Chapter 67: Make Her Heartbeat Erratic

Surprised, Vivienne raised her eyes to meet Derek's. A gentle smile slowly curved her lips. Derek had a knack for anticipating her needs, a quality that seemed almost uncanny. On that rainy day, after her breakup with Warren, he'd appeared with a coat, draping it over her shoulders, saying, "You need this more than I do." Now, another of his coats offered warmth against the chill.

The coat carried his distinct, earthy scent, making Vivienne's heart race. She pulled it tighter, inhaling deeply, her senses tingling.

"What cologne are you wearing, Derek?" she asked impulsively, instantly regretting her question. She bit her lip, wondering what had prompted such a random inquiry.

Amusement touched Derek's response, silencing her inner criticism. "It's custom-made. If you like, I'll have Milo send some over tomorrow."

Vivienne averted her gaze. "No, it's not right for me."

"Why not try it before deciding?" Derek replied, his smile deepening. "To truly live is to pursue what your heart wants. You eat when you're hungry; there's no need to hide your feelings when you're in love."

Doubt flickered in Vivienne's eyes. "But how can we know these feelings aren't just filling a void?"

After a thoughtful pause, Derek said, "Honestly, your appearance in my life has been an unexpected twist."

"An unexpected twist?" Vivienne's voice held a chill. Was she merely an interruption? Was he playing with her feelings? Or driven by a need to conquer?

As she turned to leave, Derek followed.

"Let me go!" Vivienne protested fiercely.

Derek's embrace was both tender and insistent. "Just listen."

"We have nothing left to discuss!" she snapped, anger lacing her voice. She'd been an unexpected twist; but what was the purpose of his recent attentions? The dinners? The roses?

"You were the last person I expected to meet, yet here you are. Falling for you was never planned, yet here I am, hopelessly drawn. To me, that's what makes it an unexpected twist," Derek explained softly. "Your worries are clear, and I feel the tenderness of your soul. Don't feel pressured to reciprocate. I'm here, ready to wait as long as it takes for you to let me in. I know you're the one I want by my side forever." His voice, as calming as a gentle breeze, sent Vivienne's heart fluttering again.

Looking up, she saw his confident smile. She hesitated, then murmured, "It's late. I should go home."

"I'll drive you."

As they crossed the street, Derek subtly pulled her closer. Vivienne glanced at him, eyebrows raised. He had a knack for testing boundaries. How much longer could her heart resist?