It's Only Make-Believe (7 page)

Authors: Shawn Lane

BOOK: It's Only Make-Believe

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Luther had taken several bites of his pancakes, then set down the fork. He held out his hand, palm up. Mel placed her hand in his.

It's Only Make-Believe

by Shawn Lane

"Mel, you know I've always cared a lot about you. You've always been there for me when we were growing up and my parents split. And when my business took off and the magazine came around wanting to make a big deal out of my being an eligible bachelor. I knew I could count on you."

"You can always count on me, Luther. We'll always be friends."

"The thing is, I don't want to be friends anymore." He grinned. "I mean I don't want to be
just
friends. I want to take our relationship to the next level."

Mel's eyes filled with tears, and for a moment she struggled to speak. She stared at her plate, unable to meet his searching dark gaze.

"Mel?"

She finally raised her gaze to his. "You don't know how long I wished you'd say that. I've had a crush on you since we were teenagers."

He nodded. "I always knew that. But I thought of you as a sister. Or I thought I did."

Mel smiled through her tears. A drop had fallen onto her cheek. "I know you did. I used to have these daydreams where you'd fall to your knees and tell me how blind you'd been all along and you loved me and wanted to spend the rest of your life with me."

Luther squeezed her hand. "I could get on my knees, if you want me to."

Her breath hitched. "That's what I'm trying to say, Luther, and not very well. I love you, really I do, but I'm not
in
love with you."

It's Only Make-Believe

by Shawn Lane

He stared at her for a long time without saying anything, then eventually lowered his gaze. "I'm too late, aren't I?

There's someone else."

"Yes," she whispered. "It kind of snuck up on me. I didn't want it to happen and I even tried to pretend it wasn't, but I know now."

"Who is it?"

"Remember the guy I went to the jazz club with?

Sebastian?"

"That white dude? Really?" Luther frowned. "Are you sure?"

She tugged her hand out of his grasp and wiped away her tear. "Of course, I'm sure."

He nodded. "Well, okay. It's just that I saw him this morning when I was looking for you and I asked him if the two of you were serious. He should have told me you were in love. I would have backed off."

Mel fished in her purse for a tissue. "I haven't told him how I feel yet. We've been getting to know each other, and I just haven't had a chance. When I first brought him to the club, I was trying to make you jealous."

Luther whistled. "So you were trying to make me jealous. I kind of thought that, which is what got me thinking."

"Yeah, that was the plan, but life can be kind of funny sometimes," Mel said as she wiped her eyes.

He snatched her hand back. "Mel, let me give you a piece of advice."

"Okay."

It's Only Make-Believe

by Shawn Lane

"Tell him. If you love this Sebastian, tell him. Don't make him wonder. Don't play any games. Tell him what's in your heart."

* * * *

"Shelly, have you seen Sebastian this afternoon?" Melody asked his secretary. When she first came back from breakfast he hadn't been in his office. Then she'd had meetings and calls and hadn't had a chance to seek him out. Now it was nearly five and he wasn't in his office.

Shelly gave her a sad face. "He left a few hours ago."

"Left? For the day?"

Shelly sighed. "No. He quit."

Melody's heart dropped. "He ... he what?"

Shelly switched off her computer and stood up to collect her purse. "He went into see Mr. Wallace to give his resignation. He said he got a really great offer from an old friend to join a firm in San Diego. Said he'd give his two weeks, but Mr. Wallace said he knew Sebastian would need time to move so it was okay with him if he left right away."

She sniffed. "And he did."

Mel's stomach twisted and gave a sickening lurch. She walked away without a word, already reaching for her cell to call him.

"Mel!" Ming called to her from down the other end of the hall. She rushed at her. "Tell me all about it! Was it everything you wanted it to be? How was he in bed? When's the wedding?"

It's Only Make-Believe

by Shawn Lane

Mel shook her head, placing her hands on her friend's shoulders to stop her excited monologue. "Sorry, Ming. I don't have time to talk. I have to get in touch with Sebastian."

"Oh, yeah, I already told him all about it. What a great thing he did by helping you land Luther."

Mel stared at her. "You ... you what?"

"I told Sebastian about you having breakfast with Luther."

Ming winked. "And what that meant about where you spent last night, of course."

She placed her hand on her stomach and shook her head frantically. "No, no, no. Oh, no." Mel pushed Ming aside and went into her office and closed the door, ignoring Ming's

"Hey" of protest.

Sebastian's cell just went straight to voice mail. Next she dialed his home phone, but it just rang and rang. She'd have to go to his condo and hope he was there.

* * * *

Melody noticed immediately that Sebastian's car was in his personal parking space at the condo complex. Breathing a sigh of relief, she rushed upstairs to number ten, rang the bell, and pounded on the door.

"Sebastian? Open the door, please."

Mel twisted the knob and was surprised to find it turned.

She walked into the condo. Sebastian came down the hallway from his bedroom. She closed the door.

"Why did you leave?" she demanded.

It's Only Make-Believe

by Shawn Lane

Sebastian stared. She saw his Adam's apple when he swallowed.

"Well? Where do you think you're going? What's this about San Diego?"

"I thought it would be for the best. You got what you wanted."

"Oh? I did?" She stepped close to him and jabbed a finger at his chest. "What's that?"

"Luther. He wants to be with you. The plan worked."

Mel reached for his hands and threaded her fingers through his. "Is that what you think? You're wrong. It backfired."

"Luther doesn't want you?" Sebastian frowned.

"No. I don't want Luther. I want you. Sebastian, I love
you
."

"But..."

"But nothing. I love you, Sebastian. I can't believe with what we've been sharing lately, you wouldn't know that. Kiss me."

Sebastian looked uncertain, but pulled her close and leaned down to meld his mouth with hers.

"Doesn't that tell you how I feel?" Mel asked, stroking his jaw.

He smiled, just a little. "I love you, Mel. I do. I don't think your family is going to like us together."

"Maybe not. But they'll get used to it. To us. They want me to be happy. And I want you." She hugged him. "Don't scare me like that. If you need to talk to me, if you have any doubts, talk to me. Okay?"

It's Only Make-Believe

by Shawn Lane

"Okay. I guess I need to get my job back."

She laughed. "Yes, you will."

He kissed her again, even more urgently. Heat pooled between her legs. He leaned his forehead against hers. "The truth is, you're the woman I've wanted, Mel. Not some made up waitress. It's always been you. It was never make-believe for me."

And that deserved another kiss, a thorough, curl-your-toes kiss.

When they came up for air, Mel asked, "Do you think before you talk to Wallace about getting your job back we could spend some time making up?"

Sebastian gave her a saucy wink. "Most definitely."

[Back to Table of Contents]

It's Only Make-Believe

by Shawn Lane

Shawn Lane

Shawn Lane believes love and passion know no boundaries. Shawn writes both erotic love stories involving men in historical or contemporary settings and interracial romances between men and women. Shawn is always looking for new stories and new characters to create while holding down life in California.

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It's Only Make-Believe

by Shawn Lane

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It's Only Make-Believe

by Shawn Lane

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[Back to Table of Contents]

It's Only Make-Believe

by Shawn Lane

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