Chapter Twelve

Alex stepped into the after party, his eyes immediately glancing around searching for the dark chocolates of his date.

"There he is!" Jamie cheered, pulling Alex into a hug. "Mr number one! How does it feel?"

Alex chuckled, hugging her back before giving Liam a bro hug. "Amazing."

"Man, you were amazing!" Liam smiled, patting Alex's back.

"Thanks." Alex smiled but he kept glancing around.

Liam and Jamie shared amused looks. "Looking for someone?" Liam asked, taking a sip of his drink. Alex's eyes snapped towards him. "Maybe a certain, black tall hunk that's been looking over here ever since you walked in?" Liam smirked.

"What? No, shut up. Where?"

Jamie snickered pointing towards the bar.

And there he was. Derek stood against the bar, back to the wall, glass of dark liquid in hand, talking to Kelly Carson, one of his pit crew guys' wives. But even talking to Kelly, Derek's eyes never left Alex's body.

Derek flagged down the bartender, telling him something before moving to an empty table in the back.

"What is he doing?" Jamie asked, confused.

"No idea." Liam shrugged.

"Excuse me, sir?" A waiter appeared next to the group looking at Alex. "For you." He handed Alex a glass of dark liquid.

"I didn't order anything." Alex told the waiter but took the glass from him.

"It was courtesy of the gentlemen in the back." The waiter motioned behind him before leaving.

Alex looked behind him, locking eyes with Derek again. Derek raised his glass in a silent toast.

"Smooth." Jamie laughed.

"I'll uh - See you guys later," Alex patted Jamie's shoulder before heading towards Derek.

Liam and Jamie moved side-by-side watching as their friend slid into the empty seat in front of the hot hunk. "So that's Derek, huh?" Jamie asked, taking a long sip of her beer.

"Yep."

"God damn."

***

"So," Alex smiled at Derek. "You would never believe what just happened. A hot hunk of a guy just bought me a drink."

"Oh?" Derek smirked. Alex nodded. "Hmm, and uh - what do you think about that?"

"I think. . ." Alex took a long sip of his drink. "He has excellent taste. Cognac, my favorite type of Brandy. I might have to thank him."

Derek nodded, "Thank him how?" Alex didn't answer with words. He leaned forward, connecting his lips with Derek's. Derek made a surprised noise that was swallowed by Alex before responding, one hand reaching up to cup his cheek, pulling Alex deeper into the kiss.

The two pulled apart but their faces were still close. Alex smiled letting out small puffs of breath. "How was that for a thank you?" Alex whispered.

"A pretty great one." Derek muttered going back in for another kiss.

"Hmm," Alex kissed back for a second before pulling away. "As much as I love kissing you, I'm starving." Alex told Derek.

"Bar food isn't that good, and I think it's too early for you to leave your own party."

"Hmm," Alex looked around, taking note of the important people in the room. "Give me 20 minutes." Alex gave Derek a brief kiss before leaving, drink in hand.

Derek leaned back watching as Alex made a round around the room. His eyes traveled over Alex, taking him in fully. He looked delicious. The three piece, red suit with black and silver accents.

Alex looked like a hundred bucks and Derek wanted to rip those clothes off him.

***

"Knight!" One of his sponsors, George from some company, clapped his shoulder as he walked by. "Amazing race today."

"Thank you." Alex nodded.

"Alex!" Stella waved him over. Alex slipped into the circle smiling at the people standing in front of him. "Alex, this is Miles Jones."

Alex smiled at him, holding out his hand, "Nice to meet you Mr. Jones."

"You as well, Knight." Miles shook Alex's hand. "And please, call me Miles."

Stella leaned closer to Alex, "Miles here wants to sponsor you." Alex looked at Stella a little confused. They had all their sponsors for this season so why did they need a new one.

"Well," Alex looked back at Miles' confusion hidden behind a smile. "Thank you for the offer. My team and I would need to talk this over and we'll get back to you on this."

"Of course." Miles nodded a little, though Alex thought he looked slightly disappointed. "We can talk about it another time."

"Thank you." Alex looked back at Derek. He was resting back in his chair, nursing the same glass from before, eyes still locked on Alex.

"I was wondering-" Miles tried but Alex politely cut him off.

"I'm sorry, but I need to get going." Alex smiled apologically at Miles. "It was nice to meet you and I promise we'll have that discussion. Stella," Alex turned to his partner ignoring her raised brow. "I'll call you later." Alex kissed her cheek.

Stella nodded, "Bye." She barely got out before Alex quickly walked away. Her confusion disappeared into excitement when she saw her friend walking towards the hot guy in the back. Stella knew that could only be one person.

Derek Morgan.

She squealed silently rushing to find Jamie or Liam to get more information, leaving Miles alone.

Miles watched Alex take Derek's hand and clenched his jaw.

***

"Let's get out of here." Alex pulled Derek out of his seat.

"Where do you want to go?" Derek asked, pulling his jacket off the back of the chair.

"Anywhere with a good burger." Alex smiled.

Derek raised a brow, "No where fancy? Dressed like that?" He asked, looking Alex up and down. He looked too good to eat at a burger place.

"Well," Alex pulled Derek towards the exit. "I was hoping we'd take it to go and head back to my place." He smirked. Derek's eyes went wide, heart harming it felt like it could beat right out of his chest. "What do you say?"

Derek blinked before smiling. "I say let's get out of here."