Chapter 4

The weight of my body pressed against him was so hot. His breath brushed my skin, and the softness of his touch sent chills running down my spine. My heart was begging for distance, but my body had already made its choice.

His hand rested on my face as he tilted my chin upwards. His eyes were locked on my mouth while he traced the corner of my lips with his thumb. Our breaths tangled in the narrow space between us. Our faces drifted closer until our lips hovered just a breath apart.

But then he stopped, and that pause burned more than any kiss ever could.

The air in my living room felt very heavy, and for a second, I thought I could hear my own heartbeat echo off the walls. Derek’s hand was still at my waist, his breath warm at the base of my neck, but his eyes had changed. He wasn't looking at me with hunger anymore. He was looking at me with uncertainty. And I understood why.

He stepped back first, breaking us apart.

“I shouldn’t have done that,” he said quietly. "I'm sorry."

“You didn’t do anything, Derek,” I managed, though my pulse said otherwise. "You didn't do anything... yet."

He ran a hand through his hair, laughing under his breath. “Well, I almost did. You always told me we were just friends. I keep forgetting that part.”

I felt something sharp twist in my chest. “Yeah… I did say that,” I whispered. “I was young... maybe even stupid.”

He looked up then, startled by the honesty. “You’re not stupid, Elsa. I just... I don’t want to be a mistake you regret tomorrow, and it costs us our friendship.”

That should have cooled me, but it didn’t. It only made me want him more. The way he still tried to protect me, even from himself.

I rose to my feet slowly. “What if I don’t want to regret it?” I asked. “What if I finally want to stop pretending I don’t see you the way everyone else does?”

He shook his head, half-smiling, and half-lost. “Elsa—”

“Unless,” I said, stepping closer, “you’re afraid I’ll friend-zone you again.”

He laughed then. “You’ve got some nerve.”

“I learned from the best.” I brushed his sleeve with my fingers, light enough to give him room to move away if he wanted to. He didn’t.

“I’ve waited years for you to say something like that,” he murmured.

“Then it's time to stop waiting,” I said in a steady voice. More steady than I felt. “Let me get to know you… really know you.”

Derek’s gaze dropped to my mouth again, then back to my eyes, as if he was searching for permission I’d already given. "Then tell me. What is it you'd like to know about me?" he asked.

I reached for his chest, my palms trailing slowly over his body. "I want to know what makes your blood boil. I want to know how far I can go before you explode your seed all over me. I want to know what makes your toes curl," I said as I guided his hand to my thighs and up to my ass. "I want to know if I can make you happy."

"Elsa..."

The way he called out my name in his deep voice, like I've said before, always did damage to me. I wanted to throw myself into his arms and have me fuck me right here, but I knew I needed to take things slow. Derek has always been a careful guy. If I push it, he might think something's wrong, and that would ruin the whole evening.

"Yes, Derek," I answered in a soft voice. His hands rested at the small of my back. "What is it?"

"This is all different."

"What is?" I rested my head on his chest, wrapping my arms around him.

"You." He finally reached for my face, his fingers tracing the outline of my jaw, down to my throat, resting where my pulse betrayed everything I couldn’t say aloud. "I've known for forever, and I've seen you like this... especially towards me."

I reached out again, letting my fingers brush against his chest, feeling the heat burning through his shirt. "We've grown now. You've changed, I've changed. There was a lot I didn't bother to understand about you, and I'm now very interested in those things." I looked up, meeting his eyes and seeing the way he bit his lips. "It's been years since we last saw each other or even spoke to each other. You've probably found another best friend."

I pulled back away from him, walking towards the couch. When I sat down, I crossed my legs, forcing a frown on my face. Seeing my expression and the instant change in my mood, he rushed towards me and sat beside me.

"Maybe you should leave. Your fiancée is probably waiting for you," I said while looking away from him.

He let out a shaky breath and whispered, “I don't want to leave.”

I turned to look at him as his hand rested on the small of my back.

"I... I just don't want to rush into anything," he said softly.

"Neither do I," I replied, smiling. "I just want to start slowly. Let me get to know you again, the way I should have all those years."

Our faces drew closer again, and I could feel the warmth of his breath mingling around mine. My heart was racing as every small movement he made felt electric. His eyes searched mine as though they were asking silently if this was okay. I swallowed hard, letting my gaze hold his.

"Are you sure you want this?" he whispered in a low and rough voice like he were giving me the last warning.

I nodded, a small smile tugging at the corner of my lips. "I've never been more sure of anything in my life."

And just then, Derek moved quickly. His lips crashed over mine in a hot and passionate kiss. He probed my lips with his tongue as I dropped my hands to his crotch, feeling his engorged cock through the fabric of his tailored pants.