Chapter 156 Kiss Me

Chapter 155: Chapter 155: Kiss Me

Derrick quieted down, her words sinking in as he considered her point.

’She’s right,’ Derrick thought, his eyes narrowing slightly as he realized the weight of his oversight.

’Keeping Rebecca in the dark means keeping her trapped in the past, waiting for a version of me that isn’t coming back.’

Cassie reached across the wooden table, lightly brushing her fingers over his.

"She deserves to know, Derrick," Cassie said gently, her tone completely devoid of jealousy now. "She loves you."

"Even if it stings at first, knowing who you are right now will let her move forward, instead of waiting for your old self to return."

Derrick looked at Cassie for a long moment, nodding slowly as her words settled into his mind.

"I hear you, Cass," Derrick said, his deep voice carrying a quiet weight. "I’ll tell her. But I need some time to figure out how to break it to her properly. It’s not something I can just throw at her over dinner."

Cassie’s dark eyes softened.

She reached across the table, wrapping both of her hands around his.

"Take all the time you need," Cassie murmured softly, her grip warm and reassuring. "You don’t have to carry it all by yourself, you know. I’m right here with you. We’ll handle it together."

She lifted his hand to her lips, pressing a soft, lingering kiss against the back of his knuckles while her eyes remained locked onto his.

...

Soon, the waitress arrived at their booth, balancing a small tray with their steaming coffees and desserts.

As the young woman set down the iced coffee and chocolate tart, her eyes lingered a second too long on Derrick’s smooth, striking features, a sudden blush creeping up her neck.

"I think you are missing a straw." Before the server could say another word, Cassie’s gaze shifted into a razor-sharp glare.

"Ah, I am sorry about that. I will bring it right away." The sheer intensity in her pitch-black eyes was so cold that the waitress stiffened, quickly set down the remaining cheesecake and black coffee, and scurried off.

Derrick watched the poor girl practically sprint back toward the counter, a low, amused chuckle escaping his throat as he looked back at Cassie.

"You scared her half to death, Cass," Derrick teased smoothly, picking up his coffee cup. "She was just doing her job."

Cassie didn’t even bother hiding her irritation.

She crossed her arms tightly over her chest, puffing out her cheeks in a blatant, shameless display of jealousy.

"So what?" Cassie snapped back, though her cheeks flushed a faint pink under his amused gaze. "I have every right to be jealous! You’re my brother, and you’re the man I love. I’m not going to sit here and let random girls gawk at you right in front of me."

Derrick smirked, shaking his head gently as he slid the chocolate tart closer to her side of the table. "Eat your tart before it gets warm, you crazy girl."

Cassie huffed, but a small smile betrayed her attempt at staying mad as she picked up her dessert fork.

’Look at him, acting all innocent,’ Cassie thought, her heart swelling as she chewed. ’He really has no idea how attractive he is when he sits there like that... but at least he’s mine to look at.’

Once they finished their coffee and desserts, Derrick paid the bill, and they stepped back out into the rainy afternoon.

The heavy downpour had settled into a gentle, relaxing drizzle.

Instead of rushing straight back, Derrick opened his umbrella, holding it high enough to cover them both.

Cassie immediately slipped her arm through his, leaning her head against his shoulder as they walked down the quiet, tree-lined street.

Every few steps, she would tighten her hold on his arm, as if constantly reminding herself that this moment was real.

They stopped near a scenic overlook by the park, watching the raindrops create rippling circles across the surface of the small lake.

Under the privacy of the wide black umbrella, Derrick wrapped his free arm around her waist, pulling her flush against his side to keep the cool breeze off her.

Cassie looked up at his side profile, the faint scent of rain mixed with his warm, familiar fragrance completely washing away the last traces of her earlier doubts.

"Derrick," she whispered softly.

"Hmm?"

"Thank you... for taking me out today," Cassie said, resting her palm flat against his chest. "I really needed this."

Derrick looked down at her, his expression gentle as he leaned down and pressed a soft, warm kiss against her temple. "I know. I’m glad we came out, too."

By the time the evening sky turned into a deep twilight, they finally arrived back at their small house.

As Derrick unlocked the front door, Cassie stood right beside him, her cheeks slightly flushed from the cool air outside.

Her black eyes held a soft, lingering warmth as she stole one last glance at him before stepping inside, her heart completely at ease for the first time in weeks.

Derrick stepped inside, locking the front door behind them. The small house was quiet, and Rebecca’s shoes were gone from the entrance rack.

"Looks like Rebecca isn’t home yet," Derrick said, hanging up his jacket.

Cassie’s eyes lit up as a clever smile touched her lips. She quickly took off her sweater and stepped right up to him.

"Good," Cassie whispered, looking up at him with clear desire in her eyes.

She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling herself close. "So... where’s my kiss after our date?"

Derrick chuckled softly. He placed his hand on her waist and leaned down to kiss her right there in the hallway.

But before his lips could touch hers, Cassie placed her hand on his chest, stopping him.

Derrick raised an eyebrow. "Changed your mind?"

"Not here," Cassie said softly, her cheeks turning bright red as she held his gaze.

Her heart beat fast as she whispered her bold request.

"I want it in the bath... with you."