[Kate Austen]

Vielen lieben Dank für das FB :o <3 Wenn ihr wüsstet, wie motivierend das ist... Ich hoffe, dass euch der nächste [extra lange] Teil auch so gut gefällt.

+ Update +

Meredith felt his warm palm resting between her shoulder blades. The parts of her body where his touch found her naked skin where on fire, and simultaneously, she was shaking from tip to toe. It was one of those moments when your body follows its natural impulses and you do not have control over it. Your brain has 14 billion neutrons firing at a speed of almost 450 miles per hour, every single one telling your hackles to prickle… your legs to tremble… your throat to dry up.
Hello? Talking over control!
She could sense him standing behind her… his face near her ear…

Goose bumps.

She felt his hot breath brushing calmly against the soft skin of her neck…

Adrenaline.

He was gently pushing her off the stage now, leading her out of the emptying hall and into the ballroom. There, as well, a huge stage was set up in the front, already monopolized by a Big Band playing some old and some not so old swing songs. The soft chords found their ways to her ears and she absently started swaying her head to the music while they were cutting their way through the crowd, letting the lyrics carry her away to another place far away… letting her forget everything around her…
A hostess led them to an empty table, not without giving Meredith an almost envious side glance when she noticed the way he looked at her, touched her. Meredith pretended to not have noticed, and Derek was too lost in her anyway as that he could realize anything that happened around him. All gentleman-y, he pulled the chair out for her which she acknowledged with a warm smile.

“So,” he said when she had smoothed down her dress to sit down, “you’re thirsty?”

She touched her throat with her fingers and swallowed. It was still dried, probably because of her previous excitement.

“Uhm, yeah.” she answered huskily.

“Okay, I’ll be right back.”

As soon as he disappeared among the crowd, Cristina, Izzie, Addison and an overworked-looking George popped up out of nowhere, dropping into the left chairs and grinning stupidly at Meredith who looked confusedly from one face to another.

“What?”

“You just paid twenty-five grands for a date with McDreamy rock star.” Cristina shook her head both in disbelief and in amusement. “How low can you go?”

“I… It was… it was for a good cause!” Meredith tried to explain but apparently, without success. They still looked at her with the same goofyish smiles.

“I think she has a crush on him.” Izzie stated seriously.

“I do not..-” tried Meredith to reply but Addison cut her off.

“Mer and Derek sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G…” she sang cheerfully and Cristina joined in right away. “First comes love, then comes marriage..-”

“STOP IT!”

“Why? I think they are very good singers…” Meredith turned her head quickly to the direction of the voice and spotted Derek standing some feet apart, a glass of champagne in each hand and smiling mischievously at them.

Could the situation be more embarrassing?

Cristina sprang up abruptly. “We should leave you lovebirds alone.” she said with a wink to Meredith who responded with look of reproach, and signalled the others to get up. They were giggling foolishly but got up to their feet and before Cristina turned around, she put both of her thumbs up and mouthed Meredith Good Luck.
Derek nodded them Goodbye and turned his attention back to Meredith.

“Here you go.” He handed her a glass and sat down onto the chair opposite of hers. His blue eyes found her emerald ones again and for a moment, neither of them was able to speak… completely overwhelmed with each other.
Meredith felt the familiar thump-thump in her chest again and sipped on her champagne to escape his glance.
Finally, he broke the silence.

“Thank you for purchasing me.” he said softly and her blood started boiling in her veins when she lifted her head and saw him smiling at her. Not playfully but… full of admiration… and the question why on earth he deserved something like this to happen…

She giggled shyly and the sound of it nearly made his chest explode. “I guess this is the most expensive date I’ve ever had.”

“Well,” he tilted his head to the side, “then you should get something for your money.” He raised up from his chair, offering her his hand. “May I have the next dance, Ms Grey?”

She bit her lip, torn between sanity and soul. She didn’t know if it was right. She didn’t know if she would regret it later on. What she knew was what her heart desired right now. And besides…

Which girl could resist the McDreamy head tilt?

She accepted his hand and he smiled at her in relief, leading her to the dance floor.

Song playing “The Way You Look Tonight” by Michael Bublé

Some day, when I’m awfully low,
When the world is cold,
I will feel a glow just thinking of you
And the way you look tonight.

He took her hand in his and placed the other one on her lower back, feeling her soft skin under his fingertips. She rested her hand some inches below his neck.

You’re lovely, with your smile so warm
And your cheeks so soft,
There is nothing for me but to love you,
And the way you look tonight.

They started swinging to the music… eyes locked… getting lost in each other. His fingers started to stroke her back up and down… soft… like a feather brushing over her skin… but it was enough to raise goose bumps on every part of her body.

With each word your tenderness grows,
Tearing my fear apart...

“Did I tell you how stunning you look tonight?” His voice was hoarse and so not helpful to think straight…

“No… but thanks for noticing.” she replied, her hand travelling higher, now feeling the soft curls of his neck between her fingers. His whole body grow tense on her touch…
He tried to study the expression on her face.

“Meri?” he whispered.

She giggled at the sound of her new nickname. “Huh?”

And that laugh that wrinkles your nose,
It touches my foolish heart.

“You’re not going to run away again, are you?” He looked her straight in the eyes, and she expected him looking somehow sad… or hurt… but instead his eyes were sparkling with nothing but delight.

Lovely ... never, ever change.
Keep that breathless charm.
Won’t you please arrange it?
’cause I love you ... just the way you look tonight.

“No…” she grinned at him playfully. “I spent 25 grands for that night, remember?”

He chuckled at her statement and pulled her closer, her face now inches from his… “I remember…” he replied with a wink.

Her flowery scent brushed against his nostrils… mesmerized him… he took a deep breath… and another… He felt his body react more and more on her…

“I don’t want to push you, Meri…” he whispered, his words brushing against her lips.

“You don’t.” she whispered back, playing with his hair.

With each word your tenderness grows,
Tearing my fear apart...
And that laugh that wrinkles your nose,
It touches my foolish heart.

Lovely ... never, ever change.
Keep that breathless charm.
Won’t you please arrange it?
’cause I love you ... just the way you look tonight.

“You know, I’m so sorry for the other night…” he started. “I was pushing you… I didn’t plan to push you… But I did and I’m sorry… It was my fault and..-”

She crashed her lips on his… cutting him off… the tension in her bursting like a dam… setting off sparkles that could be seen for miles… he needed some seconds to realize what was happening… she slightly parted her lips and he accepted her sweet invitation… inserting his tongue… exploring every part of her mouth.
She ran her fingers through his black curls, tugging them, completely forgetting where she was. He gently nibbled on her lower lip, causing her to moan into his mouth.
She suddenly pulled away from him.

“I… I’m sorry…” she stammered, moving some steps backwards. Away from his grip. His lips.

“For what?” He licked his lips, still numb from that intense kiss.

“I kissed you…”

Instead of answering, he leaned into her, gently grabbing her chin and kissing her softly on the lips. The kiss quickly grew more intense… again… He tasted her sweet mouth, running his hands through her long tresses… His hand travelled further southward… resting on her butt. Their tongues were playing with each other… lips getting numb and aching.
They broke apart. Panting. Breathless.

“Guess we’re even now.” Derek said, gently brushing her cheek.

Mm, tonight.

What was going on here?
Meredith suddenly felt uncomfortable. She looked around and noticed pairs of eyes looking at her. At them. Some in amusement. Some in complete scepticism.

She felt naked.

And bad.

And guilty for taking advantage of him.

And she seriously had to pee.