6. Melissa
Chapter Six
MELISSA
I sit on my living room couch in my silky pink pajamas, tears streaming down my face as I clutch my phone to my ear.
“I just couldn’t do it anymore, Lisa,” I sniffle. “I can’t work for a firm that doesn’t believe in helping people.”
Lisa makes a sympathetic sound on the other end of the line. “But quitting your job as a partner? Are you sure that was the right move?”
I take a shaky breath, trying to steady my voice. “I had to. I can’t stay somewhere that stifles my ability to help people and make a real difference. It goes against everything I believe in.” I wipe away a tear. “I need to find my own path, even if that means starting over.”
I glance around my dimly lit living room—the expensive but impersonal furniture, the pristine white walls devoid of family photos. I’ve sacrificed so much for my career—maybe too much.
“Well, if anyone can handle this, it’s you, girl. I just hate seeing you hurting like this.”
“I’ll be okay,” I assure her, trying to believe it myself. “I have plenty of money saved. I can take some time to figure out my next steps.”
But underneath my brave facade, I’m terrified.
Who am I without my prestigious job and my identity as a successful lawyer?
The doorbell rings, startling me out of my thoughts. I groan in annoyance. Who could possibly be at my door at this hour? All I want is to wallow in my misery and finish this bottle of wine.
“Let me call you right back, Lisa. Someone’s at the door.”
I set my glass down on the coffee table and pad over to the front door, not bothering to check my appearance. Whoever it is will just have to deal with my puffy eyes and ratty pajamas.
I swing open the door, ready to send away whatever salesperson or neighbor has chosen to disturb my pity party.
But the sight that greets me stops me short, my mouth falling open in shock.
Bash Cooper stands on my doorstep, his handsome face etched with concern.
“Bash?” I blink up at him in disbelief. “What are you doing here? I thought you weren’t coming until tomorrow.”
He steps closer, his masculine scent enveloping me. “You were crying on the phone earlier. I decided that tomorrow was tomorrow was too long to wait.”
“You drove all the way from Barton Beach because I was crying? Bash, that’s over four hours away.”
“Baby, I would drive to the end of the earth to see you if I had to.” His hand gently cups my face, his thumb brushing away a stray tear. “Can I come in?”
Still stunned by his presence, I numbly step aside to let him enter.
“Sorry, the place is a mess,” I mutter, hastily grabbing a throw pillow to cover the wine stain on my couch.
He waves away my apology, his eyes never leaving my face. “What’s going on, Melissa? Talk to me.”
I sink back onto the couch, burying my face in my hands. “I quit my job today.”
The cushion dips as he sits beside me, his strong arm coming around my shoulders. “What? I thought you loved being a lawyer. What happened?”
The words pour out of me, a torrent of frustration and disappointment. “I just couldn’t take it anymore. They cut the pro bono program, Bash. It’s like it meant nothing. After all the good I’ve done over the years, after all the people I’ve helped, it’s like they don’t even care anymore.”
His hand tightens on my shoulder. “I’m so sorry, baby. I know how much that program means to you.”
“It’s not just the program,” I confess, my voice catching. “It’s the principle of it. I’ve given so much to that firm, Bash—so many years, so much effort. And for what? To be told that my priorities don’t matter?”
“Your priorities matter,” he says firmly, tilting my chin up to meet his gaze. “You matter. And if they can’t see that, then they don’t deserve you.”
A wave of emotion crashes over me, and I bury my face in his chest, my shoulders shaking with silent sobs. He holds me tightly, murmuring words of comfort and reassurance.
When my tears finally subside, I lift my head, sniffling. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to fall apart on you like that.”
He brushes a strand of hair away from my face, his touch infinitely gentle. “Don’t apologize for being human, Melissa. You’re allowed to feel things. You’re allowed to be upset.”
“I just feel so lost,” I confess softly. “I feel like I don’t know who I am anymore if I’m not working at the firm.”
He tips my chin up to meet his gaze. “You’re Melissa Graham. Smart, strong, passionate Melissa. Quitting your job doesn’t change that.”
“You really believe that?” I search his eyes, seeing nothing but certainty reflected back at me.
Bash has always had a way of making me feel like I can take on anything. Even when we were kids, he never let me doubt myself.
“I’ve never believed anything more.” His hand slides into my hair, his touch igniting my skin. “You amaze me, baby. You always have.”
The intensity in his eyes takes my breath away. I can’t look away, can’t resist the magnetic pull drawing me closer to him.
“Bash...” I whisper, my voice trembling.
“Let me take care of you tonight, sweetheart.” His lips brush against my forehead. “You’ve been so strong for so long. Let me be strong for you now.”
Bash scoops me up effortlessly, cradling me against his broad chest.
I melt into his embrace, surrendering to the comfort and safety of his arms. After the day I’ve had, it feels so good to let someone else take control, to let myself be vulnerable.
He carries me down the hall into my master bathroom and sets me gently down on the counter. Then he turns to the oversized soaking tub, fiddling with the knobs until steamy water begins to pour from the faucet.
While the tub fills, he rummages through my cabinets, emerging with a bottle of lavender bath oil. He pours a generous amount under the running water, and immediately, the soothing scent fills the air.
I watch him, mesmerized by the flex of his muscles under his shirt as he moves. He’s so big and so masculine, but his touch is always so gentle when it comes to me. It’s like he knows I need softness right now.
When the tub is full, Bash turns back to me, his eyes dark and heated.
He steps between my legs, his hands coming to rest on my hips. “Let’s get you out of these clothes and into the tub. I want you to relax. Let me pamper you tonight.”
My breath catches as his fingers slip beneath the hem of my tank top, skimming over my sensitive skin. He lifts the flimsy fabric up and over my head, tossing it aside. I’m not wearing a bra, and my nipples pebble in the cool air.
Bash’s heated gaze rakes over me, his hands cupping my breasts. “So beautiful,” he murmurs, his thumbs circling my peaked nipples. I arch into his touch, a soft moan escaping my lips.
His hands slide down my sides to hook in the waistband of my pajama shorts. In one smooth motion, he tugs them down my legs along with my panties, leaving me bare before him. Then, he helps me down from the counter and guides me towards the steaming tub.
I step into the hot water, sinking down with a blissful sigh as the heat envelops me. The lavender scent calms my frayed nerves, and I tip my head back against the edge of the tub.
I expect Bash to perch on the edge, but to my surprise, he begins undressing, pulling his shirt over his head and shucking off his jeans. My eyes drink in the sight of his chiseled chest and abs, the impressive bulge straining against his boxer briefs.
He sees me looking and grins, hooking his thumbs in his waistband. “Enjoying the view, baby?”
“You’re joining me?” I ask, my heart fluttering wildly at the thought of his naked body pressed against mine.
“Of course,” he winks, pushing his briefs down his legs. “I need to make sure my girl is thoroughly relaxed.”
My eyes widen at the sight of him, long and thick and already hardening. He steps into the tub behind me, settling his big body into the water. Strong arms wrap around my middle and pull me back flush against his muscular chest.
I’m tense at first. But as his hands begin to glide over me, I feel the tension draining away.
Bash takes his time washing me, massaging soapy circles over my skin. He lingers on my breasts, gently kneading and teasing until I’m arching into his touch, my head tipped back on his shoulder.
“That’s it, baby,” he rumbles in my ear, his hot breath fanning over my neck. “Just relax and let me make you feel good.”
His hands trail lower, over the soft swell of my belly and down between my thighs. I gasp as his fingers find my slick folds, already so sensitive and swollen with need.
“Bash,” I whimper. My hips canting forward as his fingers beginning to circle my clit with a knowing pressure.
“I love how responsive you are, sweetheart.”
He works me with an expert touch, stoking the fire building low in my belly. My head thrashes against his shoulder as he slips one long finger inside me, curling it to hit that spot that makes me see stars. A second finger joins the first, stretching me in the most delicious way.
“You’re so tight,” he groans, his hips flexing to grind his hard length against my ass. “I can’t wait to be inside you.”
“Please,” I beg, too far gone to feel shame over how desperately I want him. “Make me come, Bash. I need it so bad.”
His fingers move faster, pumping and stroking and rubbing until I’m hovering right on the edge, my thighs shaking with how close I am.
“That’s it,” he coaxes, his teeth scraping over my earlobe. “Come all over my fingers. You deserve it.”
I shatter with a sharp cry, my inner muscles clenching tight around his fingers as wave after wave of pleasure crashes over me. He works me through it, drawing out my climax until I collapse boneless against him.
“That’s my girl,” Bash praises, pressing a kiss to my temple as he gently withdraws his fingers.
I turn in his arms, my lips seeking his in a slow, deep kiss.
He cups my face in his big hands, tilting my head to take the kiss deeper.
When we finally break apart, I’m breathless and flushed, my heart pounding wildly. Bash rests his forehead against mine, his eyes soft and warm.
“How are you feeling now?” he murmurs, his fingers tracing idle patterns on my lower back.
“Amazing. Relaxed. Like maybe everything will be okay after all.”
“It will be,” he assures me, tightening his arms around me. “You’re the strongest, bravest woman I know. You can handle anything life throws at you. And I’ll be right here beside you, cheering you on.”
Bash’s heartfelt words bring fresh tears to my eyes, but this time they’re tears of gratitude and affection rather than sadness or stress. I bury my face in the crook of his neck, breathing him in.
“Thank you,” I whisper against his damp skin. “For being here, for knowing exactly what I needed. You’re amazing, Bash.”
He presses a kiss to the top of my head, his arms banding even tighter around me. “I’ll always be here when you need me, sweetheart. You never have to face anything alone.”
We stay like that for long moments, just holding each other close as the lavender-scented steam rises around us. For the first time all day, I feel a sense of peace settle over me. I know I still have tough decisions to make and an uncertain future ahead of me. But in Bash’s arms, I feel like I can take on anything.
Eventually, Bash shifts, reaching for a fluffy white towel.
“Come on, let’s get you dried off and into bed. I think it’s time for an extended relaxation session.”