One to Save (One to Hold 6)

As I step through the balcony door, he playfully lands a Slap! on my bare backside. “Don’t be long. I’m not finished with you Miss Jones.”

Shaking my head, I make my way through the large master suite. It’s practically empty since Derek’s been with me full-time in Wilmington almost a year. Stuart Knight, his original business partner and Patrick’s older brother, briefly lived here before getting his own place—the identical condo across the hall. The only personal items left are a photo of us together on the beach and a new one of me holding Dex.

Stopping, I lift the small frame. Derek took it of us, and my love for him glows on my face. I’m looking up at the camera, and our son is holding my shoulders. His big blue eyes, more the color of mine than his daddy’s, gaze out at the ocean.

Warmth stirs behind me, and two strong arms wrap around my waist. “Miss him?” Derek’s voice is at my ear. His chin rests on my shoulder.

Turning my head, I kiss his cheek. “I do, but I’m glad we have this weekend.”

“Me too.” He kisses the top of my shoulder before releasing me. “Meet me in the kitchen?”

“Be right there.” Setting the frame down, I step into the bathroom to quickly clean up. My thong is ruined. “I should buy these in bulk,” I mutter under my breath.

Returning to the bedroom, I pull open the top drawer that was designated as mine when we lived apart. A few outfits and luckily, panties are still here. I’m refreshed and joining him seconds later.

“Do you think we should still keep this place? It feels like bad luck.”

He’s just finished pouring two slim flutes of cava. His lined torso is on full display, and the recessed light under the bar casts shadows, making the cut of his muscles appear even deeper. Sigh.

“It’s good that I have somewhere to crash when I’m in town. If I need to check in at the office.”

I take the glass he hands me and sip the crisp, sparkling wine. “I’m sure Stuart wouldn’t mind if you s

tayed in his guest room the few times you come here.”

His dark brow creases. “With Mariska sleeping over? That’s not very considerate.”

“Hmm.” My thoughts travel to the beautiful girl who only recently captured his stubborn partner’s heart. “I guess you have a point.”

“Besides, I like my place. Walter takes care of things, and if we need a quick getaway, we don’t have to deal with hotels and luggage...”

“Yes, I’d miss Walter.” The friendly doorman-slash-butler is like a doting grandfather to all of us. “I’m convinced. For now.”

With a grin he kisses my forehead. “How was Aunt Bea?”

“Lovely as always. She’s sending you a box of her recommendations for your groom’s cake.” He smiles, but as he turns, I see that shadow in his eyes again. Lately I’ve been seeing it more and more.

“Is that a problem?” I nudge.

He’s back with me in a blink, shadow gone. “The only problem will be trying to pick one.”

It’s not a satisfactory answer, and I take another slow sip as I watch him thumbing through takeout menus. “Hungry?”

He nods, still flipping. “Nothing here looks good.”

“Walter could order something. I’m sure he knows what you like.”

Steel blue eyes flicker to mine, and he’s hesitating, holding something back. It’s confusing after the way we just made love. Everything about the way he’s been acting these last weeks has been confusing. One moment he’s with me, the next he’s distracted, and it always happens when I start talking wedding plans. Derek has never been mercurial, and I’m trying not to let it spook me.

My visceral reaction is to remember how quickly Sloan went from doting fiancé to cheating and later, abusive husband. But Derek’s not Sloan, my heart argues. I know he’s not, yet I shudder remembering how Derek has kept secrets from me before. How we originally met because Sloan had hired him to track me—a fact I never knew until I found the emails on my ex-husband’s laptop.

“I think I’ll take the car and see what I can find,” he says. Scooping his black sweater off the couch, he leans forward to kiss my mouth briefly. “Sure you don’t want anything?”

I watch as he straightens and pulls the thin material down his bare chest. He’s still wearing his black loafers. “I ate so much cake this afternoon with Bea, I might burst if I eat another thing.”

With a wink, he’s headed to the door. “When I get back, we’ll see about working off those extra calories.”

Despite the tension, I can’t help smiling at his suggestion. “If I’m still awake.”