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

CHAPTER 30

Melanie found a quiet corner in the coffee shop during her break. She'd work through her normal break as she didn't want to meet up with Reece. Her emotions and thoughts were all over the place and she needed this half hour to sift through and look at them, which is something she couldn't do during work hours.

Staring in her coffee she watched as the liquid swirled around every time she stirred it. She stirred it anticlockwise then clockwise and watched as the milky liquid swished around confused what direction it should go. 'That's exactly how I feel. Swirling around in mixed emotions.' She sipped at the troubled liquid. "Now swish inside me and sort out my messy feelings" She whispered to herself.

"Are you talking to someone or can I join you?"

"Reece!" Her coffee mug clattered onto the table slopping the liquid over the side onto the surface. "What are you doing here?"

"We usually meet for coffee during our break. I know they don't always correspond but I thought today we did." Reece watched Melanie fidget with her mug. "Is something wrong? Did you have problems in the ER?"

Melanie kept pushing her mug away from the spilt coffee and watched as the liquid followed her cup. She looked up when Reece took the mug away and wiped up the mess with a napkin.

"Something is troubling you. I can see it in your eyes."

"So you can read my eyes now?"

Mel, please tell me what's wrong and why you're being so defensive?"

"What makes you think something is wrong and I'm not being defensive. It's just been a hectic morning." She wondered if he could tell she was lying.

"Well, firstly your body language is telling me to stay away and secondly, your eyes don't look as happy and relaxed as they did this morning."

"My body language is just fine, thank you very much!"

"Mel, Hun." Reece caught her hand in his and with his free hand he lifted her chin up so he could see her eyes. "So why are you clasping your hands together so tightly and won't look at me."

She sighed. "I need to get back to work." Pulling her hand away from his she stood up. She was not expecting Reece's next move. He stood up when she did and pulled her into his arms and hugged her. Being much shorter than he was her head pressed against his chest and she could hear his heart beating. It was a warm, comforting sound and although every fiber in her being told her no, she couldn't help feeling safe and ... loved. Yes, she could feel his love for her radiating through his body every time he touched her. She knew she should put a stop to this right now, but it felt so reassuring to be cared for and loved in this way. Besides he was always there when she needed him and he always appeared on the spot when she needed rescuing. Maybe she should close the door on her past and give Reece a chance.

While these thoughts settled in her mind, she hadn't realized how long she was in Reece's arms. When he kissed the top of her head she blushed. She hoped he couldn't read her body language now. When had she put her arms around him? She couldn't remember and didn't even know she had. She'd responded to his hug and she honestly hadn't intended to, but it felt good to be in his arms. The strength and security, not forgetting the love his body oozed out for her made her forget all her hurt and for the first time in months, this felt right.

Reece felt her resistance crumble as he held her close and still. She was hurting and he desperately wanted to take that all away. If she would only give him a chance. He knew he couldn't erase her past but he wanted more than anything else in the world to give her a better future. A future of love and caring and protection. If she gave her heart to him, he would treasure it forever and never break it. When her arms wrapped around him, he kissed the top of her head. No words were needed and he could only hope this was the beginning of something beautiful between them.