Chapter 133: The Date [2]

Chapter 133: Chapter 133: The Date [2]

Derrick didn’t say a word at first.

He just stood there, his dark eyes trailing down her body slowly, enjoying every single detail before bringing his gaze back up to her face.

A smirk touched his lips.

"I knew you’d look stunning tonight, Beth," he murmured, his voice rich and steady. "But you’re making it very hard for me to keep my hands to myself."

Beth’s breath caught in her throat.

A deep blush rushed all the way down her neck as a shy, helpless smile broke across her lips.

"Honestly, Derrick..." she whispered, her heart hammering against her chest. "You are too much..."

"Come in for a second," she added softly. "My mother is awake. She would love to meet you."

"As world I." Derrick stepped into the warm house, shutting the door behind him. He followed Beth down the narrow hallway and into Ruth’s quiet bedroom.

Ruth was lying in bed, resting comfortably under a thick woolen blanket, her face looked slightly rosy and calm.

When she heard them walk in, she turned her head and smiled softly.

"Derrick," Ruth said warmly, her voice quiet and gentle.

"Hello Ruth. How are you?" Derrick walked right over to the side of her bed. He leaned down, wrapping his arms around her shoulders in a careful, affectionate hug.

"I am good, child." Ruth patted his back gently, holding him close for a moment before he pulled back.

"You look so handsome, Derrick," Ruth said, her eyes twinkling as she looked between him and Beth in her crimson dress.

"And look at my daughter... absolutely glowing."

"I’m taking her out for a proper dinner tonight, Ruth," Derrick said softly, his tone full of easy respect. "She deserves some rest after all that she had done for my company and me."

Ruth smiled, settling back against her pillows.

"Good," she whispered. "You both deserve a peaceful night. Have a wonderful time, you two."

"We will, Ruth," Derrick promised. "Rest well."

They stepped back out of the room, closing the door softly.

Beth pulled on a light shawl, and they stepped outside into the cool night air.

Click.

Beth locked the front door behind them.

Derrick didn’t wait, he reached out, his long fingers sliding smoothly between hers, locking their hands tightly together.

He pulled her in close to his side, his arm brushing against hers as they began to walk.

"Where are we going?" Beth asked, looking up at him through her lashes.

Derrick tilted his head down, leaning in until his lips almost grazed the shell of her ear.

"Somewhere quiet," he whispered, his warm breath making a shudder run straight down her spine. "Somewhere I can have you all to myself."

Beth let out a soft, breathy sigh, her fingers tightening around his hand as a brilliant smile lit up her face.

"Lead the way," she whispered.

Derrick pulled out his sleek black phone. He tapped the screen twice, sending a quiet signal.

Vroom!

Within a few seconds, a velvety low hum sounded down the narrow street. Bright headlights sliced through the evening mist.

Beth turned her head and saw it.

A long, ultra-luxurious black sedan was slowly turning around the tight corner. It looked completely out of place in this middle class neighborhood.

It was the kind of high-end luxury car Beth had only ever seen in glossy advertisements.

Her breath got caught in her throat as a thought surfaced her mind. The car moved down the stone road with effortless grace.

She looked through the front windshield.

The driver’s seat was completely empty.

"Derrick..." Beth whispered, her hand flying to her mouth in shock.

"Is that... driving on its own?"

"It is," Derrick said, a smooth, confident smirk touching his lips. It happened to one of the features of the car which he had modified in his free time. "I bought it recently."

The sleek sedan pulled up right beside the curb and came to a stop.

Whir.

Without anyone touching it, the passenger door swung open completely on its own. Soft ambient purple light glowed from inside, revealing plush, rich leather seats.

Beth stared at the open door, her dark eyes wide with total disbelief.

"I am too scared to even look at it." she murmured, completely amazed.

Derrick chuckled lightly at her comment and placed his warm palm gently against the small of her back.

"Better be ready to sit inside because it’s taking you on around for the night," With a smile, Derrick offered her a hand to help her sit inside. "After you, beautiful."

Beth took his hand and carefully stepped inside, her body sinking into the soft, luxurious leather. Before moving her legs in, she clanked her heels hard enough to shake the dirt outside.

Derrick climbed in right beside her, his long legs settling into the spacious seat.

Thud.

The door pulled shut on its own, sealing out the cold night air.

The car engine hummed softly. It pulled away from the curb and headed toward the mountain roads.

Beth leaned back into the soft leather seat. She looked up through the glass roof at the dark night sky.

"This doesn’t feel real," she whispered, running her fingers along the smooth seat.

Derrick shifted in his seat and looked at her.

He reached over and slid his hand firmly around her waist, pulling her right up against his side. Beth let out a quiet sigh and rested her head on his chest.

She slid her hand up his dark shirt, her fingers tracing his collarbone. Derrick used his free hand to move her legs over his own making her sit in his lap.

Beth let him do as he pleased and just silently leaned against his back, enjoying the night.

They spent hours driving through the quiet hills.

The car moved smoothly along the winding roads. Down below, the lights of the city grew smaller and smaller.

Derrick’s thumb stroked her waist softly through the fabric of her crimson dress. Every now and then, Beth turned her head to kiss his neck or his lips.

Derrick smirked against her mouth, tightening his hold on her.

"Enjoying the ride?" he murmured low against her cheek.

"I am," she whispered back, her breath warm against his skin. "I don’t want tonight to end."

"It won’t for a long time," Derrick said softly.

Eventually, the car slowed down.

Crunch.

The tires rolled over a smooth gravel driveway and came to a quiet stop. They had reached the very top of the hill.

In front of them stood a grand, private villa with warm lights glowing along the stone walls. Beth looked out the window, her eyes wide with shock.

"Derrick..." she said, turning her head to look at him. "Where are we?"

"I rented this villa for the day," Derrick said smoothly. "Just for us."

Beth stared at him, her mouth slightly open. "You rented a whole villa for a date?"

"Restraints are overrated." He leaned in and kissed her cheek softly.

Click.

He pressed a button and his door opened on its own. Derrick let her down from his leps gently before he walked out of the car.

He opened her door and reached out his hand. Beth took his fingers and stepped out into the crisp hill air.

Derrick led her straight to the terrace of the villa which was merged with the rocks of the mountains itself.

The entire city lay below them, stretching out like a vast sea of gold in the dark night.

In the middle of the terrace, a quiet table was set up with warm food and a bottle of deep red wine under soft lantern lights.

The cool mountain breeze blew through Beth’s hair.

She shivered slightly from the chill.

Derrick stepped up right behind her. He wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her back tight against his warm chest.

He rested his chin near her shoulder, his warm breath hitting her neck.

"How’s the view?" he whispered in her ear.

Beth leaned back into his solid frame, her hands resting over his on her waist.

She looked out over the glowing valley, a soft smile breaking across her face.

"It’s amazing," she whispered, turning her head to look up at him. "And you’re even better."

Derrick felt his heart racing against his chest. He turned her around in his arms to face him.

He cupped her face in his warm hands and leaned down, pressing his lips to hers in a deep, lingering kiss high above the world.