Destiny Disrupted (There's Always Tomorrow Book 1) (3 page)

Hours fly by without either of them even realizing it. That usually happens when they get talking. It is around 7:00 pm when there is a knock on the door.

“Come in!” Melina calls. The door opens slightly and Vance's handsome face pops in.

“Is it okay if I come in?” he asks, his deep voice making her whole body flush.

“Of course,” Melina answers, unable to take her eyes off him.

Vance pushes the door open wider and walks in, shutting it behind him. He is in a different suit than earlier. The top button on his shirt is undone so you can see the white undershirt underneath. He shoves his hands into his front pockets, which opens his jacket more and reveals the gun tucked next to his chest. It also shows off his fantastic body. The shirt clings tightly to his muscled chest then tapers down to tuck into his pants at his trim waist. Melina is sure that there is a six-pack under that shirt.

She glances around to see her friend undressing him with her eyes. The slut. If she stares any harder, his clothes are going to burst into flames. When Melina looks back at Vance, his bright blue stare is only for her. He hasn't once looked at her beautiful friend, which is a surprise because she is easy on the eyes.

“Hi,” Melina says, feeling like a complete dumbass.

“Hey,” Vance replies with a small smile.

“Harper was just about to take off,” Melina says as she looks pointedly at Harper.

“I was?” Harper asks, her eyes narrowing at Melina. Harper obviously wants to stay and talk to Vance.

“Yes, you've been here all day. I think it’s time you head out,” Melina says more forcefully, giving Harper a look of warning.

“Don't leave on my account,” Vance says, holding a hand out in front of him.

“No, it's fine, really, she has to go anyway,” Melina reiterates before Harper could argue.

Harper gives Melina a hug and kiss then departs, leaving her alone with Vance. He moves to the chair next to the bed that Harper was occupying and sits down.

“God, you look so much better than you did earlier.” Vance sighs in relief, his eyes searching hers.

Melina smiles. “Yeah, well, I did have a pipe skewering me like a shish kebab.” She chuckles.

Vance laughs. “True.” The corner of his eyes scrunch up making him even more handsome, if that is possible.

Melina's smile fades. “Thank you. I was told that I wouldn't be alive if you hadn't done what you did,” she says sincerely.

Vance, too, gets serious. “I'm glad I was there, someone else might not have known what to do.”

“How can I ever repay you?” Melina asks softly, her eyes filling with tears.

She suddenly realizes the gravity of this whole clusterfuck. This man saved her life; she would have been dead if it weren't for him.

“You can repay me by not crying; that's a good start,” he soothes with a small smile.

She laughs and wipes the tears falling down her face. “Sorry, I just got hit with the weight of the situation.”

Vance stands up and sits on the bed next to her hip, facing her. He takes her hand in his, his thumb automatically running over her knuckles. The way he looks at her makes her want to melt. He is so kind and caring and gentle.

“You just saying ‘thank you’ is payback enough,” he says sweetly.

“For you maybe, but not for me. I owe you my life,” she murmurs, looking down at their hands together. They fit so perfectly together.

“So you owe me,” he says with a shrug. “I’m sure you'll return the favor one day.”

Melina smiles. “Plan on keeping me around to hold me to that?” she teases.

Vance's smile fades some and his eyes lock on hers. “If you'll let me,” he admits.

Melina's heart stops for a moment and she searches his eyes. He is totally serious, he wants to see her again. The way he’s looking at her has her stomach fluttering with a million butterflies - as if she is the only woman left in the world and she is all his. There is also a protectiveness in his eyes, but that’s understandable after what happened this morning.

Melina nods. “Of course,” she whispers with a shy smile.

Vance returns the smile and it takes her breath away; it’s genuinely happy and excited and just drop dead gorgeous. Melina knows that she’s staring at him but she can't help it. He is the most beautiful man that she's ever seen, and so far, he has a matching personality.

“Melina…what's your last name?”

“Higgins.”

“Well, Melina Higgins, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” Vance smiles and shakes her hand. The one that he is already holding. “Are you able to recall my name or do you need a refresher?”

“Not at first, but my mom reminded me,” she admits.

Vance fakes being offended. “You mean you couldn't remember me? Shit woman, I saved your life!”

Melina laughs. “I'm sorry! I remembered your handsome face if that makes you feel any better.”

He narrows his eyes at her as if trying to decide if that is good enough. “Alright, I'll forgive you…this time.” He winks.

Melina laughs again and Vance smiles. They talk until Melina becomes sleepy. Their conversations are easy going and effortless with no awkward silence, even some flirting on both ends. She’s actually a little surprised at how at ease she feels with Vance, never having this kind of connection with a guy before.

Melina yawns for the millionth time, covering her mouth with the back of her hand. “Oh god, I'm sorry. I'm just starting to crash here.”

“It's alright, sweetheart. Get some rest,” he says, patting her hand before standing up.

“Are you able to come by tomorrow?” Melina asks anxiously, looking up at him.

Vance frowns. “I'm not sure. I just started a new case and I have a couple of leads I need to follow up on tomorrow. I’m not sure how late I'm gonna be working,” he says regretfully, raking a hand through his gorgeous blond hair.

Melina nods. “I understand. Are you always so busy?” she asks softly. Melina has had relationships with men who were very involved in their work and those relationships never ended well. Her last serious boyfriend was a doctor who always seemed to be working, even when he was off. He was never able to leave his work…at work. She wants to be able to see the guy she is with, not just talk to him on the phone because he is stuck at work all of the time.

Vance's jaw flexes and he drops his gaze to the floor, knowing that she must’ve asked that for a reason. “I haven't been in a relationship in almost two years. Does that answer your question?”

Melina winces. Shit, he is busy, but god he doesn’t look happy about it. Her stomach churns in protest when she thinks about not seeing him again.

“Oh,” is all that she can say. She is disappointed and doesn't know how to reply to that.

Vance's sad gaze lifts to meet hers. “I understand if you'd rather I not come by again,” he utters quietly, the hurt clear in his voice.

It’s obvious that this is not the first time that a girl’s been hesitant about getting involved with him because he works so much. I’m sure it doesn’t help that he has such a dangerous job. But ultimately, nobody wants to be a mistress, especially when it’s a job the man is married to.

Melina's heart hurts for him. He obviously isn't happy about it, but she knows that he won't come by again if that's what she wants. Is that what she wants?

“Vance, no. I want you to come see me when you can, please,” she requests, slipping her hand in his.

Vance looks down at their hands and nods. “I swear, I will do my best to get here tomorrow, even if it's only for a minute,” he promises then meets her eyes, proving that he’s seriously going to try to see her tomorrow.

Melina smiles softly. “If you can't make it, just call me and let me know, okay?”

He agrees and puts her cell number into his phone then leans down and gives her a tender kiss on the forehead before leaving. God, Melina hopes that she made the right decision and that he really wants to see her as much as he seems to – and as much as she wants to see him. She will be pretty bummed if the feelings are completely one-sided. She also hopes that he’s the kind of guy who will make time for her even if he doesn't have it. She isn't expecting too much, though. He seems sweet and all, but she really doesn't know him that well - they just met today! - and he may just be placating her out of pity. Man, that would suck. Either way, she will find out tomorrow if he is for real or not.

Vance finally gets home around 11:00 pm, thinking about Melina the whole way home from the hospital and the tone of her voice when she asked if he is always so busy. She obviously doesn't want a guy who isn't going to be around, and Vance can't make any promises as he gets tied up at work a lot - more than he likes, but what could he do? It’s his job. At least there is a glimmer of hope since she said that she still wants to see him.

From the sounds coming from the living room, Vance knows that Dayne is still up, no doubt watching porn, which has become part of his bedtime routine. Thankfully, he doesn't usually jerk off in the living room, rather waits until he gets back to his room; however, he likes watching it on the big screen, much to the guys’ chagrin. Vance walks into the living room to find Dayne sitting at one end of the couch, his eyes lids heavy, his breathing a little quick, and his mouth parted slightly. Vance hesitantly sits down at the other end of the couch, but Dayne doesn't bother looking away from the TV as he mutters a “hey.” Vance chuckles to himself as he glances at Dayne, who looks ready to come in his shorts. Vance wonders if he even realizes that he is swiveling his hips around, dry humping the throw pillow in his lap.

“Where the hell have you been? You've been gone since you left for work this morning,” Dayne says, finally dragging his gaze away from the TV to look at Vance.

“It's been a crazy fucking day, dude. You have no idea,” Vance scoffs.

“What happened?” Dayne asks.

“Did you hear about that accident on the 405 this morning with the pipes falling off the back of a truck?” Vance asks.

Dayne's brows furrowed. “Yeah. The news says that the girl in the car behind it had a pipe go through her car door and through her leg. What of it?”

“I was a few cars behind her, ended up saving her life. The pipe nicked her femoral artery; she would have bled out if I hadn't been there.”

“Holy shit, Van! Are you shittin’ me?” Dayne exclaims, a shocked look on his face.  He pauses the TV just as the girl is about to fake an orgasm, before looking over at Vance.

“Dead serious, Dayne. I just came from the hospital,” he responds, looking a little somber.

“You were there all day?”

“No. I went to work, but I stopped at the hospital on my way home. I wanted to check on her.”

“How is she doing?” Dayne asks, honestly concerned.

“She's doing well,” he answers with a smile.

Dayne narrows his eyes. “What’s with the cheesy smile?”

“Cheesy smile?”

A knowing smile curls Dayne's mouth. “She’s hot, isn’t she?” he teases.

Vance feels the heat creep up his face. What the fuck? Is he seriously blushing like a thirteen-year-old boy with his first crush on a girl? Dayne starts laughing. Vance can't even remember the last time he actually met a girl that he liked. His last girlfriend was more of a fuck buddy than anything else; she was hot and had a sexy body, but Vance couldn't stand to be around her outside of the bedroom. And the girlfriend before that had been someone he thought he was going to marry, but she had other plans, plans to marry his cousin, who she was sleeping with behind his back. Bitch. Vance still hates her. They were together for four years and she was cheating on him with his cousin for the last two years of them. He really hates having to see them on the holidays.

“So...is she?” Dayne asks, bringing Vance out of his thoughts.

Vance shakes his head. “Fuck no. Hot doesn’t even begin to describe her. She’s fuckin’ unbelievable. I've never seen a woman so beautiful in my life.”

“For real?” Dayne inquires, surprised by Vance’s enthusiasm. He hasn’t heard him talk that way about a woman in a long time.

“For real...and she was so amazing this morning. Most women would have been screaming and panicking, but Melina? She was calm and listened to me and even joked around a little. She was so strong,” he describes with maybe just a little too much fervor.