A Delicious Taboo by Jennifer Cole

Author:Jennifer Cole [Cole, Jennifer]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

“Good morning, sweetheart.” He glanced up, then back down at the coffee cup he was filling. “I knew you’d look good in Calen’s boxers.” He smiled at her then and froze when he noticed the forlorn and distressed look on her face. Setting the coffeepot on the counter, and with the speed and grace of a gazelle, he hurried around the island in the middle of the kitchen and grabbed her around the arms. “Melanie, what is it, honey?”

“Bad dream.” She bit back a sob threatening to escape her lips.

Having spent years battling his own demons, Van had a good idea of the nightmares that plagued Melanie in sleep. Judging by the wide-eyed expression marring her pretty face and the gentle trembling of her body as he studied her, he imagined they were similar to those that could still wake him in a cold sweat.

Over the years, Calen’s presence in their bed had helped alleviate those night terrors.

Perhaps it could help hers as well.

Gathering her in his arms, he held her and kissed the top of her head.

“I have battle scars too, my love.” Van kept his voice soft as he held her close. In an instant her body stiffened in his embrace.

Mel pulled her head back looking up at him. “Someone hurt you?” she asked, and her eyes darkened with anger. The tortured expression on her beautiful face mirrored the one Calen wore years earlier, the first time Van shared a little of his childhood with his lover.

Tight-lipped, Mel muttered, “Who hurt you, Van?”

Expelling a sigh, Van pulled her to him again, allowing himself a minute to calculate his answer. There was no way, in her current state of mind as she battled the memories of her nightmare, Mel needed to hear about his demons.

Neither of them turned toward the soft slide of the patio door. However Van caught the subtle scent of Jake’s cologne as he entered. The fact that they would be overheard didn’t bother Van in the least. Being close friends, Philip and Jake were aware of Van’s past, and over the years had proven to be a valuable asset to his support system.

“Please,” she whispered. “Please tell me who caused you pain. IcI need to know.”

Pulling his head back, Van gazed into her green eyes. Reflecting back at him he read anger, concern, and understanding.

Van nodded before placing a kiss on her parted lips. “For the time being, I’ll give you the summed-up version. Okay?”

With a slight smile of her acceptance, Van took a deep breath.

“Following the death of my mother a few months after my birth, my father turned to the bottle for solace.”

Against him, Melanie’s body trembled. He barely heard the word “no” carried on her breath.

“Just after my second birthday, my father climbed behind the wheel of his car drunk and drove himself off a cliff. The only family we had here in the United States was my paternal grandfather. Unfortunately, due to his failing health, he wasn’t able to take on the responsibility of a rambunctious toddler, so I was placed in the foster care system.

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