Stronger than the Rest

Chapter 11 | Reckless

"Sex is the consolation you have when you can't have love." - Gabriel Garcia Márquez 

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"Hit me, dammit."

"Rose, I don't want to hit you." 

"Just do it, you big baby."

"No!"

"Just fucking clock me."

Derek gives me the most deadpanned face ever.

"You are pretty but stupid." He tells me, also with a straight face.

I sigh, "It's just boxing, Derek, I can handle myself."

Derek goes to start punching the bag, it's basically flying off the hook. "Yeah, you can't handle me though." He winks and flexes his bicep at me. I look at him and suddenly throw my boxing gloves towards his face.

"I'm going to rip your precious man bun out of your head,"

"Do that and I'll rip your birthmark off, as well."

We both stare furiously at each other until we burst out in laughter.

"You're literally the worst friend, ever."

"Hey, I saved your ass from Landon."

Him bringing up Landon gave me mixed feelings of anger and guilt at the same time. I take a break to walk over and drink some water. I really don't owe him anything, but he also knows more about me here than anyone else. I turn around and Derek is sitting on one of the benches, "He'll get over it soon enough and then he'll be back to annoying you and your dog."

I smile slightly, "Speaking of which, I should probably get home and spend some time with him. Thanks for coming to the gym with me."

"Anytime, I'm always down for kicking your ass."

"Says the guy who wouldn't even hit me," I roll my eyes as I pull my sweaty tank top off to replace it with my sweatshirt. I hear Derek take in a deep breath and when I face him, he is trying not to stare at me in just my sports bra.

I laugh as I tease him, "Never seen a girl in a sports bra, Derek?"

His face is slightly reddened under his tan skin, but he smirks at me, "Of course, but you kinda caught me off guard. I am still a guy, you know?"

Honestly, being in theatre, you have to make quick changes so much I didn't even think about it. Knowing Derek is in theatre himself, I didn't even think to realize he might care.

Awkwardly I said, "Sorry about that, I guess I'm just too comfortable with you." Derek walks to stand right in front of me, "I'm glad you are, Rose."

Suddenly, I feel my heart speed up as I look into Derek's eyes. The thought of kissing him pops into my mind and I bite my bottom lip. His eyes are trained on my lips now and he starts to back away, realizing this is a bad idea.

I'm all for bad ideas though.

I step forward and swing my arms around his neck. I pull his face down towards mine and my lips claim his. He's still for a few seconds, but then he responds.

He's responding. I thought to myself and smile against his lips. 

One of his hands goes to my lower back and the other pulls the ponytail out of my hair. This kiss isn't filled with anything except desire, lust, and understanding. I glide my tongue across his bottom lip and his lips part as his tongue dances with mine. He pushes me up against the wall and my legs instinctively wrap around his waist. My fingers slip through his hair and I tug gently, I feel the satisfying sound of his moan and he presses his hips into me.