“Yeah, sure,” I say wondering what they could have to talk to us about. My stomach clenches worrying about what it could be. For all I know maybe they’re about to announce that we’re about to have a new sibling. Oh, god. That poor kid. Hopefully, my mom will get a nanny if that’s the case because I cannot imagine her attempting to raise another child with her abysmal parenting skills.
“Tomorrow morning. Don’t forget,” Chase’s dad points at us as he leads my mom back inside, leaving Chase and I alone once again.
“Well, goodnight,” Chase says after a beat, hands shoved into his pockets as he avoids my gaze.
“Goodnight,” I respond, watching him take off and feeling like he just took my heart with him.
24
CHASE
The feel of Melody in my arms is like a phantom ghosting my skin and haunting my dreams. She danced with me tonight like she belonged there.
I can’t sleep. I’ve gotten so used to having her in the same room with me that it feels off not having her with me. I miss her noises and occasional light snoring. It takes all the effort I have not to go knocking on her door and demand to sleep in her room, if only just to be next to her.
Having her here has been a distraction from memories of my mother and wondering if her killer is walking around free. Truthfully, anyone could have done it, despite my certainty that my dad and his new bride were behind it. All the guests looked like they could be guilty as they came over to offer their congratulations. Why they felt the need to congratulate me on my dad’s marriage, I couldn’t say. It wasn’t my wedding, and I wouldn’t have attended if I wasn’t obligated to. But each one brought her death up to me, and it was exhausting.
They only thing that kept me sane was seeing Melody there in that blue dress that hugged her curves and dipped low down her back. It had me envisioning just how I would pull that dress off her.
A knock comes at my door, and I frown, looking at the time. It’s nearing 3 am.Who the hell would be here now?
Groaning with exhaustion, I pad over to the peephole and see a makeup-less Melody wearing those sleep shorts that drive me nuts and thin tank top. My cock responds, jumping up in my gray sweatpants.
“Did I wake you?”
“No. Are you okay?” I ask, letting her in while attempting to hide my emerging hard on at seeing her.
“I had a nightmare.” She admits, chewing on her bottom lip. A habit that has me wishing I was the one biting into that plush lip of hers. “Can I… would you mind if I sleep in here?”
Fuck. I should turn her away, but seeing her like this, I can’t refuse her. I gesture at the full-sized bed for her to make herself at home. She snuggles down beneath the comforter looking relaxed, pink hair fanning across the white linen pillows.
“Are you going to join me?” She asks, and fuck I need to get a handle on this erection before I come in my pants or do something else embarrassing from just being this near to her. We might share a room, but now she’s in my bed. Under my covers. Looking at me with those deep blue eyes.
“Melody, if I get in that bed, I won’t be able to keep my hands to myself,” I warn.
She swallows hard. “That’s okay. If you wouldn’t mind, I just need you to hold me. Until my body calms down. Please.” Her blue eyes that I love so much look like they’re seconds away from spilling over.
Shit. I get in beside her and she settles against me, her back pressed against my front like a missing piece finding exactly where it fits. I run my hand down her bare arm, trying to calm her shaking body.
“It feels weird you know?” She says after a moment.
“What does?”
“Well all this time, I knew technically that you’re my stepbrother, but tonight with the wedding, it just feels more— official.”
That word grates against my soul. A reminder of how I can’t have the one person that’s wormed her way into my heart. How ironic. Chase Milford, perpetual fuckboy finally falls for someone and it ends up being his stepsister. Fuck my life.
“Do you want to tell me about the nightmare?”
She sighs, “I was drowning again. And no one was coming to save me. I kicked and kicked as panic clawed into me. I couldn’t escape until I woke up with a gasp, drenched and shaking. I know I shouldn’t have come here, but my body wouldn’t stop shaking.”
“You can come to me anytime, Melody.”
She sighs and I continue running my hand up and down her arm. It takes so much restraint to not do more, but I’ll take what little crumbs I can.
“Chase?” God, I love the way she says my name.
“Yeah?”
