Chapter 5 House Guest

Getting out, he walks up to the house and takes out the key. He unlocks the door and walks in. Searching the house he finds it is empty, dead and empty. Panic begins to set in as he sits at the kitchen table. She wouldn't be so stupid to go back to Ethan, surely? Midnight hits and he hears the front door unlocking. He watches as Melodie steps through, her body stopping in shock as she sees him.

"Where the fuck were you?" His voice is loud but trembling. He was sure she had run to Ethan just to make a point.

"Work, Jax. God, who do you think you are?" She walks in and straight to the fridge, taking out a drink.

"Office isn't open this late, Melodie, so don't bullshit me with work. Where the hell were you?"

Melodie looks at him. He will tell her dad, and then she knows she will get shit. "I work in the local bar, just down the street, as well. Just Monday, Wednesday, then Friday through to Sunday. It's different to being stuck behind a computer, Jax. Go on, run and tell Dad." She pulls a face at him. "Tattletale." She feels her eyes rolling. He always does, always tells on her.

"That's all, Melodie? Just the local bar? You weren't with Ethan?"

Melodie laughs, sitting down. "Jealous much, Jax? What, worried that I will fall in his arms and not care about you anymore?"

Jax nods looking at her. "Jealous as hell, baby, and I swear if you go near him, you will regret it. Stay the fuck away."

She stands, staring at him in shock. He wasn't meant to agree, damn it.

He shakes his head, trying to compose himself again. "He pushes drugs onto women, Melodie. He isn't to be trusted."

Her head tilts to the side slightly. "Jealous, yet you won't touch me or let me touch you?"

Jax looks at her. He should have known she wouldn't let that slip by without commenting.

"You don't touch me, Melodie. Hell, I get angry as hell even considering you being with him."

Melodie laughs, looking at him. "Just touch me, Jax, let it happen. What are you so afraid of?"

He moves closer to her, his eyes different. Her body shakes slightly at the sight. "I could let you love me so quick, Melodie, and hell, I would leave you just as fucking quick. Then what? You scream you wanted more and I refuse?" He knows that is how it will end.

"You have some serious issues, Jax."

He nods, laughing. "Yeah, and so do you, baby, and my biggest one is wanting you. I am off. Stay the hell away from Ethan or hell yes I am telling your father and making sure he sits a bodyguard on your arse." He can't protect her; the more he stands close to her, the more he wants her.

"Go home to your wife, Jax, if she is even there."

His jaw clenches at her words, more from pain because he knows the house will be empty – it always is. That is why he stays at his apartment. Turning, he walks out and drives home. Stopping outside the house, he sees the light is on.

A smile comes to his face as he sees Roxanne moving in the living room, a towel wrapped around her. Sitting for a moment, he smiles at her even though she can't see him. He misses her. He misses having his wife and wishes things could go back to how they were. Maybe telling her everything will help? Perhaps she will change her mind?

His hand goes to open the door and it stops when he sees the figure joining her, his arms wrapping around her waist. Jax watches as he gently kisses Roxanne's neck and she smiles up at him. He should just force her to divorce him, yet part of him still loves her. Even just that small bit is enough to not want her hurting from her father's disapproval.

Turning the engine on, he drives away, heading for his apartment. He walks in and sits down. He needs a submissive, needs to stop going home in the hopes Roxanne will be waiting for him and he sure as hell needs to avoid Melodie.

He finds himself laid on the bed, Melodie in his mind before it shifts to that club, that women, Candy, and how amazing she looked. His eyes close as he finds himself falling asleep.

The phone rings, making him jump up and answer it.

"Jax, where is Melodie?" Not this shit again. He feels his frustration rise.

"Lucas, she's at home, you know that." He can't deal with this. Lucas is part of the reason he is there so much.

"Check, for God's sake, Jax, check the house and make sure she is home."

Jax jumps out of bed, his body cold. "What the hell is going on Lucas?" He walks out while waiting for Lucas to reply.

"Look, all I know is the woman Ethan left with again tonight has gone, nowhere to be seen. Someone called me and said he was interested in Melodie. Just check, Jax. I have a bad feeling about this." Jax feels his head nodding as he hangs up and drives quickly to her house.

Stopping outside, he turns the lights off on the car. The other vehicle parked outside makes him want to run into the house shouting her name. Sitting back, he watches. He can see two figures. One is Melodie. Ten minutes later he watches as the door opens. His body tenses as he watches Ethan walk out. She didn't listen, damn her. He watches as Ethan drives off. Walking to the door, he unlocks it and walks in. Melodie jumps as he does so, looking at him in confusion.

"You just had to go and fuck him, didn't you? Ignore all the warnings, Melodie. Go ahead because, clearly, you have a fucking death wish right now." Why the hell would she just ignore everything he said?

"Oh yeah, Jax. I fucked him right there on the sofa. Grow up! He was here to make sure I was okay after you dragged me out screaming, nothing more. Maybe if you weren't so jealous, you would have let me tell you that first." Jax can feel his body shaking. Melodie looks at his eyes. Damn, he is pissed off.

"Your dad rang and insisted I come straight round here to check on you. Come on, Melodie. Ethan is part of this mission. Stop playing with him and stay the hell away before you disappear as well."

The laughs escape her mouth before she can stop it. Her hand covering it as she does.

"Hell, you have a death wish, Melodie. What will it take? You to actually see Ethan dragging a woman's lifeless body out before you believe us?"

She stands up, looking at him. It wouldn't be the first time her dad has lied about a guy to keep her away from him. She knows though that Ethan is dodgy.

"I pinkie promise to stay the hell out of Ethan's bed. Happy now, Jax?" She stands looking at him. He will kill her if he knew the truth. Actually, he would probably tie her up and hide her. So, for now, she will indulge him.

"No, Melodie, I won't be happy until you take this seriously. It isn't a joke. Your dad should be here dealing with your shit, not me." He needs to leave, but how can he now?

"What do you expect me to do, Jax? Just believe everything you and Dad say? Remember Alan? Sweet Alan, who you two told me had been in prison for GBH? How about Jacob? Who you said has a record for beating women? All of them, who, let's be honest, Jax, were sound men. You and Dad just hated seeing me move on with my life." She hates them. Maybe if they hadn't pushed every guy away, she wouldn't still be thinking of Jax the same way.

"I need to go. I have to get back to the club and see if I can see Ethan. Just promise me, please Melodie, don't give him a chance." She stands looking at him. She can see it: the love, the want and the need in his eyes, but also the fear, fear that she will get hurt. She feels her head nod silently in agreement. "Thank you, baby. Please keep the doors and windows locked. I don't know everything. If I find out, I will tell you." Jax walks out.

Sitting, she listens to his car leaving. He is making this so much fucking harder. Walking to her room, she climbs into bed. She won't quit. Ethan has been nothing but kind to her. Hell, he gave her a chance even though he knew her dad and Jax would kill him.