Chapter Three
Will
The day has gone from lousy to shitty since I woke up this morning, but I know there’s one thing that will make it better. Tearing the door open, I rush into the steel container and close the door, pacing. I’ve been avoiding this call because my willpower when it comes to her is almost zero, but I need to hear her voice.
It’s been two days since the barbeque, but I have to give Melanie a call because I can’t wait to speak to her. I gave her some space to let her think about what happened in the clubhouse, but I refuse to allow her time to deny the truth. The phone rings four times and I’m almost afraid she won’t pick up, but then on the last ring she does. “Good afternoon, Melanie.”
“Hello, Will,” she answers and the sound of my heart in my ears starts to slow down.
“No ‘Rett’?” I questioned as I relax. Plopping down onto my desk chair, toss my feet on my temporary desk.
“I thought you warned me about that?” she answers with a bit of sauciness that goes straight to my dick. I groan and regret being in this position.
“Well, I’d say we’re a safe distance apart.” Although I would say she’s never a safe distance away from me. Hearing her voice is an instant turn on for me.
“Yes. Well, let’s just say it’s for special occasions.” That’s good because when she calls me Rhett, I picture the way she wrapped around me, aching to come.
“I can live with that,” I choke out. Clearing my throat, I ask, “How are you doing?”
“A little tired since I just finished another shift at the bakery.”
Checking the time on my phone, it’s only one. “Already?”
“Yes. I opened up at four this morning.”
I’m on my feet, pacing with annoyance. A growl rips from my throat. She’s working too damn hard. “What the hell? I’m going to have a talk with my aunt and uncle.”
She giggles on the other end. “No, you won’t. It’s my job, and I don’t mind. Besides, it’s only for the summer, and since I don’t have anything else to do, it occupies my time. What are you doing with your time?” Her tone shifts, and I read it clear as day. My baby girl is jealous as fuck, but she doesn’t have a reason because she has all of me.
I smiled, wishing she was in front of me because she’d know damn well that she had nothing to worry about. “I’ve been at work since five. I’m taking a break to call my beautiful woman. I’ve missed you, Lanie.”
“How come you don’t call me Mel like everyone else?”
“Because everyone else does.” One time my cousin called her Mel, and I punched him in the gut with a warning that she’s only Mel to me and me alone.
“Of course. It’s so you,” she answers with another soft giggle, and I fight my arousal, adjusting myself in my jeans. I’m grateful I took the call in the construction trailer instead of outside or in my work truck because I don’t need an audience.
“What are we?”
“We’re—” My answer is cut off by a pounding on my trailer door.
I’m about to answer it when it bursts open. “Boss, we have a problem out in section seven in zone four. We need you,” my foreman says, storming into the office. “One of the beams fell. Two men were injured.”
“Baby, I have to go.” I ended the call, wishing I could continue talking and reassuring her that everything I do is for her and our future.
It wasn’t until ten at night when I got home. After the trip to the hospital to make sure my crew members were okay and everything at the site was handled, I hit my apartment to shower. All I can think about is hearing Melanie’s voice, but I can’t go there because I’ll beg her to come here and ease the frustration rushing through my sore bones. Her father may approve of us being together, but not of me fucking her.
I jump into the shower and wash off the sweat and stress from my body as best as I can. When I finally climb out, I crash onto my bed and fall into a fitful sleep.
Morning comes too soon, but the first thing I do is send the woman I love is a text message.
Raven, you’re a dangerous temptation. I’m going to miss you but know that I’m not far away and I’m always watching. Yes, we’re a couple. I’m working non-stop because I lost two men who were injured on a worksite today. I have to keep my distance, but that doesn’t mean I won’t be thinking of you.
****
It’s time to head back to school and I’m actually grateful because I’m fucking exhausted from my long days and grueling work. Despite being back in Steeleville, I didn’t feel like I was home. Maybe it was the fact that I had to avoid the only reason for coming home, my Melanie.
My parents were glaring at me as I sat at their kitchen table. “What?”
“You’re not going to say goodbye to her before you go?”
“No. It’s not a good idea.”
“Why?” my mother asked, looking so heartbroken. She has no idea what it’s already doing to me. Does she know that I’d lose my will to leave if I saw that similar look on Melanie’s face? The same look I saw on my Raven’s face when I watched her from across the street from the bakery last week. My mind goes right back there and all I can think of is the last time I saw my love for her.
I had to stop in town to pick up some tools when I drove past the bakery and I’d been a glutton, needing a glimpse of my Melanie. There was a chance she was working, so I looked for her car and there was the dark blue vehicle. Sneaking a peek, I saw her long dark hair up in a bun, strands falling out the sides, adding to her beauty. Growling and groaning like a fool on the side of the road.
Chrissy from the salon spotted my perusal and I knew it was time to move on before she got any closer. “Don’t come any closer because I’m not sure I won’t snap your neck,” I growl.
Hopping back in my truck, I drove off to do my job and regret that I still have a long time before we can truly be together.
“Earth to Will,” my dad says, snapping his fingers in front of my face. I shake my head and blink my eyes several times.
“Sorry about that.”
“You were lost in thought?”
“A memory of Melanie as always. It’s why it took so long to finish some of the projects. Honestly, I have to keep myself focused on work and school because I can’t be near her without wanting to touch her.”
“Is this all about sex?” my mother asks, frowning with disappointment on her sweet face. My father’s mouth drops and I’m stunned for a moment and a bit ashamed.
“Mother,” I sigh. I run my hands through my hair.
“Tigress, that’s not cool.”
“No, it’s not all about that, but I’ve waited for her, so it’s not like I don’t have urges and the only woman I want is her.”
“So you want to be with her and every time you see or touch her, it’s instant arousal,” my father fills in the rest.
“I love her. I want her happiness above all. Distance is the best I can do. She can decide her fate, but I let every asshole in town know she’s mine. When I come back we can move on together. I don’t need to add to the neediness. If she keeps busy with other things she won’t think about me as much. It’s the reason I work myself to the bone.”
“It’s cute, son. It won’t work, but she does need to focus on her school work and friends for the rest of the year, so I’ll make sure she’s doing that.”
“Thank you.” I give her a kiss and a hug and then give my father a hug before hopping into my SUV and heading off to school.
I send a message to my woman with a promise. One that both turns me on and sets my teeth on edge. I hate that there’s a chance anyone could hit on my woman while I’m gone. Doubling her security is an option, but then there will be more men around her.
She’s safe in Steeleville, so I don’t ask for more protection, but I will have people looking in on her, just not that piece of shit Damon. I want that asshole as far away from her as possible. I won’t admit it because everyone will just say I’m acting like a jealous weak man, but I hate him.