A Stranger In My Home

Chapter 2

Author's Note: Picture on the side is how I imagine Jason, and the video is him singing (yes, Chris Pine's voice makes my knees go week, I'll admit it :) )

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Julie held her breath as Derek returned to the bedroom. She doubted he would smack her around tonight, with his cousin being in the next room and all, but she couldn't know for sure. She didn't know Jason, after all. Why would he interfere in his cousin’s life on behalf of a woman he’d just met?

Derek slipped his arm around Julie's waist and pulled her towards him. "So what did you and Jason talk about?" Derek whispered in her ear, his voice soft yet dangerous.

"Nothing, really," Julie replied, only to feel his hand move down the curves of her body.

"Nothing, huh?" he growled and dug his fingers into her soft flesh. Julie almost cried out in pain, but stopped herself. It would only be worse if she screamed. "Do you like him?" he said hoarsely. "Do you think he's hot? Do you think he could be your knight-in-shining-armor? Guess again, Princess. You think I'm bad? He's worse." Julie squeezed her eyes shut to stop the tears from streaming down her face as Derek pressed himself against her.

"Yes! Yes! Yes! Of course I will marry you!" Julie beamed at Derek, who was kneeling in front of her, his black cap and gown glistening in the sunlight. He smiled broadly back at her and scooped her up in his arms. "You won't regret it!" he promised as they laughed together in pure joy and excitement.

Julie woke up the next morning, sore and tired. Derek was sleeping soundly next to her and she crept out of the bedroom to make breakfast. He would be furious if she overslept and didn't have his breakfast ready when he woke up.

As she closed the door to their bedroom, however, a whiff of deliciousness reached her nostrils. She tiptoed to the kitchen to see what could possibly smell so good. She took a step back at the sight of Jason's muscular back and short dark hair. He was wearing a dark blue T-shirt, which clung to his back, fitting loosely around his narrow hips.

"Good morning," he said, looking over his shoulder with a smile.

"Um… good morning. You know… you didn't have to make breakfast, I was just going to."

"Don't worry about it. I love cooking. Have a seat. I take it that Derek doesn't bring you breakfast in bed too often?"

"Um…" Julie's first instinct was to tell him 'hell no', the second to tell him it was none of his business, the third, which she decided on, was a mumbled "I'm an early riser."

"What a coincidence, so am I," he smiled, setting down a cup of fresh ground coffee in front of her.

"Thank you," Julie said and sipped the hot drink. She needed it. "I'm sure Derek will be happy to see you've cooked. I usually burn the toast and make weak coffee."

"I'm not cooking for Derek," Jason said under his breath.

"Sorry?"

"Huh?" he looked at her innocently.

"I thought you said something… sorry, I guess I'm not awake yet." Julie shook her head.

"So when does Derek get up for work?"

"Um… any minute now," Julie glanced up at the wall clock. She shouldn’t be here. She shouldn’t be sitting at a table eating breakfast when Derek got out of the shower. He wouldn’t be happy with her. Idle hands and all that.