“Created new species?” I tilted my head in confusion. “Do you mean heinventedPike berries?”
“Among other things. Like the wheat we use, for example.” She pointed to the burlap sack on the counter. “But Pike berries were his pride and joy. They contain more nutrients and antioxidants than any other edible plant on this Earth, and they grow nearly all year round.”
“Are you serious?” My mind was immediately whirring with all of the amazing ways I could monetize Pike berries and seal the deal to keep my job at MasonCorp. If what Eleanor was saying was true, Derek’s hotel idea wouldn’t stand a chance against a newly discovered superfood growing in our own soil. “Why doesn’t everyone know about this?”
“According to my father-in-law, John William Pike watched his community be razed to the ground and his neighbors beslaughtered because of greed and jealousy. He wanted Miller’s Cove to be an oasis from all the ugliness in our world. Some of his finest work will never pass town limits, except for the occasional cookie”—she winked at me, and her trusting smile made my heart break—“and that’s the way he wanted it. I think these might be just about ready.” She used a dish towel to pull a tray of golden-brown tarts out of the oven. “And that is why you can’t find Pike berries outside of Miller’s Cove.” She broke a corner off a tart and blew on it before popping it into her mouth. “And you never will.”
I understood Derek’s beleaguered expression from last night. I had no recollection of the taxi ride home, and I couldn’t shake the overwhelming feeling of guilt and shame that clung to me like a second skin.
Derek and I had infiltrated Miller’s Cove like a virus, a Trojan horse in the form of a newlywed couple with an adorable dog. They’d let their guard down and welcomed us past their gates, so that when they least expected it, we could destroy everything they loved.
By the time I’d gotten to the front door, I realized I had been crying. The Derry house had a large wooden wraparound porch with a bench swing that I’d barely registered until this moment. I decided to sit—and swing—for few minutes to compose myself before facing Derek. He would immediately know something was wrong by the look on my face. I would’ve been happy to talk tohim about it, but he’d received this information a day before I had and had chosen not to share it with me. I briefly wondered if this was what he’d been trying to tell me this morning before changing his mind. I didn’t know if it was because he still didn’t trust me or if he was having just as much trouble wrapping his head around it as I was.
Whatever the reason, I knew it would be better to keep it to myself while I figured out my next move. The only thing I knew for sure was that I wasn’t going to submit my proposal, and I was going to do everything in my power to protect Miller’s Cove and preserve John William Pike’s vision. I just wasn’t sure how I was going to do this and not lose Derek in the process.
After taking a deep, cleansing breath and wiping away my tears, I stood to enter The Derry House. Before I could reach the handle, the front door flew open, and I was standing face-to-face with Derek.
“Hey,” I called to him in shock. “What are you doing?”
“I came out here to look for you.” His expression was sheepish, and it made my heart clench. “I heard your car pull up and pull away. Then when you didn’t come inside…” He trailed off.
“Derek Carter.” I wrapped my arms around his neck and fluttered my eyelashes at him. “Did you miss me?”
“Miss you?” he scoffed, “Girl, please.” He wrapped his arms around my waist, interlocking his fingers on the small of my back. “You weren’t gone that long.”
“Mm-hmm.” I raised a skeptical eyebrow.
“I really came out here to make sure you didn’t get snatched up or lost again.”
“Whatever.” I shook my head at him, and he grinned down at me.
“Yes, okay.” He pressed his lips against my forehead. “I missed you. I missed you like crazy. You happy now?”
“Yes.” I smiled up at him, feeling the stress, guilt, and worry melt away. “I’m happy now.”
“What were you doing out here anyway?”
“Just getting some air.” I sighed.
“Well, there’s plenty of air inside if you’re interested.” He waggled his eyebrows at me.
“I’m very interested.”
“Good.” He hoisted me onto his shoulder, eliciting a surprised squeal, and carried me inside, kicking the front door of The Derry House closed with his foot.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Derek
I didn’t put Jasmine down until we’d reached the bedroom, which was no easy feat with Tora attacking me as soon as I entered the apartment. I only let her go for the briefest of moments while I undressed and crawled into bed beside her. She eyed me wordlessly as I slowly peeled her out of her clothing one article at a time. I pressed a kiss to the soft fragrant skin on the tops of each of her toes and gradually worked my way up her body, lingering on her thighs and hips. She squirmed under my palms as I pressed my fingertips into the delicate but firm globes of her breasts. She let out heartbreakingly beautiful moans that made my chest tighten. I wanted to be inside her so badly I thought I might go insane, but I also wanted to take my time exploring and committing every square inch of her body to memory.
Jasmine Morgan was the most amazing thing that had ever happened to me. I’d wasted so much time in Miller’s Cove with her at arm’s length, trying to delay the inevitable. Now that I’daccepted the truth, the thought of losing her again terrified me. How many more times would I be able to smooth my palms along the insides of her thighs? How many more times would I hear her intoxicating laugh when I caressed the ticklish curve of her waist with the backs of my fingertips?
“Derek?” Jasmine’s soft voice pulled me out of my thoughts.
“Yes, kitten?” I placed a soft kiss on the gentle curve of her right breast before looking up to meet her soft brown eyes.
“Exactly how much did you miss me?” She reached up and cupped one of my cheeks with her palm to slowly guide our mouths together.
