Pulled(64)
Author: A.L. Jackson

I pushed her back, and Melanie groaned in protest. I stood and pulled her with me, my mouth immediately taking hers again as we stumbled blindly to my room.

The light from the bathroom shed a faint glow across the room. I spun her, edging her back, anxious to see her lying across my bed.

I watched as she scooted back, her creamy skin in perfect contrast to the thick, black comforter. Her hair spil ed all around her face as she lay against my pil ow, the gold chain around her neck a reminder of our forever.

I quickly climbed onto the bed, losing the shirt hanging loosely on my shoulders in the process, and threw myself at her. I devoured her mouth, neck, arms, anything I could find, my hands as greedy as my mouth.

My hand snaked under her dress, pushing it higher, revealing her inch by inch. With her arms outstretched above her, I pulled it over her head and tossed it to the floor where it belonged.

“Make love to me, Daniel.”

Those words shot straight through me. Quickly, I shed the rest of my clothes. Her fingers sank into my back as I sank into her. Our bodies moved unhurried, slow and hard and absolutely perfect.

I stiffened when I saw her wrist, the skin contused and so carefully concealed behind the large silver cuff.

He hurt her.

My beautiful girl continued to move beneath me, her eyes closed, lost in a sea of pleasure while I looked down at her in horror, the reality hitting me hard.

She had stayed because of him. Not because of her mom. Not because of Katie and Shane. Not because of some stupid building. But because she was scared of him.

I couldn’t even make sense of the emotions running through me, pouring out on Melanie as I abruptly wrapped her up in my arms. I fought to erase any space between us, my arms urgently around her, smashing her chest against mine, unable to get her close enough.

I was consumed with jealously and hatred, the need to destroy. It all mixed with my love, my need to protect, to keep her secure. Both of those desires melted into one. all I knew was that he hurt my girl, and he was going to pay.

“Hey.” A delicate hand was in my hair, stroking, easing, calming. “Come back to me.” Melanie’s eyes burned into mine, searching the storm, caressing the creases that had gathered on my forehead. Her expression washed in relief when my eyes came back into focus.

I kissed her gently, struggling to keep the rage at bay. I couldn’t let Nicholas take this moment, too.

I channeled all the hate and fear and dread, funneling it into my love, my desire, my need to make her whole. I all owed myself to hear every sound that dropped from her lips, every groan, every whimper of delight. I all owed myself to feel every tremble, every twitch, every rol of pleasure traveling through her body, each and every caress of her fingertips.

With each one, I silently promised to keep her With each one, I silently promised to keep her safe, to protect her, and to never all ow that bastard to harm her again.

I rol ed to the side and snuggled behind her, reaching down to drape the sheet over us. My body molded into hers. I kissed the exposed skin of her shoulder and back, and shivers rol ed down her spine as she relaxed into me.

“I love you.” I hugged her tighter, stressing how much I meant it. She let out a satisfied sigh, and she drew my arm more firmly around her. I took a deep breath, preparing myself for what was sure to be a battle. “I can’t let you go back there.”

I couldn’t see her face, but I could feel her muscles tense. My hand ran down her arm to her wrist, bringing it to my lips, placing gentle kisses along the bruised skin, letting her know I knew. “He hurt you,” I said with my lips against the black and blue.

Her pulse quickened under my palm, and I knew she was going to resist. “Daniel,” she said as she released a heavy breath, “you have to.”

I shook my head into her hair. “You’re not safe there.”

“You have to trust me on this. I know what I’m doing.” Her voice was strong, completely unexpected. She rol ed over to face me, her body flush against mine. “This is the best way.”

My mouth opened and closed, and I struggled to find the right words to argue her logic. Her head slowly shook, and she stood firm, catching me off guard. “You don’t know him like I do. Please.” Her face was intense, pleading. “Just…don’t.”

What was I supposed to say to that?

I raked my hands through my hair, frustrated. Why did she have to be so stubborn? She was placing herself at risk. And for what? She was afraid he was going to hurt her, so she put herself in the very position where he could hurt her. It didn’t make any sense.

“I know what you’re thinking, Daniel. It’s not stupid; I have a plan.”

I opened my mouth to tel her just how stupid it actually was when the doorbel rang. Melanie’s eyes widened with fear, and she jerked up in bed, pulling the sheet higher and tighter around herself as if it were a shield.

I immediately had her face in my hands, forcing her to look at me, reassuring her. “Baby, it’s okay. Just stay here and be quiet.”

On the inside, I was terrified. If he found her here, I could only imagine what would happen.

I sifted through the clothes on the floor, producing my underwear and pulling them on as fast as I could. I tossed Melanie my button up, figuring it would provide more coverage than her dress. I pressed my index finger to my lips before I walked from the room and shut the door behind me.

Whoever was there impatiently knocked on the door, spiking my nerves. I tentatively crossed the floor, peeking through the smal hole.

Erin.

I breathed a sigh of relief, before a whole new set of worries flooded me. Was Melanie ready for this? Today had been such an incredibly draining day, filled with so many emotions and issues, and we still had so much to work through. I really felt it was best that we resolved some of those things before we faced our families. Not to mention that Melanie probably wouldn’t want to be discovered under these circumstances. Resolved to tel Erin I was busy and get rid of her as quickly as possible, I swung the door open before she could use her key to unlock it. Grinning, my baby sister flung herself into my arms, hugging me tightly. “Hi, Daniel.”

“Hey.” I smiled warmly as I hugged her before taking two steps back and planting my feet to block her entrance. “What are you doing here? I didn’t know you were in town.”

“I came in at the last minute. A couple of houses came on the market this week that my realtor wanted me to see, so I flew in. I wanted to stop by to say hi before I went to Mom and Dad’s.” She stepped forward, but I didn’t back down.