Sweet Backlash

by Violet Heart

  With her resting in his arms, her head against his chest, he wondered that she seemed so calm. "You got him," he said, impressed beyond words.

  A paunchy, balding older man in a suit came in looking like he had rolled from bed five minutes ago. Sizing up the room, he said, "Officer Jenkins, you stay. Everyone else, out before you muck up my crime scene." The man turned to Melony, his intelligent eyes taking her in for a moment. "I'm Detective Matheson. I don't normally report to a crime scene in the middle of the night, but I'm the detective who found Keith Bethson and took him into custody years ago. I remember you, Miss Calloway. I heard you took him down."

  She nodded.

  Chip hugged her closer and said, "The quick death was too good for the likes of that monster."

  The detective drew his lips into a grim line. "Looks like he messed with the wrong woman and got what he deserved. Scumbags like this should never be freed. I'm sorry this happened to you, ma'am." Squatting, he studied the body then turned in surprise. "You double tapped him?"

  She took a deep breath and sat up out of Chip's embrace. He missed her warmth and realized he had received as much comfort from her weight as he offered with his arms.

  Her voice wavering, she said, "I've been practicing at the gun range on the boulevard for years. My instructor taught me if I ever had to take an enemy down, to shoot twice in the head and once in the chest."

  "You did really well. Normally we'd ask you to come down to the station, but let's do that tomorrow. Listen, it's the middle of the night, and you can't stay here. Is there someplace you can go?"

  She shook her head and Chip ran a hand down her hair. "We'll get a hotel room. How long do you need? A few days?"

  Detective Matheson stood and Officer Jenkins moved to the door to stop some men heading their way. "We'll have the apartment cleared by tomorrow afternoon," said the older man with a wink.

  Chip sent Melony into her bathroom to change, and packed an overnight bag for her. He hated that she seemed in shock, so quiet. Any moment, he expected her to have a meltdown.

  He drove her in his Mercedes to the hotel near their office. She didn't say a word the entire way. In their room, she fell into bed and slept like the dead. He watched her in amazement. Adrenaline still pumped through his veins, keeping him awake. How could she act like nothing had happened?

  * * * *

  Melony opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling. Chip's voice droned, talking to somebody about needing the day off. On the phone. He talked on the phone. She blinked. Was the morning abnormally bright? Was the sweet air perfumed? Something was missing.

  She tapped her fingers on the sheet. What was missing? Something inside her. Hungry? No. Thirsty? No.

  She sat with a gasp and a smile. "The fear."

  Chip stood, covering the mouthpiece of the handset. "What's wrong? Hold on a second, Melony." He put the phone back to his ear. "I'm not sure about tomorrow. I'll call you and when I know." He paused, listening, then said, "Fine. Thanks for understanding." After ending the call, he joined her on the bed. "Is last night hitting you?"

  "The fear is gone." Squinting, she leaned closer to him. Had he been this handsome all this time?

  "The fear?" He ran fingertips down her arm and asked, "Are you losing it? I've been waiting since you shot Keith Bethson for you to lose it. You're entitled, you know."

  She chuckled. "I'm not going to lose it. I'm trying to tell you, I just woke up unafraid."

  "I don't know what you mean."

  Inhaling, she searched for a way to explain. "For the past nine years, I've woken up every day with fear running like a river inside me. Sometimes the fear was so strong it seemed like it would overflow the banks and flood me. Sometimes I could dam the river and slow the flow to a trickle. But it was always there. This morning, it's gone. The river is dried up."

  He arched his brows, giving her his undivided attention. "What does it mean?"

  "Well, I don't know. It's as if I've been given a new start. I shot him."

  Nodding, he said, "You're not a victim anymore."

  "Yes." He understood, infusing her with an unexpected joy. "Exactly. I shot him and now I'm not a victim anymore. I killed the guy who stole my life." Sadness squeezed her throat, but she forced the words past. "He stole my life. When I should have been enjoying my friends and high school graduation, my college years, dating…" Her voice reduced to a whisper. "He stole my life." Tears pricked the backs of her eyes, but no wetness ensued.

  "You fought back, Melony. You learned the whip and the gun. You took him down and won your life back." Offering her a smile, he took her hand and pressed it between his fingers.

  The tightness in her throat released and she took a deep breath. "I won my life back. Yeah." She glanced around the room, loving the soft light, the tasteful colors. "You know, this might sound silly, but everything seems…"

  "Sweeter?"

  "Yes." She took his face in her hands and kissed him. "Am I going crazy? Should I be screaming about what happened last night? Should I be freaking out?"

  He studied her for a long minute then slowly shook his head. "I think you've been freaking out for nine years. Now, it's over. How do you feel?"

  "Incredible. Safe. Brave. Whole." She paused then added, "Hungry, and in need of a shower."

  Chip laughed. He had that special, meaningful look in his eyes again, but this time, it didn't make her nervous. It intrigued her.

  He kissed her. A quick peck that meant nothing, yet meant everything. "Go ahead and take a shower. A nice, long one. I'll order breakfast then call Detective Matheson. He gave me his card last night. I want to see if he has an idea when they'll finish so I can get a cleaning crew in there before we go back." Putting a hand on her shoulder, he asked, "You don't mind going back, do you?"

  "No. I want to go back. I love living there. Now, it's the place I stood up for myself. I defended myself." She smiled wistfully. "Yeah, I definitely want to go back."

  With a firm nod, he said, "You sure did defend yourself. You're so strong, and I'm so proud to know you."

  She ran the pad of her thumb from his temple to his jaw. Remembering the events of the night, she said in a quiet voice, "I defended myself, but you saved me. You came to my rescue. I killed him, but you made it possible." She leaned forward and gave him a long, lingering kiss. "You're my hero."

  Gazing into her eyes, he combed fingers into her hair. "I'm falling in love with you."

  She soaked in his words. She hadn't considered it, but she had wanted his love since the moment he kissed her at the society meeting. Chip represented all she wanted in life. All she wanted in a man. Whether he knew it or not, he had her heart in his precious hold.

  Chapter 22

  Melony turned the key and opened her apartment door. "Dinner was delicious, but it's good to be home." Stepping inside, she took a deep breath and smiled. The cleaning company had done an outstanding job. The place looked spotless and smelled even better. Certainly better than the police station, where they'd spent the afternoon giving statements. She found it hard to believe the apartment had swarmed with officers all night and most of the day, and wondered what they must have thought about her playroom.

  Chip followed, set their bags on the floor and kicked off his shoes. With a sly smile, she took his hand and headed toward her room. His step faltered and he asked, "Are we going to your bedroom?"

  "Yes."

  "I thought it was off limits."

  "Not to you. Not anymore. Now it's our room." Her stomach flip-flopped. "If you'll consider staying."

  He brought her knuckles to his lips. "If you're asking me to move in, of course I'll stay. You know how I feel."

  At her door, she grinned. "Do you feel strongly enough to let me tie you up?"

  He rolled his eyes and smiled. "You know, that Shibari stuff wasn't so bad."

  Melony turned the knob and led the way in. The room appeared cleaner than the day she had moved in. At first, she experienced some apprehension, knowing
Keith Bethson had tried to hurt her in that room. It quickly fell under the truth of her victory over him. The room now represented a place where her strength and will had prevailed.

  Satisfied, she said, "Then we'll do it again. But another day. Right now, there's something else I want to do."

  Chip gathered her into his arms. "Oh, yeah? What's that?"

  In the corner, the red light on her answering machine gave off a single blink. "Hold on just a second." He let her go and she went over and pushed the play button.

  Frank's voice boomed through the speaker. "Melony. I heard what happened on the news. Your attorney jumped that burglar. I knew the shit head was an okay guy. Listen, tell him I'm off his back, sweetheart. Velma and I are going to Vegas for a couple weeks. See you when we get back." The machine's mechanical voice announced the time and date of the recording then beeped.

  She laughed. "That's one worth keeping a while. I'm not going to delete it in case we want to hear it again."

  Growing serious, she returned to his arms. Behind the pleated shade, temporary plastic covering the broken window shuddered against a breeze. "I want to make love. You know, not sex. Make love."

  "I hear ya," he purred, his low voice vibrating along her skin.

  Pulling his shirt free from the waist of his slacks, she ran her hands up the warmth of his back. Firm muscles formed hills and valleys she enjoyed exploring. Returning the favor, he pressed and massaged tension from her spine and shoulder blades.

  She leaned close and inhaled. His scent of soap, sweet-spiced cologne, and that subtle rich fragrance unique to him float around her to form an invisible cocoon. She brought her hands around front and lightly raked fingernails along his abdomen. She rejoiced when he sucked air through his teeth.

  She slipped his top button from its hole and separated the fabric to place a kiss on the revealed skin. For each button, she repeated her method until his shirt hung loosely from his shoulders. She eased it off and down his arms, caressing as she went.

  Bending a little, he rained kisses from her earlobe to her collarbone. His lips sent chills along her spine. She shivered with delight. Running her hands across the slabs of his chest, she played her fingers to let the swirls of hair brush along them. Then she gently scraped her nails across his pebbled nipples.

  A growl rumbled deep in his throat. He went to bended knee. Taking the curve of her breast in his palm, he captured her nipple with his mouth, his tongue sending hot moisture through her blouse and bra. An erotic jolt cascaded through her core. He nipped and she jerked, suddenly hot for his touch. She had to get out of her clothes.

  He helped her, taking advantage by stroking and rubbing as he sent material along her skin. When the bra and panties went flying, he stood and finished undressing. Melony sighed at the feel of his skin against hers. It held a promise of wonders to come.

  So engrossed in his body, she didn't realize he moved her to the bed until the mattress met the back of her thighs. She eased backward, and Chip stretched out alongside her. Burying his face in her hair, he inhaled a long, lazy breath. She adored how everything on him was solid.

  He spent leisurely minutes exploring every curve on her, kissing and tasting and touching. Bypassing the tight curls nestled at the apex of her thighs, he worked lower until he came to her foot. "I've wanted to do this since I first saw you." Sliding his lips over her big toe, he grazed it with his teeth then sucked. He gave each toe equal attention.

  Deep within her, an ember grew red hot, his stroking hands and heated glances fanned her temperature higher. In turn, she caressed fingers over him, learning every texture, every angle, forging the knowledge in her mind.

  Soon, a pulsing yearning between her legs demanded his attention. Melony rolled onto her side and pressed her aching pussy against his hard cock. "Touch me," she said and pressed a sucking kiss to the side of his neck.

  He sent two fingers into her slick folds. "You're so wet. So ready."

  Encircling his hard-on with her fingers, she said, "Feels like you are, too."

  He skimmed through her slit, back and forth, and captured her mouth in a gentle kiss. A nibble and a lick to her lower lip had her opening. She accepted his tongue. She tasted a hint of beer and roasted red peppers from dinner. His stroking fingers edged her toward release.

  A heaviness in her belly caused a rush of wetness to coat her crease. Panting with excitement, she leaned into the kiss and pumped her hand over his cock.

  "Stop," he said low. "Not yet."

  Withdrawing his hand from her juices, he urged her to her back. Unbidden, a mewl of disappointment bubbled from her throat. Chip wedged a knee between hers and rose over her. Her excitement doubled as she entered the unknown.

  "I've never," she whispered.

  He blinked a few times, as if trying to clear his thoughts. "You've never what?"

  "Done this. I've never done this." She glanced to where he rested the tip of his cock to her wet curls.

  "Never?" He opened his mouth then snapped it shut as his brows drew together.

  She shook her head and smiled. "Be gentle?"

  "My God, Melony."

  Chip retreated, but she hooked her heels behind his thighs and brought him back to position. "I want you. Inside me."

  He closed his eyes and moaned. He didn't move.

  "Please," she said and drew her legs tighter.

  Slipping between her swollen, sopping lips, the head of his rod pushed against her barrier. She swallowed, hungry for him to fill her.

  He ran fingertips down her cheek. "I don't want to hurt you. You've been through so much already."

  "I want this. I want you." She curled her hips upward. Ignoring a burning sensation, she whispered, "More."

  He pressed forward. His voice strained, he said, "Oh, God. You're so tight."

  Her virginity tore, and he halted.

  It hurt, but didn't compare to the pain she'd endured in the past. Didn't compare to the pleasure his gaze promised. "Don't stop."

  * * * *

  Chip worked his lips across hers. Darted his tongue inside. Tilted his face this way and that, devouring her.

  Melony responded, answering each movement with her own. Her muscles cascaded around him, and they both gasped simultaneously. She opened eyes shining with astonishment.

  He withdrew to his tip then surged in. He buried his aching erection to the hilt. She grimaced. When he nudged the base of her womb, her walls milked him again, relieving his ache. She cried out and hugged him.

  "Again." she commanded.

  He plunged once, twice. He wanted to come so badly it robbed him of the ability to breathe. With erratic gulps, he managed to keep his lungs working.

  "Faster!" she cried.

  With the abandon of primal need, he pounded into her. They rocked in unison, his thighs slapping against her firm ass. Arching against him, she threw back her head. She still strove for her goal, though. He dipped a finger in her ample wetness and found her taut clit. He gently massaged it in time with his thrusts.

  She screamed. Her walls gripped him in fierce demand. Her body sucked his length, and he cried out as he emptied into her, his dick bucking in ecstasy. A wave of rapture washed over him, tensing him for one last discharge, then he relaxed. Under him, she convulsed in great tremors, her body continuing to contract around him.

  Finally, she slackened and melted. Her eyes met his. Tears streamed into her hair.

  "Damn, Melony. I'm so sorry I hurt you." Was she in pain the whole time?

  She shook her head, her bottom lip quivering.

  Withdrawing completely, he eased beside her and wiped the trail of tears with the back of his thumb. "What is it?"

  She drew a great shuddering breath and offered a weak smile. "I found my heart." Huge, crocodile tears spilled from the corner of her eyes. "It feels so good to cry."

  That made no sense. "What do you mean you found your heart? And how can crying feel good? Nobody likes to cry." He wiped her tears and kissed her damp hai
r.

  Her eyes grew large and soft, and he thought for a second he would drown in their dark depths. Her smile widened, though still watery. "I haven't felt much in a long time. I've just sort of been numb. I liked masturbation so much because orgasm let me at least feel something."

  "Masturbation." His mind flashed to Friday afternoon when he had taken one look at her and known she'd gotten off. She'd gotten herself off. That made him inordinately pleased.

  "Yeah. But you gave me back my heart. I feel…so much. So happy that you came into my life. Sad that I lost those years. Relieved to be given the chance to start over. I haven't cried since I considered ending my misery last year. I feel whole again." She put a hand on his heart. "I feel your love, and I love you back."

  His heart thumped and the bottom fell out of his stomach. She loved him. Damn it, that felt good to hear.

  He hugged her, trying not to squeeze her too hard. His attempt at gentleness failed when she laughed. He couldn't seem to get close enough.

  "I love you, Melony." Flipping onto his back, he stared at her bed's canopy. "You know, I've heard of people who claimed to fall in love in less than a week. I thought they were fools. Now I've become one of them. I don't care what anyone calls me."

  She chuckled in his ear and ran a fingertip from his bellybutton to his johnson. When she touched the sticky surface, he bolted upright. "Fuck! I forgot a condom."

  A sweet smile softened her too tranquil face. Didn't she understand?

  "I came in you!"

  "Yeah, you did. How long until you can do it again?" She grinned.

  "You could get pregnant." A wave of nausea made him swallow hard.

  "Would that be such a bad thing?"

  He slid off the bed and paced. They'd just come off five days from hell. He'd spent the entire weekend wondering if she was seriously wacked in the head. Pausing, he glanced at her.

  She flashed him a broad smile laced with gorgeous straight, white teeth. Damn, she was too beautiful.

  During the last few days, she'd acted normal. Yeah, she was flawed. He couldn't blame her for that. Nobody could claim perfection, least of all him. He had told her he loved her, which wasn't a lie. As crazy as their beginning had been—.