Chapter Four
Melanie
I step into the only hair salon in town, hating this place more than usual. The salon isn’t my thing because my hair is long, sleek, and dark black. There’s no reason for me to change the color. Also, I’ve despised this place since they added Chrissy Benson to their list of stylists. She’s a bitch who thinks that every available man in town should be hers, including William Steele—my Will.
“Hey, Mel, come on over here.” Maria pats the salon chair with a big smile. Maria’s a different person completely and a doll. “What can I do for you today?”
“You know she’s not going to get anything done but a cut.” I hate her and her smartass comments.
“Well, that’s because she has a naturally beautiful color and doesn’t have to change it,” Mrs. Steele says, tipping her head to the side with a smile as she sits in a chair beside me while getting highlights.
I blush because William’s mother has always been sweet to me. And after what happened at the barbeque two months ago, I’ve felt uncomfortable around his family just in case he’d said something or didn’t. Frankly, I don’t know where we stand. Since our phone call was cut short, we haven’t spoken to each other. He sent me a text explaining that we were a couple, but he was going to be working nonstop until he left for school again.
Then, the last day before school, he sent me another message.
Behave, my raven. I’m watching, and I’ll know. The second you turn eighteen, I’ll make you pay for all your transgressions. I’ll miss you and will visit during Christmas break. Be a good girl, and I’ll give you your present early.
I almost want to piss him off and be a bad girl, but it’s not who I am. Besides, my dad would lose his shit and probably kill any man that comes around me. I consider dying my hair, getting some highlights, or doing something wild that would freak him out, but I pass. I love it when he calls me Raven. “I wanted to take off some length and touch up my bangs.”
“Sounds good.” It doesn’t take Maria long to clean me up. As I go to pay the bill, she stops me. “Your tab is taken care of.”
“What?”
Mrs. Steele winks at me. I try to give her a tip, but she stops me.
“We’re good, and by the way—you look fabulous.” I blush again, adding more color to my rounded face. The bangs add a dimension to me that I love. “I need a pic to add to my website.” She grins and snaps a quick couple of shots before I can argue. Smiling, she gives me a hug.
The timer goes off. “Sorry, I have to get these off before I get in trouble.” She grits her teeth and walks with Mrs. Steele to the wash stations. I wave to both ladies before leaving. Chrissy gives me a dirty look, rolling her eyes as I pass her station.
****
“Dad, why are there extra guards on me?”
“No more than any of the other young girls in the family,” he mutters. We all have a level of security.
“That’s not true, and you know it. Is there something you’re not telling me? Do you have a dangerous case or something?”
“No. I’m telling you that you’re completely safe and they’re just looking after you. So, have you filled out your college applications?” I want to say that I have no interest in college, but my father is so successful, and he’d be disappointed in me if I wasn’t going to school. What I really want is Will to come back and keep his promise, but how can I believe it? It’s almost Christmas, and I haven’t heard a word from him. Not even a simple text. He can’t be that busy unless girls are keeping him occupied. The thought sends my stomach rolling, and I’m immediately nauseous.
I take a look at my phone, pretending to check something before answering, “I have looked into some, but I haven’t narrowed any down at the moment.”
“Well, then, let me know if you need any help.”
“Okay, Daddy.” The doorbell rings, and he goes to answer it. When he does, he comes back a moment later, carrying an insanely large red box with a big bow on it.
“Sweetheart, you have an early Christmas present.”
“Are you sure it’s safe?”
“Yes.” My eyes narrow at my overly suspicious father. I rush to the front window, but I’m only quick enough to see the tail end of a very familiar vehicle—Will’s.
“Was that Will?” I question.
“Yes, but he had to leave.” My heart races and sinks just as fast.
“Of course he did,” I sigh, turning my attention to the massive box in the middle of the family room, taking up way too much space when all I want is that jerk who drove away. It’s been months since we’ve seen each other, and he didn’t have the decency to even say hello to me. The longer I stare at the red box, I let my frustration at his abandonment fade and wonder what could be in there.
“Well, do you want it now, or should we put it beside the tree?” my father asks, chuckling under his breath.
I whip my head his way, wanting an outlet for my anger. “I have a damn phone, and the man hasn’t called me once, and he’s only texted me a handful of times.”
“You’re only seventeen, and he’s almost twenty-one. He’s lucky that his father’s one of my best friends because I know damn well what that man is thinking when he looks at you.” A deep heat spreads over my face. “It’s best that he keeps his distance, or I might forget my twenty-five-year friendship with Boomer.” Oh. Has my father warned Will to stay away from me?
My head twists quickly away toward my gift so he can’t read my arousal. “I’ll open the present now.”
“I’ll go in the other room and check on your mother to see if she needs help with dinner.” Could this get any more embarrassing?
“Okay.” I grab the bow on the massive box that’s bigger than me. As I take off the top, the sides come down to reveal a giant, light brown teddy bear wearing a necklace with a diamond book charm. I unclasp the necklace and see that the book opens, and inside is a message written in a beautiful font:
This is just the start of our love story—Will.
I gasp as tears fall from my eyes and I’m unable to fight them back. My mother comes into the room in a mad dash, wiping her hands on a kitchen towel. “Your father just mentioned Will sent you a gift.” I turn and look at her with my watery eyes. “Are you okay?”
“Yes. These are happy tears.” I show her the necklace, and she smiles.
“Wow, this is beautiful. Do you want me to put it on you?”
“Yes. Please.” I lift my hair, and then my mother places it around my neck. Once it’s on, I rush to the bathroom to see. It’s gorgeous as it sparkles at the top of my breasts right at the top of my cleavage.
I come back out of the bathroom and see my father snarling, crossing his arms like he’s furious. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. Nothing at all.” Slowly he begins to smirk to himself and then mutters, “This little stunt is going to backfire on him.”
“Don’t be so mean,” my mother says, swatting at my dad’s chest.
“What do you mean?” I ask my father.
“He’s trying to put a claim on you earlier than he should, but he doesn’t realize how insanely long that necklace is and how low it hangs.”
I turn to my mother, wanting her valued opinion. She tips her chin straight at my breasts and then shakes her head. “Your father’s not wrong.”
I rush to the front hall mirror and look at myself again. I’m wearing a V-neck sweater, and the diamond charm draws attention straight to my ample chest. A lot of attention. That’s why my dad was mad. He snarls at men who ogle me and warns them off all the time. This is like a damn beacon. For a man not around, this probably isn’t what Will had in mind when he gave it to me.
“Oh, well. I love it.”
“You’re not going to love it when I start busting heads around town.” Maybe I’ll have the chain fixed.
“Sweetheart, there’s a card in here,” my mom says.
“Oh, okay.” I take it and sit on the sofa with my knees up to my chest as I open the envelope. They stare at me, waiting impatiently for details, but this is private. “Excuse me.” I get to my feet and scoop up my massive bear, lugging it to my bedroom. I can’t wait to snuggle into him, thinking of Will.
Merry Christmas, my beautiful Raven,
I wish I could be with you, but I thought I’d leave you with this bear as a temporary replacement until you can lie on my chest every night. We have a long time until then, and trust me when I say that I’m counting down the days. I hope you love your Christmas present.
P.S. I wanted one that fit on the bear’s neck without breaking. I know your chain is too long. You have a special necklace waiting for you at Steele Jewelers tomorrow at ten am. — Love, Will.
He loves me. I press the card to my chest, grinning from ear to ear, squealing like a fool. I can’t wait to tell Beth, so I call her and she’s positively jealous while reminding me that I need to hit the jewelry store and then make sure to stop into the hair salon to brag about my gift from Will.
The next morning, I arrived at Steele Jewelry, which is owned by Mr. Garrett Steele after he couldn’t find enough pieces for his wife and decided to have his own shop in town for her. The shop is normally run by some of the Riders. I get there, and it’s closed. I’m surprised since I have an appointment.
I knock on the glass pane of the door and just as I do, it opens. “Please come in, Lanie,” he whispers, quickly taking my hand and pulling me into the store. He locks it behind me.
“Will,” I gasp as my hand and then my chest slam firmly against his broad chest.
“God, I’ve missed you so much.”
“I’ve missed you too.” I look up into those pale blue eyes and swim in them until I watch his gaze fall to my lips. “Are you going to kiss me?”
“I shouldn’t.”
“Why? It’s not like I’m not old enough for a kiss.”
“Because it won’t stop there. My lips don’t only want to taste that pouty, sassy mouth. I want to lick every inch of your skin and feel my way over your entire body,” he confesses with a deeper, husky breath. I want that too, but we can’t.
“You’re right, but I’ve never been kissed before.”
“That’s fucking good, because I’d have to kill someone. You belong to me.”
“Um, you only told me about this since the barbeque. I could have dated before then.”
“No, you couldn’t have. I stopped every single one of those assholes from approaching you.”
“You what?” I shove at his chest, but he’s so strong it takes his willingness to let me go before I break free. He stands in front of the door, so I stomp my foot.
“What was I going to do? Let my future wife go around dating boys that would take orders from me?”
I pace back and forth in the small storefront, trying to process what he said. I’ve been hit on since I was young, but it never happened more than once. The boy never did it again and would never look my way. “Are you serious?”
“As a motherfucking heart attack.”
“For how long?”
“Longer than I care to admit. You’re one gorgeous woman, and the male species realizes it.”
“You don’t want to want me?”
“Sweetheart, I’m not ashamed to want you. I’m pissed that I can’t claim you to the world yet. The day you turn eighteen is the day I can shout it out to everyone.”
“So, until then, you’re kissing and banging whoever you please.”
“Melanie, I’ve been forever faithful to you,” he swears. With a possessive stare, he stalks toward me until there isn’t an inch of space between us. “You want a kiss? I’ll give you one. I can’t promise it will be good, but we might as well start somewhere.” His mouth slams down on mine, slanting his lips and brushing them over my mouth. It only takes a moment for me to react, and react I do. My hand delves into his hair, tugging as I deepen our kiss. My leg raises, and I gasp when he lifts and cuffs his hand under my knee. The center of him grinds on me as he rolls his pelvis on mine.
“Will,” I pant. His other hand goes to my sweater, lifting it until he’s cupping my breast. I cry out from the new sensation, grinding on him even harder. My hand reaches down and I grab his belt buckle, but he swiftly pulls back and releases me.
He sets me on my feet and presses his forehead to mine. “Melanie. Fuck. No. No.” If I didn’t know better by his harsh breathing and racing heart, I’d think he didn’t want this. “We can’t do this. I’ve crossed the line, baby girl. You’re too damn young for me, and I should hold back a little longer.”
I caress his cheek, running my hand along his strong, smooth jaw. He lifts his intense gaze on me, and there’s the dark passion in it again. With a growling, “Mine,” his mouth dominates me again. My back slams against the wall, shaking the clock, but nothing matters since I need him. I tugged his shirt out of his jeans, running my hand over his lower back.
“We have to stop.”
“No,” I insist, continuing to ache for more of him and whatever he’s doing to me. The keys in the door draw our attention.
“Get the fuck out of here,” he snarls at the door. The person steps back and the keys stop jingling.
“Son, you better fix yourself because I’ll be in there in one minute where I will expect an apology.”
“Mom, oh my goodness. One moment.” He slams his eyes shut while I nearly turn completely red and want to disappear into the ground.
He stares at me and fixes my top, which thankfully wasn’t out of place like the first time. I’m more emotionally disheveled than physically. Will turns away from me as he tucks his shirt in and then walks to the door. “Sorry about that, Mom. I thought Ranger was coming in this morning.”
“He asked me to open for him. He had an errand to run in Dallas.”
“That fucking prick did it on purpose.” Will’s hands flex in anger. “I’m going to beat his ass for setting me up.”
“Don’t dare fight with your brother. If he had gotten a peek at your woman, how would you have felt?”
“You saw something?” Oh God. Could this get any more embarrassing?
She shakes her head and gives me a gentle, apologetic smile. Then she glares at her son. “No, but would I have? She’s not eighteen, William Garrett Steele.” She presses her finger into his chest.
“No, but we started to get carried away.”
“Exactly, and you know better than that.”
“I know,” Will says, sounding completely defeated.
As wrong as it was on his part, I’m just as guilty. “I should go,” I say, finally gaining the courage to speak.
“I’m sorry, sweetheart,” Mrs. Steele says, coming up to me. “That was rude of me. I’m just so used to being a mother. I won’t say a word about this, but I want you both to take care about being alone together.”
“It won’t happen again,” Will says.
“It won’t. I promise.” I reach for the clasp on my necklace, and Will immediately stops me.
“Perfect—what you came here for. I’d forgotten.” Pulling the necklace from the top of the glass case, Will switches the charm on it and then slides behind me. When he sets it over my head, I lift my hair. He lets out a low growl under his breath, leans down, and whispers, “If only we were alone, I’d kiss this beautiful neck.”
“I’m only a few feet away, Son,” his mother reminds him with an added tut-tut.
“It has to be done right,” Will insists. “Is your book facing correctly?”
“Yes, it’s perfect,” I answered.
“Good.” He clasps it and then turns around to face me. “Now it’s right where it should be. You better get going before I forget all the reasons I shouldn’t kiss you again, my love.”
“When will I see you again?”
“I’d like to say soon, but that wouldn’t be wise. Be a good girl and know that I’m always with you.” He presses his hand to the locket and then opens the store door, nudging me out. I walk away without saying another word and head to my car, which is good because the ass closed the door behind me.
I hear yelling inside and know he’s getting chewed out by his mom. Is it because she doesn’t approve of me, or just because of the timing? I hope it’s the latter. Driving home, my mind races and a big part of me can’t wait until my birthday next year.
****
Months have passed without a word from Will, which I expected but hoped wouldn’t happen. Will’s lack of contact aches more than it should.
“So, what are you going to do about school?” Beth asks.
“I’ve already gotten accepted to several schools in the state, and I’ve decided to stay close. It makes no sense to go far because I’m spoiled rotten by my parents and I’m not ready to move away yet.”
“Or you’re waiting for Will, and moving across the country would ruin your relationship.”
“Even if that were true, why would that be such a big deal? It’s not like it matters since I’m getting a degree I can acquire easily around the nation and it’s more affordable here.”
“True, but you are a bit pathetic when it’s for all the wrong reasons.”
“I thought you were a fan of Will’s.”
“I was when he wasn’t playing games with you.”
I hug her. “Thank you for being a good friend.”
“No problem, but you can do better than a guy who can’t be around even if he has tons of money.” I hug her, but his money has nothing to do with why I love him.