Phone down, he’s out of his chair and crossing the room to me at once. Just before he reaches me, he stops, hesitating. We’re so close, his delicious scent teases my nose, his warmth hints at my skin.
“You never disturb me.” The low ripple of his voice squeezes my heart, and I’m so light I’m either going to lift off the ground or faint. “I was just texting you... What are you doing here?”
He’s holding back. I see his palm twitch, and I can tell he’s trying to decide if it’s okay to touch me.
“I needed to see you. I needed to tell you I was wrong. I’m sorry. I want you to please come home.”
With every word, his brow relaxes more, the shine of love grows stronger in his eyes. I’ve barely said the word home when I’m swept up in his embrace. The strong arms I’ve been craving for weeks hold me tight, secure, and exactly where I’m supposed to be.
“Melissa,” he breathes, kissing my temple, my cheek, until at last our lips crash together, tongues find each other and desire tickles low in my stomach.
A little noise, somewhere between a laugh and a moan slips out, and I’m grasping his shoulders, his hair, his face, trying to pull him to me as hard as I can. I want our bodies touching. I want every cell melting together. I want to be so wrapped up in him, we’re like he said, it’s impossible to know where I begin and you end.
“You’re back,” he breathes, kissing me again and again.
“I didn’t hold out very long.” I’m in heaven as his soft lips, that lovely, scratchy beard trace a line into my hair, behind my ear, until he stops and takes a long, deep inhale.
“It felt like a lifetime.” Chills skate across my body. “I want to take you home and make love to you.”
“Let’s go.” I grip his arms smiling. “Or here is good...”
My back is against the wall of his office, and he kisses me roughly. Heat floods between my thighs, and the only thing left is for our bodies to be reunited. I ache for it.
He pulls away, and our eyes meet. His are so full of love, but there’s something else, something breaking. As we hold each other, his expression looks like he’s being torn apart, and I’m instantly afraid.
“Derek, what’s wrong?”
“Like I said, I was sending you a text to tell you...” His arms surround me, pulling me tight against him. His head is against my shoulder, and he only holds me. “Oh, god, Melissa.”
I grasp his broad shoulders, trying to move him back so I can see his face. “Baby, what is it?”
“Just let me hold you. I need to hold you right now.” His voice is muffled, and I swallow the knot in my throat. His lips move to my jaw as I hear noises from outside the office. They’re loud and pushy, almost as if a team of individuals is forcing their way inside.
“What’s this about?” Stuart’s voice is stern.
“Derek Alexander?” A male snaps back.
I feel him tense in my arms. His head lifts, and he looks deep into my eyes. “Listen to me. I love you so much. You’re my home and my family. You’re all that’s ever mattered to me—”
The office door slams open, and men in dark blue uniforms surround us. Stuart’s voice follows them, demanding answers. Derek’s arms are ripped from my body and pulled behind his back, but his eyes never leave mine. One of the men begins to speak.
“Derek Alexander, you are under arrest for the first-degree murder of Sloan Reynolds. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say or do can and will be used against you in a court of law—”
“NO!” I scream, grabbing his arm. “Stop it! STOP!”
“Miss, I need you to step back.” A sharp voice orders me. “You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed to you.”
Tears blind me. “Leave him ALONE!” I shout, and my hands shake as my fingers fumble to the cold metal on his wrists.
“Melissa,” Derek’s voice is in my ear, his face at my temple. “I have to go.”
Pulling back, I find his eyes. Heartbreak is in them, and tears spill onto my cheeks. “I can’t...” My voice trembles and breaks. “I can’t let this happen...”
“Stay with Stuart.”
Stuart is behind me holding my shoulders as the officer finishes. “Do you understand these rights as they have been read to you?”
“Yes,” Derek answers, and my knees give out.