Against the clock

48.

With a tender smile, Derek hovers over me, his gaze filled with adoration as he brushes a lock of hair away from my face. My heart flutters at the intensity of his gaze, and I reach up to caress his cheek, relishing the warmth of his skin beneath my fingertips.

Leaning in, Derek presses a soft kiss to my lips, his touch gentle yet filled with longing. I respond eagerly, deepening the kiss as our lips meld together in a passionate embrace. As we break apart, our breath mingling in the air, Derek gazes down at me with a look of pure devotion. 'You are so beautiful,' he whispers, his voice filled with reverence.

'Meredith,' he murmurs, his voice soft yet determined, 'we're not going to do anything tonight.' I smile up at him, touched by his consideration and understanding. 'But,' he continues, his gaze lingering on mine, 'if you're comfortable with it, I'd like to undress you. Not because I expect anything, but because we're taking it slow.'

Tears well up in my eyes at his words, overwhelmed by the depth of his love and devotion. 'I would like that,' I reply softly, reaching up to cup his face in my hands. With a deep breath, Derek's hands move to the straps of my dress, his touch sending a shiver down my spine as he begins to slide them off my shoulders. His fingers move with a practiced ease, the fabric slipping away to reveal the bare skin beneath.

As the straps fall away, Derek's gaze intensifies, his eyes tracing the curve of my collarbone with reverence. I inhale deeply, my heart fluttering with anticipation as his lips hover just above my collarbones. With a gentle touch, he brushes his lips against the sensitive skin, sending a wave of tingling sensation coursing through me.

Derek's touch is gentle and respectful as he continues to remove my dress, his hands moving with care to reveal the contours of my body beneath the fabric. As the dress slips away, pooling at my waist, Derek's gaze softens, his eyes filled with adoration as he takes in the sight before him. His fingers trace the lines of my body with reverence.

Despite the intimacy of the moment, he leaves my underwear untouched, a silent acknowledgment of our mutual decision to take things slow. And yet, even with this barrier between us, the connection we share feels deeper than ever before. With a tender smile, Derek leans in to press a soft kiss to my lips, his touch filled with warmth and affection. His gaze, filled with desire and longing, drifts downward, drawn to the tantalizing curve of my cleavage. With a gentle yet determined motion, he leans in closer, his breath warm against my skin as he moves his mouth towards the exposed expanse of my cleavage. With aching anticipation, I watch as Derek's lips make contact with the delicate flesh of my cleavage, his touch sending waves of pleasure coursing through me.

His kisses are slow and deliberate, each touch igniting a fiery passion within me as he explores the depths of my cleavage with tender reverence. I moan softly, unable to contain the overwhelming sensation of pleasure that washes over me, my fingers tangling in his hair as I urge him closer. 'Derek,' I whisper his name, the sound laden with a mixture of desire and vulnerability.

Feeling the weight of the moment, Derek pulls back slightly, his lips leaving a lingering kiss on my cheek before he moves away, creating a small but noticeable distance between us. 'Derek?' I murmur softly, the question hanging in the air between us. His gaze meets mine, and I can see the turmoil reflected in his eyes, mirroring the confusion swirling within me.

Derek takes a deep breath, his eyes reflecting a mixture of desire and concern. 'Meredith,' he begins, his voice gentle yet firm, 'we said we were going to take things slow, and I think that's enough for tonight.'

I reach out to him, my fingers gently tracing the contours of his face. 'Derek,' I whisper, my voice barely audible over the pounding of my heart, 'I feel fine. That... that felt good.' His gaze softens at my words, a flicker of relief passing through his eyes. Yet, I can still sense his hesitation, his desire to protect me battling against his own longing.