Rising, Freestyle: Xtreme Adventures, Book 2 by Vivian Arend Page A

is serious, you and Melanie, you willing to do what it takes? Your situation isn’t exactly like ours, but it’s still the same question at the root of it.”
    No, this wasn’t Jack and Kane’s situation with Dara at all. Derrick was sneakily suspicious he was falling in love with Melanie, and yet having Nathan join in and help show Mel that she was an attractive, vibrant woman in spite of the scars, seemed like the right thing to do for her sake.
    The only reason she was doing the photo shoot was to help others. Screw that. She had needs as well, and he was willing to push past his comfort zone and make sure she got whatever it took for her to get that “full life” she longed for. Even if his solution wasn’t typical, adding another guy in the picture might be just the cure needed.
     
     
    “You’re shitting me.”
    Derrick ignored his comment, instead handing over a list. “You can get most of these things at Kane’s shop. I’ll loan you what I can, but you should make sure you have these items that fit properly.”
    Nathan swore his mouth flapped like a fish while Derrick went on and on, continuing to list the places in town to find the camping supplies needed for their overnight trip.
    Hell, no. That wasn’t where the first part of this conversation was going to stop. Nathan held up a hand, fingers spread in an attempt to arrest Derrick’s rapid info dump.
    “Back up, man. What the fuck did you just tell me? Before the camping shit.” Because he really had to be going deaf.
    Derrick sighed as he turned back to his desk. “Damn it, don’t make me say it more than once.”
    “I think you need to repeat it until it sinks into my brain. Did you just suggest that while we’re out on this trip, I should try to seduce Melanie?”
    “Not…seduce. I want her to be able to call all the shots.” Derrick leaned one hip on his desk, tension hovering around him. As if every muscle waited on the edge of exploding. “Level with me—do you find her attractive?”
    Nathan reeled back. Just the type of question I want to answer to a seemingly jealous boyfriend with enough muscles to beat me silly. Fine, Derrick was going to ask the tough ones? Nathan went for broke. Maybe he was about to get a fist to the face, but screw it. “Hell yeah. I’ve been thinking about her ever since I got the bloody assignment.”
    “That’s what I thought. And if I hadn’t been in the picture, you would have done what?”
    This wasn’t happening. “You’re a strange bastard, Derrick. I would have asked her out while I was here. But she’s not alone. You two are seeing each other. I don’t mess with other guys’ women, not when they’re in a happy relationship.”
    “She wants you.”
    The instant silence in the room rang in his ears. Then anger joined his confusion. Maybe Derrick was going to be the one nursing some bruises soon. “What kind of boyfriend are you? Are you trying to pimp her out or what?”
    Derrick rose to his full height, which let him peer down at Nathan with a rather intimidating presence. “Shut. Up. That’s the farthest thing from what I’m suggesting. God damn it, I’m just—” He turned to slam a fist on the surface of his desk. “ Fuck .”
    He shook his head and dragged a chair over, collapsing onto it as he leaned his elbows on the desk. Nathan waited, ready to bolt, still wondering how the hell this turn of events had happened. He hadn’t dreamed it though—Derrick had suggested he let Melanie know he was attracted to her.
    Derrick made eye contact before speaking quietly. “She’s been self-conscious of her body since the accident. You saw some of that in the gym the other day, but it’s not just a cosmetic issue. The questions she used to get from the public are annoying, but it’s deeper than that. Some asshole insulted her the first time she attempted sex, and until I came along, she’d been letting her sensuality get buried by fear.”
    “Shit.” The urge to go and rearrange