage to tell Mina that she had overstayed her welcome, I heard the sound of my salvation in the form of the front door open. I stood to go greet him by the door but Mina was one step ahead of me. She cut me off right as I was making my way towards him and wrapped Derek in a hug, their bodies pressed so close together that I saw red for a second.
There’s a fine line between friendly and too friendly, and Mina crossed that line trying to drape herself over Derek. I was seconds away from prying her off him, but Derek beat me to it. He held her at arm's length, a scowl on his face.
Something tells me they’re not exactly friends...
“What the hell are you doing here, Yasmina?”
“Come now, Dere-bear, don’t be like that.”
“ Don’t call me that. You got some nerve showing your face here, after what you did?“ Maybe it was the lingering fascination after watching K-dramas all day, but my ears were burning! What exactly did she do? If I don’t make a sound and blend into the background they’ll probably give me some tidbits.
Did I feel ashamed for not inserting myself between the two?
Not at all, thank you for asking. I was totally content to let Derek dress her down. Verbally, of course.
“Derek please, I can explain! Daddy said--”
“Ahh, I see some things never change! It’s always someone else’s fault. When are you gonna learn to take accountability for your own actions, huh?”
“Oh, like you haven’t changed? You worked hard getting rid of all that excess weight, and look at you now, just as fat as the day I met you.” Mina’s—or rather, Yasmina’s —face paled, her hand flying to her mouth as she processed what she said.
“What the fuck did you just say?“ I couldn’t believe what I just heard. Within the blink of an eye, I’m in her face, not caring that she had a couple of inches on me and was a dominant Omega. I wasn’t gonna stand by and let her think she could just say whatever she wanted without repercussions.
“You got some nerve coming into our home and insulting him. Some. Fucking. Nerve!” I punctuated the last three words with a jab to her shoulder, not willing to back down for even a second. She pushes my hand away, shoving me back a couple of inches.
“ Don’t touch me. “ Before I could push her back and have the already abysmal situation escalate into a physical altercation, Derek inserted himself between the two of us.
“Leave Yasmina, before I call the cops.”
“Derek, I’m sorry. I didn’t—“
“ Leave , and don’t show your face here again.”
She fixed her dress, picking her hat up off the floor from when it fell after we both lunged at each other and headed for the door, still looking as elegant as ever. Mina lingered by the door for a few moments, looking back at Derek with a mixed look of longing and regret.
“When you get tired of living with a recessive omega, you know how to reach me.”
What. The. Fuck?!
“Keep walking, you two-faced bitch! I’m not going anywhere!” She didn’t need to say anything, her answering smirk was enough. Challenge fucking accepted.
“It’s okay Damon, she’s not worth it.”
I struggled for a couple of more minutes in Derek’s grasp before I tired myself out and he led me to the couch to sit. I was still fuming, but I could feel the rage slowly seep out of me as Derek sat beside me, gently rubbing my back and kissing my temple.
“She’s a real piece of work…” I said once I could trust myself to speak. I don’t know what came over me. I don’t remember ever getting that violent before.
“Yeah she is, which is why we’re not together,” He knelt down in front of me, clasping my chin in a grip, forcing me to look him in the eye. “If she comes back here, you call me. Understand?”
“Okay.”
“I’m serious, Damon. She’s nothing but trouble and I don’t want her anywhere near you.”
“I know, I understand Derek. I’ll call you if I ever see her again.”
“Good. He kissed me once before turning in the direction of the stairs. I had a sneaking suspicion, and if I didn’t ask now, I might lose the courage to ask later. I had to know.
“Derek,” I said, standing and following him to the stairs. He looked apprehensive as I stood there, the words I’d wanted to ask so badly just a moment ago lodged in my throat. He simply stood there, letting me go at my own pace, which was one of the reasons I loved about him. Derek was a kind and patient man, but even good men have limits. I took one last deep breath and went for it.
“Was she the ex-girlfriend you mentioned the other day? The one who visited you at work?”
We stood in silence as I could see the conflict warring in his eyes. When he finally answered, it looked like he deflated, as if the pressure of what he was going through, coupled with my question, was the limit of what he could handle.
“Yes,” he said simply. I waited for more, but none was forthcoming.
“T-That’s it? That’s all you have to say?” He sighed, taking a seat on the stairs, and gave me a look of such anguish that it almost broke my resolve to figure out what was going on, but I had to know.
“It’s a long story…”
“I have time.” I have all the time in the world if it meant getting reassurance. Mina visited him twice! Something told me it wouldn’t be the last, either.
“Can I take a shower first and get settled? I just got home after all.” Shame washed over me as I didn’t take into consideration what he was feeling. I was too caught up in my own feelings and insecurities.
“Of course. I’ll be in the bedroom waiting.”
“No, I rather not talk about her in our bedroom. That’s our space. She’s already taking up space in our head, I don’t want her tainting anything else.”
I nodded in understanding. I told him I would wait out on the patio, and he seemed to take that much better.
Once outside, I started a fire in the fire pit and watched the river languidly flow downstream, wishing I could dump all of my bad memories inside and watch them slowly float away.
Soon, Derek stepped outside, holding a blanket that he used to wrap the two of us in. He held a glass of bourbon in his hand. At this point, I didn’t even care. He should be allowed to relax and unwind how he pleased. I would just have to work through my issues. I had much bigger concerns.
Derek took a sip and settled the glass on the ground, sighing while staring at the fire but with a vacant look elsewhere. I tried to extend the same courtesy of giving him time to talk when he was ready, but patience was never my strong suit. When it felt like I was about to burst at the seams and demand to know what the hell was going on, he spoke.
“Before I get into the whole story, I should probably tell you this…” I dared not breathe as he took my hands in his and looked me in the eyes.
“Mina wasn’t just an ex-girlfriend. She was much more than that. Once upon a time, we were engaged.”