Wait For Me by Lissa Matthews Page B

vulnerable in front of him was always a problem for her because she couldn’t seem to stop. She was strong and independent with everyone else, but with him? No, she was putty around him. “How long are you home for this time?”
    “You’re dating another man.” His voice was even. It might be considered neutral to someone not used to him and his moods. Lucky, or unlucky for her, she was one of the few who knew him better than anyone else. Why would—”
    “I’m not dating anyone and it does matter. It always matters.”
    When he didn’t say anything more, she whispered, “What would you rather me do? Sit around? Count the days and the hours? Mope? Cry? I do those things already, but yes, I go out. I go out with a guy, but it’s not what you think or what you think you might know.” She wanted him to say the words he never uttered but assumed she’d abide by anyway.
    “How long have you been dating Dane?” he retorted, purposely ignoring her question. No matter how many times she asked, he could never answer that one. He would expect her to answer his though, especially since she hadn’t taken the out he’d given her. She was just too damn stubborn to take the easy way.
    “I keep telling you it’s not like that. How did you know about him anyway? Do you have spies in town, Vin?” Some of her defiance came back and wouldn’t allow her to back down again. “Why does it matter how long you’re home for? Why does it matter if I’m seeing someone? It’s not like you’re here.” She stomped her foot in frustration. Her last statement was a cheap shot and one she shouldn’t have given voice to. She knew why he wasn’t around, at least in general, and it made her look petty.
    “No, I’m not here and I don’t want you sad, but you know what…” Vin looked down and shook his head. Just short twitches really, as if he couldn’t quite figure something out. “Dump him.” It was simply stated, unemotional. It wasn’t a command or an ultimatum, but Mel felt the words all the way down to her toes. And he once again, ignored her questions.
    She wasn’t the only one who’d tipped her hand though. He was doing it too and there was only one way this ended. Her flat on her back with her legs wrapped around him.
    “Vin, c’mon…” He turned and held her with that uncompromising stare that never failed to get to her. His bright eyes, deep set against his dark tanned skin, stood out like blue flames burning through charcoal. If she’d paid attention when he first turned around, she’d have seen the streaks of dirt across his face and neck that were evident to her now.
    “If it’s not serious, Mel, if it’s not like that, dump him.” He took a step in her direction and she took a startled step back. He smirked. “That’s what I thought. Go on. Get outta here. I’ll stop in to see you before I head out again.”
    He was angry with her, and while he really didn’t have a right to be, she understood why he was. She was his. She’d always been his. “No you won’t,” she accused. “You never do. How long are you home for?” she asked again.
    “I’ll come by and see your mama soon too, but tell her I said hi.”
    From the moment her mama had met him, he’d been the favorite. Of all the guys Mel had dated over the years, Vin had always been the one her mother liked best. “Stop ignoring what I say.” Then again, he was always her favorite, too.
    “It’s for the best, baby. We both know that. Go on now. Run on back to your safe life and safe boyfriend.”
    “I’m not some dog for you to order around. Goddammit , Vinny …” She shrank back against the wood frame of the workshop doorway and slapped a hand over her mouth. She’d never cursed at him like that and rarely did she call him Vinny . She’d used that when they were kids and he’d hated it, but allowed her to use it because he liked her. She didn’t think he liked her very much at the moment.
    At the same time, she didn’t like