Secret Lover Ch. 03

Evan quickly tossed his things in his bag and prepared to leave. "Hold it Ansel Adams, let's see those pictures." Jamie said holding out her hand Evan passed her the camera and watched as she flipped through them, mmm yes these are perfect. I can't wait to that little bitch gets a look at these she said evilly. "Have them developed and sent to my condo" Jamie said shoving the camera into his chest, you find more information on this slut Melanie and I'll call you when we move on to the next step in my plan. Evan didn't speak he simply nodded and hauled ass out of there,

Jamie pulled on her jacket and tied the straps tightly around her thin waist "let the games begin" she said looking at Cole's unconscious body before making her exit.

******

6 months later

Okay take a step, alright now just wait there. And don't open your eyes

Melanie stood perfectly still, her hands covering her eyes as she waited patiently to see what required her to get all dressed up and at such short notice

"Cole is this really necessary?" Melanie asked

"Yes it is now just keep them closed... okay open them!" Cole shouted

SURPRISE!!! The room erupted in unison of cheers and applause, as the room filled with people all took turns hugging Melanie.

Melanie jaws were already beginning to hurt from smiling, "What is all this?" Melanie asked looking at Cole.

"It's your surprise birthday party." he replied wrapping his arms around her waist from behind, "But my birthdays not for another 2 weeks."

"I know." Cole replied that's what makes it a surprise. Cole leaned closer so only she would hear what he said next "I plan to have you all to myself on your birthday." Cole said before placing a kiss on Melanie's cheek .

Many of Melanie's co-workers and friends were there including Kandice and Raul, as she continued to greet everyone and mingle the sound of a familiar voice could be heard from behind her.

"Is that my melly bear?" Melanie swung around and looked into the big brown eyes of her father "daddy!" she yelled running and jumping into his arms.

"Ahh there's my girl, how you been sugar?" Melanie's father asked.

"Good dad but I'm fantastic now that you're here." she said pulling him into another hug. Melanie began to look around and when she didn't see the face she was looking for she asked " where's mom?" her dad let out a sigh and motioned towards the bar "She hasn't been here more than 5 minutes and has already had enough booze to put a small elephant on its ass." When Melanie had saw her father she was ecstatic, but had inwardly prayed that for some reason her mother couldn't make it , she took any and every opportunity to ruin a moment to make a situation about her or dredge up old memories and now was not the time .

All of a sudden as if to save her from her thoughts coal appeared putting his arm around her , "Enjoying your party sweetheart?" Cole said over the loud music "Yeah it's great, oh Cole I want you to meet my father, daddy this is Cole my boyfriend." Cole didn't hesitate to shake the hand of the man that helped in giving him the most beautiful woman in his world to him, and he couldn't help but straighten his back with pride knowing Melanie was willing to introduce him to her father. "Mr. Graham it's a pleasure sir."

"indeed it is , son I hope you're taking good care of my girl." Melanie's father replied . "Oh yes sir." Cole said sensing the seriousness in his tone good "...and call me Charles."

From across the room Melanie spotted her mother who looked as if she was trying to climb onto the bar "Oh shit, excuse me for a moment." Melanie said sliding past Cole, her father and the other party goers to stop her mother.

As if on cue, Cole felt the tight grip of a muscular hand grip his arm making him jerk around instantly he calmed when he realized it was Melanie's father "Now you listen here son, that woman you have is my little girl and I can tell from the way she looks at you she loves you and if that's the case I'm happy for you both but if you hurt my baby girl I'll do everything in my power to hurt you." Cole was never one to scare easily but had to admit he was intimidated although it did not show on his chiselled features "Mr. Graham I love your daughter just as much if not more as she loves me I would never intentionally hurt her I hope you understand that." Cole responded.

Charles removed his grip on Coles arm and extended his hand, for a moment Cole was unsure but proceeded to shake the man's hand. I'm glad we have an understanding, now how about a drink Charles said his demeanour changed completely; he waved over a waitress who supplied them both with beers. "What should we toast to?" Charles said pulling the top from his beer "Well how about we toast to me asking your daughter to marry me and me hoping she says yes." Cole replied.

Charles turned to Cole who pulled an emerald colored box from his jacket pocket he opened the box and revealed a stunning platinum band with diamonds in cased in the second band with a halo design; in the center a 40 carat diamond ring. "I'm taking Melanie to meet my parents next week and I'm going to ask her on her birthday I'm asking for your blessing Mr Graham."

Tears began to fill Charles large eyes; he remembered when he asked his wife's father for her hand, how nervous he had been and how happy he was when she said yes. "You have my blessing son and I told you call me Charles or should it be dad" he said chuckling and pulling Cole into one hell of a bear hug the two men hugged for a moment before touching bottles and enjoying their beers.

*across the room*

"Mom for the love of god, you're in a public place it's my birthday act like you have some sense."

"Melanie Elizabeth Graham you watch your tone with me, I may be slightly intoxicated but I am still your mother." Melanie's mother responded

After a few moments of struggle Melanie was able to pull her mother from the table, from behind her father intervened taking hold of Melanie's mom's hand and leading her to a table in the corner. "Victoria come on now you've caused enough trouble for the night, Melly you enjoy your party I'll take care of your mama." He said waving her off. Melanie nodded and walked towards the dance floor, she found Kandice and Raul and ate, drank and danced the night away, every so often she would grab hold of Cole and try to convince him to dance but he seemed so distant as if he was on another planet, she tried a few times to see what was wrong but whenever she did Raul or Kandice would pull her back to the dance floor.

After sometime her gigantic birthday cake was presented, happy birthday was sung and she knew Kandice had to help with the preparations only she knew that red velvet and triple whipped cream with almonds was her favorite. Melanie couldn't believe how blessed she was , wonderful friends , amazing boyfriend , good parents for once in her life she was surrounded by love she just prayed it stayed that way.

*****

"Are you sure? When? ...alright good job Evan you're actually proving to be worth the money." Jamie said before hanging up her phone. "I didn't tell you to stop" Jamie said to the young blonde haired man tucked between her thin thighs who had lifted his head to hear what all the fuss was about.

Jamie smiled evilly to herself; her plans were coming together perfectly. With some surprising help from Evan of course. It was his idea to let the fire settle give him time to think everything was perfect in his little world , he even arranged a cell phone tap which told them about Melanie's upcoming surprise party and giving Evan time to sneak in and dredge up information. Jamie knew Cole couldn't have remembered a thing or he would have stormed to her condo and raised hell about it, and now here he was partying without a care or a single idea of what was to come.

As Jamie lay back onto the bed she could feel herself close to orgasm both to her boy toys menstruations and the thought that very soon she would have a front row seat to the fireworks that were sure to go off.

***

It had been three hours since Cole and Melanie, headed off to meet his parents for thanksgiving dinner from the moment they had entered the car Melanie had been silent she sat quietly in the passenger seat rubbing imaginary lotion onto her hands her gaze focused on the various passers-by . "You know if you keep that up, there won't be any skin left on that hand" Cole said glancing at Melanie for a moment before looking back at the road.

"Oh ... yeah" Melanie replied quietly before placing her hands in her lap and looking back out the window.

Melanie was beyond nervous, shortly after her birthday party Cole had asked her to join him for thanksgiving dinner with his parents. While she was both very honored and happy that Cole wanted her to meet his parents, she wasn't sure if they knew anything about her most of all that she was black. Even with Cole's reassurance that they would love her she wasn't as sure as he was and was secretly dreading there meeting. "I forgot to say thank you for inviting me I hope your parents don't see me as an intrusion" Melanie said.

"Mel of course not my parents have been asking when they would get a chance to meet you , most of all my sister has been dying to unleash all the embarrassing stories of my youth on you so be prepared."

it wasn't long before the couple pulled onto a single rode even from the street the view of the stately home that was tucked away behind a layer of hills was breath-taking , Melanie's eyes roamed over the landscape as they rode up the curving pathway to the house . She wanted to pinch herself, homes like these she had seen on TV and in magazines and even those massive structures did not look like people had made them, let alone lived in them. The car finally pulled to a stop as Cole stepped out rounding the car to open the door for Melanie. "And I thought your house was big" Melanie said grabbing her purse from the floor of the passenger seat. "This house has been in our family for a very long time, sort of a family heirloom."

One hell of an heirloom Melanie thought. Cole took Melanie's hand and led her to the front door, as he prepared to knock he could feel Melanie's grip tighten on his hand and turned to her. Her eyes held every ounce of worry she felt and Cole wished there was some uplifting speech he could give to calm her. "Mel relax, it's just dinner if you start to feel uncomfortable just let me know and we can leave alright." Melanie nodded but knew even if she did feel unwelcome she wouldn't say anything and risk ruining his family's dinner.

All it took was two swift knocks and in a moment the door flew open, in the doorway stood an older version of Cole. His hair was peppered in places but there were still hints of the light brown hair that used to be, his face held the same defined and toned features of his sons and when he smiled Melanie couldn't help but do the same.

"There he is come here my boy." Coles father said pulling his son into a tight hug.

"Hey dad it's good to see you." Cole replied as his father released him. "Dad this is Melanie, Melanie this is my father Thomas."

"Mr. McKinney it's a pleas..." whatever words Melanie had braced herself to say had been halted as Thomas grabbed her and pulled her into a bone crushing hug. "It's about time my son brought you to meet us, welcome to our home." Melanie was taken aback by his warmth but pleasantly so . As they were led into the house Melanie took her time looking at the beautiful decor as they made their way through a very spacious foyer and then into the family room where a group of people sat laughing.

Cole recognized the faces of the people seated on the various sofas immediately, his uncle Henry his wife Susana their twin boys Colin and Conall, his sister, his aunt Deborah, her husband Wilhelm and their daughter Anise. it wasn't more than a second that he entered the room and was immediately surrounded by his family they all took turns hugging and saying how much they had missed him. Melanie stood a large smile on her face as she watched this loving exchange but before she knew it, it was her turn to be bombarded "Oh you must be Melanie, it's great to meet you I'm Susana and these are my boys Colin and Conall .

"it's lovely to meet you." Melanie said, giving Susana a brief hug before turning her attention to the boys "And it's a double pleasure to meet you two as well." both boys gave her big grins before snickering and running off . Melanie could tell when the boys got older they were going to break hearts, both shared the same greyish blue eyes, dark black hair a gift from their mother no doubt but there's striking bone structure was all their father who stood waiting for his turn to approach Melanie, "you are beautiful" Henry said earnestly, Melanie was sure if she were any lighter she would be beet red. "Back off uncle" Cole said stepping forward and wrapping his arm around Melanie's waist. A boisterous laugh erupted from henrys throat as he patted Cole on the back "Oh relax nephew there's only one woman for me but you couldn't expect me not to state the obvious." Next came Deborah and her husband they followed suit with a hug and normal pleasantries before introducing their daughter Anise who was too busy texting on her phone to stand from her chair. It wasn't long that after everyone was introduced that they began to revert back to their previous conversation ... something about a dog, fresh meat in a boys shorts and a hospital stay before the room erupted in laughter again. Sophie, Coles sister took Melanie's hand and led her back through the foyer and out to a deck that overlooked the rest of the lovely estate, the garden in the far left cascaded with exotic flowers and in the center sat a large tree thats flowers were slowly falling to the ground in the center was a pool with a grotto like addition that reminded her of Hugh Hefner's famous pool. Had Melanie not turned around, she wouldn't have heard Sophie over her mumbles of amazement. " I had to get you out of there or I would have never gotten the chance to meet you " Sophie said pulling Melanie in a hug , " Coles told me so much , its glad to see him happy for once." "He's not the only one happy." Melanie said returning her smile.

"That's good, ... don't hurt him." Melanie's smile slowly faded as she notice the change in tone in Sophie's voice. "Excuse me." Melanie said her head cocked slightly, it wasn't that Melanie had not heard her , on the contrary she heard every word what she didn't understand was where it had come from. "Cole is my brother, he means a lot to me and he's had a lot of girls in his life win him over with their charm and looks only to use him and leave him once they got what they wanted, I'm not saying you're that kind of woman but I just want to be clear that if you hurt my brother we have a problem." Melanie couldn't help but understand where she was coming from , while it was off putting at first she knew Sophie was only looking out for her brother "Sophie , I truly love your brother I've never been as happy with him with anyone else and I would never do anything to hurt him" Melanie said hoping Sophie believed her.

"Love" Sophie replied "what "Melanie said "you said you loved Cole ... do you love him?.. I mean really love him?" Melanie didn't see any use in denying it now, she had felt the words in her heart the moment they fell from her lips and knew them to be true "yes, I love him."

******

Cole stood silently on the deck as he watched the exchange between his sister and girlfriend, he had come out to round up the girls and let them know that dinner was ready when he heard it, she loved him. neither Melanie or Sophie had noticed Cole standing there until he spoke "Say it again." Cole knew his voice had cracked but he didn't care , he wanted to hear it again... Hell he wanted to spend the rest of his life hearing her say she loved him but right now all he wanted was to hear it again.

The girls spun around, while Sophie wore a toothy grin Melanie's eyes were wide and her face held a shocked look. "I'm going to go and see if mum needs any help." Sophie said before dashing off for the door leaving the two of them alone, it only took two strides before Cole was inches away from Melanie. The longing and need in his eyes, called to Melanie she knew what he wanted it. Her heart screamed for her to say it while her mind tried to reason and rationalize the situation "are you ready for this again?" she thought "Think about Malcolm" but instantly shook the thought from her mind. This was Cole he was nothing like Malcolm and would never hurt her she thought... " I love you , Cole" Cole immediately captured Melanie in a soul searing kiss he swore if he held her any tighter to his body they would be sharing clothes but he didn't care . he had never been so happy to hear those words to know that she felt the same as he did he felt validated like the world could fall away right now and wouldn't matter as long as Melanie was by his side "I ... love you too Melanie, always" Cole said taking air into his lungs before he pressed his forehead to Melanie's "I love you"

Both Cole and Melanie entered the house hand in hand, they made their way to the dining room where everyone else had already been seated "well it's about time you two decided to show up." A woman who Melanie instantly knew was his mom. Partially because she was the only one she hadn't met and more because she looked like she was an older version of Sophie.

"I'm sorry Mrs McKinney, Cole and I was talking and got a little forgetful" Melanie said softly

"I'm sure you did Hun" she replied with a sneaky wink before motioning for them to sit.

They both complied and began to join hands in prayer.

Thomas stood as the circle of guest bowed their heads,

"...bless an teaghlaigh"

Thomas said taking his seat, the rest of the guest repeated his last words "bless an teaghlaigh"

"What does that mean?" Melanie asked as the clinking of silverware and various dishes being passed filled the room "it means bless this family." Cole said with a smile as he handed Melanie a small basket of rolls.

Dinner went off without a hitch and after everyone got their fill of the various foods and drinks, they slowly dispersed collectively to their rooms. After saying goodnight to his parents both Cole and Melanie made their way to his old room.

As they made their way Melanie couldn't help but stop and look at the family photos placed across the wall, some were more recent while others were very old but so far her favorite was of Cole's parents on their wedding day. They looked so happy together, Melanie hoped that she and Cole would stand the test that only time could give yet still remain just as happy as they were through it all.

"Mel it's this way" Cole said calling to her from further down the hall , she followed his lead into a room that reminded her of a time capsule or at best a teenage shrine . Melanie smiled at the boondocks saint poster on his wall and another of a platinum blonde woman in barely anything straddling a Harley. "She looks nice, one of your girlfriends?" Melanie said with a playful smirk. "something like that" Cole said , making a jerking motion towards Melanie Cole "eww" she said slapping his arm , before rounding the bed to sit down and remove herself from her wedge heels "I had a great time today your family is really nice and dinner was amazing."

As Melanie spoke she hadn't noticed that in that short time Cole had found himself in front of her, Cole... Melanie prepared herself to ask if something was wrong but as his lips met hers felt her thoughts flutter away, she couldn't remember what she was going to say to him all she could think all she could feel was the way her body suddenly reacted to him.