Page 58 of The Spare

I start the car, pulling off. Breezing right by Stephen and Leo, who looks a little shell shocked at our car as we drive past. "The rest of it's in Dante's car; he's gone ahead of us to unload it."

She's silent again.

My fingers are so tight on the steering wheel my knuckles go white. We're both breathing heavily, upset with each other, and it's ten solid minutes into the drive before I dare to break the tension. "What were you doing at his house, Melody?"

"Nothing," her tone is short, too perfunctory for my taste.

"Nothing, huh?" I take a deep breath, blowing it out calmly through my nose. "What does'nothing'mean nowadays, Mel?"

Fuck, she knows I can't standthat word.

I'm met with silence.

"Did you fuck him?" I ask.

"It's none of your business."

"Hey, stop playin', Mel. I asked you a question that I want answered,"I say quietly, looking over at her.

"And I said it was none of yourmotherfucking business!"she turns to pierce me with a stare so pissed that if it were any other person, they'd be getting jumped in my car. No lie.

My eyes snap to hers as I crawl to a stop at a red light around the corner from my building.

"Look at me," I say, keeping my voice even. It takes everything in me to act calm. I wait until her head turns, and her eyes find mine. "It would be easier for us both if you answer my questions now, because when I get you in the house, if you don't answer my questions, I'm going toforcethem out of you. Do you understand what I'm saying, Mel?"

She blinks, her face flushing slightly. "Maybe."

Her innocence cools me down just slightly.

Slightly.

I take a deep breath and wet my lips, seeing her eyes flit to them then back again. "Did you fuck Leo tonight, Mel?"

The silences stretches between us and the light turns green, illuminating her face. This time, I let her have her silence. I turn to face forward, drive us into the parking garage, and park in my space. I unbuckle my seatbelt, rubbing my hand along my jaw.

"Do you love me?" I ask quietly. Pulling my eyes from the concrete wall in front of us I turn my head and meet her eyes. She's staring at me like a deer caught in headlights. My eyes lower to where her hands lay in her lap, clenched so hard they're turning red. I look back up at her, covering her hands with my own. "It's a simple question,muchsimpler than the other one. But I need you to answer this one. Do you love me?"

"Yes," she says breathlessly. Her chin quivers, and she pulls her lips into an adorable pout, but she keeps my eye contact.

My heart skips a beat, my hand tightens over hers, and I let the warmth melt the ice of my ire before I answer her back. "I love you, too."

The lights in the car go off, and an eerie silence fills the small space. But she still doesn't look away.

I don't either.

I shift in my seat, draping my arm across my steering wheel in a relaxed stance, hoping it'll get her to open up.

"One more time, baby," I say calmly, fighting that anger always swirling deep down inside. "Did you fuck him?"

"What does it matter if I fucked him, Mason?" she whispers. "I'm sure you've fucked plenty of women since I've met you."

I lean forward, tucking a wayward curl behind her ear. "I haven't touched a single person since the day I met you, Mel. How could I,hm,when I had you to look forward to?"

"But.. but…" Her brows furrow, and I close the distance between us, pressing my lips to hers. Silencing her.

I kiss her slowly, feeling her hesitancy. Her fingers tremble under my hand, and brush my thumb softly over them.

I kiss her for long minutes, memorizing her taste and how she likes her tongue stroked. Finding out quickly that she doesn't like her top lip nipped, but she does like her bottom lip to be tugged on. Her skin is so soft, like the silk sheets upstairs in our bed.