by Dori Lavelle
When Melisa returned after graduation, she was a different person. She met Heat again at Serendipity University, but he had a girlfriend. And he now hung around with Scott, his childhood friend who’d moved to Serendipity from California.
Scott was attracted to Melisa from the get-go. Despite her pushing him away, wishing Heat would pursue her instead, he didn’t relent. Her heart broke a little each day Heat showed no interest in her. Eventually, she gave her heart to Scott and fell in love with him. She knew in her heart she loved him, even if she’d never felt for him the same passion she’d shared with Heat. But unlike Heat, Scott offered her more than passion. He was kind and faithful and safe. She didn’t have to fear that he’d leave her for someone else, because he truly loved her.
“Hi,” she answered Heat, resuming chopping the onion.
“What are you making?”
“Scrambled eggs with ham and onions.”
“You know you don’t have to do anything around here, right? Don’t feel as if you have to repay me.”
Melisa smiled. “I’ll go nuts if I don’t occupy myself. I love helping out.”
“I’m glad to hear that.” He was silent for a long moment. When he spoke again his voice was cautious. “I think the reason you feel you might go nuts is because you’re cooped up inside the house all day, except one day a week when you go to your meetings. Four weeks is a long time not to get out.”
“I’m not ready.” She wasn’t quite ready for a lot of things—a relationship, a new life, to be surrounded by people who used to know her, to be bombarded with questions she didn’t want to answer. Most of all she wasn’t ready for people to pity her.
“You’ll never be ready. You just have to dive in. You’re strong, Mel. You can do it. Remember how you fell and sprained your ankle at cheerleading practice? You picked yourself up and continued. I don’t know how you did it through all that pain, but you pushed through it. Life is like that. People fall all the time and they pick themselves up and continue.”
Melisa’s mouth dropped open. He had seen her sprain her ankle? He’d noticed? The main reason she’d joined the cheerleading squad was to catch his attention. She had no idea she’d succeeded, since their moment together had come months later. She thought he’d been there to watch, Lorna, his girlfriend of the month, in action. “I guess you’re right.”
“Why don’t you start tonight? Let me take you out for dinner.”
“How about next week?” How long was she planning to stay with him, exactly? How long would he be fine with her sleeping in his bedroom while he took the single bed in the guestroom?
Heat nodded. “Great. But before then, you need a connection to the outside world. Lucy wants to come and visit you tomorrow. She’s been bugging me about it since you moved in here. Are you up to it?”
Lucy Dane would be the wrong person for Melisa to see when she wanted to stay away from people who knew her. Lucy enjoyed a nice piece of gossip and didn’t mind passing it along. It was no surprise she wanted to see Melisa, even if they’d never really been friends. She probably wanted to be the first to know about what Melisa had been up to in the last five years, before anyone else did.
But if Lucy wanted to come to her brother’s house, what right did Melisa have to stop her?
“Yes, I’d love to see her,” Melisa lied and turned to crack the eggs.
Chapter Six
“Holy shit! Look at you. You’re as juicy as ever. Melisa, it’s great to see you.” Lucy gave Melisa a brief, awkward hug.
“You also haven’t changed a bit.” Melisa patted Lucy on the back and then pulled away. Lucy had the same bedroom eyes as her brother, and still wore her blond hair in a pixie cut, showing off her long neck and high cheekbones. Melisa had never seen her with long hair.
Lucy cupped Melisa’s face between her long, graceful hands, studying her face. “But your eyes are still sad. After the shit you’ve been through, that’s no surprise, I guess.”
Melisa blinked but didn’t take the bait. Her life was no one’s business, so she simply smiled and opened the door wider. “Come in.”
Lucy was clearly comfortable in her brother’s home, as she headed straight for the kitchen and switched on the kettle. “Heat told me about the fire. Must have been scary… especially after Scott…”
“It was,” Melisa said quickly. “What have you been up to?”
“Not much. Still working at the Enchanted Spar, still looking for Mr. Right. So many frogs running around.”
Melisa smiled. As she recalled, men buzzed around Lucy like bees around honey. She’d dated one after the other, never allowing them to stay long enough to get into her heart. From the look of things, she had changed. “You’ll find someone. It takes time.”
As Melisa spread freshly baked chocolate chip cookies on a platter, Lucy poured their tea. They didn’t exchange any more words until they were sitting in the living room.
“These are delicious.” Lucy bit into a cookie and licked her lips. “You still got it. I can’t believe you sold Mel’s Delights. Place hasn’t been the same without you.”
Melisa’s throat constricted. Those were the first cookies she’d baked since Scott died. Before then, baking had been her life. Mel’s Delights had been her dream.
“Sorry, Heat warned me not to talk about your past. I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine. It just hurts, you know.” Melisa reached for a cookie. They were delicious, but as an expert baker, she could tell she’d forgotten the pinch of salt. Lucy was right—she still had it. But what good would that do her now? She couldn’t turn back the clock.
“Okay, let’s stick to safe topics. How’s your arm?” Lucy glanced at Melisa’s arm.
Melisa glanced at her right arm. She kept the scar hidden by wearing long-armed clothing. “Healed faster than I expected.”
“That’s great.” Lucy ate another cookie and sipped her tea. “I’m sure you’ll be back on your feet before you know it.”
“Thank you.” Melisa smiled.
The rest of the time they did stick to safe topics, like the weather and their time in high school. Then Lucy filled her in on who’d left town and who was new, who married or divorced whom, or who cheated on whom.
“You know what you said about it being a matter of time before I find Mr. Right? Well, many people end up with Mr. Second Best. Like you.”
Melisa frowned. “What do you mean?”
“You married Scott even if you were meant for Heat.”
Melisa shook her head vehemently. How did Lucy even know there had been something between her and Heat? She didn’t want to breathe life into this conversation, so she’d have to kill it before it even started. “Scott was the love of my life. I married the man of my dreams.”
“We both know that’s not true.” Lucy winked and brushed cookie crumbs from her lap.
***
“I can’t believe she said that,” Melisa complained to Carlene when she called from Greece.
“Could there be some truth to it? Sometimes people on the outside see things clearer.”
The memory of panting underneath Heat, his kisses, his breath on her face, disturbed the butterflies in her stomach and they fluttered like crazy. “I was happy, very happy with Scott.”
“I’m sure you were, Melisa. But maybe it’s time to look into the connection you also had with Heat. You did tell me about the massive crush you had on him. Are you sure it was only a crush?”
“I can’t think about that right now. I already have a lot on my mind.”
“Try to keep an open mind. You deserve to be happy. Scott is gone and Heat seems to care about you. A new start is what you need.”
“Of course he does. We were always friends, after all. There isn’t much to it.”
“By the way, you won’t be returning to Oasis, right? It’s just that last time, you were talking about moving out of Heat’s place.”
“I will be moving out, hopefully as soon as possible, but no, I’ll not retur
n to Oasis. I’ll find another place to stay. I need to get the hell out of here soon, though, before Heat gets the wrong idea. I’m not ready for something serious with him, or anyone else right now.” Especially not him. Too many things would stand in the way.
“Why don’t you stay at our house while we’re gone? I could ask Nick’s mother to give you the keys.”
Melisa heard Carlene whispering on the other end.
“What about Nick? What if he minds?”
“I asked him. He doesn’t. So, go and have fun.”
“Wow, I’ll be living in a mansion?”
“You deserve to be spoiled. I can also transfer some money to your account if you like to help you get on your feet.”
“No,” Melisa said quickly. “You’ve done enough for me. I’ll find a way to earn my own money. I promise, before you return, I’ll be out of your house. Thank Nick for me and take care of our little baby.”
Chapter Seven
Melisa packed her small suitcase and placed it at the front door next to the umbrella stand. Then she sat on the couch drinking orange juice and waiting for Heat to come home. Carlene had offered her the accommodation two days ago, and due to Heat’s long night shifts, she hadn’t had the chance to tell him yet. He had been so kind to her, she didn’t want him to come home to a goodbye note.
He entered the apartment before 7:00 a.m., his hair damp as usual and his face tense with exhaustion.
“Hard shift?”
“No fire, but I had lots of paperwork to take care of. I hate sitting at a desk.” Heat dropped his keys at the mantle and rolled his neck.
Melisa gaped at him. His strong neck muscles stretched and contracted. Without warning, she remembered the way she had trailed kisses down his throat so many years ago. She blinked. Why was she thinking of the past? It was as if someone else held a remote control and switched that part of her mind on, so she had to relive those moments whether she wanted to or not.
Heat turned his head and their eyes locked. Silence descended between them.
Then he broke it. “How was your day? By the way, did you and Lucy have a nice time the other day?”
“Hmmm… yeah. It was nice seeing her again. Lots to talk about.”
“I hope she didn’t upset you.” He narrowed his eyes.
“No, she was lovely.” But she had planted a seed inside Melisa’s head that was starting to germinate. The idea that Heat could be her Mr. Right.
“She’s just so blunt and always says whatever pops into her mind with no filter.”
“Really, don’t worry about it. She was great company. I made breakfast. Want some?”
His eyes lit up. “I can never say no to your food. You living here might be bad for me, after all.”
Melisa bit her lip. “Come and eat.” Cooking for him was the only way she could thank him.
Heat rubbed his hands together and followed her to the kitchen. “You spoil me.”
Melisa didn’t respond as she served him eggs benedict, baguettes she’d baked at midnight, coffee, a glass of orange juice, and slices of watermelon. Before leaving for work every day, Heat left money on the kitchen counter for her to spend on whatever she liked. Much as Melisa wanted to reject it, she didn’t have money of her own, and she needed to buy things like toiletries. She often spent just a little of the money on herself and the rest on ingredients, so she could cook for him. It helped to tell herself she was spending the money on him.
A grin split Heat’s face as he regarded the food on the kitchen table. “Careful. I might never let you leave.”
Melisa poured herself a cup of coffee and pulled out a stool for herself.
“You’re not having breakfast?” Heat sliced a chunk of fresh baguette in half and smeared it with butter.
“No.” She paused. “There’s something I have to tell you.” If only he had seen her packed suitcase at the door.
Heat took a bite of his bread and raised an eyebrow.
“It’s time for me to leave.”
Heat stopped chewing. “Why would you want to do that? I told you I don’t mind you staying here.”
“I know. I’m so grateful for everything you’ve done for me. I can’t allow you to do more.”
Heat’s face fell. “Please tell me you’re not going back to Oasis.”
“No, I’m not. I promised you I won’t go back there.”
“Good. So where are you going?”
“My friend Carlene and her husband offered me their place while they’re away on honeymoon. I’ll stay there until I get a place of my own.”
Heat nodded and continued eating. His shoulders had visibly slumped. “I offered you my place. You can stay as long as you like.”
“Heat, I can’t let you keep sleeping on the tiny bed in your guestroom.”
“I can sleep on worse.”
Melisa drained her glass of juice and stood. “You need your space and… I need mine.”
Heat stood, squeezed her shoulder, and looked into her face, making her feel warm inside. “I enjoy having you here.”
That was the problem, wasn’t it? His place was starting to feel like home.
“I’m fine now. I don’t need looking after anymore.”
Heat tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear and she shivered. “I didn’t say you did.” His voice was low now, caressing every inch of her. “What if I told you I want you to stay out of pure selfishness?”
Melisa tipped her head back and gazed up at him. Before she could say anything, he kissed her, and fireworks went off in her head.
Every part of her screamed this was wrong. This man had broken her heart once, treated her callously. But her body pulsated, didn’t seem to care. He slipped his tongue into her mouth and caressed hers. Against her strong will, she parted her lips and let him in fully. A shiver rippled through her. Who was she kidding? She never could resist him. When her knees buckled and she gripped the edge of the table, she came back to her senses. The chances that Heat could hurt her again were high. She needed to protect her heart.
She placed both hands on his chest and pushed him gently away. “Heat, this is the reason I can’t stay. You and I can only be friends. Thank you for everything, but I have to go.” And with those words, she walked out of his house, out of the danger zone.
Chapter Eight
Melisa unraveled the towel and left it where it fell at her feet. She dipped a toe into the water and sighed. She climbed into the large, luxury oval bathtub, sank her whole body into the cloud of bubbles, and leaned back, closing her eyes as the warm water melted away the tension. She’d never been inside a tub this large before. Opening her eyes again, she studied her right arm and frowned at the scar that began at the crook of her elbow and ended at her wrist. Fate had kicked her out of Oasis and back into her old life. Although the security Oasis provided was comforting, she had to admit there were some things she’d missed: a warm bubble bath, her privacy, sleeping in a room alone. In silence, with no one cursing under their breath, or crying or snoring loudly in the middle of the night.
Melisa leaned her head back and let go until she fell into a deep, comforting asleep.
***
The doorbell rang and Melisa groaned as she opened her groggy eyes. Careful not to slip, she stepped out of the tub.
The doorbell rang again and in a panic, she forgot about getting dressed. She wrapped the thick, fluffy towel around her dripping body. Goose pimples popped up on her arms and legs.
Carlene hadn’t told her about any visitors, except for the cleaner and gardener, who both came on Mondays and Fridays. Today was Wednesday.
She flung the door open and gasped. “Heat. What are you doing here?”
“You’re alone, right?”
“Y-yes.” Melisa tightened the towel around her, and twisted her right arm so the ugly burn scar was hidden against her chest.
“Good.”
To her shock, Heat wrapped both arms around her waist and ushered her back inside, slamming the door shut
with his foot. “We were not done when you left.” He kissed her ear and whispered. “Mel, when you kissed me, I knew you wanted me as much as I want you. I came to make sure I was right.”
Melisa bit her lip. She couldn’t speak as her heart slammed against her chest. She had thought when she moved out of Heat’s house, her feelings for him would disappear. How could she have known he’d follow her here? How could she have known another touch from him would paralyze her?
Heat didn’t wait for a response. He swept her off her feet and anchored her legs around his waist.
“What are you doing?” Melisa said, finding her voice, but she was helpless to stop what was happening. She wrapped her arms around his neck.
“Tell me where to go and I’ll show you what I’m doing.”
Without thinking, Melisa led him up the stairs and directed him through two wide corridors and into her room, where steam was still coming out of the adjoining bathroom.
Heat laid her on top of the silver-and-white woven damask duvet cover and kissed her full on the mouth. Then he lifted his head and gazed into her eyes. “When you stayed with me, I tried hard to be a gentleman so I wouldn’t chase you away. But now that you don’t live with me anymore, the rules have changed.” He kissed her again, this time hard and passionate.
Melisa was too surprised to say anything. This was a bad idea, she thought, but her body didn’t seem to agree. The spot between her legs pulsated as he trailed his tongue around hers.
“I…” Melisa detached her lips from his. “I don’t know if this is a good idea.” Last time this happened, it changed her life.
“Wrong. It’s the best idea I’ve come up with in a long time. I never forgot the first time we made love. It was the best I’d ever had.”
“Really?” It had been good—really good. But she never thought it had touched him as much as it did her.
“I mean it. Now, should we break our own record?”
Without thinking, Melisa dug her fingers into his thick hair and pulled him close. She kissed him back this time, until her lips burned with fire.