Chapter 120

Vivienne spun around sharply, her wide eyes meeting Derek’s gaze. His dark irises seemed endless, drawing her in. “Derek…” she whispered.

“It’s me,” he replied, his tone low and steady, laced with an emotion she couldn’t decipher.

“Why didn’t you leave with your team?” she asked, her voice wavering.

“I’ll always stand by you,” he said, each word deliberate and firm. “You can ask me a hundred times, and my answer won’t change.” His calm tone carried undeniable authority.

Vivienne’s lashes fluttered; she tightened her grip on her coffee cup, the ceramic cool against her trembling fingers. He wasn’t just answering her; he was promising something far deeper.

Turning her head, she murmured, “Don’t make such promises. I’m not sure I’m capable of living up to them.”

“Not capable?” Derek repeated softly, yet probingly.

Before she could retreat, he reached out, gently taking her wrist. He lifted her coffee cup and sipped from the spot her lipstick had marked. The faint red stain transferred to his lips; with a flick of his tongue, he wiped it away.

“This is…” she began, faltering.

He noticed her flustered expression and arched a brow, feigning innocence. “What?”

Vivienne stared, heat creeping up her cheeks as her pulse quickened. “I still have work to finish. I might be late leaving tonight.”

She turned to leave, but before she could move, his hand wrapped around her waist, pulling her into his arms. His lips brushed her ear, his breath warm, his voice a deep murmur sending shivers down her spine. “Vivienne, if you believe in yourself, you can live up to anything.”

Live up to anything… How could she?

Vivienne lowered her gaze, concealing the storm of emotions in her eyes. Derek stood still, his gaze unwavering. Like a hunter assessing his prey, he gave her time to decide, his patience infinite. Slowly, he loosened his hold. “It’s fine. I can wait,” he said, his tone calm but heavy with unspoken meaning.

As his warmth faded, Vivienne felt an ache, as if something essential was slipping away. Before she could fully process this, her hand shot out, grabbing his.

Derek froze, surprise flickering in his eyes before being replaced by something unreadable. Then she kissed him. Her lips brushed his, cool and impossibly soft, leaving a fleeting, unforgettable sensation. The delicate touch ignited something uncontrollable within him. For a brief moment, his mind emptied, consumed by the fire she had lit.

Though the kiss lasted only seconds, it left Derek breathless. His gaze burned as he looked at Vivienne, his eyes darkened with unmistakable intensity.

Vivienne pulled back slowly, determination shining in her eyes—a resolve he hadn’t seen before. “Derek, if you stay by my side, I will never leave you!”

Her words hung in the air, a challenge and a promise intertwined. Derek’s gaze deepened, his expression unreadable. The silence felt endless, taut with tension.

Vivienne searched his face, hoping to find some crack in his calm exterior. Yet, the longer he remained impassive, the more vulnerability pressed against her. Her smile wavered, her grip faltering as self-doubt crept in. She began to let go.

But before she could pull away, Derek’s hand tightened around hers. In one fluid motion, he drew her back against him, his arm wrapping firmly around her waist. With his free hand, he tilted her chin up, his thumb grazing her skin with surprising gentleness. His lips curled into a smirk, and a deep laugh rumbled from his chest. “Darling, some things should always be said by a man,” he murmured, his voice a low caress, each word steeped in quiet authority.

Vivienne met his gaze, her breath catching as her heart thundered. His nearness, his intensity, made her pulse race.

“Then… how should I respond?” she asked, her voice trembling slightly, each word carrying a mix of apprehension and hope.

Derek’s smirk deepened. His answer came swift and unyielding, leaving no room for doubt. “With actions,” he replied, his voice as resolute as the promise his eyes held.