He shrugged good-naturedly. “I can be a bit old-fashioned.”
“Have long have you lived in the states?”
She was changing the topic, but he didn’t seem to mind.
“Nearly 13 years, long enough for me to lose most of my accent.”
“Do you miss it?” she asked.
He looked off into the distance. “Sometimes.” A sad look crossed his face.
Jacey tugged on his hand. “Take me home with you.” It was incredibly bold. Something the old Jacey would never have done. But it was time to embrace the new her, the Jacey that had es
caped her abusive husband, who was trying to carve out a life for her and her baby. She was more determined and stronger than she had ever thought.
She could have refused a ride home with him. Could have gotten him to drop her off at the same place as she had the other night, but she was lonely. She wanted just one night where she felt safe and happy. Derrick could give her that. She might not know him well, and her instincts about men had never been good, but right at that moment she was willing to throw caution away.
His eyes widened as he stared down at her.
“Are you sure?” he asked.
She nodded. “I’m sure. Let’s go.” Before I change my mind.
Thankfully, he wrapped his arm around her waist and led her down the street to his car.
***
By the time, Derrick pulled up in front of his sprawling two-story home; he could tell that Jacey’s nerves were starting to get the better of her. She’d grown increasingly pale and her hands were clenched together on her lap. That backpack she carried with her everywhere was tightly pressed between her legs. One leg jiggled up and down as she looked nervously up at his house.
It didn’t seem like she had much, her clothes were worn, her backpack scruffy and well-used, so his house was likely as intimidating as hell to her. Glancing up at it, he wondered if he shouldn’t have gone with something smaller. But he liked plenty of space and hated having neighbors pinning him in.
“Too much?” he asked.
Jacey turned to look at him. “What?”
Good, at least she was focused on him now.
“The house, is it too much? A bit gaudy?”
Her lips twitched. “Gaudy?”
“What? Another word that went out in the fifties?”
“No.” She shook her head. “I think that one went out well before then.”
“Cheeky brat,” he told her with a grin. Reaching out he grabbed her hand. “Jacey, it’s just a house. I promise that nothing is going to happen here that you don’t want to happen. We can just go in and have a nightcap, maybe watch a movie. You can stay in the spare bedroom if you want or I can drive you home. It’s entirely—”
“Derrick,” she interrupted.
“Yes?”
“Shut up and kiss me.” Leaning over, she grabbed his face between her hands and kissed him. He soon took over the kiss, thrusting his tongue between her lips. He drew her closer wanting to drink her in.
When he finally pulled back, they were both breathing deeply and his cock was pressed against his pants, demanding release.
Jacey’s cheeks were red, her eyes dazed.
“Wow.”