D E R E K ' S   P O V

I never thought I'd be standing in line at a Starbucks to order a drink that is already pure sugar, customised with a list as long as my arm of additional syrups and sauces, but here I am, ordering Layla's favorite coffee.

"—with light ice, please."

With the overpriced coffee in hand, I leave the store and climb into my truck before heading back over to Layla's apartment.

I only left a couple of hours ago to go work out and grab some clean clothes from my house, but I can't wait to get back over there.

I asked Layla if she wanted to come work out with me but considering she was practically waddling around the apartment, the answer was a clear no.

We spent most of this morning cuddling in bed but when she got up and tried to walk, I couldn't help but laugh at her attempt and feel a sense of accomplishment knowing I kept my promise. Layla however, punched me for laughing at her.

Dropping my gym bag inside the door, I walk around the apartment in search of her. I find Layla in the kitchen, her back to me while she's standing over the oven. She's humming along to the music that's playing, cooking in nothing but my shirt. What a sight.

Considering take out is one of her food groups, I'm surprised at the scene in front of me. "You're cooking?"

Layla turns at the sound of my voice and the way her eyes light up when she sees me gratifies me in a way I can't describe. "Mhm," She grins, focusing back on the pot she's stirring. "Steak, mashed potatoes and asparagus."

My kind of meal. I walk over to her, wrapping my arms around her from behind. "Smells amazing," I say, tucking my head into the crook of her neck, pressing my lips to her soft skin. No matter how delicious the food does smell, she smells better.

Layla points the spoon in her hand in my direction, wagging her finger around the oven. "This is some wife energy right here and I'm not even a girlfriend, so you're welcome."

I laugh, grinning down at her while my thumb traces circles in her hip. "I got you something."

"You did?" She says, suspicion growing in her eyes when she turns to me. "What?"

I reveal the coffee from behind my back and slide it into her hand. "This is your 'I'm sorry I messed up your alignment' coffee."

Layla laughs, her eyes glimmering with amusement. "Thank you," She says, taking a sip. She hums in approval. "It's perfect. How did you know my order?"

I shrug the question off, not telling her that I made note of it in my phone when I heard her order it last week.

Luckily she doesn't notice my non response because the oven preheating dings and she turns her attention to placing the tray of asparagus in. I step aside and lean back against the countertop when Layla goes to the sink to wash her hands.

She looks deep in thought and when her narrowed eyes settle on me while she drys her hands off with a paper towel, I'm afraid of what she's about to say. "You got sex and I'm making you a steak dinner? What the hell is wrong with me?"

I'm so lucky. "Would you rather me give you thanks in words or with my head buried between your thighs?"

"You can thank me later," She laughs, shaking her head. "We have thirty minutes until this food is done and if we get distracted, we'll end up burning my apartment down."

That works too. I lace our fingers together, bringing our intertwined hands up to my mouth so I can kiss the back of her palm while I guide us over to the couch.

My back sinks down onto the soft cushions, laying Layla down between my legs so her head is resting on my chest. My hands slip underneath her shirt, fingertips grazing her back softly. I press a kiss to her hair and she sighs in relaxation, a soft sweet sigh that makes me grin widely. While still drawing faint circles in her exposed skin, I carefully slide the ponytail holder out of her hair, running my fingers through her silky soft hair.

I close my eyes, savouring the feeling of this. It's like nothing else matters when she's in my arms.

Layla moves to lay her forearms across my chest, resting her chin against them. She smiles at me, her eyes fluttering in content. "This is nice. Can we stay like this forever?"

Yes we can, I want to say but I don't.

Me going silent seems to be a running trend recently, and I briefly let my mind wander back to last night. Layla was right about me getting a little quiet after we slept together.

Laying beside her after I rolled off her, my mind got the better of me and I started realising that with anyone else, that was usually the point in the night when I'd respectfully bounce. But last night, leaving her apartment was the last thing on my mind. I wanted nothing more than to get into bed, cuddle, play with her hair and watch her fall asleep on my chest. I've never wanted to do that with anyone but her.

So, I got in my own head a little, thinking about what that means. I've come to the conclusion that..I don't know. I've never experienced this before.

Which I now realise my mistake of going silent was the absolute worst thing I could have done because after sex is such a vulnerable time, and the look on Layla face when she curled into herself and hesitantly looked at me, wondering what was going on in my head or if I was about to bolt..it broke my heart.

So instead, once again, I let my actions speak instead of words.

I tilt my head down and lean in closer, pausing before our lips brush. I can't help but smile when I look into her emerald eyes and Layla smiles back at me, exhaling a soft breath before she leans up to close the rest of the distance between our lips.

There's nothing rushed about it, it's a soft longing kiss and once our lips separate, I can't help but steal two more quick kisses before I rest my forehead against hers.

I smile again and she smiles back at me. She is so beautiful. I am so fucked.

But reality soon comes crashing back, pulling us from this perfect moment when Layla's phone rings beside us. My head falls back with a sigh and Layla groans, tucking her head back into my chest. I know we both have the exact same thought. Please don't be a case.

Since she can't reach from where she's laying, I grab her phone from the coffee table and it's not Hotch or Penelope calling with a case. A wave of jealousy washes over me when I see that it's a guy calling her.

I turn the screen towards her and arch an eyebrow. "Who's Adam?"

Layla sits up between my legs, rolling her eyes at me when she reaches for her phone. "Derek, we really need to work on your jealousy issues."

I don't have jealousy issues, I just don't want her to talk to any guy other than me. I don't want any guy to look at her, think about her, call her. Is that unreasonable?

I frown when a smile crosses her lips when she answers the phone. "Hey.. yeah, I can talk."

She sounds too excited for my liking at whoever is talking on the other end of the phone. I raise an eyebrow and cross my arms over my chest and Layla's eyes narrow at me and she mouths you're dramatic at me, pinching my side while still listening intently on the other end of the line.

"Oh my god! Really?" She beams, her jaw wide when she turns her full attention to the phone call. "I'm so happy for you! Are you excited?"

My frown deepens but Layla pays no attention to me, too engrossed with whatever good news Adam had. Is it obvious that I hate him already?

"How's Violet?" Layla asks before her nose scrunches up at whatever he says. "Oh, no. Well, tell her I hope she feels better soon and I'll call her later."

The tension in my shoulders relax a little at the mention of another girls name. Okay, I may have overreacted a little because as this phone call continues and she starts asking about how far along Violet is in her pregnancy, I know I have nothing to worry about.

And maybe I do have some jealousy issues.

But can you blame me? Layla might not notice it but when she walks into a room, every guy looks at her because she's so beautiful. I notice it and want to punch them all for even thinking they would have a chance with her.

But when I think about it, since we agreed that we were not going to be with anyone else, Layla hasn't given me any reason to be jealous. She's never shown anyone else any attention and even at the bar last night, she was quick to deny any guy that approached her.

Maybe I'm jealous because we have to stay a secret and it isn't known that she's mine and only mine. I think it's great that we work together.. but why does it have to be so difficult?

"So.." Layla continues with her phone call, grinning. "What did dad say?"

Dad.

Oh.

Adam is her brother.

I knew she had an older brother, but she's never mentioned him by name before.

Now very embarrassed over my reaction, I cover my face over with a pillow. I would rather the couch swallow me whole, but I'll settle for hiding instead.

"Yeah, I'll be home at Christmas.. send me pictures..okay, talk to you later."

I hear Layla place her phone back down onto the coffee table and the pillow is pulled away from my face and I'm met with her amused expression.

"How stupid do you feel right now?"

My lips fold into a thin line. "Very."

"Let's get one thing straight.." She says, moving to straddle my hips. Her hands cradle my face when she looks into my eyes. "I don't want anyone but you, so for future reference you don't need to get yourself all moody and worked up at the mention of anyone else. Got it?"

Her words do something to me, making me feel all warm and melty inside. Oh my good god. This girl has me saying words like warm and melty.. I'm so fucked.

I nod my head in her hands. "Got it."

"Good. Now that that's out of the way," She grins, sitting back on my hips when the excitement seeps through her tone again. "My brothers wife is pregnant with their first baby. I'm going to be officially an aunt!"

I sit up to be closer to her, hands rubbing her bare thighs. I smile. "Your dad's first grandchild? He must be so excited."

"He is," She grins, picking up her phone when it pings. "Adam said he came over to baby proof their house already," She laughs, shaking her head. "She's only three months."

Layla pulls up the photos her brother texted her, showing them to me as well as she scrolls through them. The first one is of who I can only assume is Violet, in a doctors office with a sonogram wand against her stomach, smiling brightly at Layla's brother behind the camera taking the photo.

But when she slides to the next photo, my jaw practically hits the floor. Considering she never mentioned her brother's name until a few minutes ago it's not surprising that I didn't make the connection, but now I feel stupid for not realising because in that photo, smiling next to his wife and their sonogram photo, is the guy exactly how I remember him, only a little older.

I laugh in disbelief. "Layla, I know your brother."

"What?" Her head whips to mine, her eyes widening. "How?"

"You want to hear about how we were best friends in college first or about how we worked together for years in Chicago?"

Layla's face twists up in confusion, eyes scanning my face. "Seriously?"

"Seriously," I say, grabbing the phone to look at the photo again.

Lots of memories come to mind but I choose not to tell Layla that me and her brother used to go to frat parties, making drunken bets with each other about who could kiss the most girls that night. We were each other's worst influence and we had so many good times together.

Adam and I fell out of touch when I moved to DC, for no reason other than the distance and our busy schedules. I haven't talked to him in years, but to see him settled down is crazy. I never thought I'd see the day. He looks so happy and I love that for him.

"I can't believe he's married," I laugh, still not believing that he's Layla brother. "A lot has changed."

Layla laughs, her eyes glimmering with amusement. "He is the biggest simp for Violet. Spencer level simp."

"Spencer level?" I snort a laugh, my head rolling back. "He's down bad."

The coincidence that I know Layla's brother is great.. until the realisation dawns on me that I've had sex with one of my friends little sisters. If one of my friends was sleeping with one of my sisters, I don't know what I would do, but I guarantee you it wouldn't be pretty.

I wince, looking at Layla. "Adam will probably cut my dick off if he finds out about us."

Layla laughs, looking at me like I'm crazy. "No we won't because I don't make it a habit of telling my brother who I'm hooking up with."

Again, me, words and how I'm feeling don't mix all that well so I stay quiet. I don't like the term hooking up because it's not just that. I don't know what it is exactly, but friends definitely doesn't cut it. We're..us.

"Besides," Layla smirks, palming me through my gray sweatpants. She teasingly winks. "This is precious cargo. I'd protect it with my life."

Before I even get a second to enjoy her touch, the oven timer goes off, cutting through the silence.

Following her to the kitchen, I fill two glasses of water while she plates everything up. When we settle onto the bar stools beside the kitchen island to eat, I pull Layla's chair as close to mine as possible.

The steak is seasoned perfectly and cuts like butter, the mashed potatoes are creamy and the asparagus has just the right amount of crunch. I finish my mouthful before speaking. "Layla, this is so good."

"I know, right?" She says, taking a sip of water. "Who knew I could cook?"

While we continue to eat, Layla is more curious about how I know her brother. Her brother is still working at Chicago PD so I tell her about how we used to be partners on the bomb squad.

"How did I not meet you back then?" She asks, her brows lowering. "I thought I met all his coworkers."

I ponder on the question, kicking myself because I could have known her sooner. "I don't know. I wasn't there for too long before I went doing undercover work," I shrug. "Bad timing, I guess."

Layla shrugs too, popping a piece of steak into her mouth. "When you were an officer in Chicago did you ever work with Jake Miller?"

I rack my brain for any recognition of that name but I come up empty. "I don't think so. Why?"

She snorts a laugh. "Good. That's my ex."

I had my jealousy issues under control for a total of twenty minutes. They're back. Layla has only ever mentioned her ex the first night we met, back when we were just strangers sharing a drink. My jaw clenches. "The asshole that cheated on you?"

Her shoulders shrug when she makes a meh sound. She doesn't look hurt or upset at all, but still, it's not nice thinking she went through that.

I sigh, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear. "I'm sorry that happened to you."

"Don't be. I'm not," Layla laughs and I can tell there's not an ounce of regret in her voice. She laces our fingers together, smiling at me. "I left that relationship guilt free and I'm so much happier now."

I smirk, leaning in closer. "Why's that?"

Layla grins, a teasing glint in her eyes. "Moving here and Meeting Penelope. But you and that amazing Chinese takeout down the street are a close second."

A close second? My eyebrows raise. "Is there anything I can do to get bumped up to first?"

Layla's eyes scan my face, pursing her lips in thought. "No," She grins, focusing back on her plate. "Penelope is irreplaceable and that orange chicken is too good."

While we finish dinner, I tell her some more tame memories of how me and her brother used to pull pranks around our college campus. I share how Adam and I once filled the campus fountain with dish soap and organised a foam party in the overflowing bubbles until we were shut down by security.

"Of course you guys did that." Layla laughs, smiling at me. "You guys should reunite at Christmas. You're going home for Christmas, right?"

"Yeah," I nod, grinning. "We should."

Layla pushes her empty plate away, turning to me. "Want to fly out to Chicago together?"

I shrug. "We can fly if you want, but I usually drive up there."

I feel like we send most of our time back and forth the country on the jet so when I don't need to fly, I don't. Plus, it's only an eleven hour drive up to Chicago and commercial flights are no comparison to being in the comfort of the private jet or my own truck.

"Road trip?" Layla's eyes light up and she grins. "I'm in. Think of all the snacks we could bring."

I laugh, standing up and grabbing our empty plates. "I'm so full, I don't know how you can think of snacks right now." I lean down, kissing her lips. "But thank you, dinner was amazing."

Layla follows me into the kitchen, wrapping her arms around me from behind while I start to wash our dishes.

"Did you shower already?" She asks. Her hands slip underneath my shirt when she leans up on her tippy toes to press a soft kiss to my neck.

I tilt my head to the side, enjoying every single kiss. "Yeah, after I worked out."

Layla softly exhales and her hands disappear from underneath my shirt. "Aw," She says in mock disappointment. The heat of her body pressed up against mine disappears too, and I feel her walk away. "Too bad."

I look over my shoulder just in time to see her walking off to the bedroom and her naked body comes into my view when she reaches for the hem of her shirt, pulling it off over her head. The fabric drops to the ground and she smirks at me before she vanishes behind the door.

Fuck the dishes. I drop them into the sink and they clatter together but I pay no attention, beelining towards the bathroom behind her.

There is going to be nothing clean about this shower.

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A/N: I hope you enjoyed this chapter! :)