Chapter 5

5

ALINA

T he morning sun wakes me, and for a minute, I think it's a dream. Then, the ache between my legs and the memory of his mouth between them has me blushing as red as a tomato. It's not a dream. Not even close.

Derrick was there, watching over me, and then he was here, in my house, and then … in my bedroom.

Oh God. He saw me naked. He made me come. And then, he disappeared.

Stumbling out of bed, I walk to the kitchen to make some coffee as all the details start to come back to me. The movie, the drinks afterward, Andrew trying to force a kiss on me, and of course Derrick.

Derrick.

Why did he leave? Was I too weird about the whole virginity thing, or was it the way that he got me off without me reciprocating?

I've been so stupid, thinking that maybe, just maybe, there was something between us. A connection. But it was all in my head. Derrick clearly came over to finish what we started, but that was it. He wasn't here to cuddle or have breakfast together.

He wasn't even here when I woke up.

"Stupid."

I pour myself a cup of coffee, and the scent of the cream and sugar I always add makes me wince. It reminds me of Sage and Salt. Why did he take me there? What is his connection to the store?

The smell of him, the feel of him as he held me, comes back to me, and I find a small smile playing on my lips. Even if Derrick doesn't want me, at least I had that night. That moment of perfect bliss and the most incredible pleasure I've ever felt in my life.

I don't regret it. But that doesn't mean it doesn't hurt.

I turn, ready to go sit on the couch and binge Netflix for a while, when the doorbell rings. It's early, and I'm still in my pajamas. The last thing I need right now is someone to see me like this. But what if it's an important delivery for Dad?

Reluctantly, I go to answer the door and find a delivery man on the other side, an enormous bouquet in his arms.

"Miss Brant?" he asks, and I nod, too stunned to speak.

"Sign here please," he says, holding out a tablet for me to scribble my signature.

"Who..." I start, and he chuckles.

"Those are for you." He hands the flowers to me, and then turns and walks away.

Still dumbfounded, I close the door and walk the flowers into the kitchen. They're gorgeous pink peonies, along with roses, orchids, hydrangeas, and lilies.

A card sticks up, and I pluck it from the bouquet, flipping it open.

Alina,

I'm sorry I had to leave last night, but I promise, it was necessary. I wanted to stay. I wanted to hold you in my arms and listen to you breathing while you slept, but it wasn't the right time.

I will be back, angel. You're mine, and I'm yours.

Don't forget it.

D.

PS. I'll be picking you up at 7 for dinner. Be ready.

The words are typed, like a form letter, and not at all personalized, but they make me weak in the knees all the same. He's coming back for me.

But, as quickly as the joy sweeps through me, it fades. He's still basically a stranger! A stranger I let between my legs, who made me come so hard I saw stars, but still … Alarm rises in my mind, a thousand dark thoughts about who Derrick might actually be filtering through my brain one by one.

Feeling unsteady, I lower myself onto a stool at the breakfast bar. I need to know more about him, but how? Opening a note on my phone, I make a list of what little information I have. His name is Derrick, he lives in Cape May, and he has some sort of connection to Sage and Salt. It's a paltry amount of information to work with, but it's all I've got. The only thing that I can do is put all the facts together and try to find a clue.

Grabbing my laptop, I open a new browser and type Derrick, New Jersey. Turns out there are a lot of Derricks in this state, so that goes nowhere.

Next, I look up Sage and Salt, and while there is a website with an online menu, there's little else to work with. I expect some sort of story about the cafe that might give me some clues, but the website is as minimalistic as possible.

I continue searching for nearly an hour, looking up every Derrick I can find, and checking out every online version of other restaurants in the area similar to Sage and Salt. None of it leads me anywhere, and the only thing that I end up with is a headache.

Closing the laptop, I sigh. This isn't going to work. Not if I want to know more about him before he comes back. And I do. I want to know his last name, how old he is, where he lives, what he does for a living. Anything. Everything.

And he's not going to give them to me easily.

As a matter of fact, a suspicion forms in my mind. Derrick isn't going to open up easily, and the more I think about it, the more it seems clear to me that the only way I'm going to get answers is if I push him. If I resist him.

It's risky and probably stupid, but it's my only option.

So, as the time nears 7 PM, I take a deep breath and send up a quick prayer that whatever I'm doing works.

Because if not? I don't know what will happen.

With absolutely zero information on where we're having dinner, I go with a flowy sundress, a cardigan to keep away the autumn chill, and a pair of ballet flats. At exactly seven, the doorbell rings, my waiting finally over.

I have a plan. It's not the best or even the smartest plan, but I'm going to stick to it.

Bracing myself, I open the door and find Derrick on the other side. He's dressed casually, a button-down shirt and slacks, and a leather jacket, and the sight of him makes my mouth water. God, he's gorgeous.

There's something hanging from his hand, too. Something that draws my eye more than anything else.

A blindfold.

"No," I say.

Derrick quirks an eyebrow at me. "I'm going to ask nicely, but not twice. Will you please wear this?"

"I..." I trail off, staring at the strip of black fabric, and feel heat lick through my body. It's an odd feeling—the way that the idea of wearing the blindfold, of being helpless and deprived of vision, sends shivers through me. "Why?"

"Because I'm a very private man, angel. And I'm going to be taking you to my home." He steps forward, fingers tracing over the line of my neck and jaw, making me inhale shakily. "It's not that I don't trust you, Alina. It's just a precaution."

"But..."

"But nothing. You're going to trust me, and when we get there, the blindfold will come off. And if you're a good girl for me, there's a reward."

Reward. Just like when I obeyed him before, and he told me his name.

The word, paired with the way he's looking at me, his dark eyes hot on my face, makes me want to agree immediately. There's something about the way he says that word, the way it rolls off his tongue, that makes my knees weak. My carefully laid plan, all the resistance I built up crumbles and blows away in the wind.

"I promise, you can trust me."

My brain screams at me to stop, that this is a bad idea, that I don't really know this man. And yet, I find myself nodding.

"Good girl," he says, and that bolt of lust hits me again. "Let me help you."

Derrick takes another step into the house and slides the blindfold over my eyes. My vision goes completely dark, and I sway.

"I've got you," he says, and the rumble of his voice in my ear is a comfort.

"I know." I force a smile onto my face even though he can't see me. "It's a little disorienting, but I'm fine."

"I'll be with you the whole time, angel."

"All right. I'm ready."

Derrick takes my hand and leads me out the door. His car is running, and I can tell when we're moving as the world tilts around me, and the soft sound of tires on pavement reaches my ears.

"Doing alright, Alina?"

I jump a little when his arm slides around my shoulders. "Yes." I sigh, leaning my head on his shoulder. He smells good, like cedar, and some sort of cologne. The scent comforts me. "How far are we going?"

"Not far. My place isn't in town."

"Oh, where do you live, exactly?"

"Alina." His tone has a warning edge.

"I'm sorry." I chew on my lip, and Derrick laughs softly.

"Don't be. I like it when you're curious. Just not about this."

His tone leaves room for no argument, and the reminder of his insistence on privacy has a million thoughts running through my head again. What is he hiding? What is Derrick's deal? Who is he? I decide to let it slide for the moment. Maybe if I wait until we're further into the evening and have had more time in each other's presence, he'll be more forthcoming.

Or, at the very least, more pliable.

A few minutes later, Derrick pulls the car to a stop, and his seat belt unbuckles. "We're here. Give me your hand, Alina."

I do as I'm told, and a moment later, the passenger side door opens and my feet hit cool, damp grass.

"Watch your step," he says, guiding me to the side.

A second later, my hand touches something smooth, and a door creaks open. I gasp, stepping back as a blast of warm air greets me, and I take a deep breath, reveling in the smell of fresh bread.

"Alina." His voice is low, and I shiver as he gently pushes me inside. "Up the stairs. I'm right behind you."

"Why don't you want me to see?"

Derrick chuckles. "Soon, angel."

"Have I told you that I hate surprises?"

He snorts. "No, actually, you haven't." He's behind me, his breath stirring my hair, and I can feel the warmth of his body radiating out towards me. Every time we're this close, it's all I can do not to lean back into him. I’m dying to see what he'd do if I did. Would he grab me, pull me against him?

Would he sweep me into his bedroom, taking my virginity right then and there? A rush of excitement goes through me at the thought, and I push the door open, walking fully into the room.

"Take off the blindfold." Derrick's voice is low and close to my ear, and I shudder. His fingers trail over my jaw, down my neck, and over the curve of my shoulder. "Please."

He doesn't need to beg, not at all. But his words have me reaching for the knot that secures the blindfold in place. As soon as the fabric is free, I blink, my eyes adjusting to the dim light.

We're in a kitchen, and I'm stunned by the beauty of the space around us. White cabinets, the doors shining and gleaming in the low light. Marble countertops, and a large island, the surface dotted with lights under the bottom.

"Derrick..." I breathe.

"I'm glad you like it."

With total honesty, I say, "I love it."

"This is the heart of the house." He steps past me, his big hands landing on the island. “I have an affinity for cooking.”

"I can see that.” I explore a little more, tracing my fingers over the countertop and appliances as I go.

"Are you hungry, Alina? Thirsty?" I nod, and he moves across the space. "Let me get you something." He grabs two wine glasses down from a cabinet. "White or red?"

With no knowledge of wine, I shrug. "Either is fine."

"White, then."

He uncorks a bottle of white and pours. Handing a glass to me, he smiles. "To new beginnings."

I raise an eyebrow.

Bold words for a man who doesn't even want me to see the exterior of his house. I want to believe him, but no matter how hot and bothered he's making me feel, he isn't making that trust easy. "Is that what this is?"

"Yes." Derrick sounds a lot more confident than I feel.

Not responding, I clink my glass against his and take a sip. It’s sharp but buttery on the finish. Delicious.

The night progresses, and Derrick gives me a quick tour of his house, showing me the downstairs and the upstairs. Everything is modern, sleek, and comfortable. All the furnishings are expensive, and everything is so well organized. The place is immaculate. It's almost sterile.

"Do you live here alone?" I ask.

"What do you think, Alina?" He raises a brow, his eyes dark and flashing.

"I'm just asking," I mutter, and his hand lands on my waist.

"Yes, angel. I live here alone. This is my house."

"It's just so big."

Derrick chuckles and looks around. "I suppose it is a bit much for one person," he admits. "But, I like it."

We return to the kitchen for dinner, where Derrick proceeds to cook for me. Steak and asparagus, simple but decadent. He tells me multiple times to sit down and relax, but I can't help myself. I want to be near him, included in what he's doing. So after the third time, I get restless enough to get up, and he lets me chop the ingredients for the appetizer salad.

Working in the kitchen with him is oddly, wonderfully intimate. I can hear him behind me, and when he walks across the space, he traces a hand over my waist or leans in to press his lips to the side of my neck. It's enough to have me throbbing between my legs, but I know what this is. It's a seduction, and it's working.

When the food is finished, we move into the dining room, the table laden with candles and a decadent spread. Derrick pulls out my chair and sits down, pouring more wine and watching me with those dark eyes.

"How's the steak?"

"Delicious." I take a bite. It melts in my mouth, the meat soft and juicy. "Where did you learn to cook like this?"

"Ah, that's a secret for another day." His mouth quirks up in a smile. "Now, when we're finished here, I have one more room to show you. The master bedroom."

"Oh," I say, taking a gulp of my wine. "And, um, what will we be doing there?"

"I'll be giving you your reward."

"My reward?"

"You were very good today," he says, and a shudder runs through me. "You followed instructions; you didn't ask too many questions."

"I was trying."

Derrick grins, his eyes flashing. "That you were. And for that, I have a treat in mind for you. Do you want to know what it is?"

My cheeks flame at his words and his smile. He's teasing me, and it's making my head spin. "Yes."

He takes another bite of his steak, savoring it, before he gives me a predatory smirk. "Well you'll just have to wait, won't you?"

I groan, and Derrick laughs. It's a genuine laugh, and the sound is warm but rough, as if he doesn't laugh often. I want to hear it more. Every day, even.

We finish the meal, and without even cleaning up, Derrick comes to me and offers me his hand. I take it, and he walks me through the house once more, up the stairs and to the single room we didn't explore earlier—his bedroom.

It's as crisp and new as the rest of the house, and a huge bed with black sheets dominates the center of it. I can see a connected bathroom, and some personal touches that should draw my attention—a book with a bookmark in the middle, a record player with a stack of vinyls—but my entire brain is occupied by the sight of that bed.

And the knowledge that I'm about to be in it. I know this as confidently as I know my name. This is what the entire night has been leading to.

Walking with a deadly grace, Derrick lets go of my hand and moves to the foot of the bed. "Come here, angel," he says, and gestures to it. My mouth goes dry at the sight of him, his long, muscled legs, the way he's looking at me as if I'm the best thing he's seen all day. "On your knees."

I can't help it. My body obeys his command, and I stand, moving towards him.

Settling on the bed, I expect Derrick to climb in with me. Instead, he moves forward, close enough that I have to part my legs to accommodate him. I'm in front of him, and his dark eyes are liquid as he stares down at me. He's not even a little bit nervous, and the fact that he's so calm, so utterly in control makes me crazy.

"On your knees, Alina."

I obey, rising up so our heights are more even, my knees sinking into the soft mattress. Warmth crawls through me when his thumb traces over my parted lips.

"That's perfect, Alina," he says, and a bolt of lust hits me. His praise does something to me, and I swallow, leaning forward.

"Like this?"

"Yes. Just like that. Now, are you going to be a good girl and do exactly what I tell you to?"

"Yes."

"Yes, what?"

Oh. Even through the haze of lust, I know what he wants, almost instinctively. "Yes, Daddy."

"Then, you're going to open that dress, and let me see those beautiful tits."

His crude language makes me shiver, and I reach down, trembling, and pull the dress down. My breasts are exposed, and I suck in a gasp when Derrick's fingers graze over the top of them, tracing over the soft skin.

"You're beautiful, Alina," he says, and there's a note of awe in his voice that makes my heart flutter. "Absolutely breathtaking."

"Derrick..."

"Such a sweet, innocent girl." His hand slides over my breast, his thumb circling my nipple. It's hardening, tightening at the contact, and heat is spreading through my entire body.

"You like that, don't you?" He murmurs, and I nod, unable to speak. "And if I do this?"

I cry out when he pinches my nipple, and the sensation shoots through me. My pussy aches and throbs, and I can feel the slickness soaking my panties.

"You're so sensitive," Derrick says, and his eyes flash. Slowly, he opens the button of his pants, and I get my first full look at how large he is. I've felt it, straining against his slacks, but now that it's exposed, I gasp.

He's thick and long. A bead of liquid appears at the tip, and he grips his shaft, slowly stroking himself, thumb spreading that liquid all over.

"You're about to lose your virginity, Alina," he says. "Does the idea scare you or turn you on?"

"Both," I admit.

He grins. "Good."

"Why is that good?"

"Because I like the idea of being the one to make you come undone," he says, and I shake with desire at the husky tone of his voice. "Are you ready to take the next step?"

"What is it?"

His eyes flash as he takes my hands and lifts them to his chest. "Take off my shirt," he says, his voice a low, gruff command, and I nod, trembling as I unbutton his shirt. One by one, the buttons pop open, and I push his shirt open to expose his chest.

He's more beautiful than I could have ever imagined.

The man is all muscle. Hard ridges and a tanned chest that's practically begging for me to touch it. There's a light spattering of dark hair over his tan skin. Slowly, as if he’s a dangerous animal, I lift my hands to touch him. He rumbles in appreciation as I explore his chest with my fingers.

"Keep going, angel," he says, interrupting my filthy thoughts, and I obey him, pushing his shirt over his shoulders. He shrugs it off and tosses it onto the floor, and then reaches out, pulling me towards him. The long, hard length of his cock is trapped between us, a firebrand on my belly where we're pressed together.

His head lowers, and then Derrick's lips are on mine. His kiss is everything.

His mouth moves expertly, demanding that I give him my body. His tongue pushes past my lips, and I can't hold back a whimper, and then Derrick pulls back, his dark eyes hooded with lust.

"I've been waiting for this since the first moment I saw you," he whispers and kisses me again. This time, his hands go to the zipper of my dress, and a second later, it falls away.

I'm naked in front of him, and to my surprise, I love it. It feels so good to be bare, to have his eyes on my body. To be able to see the heat and approval in his gaze and feel the way his hard cock pulses against me.

"Daddy," I breathe, and Derrick groans.

"I love it when you say that," he says, and one arm circles my waist, holding me close to him. "I'm going to take such good care of you, angel. You'll never want for anything with me."

The declaration makes my belly clench. It sounds real. Sincere. "Promise?"

"Promise." His other hand cups my breast, and his thumb brushes over my nipple. "But now, I need you to lie back and get ready."

I lie down and scoot backward. Derrick moves with me, his hands coming down to grasp my ankles and spread my legs apart.

"That's a good girl," he says and settles in between them. "So fucking beautiful. That's it. Just enjoy it."

I feel his fingers on my inner thighs. They skate higher, and when they graze over the soft silk of my panties, I can't help but buck into the contact.

"Stay still, angel," he commands, and the authority in his voice makes me whine. I want to beg and plead, but I do what he says, staying still as Derrick continues to rub his finger over the outside of my panties, teasing me.

"Please."

"Oh, baby," he chuckles, and then the contact is gone. It's replaced by the feeling of his breath against my pussy and the heat of him through the fabric of my underwear.

"Oh fuck," I moan, and he laughs.

"Language, Alina. Now, I need you to relax. This will be the last time I'm going to tell you that because from here on out, you're just going to have to trust me. Do you trust me?"

"Yes, Daddy."

"Good."

He pulls my panties to the side, and his warm, wet tongue drags over my core. I'm so hot, so wet, and his mouth is magical. His tongue curls around my clit, lashing and licking, and his fingers push inside of me—one and then two. The stretch is incredible, and he works them deep, curling up toward my G-spot.

Derrick doesn't let up. He sucks my clit into his mouth, and it's the best sensation, so good. When the pleasure peaks, it crashes over me in a wave, making me cry out.

"Derrick!"

"Good girl." He laps at me as I come down from what feels like heaven.

He stops, not until I'm limp and sated, and even then he gives my clit one last flick of his tongue before he climbs over me. He cages me in, his cock pressing between my legs, the tip bumping against my entrance.

"Fuck, Alina," he growls and kisses me. "I want to hear you cry my name again. I want to be the only man you can think of. The only man you ever call Daddy. I want to give you the world. Will you let me?"

"Yes."

He thrusts forward, the head of his cock pushing into me. "Let me claim you, angel."

Deep down, I know he already has. This is the final step, and after he fills me with his cock, there's no going back. But that's okay. All I want is to push forward. "Yes, Daddy."

Derrick makes a low sound in his throat, and he pushes himself into me, slowly and carefully. "Look down, Alina. Watch as my cock disappears into your sweet, tight pussy."

It's mesmerizing. The sight of his dick, coated in my slickness, disappearing into my body. It's surreal, and I can feel my pussy stretching for him. The stretch is intense, and for a second, I think it's too much, but Derrick stops and kisses me. "You're doing so well. Such a good girl for taking all of me."

"Derrick…" I moan.

He smiles. "That's right. Keep saying my name, angel."

He pulls his hips back and slides forward again. The friction is incredible, and so is the pressure. It's not quite pain, but it's overwhelming, and I can't do anything but cling to his shoulders as Derrick begins to move inside of me.

Each thrust is a little faster, and he's going a little deeper. Each movement sends me higher, and it's so good. "Daddy!"

He groans, pressing his face into my neck. "My angel."

He kisses me hard, claiming my mouth while his cock claims the rest of me. My nails dig into his shoulders, but he doesn't seem to care. His hips move faster, and the headboard bangs against the wall behind us. I'm close, but I don't know how to tell him. It's too good, and he's hitting spots inside of me that make my vision go blurry, my breath coming short.

Derrick's mouth finds my ear, and his teeth graze the skin there. "Come for me, Alina," he growls and slams his hand into the headboard. "I want to feel you squeezing my cock, angel. Squeeze my cock like a good girl, and I'm going to fill you up."

"Daddy…" I clutch his shoulders. "I'm gonna?—"

"I know." He presses his forehead to mine. "That's it, angel. Let go. Come all over my cock."

His hand slides between us, and when his thumb flicks over my clit, I come.

It's a blinding orgasm, one that takes me to another plane of existence. My whole body thrums, and the only thing tethering me to the ground is Derrick's weight. He pins me down, and the bed rocks beneath me, and then his hand tangles in my hair, tilting my head back.

"That's a good girl, angel," he grits out, and I can feel him losing control. His cock throbs inside of me, and he gives one last deep thrust before he buries himself to the hilt, and his cock begins to pulse. Warmth rushes through me, and the feeling of his seed filling me is unbelievable.

He holds himself up, and as his hips slow, he turns my head and presses his lips to mine. It's a soft, slow kiss, and he's still inside of me, his cock twitching.

"Angel…" He strokes my hair. His voice is reverent. Worshipful, almost.

My body feels sated, and so does the desire inside of me, the urge that's been driving me crazy since the moment I first saw him. Derrick rolls to the side, slipping out of me, and pulls my body to his.

We're tangled together, my head on his chest, his arms wrapped around me. My hair spills over his chest, his hand running up and down my back in soothing strokes.

"You're so beautiful," he whispers, and I can feel his lips on the crown of my head. "I want to stay like this forever. Right here."

Emotion wells up in me. Derrick is so intense, but this sliver of softness he's showing me right now breaks down the last of my barriers. "Me too."

"Stay the night." He's not asking.

I raise myself to look at him. "You're still holding so much back. How…?"

"No more blindfold," he promises and then grins wickedly. "Unless it's here in the bedroom. How's that?"

Swallowing, I chew at my bottom lip. It's something, but I want more. His last name, his connection to the cafe, who he really is. But it's a concession, and not exactly a small one for a man as private as Derrick.

And the truth is, I want to stay. Terribly.

I pretend to consider for a few more seconds before giving a solemn nod. Derrick wraps his strong arms around me and rolls me underneath him again. I laugh, but the laughter quickly turns into sighs of pleasure as he rewards me once again for being such a good girl.