13. Melissa

Chapter thirteen

Melissa

" W here the fuck have you been?" Clayton sits in the chair, eyes lasered in on me as he drinks scotch straight from the bottle.

"I went and dropped off clothes at the dry cleaners." It's not a complete lie. I just made a pit stop by the orphanage. I didn't go in. I never do. It just makes me feel closer to him. He could be in there, but I'm hoping he's not. My wish is that he's far away from here, out of Clayton's grasp, so he'll never find him.

"Come here!" he orders, and my heart races. His face still looks like the boy I fell in love with, but he's not. I learned a long time ago it was just a mask and a part he played well. All he needed was to get me out of my home and away from my father to begin tearing me down.

I hesitate, but it only infuriates him more. He stands from his chair and heads towards me, his hands fisted at his side, and I immediately turn in on myself. I know what's coming, and if I try to run or fight, it will only be worse.

"Who were you fucking?" he growls just before a sharp, intense pain spreads across my face. Buzzing erupts in my ears as my head is thrust backward, throwing off my balance. I'm unable to catch myself, and fall to the floor.

I flinch as I feel the swoosh of air above me, already knowing he's coming in for another strike. "I asked a fucking question, Melissa. Is this why we lost our baby, my son, because you're too busy whoring your body out?"

I'm so disoriented I can't even formulate a response. It's not like he'd listen, anyway. It's his way or the highway and there's nowhere for me to go. I tried to run once, but it didn't end well and my parents paid the price. Something that he took great pleasure in telling me, detail by detail. He loves to point out how easily he can take everything away from me.

"I wasn't with anyone. I went to the cleaners, Clayton." I plead with him, but it's falling on deaf ears. A moment later, another punch hits my head as searing pain ricochets through it.

"You're a fucking cunt, and I don't believe a word out of your damn mouth. All you're good for is fucking so you can bear me a son and not a worthless daughter like you." He weaves his hand through my hair, gripping it tightly in his fist as he jerks my body up from the floor and drags me down the hallway toward the bedroom. I'm tripping over my feet, barely able to keep up with him as I grip my head, trying to alleviate some of the pain.

He steps into the bedroom, tossing me on the bed. My mind still hasn't caught up with what's happening. If it had, I'd be doing everything within my power to slip past him and run out of this house, never looking back. Sure, I would probably fail, but god dammit I would try.

He snatches my arm so hard I fear he's dislocated it as he flips me over and pushes up my dress, ripping my panties off. I can hear the clinking of his belt right before I hear the distinct sound of his zipper being undone and each tooth disengaging, knowing what he's about to do.

"It's time to put another baby in you," his gruff voice announces as I feel the flesh of his mushroom head against my opening before he thrusts inside of me without any prepping. I cry out in pain, but if he were to discover I have an IUD implanted to prevent an unwanted pregnancy with him, the abuse would be worse. "That's right cunt, take my cock."

I shut my brain down, receding to the deepest recesses of my mind, blocking out what's happening. It's the only way I can survive another day.

"Mel, open up. I know you're in there." Earl's deep voice drifts inside the house from the other side of the door just before the pounding starts again.

Letting out a sigh, I stand from the couch, trying to shake off the memory I was just lost in. I take hold of the handle, breathing deeply before opening the door, coming face to face with the man I've loved since moving to this town. The one who tossed me to the side not once, but twice, and now that another has his eye on me, he wants to worm his way back into my life.

"What do you want, Earl? I don't feel like dealing with you tonight." He places his hand on the door, opening it wider so that he can step past me into my home.

"We need to talk, Mel, about what's goin' on and something you should know." He reaches out, taking my hand in his, and guides me over to the couch so that we can sit, our bodies angling so we can face each other. My knee brushes against his and shivers rush down my spine. As much as I want to fight it, my feelings for Earl run deep.

"There's nothing to say. You made it very clear, even after Ashlynn was found, you wanted nothing to do with me. So why do you care about anything related to me now?"

"Is it not obvious? I fuckin' love you. I was upset and spoke out of anger and it took me a while to realize I'm a fuckin' idiot." He gives me a lopsided grin and shit if it doesn't melt the ice barrier I've placed around my heart where it comes to him.

"Earl—"

"Just give me a chance, let me prove myself to you. Let me in and tell me what's goin' on. No matter what, I'm here for you. You're it, Mel. I know it, but it's time you realize it."

Before I can respond, he leans in, pressing his lips to mine, kissing me deeply. Bold scents of charred wood are on his breath as I taste the lingering undertones of spice and caramel on his lips. It's intoxicating, adding to the sensual desire of the kiss.

His hand slips through my hair, pulling me closer as I turn to putty underneath his touch. I moan and his mouth captures it as I part my lips, allowing his tongue to enter. This is what I've always wanted, Earl and me, but why am I also thinking of Jax? I know Earl said he would share, that I could have a relationship like Ashlynn and Arizona do, but when it comes down to it, can he?

Reality crashes in as it fully dawns on me what I'm doing. I've got bigger things to worry about at the moment, namely Clayton, and the fact my son is contacting me. I can't let him reach out to Clayton. I spared him from the life his father had planned for him years ago, I've given up too much to let it happen now.

I place my hands on his chest and push away, already hating the absence of his lips on mine. "We can't do this," I remind him. There's no way I can give myself to him now, knowing that I may have to pack up the amazing life I've built here and run again.

"That's where you're wrong. We can and we are. I told you I didn't care about the fry cook. If you want him, then I can share. All I want is you in my life, by my side as my ol' lady. Together, united, we can face anything that comes across our path, includin' whatever has you so scared and whoever was on the phone." He lifts his hand to the side of my face, his fingers gingerly tracing along my skin, before wiping the tear I didn't know had escaped.

I want to pour my heart out to him, but I can't; something is stopping me. The fear of my heart breaking even more after finally having everything I've wanted, just to have to leave it in the dust as I flee in the night, stops me.

"You're overthinkin' it, babe. Just accept you're mine and tell me what has you in a panic so I can take care of it. Who was on the phone?"

I look up at him, my vision slightly blurred not only by the tears welling up, but the hair that's fallen haphazardly on my face. I want to spill my guts, to believe everything he's saying, but if Clayton and his family want me, they'll find a way, no matter what. The Hellions were able to save me once, but now I have to be able to protect my son. He deserves that, at least.

I sigh deeply, my chest rising and falling with the breath. If I'm leaving, I want this chance with Earl. To know what it's like to be loved by him so that memory can get me through going back and facing Clayton's wrath.

"I'll tell you everything, but I want one thing in return." My voice trembles and my heart races. This is it; he's going to say yes or reject me for the final time.

"I'd do anything for you, Mel. You know that." His hand tenderly cups my head, and I lean into his warmth.

"I want you," I say the three words I've been longing to tell him.

"You have me, baby."

"No." I look at him more intently, then reach down, take hold of my shirt, and pull it over my head. "I want you. Then I'll tell you what you want to know."

"Are you sure? You're upset, and as much as I would love to bury my cock deep inside of you, I don't want you to regret the decision."

I can't answer, so I nod.

Earl stands, taking my hands in his, pulling me up.

"What are you doing?" I ask, my eyes wide in confusion. I'm offering myself to him on a silver platter, but is he turning me down yet again?

"My first time with you won't be a quick fuck on the couch. I want you laid out so I can feast on you, tastin' every drop of the woman I've been jerkin' off to for more than twenty years." With those words he scoops me up, carrying me bridal style to my bedroom.