When You're Mine (The Gallaghers)

by Layla Hagen

  “She’s good at the game,” Dad said, nodding to Isabelle.

  “Excellent,” I said. I was pretty much crap at cards, so at least he had a worthy opponent tonight. I went to the kitchen, peering into the pan, and did a double take.

  “Is that risotto?” I asked.

  “Yes.”

  “Wow. I thought Dylan was the chef in your family. At least, that’s the story he tells.”

  “Ha! I’m the better cook.”

  “Really?” Isabelle asked, straightening up in her chair and looking over at Ian. “Then why is it that you never offer to cook for us when we have a family get-together?”

  Ian grinned. “Because Dylan always offers. I conserve my energy for when it’s needed.”

  I worked side by side with him, not that I had much to do. He’d already chopped onions and grated parmesan. When he announced it was ready, I put everything on plates and brought them to the table.

  Daddy was still overwhelmed by this loud and friendly gang. I could tell by how he kept watching them banter, eying me from time to time.

  “Thank you, Ian. This was delicious,” Dad said after he emptied his plate. “Isabelle, Tess, thank you too for everything you did today. I’m going to go back to my fancy bedroom and sleep. I’ve napped more today than I do in a week, but I’m still exhausted.”

  “It’s been a draining day. Good night, Dad.” I was so pissed at Elliot that I wasn’t even sure what to do.

  He rolled his chair with ease through the living room. I was so grateful to Dylan for inviting us here. My living room was much smaller than this one, and I would’ve had to rearrange part of the furniture so Dad could move around. The hallways and doorframes here were all newer than at my townhouse and were built more generously.

  "Thank you so much for being here," I told the three of them once Dad left.

  “No problem,” Ian said. “That’s what family is for.”

  His words caught me off guard. Did they consider me and Dad family? I couldn’t even wrap my mind around that.

  "Dylan's going to be arriving later than he thought," Isabelle said.

  I looked at her abruptly. "He's returning to New York? Tonight?"

  "Of course. He didn't tell you?" Ian asked.

  "No, he didn’t. Why is he coming back?"

  “For you, silly. He doesn't want you to go through this all alone," Isabelle said.

  "Oh wow." I had no idea what to say. I felt all warm inside, and my vision was blurring. I couldn’t believe he was doing it. Suddenly I wanted to feel his arms wrapped around me tightly and bury my nose in his neck and inhale the scent of his skin. “When is he arriving?”

  "I’m not sure. The only plane available was late this evening, so now he’s coming by car.”

  He was coming back to support me. It still didn’t feel real.

  "You guys are something else," I said finally.

  "That we are. We take care of our own. Do you want to talk about what happened?" Isabelle asked.

  "No, I just... I don't think there's anything to be gained by talking about it."

  She and Ian exchanged another one of those glances that told me they were having a silent conversation.

  “We need a distraction technique,” Isabelle suggested in a conversational tone.

  I looked between the siblings and then at Tess, who just smiled.

  "What are you talking about?" I asked.

  "Well, there are several ways to get through a crisis," Ian said. "I usually go for humor. It's not always appreciated, but my family has kind of gotten used to it. What's your take on it?"

  "I have no idea what to say." I laughed, but I was a bit bewildered.

  "Okay, then. Distraction it is," Ian declared.

  While the four of us cleaned the table, Ian delighted us with all sorts of stories from their childhood. He even took out Buddy for a potty break.

  A short while later, we all heard the front door unlocking. I immediately rose from the couch and walked right into Dylan’s arms. He wrapped them around me tightly, holding me close.

  I buried my nose in the crook of his neck, and the smell of his cologne relaxed me. I felt like I was home. He was everything I'd ever need.

  "You didn't tell me you were coming," I whispered in his neck.

  "Must've slipped my mind. How are you feeling? How's your dad?"

  “He’s sleeping.” I pulled back and inspected him. He was wearing jeans and a black shirt. His hair was in complete disarray as if he’d been tugging at it. His eyes searched me with worry.

  "Well, I think our services are no longer needed," Ian said loudly. "We’re going to be a fifth wheel soon or whatever fits the situation better."

  I blushed, turning to them. "Thank you so much for staying with me. It made this much easier."

  "No problem," Isabelle said. "You're family. We take care of our own."

  That touched me in a way I couldn't possibly explain, but I think Dylan understood because he tightened his grasp on my waist.

  "Let us know if you need anything else, okay?" Ian asked.

  "Sure. Thanks, everyone." Dylan replied.

  After the three of them left, he walked me to the couch, pressing his thumbs in the crooks at the side of my neck. It felt divine.

  "Where did you learn to do this?" I asked him.

  "I'm playing it by ear. Tell me what feels good and I’ll keep doing it."

  I laughed. "That sounds a bit dirty."

  "That's because it is. Come on, sit down and I'll take care of you, okay?”

  That sounded like bliss. "I can't believe you’re here," I said. I sat on the couch. He was standing in front of it, one knee propped next to me.

  "Of course I'm here. You need me. Where else would I be?"

  “In D.C overseeing your project."

  He shook his head. "No, you're more important, Mel. I'll figure out everything else, okay?"

  "But how about—"

  He pressed his thumb on my lips. "No, you don't get to worry about anything else tonight, okay? I'm forbidding it."

  "Oh, you're forbidding it?” I shimmied against him, gasping when he pressed his hard body into me.

  “Did you hear from Elliot?”

  “No, and I don’t think I will. That moron. When he showed up at my apartment, he did say his business was in trouble again and he needed money. Why doesn’t he just ask for his stuff back? I’d gladly give it to him.”

  "You need to relax," he said, whispering every word against the back of my neck.

  "Well, I feel more relaxed because you're here," I said honestly. "You have this effect on me. It's like you're exactly what I need, no matter what the situation is."

  He turned me around, pushing a strand of hair behind my ear. The corners of his lips lifted in a smile. "I'm glad to hear that. Now let's make sure you're completely relaxed tonight. How are you feeling?”

  “Exhausted.”

  “Did you eat today?"

  “Oh, yeah. Ian cooked a delicious risotto.” I laced my arms around his neck. “And I have to say, you overstated your title of the best cook in the family.”

  He pinched my ass. “Really?”

  “Just being honest here. But you have plenty of other things going for you.”

  “Such as?”

  I swallowed hard, licking my lips. “Coming back to be here for me. Asking your family to spend the day with Dad and me.” My words were a whisper. “Thank you. This whole day was insane, but it was better with the gang.”

  “I wish I was here.”

  “But now you are. Oh, by the way, thank you for the flowers today."

  "You're welcome. I wanted you to have something to look at while I'm away." His comment stopped abruptly, which caught my attention.

  "Wait, does that mean you have another delivery planned?"

  He pressed his lips together, shaking his head. "I'm not saying one more word."

  I giggled, which I didn't think I could do after the day I had, after everything that was
weighing on me, but he had a way of making me feel lighthearted even when everything was closing in on me.

  "Oh my God, you did. I can't believe this." I pressed my palms on his shoulders and planted my lips on his in a deep kiss. I felt him smile before we paused to breathe. Then he kissed me back, and it was even harder than before. He grabbed my ass, pushing me against him. Oh, I could do this all night long. When I felt him grow hard, I pressed my pelvis even more into him.

  “Did you eat dinner? We have risotto left,” I murmured.

  “I ate a burger on the way here. I’m good, just tired.”

  "This day feels like it's been a week, to be honest."

  "I know. It's like that for me too. Ever since you told me, I'd been trying to find a way to get back."

  "Yeah, Isabelle told me." I kissed his cheek all the way up to his ear. "Thank you for being here."

  "I always want to be here for you, Mel." He took my hand, making me look at him, touching my lower lip. "I love you. I’ve never felt about anyone the way I feel about you."

  I blinked quickly, digging my hands in his shoulders. "You love me," I whispered.

  "You know I do. You've made me fall in love with you. And I know this isn't what we've talked about, but you're the best thing that has ever happened to me."

  I was a bit emotional tonight from everything that happened, so I buried my nose in his neck, inhaling deeply.

  "Babe, aren't you going to say anything back?" he said after a while, which was when I realized I didn't reply at all.

  "I'm so sorry. I had an entire conversation in my head," I said.

  "Does that conversation include 'I love you too'?" His tone was playful, and he was smiling, but there was uncertainty in his eyes.

  I tilted my head so our noses were almost touching.

  "I love you," I said. "I've loved you for a while. I just wasn't sure if it was a good idea, because, well, you know. We started without any strings."

  He pulled me into a hard kiss, exploring my mouth, touching my ass. He widened his legs so I had enough space between them. His erection pressed against my clit, sending little aftershocks through my body.

  "I want all the strings, Melanie. I want everything with you."

  "How long are you going to be here?" I asked. “When's your plane back?"

  He shook his head. "I’ll talk to Ian tomorrow and ask him to fly to D.C in my stead.”

  I jerked my head back. "What do you mean? You said the project is very important."

  "It is, but Ian can take over."

  "But you always said this is your project."

  "My brother and I work closely together on everything. While each of us has his set of responsibilities, that doesn't mean we can’t replace one another when it's necessary."

  "Are you sure?"

  “I don’t want to leave you to deal with this alone, Mel.” He cupped both my cheeks in his hands, pressing his thumbs at the corner of my mouth. “I want to be here for you and your dad while you deal with the police and that moron and whatever you need to do at your dad’s house.”

  I sighed, feeling my eyes get a bit misty. Clasping his wrists with my hands, I kissed the right corner of his mouth and then the left one before pulling back a few inches so I could look at him.

  “I can’t get used to this. You’re in a league of your own, you know?” I murmured. “And now, I think you are in for some pampering too after driving for so long. You deserve a reward.”

  “I’ll never say no to a reward.” He wiggled his eyebrows, walking me backward in the direction of the couch.

  Laughing, I leaned in, raining kisses on his neck. “I thought you’d say that.”

  Chapter Twenty-four

  Dylan

  The next morning, I asked Ian to meet me at the office at seven o’clock. To my astonishment, he was already inside—with two cups from Starbucks and sandwiches—when I arrived.

  “Are you a mind reader?” I asked, biting into a sandwich right away. “I didn’t have time to eat at all.”

  He grinned, sipping from his coffee, leaning against a wall. “I thought so, considering it’s seven in the fucking morning.”

  “I want to ask you for a favor,” I said.

  “Need me to go to D.C in your place?”

  “Yes, how did you know?”

  “Intuition.” His grin widened. “And your reactions yesterday. I’ll go.”

  I jerked my head back. “You don’t even need convincing? I’m suspicious now.”

  Ian’s expression turned serious. “You never ask me for anything. I’m not a dick. I won’t say no.”

  “Thanks. I appreciate it.” We’d always been close and looked after each other, but I had to admit, this degree of loyalty took me by surprise.

  “No problem. I’ll book the first available flight. I draw the line at driving. I have my standards.”

  “Of course you do.”

  “But you have to take over my New York agenda.”

  “I’ll be on top of that and the submission. We still have to perfect that and win that damn competition.”

  “Amen to that, brother.” Ian tapped his fingers on the cup, watching me intently. “You sure you can be on top of both? Considering everything?”

  “I will be. I have to.”

  He didn’t reply, just took a long swig of coffee. He was tiptoeing around me, which wasn’t his style.

  “Ian, what aren’t you saying?”

  “That we can always pull back from the submission and apply next year.”

  “Hell no.”

  He held up one hand in defense. “It was only a suggestion. We’re in the home stretch for the deadline. It would suck to mess it up.”

  “We won’t. I won’t.” Since I was the project manager, I had an overview of every single detail. Pulling out of the competition and reapplying was out of the question. Besides, everyone knew you had one shot only. Repeat submissions weren’t taken as seriously.

  “Okay. Don’t get all defensive.” Taking out his phone, he started tapping the screen. “Flight booked. I’m leaving at lunch. It gives me time to wrap up a few things. By the way, Mom heard about your return.”

  I waited for him to explain, but when he didn’t, I prompted him. “And?”

  “I bet she and Dad are already thinking about names for grandkids. Just thought you should know.”

  I burst out laughing before downing the last bite of the sandwich. “Who told them, you or Isabelle?”

  “Isabelle. She called them while the police officer spoke to Mel and her dad. What are we going to do about that Elliot guy?” My brother’s jaw was ticking.

  The corners of my mouth twitched. “We?”

  “Fuck yes. He can’t just pull this shit.”

  “For now, let’s see what the police say,” I replied.

  Ian stared at me. “You’re serious?”

  “I said for now. It’s not smart to do anything while there’s an open investigation. He won’t get away with it. The fucker messed with the wrong people.”

  “That’s my brother,” Ian exclaimed.

  ***

  The next two weeks were intensive, and I had to admit I was more focused on Mel's well-being and that of her father than the office affairs. The police investigation was moving slowly. They’d determined that the fucker had to return the items and pay for the new door or he’d have to serve a short time in jail.

  As if that short time would do anyone any good.

  Mel didn’t care about the damn TV and table. She wanted to know Elliot was out of her life, and so did I. We were going for a restraining order, which meant meetings with lawyers, the police, and a judge. Josie couldn’t take Mel’s case because this wasn’t her area of expertise. I would’ve preferred to keep it in the family because there was no one I trusted more than Josie, but I got the best of the best for Mel.

  “I can’t believe tomorrow it will finally be over,” Ian exclaimed. We were talking through Zoom. Tomorrow was D-day for submitting project
Z for the Innovator of the Year competition. He was still in D.C but returning tomorrow evening.

  “We’re going to win this thing,” I said confidently. “But I’m going to log off for the day. I can’t even see straight anymore.” I’d spent the whole day preparing for tomorrow.

  “Sure. As soon as I’m back, we’re going to celebrate.”

  “I’m not going to be any good tomorrow evening.” Whenever we had a deadline, I operated on adrenaline but crashed as soon as it passed.

  “Buzzkill.”

  “We can go out and celebrate the day after.”

  “Deal. Now, let’s log off before you change your mind about that too.”

  Closing the app, I stretched in the chair, feeling on top of the world, at least until Earl, one of our junior project managers, came into my office.

  “Are we riding together to the Plaza?” he asked.

  “What for?”

  “The Solis networking event.”

  I groaned. It was six o’clock, and I didn’t give a damn about an evening of cocktails and schmoozing.

  “Tell me you didn't forget about it,” he said.

  I frowned, pacing the room. I wished I could tell him no, but it completely slipped my mind.

  “Go without me. You’ll do fine. I’m not needed.” I was too exhausted to be of any good. The point of networking events was to show people your best side, convincing them you were someone they wanted to work with. But I had zero energy left for that today.

  He nodded, looking at me warily. I knew what he was thinking about. This wasn't like me. Typically I never lost oversight of anything like this, but my mind was elsewhere these days. I didn't regret it. Mel was important to me. Her safety and that of her dad trumped everything else, but this did put my team in a weird position.

  “I'm sorry, and thank you for filling in for me at the last minute.”

  “No problem,” he said. He looked as if he wanted to add something else but didn't; instead, he left my office.

  I got out too, heading straight to Genesis. Mel and I were going to train together. I was surprised to find her in front of the gym’s building with her backpack over her shoulder. She was already dressed in her training gear, and her ass was too damn round and perfect in those damn pants. All I wanted was to take her somewhere private and sink inside her.