This fic is MerDer AU and is very different from anything I've written before. If you've read my other fics, you may notice the difference. If not, then you won't, but either way, I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I've enjoyed writing it. This fic is porny and warrants the M rating, so for those who are sensitive to this stuff, please do not read.

"Tonight's the night I'm gonna get laid." Mark said self-assuredly as he adjusted the lapels of his tuxedo.

"You say that every night." Derek retorted sardonically, tossing his friend a wry grin while his eyes did a quick sweep of the lavish reception hall for his parents.

He and Mark were standing atop the stairs belonging to one of the most exclusive six-star hotels in Manhattan. A kaleidoscope of brilliant colors shone from the one-of-a-kind Swarovski crystal chandelier as it hung in opulence high above the many well-dressed guests below. Men wore tuxedos. Women wore couture, their hands, ears, and neck adorned with extravagant jewelry from the likes of Cartier, Neil Lane, Fred Leighton and Harry Winston.

Champagne flowed freely while immaculately dressed servers made their rounds, their sole purpose to ensure that no one was left to want or wait for drinks as they mingled. The hors d'oeuvres spread looked decadent and it was apparent that price was no object if the food being catered were any indication.

Derek hated functions like these and avoided them as often as his parents would allow, which seemed to be less and less the older he got. Being the prodigal son of a family with three children, it was natural for his father to want to groom his only son to take over the family business, which over the years had grown to become one of the biggest media empires in the States.

"I say that every night and every night, I get laid." Mark acknowledged with a devilish grin.

"You say you do, but how do I know you're not at home alone jerking off?"

"The indentation on my headboard and the wear on my bedsprings says it all, my friend." Mark retorted cockily.

Derek cast his friend a sidelong look of annoyance and opened his mouth to refute, but thought better of it. The idea of spending the evening talking to Mark about his sex life and his many conquests were about as appealing as poking himself in the eye.

"Wow! Who is that little hottie over there?" Mark asked with an appreciative smile, his head gesturing toward the small crowd milling in the far corner of the room.

From their vantage point high above the rest of the party-goers, Derek's eyes followed Mark's hungry ones as it moved across the room to land on a golden-haired beauty, surrounded by dozens of men blatantly ogling her, each one vying for her attention.

Dressed in an elegant black chiffon and silk dress, the empire waist accentuated her slim curves to perfection. The classy v-cut lines of the dress offered just a teasing glimpse of the soft mounds of her pert breasts to incite appreciation from every hot-blooded male in the room while leaving them wanting more. The silken strands of her golden hair cascaded around her slim shoulders in soft, wavy curls. A few wispy strands fell between the deep cleavage of her breasts to tickle and tease as she swayed gently to the music, her body graceful in its movements. She was a natural beauty, her make-up minimal as she received envious looks from the women across all corners of the room. The soft, earthly colors that framed her eyes brought out the green depths as they sparkled with each teasing smile that danced across her rosy lips.

Derek's stomach churned as he watched with disgust the way the men – young and old alike – hung onto her every word. His eyes dismissively looked past them and moved to watch with interest at the way she bewitched everyone with her beauty and poise.

He was watching her. The intensity of his heated stare bore into her skin and Meredith didn't need to look up to know it was him. She could always feel his presence before ever seeing him. She kept her eyes trained on the group of people around her, not wanting to betray for one second what her eyes wanted to do, which was search the crowd for him. She wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of knowing that she knew he was there.

Using all the social skills forced upon her by her years spent in boarding school, she schooled her features into a look of feigned interest and listened intently to the person speaking to her. She hadn't the vaguest idea what he was talking about and thankfully, all it took was a pleasing smile and occasional nods here and there to make them think they had her as a captive audience. The truth of the matter was, she didn't want to be there and only agreed to come to the party out of obligation to her father and stepmother.

"Stay away from her." Derek hissed a low warning to Mark, his eyes still fixed on the beauty.

"Give me one good reason why." Mark demanded, his arms moving to rest on the rail next to Derek's as he leant forward and studied his friend's hardened gaze.

Derek tore his eyes away just long enough to look at Mark before he spoke. "I'll give you two." He replied, his voice low and controlled. "She's the daughter of Thatcher and Susan Grey and she has a boyfriend."

"Ah, the infamous Grey family…arch enemy and business rivals of the Shepherd family." Mark said with a rueful smile.

Derek gave his friend another annoyed look as he returned his gaze to Meredith, only to discover that said boyfriend had now found his way to her side. His eyes hardened to a stony blue as he watched the pair.

"Is that the boyfriend?" Mark asked as he leaned in, his eyes following Derek's gaze over to the average built man standing next to her with his arm wrapped possessively around her slim waist.

Derek didn't have to answer for Mark to know that it was. The small crowd of men cleared as soon as it became obvious that she was taken. The look of disappointment marred their faces as they scattered in all directions in search for their next conquest.

The knuckles on Derek's hand turned white as he held onto the rail in a death-like grip. His arms were extended and his back stiff as he continued to watch the couple. What he saw next nearly sent him into a fit of rage as he pushed off the rail in exasperation.

"Let's go!" Derek hissed under his breath as he stormed in a huff toward the stairs. His blood boiled as he recalled the smug look on Finn Dandridge's face as he looked up to see Derek watching them.

"What the hell has gotten into you?" Mark asked as he quickened his stride to catch up with Derek.

"Finn Dandridge." Derek seethed as they descended the few remaining steps.

"Who the hell is Finn Dandridge?"

"The asshole who dumped Sydney and left her heartbroken."

"That's the one?" Mark asked. "I should go kick his ass for hurting Syd like that."

"It's already taken care of." Derek replied. "I'm going to get him where it hurts the most."

"His nuts?" Mark asked, wincing from the thought of the pain a blow like that would induce.

"His ego."

Mark cast Derek a worried look. "Hate to break it to you, buddy, but the guy's ego is pretty inflated standing next to that little hottie of his."

"It won't last. I'll make sure of that." Derek said confidently as he shot the couple one last look before exiting through the double doors.

"I'm worried, yet very intrigued at the same time." Mark said with a mischievous glint in his eyes as he followed his friend.

Meredith was exhausted by the time she managed to get rid of Finn and closed the door to her apartment. He had been persistent and offered to stay to keep her company, but she was not in the mood to entertain. She had been forced to play the dutiful daughter and kept up the façade for as long as she could and now that she was home, she wanted nothing more than to strip out of the dress and soak her aching body in a hot, soothing bath.

She kicked her new Jimmy Choo shoes off and had barely made it down the hall to her bedroom when the doorbell rang. Dammit Finn! She cursed under her breath as she dragged her weary legs to the door and threw it wide open.

"Finn, I—"

Her voice caught in her throat when her eyes fell onto the last person she expected to see.

"I've wanted to do this ever since I saw you tonight." Derek groaned as he rushed forward and claimed her lips in a searing kiss that left her breathless and excited for more.