I was making my way back to my seat when turbulence struck. I tried bracing myself on my feet, but then the plane hit an air pocket. I went falling to the side, right into Derek’s lap, and he wrapped his arms around me to keep us from going anywhere. His arms locked around me, and my eyes whipped up to him, and he held me there until the plane stabilized.
But once the plane was steady, his arms didn’t budge.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
I nodded, unable to speak as my eyes stared up into his.
His touch was warm. Soft, despite how strongly he was holding me. His entire body was positioned around me, curled up in case something else happened. He was trying to protect me, and I knew the instinct well.
I’d always been the giver of it instead of the receiver.
Whipping myself out of the trance, I scrambled from his grasp. I fell b
ack into my seat, then buckled myself for our descent. I got off the plane quickly and scanned the car. Then, I checked to make sure the driver was who I’d vetted before this trip.
Then, we headed over to the hotel.
I swept his room for bugs and traps as he stood in the shared alcove outside the front door. I could tell he was annoyed at it all, but I wanted to make sure nothing was taking us by surprise.
“Why isn’t your backup doing all this?” Derek asked.
“I’m on my own this weekend so they can get the electrical hooked up,” I said. “Okay, the room’s clear. Come on in.”
I walked over to the door that separated his hotel room from mine.
“I’m just behind this door,” I said as I opened it. “I’ll keep it cracked at night in case something happens.”
I couldn’t stop looking around the hotel room. The sheer size of it was breathtaking. I’d never been in a place like this before.
“To answer your question, yes. Your room is identical to mine,” Derek said.
My eyes fluttered to his, and I could see a cheeky little grin sliding across his cheeks.
“I’m going to go get cleaned up,” I said as I slid through the door. “Remember to check your peephole before you answer the door for anyone. If you don’t see anyone, come and get me before you make a move.”
“Got it,” Derek said. “Loud and clear.”
I slipped into my hotel room and kept the shared door open. I dropped my back next to the couch as my eyes scanned the expanse of my room. I had my own private balcony and everything. It was amazing, a place I would’ve really enjoyed had I not been working.
I heard Derek beginning to talk, probably alerting someone to the fact that he was safe. I walked into the bathroom and began to strip down, shaking my head at the size of the damn thing. The walk-in shower could fit five people comfortably, and there was a bathtub with jets. I took my time cleaning myself up, allowing the hot water to cascade over my body as I relaxed from the plane ride.
From the questions and the enjoyed conversation.
From the feel of his arms wrapped around my body.
I stepped out of the shower, remembering that my guns were still in my bag. I wrapped a small towel around me and went to go grab one so I could carry it around with me at all times. I needed to be prepared. I couldn’t allow the beauty of this place to distract me. But as I was coming out of the room with my gun in my hand, I saw something move out of the corner of my eye.
I lifted my gun and turned toward the movement, only to find Derek staring back at me.
His phone was at his ear, but he wasn’t talking. He was staring at me from the shared door as he leaned against the doorframe. I lowered my gun at my side as his eyes raked up and down my body, and I felt a heat pool in my gut. I could see his pants tightening around his pelvis, and I shuddered at the thought. Our eyes connected again, and I could feel my goosebumps breaking out all over my legs.
For some reason, I couldn’t seem to catch my breath.
Chapter 13
Derek
HOLY FUCK, SAM WAS gorgeous. Her legs were toned and filled with muscle she had trained over the years. Her shoulders were strong but had a fluidity to them that beckoned to my fingertips. Jacob was rattling on in my ear about some sort of bullshit as my eyes raked up and down her form.