Pulled(47)
Author: A.L. Jackson

Chapter 16

Once again, I stood helplessly and watched her drive away. Would this torment never end?

I knew I’d pushed her too far. We needed to talk first, get everything out, and I’d given in and all owed my desire for her to drive me. I’d began to whisper in her ear, to calm her, to tel her we needed to talk, halting when I sensed her mouth moving soundlessly against my cheek.

Her words were distinct and utterly untrue. “You didn’t want me.”

I shook my head, perplexed. There wasn’t a moment in my life when I didn’t desire her, crave her. How could she have ever believed I didn’t want her?

This couldn’t be happening. I wouldn’t let her walk out of my life again without knowing the truth.

I turned on my heel, yanked the door wide, and rushed through the lobby.

“Was that who I think it was?” Dad stood at the end of the hallway, panting. He leaned one hand against the wal for support, the other clutching the front of his jacket.

Apparently, he had heard the ordeal and came running. I nodded, unwil ing to take the time to explain the situation to him. I had to get to her.

I rushed into my office, grabbing my keys from the desk. Frantically, I searched for my wal et, strewing papers across the floor as I pushed them out of the way.

Dad appeared in the doorway, his eyes troubled as he surveyed my office, trying to put the pieces together.

“Daniel, what the hel is going on? How did she find you? “

“She’s married to Nicholas Borel i,” I mumbled as I continued rummaging through my desk.

He stared blankly; the name meant nothing to him.

“Borel i & Preston.” I raised my eyebrows at him while I continued to sift through the items on my desk.

His body stiffened, his eyes wide and disturbed.

“Shit,” he cursed under his breath, looking around anxiously. “What happened? What did she say?”

“Not a whole lot was said.” I wasn’t about to go into detail about what did happen. “She just kept saying that I didn’t want her. I can’t fathom what would ever make her believe that. I have to find her and make some sense of this craziness.” I spied the black leather lying beside my chair on the floor. I whipped it up and shoved it into my back pocket, grabbed my jacket, and started for the door.

Dad stepped in front of me, blocking my way.

“Whoa. You need to take a step back, son. You’re agitated and irrational. It’s quite obvious she was upset and wanted you to give her some space, so that’s what you need to do.” His hand was firm against my chest, but his face was compassionate.

“The last time I gave her space, I didn’t see her for nine f**king years, and there’s not a chance in hel I’m going to let that happen again.” This time I was going to fight for her, and I was going to win.

“I understand that, Daniel. I’m not saying to stay away from her forever, but you need to give her some time to calm down.”

I ran my hands through my hair and took a step back, trying to let go of some of the tension coursing through my body. He was right. I needed to think this through before I scared her away forever.

“I can’t even imagine what you’re feeling right now.

I’ve watched you suffer more in the last nine years than any one person should ever have to. But you need to realize the seriousness of this situation. I know you love her…” He hesitated, waiting for me to look him in the eye. “But have you even considered the fact that she’s married? I’ve always hoped and prayed she’d come back to you, but breaking up a marriage.” He winced as he said the last words, probably thinking his words would cut me, but where they should bring me guilt, I felt none. He hadn’t seen her with him.

“She doesn’t love him,” I stated in a flat tone, retreating to my desk and sinking into my chair. “I’m scared for her, Dad. If you saw the way he looked at her.” My body rippled with an involuntary shudder as I thought back to their interaction that night. “He was so control ing, so cold.” I snapped myself back, looking directly at Dad. “You know I’ve never gone after her all these years because I thought I was all owing her some amount of happiness. If she was happy or even satisfied, I’d leave her alone. But, Dad, if you looked into her eyes and saw her face, you’d see that her soul is dead. She can’t live without me any more than I can live without her. I just can’t believe it was an accident that we both ended up here in Chicago. She loves me. She needs me.” I stressed the words. “I know she does.” Dad inhaled deeply and sat on the edge of my desk. “This is really complicated, but I can’t doubt you. You know Melanie better than anyone else. You do know this could get really ugly, right?”

I nodded. Of course I knew, but she was more than worth it.

“Then I want you to give her a few days to think things through.” He looked at the wal , seemingly focused on some nonexistent object. He then suddenly looked down to me, determined. “And then go bring me back my daughter.”

My eyes fluttered opened, a faint glow of light barely il uminating the room. My arms were wrapped around my pil ow, her scent still surrounding me.

I smiled into the cotton as I rol ed myself over. I glanced at the clock—six thirty-seven in the morning.

I’d dreamt of her again. Beautiful visions of Melanie replaced the nightmares that had plagued me for the last nine years. Instead of waking to the crushing pain, I woke to the memory of her soft skin beneath my hands, my fingertips ghosting trails over her cheekbones, her body reacting to mine. It had been a long time since I’d felt so alive. The dreams were more real than the agonizing reality I’d faced without her. For five days, I had waited. Those days had been spent longing for her, unable to concentrate on anything except her, just biding my time. Today that time was up. Today I wouldn’t stop until it was all out. I wouldn’t rest until I knew everything. I wouldn’t give up until Melanie Winters knew I would love her forever.

July 2000

Four months without her. I had been lying in bed for three days, consumed with nothing but Melanie. Every thought was of her and what she was doing.

It was as if I’d been living for months without my soul.

Overwhelmed with grief, I lived day-to-day, just waiting for Melanie to come back to me.

She had gone back to Dallas with her mom. I had begged her to come home with me, but she insisted she needed time alone to deal with everything that had happened. I knew that we needed to do it together. I couldn’t begin to understand how she thought it would be better if we were apart. Without Melanie, every second would be torture.