“Let’s head back,” he says roughly. He takes her hand, picks up the empty wine glass, and then leads her back to the house.
Chapter 3
**Damien**
“That fucking bitch!” Damien roars as he tears apart the magazine with the picture of her kissing that asshole cop. “Goddamn cocksucking Vance. Always going after what’s mine,” he mumbles to himself.
Damien paces furiously back and forth in his living room. He cannot believe that fucking cunt would cheat on him like this. In the public eye, no less. She’s flaunting it right in front of his face! Melina is his, no matter if she thinks so or not, she is his. And he isn't going to let some motherfucking two-bit cop embarrass him like that! Doesn’t matter that Vance is his brother’s best friend. In fact, that’s even more incentive to get rid of the prick.
He is so dead. He doesn't know it yet, but he is. And Melina, too. Damien had already gotten to her once, and if that stupid housekeeper hadn't called the cops, Melina would have been his forever. He has plans for Melina once they’re living in eternity together. He has plans for that sexy little body of hers. He might just have to have her before he kills her, just to reminisce.
Damien's blood boils at the thought of another man with his hands all over his woman. And that fucking whore lets him. Then she rubs salt in the wound by doing it with his childhood nemesis. How dare she do this to him! Humiliate him like this! They had something special together and she ruined it. Soiled it with her adultery.
Damien just got out of jail on bail, thanks to his fabulous lawyers who can pretty much get him out of any jam. Shit, are they going to have their hands full when he murders Vance and Melina. Damien laughs. No, they won't have to do anything because he'll be dead, too. There’s no way he’d be able to be with Melina if he were rotting away in prison.
He will bide his time, though. He can't do anything right away, he needs to have a plan. He also needs a weapon, and he needs money to get a weapon. He can't go back to his old job as a photographer; no one will hire him after that incident with Melina two weeks ago. Everyone loves Melina, God forbid she gets attacked. Boo fucking hoo! Whatever, he can flip burgers or something in the meantime. He'll save up his money to buy a gun, formulate a plan, then blow Melina and her goddamn cop boyfriend away.
“Oh Melina, you have no idea what you're in for.” Damien laughs to himself as he looks down at the torn picture of her and Vance on the floor at his feet.
“So is Melina Higgins your girlfriend?” Vance's mother, Maggie, asks him at dinner on Sunday night. Vance spends every Sunday at his parents’ house. It has been a family tradition for as long as he can remember, even as a child. They are all still very close and it probably has a lot to do with the time they spend together.
“What? No, she's not my girlfriend.” Vance sighs. He really doesn’t want to have this conversation.
“She's not?” Maggie says, eyebrow raises.
“No, she's not,” Vance says shortly.
“But you've kissed her?” Maggie smiles.
Vance glares at his mom. “Just because I kiss someone doesn't mean we're together,” he mutters.
“Okay, are you seeing her then?” Maggie asks, her amusement clear in her bright blue eyes; the exact same shade of blue as Vance’s.
“No.”
“Jesus, Vance, then what are you two?” Maggie asks, throwing her arms up in exasperation.
“We're nothing,” Vance says quietly, looking down at his food.
Their little walk on the beach was a week ago and Vance has made a point of staying away from Melina on a social level. He's kept in touch with her to make sure that Damien hasn't tried anything funny, but he has refused to meet up with her despite her many attempts. He's never had a woman pursue him like this. She hasn't called today, so he is hoping that she got the hint that they would never work out.
“Why the hell not?” his father, Val, chimes in around a mouth full of steak.
Vance sighs. “I met her on the job. Plus, we come from two different worlds. I don't see how it can ever work out.”
“Who the hell cares? Melina Higgins is gorgeous,” Xander, Vance's brother says.
“Says the gay guy.” Vance smirks.
Xander snorts. “Just because I'm gay doesn't mean I don't know a gorgeous woman when I see one.”
Vance chuckles.
“Really, Vance. If you want it to work, I'm sure you can do it,” Maggie says.
“Listen, I already got into trouble at work because of that picture. Imagine if we start dating for real, I'd be fired in no time. I can't be in the public eye like that. It'd make me a walking target,” Vance replies wearily. He’s tired of this conversation already.
“You just want to be alone for the rest of your life, don't you? And God forbid your friends don't approve, is that what the problem is? They don't like Melina?” Maggie snaps. His mom loves the guys, but sometimes they get on her nerves.
“No, the guys love Melina, surprisingly. Dayne is especially fond of her.”
“Wow, and he's the hardest to win over, good for her,” Xander says in awe.
“I just don't see...” Maggie starts.
“Mom, just stop, please, you're beating a dead horse.” Vance sighs, his eyes pleading for her to just let it go.
Maggie huffs but doesn't say anything else, thank God. Vance finishes his food in silence while his parents and brother engage in another conversation.
Vance and Xander are cleaning up after dinner as usual when the doorbell rings. Vance and Xander exchange a bewildered look because they aren't expecting anyone else. Val answers the door and Vance can hear excited chatter but can't make out who it is. Maggie then walks into the kitchen with a stupid grin on her face.
“Vance, honey, you have a visitor,” she chirps excitedly.
Vance frowns, having no idea who showed up at his parents’ house looking for him. His friends all know where he is, and if they need him, they would just call. Vance dries his hands on a dishtowel then heads out into the living room.
The sight before him nearly stops his heart. Melina is standing in the foyer, her hands clasped together and hanging down in front of her, her long dark hair is down and loosely curled. She has a genuine smile on her face and her bright green eyes dance with excitement as she speaks to his father. And she looks so normal - totally not famous - in her jean shorts, tank top, and flip-flops. But there is a subtle tightness in her face that makes him uneasy.
Vance shakes his head to clear it. What the hell is she doing here, at his parents’ house, talking to his dad? This is totally unacceptable.
Melina's eyes flick to his and her smile widens. “Vance!” she says brightly and starts for him. As she gets closer, he can tell that her cheerfulness is a complete front.
She also seems completely oblivious to the fact that he is pissed at her because when she stops in front of him, she grabs his face and places a soft kiss on his mouth. Vance has to stifle a groan, damn he’s missed her kisses. His mind suddenly flashes back to Melina doing a dance routine with his nieces in his parents’ living room and his heart begins to race.
No. That never happened, he reminds himself.
Vance quickly takes her by the arm and leads her out the front door before anyone can say anything. When he spins her around to look at him, she is frowning. Good, maybe now she understands that he isn't at all happy that she is here.
“What are you doing here, Melina?” Vance snaps.
Melina gapes at him for a moment before answering, “You haven’t been taking my calls.”
“So that means what? You show up at my parents’ house? You know I can’t see you! My reputation at work has been damaged enough. Don’t you get it?” Vance yells, not really expecting any answers. “Who told you where I was anyway?” he starts asking again. This time he waits for a response, but he has a feeling he already knows.
“Dayne. He said that you'd be here most of the night and that I should be able to catch you,” Melina
replies softly.
“That motherfucker,” Vance bites out through clenched teeth as he rakes a hand through his hair. “I can’t believe you tracked me down at my parents’. Isn’t that a little stalkerish?” he asks snidely.
When he looks back at Melina, her eyes are glittering with unshed tears and she looks utterly devastated. “Maybe I shouldn’t have come. Sorry to have interrupted your family dinner,” she croaks.
Oh fuck...not the tears, he can't handle the tears!
Vance sighs and rubs his face roughly. “Well, you’re here now. What was so urgent?”
“Nothing, Vance, just forget it,” Melina rasps, spins on her heels and takes off toward her car, where it’s parked in the driveway.
Why does he feel like his heart is being ripped out and stomped on…again? Isn't this what he wants? For her to leave him alone? They can never work, right? Before he can think to do otherwise, Vance runs after her. He gets to her just as she reaches for her car door handle. He spins her around and presses her up against the car with his body, his mouth immediately taking hers, his hands roughly cupping her face. They both moan as their tongues fight for dominance. Melina wraps her arms around his waist, her hands splaying out across his lower back.
Oh God, yes!
Vance wants her so badly. Maybe they can make things work. Maybe their differences aren't as big as he thought. Her kisses are addictive; he isn't going to be able to walk away from her now. Not again. Because the more he kisses her, the more the memories flood his brain. He needs to be with her. He wants to have fun with her, talk to her, laugh with her and so much more. He wants more. Needs more. More Melina.
Vance pulls back, both of them trying to catch their breath. Once he’s calmed down, he tries again.
“Okay, let’s try this again. What’s going on?” he ask, genuinely wanting to know.
Melina’s face changes instantly from turned on blushing to full out panic.
He steps closer and holds on to her shoulders. “Melina? Talk to me.”
“I…uh…I think Damien has been following me all day. I’m pretty sure I saw him earlier at the supermarket, and then when I went to your townhouse, I saw the same car parked down the block.”
“Son of a bitch!” Vance takes a few steps backward, his fists clenching in anger.
Melina wraps her arms around her waist defensively. “I’m sorry,” she whispers.
Vance realizes that she must think that he is angry with her and immediately unclenches his fists. He steps back into her and takes her into his arms.
“You have nothing to be sorry about, Melina. I’m the one who should be sorry. I promised to keep you safe and screwed up. Forgive me?” He leans in and kisses her sweetly on the top of her head.
Melina leans back slightly and looks up at Vance. She’s so beautiful he can’t stand himself. “Of course, I forgive you. I know just how you can make it up to me, too,” she says mischievously.
“Oh yeah? Inquiring minds want to know,” he responds in kind.
“Give us a chance,” she says, optimistically.
Vance smiles and shakes his head at her persistence. He takes a deep breath then pulls away so they can talk face to face. “If you want to see if this thing between us can work then I have conditions.”
Melina looks up at him with hooded eyes and still swollen lips, so sexy. “Okay,” she whispers.
“We need to avoid the media as much as possible, Melina. I can lose my job,” Vance says adamantly.
Melina nods. “I understand.”
“So that means no giving out my name or anything else about me if you do interviews; and no PDA when cameras are around,” Vance says.
“I know,” Melina replies, then gives him a naughty smirk. “I’ll try my hardest to keep my hands off of you.”
Vance feels his lips curl up into a small smile. “Ditto,” he murmurs then gets closer, leans down, and kisses her again.
“I have to go to New York for a photo shoot tomorrow. I'll be gone a few days,” Melina says quietly, her hands running up and down his back.
Vance nods. “Alright,” he says but hates that he isn't going to see her for a couple of days now that they’re going to start dating…for real this time, not just in his dreams.
Melina sighs. “I forgot what it's like to be with a normal person. Damien would have argued for hours with me about leaving him to go out of state.”
“It's your job. I can't argue with you having to go do your job. I’m sure mine is going to get in the way at times. I mean, I’m not thrilled that you’re gonna be away for a few days, but you gotta do what you gotta do.” Vance shrugs. “Fucking Damien. Please make sure you don’t go anywhere alone. If Damien has been following you here, we don’t know if he’s going to take it that far as to go to New York. In fact, I’m going to call a buddy of mine that’s NYPD to keep an eye out for you,” he adds.
Melina smiles up at him and nods in understanding. Thankfully she doesn’t put up a fight. “So you'll miss me?”
Vance smiles. “Yes, I'll miss you,” he says then gives her another tender kiss on the lips.
**Damien**
Is she fucking kidding? Is she seriously kissing him out in public again? Damien is sitting in his car down the block. He has been following Melina all day, waiting for the perfect opportunity to make his move. Damien can’t believe that she’s at Vance’s parents’ house for Sunday dinner. He went to one once when his parents were going through their divorce. The Summers took him and Tripp in for a weekend to give his parents a chance to work through their shit. They’re really nice people. Too bad they’re going to get stuck in the crosshairs.
Just then, Maggie opens the front door and calls to them. She hasn’t changed much.
Melina has no idea what a huge mistake she is making by continuing to be with Vance. She has now gotten his whole family involved. Soon she will realize that anything that happens to innocent bystanders is all her fault.
Vance says something to Maggie, making her smile warmly, shake her head, and then shut the door. Then Vance turns back to Melina and says something to her that makes her laugh. They kiss again. It takes all of Damien's control not to get out of the car and kill Vance where he stands. Seeing some other guy's hands all over his fiancée really fires him up, but he has a plan and he needs to stick to it. That traitorous bitch will regret ever having screwed him over. She will pay dearly along with her cop boy toy.
Chapter 4
Melina smiles to herself. She can't wait to see Vance. It's been two days and the photo shoot wrapped up sooner than expected, so she’s on her way back to LA early to surprise him. She spoke to him earlier on his lunch break, and he said that he and the guys were going to be hanging out at home tonight. He didn't suspect anything since she was just making conversation, asking what he was going to be up to tonight. Luckily, Vance is off tomorrow, so Melina plans to spend the night with him, making up for the two days that they were apart. She misses kissing him. He’s the best kisser, so tender and sweet.
It’s after 10:00 pm by the time she walks into her front door, and she is another fifteen minutes from Vance's house. She’s sure that he will still be up, though, because he sent her texts both nights that she was away at around midnight to say that he was going to bed and that he missed her. So she’s guessing that’s his usual bedtime. Melina changes into gray yoga pants and a white tank top, packs a little overnight bag, and then heads to Vance's.
Melina pulls into the driveway and gets out of her car. As she walks up the steps to the porch, she can hear the laughing, yelling, and music getting louder and louder. What the hell are they doing? Having a party? Vance said that it was just going be him and the guys. Melina hikes her tote up a little higher on her shoulder then rings the doorbell. She waits a minute or so and then rings it again; apparently, they can’t hear it over the blaring music.
She hears a ruckus on the other side of the door, someone shouts then the door flies open. Melina cannot believe her eyes. Dayne
is standing there, naked except for one of those novelty thongs that looks like an elephant. His you know what hanging in the material that makes up the trunk. Melina's eyes are wide as she drags her eyes away from his crotch to look up at his face. Holy shit, he is completely hammered.
Dayne puts his hands on either side of the doorframe and cocks a hip.
“Hey, baby, you're home early,” Dayne purrs, his voice low and sexy, his eyes roaming boldly down her body.
Melina can't help but laugh. “Dude, you better take a step back before Vance kicks your ass for looking at me like that.”
Dayne bites his bottom lip, puts his hands behind his head, and thrust his hips a few times, making the trunk flop around. “You know you love it.”
Without warning, Dayne turns his back on Melina, bends at the hips, crouches over a bit, sticks his thong-clad ass in the air, and starts shaking it up and down. Quickly. His ass cheeks jiggle like crazy and Melina is horrified and impressed at the time.
Melina squeals and pushes him back into the house, closing the door behind her. Dayne laughs. “Are you crazy? What if someone else is out there besides me?” Melina scolds.
“Then they just got a free show.” He smirks wickedly.
Melina just shakes her head in disbelief then searches the room trying to find her sexy boyfriend. Bingo! Vance's eyes are heavy- lidded and glazed over, his face slightly flushed. He has a stupid grin on his face as he sways slightly in the kitchen.
“Melina!!!” the guys call in unison before she can say anything to Vance.
Melina turns toward the living room where the rest of the guys are sitting around, beers in hand. They all start calling out their hellos. Vance stumbles past her, his gorgeously toned torso on display. Melina shakes her head, drops her tote by the stairs then follows.
“Anyone care to explain this?” she asks and motions toward Dayne, who grabs a bottle of beer off the coffee table and pounds it.
“He bet us each fifty bucks that he can twerk.” Tripp snorts.
“Twerk? Like Miley?” Melina asks.
Destiny Revealed (There's Always Tomorrow Book 2) Page 4