Chapter Twelve

February — Monday — Southern Maryland

Melody

When I get to work the following day, I can't keep the grin off of my face. The day crawls by. I know once I clock out and get back to the house, I'll only have a few minutes with Finn before he has to leave for his shift. It makes the day creep by even slower the more I think about it.

"So, you just agreed to move in with him? Just like that?" Sam asks as we sit eating our lunch during our break.

"Yes, Sam. I have told you the last six times you asked, and we talked about it yesterday." I ignore the stare she is giving me like I have lobsters crawling out of my ears and take another bite.

"I know, but I just can’t make sense of it. I thought I was the spontaneous one. But I mean, come on, Mel. You're starting this year out with one hell of a bang. I found out in January that you're stepping out into the BDSM world. You go to The Den with Summer. This guy picks you up at the bar."

"Wow!" I stop her. "Finn isn't just some Dom who picked me up at the bar, Sam. Let's not pretend that you haven’t been here behind the deli counter with me for the past year. You've said it yourself you were tired of watching us flirt endlessly for all of those months."

"You're right. I'm sorry. Finn isn't just some guy. So anyway, you agree to go out with him then you find out he is into the D/s scene. You spend the weekend held up with him through an ice storm, and now you're just going to move in with him."

"I'm staying with him, Sam, for the month. It is a trial thing. It works out this way because of our schedules. Come on, please do not make me explain it again." I glare at her across the table. I've told her this at least four of the six times she has brought it up today.

"Look, it just seems… intense. I want to make sure you're safe.” Sam looks at me, and I see the concern in her eyes.

"Thanks, Sam." I don't look her in the eye then, but I say, "You're right. I am safe, I promise." I can't meet her gaze because I can't shake the feeling that I'm not being honest with her or myself. Am I safe? Finn and Colin think this other Alpha is here because of Colin and that Finn and I just got wrapped up in it. They're supposed to be making some calls today.

"What? Where did you go? See. There is something you're not telling me," Sam whines. "Gah! I wish you would just trust me, Melody."

"I do, Sam. I really do. You're right. There is something, but it's not got anything to do with Finn at all. You can trust that he is going to keep me safe. If you trust anything I say today, just believe that. Finn is going to make sure I'm safe, end of discussion."

Damn, if she is this hard to convince. What am I going to say to my parents? They're not due back until the end of the week, so I can bide my time until then. But I thought Sam would be overjoyed for me when I told her.

"You're being super sketchy. But I trust your judgment. I know you’re not one to jump into things without thinking them through. In fact, I'm sure you overthink everything to the point of exhaustion. So if you say this is the right thing, then it's the right thing."

We eat in silence for the next few minutes, then she looks up at me all of a sudden. I'm startled by her change in energy, and I can tell by her smile that she has given in.

"Okay, so tell me what the plan is for the month? Are you about to be tied up and waiting for him in some super-hot sex dungeon? Like the sex must be mind-blowing for you to agree to this. Tell me about it, Chica. I'm in a bit of a dry spell, and I need to live vicariously through you," Sam says and smiles.

Laughing, I recap some of our weekend adventures as we finish eating. When I pack my lunchbox back into my locker, I close it and peek around at her. "Sam? What happened with the girl you were involved with around New Year's? I thought you two had something good going on for a while." She looks at the floor and twists her toe on the tile like she is putting out an imaginary cigarette.

"It was, but it just wasn't my thing. You know, we met at that munch. I tried it out, the girl thing. But really, I think it's just a passing fling. Yep, it's hot as fuck. Don't get me wrong," she looks up and wiggles her eyebrows at me, "but I don't think I can do the switch thing and be a Mistress, and I definitely have decided I can't do without a nice big—" The break room door swings open, and she stops mid-sentence but reaches down and grabs the front of her pants sticking her tongue out at me, "If you get my drift."

"Mmm-hmm," I say, quickly brushing Sam off. "Hey, Ms. Sandy," I say to the elderly coffee bar worker who just walked into the room.

"How are you two girls today?" she asks, untying her apron and making her way to her locker.

"Great! But I better get back out there before the rush sets in. Have a great day, Ms. Sandy." I toss a goodbye over my shoulder. Looking back at her to wave as I walk out of the break room and right into a brick wall.

"Oof." I get the wind knocked out of me, and it takes a minute to realize the wall I just hit has grown arms and is grabbing my shoulders.

"Oh, lass! Are you all right?" The voice is familiar. But I'm still having difficulty focusing when I look up and make the connection.

"Colin? Hey, what are you doing here?” I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Besides trying to give me a concussion."

"I'm truly begging your pardon, lass. Your manager told me I could find you in the breakroom. I was coming in as you were headed out. Shit, Finn'll be fixin' to kill me if I bruised you, lass. Let me get a good look at ya." He is still holding me by the shoulders and holds me a bit back from him, examining my face.

"Are you made of solid muscle, Colin? Shit!" I'm losing my composure now because the bridge of my nose is still stinging, and I'm trying to blink away tears from my eyes. As my right cheekbone starts to scream with pain. "What the hell! Is Finn with you? What are you doing here?"

"Um…” Sam is opening the break room door, but I’m blocking the doorway with my body. “Hey, is everything okay out there?"

“Yeah, it's fine. Finn’s brother just broke my face. I’ll be fine,” I snap as I turn and look at her, trying to get assistance from someone. I see her face as she looks up at Colin, who is standing behind me now. I know she will be zero help in that department. What is with these men?

“That’s Finn’s brother?” she points at him and says softly.

“Yep, and I’m pretty sure he isn’t deaf and can hear you. Why don’t you wipe that look off of your face? You look like a kid in a candy store.” I roll my eyes at her.

“Oh, most definitely. I’d eat him up. But, um,” she shakes her head side to side as if trying to shake off his effect on her, “shit, Mel. That looks bad. Let me grab you an ice pack from the first aid kit.” She closes the door in my face, so I turn back to face Colin and purse my lips, then shrug.

“Sorry about her,” I point over my shoulder with my thumb, “she, uh, well. She’s one of a kind.”

“I see,” Colin says dreamily. That’s when I get an honest look at his face. Oh no, not you too.

“Perfect, a match made in heaven,” I mutter under my breath. I look at Colin, noticing now how much taller than Finn he is, and while he is thicker through the face and belly, he is clearly solid muscle through the chest and arms. He has got to be almost two feet taller than me. I try to peek around him to see if Finn is in the store.

“Hey, so what are you doing here?” I ask again. “Is Finn with you?”

As if suddenly waking from a dream, he says, “What, lass? Finn? No, he is back at his place. Sorry, are you going to be, okay?” He points at my face, which is still throbbing, and I’m not positive I won’t be sporting one or two black eyes. “I came to see ya. I got a call from my mates back in Ireland, they told me something about that friend of ours who has been hanging around. Do you have a minute to talk?”

I glance around the deli counter then at my watch. Two of the guys we work with are currently working the counter. But they don’t have many customers, so I decided to spare a few minutes to talk to Colin.

“Um, yea. Sure. Why don’t you come with me?” I motion to the break room, and we step inside right as Ms. Sandy heads out. I look around the small room and spot Sam with her back to us, putting lip gloss on in the mirror.

“Hey!” I call to her. “I thought you were getting me an ice pack?” She jumps and turns to us, and I can almost see her insides turn to mush when she spots Colin in the doorway behind me.

“What? Oh, yeah. It’s on the table,” Sam says, pointing absentmindedly towards the small table across the room. Then I watch as she stalks over to Colin. Great, she has you in her sights now. Better run, buddy. I chuckle and head to the table. Picking up the ice pack, I crack it to activate the cooling and sit down to apply it to my face. I settle in and watch the show.

“Hey, I’m Sam,” she says, smiles and puts her hand out to shake Colin’s.

“Colin,” he says, taking her hand in his and lifting it to his lips. He plants a soft kiss on the back of it. “Pleasure to meet ya, lass,” he literally purrs at her, and I roll my eyes. I have to hold back from making actual gagging sounds as I watch them strut and display their pretty colored feathers in some kind of mating ritual.

“Why don’t you come with me for just a minute? Then I’ll leave you to talk to Melody about whatever it is you need.” She slides past him through the doorway, with half an inch of space between their bodies, her large breasts almost pressing against his chest. She grabs his hand and pulls him out the door behind her. I watch as the door swings closed after they’ve gone and close my eyes, tipping my head back. I relax and let the cold ice pack numb my throbbing cheek.

A few minutes later, I hear the door open and peek one eye open to see Colin coming in. He takes a seat next to me at the table. “I truly am sorry about that, lass.” He’s motioning to my face. “Shit! Finn’s gonna kill me. It's bruising already.”

I sigh. “It’s fine. I bruise like a peach. Finn is working this afternoon, and I don’t think I’ll see him for more than a few minutes. Maybe he won't notice?” I shrug, trying to be optimistic.

“Snowball's chance in Hell of that, lass.”

I laugh then. You two are so alike. Hmmm. Brothers? I immediately terminate that thought, leading to someplace I refuse to indulge in. That’s when I notice, as Colin wrings his hands, that he has a phone number written on the palm of one. No doubt it is Sam’s.

“So what did you need to tell me, Colin? You said you got a call.” I try to get him to the point of his visit. “Did you talk to Finn afterward?”

“No, I haven't spoken to him yet. I won’t have time to see him before I have to be back at the shop. I’ll call him after work and give him the information. But I stopped by here on my lunch break for a couple of reasons.” He shifts uncomfortably and seems out of place in the small room. “I wanted to apologize for showing up at the house unannounced yesterday, I could tell I gave you a fright, and that was not my intention, lass. Please forgive me?”

I wait a moment, puzzled by his politeness. I hadn’t given his time at the house a second thought. “Oh, Colin, it was no problem. You don’t need to mention it. Honestly,” I stop and look down at the table, “to tell you the truth, I was only frightened because of what I have been hearing and now seeing lately. Not of you.”

“Ah, and that brings me to my second reason for coming to see ya. I spoke with one of our cousins, Christian. He let me know that they think they know who the Alpha we have been seeing here is. Apparently, they had a tiff with a rival pack over some territory, and they have been getting threats.”

I tense at the mention of threats, and he puts his hand out, trying to reassure me. “They don’t think you’re in any danger, lass. This has to do with lands that are thousands of miles away. Finn and I have nothing to do with this mess. We’ve been out of the country far too long for us to pose any credible threat to another pack. Their Alpha came here merely to get a feel for us and use it as a threat to our Grandda.,”

“That’s not helping me to feel any better, Colin.” I look at him with anger in my eyes because he is genuinely scaring me more, and I don’t want to show him that. “Are you getting to the part where this guy has gone back to Ireland and is not threatening to hurt you to get to your grandfather?” That’s right, bluff, Mel. Get mad, not scared.

“Hey, lass! Do not be getting sassy with me! If Finn can’t keep you in line, I will.” It’s not a threat but a statement, and I believe him. Oh. Shy Colin isn’t so shy after all. Maybe you will be a good match for Sam.

“Sorry, sir,” I say softly out of respect. I crossed the line with my anger towards him. “You’re scaring me more. It's easier to be angry than admit I’m scared, Colin. I don’t understand these pack dynamics or how the two of you play a part in all of it.”

Nodding, he says, “I know, lass. So, I’ll make it short and sweet. He is gone. They have reported that he landed back in Ireland this morning. A summit is planned at the end of the month between the Alphas of the two Caomhanach packs. All is due to be squared away then. What was a recon mission turned into a scare mission on their part. But it is over now, and we are not in any danger.” He stands up from the small table. “As I said, I’ll give Finn a call after I get off work and give him the news. But I wanted to let you know so you would feel safer being home once he has gone to work. Also, he asked me to keep an eye on the house this week while he is out. So, we’ve got you covered, lass. Don’t worry.” I smile a quick small smile at him.

“Thanks, Colin. I really appreciate the info and you swinging by to tell me.”

“Of course,” he says as he makes his way to go.

“Can I give you a piece of advice?” I say to his back before he gets to the door. Turning, he raises an eyebrow at me in response, and I’m shocked again by how much he and Finn resemble each other.

“What’s that, lass?”

“If you hurt her, I’ll kill you,” I say with a straight face. Colin laughs as he leaves the room. The door swings closed behind him. But I can hear him laughing the whole way out of the store.

***

“Do you think he is going to call?” Sam asks me as we walk through the parking lot to our cars. I’m walking quickly and keep glancing down at my watch. Finn has to be at work in an hour. It will take me about five minutes to get home. Then he has a fifteen-minute drive to work. I do some quick math and figure we have maybe thirty minutes, at best, together by the time I get there. Before he has to get ready to leave.

“What?” I ask when I realize Sam asked me a question. “Sorry. Who?” She rolls her eyes at me and stomps a foot showing her temper.

“Colin, Melody. Do you think he is going to call me?”

“Oh! Yes, Sam. I think he is going to call you. But I have to hurry and get home to Finn,” I tell her as I rush towards our parked cars.

“Get home to Finn?” she says with a smirk, “Who are you? Hey! Before you go running off and being tied up for the next month, I want you to agree to go out with me on Wednesday.”

“Wednesday? This week?” She nods. “Sure, I can do Wednesday. Finn works. I’ll meet you at your house. What time?” I ask, rushing her along.

“Be there around six. Tacos sound good?”

“Of course,” I holler to her as I walk around to my car door, open it up and toss my bag into the passenger seat. “It’s a date! I’ll see you tomorrow, Sam. Wait,” I call at the last minute, “how’s this look?” I motion to my face.

We are parked next to each other. Sam is at the driver's door of her car, and she looks at me closely across the top of mine. “Um, well. It looks kinda like you were slugged, Mel. I ain’t gonna lie. It’s not good.” I let out the breath I was holding, hoping for better news.

“Best just get it over with then, huh?” I blow her a kiss and climb behind the wheel. Starting the engine, I rub my hands together and give the car a minute to warm up before I put it in drive and head out of the parking lot for Finn’s house. Home.

***

Finn

My alarm goes off. I pick up my cell to hit the snooze button for ten more minutes. It’s three-thirty, and Melody should be on her way here from work. I lie in my bed, arms stretched above my head, one leg bent, the sheets covering my cock. It is rock hard, which is how I wake up, usually.

The phone rings, and I sigh. What now? Picking it back up from the nightstand, I see it's Colin. “Hey, brother. What’s up?” I listen as he tells me what Christian told him and his stopping by to see Melody. He seems to be a bit nervous about that part. I’m not sure why but I’ll get to the bottom of it. I hear Mel turning the key in the door and disconnect with Colin. I’m not optimistic we are in the clear yet. But I feel much better knowing that the Alpha tracking us is back in Ireland. For now.

“Honey, I’m home!” I hear Mel call from the living room as she tosses her keys onto the kitchen table. “In here, lass,” I call back. Then stretch my arms back above my head, the sheets tenting at my groin with my erection. I smile a big tooth-filled grin when she walks into the room.

***

Melody

I turn the corner into the bedroom, and Finn is lying naked in the bed. I assume he is naked under the sheet that is popped up like a tent with his morning erection.

“How’d you sleep?” I ask, leaning on the door frame slipping off my shoes.

“Great, lass. Dreamt of you and that sweet ass of yours.”

I stick my tongue out at him, as I start to pull my shirt up over my head slowly, teasing. Swaying my hips as I walk across the room, I unbutton my pants and slowly slide them down, exposing the bright-red lace thong underneath. I spin and make a point of bending at the waist as I pull down my pants with my ass facing him. I wiggle it at him and giggle.

I hear him shift on the bed, and suddenly he is behind me. He smacks me hard on the ass. “Mmm, now get this sweet thing in my bed, lass. We’re running out of time already.” I turn around and scamper up onto the bed. I turn my back to him, on my knees, ass in the air, I bite my lower lip.

“You want me? Come get me.” I unhook my bra, slide it off and toss it across the room at him. He watches it whiz by his head and chuckles.

“Oh. You’re trouble, lass. Truly you are.” He launches into bed and is behind me in an instant, sliding my thong off over my ass down to my knees. “Hold on,” he says in my ear, bending over me and wrapping my fingers around the headboard, “don’t let go of the headboard.”

He disappears behind me then I feel his mouth. Hot and wet, his tongue sliding over the folds of my pussy. I toss my head, and my long hair falls across my back. The feeling sends a sensation through me as the nerve endings throughout my body burst to life, one after another.

“Mmm. Yes, sir.” I moan my pleasure as he slides his fingers in and out of me, first slowly, then faster.

“Oh baby, I wish we had more time to play,” Finn says as he raises himself up behind me. I whine as he takes his hands away from my clit. He reaches into the nightstand drawer, and I see him pull out the small foil pack. I hear him tear it open and wait, my heart racing.

“Hold on,” he commands again as he slides the head of his cock up and down the folds of my pussy. “I’m going to fuck you hard and fast, lass.” He says the last word as he thrusts forward, hammering his rock-hard cock into me.

“Fuck! Yes, sir!” My thighs are slick, and I’m on the verge of coming as he thrusts in and out of me. His hands are on me then as I wrap mine around the metal headboard. My knuckles are white from holding on so tight. I’m trying not to come and focus on my hands to distract myself. He slides one hand between my thighs and expertly rubs my clit matching the rhythm and pace of his pounding into me. “Yes, Finn. I thought about you all day. I want to come, sir. Please?”

“Almost, baby. Hold on a little longer.” I clench around him inside me, and just when I don’t think I can hold back the orgasm anymore, he presses a finger into my asshole, and I see stars behind my eyelids. “You like that, don’t you, baby. I’m going to come in your tight pussy. Fuck!”

He growls in my ear, and I explode around him as I feel him buck inside me with his release. He wraps a hand around my waist and collapses onto the bed with me pressed against him. I’m panting and sweaty, slowly taking deep breaths to slow my heart as he remains inside me.

“I missed you,” I say, smiling back at him over my shoulder as he plants kisses on my neck, my shoulder, and my cheek. I pause, looking into his eyes, and see they’re glowing amber. “Finn?” I ask, going still. He reaches up and runs a hand down my cheek. I wince, and he stills instantly, catching on.

“What happened?” He turns me to him, then rolls and turns on the lamp on the bedside table. “What the fuck? Who hit you, lass? I’ll kill the fool who hurt you. I swear it, Melody. Why didn't you say anything?” His eyes are deep amber, and they flash black.

“Finn,” I say steadily, trying to get him to focus on my face, “look at me, I’m fine.” I sigh loudly. “It’s no big deal. I was hoping you wouldn’t notice in the dim light. Damn.” I wince again and pull my face away from his hands as he presses my cheekbone gently with his fingers.

“Who hurt you?”

It’s now or never. But I hesitate, because the rage and possessiveness rolling off of him scares me, not for my sake, but for Colin’s.

“Colin stopped by to see me at work,” I say, knowing this doesn’t answer his questions at all.

“And? What’s that got to do with this?” He motions towards my cheek and turns my face to examine the rest of it for any signs of injury.

I pull my face from his hands and say, “I ran into him, Finn.”

“At work. Yes, Colin told me he stopped by, and you ran into him.” I sit up and cross my legs under me. “I’m not getting what that’s got to do with this shiner, lass.” I look him straight in the eyes and repeat myself.

“Finn, I ran into Colin. I literally ran into him. I came out of the break room and slammed my face into his chest. What the fuck are you two made of? Stone?”

He is laughing then, softly under his breath, trying to hide it, so he isn’t laughing in my face. “You ran into him? With your face?”

Oh, thank God. I relax now that I know ol’ Alpha isn’t about to go on a rampage. “Yes.” I roll my eyes. Shit! I spoke too soon. Finn’s eyes go dark amber.

“Oh! Did you just?” he says as I scurry backward in an awkward crab walk across the bed to try to get away from him. Shit. Shit. Shit. I feel a strong hand grasp my ankle as Finn pulls me, on my back, across the bed towards him. “Did you roll your eyes at me, lass? When are you going to learn to stop letting those gorgeous green eyes get you in so much trouble?”

“There’s no time for this, Finn. It’s after four, you have to leave. You’re going to be late for work!” I tell him, kicking my legs, trying to get my ankle free from his grasp. He is laughing then as he sits on the edge of the bed and swings me around to his lap.

“There is always time.” He rubs a circle on my ass cheek right over my sit spot with his hand. I hear him slide open a drawer in the nightstand and try to lift my head to turn and see what he is reaching for. He puts his hand between my shoulder blades and says, “Be still,” then I feel the quick gentle taps of a paddle on my ass. “How many? Since you’ve been warned about rolling your eyes at me, lass?”

“Finn, stop!” I squirm under his hands as he continues to tease me with the paddle. “You can control this, don’t give in. You said you didn’t want this.” But I know he already fought with his inner wolf once and won. This time he won't be so lucky. If I could turn and see his eyes, I know what I would see. This isn’t Finn in charge right now. He is Alpha.

“Don’t rush me, lady.” Just then, he lifts his hand and brings the paddle down on my ass. The crack of leather meeting skin fills the air, and I cry out. “Count,” Finn demands.

“No, Finn. Listen to me.”

“Are you going to think before you roll your eyes at me again?” he asks, rubbing my cheek where the hot sting is spreading across it, ignoring my protests. I struggle to get away from him, but he has his arm across the center of my back, holding me to his legs. Whack!

“Two, sir,” I say, changing tactics. Maybe if I appease the Alpha in him, I can help him regain his control. Please, Finn. Fight it.

“Are you going to stop being such a sassy little wench?” He rubs the same spot, the heat is spreading across my ass, and I feel a shock of excitement in my core. He is turning me on. I’m ready for him again. This isn’t what I wanted. I need to stop him. I’m turned on, but the panic inside me is still rising.

“Yes, sir.” Whack!

“Three, sir.” I moan. Fuck, fuck, fuck. How am I supposed to help him control his inner wolf if I can’t control my inner slut?

“You’re such a little slut. Look at how turned on you are.” Finn slides his fingers up and down the lips of my pussy then smacks it with the paddle. I cry out, and the muscles in my stomach clench.

“Four, sir.” That counts.

“That doesn’t count, Melody. You’re being punished, remember?” A roughness in his voice sends a jolt through me each time he speaks.

“Finn!” I yell at him and buck back against the arm he is using to hold me down. “Stop, please.”

“Didn’t you say you would stop being a sassy little wench?” he asks, and I know I should stop pushing him. But he isn’t even fighting for control at this point, and I’m pissed I’m the only one left in the battle.

“Yes?” I say as a question. Did I, really? That doesn’t seem like me.

“Excuse me?” He tightens his grip on me.

“Yes, sir,” I confess.

“All right, I’m going to be late now, so you’re really in for it this time.” Suddenly he pulls back and brings the paddle down, hard and fast in five quick smacks across my sit spot. I know I won’t be able to sit for days without remembering why I’m sore. He was teasing me before, but this is the actual punishment.

I hear him drop the paddle to the floor, and he lifts me in his arms as he stands and turns, laying me on the bed.

“Stay here. I’ll be back.” I reach up and wipe the tears from my cheeks as I watch Finn leave the room. Five minutes later, he returns dressed in full uniform with a glass of water in his hand. “Sit up,” he says and motions as he sits on the edge of the bed next to me, “drink this.” I take the glass of water from his hand and take a small sip, then try to set it on the nightstand.

“No, all of it,” he says and puts the glass back into my hand. He rubs my cheek with his thumb as I drain the glass, then takes it from me and sets it down. “You all right?”

“Yes, sir,” I say softly. His eyes are still amber and glowing. “Finn?”

“Yes, love?” he answers, sitting on the bed next to me.

“You’re not even fighting it.” It’s not a question, but I wait for his response. “Are you in there, Finn?” I reach up and put my hand on his cheek. I close my eyes and try to infuse as much love as possible into him through my touch. Please. I say a silent prayer that I’ll see Finn and not the Alpha inside him taking over when I open my eyes.

***

Finn I watch as I punish Melody. Not in control of my own actions, the Alpha in me wants to dominate her. Wants full control. I stop fighting and watch, waiting to see what he will do. When I regain control, I’m sitting on the edge of the bed. Her hand is to my cheek, tears are streaming down her face.

“Mel?” I say softly. She opens her green eyes, bloodshot with tears. Then smiles at me, I gasp. Even after the pain I caused her, the smile she gives me is filled with love.

***

Melody

Finn says my name, and I open my eyes, his chocolate brown ones meet mine, and I smile. Thank you. “Hi,” I say softly.

“Hey,” he says back. “I’m so s—” I cut him off, shaking my head.

“We agreed we would figure this out together. You didn’t hurt me. I know you wouldn’t hurt me. But we need to find a way to make this work. Cutting out the Dominant in you altogether and denying your Alpha tendencies is not the answer, clearly. We are going to have to find a happy middle ground.” I take a deep breath and try to stay calm. The tears are still fighting to burst from my eyes.

“You’re going to be late,” I say flatly. I want Finn to leave so I can cry in peace. I’m sleepy and ready to curl up and nap.

Finn nods, getting the hint. “There is plenty of food in the refrigerator. Make sure you eat. Don’t just go to sleep and skip dinner, lass.” I nod, and he raises an eyebrow at me.

“Yes, sir. I promise. I’ll take a little nap and set the alarm, then get up and make sure I eat. Not just cereal either.” I wink at him and put my arms around his neck. I hug him, pull back and plant a kiss on his lips. “Be safe,” I whisper against them.

“I told you, I have one rule. I’ll always come back to you, lass. Get some rest. I’ll text you later to make sure you get up and eat.” I lie back on the pillows and close my eyes as he leaves the room. I fall asleep before I hear him close the front door.

***

Finn

My sweet Melody. I watch her close her eyes and know she will be asleep before I get out of the house. I close my eyes as I stand from the bed, sending a silent prayer out to the universe to keep her safe while I’m gone. While I trust the information that Colin gave me this afternoon, I’m not as confident as he is that this is the end of our involvement in these issues our family is facing in Ireland. In fact, I feel like this is only the beginning. I can’t even begin to deal with the repercussions of what just happened between us. I have a long night ahead of me to process it all. I can tell she wants to be left alone right now to deal with it on her own.

***

Melody

My alarm goes off about an hour later, and I stretch my arms above my head before I reach over to get my phone and shut it off. As I roll onto my back, the sheet brushes across the red welts on my ass from the leather paddle Finn used to punish me this afternoon. I wince. Turning off my alarm, I scroll through my phone, looking for something to do. Anything I can do to distract myself from thinking about what happened between Finn and me this afternoon. Ever since I finished the semester last week, I have had a lot of free time and not much to do to fill it. Right now, without something to distract me, all I can do is think.

I finally get up from the bed and decide to go rummage through the fridge for something to eat. I find a t-shirt hanging from Finn’s dresser drawer and make a mental note to stop by my parents’ house tomorrow before work and pack another bag of clothes. Also, I decide I’ll have to do a load of laundry tonight to have a clean uniform for work tomorrow.

I slip his shirt on and head to the kitchen. I find a bowl of grapes, some cheese slices and notice a bottle of my favorite wine chilling in the door. The exact wine I drank the night I got drunk last week and then threw up all over the place. I’ll skip that for now. Closing the fridge, I take my snack to the living room. Turn on reruns while eating and playing games on my phone.

A few hours later, I’m getting ready to head to bed when my phone chirps with a message.

Summer: Hey, Sam says you’re coming to the munch with us Wednesday. So excited, is Finn coming?

Mel: Sam said we were going to get tacos. WTF?

Summer: LOL Umm, the munch is in Mexico.

My favorite restaurant. I wonder whose idea that was.

Mel: So she wasn’t lying, but I’m being brought there under false pretenses. No. I haven’t mentioned it to Finn yet. But he is working, so it’ll just be me.

Summer: Better run that by the Big Bad Wolf, Mel. You don’t want to get into trouble.

Mel: You have no idea the trouble I’ve been in lately, lol. I send her an emoji rolling its eyes to get my point across Summer: That really does piss them off, doesn’t it? LOL

Mel: But totally worth it! I’ll double-check with Finn about Wednesday. Is Donnie going to be there?

Summer: Yep, he will be there. We will be sure to keep an eye on you. Let him know. I really want you to come.

I clean up my dishes and decide to head to bed. When I reach the bedroom, I quickly text Finn.

Mel: Heading to bed. Wish you were here. We need to talk. I'm surprised when he sends a message back almost immediately.

Finn: Colin circled by the house, says nothing to worry about. Hope you sleep well, love. I'll be home in a few hours. We will talk soon. X

Home. Love. I smile contentedly, then snuggle down between the sheets. They smell of Finn and our lovemaking from the afternoon. I'm drifting off to sleep, trying only to think of the happy memories from the afternoon when I realize I forgot to mention the Munch. I grab my phone and shoot him another quick text.

Mel: Sam and Summer want me to go to a munch with them Wednesday night. Summer said Donnie will be there to keep an eye on us. Are you all right with that?

I lay my phone back down on the nightstand, not expecting a response back anytime soon. I drift to sleep wrapped in the sheets that smell like us, dreaming of my future and words like home and love.

***

It’s still dark when I wake up, and I'm not sure what startled me. Then I feel Finn’s hand on my hip and his soft whisper in my ear, "I missed you, lass." He inhales deeply, his nose buried in my hair. "You smell so good. Mmm." He pushes his hard erection against the cleft of my ass and rubs his hand gently along the small welts that still remain there.

"I missed you," I whisper back softly. I push myself back against him, and he wraps his arms around me. Then I feel him reach down and grab his cock, positioning himself at my opening.

I arch my back and push towards him, encouraging him to slide into my heat. "God, you feel amazing wrapped around me, lass. I couldn't focus half the night thinking about your pussy and having you come on my cock, love." Slowly, we make love, and I fall back to sleep in his arms.