2. Melissa

Chapter two

Melissa

I fought every urge in my body not to look back. As much as I hate how he's treated me, I still carry a torch for him. A flame that burns so brightly, even his cruel words could not extinguish it. But my heart is fractured, and I promised myself after this last rejection, I would never open it back up to him again. Eventually, I hope my feelings for Earl Bowman will fade and slowly I can open back up for another.

Jax has tried to worm his way in, and like any warm-blooded woman, I have succumbed at times, eagerly accepting his touches, the compliments, and his panty-melting smile. But I've not let him in, not fully anyway. Can I give my heart to another while it still pines for Earl?

Stepping into the kitchen, I head straight for my office, slamming the door shut behind me as I make my way to my desk, dropping in my captain's chair. The tears I fought so hard to hold back, flow freely over my cheeks.

A knock at the door pulls my attention. "Yes," I call out, not remembering if I locked it or not. When it opens, I realize I didn't and could literally kick myself in the ass.

"Mels, are you okay?" Jax stands there, face covered in concern.

He's a handsome man, one any woman would be attracted to. He's about five foot eleven with an ass you could crack a walnut on. His hair is a dark brown with salt and pepper strands mixed throughout. He keeps his beard well-groomed, and from the few peeks I've got underneath his shirt, I know he has tattoos. He's not the typical chef you'd see in a Michelin five-star restaurant—but Melbre's isn't that and he fits right in.

"Yeah," I sniffle back.

He steps inside, shutting the door behind him. It only takes him a few steps to make his way over to me, picking me up in his arms like I weigh nothing. He sits down with me in his lap, straddling him.

I know this isn't professional, or the typical boss-employee behavior, but I don't care.

"Was it that guy you were talking to? Did he upset you? I'll fucking kill him," he growls possessively, and my pussy clenches.

"Yes, but no," I answer, confused by what I'm feeling.

"Well, which one is it, Mels? Am I going out there, fucking him up, or staying here and comforting you?"

"Yes, he upset me, but not like what you're thinking. Promise me, Jax, you won't say anything to him. He's dangerous," I plead, because I know if Earl feels he's a threat, Jax will disappear and never be found.

Jax laughs loudly, shaking us both, causing my body to rub against his. Holy fuck, is that his dick? It's fucking huge. My mind immediately sinks to the gutter and l my panties become damp. I pray to hell when I stand there won't be a wet spot on his lap. "I know exactly who he is, Mels. I ain't afraid of him or anyone else, for that matter. But if he ever makes you cry like this again, I'm going to fuck him up. Now tell me what happened."

The tips of his fingers stroke up and down my arm and goosebumps erupt under his touch. "We've known each other for a long time. Once I thought he was interested, but it never went anywhere."

"Why, is he fucking blind or dumb?" My eyes shoot to Jax, wondering if he's for real.

"Well, he met someone else. That ended badly, and he didn't know why at the time, only finding out within the last year what really happened. Anyway, we remained friends and then I thought we were getting close again, until he found out I knew his daughter was here, and in danger. He didn't even know she existed. She was abducted, and he blew up, blamed me for it. He apologized and wants me to help with a program he's thinking of setting up for his daughter."

He just looks at me, taking in every inch, like he's deciphering a puzzle and committing the pieces to memory.

"So what I'm hearing is Earl is a stupid fuck, and this is my lucky day." Before I even know what's happening, he takes hold of my chin and tilts my face upward, crashing his lips down on mine.

Goosebumps break out across my body as electricity shoots through it. My pussy throbs from the desire coursing within me. He deepens the kiss, teasing his tongue along the seam of my lips until I open willingly for him. It interlocks with mine in a dance I could only compare to a seductive tango. My hips begin to rock back and forth and I feel his erection growing, pushing against my body in the most delightful of ways. I can't help but wonder how it would feel for my pussy to slide down his shaft, filling me completely.

A knock at the door has us pulling apart—both of us gasping for air. Standing up quickly, I stumble and nearly fall face first onto the floor.

"Shit, Jax, I'm sorry, that shouldn't have happened," I rush out as I straighten my clothes. A knock on the door sounds again. "One second," I call out to whoever is on the other side.

Jax stands, stepping into my space and taking hold of my shoulders. "Listen here, Mels, I'm glad it happened. I've wanted to do that since the very first day you interviewed me. I'll back up and take it slow, but just know I have all intentions of making you mine." With that, he kisses me on my forehead before stepping around me and walking to the door.

He looks over his shoulder, giving me a wink before opening it up to a very wide-eyed AJ. "Hey there, pipsqueak. She's all yours, for now anyway." AJ steps to the side, allowing him space to leave before looking over at me.

"What can I help you with, AJ?" I move back behind the desk, stopping for a moment to look at my chair. I'll never sit in it again and not think about what just happened. God, I'm horny. I need to find some random stranger and fuck my aggression out on him.

"Oh, I just wanted to apologize. I didn't realize things were tense between the two of you. Please don't be upset with me." She looks as if she's on the verge of tears. I know she has an interest in staying longer, but I haven't officially sat down with her to ask how long she wants to continue working here.

"Sit down AJ." I can't help but laugh a little as she looks hesitantly at the chair in front of my desk.

"It's clean, nothing happened there," I rush out, not wanting to elaborate anymore. I feel like a horny teenager who got caught by her mom in bed with her boyfriend.

She takes her time sitting down on the very edge of the chair, placing her hands in her lap as she fidgets with her nails. "Umm, I didn't mean to interrupt. If I had known you were, umm… busy, I would have waited."

"AJ, stop apologizing. You are fine and didn't interrupt anything. I actually have been meaning to sit down with you and discuss your plans. I know you had mentioned wanting to stay, and originally you were only here for the holiday break, but we're almost in the middle of February now, so I'm curious. What are your plans?"

I've grown to love her and truly hope she stays. She's a hard worker, just like Ashlynn.

"I've talked with my sister Cassie and while she would love for me to go back to college and finish, she would also love for me to stay. Before I came here for Christmas, I had some stuff happen and I'm just really not ready to go back to that. Cassie and I contacted the school, and I was able to transfer all my courses to online. So, if you're okay with it, I'd love to continue working here." She furrows her brows and I know she's afraid of what I'm going to say next.

"I'd love to keep you. Do you know your school schedule, so we can know when you can and can't work?"

"No, not yet. I'm starting the second spring term so I've got some time. Thank you so much, Melissa. I love this job so much and getting to spend time with my sister and my niece Grace." AJ lifts her hand, wiping the tear that slides down her cheek. We're both turning into messes today.

"Okay. Now, get back out there. It's going to be rush time soon."

"Yes, ma'am." She stands and heads to the door, opening it. But before she steps out, I call out to her.

"Is Earl still out there?"

"He was when I came back here. I can tell you when he leaves."

"Thank you, do that, please."

"I will and again I'm sorry if I interrupted." Her face blushes and I can't help but smile. She has such an innocence to her, but sometimes I wonder. Something happened to her in the past—something I hope she'll share with me one day.

Knowing the rush will be here soon, and not wanting to go to the front since Earl is still out there, I decide to get a head start on paperwork. Payroll, to be more exact, since payday is in just a few days. I also need to start thinking about schedules; while I'm glad she's staying, I may need to look for a part-time person to cover when she has classes.

I'm so caught up in what I'm doing, I almost don't hear the soft knocking on the door. The door opens slowly, the creaking pulling my attention even more. "Ms. Melissa, he's gone," AJ's soft voice calls out.

"Thank you. I'll be out to help you in a few minutes."

"No rush, it's not that bad out there and I've got everyone taken care of. I hope you don't mind. Jake came in and cleared the tables for me."

"No, sweetheart, that's fine. He's a good one. Don't let him get away."

"I don't plan to." She giggles as she shuts the door.