In one way or another, he was touching me—it was either his hand in mine or his fingertips grazing my lower back, and I felt that zing even through the bathing suit cover-up I was wearing. A part of me is feeling horrible that I had such a great day when my dad isn’t here to be with me or hear about it. This is the part that fucking sucks, and there is nothing I can do that will help numb the pain. Maybe that’s why I’m knocking back more drinks than I usually would. If I were to get out my guitar and sing, it would surely wake up Fox, and I can’t do that two nights in a row. He showed me a piece of his past today. The dark circles under his eyes even though his smile was shining brightly told me what my singing did to him last night, and I won’t do that again.
I guzzle my drink down, emptying the highball glass, mix another, and continue pacing the floors.
“This sucks. I shouldn’t go over there. I definitely should not go over to Fox’s. So, what if he said he’d keep the door unlocked and to wake him up if I needed a friend. I should not and will not go over there,” I say to the quiet house. The television is playing softly in the background, and after a few more rounds around the house and one last gulp of my drink, I decide ‘fuck it’. I don’t even bother changing from my pajama set before I take the path to Fox’s place, our places being only a few footsteps away, barefoot, attempting to creep through the night. There’s no way a former Navy Seal will sleep through me traipsing around.
I no sooner closed my door than I’m opening his door. “Fox,” I whisper-hiss. He must be asleep. I look around the living room and see there’s no sign of him around. The only light that’s on is the one above the oven, and it’s currently lighting my path. Fox’s beach house is very different from mine. He has more of an open concept that faces the beach, a hallway that leads to the bedrooms, which is where I’m heading.
“I bet I’d sleep great with Fox,” I mumble, looking in at what turns out to be a bathroom, closing the door as quietly as I can before going to the next, finding them empty. I’m beginning to think I’ll never find him.
“Christ, Mel, is that you?” Fox sits up in bed as I’m leaning against the open doorway.
“Maybe, maybe not.” I hiccup while saying this.
“You drunk?”
“Possibly.” I stumble closer to him before climbing on top of him, wanting his arms wrapped around me.
“Must have been one hell of a party without me. Come on, wild thing, let’s get some sleep.” Fox somehow maneuvers me, settling me in bed with him.
“Vodka was involved, but at least I left the guitar in its case. You smell really good.” My body wiggles closer to him, Fox’s arm moving beneath my head, so I can settle into the crook of his neck.
“Christ, sunshine. You’re not okay. Next time you need to turn to alcohol, don’t. Come to me. We’ll get you through this.”
“I’m sorry, Fox,” I murmur, my lips kissing the collar of his neck, my legs wrapping around the one closest to me.
“Those are two words I don’t want to ever hear leave your lips, Mel.” Those are the last words I hear before passing out, feeling warm, safe, and the most comfortable I have since my father passed away.
11
Fox
This woman, Christ, she wears her heart on her sleeve. Isn’t afraid to shed tears for someone she loves and comes to me for a place to fall apart. And I’ll take everything she’s willing to give me. Even if she’s wrapped around me, clinging to me like her life depends on it, and my cock is rock hard.
Last night was definitely a sleepless night, especially when she rolled over, taking me with her. Melanie’s tight ass backing into my cock. And that’s what made it a sleepless night, well, that and her coming to me drunk. That doesn’t make me happy at all. I know she’s grieving, but something is going to have to happen.
Melanie has been squirming for a few minutes now, and though I have a lot of shit to do at the surf shop today, there’s no freaking way I’d ever leave her in my bed and alone.
“I don’t think I’m in my bed.” Those are the first words she says. I lean up on my elbow, moving her hair off her face, trying not to laugh my ass off.
“No, sunshine, you most certainly aren’t.” She rolls onto her back. I’m practically hovering over her, wanting more than ever to be between her thighs, feeling her silky skin against my own.