Chapter 2

2

It felt like countless hands were gripping every inch of my skin.

I swallowed more water until I had no strength left to struggle, and Derek finally hauled me onto the pool deck.

"I am so sorry," he said breathlessly, full of remorse.

"I put you through hell."

Chest heaving violently, I sat on the tiles, gasping for air.

"I am... fine," I managed to say.

Only then did I realize Derek was staring intently at my drenched, exposed body.

I instinctively pulled my knees up, wrapping my arms around myself to cover up.

Sensing the awkwardness, Derek cleared his throat and changed the subject.

"How about I take you out to dinner?" he offered.

"To make up for what happened today."

I checked my phone and saw it was already half past five.

I knew I should not go out with him because Warren might be upset.

Just as I was about to decline, my phone buzzed with a text from Warren:

"Babe, I have to work late at the office tonight. Make yourself some dinner."

Was the universe practically pushing me into this dinner?

"Do not worry," Derek chuckled beside me.

"Just a simple meal to apologize for my clumsiness."

He stood up with a grin.

As he looked away, my eyes boldly wandered over his body.

He looked even more imposing and magnificent than before.

He began warming up, throwing left hooks and right jabs into the air.

Every flex of his muscular frame made my heart race.

Once I agreed, Derek grabbed his keys and drove me to a secluded upscale restaurant.

He led me through several corridors and into a private dining room.

"This private room has great ambiance," he smiled.

Fresh floral arrangements filled the room with a rich, intoxicating aroma.

In the center of the large round table, a small diffuser was quietly releasing a sweet, calming scent.

"I thought you said a simple meal? Bringing me to such a fancy place might break your bank!" I teased.

He grinned warmly. "The food here is worth every penny."

After the dishes arrived, Derek uncorked a bottle of red wine.

Seeing me wave my hands in refusal, he quickly asked, "Can you drink cold drinks?"

Realizing how that sounded, he quickly clarified, "I mean wine for me, and an iced milk tea for you!"

I nodded shyly, feeling a strange thrill flutter in my chest.

Over drinks, he shared stories about his past.

He told me he grew up in a small rural town and fought his way up.

He graduated from a sports academy but struggled to find a decent job before landing this coaching gig.

Listening to his deep voice, I found myself getting dizzy even though I had not touched the wine.

"Care for a little sip?" Derek suggested smoothly.

"Just enough to get a nice buzz, like floating on clouds."

Before I could decline, he poured a glass and walked around the table toward me.

As I reached out, he raised his glass to clink mine.

"To our new friendship. Cheers!"

The wine was surprisingly sweet and smooth, going down effortlessly.

After finishing the glass, he offered to pour another.

"I cannot drink anymore," I mumbled, slumping over the table.

Derek stepped closer immediately. "Are you alright?"

His large hand began caressing my lower back.

The electric tingling sent wild, reckless thoughts straight to my head.

Maybe it was the alcohol, or maybe it was the longing I had buried for years, but a soft whimper escaped my lips.

In a brief moment of clarity, I whispered, "No, please..."

Yet my body betrayed me, melting into a puddle of warmth.

I looked up at Derek with hazy, longing eyes.

"Can you help me to the restroom?"

Without a word, Derek scooped me up into his strong arms.

Within seconds, he carried me into the private bathroom.

After setting me down, he casually pulled off his shirt.

My knees were shaking, so I leaned against the cold tiled wall for support.

Turning my head, I saw his bare, sculpted torso with deeply defined muscle lines.

Instinctively, I reached out my hand, stopping just inches from his chest.

"Want to touch?" he murmured, reading my unspoken desire.

He took my hand and guided my palm across his firm abdominal muscles.

The rock-hard texture sent shivers coursing through my veins.

That touch ignited a roaring wildfire of hunger within me.

"Want to touch anything else?" Derek whispered huskily.

His words made my heart skip a beat.

He took a step closer, his scorching breath fanning against my flushed cheeks.

Before I could even think, he pulled my waist violently into his chest...

%%%