Blood Stained Collar BOOK 2 of The Collar Series #Wattys2017 ( BDSM )

CHAPTER 29

It became a regular date, coffee breaks and late lunches shared between Reece and Melanie. He was just glad she was back in his life but he knew he would have to take it slow after everything she had been through.

The days sailed by and turned into weeks before Reece ventured to ask her out for dinner.

They sat across from each other in the hospital coffee shop talking about the morning's events when Reece plucked up the courage to ask her.

"Mel, do you feel up to grabbing a bite to eat tonight on the water front?"

"Sure, why not, sounds like a great idea but only if we go Dutch."

"I'm paying since I invited you."

"I'll only go if you agree to let me pay my way."

"Mel, why must you be so stubborn?"

"Because I don't want you to think of this as a date. We are just friends Reece. I'm not ready... what I mean is ... I still have nightmares and the thought of being close to anyone. I'm sorry but I just cannot handle being held or kissed. In fact, any sort of intimate gesture makes me break out in a cold sweat. You only saw a fraction of what I went through..."

"I'm so sorry, I never meant to upset you. I was just trying to be a gentleman." He touched her hand.

Melanie squeezed his hand. "I'm sorry too Reece. Please understand. I may look cool, calm and collected on the outside but inside I'm a quivering wreck. I just can't cope with male attention right now and I'm not trying to label you all under the same ugly brand. Can you just be my friend without all the intimate mushy stuff?"

"Of course, I can. Does this mean we can still grab a bite to eat after work and you can pay for your own food?"

She smiled and finding it difficult to talk with a lump in her throat she nodded. She wanted to run away and cry until there wasn't an ounce of liquid left in her body. She felt guilty for not being able to let Reece into her life as more than a friend. She knew he had some feelings for her and maybe they would have had something more before everything became her worst nightmare. A nightmare that replayed in her head every night she went to sleep making her wake up drenched in sweat and tears. The pain she experienced still felt so real in her nightmares and her body ached when she dragged herself out of bed.

Reece was waiting outside the main hospital doors for Melanie after their last shift. He greeted her with a smile when she came out. "Where would you like to go? Pizza or fish and chips or maybe Chinese?"

"Ohh, I don't mind. Not really that hungry so you choose."

"Well I'm a bit of Pizza addict, so if you're okay with that we'll take a cab down to waterfront."

"Lead the way." Melanie could feel his uncertainty of whether or not to take her hand, so she linked her arm in his instead. To her this felt more a friendly gesture than holding hands.

At the water-front they climbed out of the cab and walked down to The Royal, a bustling pizza place, and went inside to order and found a free table outside to sit and eat. They chatted comfortably about work. As the evening grew darker the city lights reflected across the water making the whole scene seem fairy like. A small sail boat sailed passed by and anchored a short distance away. Melanie couldn't help having a flash back memory of her time with Cirrus on his yacht.

Reece noticed her sad expression and needed to distract her. "Hey Mel, do you want anything else to drink?"

"I'll have another shandy thanks. While you're getting the drinks, I'm going to visit the ladies."