Pulled (17 page)

That if she al owed me to touch her, my heart would beat again?

God, I wanted to touch her.

That thought alone gave me the courage to push the door open. I froze when I heard her cries coming from a closed stal , the sound nearly bringing me to my knees. I had never heard so much pain coming from one person. It made it so much worse that it was coming from the one person who meant everything to me. I wanted to comfort her, but I knew my presence was what had caused it al . I retreated to give her privacy, though I couldn’t go far.

I just waited. I’d been waiting for her to return to me for nine years. I could be patient.

I heard the faucet run and knew she’d be coming out soon. I braced myself to face her. What would she say to me? What would I say to her?

I didn’t have time to contemplate it before the door swung open, her sweet scent fil ing the air. My heart leapt at the sight of her. Her brown hair was a disaster, her face blotchy and red, green eyes glistening from her tears.

My beautiful, broken girl.

None of the times that I’d imagined being near her again could have prepared me for this. Our connection was stronger than it had ever been. In that moment, just the two of us existed. The air crackled with our need. I could hear her heart speed up in her chest and her breathing become erratic, and I felt her fingers twitch toward me.

She wanted me.

I had to touch.

Slowly, I brought my hand to her face, and I swore I could actual y see the electricity travel between us. I traced my fingertips across her cheekbones, unsure of how much contact I could take.

“Melanie.” Everything I felt about her came out in that one word, my voice cracking as the emotions tumbled from my mouth.

“Why?” My voice was a whisper.

Of course, I knew why. What I didn’t understand was why she didn’t tel me herself. Why she left me waiting for months when I didn’t even know she’d left me for someone else. Searching her face, I prayed I’d find the answer there. I took her face in my hands and caressed her cheeks. Her head shifted in my hand, her eyes fil ed with confusion? The expression on her face left me with more questions than I’d started with.

She gave me no answer, and I didn’t push her.

Perhaps the reason she’d never told me herself was she couldn’t bring herself to say the words to me. It didn’t matter anyway. Al that mattered was the love flowing between us right now, and I knew I only had a few moments more. I couldn’t waste them.

Her gorgeous neck was flushed; wrapped in the same gold I’d given her the first time I made love to her, tangible evidence that she stil thought of me.

I slowly ran my hand from her cheek to her neck so I could touch the chain, running my fingers along it. It held an energy al its own. I reached for the pendant, needing to feel our initials intertwined together, a promise of forever resting over her heart. I couldn’t hold back the smile tugging on my lips as I rubbed it between two fingers, the inscription worn but unmistakable.

“My love.” I had to say it out loud. I’d been tel ing her al night with my body, hoping she’d understand. Now she could make no mistake.

Her whole body shook, and I was afraid she was going to break down or run from me. Instead, her hand reached for me, her movements jerky. My mouth watered when she final y touched me, her thumb running across my bottom lip. Our bodies drifted closer, every second bringing her nearer to me. I had to taste. I leaned in, her lips inviting mine.

“Melanie.” Katie’s voice cut through the air.

I jumped back.

Shit!

I was jerked back to reality as I realized I’d nearly kissed a woman whose husband was sitting twenty feet away. Katie stood guard over her friend, pul ing her away, defending her from me.

It stung. She was mine, not his. But only in soul and not in body. My girl would leave with that man. The weight of our circumstances crushed me as I tore myself away from her. I felt on the verge of death as I forced myself to turn and walk away.

I nearly ran the rest of the way to the table, my decision made. How could I not sign this contract? Shane knew what he was doing, though none of that was even a consideration. I would do anything it took to be near Melanie.

“Okay, Shane, let’s do this.” He nodded

agreement, his grin wide as he pushed the papers toward me, using his finger to indicate everywhere I needed to sign.

My heart rate sped up as I felt Melanie approach from behind. I reveled in the satisfaction that I
knew
her; nobody could take that away from me.

With the last signature in place, everyone stood to leave. Shane reached out and took his wife’s hand.

Nicholas grabbed Melanie’s hand, dragging her through the restaurant, his body nearly two feet in front of her as she struggled to keep up. I seriously wanted to beat that guy. It was torture, and al I could do was fol ow.

I quietly muttered, “Come on,” to Vanessa, gesturing for her to walk ahead of me. I would have to deal with that situation soon enough, but it would have to wait. I had to get one more glimpse of Melanie before she took my heart with her once again.

Outside the restaurant, we gathered on the sidewalk, waiting for our cars. Once again, that uncomfortable tension set in. Resentment rol ed off Nicholas. I couldn’t tel if it was directed at me or Shane or Melanie—most likely a combination of us al .

Shane came to stand in front of me, his hand extended. “It’s going to be great working with you, Daniel. I promise you’l not be disappointed.”

I was positive it was going to be a good

experience working with him. I reached out, taking his hand.

“I have faith in you, Shane. We’l talk again on Monday when I bring the information from the bank to your office.” I didn’t even acknowledge Nicholas. As far as I was concerned, he had no bearing in this decision.

Katie was at Shane’s side, looking at me

curiously. I stil didn’t know what this woman was up to, but somehow I believed she was on Melanie’s side. I felt confident she only wanted what was best for my girl.

I reached my hand to hers, taking it. “It was a pleasure to meet you, Katie.” Her tender glance at Melanie confirmed her love for my girl, and I relaxed at her touch, squeezing her hand lightly.

“Nice to meet you, too, Daniel.” Katie flashed a knowing smile, her blue eyes twinkling. No question. She knew exactly who I was.

I cringed when I heard Nicholas’s voice breaking the calm that had settled in the air. “Let’s go, Melanie.” I turned just in time to see him shove her into the car. His grip was rough, and I didn’t miss the grimace on Melanie’s face as she was thrown into her seat. That was it. I couldn’t stand by and watch him treat Melanie like that. If he was this aggressive in public, it scared the shit out of me to think about what he would do to her when he got her home.

With my hands in fists, I prepared to rip the guy in two. I had taken no more than a step when a firm hand tugged on my shoulder. Katie’s face was solemn and hard, expressing her disapproval with two sharp shakes of her head. I nearly ripped her hand from me, stopping only when she leaned in and whispered in my ear, “Daniel, you’re just going to make it worse.”

Resigned at her words, I shoved my hands into my pockets. It kil ed me to al ow Melanie to go with that creep, but the last thing I wanted to do was cause trouble for her.

I’d done enough of that to last her a lifetime. I couldn’t tear my eyes from her as she sat in her seat and waited as her bastard husband ran around to the other side of the car.

“Bye,” passed from her lips as the car sped away.

I could only hope she could see it when I mouthed “my love” to her. Instantly, my chest burned with the loss. Giving me a sad smile, Katie squeezed my arm. She leaned in, her mouth against my ear. “She loves you, too.” Shane watched our interaction, confused. She dropped her hand and walked to her husband, wrapping her arms around his waist and speaking to him under her breath.

Shane’s expression quickly shone in

understanding. He nodded a couple of times before a huge smile spread across his face. They bid us goodbye when their car pul ed up to the curb.

“What the hel was that?” Vanessa stood behind me, irritated, her hands on her hips.

“Just get in the car, Vanessa.” This was not going to be a pleasant conversation.

Once we were in, we drove back to Vanessa’s house. It was just better to get this over with, the sooner the better. I ran the back of my hand across my lips, glancing in her direction. She stared straight ahead, pouting.

“What exactly do you want from me, Vanessa?”

“What do you mean?” She’d turned toward me, her posture defensive, but her voice feigned innocence.

“You know exactly what I mean. I’m not here to play games. Tel me what you want from me.” I had no intention of giving her what she wanted, but I just needed to hear her say it.

“Wel , Daniel, we
are
having a baby. Don’t you think we should get married?”

Holy shit. I was right. I just hadn’t expected her to come straight out and say it. She wanted money. And she wanted my name. I laughed out loud as I shook my head; she was indeed insane.

“Why are you laughing? There is nothing funny about this situation, Daniel,” she scolded me.

“Oh, I disagree. I find this utterly fucking hilarious.” Did she real y think she could get away with this? Yeah, I had been stupid enough to fal for it the first time, but that night would be the one mistake I’d make; there would not be a repeat.

“Daniel, we’re having a baby; we have to be together.” She tried to sound confident, but it sounded more as if she were pleading.

“No, Vanessa. There wil never be anything between us.” I looked directly at her. “Never.” Even I hated the sound of my voice, but I had to be clear on this point.

“What? Is this about that bitch at dinner? You don’t even know her, and you can’t have her. She’s married!” she screeched.

That bitch? I was so pissed, I couldn’t see straight.

I couldn’t believe she had the nerve to talk as if she knew anything about Melanie or me. I ran my hands through my hair, trying to rein in the outrage consuming me.

“You don’t know me, Vanessa, so I’d appreciate it if you’d stop talking like you do.” Getting my temper under control, I said in an even tone, “So this is how it’s going to be. I don’t want anything to do with you,” I squeezed the steering wheel as I said the words, trying to keep myself from spitting them at her. “I know that baby is my responsibility, and I’l accept that. I’l pay child support, but I expect to have joint custody.”

Inside the car was silent except for the short breaths I could hear Vanessa taking as she chewed on her lip, her hands clutching her purse. I looked around, surprised we were already approaching the front of her house.

“You’l hear from my attorney tomorrow. Other than that, I don’t want to hear from you unless it is directly related to the baby. Do you understand?” I sat in my seat and waited for her answer.

“What? W…wha…why?” she stammered,

gawking at me.

“Because I don’t appreciate being taken

advantage of.” I glared at her, daring her to deny it.

“I...I...” Her words twisted together, unable to form a lie quickly enough.

That’s what I thought.

I would never have treated her like this if this had been an accident, if the two of us had been irresponsible and had the consequences to face. What I wouldn’t tolerate was being manipulated.

She mumbled under her breath, “You’re an

asshole,” as she opened the door and got out, running up the sidewalk to her house.

Yeah, probably so.

“But you are a whore,” I muttered to her retreating form.

Mom would kil me if she ever found out how I’d treated Vanessa. She’d remind me that everyone deserved to be respected, even if you didn’t feel like giving it to them.

But I was in ful defense mode because Vanessa was most definitely a threat.

Leaving Vanessa al owed the emptiness to suck me in, and I drove aimlessly, my only companion the burn on my skin Melanie had left behind.

I’d missed her so badly al these years, haunted by the memories of her face, agonized by the loss of her comfort, plagued by the grief we should have shared. Al of that was stil there, strong and growing, except there was something else building with it. I wasn’t sure what it was, but it felt, good?

Even though I knew I should stay away, there was not a chance in hel I would. I had to see her again even if it was only from a distance.

I pul ed off to the side of the road, dust flying as I came to an abrupt stop. I searched for Nicholas Borel i on my phone. Numerous results popped up on the screen, but there was something specific I was looking for. Scrol ing through, one caught my eye—his personal address. I saved the site and threw my phone into the seat next to me as I took off toward home.

I knew I’d never fal asleep tonight; I didn’t even think I wanted to. I entered my apartment, an expanse of desolation only because she wasn’t there, but tonight it was different. Instead of climbing into the shower and giving myself over to my pain, I walked out onto the balcony and looked at the city lights, knowing she was there. Leaning against the railing, I closed my eyes and al owed myself to feel al the love, hurt, and longing she had shown me tonight. My chest fil ed with my love for her, and once again, I cal ed upon the power that somehow held us together. I prayed she was safe and felt loved, by me.