Melanie’s heart pounded, a flush of heat racing over her entire body. “You love me?”

He laughed, and the lightness of the sound broke into sparkling pieces and bounced off the walls of the room to fill her ears with joy and her heart with hope. “Damn it, Mel, you missed your cue. It’s like climbing. You ask ‘On belay?’ and I respond ‘Belay on.’ So when I say ‘I love you’, you’re supposed to say it back. I know it’s taken me a damn long time to get up my courage to ask you. I was holding out, trying to figure out the exact right moment, but unless I’ve been totally misreading you for the last—”

She dragged their mouths together and kissed him senseless until there was no possible way he could be uncertain of her response.


October

“Derrick, come look.”

Melanie carried in the package she’d found on the front porch when she got back from her run. The parcel was well wrapped, and she brought it into the living room, excitement rushing her as she spotted the return address.

“What’s up?” He wandered down the stairs, wearing nothing but his jeans and total distraction hit. Reaching with one hand, she touched his chest and let him draw her in for a long, slow kiss that made her toes curl.

She was the luckiest woman in the world. Melanie released him, sighing with sadness as he pulled on his shirt and covered up all that wide expanse of firm male chest. She couldn’t get enough of him. Even having moved in together didn’t give her enough time to fully appreciate not only his body, but his presence.

How he made her feel inside and out.

The leaves on the trees had completely changed colour in the past week, and they were well on their way into fall. Outdoor climbing was over for the season, but she’d been working hard in the gym whenever Derrick was scarce, getting ready to share her surprise with him.

She shook the box. “This was on the top of the steps. Look who it’s from.”

Derrick swore lightly. “Nathan. Bugger it. Go on, open it up. Let’s see what he sent us.”

He tugged her toward the couch, and they sat, sunshine falling over their shoulders as she worked the edges of the paper open.

The wrapping fell away to reveal a fabric-covered hardcover rectangle. Melanie grabbed the handwritten note taped to the front and leaned against Derrick to read it with him.


Hey, Monkey.

You’ve probably been wondering what the hell is up with the article, etc. When I got back and went digging I found a few things I didn’t like. Kane wasn’t far off in his accusations, and Ravedid have an agenda. It wasn’t mine, so I didn’t deliver the pictures I took. That kind of put me in breach of contract, making it simpler to quit, and that’s about all I have to say about that.


She’d have felt guiltier if they hadn’t already discussed the likelihood. “Oh my God, he did quit.”

Derrick squeezed her shoulders for a moment. “It was always a possibility. He’s a big boy. Trust him, he knew what he was doing.”

Melanie nodded, but she still felt remorse for having been a part of Nathan losing a prime position.


My private project, on the other hand, rocks. As promised, final decision is up to you. I’ve made a mockup—done in private, so no one but me has seen it. No one will see it unless you and Derrick give me the go-ahead.

If you approve, I’ll work toward publication. If not, this book is for you to enjoy, my gift to you both in celebration of your courage.

I’m shooting freelance now and doing okay. I’ll drop in when I’m in the neighbourhood. You’re special people. Thanks for sharing your lives with me.


Derrick picked up the book and laid it across his knees, opening the front cover to reveal a full-page black-and-white photograph of Melanie. Shadow-draped, her naked body was silhouetted against a pale background. The strongest point of illumination highlighted her face and her eyes. Her attention was riveted on something before her, and the camera angle made it appear she looked directly at the viewer, demanding they see her absolute determination.

The title in plain font, black on white—Rising, Freestyle.

The dedication—To Melanie, who ascended from darkness into the light never losing the beauty in her soul.

Page after page of the most gorgeous and sensual pictures followed, tastefully done, but all downright erotic. Close-ups defining the detail of her neck, the curve of her buttock, the contrast of Derrick’s heavy thigh muscle against Melanie’s leaner limb. A loop of rope draped over her breast, the faintest shadow of the climbing wall with a marked route disappearing skyward in the background.

Derrick turned to each new offering with deliberate care. Reverence. Not only pictures, but simple one-line text accompanied the occasional shot, echoing the words Melanie had shared over the weekend away. Each one revealed a moment of pain, her struggles.

The need for time to bring healing.

The necessity of devoted friends.

The rediscovery of love—for herself and for another.

“This is incredible.” Melanie ran a finger over a close-up image of Derrick kissing her back. Firelight glowed, the hints of reds and yellows creating a mystic world. His darkness was somehow made deeper, her body ethereal and angelic in comparison.

And in spite of her scars, stunning.

Derrick pressed his lips to her temple. “Because you are, and always have been, beautiful.”

By the time they finished the book, tears threatened to fall as she appreciated Nathan’s sublime skill with photography. Understood what a gift he’d given to her, not only when he was there, but now through his art.

She looked up to see Derrick ignoring the photo book and instead staring at her.

“Are you okay?”

Oh God. There was only one possible answer to that question. “I have never in my life been better. Derrick, if I said I wanted Nathan to go ahead and get this published, what would you think?”

He considered for a moment, his expression somber. “I don’t know, there’s a shot of my bare butt in there, you know.”

She’d noticed. “That’s my favourite. Think I’ll ask Nathan if I can have a blowup for our bedroom.”

Derrick grinned. “If I can ask for an extra of the shot of your boobs.”

Melanie hit him before carefully placing the album aside and crawling up to straddle his lap. “Serious.”

“I am serious.”

She tugged his chin up and slowly lowered her head until their lips brushed. Familiar, yet magical. His kiss ignited flames inside and warmed her soul.

A solid knock on the front door was the only thing that stopped their caresses from carrying on to the next logical progression.

Melanie abandoned his lips with reluctance. “Save my seat.”

“Permanently.”

Images from the incredible offering Nathan had produced still flooded her mind. Somehow they would track him down and let him know their decision. Tell him to stop in and visit them soon.

Melanie swung open the door and stared into a familiar pair of blue eyes above a cocky smile.

A happy squeal escaped as she threw herself into Nathan’s arms. Melanie clung to his neck with one arm, squeezing his neck tight as she laughed and cried and pounded on his shoulder with her free hand.

“It’s you. It’s you.”

Nathan laughed and squeezed the air from her lungs with his hug. “It’s me. Can I come in?”

He managed to place her feet back on the floor only a second before being caught in a hug by Derrick. Melanie couldn’t stop her heart from racing. Nathan was back.

He’d left without saying a word.

She thumped him on the shoulder again for good measure. “You ass. What the hell were you thinking, running out on us?”

Nathan followed Derrick into the living room. “I was thinking you needed to move on, and so did I.”

He had a point, but Melanie was still pissed. “You could have said something before you disappeared.”

“And what’s with the magical appearance right now?” Derrick asked. He pointed at the photo album on the coffee table. “Were you in the delivery truck with the packages?”

“Sort of.” Nathan gave a sheepish smile. “I dropped off the book and I’ve been parked on the street up the road waiting until one of you picked it up. Felt like a complete ass every time one of your neighbours walked by and eyed me like I was a crook casing the joint.”

Melanie checked him over. He looked good. Trim and strong, still as dashing as ever.

But he didn’t make her body ache like he’d done before.

She glanced at Derrick. He smiled and held her hand, all warm and intimate in his. Both of them at ease. This was their home now, and Nathan was simply a good friend come to visit.

A deep sense of peace rolled over her. “Come on—I’ll make us coffee.”

Melanie led them into the kitchen and got the water going as conversation spilled around them. She had so many questions she wanted to ask, but in the end, it seemed most of them came down to one thing.

Were they all happy?

Nathan sipped from his cup before pointing between them. “So, what’s up with you guys? One house, I hear.”

Derrick beamed. “Melanie’s moved in. I sacrificed my closet space to her shoe collection.”

Yeah, right. “Damn, I forgot I was supposed to start leaving stockings on the shower rod.”

They exchanged contented smiles before Melanie tore her gaze away and returned to Nathan. “And you? The note said you quit Rave.”

He nodded. “There was a little more involved than that, but it’s okay. You don’t have to worry about them including you in the series either—that was part of the deal with me leaving.”