Chapter 3
I was shocked.
She was lying shivering underneath my bed covers.
Heavy sobs escaped her mouth and I rushed to her side.
Flinging my coat aside, I jumped onto the bed and shook her gently.
"What's wrong, Rylee?" I asked hoping that she'd get up and answer me but I was taken aback as she flung off the covers and jumped onto me, hugging me tightly.
"I'm so scared." She choked, her voice hoarse as she hid her tear-streaked face in my chest.
"Why were you so late?"
A little surprised at the sudden contact, I jerked up my hand and awkwardly patted her back.
I felt her relax a little but stiffened when I realised she was just wearing a camisole.
Her skirt was bunched around her thighs as she shook in my arms.
Gulping, I looked away and slowly dragged the covers over her legs.
She was too beautiful.
Too inviting for me to resist.
I rocked her gently as her sobs died down.My hands slid over her creamy skin.
"What happened?" I kept on holding her close.
She clung closer to me and shifted completely onto my lap, straddling me.
"I'm scared of thunder." She shivered.
"I don't like the dark."
Rylee's POV
I was bawling like a baby.
My tears had soaked into Derek's shirt, forming a big patch.Embarrassed, I pulled back a little.
"Your shirt-"
Derek, reached out quickly and pulled me close almost as if he didn't want me to leave.
"It's okay, I don't care." He nestled his face in my hair, caressing my back.
"I can buy another shirt later but you...you need me now."
My heart fluttered at his words and despite the darkness, I felt a warm glow in my heart.
I pulled back and wiped my tears.
"When's the weather getting better?" I asked, a bit awkward.
I didn't know what else to ask.Yesterday, I'd never have imagined that I'd feel this close to Derek in one day.
He was being so nice, not taking advantage of me despite my disheveled state and his playboy reputation.
Derek chuckled.
Changing his position to sit more comfortably, he gazed at me softly and pushed back my hair from my face.
"I don't know about that." He smiled.
"But if you're cold, I can warm you up..." He offered, then paused.
"...or I could also ask one of the staff persons for candles and hot soup."
I swallowed, my throat dry.
"Soup sounds nice.
But-" I blushed.
"I could also use some warmth right now." I gestured to the empty spot beside me and unconsciously rubbed my arms.
Derek smirked but wasted no time to kick off his shoes and get into the covers with me.
"I see you're one of those who always want both."He teased.
"Well, good for you.
I have a lot to give."
"About that-" I straightened.
"You really shouldn't have, this morning I mean-"
Derek cut me off with a finger to my lips.
"I'm sorry." He said.
"I thought about it a lot and realised that I shouldn't have said that.
And I'm sorry for all the insults I've subjected you to."
I looked at him surprised.
"So, you don't -"
"Yeah, I don't hate you anymore." He shrugged.
"Nor do I think that you're a gold digger.
"And I swear-" Derek looked at me, rubbing my hands reassuringly.
"-I'll never hurt you again."
I woke up to a soft, cool breeze blowing across my hair and a beautiful man with his arm slung across my waist, spooning me.
Last nights events came rushing to my mind and I smiled as I saw my peacefully sleeping husband breathing calmly as he held me close.
I don't know what changed in a night but he was beginning to look extremely handsome to me...inside and outside.
Carefully, I twisted slightly and slipped out of his hold.
The weather was slightly cold but I noticed he'd kicked off his covers.
Biting my lip, I gently covered his legs again.
Showering quickly, I got ready and stepped out.
Derek was still sleeping.
Walking over to him, I gently shook him.
He had to go to work soon.
"Derek, wake up." I pushed away his hair from his face.
He groaned as his hand grasped my wrists.
"Ahhh, just five more minutes, Rylee."
Sighing, I tried again.
"Derek, won't you be late?" I asked.
"You should really get up now."
His eyes fluttered open and he stared at me, confused.
"Work?
What work?" He mumbled, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.
"I thought it was a Friday today."
I frowned.
"Yeah, so?"
Derek groaned, throwing a fit.
"Ahhhh, why did you have to wake me up?
Rylee, ahhhh!
I don't go to work on Fridays, Saturday's and Sundays." He complained getting up slowly.
My eyes widened.
"Oh, I'm sorry." I picked up the covers.
"Go back to sleep.
I'm sorry to disturb you."
He gave me one look and his eyes softened slightly.
Then, he shrugged.
"Now that I'm up, I might as well just get ready."
"Oh, okay." I spoke, a little confused and watched as he got out of bed.
"By the way," He looked at me.
"...you look good today." He complimented after a pause as if he was a little hesitant.
I glanced at his sleepy face and his bed hair and smiled.
"Thanks, I-" I was cut short as Derek swooped down to place a soft kiss on my cheek and then rushed to the wardrobe before I could react.
That evening, I was just sitting by the window reading when Derek entered the room.
Handing me a golden box, he gestured towards the dressing room.
"Dad just told me." He said.
"We have an important party to go to in an hour.
So, get ready."
A little surprised, I took the box and rushed to get ready.
Derek's POV
I breath stuck in my throat when Rylee walked out wearing the gold dress.
I was feeling proud of myself for having chosen such a perfect dress for Rylee's creamy complexion.
As I had envisioned, she looked absolutely stunning in that dress.
It accentuated her tiny body and drew attention to her perfect collarbones.
Sexy yet elegant—it was the perfect outfit for my wife.
I swallowed as she walked up to me.
"I hope this looks fine." She said, looking to her side doubtfully.
Her hair was put up in a loose, messy bun and her lips were red, making her clear brown eyes look even brighter.
I cleared my throat.
"It's quite nice." I shrugged nonchalantly.
In reality my heart was thumping like crazy.But I was also anxious to see what the night would bring.
Even though I'd begun to trust her, tonight would be Rylee's real test.
I was going to see where her loyalties lay and if she proved herself, I was never going to doubt her integrity again.