by Jamie Hill
He scanned the neighborhood as he approached and everything looked normal. Parking in the driveway, he locked his vehicle and entered the house using his key. "Hello?"
No answer.
"Mel?" Nate announced himself walking down the hall. He didn't want to come face to face with the barrel end of a Smith and Wesson. "Mel?"
She wasn't in the bedroom, or either of the bathrooms.
His gut clenched. Nate rushed down the hall and searched the kitchen. The table was set for two with his roses as the centerpiece, but there was no sign of Mel. He searched the spare room and double checked to make sure her car was in the garage. It was there. She wasn't.
The back door stood slightly ajar. "Damn it!" he swore. The door was open, and Mel was gone.
Chapter Eleven
Nate raced to the door and threw it open. Mel stood on the patio in front of a smoking barbecue grill. Relief mixed with irritation flooded through him. "What the hell are you doing?"
She glanced up, a surprised expression on her face. "What kind of a greeting is that?"
He stomped over to the grill, looking around the yard as he did. "You shouldn't be out here. That freaking creepy jackass of an asshole Webb knows where you live."
Mel chuckled. "Your love for him hasn't grown much today."
"I'm serious, Melanie." He clutched her arm.
"I know you are because you're calling me 'Melanie' and using your 'I'm serious' voice." She piled two steaks onto a plate and thrust it at him. "Take these inside while I turn off the grill."
He rolled his eyes and stayed beside her while she did what she needed to do, then escorted her in.
Mel locked the door behind them. "I know it was stupid to go outside, but I wanted to make you a nice dinner. The more I thought about it, the more I decided I will not let Webb make me a prisoner in my own home."
Nate set the plate on the table and shook his head. "We've got a lot to figure out, then. I can't imagine leaving Wichita knowing that maniac is still on the loose, and driving down your street every day."
"He did it once."
"That you know of."
She placed two potatoes on the table and got condiments from the fridge. "I hope steak and baked potatoes is okay with you."
Nate sighed. He pulled her into his arms and spoke directly in her ear. "Whatever you made is fine with me. You scared me, Mel. I'm not sure how we've come so far so fast in this relationship, but I'm head over heels for you. I can't imagine not being with you. When I thought, for an instant, that you were gone, I about went out of my mind."
She wrapped her arms around him. "I'm sorry I scared you. I am wearing my gun and my phone, I hope you noticed."
"I did. But the first thing an attacker's going to do is disarm you."
Mel kissed his earlobe. "Stop worrying so much. No one's going to disarm me. Well, maybe you, if you come across with those chocolates you promised."
He smiled and captured her lips in a kiss. His hands ran through her hair and down her backside, where he drew her ass firmly against him.
She ground her hips into his.
His erection grew. He opened his mouth and deepened the kiss, hungry for more than the dinner she'd prepared. He wanted as much of Mel as she had to give.
She pressed her hands against his shoulders and pushed him back. Panting, she smiled. "We need to eat first. We'll definitely pick this up where we left off, but let's eat while it's hot."
Nate grabbed her ass one more time and squeezed. "You're hot."
Mel laughed, running a finger over his stubbly cheek. "You're smokin' hot. I love this facial hair. Never shave, okay?"
He released his grip and held a chair out for her. "No promises. Eventually I'd look like Grizzly Adams, and I doubt the bureau would appreciate that." He took a seat and they began to eat.
"This is wonderful." He savored each bite.
"Thank you. So admit it, grilling steaks was a good idea."
"Going outside was a lousy idea. The fact that it worked out okay is pure luck. And these steaks are purely amazing." He reached over and traced a line up her arm. "You're a great cop, an excellent cook, a dynamo in the bedroom—is there anything you can't do?"
She nearly choked on her mouthful of food from laughing so hard. "Wow, you make me sound like quite a catch."
"You are," he said sincerely. "I've started thanking God every day that I'm the one who caught you."
"Awww." She smiled. "Such a sweet talker. But I still haven't seen the aforementioned chocolates."
He feigned a grumble. "Women. Give them roses, and they still want chocolates."
"Damn right." Mel continued eating.
A thought occurred to Nate and he added, "Give them Coach and they still want Prada."
Her eyes sparkled. "I'd be happy with Coach. I don't need a bag that cost more than a month's pay. My luck, I'd spill a latte on it."
He chuckled. "Ever notice Becker having an affinity toward Prada?"
"Becker? No way. She's a rookie, the newest detective in the unit. Before that she walked a beat. I'd be surprised if she could afford Coach."
Nate finished his steak and pushed his plate back. "She was sporting a stylish Prada bag today. Stone and I saw it."
"Stone wouldn't know Prada from Hello Kitty. How do you know it?"
He shrugged. "Remember I told you about Rita, the girlfriend who left when I entered the bureau?"
Mel nodded.
"She had a thing for Prada. I satisfied her with Coach, but just barely."
Mel's gaze ran down his body. "That's not what satisfied her."
He shoved his chair away from the table and reached for her.
Mel straddled him and wiggled her ass into his crotch.
Groaning, Nate nibbled her neck. "Hope you were done eating."
"For now."
His mouth moved lower and he mumbled, "Want me to clear these dishes?"
"Later." She unbuttoned his shirt and shoved it off his shoulders.
"Want me to shut up and put my talents to better use?"
"Most definitely."
They necked for a few minutes then she rose and motioned for him to follow. Mel left her gun and half her clothes in the dining room. The rest littered the floor, leaving a trail down the hall. By the time she reached the bed she was naked and as beautiful a sight as Nate had ever seen.
He scrambled to undress, taking longer because he had two holsters to remove. He left his Glock on the nightstand and tucked his smaller gun into a dresser drawer closer to the bathroom.
Mel had thrown the covers off and flopped onto the bed, wiggling one knee back and forth suggestively. The mere vision had him rock hard and ready to go. He rolled on a condom and grabbed her by the legs, flipping her over on her belly.
"Oh!" she exclaimed.
Nate knelt behind her and raised her hips to meet his. He paused before progressing to the next step. "Something to say?"
"God yes," she grunted, her voice muffled when she buried it in the pillow. "Take me."
He plunged forward and entered in one smooth stroke.
Mel gasped and pressed her ass against him.
"Good?" They hadn't tried this position yet and he wanted to make sure she was comfortable.
"Yeah." Her head nodded vigorously.
He chuckled and plunged home again. Each thrust sent her reeling harder against him and he could tell neither of them would last long. Fine with me. He only needed to last long enough to satisfy her. That was his new goal in life. Do whatever it takes to make Mel happy.
She obviously agreed with his plan, and was soon gasping and groaning through an intense climax.
"Damn, you're beautiful," he muttered through gritted teeth when she quieted down.
"You're killing me." She gasped as his pummeling continued.
"Nah, you got one more in you. I know you do."
"Nate, stop," she murmured without conviction.
He froze. "That what you really want?"
"No!"
He grinned and picked up the motion once again. In a matter of minutes she cried out louder than the time before, clutching the sheets in her clenched fingers.
Nate couldn't hold back any longer. Surrendering to the release, he grasped her hips and groaned while the best feelings in the world encompassed him. Unable to remain kneeling, he dropped to his side and rolled her with him.
They lay, panting, until he finally said, "I should take care of the rubber."
"You move and I swear I'll find my gun."
He chuckled. "Not moving."
Mel wrapped his arms around her. "Never move. I never want to lose this feeling."
He kissed her earlobe. "What if I promised to find those chocolates when I get up?"
She held his arms tight. "Got everything I need, right here."
"Mmm, me too. I love … being with you like this Mel."
She glanced at him over her shoulder. "Oh, that was so close!"
Nate grinned. "Damn it, I know. What was I thinking?" He kissed her ear once more then pulled away. "Gotta go, babe. I'll be back."
Mel sighed but released her grip.
He took care of the condom and washed up, then gathered the gifts he'd gotten for her and took them to the bed.
"What's all this?" She sat up, cross-legged. "I asked for candy, not the candy store."
He slid in next to her and shrugged. "Just a few tokens for the fairest damsel in the land."
She gazed at him. "Keep talking like that and I might just let you sully my virtue, good sir."
Nate snorted. "Well, that ship has sailed, I hate to tell you. But I might want to do it again in a little while."
Mel cupped his cheek lovingly. "You got it, big boy. So these are all for me, huh? Can I open them?"
"No, I'm just going to make you look. Of course you can open them. This one first." He handed her the box with the bubble bath.
She unwrapped the bottle and smiled. "Ooh, I love it!"
He raised his brows. "That was close."
She grinned slyly and reached for the next gift.
He handed over the candy, delighting in their banter. It was obvious that both of them wanted to exchange 'I love you ' s', and they both also knew it was probably too soon. The time was coming, though, and they'd enjoy themselves while they worked up to it.
She ripped open the chocolates and purred with delight. "Mmm, my favorites. I really love these. You did good."
"Great. I just took a shot."
Mel twirled her hair around one finger. "Your shots are amazing."
He reached out and tweaked her nipple. "You're a flirt and a tease. If you don't watch it, I'm going to have my way with you again very soon."
Her face lit up. "Promise?"
Nate groaned and handed her the gift of lingerie.
Mel ripped into it and sighed when she saw the slinky, sexy peach-colored teddy. "This is fabulous! I can't wait to try it on for you."
He shook his head. "Don't bother. I'll just be yanking it off again."
"Maybe later," she agreed.
"Last one." He offered her the small jeweler's box.
"Ooh, a ring? Yes, I accept!" she squealed.
"You suck," he teased. "There might be a ring in our future, but we should probably know each other longer than five days."
"Buzz kill." Mel pretended to pout, but her expression changed when she saw the diamond pendant. "Oh, Nate. It's exquisite. You shouldn't have."
He took the chain and fastened it around her neck. "I thought it was beautiful. It'll look even better on the sexiest neck I've ever had the pleasure of kissing."
Mel jumped up and examined herself in the mirror. When she turned to face him, she glowed with what he could only describe as the same happiness he felt. "It's perfect. Thank you so much, Nathan. I love … it." She batted her lashes coyly.
She approached him slowly, a seductive look in her eye.
He leaned back and smiled.
* * * *
They ate chocolates and did the dishes a few hours later, and ended up back in bed, lying facing each other in the dim, moonlit room.
"I need to tell you something about myself," Nate said. "It's a biggie, maybe even a deal breaker. I probably should have told you before now, but there never seemed to be a right time."
She ran a hand over his cheek. "What is it?"
He hesitated, but knew he had to tell her the story he'd never told anyone else in his life. "You know my mother died when I was two."
"I'm sorry about that. It's so sad."
"What you don't know is how she died. I didn't know for a long time, either. At some point in high school I started asking questions. I guess my folks figured I was old enough to know by that time."
"Your grandparents?"
"Yeah. I called them Ma and Pop. Anyway, this story is entirely from them, because obviously I don't remember any of it."
"Of course not."
"My mom was sixteen when she met a boy that her parents didn't approve of. I guess she fell hard for him. Started skipping school and all that. Eventually she dropped out and ran away with him. They didn't know where she was for months. She finally called them from Des Moines, which is about forty minutes from home. She was pregnant and the guy had left her."
"Jerk," Mel interjected. "Oh, sorry. I guess that's your father I'm talking about."
He smiled sadly. "I wish. Ma and Pop went to get her. She'd been hospitalized. She lost the baby about halfway through her term. They took her home and nursed her back to health. Said she was thin and scrawny, probably hadn't eaten a decent meal in months. It was no wonder she miscarried, really."
"How awful." Mel looked confused.
"It gets worse. When she recovered, they tried to get her back into school and a normal life. But sometimes, there's no going home again. She couldn't handle it. Wanted to be out on her own again."
"Since she handled it so well the first time."
Nate smiled. "They didn't hear from her again for three years. They hired a private investigator and he searched for a while, but she never turned up. Until she died."
Mel bit her lip.
"Pop got a call one day from the Des Moines police. It seems my mother had been working as a prostitute in the city. She'd had a few minor run-ins with the law, so they had her records on file. They told Pop some guy had picked her up off the street corner one night, and she never came home. Found her body in an alley the next day. She'd been strangled and stabbed."
Tears streamed Mel's cheeks. "No." She reached for his hand and held it.
"When the cops went to her last known address they found three working girls living in the small apartment, and two children. A baby and a two-year-old. They took turns watching us when they weren't working."
She squeezed his hand.
"The Department of Children and Family Services took the kids and ran some blood tests. I don't know who the baby belonged to, but I was the child of Ellen Willis. DCFS gave the report to the cops, who tracked down Ma and Pop. They came and got me, and we went home."
"You were okay? You weren't hurt or abused or anything?"
He shrugged. "Not that I know of. I've thought about it a lot over the years. My earliest memory is pushing a wagon in the yard at Ma and Pop's. I don't remember anything before that. I considered getting some therapy, then I figured what for? It wasn't going to change anything. I turned out okay."
She drew him into her arms. "You turned out better than okay. You're an amazing man, Nathan Willis. Ellen must have done something right."
"Most of the credit goes to Ma and Pop. I'm fortunate they accepted me unconditionally." He pulled away and looked in her eyes. "We have no idea who my father is, Mel. Some John who either lived or passed through Des Moines, Iowa. Not much to narrow it down."
She held his face. "Your folks didn't care. You were Ellen's baby. They loved Ellen. They loved you."
He felt a tear escape and tried to shrug off her grasp to wipe it, but Mel wouldn't release him.
"I don't care either, Nathan. Who you are has little to do with DNA. It's more about the man you've become."
"I went a little nuts there at first. It wasn't an easy story for a kid to hear. I rebelled some, before it occurred to me that rebelling was what got my mother into the situation she ended up in. That's when I decided the army might be the way to go."
She nodded. "I believe that was a good move."
He looked into her eyes. "DNA does matter though. My father hired prostitutes. Maybe he did other weird shit. We'll never know."
"We don't need to know. I don't care. Are your Ma and Pop still alive?"
He smiled. "Oh yeah. Griping that I don't come home often enough. Patiently waiting for me to bring home Miss Right."
"Did they like Rita or what's her name, Connie?"
"Carol. They didn't meet Rita or Carol. I never took either of them home. I never told either of them that story. You're the only person I've ever told."
A pleased expression crossed Mel's face. "I'm glad you told me, because I want to know everything about you. But it doesn't change a thing."
"I wanted you to know before things got too serious. If it does matter, just say the word and I'll understand."
She blinked. "Before things got too serious? Um, as you said last night, that ship has sailed. This is as serious as it gets." She reached for his hands and threaded their fingers through each other. Raising both hands above his head, she pressed them into the pillow and straddled his body. "If you told me that story to scare me off, it didn't work. I want you now more than ever. And you know what else I might want?" She rubbed her body against his.
He eyed the gorgeous breasts wiggling in front of him and some thoughts came to mind. "I can think of a few things."
She grinned. "You'll never guess this because I've never said it to anyone before tonight, either." She lowered her face until they were almost nose to nose. "I think I might want a little dark-haired boy who looks just like his daddy. And a pretty little girl with her daddy's eyes. We could name her Ellen."
Nate held his breath. Kids had never been part of his mind-set. The concept had neither occurred nor appealed to him. Suddenly, it was doing both, and the idea was terrifying. "Well, I don't know."