Chapter 21: Chapter 21

MELODY

My eyes stung, and my throat burned with unshed tears of frustration.

I wanted to forget that night. I wanted to forget everything, every detail, every feeling, but I remembered it like it had happened yesterday.

He was not mine and never would be. I was crying for a thing that had never been mine. He had asked me to trust him. God knew how much I wanted to trust him, but I couldn’t.

I was responsible for Lisa’s first heartbreak. I still felt guilty for that. She’d broken up with him, but she’d never said a word to me; she’d never blamed me. She loved me and I loved her.

I didn’t want to hurt her again. If I had to forget Xavier for Lisa, I would. At least I would try to forget.

“I will say this for the first and last time. I don’t want to talk about him, and I don’t want to talk about that night.

“I want to forget that night and him”—I looked directly into his eyes—“like it never happened,” I said with tears streaming down my face. I couldn’t stop them now.

I ran to my room, and locking the door behind me, I walked into the bathroom. I leaned over the sink for a second and splashed cold water on my face as a hot tear rolled down my cheek.

***

I was still wide awake, trying to finish the book I’d started, but I couldn’t concentrate.

~KNOCK KNOCK~

~

~KNOCK KNOCK~

~

I sighed and went over to answer. I unlocked the door and opened it.

“Xavi—”

He pulled me into him and sealed his mouth over mine. I resisted as long as I could; then I melted at the feel of his tongue stroking slowly and sweetly over mine…

“I’m sorry, baby. I’m really sorry,” he whispered over my lips. His tongue did that slow, savoring licking that made me long to feel him. My hands went to his hair, sliding through it, tugging.

When he wrapped his arms around me, he growled, deepening the kiss. He laced his fingers through my hair and gave it a small, possessive tug.

“I love you.” The words fell out of my mouth without conscious thought.

The kiss came hotter and faster than before. Our lips moved quickly, and a hunger grew between us that couldn’t seem to be quenched.

I moaned inside his mouth. This only made him kiss me harder, his tongue reaching so deeply.

“I love you too, baby,” he whispered hoarsely, breaking the kiss, and he leaned his head against mine.

I pushed him away gently, breaking all the connection between us.

“I mean it, Xavier, what I said downstairs. I want to forget everything. Including you.”

He shoved a hand through my hair, jerking my face up so I could meet his eyes. He exhaled harshly. “You don’t mean that.”

“I mean each and every word. You and me… It was a mistake.”

His jaw tightened. “It wasn’t. It was the best damn thing that ever happened in my life. You are the best thing that ever happened to me.”

He gazed down at me, his eyes softer and warmer than I had ever seen them before. He lifted his hand and brushed his knuckles up and down my cheek. I closed my eyes and relished the sweet touch.

“I can’t, Xavier. I already told you if she has feelings for you, we can never be together. You will forget me, and I will forget you,” I whispered over the giant lump forming in my throat.

He grabbed my arm with his hand roughly. “Tell me honestly, will you be able to forget me? Because I can’t, not until my last breath.”

I jerked his hand away and stepped back.

“I will at least try,” I said, meeting his eyes so he could see how serious I was.

“It’s not fair to me; it’s not fair to us,” he snapped.

I stared at him, startled by the fierceness of his denial.

“I have made some mistakes in my past, Xavier. I don’t want to repeat that. I don’t want to hurt her again. Please try to understand me,” I said, a tiny guilt in my voice.

“What mistake?” He looked alarmed.

“I don’t want to talk about it now.” I looked away.

“If you don’t want to tell me, I won’t force you.” He came closer, and lowering his head, Xavier pressed his lips into the crook of my neck.

“Three days, baby. You have given me three days to prove that I only want you and I only love you.” His tongue traced the wildly throbbing vein in my throat.

“And you will do as I say,” he growled against my ear, nipping my lobe with his teeth.

“I’m not sleeping with you,” I said breathlessly.

He chuckled. “We will see.” He gave me another long and passionate kiss, rubbing his erection against my core. I whimpered with need. He backed away swiftly, leaving me needy for him.

I glared at him, and he let out another chuckle and walked back to Lisa’s room. I didn’t want to think about what he would do with Lisa in her room. I shook my head to clear my thoughts.

I took my clothes off and tucked myself under the covers. I only wished he were here with me.