by Rita Hestand
"A lot of girls have dated Dex, but none last long." Neely assured them both. "Maybe you'll be the exception."
"We'll see." Melanie offered a shy smile.
Chapter Thirteen
That morning when Melanie got off, she was yawning consistently. She had to shake herself long enough to wake up so she could ride her bike home. It was the first time she'd ridden her bike and she glanced all around her as she approached the stand where she had left it. It was quiet and no one was around. She unlocked it, and she was on her way. Dex hadn't shown her a short cut yet, and she sorely wished he had. It looked like rain.
It was a quiet morning, overcast and dreary looking.
She hadn't gone a block and she got that feeling again. This time it was more pronounced, as though maybe whoever it was, followed her. No longer were they looking, they were following. She sped up. She glanced over her shoulder at the street. No one was on the street right now. It was still very early.
She stopped for a minute and looked all about her. She needed to find out who it was, then maybe why they kept bugging her. If they were going to hurt her, wouldn't they have done something by now. Locking her in the bathroom had done nothing but shake her up a bit, and scare her, because now she knew someone was after her. But who and why?
She didn't see anyone.
Then why was she getting these vibes?
She kept pedaling, faster now. Maybe she had let her imagination run away with her. After all, she'd seen no one. And yet, the incident in her own bathroom told her it wasn't her imagination. Someone had been on the other side of the bathroom door. She knew that. She'd seen the clothes.
Someone was walking across the street, in the same direction, she noted out of the corner of her eyes. But it was a woman in a sweat suit with the hoodie pulled over her head. Melanie tried to relax. She reasoned the hoodie was to keep the light sprinkles of rain off her. She wasn't walking fast, but in a steady pace. Maybe she was scared too! Melanie thought with a sigh.
A car whizzed by, splashing a bit of rain on her feet.
When she reached her apartment complex, she glanced around. The woman had turned off on another street obviously and no one else seemed to follow.
Maybe she was just becoming a bit paranoid. But then the bathroom kept proving her wrong. She couldn't forget or explain that. And someone was on the other side of the bathroom door. She'd seen their clothing. She'd seen them turn the knob.
Parking her bike on the rack where bicycles were locked up she took the elevator up after looking around her.
Just as she unlocked her door, she heard a voice, "Wanna come over for some coffee?" Dex asked as he leaned negligently against his door frame and stared at her.
She knew it was Dex, just from the sound of his mellow voice. He had an enticing voice.
She whirled around and smiled, "Hi stranger." She walked up to him.
"Missed you." He said in a whisper.
"Me too!" she said.
"Come on, tell me all about the job and how you like it." He encouraged as he invited her in and went to pour them both a cup of coffee.
She went to the leather couch and stretched as he handed her a cup. She took a swig and handed it to him to put on the coffee table.
"Tired?" he asked.
"A little. Coffee sure is nice though." She smiled.
He pulled her against him and they cuddled. Why she felt so at peace in his arms she didn't know. But it was there, surrounding her like a cozy blanket. No other man had made her feel so safe.
He kissed her temple and put his arm around her. "Okay, tell me all about it." He whispered.
"Well, you were right, I’m working with Julia, and I really like her. I don't get to do much at first, but stock the supply room, make name tags and clean instruments. But I've met everyone and really like it."
She laid her head against his shoulder.
"I knew you and Julia would get along well." He smiled. "She's terrific."
The way he said that shocked Melanie for some reason. She made a mental note of it.
"So, is everything else going alright?" He asked when she got quiet.
"Everything else?"
"No more bathroom incidents?"
"No," she said, not wanting to mention the chilling feeling she got this morning. It could have been her imagination.
"Good. I worried about you taking the bike, I saw it was gone from the stand." He told her.
"My car wouldn't start." She explained.
"Want me to look at it for you?" He asked.
"Well, you can't work on it in the parking space, but maybe you could tell me what you think it is."
"Sure, I will a little later. I'm off today. What say we cuddle up and watch a couple of movies together. You can even take a nap if you want. I just like the fact that you are home, here, and safe."
But she was already asleep on his shoulder and he could hear the soft purr of her snoring. He smiled and kissed her temple, helping her stretch out beside him on the couch. He cuddled her in his arms and closed his eyes too.
When she woke up, she was totally cuddled up to Dex, and he was asleep. It felt warm and cozy and she didn't move, but she did look at him though. She hadn't realized just how much she had missed him in the last three days. Being with him she could really relax. She always felt safe around Dex. Funny how one person could be so reassuring. Knowing she couldn't depend on him for that, she needed to distance herself from him some, but it was impossible and she realized that the minute she saw him this morning. She didn't want to be apart from him.
She sighed and cuddled closer. Her lips grazed his chin as she snuggled against him.
His eyes slowly opened and he stared at her, "Hi…" He smiled.
"Hi," she said shyly. Their eyes met and held each other for a long while.
She started to get up, but he pulled her back and into his arms and kissed her slowly, deliberately, passionately on the lips. "I've wanted to do that for three whole days." He murmured when they came up for air.
"I didn't think I'd miss you so much," she declared before thinking about it.
"Now that admission deserves another kiss," He whispered and pulled her unresisting body against his.
The kiss went on and on, as her lips melted against his. When he pulled away, he stared into her eyes, "I know I’m supposed to be backing off, but my God, it's been three whole days without you…" He whispered.
She pulled up in a sitting position and chuckled, but when she saw how serious he was, she leaned over and kissed him.
This kiss was powerful, as their tongues danced against each other to a mating call, slowly, tasting each other, swooning and melting all at the same time. But she pulled up quickly. Her breathing was erratic. "We're crazy, aren't we?" She glanced at him now.
His eyes danced, "Are we?"
"We haven't known each other very long and yet it seems like a lifetime, doesn't it," she protested.
"Time doesn't seem to matter much between us. I'm told when soulmates meet, it's instant. Evidently we've known each other long enough to know what we like." He murmured as his finger reached to touch her hair. "I know it's going too fast, but, I honestly can't seem to find the brakes. Can you?"
She turned her head to look at him, "No." She answered softly without looking at him. "And I've never admitted that to any man."
Seeing her confused expression, he nodded and sat up, "I'll behave."
"I really need to get some sleep." She told him. "I better go."
He nodded. "Okay, but…have supper with me tonight. Here."
"Here?" She glanced around and then at him.
"I'll be a good boy," He smiled. "I won't do anything but kiss you…unless…."
She snickered. "If you didn't kiss me, I’m not sure I'd stay."
He chuckled lightly, then realizing how serious she was, his eyes glazed over with what looked like pure admiration.
"That's my girl," He barely touched her chin.
"I gue
ss I really am, aren't I?" She felt a boneless kind of feeling assail her.
"Finally," He said.
"Finally, what?" She asked.
"You admit we're dating now. That's a start."
"Are you just out for casual sex?" She asked turning all her attention on him. "Be honest. Because if you are, we need to end this now…I wanted to wait until I was married to have sex."
He touched her cheek, as his hand cupped her face. "No…I don't think I am…. although I'm certainly not opposed to making love with you."
"Me either!" she stared into his eyes "I mean…"
He smiled now, he stood up, put his hands on her cheeks, as his thumb stroked her. "I know what you mean, Mel. You’re a good girl. It's part of why I like you so much. I promise, tonight I'll be a gentleman."
Her eyes closed for a moment, absorbing the sweet caresses he gave her. "But I think I better tell you now…I think I might be falling in love with you…"
Her eyes popped open, "You can't be, it's too soon. You don't understand. It's frivolous of both of us to say such things so soon."
His eyes searched hers now, pulling something from her. Then he did the most miraculous thing, he kissed her so gently, so perfectly, her heart jerked in her chest. Wanting to throw all cautions to the wind, she almost threw her arms around him. But she knew if she did, she'd be lost and her virginity would be a thing of the past. She was that close to giving into him.
In a shallow breath, she whispered. "I'll see you for supper then."
He smiled, "Six too early?"
"No, that sounds fine. Right now, I need a bath and a bed."
"See you at six then…Hey, leave me your car keys and I'll have a look at your car in a bit." He shot her a quick smile.
She dug in her purse for her keys and threw them at him.
"Get some sleep…" he smiled sexily at her.
"Thanks…" She nodded and left. But as her glance sought him out, she swallowed hard, "but after all of this, I’m not sure I can."
"Sleep…. later, babe."
Knowing he was right, she nodded and left.
Chapter Fourteen
As soon as she went inside her apartment she decided to check the balcony.
She opened the door and went out on the balcony.
The railing had been rewelded and it looked as though it would hold. She was impressed with the maintenance man's work. He did a good job and the whole balcony seemed much stronger now. She smiled and went back inside.
She took a quick shower and climbed in her bed without dressing. She'd dress later, right now, she needed sleep.
She curled up in a ball and was asleep before her head hit the pillow.
At a little after four, she heard a noise in her kitchen and stirred.
Her eyes closed once more.
"Mel," Dex called through the apartment. "Mel, are you okay?"
When he came into the bedroom, Melanie grabbed the sheet around her and stared wild-eyed. "Yeah…what are you doing here?" She asked, startled.
He sat on the edge of the bed and stared at her. Heat rose between them, tension stretched. His eyes went all over her for a moment, then he got up and seemed to realize where they were and her state of dress.
"Your door was open." He explained. "Wide open. I thought something was wrong. I just looked at your car, timing belt is broke."
"Oh, is that expensive?" She reached to move her hair out of her eyes and the sheet slipped. His eyes darted to her peeking breast then he looked away.
"Between $300-500." He answered in a choked voice.
She sat up and pulled the sheet closer to her shoulders now. "I don't have that kind of money yet. I guess I'll have to ride my bike now." She wailed miserably.
Seeing the honest distress on her face, he sat down on the bed beside her, "Don't fret, I'll get it repaired for you and you can pay me back."
"I can't let you do that?" She protested.
"Sure, you can. I don't want you riding that bike with things happening like they have been. Come on, get dressed, we'll call a fella I know and he'll tow it to the garage where they can fix it in no time."
"Oh, but Dex…" she called his name and suddenly he could stand it no longer and leaned to kiss her lips. The kiss was steamy and in her state of dress she realized things could easily get out of hand. She moved away just a bit, to break the intensity. It was a hard thing to do. She wanted more than kisses, she quickly realized, and that thought sobered her.
"I'm sorry," he got up once more. "Come on, get dressed, and come on over. I'll make a call and see if we can't get this fixed quickly." He stared down at her.
Her lips shone where he had ravaged them and her sheet was sliding downward again.
She looked at herself and then him. "Alright, I'll be right over." She nodded.
He left without another word. He seen her, at least part of her, and the fact that he didn't touch her, made her even more sure she could trust him.
She scrambled out of bed and threw a pair of jeans and a t-shirt on. She brushed her hair and dabbed some pink lipstick on and grabbed her keys, then it dawned on her what he had said. Her door was wide open?
She hadn't left it open.
Fear ran through her. She was sure it was locked when she went into the bathroom. Slowly she walked through the apartment and glanced around. No one was there now. But had they been?
How did they open it?
She ran to the front door, locked it and ran to Dex's place.
He opened the door immediately as he was carrying a spatula in his hand, but he kept it in the air when he saw her expression.
"My door was wide open?" She repeated.
"It was…yeah. Did you forget to lock it?"
"No, I did not!"
He stared. He closed the door and had her sit down.
"Don't fret. We'll get to the bottom of this. So, far no one has tried to harm you. Could be some kind of pranking going on." He insisted.
"Dex, I'm scared." She told him as tears ran down her cheeks now.
"I know you are, honey. I'm worried too. But we'll figure this out. Together." He insisted.
He came up and rubbed his thumbs over her cheeks to wipe the tears away. He bent to kiss her on the lips and then he looked deeply into her eyes. "We'll sit down after supper and talk this out. There has got to be some kind of explanation for this."
He wiped her tears, and kissed her until she calmed down, then he went back to the kitchen. "After supper…."
"Okay, can I help?" she asked weakly.
"No, just sit there and look beautiful all night."
"Seriously."
"I am serious," he sent her a kiss.
"Will you stop," she snickered.
"Okay, it's ready, let's eat."
He'd made chicken and broccoli Alfredo. With French bread and Caesar salad.
She stared at the meal and then looked up at him with surprise as they sat at his small kitchen table.
"What?" He chuckled.
"I'm impressed. You can cook."
"Not a lot, but some…" He snickered.
"I’m jealous. Who taught you to cook this?" She asked.
"My sister." He told her quickly dispelling her suspicions. "She used to fix it all the time and invite me over because she knew I loved it. Mom taught her, and she taught me."
She tasted it and rolled her eyes, "It's delicious."
"Glad you like it."
For a while they had put the incident behind them and they both laughed and cut up for part of the night. But after they did the dishes together and sat down in front of the tv to watch a movie, he pulled out his phone and called his buddy with a tow truck.
He arranged to have her car picked up that night and the garage he called said they could have it fixed in a couple of days.
Relieved she took her shoes off and cuddled with him on the couch.
They kissed continuously, and the sexual tension was like a live wire between them. That's when they both decided
to stop and stop giving into to temptation. Although, Mel enjoyed his kisses no end, it could eventually land them in the bedroom, since they were in his apartment. Not a good thing. Not yet at least, Mel decided.
"Why don't you stay with me until you have to go back to work?" He asked.
She raised up, "I can't do that Dex. Although I'll admit I'm tempted."
"Why not?"
"I can't put my life on hold like that. I've got to live no matter what happens. Besides, much more of this and we'll be in your bedroom and you know it."
He sat up, pulling her to him. "Yeah, I know it. Would that be such a bad thing?"
"Of course, it wouldn't. I think you know how I feel. But, let's give this some time." She told him.
"How much time?" He asked.
"I don't know. I only know I want it, as much as you do, but I feel it's not right."
"Why? I mean, I told you I love you…"
"I know….and I'm pretty sure I feel the same."
"Then…."
"Dex, I've got other worries right now. And until I straighten them out…."
"Okay, I promised we'd talk about this. Now, let's think about it. What men have you had arguments with or felt a tension with?"
She glanced down at the floor to think. She couldn't possibly concentrate with him looking so darned cute, in his black pants and red shirt.
"Well, there was Cal, the guy that moved my furniture in for me the first night. But we had no words. In fact, he's a very nice guy. He's moved to Texas A&M to play football. No tension there at all."
"Okay scrub Cal. Who else?"
"There's Brad, my ex-boyfriend, we did have a few words. But when he left we were okay with each other, I think. I don't think he'd be vindictive. And Chicago is a long ways off."
"Alright so Brad is out of the picture." He smiled. "But we might have to bring him back in, later. After all, you went with him for some time and you broke it off quite suddenly. You never know in those situations. Personally, I'm glad he's out of the picture. Especially since he dated you so long."
"What?" She grinned.
"Glad he's gone…I mean you dated the guy four long years…. What if he suddenly reappeared and wanted to date you again?"