Mel’s heart was racing and palms began to sweat in James’s hands.

“I really appreciate this.” She said trying to keep herself composed. At this point she had no clue what to think or what to do. She just stared at him. He nodded and kissed her hand.

“I can’t believe I screwed up what we had. It wasn’t even for that long, but I enjoyed our time together.” He said staring at the table. Mel started tense up and moved her hands into her lap.

“Yeah. We had fun.” She said taking a sip of her iced latte. James’s eyes crept up to her lips. She could feel his stare and she set down her drink.

“Well I guess we’re okay now, right?” she asked just wanting to get the hell out of there. James had this really weird control over her. It was more than just her attraction to him, but he had this sort of magnetic pull that would bring her back in.

“Yeah. I mean, do you want to get lunch or something? See a movie?” He looked up at her, his blue-green puppy dog eyes begging.

“No, Sid and I are going to hang out when I get back.” She said smiling politely and standing. The store was just starting to get busy, but she forgot about everyone else there. The only person that existed was James. They walked outside together when he grabbed her free arm.

“Mel. Give me another chance.” He said pushing her gently against the brick wall of the building. She turned her head so she wouldn’t have to look at him. He took the oppourtunity to softly press his lips against her neck.

Just when she thought she was in the clear, he pounced.

“Stop” she said pushing him weakly. It was broad daylight. People knew who they were. It was wrong even though it felt so right. He cupped her face and smiled so hard his eyes twinkled and her knees felt weak.

“I still love you” he said before pressing his lips against hers. She closed her eyes and moaned into his mouth.

Suddenly she snapped. She pushed him off of her with a force he wouldn’t expect in a million years. Then she swung an open hand towards his ginger stubble so hard his whole body shook.

“Don’t you ever fucking touch me again. Got it?” she said walking to her car.

She felt so…empowered. She didn’t give in to him. For once.

---

By the time she got home the grey morning had turned to sun. She stepped in Sid’s front door and found him, still sweaty in the kitchen. She had a huge smile on her face and he watched the way she strut up to him.

“Hey. I’m guessing it went well?” he said pecking her lips softly.

She just nodded and hopped up on the counter. She hastily pulled him between her legs by his shirt and kissed him passionately. For a moment he hesitated before kissing back.

“So…what happened?”

“Oh nothing. We talked. He tried to kiss me…I slapped the shit out of him, you know, the usual.”

“What?” He stepped back and looked at her bewildered.

“He kissed me and I slapped the fucking grin off his face.” I smiled.

“You’re such a badass.” He smiled before attacking my neck with his lips. I could feel the hickeys forming as I dug my nails into his back. He retreated and licked his lips.

“We have media tomorrow. I don’t want to look like I got attacked by a wild animal.” Mel said breathily. He just smirked and lifted her off the counter. He rushed to the bedroom and set her down gently.

“Round two?” he said, his golden brown eyes pierceing into her.

“and three, and four….” She began before leaning up and sucking his bottom lip into her mouth.

---

Our limbs were tangled as I breathed into his chest. I had a hand buried deep in his hair massaging his scalp.

“As if I wasn’t already in love.” He smiled looking down at me. We could only embrace the moment for a short time before my phone rang. It was a familiar tone that let me know LC was calling. I rolled out of Sid’s bed and threw on one of his t shirts. It was a smaller one and was long over my arms, but barely covered my naked ass.

“Hey girl what’s up?” I answered headed to the kitchen for a glass of water.

“Nothing…..are you at Sid’s?”

“Yep, why?” I asked setting my glass down on the counter. Sid walked into the kitchen and stepped behind me, kissing my neck. The next thing we knew the front door flew open and LC burst in.

“Holy shit!” I screamed stepping back. She glanced at me, then to Sid who was still butt ass naked, then back to me.

“Ahh Ahh Ahhhhh!!!!” she screamed eyes wide staring at us before running back out the front door.

“LC you can just burst in here!” Sid screamed angrily through the closed door.

“I’m sorry…..ew…..ew…..ewww!”

“Sid, will you please….” I trailed off nodding towards his bedroom. He needed to put on some clothes.

“Gladly!” he said sarcastically. I opened the front door and gave LC a warning look.

“Sorry. I just have some good news.”