Dark Passions

58.

Later in the evening, Meredith stood looking out their bedroom window. The rain had eased, and clouds scudded across the sky as the wind chased the last of them away. In two days they would be heading to see the King, and then they could finally head home to Gracewood. Home...she smiled softly at the thought. How quickly it had become home to her.

"What are you thinking, my love?" Derek asked softly, coming up behind her, and sliding his arms around her waist. He rested his cheek against her head, and she relaxed into his strength.

"Just that I will be happy to be leaving London soon. I miss the country," she admitted with a small laugh. "Me...the city girl, missing the country now."

"I know, it has a way of casting it's spell over you, doesn't it?"

"It does, and I can't wait for Michael to be playing outside. He's getting so big already..."

Derek chuckled softly, the sound vibrating against her, his lean body solid and comforting. Meredith turned in his arms, reaching up to press her fingers along the bruise that was turning darker on his cheek. "You will still be bruised for our meeting with the King," she murmured, smoothing skin carefully.

Derek shrugged. "No matter. It was worth it, but if it gets me more sympathy from you, my love..." he teased her lightly.

"Thank you, Derek..." she whispered, a little tear glittering in her eye.

"For what?"

"For being so understanding, and for taking care of Jack...did you look at the portraits...?"

Derek wiped away the little tear with his thumb. "I did, and you looked very alluring," he murmured. "But we can put that all behind us. I have better topics to discuss ...."

"Oh...."

"...like how much I want to make love to you right now. I want you in our bed right now..." It was the first chance they had to be alone since he and Marcus returned. The other couple had stayed for dinner, and they played cards after, until Izzie pleaded tiredness, pulling Marcus home. Meredith smiled to herself, picturing Izzie telling Marcus of his impending fatherhood.

Now Derek tugged her hand, pulling her away from the window, towards the bed. His hands pulled urgently at her nightgown, pushing the silky fabric to the floor in a whoosh, picking her up and settling her down onto the sheets. As she reclined back, watching him drop his own robe to the floor, she smiled softly. The sight of his magnificent body, lean and supremely masculine caused her body to tighten, and her pulse to quicken as always. He lowered himself down beside her, and she moved into his arms, her fingers curling in the dark hair along his chest. A faint groan came from above her, and then Derek eased her back into the pillows.

"Now, we will spend the next few hours taking care of our needs. My brave, sweet Meredith...seeing how you had to live before nearly broke my heart." He took her fingers and kissed them one by one, looking into her eyes. "And I want to make love to you now, and wipe away any lingering thoughts of your past, and think of only our future..."

"Yes..." she whispered. "Yes, that's what I want too...." Her words were cut short as Derek bent his head over her breasts. His hot breath fanned over the tender nipple until it ached, and then he took it his mouth. Meredith's body trembled as he used the tip of his tongue to feather and tickle the sensitive bud. He pulled the taut nipple deeper into his mouth, sucking harder, teasing her without mercy until she was moaning and pressing up against him.

His hand slid between her legs, stroking her slowly, searching the wet folds of her pussy, finding the throbbing clit. Teasing her, sliding his fingertip around it, just enough to make her ache even more. Not quite touching it, until she gasped and lifted her hips eagerly. "Please..." she whispered softly. "Derek..."