Chapter 19

                                    

                                          
Meredith wasn't sure how she had made it back to her room, but somehow she did and had found her inviting bed and pillow. She let her exhausted body and aching head rest against the white soft sheets welcoming the cool sensation against her skin. Her heart was still racing and conflicting emotions stirred inside her. 
                          
That Dr. Shepherd was so infuriating. Her body shook with what she hoped was anger, but deep down couldn't deny it was more from desire. She wanted to hate the cocky arrogant man whose look made her go weak in the knees. It was all so confusing. One minute she felt like punching him, the next she found herself remembering his strong arms around her and how safe she had felt. Like she was finally home, something she couldn't ever remember feeling. 
                          
The last thing Meredith let herself think of before drifting off to a peaceful sleep were the sensations that had ran through her body when Derek had softly ran his thumb along her lips. She let her tongue move slowly around her bottom lip, foolishly trying to discover if he had left any hints of what it might taste like to kiss him, as she finally succumbed to her heavy eyelids. 
                          
The bar tender pored her requested drink and looked at her surprised. "Straight tequila? Really? You're going to be sorry in the morning." 
                          
Meredith couldn't help but agree. "I'm always sorry in the morning. But tomorrow I start my first day at work, so keep'em coming." She tilted her head back and downed the small glassful of dark liquid in one burning gulp. She stared straight ahead, lost in her own thoughts, not paying much attention to the man who had been staring at her since she walked in and now stood right beside her.
                          
"Double scotch, single malt please." He told the bar tender then turned to address her, "So, is this a good place to hang out?"
                          
Meredith did her best to not look at the handsome stranger. She had a lot on her mind and was starting her intense internship at Seattle Grace the next day, the last thing she needed was male distraction. 
                          
"I wouldn't know, never been here before." She said coolly.
                          
The dark haired man clearly didn't get it and kept talking. "You know what? I haven't either. First time here. I'm new in town. Never been to Seattle. New job." The stranger paused a moment before realization lit his blue eyes. "Ah, you're ignoring me."
                          
Meredith did her best to remain polite. "Um, trying to." She quickly glanced at the man then looked away.
                          
He obviously found this quite surprising and a little amusing. He wasn't used to girls ignoring him. "You shouldn't ignore me."
                          
Meredith couldn't help herself and finally turned to face the persistent man. She was very used to being hit on at bars, but they usually caught on quick when she wasn't interested. And there was no denying how attracted she really was to this man. 
                          
"Why not?" She asked skeptically.
                          
"Because I'm someone you need to get to know to love." 
                          
Meredith was a little thrown back by his reply. She hadn't heard that one before and was now a little interested. "Really?" 
                          
"Oh yes." He answered honestly.
                          
The good looking man had now completely grabbed her attention. "So if I know you, I'll love you?" She tried.
                          
"Oh yes." He answered again and Meredith couldn't help but think he might just be the most gorgeous man she had ever laid eyes on.
                          
She searched his shining blue eyes. "You really like yourself huh?"
                          
The stranger let out a little chuckle, "Just hiding my pain."