Roughley Drabble (BWWM)

Fixing It

Amber giggled as she felt someone behind her using their finger to write on her butt. Laughing she turned to see Val, as they left she heard Elizabeth tell her this wouldn't happen if they were partners. Hearing Derek say yeah right, she looked up at him. His usual good humor was missing, he was smiling but it didn't reach his eyes. Continuing the interview they finished and as she walked away Derek grabbed her hand pulling her behind him towards the next interviewer.

Derek smiled and charmed his way through the interviews. He could feel Amber looking at him from time to time. He knew he was acting like an ass but he didn't care. Every week Val had to come over and touch her in some way, hugging her, kissing her head. It was driving him crazy to see him put his hands on her. Amber laughed it off and told him he was being silly but he knew different.

"Derek, do you want to talk?"

He heard her soft voice, closing his eyes he just shook his head, not wanting to talk about what was bothering him.

"Did I do something wrong? You're not..." her voice trailed off as he glared at her.

"No Amber you didn't do anything wrong and I'm just fine. So let it go. Better yet go visit your friend Val, who you were supposed to be partnered with." he snapped out.

He could see the flash of anger in her eyes from his tone and words, he groaned inside, now she was mad at him. Could this night get any worse? Yes they didn't have to do the challenge dance, which he was still stunned over. What had him upset was their dance. He cringed inside at the thought of what that dance revealed. Mark had already pulled him to the side and teased him. What the fuck had happened to his control?"

"Amber, I'm just not in a good mood, it has nothing to do with you." Liar his mind screamed.

Amber stared at him, he was lying and she knew it. He had been tense since the dance and every time she touched him he flinched. Then when Val had come over with his usual teasing she could swear she heard him growl even if there was a smile on his face. Stiffening at the tone and the words that he said she felt her temper rising. What the fuck was his problem?

"You're lying but know this, I don't care for your tone and if you want to be an ass then you need to be one away from me. I don't know what your issue is with Val but you need to get the hell over it. I'll see you tomorrow, I suggest you take the time to get your shit together."

Derek watched as she walked away, he could see the anger in the way she walked. Well he just got his answer, yes, the night could get worse. Seeing Mark headed his way he just shook his head at him as he pointed at Amber's back.

"I'll fix it, okay? I'll fix it." He rubbed his hand over his face.

"You'd better cause she is pissed." Mark glared at him. "What did you do?"

"I put my foot in my mouth. I let Val get under my skin."

"You know tomorrows going to be awkward." Mark rolled his eyes, "Man, you know how Val is, he wouldn't mess with her if he knew the two of you are together, but since I'm the only one that knows this shit is going to keep happening. So talk to Amber and get your shit right."

"I'm going to fix it tonight." At Mark's look of disbelief he sighed. "Trust me."

xxxxxxxxxx

Derek sat in his car in front of Amber's house thinking. The dance tonight had gotten away from him. Now because of his lack of control on and off the dance floor Amber was mad at him. They had to talk and they had to do it before tomorrow. Taking a deep breath he got out of his car and walked to her front door, ringing her doorbell, hoping she would let him in.

Amber came home, showered and changed, but she could still feel the anger and hurt from Derek's words and actions tonight. She didn't understand why he was so angry and why he said Val was supposed to be her partner. Val was a big flirt but he was harmless, a lot of the guys on the show flirted with her. She couldn't let this keep her down she had practice with him and Mark tomorrow. Groaning she knew things would be awkward until they talked. She was going to just sit and gather her thoughts then she would call him. Hearing her doorbell ring she frowned, who could it be at this time of night? Going to the door she looked through the peephole to see Derek standing there. Opening the door she looked at him, well this talk was going to happen quicker then she thought.

"Derek, I didn't expect to see you tonight. Come in, we need to talk."

He walked in, noticing her tight expression. He could read hurt and anger on her face. She was so easy to read to him. Others only saw the face she presented to the world but he could see so much deeper. He felt his heart ache at the thought of hurting her. He adored this woman, yet tonight he had not only angered her but hurt her, he had to fix this.

"Hey baby, yeah we do, well I need to talk and you need to listen, I need to apologize." Running his fingers over her cheek he smiled softly at her. He loved the feel of her skin, it was like the softest silk, every time he touched her he fought the urge to close his eyes and just stoke her from head to toe.

Leaning into his touch she nodded at his words. Taking his hand she moved to the couch pulling him down beside her. "Yes we do, I'm willing to listen; so tell me what happened tonight?"

Gathering her into his arms, he blew out a breath, "There are a few things that made me act a fool tonight. First, I want to apologize for the way I acted. I should never have taken my bad mood and jealousy out on you." He squeezed her gently as he kissed her hair, inhaling that sent that was pure Amber.

"Val?"

"Yeah Val, I know you don't have feelings for him and you think he's just being a flirt but babe, I've seen the way he looks at you. Wait, before you say anything, I know a lot of the guys flirt with you, hell the girls do too. But he wants you, I know what we are building between us is solid but no man likes to see another man put his hands on his woman." Derek could feel him temper rise as he thought of the other man. "At least not in the way he touches you. Can you understand and forgive me?"

Laying her head on his chest she thought about what he had said. To be honest if another female was touching him the way Val touched her she would be mad as hell. "I understand and forgive you babe and I'm sorry for not letting him know that he's stepping over the line." She rubbed his chest as she pressed soft kisses on his neck.

"Now tell me what put you in such a bad mood and why you flinched every time I touched you"

Derek could feel the blush sweep over him, this was the part he was dreading telling her. "I lost control tonight."

"You lost control? What are you talking about? Control of what?"

Laying his head back on the couch he looked at the ceiling. "When we danced tonight for the first time since I was a teen I couldn't control how my body reacted. The way you felt, your hands on me, I spent over half the dance trying to keep my shit together. Everyone could see how you affected me and there wasn't a damn thing I could do about it. Those damn uniform pants didn't help!"

Amber listened, eyes wide with the effort to keep her laughter in. "This is why you've been so pissy all night?" She put her hand over her mouth as a few giggles escaped. All her earlier anger was gone. "Since you were a teen? Babe this isn't the first time you've...hmm, reacted during one of our dances."

Derek glared down at her, "But I've had black pants on and it's easier to hide but those damn white pants and that dance. Why the fuck did I let them talk me into wearing that damn uniform. You're evil for laughing at me woman." He tickled her sides making her laugh even more.

"Amber, I'm really sorry for how I acted tonight. I didn't want you to think badly of me because of my reaction. But then I turned around and acted an ass with you." Tilting her face up he kissed her lightly.

"It's okay, just talk to me. FYI, I love how your body reacts to mine." She ran her hand through his hair as she kissed him, loving the feel of his mouth on hers.

Feeling bolder she ran her fingers over his chest until she reached the bottom of his shirt. Slipping her hand underneath she could feel the muscles of his stomach contract as she ran her fingers lightly over them. Deepening the kiss she curled her hand around his neck pulling him closer. They made out often but they would always stop but tonight she didn't want to stop, she was going for all 10's.