Page 4 of Breeze and Melodie

“It sounds like you’ve had an exciting but long day. Do you want me to come over to help you relax?”

“I probably wouldn’t be good company tonight. I’m gonna shower and knock out so I can get to the gym in the morning and be ready to do this shit all over again tomorrow.”

After I parted ways with Melodie, I stopped at the gas station to fill up my tank before heading home. I’d only been in my apartment for a few minutes when Tia called.

“That’s too bad. It’s been a few days, and I was looking forward to seeing you.”

“My bad. We can connect tomorrow. I’m just not up for it tonight.”

“I understand. How about we meet for dinner and then come back to my place for a nightcap?”

“That’ll work. Let me know if you want me to pick you up at your place or if you want to meet at the restaurant. I’m cool with either.”

“Okay. See you tomorrow.”

We ended the call, and I did exactly what I told Tia I would. After a long shower, I took care of the rest of my hygiene and hit the sack.

It seemed like I’d only been asleep a few minutes when my phone rang. I picked up and was surprised to see Melodie’s name. Before answering, I noticed it was after midnight.

“You good, Mel?”

“Can you come to my apartment?” she whispered.

“Mel?”

“Yes, it’s me. I know it’s late, but?—”

“I’m on my way. Are you in danger?”

“Me and Sean got into it. I asked him to leave, and he?—"

“Where are you? Where is he?” I held the phone between my ear and shoulder as I pulled on a pair of sweats.

“I’m locked in the bathroom in my bedroom. He’s in the living room.”

“Did he put his hands on you?”

“Yes, but?—”

“Say less. I’m on my way up.”

While we spoke, I grabbed my gun from my bedside table and put it in the pocket of my sweats. I had no idea what I’d walk into and had to be prepared.

I placed my phone on the counter before pulling a T-shirt over my head and sliding into a pair of gym shoes at the door. I got my keys from the counter, picked up my phone, and exited my apartment.

After locking up, I jogged to the stairwell, rushed up two flights of stairs, and into the hallway of Melodie’s floor. When I arrived at her door, I didn’t bother knocking, and thankfully, it was unlocked.

“What the fuck are you doing here!” Sean spat as he hopped up from the couch.

Ignoring him, I scanned the space and noticed the apartment was in disarray. The loveseat and coffee table had clearly been moved, and the barstools for the breakfast bar had been knocked over.

I finally made eye contact with Sean and noticed a bruise on his face, which caused a smirk to form on mine. I wanted to beat his ass, but my priority was making sure Melodie was okay.

“Mel, I’m here!” I shouted.

“The fuck did she call you for?”

I took a few steps back to close the door. Melodie’s condition would determine how this muthafucka left this apartment. Her bedroom door opened, and I immediately saw red when I noticed her swollen, blackened eye and busted lip.

“Oh, you one of those niggas,” I said in a low voice.

I closed the space between in less than two seconds and, with my hand gripping his neck, pressed him against the wall.

“What the—” he attempted to speak, but the pressure I applied to his neck wouldn’t allow it.

“I don’t like a lot of shit, but I loathe a nigga who puts his hands on women.”

He used his hands to try to move mine from his neck as he pleaded his case, but he was wasting his energy. “She—let me—fuck—I can’t bre?—”

The more he spoke, the tighter my grip became. I didn’t let him go until he stopped fighting and gasping for air. When I released him, he fell to the floor dramatically, holding his neck and sucking in as much air as he could.

“A year ago, I would’ve beaten you until you were on the brink of death or shot your ass in the middle of your fuckin’ forehead. You should thank God I’m a changed man. Take your bitch-ass outta here, and if I ever see you near her again, it won’t end well.”

He struggled to get up, and when he did, I couldn’t refrain from kicking him back to the floor and then a few more times for good measure. He coughed and groaned as he rolled over, holding his stomach.

“I bet you thought you were tough a few minutes ago. Wassup with you now, nigga? You ain’t got the same energy for me.”

“Fuck you.”

“Man, getcho bitch-ass up and get the fuck on.”

It took him a minute, and I had to fight the urge not to fuck him up, but I let him leave.

“C’mere,” I told Melodie, opening my arms.

She rushed to me, and I embraced her for a moment before releasing her to get a better look at her injuries.

Her long locs were pulled into a bun, away from her face, allowing me to see that her caramel-colored skin was puffy and had turned purple underneath her left eye, with swelling around the gash on the side of her mouth.

“Does it hurt?”

“It doesn’t feel as bad as it looks,” she whispered.

“I’ll get you some ice in a minute. First, tell me what happened.”

I led her to the loveseat where Sean had been sitting. When she sat down, she turned to face me, and I took her hands.

“When I got home from dinner with you, he came over. Everything was cool at first, but he got a phone call, and when the call ended, he went off.”

“About what?”

“Me having dinner with you. It was his friend Dak who called him.”

“Is having dinner with me a problem?”

“Apparently, it’s a problem I wasn’t aware of.”

“Why was he mad about us sharing a meal?”

“I have no idea, but he started talking to me crazy, accused me of fucking you, and playing in his face by inviting him to places where you would be.”

“And?”

“And I told him he could kiss my ass and get out of my apartment. When I walked away, he grabbed me and pushed me against the wall. Of course, I pushed him back, and he didn’t like that, so he slapped me.”

“Muthafucka,” I mumbled.

“I was shocked because he’s never put his hands on me like that, but once I processed what he’d done, I slapped the shit outta him. It was on and poppin’ after that.”

“Yeah, I saw the bruise on his face.”

“Hell, yeah! I’m sure he had a few more in other places. I don’t know what the fuck he thought would happen, but I don’t play that shit.”

“I know you can handle yourself, but I’m glad you called me.”

“He refused to leave, and I wasn’t gon’ keep fighting his ass. Ain’t nobody got time for that.”

“Do you have a gun?”

“No. It’s probably good I don’t because I would’ve most definitely shot his ass.”

“I’m taking you to the gun range, and you need to get your concealed carry license. I’ll find a class for you to take.”

“Thank you. I should see if Raine and the other ladies want to take the class with me.”

“That’s a good idea. Raine’s not licensed to carry but already knows how to shoot. She could probably use some practice. We can take the class together because my Illinois gun license doesn’t transfer. Let me get you some ice.”

As I was about to stand, she held onto my hand. “Wait, Breeze. Umm, thank you for coming so quickly. I really appreciate you.”

“You know it’s not a problem. We’re family, and I’ll always be here when you need me.”

She gave me a small smile. “Thank you.”

This time, when I tried to stand, she let me.

I went to the kitchen and put a few ice cubes in a small plastic bag.

After finding a small face towel in her linen closet, I wrapped it around the ice and returned to the loveseat.

In that short amount of time, Melodie had fallen asleep with her head resting on the back of the couch.

I admired her beauty as her chest moved up and down, acknowledging that I’d never seen a woman more beautiful. The temptation to kiss her plump, bruised lips was strong, but I managed to refrain.

Slowly, I took in the rest of her body. She was wearing an oversized T-shirt, and the hem sat high enough for me to get a peek at her fat pussy lips covered by her panties.

My mind went straight to the gutter, causing me to lick my lips and adjust my dick.

If I listened to the head below my waist, I’d be on my knees with my face between her thighs.

Thankfully, the other head won the battle.

“Aye, Mel,” I whispered.

“Mmm.”

“Mel, wake up.”

“Mmm.”

It seemed impossible for her to have fallen into a deep sleep that quickly, but she’d had a rough night, and the adrenaline had probably worn off. I placed the ice bag on the coffee table, lifted her bridal-style, and carried her to her room.

I managed to pull the comforter back before gently putting her down. She adjusted her body as I tucked her in. I leaned in and kissed her forehead, and before I could move, she grabbed my forearm.

“Stay,” she whispered.

Her request surprised me, and I thought she might be talking in her sleep because her eyes were still closed. However, when I tried to leave, her grip tightened.

“Mel?”

“Stay,” she repeated.

I sighed as I contemplated her request, looking around her bedroom. “Okay. Let me go lock up.”