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

CHAPTER 46

Reece let himself into Melanie's apartment using the spare key he had taken when she'd asked him to leave. He'd hoped to surprise her with her favourite donuts and a bunch of red roses. Disappointed she wasn't there he put the flowers into a jug of water and the donuts on the kitchen counter. He saw that her bed hadn't been slept in and knew she hadn't been home since she came off work, which was unusual as she had always come straight home after a double shift and fallen into bed with her uniform on.

He knew she'd worked a double shift and she'd be dead on her feet. He hoped his gesture of donuts and roses would brighten her day and possibly persuade her to go out for a meal with him later. He went out onto the balcony to see if he could see her on her way back. It seemed like forever before he did see her. She was walking so slowly Reece thought there was something wrong and hurried downstairs to meet her.

"Mel." He shouted as he approached her. "Are you okay?"

"What are you doing here? I thought you were at work?"

"I'm not due on for another half hour. I heard you'd offered to do a double shift and knew you would be too exhausted to make yourself anything to eat, so I brought your favourite donuts for a quick snack and thought maybe we could go out for a meal later, after you've slept."

"That's so thoughtful of you, but I just feel as though I need to sleep for the next twenty-four hours till my next shift. If I do wake up before then I'll heat up a frozen meal, but thanks for the offer."

"I'll walk you back to your apartment, just to make sure you don't fall asleep on your feet before you get there." He winked at her

Feelings of guilt made Melanie feel edgy and irritable. Reece was so kind and thoughtful and it upset her, knowing she had to find some way of letting him know their time together was over. She could not be with him anymore, now that she had admitted to herself she did still love Cirrus. She'd never really stopped loving him and seeing him now, made her realize she had acted without thinking things through. The shock of finding out about the relationship between Cirrus and her father had blocked out and buried every other emotion. That block had been lifted when she thought he might die. She now knew, she would never be happy in the arms of any other man.

"Babe, I'm sure you'll feel differently once you've slept and had a shower. You'll be hungry and a frozen dinner will not replenish your energy levels. I brought a couple of your favourite donuts to give you a bit of a sugar lift too."

"Right now, all I want to do is sleep. I'll call you if I change my mind when I wake up."

"Fine, but I'm walking you to your front door and making sure you get inside and lock your door before I leave."

Melanie was too tired to argue and they walked the rest of the way in silence.

Reece couldn't help feeling disappointed she had not invited him to stay. She'd always liked to cuddle on the bed after a heavy shift, said it helped her relax and not think about the serious casualties, but he knew things were different now that Cirrus was back in the picture. He knew they had history together, but then they had a history together too. He'd been there at the worst time, rescued her and supported her through the court case, surely that must mean something to her and show her how much he cared for her, wanted to protect her and loved her. She was happy, they were happy and he was sure she was falling in love with him. Why the hell did Cirrus come looking for her?

On his way back to work, Reece knew he had to shut down his thoughts. There was no time for personal issues while administering anesthetic.

***

Melanie was over tired and her sleep was broken by nightmares of her kidnapping and Reece coming to her rescue. Eventually she gave up trying to sleep and went to shower. Standing under the hot water allowing the heat to wash away the stress from her body, thoughts of Cirrus surrounded her like a warm blanket. Memories of all the happy times they'd shared together and their kiss this morning brought back all the old feelings of love, passion and the sense of belonging she felt in his company.