For the next month or so, Sandor kept quiet about what he had seen. In that time, he had seen Dotty and Jaime meeting up at least three times a week. And poor Melody still had no idea or, if she did, she didn't say anything. Instead, she chose to spend her time with Sandor, completely ignoring Stannis' demand that she not. She spent time with Jaime when she had to, such as when they met with the wedding planner. The wedding day was fast approaching. Too fast for Melody's taste, but there was nothing she could do.

"Fuck," Melody whispered to herself as she sat at her desk. The door was open and Sandor was standing at his usual post. He turned and arched a brow at her. It wasn't often that Melody swore. "What's yer problem?" Melody glanced up. "Varys called me. The theater school is almost ready. The problem is that it'll be ready to open the night of the rehearsal dinner." Sandor grunted. "Ya could just push the openin' back a couple days. Or when ya get back from the honeymoon." He nearly laughed at the look of disgust on Melody's face.

The two of them had built a rapport since they met. They could tease one another openly and not get offended. "Gods, I don't even want to think about the honeymoon." This time, Sandor did laugh. Melody looked down at her watch and sighed. "Time to go." Sandor nodded and moved to leave. Melody laughed. "Not you. It's my bridal shower. Ladies only. Just, enjoy your afternoon off."

"Ya really wanna sit around all afternoon listenin' ta a bunch of ladies gossipin'?" Melody hiked her purse over her shoulder. "Not really, but I'll get to spend some time with Margaery and her grandmother. I love that woman," she responded with a light chuckle. That had been the only bright side so far. Olenna was a stubborn old woman who had absolutely no filter. Melody was the only Baratheon Olenna liked.

Melody left and Sandor decided to go to the gym. He went up to his own room to change clothes only to see Dotty entering Jaime's room, unbuttoning her dress as she went. Sandor shook his head as anger coursed through him. Jaime was stand in the doorway a smile on his face. He hadn't seen Sandor for which the bodyguard was grateful. He just wanted to get down to the gym as quickly as possible.

Once Sandor began his workout, thoughts of Jaime Lannister drifted from his mind and were replaced by thoughts Melody. Or, more accurately, of her impending marriage. One he desperately wished wasn't happening, not only for Melody's sake, but for his own selfish reasons.

Sandor couldn't deny any longer that he had strong feelings for the Baratheon woman. He'd gotten to know everything about her over the past several months and she was incredible in his eyes. Sure, she had her flaws, such as her temper and defiant streak. She also had a tendency to babble, especially when she was nervous or embarrassed, but those things just made Sandor love her more. Perfect was boring after all.

When Sandor felt like he'd had enough of a workout, he returned to the second floor just in time to see Dotty and Jaime leaving Jaime's room. Dotty was a completely disheveled mess and her neck was covered in hickies. This time, they both saw Sandor and froze. Dotty's green eyes widened in panic. Sandor scoffed, shook his head, and began moving on. "Clegane." He glanced over his shoulder. "Keep it to yourself. No sense in worrying Melody."

"I'm not gonna hurt Miss Baratheon. She doesn't deserve that," Sandor muttered and continued on toward his room. He wanted to be back at his post before Melody got back. He missed the look between Dotty and Jaime.

By the time Sandor returned to his post, Jaime and Dotty had disappeared and Melody was returning to the room. "Hello, Sandor! Have you been there the whole time?" Sandor shook his head. "Nah. I went ta the gym. Learned a few new things." Melody smiled. "Good. I'm exhausted. I think I might take a nap before dinner. Margaery certainly knows how to throw a party," she said with a giggle and Sandor nodded just as Jaime was coming out of his room.

"Melody! How was your shower?" Sandor glared down at the man, nearly biting a hole in his tongue. He was trying so hard not to say anything to Melody about her fiancée's infidelity. Melody's mood almost instantly fell, not that Jaime really noticed. "It was nice. Your sister seemed to have a great time. In fact, I just dropped her off in her room. Dotty's tending to her now. I'm afraid she had just a little too much to drink."

Melody missed the way Jaime's countenance changed when she mentioned Dotty. Sandor didn't and fought the urge to roll his eyes. The man was insatiable. "Thank you, darling," Jaime told Melody, his voice oozing with charm. He kissed her cheek and ran off toward his sister's rooms. Melody's frown deepened and she sighed, opening the door to her room.

"What?" Sandor asked her and she looked back at him. "A woman about to get married shouldn't feel so lonely, should she?" Melody asked, sinking into her desk chair. She waved Sandor over. Despite everything in him telling him to stay put, Sandor listened. He entered the room and closed the door. "I wouldn't know, Melody. 'M not a woman. I've never been married, or even engaged. Never really had anyone interested."

"Why not?" Sandor just looked at her, deadpanning. Melody rolled her eyes. "Your scars shouldn't make a difference," she scoffed, getting up and coming closer to him. "Yeah well, not everybody thinks like ya do. Most women wouldn't get within ten feet of me. Yer just odd." Melody giggled, hiding her smile behind her hand as she always did. "Ya shouldn't hide yer smile," Sandor said, making her stop, "It's...nice." He mumbled the last part, but Melody heard him anyway and suddenly, she didn't feel so lonely anymore.

In fact, she never felt closer to anyone in her life. Not Stannis, not Renly, none of her exes, and certainly not Jaime. To Melody, Sandor was everything she wanted in a partner. Sure, he was the strong, silent type, but when he did speak, it was always the truth. Melody trusted him more than anyone else. She knew she could talk to him about anything. He was the closest thing she had to a best friend and, gods help her, she wanted more from him.

She wanted him to pick her up, throw her over his shoulder, and march her out of there. She wanted him to grab hold of her face and kiss her in ways she'd never been kissed before. Right in front of Jaime. She wanted him to leave marks on her neck, showing the world that she had chosen to be with him. She wanted to be close to him. Physically and emotionally.

All those thoughts just continued in Melody's brain until she couldn't fight them anymore. Without thinking, she took another step closer to Sandor. He was silently staring off into space after his little slip-up. He didn't notice Melody moving closer to him until she stood right in front of him. He glanced down just in time for her to reach up. She grabbed the back of his neck and pulled him down so their lips could meet.    

(a/n: I have actually finished writing the book. It's all saved and ready to post!)