The Marriage Deal.

Take Fourteen.

• "Go ahead and cry, little girl. Nobody does it like you do." - TNBHD. •

14|

   As expected, during dinner, which was absolutely amazing, there were paparazzi "discreetly" taking pictures of us. Because of what Ali Jules wrote in her story, nobody would've expected us to be out together tonight. And that's exactly what Derick wanted. He wanted to hit them where it hurt. It was naive of them to eat up any and everything, especially from people they knew that gossiped for a living.

   I wouldn't knock a soul that likes their gossip here and there, because then, I'd be knocking myself. Being informed about the latest was okay, but spreading lies was not.

   Enough of that, though. Right about now, Derick and I were taking a stroll on Tommington's State Bridge. This bridge was grand, absolutely breath taking. Bright neon lights from the speeding cars beneath us and the inky, cloudless sky above us. It was transfixing, to say the least.

   "So, just how do you plan to.. convince me that us being chosen for the games meant something?" I asked, continuing that thread of our conversation from dinner. I'd told him we'd leave that until after dinner and it was now after, so I brought it up again.

   "Now that, I can only show you." He smiled down at me, his dimples showing and my insides melted. This was what I meant. I knew he would have this kind of affect on me while on good terms. And right now, if I lashed out on him, one of my main defense mechanisms when dealing with him, he would think I was insane, seeing as though he didn't do anything wrong.

   "You're up to something, Mr. Adams, and I intend to find out what it is." I said, halfway joking. I actually did intend to find it what was up those sleeves of his. I didn't think it was bad, but it was good to be prepared.

   "This."

   Before I could register what was happening, Derick pulled me snug against him with sheer force that I couldn't help gasping in surprise with wide eyes. And then suddenly, his lips were on mine. When everything finally sunk in, I nearly melted in pleasure. I always remembered Derick's body to feel nice, but my memory didn't give him the credit he quite deserved. He was rock hard in places that set me ablaze with desire.

   His tongue slipped between my lips and I suppressed a moan as my fingers dug deep into his hair that felt so much like a bed of feathers. That was how soft and silky it was.

   How long the kiss went on for, I wasn't entirely sure, but by the time it came to an end, I felt like I was floating on the highest cloud there was. My knees were weak, which is why I didn't rush to move away from Derick.

   "That was for the paparazzi standing outside of the restaurant taking pictures of us just now."

   The moment the words left his lips, both my senses and balance immediately came rushing back to me. Reality settled in. I stood straight and took a step away from him, without being too noticeable. "Right. Paparazzi." I cleared my throat, hoping the disappointment that I felt wasn't audible in my tone.

   I'd even forgotten about them.

   "You still owe me a real kiss, one that's not staged."

   There was nothing staged about that kiss on my part.

   I rolled my eyes discreetly and began walking again, looking over the wall down at the zooming vehicles. There were so many cars going at once and with so much speed, that it shook the bridge.

   "What do you want to do now?" He asked, shoving his hands into his pocket as he glanced at me sideways.

   All of this time and I still hadn't thought about what we'd do for the second part of our date. Just as I was about to hand the responsibility over to him, an idea came to mind. "How about we take a trip to your company? I hate you, but I absolutely adore your clothing line and colognes. Got anything new you're working on?"