Money Can't Buy Everything

Chapter 22 Breakfast Conversation

---Missy's POV---

We sit around this pleather booth, eating our delicious food and just chatting as if we have all been around each other for years. We just click so easily together, making this whole morning stress relieved and exactly what I needed. "Thanks for showing up yesterday Missy, it always makes the day better for myself when you're there, but I know you have been getting fed up with the guys and everything they keep doing to you. So I was wondering, are you even coming today?" Sarah blatantly asks me in front of the guys, which makes me nervous because I don't want to answer this in front of them.. That means there is a big possibility of me having to mention details and I know that would just piss off Derek and I don't want that at all.

"Um well.. I don't think I'm going today.. because if I do there's a big possibility they will do something again." I tried to state vaguely to her as Derek asked the one thing that I was hoping he wouldn't, making my heart stop beating. "What did they do to you?" I open my mouth to respond but I can't even muster up the words. So, Sarah being the loud individual she is, states for everyone to hear. "They were sexually harassing her during performance and even behind the scenes.. to the point that her costume was ripped and they tried to do more.. multiple days from both of them."

I groan out in disbelief, "Sarah! I just got a good man and you want to piss him off instantly.. come on girl! Help me out!" I throw my hands in the air as Sarah gets shy, whispering. "Sorry Missy.. I didn't think about that." I roll my eyes as I felt his hand caress across my leg. "It's ok, I'm not pissed.. I just want to teach those guys a lesson. No one is going to disrespect you if I have anything to say about it." He states in an almost purring protective tone, making me smile. I rub my hand on top of his before holding it tight. "That's so sweet," I say to him, getting his attention. "I meant every word." he declares as we stare deep into each others eyes as if we are both in a trance. "Missy, you shouldn't let those guys win.. This is your passion and something you're amazing at.. are you really going to let those douchebags ruin it for you by being the dumb assholes they are?" Sarah asks me with pleading eyes, in just as much disbelief as I had before with her. I glanced around the table at the prying eyes, before giving in, saying in warning. "Fine, but if they lay one hand on me, I'm out of there."

"No, if they touch you, first thing you're going to do is call me and I'm there to teach them that lesson.. We will have a special talk, man to man." Derek declared to me, clenching his jaw as I grinned at him, quickly nodding in agreement with his terms. I feel his hand squeeze mine and I reciprocate his gesture, making him smile at me. After that hard decision to make, we stood up from the booth to go pay for the food we had just devoured. But when I reach for my wallet, Derek pushes it down to my side, as I pick it back up, but he pushes it down again. "Derek, if you're not going to let me pay for myself, you have to at least let me give you money. " I state as Josh responds in a whisper to us, "Yea man, you know she has got some ones." This comment earns a roll of the eyes from myself as I notice Derek glaring then elbowing him quickly as he groans in pain.

Once Josh gets far enough away from us, Derek turned to look at me before saying softly. "I don't have to do any such thing beautiful. Keep your money.. I know you can pay, doesn't mean you have to." He says to me as I roll my eyes. "I don't need to be babied Derek." I state with annoyance to him as he hands the cashier some cash before saying, "Keep the change." He grips my hand as he pulls me out of the restaurant and off to the side where it's just the two of us.

"Missy, I'm not trying to baby you.. You have done so much just on your own, that I feel like someone needs to do something for you.. Is it that hard for you to accept any type of stress relief? Come on baby, let me spoil you when I have the chance to." He says, stepping closer to me as I just let him, taking in his woodsy scent as I stare into the saphire-blue orbs that look deeper than the ocean. The close proximity makes my heart skip a beat, but I don't want him to move a muscle because I'm loving this explanation that rolls off the tongue so easily, making me feel safer in his presence. I have never felt so safe in my entire life and I never even knew I could feel like this with someone at all, let alone someone I just met. This man is something else, I can't let this go.. ever. I will work harder than I have ever attempted to keep this relationship together, because he is worth it. I don't know how I got this lucky but I won't let it slip through my fingers.

"I'm sorry Derek, I'm just so used to doing things on my own, that it's hard to accept help, any type of help.. but for you, I would try anything." I say just letting the words fall from my lips, feeling stupid at my childish affections for him. But I think he liked it anyway. As I watched him slowly lean in, letting his lips pucker up more, the closer to my face he gets, I think he is waiting for an objection, but he won't get one from me. I watch his puckered lips inch closer to mine and I can't help but pucker mine in anticipation for those soft lips to press into mine.. I get anxious with anticipation as I get up onto my tiptoes, and pressing my lips into his just wanting to taste his sweet flavor that I can't seem to get enough of.. I think I'm addicted to him all around.

I feel his one hand grip my waist and pulling me in, making me feel so tiny as his other hand wraps around my cheek, making the kiss more sensual then I ever imagined. I don't know if that is true or if it feels true just because I'm so enthralled by everything he does. But either way, I don't want this moment to end, but I know it has to.. Boo real life.

I feel his lips start to leave mine as I notice myself getting sad at that idea alone. He sits his head back up as I flatten my feet, separating us by our height, before he says so sweetly, "I hope you have a good day and please call me if anything happens, I swear I'll be there in no time at all." He says to me, causing a big smile to emerge as I nod. "Of course.. thanks Derek. That really means a lot. You're already the sweetest man I have ever had and I already love it." I say so honestly to him as he smiles, stepping closer so there is almost no space between us, before playfully stating, "You already love me? I knew I was good but I didn't think I was that good." I scoffed at him, before playfully hitting his chest, causing a smile to cover his face. "Don't you get all cocky over here already.. but at this rate, that is a very big possibility, but don't start celebrating before you have even won that race yet." I state to him as he chuckles then nods at me. "Damn, one could only hope that gem like yourself, would be just as enticed by me as I am by you."

My mind instantly starts racing just as fast as my heart seems to be at his thoughtful words. "You mean that?" I ask him softly as my gaze pans around his face trying to see for any signs of a lie. Part of me hopes he is lying about that so I can easily not get attached, but my heart is telling me this is all real, which makes me want to dive head first into this abyss I have never known any part of.. But I'm scared.. terrified actually "I meant every word. I would do anything to be with you, I just need you to see that this could be something amazing for the both of us if you opened your heart and mind to this." he explains to me, making me swallow the lump in my throat out of nervousness. " OK.. For you I will.. Just don't break my heart.. Please." I begged him with hopefulness for our bright future as he whispered only for us to hear. "I will do everything I can for us to work out. I'm already attached and don't want anything else." I rolled my eyes at him before saying, "You don't have to lie to make me feel better."

"I'm not.. I wouldn't.. I'm very honest and have learned from multiple sessions of therapy, to talk about my feelings instead of hiding them. I have come to find out that honesty is something everyone can relate to." he explains to me, making me more nervous than before. "I never knew a man like you existed.. What lottery did I win to get you?" I say to him before he shakes his head and leans in, taking my breath right out of my lungs before whispering in my ear, "I'm the lucky one." This comment along with his feathering breath sends chills running rampant all over my body before he kisses my cheek.

"Come on man! We are going to be late!" Josh yells from behind Derek, causing him to groan as he glares behind him for a moment before he turns to look at me again. "Have a good day beautiful.. Hopefully, I can see you later.. Just let me know either way.. I don't care how late it is. I have an extra key under my planter on the left-hand side of the front door." He says, backing away from me as I smile and nod in response.

He is now getting to Josh, who is tapping his foot impatiently, waiting for him so they can head to work. I stand there staring at him in amazement as he does the same with me, until he gets to his jeep, jumping into the driver's seat before winking at me and driving away while I wave. Time to get this hard part done and over with.. but for some reason I now have so much more confidence in this day than I did before.. I think it's because I know I can call him if I need anything. That's a special type of confidence because I think it's the first of many signs that I'm falling.. hard.. for him.. that thought alone is terrifying.