Melanie laughed and followed her Mom and Dad down the hallway.
An hour later Melanie and Simon said their goodbye and headed home.
“Where are you going” Simon asked as Melanie signalled for the turn for the motor way and not continuing on straight to her apartment.
“I am bringing you home” she explained. She hadn’t yet told Simon she wasn’t spending the night with him.
He didn’t reply and they drove the rest of the way in silence. She could feel him glare at her from time to time. She knew he was waiting for her to say she wasn’t staying and he was going to freak out.
When they reached his apartment she pulls up outside and turns to him expectantly.
“You’re not coming in are you” he said calmly much to Melanie’s surprise.
“I have to go to the airport early to collect Katie” she explained. “I wouldn’t have to get up quite so early if I go home”.
“I could come home with you” he suggest but his tone said he already knew the answer.
“Simon I have such I busy day tomorrow” she lied. “I just want to go home and sleep. I will see you on Saturday”.
Melanie jammed her nails into the side of her leg to stop herself from crying. Right in that moment she hated herself completely and utterly. She couldn’t even bring herself to look at him anymore. He leaned over and kissed her softly on the cheek.
“Have a great night tomorrow night” he whispered. “I will see you on Saturday after work”.
“Ok” she said and with every ounce of strength she had she gave him the warmest smile she could even though inside her heart was breaking. She knew she wasn’t in love with him. She had known that for a long time. But she loved him. He was one of her best friends and she was going to hurt him so badly.
He opened the car and stepped out and walked to the curb and waited for her to drive away. And right in that moment she realised she would probably never see him again.
Suddenly she flung open the car door and in one sweeping movement she was out of the car. She ran around the car and threw her arms around him and kissed him firmly on the lips.
“I love you Simon” she whispered. And she did, she really did but just not enough.
“Love you Mel” he whispered and he held her so close.
She knew she was going to cry and she didn’t want him to see so she kissed his cheek and walked back to the car.
She climbed in, putting the car into gear and pulled away. She watched him in her rear view mirror as she drove down the street. He just stood on the path with one hand held up as a goodbye and a strange look on his face. It was like he knew.
Finally she could let the tears flow.
When she reached Sam’s apartment it was with a heavy heart that she knocked on the door. When he opened the door and saw her standing there he quickly pulled her into his arm and she began to sob.
“I will never see him again” she sobbed. “I am going to break his heart and it feels awful”.
“I know” he sighed and pulled her closer to him. “I know you never wanted to hurt him”.
“He was my friend” she cried. She could still see his face as she drove away from and the memory made her cry harder.
“I am sorry you are losing your friend” Sam whispered sincerely, trying to show he understood what she meant. He knew she wished more than anything else that for her to be happy that it didn’t mean she had to hurt Simon in the process. He wished that too. Simon was a nice guy and Sam really liked him. But he loved Melanie and this was the only way they could be together.
He swept her up in his arms and she buried her face in his shoulder and sobbed harder. He carried her to his bed and lay her down then switched off the light and climbed in next to her pulling her to him and holding her until she cried herself to sleep.
Chapter 23As Melanie stood in Dublin airport on the Friday morning waiting for Katie to appear through the arrivals hall, she thought about her morning with Sam.
She had been woken up to him lying next to her , watching her. He gave her the most amazing smile as she turned over to look so she could meet his gaze.
“You have to stop watching me sleep” she said and returns his smile brightly.
“How are you doing this morning” he asked as he leaned forward and kissed her softly on the lips.
“Better” she replied honestly. “I am sorry for being such a pathetic mess”.
“You stop this right now” he said angrily. “You wouldn’t be the girl I love if you could just coldly walk away from him and didn’t even blink. You have a good heart. A heart that I love more than anything else in the world. You know that, right?”
Melanie replied to that statement with a kiss. Sam returned her kiss and he rolled on top of her and pressed her into the mattress. He brushed his tongue along her bottom lip asked for entrance to her mouth which she gave him happily.
As his tongue tenderly stroked hers, he reached down and pulled up her dress, which she was still wearing, slowly up her body breaking his kiss finally to pull the dress over her head. He kissed her softly once more before he slowly worked his way down her body, kissing her lightly on her soft sallow skin. Stopping briefly as he pulled her bra cups down and kissing each nipple in turn making them pucker with his touch.
Then he slowly continued his journey down her body, until he reached her belly button. He softly dipped his tongue into her belly button and the feeling was exquisite, making her cry out in pure pleasure. But before she could even process the desire thundering through her body, he continued on his journey until he finally reached the rim of her panties. Running his tongue excruciatingly slow along the tip of her panties then allowing his tongue to slide down over them until there is nothing between his tongue and her clitoris but the delicate lace of her underwear.
Hooking his fingers inside her panties he slowly slid them down her legs. His eyes held hers until he returned to the journey he was taking on her body. He softly kissed her inner tight and continued on down until he reached the inside of her knee.
Flicking his eyes back up at her before his mouth found the inside of her other knee. But this time worked his way back up her inner tight.
She knew where this was going and she wanted him so badly. As his mouth finally reached its destination, she reached down and grabbed his hair and called out his name. As he worked slowly on her clitoris with his mouth he sank his fingers inside her.
“OH SWEET LORD” she screamed as the pleasure consumed her and she came loudly as he continued his sweet torture.
Suddenly he pulled away and quickly moved his way back up her body and reclaimed her mouth. He quickly slid his legs between hers and with one movement he lost himself inside her.
“God I love you so much” he groaned as he withdrew from her halfway before he slammed back into her. “I love your body”.
His continued on with long, slow strokes until she could feel the build up again. She tilted her hips and matched him thrust for thrust until she could hold back no longer and once again she was freefalling from a high ridge of pleasure. She could feel him still and pulse inside her as he too found his release.
“Jesus Melanie” he exclaimed breathlessly. “What you do to me. You are amazing”.
“Eh wake up sleepy head” Katie’s voice snapped Melanie out of her erotic day dream. Melanie threw her arms in surprise around her friend. “Jesus you look like you’ve been at it all night. Simon really needs to save something for the honey moon”.
“Get your mind out of the gutter Morgan” Melanie replied and laughed. “How was your flight?”
“Long and very boring” Katie sighs as she tried to navigate her way through Dublin Airport. “But I managed to sleep for a few hours so once I have a quick shower I will be good as new for the fitting”.
They reached Melanie’s car and loaded Katie bags into the boot.
“I could have sworn there was only one case when I dropped you off two weeks ago” Melanie said as she trie
d to squeeze the fourth bag into the back of her little hatch back.
“Melanie you can’t spend two weeks in New York without hitting the shops” Katie announced. “Mind you my poor credit card was used more than a hooker on a good nights work”.
Melanie dissolved in laughter. She loved Katie’s way of putting things. She always made her smile.
“But I found the most fabulous dress for tonight” Katie continued. “Wait till you see it, you are going to die”.
They drove back to Katie’s apartment in Malahide and after she had a quick shower and got changed they were on the way to the dressmakers for Katie’s fitting.
It was hard for Melanie sitting there listening to Katie’s oohs and aahs about the dress. She went on and on about how she couldn’t wait to strut her stuff in the dress and how she hoped the best man and grooms man were hot doctors. When Melanie told her that the best man was Simon’s brother Will who wasn’t a doctor but in fact a solicitor. Katie squealed with excitement and Melanie plastered a smile on her face because she knew none of it really mattered because the wedding was never going to happen.
By the time they got back to Katie’s apartment, Melanie was emotionally exhausted. She slumped into an armchair while Katie filled the kettle to make coffee and disappeared into her bedroom.
While Katie was gone, Melanie quickly slipped her phone from her pocket and she smiled when she saw a message from Sam.
“Hey baby, hope you are having fun with Katie, just wanted to say I love you, S x”
She quickly typed in a response.
“Hey yourself, everything is ok, just wish it was tomorrow already, love you two. Mel x”
She quickly shoved her phone back in to her pocket when she heard Katie returning to the room.
“Tada” Katie said as she bounced back into the room holding the most beautiful dress Melanie had ever seen in her life. It was candy apple red, knee length sheer satin. It was strapless with a love heart neckline and tight fitting and it was simply stunning.
“Wow” Melanie said because there were no other words for this beautiful dress. “Katie that is fabulous.”
“Do you really think so” Katie asked delighted with her friend’s reaction.
“Katie it is the most beautiful dress I have ever seen” Melanie gushed. “I am so jealous”.
“I am glad you feel that way” Katie said with a huge grin. “Because it’s yours”.
“It’s what” Melanie gasped.
“It’s for you” Katie replied. “For tonight”.
“Oh my god” Melanie said, her hand flying to her mouth. She was really and truly overwhelmed. She could feel the tears pooling in her eyes. “Katie I adore it, I really do but I can’t accept that. It is far too much”.
“Don’t be so ridiculous” Katie said and rolled her eyes. “You are like my sister. I love you and I am so happy for you. You have been through so much and I am just so happy that you finally found your mister right. I want tonight to be the best night of your life. Well at least until your wedding night and then that is up to Simon to rock your world”.
Melanie felt her heart drop into her stomach. She knew Katie was never going to understand and was probably never going to forgive her. She knew Katie loved Simon and equally couldn’t bear to even hear Sam’s name mentioned.
“I love you too Katie” Melanie said flinging her arms around her friend. “Please don’t ever forget that”. She couldn’t hold her tears back.
“Hey silly” Katie said holding her friend at arm’s length. “Don’t start with the water works or you will set me off too”.
After they had their coffee Katie gathered everything she need for their night out and the headed back to Melanie’s apartment.
As soon she opened her apartment she was greeted by the most beautiful arrangement of blood red, long stem roses she had ever seen sitting on her coffee table.
“Oh my god” Katie said when she saw them. “Simon has to be the sweetest man I have ever met”.
Melanie smiled but she knew they weren’t from Simon, they were from Sam. Simon didn’t do the hearts and flowers thing. He thought flowers were nothing but an extravagant waste of money.
She picked up the little envelope that was propped against the vase of flowers and slid the card out and read the words and her heart swelled with love.
To my beautiful girl, have a great night, our future is just beginning, no more running
Love you forever and Always. S xx
“What’s no more running about” Katie asked as she read the card over Melanie’s shoulder.
“Oh it’s just a private joke” she lied. She placed the card back down next to the vase.
“You wanna jump in the shower while I sort my hair out?” Katie asked seemingly happy with Melanie’s explanation of the comment on the card. “That way I can do your hair when you are done”.
Two hours later Melanie stood in front of her full length mirror and looked at herself in amazement. She was buffed, polished, curled and tanned all courtesy of Katie. Now she was standing there in the fabulous dress Katie had brought her home from New York and she barely recognised herself.
She turned from side to side admiring her dress then she looked from it down to her 5” black peep toe Jimmy Choo’s shoes Simon had bought her for her birthday the year before. She only wore them on very special occasions. She looked amazing even if she said so herself.
She could hear the buzzer on her intercom telling her that the rest of her friends were starting to arrive. Her Mom and Grace were coming too as well as six of the girls she worked with. Simon had no sisters and his Mom said it wasn’t really her thing so she wasn’t coming, Melanie was relived at this. And of course there would be Lucy and Katie. As she walked from the bedroom she could hear the buzz from the living room where all her friends had gathered and the popping of champagne followed by a big cheer.
“Wow” Lucy exclaimed being the first to turn around and spot Melanie standing by the door. “You look amazing, I am loving the dress”.
“Katie bought me it in New York” Melanie said as she gave them a twirl. Followed by a course of wows and stunning.
Her Mom walked over and hugged her tightly. Then she picked up two glasses of champagne and handed one to Melanie and turned back to the rest of the assembled girls “I would like to make a toast. I would just like to say I can’t believe my baby is going to be a married woman in a weeks’ time. I am so proud of you Mel. You have been through more than anyone should but you never let it hold you back. You truly inspire me”.
Melanie smiled but she could feel her stomach lurch as she thought about what her Mom would say when she realised what she had done. Her eyes found Lucy and Lucy gave her an encouraging smile.
Sarah held her glass up and with tears glistening in her eyes she said “To Melanie”.
“To Melanie” the rest of the group echoed. Melanie excused herself saying she need to go get her bag from her bedroom. She needed a moment to herself to collect her thoughts.
She flopped down on her bed and breathed deeply. Suddenly her phone beeped. She picked it up and smiled instantly when she saw Sam’s name. She pressed open and read the message.
“Come outside”
She typed out her replied.
“Give me two minutes”
She quickly got up of the bed and returned to the others in out in the living area who were all laughing at a story Katie was telling them about New York.
“I’ve left something in my car” she announced as she grabbed her keys. “I’ll be back in two minutes”.
She quickly let herself out of her apartment and hurried down the hallway to the lift.
When she stepped out of the front door she was surprised to be grabbed from behind and pulled down the side of the building.
“Sweet Jesus” Sam exclaims as his eyes raked up and down her body. “Melanie are you trying to kill me. You look breathtaking and incredible hot. Too hot in fact. I don’t think I like the thoug
ht of you out with the girls wearing this. You will have every guy in the place falling over themselves”. Before Melanie could reply Sam pulled her to him and sealed her mouth with his kissing her deeply. Her heart raced as desire shot through her body. She could feel his arousal pressed hard against her hip and the feeling was truly amazing. She loved that she could have this much power over him.
“I want to bring you back to my place and peel that amazing dress off you and lose myself deep inside you right now” he sighed when he finally released her mouth from his.
“That sounds so tempting” Melanie whispers as she runs her tongue along his stubbly jaw line.
“I have something for you” he says a he reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small velvet box and handed it to her.
Melanie holds it in her hand and stares at it then at Sam.
“I know you already agreed to marry me, but you can’t wear your ring until tomorrow” he explained. “But I wanted you to have something to wear tonight, just so you remember”.
Melanie opened the box slowly a reveal a solitary diamond on a white gold chain. It was stunning.
“Sam it’s beautiful” she said honestly touch by his words and his gift. He took it from her and removed it from the box and turned her around and pulled it around her neck and fastened it and kissed her softly on the back of her neck.
“Not as beautiful are you Melanie” he said breathlessly. “Can I meet you later?”
“I would love nothing more” she said as she turned back to face him and she pressed herself against him firmly as she kissed him hard on the lips, then reluctantly she pulled back “I should go back up before someone comes looking for me. I will text you were we have ended up and I will meet you there”.
“Ok” he smiled and kissed her softly. “Don’t have too much fun”. She watched as he walked up the street and waited for him to turn back and wave. When he did she blew him a kiss and turned and opened the front door of the apartment and ran smack into Katie.
“There you are” she exclaimed when she saw Melanie. Then her eyes landed on the necklace. “Wow, that’s new. It’s beautiful. I didn’t notice it earlier”.
Forever and Always Page 23