In His Service

firecracker

Ginny's POV

"Ugghh!!" I swore at myself, slapped my hands against my face a couple times, and marched myself to the bathroom, where I turned the shower on full blast to warm up. I stripped out of my shorts and tugged the camisole up and over my head, where it tangled in my messy bun, pulling the hair tie almost all the way out. I yanked it free, swearing some more, before dropping the top on the floor and attempting to work the hair tie out of my rat's nest of hair.

Another knock at the door drew an exasperated sound from my lips and I stared myself down in the mirror, willing the redness in my eyes to go away. I am not still upset about Aaron. I am not still pissed at my ex best friend. I am not still hurt that two people I loved completely betrayed me.

Although I am still holding on to that ring. I bit my lip guiltily, remembering the lie I told him.

More knocking, harder this time, drew my attention away from the mirror. Fuck him.

"Fine," I said, resolved. I just wanted Aaron to leave me alone, and if this is what it takes... "Fine."
I yanked my camisole back on and flung the bathroom door open.

Before heading back to the front door, I stopped in my bedroom and pulled open the top drawer of my dresser, fishing out the velvety box from the very back. I wanted to look at the ring again, but I stopped myself, instead squeezing it tightly in my fist as I trudged back to the front door.

Steeling myself, I grabbed the doorknob and flung it open, at the same time thrusting my arm straight out, the small box clutched in my small hand.

"Just fucking take it and leave me the fuck alo---Oh." My voice trailed off as my eyes met his.

Cool crystal blue, they were narrowed slightly, full of suspicion and concern, framed by furrowed brows and high cheekbones. Derek's jaw was clenched so tightly I knew it must be painful, and I longed to reach out and run my fingers along it to help it relax.

The thought jammed in my head like a cassette tape ribbon and I subconsciously grabbed it and ripped it from the spool, refusing to allow my head to listen to such nonsense anymore.

I began to withdraw my hand, but he caught it easily, prying the velvet box from my fingers deftly and flipping it open to assess the contents. One eyebrow twitched. The jaw relaxed slightly, then tensed again, tighter than before, if that was possible.

I watched, frozen to the spot as he let the box snap closed and directed his gaze back to me, starting at my bare feet and climbing ever so slowly up my smooth legs to linger on my tight boyshort panties. I watched his jaw relax and tense again before his eyes slid up my stomach, over my thin camisole where my pierced nipples strained against the sheer white fabric.

Suddenly self-conscious, I crossed my arms over my chest and shifted my weight onto one leg, jutting my hip out as I waited for his eyes to meet mine. When they did, there was a hint of a smile in them, but his jaw stayed hard and dangerous.

"Virginia," he said in greeting, nodding his head slightly.

"Derek," I responded, attempting to quell the sarcasm that dripped from my voice as I obediently responded to my full name. I remained steady under his crystal gaze.

Then, without thinking, I stepped aside and gestured with one hand as I added, "Would you like to come inside?"

Derek was already at the threshold, letting himself into my home before I had even finished speaking. I was surprised to find how little I minded that. He paused as he stepped through the door, his thumb coming up to the door frame to run along the crack I had left there minutes earlier.