A sharp ding cut through the silence. My phone vibrated against the kitchen counter where I’d left it. I walked over and picked it up.
I went to the hotel to have a chat with your dad. I’ll call you when I’m done. He said he could get me a room here too, to give you all back your space. I told him that’s fine.
I stared at the message, something cold settling in my stomach.
Okay. You’re always welcome to stay here. But I understand. Please be careful. And don’t forget to call me.
I set my phone down with a sigh, the weight in my chest pressing heavier.
“Who was that?” Nick asked gently.
I kept my gaze on the counter. “My mom. She went with Richard back to his hotel to talk.”
Loco nudged my leg with his paw, his little way of reminding me he was there. I scooped him into my arms, holding him tight against my chest. Nick stepped closer, his presence grounding me. “Are you hungry? Have you checked your blood sugar?”
I sighed, still holding Loco like a lifeline. “No, I’m not.”
“Mel,” he said, voice laced with concern. “Please, let me make you something. I think we both need a distraction, and I’d feel a hell of a lot better if you checked your blood sugar.”
I rolled my eyes, setting Loco back down. “I’m fine.”
As I turned to walk past him, he caught my arm. “Mel.”
There was something in his voice that made me stop. Something warm. Steady. He didn’t say anything else—just pulled me into him, his arms wrapping around me.
And just like that, the fight drained out of me.
I squeezed my eyes shut, pressing my face into his chest. “I hate this,” I whispered. “I hate feeling like I’m not enough for her.”
Nick’s grip tightened. “You are enough. She just doesn’t see it. But I do.”
His words hit me like a punch to the chest. I swallowed hard. “I don’t know what’s going to happen, or what my mom’s going to decide, but…” My voice cracked. “I’m so fucking tired, Nick. I’m tired of feeling like I have to fight for every ounce of love I get.”
Nick cupped the back of my head, pressing a kiss to my hair. “You don’t have to fight for mine.”
That was it. That was the moment the last bit of resistance in me crumbled. I leaned into him, clinging to his shirt like he was the only thing keeping me from falling apart.
His hand rubbed slow circles on my back, grounding me. “I don’t care what happens with them,” he murmured. “You have me. You’re not alone anymore.”
I tilted my head up, searching his face. His gaze was steady, unwavering. And real.
I swallowed. “Make me forget, Nick.”
A flicker of something dark passed through his eyes. “Mel?—”
“I mean it,” I whispered, gripping the front of his shirt. “This morning sucked. This whole fucking day sucked. And I don’t want to think about it anymore.” I dragged my fingers down his chest, my voice dropping lower. “I want you.”
His expression shifted, his jaw ticking. “Are you sure?”
I nodded, lips parting. “I need you, Nick.”
That was all it took.
He crashed his lips onto mine, his hands gripping my waist as he backed me against the counter. My fingers tangled in his hair, my body pressing against his, desperate for more. When he lifted me onto the counter, I wrapped my legs around him, gasping as he pressed into me. Breathless, I muttered against his lips, “Bed?”
His voice was rough. “I can’t wait that long.”
A thrill shot through me as he yanked my flimsy pants and panties off. His gaze locked onto me, dark and ravenous.
