38. Derek #2
Georgia tenses up at the small box on her lap before she looks up at me. The look she sends me takes my breath away. Her beautiful eyes are almost soft, the flecks of brown in them warming as she slowly opens the box and gasps.
“We didn’t do this whole thing sequentially, but I want to date you.
I want to know who you are and for you to know me.
This necklace is the start.” I speak softly, taking the necklace from the box.
I’m careful, sighing as her perfume engulfs me in a warm hug as I clamp the necklace around her neck, smiling as I admire the colors bouncing off her golden skin.
Georgia’s lip wobbles a bit. She looks up at me over her shoulder, “It matches my ring…”
I play dumb, looking around the clearing with a dorky smile on my face. “Does it? I thought it seemed familiar…”
She chuckles softly, her fingers twirling the necklace as thought number two comes to mind.
“Hungry?”
She nods, passing the basket to me. In less than a minute, I have all our food placed down and ready for us to eat. Georgia is silent as she forks her chicken and waffles into her mouth, her grin bright as her eyes widen.
I let out a breath of relief as she eats. I thought I may have been wrong about breakfast at first. I’d never cooked chicken and waffles for the girls, but I’ve been seeing Georgia’s reposts on social media about them and assumed she’d want some.
That could’ve been a hit-or-miss, and considering Sienna is officially ignoring me, I had to make an executive decision.
Georgia chews her food carefully, humming.
I take a bite of my own food and sigh; the chicken is the perfect mix of sweet and savory, especially with the special sauce I created. When I take a bite of the waffle, it feels like an orgasmic bomb has gone off in my mouth.
“Send my thanks to the chef.”
My cheeks heat instantly, and I duck my head to hide my blush from her. Georgia chuckles softly, taking another bite of her food, her eyes wide as she looks at the wooden carving sticking out of the basket.
She tilts her head, pointing at the carving with pouty lips.
I wasn’t ready for her to see it yet, but now that she has… I feel ready to show her. Her eyes are bright as she eyes the carving.
“You made this?” she asks, twisting it in her palms as I nod.
“Derek…”
I shake my head, turning to the basket once again and pulling out the small container at the very bottom.
“Did you bake for me too?!” She looks up at me, her eyes wide, her shoulders softening as she takes the container into her hands, her shoulders slumping. She rolls her lips in, pouting as she opens the cupcake container and takes a bite of the strawberry cupcake made specially for her.
The moan that Georgia lets out elicits something visceral from me. I feel my body wake up as she looks between the cupcake and me before she takes another bite.
“Why did you bring me here?” she asks through bites, setting down her cupcake.
I turn my body to face her, nerves racing all through me. How do I do this? How do I tell her I fucked up when she already knows that I have?
She grabs my hands, tilting her head and giving me her full attention as my shoulders sag and I sigh.
“I vowed to be a good person—a good father, like my dad was, and I prided myself on always being there for others and being the person everyone could rely on. Only when it came down to it, I was selfish. Eden’s been my mother’s best friend since I was ten; the world sees her as Eden Marlowe—fashion designer and CEO, but I only see her as my godmom...
I knew that I could’ve told you, granted I could’ve done it way sooner, but I didn’t want to let you go… ”
Georgia’s gaze softens, and she chews on the inside of her cheek as I continue.
“I didn’t want to bring another woman into Deli’s life unless I could trust them, I mean, sure, you and I were friends, but we’d just met in September,” I run a hand over my facial hair and sigh.
“Mamá was hounding me about the inheritance, and I wanted to forget about it for a night, and you helped me do that. I think even back then, I knew that I loved you. Hell, I sure did trust you more than anything… I knew in my heart that you were perfect for me. You are perfect for me, Georgia, and I only wish to be the perfect man for you. I’m sorry for not telling you about Eden earlier. ”
Her bottom lip trembles as our eyes lock. A single droplet from the sky is our only warning before the clouds open and rain pours, but that's not stopping us. At this moment, it’s us against the world.
“You love me?” Her words are soft against the pattering of the rain, but I hear her clearly.
“I love you more than the moon loves the sun. I love you more than my own heart can fathom. Darlin’, I love you.
You are the woman for me and always will be.
When I woke up this morning, and you weren’t drooling on my chest, I felt like the world was ending.
Last night, when you walked away, I thought I had died, because that's the only fate I’ll accept if you’re mad at me.
I need you. I yearn for you. Georgia, I live for you. ”
For a moment, we stare at each other, our eyes locked, hearts intertwined. She makes me feel. She gives me breath and takes it away all at once.
Georgia's hair waves up with the added water from the rain, her shirt is damp, and her skin is moist. She looks like an absolute goddess—I’d serve her happily.
She doesn’t have to say anything, doesn’t have to move, because her eyes say it all. We read one another's minds; my heart races as her pink lips fall in my line of vision, and the next thing I know, she’s in my arms.
“I love you forever,” she says breathily as her lips connect with mine.
“And always.”
When we pull apart, the two of us smiling as our foreheads touch.
She giggles up at the rain clouds above. “Did we just have and solve our first-ever argument?”
“I think we did… I love you.”
“And I love you.”
1 ?Era todo una mentira? – Was it all a lie?