"Alright kids, just give me one more big smile...there we go!" Tegan smiled down at the laughing kids who were too busy shoveling way too pricey cake into their cute mouths to pay her any attention.
It was a slightly overcast day in Central Park and Tegan was on a job. She was supposed to be walking around, snapping pictures for the Westing family; Upper East Side royalty. Tegan had gone to the same private school as Cabot Westing. Cabot had married young, the wife of an ambitious senator wannabe. Tegan was surprised when Cabot contacted her to photograph her daughter Aspen's birthday party.
It was a hellish assignment. Central Park was overrun with sugar-induced two year olds. It was all Tegan could do to not to pull her hair out. She was tired of chasing after kids, tired of framing the light, and worst of all, she couldn't get Derek Ryan out of her mind.
Just thinking about his hands, his mouth, his breath warm on her neck made her ache for some alone time. She was ready to leave to prepare for their date, but Cabot was nowhere to be found. She needed to let her know the pictures would be done in a few days.
Her phone rang and she hurriedly fished it out her jeans pocket. "Hey you," she said, trying to mask the tremor of excitement in her voice.
A deep chuckle greeted her. "Hey gorgeous," Derek replied. "What are you up to?"
"Just finishing up with this job."
"Mmm. And what are you doing afterwards?"
"I dunno. Maybe knock over a bank. Pick up a drug habit, the usual."
He laughed loudly. "You're a wild one, James. You'll never guess where I am."
"Um, I have no idea."
"Guess."
"Empire State Building?"
"Fuck no. I wouldn't be caught dead at that tourist trap."
She laughed. "Well, then where are you?"
"Mm, right behind you."
Tegan whipped around and gasped. He was indeed right behind her, cell up to his ear, the same half smile on his lips. "What the...how did you know I was here?" she asked.
"Drea told me. That doesn't look like 'happy to see me' face," he said with a mock pout.
He looked so sexy doing that, she thought. He did look hot today. Jeans ripped in an artsy fashion paired with a navy blue t-shirt with his company's logo on the front, the blue of the shirt matching his eyes.
"I am totally happy to see you," she replied. She snapped her phone shut and hugged him. When he tried to cup her ass, she squealed. "Derek! There are kids around!"
He laughed loudly. "Aww, come on Tegan J. You need to be bad once in a while."
She didn't bother to mention that letting a guy stroke her to a star-blazing orgasm in the bathroom of a swanky club was as bad as she got.
"Be more bad. Check." She kissed him lightly on the lips. When she tried to pull away, he grabbed her tighter, his tongue sliding into her mouth before she could protest.
"Mm, Derek." She gently shoved him away. "Down boy."
The sound of someone clearing her throat made them both turn.
"Tegan James. I sincerely hope I'm not interrupting anything." Cabot Westing was standing in front of the pair, a slightly amused expression on her classical face.
"Cabot! I am so sorry." Tegan felt her cheeks flush. Damn you Derek and your sexy self.
"Mmm-hmm. Don't mind us. I'm just having a child's party."
"I apologize. This is Derek Ryan. He's a friend of mine."
Cabot extended her hand and Derek could smell the breeding, right down to her casual designer wear complete with pearls and Chanel No. 5. "Charmed I'm sure." Her eyebrow rose in surprise. "Ryan? As in Dex Ryan?"
Derek smiled tightly. "One in the same. He's my brother."
Cabot seemed impressed. "Well. Tegan, nice one. Anyway, thanks so much for helping me out today."
Tegan smiled. "No problem Cabot. I'll be getting the pictures to you no later than Tuesday. See you later." Grabbing Derek's hand, they walked out towards the street.
"Are you okay?" she asked. "You seem kind of antsy."
"I'm good." He turned to her, all sense of irritation gone. "How the hell do you know someone named Cabot?"
Tegan grinned. "I went to school with her."
"Oh my god!" he gasped. "Don't tell me you're a private school girl!"
She nodded. "Since I was about six years old."
The grin on his face was positively lascivious. "Do you still have the outfit?"
"So, you really have a dirty mind."
"Baby, it's one of my best qualities. So, where are we going today?"
"Um." Tegan was finding it hard to think straight. He was rubbing his thumb idly across the top of her hand. It was sending tiny sparks all over her body. "We can go hang out at my house for a little bit. Then I have something planned for us."
"Ohh," he said, pulling her close to him. "Something dirty?"
It was Tegan's turn to smile roguishly. "You never know."
********
They rode the subway to Tegan's Village apartment, hands entwined the entire time. They traded stories about their lives. Tegan told Derek about growing up on the Upper East Side with her mother and stepfather. Her real father had exited the scene when she was five years old. Her mother had married Harlan James, an investment banker from old money.
It was a big scandal for Harlan's family. They had vehemently opposed to their handsome white son marrying a black woman beneath his class level. And she had a child, gasp! But Harlan loved Catherine and treated Tegan like his own.