Derek stood fascinated by the woman beside him here tonight. She was amazing. Throughout the entire evening, she had carried herself with pride and dignity, not showing any fear or revulsion at her unfamiliar surroundings. Members of Detroit"s elitist society paused briefly at Derek"s side to murmur their congratulations on his latest coup, while at the same time discussing among themselves who the stunning brunette was upon his arm. As she knelt to pet the larger animals on the floor, Talli"s skirt flared with her movement. Every man"s eyes were on the slit that threatened to bare all. Including Derek"s.
Talli turned soft doe eyes on Derek and whispered, "Mr. Cam...I mean Derek. Look over there. Isn"t she precious?"
Derek"s gaze followed Talli"s as he saw the newest member of the group being led in. Chester, a year old wallaby, bounced into the room on two huge rear paws. Talli"s gasp of tenderness brought his eyes back to her face. She was radiant.
"Would you like to go meet Chester? Oh, and she happens to be a he." Derek asked, already knowing her answer.
Talli swung delighted eyes to him. "Could we?"
"Come on." Caught up in her exuberance, Derek reached for her hand as they threaded their way across the ballroom.
Chester paused, his eyes taking in the noise and activity around him. His tiny front paws flailing, he pulled nervously at the leash the keeper held tightly.
"Hi, baby," Talli crooned softly to the frightened wallaby.
Chester c.o.c.ked his head and listened. His ears p.r.i.c.ked as he hopped an uncertain step forward, then once more to Talli. She reached out a tentative hand and touched his soft fuzzy ears. "Hey there, little guy. You"re so soft and fuzzy. Just like Gracie"s ears." She laughed, talking softly to Chester.
Bemused, Derek shook his head at the attendant. "I think she"s made friends with every animal you guys have brought in tonight."
Talli looked up and blushed. "I"m sorry. I just love animals. They"re so fragile and helpless."
The attendant nodded in agreement. "If the Zoo had more caring, concerned people like you ma"am, we would be able to care for the animals on a much greater level."
The evening pa.s.sed in a flourish of bidding and loud congratulations called out to the winning bidders on their purchases. The total presented to the Zoological Society at the end of the night was astonishing. Over one hundred and forty thousand dollars raised in a single evening. Derek found himself the proud "G.o.dparent" to a pair of North American Snowy Owls. He couldn"t imagine himself bidding on them, but with Talli at his side, anything seemed possible. She kept squeezing his arm at the adoptions up for bid, oohing and aahing over the owls as Derek heard his own voice bidding, eager to keep the glowing expression on her face.
As they waited in the cool night air for Joseph to bring the limousine around, Derek again marveled at the fact that he was a "G.o.dparent."
Talli grinned, and replied with an amused look, "After all Derek, it is for a worthy cause. You said so yourself earlier this evening."
Derek was just about to respond when they were joined by another couple.
"Derek, sorry we didn"t get a chance to catch up with you earlier. I don"t believe we"ve had the opportunity to be introduced to your lovely companion," the Mayor exclaimed.
Derek forced a polite smile on his face. His mouth opened then closed, like a fish out of water. He wasn"t ready to face the prying eyes of the world if he were to tell the Mayor and his wife exactly who Talli was. This was one part of the agreement he hadn"t planned out in advance.
Talli watched Derek"s mouth gape, yet no sound issued forth. She reached out her hand and moved toward the couple. "Mr. Mayor, Mrs. Bryant, it"s a pleasure to meet you. I"m Talli Paxton. I work for Mr. Cameron at Cameron Manor."
Talli watched the Mayor and his wife exchange a look between them.
Well, I"m surprised we"ve never met before," Mrs. Bryant replied sincerely.
"Actually, I"ve only been there six months, isn"t that right, Mr. Cameron?"
Derek tried to follow the conversation, but was at a loss for words. "Huh? Oh, right." He closed his eyes and prayed that Joseph would arrive momentarily.
"I hope we"ll get the opportunity to become better acquainted in the future," Mrs. Bryant replied.
"Miss Paxton, if you don"t mind my asking, in what capacity are you employed at the Manor?" the Mayor asked curiously.
"I don"t mind at all, Mr. Mayor. I am currently in charge of Derek"s dogs. I have an extensive background in training and grooming, but I do hope to take on additional responsibilities in the very near future."
"Really? Well then, maybe you can tell us what the best way would be to handle an over zealous Bichon?"
Talli chose her words carefully before replying. "Well, the first thing would have to be to cut out the rattling of the candy jar. Dogs love chocolate and it"s the worse possible food for them to have. It can be deadly if they eat too much."
Mrs. Bryant let out a loud burst of laughter, and heartily slapped her husband on the arm. "See, I told you so. Even Talli knows about you!" Turning to Talli, she confided, "I told him that, but does he ever listen to me? Nooo, of course not. Thank you, Talli. Well Edgar, now do you believe me?"
Edgar Bryant smiled lovingly at his wife and shook his head. "Is it my fault the dog loves candy so much?"
Derek watched the conversation volley between Talli and the Mayoral couple. He couldn"t believe words had failed him. He was never at a loss for words, especially not in a crucial situation. A crisis was always an open and shut case for him. Zoom in for the kill and get out fast. Yet tonight, he stood baffled and equally bedazzled by the beautiful woman beside him. Moments later when he finally felt as though he had his wits about him, he found the Mayor and his wife had already left them.
"Oh, Mrs. Bryant, before I forget. Maimie asked us to give you and the Mayor her best regards," Talli called to the couple, as they waved and crossed to their waiting limousine.
"Please tell her we asked after her," Mrs. Bryant called out in return.
"Derek, are you all right?" Talli reached out and placed her hand on his cheek. He stood so still, as if in a trance.
Derek focused his gaze on her, as a wan smile crossed his features. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Joseph alight from the driver"s side of the limousine. Better late than never, he thought.
The ride home was quiet and serene as Talli craned her neck to follow the stars in the night sky outside the car window. Derek watched her twisting first one way, then the next as she angled for a better view. Her skirt rode higher with every move she made. Unconsciously, he reached across the seat and trailed his finger down her thigh to her knee.
Talli turned, a soft gasp emerging from her lips. "You startled me."
"Sorry. Cancel that, no I"m not," he grinned in the darkness, his teeth a bright white against the inky darkness of the night.
"Mr....I mean Derek, have you given any thought to when you would like to try to...I mean for us to...oh heck, when do you want to start working on having a baby?" Talli stammered, her words sounding more confused by the minute.
Derek saw her fingers flutter as she nervously twisted them together. He leaned across the seat to take her hand in his. "How about tonight?"
Talli gulped. "Tonight?"
"Tonight," he affirmed, surprising even himself with his answer.
Talli watched Derek settle back in the plush seat and lift the phone to call up front to Joseph.
Minutes later, Talli"s eyes widened as the realization dawned on her. "Tonight?" she whispered to herself, her eyes on Derek as he spoke softly into the receiver.
(BM) CHAPTER 6.
Her breath caught in her throat, as Talli felt her heart pound. She accepted Derek"s outstretched hand and allowed herself to be led into the house. It had been her idea in the first place to ask when they would try to have the baby. Now that Derek had given her his answer, Talli wasn"t sure she was ready for it to be so soon.
Derek opened the heavy wood front door and stepped inside.
Unsure of what to do next, Talli moved as if she was in a trance.
Derek followed her into the living room. He watched her face, noting Talli"s far-off expression, immersed in thoughts of her own, a million miles away. He cleared his throat and moved toward the bar.
"Would you like a drink?"
Talli looked up startled. Her reverie broken, she instantly became aware of her surroundings.
"What? No, nothing for me, thank you. If I have too much to drink, I"ll be running to the bathroom all night long and we don"t want that to..." Her words trailed off, suddenly conscious of her babbling.
Derek reached across the smooth marble surface of the bar and picked up a bottle of brandy. His eyes studied her reflection in the gilded mantel mirror. He could see her chewing on her lower lip and wondered what she was thinking.
He spoke, breaking the silence of the room.
"So, tell me. How did you enjoy the evening with the Zoological Society?"
Talli whirled from where she stood in front of the fireplace.
"I loved it. It was beyond words. Thank you so much for asking me to join you tonight. I can"t believe I actually got to hold that little koala. He was so cute and cuddly, and the snake and Chester..." Talli dropped to the sofa and wrapped her arms around herself as if to emphasize her words.
Derek closed his eyes, imagining what it would be like to be held in Talli"s soft arms. Her fingertips caressed his skin as she had with the animals on display tonight. He groaned inwardly and pushed himself away from the bar. He crossed the room and moved to sit beside her.
"Talli, I can see that you"re a bit nervous. Is there something I can say or do to make this easier for you?"
Talli felt her face flame at his words. Nervous was an understatement for how she felt right now. Sucking in a deep breath, she turned to face Derek.
"Mr. Cameron, I mean Derek... I think the best way for us to handle this would be in a very professional and businesslike manner. We are both mature adults and as such, I"m sure we can work through this." Talli paused, trying to pull her next words into a more rational thought pattern. "So, I think that the best way to proceed would be to just forge right on ahead"
"Forge on ahead?" Derek shook his head, puzzled at her choice of words. "I don"t believe I"m following you"
"Oh." Talli felt herself at a loss for words.
"Talli, would you feel more comfortable if I took the lead?"Derek asked softly.
Talli sighed in relief. "Definitely"
"I was afraid of that,"Derek mumbled to himself.
"Pardon me?" Talli leaned forward to catch his words.
Derek watched her move toward him. The front of her gown gaped as she shifted closer. He found his gaze drawn to the creamy mounds of flesh that threatened to tumble forth. Much to his own surprise, he could feel his stomach tighten at the thought of having her in his bed. Under him, as he pressed into her willing flesh.
"Wait,"Derek groaned and leapt to his feet.
Talli blinked in surprise.
Derek reached out and pulled her to her feet. "The h.e.l.l with professional and businesslike manner. Come here." He grasped her wrists gently as he brought her close. His hands slid up her arms and he pushed the black wispy shawl off her shoulders to float silently to the patterned carpet below.
Talli closed her eyes against the sensations she felt. His fingers danced lightly across her bare arms. She felt his palms brush the back of her neck as he held her close against him. She could feel his muscles rippling beneath the pristine white tuxedo shirt he wore as her hands rested lightly on his shoulders.
Her pulse quickened, and she reached higher to bury her fingers in his thick hair, softly ma.s.saging his scalp.
Derek felt her touch, so timid and unsure. His insides were ready to explode, as his fingers tightened on her. He watched her face, her lips pliant and inviting as they drew closer still.
Talli raised her gaze to find Derek staring at her. Nervously, she moistened her lips. She shivered as he lightly fingered a loose tendril of hair that had carelessly fallen to her check. "Derek, I.."
He leaned closer, his fingers continuing their leisurely exploration over her cheekbones, then down to brush his knuckles across her jaw.
He lowered his head, and gently touched her lips, feeling her sudden intake of breath. The mere touch of her skin against his sent his senses reeling. He wanted more, and he wanted it now.
His lips met hers again hungrily, giving and taking, demanding more. Fervent kisses, carrying them both higher. He couldn"t help himself.
Good Lord, what was she doing to him?
Their pa.s.sion flared, as though pouring gasoline on an open flame. Burning out of control. He crushed her to him, and was surprised at her own eager response. And even more confused by his own reaction.
His tongue sent shivers of desire racing through her. Talli felt her knees weaken with the intensity of their pa.s.sion. Her heart beat wildly, as a shiver of wanting coursed through her. With shaky hands, Talli fumbled to undo the b.u.t.tons of Derek"s shirt, eager to touch the warm flesh hidden within.
A persistent knocking slowly penetrated Derek"s senses. "This better be good," he muttered. Gathering Talli in his arms, he pulled her snugly to his chest. "What is it?"
"Pardon the interruption sir, but you have a phone call"
"Tell them I"ll call them back later"
"Sir, the caller is the President"
"I just left the man not more than a few hours ago. What can be so important that it can"t wait until morning?"
Talli buried her face against his shirtfront, inhaling the warm masculine smell that was Derek. She longed to press her lips to his skin, to taste his flesh. To...
"Sir, your caller is the President of the United States, not the Zoological Society. Shall I say you"ll return his call tomorrow?"
Talli"s mouth dropped open as she pushed herself from his embrace. "Derek, you have to take that call. It"s the President."
His gaze traveled the length of her, coming to rest on her flushed checks. As their eyes met, he felt a shock run through him, rendering him momentarily speechless.
"Derek?"
He touched her lips with his finger and sighed. "Tell the President I"ll be right there"
"Very well, sir"
Talli heard Joseph"s retreating footsteps fade down the hallway.
"Talli, I"m sorry."
She swallowed hard and smiled. "No apologies. Go. Don"t keep the President waiting."
Derek grinned and touched his forehead in a mock salute. "Yes, ma"am"