Chapter 5: This Isn’t What It Looks Like

MELANIE

“Fuck!” Gavin swore under his breath. 

I sat up fast, the sheet slipping down to my waist, exposing my bare breasts. My heart pounded against my ribs as he put a finger to his lips, mouthing “Shh,” and answered the call on speaker.

“Dalton,” Gavin said, voice still rough from fucking me.

“Hey, Gav,” my father greeted casually. “Sorry to call so late. Have you heard from Melanie? Her phone’s off. She called earlier, but I was too busy to listen.”

Gavin’s eyes locked on mine, guilt already shadowing his face while his cock was still half-hard against his thigh.

“Yeah, she called me,” he started carefully. “She’s—”

Dalton cut him off with an impatient sigh. “Ah, don’t worry about it. Mel is just too dramatic sometimes. You know how she gets. Anyway, thanks for being there for her, man. I owe you one. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

The line went dead.

Gavin stared at the phone for a long time, his face tight with regret. The warmth that had been in his eyes moments ago was already gone.

I felt anger build so fast in my chest.

“Gosh, I fucking hate him,” I spat, voice sharp and trembling. “He doesn’t even care enough to ask what happened. I told him I was in trouble, and he brushed me off like I was whining about a parking ticket.”

“Mel…” Gavin said softly. “You know he’s busy with the campaign and—”

“So bloody what?” I snapped, eyes flashing. “Stop making excuses for him! I’m his daughter. I’m supposed to matter more than his stupid votes.”

I took a deep breath, shaking my head. The fight drained out of me just as quickly as it came. 

I looked up at Gavin, eyes full of everything I felt for him. “I’m exhausted, will you just… hold me?”

His expression softened a little. He nodded and gathered me tight against his chest, strong arms wrapping around my naked body. I buried my face in his neck, breathing him in, and finally let sleep take me.

*****

Morning light slowly crept into the room. 

I woke up first, still wrapped in Gavin’s arms. My body was deliciously sore, a beautiful reminder of how thoroughly he’d fucked me last night. My pussy ached in the best way, still slightly swollen and tender. I was completely naked under the sheets, skin sticky with dried sweat and the faint scent of sex.

I shifted carefully, tracing the lines of his sleeping face with my fingers, watching him with a slight smile, memorizing the curve of his relaxed lips, lips I’d kissed only hours ago. 

My heart squeezed hard. 

I finally had him. The man I’d obsessed over for years had taken my virginity and ruined me so perfectly I still felt him between my legs.

Gavin stirred beside me. His eyes opened slowly and landed on my face. For one beautiful moment, warmth filled his gaze. Then guilt took over.

“Melanie…” he said quietly, his voice still rough from sleep.

Before he could continue, the doorbell rang loudly through the quiet house.

The sound made us both freeze. 

He sat up quickly and swung his legs off the bed, pulling on his pants, leaving his muscular chest bare.

“Stay here,” he said firmly. “I’ll see who it is.”

Like hell I was staying put.

I slipped on his shirt from last night and followed barefoot quietly down the hallway.

Gavin opened the front door.

A stunning woman with long dark hair and flawless makeup stood on the porch, an elegant coat hugging her slim figure. 

She smiled brightly when she saw him. “Good morning, darling. I thought I’d surprise you with breakfast before your day starts.”

Gavin’s body went completely still.

The woman’s eyes moved past him and landed on me, standing there in nothing but Gavin’s shirt, my hair in a messy situation, and my lips still swollen from his kisses. Her smile faltered for a second.

“Gavin?” Her forehead creased, her voice turned a pitch higher. “Who is this?”

Gavin turned to look at me, swallowing hard. “Cassandra,” he said quietly, “this is Melanie. Dalton’s daughter.”

Cassandra stepped inside without waiting for an invitation, her heels clicking confidently on the floor. She looked me up and down slowly, taking in the oversized shirt and my freshly fucked appearance.

“Dalton’s daughter,” she repeated coolly. “And why is she here wearing your shirt?”

Gavin rubbed the back of his neck. “It’s complicated. There was an incident last night, and she needed a safe place. I let her stay.”

Cassandra set the breakfast bag on the table, her smile tight. “I brought coffee and pastries. Seems we have a lot to talk about.”

My stomach twisted in horror. Who the fuck was she, and why was she acting like she owned him? 

Gavin never mentioned dating anyone, so why did she call him darling?

I studied her with narrowed eyes for a second. She was beautiful, polished, and looked like she belonged on Gavin’s arm. Everything I wasn’t right now.

Gavin glanced at me again, and the guilt in his eyes made my chest hurt. “Cassandra, this isn’t what it looks like—”

“Isn’t it?” she cut in smoothly. “Because it looks like your best friend’s daughter spent the night here and is currently wearing your clothes.”

My face burned, but I lifted my chin defiantly.

Cassandra turned to me directly. “So, Melanie… how do you know my Gavin exactly? Beyond being Dalton’s daughter, of course.”

Fuck her! Who was she to call him hers?

I swallowed, throat tight, but my voice came out bolder than I expected. “He has always been there for me when my dad isn’t,” I said, staring her dead in the eyes. “He knows exactly what I need, especially when things get... intense.”

I wanted her to know he was mine. He was inside me last night and held me like I was the only thing that mattered.

Her perfectly arched brow lifted. She looked almost amused. “That’s sweet. Gavin is very protective of the people he cares about. Aren’t you, darling?”

He didn’t answer. He just stood still, his jaw set so tight.

Cassandra smiled again as she held her left hand up to tuck a stray hair behind her ear, and I noticed the huge engagement ring on her finger. 

“By the way, I’m Cassandra. Gavin’s fiancée.”

The word landed like a punch to my chest, knocking the air out of me. 

Fiancée?