Chapter 4

“Are you okay?” Derek asked, his mouth close to her ear.

Melanie could only nod as she tried to catch her breath.

“Are we close to the door?”

She nodded again.

He kept his arm tight around her waist, and they shuffled up the driveway together. Her heart hammered, but she thought that had less to do with her near spill and more to do with the fact that Derek felt like a brick wall behind her, and she didn’t want him to let her go. In fact, she wanted him to push her against the wall and…

“Keys?”

She was still clutching them tightly, but she couldn’t see the knob or the deadbolt. She stabbed unsuccessfully several times before finding the keyhole and pushing the door open, and the rush of hot air from the house stung her cheeks. Derek didn’t release her until they were both inside, the storm securely locked behind them.

Melanie peeled off her gloves and coat and tossed-pushed her wet hair out of her face. “Make yourself at home, please.”