Chapter 36
DANIEL
For a half pint that she was, Melly had a serious hold. I picked her up and she automatically wrapped her legs around my waist, at least as far as they could go.
She wasn’t shaking, however she felt like she was vibrating. Something wasn’t right.
Sure, she was always eager to see me–when she wasn’t handing me a plant–but this was different.
I knew I needed to be here. It didn’t matter whether this was in the contract or out or… what the fuck ever.
Maybe I shouldn’t have stormed in, but I wasn’t changing my ways now.
When Deek said Melly’s mom was in town, my first thought was fuuuuuccckkk. I remembered what Melly had told me about the woman. That her mom pushed a man on her. The woman who slept with the married mayor didn’t need to be giving Melly sex advice.
Melly had been a virgin at twenty-four. Until me, she hadn’t been interested in changing that. Why? How had she made it this long untouched? It couldn’t be because men weren’t interested. The entire male population of Hunter Valley would have to be blind to not desire her.
Then it was Melly’s choice to steer clear of sex. I was going to find out why.
I kissed the top of her head and held her to me, in no rush to put her down. “You okay?” I murmured.
She nodded and her soft breath fanned my neck, then she tipped her head up and kissed me.
I sure as hell kissed her back.
“Well, this is interesting.”
I pulled back but didn’t put Melly down. Tipping my head, there was Valerie Price. She looked so much like Melly, except where Melly was precise and neat and organized and liked consistency, Valerie liked… well, I had no idea what she was like.
I did know they had opposite personalities.
“You didn’t say you had a man, Melly. I’m impressed.”
Valerie was eyeing how I was holding her daughter. Clearly, we knew each other and since my hands were cupping her ass and I’d just had my tongue in her mouth, Melly and I were more than just friends.
“Daniel Pearson,” I said.
“I’m heating up some chicken alfredo if you want some.” Her gaze dropped to my hands on Melly’s butt before turning and going back to the kitchen. “However, it seems as if you’ve already gotten a taste.”
I didn’t know what that even meant, but Melly stiffened and wiggled to be let down. Taking my hand, she led me into the kitchen.
“This is my mother, Valerie,” Melly said, making introductions. “And this is Roger. My mother’s… person.”
Valerie was eyeing me as if she wanted to eat me instead of the container of alfredo. Roger was eyeing me as if I was competition. His jaw clenched in a way that indicated his dislike of me and Melly holding hands.
Melly was fucking mine. I pulled her back so she was pressed against me, my forearm wrapped around in front of her.
“Glad to know you two can entertain yourselves while you’re here,” I said. “No need to get anyone in town involved.”
Meaning don’t fuck the new mayor or anyone else.
“I didn’t know you had a boyfriend,” Valerie said to Melly. “Or one who’s so… experienced. Well done.”
Melly cleared her throat.
“Roger, it seems your skills aren’t needed with Melly after all.”
Oh, fuck no. When Melly first came to my house the other day with the plant and condoms, I’d thought perhaps something had happened to her, that she might have been a virgin at twenty-four for a bad reason.
She’d been into sex and every single dirty thing we’d done, but right now? Her mom and Roger were upsetting her.
Had this Roger fucker done something already or only planning it?
Melly gasped.
I growled. “Roger’s not getting his skills anywhere near Melly. In fact” –I looked to Roger and glared– “he shouldn’t even be looking in her direction.”
“Aren’t you big and brawny,” Valerie cooed, then shook her head. “Honey, if you liked older men, why did you run away from Carl? He could have given you that Daddy attention.”
“I just turned eighteen, Mom, and Carl was a predator.”
Valerie laughed. “Predator? You’re such a prude when it comes to men.” She poked her fork into the pasta and twirled it around.
Predator? Just eighteen? What the actual fuck?
“How long are you staying, Valerie and Roger?” I asked.
Roger deferred to Valerie, who shrugged. “A few days. I was going to have a fun girl visit with Melly and then we would see Nathan Mazurski.”
“I’m not giving you money,” Melly told her. “Seeing the bank manager’s not going to change that.”
“You’re having work done on the driveway and there’s this big house. I’m not sure why you two keep such a place.”
“It’s not my house, it’s Nana’s. Same with the driveway work. Her driveway. Did you email her for money?”
I saw the way Valerie’s eyes flickered away and her mouth pinched with her answer.
“That’s what I thought,” Melly said.
“Nice meeting you two,” I said, not letting this conversation continue.
“Leaving already, Daniel? Well then, Melly, the three of us can share your chicken alfredo after all.”
I didn’t want my girl sharing anything with these two and there was no way in hell I was leaving her here with them.
Melly could hate my fucking guts, but I could see that Roger had plans for Melly and every single one of them were creepy as fuck.
The fact that Valerie was cool with it was just wrong.
Melly needed my protection.
“Not happening,” I snapped. “Melly’s staying with me.”