Life of a piece of meat

Knock on your door

So she finally goes to his house under the pretext of returning his shirts that she "stole" infront of him while they were dating, she rings the bell, knocks and almost shouts but stops herself thinking

"what if he has someone over, that'd be really embarrassing let's just stick to knocking " she coaxes herself to remain calm while waiting for some movement, any indication of someone being home or opening for her

Hope waits, her heart pounding, listening for any sound from within.  But there’s nothing.  No footsteps, no muffled voices, no one opening the door.  She starts to wonder if he’s out, or worse, if he’s moved. 

She knows she’s being ridiculous, but the longer she stands there, the more her mind races.  She’s about to turn and leave when she hears a soft click from the other side of the door, and it swings open.

She holds her breath as she sees him and wins the battle to not let a smile slip until she got an indication that this would go or even end well,
Derek stands in the doorway, his eyes wide with shock, his face a mixture of confusion, hope, and apprehension. 

“Hope?” he breathes, his voice barely above a whisper.  He stares at her for a long moment, taking in the sight of her standing on his doorstep, a bag of his shirts in her hand.

Eventually, a small, hesitant smile spreads across his face.  “Are you… returning my shirts?”  There’s a teasing lilt to his voice that makes Hope’s heart skip a beat.

" if your new girl is as possessive as me the shirts would not only serve as my excuse for coming but also to infuriate her(she nods quickly before placing her index finger on her chin ) that was my thought process"

Derek can’t help but chuckle at her response, his gaze softening as he takes in her playful expression. “You always were a step ahead of me,” he teases, stepping aside to let her in. 

“Come on in, Hope.  I won’t pretend I’m not glad to see you.”  He steps aside, gesturing for her to enter.  As she walks past him, their arms brush, and despite everything that’s happened, they both feel the familiar spark of electricity between them.

" I think I should have brought flowers instead for a more satisfactory reaction or maybe came in a lawnmower and a speaker, played a ridiculously sappy song and sang along while forcing your name in as many breaks as I could or do you think the shirts are enough to piss  off Nelly baby"

Derek laughs, the sound rich and genuine, the tension between them easing. “Please, for my sake, don’t call her Nelly baby again,” he jokes, still smiling. 

“And I’m pretty sure the shirts would be enough, but if you really want to be sure…”  He winks playfully as he takes the bag of shirts from her, his hand brushing against hers in the process. “But honestly, Hope, just seeing you again is more than enough.”

"Don't take the shirts then or what should I steal a couple of underwears on my way out, the sexier the better right" she wiggles her brows and smirks.

Derek’s cheeks color at her bold remark, his eyes flashing with amusement. “You’re pushing your luck, Hope,” he says, his voice low and husky. “But, to answer your question, the sexier the better is definitely right.” 

He grins, his gaze lingering on her for a moment before he turns, heading down the hall toward the kitchen. “I’ll put these away,” he calls over his shoulder. “You can go ahead and make yourself at home.”
" and here I was about to recite some poem about you being my home"

Derek stops in his tracks, a smile tugging at his lips as he turns to face her, leaning against the doorframe. “You mean my house isn’t enough?  You need me to be your home, too?”  He teases, but there’s a hint of sincerity in his voice that reveals how her words have touched him. 

“Besides, I’m pretty sure you can recite your poem any time you want.  I’m not going anywhere.”
"Dude there's no poem it's only one line anyway" she chuckles waiting for him to push for more but not quite patient enough, "ask me Derry baby"

Derek shakes his head, laughing as he walks toward her, his hands finding their way to her waist. “You, Hope,” he says, his eyes sparkling with mirth. “Always keeping me on my toes.”  He draws her closer, his voice softening to a whisper. “Alright, I’ll ask. What’s your line, Hope?”  His gaze never leaves hers, his heart thrumming in his chest.

" I love you so much that there's nowhere else I'd rather be than in your arms (nowhere except that ice cream place of coz ) I mean you're fine and all but ice cream is ice cream"

Derek’s laugh bubbles up from deep within him, a sound of pure joy and affection. “Ice cream and I can’t compete,” he says, shaking his head in mock disappointment. 

“But I’ll settle for being second best.”  His smile widens, his eyes shining with adoration as he takes her hands in his. “And you, Hope, are much more than fine. You’re…” He pauses, searching for the right words.

"Honey the words don't exist in a dictionary, wanna express them in another way " she winks with both eyes, separately then both at the same time,
Derek’s eyes widen in amusement at her wink, the warmth of her hands in his grounding him. 

“Another way, huh?”  He leans in, his breath hot against her cheek.  “Like this, perhaps?”  With one hand still holding hers, he runs his other hand down her cheek, his fingertips brushing gently across her skin. 

“Or…”  He trails off, his eyes locking with hers, the love and desire in them undeniable.
"Don't tease too much you know my condition, if you're gona reject me at least be rude about it that's a nice thing to do, imagine me barging in my sister's rooms crying my lungs out about how you rejected me while sporting a boner"

Derek’s eyes go wide for a moment, his body tense with surprise.  “Alright,” he manages, his voice a bit unsteady.  “I’ll be… as rude as possible.”  He leans in close, his lips mere centimeters from hers, his hands resting on her waist. 

“Hope, I have absolutely no intention of rejecting you, or anyone else for that matter, as long as I live.
"Wait, wait a seconds WHAT DO YOU MEAN ANYONE ELSE, DEREK I'LL KILL HER, I'LL KILL YOU AND FOLLOW YOU TO KILL YOU AGAIN WHERE IS SHE ?  (she walks towards the steps yelling)  YOU BETTER RUN I'M REALLY CRAZY WHATEVER HE TOLD YOU ABOUT ME WAS JUST AN INTRODUCTION I'LL F YOU UP SO BAD"

Derek watches, mouth agape, as Hope marches up the steps, her rage palpable in every step she takes.  “Hope, wait!”  He calls out, rushing after her, his heart pounding in his chest.  “Hope, I swear I meant no one else but you, I just phrased it badly.  I love you, and only you.”  He grasps her arm gently, his eyes pleading for understanding. 

“There’s no one else.  I swear.”
"Well even if there was she's gone by now if she knows what's good for her "
Derek can’t help but grin at her response, relief flooding through him.  “Well, I guess she did us both a favor then,” he jokes, pulling her into his arms. 

“And besides, if she hadn’t run off, I wouldn’t have had the chance to tell you that you’re the only woman in the world for me.  I mean, you’ve already stolen my shirts and my heart.”  He leans in, pressing his lips to her forehead.

"Your bank details too but I'm too much of a chicken to clean out your bank account and blackmail you into taking me back ... (he chuckles) don't laugh it was an option"