Destroyed Dreams (7 page)

Melissa rolled over in bed and looked at the clock – 10:30 a.m. and she didn’t hear any power tools. She listened for another minute or two before she rolled out of bed and headed for the bathroom.

After taking care of business, she dressed in shorts and a t-shirt and headed for the kitchen. As she walked through the living room, her eyes scanned the deck area looking for Robert. When she saw him, she was amazed at the sense of relief she felt. Huh? She would have to examine that feeling later.

As she started the coffee, she turned to watch him and saw him watching her. Waving at him, she gestured to the coffee cup she held in his hand and saw him nod his head. This had become their morning ritual for the last several days. She would make coffee, offer him some, and then she would hang out on the deck, talking to him while he worked as she drank her first cup of coffee.

The day would progress with her watching a movie or reading for a while. He would knock on the door whenever he needed an extra set of hands and she would help him and then retreat inside the cabin. At lunchtime, he would knock and she would grab her lunch and they would walk down to the lake and eat together.

They had avoided any conversations that might become controversial and seemed to be getting along great. Melissa had refrained from visiting the town again, as she didn’t want to chance meeting up with Robert.

Robert had kept hoping that she would show up at TJ’s again, but was also relieved when she hadn’t. They were dancing around their attraction to each other, and everything seems to be going just fine.

Carrying two cups of coffee out onto the deck, Melissa sat down at the deck table and waited for Robert to join her.

“Thanks. So what do you think of the planter boxes?” Robert gestured to the built-in planters he was installing around the deck.

“They’re going to be a great addition. Has my uncle decided what kind of plants he’s going to put in them yet?”

“Not that I know of.  He mentioned some sort of evergreen; probably something that will keep its leaves even when the weather turns cold.”

Melissa nodded, “That would look nice. I always hate the way flowerbeds and pots look during the winter; nothing growing in them. Evergreens would be perfect.”

Robert didn’t know much about plants and really hadn’t given much thought to what would go in the planter boxes. His job was to build them, not fill them up. Just then, the phone inside the cabin started ringing. He watched as Melissa set her coffee cup down on the table and excused herself to go answer it.

Melissa hurried inside and grabbed the phone on the fourth ring, “Hello?”

“Melissa? It’s Stephen Forster.”

“Mr. Forster, how are you?” Melissa wondered at why her boss was calling and how he had obtained the number even. “How did you get this number?”

“I asked your secretary. It seems that you’ve been very diligent in making sure everyone around here knew how to get in touch with you.” After a slight pause, he said, “How’s your time up there in the mountains going? Are you feeling any more relaxed?”

Melissa sighed, “I actually am. And you’ll be happy to know that I haven’t checked my email once in the last several days.”

Stephen chuckled, “That’s good. I’d hate to have to fire my favorite attorney for failure to obey a direct order. Seriously though, how are you doing? Do you feel like you’ve gotten a break and are ready to return to work? Be honest here.”

Melissa thought for a moment and then told him, “I think I’m ready. I’m much calmer and believe I can handle the stress now.”

Stephen listened as she told him about the cabin and was pleased to hear how relaxed and happy she sounded. “Well, I know you still have some time left on your sabbatical, but we could really use your help in the office and I would be willing to let you return earlier, if you’re ready.”

Melissa hadn’t even thought about going back to work early. She discovered that unlike a week ago where she would have jumped at the chance to return to work, she was hesitant to make that commitment. Instead she offered, “Mr. Forster, I appreciate the offer and I would like some time to think about it. I’ve sublet my apartment for the next few weeks and would have to find some place else to live until that was over. Could I get back to you in a few days time?”

“That would be fine. Melissa, if you’re not ready to return yet, or you just want to finish your vacation,
don’t hesitate to let me know that. I don’t want to pressure you into returning if you’re not ready.” Stephen Forster had been Melissa’s mentor during her senior year at college, and had always been impressed with her drive and tenacity in the courtroom. He had been concerned as he watched the changes that occurred and was still not convinced that she was cutout to practice family law. Not everyone was, and many sacrificed their personal life in the pursuit of a career. He liked Melissa too much to allow that to happen.

Melissa had left the porch door open and Robert had tried not to listen in on her conversation, but had found himself straining to hear anyway.  He had guessed that someone from her workplace was calling when she first answered the phone and had stood up straighter.

He had moved his tools over to work right next to the door in an effort to hear more of her conversation. When she had told the caller that she would consider returning to work earlier than planned, he found himself getting upset. He hadn’t even considered the fact that she was supposed to leave in several weeks.

Now, faced with that reality, maybe even within the next several days, he found himself surprisingly saddened by the thought. He had enjoyed knowing that he would see her at the cabin each day and they had developed a sort of truce and were getting along really well. He would miss her when she left.

Not wanting to give himself away, he moved back over to the other side of the deck as he heard her end the call. When she didn’t immediately return to the deck, he glanced at her and found her sitting at the kitchen bar, staring at nothing.

When she just continued to sit there, he decided to find out exactly what she was thinking about. Grabbing her coffee cup, he knocked on the doorframe before entering. “I brought your coffee back in. Is everything okay?”

Melissa startled when she heard him knock. Turning around, she took the coffee cup her offered her and took a small sip. Grimacing because it was cold, she got off the stool and dumped the cold coffee down the sink. Pouring herself a fresh cup, she offered some more to Robert, but he declined.

“Yeah, everything’s okay. That was my boss. He offered to let me return to work a few weeks earlier than planned.”

“Oh yeah? Is that something you’re considering?”

“I don’t really know. I haven’t even thought about work the last several days. And I can’t go back to my apartment for another two weeks.” Melissa looked at Robert across the kitchen. What she didn’t say is that she would also miss him, more than she was comfortable with. “I don’t know what I’m going to do.”

Clearing his throat, Robert didn’t know what to say. She appeared torn and confused about the choice to return to work, and he didn’t want to say or do anything that might add to that. Deciding that this was one of those times where saying nothing was the only right thing to do, he turned around and went back to work.

As he worked, his eyes kept straying to Melissa. She spent a long time standing at the kitchen sink, staring out the window. When she finally left the kitchen, it was to get on the treadmill. She appears to have lost some of her joy and Robert finds himself becoming more depressed over the thought of her leaving.

Around lunchtime, he decided to start accustoming himself to her absence and didn’t knock on the door, or ask her to join him. He knew that would probably upset her, but she was leaving anyway, so why should he care? Unfortunately, he did care and it bothered him that he might have intentionally hurt her by not telling her he was going to lunch.

Feeling worse the longer the day went on, he decided to avoid the issue and headed home right after lunch. He didn’t return to put his tools away or pick up as he normally did. He was feeling pretty raw, and after dropping by the liquor store, he headed home and started drinking.

Robert wasn’t a drunk, but he had found that drinking himself to sleep worked wonders for getting his mind off his problems.  The fact that he would feel horrible the next day, and his problems would still be there, never factored in. It was all about the here and now, and right now, he wanted to forget the gorgeous woman sitting up on the hill who had worked her way under his skin.

She was leaving and he needed to get her out of his system. Normally, that would include several sessions of hot sweaty sex, but since that wasn’t happening, a case of beer would have to suffice. Turning on the game, he settled down on the couch and opened the first of many beers to come.

             
                                                        *****

Up on the hill, Melissa was still keeping watch for Robert to return. She had lost track of time, and when her stomach had finally gotten her attention, she realized that Robert had never stopped for lunch.

She had gone out on the deck to remind him, but he had been nowhere around. Seeing his tools still lying around, she figured he must have needed to run into town for something and would be back shortly.  As the afternoon slipped away, and Robert didn’t return, she went from being worried, to being angry.

How dare he leave without telling her? She had thought they were becoming friends, or sorts. He didn’t even put his tools away. As darkness started to settle in, Melissa finally decided that he wasn’t going to return that day and unplugged his power tools and moved them to a covered spot on the deck.

She complained to herself the entire time, and decided that he was going to hear it the next morning; at a minimum, he could have called and let her know he wasn’t coming back.

                                                                      *****

The next morning, Melissa found herself awake at 8 o’clock, ready to let Robert know how rude his behavior the day before had been. When he didn’t show up, she took a shower and dressed for the day.

Emerging from the bedroom an hour later, she expected to see Robert hard at work on the deck again. But when she glanced through the windows, she saw his power tools lying in the same pile she had put them the night before. He still wasn’t at work.

Deciding to give him the benefit of the doubt, she decided to wait another hour before allowing herself to get really upset. By 10:30 a.m., she had worked herself into a frenzy and was spitting mad. How dare he just decide to take the day off? Her uncle was paying him to finish the project. She was expecting him to be there.

Gathering her purse and keys, she headed in to town before she could stop herself. Arriving at Robert’s house, she saw his truck sitting in the driveway and saw red. Climbing from her vehicle, she approached the front door and knocked.

When he didn’t immediately answer, she knocked louder and called his name several times. When he still didn’t come to the door, she peeked in the living room window and saw him sprawled across the couch, empty beer cans littering the floor around him.

She resumed her pounding on the door and yelling his name. He had ditched work so he could drink. Really? As she pounded on the door, she hoped his head hurt like hell when he got up. It would serve him right.

Robert felt like someone was using a jackhammer inside his head. There was this persistent pounding noise and a shrill voice screaming his name, demanding he open the door. What door? Groaning loudly, he attempted to roll over, only to find himself falling and landing on the living room floor.

Picking himself up, he held a hand to his throbbing head and looked around for the source of the noise. Realizing that someone was pounding on the front door, he stumbled across to it and threw it open. Shielding his eyes from the sunlight, he was able to ascertain that Melissa was standing on his front step and she did not look very happy.

“It’s about time.” Pushing past him, she invited herself in and moved into the living room. Robert turned, one hand supporting himself by hanging onto the front door. When she got to the middle of the room, she looked around at the beer cans lying on the floor and then put her hands on her hips and stared him down.

“Is this what you were doing yesterday when you weren’t at work?” Melissa knew she should probably soften her tone, but she was angry and having a hard time controlling herself. “I put your power tools under the eave last night. You didn’t even come back and do that?”

Robert hated hearing the accusations coming from her. His head throbbed, his mouth felt like someone had stuffed it full of cotton, and his bladder was about ready to explode. After giving her a nasty look, he turned and headed for the restroom.

Melissa couldn’t believe the look he had just given her; and then he turned and walked away. Following him, she continued to berate him with comments all the way down the hall. Attempting to follow him through a doorway, she stopped short when she saw which room they were in.

Robert turned as she followed him into the bathroom and wondered if she was even aware of the room she was in. Gesturing to the toilet and preparing to drop his pants, he said, “Thinking of helping?” He didn’t really care if he embarrassed her or not, nature was calling and he was determined to answer that call.
If she wanted to stay around and watch, that was on her.

Melissa furiously blushed and backed quickly out of the bathroom, slamming the door behind her. Returning to the living room, she started picking up empty beer cans. It would seem that he had endeavored to drink the entire case. Dumping the cans in the wastebasket, she sat down on the couch to await his return.

Robert took care of business and then leaned on the sink and looked at himself in the mirror. The night had definitely taken its toll. He brushed his teeth and then decided he definitely needed coffee and a shower if he was going to survive the day.

Heading into the kitchen, he started the coffee pot and then noticed Melissa was still there. “You can leave now. You’ve accomplished your purpose in getting me up.”

“I’m not leaving yet. Why didn’t you tell me you were leaving yesterday?” Melissa knew she sounded like she was harping, but he owed her an explanation.

Robert wanted his coffee and a shower. He didn’t feel like giving Melissa a long explanation, nor did he feel like he owed her one. Knowing he was probably adding fuel to the fire, he replied, “Since when do I work for you? I don’t have to answer to you when I’m working.” 

Robert saw the hurt enter her eyes and wished he could take his comment back. Then he saw her eyes harden and knew she was ready to fight. “I beg to differ. Since I am the one being inconvenienced by your presence at the cabin, you do need to check with me about your work schedule. I’m sure my uncle would appreciate knowing that his employee is actually doing the job he’s being paid for.”

Now she had Robert seeing red. Shaking his head at her, he poured himself a cup of coffee and headed back towards the bathroom and the shower.

Melissa couldn’t believe that he simply shook his head at her. How dare he walk away from her? He owed her an explanation. Where was he going?

She quickly got up and followed him back down the hallway. “Robert, don’t walk away from me. Why didn’t you come back to work yesterday? And why weren’t you there this morning, besides the obvious?”

Robert had heard enough. Turning back to face her, he took a step towards her, pointed down the hallway and told her, “Get out. Don’t say another word, just get out of here, and leave me alone.”

Melissa took a small step backward, but held her ground. “I will not. I demand an explanation for your behavior.”

Robert advanced on her, pleased when she started walking backwards again. His control was tenuous at best and he vacillated between wanting to kiss her senseless or bodily remove her from his house. The look of uncertainty on her face helped, and he pushed his finger at her to keep her moving. “Lady, I don’t owe you anything. Now get out of my house and leave me alone.”

Melissa tried to control her facial expression, even though his words hurt and she was having trouble controlling her need to scream at him and hit him.  He infuriated her, and now was trying to intimidate her. Finding herself back
ed into the living room, she squared her shoulders and held her ground. “I’m not leaving until I get an answer.”

Robert saw the look of resolve cross her face and realized that things were about to get interesting. She irritated the hell out of him, and at the same time, he wanted to throw her down on the couch and get busy. She was a sight to behold when she was angry. He was turned on, hung over, and clearly not thinking straight. Advancing on her again, he grinned when she held her ground and didn’t back up. So, she thought she could fight him and win, huh? Well, he would call her bluff and see what she did then.

Taking another step towards her brought him into direct contact with her front side. Reaching around her with both arms, he grasped her shoulders and turned her around so that she was facing the front door and her backside was plastered to his front. “The door is that way,” he told her as he attempted to walk her towards it.

Melissa held back a moan as he made contact with her. When he simply turned her around and pressed up against her, she had to remind herself that she was angry with him and resisted the urge to rub herself against the evidence of his desire. They had been dancing around their desire for each other for days, and his touching her had been like pouring gas on a smoldering fire. As he pointed towards the front door, she lost the battle to contain what he made her feel. A small moan escaped her and she felt him stiffen behind her.

Robert heard her moan and went rigid. That sound reached all the way down into his soul and the desire to hear more of the same was stronger than he could resist. He’d known better than to touch her. Now that he had, there was no chance that he would be able to let her go. He needed her help if they were going to keep from ravishing one another.

Wrapping his arms around her, he pressed against her, rubbing himself against her back and dropping his head to nuzzle behind her ear. “Melissa, you need to leave before things get out of hand.”

Melissa reached up and wrapped her hands around his arms, holding on as her knees started to give out. He found the sweet spot at the juncture where her neck met her shoulder and started to suck and bite on it. “Aren’t things already out of hand?” she murmured faintly. Leaning her head back against his shoulder, she moaned again as he gently bit down.

Catching her as her knees gave out; he walked her the short distance to the couch and sat down; pulling her down with him. Turning her so that she was straddling his lap, he kissed and licked his way around her neck and then down to the pulse point at the base. His hands made short work of the buttons on her shirt, and he parted the shirt so that he could run his hands along the bare flesh of her stomach.

Melissa felt his hands against her bare flesh and shivered. He skimmed his fingertips against her sides and then around to the front of her. Brushing the backs of his fingers over her chest, her nipples hardened even more and she pushed her chest into his hands, wanting a firmer touch.

Making short work of the bra clasp, he pulled the cups down, revealing her to his gaze. She was perfect. Allowing his hands to lightly trace over her skin until they cupped her bare breasts, he couldn’t believe
wonderful she felt in his open palms. Raising his head, he looked at her for several minutes before saying, “You are beautiful. Do you like my hands on you?”

Melissa’s breathing had sped up to the point she was almost panting.  Unable to speak, she nodded her head, and let her gaze wander to where his hands were palming her flesh. His touch was so soft and gentle, yet firm and arousing, and Melissa reached up and covered his hands with hers, guiding the amount of pressure he was applying to her.