“What kind of experience do you have?” This time, it’s me who lets her go. I know what she’s asking, and as difficult it is, I’ll give her those.
“We lost a few of our own on our last mission, my career was over, and here I am in my late thirties with a knee replacement that I’ll probably have to have again later on in life. Those men, though, they were my brothers in every way of the word except blood. It may not be the same as losing my dad, because I’m pretty sure I’d be in your shoes, hurt, sad, and wanting the world to stop kicking me in the ass. Healing is gonna take time, Mel, so do that, but even though we don’t know each other all that well right now, I’m here for you, just a few steps away.” The sun may be beating down on her body, and fuck what a body she has, but I see her shiver, so I put my arm back around her, rubbing her arm. She lays her head in the crook of my neck, and we sit silently. Melanie says nothing about what I just told her. I have no doubt once she gets her thoughts together, she will.
“Thank you. I’m sorry I’ve been such a pain in the ass,” she breaks the silence after a few minutes.
“Nah, I almost went out last night to make sure you were okay. Damn woman had me closing the windows, felt like I was intruding. You’ve got a hell of a voice, sunshine.” Melanie perks up at my compliment.
“Thanks, you really think I’ve got a good voice? I mean, my dad always told me I did, but he’s my dad so, you know, biased opinion and all.” She moves the hair that’s blowing in the wind across her lips, placing it behind her ear. Shit, this woman has me wanting to do everything I can for her. Peyton, my brother’s now wife, wasn’t wrong. When you fall, you really fucking fall. She’ll get a kick out of this. Not even twenty-four hours in Melanie’s presence, and I know I’ll do whatever I can to keep the smile on her face.
“Nah, he was telling the truth. Next time you have a jam session, let me know. I’ll bring the bourbon and watch you play. The only reason I didn’t last night was, well, the way you needed to get it out, and I was naked as a jaybird,” I attempt to lighten the mood.
“Oh, dear God, I appreciate you not coming out, then. You probably would have scared the old lady on the other side of you.” She chuckles while saying this.
“She’d enjoy it. Don’t let her fool you. Let’s go for a walk. It’ll do you some good and help out my bum knee.” I play it up, wanting to spend more time in her presence but take away the melancholy sharing shit brought out in both of us.
“I’d like that. I’m ashamed to say I haven’t walked on the beach very much since I’ve been here.” I hold my hand out, offering it to her, knowing damn good and well I won’t be letting it go. Not only that, I’ll be enjoying the view entirely.
10
Melanie
Today was amazing. Well, it was until nightfall, when Fox and I parted ways. Now, here I am, lost in my feelings, drinking vodka and seltzer water, trying to numb the pain. That will happen when one of those damn memories pop up on your social media, knocking you to your knees. It’s taking everything I have not to drag out my dad’s guitar again, but something was holding me back. Before we said our good-nights, because let’s face it, Fox monopolized the rest of my day, including stopping at this little cantina, grabbing a couple of tacos, a margarita for me, a beer for him, and watching the sun slowly fade in the distance.
In one way or another, he was touching me—it was either his hand in mine or his fingertips grazing my lower back, and I felt that zing even through the bathing suit cover-up I was wearing. A part of me is feeling horrible that I had such a great day when my dad isn’t here to be with me or hear about it. This is the part that fucking sucks, and there is nothing I can do that will help numb the pain. Maybe that’s why I’m knocking back more drinks than I usually would. If I were to get out my guitar and sing, it would surely wake up Fox, and I can’t do that two nights in a row. He showed me a piece of his past today. The dark circles under his eyes even though his smile was shining brightly told me what my singing did to him last night, and I won’t do that again.
I guzzle my drink down, emptying the highball glass, mix another, and continue pacing the floors.
“This sucks. I shouldn’t go over there. I definitely should not go over to Fox’s. So, what if he said he’d keep the door unlocked and to wake him up if I needed a friend. I should not and will not go over there,” I say to the quiet house. The television is playing softly in the background, and after a few more rounds around the house and one last gulp of my drink, I decide ‘fuck it’. I don’t even bother changing from my pajama set before I take the path to Fox’s place, our places being only a few footsteps away, barefoot, attempting to creep through the night. There’s no way a former Navy Seal will sleep through me traipsing around.
I no sooner closed my door than I’m opening his door. “Fox,” I whisper-hiss. He must be asleep. I look around the living room and see there’s no sign of him around. The only light that’s on is the one above the oven, and it’s currently lighting my path. Fox’s beach house is very different from mine. He has more of an open concept that faces the beach, a hallway that leads to the bedrooms, which is where I’m heading.
“I bet I’d sleep great with Fox,” I mumble, looking in at what turns out to be a bathroom, closing the door as quietly as I can before going to the next, finding them empty. I’m beginning to think I’ll never find him.
“Christ, Mel, is that you?” Fox sits up in bed as I’m leaning against the open doorway.
“Maybe, maybe not.” I hiccup while saying this.
“You drunk?”
“Possibly.” I stumble closer to him before climbing on top of him, wanting his arms wrapped around me.
“Must have been one hell of a party without me. Come on, wild thing, let’s get some sleep.” Fox somehow maneuvers me, settling me in bed with him.
“Vodka was involved, but at least I left the guitar in its case. You smell really good.” My body wiggles closer to him, Fox’s arm moving beneath my head, so I can settle into the crook of his neck.
“Christ, sunshine. You’re not okay. Next time you need to turn to alcohol, don’t. Come to me. We’ll get you through this.”
“I’m sorry, Fox,” I murmur, my lips kissing the collar of his neck, my legs wrapping around the one closest to me.
“Those are two words I don’t want to ever hear leave your lips, Mel.” Those are the last words I hear before passing out, feeling warm, safe, and the most comfortable I have since my father passed away.
11
Fox
This woman, Christ, she wears her heart on her sleeve. Isn’t afraid to shed tears for someone she loves and comes to me for a place to fall apart. And I’ll take everything she’s willing to give me. Even if she’s wrapped around me, clinging to me like her life depends on it, and my cock is rock hard.
Last night was definitely a sleepless night, especially when she rolled over, taking me with her. Melanie’s tight ass backing into my cock. And that’s what made it a sleepless night, well, that and her coming to me drunk. That doesn’t make me happy at all. I know she’s grieving, but something is going to have to happen.