Chapter 26 Then I Decide To End This Shit Once & For All
•Duke's POV•

I feel like an absolute pathetic douche, and try as I fucking might I haven't been able to talk myself out of this all damn week! Actually, it's more like since I came back from Dean's and started lying to Mel. Dean God I sure as fuck don't want to think about that again!

Then I would have to remember how Mel begged me with her sorrow filled eyes to tell her something more about Dean. Only for her eyes to dim and become guarded the longer I remained quiet. Then it became like a physical thing growing between us, and pushing us apart the longer we remained together that weekend.

Thankfully the distance we were forced to endure between us seemed to evaporate the distance growing. Especially when we talked later that night over FaceTime that night. Mel was her normal sultry self, but I could still see her sadness in the seldom silent moments between us. She never let me see it for long though before masking it behind a bright, positive mood. She managed to keep up for the rest of the week during our text, calls, and FaceTimes.

I was beginning to buy into Mel's 'everything's gonna be ok' vibes, letting them replace the pathetic feeling I felt toward my own self. Until Thursday night when she begged me to stay away from her on Friday. I knew all about her upcoming girls trip from the weekend, but I couldn't shake the feeling that Mel was using this as an excuse to keep us apart for longer. Which only got worse after I spoke the words giving her what she asked for.

When I woke up Friday morning I kept myself busy as soon as I rolled out of bed. Spending a good part of the morning in the gym working myself into an exhausted heap. Then hiding out for the rest of the afternoon in my office. Going over three separate security proposals Drake gave to me to handle for different companies he is hoping to land as clients.

But, by six that night I feel like an addict jonesing for a hit, and Mel is my drug of choice! I send Mel a text on my phone just saying hey. Noticing I haven't heard from her in three hours when she told me she was leaving work for the day.

My burning glare drills into my phone for a good ten minutes after that without blinking, and no indication of a reply. Even though the message clearly shows it delivered. I can't sit here another second, so I turn my phone to sleep mood before sliding it in my pants pocket. Then stand up walking to the front door, and sliding my jacket on. Before grabbing my keys to lock the front door, and walk to the garage getting into my waiting truck.

As soon as I pull onto the crowded New York streets I tell myself I'm just going to get something to eat, but the tiny voice of reason inside my brain keeps screaming horseshit. I don't pay the voice any heed instead push it even further into the darkest part of my mind until I can't hear it anymore. Only thirty minutes later when I'm creeping down Mel's street, and gazing into the lit windows of her apartment, do I acknowledge it's truth.

When I walk back through the door of the loft an hour later carrying take-out I'm not even hungry for, do I let the waiting negative feelings consume me. I make my way into the living room sitting down on the couch, and placing the bag of food containers down on the table in front of me.

I send Mel another text message asking if she is enjoying her night. Then tossing the phone down on the couch beside me, and eat the food. Except, Mel still hasn't answered me hours later. Worst of all, she forgot to even make our nightly FaceTime call.

Before falling asleep for the night I don't even bother moving from the couch. Much else since I woke up this morning either. Only when I pass the point of desperation for the bathroom, but always end up sitting back down on the couch in the same place.

After texting Mel the night before I turned the TV on in the living room, and it's been the only source of light in the entire loft to attract my attention. Even though it's been going this whole time I couldn't tell you what my unseeing eyes have watched for hours now! My brain completely absorbed with thoughts of Mel, and Dean. Who's never far from my thoughts no matter how much I try to block them.

My eyes scan the same breaking news on the bottom line of SportsCenter for the upteenth time, but this time I notice it says it's ten o'clock at night. I decide to get up from the couch, finally. Going into my bedroom to the shower, and washing the depressing mood, I've been in for the better part of twenty-four hours now, from my body and soul.

When I get out, I dry off on my way back into my bedroom. Then slide on a pair of sweatpants until they are resting on my hip bones, and walk out of the room into the kitchen. I fix myself a sandwich and some chips to eat. I pick the plate up and look toward couch in trepidation. Before choosing a seat at the kitchen counter to eat my food instead.

I try to lose myself in the mundane task. Chewing each bite of food slowly, and forcing myself to concentrate on each movement of my jaw. Clearing the troubled thoughts and feelings from my jumbled head. Even if only for a short amount of time.

I place the last bite of chips into my mouth as I look at the clock on the wall above the stove noticing it's midnight. I blow out a calming breath releasing the last of my troubled thoughts before getting up from the high-back bar stool, sliding it back under the kitchen counter, and taking my dirty plate to the sink to clean.

I plan on taking full advantage of the silence nothingness inside me to fall into a restless sleep for the first time since Mel was here. So I place my dishes back in the cabinet, and make my way back into my bedroom. Cutting off the TV and bedroom light as I go. Then place my phone on my bedside table as I climb into bed and under the covers. Closing my eyes as soon as my head hits the pillow.

A full minute hasn't even past when my phone starts to ring beside me. I snatch the device up immediately. Not even bothering to turn on the light either, and hitting the answer button just as quickly. Thinking it's Mel finally remember our nightly call. Only for the answering voice to catch me completely by surprise.

"Hello?" I say quietly.

"It's Drake." The answering growl has me sitting up in bed instantly on alert.

"Drake? What has you calling me this late?"

"It seems there's been a problem. I need you to meet me at the Manhattan Police Precinct as soon as possible. Do you need a ride?" He asks straight to the point, and I know better than to question it right now.

"Naw, I have my truck. I'll meet you out front in thirty minutes." I tell him already getting out of bed, and pulling a long sleeve black henley over my head.

"I'll see you then man." Drake said sounding a little lighter than before then hung up the phone.

I slide my phone into the front pocket of my pants as I rush back into the living room. Jamming my feet into a pair of Timberlands while also trying to slide my jacket on. Then walking out the front door, just barely remembering to lock the deadbolt, before running down the stairs to the garage. Jumping into the driver's seat of my truck, and burning rubber as I peel out onto the street in seconds.

I manage to make it to the police station with ten minutes to spare. Finding a parking spot along the street not far from the building. Putting more than enough change in the meter to pay for several hours. Before running back down the street coming to a stop in front of the steps leading to the front doors.

Drake is already standing there on the top step leaning against the building waiting for me. I let my hands rest on my hips trying to catch my breath while I make my way up to meet him. I come to a stop a few feet in front of him, off to the side of the front doors, and give him a small smile.  

"Drake." I say giving him a single nod of my head in greeting, and Drake returns. "What's going on? Why did you want me to meet you here?"

Drake lets an animalist smirk grow on his face. Full of pride, and future dark promises. "It would seem Abbie, Mel, and the other two women got into a fight outside of club Flame with six other men. Who have decided to press charges against them, so all four of them are currently inside under arrest."

"What? Care to explain that to me a little better, please?" I asked to both make sure I heard him right, and gather how serious the situation is.

Drake moves his leaning frame away from the wall. Taking a step toward me, and bringing his mouth closer to my ear so I can hear him clearly. "I was in my office finishing up some work when I got the notification. I might have been tracking Abbie's movements by the GPS in her collar, so I could set an algorithm to scan the police frequencies for any signs of their names."

"Of course you were." I tell him with a knowing sparkle in my own eyes.

"Of course." Drake says matter-of-factly shrugging his shoulders, but also gives me sheepish look.

"Well it looks like your snooping paid off, so what did you find out?" I ask crossing my arms over my chest, and lean the right side of my body against the brick building.

"Abbie's GPS signal had been outside of the club for maybe forty-five minutes when the alert came on. I listened to the call to the police from the security of the club, and it would seem the man was resistant in making the call in the first place." Drake said that proud smirk back on his face on full display.

"Why is that?" I ask genuinely curious what's causing that smirk on Drake's face.

"Well, it would seem Sherry and Mel beat the shit out of four of the six men single handedly. While Abbie held Modesty back, but only after the short redhead sent the first slap to one of the creeps faces."

Blinding rage begins to fill me toward the asshole pricks who dared fuck with what's mine. While an even greater feeling of pride takes up the rest of the space for Mel. The mushy, warm feeling is overflowing from my heart wanting to surround the fiery woman in its warmth.

Note to Self: Send Sherry some flowers and a case of her favorite type of alcohol in thanks. Maybe even something more just for her at the Valentines Auction, if possible.

"Wait. Didn't you say all four of them were in there? I can see how Mel, Sherry, and Modesty are in there, but how did Abbie wind up joining them?" I ask perplexed.

Drake lets out a low, evil sounding chuckle while rubbing his hands together in glee. "Ah yes. Well, it would seem My Angel wasn't about to be left all alone, so she kneed one of the men in the nuts so hard the paramedics fear she may have caused some permanent damage!"

I full on laugh at that. Doubling over with my arm across my stomach holding my ribs, and slapping my knee with my other hand. When I finally calm down I straighten back up to my full height looking Drake in the eye.

"Way to go Abbie! I understand why you're shining with pride now. Just remember that feeling when you take her home later on." I say giving him a wink. Then let the comfortable silence linger between us for a few moments before asking my next question. "Do we have any information on the other group yet?"

Drake clears the previous emotions from his face before looking back at me with a blank expression I remember seeing during missions and serious situations. "Initial report says there were six of them, but only three of them pressed charges. Boris Jenkins, twenty-nine years old, five foot eight inches tall, moved to the United State from Russia with his family when he was five years old. It would seem he is the man Modesty slapped that started this whole thing. Next is Donnie Coleman. He just recently turned thirty, almost six foot tall, and from what I've been able to find out so far, boringly average."

I watch as that dark predatory look full of hunger comes back to Drake's face then. " Last but certainly not least we have Carlos Lopez. Thirty-three years old, six feet tall, parents are Columbian but moved to the states before Carlos was born, and single. It would appear all six of them are currently junior stockbrokers on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, but for how much longer remains to be unseen."

I give Drake a matching dark, hungry look of my own as I crack my knuckles on both of my hands. "When you find the rest don't forget to save some for Dean and I. Nobody fucks with our woman, and remains in one piece for the rest of their lives."

"Wouldn't dream of it. But, will Dean be back in New York to handle this by then?" Drake nonchalantly ask me.

My brow creases together deep in thought. Drake has a valid question, but I don't have a straight answer to give him back. "I don't know man."

Drake just shakes his head at me. "You know Dean will drop everything to rush back here once you tell him what happened. Maybe this is what the three of you need to bring you together, and work out the problems between you guys finally."

I let his words repeat on a loop inside my head while I pick them apart. Until I shrug my shoulders at him giving up thinking about it. "Maybe." Is all I can bring myself to tell him.

I hear the front door to the station open up behind me. Which makes Drake thankfully drop the rest of the subject. He waves toward something behind me before saying anything else. "C'mon. Drummer just walked outside. Let's see what he has to say."

I turn around following Drake a few steps across the walkway coming to a stop beside Drake in front of Leo Drummer. Drummer was a Seal like the rest of us, who came up with the same class as Sarge, Shawn Greer, about ten years before us. He was one of the team commanders when our group was first shipped over to Iraq.

Unlike our dumbasses, Drummer was only there for another eighteen months. Before retiring from the Navy altogether to head back to New York, and finally practice his law degree he received so many years ago.

After Drake left also and came back to New York to get the business started. He tracked down Drummer, and brought him on board the project almost from the start. Drummer helped Drake apply for all the right permits and license, and even helped them go through without a hitch. Soon becoming Drake's personal lawyer, and seldom heard voice of reason ever since.

"Masters." Drummer says giving Drake a nod in acknowledgement before shifting his focus to me. "Duke. It's good to see you!" He tells me extending his hand between us for me to shake.   

"Likewise Drummer. How have you been?" I ask while shaking his hand then letting go.

"Never better my friend! Nothing like a good heated discussion with the precinct commander to get the blood flowing." Drummer tells us before inhaling a satisfied breath deep into his lungs.

"Good. That must mean you have some new for us then?" Drake ask Drummer getting the conversation back on track.

"I do." Drummer says to both of us before doubling over in laughter. "I must say those four women are something else! Especially that feisty Sherry Jones. I wouldn't mind letting her work some of that pent-up frustration bottled up inside her out on me a time or two."

Drake and I look at each other knowingly shaking our heads. Both of us knowing just how much of a bad idea that really is. Sherry will eat him alive then spit in back out whole, never to be the same again. But neither of us voice that certain opinion.

Instead I keep it simple for the older man. "Trust us Drummer. You can't handle that certain little hellion."

"Yep!" Drake says, popping the p at the end of the word, agreeing with me. "But what's about to happen to the girls?"

Drummer loses the far off look from his eyes focusing back on Drake then. "Right. After talking with the station commander I got all four of their charges dropped down to disorderly conduct. Which is a ticket and hundred dollar fine for each of them, so I went ahead and paid it. They should be free to walk out the front door's any moment."

"Thank Fuck!" I pray looking toward the sky.

"Thank you Drummer." Drake tells him before reaching for his hand to shake.

Drummer grips his outstretched hand tightly pumping it up and down in the air twice before letting go. "Like I said anytime."

"What about the other matter I asked you to find out about while you were in there?" Drake asks trying to conceal the rage trying to come out of him at the situation.

Drummer just shakes his head no. "Nothing else except what we already know. The group of men all seem to work together at the stock exchange. Give me until Monday morning, and I'll have everything you wish to know about them."

"Good." Drake tells him, but before he can finish the doors of the police station open behind Drummer. Sherry is the first of the women to walk out. "We'll talk more about this then." Drake glares at the other man before switching his gaze back to the door as the others come out.

Modesty is the next person to walk through the doors right on Sherry's heels. She's even holding onto the other woman's tailcoat for strength as she walks. Abbie is the next one to come bouncing through the double doors onto the top landing. Then finally Mel follows them all only moments later.

The four woefully underdress women huddle together just on the other side of the doorway to look around. Abbie is the first to notice our small group standing off to the right of the entrance. She lets out a rather high pitched squeal before rushing toward the three of us. Jumping into Drakes embrace by hooking her legs around his waist, wrapping her arms around his neck in a vice like grip.

"My big, bad, loving Master! I'm so happy to see you here!" Abbie stops talking long enough to place a wet, sloppy kiss on Drake's cheek before continuing. "Can you believe those douchebags had us arrested? I can't believe they would humiliate themselves, and us like that! At least I can mark this particular experience off my bucket list. Hopefully nothing like this happens in the future either to make me go back!"

Abbie stops speaking again. Only this time she's look at nothing over Drake's shoulder with a horrified look on her face. Until she begins to whisper her next statement so low we all have to strain to make it out. "Dear God, I pray it's just one and done, at least."

Drake smiles at Abbie in amusement clearly enjoying her discomfort from the women's latest quest. "It's good to have you in my arms My Love, or should I start calling you My Little JailBird? Hmmm."

Abbie gives Drake a wide eye look of horror while shaking her head no repeatedly. Drake laughs in pure joy before placing a lingering kiss to Abbie's lips. Pulling away a moment later, but only leaving a hair's breadth between them.

"Hmmm maybe not, but don't think you won't be punished for this stunt when I get you home in a little bit. Remember what happened those two weeks after I told you I loved you, and you didn't say it back?"

Abbie's horrified looks begins to show an equal amount of pleading. Her body starts to shake from both fear and arousal the longer she looks into his black hypnotic eyes. Until Abbie bows her head in surrender, and mumbles even lower for only Drake to hear. "I'm yours to do with as you please Master."

The only reason I heard Abbie's whispered surrender is because I'm standing right beside them. But by the questioning looks on the others face's they didn't hear a single word. Drake places a kiss to the top of Abbie's head before unhooking her legs from around his waist, and helping her stand on her own feet. Only to whisper one last thing into her ear before letting her go completely.

"Oh how well you DO please me, My Love! I truly believe I'm not worthy to receive everything you give me, but I'll keep trying everyday until I am." His words ending with an animalistic growl.

Once Drake is finished he spins Abbie around. Plastering her back to his chest, resting his chin on top of her shoulder, and wrapping his arms back around her hips. Then he finally acknowledges the rest of the women in the group with a genuine smile.

Hell I can't give Drake any shit about his behavior either, because I seem to be just as bad as him! I haven't been able to tear my eyes away from Mel since she walked through those doors! All thigh leather, and way too much skin, she looks just like my inner child's first wet dream!

"Good evening Ladies! Or, should I say early morning? I trust other than this debacle the rest of your 'Girls Day Out' was successful?" Drake ask Sherry first, then Modesty, and finally Mel looking each of them in the eyes as he spoke.

"Yes, thank you, it has been fun! Even the last two hours we all spent in the same jail cell together! Right ladies?" Sherry ask the others still acting like their unofficial leader, and receiving a cheer in agreement from each of them.

"I want to say thank you as well Sherry. For making sure everyone came home safe." I say stepping forward and engulfing the woman in a bear hug for just a moment. Then let go, and take two steps to the left of her.

"And for also having my girls back while both of you beat some brains back into those airheads!" I tell Sherry while moving behind Mel to wrap my arms around her waist, and place a kiss to the hollow spot in the crease of her neck. Making Mel's body breakout in shivers. While also causing me to smirk in pure evil.

I push Mel's hips back into my body harder than before. Then grind the length of my growing erection against her ass. Being as discreet as I can, so the others won't notice what I'm doing as well.

Sherry waves my praising words off though. "Please! You both know." She says jabbing a finger in both mine and Drakes direction. "I will not, and won't sit around while someone is trying to force their will upon another without their consent. But, if you must know, from where I was standing I didn't need to get involved in that fight at all! Mel was more than capable of handling all six of them on her own without so much as breaking a sweat even! Put it this way, I'd think twice before squaring off against her any day! The woman fights like a wild, rabid animal."

I watch as a faint blush makes it way along Mel's flesh in embarrassment at Sherry's words. I drop a quick kiss to her temple before squeezing her body further into mine. Then looking back toward Sherry smiling ear to ear.

"That's my girl!"

Drummer begins to laugh hysterically while looking straight at Sherry like a love sick puppy. "Ha! I'm sorry to be the only person to disagree with you here ma'am, but after seeing said video evidence of said fight myself. You, beautiful, were like an avenging Viking Goddess Warrior. Hell bent on protecting the women around her, and delivering the maximum amount of pain to each one of your enemies you touch!"

"Oh really now?" Sherry asks the stranger in her sultry, mistress voice intrigued. "My name is Sherry Jones, and who might you be, handsome?" lift her hand up between them in greeting once she finishes.

To which Drummer grasp in his own hand bringing it closer to his lips. Leaving a chaste kiss behind on the back of her flesh, and his lips a breath away from Sherry's skin. While he looks deeply into her vibrant green graze with sparkling green eyes of his own. "Leo Drummer, at your service ma'am."

"Hmmm." Sherry hums trying to hide the sound of her involuntary gulp coming from her throat, because of their innocent contact. Then her gaze travels the length of the older man's impressive physique several times in appreciation. Causing Drummer to stretch to his fullest height, and puffed out his chest giving her more to admire. After the third sweep Sherry stops at his eyes giving him an unsettling coy smile of her own.

"We will just see about that. Won't we?" Sherry purrs to Drummer.

Instantly putting him in a daze, and causing him to nod his head yes repeatedly. "Yes ma'am, we sure will." Until a minute later when Drummer seems to blink his way out of it, and turn his kind smile toward Modesty. Already extending his hand in offering for Modesty to shake.

"Last, but certainly not least, is Ms Modesty Perkins. Right? It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Leo Drummer attorney at law, but everyone just calls me Drummer."

Modesty slides her hand in his tentatively. Even looking over her shoulder to Sherry first to make sure it's ok. Sherry nods her head yes, so Modesty turns back to face Drummer shaking his hand. "Hello."

"If you ever find yourself in need of an attorney again don't hesitate to call me." Drummer tells Modesty before letting her hand go. Then reaches into his pocket pulling out a business card, and giving it to Modesty. "Any friend of Drake and Dukes is a friend of mine."

Sherry scrutinizes the white business card over Modesty's shoulder. Before discreetly giving the man another once over in light of this new information. Only to drill her no-nonsense gaze into Drummers.

"Lawyer huh? Does that mean we have you to thank for getting us released?" She asks clearly trying to intimidate the man with the position of her body. Hands on her hips, feet spread shoulder width apart, and her nostrils flaring like an attack dog hunting a scent.

Except Sherry's posturing falls flat when it comes to Drummer, and he gives her a megawatt smile in return. "Why yes ma'am it does! I got the commander to drop all the charges against you ladies down to disorderly conduct. Which results in no more than a ticket, and hundred dollar fine for each of you. I went ahead and paid the fine for each of you, so there shouldn't be anything else keeping you ladies here."

Three of the four women voice their thoughts on the matter immediately.

"Really?" Modesty ask in amazement.

"Hell Yea!" Abbie yells before spinning around jumping back in Drake's arms, and sealing her lips to his.

"Thank Fuck!" I just barely manage to make out Mel's whispered words. Obviously no one else around us did.

Sherry is the only one of the ladies who remains quiet for a while. Only gazing back into Drummer's eyes quizzically. Until the silence around our group starts to get uncomfortable, so she breaks it. "Thank you Mr Drummer. It would seem I owe you one."

"Nonsense! I was only doing my job." Drummer says waving Sherry off.

"No, I insist, and I always repay my debts." Sherry tells him with finality.

Only Drummer isn't having any of that! "How about you let me give you and Ms Perkins a ride home instead, and we'll call it even? What'cha say?"

Sherry looks toward Modesty first to get her answer. Seeing the relieved smile on the innocent woman's face is good enough for her. Sherry turns back toward Drummer giving him a grateful smile. "Modesty and I would appreciate a ride home very much. Thank you."

"Now that's settled. How about we all get the fuck away from this place, and call it a night?" Drake said to the group as he pulls Abbie into his side. Getting ready to walk down the steps leading to the doors of the station.

Everyone wishes each other a good night as we make our way down to the sidewalk. Before splitting off into smaller groups, and going different directions along the street. I wrap Mel's arm around my elbow, and silently start escorting her up the block to my waiting truck. Even helping her into the passenger seat and settled in. Then around to the other side of the truck to the driver side and getting in myself.

It takes awhile for me to notice Mel hasn't said a word to me the entire time we've been in the truck. I glance her way out of the corner of my eye, and see she's refusing to look my way as well. Her avoidance causes a ball of dread to form in my stomach. That continues to grow the more silence and time passes between us.

So, I reach across the bench seat to grab Mel's fisted hand from her lap, and bring it to my lips placing a kiss on her knuckles. Then I lace my fingers through hers before letting our joined hands rest comfortably between us. I look her way hoping I've finally gotten her attention, and give her a beaming smile when I do.

"Why are you sitting there so quiet, My Love? Is everything ok?"

Mel moves her gaze to watch our joined hands. Until she begins to talk, but still keeping her eyes downcast instead on at me. "Everything's fine now that we're out of jail. Although the tequila has definitely worn off, and I might still be feeling some form of shock. I'm as good as can be. I still can't believe those guys had us arrested!"

I can't help but chuckle at Mel's outrage. Even if she can't find anything funny in the matter. "I know Love. I didn't believe it either the first time Drake told me. I guess you and Sherry scared them so much they wanted to do the same to each of you, and the only way they could think to do that, is to put all of you in jail. But guess what?"

I pull on hand that's joined with mine getting her attention again. Mel doesn't lift her head quick enough to look at me, in my opinion. So, I move both of our joined hands under her chin, and give it a small nudge until she's looking directly at me.

"What that group of assholes didn't know, is they messed with the only group of women frilled with fearless, loyal, protective, feisty, badass bunch of females this city has to offer! I couldn't be prouder of you, or how all of you handled that situation. I absolutely love your spitfire attitude, and everything that comes along with it!"

I watch in fascination as a small dot of crimson appears on Mel's cheeks from my praise, and transforms the sullen look on her face to one of loving acceptance. She surprises me again this time getting on her hands and knees on the front bench seat, so she can crawl toward me. Leaving a trail of open mouth kisses up the column of my neck, and stopping at the bottom of my ear.

"I love you too Duke, so much!" Mel whispers in my ear before settling back down on the seat.

She lays her head in the middle of my lap, and her legs are curled up together at the opposite end of the seat against the passenger door. I place my hand that was just holding hers on top of her head. Before letting my fingers move through the silky blonde locks for the last twenty minutes of the drive across town to the loft. Until Mel is out cold.

I pull my truck into the garage coming to a stop in my designated spot. Before slowly and quietly getting out of the driverseat, and closing the door behind me. Then hurry around to the passenger side gathering Mel's sleeping figure in my arms. Carefully taking us up the three flights of stairs to the front door of the loft without Mel noticing once.

I close the door silently behind me, and almost forget to lock the door again. I keep my steps light as a feather as I walk across the open floor plan toward my bedroom. It takes me a moment to fight with the covers until they're at the foot of the bed. Then I lay Mel gently in the middle of the bed, and proceed to remove her tight leather outfit.

When I finally have Mel naked, I let my eyes greedily take in every inch of her luscious curves, and porcelain skin on display in front of me. The temptation almost becomes too much for me to resist, so I cover the top half of her body in one of my own t-shirts. Before stripping down to nothing but my boxers, and join Mel in the bed. Spooning her from behind under the covers until both of us are asleep for the night.

My body has other ideas though. It continues to toss and turn restlessly for no more than three hours at a time. Before my brain is pulling me out of my sleeping state to check on Mel. Just to watch her sleep for minutes on end after that, until my eyes close again, and the cycle repeats itself.

After a while I'm used to my brain randomly waking me up. Plus, it would seem, the rest of my body calms down when I'm conscious, and my eyes are glued to Mel's gorgeous face. Until I'm finally able to lay here peacefully with my eyes closed, but only after sleep has officially given up on me.

The only perk I've found to this sleeplessness, is the fascinating new trick to tell the exact moment Mel wakes up. Like I just used for the first time about an hour ago. It's all thanks to my obsessive need to stare at her at all hours this morning!

It took a while to notice  anything other than the closed eyes, and even breathing. The first thing I noticed was the slight wrinkling to the skin between her brows that only comes across while she is in deep thought. Until she feels the tension showing on her face and clears it.

The naked eye could never catch how Mel flexes her pinky toe out and away from the rest of her toes. Spreading them out as she stretches to wake up each day. Only I can feel the gentle motion of her feet moving back and forth. Before giving that one a break, and moving to the other foot. But, I could feel the rhythmic flexing under the covers with my own feet.

I first noticed the signs about an hour ago, and I've continued to let Mel play her game ever since. When the clock on my bedside table rolls over to noon I can't take it any longer! I wrap my arms around her hips, and pull her body around on top of mine.I wedge my knee between her legs within inches of her juicy core.

Next I glide the palm of my hands in opposite directions along her back. My left hand going down to her ass to grab a handful of the generously round cheek, and squeeze. While the tips of my fingers on my right hand travel up her back along the center of her spine. To her luscious hair on top of her head. Tangling my fingers amongst the locks, so I can direct her lips to mine.

Mel rewards my actions with a deep sinful moan as soon as I force my way past her lips. I can feel the goosebumps running along her skin, and the shaking of her flesh from the amount of pleasure flowing through her body at the moment.

I double the force behind my thrusting tongue into Mel's mouth. I let my hands roam freely around her perfectly made body. Drawing outlines of her breast with the tips of my fingers. Then doing the same to her areola, and then the twin nubs poking through her shirt begging for my attention. Finally taking each nipple between my fingers squeezing, pulling, and twisting until each one is hard enough to cut through glass.

It's getting increasingly difficult for me to tell the difference between Mel's pleading wails of pain, and wanting moans of pleasure. I don't release her swollen lips for several long minutes having taken everything for myself they had to give, and leaving her gasping for breath in return.

Except my wandering lips don't move very far. Just down to Mel's jaw, across the delicate line of her bone structure, to her ear. Leaving no inch of skin untouched by my kiss along the way.

"Good afternoon My love." I whisper into Mel's ear before making my way around the outer shell of her ear with my lips.

"Good..Good Mor..Good Morning Sir." Mel stutters out causing me to smile against her skin.

Before I place that last kiss I move quickly. Flipping Mel onto her back, and rise up to my elbows looking down into her surprised blue eyes. I want her to see how serious I am about what I have to say. "How are you feeling this afternoon, Love?"

Mel looks up at me confused, and still trying to regroup after my spin move. "I'm a little hung over, but other than that I feel fine. Why?"

I hold her gaze for a minute longer looking for any sign of deception in her eyes, and giving her ample time to crack and spill the beans on her own. Except she doesn't, and I see only truth ringing in her gaze. "Touche My Love. I'll ask a different question then. Are you hiding something from me?"

The confusion on Mel's face grows until she is genuinely perplexed about why I'm asking these questions. Especially after kissing the breath from her lungs to wake her up, and no other time to come down since. Only this time when she answers me she refuses to look me in the eye.

"Not that I know of, but you just woke me up after all, so I'm not exactly firing on all cylinders yet myself."

I give Mel a cocky smirk lowering my body closer to hers, but leave a few inches between us.. While my wet lips barely whisper over the heated flesh on her cheek beside her ear as I talk.

"Oh Love, let's not play. I think you know what I'm talking about. Matter of fact, I think you know EXACTLY what I'm talking about! Otherwise, you wouldn't have laid here in my arms for almost an hour pretending to sleep! Instead of having to look, touch, or talk to me right? The same thing that made you beg not to come see you after work on Friday afternoon. Any of this ringing any alarm bells inside that pretty head of yours baby?" I growl at Mel in frustration.

I push my arms up moving my body further away from Mel's grinning in child-like glee. The answer to my questions is written clear as day across her face! From the frightened, bugged-out eyes silently pleading with me to drop this, to the unusual pasty white complex covering her skin, down to the fresh bite marks on her bottom lip.

The answer is yes, Mel knows exactly what I'm talking about!

I bury my nose in the hollow spot of Mel's neck inhaling deeply. Then turn my gleaming gaze back to Mel. "Ah, the sweet smell of victory! Are you going to tell me now Love?" I ask her before moving my lips to the opposite side of her neck, and placing single open mouth kisses between each of my words. "Or..Will..I..Have..To..Torture..It..Out..Of..You?"

I suck the skin along Mel's collar bone into my mouth, hard. Leaving a decent size hickey behind before biting down on the abused flesh. Gaining a dark wanton moan from deep inside her chest. Finally letting the piece of skin go from between my lips with a pop to admire the darkening red mark in satisfaction. I drill my blasing, lust filled eyes into hers for a moment before cocking one of my eyebrows waiting for her answer.

Only Mel frantically shakes her head no at me.

Almost at my wits end, I let the dark mood trying to work it's way deeper into my system, take over my being completely. I give Mel my most devious smirk, and even a sadistic chuckle to go with it. "Is that your final answer My Love?" I pause a moment to give her time, but she just continues to shake her head no at me.

Desperate to hear a single word pass Mel's sultry lips I drop my hips down to hers. Resting the entire length of my hard, pulsating shaft along her dripping folds. Mel lets out a half moan half scream at the first intimate contact between the two of us in weeks.

Then her body goes rigid underneath mine, almost locking up in place. All other movements stopping as well. Except for the single mumbled phrase that keeps failing from her lips. "It's nothing I swear! Please don't make me..It's nothing I swear! Please don't make me.."

"Oh Baby!" I say to Mel full of sorrow. "If it wasn't such a big deal, like you claim it isn't, then it wouldn't bother you so much to tell me. Just remember, you can stop this torture at anytime. All you have to do is tell me what I want to know."

I use Mel's closed eyes to my advantage by moving the top half of my body slowly down the length of hers while I'm talking. Once my nose reaches the apex between her legs I blow a cool breath of air across the very top of her thighs. Just below the hem line of my t-shirt she's wearing.

The surprising caress so close to Mel's sex turns her mumbled pleas into one word refusals. Accompanied by an even more desperate sounding moan from deep inside her soul. The sound genuienly confusing me on weather I should stop, or keep going with the pleasurable torture. Only Mel still hasn't given me the answers I want, so I keep on.

I place the tip of my tongue directly between the junction of her quivering legs, and directly under the bottom hem of the t-shirt. I use both my nose and my teeth to push the bottom of the shirt up Mel's flat stomach. Only to stop moving the clothing just below her heaving breast.

I use the tip of my tongue to travel the same path back down Mel's body. Circling her navel twice, and even dipping my tongue inside once. Before coming to a stop at her pubic bone.

Mel's pleading no's get louder the further south my wandering mouth goes. After I stop licking my way down her moving body, I pull my face away from her flesh for a moment to look up at her again. Sweat beads are rolling down her body in steady drips. Her eyes are squeezed closed so tight I guareent stars fill her vision on the other side of her eyelids.

The sound of her begging is the sweetest music to my ears at the moment. Driving my need for her body and my answers to an all time high! I'll be damned if I stop now. I give Mel one last wicked smirk before bending back down toward her body to distract her about what my next move actually is.

I place my lips at the top of Mel's left hip bone, and proceed to leave behind little bites and open mouth kiss across the shapely bone. I move my lips along the rippling muscles around her womb. Until I reach the other side of her body, and pay this hip the same attention as the other one. When I finish I leave one final, lingering kiss to the very top of her folds for just a moment.

Before my control can slip completely, I make my next moves quickly. Taking one of the things I so desperately want by latching my lips around Mel's entire clit. Sucking the little pearl deep into my hot mouth. While moving my left hand up to her nipple, and playing with the sensitive nub. Then I use my right hand to thrust two fingers deeply into her gloriously flooded cunt.

I attack Mel's body with an overload of pleasure at the same time causing her to let out a high pitched scream. I'm assuming from the blinding pleasure trying to hurl her off that cliff into an all consuming release. Only things seem to take an unexpected turn for the worst in the next second before I can even more, or comprehend what's going on.

Real fat, salty tears begin pouring from the corner of her eyes. Mel's eyelids come open with a snap and her frantic gaze finds mine immediately. Then without even looking she grabs both of my wrist in the palm of her hands, and pushes them away from her shaking body.

"No....Please Stop...I'll tell you...Just please, Stop." Mel begs me again in the same pleading tone as before, except this time it completely destroys my heart.

My wrist come free easily from between Mel's slack grip, and lay my body down on the bed beside hers. I pull her sobbing body tightly into my arms, and wrap her up in my warm embrace.

I wish I could claim to be some type of superhuman with the power to make all of Mel's heartache go away, but instead I just hold her fragile being. Until the sobs begin to quiet, and the tears dry up along her face. Keeping her face buried against my neck long enough for her breathing to even out, and the rest of her body is on the verge of falling into a deep sleep.

Before I let that peaceful darkness consume Mel completely I lean my head back away from hers just enough i can peer at her face resting comfortable on my shoulder. I use the tip of my fingers to gently caress her cheek causing her eyes to open lazily to look at me.

I try to return her smile, but I can't after what just happened. "I'm sorry My Love. Please tell me I didn't just fuck up royaly." My whisper hopefully with words full of love.

Mel lets her eyes slide closed again while shaking her head no, and that loving smile of hers in answer. "No Duke I promise you didn't do anything."

"Then please tell me what's bothering you! All I want to do is help make it better." I implore her to believe me with my words and eyes.

Mel's crystal blue eyes look up at me again. She caress my cheek with the back of her fingers, like I did, and she keeps her eyes trained on the repetitive motion while getting her thoughts in order. Then she gives me exactly what I asked whether I'm ready for it, or not.

"You're right I made up an excuse Friday night to keep you away, and I did pretend to be asleep just now, but none of this is because of whatever fucked up reason you got running wild inside your head!" Even those her words come out gentle, they manage to pierce my cold, dying heart with pinpoint accuracy.

"Then tell me why?"I barely manage to get out between gritted teeth trying to hide the mounting frustration consuming me on the inside.

Mel moves her body taking me completely by surprise. She uses the same move I used on her earlier to roll me onto my back, and straddle the lower part of my abdomen between her delectable thighs. She cups both of my cheeks in the palm of her hands holding my face from moving. Then moves her face toward mine until the tip of her nose is touching mine. While her eyes search the darkest depths of my eyes looking for I don't know. Before she even begins to explain what she means.

"You're correct in assuming I'm actively avoiding being intimate with you, but it's only because I can't bring my body or spirit to even try to move on without both you and Dean. To worship my entire being to the heavens."

Mel stops to drag in a ragged breath while keeping her eyes on the center of my forehead to finish. "But, the scariest part about all of this is the fact that I can feel my body and heart closing themselves off and shutting down anything to do with this relationship the longer the three of us are apart. What am I going to do then? I can't lose either you or Dean. Both of you turned my world upside down when you decided to start this, and somewhere along the way both of you stole a half of my heart and soul for your own. I'll never be the same if I lose both you and Dean, or this rift between us gets any bigger!"

Luckily Mel managed to get through the whole thing before breaking down into gut wrenching, nightmare causing sobs. I pull her by the hips to lie flat on top of me before rolling us both onto our sides. I give Mel all the comfort I can think of; running my fingers through her hair, whispering words of love directly into her ear, and just never letting my arms around her trembling body get weak even for a second.

This time Mel's tears don't stop until she is fast asleep in my arms. I continue to keep my arms around her body for a few more minutes just to be sure she's not going to move. Before gently removing my arms from around her body, and sitting up on the edge of the bed. Tearing my fingers through my own hair in frustration worried for the first time like I never have been before in my life.

But I do know one thing, I won't get shit done, or save a damn thing sitting on my ass. So, first things first, I grab my cell from my pants pocket on the floor at my feet. Then send a text to Modesty asking her to cover for Mel at work tomorrow. No questions asked.

I don't sit around waiting for her to reply. Instead I place the phone on my bedside table and walk into my en-suite. I grab a washcloth from the laundry cabinet on the way to the sink, turning the hot water on full blast, and wetting the cloth in my hands. Then wringing the excess out before walking back into the bedroom.

I take a seat on the edge of the bed closest to Mel, so I can clean the dried tears from her peaceful face. As I gaze down into her angelic face Dean's last words to me repeat on an endless loop inside my head. This time I don't try to shut it down.

      "You pity me Duke, and this unrealistic expectation you set for both of us is a pipe dream! You can't burden me as the key to all your hopes and dreams. You need to find that thing that makes you happy weather that includes me or not. Just be sure to tell Mel I Love her with all my heart."

Well Old Friend, it looks like it's up to me to fix this mess we have here between us, and now! I don't know when you're coming back, but fuck man the both of us are about to lose Mel! I guess that leaves me to straighten the fuck up, and make you do the same. Before we lose our Angel for good!

With my mind made up I fold the rag up, and place it on the floor beside my clothes. I slide my body under the covers behind Mel's. Then pull her body in tight to snuggle against mine. I drift off to sleep with my love in my arms, and a plan to fix this relationship between the three of us once and for all!

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Here is another long one for y'all!!

Sooo...how was it?!? What do y'all think is gonna happen next??
Remember there is only 2 more chapters and an epilogue left!

Also I'm going to post a special request for y'all to vote on about the next book tomorrow, so be on the look out!

As always, don't forget to leave a comment and vote! I'm absolutely dying to read them!

Until next time my lovelies!
Callie

Text Copyright  ©Callie Sumner ™ 2019