Chapter 466 - The Wedding (M&H) (8)

Angela felt guilty that Derek snuffed Roberto like that, but her happiness that Derek is holding her hand while leading the way to the dancefloor overshadowed anything else.

Derek acted swiftly, confidently, and she didn't have a chance to respond other than to follow after him.

Before Angela knew what was going on, Derek stopped and made her twirl twice before pulling her toward him.

Angela gasped. His right hand held her left one, and his left palm rested at the middle of her back. His proximity was intoxicating, and the most surprising was that Derek can dance! Somehow, she imagined that he would be one of those cool non-dancing guys who only stick to the bar and chug their beer.

She stared at him with a foolish grin on her face and he had his signature cocky smirk on as they moved on the dancefloor without a word spoken.

Roberto watched them from the side while holding onto a bouquet of white roses. For some reason, he felt like a dog. Or a servant. Just what was that?

Roberto was sure that things are going well with Angela, but then Derek showed up and… Roberto cursed internally. He always took pride in his speed and reflexes, and he was supposed to catch that bouquet and save Angela, yet Derek shook him up to the point of Roberto not seeing a projectile coming their way. And to make things worse, Derek reminded him that he should oversee the security of the event, and then gave him flowers to carry to the table. 

Roberto groaned in frustration and turned to find where Angela's seat is.

…

Liz and Max danced, and her face lit up when she noticed Isaac and Foxy dancing a bit further away. With all the commotion about the bachelorette's party and wedding preparations, other than quick 'hi-bye', they didn't interact.

"After a few songs, we should go and spend some time with my dad and Foxy. I don't want them to think that we are avoiding them.", Liz said, and when Max didn't respond, she clarified: "You don't need to come if you don't feel like it. It's my dad, so…"

Max frowned a bit in disapproval. "I'm coming with you. I will not leave your side. Andrea is here. Somewhere."

Liz giggled. "Out of all these men, you are worried about Andrea."

"Do I need to worry about men snatching you away from me?"

"No. But you should not worry about Andrea either."

Max made a face. "Let's not talk about her. I want to enjoy today. My brother married your best friend, and you've got to be the maid-of-honor."

Liz smiled dreamily. "And the best part is that I get to dance with the hunkiest man at the wedding."

Max's grip on Liz intensified and he spoke without breaking eye contact: "You get to do much more than just dance, love. Feel free to monopolize me because I am all yours. Now and forever."

Liz stared into his deep blue eyes and her heart expanded because his words sounded like a promise. 

"I would kiss you, but I fear that I won't be able to stop...", Liz breathed.

Max inched closer and spoke into her lips: "No need to stop, love. We have a room..."

Liz swallowed the rest of his words in a kiss which he returned eagerly. It's not like they need a room anyway. They already did it in many places that didn't have a bed (or walls and a roof) and it was wonderful.

…

Ashton's eyes were flaring and if a look could kill, Derek would be dead while twirling Angela the first time.

"What the…?", Ashton said under his breath. He was dancing with Sabrina, but his attention was totally on Derek and Angela.

Sabrina was not sure what to say to pacify her husband but by now she confirmed how Ashton required more work than William. It's like she has two babies to take care of, but one is cute and tiny and sleeps a lot, while the other one is handsome and big and can cause a scene. And both babies get dazed at the sight of her bare breasts.

"Ash, honey… Roberto, or Derek, or anyone else, she needs to learn to handle guys.", Sabrina reminded Ashton gently.

"But that is Derek…", Ashton squeezed through his teeth. Didn't he tell that bastard to stay away from Angela? And what is with all those smiles? He made her cry! Did she forget already?

"Does it matter if it's Derek or anyone else?", Sabrina asked. "You hit him and told him to stay away. Why are you expecting him to respect your friendship if you broke it off?"

"What?"

Sabrina's eyebrow twitched. "You can't have double standards, Ash. It's confusing for everyone. You either want to be friends with Derek and have expectations of him, or you treat him like a stranger. But forget about Derek. Why don't you look at Angela? She is happy. And yes, I know… he made her cry, but she is smiling now, and that should tell you that she cares about him, otherwise he wouldn't be able to impact her so much. Don't spoil this for her."

"Why do you care about Derek?", Ashton asked grumpily.

"I don't care about Derek. But I care about Angela and I care about you. Derek is not doing anything against her will, and they are only dancing. Even if they are doing more than dancing, as long as he treats her well, you should not get in-between them." Sabrina's expression darkened. "Is it possible that you forgot how it felt when Hunter was against us being together without giving us a chance to explain? What you are doing is not helping anyone, and it's spoiling my mood on my brother's wedding, damnit!"

Ashton cleared his throat. "I'm sorry, Rina… I won't look at them."

"No, Ash. I want you to look at them. Look at Angie and tell me if she is in distress. I don't know what happened between them, but I can see that she is enjoying. We can't predict what will happen tomorrow or in a week, but it's obvious that she is happy right now and I won't stand on the side and watch you ruin this for her because I know you are better than that."

Ashton felt a pang in his chest. Everything Sabrina said was true and he was being selfish. But… was it wrong to worry about his sister?

He forced himself to focus on Sabrina and think about Angela and Derek later. Surely, Derek will not do anything inappropriate on the dancefloor or at the wedding.

…

Angela was lost in Derek's endless chocolate eyes and his smile put her under a spell.

He made her move and twirl and bend, without letting her go out of his arms, and it was perfect.

One song, two, four… They lost count, but little by little, their pace slowed down, and they started moving at their own tune.

"Are you thirsty or tired?", Derek asked Angela.

"No. I'm afraid that if we stop dancing, we will separate."

Derek watched Angela during the ceremony, and then while she had a drink with Roberto, and then as she stood next to Roberto while Mia and Hunter danced, and he barely controlled himself from coming to her side, but now he heard that she wants to be with him, and there was only one answer. "Nothing can separate us, baby. Just say the word, and I will take you away from here."

"What about Ash?" Angela had to bring him up.

"He can hit me if he wants, but that will not separate us. You will get to tend to my injuries."

Angela's heart tightened. She didn't want Derek to be injured. Not because of her, and not because of anyone else. "I will not let him hit you. I will explain the situation to Ash before he can get close to you."

Derek smiled while thinking that Angela will protect him. He got himself a feisty girlfriend.

Angela's face fell a bit when she remembered that her brother is stubborn (it runs in the family). "What will I do if he does not listen? What if he sends me back to Idaho?"

"You are always welcome to my place."

Angela looked up at Derek with eyes open wide as he continued talking.

"I will hold you every night, and make you breakfast in the morning, and make sure there is milk in the fridge. You already have your toothbrush in my bathroom. We can make that our bathroom. I have a job, and it might not be much, but I'm sure I can support us both while you focus on your studies."

Her insides melted. Angela's smile told Derek that she likes the idea of living with him.

"I have a job also…", she reminded him.

"Sounds like we got it figured out. Let me know when you want to move, and I will help you carry your stuff over." Before she could respond,  Derek got ahold of a stray strand of hair and tucked it behind Angela's ear. "Did I tell you that you are stunning?"

"And you are dashing…", Angela responded. "Even though I prefer you in your leather pants and jacket."

"You do?"

"Mhm… I mean, this is very nice, but it makes you look like a gentleman."

Derek's handsome eyebrow arched. "I am a gentleman."

"Is that how you call what you did to me last night? And this morning?", Angela said teasingly even though she blushed from embarrassment. Her smile froze when she saw Derek inching closer.

"A gentleman does not do things against lady's wishes.", his husky voice swept into her ear and it made her shiver. He pecked her cheek. "A gentleman makes sure that lady comes first." He chuckled at the double-meaning of his words, even though he was focusing on the naughty option. "Tell me, baby… was I not a gentleman?"

Angela was not sure if she was breathing, but she knew that she was aroused. He must be a definition of sin. 

"Yes. You were a perfect gentleman.", she breathed and tilted her head.

Their noses touched and they moved toward each other at the same time.

Derek felt Angela's lips brush against his and he gathered her close to him as her arms snaked around his neck.

God, how he missed her, and the intensity of her kiss told him that she missed him as well.

"Sorry, baby, but I don't think that I can stick to the plan.", Derek spoke in her lips that were slightly parted, silently asking for more kisses.

"What?", she whispered breathlessly.

"I can't stay away and pretend there is nothing going on between us. I need you close to me, baby. If Ashton has any questions, I will be happy to answer them. I only hope that I don't cause you trouble."

Angela's eyes smiled. "I demand that you stick close to me and if Ashton comes, we will answer his questions together."

"Mhm…", Derek hummed in approval. And then he kissed her again, and again.

Derek and Angela held each other kissed on the dancefloor and they forgot to dance two songs ago.

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