LOGINMELANIE We pulled up in front of the house. I parked and got out, but my mother stayed in the passenger seat, staring at the building through the windshield.“Mom?” I leaned down to look at her. “Are you alright?”She turned her head slowly and wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. After a moment she nodded and opened the door. I walked around the car and took her hands. They were cold. I was a little worried that this move might be too soon and too much for her. “Are you sure you’re ready for this?”She didn't answer immediately; she just looked away, staring at the house. I could only imagine how strange it felt to stand here again after so many years.“I’m ready,” she said finally.I nodded and kept hold of her hand as we walked up the steps and inside. In the foyer she stopped and looked around. “It’s still the same,” she murmured.She was right. Nothing much had changed all these years. Maybe just a few fresh coats of paint and other minor renovations, but the house remai
GAVIN My blood was still boiling thirty minutes after Melanie and her mother left. I paced the living room, trying to keep the rage from exploding. I had managed to hold it in while they were here, but now that the house was empty, the anger had nowhere to go.What the hell was wrong with Sarah? What exactly had she been thinking?“Fuck!” I screamed into the empty room.My ringtone filled the air again, and my fingers went to the decline icon, without even looking at the screen. I already knew who it was. A few minutes later the doorbell rang. I stared at the door for a second, jaw tight, then crossed the room and pulled it open.Sarah stood on the other side. Of course it was her. She had some nerve showing up here.“What are you doing here?” I asked, trying to keep my anger in check.She didn’t answer right away. The look on her face said she already knew how bad this was.“I said, what are you doing here?” I repeated, louder this time. Sarah flinched, but she didn't step back. T
MELANIE I kissed him like this was our first time, and I couldn't get enough. His hands tightened on my waist as I deepened the kiss, pouring everything I had been holding back into the moment. I would have kept going without thinking about anything else if Gavin hadn’t suddenly remembered we weren’t alone.He pulled back first, breaking the kiss with a ragged breath. His chest heaved against mine, his hazel eyes dark and heavy with a lust that made my knees weak. I could only imagine what he would have done if my mother hadn’t been standing five feet away. God, part of me wished she wasn't.“Melanie, what on earth is going on?” My mother’s voice came from behind me, quiet and stunned, like she was still processing the fact that her daughter had just kissed a man old enough to be her father.I closed my eyes for a few seconds, then turned to face her. “Can we talk about this after we leave?”She shook her head, her forehead wrinkling. “Is your father aware of this?”“Of course not.”
MELANIE “No!” The word came out sharp and angry from my mouth. “We are not involved.”Gavin snapped his head towards me, narrowing his eyes at me. “But…” My mother walked further into the room, shaking her head. “I didn’t really hear what the shouting was about, but the way you two were looking at each other—”I didn't wait for her to finish. I spun around, grabbed my bag from the couch, and turned back to her without glancing at Gavin. “You have shown your appreciation, right? Can we go now?”“Melanie.” She sounded shocked. “When did you become this rude? This is a man who selflessly—”“Selflessly.” I let out a bitter laugh. “That’s a new one.”“Mel!” Her voice rose.“Mrs. Wealth,” Gavin stepped in to calm the situation. “It’s fine.”“No, it's not.” She looked angrily at me, but I ignored her, looking away, with my arms folded across my chest. “I know I haven’t been in your life for a very long time,” she continued, softer now, “but I didn’t expect you to turn out this way.”I rais
MELANIE I didn't know how or what to feel hearing that Gavin singlehandedly saved my mother and brought her back to me. She was still sniffing and wiping her eyes beside me.How was I supposed to stay angry at a man who had done something so selfless?“Can you do me a favour?” Gavin suddenly said, his expression turning serious.“Of course. Name it,” my mother answered without hesitation.“Keep this between us.” His brows pulled together. “I don’t want Dalton knowing I was involved in your release.”“Oh, of course.” She nodded firmly. “He will never hear your name from me.”He nodded, looking satisfied, then his eyes shifted to me and held my gaze as we stared at each other for several long seconds until my mother stood up and the moment broke.“Can you show me to the restroom?” she asked with a small smile.“Sure. Follow me.”He led her down the hall. I remained seated, biting my lips nervously, knowing that he would come back alone any second.A moment later, he returned and stoppe
MELANIE We pulled up in front of Gavin’s house, and I noticed his jeep was already parked outside.“Is that his car?” my mother asked, her hand already on the door handle.“Yeah.”“Alright, let’s go in.” She opened her door and glanced back when she noticed I hadn’t moved. My hands were still glued to the steering wheel. “Aren’t you coming?”“Hmm.”We got out together. She walked ahead, looking excited and pressed the bell. I stood behind, using her body as a shield, like I could actually hide behind her.The door opened, and Gavin stood there, looking casual, wearing a plain red t-shirt and jeans.“Hello, Mrs. Wealth.” He smiled warmly at her. “Please come in.”“Oh my! Thank you.” I saw my mom give Gavin a subtle once-over, and she looked impressed with what she saw. Well, who wouldn't? Gavin was hot.I followed behind her without making a sound or raising my head to look him in the face. “Please have a seat.” He gestured toward the living room. “Can I get you anything? Water, juic
MELANIEThe kiss wasn’t gentle or sweet. It was desperate. I grabbed the front of his shirt with both hands and pressed my lips hard against his, pouring everything I had been hiding for years into it.Gavin froze. His hands came up to my shoulders like he wanted to push me away.“Melanie, shit… st
MELANIEMy hands shook so badly I could barely hold my bag as I tore it open and gripped my phone, blood staining everything I touched. I dialed my father first, tears running down my face, blurring my vision. It rang twice before he picked up.“Dad,” I sobbed the second he answered. “Some… some
MELANIEThe front door closed behind me with a soft thud that made me jump.God, why was it so quiet? My boot heels clicked too loudly on the marble floor as I stepped deeper into the living room. The warning bells in my head were loud now, the same sick little thrill I always got right before doi
MELANIEGavin had me pinned against the cold locker room wall, his big, calloused hand shoved up under my pink skirt, thick fingers shifting my panties, spreading my soaked folds.“Fuck, you’re dripping for me, Mel,” he growled in that deep, sexy voice, his light stubble scraping my neck as he thru







