Chapter 366
Together Again
Melanie walked out of the shower with a deep frown etched across her face. Her instincts were practically screaming at her to march right over to the room next door and drag Adam out by the collar. It was ridiculous, she knew it.
She was well aware that he would never fall for Melody’s tricks, he wasn’t that foolish, not after everything that had happened. But now that she had seen him again, touched him even for that brief moment, stood close enough to feel the warmth of him, she could barely stop herself.
Her pulse was still racing, heart tugging in directions she didn’t want to admit. She reached up to unwrap the towel from her damp hair when a sudden knock at the door made her pause mid-motion. She froze, her brows knitting together. Who could that be at this hour?
Could it be Marianne Thomas? The woman had almost insisted that she sleep with her. What if she came over to try and convince her again.
Cautiously, she stepped forward, unlatched the door and opened it just a fraction. Her breath caught in her throat the moment she saw who stood outside. Her eyes widened, and she instinctively straightened up, almost ready to abandon all reason and throw herself into his arms.
But before she could move another inch, something over his shoulder caught her attention. A shadow. A figure. A maid, partially hidden behind the corner of the hallway, lingering far too obviously to be unintentional. Melanie’s gaze sharpened. Why would a maid be loitering here, in the middle of the night, doing absolutely nothing?”
Drawing in a breath, she offered a trembling smile, deliberately shifting her posture into something more reserved.
“Brother-in-law,” she greeted in a surprised voice, “What are you doing here at this hour?”
She watched closely as Adam’s eyes flicked to her and then he blinked. He might not know someone was standing behind him. His face remained unreadable, but the slight narrowing of his eyes told her he’d noticed the same thing she had. Someone was watching.
Thankfully, he played along. “Melanie sent me to give you some medicine. She also said that if you need anything, you can let her know. We’re in the room right next door.”
Melanie nodded at once, stepped forward just enough for the spy to hear her response. She kept the act going.
“Yes, brother-in-law,” she said, and even as she held his fingers, acting as if she was taking the medicine, she didn’t want to let go, “Thank you for the medicine. I was about to step out into the balcony for a walk when I heard the knock. Just to get some fresh air. The room felt a little stuffy.”
Adam gave a slight nod. “Makes sense,” he replied, tone still casual. “Enjoy the walk, then.”
Without another word, he turned and began to walk away, leaving her standing there, her fists tightening at her sides as she shut the door behind him.
***
As soon as Melanie shut the door behind her, she didn’t waste a second. She turned sharply and immediately raced towards the balcony door. Her fingers trembled as she slid the glass door open and stepped out, staring at the door right beside hers. She knew the balconies were connected, but she wasn’t sure if Adam knew this and would take the hint.
She waited.
Seconds stretched into a full minute, and she felt a niggle of doubt. Had he walked away? Did he think she was pushing him away on purpose? Or had she imagined the flicker of understanding in his eyes? Or was Melody not letting him come here. Yes. She would also be in the room and would be stopping his way…
Just when doubt began to creep in, she saw the door to the next room open. Adam stepped out and stopped.
Their eyes locked.
Neither of them spoke.
For a moment, they simply stood there, watching each other carefully. Her fingers curled around the railing and she parted her lips to speak, but before a word could form, Adam was already moving.
In two long strides, he crossed the short distance between them and ran to her, wrapping his arms around her waist.
The next thing she knew, her feet were no longer touching the ground.
A small gasp escaped her lips, but he didn’t give her a chance to process it. His other hand slid up her back, drawing her against him, and then his mouth was on hers-firm, insistent, unrelenting.
Her arms moved instinctively, curling around his neck, fingers tightening in his hair as he carried her back into her room..She wrapped her legs around his waist, and he let out a low guttural groan as the balcony door slammed shut behind them.
He didn’t stop walking until her back hit the nearest wall, and even then, he didn’t break the kiss. His hands were everywhere- her waist, her thighs, sliding under the edge of her robe, pulling it up. His mouth left hers only to trail along her jaw, down her neck, his breath warm against her skin as he kissed the spot just beneath her ear that always made her tremble.
Melanie arched against him, her fingers diving into his hair as she whispered his name again and again, thankful that she was able to come back into his arms…His name from her lips only seemed to make him more wild so that they could only tug at each other’s clothes to get as close as possible…
“Melon. My sweet little Melon.. You are back… Finally.”
Melanie cried at the words and her arms and legs around him tightened as she buried her face in his neck. “Yes. I am back.. I missed you, Adam…”
He moved back then and looked into her face, holding her cheeks,” Are you alright? Are you hurt?”
Melanie shook her head and cupped his jaw,” I am okay… I am not really hurt…”
“That man…”
Melanie placed a hand on his lips,” Right now, I don;t want to talk about anyone. I want it to be just is in this moment.