Chapter Fourteen
Melanie
It’s been a wonderful four months together, and school has kicked off to an interesting start, but I’m feeling a bit tired this morning. Maybe it’s a shift in the weather. It’s a little cooler today with the fall air, so I wrap my light sweater around my chest as the sun peeks through the trees.
Will slides his arm around my waist and brushes his lips against my temple. “You look so damn fine this morning. I’m going to miss you.”
“Me too,” I sigh. Our relationship hasn’t grown stagnant in the least, so the time apart always feels like an eternity. A workday and school day for us drags on.
“As much as I’d love to stay with you longer, I have to leave,” he grumbles against my ear. Things have been weird lately. Since the explosion at the clubhouse last week, we haven’t gone out once. He’s been so busy or tired. I know he’s working overtime to make up for the repairs and getting his men back on their other projects, but something feels off.
For a brief moment, Beth’s old taunts swim in my head that he’s having an affair, but I quickly brush them off. It’s silly. I’ve spoken to my mother and father about the explosion and the constant work at the clubhouse, so we all know Will’s pulling long hours. I’m not just some na?ve girl wanting to believe whatever her man says.
“I know. Have a good day,” I insist, smiling at him. As much as I hate that he has to leave, I understand.
His mouth lands on mine for a deep, penetrating kiss. The moan that comes from me is so intense that he spanks my ass. “That is not fair, woman. It’s going to be hard to drive like this.” Will adjusts his cock and shakes his head before shuffling down the steps in a hurry to his truck. “Have a great day at school, and I’ll meet you for dinner,” Will says before hopping in his work truck. I’m so glad he’s taking an earlier day for me.
God, he looks sexy as hell in his fitted, plain white tee and blue jeans. My body burns with need for him. I have another hour before I need to hit the road, so we’re taking two different vehicles into Dallas today. Besides, he’s going to be there all day, whereas I’ll only be in the city until two.
I wave him off and then turn around and go inside with my cup of coffee. Goodness, we already feel like a married couple, and we’re not even close yet. My mother and I have lots of planning to do over the next two weeks before the big day, and with every second that passes, I get more and more giddy.
My phone rings, and I swipe it from my back pocket. “Hey, Mom.”
“We have another fitting tomorrow. Are you available to meet Crystal and me for lunch afterward?”
“Yes. I’d love it. I don’t have any classes tomorrow, so that should be perfect.”
“Yay! I’m so excited, sweetie.” My mother’s gushing only adds to my excitement. I jump about the kitchen, nearly sending my coffee splashing all over the counter.
I set it down and then add, “I can’t wait either, Mom.”
“Good. I can’t wait. We’ll drive together, then.”
“Works for me. I’ve got to get to class, but I’ll talk to you later.” I hurry to class and get through two hours of lectures. It’s time for one more class, but I decide to make a detour and head to the coffee shop. On the way, I give my bestie a call. “Hey, girl, how’s it going? It’s been a while.”
“That’s because you’ve been too busy with that player to talk to me anymore.”
“Will’s not a player. Why would you say that?”
“Come on. You moped about him for almost a full year, and you believe his lies so easily. I just don’t see why you fell for it.”
“Don’t be like that. Will has been amazing and completely faithful.”
“Just because he said so? That’s so damn na?ve,” she says. Now I know why we stopped talking. She started ghosting me after being rude about my relationship with Will. She’s really under the impression that Will cheated on me.
“Well, I’m off to the coffee shop on campus. Call me whenever. I miss you.”
“Yeah.”
I end the call, feeling a bit saddened, and want Will to tell me everything is going to be fine. One more class, and then I can head home and get ready for dinner, I mentally tell myself.
I’m halfway to get my coffee when I feel someone behind me, which isn’t unusual given the campus is busy, but then a hand comes over my mouth and then I feel a prick in my neck. Slowly, I turn my head and recognize the eyes staring back at me. Shit. I brush my fingers over my father’s bracelet, knowing it’s his personal tracker on me, hoping it’s still doing its job.
I cry out and try to fight, but my attacker isn’t alone and before I can get my words out, the world darkens.