Destiny Revealed (There's Always Tomorrow Book 2) (9 page)

“That's sad,” Harper murmurs.

Vance nods. “I will say, though, that I’ve never seen him get this worked up over a chick he just met. Maybe it's a good sign for you. If he does end up falling for you, he's gonna be kicking and screaming the whole time; he will not fall quietly, that's for sure.”

Harper chuckles. “Well, let's get through the first date and see how that goes. Then we'll worry about the whole falling in love part.”

Vance smiles and nods. “Good plan.”

Melina walks over to Vance and tucks herself under his arm. They really are a gorgeous couple.

“So are you two okay now?” Harper asks, nodding in their direction.

Melina turns her smiling face up to look at Vance. “Yeah, we're okay,” she says softly.

Vance leans down and gives her a lingering kiss on the lips.

“Thank fucking god,” Harper whispers. 

Chapter 6

“So, how have you and Melina been?” Tripp asks him.

Vance is sitting in the chair to the right of Tripp's desk at the station. He has a few minutes to spare while Mike is getting dressed in the locker room. It's been two weeks since he’s been back together with Melina.

“We're good. She’s been busy getting ready for a runway show, so I haven't seen her in a couple of days.” Vance sighs and runs a hand through his hair.

“A runway show? For real? That's awesome,” Tripp says, impressed.

Vance smiles. “She got us all tickets.”

“Shut the fuck up, are you serious?” Tripp asks excitedly.

“Yep, she told me last night. The show is this Saturday, and we all have front row seats,” Vance replies.

Tripp throws his arms up and whoops, causing some of the other detectives to turn and give him questioning looks. “What? Mind your business,” Tripp snaps.

Vance chuckles.

“This is amazing! We get to watch a bunch of sexy supermodels strut down a runway in barely there undies from the front row. Fuck yes, dude. Your girlfriend is awesome!” Tripp smiles wide and gives Vance a light smack on the face.

“Yeah, yeah, just cover your eyes when my woman gets on the runway,” Vance sneers teasingly.

Tripp snorts. “Fuck you, dude! She’s on the runway, she's fair game to ogle.”

Vance throws his head back and laughs. “Don't make me hurt you.”

Tripp laughs.

“Summers! You have a visitor!” calls Officer Downy from the doorway behind Vance.

Vance looks over his shoulder to see Melina walk through the doorway. His heart leaps up in his throat at the sight of her. Can the woman get any more stunning? She smiles at him and it brightens up the whole office. Vance stands and walks to meet her.

As he walks over to her, he takes in her appearance. She is in a pretty, royal blue dress that stops just above mid-thigh. She has a thin gold belt around her waist with matching stilettos. The top of the dress is a scoop neck with three quarter sleeves. It isn't tight but it isn't overly baggy either. She looks stylish, like she just stepped out of a magazine. She has a matching gold clutch purse in one hand, her other hanging loosely by her side. Her hair is done up in a loose side braid that hangs over her left shoulder, long enough to hang down past her breast. Beyond just her looks, her confidence is mesmerizing.

Every set of eyes in the place is on her, and for the first time, Vance doesn't care. He’s been missing her and just wants to wrap his arms around her. When he gets close enough, he grabs her around the waist and pulls her up against him. Melina smiles warmly up at him before cupping his face and giving him a delicious kiss on the lips. When she pulls back, she giggles and rubs the lipstick off his mouth with her thumb.

“Sorry, I forgot,” she says.

Vance shoos her hand away then bends down to nuzzle her neck, pulling in a deep breath of her scent. Melina wraps her arms around his neck and hugs him tightly.

“I’ve missed you,” Vance murmurs against her neck.

“I’ve missed you, too,” Melina replies softly and lets him go. “Sorry, I've been so busy...”

“Shh, you gotta do what you gotta do,” Vance says, putting a finger over her lips to shush her.

Vance takes her hand and leads her over to Tripp's desk. He sits back down in the chair and pulls her onto his lap.

“Hi, Tripp,” Melina says sweetly after she is comfortably seated on his thigh.

“Hey, my new best friend,” Tripp says with a stupid grin on his face.

Melina laughs. “I guess you’ve heard about the tickets?”

“Oh, yes, and I love you for them.”

Melina laughs again and shakes her head.

Vance lets his gaze roam over her, from her beautiful smiling face, to her long sexy legs, which are crossed at the knee. They have yet to consummate their relationship. There just hasn't been time with their work schedules. But the image of Melina on his bed nude pops into his head often, and he is dying to get her naked on his bed again, and as soon as possible.

Melina opens her purse and pulls out an envelope. “I brought you guys the tickets just in case I don't have another chance to get them to you before Saturday,” Melina says and hands the envelope to Tripp.

Vance frowns. “But that's three days away. Are you saying that I'm not going to see you at all until Saturday?”

Melina sighs. “I don't know, baby. My days are so full with fittings, rehearsals, dress rehearsals, photo shoots, press conferences, blah blah blah. And I need to sleep and eat somewhere in between.”

Vance pouts, sticking his bottom lip out. He knows that he isn't playing fair, but he wants some time with her, too. Melina gives him a pained look. “Vance, don't look at me like that,” she says quietly.

“Can't I come over your place whenever you’re done?” Vance asks.

“I'm just gonna be going right to bed; we're not going to be able to hang out or anything.” Melina frowns.

“We don't have to do anything, I'll just come and sleep with you; at least I'll get some time to hold you.”

Tripp makes a gagging noise next to him. Both Vance and Melina shoot him a dirty look, making him laugh.

“Hey! It's Melina!” Mike exclaims from behind them, startling Melina.

Mike walks around them, coming to a stop in front of them. He gives Melina a kiss on the cheek. “Hey, sweetheart.”

“Hi, Mikey,” she replies with a small smile.

“What the fuck is going on out here? Quit the socializing and get back to fucking work!” Chief Peterson’s voice booms from the doorway of his office.

Their heads all whip around to look at the man as he stomps over toward them. Vance stands Melina up then stands next to her as she smooths out her dress. Chief Peterson comes to a stop in front of them.

“Let me guess, Melina Higgins?” Chief Peterson sneers, giving her a disgusted look. At Melina's nod, Chief Peterson turns to Vance. “What the hell is she doing here other than being the reason why my station has come to a standstill?” he barks.

“Melina is just dropping something off to me, Sir. She was just leaving,” Vance says.

“Dropping something off to you? You're still seeing her?” Chief Peterson asks, eyes narrowed.

“Yes, Sir,” Vance grinds out through clenched teeth. His personal life is none of the Chief's damn business.

“She is right here,” Melina snaps at the Chief. “Don’t talk about me as if I'm not standing right here. I hate that.”

Vance bites back a groan. Shit, she’s going to get him into even deeper trouble.

Chief Peterson stares at her, his left eye twitching, a sign that he’s now thoroughly pissed off. “You, my dear, are not welcome in this station. You’ve done nothing but get my officers into trouble because they’re too busy staring at you. And ever since you started screwing one of my best officers, he's been on the verge of getting fired...”

“Chief, that's enough,” Vance says firmly, stepping in front of Melina.

“Did you really just interrupt me son?” Chief Peterson says slowly and quietly, which is even more dangerous than him yelling.

“Yes, Sir. That was completely out of line,” Vance says, standing his ground and knowing full well that he will likely get fired for his insubordination, but he won't let anyone talk to Melina like that.

Vance sees the Chief’s jaw bulge as his face starts to turn red. Oh fuck, he is so dead.

“Get in my office, right now,” Chief Peterson growls low through clenched teeth.

Melina watches in horror as Vance trudges off to his Chief's office. The door slams closed behind them. As soon as it is closed, the Chief gets right up in Vance's face and starts screaming at him. Vance doesn't flinch; he just stands there and takes it. Melina turns to Mike and Tripp, both looking grim as they watch as Vance is admonished.

“Is he getting fired?” Melina squeaks.

“Hopefully not,” Tripp murmurs.

“Oh god, this is all my fault,” Melina breathes, pressing her hand to her mouth.

“Not really, he could’ve kept his mouth shut. But if the Chief spoke to my girlfriend like that, I would have done the same thing,” Mike says, giving her a small smile.

That doesn't really make Melina feel any better. She turns back to watch Vance. He’s calm and composed, unlike the other man, who is having a hissy fit. Melina doesn't know how Vance is just standing there, hands clasped in front of him, while this guy screams at him, an inch away from his face. Melina sees Vance's mouth move but doesn't know what he says. The Chief stares at him for a second before turning to go sit behind his desk.

They talk for another minute or so before Vance is dismissed. Melina wrings her hands as she waits for the livid-looking Vance to make his way back to her. Melina opens her mouth to apologize but Vance cuts her off by putting his hand up.

“Not a word,” he says firmly. Melina closes her mouth.

“What's the verdict?” Tripp asks, looking nervous.

“He's only gonna write me up for now,” Vance answers Tripp then looks at Melina. “But if you come here again, I'm done.”

Melina nods, tears making her vision a little blurry. She whispers, “Sorry.”

Vance's face softens and he pulls her into his embrace. “You have nothing to be sorry for, this isn't your fault,” he murmurs softly into her hair.

“Come on, you two get outta here and I'll walk Melina out,” Tripp says to Vance and Mike.

Vance nods, gives Melina a peck on the lips, and then lets her go. “Call me later,” Vance utters then starts out of the station with Mike.

A tissue dangles in front of her. Melina looks over at Tripp and takes the tissue from him. “Thanks.”

Tripp just gives her a small smile and a nod while she blots her eyes. She throws the tissue in the trash and glances over at Chief Peterson, who is still sitting at his desk. He’s watching her, his eyes cold and stony. Melina wants to stick her tongue out at him, but that would just be childish and most likely get Vance fired.

“Let’s go,” Tripp grunts and protectively lays a big hand on her shoulder as he also sends a glance in the Chief’s direction.

Melina lets Tripp lead her out of the station. Once outside, she turns to face him. Melina still cannot get over what a handsome group of guys they all are. Tripp looks sharp in his light gray suit with his badge hanging from his neck, gun holstered under his arm. His dirty blond hair is buzzed short and his face is clean-shaven. He has a strong jaw, somewhat squinty eyes, and a straight nose. His eyes are crystal blue framed by long light brown lashes. He is tall, probably only an inch or so shorter than Vance, and of course he has a body to die for, like the rest of them.

“Thanks, Tripp,” Melina says quietly.

“Hey, come on, don't worry about that. Vance is a big boy. He handled it and didn't get fired; being written up is no biggie,” Tripp says with a reassuring smile and a shrug.

Melina nods. “Okay.”

Tripp pats his suit jacket where he stashed the tickets in the inside pocket. “Thanks for these; I can’t wait!” he says, barely containing his excitement.

Melina bites back a smile.

“What's even better is that we all get to see you in your underwear, which is going to royally piss Vance off. Can’t friggin’ wait!” He chuckles.

Melina laughs and shakes her head. “You are such a guy.”

Tripp nods. “Yes, yes I am.”

“Alright, well I gotta go. I'll see you on Saturday.” Melina smiles.

“More like, I'll see
you
on Saturday.” Tripp shoots her a cheesy grin and wags his eyebrows.

Melina laughs. Just as she gives him a kiss on the cheek, she hears the whoop whoop of a cop car behind her. Melina turns to see Vance practically hanging out the passenger side of the cruiser that Mike is driving.

“Get your filthy hands off my woman, Saunders!” Vance yells from the car, pointing at Tripp.

Melina squeals when Tripp wraps his arms around her from behind and kisses her on the cheek. Vance's eyes widen and he tells Mike to hold him back. Mike grabs Vance's belt as he pretends to try to climb out of the car window. Melina is laughing so hard that she has tears running down her face. Vance finally gives up, plops back down into his seat, and starts cracking up.