Only You Ch. 05

********

Derek was talking casually to some man who claimed to be the publicist of some random teenage television star when Simon Slade finally entered the club and made a beeline straight for Derek.

"D. Rye!" he called enthusiastically.

Derek winced at the shortening of his name. "Hey Mr. Slade."

"Derek, we're old friends now. Simon is just fine. Are you enjoying yourself?"

He nodded. "A bit. Who are all these people anyway?"

"Movers and shakers in the industry."

"Which industry?"

"The ones that matter." Simon clapped him on the back. "You'll come to understand, Derek that in this business it's all about who you know. You've got to have friends in all the right places. With Slade Enterprises, we can make sure of that."

Derek nodded. More and more he was beginning to dislike the idea of being a part of this world.

"You're twenty-four, right?"

"Yeah."

Simon smiled. "Damn, I remember when I was that age. It felt like you had the whole world ahead of you. Stick with me, kid and I'll show you how amazing life can be."

Derek chuckled. "You sound like a scene out of Scarface."

Simon laughed. "I like you. You're not like how I imagined."

"And how was that?"

"Like a mini version of your brother. I've met him once or twice. Nice guy, but a bit reserved. You must be the fun brother."

He smirked. "It's been said, yes."

"So let's go have some fun, Derek. We can talk business another day."

********

It was nearly two in the morning by the time Derek and Tegan returned to their hotel room. He was positively exhausted after schmoozing for hours. To his surprise, there were many people from the gaming industry there at the party who were very pleased with the Trifecta's work. But the best news came from a rep who worked with Fanboy, a cable channel affiliated with Spike TV. They were interested in working with Derek, Matt, and Jake for their own show. He was caught off guard by that. The man had given him his card, promising to keep in touch.

He was still reeling as he loosened his tie. Tegan noticed the big grin on his face. "What's up? You seem to be in a much better mood." She kicked off her heels, thankful her feet could finally rest.

Derek unbuttoned his shirt. "I am. Some guy from Spike TV was there and he talked about giving me, Jake, and Matt our own television show."

Tegan's light eyes widened. "Oh my god! Derek that's so fucking cool." She ran over to him excitedly.

"I know," he grinned. "I'm still kind of dazed."

"Well what are you going to do?"

He shrugged. "I'm still not sure. I never expected so many people would be interested in our work. It's all a little overwhelming."

"I know it can be," she said soothingly. Her reached out to stroke his cheek. "But you boys have worked so hard, and you all deserve much kudos."

"Thanks, baby." He wrapped her in his arms, his fingers unzipping the back of her dress. "Listen, can we put things on hold tonight? I'm fucking knackered."

"Sure, Derek. We've got a whole week."

He smiled and her heart quickened. God, he's so beautiful. "That's my girl." His lips met hers and he pulled her tighter, reveling in the softness of her pliant body. She moaned, sliding her tongue into his mouth, exploring his taste.

Her fingers wove deftly through his dark curls.

"Mmm, what do you say to a nice massage?"

He grinned. "Only if you promise to keep your hands above the equator."

Tegan smiled and held up three fingers. "Scout's honor."

"You were a Girl Scout?"

"There's lots of things you don't know about me, Ryan. Now clothes off. I'll be right back." She headed for the bathroom, stepping out of her black dress as she walked. When she returned moments later with a bottle of oil in hand, he was clad only in his boxers and sitting on the bed. "On your stomach," she commanded.

Derek complied, turning over. She straddled him deftly before squeezing a small amount of the rose scented oil into her hands and rubbing them together. When her fingers pressed into his sore muscles, he couldn't help but groan. Her hands moved expertly, massaging his shoulders and lower back, knuckles softly kneading his muscles.

"You are so tense, baby" she cooed, her lips kissing the slick skin.

"Yeah, but you're making me feel damn good right now," he said. He grunted when she hit an especially tender spot. "God, right there. Damn, how is it you know how to do this?"

"When I was sixteen I had a torrid affair with my mother's massage therapist. He taught me everything I know."

"Wait, what?" Derek turned to look up at her. Tegan burst out laughing. "Drea and I took a massage course at the Y six months ago."

"Oh. So no affair with the instructor?"

"Hardly. I believe Sven was more interested in his partner Joel than me." She lifted slightly. "Now turn over."

Derek flipped onto his back, sighing happily.

"That was awesome, Tegan J. Thanks."

She smiled a slow, wicked grin. "It's not over yet. Straddling him once more, she slid down his body to what she really wanted. He groaned in anticipating as she tugged down his boxers with her teeth.

"I thought I said no hands below the equator," he gasped out when she nuzzled his hardening cock.

"Mmm, I don't plan to use my hands at all." Derek leaned back into the pillows as her warm mouth covered his cock.

He could definitely get used to this.

********

He awoke to the sound of his cell phone ringing. Derek reluctantly opened his blue eyes. It was way too early for a phone call.

"'Lo?" he grumbled.

"No need for sleeping late, D. Rye!" Simon called brightly.

Derek winced. "Simon?"

"Just calling to check on you."

"Uh, I'm fine. Just you know, sleeping. You should try it."

"Nah, I'll sleep when I'm dead. I'm calling to invite you and the boys over to this little get-together I'm having at the old homestead tonight. We can go over the specs and see where we go from there."

"Uh, cool. I mean, couldn't this invitation wait until you know, daylight?"

Simon laughed. "Look outside your window, champ at that beautiful Los Angeles sun. It's nearly nine."

Derek sat up, the rays of sunshine beaming steadily in through the slightly open curtain.

"So it is," he replied.

"I'll see you tonight at nine, D. Rye. And bring that pretty girl of yours." The phone clicked off.

He sighed. It was a bit too early for Simon and his indefatigable energy. All he wanted to do was curl up next to Tegan and sleep. It was then he noticed she wasn't beside him. Getting out of bed, he walked to the bathroom to find it empty.

A slightly worried look crossed his face. Where the hell could she have gone at this hour? He was about to call her cell when the hotel door swung open and she appeared, packages in hand.

"Tegan, what the hell?"

"Sorry, I couldn't sleep this morning" she said breathlessly while giving him a quick kiss. "So, I went for a walk to this diner my parents used to go to whenever my dad had business in L.A. I brought you back a doggie bag." She held out a Styrofoam container to him.

Derek just stared at her. "You walked for breakfast? When you had perfectly good room service?"

She shrugged, taking off the light cardigan she wore. "Well, it just wasn't about breakfast. I wanted to explore the city. And it's so cool. I found this really awesome music store and I bought a Saosin EP on vinyl that I've been looking FOREVER for. And this." She held out a flat, wrapped package.

He took it from her. "What is this?"

"Your birthday present. It's ridiculously late, but there we go."

He tore the black paper from the package. Inside was a CD. A genuine smile crossed his face, the irritation ebbing away. "You got me a CD?"

She nodded shyly. "The store had this place where you could make mix tapes. So, I made you one. I had been planning to do it on my own back in the city, but I figured what the hell and did it here. Surprisingly, they had a really cool selection of stuff."

Derek was speechless. It was one of the best gifts he'd ever received. It was genuine and heartfelt. And one hundred percent Tegan. "Thank you baby," he said. "I love it."

Tegan laughed. "You haven't even heard it yet."

"You made it, that's all that matters."

"Look on the back."

He turned the CD around and burst out laughing.

"Where did you get that picture?"

"It was from the day you were shaving at my apartment and I started messing with the cream, remember?"

Derek chuckled. "Yeah, we made shaving cream moustaches and you took pictures with your cell."

She nodded. "I did good?"

"Oh, honey did very good." He grabbed her in his arms. "Give us a kiss, luv."

Tegan let out a squeal of protest. "Not until you brush that morning breath out."

He pretended to look offended. "Ouch. What's wrong, don't you like my monster morning breath?" He attacked her neck with wet and sloppy kisses as she tried to wiggle free.

"Oh my god, Derek stop!" she was laughing and squealing as he began to tickle her back. "No, no, no you know I'm ticklish right there!"

"That's why I do it, baby!" He held her tighter. She was always surprised at how strong he was. "I'll let you go on one condition. One kiss."

She glared suspiciously at him. "One kiss?"

"One tiny kiss. And then I'll go brush my teeth and eat like a good little boy."

Tegan sighed dramatically. "Okay, I suppose since it's just one kiss." She gave him a light peck and tried to pull away when he grabbed her face and kissed harder, his tongue sliding gracefully into her mouth. Her hands went from his arms to his inky curls, tugging on them. With one arm still clutching her tightly to him, the other hand rested on a plump ass cheek and when she lifted her leg to ground her pussy into his hardening cock, he couldn't help but groan his approval.

Derek barely heard his cell phone ringing until Tegan pushed him away. He watched her for a moment, lips swollen from his harsh kisses, her nipples already starting to pebble; he could see them through the white t-shirt she was wearing and he knew if he looked even harder, he would see the arousal dampening her grey shorts.

"You should get that," she whispered, her voice seemingly hoarse.

He nodded slowly, walking over to the nightstand and snatching up his cell phone. "'Ello?" he said, hoping like hell his voice sounded normal.

A deep chuckle greeted him on the other end. "Well, I hope I'm not interrupting anything."

"Not at all big brother. What's up?"

"Oh nothing," Dex replied. "I mean I'm only your brother who lives in the city that you're currently in and you haven't called once to say hello."

"Oh, I'm sorry Dexter. I didn't realize I was talking to Mum. Forgive me."

Dex laughed again. "I could still kick your arse, younger one. Remember that."

"Whatever old man," he said playfully. "You're like one of those declawed tigers."

"Bullshit," Dex scoffed. "This old cat can still hunt. Plus, I'm not even thirty yet, jerk."

"I think you're letting those Sexiest Men Alive lists get to your head."

The brothers laughed. Derek loved talking with his brother. Most people really didn't get his dry cheek humor. People always mistook Dex's sarcasm for being an ass, but for the most part, he was just doing it for a laugh.

"So when are you stopping by?" Dex asked. "Roxie is dying to see you. And Bells is always asking for her idiot uncle."

"I was thinking of stopping by today, if it was cool. I know Bells could use a break from her stick-in-the-mud Pops. Luckily she's got Roxie as her Mum, otherwise she'd be a boring kid."

Dex chortled. "Still a cocky little shite. I see turning twenty-four hasn't matured you."

"Nope. I'm still a tyke at heart. Hey, do you mind if I bring someone? I really want you guys to meet her."

"Her?" Dex asked. "It isn't Lottie, is it? I never really cared too much for her."

"Not at all. You'll see when I get there."

"What are you playing at, younger one?"

"Like I said, big brother, you'll see."

Dex sighed. "Alright. I'll see you here in an hour or so."

Snapping his phone shut, Derek turned to Tegan who was watching him curiously.

"So, feel like going to see a movie star?"

********

Forty-five minutes later they were driving a rented Lancer en route to Dex's L.A. mansion. Tegan drummed her fingers nervously on the window of the passenger side. Derek stole a side glance at her. "A little anxious?"

"Why do I feel like I'm about to be put on trial?" she asked.

"What?" he said, laughing.

"I'm currently on the way to meet a guy's family, his brother, who not only looks like him, but happens to currently be the world's biggest fucking movie star. Anxious is a damn understatement."

"Tegan J," he said soothingly, grabbing her hand. "Everything is going to be fine. Dex and Roxie are seriously the coolest people ever. I know my brother will adore you. He's an excellent judge of people." He kissed the back of her hand.

She sighed. "I don't know why I'm breaking like this." Because he's turning it into a big deal, she thought. Why else would he take me to meet his brother and family if he wasn't serious about us? Did this mean that he wanted there to be an us? Tegan tried to shut off her brain and the crazy questions.

"Just be your normal awesome self and that will be enough," he said. He pulled up to a wrought iron gate in front of an impressive three story house. Pressing a button, they waited for a bit before the gates opened up. Derek drove up the long cobblestone driveway before parking in front of a three-car garage.

"Wow," Tegan remarked. "Your brother's house is gorgeous."

"Yeah," Derek said. "He's a such a showoff."

They got out the car and Tegan glanced around, amazed. The outside property was a large front yard decorated in beautiful flowers and large palm trees. A small fountain sat on the side. The house itself was a sight. It was a large ranch-style painted a pale shade of terra cotta.

"Wow," she said again. "So this is how the other half lives."

"The other half?" Derek scoffed. "You're one to talk. Isn't your family worth about eighty million themselves?"

"True, but that's definitely not my money. And hey, how did you know about my father?"

Derek smiled. "Google is such an awesome tool." He reached for her hand. "Come on, Tegan J. Let's go meet my folks."

As they were walking up the pathway to the house, the front door flew open and Tegan nearly gasped. It was him, Dex Ryan. She had only seen a couple of his movies and some magazine articles but they didn't do him justice. He was breathtakingly gorgeous. He was an inch or two taller than Derek, but it was like looking in a mirror. She could see why people always brought up Dex around Derek. They really did look alike but instead of Derek's bright blue staring at her, she found a pair of deep emerald green eyes.

His hair was straighter and shorter, falling to the tops of his ears in a tousled sort of way. And he was definitely more muscular than his wiry frame younger brother. He looked so low-key and very un-Hollywood like in light blue jeans and a black v-neck tee. Tegan smiled when she noticed he was wearing black Converses just like Derek. So God really did make two of these angels, she thought.

Derek's face lit up . "Dexter Phillip!" He grabbed his brother in a hug. "It's so good to see you."

Dex lifted his younger brother off his feet.

"Nice that you made it on time. This L.A. traffic is killer." He ruffled Derek's hair. "I see you're letting that mass get longer. Nice look, hippie."

"Hey, hey, the ladies love it. Speaking of, I'd like you to meet a friend of mine. Dex, this is my friend Tegan. Tegan J., meet my brother, the one the only, People's Sexiest Man Alive three times running...Dex Ryan." He outstretched his arms in a 'ta-da' motion.

Dex rolled his eyes as Tegan stifled a giggle. "Nice to meet you, Dex."

"Likewise, Tegan. I'm really surprised, Derek that you found such a pretty girl who could stand to be around you for more than five minutes."

Derek winked impishly. "Well, let's just say I give 'em a lot to look forward to later on."

"Dear God, has he always been like this?" Tegan asked.

"Since birth I'm afraid," Dex said nodding sadly. "Come in, come in." He ushered them into the house.

Tegan was expecting lavish furniture and decorations but was pleasantly surprised. The house looked like an actual family lived there. The open foyer was cozy, painted in warm tones of reds, oranges, and golds. The front room had the same colors mixed in with brown and beige.

"Dex your house is beautiful,"

"Thanks. Although my wife is to blame. I can barely keep plaids and polka dots separate."

"Would you believe that's the same thing he said to me when I first met him?"

Tegan looked up to see a beautiful black woman enter from a doorway. She hoped the shock wasn't evident on her face. So this was the infamous Roxie. She was so pretty. She was a good two inches shorter than Tegan which long black hair that ended at the tops of her generous cleavage, displayed modestly by a white lace sundress. Tegan couldn't get over how normal she looked. She wasn't model skinny, her body was curvy from motherhood and genetics but she was still glamorous.

Roxie smiled sweetly at Derek. "Hey there, baby brother. It's good to see you."

Derek swept her up in a hug. "Hey beautiful. You're looking great."

"Pshaw. It's all a farce. Motherhood's been keeping me busy. I don't have any time to look beautiful."

"Luckily it comes naturally for you." Dex cooed. He kissed the top of his wife's head. "Kitten, this Tegan, Derek's new friend."

Roxie glanced at Tegan. "It's nice to meet you." She grabbed Tegan in a hug. "Sorry, I get a little happy."

Tegan laughed. "It's okay. I think it's great."

Roxie grinned. "Nice job on this one, Derek. She's adorable. Well come on, lunch is all set up on the patio and there's someone else who's dying to see you."

They walked past the kitchen to the outside. There was a large swimming pool with a hot tub and waterfall on one side. On the other side of the yard was a large flat patio deck under gazebo netting.

As they settled on the patio Derek heard a high-pitched giggle. "Rer-rek!"

He turned to see his two-year old niece Isabella emerge from the French doors and toddle over to him as fast as her chubby little legs could move.

Derek jumped up from his chair. "Bells!" he called.

Derek swept her into his arms and showered her with kisses. She erupted into high giggles. "Let uncle Rer-rek have a look at you." He studied the little darling, who was fast growing into a beauty like her mother. She was a warm café au lait color that was darkened by the summer sunshine. Her dark hair was nearly black and was plaited into two braids that reached down her back. Her big hazel eyes sparkled in her chubby face and she seemed almost cherubic in her bright green sundress and polka dot deck sneakers. "Did you miss me, Bella?"

"Uh-huh," she answered.

"Well show me how much. Give me the biggest kiss ever!"

Bella took a deep breath and kissed her uncle Derek hard on the cheek.

"Tight squeeze, tight squeeze," he yelled.

Her chubby little arms grasped him tighter as she continued to kiss him.

"Ahh, wonderful!" he exclaimed. "You really did miss me!"

"Guess what?" she called.

"What?"

"I'm almost this many." She held up three little fingers.

"That's amazing. Well I guess I better get you a nice big birthday present just in case."

"Yay!" she yelled. "More kisses!"

Derek laughed and obliged. Tegan's heart practically melted. He was so cute holding his niece and playing with her.

"Bells, I've got someone for you to meet." He carried her over to the table where Tegan, Dex and Roxie sat.

"Bella, this is my friend Tegan. Tegan this is my gorgeous niece Isabella Ryan."