Her Billion Dollar Man

“Nothing is wrong with Tyler but I think something is wrong with me. I have not been able to get you out of my mind since I met you.” He told her ruefully.

“I am sure you will be doing so in a couple of days. I have seen the beautiful young ladies hanging on to your arms.” She told him dryly, determined not to feel flattered by his words. He probably used that line on every woman he met.

“I want you to take a ride with me. I want to finish our conversation,” he told her ignoring what she had just said.

“I have things to do and besides I am going to the center later.”

“Give me an hour. I could come and pick you up in fifteen minutes.” He told her persuasively. “Please and I also need to talk to you about Tyler.”

To her horror she found herself saying yes and giving him her address.

“Fifteen minutes,” he told her briefly before hanging up.

He was true to his word and pulled up outside her apartment at the precise time, showing up in a convertible Benz with the top down. He hopped out and came around to open the door for her to get in, looking at her appreciatively in a floral dress that tied at the neck. “I left Tyler still fast asleep,” he said glancing at her briefly. “I guess last night was too much for him.” The day was beautiful and sunny and it as it was almost noon the sun was blazing brightly. “Why did you agree to come with him?”

“He said he wanted a friend there,” she told him, stretching her legs out and admiring the passing scenery. He was fast moving away from the suburbs and going into the rural area.

“My brother considers me to be the enemy,” he said with a slight shrug. “I have tried everything but nothing seems to work. What do you suggest?”

“I think you should keep trying. He is in a confused state right now and needs your support.” She told him.

“Who gave you support?”

“The people who took care of me at the home but I was all alone just the same. I was alone for as long as I can remember.” She told him.

“I am sorry.” He said softly. He had stopped the car without her being aware of it. They were in a wooded area and he had parked under a large dogwood tree and turned towards her. There was a slight breeze blowing and it lifted the hair on her forehead.

“I stopped feeling sorry for myself a long time ago so I really do not need you to do so,” she told him with a smile.

“I see,” he looked at her quizzically. “I think my brother and I are going to have to fight for you,” he added dryly.

“What?” she looked at him startled.

“I have never met anyone like you,” he told her frankly. He reached over and pushed back the hair from her forehead, his fingers lingering on her skin causing the heat to rise. “I have been thinking of you a lot and I find that I am able to pen the words that had been so difficult for me to do before I met you.”

“Derek I appreciate being your muse for the moment, correction I am flattered but I have no intention of taking you seriously,” she told him with an amused smile.

“What can I do to let you know how serious I am?” he reached for her hands and held on.

“You can stop talking to me like that.” She felt the warmth of his hands on hers. “I really need to get back.”

“I need to see you again. When can it be arranged?” he asked her, not letting go of her hands.

“I don’t know,” she tugged her hands away from his.

He sat there watching her face. She had not put any make up on and that was new to him. The women he knew would never leave the house without putting ‘their faces’ on and would never reveal the real them underneath. He had slept with a few who refused to have the lights on or would wake up in the morning to go get ready before he did in order for him not to see them without the paint on but she was not wearing a stitch of makeup on and she still looked exquisite.

“My brother has good taste,” he said in amusement. “And I am glad that I met you.” With that he settled back in his seat and put the car into drive, turning it around. He let her off at the apartment and stood there as she came out of the car. “I am going on a tour next week and will be back by Friday. I will be calling you then. I want us to go somewhere.”

“I will let you know.” She started to move off but he caught her arm.
“I like you a lot Debra,” he told her, his tone inflexible. “I don’t give up easily.”

“I am sure you don’t,” she said softly and pulled away from him and headed inside. She did not look back but she was sure he was there staring after her.

*****

She listened to his songs. As soon as she had slipped off her shoes, she went straight for her laptop and typed in his name. She sat there staring at the video of him and a beautiful actress as they played out the story his song told. He was telling her how sorry he was that he had left and now he was back and he needed another chance. She was caught by the expression on his handsome face as he held her in his arms. She closed her eyes and listened to the chorus: ‘I can’t live my life without you, I wouldn’t even try. Every time I think of me alone I am tempted to cry.’ The song ended on a haunting melody and still Debra sat there looking at his picture which had frozen on screen. He was handsome and had a magnetic personality but she was realistic enough to know that Derek Mitchell was a very big name in the music industry and nothing he told her earlier on could be taken seriously.