Her muscles tensed slightly. If I hadn’t been watching her so closely, I would have missed it. The sorrow that invaded her passed just as quickly as it had come. When it was gone, an expression of determination took its place. “You know I’ll be here for you.”
“You are the most remarkable person. Do you know that?” I didn’t wait for an answer, knowing she was likely to disagree. I lightly brushed my lips against hers and silently thanked her for being an amazing woman.
She rewarded me by unfolding her gorgeous legs and leaning against me. I turned to recline against the arm of the couch and stretched out my legs so she could settle between them.
It was perfect, her hair bunched up over my shoulder, her fingertips playing along my pant leg, her body draped over mine as we shared the bottle of wine. I mindlessly twisted a lock of her hair around my finger, the curl eternal as I wound it round and round.
She glanced back at me, her eyes alight with joy. “I’m so proud of you, Daniel. I always knew you were going to be an amazing doctor.”
I squeezed her hip, kissing the top of her head. “It’s Dad who made it all happen. I’m just glad he asked me to be a part of it.”
“What’s it like having all of these sick people come to you? I mean, is it what you thought it would be?”
“Hmm...I don’t know. Sometimes I love it, sometimes I hate it. There’s so much pressure. It can be very sad and very rewarding all in the same day.”
She nodded. “I can only imagine.”
We continued to drink and laugh as she asked me questions about my job, what school had been like, and the things I’d done with my family over the years. She giggled as I told her of all the mistakes I’d made along the way and the crazy things I’d witnessed on my ER rotation in New York City. So much had seemed insignificant through the haze of nothing I’d lived. Now, with my girl in my arms, her body shaking as she laughed, I could almost see what life would have been like had she been there. As she experienced my life through the stories I told, it felt as if I was experiencing it for the first time myself.
By the time she’d told me about the important events in her life over the last nine years, the bottle was polished off, and we were both totally at ease. We grinned from ear to ear, neither attempting to hide our bliss.
Melanie suddenly rolled, bringing us chest to chest, her lips on mine. The movement rekindled the fire that had been smoldering the entire night. Her mouth was hot and a little bit sloppy. Her hands pressed firmly into my shoulders as she held herself over me. She straddled my legs, the energy consuming, forceful, pushing us together. I dove my fingers into her hair, kissed her hard. She fumbled through the buttons of my shirt, unwilling to break our frantic kiss.
I pushed her back, and Melanie groaned in protest. I stood and pulled her with me, my mouth immediately taking hers again as we stumbled blindly to my room.
The light from the bathroom shed a faint glow across the room. I spun her, edging her back, anxious to see her lying across my bed.
I watched as she scooted back, her creamy skin in perfect contrast to the thick, black comforter. Her hair spilled all around her face as she lay back against my pillow, the gold chain around her neck a reminder of our forever.
There was no hesitation as I climbed onto the bed, losing the shirt hanging from my shoulders in the process. I devoured her mouth, neck, arms, anything I could find, my hands as greedy as my mouth.
Snaking my hand under her dress, I pushed it higher, revealing her inch by inch. With her arms outstretched above her, I pulled it over her head and tossed it to the floor where it belonged.
“Make love to me, Daniel.”
Those words shot straight through me. Quickly, I shed the rest of my clothes. Her fingers sank into my back as I sank into her. Our bodies moved unhurried, slow and hard and absolutely perfect.
I was in complete ecstasy until I saw her wrist, the skin contused and so carefully concealed behind the large silver cuff.
He hurt her.
My beautiful girl continued to move beneath me, her eyes closed, lost in a sea of pleasure while I looked down at her in horror, the reality hitting me hard.
She had stayed because of him. Not because of her mom. Not because of Katie and Shane. Not because of some stupid building. But because she was scared of him.
I couldn’t make sense of the emotions running through me, emotions that I poured out on Melanie as I abruptly wrapped her up in my arms. I fought to erase any space between us, my arms urgent as I mashed her chest against mine, unable to get her close enough.
I was consumed with jealousy and hatred, the need to destroy. It all mixed with my love, my need to protect, to keep her secure. Both of those desires melted into one. All I knew was that he hurt my girl, and he was going to pay.
“Hey.” A delicate hand brushed back my hair, stroking, easing, calming. “Come back to me.” Melanie’s eyes burned into mine, searching the storm, caressing the creases that had gathered on my forehead. Her expression washed in relief when my eyes came back into focus.
I kissed her gently, struggling to keep the rage at bay. I wouldn’t let Nicholas take this moment, too.
All the hate and fear and dread I felt were channeled into my love, my desire, my need to make her whole. I allowed myself to hear every contented sound that dropped from her lips, every whimper, every tiny moan. I allowed myself to feel every tremble, every twitch, every roll of pleasure traveling through her body.
With each one, I silently promised to keep her safe, to protect her, and to never allow that bastard to hurt her again.
***
I rolled to the side and snuggled behind her, reaching down to drape the sheet over us. I kissed the exposed skin of her shoulder and back. Shivers rolled down her spine as she relaxed into me.
“I love you.” I hugged her tighter, stressing how much I meant it. She let out a satisfied sigh, and she drew my arm more firmly around her. I took a deep breath, preparing myself for what was sure to be a battle. “I can’t let you go back there, Melanie.”
I couldn’t see her face, but I could feel her muscles tense. Running my hand down her arm to her wrist, I brought it to my lips, placing gentle kisses along the bruised skin. “He hurt you,” I said against the black and blue.
Her pulse quickened under my palm, and I knew she was going to resist. “Daniel,” she said as she released a heavy breath, “you have to.”
I shook my head into her hair. “You’re not safe there.”
“You have to trust me on this. I know what I’m doing.” Her voice was strong, completely unexpected. She rolled over to face me, her body flush against mine. “This is the best way.”
My mouth opened and closed as I struggled to find the right words to argue her logic.
“You don’t know him like I do.” Her expression was intense, pleading. “Please...just...don’t.”
What was I supposed to say to that?
In frustration, I raked a hand through my hair. Why did she have to be so stubborn? She was placing herself at risk. And for what? She was afraid he was going to hurt her, so she put herself in the very position where he could hurt her. It didn’t make any sense.
“I know what you’re thinking, Daniel. It’s not stupid. I have a plan.”
I opened my mouth to tell her just how stupid it actually was, when the doorbell rang. Melanie’s eyes widened with fear, and she jerked up in bed, pulling the sheet higher and tighter around herself as if it were a shield.
I took her face in my hands, forcing her to look at me. “Baby, it’s okay. Just stay here and be quiet.”
On the inside, I was terrified. If he found her here, I could only imagine what would happen.
Sifting through the clothes on the floor, I found my underwear and pulled them on as fast as I could. I tossed Melanie my button up, figuring it would provide more coverage than her dress. I pressed my index finger to my lips before I walked from the room and shut the door behind me.
Whoever was the
re impatiently knocked on the door, spiking my nerves. I tentatively crossed the floor, peeking through the small hole.
Erin.
I breathed a sigh of relief, before a whole new set of worries flooded me. Was Melanie ready for this? Today had been such an incredibly draining day, filled with so many emotions and issues, and we still had a ton to work through. Surely it was best we resolved some of those issues before we faced our families.
Not to mention that Melanie probably wouldn’t want to be discovered under these circumstances.
Resolved to tell Erin I was busy and get rid of her as quickly as possible, I swung the door open before she could use her key to unlock it. Grinning, my baby sister flung herself into my arms. “Daniel.”
“Hey.” I hugged her tight before taking two steps back and planting my feet to block her entrance. “What are you doing here? I didn’t even know you were in town.”
“I came in at the last minute. A couple of houses came on the market this week that my realtor wanted me to see. I wanted to stop by to say hi before I went to Mom and Dad’s.” She stepped forward, but I didn’t back down.
Glancing up and down at me, she frowned as if just noticing that I was standing there in nothing but my boxers. Her voice lowered as she studied me, “You’re not alone, are you?”
My lips tightened into a line, and I pushed out a sigh as I shook my head.
She scowled and narrowed her eyes, hissing under her breath, “What the hell is wrong with you, Daniel? Haven’t you learned anything? God, you’re so stupid. Look at what happened...” Erin’s face paled, and she clapped her hand over her mouth as her other reached out to push me aside.
I glanced over my shoulder. Melanie stood in the doorway to my bedroom, clad in nothing but my dark blue shirt.
Erin looked at me, her eyes wild, shocked, confused—hurt. For some reason, I felt that I had to confirm the obvious, silently nodding as I allowed a small smile to spread across my face. Erin dug her fingers into my arm. I couldn’t tell if she was angry or faint. They remained silent as they studied each other. Slowly, they advanced toward one another, cautious, each unsure of where the other stood.
All it took was Melanie reaching out a shaky hand for them to end up in an embrace.
“You two have some explaining to do.”
***
I clutched the steering wheel, willing myself to breathe as I watched her drive away.
We’d spent more than an hour with Erin. She wanted to know everything, bristling as we told her about the events that had driven us apart. It was obvious their wounds would easily heal. There would be no grudges kept, no resentment over what the other had not known.
Erin finally left, but only after receiving a promise that I would join her and Mom in the morning for breakfast. I agreed, both anxious to spend time with my family and to get her out the door. All I wanted was to continue the earlier conversation with Melanie.
As it turned out, I was weak and incapable of standing my ground when Melanie insisted she needed to see through what she’d started. I didn’t want to let her go, yet I realized that if I made her stay, it would be against her will, and I didn’t want to be anything like that asshole. I refused to be the guy who wouldn’t let her make her own decisions. It left me stuck between doing what I knew was right and what she felt was right.
In the end, I had relented with the stipulation that if he hurt her again, that would be it—and that we wouldn’t drag this shit out. She promised it was already working as proven by his sudden presence at the Preston’s this evening. She was positive she would only need to stay a few weeks.
The moment she was gone, fear saturated my every thought. Would he be waiting up for her when she got home? What if he hurt her? I mean, really hurt her. I couldn’t fathom it.
I was on the road to her house before I even realized what I was doing. I had to ensure she was safe. If she felt as if she had to stay there, fine, but she didn’t have to do it alone.
I must have driven faster than Melanie, because the garage door had just touched down behind her car when her house came into view.
Hopefully, Nicholas was already asleep. It was late—the green glow from the dash displayed “two-thirteen.”
Only the trees rustled in the wind and a dog barked in the distance. Other than that, it was complete and total silence. My mind buzzed as I listened for Melanie. I strained to feel her as she moved around the darkened house. Two dim lamps illuminated the porch, casting black shadows across the face of the white mansion.
A light flickered on in a downstairs window. I reasoned it was the same room we’d shared just two days ago. Somehow, that gave me a bit of comfort.
I reached for my phone and typed a quick message to let her know I was right outside if she needed me. She responded only seconds later that she was safe and bid me a goodnight. I wished her the same, pressed send, and sent my heart with it. I waited until darkness swallowed the house before I forced myself to drive away.
***
Erin and Mom tried to keep me sufficiently distracted after they’d coerced me into joining them in their search for a new house for Erin. I just couldn’t say no, not after how unbelievably happy Mom had been when Erin accidentally let it slip about what she’d walked in on last night. It was as if the worry of years had been erased from Mom’s face in one passing moment. Of course, when I had to explain our circumstances, a completely new set of concerns faced her.
I spent the morning as a backseat passenger, only offering my opinion when asked as I followed Mom and Erin house-to-house and room-to-room.
After what seemed like hours, we were finally headed to the last place on the list. We were exhausted, and Erin was no closer to a decision than when we’d first started. I blocked out the conversation happening ahead of me as we followed a path across a small grassy yard and ascended three steps. My thoughts were twenty miles away, wondering what Melanie was doing. I stared at my feet as I crossed the wooden porch, wishing she were here. I collided into Erin’s back. My mind was so far away, I didn’t even notice Erin and Mom had stopped in the doorway. Startled, I caught her, muttering an apology. I became aware they were both wide-eyed as they looked back at me, their mouths slightly agape. I frowned and glanced around the room. My heart stuttered as I processed the sight in front of me.
I braced myself against the doorframe to keep myself from falling.
It was so similar to our little house, but more than that, it felt the same.
Erin fidgeted beside me, and Mom stood there in silence, giving me time. Both knew what that house had meant to me. They knew I had wanted to raise a family there, had wanted to fill it with laughter and love. Instead, I had tainted it with my mistakes—left the bed defiled. I had simply walked out the front door and never returned. Mom had dealt with clearing out my things. She’d kept what she knew I would want—what I would eventually treasure—even if I couldn’t bear to look at them at that time. Then she sold the house to the first person who made an offer. I’d just wanted to be rid of it. It had held all of the hopes of a life that was shattered, and I couldn’t bear that it had become a reminder of what would never be.
Mom’s soft, warm hand slipped into mine, and I glanced down at her as she nodded her wordless encouragement.
***
The rest of the weekend proved to be tortuous, simply because of Melanie’s absence. With Nicholas home through the weekend, we were left with texts and one quick call spread out over too much time. By the time Monday morning rolled around, my spirit was rumbling, demanding hers.
I glanced at the clock. Still two hours before lunch. Plenty of time to finish what I needed to do at the office before I could take off for the rest of the afternoon.
I dialed Melanie’s number, praying she could get away. It only took one ring before my body buzzed. Even the sound of her voice had a physical effect on me.
“Hey,” she whispered in a breathy voice.
“Hey, baby. Can you get away for a coupl
e of hours?”
“Of course.” Her answer was immediate, always as anxious as I was.
“Meet me at my office at noon?”
“Yeah...I’ll be there…love you.”
“Mmm, love you, too. See you soon.” I hung up smiling, eager to see my girl. I settled into work to square things away so I could enjoy the afternoon with her. So wrapped up in work, sorting through the seemingly endless piles of paper, I jumped when my phone buzzed in my pocket. I chuckled when I saw the name on the screen for the tenth time since Saturday.
“Hey, Mom.” She was thrilled, beside herself with anticipation, wondering if I’d talked to Melanie and when I was taking her to see the house. I laughed, saying I hoped I’d be able to take her there this afternoon, yes, I was nervous, and no, I didn’t regret it—yet.
I just hoped it wouldn’t be the wrong kind of reminder, one that would take Melanie back to the place where we had lost each other. I prayed it would be a reminder of the hope we’d had for our future, the future that we would now be able to share. I knew there would be a gaping hole where Eva should have been, but it still felt right. The energy had been there, working in full force, and I had to take the chance.
The direct line from Lisa rang, and I asked Mom to hold on a sec.
I picked up the receiver on my desk. “Yes?”
“Hi...Dr. Montgomery. You have a visitor.” I glanced at the clock. It was eleven minutes to twelve. Melanie was a few minutes early.
“Send her in.” I grinned and hung up. Turning my attention back to Mom, I smiled as I anticipated my girl walking through the door. “Hey, Mom, I have to go...”
My mouth seized mid-sentence and sweat gathered at my forehead. I should have been paying more attention, but I’d been distracted by the conversation with Mom and thoughts of Melanie. My body hadn’t kicked in fast enough to tell me she wasn’t there.
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