Fragile Bonds (26 page)

“I know what I’m going to do. But I need your help again.” I sit up a little straighter, confident that this is going to be the only way to get my point across to her. I just hope I have what I need to pull this off.

I give Braydon a quick run-down and ask him to pick up Jacob from school and meet us at Tornado this evening. Melanie promised she would call me today, so I’m going to plan everything around her keeping her word.

Melanie called early this afternoon, apologizing for running last night. I told her it was okay, even though it’s not. I don’t want to be angry with her and I don’t want her to hold back around me. We need to rebuild the trust we used to have in one another. She agreed to meet me for dinner at six o’clock, which gives me fifteen minutes from the time Braydon and Jacob walk in until everything comes to a head, for better or worse.

Jacob runs up to me as we approach the restaurant from opposite directions. “Daddy, daddy! Unca Braydon says we get to have a fancy dinner tonight. He said I have to behave because this isn’t a place kids get to come very much. Where’s Melly?” He looks around me for the woman he adores and my fractured heart crumbles a bit more. Now that I’ve had time to think about the words that pierced me last night, I see what she was saying. The only thing that realization does is strengthen my resolve to never let her go. We both need her in our lives.

The hostess gives me a dirty look when she sees a
five-year-old in tow. Braydon wasn’t wrong, this isn’t an establishment where families come to dine. It’s a favorite among high power businessmen and members of state government because of its proximity to the Capitol. Braydon whispers something in the young woman’s ear and her cautious smile softens.

I open a small black box and show my brother the key component of my plan. The silver heart pendant with Melanie’s birthstone and my own. I kept it all these years as the only piece of Melanie that I would have forever. When Alyssa and I got married, I took it out of my dresser and buried it in a box of papers and mementos from college. It didn’t seem right to have it where she could find it but I still couldn’t get rid of it.

“Is that the same one?” Braydon asks as he takes the box out of my hands. He shakes his head and I begin to think this might not be right.

“Yeah. I just thought it’d be a way for me to show her that she was with me, even when we were apart.” I snap the box shut
when Jacob reaches for it. We sit down at the table and I pull him onto my lap. I look at Braydon, who is still staring at the box which is now sitting on the table. “Do you think it’s a bad idea?”

Braydon is quiet for a moment. The longer he sits there looking at that damned box while rubbing his chin, the more my heart starts to race. My palms are sweating and I’m tempted to snatch the necklace off the table and forget about it.

“I think it might be the best idea you’ve had in a long time, little brother. Seriously, it’s great.” He pats me on the back and I sit a bit straighter knowing that he approves.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Melanie walking in. She’s even more beautiful than she was last night, wearing a long turquoise dress that flows behind her as she walks and sandals with a heel so high I’m sure we’ll be eye to eye as soon as I stand. I quickly hand the box to Braydon as I rise from my chair to meet her.

“I thought we were meeting to talk.” She looks over my shoulder as I pull her into my arms, glancing nervously at the fact that this has turned into a family meal. I feel a bit awkward having Braydon here, but I need him next to me when I do this.

Before I answer her, I capture Melanie’s lips in sensual kiss, my lips conveying everything I feel for her. “We are, but there’s something we need to take care of first.”

I take her hand in mine, leading her to the table. “Melly, you came!” Jacob squeals, jumping out of his seat. I look around and see some of the other patrons glaring at us disapprovingly, but I don’t care. Tonight means as much to me as a marriage proposal would and I need those who matter in my life to be by my side. “I missed you!”

It hasn’t even been thirty-six hours since my son last saw her and he’s acting as if it’s been months. Then again, who am I to judge when I was crawling out of my skin within hours of her leaving last night.

“I missed you too, buddy. Did you have a good day at school?” she asks, crouching down so she’s at his level. It’s these little gestures that mean the most. No matter what words pass her lips, she’s unable to hide her feelings in her actions.

“I did! And then,
Unca Braydon picked me up and said I had to get dressed up for dinner. He said this is an adult place and, if I’m good, he’s going to take me for ice cream later!” Melanie presses her index finger to her lips, reminding Jacob to keep his voice down.

As Jacob continues rambling about what flavor of ice cream he plans on getting after they leave, I look over the top of his head to see Xavier. He’s fidgeting, lining up his silverware so everything is perpendicular to the table and parallel to the other pieces. “Are you okay?” I mouth the words to him so Jacob doesn’t get the impression that I’m not listening to him. He nods and I turn my attention back to Jacob.

It’s because of the distraction offered by this little boy that I don’t notice Xavier move to the seat next to me. “Jacob, could you go to your uncle for a minute? I think he has something for you.”

My eyes dart between the two men suspiciously. They’re up to something, I can feel it. I release Jacob and he goes to sit with Braydon. The two of them begin talking as I feel Xavier’s finger brush the side of my cheek.

“I’m sorry I pushed you too far last night,” he says softly. I open my mouth to tell him it’s okay, but he silences me. “I meant every word I said, as well as some I never got the chance to say. I never fully stopped loving you. I know I still have a lot to work through, but with your help, I know I can get there.”

I feel a tear trickle down my cheek but I don’t move to wipe it away. Doing so would require me to let go of Xavier’s hands and I want to stay connected to him. I’m so nervous I want to throw up, but I know Tyler was right. I need to stop thinking about everything that could go wrong and focus on every second that goes right.

“Jacob, can you come here?” Xavier asks and I turn to see Jacob walking over to his father, hands behind his back. I stop breathing when I see what Jacob is hiding. I’ve seen that black velvet box before. Or at least I think I have.

“Melanie, I told you once before that this was a symbol of my love for you,” he says, opening the box to reveal the silver pendant that never left my neck from the moment he gave it to me until the night he broke my heart. The night I betrayed his trust. “I also
promised you that night that I would do everything I could to never hurt you. I failed you then, which is why I know it’s going to be that much harder to earn your trust this time around. Melanie Elaine Erickson, you mean the world to me. You always have, even when I was too weak to fight for you. I love you.”

I throw my arms around Xavier’s neck, bawling into the collar of his crisp, gray dress shirt. “I love you too, Xavier. Both of you. I’m sorry seems inadequate for everything that
happened years ago. We both did things we can’t take back, but I promise I will do everything I can to never make you question my trust or loyalty again.”

We’re probably causing a scene in the middle of one of Madison’s premier restaurants, but neither of us care about anyone who isn’t currently seated at our table. I start crying harder when I feel the cold metal brush against my skin. As Xavier closes the clasp behind my neck, my hand floats to the pendant. It so close to perfect, but not quite.

“Xavier, I can’t wear this right now.” I feel Xavier’s body stiffen as soon as the words leave my mouth.

His shoulders drop as he backs away from me, cupping my face in his hands. “Melanie, it’s yours. I’m not asking you to promise me forever right this minute. It’s a necklace, plain and simple.” His voice is frantic as he pleads with me. “Baby, I need you to know how much you mean to me. Just you and me and Jacob.”

I bite on the corner of my lip to keep from cracking a smile. It’s almost cute to see him so close to falling apart. But I can’t let him continue when he’s freaking out about nothing. I brush his scruffy cheek with the back of my hand. “Xavier, calm down. I meant I can’t wear it because this is a symbol of what we used to be. I love that you gave it back to me, but this isn’t what we have now.”

Xavier’s eyes grow wider and I swear I can see tears welling along the lower lids. “If you want something new, that’s fine. I don’t want you to take this one if it has too many bad memories.”

It’s time to put the poor man out of his misery. “Xavier, it’s almost perfect. I don’t want a different necklace, I just want you to fix this one so it represents what we are now.”

He cocks his head to the side, confused by what I’m saying. I turn to my left and hold out my hands, pulling Jacob into my lap. “We need to add a ruby to this necklace. Right at the point of the heart.”

Xavier wraps his arms around us, finally understanding what I’m trying to tell him. Our relationship isn’t about two people, there are three hearts at stake this time. “I love you so much, Melanie.”

Tears dampen my cheek and I’m not sure whether they’re mine, his, or a combination of both. All I know is that I have a piece of my heart and soul back.

“Okay, why don’t I get the little man out of here so the two of you can celebrate properly?” I laugh into Xavier’s shoulder because I had completely forgotten that his brother was sitting at the table with us. “And Mel, I seriously owe you one. You had him about ready to piss himself, it was great!”

“Bad language,
Unca Braydon!” Jacob kisses me on the cheek, not easing the grip he has around my neck. “Melly, do I have to go now?”

“Didn’t you say your uncle promised you ice cream?” I don’t want to send him away right after making this huge production about how all three of us are equally important, but I need a little more time with Xavier before we start settling into whatever our life is going to be from here on out. “I bet you could get him to take you to the go-carts, too.”

Braydon gives me a look of mock disgust. “That’s how you’re calling in your favor? Go-carts for the kid?”

“Not even close, Braydon, but we have plenty of time to tally up all the favors you owe me.” I kiss his cheek when he leans over to say goodbye. “Jacob, I promise your daddy and I will be home before bedtime, okay?”

“Melly, are you going to live with us now?” Jacob asks. I don’t want to answer him because Xavier and I technically need to talk about that, but I take a chance because I’m more confident in my answer now than I would have been twenty-four hours ago.

“Do you want me to move in with you?” I ask, genuinely interested in his response.

“Yes, yes, yes, yes!” He’s jumping up and down in the middle of the dining room, earning us more dirty looks. At this rate, we’re going to be kicked out before we can order and that’s fine by me. I would be just as happy going to pick up burgers with my boys as having an amazing steak.

“I think we might be able to make that happen.” I wink at him, sinking back into Xavier’s arms. I turn my head, feathering kisses along his firm lips. “What do you think?”

“Definitely doable,” he agrees, wrapping his arms tightly around my waist. “Now, go with your uncle so we can eat and get home.”

I take a deep breath as my hand grips my house key tightly, hoping everything is set for tonight. Showing Melanie that I don’t ever want to lose her again has turned into a bit of a production. Braydon was in charge of getting Jacob to the restaurant and then keeping him occupied until a later than usual bedtime and I swallowed my pride to call in Tyler for the icing on the cake.

“Oh my God, Xavier, this is amazing!” Melanie exclaims as we walk through the front door of the apartment. And it really is. Every surface is lined with tea
lights and wildflowers. When I made the request of Tyler, he seemed impressed that I insisted on these bouquets rather than traditional roses because Melanie has never been a fan of the overpriced blooms.

I lift Melanie’s fingers to my lips, kissing the back of her hand before pulling her close to me. We sway back and forth in the middle of the living area, dancing to the music of our hearts beating together. My hands slide down her arms and around her narrow waist as she drapes her arms over my shoulders. The only emotion I see in her eyes tonight is pure bliss and I vow to keep that look there for as long as possible.

“I wanted tonight to be perfect,” I whisper in her ear, loving the way she shivers at the feel of my warm breath passing her neck. “I’m not sure I will ever understand what I did to deserve a second chance with you, but I will thank God every night that I have this time. When I fell in love with you the first time, I thought there was nothing that could possibly make me love you more, but I was wrong. For the past nine months, I’ve been amazed by your strength, humbled by your compassion and I’ve done the impossible.”

Before I can say anything that will ruin the high we’re both riding right now, I trace the line of Melanie’s spine with one hand, not stopping until I’m able to weave my fingers in her gentle curls. I close the distance between us, crashing her lips to mine in a kiss so intense I feel her body sink against mine.
I reach up with my other hand to lower the zipper on her dress, never breaking the seal of her mouth against mine.

“Is this okay?” I ask, only stopping to lead Melanie to the bedroom when she nods her acquiescence. When I turn around, I se
e her standing before me in a simple white lace bra and matching thong. I swallow hard, desperately trying to catch my breath at the sight of her nearly naked body so close to me. My tongue traces along my bottom lip as the need to taste every inch of her skin overwhelms me.

“Make love to me, Xavier,” she pleads breathlessly. It’s not until she’s mere inches away from me that my gaze drops to the floor to see that she’s still wearing her heeled sandals. Someday, I plan on making love to her while she’s wearing nothing but those heels, but not tonight. “You were the first man I ever loved, and I want you to be the last. Please, don’t make me wait any longer.”

No matter what my plans for the night might have been, there’s no way I would have been able to refuse her pleas. She reaches between our bodies, releasing the button on my slacks. After lowering the zipper, I feel her hands slide inside the waistband, easing my pants over my hips as I kick off my shoes. I close my eyes, sucking in a sharp breath as Melanie takes control, slipping her hands inside my boxers to cup my ass cheeks tightly before pushing the cotton down my legs.

Her hands move deftly to the front of my shirt. With every button she opens, she places a delicate kiss down the center of my chest. I slide the shirt off my shoulders, reaching behind my neck to yank off my plain white undershirt with one hand.

When I look down, I see Melanie looking up at me from behind hooded eyelids.” I love you, Xavier,” she says tenderly. My eyes go out of focus as I feel her take my aroused flesh in her hand, stroking from root to tip. Her grip around my shaft tightens as I watch the tip disappear between her supple lips.

She continues working me with her hands, reaching lower to cup my sac as she caresses my length, never relenting as
she takes more of me into the back of her throat with each stroke of her mouth. When I feel a tingle low in my spine, I push her off of me, pulling her close so I can kiss her. There’s no way in hell I’m going to allow more than a year of celibacy to dampen our reunion.

“I love you so much, Melanie. So. Fucking. Much.” Each word tumbles from my lips in between a series of quick kisses before I capture her
pink, swollen lips again, this time for a long, intoxicating kiss. “I need to be inside of you.”

“I’m yours.” She reaches for my hand, pulling me to the side of the bed. After making quick work of releasing the clasp of her bra, I place my hands on her shoulders, easing her until she’s lying on her back, her chestnut curls fanned across the crisp, white linens.

The scent our combined arousal fills the room. That alone is enough to keep my body on the brink of a monumental explosion. I take a moment to appreciate the toned lines of her body, the contrast of her summer tan and the alabaster skin that has never seen the sun.

I lie next to her, taking my time to gently caress every inch of skin I can reach while feathering kisses from her neck
to her shoulders, and continuing down her chest until I reach the valley between her firm breasts. I lower my mouth to one tightened nipple, sucking her into my mouth before gently exhaling across her damp flesh. As I continue taunting one side with my mouth, I take her other breast in my hand, kneading the plump flesh, watching as Melanie writhes on the bed.

“Xavier, please,” she begs, arching her back as I continue exploring her body. The tips of my fingers dip beneath the white lace
, across the top of her patch of neatly trimmed curls.

“I like this,” I praise her, sliding one finger between her slick folds. Her hips rise again, pressing her mound harder against my hand. “So impatient, my love.”

As I continue working her into a frenzy, sliding one finger slowly in and out of her damp core, my cock begins to ache. I toss my head back as I feel her lithe fingers grip my length, stroking in time to my assault on her body. No longer able to wait, I position myself over her body, sliding her panties to the side.

“Do you trust me?” I ask, praying she says yes because I’ve just realized that I forgot one very important thing. I’ve only been with one woman in the past five years and we were tested regularly.

“Completely,” she says confidently, reaching between our bodies to line up my steely erection to her entrance.

The moment I feel her body enveloping mine is nirvana. She’s so fucking tight, I know I’m not going to last long. Her muscles clench tighter the deeper I push and she begins to move in time with me. It’s as if no time has passed since we were joined this way, our bodies still
move in unison.

“I never want this to end,” I say, hovering over her, staring into those eyes so dark they’re nearly black. “Never.”

Her nails dig into my back, pulling hard enough that I have no option except to allow my body to fall on top of hers. My breath is coming in erratic gasps as I continue rocking into her in a series of deep, languid thrusts.

My tongue delves between the
seam of her lips, savoring the sweetness of her mouth. It’s in this moment, as I’m buried to the hilt inside her body, that I know there’s no turning back. This is the woman I’m going to spend the rest of my life with, as long as she’s willing to have me.

I continue driving into her as
I tangle my hands in her hair, holding her so she can’t turn away from me when the emotions become too intense.

As both of us reach the pinnacle, ready to tumble into sated ecstasy, incoherent praises fall from our lips. Melanie screams my name as her body convulses around my engorged length. Hearing her repeatedly professing her love for me is all it takes and I push into her two more times before
my body shatters in release.

We lie on top of the comforter, the weight of Xavier’s arm draped over my body seemingly the only thing keeping me from floating away. That was, without question, the most insanely erotic encounter of my life.

“Are you okay?” I ask him, worried that he might be having second thoughts now that we’ve made love. I’m not sure what I’ll do if that happens, but I know it’s a possibility.

“I think that would be an understatement,” he responds, still struggling to catch his breath. “
I probably sound like a broken record at this point, but I’m going to say it again. I love you, Melanie. Thank you for being patient with me.”

“Xavier, I never stopped loving you. For the longest time, I thought I was destined to grow old alone because you were the only man I wanted to be with and I couldn’t get over you no matter how I tried.” I take a moment to compose myself, feeling emotions bubbling deep within my chest.

“It’s always been you,” I promise him, feathering gentle kisses along his breastbone. “Once I knew there was a chance of having the one thing I always wanted back in my life, there was no way I could walk away, even when I was scared out of my mind.”

Xavier wraps his arms around my shoulders, holding me as I rest my head on his taut chest. “Melanie, I don’t want--”

I’m left wondering what Xavier doesn’t want, as we both stiffen at the sound of the front door closing.

“Why are all those candles everywhere?” Jacob’s innocent voice echoes through the apartment.

“Because your daddy wanted to do something nice for Melly tonight.” Braydon’s rich baritone voice is barely audible, but I can’t help but smile at the sound of him calling me the name that only Jacob normally gets away with using.

“Is it her birthday? Is that why we went to the restaurant and Daddy gave her a present?” I smile, offering up a silent thank you to Alyssa for trusting me take care of such a wonderful little boy.

“Unca Braydon, why is Melly’s dress on the floor?” Jacob shrieks and I wish the earth would open enough to swallow me whole. I should have known better than to strip as Xavier led me to the bedroom, but in that moment, no one existed except the two of us.

“She might have dropped it. I bet she wanted to get out of her fancy clothes as soon as she could.” Braydon seems to be the quick thinker out of all of us. I wonder if that’s a skill he’s had to hone over the years to get him out of trouble. “Should we go for a walk and see if we can find your dad and
Melly?”

“Yeah! Can we go to the park, too?” Jacob squeals.

“Maybe for a little bit,” Braydon replies. His voice grows louder when he continues speaking, “I bet they went for a walk since it’s such a nice night. Maybe we’ll see them while we’re
down at the park
playing.”

Xavier and I are both biting our lips, trying to keep from laughing as we hear the front door close again.

“Way to go, Melanie! You almost got us busted by the kid,” Xavier teases. His fingers dig into my sides as he tickles me, causing me to squeal as I jolt out of the bed. “Get dressed so we can go for that walk we’re supposedly already on.”

“Does
Braydon need that quick tongue often?” I laugh, rummaging through the drawers for something I can wear on a walk. I find one pair of shorts I left here and grab one of Xavier’s t-shirts.

“More often than you’d know.” Xavier pulls out a pair of khaki shorts and a tight black t-shirt. Seeing the way the cotton pulls across his broad chest, I want to stay in the bedroom and strip his clothes off again.

We both finish getting dressed and duck out the back door of the building so we won’t run the risk of Jacob seeing us leaving since we’re supposed to already be on our walk.