India's POV
I was in the middle of my photo shoot when Derek walked through the doors. I turned my attention towards him and the photographer copied my actions
"Excuse me this is a closed set" said the photographer, causing Derek to stop in his tracks
"I'm here to pick her up" Derek says pointing to me nervously
"I'd appreciate it if you waited outside" he says with an attitude filled tone. Derek simply grinned and walked away. I watched as he left the set, a devilish-grin plastered on his face. My photographer calls my name and snaps me out of my daze
"Yoohoo. Earth to India"
I fix my attention towards him "sorry sir"
"Who was that?"
Said one of my fellow models, waiting in line for their turn to be photographed
"He's just a guy giving me a ride" I reply
"Can I have him?" Says another one of the models. I scoff in response
"No you cannot have him.. He's taken" I lie. I don't know why but the thought of Derek being with another girl made me.. Mad. I don't think I'm jealous I just don't want him to see anyone else but me
"Alright ladies all of you can learn a thing or two from India. Well done girl" says my photographer referring to the pictures he had just snapped of me. I hop down from my position and head to my changing room before I am to meet up with Derek
Later.
I enter Derek's car and shut the door behind me without making eye contact
"Alright. Let's make this quick" I say, pulling my seatbelt over me
"Damn ma, hello to you too" he chuckles. "Whatchu got in there?" He says pointing to the yellow envelope in my lap that contained the pictures from the photo shoot
"My pictures" I say, placing my sunglasses on my face.
"Lemme see" he grabs the envelope out of my lap and begins to tear it open without my consent. He looks at the first picture and his eyes widen instantly
"Damn ma. You look sexy as fuck" he says, licking his lips which causes me to blush a little.
"You mean that?" I ask, unsure of myself
"Hell yeah baby. You got that seductive look in your eyes, and your cheekbones are nice and structured, and you're just set up like a Goddess. And your ass is fat which is a bonus"
I laugh at his last compliment. Nate had never boosted my self esteem like this before. Sure my photographer and the other models and Aariah had told me multiple times how beautiful I am. But the way Derek found little things about me just made me feel warmer
"Thank you" I say to him, a smile spread on my face from ear to ear
"You're welcome. So where to Cinderella?" He asks, placing the pictures back in the envelope and handing it to me
"I'm in the mood for some Turtle Jack's" I lick my lips, imagining a nice bowl of 4 cheese pasta with Cajun chicken. I open my eyes to see that Derek was watching me. His eyes glued to my lips
"What?"
"You got nice lips ma" he smirks. I glimpse out the window as the blush was found it's way back on my cheeks
"Um.. Let's go, the restaurant gets crowded fast"
Derek looks ahead and twists the key, roaring the car to life, before we head on our way.
Later.
Derek's POV
I pick up my menu as India does hers. I couldn't help but take a peek at the piece of art sitting across from me. I looked up to admire her glowing complexion. Her soft, plump lips, so kissable. With my wild imagination it's incredible the things I would do to her. But with the way she's playing hard to get, it looks like I'm gonna have to work extremely hard to get her to stay the night
India's POV
The waiter approached us requesting our orders. I gave out mine and Derek ordered the same. Once the waiter had left I put down my menu and rested my arm on the table before speaking up
"What's wrong Derek? Big boy still needs his mommy to order for him?" I tease him. He laughs before responding
"Naw I just thought it looked good. And I think you look good too"
"Again with the compliments. You'd better be careful Derek, you don't want to get into it with my fiancé"
"Honestly lil mama, I can compliment you all I want, but I'd go through hell and back if it means I get to call you mine"
It was at that very moment I realized exactly what was going on. I was on a date with my husbands boss. And I was enjoying it. He spoke up but I didn't hear a single word that escaped his mouth. I was too busy admiring every last bit of him. I don't even know what he was talking about but I could watch him all day. His smile lit up the entire room. The way his complexion would glow in the moonlight. And his hair. Oh God his hair. I told myself I'd never fall for Derek Luh. The waiter approached us and that's when my fantasizing was cut short
"Your pasta madam" he says handing me my plate then walking away
"I'm sorry, what were you saying?" I asked Derek before take a bite of my pasta, swirling it around my tongue to get a good taste then chewing and swallow
"I was just saying I totally understand if you don't want to be seen with me. I am known as a dangerous drug lord so if you want to pick up and leave at any time it's cool"
I open my mouth to say something but am interrupted by our returning waiter
"Here are your wings" he says placing the wings in the middle of the table
"And I ordered a side of wings" Derek continues
Moments Later.
"Do it again! do it again!" Derek says enthusiastically before biting his lip
I had just shown him my trick for easily and successfully eating wings and leaving just the bone.
I playfully roll my eyes before putting one of the buffalo wings in my mouth. Derek watched intensively as I wrapped my mouth around the wing, licking off all the sauce and sucking off all the meat before pulling it out and licking my lips all in a matter of a couple of seconds
"Holy shit" he mumbles, adjusting his pants and placing his arm over his crotch
I had only ever done that trick in front of Aariah, but with how successful the dinner went I felt comfortable enough to show Derek as well. I look at the time and see that we've been enjoying ourselves at the restaurant for way too long. Time to get down to business
"We should go to your place now, I'm really full"
"You're right" Derek stands up and places his jacket over my shoulders
"After you" he says, opening the door for me. I give him a quick smile before thanking him and walking through the door
Later.
Derek leads me into his house and into a blue-themed guest room
"You want a glass of water?" He asks, removing his shoes
"I'm fine. I'd just like my bags and I'll be on my way"
"Look India" Derek slowly tries to fill the gap between us. "I mean you no harm alright. You ain't gotta play hard to get. I like you and I'm gonna keep showing you just how much I do"
By this time Derek had his hand placed on my shoulder. As much as I wanted to it just wouldn't be right
"Derek. Please." I say in a soft tone. "I know you and I know that if this gets out.. Not only is my marriage over but it's gonna start a whole new war between you and Nate. I don't want to see him get hurt"
"See that's where you're wrong baby. You don't know me. I know that in hurting him I'll be hurting you and I'd never do anything to hurt you" he begins stroking my cheek. "Just keep in mind that I want you. And I intend to get you. No matter what it takes"
He disconnects his hand from the skin of my cheek "I'll be right back with your stuff, don't move" he says, exiting the room, leaving me in silence and feeling so vulnerable. My eyes quickly scan the room before landing on a door opened just a crack. My curiosity got the better of me and I made my way towards the door, turning on the light. I gasp in fear once I saw that he had a closet full of shooting guns of every kind. AK-47's, shotguns, KM-44's. You name it. I wandered into the walk-in closet before having the strange feeling that I was being followed. I turn around coming face to face with the familiar face of Swazz, who, just yesterday, had his hands all over Aariah. Only now his hands were all over a shooting gun.
"Did you find what you're looking for" he says in a deep voice. His eyes piercing at me through the target hole.
"I was j-just waiting for-" I was interrupted by Derek entering the room
"Dude what the fuck. Don't be pointing that shit at her" Derek yells causing Swazz to lower his hands immediately. Swazz looks at me then gives Derek a death glare before he speaks in a mumble towards him
"You can't bring her here D it's not safe for her, you know that!" He says, storming out of the room
Derek looks at me nervously "you gotta go ma"
Moments Later.
"I'll see you around Derek" I say retrieving my stuff and heading out the door where I am once again stopped by Derek's grasp on my arm
"Just hear me out India. I won't deny the fact that I want you. Or the fact that whenever I'm around you I feel like I can be myself. Or that when I look at you I just wanna make love to every last bit of you. But I also know that you want me. And I know that you're just gonna keep denying it but I'll be waiting for you Cinderella. whenever you're ready just say the words and my door will be open" he says, slowly letting go of my arm.
As hard as it is, I can't give in so easily. I have a lot to think about. Nate, my future, my life in general! This is all too much for one night. I step out of the entrance, onto the porch and give him one last look
"Goodbye Derek" I walk off the porch and head into the uber that Derek had called for me. As the car drives off I look back to see Derek still standing at his doorstep before he disappears into the darkness of the night. A deep feeling of regret swirls up inside of me. Maybe I should have stayed. Maybe I should've just admitted my feelings for him. But in doing that I'd be hurting the fuck out of Nate. It was right then when I realized how much shit I was going to be in once I got home to Nate. Right now all I need is a long, hot shower and for this uber driver to hand me the aux cord.