Pulled (7 page)

That’s why I wanted Daniel to have this part of
me. I knew he loved me, and he’d wait for me no matter
how long that was. It wasn’t like we hadn’t talked about it
and planned for this day, but it didn’t stop the butterflies.

We’d committed our lives to each other; now it was time to
commit our bodies.

I smiled softly at him, took his hand, and folded it
into my lap.

“No, I’m ready, just nervous.”

He nodded, and pulled out onto the road, driving
toward his house.

When we arrived, he parked in the driveway and
came around to help me out.

I couldn’t help but notice how his hand trembled
against mine. He was just as nervous as I was. This would
be his first time, too.

As soon as we walked through the door, he
pulled me into his arms. We just stood there wrapped up
in each other, neither of us saying anything. We didn’t
need to.

He kissed me again and then led me into the
den. A fire crackled in the fireplace, warming the chilly
April air. Candles glowed around the room, and blankets
and pillows were spread out in front of the fireplace.

“Come here. I have something for you.”
He led me to the nest of blankets and sat me
down. I took off my shoes and threw them to the side,
crossing my legs under me.

Daniel knelt in front of me, handing me a small
box. “Happy birthday.”

I unwrapped the gift, putting the paper aside and
opening the lid to the black velvet box.

“Daniel,” I whispered. “How, how?” I couldn’t even
get the question out. Emotions swirled, leaving me without
words.

I had seen the necklace in an antique store on
our first date, a flat gold pendant with delicate artwork
etched on the front of it, but so worn, it was impossible to
tell what it was supposed to be. I had fallen in love with it. It
was at least a hundred years old, and I had felt its history
the second I’d run my fingers over it. I hadn’t said a word,
simply admired it with a smile and moved on.

“Do you like it? I saw your face when you first saw
it in the store, and I wanted you to have it. I know it’s old,
and I hope I didn’t ruin it, but I wanted it to have a part of us
as well.”

He pulled the pendant from the box and flipped it
over revealing the cursive “D & M” engraved on the back.

“I love it.” I pulled him to me, trying to show him
in my kiss just how much it meant to me that he knew me
so well. I had never received a better gift. “And I love you,”
I whispered against his mouth.

“Baby, I wish I could tell you how much I love
you, how much you mean to me.” He nuzzled my cheek
and continued down my neck, setting a fire across my
skin, churning coals that burst into flames deep within my
soul.

“Show me.”

Tears wel ed up and spil ed over, running down my face unchecked. My chest constricted as an intense

mixture of love and pain broke through the wal s I had so careful y put into place. I heard a strangled sob and realized it was coming from me.

I felt a soft hand on my arm.

“Mel, what’s wrong?” Katie’s voice was fil ed with concern as she took in the look on my face.

I couldn’t speak, my breathing rapid and strained, but I managed to get out, “Daniel.”

She looked down at my clenched hand. Reaching out, she pried my fingers loose, searching for what was within.

She studied the pendant for a moment and then ran her finger over the faded D & M. A smal , knowing smile formed on her lips, and she walked it straight to the register.

I stood under the hot stream of water feeling dazed. I stil couldn’t believe it had come back to me. My hand went to the chain around my neck. I could almost feel the energy radiating from it

I breathed deeply, al owing that energy to comfort me.

When I’d come back from Colorado that last time, I’d tried to rid myself of every memory of the life I could no longer have. I’d packed everything he’d ever given me in a box and dumped it at Goodwil , leaving it there as if it would somehow make me forget.

The next morning I’d panicked, knowing I never
wanted
to forget. Those were the only memories that would ever mean anything to me. I needed them to survive. I’d gone to get it al back, but it was too late. The one thing I wanted most was gone.

Yet, fate had brought it back to me, confirming what my heart had told me al along. Daniel loved me. That knowledge alone gave me the first true joy I had felt in years.

I finished my shower, surprised to feel refreshed. I always felt tired and worn, but there was something that I didn’t quite understand bubbling under the surface of my consciousness.

The door slammed downstairs, and al the comfort I’d felt evaporated, leaving me with anxiety building in the pit of my stomach. I replaced the towel I was using with a robe, having no desire for Nicholas to see me so exposed.

His feet pounded against the stairs.

“I’m late.” He sounded frustrated as he kicked off his shoes, stripped, and stepped into the shower. I was surprised he hadn’t been home earlier, but it was a pleasant surprise. At least I’d had the time in the shower to be alone in my thoughts. Now it was time to put on my mask and play my part. Nights like these were the whole reason I was here.

“I picked up your suit from the cleaners earlier. It’s hanging in the closet.”

He nodded as he shut the shower door behind him.

I went to my dressing table to apply a little bit of makeup for the evening.

Nicholas was in and out of the shower, grabbing a towel from under the counter.

“This night has to be perfect, Melanie.” He looked at me with a warning in his eyes.

I didn’t know why he thought he had to instruct me about how to act. I’d never let him down before. I was there to make him look good, and that’s what I did.

“Of course, Nicholas,” I simply agreed with him, saying as little as possible.

After finishing my hair, I stepped into the huge walk-in closet attached to the bathroom to get my dress.

Nicholas was already there, putting on his suit.

I rushed as I dropped the robe from my body, hoping to get dressed before he noticed. Of course, I failed.

Nicholas groaned from behind me. I hurried to pul my underwear on, trying to ignore him.

“Turn around, let me see you,” he demanded.

Shit. I hated this.

Slowly, I turned, my underwear my only source of cover. I kept my head down, refusing to make eye contact with him.

“You’re almost perfect,
Melanie
,” he sneered at me, hate dripping from his words. I wondered if he despised me as much as I did him. He looked me up and down, reaching out to run his fingers from my neck, down my chest, and to my bel ybutton, where he jerked his hand away. “You need to see a plastic surgeon. I’m tired of looking at those scars.” He turned away from me to finish dressing, his use for me over for the moment.

I began to shake, heat flaring in my veins. I ran my fingers along the scarred flesh, remembering how I’d felt that day.

I’d
never
let Nicholas steal that from me.

“Never.” The word was low, but clear and

unwavering.

He wasn’t facing me, but I could see the muscles tense in his back as he paused for the briefest moment.

It was the first time I’d ever told him no. Something was shifting within me. I was tired, tired of living a lie.

I wasn’t quite sure what this meant, but I knew I was finished letting Nicholas run my life. I’d known al this time that it was a mistake to come here with him, but I always just accepted it as my fate. Somewhere deep within me, something was beginning to fight that.

I didn’t know how, and I didn’t know why, but what I did know was a change was coming.

Final y, it was Thursday.

I couldn’t wait to get this building project finalized.

It had been wearing on me for so many months, and the thought of not having to think about it on a daily basis sounded like heaven.

The downside of it being Thursday would be dealing with Vanessa. That girl had control of my whole day, and the thought of sitting next to that bitch through two meals made my skin crawl.

“Wel , that’s what you get.” I was punishing myself.

I broke the rules, and now I had to pay.

Maybe if this caused me enough grief, it would embed itself in my mind, ensuring I would never make that mistake again. Just the thought of talking to her made me ready to swear off women for the next century. It was just not worth it.

“Good morning, Lisa,” I said as I entered the lobby.

“Good morning, Dr. Montgomery.” She looked up from her computer with a warm smile.

I spent the morning finishing the last of the paperwork that had to be turned into the bank while I tried desperately not to think of the meeting with Vanessa. I could only imagine the ways she would try to manipulate me, and al kinds of scenarios started to play out in my head as the clock neared noon.

I tried to concentrate on the sound of my breathing as I finished the last form and faxed it over to the lender.

Quarter to twelve—judgment time.

I took a steeling breath before I grabbed my coat and briefcase.

“Hey, Lisa, I’m leaving for my lunch meeting. I’l be back in a couple of hours. You can cal my cel if you need me.”

“Sure, Dr. Montgomery.”

The drive to Tavalindo’s was short, and I had a couple of minutes to sit in my car and gather my wits. This was going to be unpleasant no matter what, so I just needed to get it over with.

I got out of the car, walked across the parking lot, and entered the restaurant foyer. I’d eaten here a couple of times, and it was good food, but there was no way I would be able to eat with my stomach twisted in knots.

“Such a pussy, Daniel,” I muttered under my breath. This was ridiculous. She was just a girl. If I didn’t like what she proposed, I would just tel her no. Simple as that. I didn’t have to al ow her to control me. Just because I was in unfamiliar territory didn’t mean I had to come out the loser.

Those thoughts gave me some courage as I

scanned the restaurant. I spotted Vanessa sitting near a back window.

She real y was a beautiful woman. Her strawberry blonde hair and smattering of freckles across her face gave her a look that hinted at innocence, but the fire roaring behind her icy blue eyes and the way she held her impeccable body told you she was anything but. Yet she did nothing for me. Nobody ever did.

She gave me a nod from across the room, letting me know she’d seen me, and I strode across the floor to her.

“Vanessa.” I dipped a curt nod, deciding to go al business.

“Hel o, Daniel.” She leaned up from her chair, as if she expected some sort of embrace. I extended her my hand. She narrowed her eyes before returning the formal shake and then sat back down. She sipped her water and studied me.

I didn’t want to be a complete dick to her. I stil had to sit with her through dinner, but I didn’t want her to have the upper hand in this conversation.

“So, how’s everything going with the new

practice?” she asked casual y.

Nice way to start the conversation, Vanessa. She might as wel have asked me to whip out my checkbook.

I struggled to sound normal. “Everything is going pretty wel . That’s actual y what the dinner is about tonight.

It’s a meeting with the contractors I want to hire for the project.”