It's Thursday so here is the next chapter for you. Enjoy and see you on Monday :)

Melanie

"I'm never going to make brownies again," I sigh as I stare at the pork chops that are sizzling in the pan, feeling awfully guilty. After leaving Darcy with Riley, Eric took me to his place after one look at my sad face.

He snorts and hands me the bottle of beer we're sharing. "I've heard that one from you before, Mel," he says quietly. He wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me closer against him, and for the millionth time I wonder if I've used too much of my special ingredient in the dough because Eric has never ever been this touchy-feely before.
Unlike popular beliefs, he can be one hell of a relaxed dude – as I have witnessed many a time during private parties and get-togethers at home or at my parents' bar – but touchy-feely Eric is new to me.
Not that I'm complaining, but it's a bit overwhelming, this unexpected and highly uncharacteristic side of him.

"I know, but this time I'm serious, Eric. You're right, I should stop acting like a kid." I look down at the beer cap I'm playing with before bringing the bottle to my mouth for a healthy swig.

He picks the turner of the counter and flips the chops one by one. "Not making brownies won't change the way you sometimes act."

"It would be a fucking start," I say quietly while admiring the way the well-defined muscles of his forearms flexed and relaxed underneath his maze-like tattoos. It feels nice, being held by him. I feel safe. And wanted.

"I can't argue with that," he chuckles, "but you are not responsible for her actions – she is."

"Yes, I am, Eric!" I snap while turning in his embrace to look at him. "I should've told her that they were special. If something bad had happened to her, it would've been my fault. What if she had fallen into the Chasm? Or… or off the paths above the Pit? Or had a bad trip?"

He studies me calmly for a long time and I'm starting to drown in his darkened eyes. His pupils are blown wide open and there is hardly any grey left. He is still high as a motherfucking kite. Most definitively too much magical butter. "But she didn't, so there's no reason to worry about What-If-scenarios of an event that has already taken place without any casualties," he counters in a soft voice.

"Then why did you punish me?" I point out while stabbing his hard chest with my index finger. "Better yet, why did you punish me like you would a six-year old? If I'm responsible for her behaviour in the cafeteria, then I'm also responsible for what happened between her and Riley!"

He frowns at that. "What happened between her and Riley?"

I shrug then sigh. "I don't know. She wouldn't tell me, only that she made a complete ass of herself."

Eric begins to laugh. Even his freakin' teeth are perfect. "She probably tried to kiss him or something equally dramatic."

I gasp. Why haven't I though of that? "Why would you think that?"

"Don't tell me you didn't notice their little moment in the cafeteria," he grins down at me.

"Of course I did," I frown, vividly remembering their staring session. It had been close to eye-fucking. "I just didn't think you did too."

"Why wouldn't I?" he blurts out. Somehow he even manages to sound slightly hurt. I just grin at him and take another swig of beer. "Well? Answer me."

My grin is practically splitting my face in two. "Turn the pork chops, they're overcooking on that side."

He glares at me, but I think I've become suddenly immune or something because he doesn't scare me anymore. Without breaking eye-contact he turns the chops as I told him to, then turn the burner lower.

Suddenly he leans down a bit, grabs the back of my thighs and lifts me off of my feet. I let out a surprised gasp, but he puts me down on the nearest counter and comes to stand between my legs. His eyes follow his hands as they slide from my knees to my waist, setting my soul on fire, before they dart towards my mouth and eyes.

"Answer me," he demands playfully, clearly not even believing himself.

"Or what?" I smirk. He flashes me a sly smile. "You're not going to spank me again."

"I'm not?" he grins as his arms snake around my waist.

I shake my head slowly as I stare at his mouth. "Nah, you're going to kiss me."

Mesmerised I watch him inch closer and closer until I have to close my eyes. Then I feel his lips against mine and I just melt when our tongues meet. I clasp the back of his head with both hands and wrap my legs around him. No matter what happens, I'm not letting go of him. I don't care if his stove catches fire or Max walks in… or… His hands slide underneath my tank top and cup my breasts and, fuck, I can't think any more when he squeezes them.

"Please tell me you have cookies or chips," I groan as I pull up my black jeans while trying my best to ignore the dull throbbing pain in my lower parts. This day hasn't been a good one for the lower half of my body – but it is the best day of my entire life!

"I can reheat the pork chops if you want," Eric says while stretching lazily. My eyes wander over his bare chest and chiselled abs, and I bite my bottom lip with a sigh. Everything about this man is sheer perfection. I lower my eyes and almost groan out loud. And massive, especially massive. I need painkillers because my belly is really trying to kill me.

"My eyes are up here, Cupcake," he chuckles.

"I'm not interested in your eyes any more," I joke while tilting my head to make a show out of my unashamed staring.

He laughs. "Don't stare at my dick while having the munchies, Mel. I'm serious."

I look up at him and grin. "Making you nervous, boss?"

"Not after those sounds you made for the past two hours," he smirks as he pulls a pair of sweatpants out of his drawer.

I decide to keep my mouth shut while I can still walk with what little dignity I have left. "What time is it? I should probably head home."

"Why? You haven't been to school since last week," he says, "so it's not as if you have to wake up early. Plus you haven't slept at home since Explosiva arrived here."

"Still, it's late and I'm trying to find a decent way to leave here without looking like a complete fool."

He pulls me to him, and I love how he smells like me. "Then you shouldn't have made those sounds earlier," he tries to say with a straight face, and then he burst into laughter.

I can't help but laugh with him even though my cheeks are burning. His laugh is too damn infectious. "I really hate you, you know that?"

"Yeah, I heard that loud and clear for the past two hours!"

Oh. My. God. Just kill me now. I swear, I'm never ever making brownies again. I place my hands on his chest and begin to play with the soft curls there. "But seriously, I should be going before it gets awkward."

His hands begin drawing lazy circles on my back when his eyes soften. "I was only joking, Mel."

I avert my gaze and look at my fingers. "I know, but… you know. I'm sober now, and you too, and…"

He presses his forehead against mine and sigh through his nose. "Okay."

He briefly captures my mouth with his in a toe-curling kiss before releasing me. "See you tomorrow, then."

I swing my arms around his neck and tiptoe to kiss him again. He smiles against my lips. "Okay," I breathe. "I'll have my secretary call your secretary for a lunch meeting, okay?" Fuck, why is this so hard?!

He chuckles while kissing me back. "Make that a breakfast meeting," he whispers, and I feel something stirring against my lower belly. I break off the kiss and distance myself from him by taking a step back.

I can't look at him now. If I do, I'll be powerless and not be able to escape him any more.

I can't spend the night with him, I just can't. I refuse to walk the Walk of Shame in the morning. Tonight is bad enough as it is. I keep my eyes on the waxed hardwood floor as I follow him to the front door.

"Melanie," he says quietly when I'm standing outside in the hallway.

I look at him through my eyelashes. He is frowning while studying me closely. Then suddenly he reaches out his hand and cups my cheek. My heart is hammering in my chest as I lean into his touch. I have no idea what he is doing, but whatever it is, it makes me feel weightless like I'm soaring above the clouds towards the sun.

No, I don't want him to be this gentle. He doesn't have to be gentle with me. I like him just the way he is: rough and dominant and manhandling me as if I'm weighing less than a bunch of feathers.

But goddammit, this is nice. Very nice. Too nice.

I don't think that my toes will ever straighten themselves again.

He opens his mouth, then closes it again before shaking his head. "Stay out of trouble."

Too late for that, I think to myself as I smile and nod. "Goodnight, Eric."

I walk through the hallway with my hand pressed against my chest and hear him close his door when I open the door to the staircase, and suddenly it collides with someone – someone with long wavy blonde hair.

She yelps, then curses loudly, and I look with big eyes from her to Riley, whose standing behind her, and back. Interesting…