Chapter 8
HIS SIGNING group was about to begin, and he was running late.
Harm had been asked to stay for a few extra hours because of a data issue that put the warehouse behind.
So he was hurrying to find a place to park.
He got lucky enough to get a space as someone else pulled away.
He rushed in the rain into the library and up to the room.
The door was open, and he went inside. Derek greeted him with a smile and a small wave.
Because of changes to his work schedule, he hadn’t seen Derek in days. They texted every day, but that was about all he had time for. Harm hadn’t been prepared for the number of hours he’d been working. Still, his military training kicked in and he pushed through, doing what needed to be done.
“I’m glad you’re here. I was getting a little worried.
” Derek seemed on edge as Harm took one of the chairs.
Then Derek began the learning part of the class, running through a refresher of last week before going over new material.
There were sixteen people this week, including some of the people from Harm’s work.
Belle and the others helped Derek as he went through the lesson for the evening.
Once that was completed, Harm spent time with Belle and others conversing, picking up additional information and getting used to using his hands to communicate instead of his mouth.
Toward the end of the session, a woman came in.
She sat in the back and kept to herself.
Harm watched her because Derek kept shifting his gaze to her.
Then, as they were breaking up, she approached Derek and spoke to him softly.
Derek pointed in his direction, and she came over to where he was seated.
Belle and the others from work signed “goodbye” and left him alone with the stranger.
“I’d like to speak to you if I may.”
He nodded and pulled the pad from his pocket. After signing for two hours, he hated going back to writing everything down. “I’m Harm. What do you need.”
“I’m Mary, and I’m on the board of the library. There have been some accusations made against Derek.”
“By William?” he wrote.
“So you know,” she said, and Harm nodded.
“They are lies. Derek treats everyone well. Even me when I came in looking like I was going to kill people. I got out of the military and was really lost. I still am to a degree, but Derek wasn’t afraid and he saw me… for me.” Harm paused and let her read. “He helped me.”
Mary nodded. “Derek is important to you?”
Harm nodded slowly. “I care for him. I need to be honest. But I would never lie for him. He started this class to help me communicate, and I have started to find a community that I didn’t know existed.”
“I’m glad.” She was about to get up, but Harm stopped her with a slight touch. “William is a stalker. I have seen him and I know the type. He will do anything to get what he wants.”
Mary leaned closer. “Do you think he’s escalating? I worked for the police as a dispatcher before I retired.” Harm thought for only a moment, then nodded. “Okay. Thank you. You have been very helpful.” She stood, and Harm did as well. They shook hands, and she left the room after nodding to Derek.
“What was all that about?” Derek asked once she was gone.
“William,” he spelled and scowled.
“I should have known. Do you want to get something to eat?” Derek asked. “I have some snacks at the house.”
“O-K,” Harm signed, and gathered up his materials before following him out of the room.
Derek said good night to the people at the desk and then left the library.
Harm went to his truck and drove to Derek’s house, parking out front.
He waited for Derek to open the door and found himself in an embrace that he returned in a matter of seconds.
The kiss from Derek was mind-blowing. “I missed you. I know you were busy, but I missed being able to see you.” Harm would have said that he missed him too, but his hands were a little busy at the moment, so he kissed Derek again, trying to convey the message without words.
“I like that way you talk,” Derek whispered when Harm pulled away.
He smiled and nuzzled Derek lightly, glad he seemed to have gotten the message.
There were times when not being able to talk was a real pain, especially when writing things down was not exactly convenient, like right now.
At work it could be frustrating sometimes, but at moments like this, with Derek, he really didn’t have to worry about it.
“Come on in. I have snacks that I can get.”
All Harm was really interested in was a Derek snack, so he kissed him again, feasting on luscious lips, their kisses intensifying.
“Are you trying to tell me something?” Derek asked.
Harm looked deep into Derek’s beautiful eyes.
He nodded slightly, hoping his expression was enough to convey what he was thinking.
Though maybe it was too soon for what he wanted, but then Derek brought their lips together again, jumping before wrapping his legs around Harm’s waist. “I know I’m telling you what I want.
” Harm slipped his hands under Derek, holding him up while getting the amazing feel of his rear in his hands. “The stairs are right over there.”
Harm carried Derek across the entry hall and then up the long staircase to the top.
The bedroom door was open, and Harm hoped it was Derek’s because he was too excited to go hunting for the right fucking room.
He took Derek inside and kicked the door closed before depositing him on the bed.
There were so many questions he wanted to ask.
Did Derek like it slow or fast, what things turned him on?
All those questions raced through his head, but then he smiled.
“What does that mean?”
Harm just looked into Derek’s blue eyes.
He had no way of telling him what he was thinking, but it just occurred to him that all his questions would be answered soon enough, and he’d get to discover them as they went.
He nuzzled the back of Derek’s neck and then down his collarbone until he reached the shirt.
Harm tugged at the hem of the fabric, pulling it up and then over Derek’s head.
He hummed his approval, and Derek blushed. “No way. I’m just a skinny geek.” Derek pressed to Harm’s chest, his hands exploring.
Harm ran his hands over Derek’s chest. Yeah, in the Army he had seen plenty of guys naked, and most of them were in top physical condition, but Derek was sleek and thin, his muscles smooth, skin honey golden.
He blinked and shook his head, wishing he had a way to tell Derek that he was wrong.
But all Harm could think of to do was to show Derek just how off base he truly was.
Sometimes not being able to speak had its advantages.
“I mean it.”
Harm placed a finger at Derek’s lips and shook his head.
“Is that your way of telling me no and to be quiet?” Derek asked. Harm shot him a look and went back to nuzzling Derek’s neck. “Okay…,” he groaned softly. “You win.”
He usually did, but there was no use trying to explain that to Derek.
He’d understand soon enough, and judging by the sounds and the squirming just from worrying a spot at the base of his neck, Harm had found one of those places that Derek really liked.
He had no doubt that there were more, and Harm set about trying to locate them.
And what an exploration it was. He had Derek squirming and groaning on the bed… and he still had his clothes on and all he’d done was get Derek’s shirt off. Damn, he was so responsive. Harm backed away, Derek’s eyes crossing. He tugged off his polo shirt, and Derek sat up.
“You’re hunky as hell.” Derek ran his hands over his chest and down his belly.
“Are you made of rocks? You’re as hard and strong as I could ever imagine.
” He drew closer, wrapping his arms around Harm’s waist, heat radiating like a ring of fire that didn’t burn, but ignited the flame inside.
Derek hummed softly, and Harm held him closer, their chests pressing together.
Being skin to skin was amazing, and Harm loved it.
He leaned over the bed, pressing Derek back, their lips meeting in an inferno of passion that set his heart racing.
Harm used to be quite vocal in bed. He was never afraid to say what he wanted or how his partner made him feel, and all those words bubbled up, but they had nowhere to go.
He wanted to tell Derek how he felt, but he had no way to do that.
“Are you okay?” Derek asked, gently touching his chin. “You disappeared there for a second.” He nodded and closed his eyes, trying to figure a few things out. Now probably wasn’t the time. “Hey… you tell me things all the time.”
He tilted his head to the side.
“See, you just did. But your eyes tell me a lot. I know this is hard for you and that there are things you want to say. I can tell. But all you need to do is show me.” He kissed him, and Harm slipped his hands down Derek’s side, mapping the contours of his body.
Derek laughed as Harm ran his fingers over his belly.
He loved that sound, rich and joyful, and he found himself smiling.
There hadn’t been a lot of joy in his life lately, but with Derek, Harm thought that there just might be some around the corner.
Derek tasted amazing as he kissed his way up his belly, tongue encircling a nipple.
He sucked lightly and got a whimper as a reward, Derek’s responsiveness telling him everything he needed to know.
Once again Harm backed away, looking at Derek.
There was no easy way to get a guy’s pants off, and as much as he wanted this to be romantic and special…
there was no really sexy way to do it. He unfastened Derek’s jeans and tugged them down and off his legs.
Then he shimmied out of his own pants, letting Derek get a good view,