It had been a while since Derek ran into the feline thief but she’d been on his mind for a while albeit he’d deny it for as long as he could. Thankfully he had enough to keep his mind busy with the new job at the rowdy bar around the corner of the apartment he rented. He already knew the busty lady visiting every second night was named Amelia but he found her high pitched voice endlessly annoying, he knew the drug dealer with the veiny arms and sunken in eyes was called Eric and he actually liked the silent police officer drinking away the stress of the job every night once he got off duty. When he couldn’t find anything better to do he relieved Damon of his shift and took an early attempt at his job.
The first few orders were nothing special, beer was the regular and he didn’t mind grabbing a few for the customers if he didn’t have to dodge the stray cat digging through the empty boxed underneath the bar, he just didn’t have the heart to toss the little guy into the elements, at times he’d share a few peanuts with the cat but they ran out of snacks two nights ago. Derek chuckled loudly at the joke called out by the tall fellow tossing darts into the wall.
The busty red head called for his attention and although he faked a charming grin serving her a shot of vodka he hoped she got drunk quickly enough so she’d pass out and her muscled friend would carry her back home, wherever that may be. He noted the obvious change of pace as the patrons started wearing warmer clothes to the bar and he knew it must have been his fault to some degree. He popped a cigarette between his lips taking a breather and he thought he’d enjoy the addictive taste when a familiar face stepped through the tall doors to his left.
“Would you look at that?”, he killed the cigarettes embers on the corner of the bar before stepping up to the wooden countertop to look at the unique stranger who’s company he’d come to enjoy. “Here for medical treatment or did you just miss me?”, his voice was gruff from a sleepless night as he looked to her with a grin. The last person he expected to see was Katherine but he was pleasantly surprised.
Post by Kathrine Richards on May 6, 2018 23:09:50 GMT
Bitch, I don’t need introduction
Follow my simple instructions
After that day with Derek, Katherine couldn’t concentrate on anything. Not even the shiniest things attracted her attention from thoughts of him. She’d find herself laying in her room, staring at the ceiling, even trying to walk past his apartment every once in awhile. She felt so captivated by him. But she wasn’t going to tell anyone, not even her mom. Recently she’d been irritable by this one client of hers and hasn’t been around home much.
‘Maybe tonight I should do something…’ She thought as she looked out the window. Two birds sat on a tree branch cuddled together. It made her think about what ifs. What if she had snuck into his bed that night? Would he have accepted it, or just pushed her out? If Debbie hadn’t been a bitch would their conversation have gone smoother? “Okay, I need a fucking drink!” Picking out a cute purple crop top, shorts that laced up the sides, converse and a leather jacket she did light makeup and went out.
Thanks to Derek her side had healed up fine. The only scar was from the bigger of the impacts and it was simple to just tell everyone it was a burn rather than a bullet. Getting into her car she drove and decided to go to someplace new. Before she knew it she was parking her car in the lot of a shady little bar. Her phone began to go off and instead she ignored it. She’d been ignoring it a lot lately. Her friends weren’t as…… entertaining anymore. They had really gotten on her nerves.
Silencing her phone she stepped out of the car and headed inside. She hadn’t expected to see that familiar handsome smile, that stormy scent. She couldn’t help the growing smile on her face and the giddy skip to her walk. “Well, howdy stranger.” She winked. “Heh, oh I bet you’d love to stick your finger back into my hole.” She didn’t know where that had come from, but she had made her own cheeks flush with embarrassment.
Taking a seat in front of him, “I just needed to get out. Decided to go someplace new. Just my luck to run into you again Derek.” A genuine smile crossed her lips as she looked at the drinks. A shiver ran down her spine as she felt a cold draft, but it felt nice. “So, better open up a tab for me. Start me off with your best whiskey on the rocks.”
“Not loud enough for my taste”, Derek grinned with an untainted charm as he glanced at the beautiful mystery in front of him. “Sassy? Sounds like a catch but I think you just missed him”, he spared her a quick, almost playful wink gesturing to the backdoor. He hoped that she spoke about him and not some other asshole bubbling over with sass and snark.
To be honest, Derek wasn’t looking for a relationship and he never really did good with those either. If they didn’t end up leaving hi because of his shrouded past they were left behind in the rearview mirror of a stolen car. Never staying in the same place for long proved about as nutritious for a relationship as it did for his sanity. But he’d been thinking about this particular girl since he stumbled onto her wounded figure in that dark alley but he wouldn’t admit that with a gun against his head.
“At least the little guy purrs for me”, he looked from the ball of fluff still tickling at the rough fabric of his jeans before glancing back up at her. Derek felt a genuine smile tug at his lips, it was almost surreal and he barely even knew what it felt like to open up to anyone. He wasn’t about to divulge his deepest secrets just because she haunted his dreams but he felt as if he could drop the shield and bust down his defenses for a simple, real smile.
Derek rubbed the thick stubble along his jaw with a curious glance to the happenings inside the bar. Two men were begging for blood in the corner but he knew the older of the two would likely pass out before he got even one hit in. she was right though, safety was an almost mythical term and nowhere was even remotely harmless these days.
Derek wanted nothing more but to taste the addiction of her lips, hell, he’d thought about it for hours as he stared at the empty roof but he’d never indulge the desire. The fact stayed, he would move eventually and attachments only made the drive all the more exhausting. Derek’s smile faltered as a seriousness grew over his chiseled features.
“I told you – it’s dangerous being around me. Enjoy your drink”, he was afraid if he stood looking into her eyes a moment longer his intense conviction against romance would falter. Instead he opted to tidy up what he could behind the bar before offering the patrons their wanted beverage. In the crystalline reflection of a tall glass he could see Katherine for a split second and something inside him begged for an intimacy but Derek knew how easy it was for people to die because of him. He didn’t want Katherine to get hurt.
Post by Kathrine Richards on May 7, 2018 14:05:18 GMT
Bitch, I don’t need introduction
Follow my simple instructions
“Oh, no. But you did make me scream.” Katherine couldn't hide the playful smirk as she sipped her drink. She giggled at his compliment. “Well, I would be lying if I said I wasn't dressing up for someone. Big, sassy, man I met a few days ago.” She was talking about him, but most guys wouldn't immediately get that. She wondered if he'd be the same. If he got jealous and slipped up...maybe it would be a sign for something between them.
Katherine wasn't desperate to be in another relationship. She was looking for someone to have fun with. At least that's what she kept telling herself. 'Then how come you always think of just laying with him in bed?’ Her subconscious asked her. She couldn't deny it herself but if anyone asked she'd refuse to admit it. Besides he wanted her to stay away…she just couldn't.
Watching as his attention was averted down she was curious when he said someone was being rude. Taking a moment to sniff she smiled sweetly. “Awe you disappoint me Derek. I thought I was the only kitty you liked.”
Katherine waved a hand at him dismissing his comment. “No neighborhood is a safe one.” But she paused for a moment. “I don't think that's going to be happening anytime soon.” Her tone was a little softer as she swirled the liquid in the glass. Taking a sip she placed it gently down.
“I haven't been out for a few nights. I've been pretty distracted by something that night we met.” She didn't understand why she was practically admitting her confusing feelings. She wanted to know why she felt she could.let her guard down with him. Every wall she had built up she felt he could just crumble with a single touch. It was both relieving… but scary. She hadn't ever really let one behind her walls before. “Just mostly curious if you're really just the rough type in bed.” She tried to play it off as a sex offer, but her eyes avert to the little jukebox in the corner watching the lights.
“Not loud enough for my taste”, Derek grinned with an untainted charm as he glanced at the beautiful mystery in front of him. “Sassy? Sounds like a catch but I think you just missed him”, he spared her a quick, almost playful wink gesturing to the backdoor. He hoped that she spoke about him and not some other asshole bubbling over with sass and snark.
To be honest, Derek wasn’t looking for a relationship and he never really did good with those either. If they didn’t end up leaving hi because of his shrouded past they were left behind in the rearview mirror of a stolen car. Never staying in the same place for long proved about as nutritious for a relationship as it did for his sanity. But he’d been thinking about this particular girl since he stumbled onto her wounded figure in that dark alley but he wouldn’t admit that with a gun against his head.
“At least the little guy purrs for me”, he looked from the ball of fluff still tickling at the rough fabric of his jeans before glancing back up at her. Derek felt a genuine smile tug at his lips, it was almost surreal and he barely even knew what it felt like to open up to anyone. He wasn’t about to divulge his deepest secrets just because she haunted his dreams but he felt as if he could drop the shield and bust down his defenses for a simple, real smile.
Derek rubbed the thick stubble along his jaw with a curious glance to the happenings inside the bar. Two men were begging for blood in the corner but he knew the older of the two would likely pass out before he got even one hit in. she was right though, safety was an almost mythical term and nowhere was even remotely harmless these days.
Derek wanted nothing more but to taste the addiction of her lips, hell, he’d thought about it for hours as he stared at the empty roof but he’d never indulge the desire. The fact stayed, he would move eventually and attachments only made the drive all the more exhausting. Derek’s smile faltered as a seriousness grew over his chiseled features.
“I told you – it’s dangerous being around me. Enjoy your drink”, he was afraid if he stood looking into her eyes a moment longer his intense conviction against romance would falter. Instead he opted to tidy up what he could behind the bar before offering the patrons their wanted beverage. In the crystalline reflection of a tall glass he could see Katherine for a split second and something inside him begged for an intimacy but Derek knew how easy it was for people to die because of him. He didn’t want Katherine to get hurt.
Post by Kathrine Richards on May 7, 2018 20:58:49 GMT
Bitch, I don’t need introduction
Follow my simple instructions
“Well the next time I won’t be gagged.” Taking another sip she smiled. “Nice try, but no cigar.” She wagged her index finger at him. Seeing the little shifts in his face she felt her jealousy trick worked some. A little smirk made it to the corner of her lips as she sipped. The burning of the alcohol was nice, making her feel warmer.
She laughed some as Derek retorted about the purring. “Well, if someone turned those flirty threats into promises it might be a different story. Besides,” She took a longer sip, “I don’t think you could do it. No man has.” She gave him a look that said ‘I dare you’. But as soon as he smiled, she felt her legs go to jelly and her heart quickened in pace. ‘No… I don’t like him more than a hook up… that’s all it is. It’s just… sexual tension.’
Coming out of her thoughts she was disappointed to see his smile falter with a seriousness in his eyes. Her own smirk fell into a straight line. There he was pushing her away again. This time, it stung worse than that bullet had. Her heart was feeling tight, but she wasn’t going to cry at this. “Yeah, but that just sounds like friendly advice. But someone told me to ignore their advice because they weren’t the best role model.” She threw back at him.
She didn’t even want to finish the drink now. Katherine bit her thumbnail some before throwing a twenty up on the bar top. She was pissed, and the last thing she needed to do was get kicked out because the “Employee” refused her advances. He could keep the change, she needed to do something reckless. Driving buzzed could do that for her. That void in her heart felt larger though at the thought.
She wasn’t going to throw a little temper tantrum like a child, but at that moment all she wanted to do was stomp her feet and scream at Derek. Yell out everything she was thinking about him, how he made her so confused. But also...how he filled that void where thieving used to. Her body was starting to feel the warm buzz flowing through as she stood up to walk away. She wasn’t that great at holding her liquor. She could feel her eyelids getting a little heavier, but maybe she could nap in the car.
“And here I thought you were a little kinky”, he chucked lightly swatting at her index finger. For a moment he was lost in the idea of a passionate embrace, he had to force his mind elsewhere to regain his composure. There was no future here for him, not for long and an attachment to Katherine would only make leaving that much harder.
He saw the shift in her features and he knew his rude rejection in fear of her safety hurt her, he just didn’t know whether it hurt her as much as it stung him. He hated being the rude dick that kept pushing her away, he felt something more for her than a useless hookup. Katherine was unique and special and he enjoyed every second with her, he had to ignore it though. Sentiment could get him killed, or worse, Katherine. The last thing he wanted was her death on his mind.
“At least you’ll be safe”, he wasn’t sure whether she could hear him as he turned away from her, but he meant every syllable. Her safety was worth his heartbreak, besides, eventually he’d drown his sorrows in a bottle of bourbon and lose himself to a raging storm and the past would be left where it couldn’t haunt him.
He saw her set the cash on the bar top out of the corner of his eye, he also noted the angry glint to her gaze and he couldn’t help but feel like someone dumped his corpse into the sewer. All he wanted was to rewind the time to that first moment they met, help her out and take her home. It would be a lot easier to push her away if every fiber of his being didn’t beg him to pull her closer.
Derek sighed glancing at his watch and saw Katherine leave the bar, at first he thought it was a good thing but when his shift ended and his furry little friend darted to wherever he spent his nights he noticed two assholes peeking at a lone parked car in front of the bar. If he wasn’t mistaken it was Katherine’s but she was nowhere to be seen. Automatically his mind went into a distressed turmoil.
He wasn’t sure where she went but there was a gnawing feeling tearing through him, it made him believe something was terribly wrong. Derek wrapped a hand in his messy hair and tugged at the ends as he looked around the road for any sign of her. He didn’t want to get attached but he was attached since the moment he laid eyes on her and all he wanted was for her to be safe.
“Fuck!” he called out to the darkness around him and glanced at the two youngsters begging a beating. “If anything happens to the car, I’ll beat the shit out of you”, his eyes flashed a brilliant blue and thunder rumbled in the sky. They looked nonchalant at first and then darted off in fear.
Post by Kathrine Richards on May 11, 2018 0:44:38 GMT
I feel like giving up
It isn’t in my blood
She had heard his little comment but rolled her eyes. Katherine thought herself capable of keeping herself pretty damn safe except that night. She wished she hadn’t been shot… shaking her head she wiped at her watery eyes and got in her car. Pulling out her keys she fidgeted with them before placing them in the cup holder.
Everything she felt was starting to become overwhelming. Normally she felt so secure with her feelings, with how she looked, everything pretty much. Except when it came to committing to anything. Her last guy was talking about rings and she had panicked. It hadn’t been because of everything he wasn’t doing right. Or that he was still at home with his parents. It was her own insecurity to make him happy for the rest of their lives together.
A hand went to her mouth as she muffled her sobs. The one guy she felt such a strong connection to kept pushing her away. Maybe this is what she deserved. She hurt so many before, it was time to get a taste of her own medicine. The tears flowed freely as she leaned against the wheel. Pulling out her phone she wanted to see if her friends would at least hang out for the night, but instead, she threw it in anger shattering the screen.
Katherine felt destined to be alone. All she really wanted was someone to love her and stay. To fill this empty void where a lover could fit, not stupid insignificant knick-knacks. She blamed her mom for the longest time, but it’s all she knew. She didn’t want to be anything like her, but she was. Every man before she could date would be gone within what felt like a day. Her mother just used them and took what she could. Katherine had watched it happen so much she didn’t actually want to take the chance on what she thought as a child to be true love, or what could be seen as that.
Derek was different though. He broke her walls without trying. One smartass comment, flirty banter, and she went weak in the knees. Her heart fluttered every time he smiled that genuine boyish grin. She wanted nothing more than to go in there and punch him, but she wanted nothing more than for him to chase after her and hold her close. Pounding her hands against the steering wheel she eventually decided to just lay her seat back. Maybe sleeping would help.
Katherine curled herself up as tightly as she could and closed her eyes. Her mind raced with thoughts of Derek, possible futures and ending up with it all ripped away from her. She hadn’t realized how long she was asleep until she heard someone curse loudly. Sadly, her mood hadn’t improved as she noticed a guy ogling her body from the window of her car. Hearing the threat of a beating if they didn’t leave the car alone was amusing to some degree, but not even a smile graced her lips.
She didn’t want to sit up, but seeing how late it was outside she guessed she had “overslept” for the simple nap she wanted. Hearing the thunder rumbling outside she knew who it was. Katherine rubbed her eyes as she forced herself up. She knew she probably looked like hell but she didn’t care. She was thankful for her waterproof makeup.
Looking out the window she noticed Derek a lot closer than she had expected and she unlocked the door. Her eyes were probably still bloodshot, puffy. Her cheeks still stained with her tears. She opened the door and turned towards him. Her chest hurt so much she was surprised she was even breathing.
His eyes were a brilliant blue like the lightning that coursed through the skies above them. Worry was etched on his face with panic and she teared up. “Don’t look so worried. Someone might think you care.” She tried to joke and forget about her problems. Her heart skipped with pain as her eyes downcast to the pavement.
Derek couldn’t describe the relief washing over him as he saw her climbing out of the car but the closest he came was the first gasp of painful air after suffocating under the weight of a hurricane’s waves. Derek felt the weight on his chest lift as if gravity no longer existed in the air around him and the shake in his electrically pulsing veins died down in slow embers of pure relief. He wasn’t exactly a pessimist but he half expected to see a mugshot of her dead body on the next morning’s papers, maybe because he’d lost so many people in all the years he’s lived. Katherine meant more to him than he could fully grasp and it scared him as much as the idea of a deep, intimate connection thrilled him.
He could see the touch of agony raging over her face in subtle hints of dried tears and puffy eyes. If he could he’d bust his own face in for causing her any measure of grief but he knew he only meant well. She’d be better off finding someone else to love instead of dying for a curse his father invoked. The dead, pathetic old bastard who left his two children scattered to the wind in fear for the business deals he left undone.
“Don’t you fucking get it!” he blamed the exclamation on the ultimate high from the raging thunder begging his attention but really it was that pumping organ begging to be released from unseen bonds. “I care, more than I goddamn should and it’s killing me because I know in the end it’ll only end up killing you instead!”, Derek reached out to grasp her slim shoulders in his calloused hands and begged her beautiful gaze to find the truth in his. He would never forgive himself if anything should happen to her.
“I should’ve never dragged you into this, eventually you’ll forget about all of this and I won’t be the reason you’re buried in a ditch”, his voice grew low and he felt little pieces of him chip away and shatter at his words. Every single fiber of his being begged him to pull her closer for a passionate embrace and enjoy the bliss of her touch for a night under the stars before he left. Derek knew then that everything about her was keeping him stuck to this little town because every second he saw her face he felt more alive than he was aware could be possible, every word from her lips was a drug he couldn’t get enough of and every second staring into her eyes was another link in the chain begging him to anchor if only to see her one more day. It’s why he would leave. He’d get some shut eye that night, pack his duffel and be off after his last shift the following night. That way he’d force both of them to let go, for the sake of her safety and his sanity.
Albeit he could feel a horrifying pain stab at his temples at the very thought and a painful tear through his chest. He didn’t want to leave but he had no choice. If he spent another day in town he might be held back for eternity, or as long as those bastards took to find him again. They always did and someone always died.
Post by Kathrine Richards on May 11, 2018 20:40:03 GMT
I feel like giving up
It isn’t in my blood
All Katherine could do was stand there and listened as Derek admitted he cared for her. Her eyes bore into his as he grasped her shoulders. All she wanted to see was lies, betrayal, deceit. But she saw the truth, the pain, the worry. All of it. Her bottom lip trembled before she looked away again. And again she felt like a child stuck in a dark room with no light in sight. Just the terrifying rumbling of a storm over head with no one to turn to.
Her chest felt numb, as did the thudding of her heart. She just wanted to forget now, but she knew she couldn’t, and it hurt worse when he said she would. “No I won’t…… it might be easy for you… but you don’t carry around the scars from that night. If I hadn’t wanted to be part of this, I’d have already moved on.” A hand went to her abdomen and lightly brushed over the smooth edges of the healed wound.
The pain, the flirting, the uncertainty and excitement from it all came rushing back. Her breath hitched in her throat as she tried to keep from crying. “It’s always the ones you care about most that leave.” Her shoulders shook with the force of her held back sobs. “Please… don’t leave me.” Her voice was nothing more than a whisper as her hands reached out for his shirt, grasping it tightly in her small hands.
Derek wanted to argue how hard it would be for him to move on, he wanted her to know how absolutely impossible it would be to forget her but he kept it bottled up like always. The emotions blowing away at every inch of his soul was begging to tear him apart and he couldn’t help but feel the tightness of his chest break through his rib cage like someone was digging a knife into his chest.
Derek felt his throat close up in a terrifying knot and he had to keep himself from shaking. He didn’t want to leave, he wanted to hold her close and rip away all the rough edges of whatever was brewing and breaking between them. Everything about her was beautiful and enticing but that broken look in her eyes was enough to shake him to the core.
“There’s no future for us Katherine. I’m sorry”, he pulled his hands from her perhaps a little too roughly and he felt his entire being shatter at the space between them. Derek looked to the sky for guidance, absolutely fearful that he might lose himself if he kept looking at her. He felt his hands shake and his eyes water at the thought of leaving her and his feet never felt so heavy before. At that moment he was leaving behind someone he loved beyond a doubt even if he couldn’t admit it. He had to give up his sister because his powers were killing her and now he had to give up Katherine for the sins of his father. Life was cruel but nothing ever prepared him for the absolute terror and agony ripping through him like a hurricane. No storm could ever soothe that deep despair.
