Morgan, Nicole - Intimate Confessions [Intimate Temptations 2] (Siren Publishing Allure) by Nicole Morgan

life gave her butterflies and sent a warmth through her body, filling her heart, her womb, and her pussy.
    She loved Derek so much. There wasn’t a day that went by that she didn’t wake up and see images of him behind her eyelids before opening them to realize he was not there. Even when she was lying beside Tony, she couldn’t get Derek out of her mind or heart. She should have told him. Instead, she let her stupid fears and embarrassment over what her body wanted become more important than the only man who had ever treated her like she mattered. Derek had cherished her and loved her so much.
    Had.
    Every memory of Derek began with “had,” “was,” or “did.” Everything was in the past tense.
    “No!”
    She jolted up from the bed and went to stand before her full length mirror.
    “You will not mess this up, Sandi, just because you did once before. Derek will be yours again, and you will spend the rest of your life cherishing him, just like he did you.”
    With a newfound purpose and focus, she went into the bathroom and started the shower. Removing her robe, she made a final vow.
    Derek said to clean up and get rest before meeting him in the Red Room at seven o’clock, and that was exactly what she was going to do. She would do everything that he asked, obey him completely, and never ever take him for granted again.
    She stepped in the shower, allowing the hot water to splash against her face and whispered to herself.
    “I love you, Derek.”

Chapter 8

    Zach entered his office and wondered if what he was doing would work. He hadn’t seen Derek in years, but from what he did remember of him, he had always been the more easygoing of the Travis brothers. He never knew him to carry a grudge or not forgive someone for their mistakes. It wasn’t as if Sandi’s betrayal and hurt was a minor infraction in the rules of the heart. It just seemed as though Derek was taking it even harder than Quinn had let on.
    He hoped he hadn’t made a mistake by bringing the two lovers back together again. His only intention was to bring happiness to an old friend and a new one. Happiness that he knew he would never find. Not in this world.
    “Ahh, quit feeling sorry for yourself, Zach.” He spoke aloud to the empty room.
    A knock at the door sounded, and he summoned whoever it was to enter. It was Aiden. The shorter-than-average man who more than made up for his lack of height with massive muscles.
    “Aiden?” Zach asked when the security guard just stared at him blankly.
    “Yes, boss?”
    With an amused chuckle, Zach answered, “Did you need something?”
    “Huh?” Aiden fumbled with some papers and walked toward Zach’s desk. “I just wanted to give you these. They’re the estimates for the new fire pit lounge area you want to put on the east side of the yard.”
    Reaching for the papers, Zach noticed that his employee seemed nervous. “Thank you. I appreciate it.”
    “Sure. No problem. You had said you wanted at least four bids, but I got seven. Just to make sure you get the best deal.”
    “Well, thank you. I appreciate an employee looking out for my best interest and bottom line.”
    He was flipping through the pages, scanning the figures on them, when he felt the other man’s eyes stuck to him.
    “Was there something else, Aiden?”
    “No. No, that was it.” He gave Zach a casual nod and headed toward the door.
    Zach was never one to make assumptions. It was a quality in most people he despised. All they ever did was lead to misunderstandings. In this case though, he was going to have to break his own rule.
    “Aiden?”
    Turning back, Aiden answered, “Yes, boss?”
    “Aren’t you off today?” He motioned toward the wall of security cameras. “I see everyone else in their stations. You aren’t working on your day off, are you?”
    “No. Well, the last contractor just came out this morning, so I just figured, while I was here, I would stop by and give you all the estimates.”
    Zach couldn’t