Stormy Pride (standard:romance, 31692 words)
Author: Dani	Added: Nov 28 2000	Views/Reads: 5453/4144	Story vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
Jake has no respect for women. Melanie is a loner. Both are fiery by nature and when they meet and clash, the sparks fly. How can each survive with someone they dislike?....and how can they live without? An epic short story.

Click here to read the first 75 lines of the story

was going to be a long and bumpy ride trying to get her back.  The 
thing was, he wasn't going to. 

Even Jake was shocked at the realisation that he didn't really want to
try again.  It had become a common occurrence for him to screw up 
relationships.  He simply couldn't deal with the demands. 

Another one bites the dust. 

CHAPTER ONE 

Melanie Forsythe stealthily crept across the leaf-littered forest floor,
her long slender fingers wrapped around her camera in readiness.  
Barely breathing, she came to a stop behind a fallen, mossy log.  
Crouching, she slowly but steadily raised the camera to her face, a 
pretty light blue eye peering through the telephoto lens.  One hand 
idly brushed a lock of chocolate brown hair from her face. 

At that moment, just like every time she was out taking photos, her
grubbiness didn't bother her.  In fact, she'd get down on the ground 
and roll around in the dirt if it got the photo she wanted.  She always 
wore the same outfit when trekking through the bush, her sturdy, faded 
jeans and a grotty but comfortable and well-worn T-shirt.  Her feet 
were encased in her five year old sneakers, still holding together well 
after the bashing they'd taken. 

Not bothered by her clothes or what her actions would do to them, she
got down on her knees and wriggled to get comfortable in amongst the 
bracken.  What she saw before her she found beautiful and breathtaking, 
everything to do with nature affecting her this way. 

Not ten feet in front of her, amongst the bracken, was a bower,
beautifully presented arches of long stemmed grass and twigs surrounded 
by blue debris and feathers.  A satin bowerbird hopped around its lair, 
arranging the blue bits and pieces, preening his satiny blue-black 
feathers, pushing stray grass and twigs back into place. 

Melanie smiled and adjusted her focus and settings, getting the entire
scenario into her composition.  What men do for women, she thought as 
her camera clicked quietly.  She sensed that the bird knew she was 
there but didn't care.  Many times the gorgeous bird's lilac eyes 
looked directly into her camera, but it didn't cry out in alarm nor fly 
away.  If anything, it showed off, preening its feathers for her. 

No, she thought to herself silently, I'm not the female you want little
man.  Her camera clicked and whirred as she finished off her roll of 
film.  The bowerbird took no notice, continuing to preen and clean, 
preparing for his mate.  Melanie knew she'd get some great shots out of 
this.  Not for her postcard collection, but for her compilation of 
wildlife photos of New South Wales. 

Melanie was determined to be recognised as a serious photographer, her
work already displayed locally, in Narolee.  Her landscapes and 
wildlife photos were often used for regional postcards, which was a 
good income.  But ultimately, she wanted to develop big collections of 
exclusive photos.  Photos of landscapes, wildlife and people.  Anything 
that struck her really. 

She was lucky to live in a place like Narolee, a small and quiet coastal
community on the south coast of New South Wales.  She had beach, ocean 
and sub-rainforest scenes, myriad of animals and birds to photograph 
and friendly people who was more than willing to be photographed.  She 
couldn't ask for much more, except maybe a bit more exposure. 

She lived comfortably in her little flat just metres away from the beach
and a short walk from the forest.  Even in winter, she loved living in 
the beachside community, enjoying the quiet nights snuggled up by the 
fire with a good book, her extraordinary black cat with bright orange 
eyes often joining her. 

Did she need a man?  Like a fish needed a bicycle, she thought.  She was
happy as she was, definitely not needing the heartache men seemed to 
always bring to her.  Why on earth would she need someone when she was 
doing just fine? 

She smiled at the active bowerbird and his efforts to impress the
females.  If only all men were like that.  Not once had a man made an 
effort to impress her, not once had he gone out of his way to pamper 
and please her.  As a result, she'd made no effort in her 
relationships, dooming them from the beginning.  Didn't bother her 
either.  She'd never really found someone she'd cared about enough. 

Her good mood dampened by her thoughts, she clicked the lens cap back
on, slowly rose and backed away from the peaceful scene before her.  
The day was damp and slightly chilly but still invigorating.  Perfect 
time for a hot chocolate and a good comedy movie at home. 

Melanie had just settled into her soft, comfortable couch, popcorn in
one hand, hot chocolate in the other, when the phone rang.  Cursing, 
Melanie rolled her eyes and put the popcorn and drink on the table 
beside her. 

"Hello?"  She spoke into the receiver, her voice a little harsh and
tired. 

"I'm looking for M. Forsythe.  Put him on please."  A deep and
commanding voice barked. 

"I would, but he is a she."  She snapped back. 

"You're kidding."  The voice choked out.  "I think I have the wrong
person then." 

"Why do you say that, sir?"  She asked, her anger beginning to boil. 

"Because no woman could have taken the honest and bloody photos I saw
recently."  He stated shortly. 

"Think again, mister.  You're talking to M.  Forsythe.  Melanie
Forsythe."  She informed him smugly, savouring the shock this rude and 
chauvinistic man was more than likely experiencing. 

The man on the other end snorted, "Well, we'll see.  I'm in Narolee and
I need to see you about something." 

"What?" 

"I'm not saying until I'm sure I have the right person."  He told her,
firmly. 

Arrogant pig, she thought angrily.  To even suggest that no woman could
take bloody war photographs was ridiculous.  Not that she particularly 
wanted to remember that part of her life, that brief week in East Timor 
when the massacres began.  She shuddered at the memory. 

"No doubt you know my address, seeing as you found my phone number.  Be
here tomorrow morning at ten."  And, rudely, she hung up.  There was no 
way in hell she'd talk to that man any longer than she had to. 

CHAPTER TWO 

Jake rapped on the door early that morning.  He checked his watch.  Yep,
right on time as always.  He liked to be punctual simply because it was 
the only way to get what you wanted.  Be on time or miss out.  It had 
become a habit that he really couldn't break if he tried. 

He tapped his foot and waited, wondering how anyone could take so long
to answer a door.  He lifted his fist, ready to rap his knuckles 
against the hard, wooden door.  Before he knew what was happening it 
swung open and his fist lashed out, flying through the air where once 
there was a door and clipping the side of the woman's head. 

He bit back a curse as he watched the woman in the pink, terry cloth
bathrobe fall to the ground, clutching her forehead, landing with her 
feet stuck in the air in a most unladylike fashion.  She lay there, 
stunned, staring at him just as he stared at her. 

He couldn't say he was stunned, as such, but he didn't move immediately,
his eyes first raking over the woman's body.  Not conventionally 
beautiful, he thought, but definitely pretty.  Her bright blue eyes 
were wide with shock, bangs of her long, brown hair, mussed and tangled 
from sleep, were flung haphazardly across her face. 

Long slender legs were revealed to upper-thigh, her robe had parted and
fallen back when she fell.  She was supporting herself on one elbow, 
which allowed her robe to gape delightfully, revealing soft white skin 
and deep cleavage.  He could see that she was definitely all woman, but 
she looked little more than a girl. 

He saw that the woman, whom he could only assume to be Melanie Forsythe,
wasn't so stunned that she couldn't also take in a quick glimpse of him 
in return.  Her eyes quickly scanned over his face, taking in his dark 
eyes and chiseled features framed by unruly black hair. 

Her wide, blue eyes skittered quickly down his body, noting his lean
body and confident stance, highlighted by the casual bone coloured 
slacks and blue polo shirt he wore.  He smirked privately.  An innocent 
looking girl was eyeing him off.  That amused him very much.  Such a 
little thing. 

He took a step forward only to be halted by a deep snarling voice, "Get
away from me."  He blinked. 

He watched as the woman grasped the arm of the couch beside her and
slowly began pulling herself to her feet.  Stubborn little brat, he 
thought as he stepped forward and unceremoniously grabbed her elbows 
and pulled her to her feet. The woman was quick to snatch her elbows 
away. 

Still clutching her face she grumbled at him, "You make a habit of
bashing up women?" 

Jake didn't reply, just watched her as she pushed her hair out of her
face and winced.  She teetered slightly on her feet then steadied 
herself.  "Great, I've got some damned arrogant beast coming around 
whose butt I need to whoop and I can barely stand up!" 

Jake held back a laugh as he watched the rough little woman huff and
grumble, steadying herself.  Looking at the watch on her slender wrist 
she yelped and ran to the back of the house, calling after her, 
"Whatever you're selling, I don't want it.  I'm running late for a 
meeting." 

He heard coat hangers jangling and mumbled curses as he strode
purposefully down the corridor.  He found her, half buried in clothes, 
burrowing through her cupboard, muttering quietly.  Without a word of 
warning he spun her around and hauled her against him. 

"What the hell do you think you're doing?"  She cried, outraged and
trying to struggle from his strong, firm grasp. 

"I'm here to buy, not sell."  He muttered and in an instant his head
swooped, his lips claiming hers. 

The kiss was definitely not a tender one, his lips pushing firmly
against her, bruising them slightly, his tongue pushing its way 
uninvited between her lips, seducing her.  He could feel her stiffen in 
his arms but continued the kiss, his hands gripping her arms tight, 
holding her body to his. 

Melanie struggled briefly, but Jake could tell it'd been a long time
since she'd been thoroughly kissed by a man, if at all.  She couldn't 
be more than twenty one, he thought as his hands slid down her arms, 
caressing her hips.  She tasted sweet as honey and her lips were soft 
and moist. 

So it came as shock to him when she dug the heels of her hands into his
gut and pushed him away forcefully.  Her eyes flased with fire, her 
chest heaved, her fists clenched and unclenched.  She licked her lips 
as she stared at him wildly. 

"What the hell do you think you're doing, mister?"  She ground out. 

"I'm Jake Cannon."  He said, as if that explained everything. 

"Great, I'm real happy for you."  She froze, "You're the arrogant
bastard who rang me last night!" 

"Hey, woah little one.  Let's not get too touchy."  He held up his
hands. 

"Little one?  How dare you!"  She cried out. 

"Oh come on.  You're a tiny little thing and you couldn't be more than,
what, twenty one?" 

She glared at him, refusing to answer.  He looked around her bedroom,
the walls covered in wildlife and landscape photographs.  He nodded 
thoughtfully as his eyes skittered coldly over the framed photographs, 
"Just as I thought.  You're no war photographer.  I'm in the wrong 
house." 

"That's rather biased don't you think?"  She glared. 

"Not really.  I've got my observation skills almost perfectly honed.  I
know a real photographer when I see one."  He sniffed. 

"Why, you son of a -" 

"Now, now.  Calm down.  I'll be on my way.  Will be nice to take a
holiday instead of working while I'm here."  And with that he strode 
casually out of her room and then out of her house, quietly shutting 
the big wooden door behind him. 

All this time, Melanie had not moved, rooted to the spot by anger,
frustration and humiliation.  Her cheeks were flushed and red, her lips 
bruised and throbbing.  Slowly she unclenched a fist and raised her 
fingertips to her lips, lightly running them over the surface.  That 
man sure could kiss. 

She shook her head to clear her thoughts and dashed the back of her hand
violently across her lips.  That man was more than infuriating.  In 
fact, Melanie didn't think there was a single word that could describe 
such a pig of a man.  Giving a little squeal of frustration she flung 
herself backward onto her bed and lay there thinking. 

Jake thought he'd make a nice, quiet holiday out of his trip, did he?  A
wicked grin slowly spread across Melanie's otherwise angelic face.  
Melanie had a feeling she'd be a very busy woman.  She was going to 
harass him until he conceded that she was a real photographer. 

She just wished she knew why he had been looking for her...and why she
cared. 

CHAPTER THREE 

Jake muttered and grumbled to himself as he marched down the main road
of Narolee, away from Melanie Forsythe's house and toward his own 
private refuge.  Damned woman had been asking for that kiss.  She had a 
sharp tongue and an attitude to boot.  It was probably about time 
someone shut her up and took control. 

He snorted.  And what sort of woman made stupid, arrogant assumptions
like she did?  As if he looked like a door to door salesman.  The very 
idea was absurd and had maddened him immediately.  He'd certainly 
taught that little imposter a lesson or two.  She acted strong but it 
was all show, a shell.  She was a tiny little thing, as soft as a 
marshmallow.  Anyone could see that! 

Her claim to have been the photographer in East Timor was a lie.  She'd
quite obviously been saving face.  Her house was swamped with tender, 
fuzzy, beautiful photos.  Photos of smiling people, cute animals and 
dreamy landscapes.  Melanie was too much of a romantic to be able to 
take a gut-wrenching photo. 

Jake's mind wandered back to the portfolio of photos that had been sent
to The National, clearly too full on for publication.  Obviously, M. 
Forsythe had hoped to have the photos published so that Australia could 
see what was really going on over there.  It had been at the beginning 
of the East Timor Crisis, when the Militia had come out of the woodwork 
and begun their massacre of the East Timorese people. 

Each photo had clearly been taken in hiding, the leaves of trees and
shrubbery and crumbling building walls predominant in the foregrounds 
of all the photos.  Each photo showed the menacing features of militia 
men, posed threateningly or victoriously over their bloodied victims. 

Even Jake shuddered at the memory of those photos.  They had been so
honestly frightening, to anybody, no matter how often a person might 
see that sort of devastation...there was no getting used to such real 
life horror.  Particularly for women, thought Jake.  They were far too 
emotional for that sort of stuff.  Even Melanie. 

Newspaper reports had had an element of shock and, quite often,
in-your-face honestly over the past few months.  East Timorese, 
journalists, priests, nuns, photographers murdered, boatloads of people 
taken out to sea and not returning.  But to see an actual photograph is 
sickening.  To take that photograph, to witness the horrors, would be 
traumatising. 

Little Miss Forsythe had shown no signs of recent, or distant, trauma,
Jake thought, a sneer crossing his face.  But of course she was willing 
to take the glory from another person.  At least he wouldn't be dealing 
with her again.  He'd spent more than enough time with her this 
morning. 

His mind wandered back to the kiss.  The kiss that had told him plenty
about that woman.  She was a soft, tender person, even when being 
accosted roughly, as he'd handled her.  He told himself that he'd 
merely been testing her, taking control of an insane situation.  Images 
of Melanie's soft, pouting lips plagued his mind and he cursed loudly, 
scuffing a shoe on the rough, pebbly road. 

Ok, he thought, I'll admit she was really attractive.  She had a sensual
quality unlike any he'd seen before and that had sucked him in.  He'd 
wanted her pretty badly, from the moment he'd seen her sprawled on the 
floor in the doorway.  Hell, the only reason he made a mood to help her 
up was because he'd wanted to touch her, not out of human kindness. 

He could almost imagine what her soft skin would feel like under the
gentle caress of his callused hands, how her body would arch beneath 
his as he teased and pleased her in every way imaginable.  He could 
almost hear her gasping out his name, echoing through his ears and 
making him groan aloud. 

He physically slapped his face.  "Snap out of it, man!  She's an
obnoxious woman.  A girl, even."  He reprimanded. 

He'd sure as hell never see her again anyway and even if he was going to
see her again, she was a complication he didn't need.  Women were a 
complication he didn't need.  Jessica had been nothing but a pain in 
the butt.  All his girlfriends had been that way.  He was doing just 
fine and dandy in life without the whining and sulking of women. 

Someone like Melanie would surely drive him insane, anyway.  He didn't
want to date someone who constantly argued with him, someone with an 
intense streak of independence.  It seemed he couldn't find a nice 
middle-ground.  A nice, quiet woman who didn't whine and agreed with 
everything he said. 

He laughed shortly.  As if that was possible.  Women were a pain he
didn't care to concern himself with.  He knew there were women out 
there who were as happy with casual flings as he was.  And it wasn't as 
if he found it hard to get a date, as arrogant as that sounded.  He'd 
just glide through life, piece of cake. 

A smile on his face, he let himself into his beach flat.  It was a
beautiful place with terracotta tiles, white walls and colourful 
furniture scattered about.  He tossed his keys on the little table in 
the hallway and looked about.  The flat was beautiful...and empty. 

Jake shrugged carelessly as he flicked on the television and flung
himself down on the generously sized couch.  Sighing, he stared 
sightlessly at the flickering screen, the images not even penetrating 
his mind.  Even the din of the television couldn't penetrate the 
emptiness of the house.  It was too shallow to fill that void. 

Jake shook his head, as if to clear it of any unwanted thoughts.  He
forced his focus onto the television, watching a grandmotherly woman 
carefully kneading dough.  A cooking show, perfect, he thought.  He 
didn't know how to cook.  What better time to learn than now? 

CHAPTER FOUR 

Melanie giggled quietly, her fingers fluttering at her sides excitedly. 
She was standing on the doorstep of that man's house and the sun was 
barely peeking over the trees.  If Jake Cannon, that arrogant caveman, 
could treat her like a piece of meat, kissing her like he had, then she 
had every right to be sneaking into his house at this very moment. 

Slowly, trying to make as little noise as possible, she slid glass
backdoor open.  She grinned as she shut it behind her.  City folk had a 
strange sense of security, leaving houses unlocked like this.  Narolee 
might not be Sydney, but they had crime. 

Looking around her she nodded in approval.  Nice place, although rather
up-market for this town.  From the outside she'd noticed how out of 
place it seemed between the beach shacks, cabins and tiny houses.  It 
was a low-level sprawling house with stark white walls and immaculate 
gardens.  It almost took the fun out of living in a beach community. 

The inside, she noted, was modern and clean and yet comfortable, a
considerable improvement to it's outer shell.  She walked lightly over 
the terracotta tiles, making sure her heavy sneakers didn't wake Jake. 

"Eeni, meeni, mini, mo..." She whispered, her glance alternating between
the 3 closed doors at the back left corner of the house. 

Carefully she turned the handle on the door, praying the door wouldn't
squeak, and slowly pushed the door open.  Right room.  He lay before 
her eyes, sprawled across a king size bed, his body draped in black, 
cotton sheets, his face pressed into a pair of matching black pillows.  
Melanie could hear his deep, breathing from across the room. 

She gasped and stared, her finger poised ready above the light switch. 
He was naked underneath those sheets.  Dear god, why hadn't she noticed 
that straight away?  Jake was lying on his stomach, the sheet tugged 
down to his waist, his hands above his head, stuffed under the pillows. 


The muscles in his back were defined and Melanie felt a sudden urge to
trace them with her fingertips.  Her body tingled at the thought and 
she gasped quietly.  She wasn't going to let this man affect her, even 
if he was a brilliant kisser with a killer body! 

She tore her eyes away and quite suddenly flicked the light switch on,
much to the protest of the mouth groaning into the pillows.  "Get out 
of bed, lazy bones!"  She ordered cheerfully. 

"What the..." Jake flipped in the bed and gaped at her.  "What are you
doing in here?" 

"Get up, we have a long day ahead of us. Quick, quick!"  Melanie ignored
his questions and flung his curtains open.  "Look outside.  It's a 
glorious day to get out and work.  I'm taking you for a walk."  And 
with that she strode out of his room, hearing him cursing a blue mean 
streak behind her. 

By the time he came stumbling out of his bedroom, hair still tousled and
unbrushed, shirt untucked and shorts casual, Melanie was just serving 
up scrambled eggs and toast with coffee. 

"I bet you take it black." She poured coffee into a mug for him and
placed it on the breakfast bar.  He grunted in acknowledgement and took 
a big swallow of the coffee. 

"Mmm.  Yep, that's good coffee."  He reached for the scrambled eggs,
then paused.  "Why are you here?  This is far to cosy for my liking." 
He grouched but pulled the eggs across and began forking them into his 
mouth.  Melanie smirked. 

"I'm taking you out for a walk today.  You're going to see what I do." 
She crunched on a piece of toast, smiling brightly at him although what 
she really felt like doing was scratching his arrogant, pretty-boy 
face.  Today was her day. 

"Should I bring a book?"  Jake asked.  Melanie ignored his sarcastic
tone. 

"The less you bring, the better I think.  You're going to have to carry
your share of food and equipment." 

"Why should I carry your damned equipment?"  He bit out, rudely. 

Melanie batted her eyelashes at him sweetly and smiled, "Because you're
a chivalrous gentleman?"  Jake snorted and Melanie's grin spread, "And 
so you can experience what my work is like." 

Jake shrugged, "Whatever." 

Melanie shrugged back at him and quickly polished off her orange juice. 
"Ready to go?" 

Jake downed his coffee and nodded, "Of course I am." 

"Of course." 

The gleam in Jake's eyes told her that he didn't particularly want to
participate but if she was dishing out a challenge he could hand it and 
anything else she cared to dish out.  Strong and fit as he looked, 
Melanie knew he was in for a bit of a shock.  She had a feeling he 
figured that she just sat and waited for animals to come along, rather 
than her finding the animals. 

"Anything in particular we're looking for?"  He asked casually as he
helped her load the equipment into the back of her little suzuki four 
wheel drive. 

"Birds." 

"Birds??"  Jake made a little strangled noise.  "Oh god.  Can I go back
to bed?"  He joked. 

"No!"  Melanie snapped.  Jake blinked and climbed into the car, shutting
the door behind him.  Case closed, he had no choice. ***** 

"Come on.  We've been walking for at least two hours now."  Jake managed
to say between puffs.  "Surely we could have found birds without 
walking this far." 

Melanie flashed a grin over her shoulder then concentrated more on
negotiating fallen logs and bracken fern.  "The further into the bush 
we go, the more birds we find." 

"A bird is a bird.  You could have sat in your backyard to take photos."
He grumped. 

"You say that because you don't know anything about this stuff." 
Melanie told him, her patience wearing thin.  He'd been whinging on and 
off the entire way.  Maybe this trek hadn't been such a good idea.  She 
enjoyed coming out here because it was quiet but Jake Cannon was making 
it impossible for her to do her job, even before she'd begun. 

"Like hell I don't."  He snapped, his male ego smarting from the less
than complimentary comments she'd been sending his way throughout the 
trips. 

Melanie stopped in her tracks and spun around, her eyes like fire and
her finger pointed in his direction.  "Listen to me, Mr Journalist.  
You know nothing about what I do.  You know nothing about how I get my 
photographs.  You haven't given me a chance and you haven't shut up for 
longer than five minutes throughout this walk." 

Jake opened his mouth to say something but Melanie stopped him, "Don't
talk!  Don't do or say anything unless I say so.  We're nearly there, 
but you, you beast, are going to scare away the birds!  You're in my 
territory now, Cannon, so I suggest you shut up and observe." 

Jake's eyes darkened with rage and his jaw visibly tensed, but he didn't
say a word.  Moodily, he trudged behind her through the gradually 
thinning bracken.  He hadn't noticed that the terrain had slowly been 
changing.  As far as he had seen, it was just endless bracken as far as 
the eye could see, the low-lying ferns having taken over the forest 
floor. 

Now, as they marched on silently, he began to notice that the trees were
mostly gums, the bracken was thinning out, native shrubs were popping 
up around them, and the general atmosphere was a lot dryer.  Colours 
had shifted from deep, dark greens to greyer greens with vibrant reds 
and pinks and yellows splashed about.  Much nicer than the bracken and 
wet, mossy logs. 

Suddenly Melanie had stopped and indicated silence by putting a finger
to her lips.  When he was standing beside her, she stood on tiptoe and 
whispered in his ear, "Welcome to Bird Central." 

She took his hand in her own tiny, soft one and led him quietly into a
camouflaged, canvas hide.  The front was riddled with square holes, big 
enough for a camera lens or an eye.  They both sat, cross-legged on the 
floor of the hide, only just enough room for the two of them and the 
esky Jake had carried.  Melanie held her camera in her lap and put her 
case full of camera lenses and bits and pieces beside her. 

"Normally I carry a tripod as well but I knew there wouldn't be any room
in here."  She murmured. 

"What now?"  Jake asked, restless and unused to just sitting still. 

"Now...we wait."  Melanie grinned eagerly, her love her work showing. 
Jake groaned and sighed and stared out of a hole at the gum trees, 
grevilleas and bottlebrushes. 

"Why do you call this Bird Central?  Would it make any difference if we
set up the hide another twenty metres away?"  Jake asked, curiously. 

"I've observed the area and this spot here has a pretty large variety of
plants and flowers.  These grevilleas and bottlebrushes, especially, 
attract the birds."  Melanie explained in a whisper.  "You can get the 
most exquisite shots of honeyeaters poking their long, thin tongues 
into the flowers.  Some wildlife as well, although most of the 
marsupials that feed on these plants are nocturnal." 

"Oh god, please don't tell me we're going to be staying out here
tonight."  Jake groaned. 

Melanie's eyes danced, "Not this time." 

"This time?"  Jake quirked an eyebrow.  "This time is the only time,
sweetheart." 

Melanie frowned, "Don't call me sweetheart, Cannon.  I ain't your
sweetheart." 

Jake shrugged noncommittally and turned his attention back to their
surroundings.  "Hey...what's that?"  He asked, pointing at a tiny, 
speckled-looking, white and brown bird. 

"That, Cannon, is a Tawny-crowned Honeyeater."  She raised her camera,
poking the telephoto lens through a hole, capturing the bird as perched 
on a grevillea and fluttered its wings, showing off the salmon-coloured 
undersides.  "She's beautiful." 

"She?"  Jake asked. 

"Well, I don't actually know if it's a he or a she.  But I think of them
as she because nothing that beautiful could be a man, in my opinion." 

Jake couldn't hold back a grin at hearing that.  "Ok then.  She, it is."


The day continued much the same way.  A lot of waiting but a lot of
birds, too.  Jake couldn't even begin to recount the names of all the 
birds.  Honeyeaters, friarbirds, robins, bowerbirds, rails, pidgeons.  
It was all a blur of bird names, bird species and bird identifications. 


He'd learned many things, the most important being that being out here
made Melanie happy.  And when Melanie was happy, he was happy.  It was 
peaceful and relaxing and not once did Jake need that book he'd 
considered bringing along.  Hell, he needed a job like this.  Although, 
he could do without the long walks. 

The light in the forest had begun to dim and Jake looked at his watch. 
They'd been here for hours and he hadn't even realised.  Something was 
definitely wrong with him.  He couldn't remember a moment of his life 
when he hadn't frequently checked his watch to make sure everything was 
to schedule.  And suddenly, somehow, five hours had escaped him? 

Melanie had noticed his glance at his watch and looked at her own.  "Oh
cripes!  We'd better pack up and get going, Jake."  She capped the lens 
on her camera and packed it away.  "I always seem to lose track of time 
out here.  It's almost as if time doesn't exist."  She murmured 
absently, not talking to anyone in particular and not expecting a 
reply. 

As they made their way back toward civilisation, Melanie casually asked,
"What did you think?" 

"You could hardly call it a job."  Jake muttered.  Again he was greeted
by a view of Melanie's back as she stormed off through the shrub, not 
caring if she lost him and left him for dead. 

CHAPTER FIVE 

Sunday was Melanie's sleep-in day and her face was buried in the pillows
and covered by her quilt as she fought off the rays on sunshine 
streaming through the window across the room.  Distantly, through the 
layers of bright yellow manchester, she heard a muffled knocking. 

"Go away."  She muttered under her breath as she sleepily wriggled under
the quilt, burrowing deeper into the pillows. 

As if hearing her silent plea, the knocking stopped and Melanie sank
back into a light sleep as silence resumed.  She didn't hear the quiet 
whoosh of greased metal sliding across metal, nor the tiny carpeted 
thud beneath her window. 

When her quilt was ruthlessly yanked off the bed and flung across the
room, she woke, rolling over quickly, her eyes squinting against the 
light of the late morning sun that shone directly onto her bed. 

"Get out, Cannon."  She muttered and flopped carelessly on her stomach,
giving him a good view of her soft curves beneath her panties and 
singlet.  She didn't care what he saw of her.  She wouldn't give him 
the satisfaction of squealing and attempts to cover herself.  Besides 
that, she loved that look that crosses his eyes when he looked her 
over.  She knew she held the power, no matter how big and manly he 
liked to think he was. 

"Get out of bed, lazy bones."  Jake said in a voice that was so cheery,
Melanie figured it was unnatural for him.  She yelped when he swatted 
her butt and flipped over. 

Kicking out with her leg to strike him, she growled, "Keep your filthy
hands to yourself, Cannon." 

Jake smirked back at her.  "Fair play, Melanie.  It's not like it's the
same ungodly hour you woke me at yesterday.  Now get out of bed, we're 
going for a picnic." 

Melanie slid off the bed, rubbing her eyes, "Have you gone stark raving
mad, Cannon?" 

"No, just thought it would be nice."  Jake smiled at her.  Melanie
thought she'd melt when she saw that smile.  It wasn't cheesy or 
overdone.  His face and lips were relaxed as he smiled, he seemed at 
ease.  She noted that even his eyes seemed to have a bit of life in 
them. "Hurry, hurry."  He ushered her toward her bedroom door. 

Melanie folded her arms crossly and stood still, 'I'll move when I'm
good and ready.  Now if you wouldn't mind..." 

"Actually, I would."  Jake leaned over to her, grabbed her butt in both
hands and hoisted her over his shoulder. 

"Put me down!"  She demanded, battering at his back with her fists as he
marched down the corridor and into the bathroom. 

"With pleasure."  Unceremoniously, he dumped her in the shower stall and
quickly turned on the cold water.  Laughing, he walked out of the 
bathroom to the sounds of her unrestrained screaming and cursing. 

Later on, they sat quietly in Jake's sleek, silver Jaguar as he drove
north.  His radio softly played and his choice of music impressed, and 
therefore irritated, Melanie.  The tunes of Van Morrison made her want 
to sing along and wriggle about in her seat but there was no way she'd 
give him the satisfaction of seeing her enjoy herself.  She hated this 
man. 

"Where are we going?"  She asked, a sullen tone in her voice.  His
air-conditioning was too cold and she rubbed her arms lightly, suddenly 
wishing she'd worn more than her yellow sleeveless shirt, white shorts 
and black sandals. 

"Bateman's Bay."  He replied. 

Melanie nodded shortly in approval and quickly looked over her shoulder
into the backseat of the car.  "Where's the picnic?" 

"We're having hot chips.  It'll be just you, me and the seagulls."  Jake
waggled his eyebrows and Melanie crosses her arms tighter across her 
chest, hunching down in the seat.  "Oh, come on.  I made an effort to 
enjoy yesterday's outing." 

"Did not."  She retorted. 

Jake ignored her comment. "The least you could do is make an effort to
enjoy an outing in town." 

Melanie shrugged and looked out the window, lush, green trees and dense
bracken flashing past her eyes.  The entire situation was making her 
uncomfortable and the nature that surrounded her was the only thing 
that made her feel a moment's sanity.  The man drove her nuts, made her 
so mad, and yet he was so damned attractive.  She wanted to smack that 
smug grin off his handsome face. 

The scenery suddenly broke as the big steel bridge loomed before them,
water stretching out on either side, shiny and blue, dotted with 
sandbars.  Melanie sighed, god she loved this place. 

Before she knew it they were sitting at the beach, a huge pile of hot
chips between them, gulls running about madly around them.  Melanie 
took a deep breath and closed her eyes.  This was so close to heaven.  
She could almost believe that it were only her here on the beach, 
sharing her chips with the seagulls if the sea breeze didn't keep 
sending wafts of his heavenly cologne directly under her nose.  It was 
almost tastier than the chips, mouth watering in fact. 

Sighing, she scooped a big handful of chips onto her paper plate and
ripped open a little sachet, sprinkling its contents liberally over her 
chips.  Jake stared incredulously.  "What are you doing?" 

Melanie grinned, "Vinegar."  She quickly popped a hot chip in her mouth
and chewed, her eyes closing as she savoured the tangy flavour.  "Mm, 
no other way to eat them." 

Jake cringed at the thought of vinegar on chips but his eyes remained
riveted to her lips as they slowly chewed.  He felt his breathing 
constrict when her tongue darted out to lick her lips.  Her lips were 
full and pink, and the delicate smile of pleasure that spread across 
her face as she finished the chip made Jake's heart thud. 

Melanie's eyes slowly opened, she'd felt him watching her and cursed
herself mentally for letting her enjoyment of the outing show.  She 
looked up and saw him watching her intently, a frightening look in his 
dark eyes.  She froze, her entire body tensed in anticipation as she 
saw his face slowly toward her own.  The last thing she saw before his 
lips claimed hers was the mixture of desire and confusion flickering in 
his eyes. 

Unlike the last time he'd kissed her, his lips were dangerously gentle,
coaxing her into submission, his tongue lightly sliding over her lips, 
causing her to shiver.  She felt his hands slowly slide up her bare 
arms, gripping her shoulders and pulling her closer. 

Melanie whimpered quietly and gave in completely, her body seeming to
melt against his.  He tasted of salt, chips and man, a comforting and 
yet arousing combination.  She no longer had the control she'd been 
hanging onto all morning and she delighted in the feel of his hard 
chest beneath her hands.  She could feel his heart pattering against 
her hand. At least he feels something, she thought. 

She moaned in protest as his hands pulled away from her body but sighed
in satisfaction as he kissed her more deeply.  Distantly, she heard the 
rustling of paper and then suddenly she was on her back, his hands 
sliding over her body, his kisses deepening and assaulting her senses. 

She felt him wedge his knee in between her legs, nudging, and she
moaned, "Oh Jake." 

"Mm, I knew you wanted me."  He murmured in her ear. 

Melanie's eyes flew open.  "W-what?" 

Jake smirked at her as he slid a finger slowly down her chest and into
the cleavage exposed by her singlet top.  "Well, there's no denying 
you're attracted to me.  You're a very passionate woman." 

Melanie gave a hard shove, forcing him away from her and onto his own
side of the blanket.  "Ah, I see.  A bit of 'I help you, you help me'?" 


Jake laughed, "That's one way of putting it."  He slid back across the
blanket toward her, one hand outstretched to caress her arm. 

"Forget it, Jake.  Keep your hands off me."  She warned him in a low
growl.  Scrabbling to her feet, she brushed the small patches of sand 
off her legs.  "I'll walk home."  She spun on her heel and began her 
walk down the beach.  It was a long walk home but she didn't care. 

Jake cursed and jumped to his feet, clumsily gathering the blanket and
throwing the chips into the bin.  He called out to her as he chased her 
down the beach, "Damn it, stop Melanie." 

"Go away."  She flung over her shoulder as she marched along the pale,
powdery sand.  Her hair streamed behind her in the breeze like a long 
silken curtain. 

Jake caught up to her and grabbed her arm, spinning her around roughly,
"Get in the damned car, Melanie.  I'll take you home." 

Melanie opened her mouth to argue but she could see he was mad, at her
and himself.  So she shrugged and spun around and marched back toward 
the car, not giving him a single glance or a reply. 

Jake couldn't hold back a loud laugh.  How often was he going to be
seeing her backside?  Luckily his laughter was carried away in the 
breeze.  The last thing he needed was this moody woman to think he was 
laughing at her. 

He shook his head, she drove him nuts and he didn't know what to do
about it.  There was no way in hell he was getting into another 
relationship.  He had neither the time nor the inclination.  He knew 
they could do some pretty wonderful things together, if only she'd give 
him a chance. 

CHAPTER SIX 

Melanie giggled quietly as she wriggled on her belly in the sand, camera
poised.  Forcing herself to be still and to stop laughing, she waited 
for the soldiers.  Any moment now and they'd pop out and march around, 
as they always did and she was going to capture it.  Her fingers were 
poised over the camera settings, ready for action. 

She giggled quietly, she'd been chasing the soldiers around for half an
hour, trying to sneak up and get a photo.  They were way too clever 
though, dashing and darting about, quick to hide.  This was her last 
idea and she hoped it'd work.  No, she wanted it to work, this 
photograph would be pretty unique. 

As she lay there quietly, sand began to fly about and she smiled to
herself.  It was time.  Suddenly there was 
one...four....nine.....twelve of them and still plenty more to come.  
Action, Melanie thought as her fingers deftly adjusted the controls on 
her camera.  Big blue helmets flashed back and forth in front of her 
camera, the tiny crabs once again on the move. 

All that could be heard the tiny scampering of the soldier crabs on damp
sand and the furious clicking of Melanie's camera.  The clicking and 
whirring only aggitated them more and they raced about in circles, 
causing Melanie to laugh as she twisted around on the sand, trying to 
follow them. 

She had to be honest and say she had no idea how these photos would turn
out, but damn it was fun!  Giggling, she gave up wriggling about and 
quickly got to her feet, chasing the soldier crabs all over the beach 
as she hunched over and took more photos. 

Laughing, she fell back in the sand, a big grin on her face, completing
her sandy image by getting sand in her thick mane of hair.  Sighing, 
she stared up at the sky.  The day was blue and white, fluffy clouds 
slowly sailed across her gaze.  She remembered when she was little her 
dad used to take her for a walk up a tall, grassy hill near their home 
and they'd lay on their backs and watch the clouds, picking out shapes 
and inventing little stories. 

Her dad had raised her by himself because her mother had died the day
she had been born.  He'd been a selfless man and the only person 
Melanie had ever loved unconditionally and whole-heartedly. 

Now he was gone and it was just Melanie.  She'd never met any of her
relatives and she suspected this was because her father didn't like 
them.  That was a good enough reason for her not to get in touch with 
any. 

Melanie was twenty-five years old and had been alone for seven years
now.  She liked it that way, was happy that way.  It was beginning to 
feel like she had always been that way, her father's memory dimming 
gradually. 

Since she had begun her new life alone, Melanie hadn't had time for
anyone really.  She'd only recently noticed that she was severely 
lacking close friends.  Sure, she was friends with the people of 
Narolee but she didn't have anybody to talk to when she really needed 
to. 

That had never bothered her before but now that Jake Cannon was in town
and terrorising her life she'd found talking to her cat was totally 
unsatisfactory, listening to her music was no longer a solution.  She 
couldn't even escape her thoughts of the infuriating man while she 
worked. 

Her bright mood dampened, Melanie gathered her gear and headed home.
**** 

Melanie opened the door and her shoulders slumped, making her look about
four-foot nothing and hollow.  "What, are you stalking me or 
something?" She asked, her voice tired and unusually quiet. 

Jake raised a bottle of champagne above his head, the light shining
through the clear glass and sparkling fluid cast a yellow glow to the 
side of his face. "Well, I'm here for a couple of weeks. I've got to 
make a friend so at least I can enjoy my stay." He reasoned. 

"You hate me." She reminded him flatly. 

"Au Contraire, Mon Cherie! You fascinate me." He flashed her one of his
winning smiles but she just stared at him, her eyes void of any 
emotion. 

Melanie placed her hands on her hips and offered little more than a
cynical glance. She looked girly in her little yellow sundress but her 
eyes were shadowed and her face unanimated. "We irritate each other. 
Why are you pushing this?" 

"Maybe because I want to enjoy a meal and an evening with a girl who
intrigues me." He leaned closer and lowered his voice to a whisper, "A 
girl who looks and smells so sweet my mouth waters." 

Melanie blushed deeply and inwardly cringed.  The devil had made her
blush against her will!  And he was standing entirely too close to her. 
She could smell his after-shave and it smelled so nice it was almost 
sinful. Clenching her fists was all she could do to prevent herself 
from reaching out running her hands over his chest. 

Stepping back, she shrugged and made a big sweeping gesture with her
arm. "Come in."  Melanie stared at Jake's long, powerful, jean-clad 
legs as he walked past her, swallowing hard and licking her dry lips. 

"Like what you see?" 

"Huh?" Her eyes flew up to his. 

"You were staring at my legs. Do you like them?" He smirked at her. 

Melanie's jaw tensed. "I wasn't staring at your legs, I was just
thinking hard."  She snapped. 

Jake grinned and shrugged, the look on his face telling her 'I know
better'. He spun on his heel and marched into her kitchen, Melanie 
following on his heels.  "You know, you could have given ME the 
champagne to take to the kitchen instead of commandeering my house." 
She grumbled. 

"Chill, Mel.  I'm going to put it in the fridge, simply because I'm a
gentleman, and then we'll just relax and chat. Ok?" Jake smiled at her, 
a nice, soft smile that truly melted her heart.  His usual huge grin 
was so fake, so cold, it did nothing for her. 

Melanie managed a little smile, "Okay."  Her hands were clasped in front
of her and she absently twined and untwined her fingers. "Um...have a 
seat."  She unclasped her hands long enough to point toward her couch. 

Jake smiled generously and sat down, stretching his long legs out and
under the glass coffee table.  Melanie looked nervous to him as she sat 
beside him on the couch but he didn't say anything. If all went to 
plan, he'd be having a great night tonight, so he wanted her to relax. 

Rather than pushing for conversation he smiled and looked out the window
that the couch faced.  Melanie didn't have much of a yard, her house 
taking up most of the space on this small block of land. He could see 
she'd made the most of it and that she loved gardening and flowers.  
Her courtyard out the side looked private, hidden from the neighbours 
by a high fence and tucked in cosily at he side of the house. 

The window facing the courtyard was, in fact, a glass sliding door,
giving a good view.  Baskets hung from trellises and bright pink and 
yellow flowers hung down from them like bright, swaying curtains. Long, 
rectangular, terracotta pots lined the edge of the paved area, some 
with purple, yellow and red flowers and some with tiny sprigs of green. 


In the centre of the little courtyard was a big, luxurious lounger, wide
as it was long.  Melanie had made a tiny paradise out of that small 
area and Jake suddenly wished he knew anything about flowers and 
gardening, just so he could make her talk and smile like she did the 
day they went out photographing birds.  He turned to her and nodded his 
head toward the door. "Nice little courtyard. Mind if I go out and have 
a closer look?" 

Melanie's eyes lit up immediately and she smiled, "Well, sure."  Jake
quickly stood and strode out to the courtyard, carrying the bottle of 
champagne with him. Grinning over his shoulder. "Come on!" 

Melanie gave a reluctant grin and followed outside. "So you want me to
get glasses?" 

Jake laughed, "No. Because tonight we're going to go mad and do
something we'd never usually do." 

Melanie looked wary. "And what would that be?" 

Jake grinned, peeled the wrapping off the top of the bottle and gently
eased the cork out until the familiar POP sounded. "We're going to 
behave like teenagers and..." He held the bottle toward her, grinning 
devilishly. "Drink from the bottle!" 

Melanie laughed out loud and, not one to turn down an obvious challenge,
took the bottle from his hand. Her hands were smaller than his, so she 
had to hold the bottle firmly in both hands as she tilted her head back 
and took a big swig. 

Jake laughed at Melanie as she scrunched up her face and swallowed then
gave a little cough.  His good-natured laugh caused her to grin. Damn, 
she hadn't wanted to enjoy herself tonight but he had that effect on 
her. Licking her lips she smiled. "Wow, this stuff tastes really nice!" 


Jake grinned, "It'd want to for what I paid for it. Hand it over, my
turn." He took the bottle and downed a huge gulp. 

They sat side by side on the accommodating lounger and passed the drink
back and forth. As they talked and drank, Jake could see Melanie slowly 
relaxing and becoming friendlier as she told stories of her time at 
University. 

Melanie giggled and took quick swigs from the bottle, which was now
firmly remaining, in her grasp. "All the guys...all of them...they 
wanted me back then."  In response, Jake rolled his eyes.  "No, no, 
listen to me, listen, I'm, like, serious! I never really cared for 
dating so I didn't pay attention and stuff, but the guys, they all 
liked me. Some were hard to ignore." Melanie giggled and swayed a 
little. 

Jake grinned. Getting her drunks hadn't been his plan, but he had to
admit, he was enjoying every moment of this. "Really. If you're such an 
ice queen then how could you find any of them hard to ignore?" 

Melanie poked him in the chest, staring him in the eye, "Hey, ice queen
I may be, but I have needs. I have needs. But I don't just sleep with 
any old Tom, Dick or Harry.  No siree." 

Jake burst out laughing, "No siree? You must be pretty tiddly, hon,
because nobody says that anymore." 

Melanie blinked and looked defiant, or as defiant as she could in the
state she was in. "I...I'm not drunk. I'm veeeeery happy is all. 
Anyways, I was saying...yes...irresistible. Guy would come up and say 
some very direct things to me." 

Jake grinned, "Like?" 

Melanie gave a giggle and polished off the remainder of the champagne.
Putting the bottle aside she moved closer and said, "They came up and 
put their arm around me and just flat out said 'I want to make love to 
you, Mel.' It was outrageous!" 

Jake laughed and wrapped his arm around Melanie's shoulder. "I want to
make love to you, Mel." 

Melanie blinked and stared, looking suddenly frightened, and yet so
pretty and appealing. "You do?" 

Jake made a low, almost inaudible groan and leaned across, brushing his
lips across hers, making her gasp and jerk back slightly. He raised his 
hand and slowly ran a fingertip across her full lower lip, feeling its 
softness and her hot breath. "I won't hurt you." He whispered to her 
quietly. 

Kissing her softly, his tongue darted across her lips, teasing and
tasting.  Melanie gasped audibly and froze.  Jake gently rubbed her 
arms, soothing her as his kiss deepened, thrusting his tongue into her 
mouth, properly claiming her.  When Melanie groaned and parted her lips 
for him, her body shifting closer, he lost everything that had formerly 
resembled control. 

Without touching her, he pushed her back into the lounger, leaning into
her as he kissed her deeply.  He heard her whimper and felt her arms 
creep about his neck, pulling him closer to her.  Sliding his full 
length onto the lounger he laid his entire weight on top of her, 
nestling a knee between her legs. 

Pressing kisses down the arched crescent of her throat, he slowly slid
his hands up her soft, smooth thighs, becoming harder as her sundress 
slid up with her hands, exposing more and more skin to his eager hands. 


When his hand encountered the soft cotton of her underwear he clenched
his fists, preventing himself from tearing them off her body then and 
there.  Sliding his hands over the top of her sundress, he dragged his 
fingers very lightly over her sensitive breasts, teasing her already 
hard nipples. 

Melanie groaned loudly, her back arching slightly.  This was all the
invitation Jake required.  Slowly, he trailed the tip of his tongue 
down her throat and chest, dipping it in the valley between her 
breasts, tasting the saltiness of her skin.  He groaned as his senses 
overloaded on her soft, salty skin and her sweet, fruity scent, mingled 
with the perfumes of the flowers that surrounded them. 

Melanie's fingers fumbled with his buttons, desperate to touch him, feel
his skin under her hands and pressed against her.  Taking her hands in 
his, he pulled her into a sitting position, onto his lap.  Quickly and 
expertly he dragged her little, yellow sundress over her head and 
tossed it onto the pavers below, then quickly shrugged out of his 
shirt. 

Holding her on his lap, her legs wrapped around his waist, his head
swooped down and captured one of her nipples in his mouth, his tongue 
flicking over it.  Melanie groaned and splayed her fingers through his 
hair, her back arching and her hips pressing against his. 

His tongue laved her nipple, flickering more urgently as his desire
began to intensify.  Melanie whimpered his name, her hips slowly 
rocking against his, her own desire intensifying as his tongue 
continued it's torment and his hardness pressed firmly against her most 
sensitive place. 

Groaning, Jake stood up, letting her body slowly slide down his to the
ground.  "Please Mel..." 

"Jake?"  She stared into his hooded, fire-filled eyes. 

"I want you now.  I don't think I can wait much longer...please."  He
rasped. 

"Oh god...I want you too Jake..." She whispered, reaching up and
stroking his face softly. 

That was all he needed to hear, his head swooping to capture her mouth
with his and give her a quick, hard kiss.  His hands deftly unbuckled 
the belt on his jeans and before he knew it, they were in a puddle 
around his feet and he was kicking them away.  Next to go were his 
boxers, useless at covering his obvious arousal. 

Melanie visibly blushed, her cheeks reddening in a way that drove Jake
even closer to the edge.  Her body trembled and she took in a quick, 
harsh breath as she looked him over seemed to memorise his naked body.  
Jake kissed her again, slowly and lingeringly. 

His lingering kiss was short lived, his mouth progressing quickly down
over her chin and the curve of her neck.  His hands slowly slid down 
her sides, his thumbs brushing against her breasts, and his mouth 
followed, kissing a path down her chest and between her breasts. 

Groaning, her legs trembling, Melanie ran her fingers through Jake's
hair, whimpering as his tongue quickly delved into her belly button.  
His thumbs slid under the top edge of her panties and slowly he dragged 
them down her legs to the ground, his hands skimming over her hips, 
thighs and calves. 

Beneath his palms he could feel her legs shaking.  Slowly, sliding his
hands back up her body, enjoying every curve, to look her in the eye.  
Clutching her buttocks in his hands, he lifted her up so that she could 
wrap her legs around his waist.  Kissing her deeply, he strode back 
inside and down the corridor.  To the bedroom. 

CHAPTER SEVEN 

Melanie groaned and writhed uncomfortably in her bed.  This morning she
felt unusually stifled and her head throbbed painfully.  She must be 
coming down with something, she's heard the flu was going around.  That 
would explain the extreme headache and the fact that she felt really 
hot. 

Groaning again, she rolled over onto her side and collided with a hard
wall, her face buried in something warm.  Recoiling, she opened her 
eyes and blinked, staring at someone's back, a man's back.  She 
screeched and leaped from the bed, dragging a pillow in front of her 
naked body.  Memories began to flood her mind. 

Jake smiled up at her and held his hand out.  "Calm down, Mel, and come
back to bed."  His eyes were sleepy and yet sultry, causing Melanie's 
stomach to jump and jitter. 

She gaped at him.  "Bed...you...I...we had...we did..." Her hands
clutched the pillow in front of her strategically, her face flushed, 
her mouth dry and her back pressed against the wall across the room 
from the bed. 

"Yes, Mel, we did.  Many, many wonderful times."  He told her with a big
grin, laying back on the bed in a relaxed, self-satisfied pose.  His 
arms were folded behind his head and the sheet did little cover his 
naked, and obviously aroused, body.  "Come back to bed." 

She glared at him accusingly.  "You got me drunk and seduced me!" 

"That's how it happened but not how I had it planned..." Jake said in
his defense. 

"Oh well, that's ok then.  I mean, a planned seduction is ok, right?" 
Melanie fumed, carelessly tossing aside the pillow and quickly pulling 
on her robe. 

"Now Mel..." Jake sat up, the sheet falling lower on his lap. 

"You arrogant beast!  Another conquest for Jake Cannon.  Well,
congratulations!"  Racing from the room and out to the courtyard, she 
snatched up Jake's clothes and, kicking open the front screen door, 
dumped them on her front porch. 

She whirled around, her eyes fiery with rage, glaring at Jake who now
stood in the corridor, sheet wrapped around his waist, staring at her 
like he thought her insane.  "Maybe you should calm down and talk about 
all this with me.  You're being a tad hasty." 

Melanie clenched her fists and tilted her chin up, glaring at him
loftily.  "Get out of my house, Jake.  I don't want to see you again."  
She stood aside. 

Jake frowned at her and stepped out onto the porch to collect his
clothes, flinching at the sound of the front door slamming behind him.  
Oooh yeah, he'd done a terrific job with Melanie.  When it came to 
women, he thought with bitter sarcasm, Jake Cannon was the king of 
morons. 

With the door shut on a part of her life she didn't care to remember,
Melanie raced straight for the shower, hastily discarding her robe 
along the way.  With quick and deliberate flicks of her wrists, she had 
the shower running full pelt, steam beginning to fill the small room. 

Melanie stood under the scalding spray of the shower, tears raining down
her cheek unnoticed as the water washed them away.  The hot needles of 
water prickled her skin, making her flinch, but she didn't care.  She'd 
just gotten to really enjoy his company, even trust him, and he'd gone 
and gotten her drunk and seduced her.  He wasn't a man, he was a coward 
and she was stupid for ever falling for his lines. 

Grabbing the soap she scrubbed at her face, roughly building up a thick,
foamy lather, as if trying to scrub away the unhappy thoughts plaguing 
her mind.  Turning her face up into the stream of spray, she leaned 
against the shower wall with the palms of her hands.  The amplified 
sound of the shower spray rushing past her ears prevented her from 
hearing the bathroom door quietly open and close and the shower door 
slowly slide open. 

Eyes still closed, she turned around and stood under the shower spray,
her body trembling, openly sobbing.  Arms suddenly encircled her and 
her eyes flew open.  Struggling against his hold, Melanie begged. 

"Just let me go and get out."  She managed to force out between sobs. 

"The hell I will."  Jake ground out and stood with her under the spray,
his gloriously naked body pressed against hers. 

Melanie still resisted, her body tense and trembling, but her emotions
had hit a high and she didn't have a hope in hell of holding them back. 
Turning her face away from Jake, she continued to sob. 

"Oh god, Mel.  Please believe me."  Jake begged, his arms around her and
his hands gently stroking her back.  "I didn't intend to get you drunk. 
 I wanted you so much that my entire body burned with need.  I just 
wanted you to relax and give me a chance." 

Stretching out his arms, Jake turned the shower off and then bundled her
against him, pulling her out of the shower stall.  Wrapping a towel 
around her pink, scalded body, he led her out of the bathroom and into 
her bedroom.  Melanie didn't fight, her mind had simply blanked and she 
stared ahead of her, breathing jerkily as she began to calm down. 

Quickly rubbing her body down with the towel, Jake put his hands on her
shoulders and gave a gentle push, urging her to lie on the bed.  
Melanie sighed in resignation and lay down on top of the sheets, the 
cool breeze that filtered through the room fanned her hot body. 

Jake grabbed the sheet that he'd dumped in the corridor and pulled it
over the top of her, climbing in behind her and pulling her against 
him, cuddling her softly.  Already her eyes had closed and he could 
feel her body slowly easing into a relaxed state, softening against 
him.  She slept peacefully, her breathing calm and even. 

Jake sighed and held her tighter against him, nuzzling her hair softly. 
His thumb caressed little circles on her shoulder as he closed his eyes 
and joined her in slumber. ***** 

Melanie's eyes slowly opened, surprised that it was pitch dark and she
was ravenously hungry.  She was pressed up against something hard and 
warm.  Great, she thought, been cuddled up against the wall all night.  
Sad, Melanie, sad, she thought.  She could have sworn... 

Backing away from the hard wall, she gasped.  It hadn't been a dream. 
It was Jake she was pressed up against, his face pressed into her 
pillows, his body hugged by her sheets.  He'd come back and cuddled, 
soothed and caressed her to sleep.  She hadn't imagined his temporary 
lapse in character. 

Giving into temptation she cuddled up against him anyway, reveling in
the warmth of his body, the way their bodies molded together perfectly. 
 She placed a hand against his chest, stroking slightly, feeling it 
rise and fall as she breathed deeply. 

"Do any more of that and you're going to regret it, gorgeous."  The
mumbled words startled Melanie and she jumped back across the bed.  "Ah 
ah ah."  He admonished and clamped a hand on her hip, pulling her flush 
against him.  He was aroused. 

"Um..." Melanie blushed and stiffened slightly. 

"Relax, I just want a cuddle."  He whispered and kissed her forehead. 

Melanie blinked.  This was a joke or a trick or something, surely. 
Pulling away from him again, she gave him a scrutinising glance.  "Ok, 
who are you and what have you done with Jake?" 

Jake let out a loud and hearty laugh.  "It's me, you goofball." 

"Goofball?"  Melanie exclaimed incredulously.  "You can't be Jake.  He'd
be far more insulting than that." 

Jake reached up and pushed a tendril of hair away from her face.  "You
don't think very highly of me, do you?" 

Melanie gave a short, cynical laugh, "I know your type, Jake." 

Jake sat up and stared right into her eyes, "Really.  And what is my
type?" 

"One night stands and lots of women."  Melanie replied, without
hesitation. 

"And you want forever, right?" Jake mocked her, leaning over so his lips
were only a short breath away.  Melanie stared, eyes wide.  "I can't 
give you forever, Mel.  I'm trouble and you know it." 

"I can handle a bit of trouble."  Melanie said defiantly. 

Jake grinned menacingly, "Can you?  Can you handle my hands gliding over
your body, my mouth tasting every inch of you every chance I get?"  
Melanie's eyes fluttered closed and she gulped noticeably as she nodded 
her head.  "Can you handle me making love to you night and day, fast 
and slow, not knowing if I'll still be here when you wake up?" 

His lips grazed over hers, teasing and tempting her.  He could see her
warring with herself inside, her brow slightly scrunched, eyes closed.  
Slowly he trailed the tip of his tongue over her lips, feeling the soft 
rush of air as she gasped and her mouth parted slightly. 

"Yes." 

"Yes?"  He asked. 

"Yes, I can deal with it."  Melanie said firmly, opening her eyes and
looking directly into his. 

Jake groaned and kisses her hard, forcing her back into the pillows, his
body covering hers.  Melanie wrapped her arms around him and kissed him 
back, silently praying she'd just made the right decision. 

CHAPTER EIGHT 

Jake was back at his own place.  He desperately needed a shave, clean
clothes and to try and get back to business.  He rubbed his jaw 
ruefully as he lazily padded into the bathroom.  It had been years 
since he'd let his five o'clock shadow grow this thick.  Year since 
he'd let himself be anything less than immaculate.  It had come to be 
expected of him, the perfection, and at first the pressure was a little 
hard to bear.  Now, keeping himself looking good was as automatic as 
breathing. 

As he strode into the bathroom, he pressed the play button on his
answering machine, the telephone and machine situated on a little table 
against a space of wall between his bedroom and the bathroom. 

Spraying a ball of shaving foam into the palm of his hand and lathering
it across jaw, he listened to the whirring noise of the machine winding 
back. 

"Cannon, it's Bruce.  What's going on down there?  I expect a call
soon."  His boss's booming voice invaded the tranquility of the 
bathroom.  Jake sighed and carefully dragged the razor over his jaw and 
shook it in the sink filled with warm water.  He hadn't thought he'd 
have much time to treat this exercise as a holiday, and he hated his 
boss for reminding him. 

"Cannon, where the hell are you?  Have you located Forsythe?"  Beep. 

"Cannon."  Bruce's voice was stern and commanding.  Jake cursed.  There
was no avoiding it, he had to get back into the swing of things 
beginning with a phone call to Bruce.  Stuff him, he'd waited this 
long, he could wait a little longer. 

Jake took a leisurely shower, resuming his usual meticulous grooming
practices, and found some crisp, clean slacks and a shirt.  "Ahh, 
better."  Jake grinned and smoothed his hands over his shirt.  "Now to 
the onerous tasks." 

"Bruce."  His boss barked into the phone the moment he picked it up. 

"Jeez, Bruce, you're going to give yourself a heart attack someday if
you don't chill."  Jake said with a grin. 

"Don't give me that bull, Cannon.  Tell me what the hell is going on and
then get on with your work."  Bruce was a grueling taskmaster, and a 
tough man to work for, but he was the best in the business.  Jake had 
worked for him for several years now and knew how to deal with him.  It 
was kind of like placating a child. 

"Now now, Bruce.  Would I ever let you down?"  Jake crossed his fingers,
silently hoping his boss wasn't expecting miracles today.  He heard a 
snort at the other end of the phone and grinned. 

"Have you found Forsythe?"  Bruce demanded. 

"Well, I've found someone named Forsythe and she looks to be the
person..." 

"She?  Are you serious?"  Bruce exclaimed in alarm. 

"Get with the nineties, Bruce.  Women can do anything."  Jake said with
an element of sarcasm, then laughed at the mumbled curses that he heard 
through the phone, negating what he'd just said. 

"Anyway, as I was saying, I've found a Melanie Forsythe.  She's
definitely a photographer, but of the wildlife and nice, pretty stuff 
kind.  I really can't see her being the person who took the photographs 
but I'm looking into it all." 

"What's she like?"  Bruce asked. 

"Who, Mel? Well..." 

"Mel??"  Jake could practically see Bruce's eyebrows shoot up. 

"Hey, I had to get to know her or I'll never find out anything about
these photos."  Jake defended. 

Bruce laughed, "That's my boy!  What's she like?" 

"She's an infuriating, stubborn and frustrating little imp."  Jake
growled, still grinning.  He wouldn't let on to the fact that he'd 
discovered she was hellfire in bed and so sexy it was sinful. 

He could hear the grin in Bruce's voice, "Well, uh, good work.  And I
don't want to see you back here for another two weeks.  Consider 
yourself officially on a working holiday.  Look into this, uh, 
Mel...and I expect you to have her with you when you return...if it's 
her, of course."  Bruce amended. 

Jake puzzled over Bruce's cheerful tone of voice but shrugged and hung
up.  A holiday was great and this cosy little coastal town had grown on 
him.  Or maybe it was one particular spitfire within the town that had 
grown on him.  Either way, he told himself with a wicked grin, he was 
definitely going to have fun over the next two weeks. ***** 

Melanie yawned and turned over in the bed, reaching out for Jake.  The
sun was just peeking through the curtains, the fresh scent of morning 
stirring her.  The mattress beside her was quickly cooling, the dent in 
the pillow being the only sign of Jake's visit.  Rubbing the sleep out 
of her eyes, she sat up and looked around.  Lying on the bed beside her 
was a note.  She felt it was safe to release some of the breath she was 
holding, as she picked up the note, her one sign of hope that last 
night hadn't been a scam, a one off. 

Gone home to freshen up etc etc.  See you later. Jake. 

Melanie expelled the remaining air she'd been holding.  See you later. 
He was coming back.  She fluttered excitedly and jumped from the bed, 
tossing the sheets aside.  Naked, she dashed to the bathroom, turning 
the shower on cold, shivering and giggling underneath the spray.  She 
felt invigorated and jumpy, and not because of the shower.  Because of 
Jake. 

Jumping out of the shower, she wrapped her generously sized towel around
her, its wooly softness hugging her body.  She wondered what time Jake 
would return, eager to throw her arms around him and give him a taste 
of her own brand of seduction.  She squeezed the water from her long 
hair and quickly ran a brush through it. 

She couldn't seem to wipe the wide grin from her face, or hold down her
pounding heart.  Jake excited her, and he wanted her, he really wanted 
her!  Melanie had by no means been a virgin, but her experience with 
men had been little and not all that great.  Fumbling and passionless 
races pretty much summed those experiences up. 

But Jake...ooooh...Melanie pressed a hand over the heart that thudded in
her chest.  She had never been so excited, so free, so...needy in her 
life.  She had never wanted anyone like she wanted Jake, never been 
affected by anyone as Jake affected her, never responded to anyone as 
she responded to Jake. 

Melanie took a deep breath to calm herself as she dashed back to the
bedroom and quickly pulled on her long khaki pants and little black 
T-shirt.  She looked at the clock in her bookcase.  Only just eight in 
the morning.  Melanie pursed her lips and considered this. 

Stuff it, she thought.  She had no idea when Jake would make an
appearance and she'd fallen behind in her visits to her spot.  She 
missed holding that camera in her hand and watching the magic of the 
bush right before her eyes.  Jake may not think much of her job, but it 
was far better than what she suffered in East Timor. 

Yes, it had been her that had taken the photos.  She personally just
wanted to forget that entire short but ugly space in her life.  She had 
travelled over the East Timor just as all hell had begun to break 
loose.  The majority of the East Timorese had voted for independence 
and won. 

The minority banded together and rebelled, backed up by the Indonesian
army as they scoured the land, leaving massacres and bloodbaths in 
their wake.  Melanie shuddered at the memory.  She and the women and 
children had thought themselves to be safe in East Timor, and they 
generally were if they hid in refuges.  The men had fled for the hills, 
any remaining ones tortured and slaughtered.  Eventually, the rebels 
stopped discriminating and entire families ran, Melanie included. 

She had gotten many beautiful, yet sad and disturbing, photos.  Children
with tear stained faces and wide, innocent eyes being cradled in their 
mothers' arms.  Women openly wailing for the loss of their loved ones.  
And then those shocking photos, fellow photographers, her 
friends...slaughtered indiscriminately. 

The photos had been accidents.  Melanie had been taking photos when the
horrific events unfolded before her eyes...life after life lost.  She 
had been so sickened, so shocked, her finger had kept working, on 
autopilot. 

And now she couldn't get away from it.  She had watched her friends die
only months ago, had come here to Narolee to hide.  Jake had found her, 
but he didn't believe that she was the taker of those photographs.  
Melanie felt relief over that, and yet she also felt like she had to 
defend herself, her talent for photography, by demanding he see that it 
was her that took those photos. 

The flashbacks had caused tears to well in Melanie's eyes, a knot to
form in her throat, and a brick to settle in her stomach.  God, she 
just wanted to forget.  It seemed like she never would.  She sniffled 
and swiped the tears away.  What she needed was a bit of therapy, her 
therapy.  An overnight trip to her hide in the bush.  Nothing calmed 
her heart, mind and soul more than a night in the bush. 

Quickly, she scribbled a note and tacked it to her front door before she
hurtled down the front steps to her car. 

I had some things to resolve, you know where to find me. Mel 

CHAPTER NINE 

Grevillea Shirley Howe.  Melanie exhaled excitedly at its beauty as she
adjusted her focus and light meter.  She'd been waiting a whole year 
for these little beauties to flower, just so she could photograph them. 
 The flowers of this grevillea reminded her of a delicate, pink spider 
cautiously stretching out and testing its legs. 

The back of the flower had long, slightly curled, pink tendrils that sat
up in the air.  The front consisted of tiny pink flowers with four 
little petals that curled back like ribbons curled on a gift.  The 
slim, lush green leaves set off the beautiful flowers in the foreground 
of her photo. 

Melanie lived for her work.  If she were to die tomorrow, she knew she'd
die happy, knowing she'd spent the last few months doing what had made 
her more happy than she'd ever been.  She lived for the beauty of 
nature and the beauty of people.  But mostly, she loved hiding out 
here, deep in the bush, taking photographs of undisturbed scenery.  As 
if she were the only person in the world, the only one to glimpse the 
beauty the world had to offer. 

Before she had started with professional nature photography, Melanie had
been a waitress, photography merely her hobby.  She hadn't even 
completed grade twelve at high school because her dad had had a sudden 
stroke.  He hadn't been able to talk or walk or do things for himself. 

Melanie had quit school only months short of graduating so that she
could support and care for her dad.  She couldn't have claimed to be 
happy in the following months as she'd watched her father's condition 
gradually deteriorate.  She'd desperately begged with him and prayed 
each night, wishing only for his health, that she didn't lose him. 

And then he'd died in his sleep during the night and Melanie was
suddenly lost.  She'd moved through life in a dream for a while, 
keeping up her hectic work schedule and putting away money.  She was 
aiming to get away from the city, away from the rut she was in and 
start a new life. 

And a new life she'd certainly gained.  She'd entered some of her
photographs into a judged gallery at the Canberra Show, blindly hoping 
but generally doubting as she glanced over the competition.  She hadn't 
won but it was then that she'd been selected and propositioned.  A job 
in East Timor, a book was to be compiled about one of Australia's 
closest neighbours. 

Excited, Melanie had agreed straight away.  As soon as she'd got home
she'd rang the restaurant she worked at and resigned on the spot, then 
crammed all her practical clothing into her bag. 

The next day she'd flown to Dili, her stomach filled with butterflies
but her eyes wide with the excitement of a new start in life, a new 
career rather than a job.  It had been a start in life that had, 
without a doubt in her mind, gone terribly wrong. 

Already tears had formed in Melanie's eyes and were coursing down her
cheeks.  So many sad and terrible memories invaded her mind that she 
felt angry.  Angry that now she couldn't even come out here to escape 
them.  She had been told that recovering from the traumas she'd 
suffered would take time, but she was impatient and the vivid memories 
were still haunting her, driving her insane. 

Sighing in resignation, she relaxed her legs and crumpled to the ground,
her body propped against the base of a gum tree.  Tilting her head 
back, closed her eyes and relaxed, losing herself in thought. 

The only times she hadn't had nightmares, had slept peacefully and
happily, had been when Jake had stayed over in the past couple of days. 
 Although on the first night she'd not realised he was there, she'd 
passed out pretty soon after they'd made love according to Jake, she 
must have sensed he'd been there all night.  She knew it wasn't the 
alcohol that had held back the dreams because she'd tried to use 
alcohol as an escape before and it hadn't worked. 

And then last night, she'd slept like a baby...well, when they weren't
making love.  Lordy, what a night.  Shivers coursed through her body 
just thinking about it.  There was no denying how fantastic it had 
been, that Jake was a more giving and tender lover than she'd ever 
imagined he could be.  She almost felt guilty for thinking he'd be as 
much of an arrogant pig in bed as he was out of it.  Almost. 

Her body felt weak from memories and thought, her mind now clearing and
giving reprieve.  She knew she should probably head back to her hide 
and sleep there, but the late afternoon sun that filtered through the 
trees was warming and relaxing her body and the quiet breeze ruffling 
the leaves and the bird calls were peaceful and soothing. 

She was asleep before she knew it and it was a peaceful sleep.  When she
awoke her eyes flew open.  It was pitch black around her.  She 
struggled to get up but was pinned down.  Blinking, she took in her 
surroundings.  She was back in her hide and in Jake's arms.  But how... 


Her thoughts were interrupted by a sultry and sleepy voice, "Mmm,
finally awake are you?" 

Melanie turned over so that she was looking at Jake.  He smiled at her
and gently brushed a lock of hair away from her face.  "You found me 
and carried me back here?"  She asked him incredulously. 

Jake grinned and yawned, "Yeah, and it wasn't easy I can tell you."  He
pulled her closer and wrapped his arms around her, nestling her head 
under his chin.  "Took me a couple of hours to find you, it was just 
getting dark when I did.  You were laying so still beneath that tree, 
you gave me a heart attack!" 

Melanie blinked and her jaw tautened defensively, "I fell asleep." 

"I quickly found that out.  Little fool, what were you thinking?"  Jake
barked. 

Melanie pulled away, her blood already boiling with rage, "Little fool? 
What was I thinking?  As if that's any business of yours!  I'm a free 
agent and can do whatever I want, wherever I want, whenever I want.  
Just because you've slept with me, doesn't mean you have some caveman 
claim over me!" 

"Jeez, Mel, chill..." Jake reached for her again but Melanie batted his
hand away. 

"I'm not going to chill, damn it!  I can't."  Her eyes filled with tears
and she turned away, pressing against the side of the canvas hide 
because it was as far from Jake as she could get.  She didn't want to 
him to see her cry, didn't want him to pretend he cared.  He wasn't the 
type to care about anyone except himself. 

Jake didn't say anything for a while, didn't move closer to her.  She
could feel him watching her and then felt his fingers lightly stroke up 
and down her arm.  She sniffled and shuddered, her body stiffening at 
his touch.  She heard him sigh deeply. 

"You're really not going to talk to me about this, are you?"  He said
softly and watched her shake her head.  "When I found you, you were 
sleeping peacefully but your cheeks had tears stains down them.  You 
looked so sad.  What has made you so sad?" 

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you."  She replied stiffly. 

"I bet I would.  But I won't push anything.  Just, please, scoot back
over here.  I love feeling you pressed against me while we sleep." 

Melanie felt weary, she finally believed she was feeling the exhaustion
catch up with her from so many sleepless nights.  She knew if she 
cuddled up to Jake she'd sleep easily, and that was enough for her 
right now.  She turned back over and nestled against him, closing her 
eyes and sighing, her body relaxing as he gently but firmly rubbed her 
back with his large hands.  Sleep claimed her quickly. ***** 

Damned if he could figure this woman out, he thought to himself as he
held her close, her body pressed against his as she slept.  She ran hot 
and cold on him and it drove him nuts.  Anything she did drove him 
nuts, he thought wryly, finding his arousal hard to ignore.  Here he 
was comforting her and he still wanted sex.  Yes Jake, he told himself, 
you are a pig. 

He'd felt his heart leap out of his chest when he'd seen her under that
tree, eyes closed, still as the dead.  He'd panicked and raced over to 
check her pulse, but she'd only been sleeping.  He'd never had such a 
fright before and could have gladly throttled her for it. 

He'd studied her face closely and smiled.  Her full, pouty lips had been
slightly parted as she'd taken long deep breaths, her lashes had lain 
against her cheeks which he'd noticed were pink from crying.  Bangs of 
hair trailed over her forehead and cheek, blowing about lightly in the 
breeze. 

Jake didn't think he'd ever seen anything so beautiful.  She'd looked
like a mythical creature, a fairy or an elf, her petit body 
accentuating that image.  Without another thought he'd brushed her 
silky brown hair away from her face and bundled her up in his arms. 

She hadn't stirred, sleeping so deeply that Jake got the feeling she
rarely got any sleep.  With her face nestled into his neck and her body 
cuddled against his own, he'd walked for a good hour or more back to 
her camp and cuddled her close while they'd slept. 

He didn't think he'd ever felt so good as when he slept beside Melanie. 
And the sex...he groaned out loud at the thought.  She was so feisty 
and mischievous that all she had to do was look at him and he damned 
near finished then and there.  It took a hell of a lot of control for 
him to be as patient as he'd been with her, to take things as slow as 
he had. 

Jake closed his eyes and grinned, holding her against him.  Oooh yeah,
this was set to be the best two weeks of fun he'd ever had. 

CHAPTER TEN 

Jake watched as Melanie giggled and took a running dive into the wide
river, plunging into the cool depths, water spraying everywhere and 
choppy waves forming in a circle around her entry point.  She surfaced 
a few metres away, springing from the water and tossing her long back, 
water spraying in an arc above her head.  He grinned as he watched her 
do little back flips in the water, her ample breasts jutting out and 
very visible beneath her flimsy white bra. 

Jake shook his head in amazement at that woman.  Last night she'd been
so heated, so dark, so sad.  This morning she woke up with a grin on 
her face and her laughter bubbling over.  He'd awoken to the smells of 
breakfast cooking; bacon, eggs and damper.  As he'd emerged from the 
tent, clothes rumpled and hair sticking out in ways he shuddered to 
imagine, she'd grinned at him and held out a plate and a mug of coffee. 


And now it was bath time, an eager suggestion brought forth by Melanie,
who was mud and tears streaked from the events of the day before.  Jake 
knew he probably smelled fairly putrid too, it had been a hot night in 
that tent. 

He watched her swim and duck dive in her underwear as he peeled off his
own pants and shirt, down to his boxers.  She looked so much like a 
child, so innocent and tiny and playful.  Jake felt another grin spread 
across his face.  He'd seen behind that innocent mask, she was most 
definitely a woman. 

"Come on, slow poke!"  He heard her shout and saw her wave to him from
about ten metres off the bank.  Jake grinned and jogged down to the 
water's edge, gritting his teeth as the rough pebbles and rocks 
prickled at his feet.  No doubt about it, he'd become too soft living 
in the city. 

He made a neat and precise shallow dive into the cool, refreshing
waters, instantly feeling the grit and sweat washed from his skin.  He 
burst through the surface of the water and took a deep breath, shaking 
his hair free of water.  Looking around, he spotted Melanie a couple of 
metres away, her back to him as she paddled back toward the shore. 

An evil glint filled Jakes eyes and he slowly and quietly sank back
under the water, then darted toward her.  He slowed as she came into 
his view, careful not to create a current and let her know he was 
there.  Then suddenly, just as his air began to run out, he lunged from 
the water, roaring, then taking a deep breath, his arms wrapping around 
her and tackling her, dragging her underwater before she could do more 
than let out a yelp. 

Both quickly bobbed back to the surface quickly, both laughing
hysterically as soon as they could catch their breath. 

Melanie thumped Jake's chest and poked her tongue out, her eyes
twinkling in a way that Jake had never seen before.  "You scared the 
heck out of me!" 

Jake laughed and stood up in the waist deep water,  "No kidding.  Gee,
sorry!" 

Melanie's eyes widened and she lunged at him, "Why you cheeky..." 

Jake grabbed Melanie's arms and hauled her against him, causing her to
gasp at the feel of his obvious arousal.  Her eyes were wide as she 
stared into his.  Without a moment's hesitation Jake lowered his head 
and claimed her lips with his urgently, almost savagely. 

Melanie tensed slightly at the sudden assault but she quickly melted,
moaning into his mouth and locking her hands behind his neck in an 
attempt to get close to him.  Jake slid his hands slowly down her 
sides, his thumbs sliding over the swell of her breasts, the dip of her 
waist and her delicately flared hips. 

Grasping her hips in his hands, he pulled her against his arousal
causing her to gasp.  Jake nudged a knee between her legs and rubbed 
firmly, his thumbs gently stroking her peaked nipple through the 
transparently white bra. 

Melanie made a quiet whimpering noise and provocatively rubbed against
Jake, her hips moving in tiny circular motions, causing the water to 
stir slightly around them.  Jake muttered an oath between his teeth and 
slid his hands between them.  Deftly he opened her bra, pulling apart 
the clasp that nestled between her breasts. 

Melanie gasped quietly as the cool air hit her already cold, wet
breasts.  Jake perched her on his arm and lifted her up, his other arm 
supporting her back.  Her groans of pleasure penetrated the rushing 
noise in his ears as he took a nipple in his mouth and sucked gently. 

He felt her fingers rake through his wet and mussed up hair as his
tongue glided between her breasts and then to the other nipple, 
flickering over it lightly.  Melanie whimpered and rocked her hips, her 
back arching. 

Jake released Melanie, letting her hang from his neck as he tugged her
panties off and finished removing her bra, tossing them to the bank of 
the river, his shorts soon following.  Jake grasped her hips and kissed 
her deeply, his tongue plunging into her mouth, staking his claim. 

Melanie pulled away, her eyes filled with desire, "Now, Jake, please." 

Jake groaned and slowly thrust into her until he was buried deeply,
causing Melanie to cry out, the water lapping around them.  Melanie 
wrapped her legs around Jake's waist as he guided her hips up and down 
his shaft. 

Fast and furious waves began to lap at the bank of the river and the
sounds of animal-like groans and cries filled the air as they reached 
their peak together.  Melanie arched her back and tensed, crying out 
Jake's name.  Shuddering, Jake exploded inside her, then clasping her 
tight against him as the waves within him, and around them, subsided. 

Later, as they lay on the bank of the river, Jake dozed.  Melanie lay
stretched half across him, her leg nestled between his.  Resting on one 
elbow and watched him sleep, his brow smooth, his mouth curved into a 
tiny smile.  He was a beautiful man, she thought as she gently ran a 
fingertip over his cheek, the day old beard prickling and making a 
light rasping noise under her touch. 

Melanie smiled.  Whether Jake admitted it or not, he cared about her. 
The fact that he'd searched the bush for her, without knowing where he 
was going, was proof of that in her eyes.  And the ferociousness in his 
tone as he'd admonished her for scaring him when he found her asleep 
under a tree...surely if he didn't care, he wouldn't have reacted to 
strongly. 

Her finger glided over the slight dip in the centre of his chin then did
a quick turn around and slid over his bottom lip.  Unable to resist, 
she leant over and trailed the tip of her tongue along his bottom lip, 
tasting him. 

"Mmm...woman, you're driving me to distraction."  Melanie jumped as the
words invaded her quite thoughts. 

Jake wrapped his arms around her tightly and pulled her fully on top of
him.  She could feel that he was aroused already.  "Jake..." 

"Shut up and kiss me."  Jake growled in her ear. 

Melanie pulled back slightly and grinned.  Slowly, deliberately teasing
him, she trailed tiny kisses from his ear, across his cheek to his 
mouth, only allowing a whisper of a kiss before she pulled away and 
began kissing along his jaw.  She felt the pulse in his neck beat 
quickly beneath her lips as she dragged them lightly over his neck. 

She felt his arms loosen and his head tilt back as she flickered her
tongue along his collarbone, her body sliding down his slightly.  Jake 
groaned loudly and his back arched as she boldly grazed her lips over a 
nipple.  She enjoyed doing this, teasing him, making him want her so 
much he thought he'd go crazy. 

Jake hadn't touched her yet, she could see his fists clenching at his
sides in an obvious attempt to keep control, to hang onto those last 
few shreds of sanity as she teased him with her lips.  Melanie grinned 
wickedly and rocked her hips, rubbing against him provocatively. 

With a harsh gasp and a muttered oath, Jake grabbed her hips, lifted her
and quickly plunged into her, causing her to cry out, her nails raking 
over his chest.  This was it, she thought, nothing had ever felt so 
right. 

Nothing. 

CHAPTER ELEVEN 

Camp had long since been packed up, the hide zipped and left empty as
Melanie and Jake trudged back to civilisation.  The sun was setting, 
casting a mottled, orange glow to everything beneath the gum tree 
canopy.  Flocks of parrots screeched overhead, unidentifiable as black 
silhouettes against the bright, encompassing, dusk sky. 

Melanie smiled and inhaled deeply, cherishing the crisp fragrance of the
fresh, bush air.  She truly believed she could happily vanish one day 
into the forest, pack up on one of her trips and never return, living 
the life of a hermit, surrounded only by the true beauty of nature.  
Since her father's death, she'd had little to do with people, had had 
little need for them. 

Jake's arrival had caused her to reconsider that aspect of her life.  As
sure as she was a woman, he annoyed the heck out of her.  Barely a 
moment went by when she didn't feel like clobbering him.  And yet she 
enjoyed his presence, his arrogance.  She enjoyed their little spats 
and arguments, as sadistic as that sounded.  She hadn't felt so riled, 
so alive, for a long time. 

This past day, spent with Jake, had been glorious and carefree, having
made love for most of it.  It had been exhilarating, making love in the 
great outdoors, almost primitive.  It was like they'd taken the most 
basic and earthly thing known to man and brought it back to its roots.  
Nature in tune with nature 

Actually, it'd been more like nature versus nature.  Some of the places
they'd made love had been less then comfortable and far from 
convenient.  Under her breath she muttered something about twigs, burrs 
and mud and then she laughed out loud, causing Jake to look at her 
strangely, but he didn't ask.  He seemed to be enjoying the quietness 
of his thoughts and the surroundings along with her. 

A flock of parrots dived through the foliage to their right, neatly
slicing across their path, dodging and weaving, screeching shrilly.   
The air was rife with the chatter of the parrots as they swamped the 
lower branches off the trees.  Squinting, Melanie could see they were 
Crimson Rosellas. 

Their head to toe vivid red and blue feathers was the giveaway for
Melanie.  She watched as they landed in little swooping motions, 
gracefully arching their wings to slow their speed.  She watched as the 
scattered few that were on the ground scuttled about, hurriedly picking 
at berries, seeds and leaf litter.  In the trees, some sang and some 
slept, others restlessly stretched their little, thin legs out behind 
them and extended their wings slowly and methodically. 

Melanie stood mesmerised, as she always did when faced by scenes such as
this.  And that these birds could move about her, with complete 
disregard for her being a rather large outsider, held her captivated. 

"Geez, aren't you afraid of being crapped on while you're out here?" 
Jake quite successfully killed the mood with his crass nature but 
Melanie couldn't help but laugh. 

"Used to be, but really you get used to it and more often than not you
can't see it anyway.  Ignore it, and you're left with beautiful 
animals.  Look at them, Jake."  She spread her arm wide at the 
rosellas. 

A faint fluttering behind them and the feel of claws on her arm startled
Melanie, causing her to jump.  She now stood eye to eye with one of the 
Crimson Rosellas, a small specimen with ratty, dull feathers.  Jake 
burst out laughing. 

"That's the ugliest bird I ever saw."  He held his stomach with one hand
and pointed at the rosella with the other.  "It's got bald patches!" 

Melanie grinned, "I don't know.  I think he's kind of cute, actually." 
She pulled her arm closer as she and the bird eyed each other off. 

"Cute, huh.  You're a weird lady."  Melanie just grinned and made little
kissing noises at the bird.  "Well, Snow White, now that you've made 
friends with the creatures of the forest, put it down and let's go 
home." 

Melanie sighed and walked to a small tree across the clearing.  She held
her arms parallel to the lowest branch and whispered encouragement to 
the little bird who sat happily on her slender arm.  It closed its eyes 
and rested peacefully where it was, not for a moment considering the 
tree branch. 

"Come on, Mel."  Jake called from behind her. 

"I'm trying!"  She called back as she held out her other hand to the
rosella.  Head held high, it seemed to look at her haughtily, as if not 
appreciating the interruption, then made the quick little jump to her 
hand.  But again, despite her urgings, it refused to acknowledge the 
tree branch. 

Melanie stifled a giggle and shrugged as it climbed her arm.  "Ok, Jake,
I'm ready to go." 

"Uh, Mel, the bird appears to be attached to your shoulder."  Jake
pointed out, as if she hadn't noticed already. 

Melanie nodded, "Yep.  Let's go!"  She began walking away, headed for
home. 

"But it's on your shoulder!"  Jake insisted. 

"I know."  Melanie replied, exasperation lacing her tone.  "Come on." 

An hour later darkness had fallen and they were climbing into Melanie's
car, intending to return for Jake's the next day.  "I can't believe 
you're driving with a damned bird on your shoulder."  Jake muttered. 

Melanie laughed, or not even laughed, it was more of a giggle, "Come on,
this is a unique experience.  Enjoy it!"  She reached forward and 
turned the key, the bird barely swaying on her shoulder, it's eyes 
closed and feathers fluffed. 

"Enjoy the experience, she says.  It's a balding, bloody bird."  Jake
growled, jealous for the attention that the bird was getting.  He'd 
been spoiled rotten lately and he didn't like sharing Melanie one 
little bit.  Especially with a bird that looked like it'd risen from 
the grave. 

Melanie's laughter filled the car, light and twittery like a bird in the
early morning.  Instantly, Jakes muscles relaxed and melted.  He was 
being insane, being jealous like this.  A self-satisfied smirk spread 
across his face.  There was certainly one thing he was getting that the 
bird never would. 

Jake closed his eyes and reclined the car seat, folding his hands behind
his head and smiling with satisfaction as he gradually dozed off, the 
voice of Melanie chatting to the bird infiltrating his mind. 

Jake awoke to a loud thump and opened his eyes to see Melanie and her
gorgeous arse sashay into her house with his bag under her arm.  He 
blinked and rubbed his eyes and quicker than lightening, unfastened his 
belt and lept from the car.  With light feet, he trailed down the 
corridor after her, following her into the bedroom where she promptly 
dumped his bag in the middle of the floor. 

"Uh...Mel..." 

"You're staying here tonight."  Melanie told him. 

"I am?"  Jake blinked and added, "Why?" 

"Because I say so, Cannon."  She proceeded to unbutton her shirt and
stare at him, "Well, what are you waiting for?  Get your kit off!" 

Jake gulped and pulled his shirt over his head, deciding it was quicker
than undoing buttons.  This woman was throwing herself at him and he 
wasn't going to waste the opportunity! 

Melanie tugged the rest of her clothes off and tossed them carelessly
about the room.  "Right, last one in the shower's a rotten egg!"  She 
bolted from the room so fast that all Jake saw her long, thick mane of 
hair streaming behind her. 

"I love a challenge."  Jake said to himself with a grin and strode
confidently to the bathroom. 

CHAPTER TWELVE 

"Wake up, Sleepyhead!"  Jake felt the tip of a slender, bony finger
jabbing at his ribs persistently.  He groaned and buried his head 
beneath the pillows. 

"go away and torment some other poor soul, devil woman."  Of course
pulling himself out of the pillows and looking up into the face of an 
angel didn't help his argument any.  He grinned up at her sleepily and 
was rewarded with the brisk thud of a pillow across the face. 

"Get up!"  Melanie giggled, looking entirely too much like a morning
person for Jake's liking. 

"Geez, woman.  What's the urgency?"  He rose to his knees on the
mattress and pulled her against him, kissing her with great fervour.  
"You're a bossy lady.  I suspect you forced me to move in so you could 
indulge yourself freely and take advantage of poor little me."  He 
waggled his eyebrows and grinned cheekily. 

"Forced?  Take advantage?"  Melanie spluttered with laughter and thrust
Jake away from her.  "Sex, of course.  How silly of me.  Yeah, it's a 
bonus but did you ever consider that maybe I just enjoy your company?"  
Her eyes softened considerably. 

Jake cleared his throat and his eyes darted about, avoiding her gaze,
"Well...so, uh, what's on the agenda today, boss?" 

Melanie shrugged off his none too subtle attempt at dodging the subject.
"Foooood.  And seed for Brutus." 

"Erk.  That disgusting critter.  Where is he?"  Jake wrinkled his nose
like a child who had tasted something foul. 

Melanie waved her hand airily, "Last I saw he was perched on your bag
nibbling at the zipper." 

Jake clapped his hand over his eyes and groaned.  A designer bag worth
nearly two hundred dollars, he was almost too afraid to look.  Turning 
his head to the corner of the room he warily peeked between his 
fingers.  He could hear Melanie's laughter at what probably looked very 
comical from her perspective. 

There the bird sat, feathers scattered around him and more bald than
ever, the bag beneath his claws showing signs of fraying and it looked 
to Jake like the bird was smirking at him in satisfaction.  Jake 
growled, "While we're out we need to get some rat poison.  Never know 
what feral animals might be hanging around here." 

She gasped and smacked his arm, "Jake!" 

Jake blinked innocently at her, "Whaaat?" 

She huffed and wandered across to her beloved stray, "Come on, Brutus. 
I will extend the invitation of a shower to you instead." 

"Oh-ho, wait up a minute.  That is where I draw the line at sharing you
with this bird.  The shower and the bedroom are my domains."  He 
informed her, scowling deeply. 

Melanie giggled and set Brutus down on her chest of drawers.  "You're so
sexy when you get jealous, Canon." 

Jake strode toward her and, without a word of warning, hoisted her over
his shoulder.  Melanie screeched, irked by his arrogance and caveman 
tactics, and pelted his back with her fists. 

"I'd stop that if you want to end up showering alone."  He warned her
through his grin. 

"You're so sure of yourself.  Fine, I'll shower alone!"  She declared. 

Jake laughed, set her down in front of him and slowly untied her belted
robe.  "If that suits you."  Grasping her shoulders he urged her into 
the shower and turned the taps, a cold, hard spray hitting her body and 
making her scream. 

"Jake!"  She moved to clamber out of the shower but Jake blocked her
way.  As the water grew warmer she relaxed and stood beneath the spray, 
letting rivulets travel down her body from her head to her toes.  Eyes 
closed against the water, she reached out searching for the soap.  The 
dish was empty. 

Gasping, she jumped at the feel of Jake's large and capable hand sliding
down from her collarbone, between her breasts and over her belly, 
leaving a slick, soapy trail.  She daren't open her eyes, enjoying the 
sensations that coursed through her body, tickling each nerve ending.  
It was glorious, the feel of Jake's touch, the feel of the shower 
pounding against her soft, pink skin, the smell of soap and Jake 
filling her nostrils. 

Without warning, a second hand caressed her skin softly, cupping first
one breast and then the other.  She sensed Jake was closer now, in the 
shower with her rather than reaching from outside the shower.  
Stretching out, she felt the hard wall of his chest mere centimetres 
away from her, slicked with soap and water. 

Her hand froze mid exploration, eyes still closed, as she felt his hand
slide stealthily down between her thighs, soapy and adventurous.  She 
groaned and leaned back against the cool shower wall as she felt his 
finger gently rub and coax. 

The sound of a groan filled her ears but this time it was not hers.  She
heard a mutter, something along the lines of, "Bugger this" and felt 
his warm lips press against hers urgently.  Melanie kissed him back 
eagerly, weak at the knees at the powerful emotions he made her feel, 
not that she could ever tell him. 

Sensing her sudden weakness, Jake gripped her butt and lifted her up,
pressing her back against the shower wall as he slid into her.  Both 
cried out together at the sheer pleasure of what they shared, neither 
moving momentarily but enjoying the feel of each other. 

"Oh god...Jake..." Melanie groaned, her lips seeking his again. 
Plunging deep inside of her again, Jake could only groan in response, 
his mind numb.  He felt her smooth, slender legs wrap around his waist 
and he was gone. ***** 

"Jake, really.  I have to buy my own groceries and birdseed for Brutus. 
Why don't we just go to the supermarket?"  Melanie asked as they pulled 
up outside his house. 

"A, because I need more clothes.  B, because I need to check my
messages.  And C, because I would rather my food not go to waste and 
suppose it'd save you money when we do go and buy groceries later."  
Jake pulled his key out of his pocket and jumped out of the car, 
already heading up the path before Melanie even considered getting out 
of the car. 

"I like how you put me in category C instead of A.  Nice to be thought
of."  She teased, scurrying to catch up with him as he entered the 
modern and spacious apartment. 

"Well, I'm sure neither of us want me to wear smelly over-worn clothes. 
And my job is important to me so I need to check my messages, Mel."  
Jake explained as he tossed his keys on the hallway table beside the 
answering machine and phone. 

Melanie held her tongue as bitter thoughts infiltrated her mind. 
Meaning I'm not important, she desperately wanted to gripe.  She was 
well aware that she could probably never change Jake.  She'd just make 
the most of what she had with him.  It just rubbed her the wrong way 
whenever she was reminded of the fact that Jake was forever a career 
minded man. 

"Go rummage through the cupboards and fridge, Mel.  See what you can dig
up for us to take with us."  Jake called out to her, his voice followed 
by the beep of the answering machine.  She could hear a muttering 
coming from the machine, the speaker had a low voice that so she 
couldn't distinguish the conversation. 

Wandering into the kitchen she opened the pantry.  "Oh god, you are a
yuppy, Jake.  I mean, caviar?  Actually, you have nothing but a couple 
of tins of caviar and some biscuits.  Not much use." 

"Sorry, Mel."  He called back distractedly. 

"So you should be.  This house is disgracefully neat and sterile.  It's
awful."  Melanie frowned as she looked around her.  Nothing was out of 
place, not a speck of dirt to be seen and no knick knacks. 

"This house is modern, functional and worth a fortune, I'll have you
know.  Not really something I can afford with my salary but hey, we all 
need to splurge now and then.  And anyway, as if your house is any 
better." 

"What's wrong with my house?"  Melanie demanded. 

"It's all cluttered and messy.  You're a slob, Melanie my dear."  Jake
peeked around the corner at her and grinned. 

"Why you -" 

Beep.  "Canon, give me another report, I've retracted the holiday offer
and want you to bring her back to Sydney pronto.  From what you've told 
me so far you've done enough dillydallying to ensure she's snared.  Now 
get her back here so we can put her on staff.  We need more of her hard 
hitting photographs before our sales plummet.  Now quit screwing around 
and get back here."  Beep. 

The job.  This had all been over that damned job, a job she didn't want,
didn't need.  A fling she could handle but this was too much.  Melanie 
spun on her heel and marched to the front door. 

"Mel, wait.  Please."  Jake rushed over to her. 

"Go to hell, Cannon.  And don't come back."  She slammed the door behind
her. 

Jake cursed aloud and stamped his foot.  Thank you, Bruce. 

CHAPTER THIRTEEN 

She felt so stupid and she felt stupid for feeling stupid.  In fact, she
felt entirely stupid.  How on earth she had let herself believe that 
maybe Jake Cannon even gave a damn about her she didn't know.  She'd 
finally figured out why she'd dodged men for so long.  She just 
couldn't cope with lack of baggage, if that really made any sense.  
They never seemed to be needy, except when it came to sex.  A man could 
never get enough sex and that riled Melanie up because she felt 
used...and stupid! 

She sighed.  Well, she wasn't about to go running off into the bush this
time because he could find her even there.  And you know what?  That 
made her mad too.  She just hoped he'd go back to Sydney soon so that 
she could get back to living her life uninterrupted and perfectly 
alone. 

She'd known why Jake had hunted her down, had totally loathed the reason
from the start although he didn't know that.  They'd both sort of 
pushed it to the backs of their minds, or at least she had.  Jake had 
snuck into her life, barely making a wave, a ripple, and settled in as 
naturally as a new hairbrush.  It was insane...and stupid.  That word 
again. 

Those photographs were the bane of her life.  She should have burned
them the moment she'd seen them.  She felt physically ill just thinking 
about them and yet she could understand why Jake's editors were chasing 
her down.  She'd captured sudden, spur of the moment events with 
clarity and ease.  She figured they were thinking, if she can do that 
with no available time, imagine what she could do without restraints. 

Melanie laughed.  She'd tell them what she could do.  Wildlife shots. 
That summed up her photography interests, generally.  If they wanted a 
picture of a sugar glider in flight, she was their woman.  Shots of 
bird displays in mating season?  She could do that.  But taking sleazy 
shots of politicians fleeing from a scandalous scene and attending 
press conferences didn't interest her in the least.  The less inspiring 
the matter, the lower quality her photograph. 

There was no way in hell they'd get her to work in Sydney.  Giving
another frustrated sigh, she tumbled back onto her bed and stared at 
the ceiling of her bedroom.  Quite often it was a comfort to her, as 
were warm showers, because she loved being enveloped in warmth.  But 
everything reeked of Jake around here.  His scent clung to everything 
and drove her insane.  Drove her wild...no, NO, she was mad at him. 

***** 

She was mad at him, of that he was certain.  Bruce had killed what
little chance he had of luring Melanie to Sydney to work for their 
paper. 

Jake raked his fingers through his hair, furiously scrubbing at his
scalp with his fingertips, mussing up what was normally immaculate.  
What the hell was he supposed to do now? 

Give Bruce hell, that's what he'd bloody do!  Snatching up the mobile
phone clipped to his belt, he strode out the back door and plonked 
himself down in a deck chair, speed dialing his boss. 

"Bruce." 

"What the hell are you trying to do to me, man?"  Jake demanded. 

"What the hell are you on about, Cannon?"  Bruce growled in response. 

"You leaving those damned messages on the machine!  Melanie heard
today's message."  Jake massaged his temples, his deep frown not aiding 
the developing headache. 

"Ahhh, shit.  What kind of fool are you anyway, Cannon?"  Bruce lashed
out. 

"Excuse me?"  Jake cried incredulously. 

"First of all, you're here blaming me when you know that I leave
messages and yet you played them in front of her anyway.  Second of 
all, you're on the damned phone to me instead of fixing the problem."  
Bruce snapped and Jake flinched as he heard his boss's hand thud on his 
desk. 

"Is she really worth it, boss?"  Jake asked calmly. 

"Hell yeah!  For me and for you."  And the phone went dead.  Jake
blinked in confusion, disconnected phone still held to his ear.  What 
was that about? 

***** 

Melanie lay snoozing on her bed, legs dangling over the side, arms posed
like a ballerina's above her head.  She felt the fuzz in her brain 
begin to clear when her mattress moved quite suddenly. 

"I said to myself that we really didn't need you in Sydney and that you
weren't the right person anyway.  Not the one we were looking for.  But 
deep down I knew it was you." 

She groaned and rolled over, greeted by a view of Jake's hip.  "Jake, go
away.  I don't want to see you."  She rolled the other way, grabbed a 
pillow and tugged it over her head. 

Jake grabbed the pillow and threw it across the room, "Just listen to
me!" 

"Why the hell should I, Jake?  You've been toying with my affections and
what for?  To further your career!"  Melanie flew up into a sitting 
position, her eyes already alight with rage. 

"Oh, come on now, that's not how it is."  Jake appeased, hands raised in
protest.  Melanie gave him a skeptical glance, one eyebrow raised in 
disbelief.  "Ok, so maybe the boss might have mentioned something about 
my job being on the line."  Jake amended, adding, "Which I find a tad 
unbelievable since I am his top reporter." 

"Uh-huh." 

"Please, Melanie.  I hate to rely on anybody and I feel like I've been
relying on you the whole time I've been here.  I hate that feeling and 
yet I like it.  With you."  He took her hands and looked her in the 
eye.  "I like you, Melanie Forsythe.  We'd be a terrific team.  Come 
back to Sydney with me." 

Melanie looked up into Jake's eyes and she was terribly lost.  She hated
the effect he had on her.  The touch of his hands and the direct look 
in his eye made her melt, reluctantly.  Her shoulders slumped and she 
sighed, "Damn you, Jake Cannon.  I hate you." 

Jake's eyes lit up in recognition of defeat.  "You'll do it then?"  His
grip tightened and his body tensed up with barely contained excitement. 


"Yes."  She admitted defeat gracefully. 

"YES!"  He scooped her close to him and hugged her tight.  "You won't
regret it!  We'll be the best team!" 

"If you insist, Jake."  Melanie couldn't help but smile a little. 

"You'll be living with me of course." 

"Oh, Jake, I don't know..." 

"Nonsense!"  He slapped his hands together.  "It'll be like being room
mates or something.  You'll have the best time!" 

"I don't deal with big cities very well, Jake."  Melanie warned. 

"Well, that's a bonus of living with me.  Security, fun and comfort. 
You won't have to deal with anything."  He stood up and strode over to 
her cupboard and, after a quick scan, dragged her suitcase from the top 
shelf. 

"What are you doing, Jake?"  She stared incredulously as Jake grabbed
bundles of clothes and tossed them into the suitcase carelessly.  
Melanie had the decency to blush as Jake grabbed a handful of her 
shimmery satin underwear. 

"I'm packing.  We're leaving tonight.  You can have the rest of your
stuff sent up later."  Jake turned and smiled at her, his arm then 
sweeping across her dressing table and dumping her toiletries and 
makeup into the suitcase. 

Melanie laughed, "Don't waste time, do you?"  She was scared, but
shivers of excitement coursed through her body.  She was moving 
tonight. 

CHAPTER FOURTEEN 

Sydney was a culture shock for Melanie.  It was loud, crowded, smoggy
and severely lacked the wildlife that Melanie craved for her 
photography.  She'd been assigned as Jake's "partner in crime" and so 
far it had actually been a pretty interested job.  No political 
scandals and whatnot.  It was a first class operation with tasteful and 
reasonably discreet stories.  She was impressed. 

Jake's place was a dream and a half.  Melanie boggled at the spacious
penthouse that overlooked the harbour.  She was smart enough to know 
that journalists got paid pitiful wages, so his apartment left her in 
awe at his obvious status as a respected journalist. 

From the front door you entered the lounge room.  There was a fireplace
and several couches placed in a circle around a marble coffee table 
with throw rugs over them.  To the left was a big open kitchen with 
huge benches and a door to the balcony with a view that looked over 
Sydney City and the harbour.  Down the corridor were two bedrooms and a 
huge en-suite.  One of the bedrooms was taken up as Jake's office so 
Melanie had little choice but to sleep with Jake.  Not that she minded. 
His body was warm and comforting while she slept. 

Her own belongings would probably look out of place in this immaculate
apartment but at least they'd add a touch of homeliness to it.  It was 
a gorgeous apartment but it lacked personality and true comfort.  
Mentally she began planning where all her possessions would go.  As 
cliched as it sounded, she'd turn this house into a home. 

One thing she knew, there was no way in the world she was replacing his
bed for hers.  His bed was amazing, for want of a better word.  It was 
king size, four-poster, in the most rich, red wood she had ever seen.  
She was almost surprised to see that there were no notches in it.  His 
pillows were nothing short of divine, so plump and soft that they 
cradled her head as if they were made for it.  His sheets were simple 
and white, his doona thick and fluffy; combined with the pillows his 
bed looked like cloud.  Heavenly; a good look against the darkness of 
the wooden frame. 

His room was very masculine but probably the cosiest room in the house. 
She wouldn't change a thing about it.  Except maybe get rid of that 
nude painting above his dresser on the wall opposite the bed. 

Like the kitchen, Jake's room had a glass door that led out to the
balcony and Melanie enjoyed many a evening drinking an orange fruit 
infusion whilst just staring out at the coloured lights of the city 
spread out for miles before her. 

She didn't love Sydney but she couldn't claim to be unhappy.  She and
Jake both avoided the issue of their relationship, silently preferring 
to avoid any conflict or hurt.  They were content working and enjoying 
their fun. 

Melanie sighed.  She was truly lying to herself, no way to deny it. 
Every moment she spent with Jake, every time she thought of him, her 
heart sped up and her eyes fluttered closed, enjoying their intimacy.  
They shared something special but Melanie wasn't about to admit it to 
him.  He'd laugh in her face and probably move her out so fast she'd 
never know what hit her. 

Jake was content just how he was and Melanie could cope with what little
she had.  She'd never been a demanding person.  There was no point in 
creating tension and pain over something that you knew someone didn't 
want. 

Melanie wandered out onto the balcony and stared out at the harbour. 
She could see yachts slowly meandering toward the ocean and a police 
boat patrolling the harbour.  As nice as it was, Sydney scared her, 
something she'd probably get over.  It seemed like such a big, lonely 
sort of city.  She'd feel lost if it weren't for Jake. 

The slam of the door and the whiff of an unfamiliar, putrid perfume
assaulted her senses.  Definitely not Jake, she thought wryly, the 
sound of stilettos clicking on the slate floors of the entryway and 
kitchen.  Melanie spun around cautiously. 

"Jesus, another girlfriend?  He doesn't waste much time."  Melanie was
confronted by a super-slim, ultra-glamourous blond, not of the natural 
persuasion.  She was swathed in white fur and reeked as though she'd 
been bathing in some expensive perfume.  Melanie's nose itched and she 
resisted the urge to sneeze, her eyes watering slightly. 

"How did you get in?"  Melanie bit out to the unpleasant woman. 

The woman dangled a key in front of Melanie's face, "Jake gave me a
key."  She must have seen Melanie's eyes widen because a smirk quickly 
spread across her pinched features.  "Aw, you didn't get a key?  Well, 
sorry honey, but that's a sure sign you wont last long.  I've seen the 
pattern." 

Melanie's eyes grew cold and hard to match the woman's own.  "Who are
you anyway and how do you know Jake?" 

"I'm his girlfriend.  Jessica, Jessica Hamilton.  I've temporarily had
to move to the other side of the city and am just finishing up moving 
my stuff.  As soon as I've finished a decorating job over there, I'll 
be moving back in.  You won't last long."  Jessica sniffed in disdain 
and wandered back into the house, Melanie trailing behind her. 

She watched, open mouthed, as Jessica swept her arm across a side table
in the entryway and scooped a row of little wooden statues, african by 
the looks of it, into her gucci tote bag.  "They're mine and they're 
expensive."  Jessica offered as a poor explanation before swinging the 
front door open and making her exit. 

The house reeked of perfume and Melanie's heart had hit rock bottom. 

CHAPTER FIFTEEN 

Jake arrived home later that evening to find his computer desk, fax
machine and small filing cabinet sitting in the hallway and his study 
door locked.  Upon inspection of his room, his pillows and doona were 
missing.  It didn't take much to put two and two together.  But why? 

Jake rattled the handle of the study door, a bleak and useless attempt
to get in, or to at least convince Melanie to open the door and tell 
him what the hell was going on.  "Mel?" 

"Go away!"  The wail was muffled and Jake figured she was buried under
his doona and pillows.  He couldn't hold back a grin.  He knew that no 
matter how often she insisted she needed very little luxuries, she 
loved his bedding. 

"Come on, Mel.  How am I supposed to know what's going on if you won't
let me in to talk to you?"  Jake pleaded, trying to be patient. 

"What do you care?  I didn't get a key!"  Melanie accused through the
door, her voice less muffled now. 

"What the hell are you on about?"  Jake's voice raised to a yell,
mystified. 

"I want a key, dammit!"  Melanie flung the door open, her stormy face
squeezed between the it and the doorframe.  Her jaw jutted out and her 
head raised haughtily as she voiced her demand. 

"Why..." 

"I came here to save your butt, Cannon.  Not only that, but you claimed
you wanted me here, you insisted I live with you.  And yet I don't have 
a key to the apartment.  I want a key."  She ground out. 

Jake laughed out loud.  "All this is over a door key?  Geez Mel..." He
fished around in his pocket until his keys jangled in the palm of his 
hand.  Deftly, he slid a key off the ring and handed it over to 
Melanie.  "Here you go.  Have my key.  I'll find a spare." 

Melanie snatched it without a word of thanks.  "Jessica has it.  And I'd
thank you not to parade your girlfriends in front of me."  She spun and 
slammed the door behind her, indicating the conversation was more than 
over. 

Jake let out a deep, frustrated sigh and yanked the spare blanket out of
the linen closet. 

***** 

Melanie leaned against the door and sighed.  For the good of her own
reputation she would stay a while longer in Sydney.  As much as she 
denied wanting to work for a newspaper, her credibility demanded this 
of her.  She wanted to make a good impression, wanted to be respected.  
She wouldn't be respected if she ran from Sydney now. 

That Jake had the gall to lure her here saying he needed her whilst he
still had a girlfriend was beyond humiliating.  Yeah, he needed her all 
right.  To save his job and that was that.  Tears welled in her eyes 
but she fought them back.  She wasn't going to cry over Jake; he wasn't 
worth it. 

Sure Mel, keep telling yourself that, she scoffed and slid down the door
to the floor, key clutched tightly in her hand.  She loved to hate to 
him.  Hell, she just plain loved him.  What did she do to deserve that? 
He sure as hell didn't love her back. 

But he'd given her a key.  His key.  That could be a sign!  Her head
raised slightly and her eyes lit up hopefully.  That had to mean 
something...right? 

***** 

Damn Jessica!  He'd totally forgotten about her.  His house felt so much
more natural to him without her and her so called womanly touch so he 
hadn't noticed her absence.  His mind was pretty preoccupied these 
days, anyway. 

He'd never slept so peacefully as he did with Melanie cuddled up against
his chest each night.  She was soft, tiny and warm and her long, honey 
hair tickled his chest delightfully and aroused him like never before 
as she wriggled in her sleep.  Jake smiled softly and sighed.  He dug 
the heels of his hands into his eyes and groaned.  Now it was all 
stuffed.  She'd taken his bedding and was hiding out in his study. 

And it was all thanks to Jessica.  She'd always been a selfish woman, a
self centered troublemaker.  Now she was at it again and all because 
her pride had been hurt.  Jake had been nothing more than a handbag for 
her, something to show off at parties.  It wasn't like he was rich or 
anything, he just had a high profile and that suited her purposes. 

She'd been attractive at first.  There was no denying she was an
attractive woman anyway.  Glamorously beautiful, in fact.  But that was 
just the surface and there was little to hide beneath it.  She was a 
shallow, empty woman.  Her lustre had worn off quickly and Jake had 
grown bored, taking more and more overseas assignments. 

The last straw for Jessica had been Washington.  On reflection, Jake
knew he'd taken the coward's way out but as far as he could see it was 
the preferred route.  Confronting Jessica was like confronting a 
spitfire - step aside or be burned. 

But Melanie...sweet Mel...was it really possible he loved her?  "Aargh!"
He slammed his door shut and decided to sleep on it. 

CHAPTER SIXTEEN 

The days progressed in a quiet and lonely manner, Melanie living in her
own little world and Jake, reluctantly, complying.  At home they slept 
in separate rooms, ate at separate times, and generally dodged each 
other.  Or more like Melanie dodged him, Jake thought wryly.  He let 
her be in the hope she'd cool down and give him a chance to explain. 

At work Melanie was the true professional.  Cool and efficient, she got
the work done with minimal talk and minimal contact.  Jake was proud of 
her, proud of her ability and good business sense but he missed the 
vibrant Melanie he'd first met, the Melanie who never failed to deflate 
his ego at a moment's notice.  The Melanie he'd fallen for unknowingly. 


To be frank, it was driving him up the damned wall.  He couldn't sleep
at night without her body pressed against his in peaceful slumber.  He 
missed the way she involuntarily reacted to his touch, the beautiful 
mewing sounds that escaped her lips as they made love.  He knew that 
she, too, wasn't sleeping well.  He could hear her toss and turn on the 
floor of his study, a foot or hand occasionally thumping against the 
wall as she tried to get comfortable. 

He was driven beyond distraction and was getting no work done.  He
sighed and thrust his fingers through his hair.  Right now he was 
supposed to be meeting an important deadline.  A plane had recently 
crashed, inexplicably, and Jake had had an exclusive interview with the 
head investigator.  He had the material, although his questions had 
been pitiful, he just couldn't make his mind piece it together into a 
story, not even a crappy half hearted attempt at a story. 

He'd had all he could take of the silent treatment.  If he was going to
get any work done he was going to force Melanie to have a discussion 
with him, to hell with her objections. 

***** 

Melanie yawned and tossed her keys on the little table in the
entranceway to Jake's apartment.  She was beginning to make a habit of 
working late at the paper, using it as an excuse to avoid Jake.  Just 
her happily working in her darkroom.  It was only once her stomach 
rumbled in protest that she decided it was well past time to get home, 
cook herself some dinner and retreat to her room to read. 

She didn't get much sleep, the carpeted floor was uncomfortable and she
missed the warmth of Jake's  body.  She'd considered getting her bed 
sent up but she'd decided to put furniture delivery on hold for a while 
longer.  The situation didn't look promising so she'd really rather 
wait and see. 

The fact that Jake had given her a key hadn't quite been enough for her
to let go of the terrible ache deep in her chest.  She hated knowing of 
Jessica's existence, felt inadequate around Jake because she simply 
wasn't glamorous.  Hell, she hated making the effort to wear any 
make-up other than mascara and lipstick. 

Melanie dumped her camera gear on the floor of the lounge and looked
around.  The lights were still out and the house had that empty feel to 
it.  Jake had left the office long before she had and she wondered 
where he'd gone, seeing as he hadn't come straight home. 

Melanie scolded herself mentally.  You're not his wife or his
girlfriend, she thought crossly.  Why should she care where he was? 

She had the house to herself.  She was far too weary to fix herself
dinner, even though she was starving.  She just wanted sleep, glorious 
sleep on a real bed.  Melanie tugged off her jacket and unzipped her 
pants, rolling them roughly in a ball and throwing them carelessly 
through the study door as she eagerly strode down the corridor. 

The hell with Jake.  If he wasn't here she was going to enjoy a quick
nap on his bed.  Definitely not a crime and most assuredly well 
deserved.  She stretched out on his bed, not caring about the lack of 
pillows and doona, her limbs instantly melting and relaxing.  Just a 
quick nap... 

***** 

Jake came home to find it just as he left it that morning.  The lights
were out and the house was super quiet.  He noted that Melanie's keys 
were on the table and her camera gear was on the floor.  Perhaps she 
was taking a bath or reading one of her many books.  He'd snuck often 
into the study when she wasn't there and noticed an increasingly large 
stack of books building up beside her bedding. 

Jake tossed his keys down beside Melanie's and dropped his briefcase
beside her camera gear.  It looked so right to him that it was scary.  
He shook his head as if trying to dislodge the thought.  Once a 
bachelor, always a bachelor, he reminded himself as he kicked his shoes 
off. 

He froze at the entrance to his bedroom, his mouth going dry.  There on
his bed lay Melanie, the moonlight that streamed through the window 
accentuating the paleness of her body and causing her purple satin 
underwear and bra to shimmer. 

She looked tired and underfed but, in slumber, her natural beauty was
still striking and her face was relaxed, her lips parted slightly in a 
pout.  Jake felt his reaction instantly and cursed.  "Control yourself, 
man."  He muttered to himself. 

But it was impossible, the sight of her on his bed exciting and warming
him.  He'd craved this for a week now, since the first night he'd spent 
alone.  He'd dreamed of it.  And now here she was, looking as beautiful 
as ever, like the Melanie he'd first met. 

Jake eased gently onto the mattress, sitting beside her sleeping form. 
He brushed a long lock of hair off her face with his fingertip, his 
conscious fighting with his impulses.  He wanted to let her sleep, he 
could see he needed it.  Selfishly, however, he longed to pull her into 
his arms and kiss her and cradle her close to him.  Make love to her. 

His selfishness won over and he leaned forward and pressed the gentlest
of kisses to her pouting lips.  He felt her stir but she didn't open 
her eyes.  Slowly, her lips began to move against his, inviting the 
kiss and inciting him to deepen it.  As she parted her lips he slid his 
tongue into her mouth, lightly coaxing her. 

Melanie groaned, her fingers now curled in his shirt, kissing him back
deeply.  Jake pulled away to take a deep breath and Melanie opened her 
eyes and looked up at him through a sleep induced haze. 

She gasped, her eyes suddenly widening and she jumped up and away from
him.  "Jake!"  She grabbed the blanket from the bed as she leapt up and 
wrapped it around herself protectively.  "It was only meant to be a ten 
minute nap.  God...I'll leave."  She started for the door. 

"Stop."  Jake whispered huskily, his eyes boring into her back.  He
watched as she slowly turned to face him.  She was trembling, he could 
see that even in the dark, so he knew she was affected as greatly as he 
was. 

"Don't Jake...please..." Her voice wobbled. 

"Melanie.  Jessica is nothing.  I need you."  He pleaded, watching
Melanie's resolve melt away.  She knew he never pleaded or begged.  "I 
miss you."  He added so quietly that it was barely audible. 

"Oh Jake..." Melanie quickly came to him, wrapping her arms around his
neck and kissing him deeply. 

Jake could feel the blanket inching lower between their bodies and
tugged it away, wanting to feel her soft skin against his.  Their kiss 
deepened and Jake groaned.  A week had been a long time for him. 

He unclipped her bra and slid the straps down her arms, ridding her of
it quickly and filling his hands with her ample breasts.  He felt her 
hard nipple graze the palms of his hands and shuddered.  God he wanted 
her. 

He could tell she was as eager as he was by the way her hips rocked
against his, rubbing against his arousal.  He groaned and gripped her 
arms, "Oh god, Mel, don't.  You're killing my control." 

"I don't care.  I just want to make love with you.  Desperately." 
Melanie whispered in his ear, nibbling at the lobe. 

Jake groans and gave in, far too easily but he didn't care.  He tugged
her panties down deftly and slid his fingers quickly down the front of 
his shirt, popping buttons.  Melanie helped out, her hands urgently 
tugging at his belt and zipper and pushing his pants and boxers to the 
floor in one quick motion. 

Gripping her butt, Jake lifted Melanie and pressed her back against the
cool wall.  Melanie groans and kissed him deeply, her fingernails 
digging into his shoulders.  Jake couldn't hold back any longer, 
plunging deep inside her and tearing a cry from them both.  They'd have 
plenty of time to take it slow afterwards. 

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN 

Melanie yawned and smiled.  That had to have been the most productive
day she'd had in a while.  Time had flown and her good mood had set her 
subjects at ease.  There was no denying she'd been as prickly as a 
porcupine over the past week or so and it had shown in her work.  She'd 
been short and stroppy and her work had come out harsh and 
uncaring...she hadn't put the effort and love she usually did with 
every photo. 

Today...well, today was different.  She felt renewed and alive, her
contentedness restored.  The issue of Jessica still lingered at the 
back of her mind but she chose to give Jake the benefit of the doubt.  
Perhaps she was too trusting, a sucker for punishment, but last night 
the strength of her feelings had nearly ripped her heart right out and 
she could no longer deny that she'd fallen madly in love with the 
arrogant beast.  She'd fallen madly in love with Jake on day one when 
he'd nearly given her a black eye. 

She loved the way he riled her up, their heated arguments almost like
foreplay.  She loved the way he worshipped her body when they made 
love.  And she loved the way that he held her close to his body as they 
slept, not releasing her all night, and kissing her as she awoke in the 
morning. 

She'd been so busy focussing on the arrogance that angered her that
she'd been blind to the signs that he cared.  And she was sure he did.  
Key aside, he had begged Melanie back, had shown her how his intense 
feelings matched hers.  He cared.  Did he love her?  Only time would 
tell and she would endure a city she would rather not be in to find 
out. 

Melanie entered the apartment, performing the usual ritual; keys on
table, camera gear on the lounge room floor.  Soft romantic music 
floated through the house from the bedroom and a bucket with a bottle 
of champagne in it stood accompanied by two glasses on the kitchen 
bench.  Melanie smirked and shrugged off her jacket.  This was so 
unlike Jake, yet she found he was always full of surprises.  Melanie's 
heart leapt in anticipation as she strode down the corridor to the 
bedroom.  She could smell incense and burning candles. 

Melanie froze on the spot and her jaw hit the floor.  She could feel her
face reddening both from anger and embarrassment.  There before her 
stood Jessica, clad only in her underwear - daring and expensive 
underwear no less.  She looked absolutely gorgeous, dainty, as she 
stood in tiptoe to light the final candle on his bookcase. 

Jessica paid no attention to Melanie, not even looking her way as she
spoke, "Oh, are you still here?  Poor Jake must have been really lonely 
without me."  A smirk marred her flawless face.  Melanie stood rooted 
to the spot, horrified.  "Don't look so shocked, girl.  You know you 
saw this coming.  No matter who the man, it's not hard to choose when 
presented with class and...you."  She said that last word with obvious 
distaste. 

"Whatever scent you picked, it smells great!  I've been looking forward
to this all..." Jake came to a sudden halt behind Mel, his loud voice 
causing her to jump.  "Oh god." 

Melanie spun, anger flashing in her eyes the likes of which Jake had
never seen before.  "He can't help you now, you son of a bitch.  I've 
had enough of this.  I've had enough of you, I've had enough of her, 
and I've had enough of this godforsaken city and the damned newspaper!" 


Jake took a step back and stared past Melanie at a smirking Jessica,
almost naked in his bedroom.  His eyes flew back to Melanie just in 
time to see her fist flying at his face, connecting with his nose. 

Melanie watched as Jake staggered backwards, using the wall across the
corridor to support himself as he clutched his bleeding nose.  He 
cursed loudly and pulled himself upright, tugging a hankie out of his 
pocket and covering his nose with it.  "Come on, Melanie, it's not..." 

"What it looks like?  Yeah, right, could you be any more cliched?"  She
walked out of the bedroom, giving his shin a good kick first.  She 
could feel the tears welling in her eyes and she had to get out of 
there before anyone saw. 

She strode to the front door, back ramrod straight and nose tilted up as
she slammed the door behind her.  As soon as the solid door thudded 
loudly behind her, she expelled the breath she'd been holding in and 
let out a sob as she ran down the seven flights of stairs to the lobby. 


Racing out the revolving glass door to the edge of the busy road,
Melanie hailed the first taxi she saw across the street, eager to get 
away as fast as she could.  She heard the screeching of brakes, felt 
her heart leap in her chest, confusion...and then nothing. 

Jake, shirt stained with blood, came racing out of the building in time
to see Melanie bounce off the bonnet of a braking car, her limp body 
tossed like a rag doll onto the road in front of the taxi she'd hailed. 


"NO!" 

***** 

Jake paced the waiting room, his face and head throbbing persistently
but he'd refused any medication.  He didn't want to be doped up on 
painkillers while he waited for Melanie to come out of surgery. 

He'd been so scared for Melanie as he'd watched helplessly from the
roadside.  He'd never taken any first aid course, he didn't know what 
to do.  He'd been so frozen with terror that he'd not even thought to 
dial 000.  Luckily, a neighbour had done that immediately. 

She'd lain on the hot tar of the road, so still he'd felt certain she
was dead.  Her breathing was almost imperceptible and her body was 
bloodied.  Jake had cried, something he felt sure he'd never done 
before, something he didn't remember ever doing.  Of all the 
people...not Mel. 

"Mr Forsythe?  Your wife is out of surgery."  A man in scrubs had
approached while Jake had been lost in his thoughts.  Jake thought of 
correcting the man's mistake but, as he desperately wanted to see 
Melanie, he kept his mouth shut. 

"Is..is she ok?"  Jake rasped quietly. 

"Yes.  She has broken ribs, a punctured lung, broken forearm and a lot
of bruising and grazing to her body.  She's a very lucky girl."  The 
doctor informed him. 

"Oh thank god."  Jake let out a big ragged breath.  "Can I see her?" 

"She's still sleeping.  She's also on a respirator at the moment so
don't be alarmed by the machinery.  It's just to help her until her 
lung heals.  Nurse Halloran will show you to her room." 

Jake nodded solemnly and followed the nurse down the corridor to the
recovery unit.  Nothing could have prepared him for what lay on that 
bed.  She was so bruised and grazed he could barely recognise her.  Her 
arm was plastered and little tubes and wires were all over the place.  
She looked frail and helpless. 

I did this, Jake thought bitterly.  I have caused her nothing but pain
and now this...physical pain to top it off.  And all because of him. 

Jake recalled all the unhappiness and hurt he'd caused her over and
over, moreso lately.  She'd trusted him and he'd killed that trust, no 
doubt about it.  His gut wrenched at the thought. 

Jake backed out of the room slowly, his eyes never leaving the still
body that lay beneath the starchy hospital sheets.  She'd be better off 
without him. 

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN 

Melanie sighed and fidgeted.  She was officially going insane and she
didn't like it one bit.  She couldn't go anywhere, do anything, and she 
couldn't even go out and take photos.  She felt naked without a camera! 


Her arm was in a cast and breathing was still a little difficult.  Her
ribs and her lung were still healing.  She could barely walk down the 
road to the shops without passing out from the strain it put on her 
damaged body. 

Melanie felt confined, locked up.  She might as well be in Sydney for
all she was seeing of the outdoors.  She hated spending lengthy amounts 
of times indoors, and her injuries were making sure she enjoyed it even 
less.  Damn her stupidity and damn Jake! 

As if he could care less anyway.  No flowers, no card, no visit.  He'd
left her alone in that big sterile hospital.  Alone in Sydney when he 
knew how she felt about the place.  She'd thought that, despite the 
fact that he didn't love her, he had at least been her friend, had 
understood her. 

But she'd not heard from him, not seen him, in over a month.  She'd been
abandoned when she'd needed him most.  No, NO, she didn't need him, not 
at all.  She'd survived happily before he'd come along.  Her life had 
been full and free before he'd shown his face in Narolee.  And now she 
was questioning her life without him? 

Insane.  The man had been biding his time with her, waiting for
that...that bitch.  She should have known his taste would swing toward 
glamour and class.  She was...well...a stray dog.  A grotty little 
thing with plenty of character but little beauty to speak of.  She was 
something that a person adopted because they felt pity.  And god she 
was so tired of pity. 

There, she'd done it.  She'd stared her demon, named Jake, in the face
and laughed at the ridiculous notion of needing him...loving him.  She 
was back in Narolee, the place she loved and had never wanted to leave 
in the first place.  Everything was back to normal, the way it had been 
before his arrival. 

So why did she feel like something was missing? 

She looked around and sighed.  The same old furniture, the same old
pictures, the same old rooms, and the same old house.  She'd never 
known it'd be possible for her to be sick of this place, her home, but 
she was. 

Not a lot she could do about it.  At first she figured the best way to
overcome her injuries was exercise.  She'd only wanted to walk to the 
shops, a mere two kilometres away.  It had done her more harm than 
good. 

It was just that she was tired of everybody doing things for her.  Her
neighbours collected her groceries and checked up on her every moment 
they could and she knew that they meant well but it was driving her 
even more insane than simply being cooped up in her house. 

The tentative rap on her front door confirmed her train of thought and
she sighed.  She didn't want any more pity, any more attention.  She 
didn't want to open that door and force the smile and friendliness that 
was a strain these days.  She had one broken arm and mild breathing 
problems, it really wasn't that bad.  She was mobile and generally 
healthy.  Not a lot could happen to her in her own home. 

"No, Maree, I don't need anything.  Yes, I am fine.  Please, go home and
help your kids with their homework.  I don't want to intrude on that 
time."  She called out, a tad snappishly.  She flushed at her own 
rudeness. 

"Melanie?  It's Jessica...I need to talk to you."  Came the faint
response. 

Melanie froze, every muscle in her body knotting so tight that she
trembled.  She seethed in fury at the door that separated her from her 
enemy.  "How dare she come this far to flaunt her victory in my face!"  
Melanie ground out quietly. 

She stomped to the door and pulled it open a fraction, peering through
cautiously but keeping her expression cold and imperious.  She didn't 
let the shock register on her face at the sight of Jessica.  She looked 
terrible.  Too many late nights with Jake, she thought bitterly to 
herself. 

"What do you want, Jessica?  You've won him, the game is over.  I don't
care to see either of you ever again, especially in my home."  She 
began to close the door again, not really wanting to know why Jessica 
was here. 

"Please," the haggard woman let out a sob, "I had to come and see you. 
I have something to say.  Don't shut me out until you've heard me." 

Melanie's eyes narrowed at the woman suspiciously as she considered the
request. 

"Please, Melanie.  If I can just say what I need to say, then you'll
never have to see me again."  Even her eyes begged as they brimmed with 
tears. 

Melanie, damning herself for letting tears break through even her
strongest barrier, bit out a sigh and opened the door, letting Jessica 
into her house.  The one place, the one possession, she owned that 
hadn't been tainted by the greedy woman. 

Jessica scurried past Melanie and into the house.  Her slender fingers,
tipped with long, immaculately manicured, scarlet talons, fidgeted 
nervously with her purse, twisting and plucking at it. 

"Ok, you're in Jessica.  Have your say.  You have two minutes to prove
why I shouldn't already regret opening my home to you."  Melanie would 
have crossed her arms at that point, if she'd been able to. 

"It's about Jake.  He's not well, Melanie." 

"Why should I care?  I was more than not well in hospital and he didn't
care, didn't visit me.  He didn't try and find out if I was okay."  
Melanie bit out harshly. 

"That's not true, Melanie.  That is so not true.  He saw what happened,
he rode in the ambulance with you.  He waited while you were in 
surgery." 

"And then he ran." 

"Yes.  And for the life of me I don't know why."  Jessica replied sadly.


"Why are you telling me this?  You should be off enjoying what's yours."
Melanie sneered. 

"He's not mine."  Jessica's eyes brimmed with tears and her bottom lip
trembled.  "It was all lies, terrible lies.  Of all the people to hate 
me, and there are plenty, Jake was one I didn't want.  I cry every time 
I think of how much he loathes me.  I love him still.  All I wanted was 
to have him back, to give us another chance.  I just went a tad 
overboard. 

"We'd broken up before he met you, I'd initiated the break up.  He
didn't have the time of day for me.  His heart wasn't in it at all."  
Jessica lowered her eyes to the ground.  "Everything I said, everything 
you saw, was lies.  I wanted to scare you off because I could see how 
much he liked you.  Your fresh, earthy whatever you call it.  I was 
jealous." 

"So keep trying, Jessica.  He doesn't want me.  Maybe you can wear him
down."  Melanie felt herself wavering, believing the woman.  Jessica 
Hamilton was a good actress, but not this good.  A woman like Jessica 
Hamilton would not make herself look this unkempt, this haggard, for an 
evil little game. 

"I can't.  I've blown it.  He never wants to speak to me again.  He...he
told me if I ever came near him again, he'd get a restraining order.  A 
restraining order for goodness sake!  Can you imagine what that would 
do to my image?  I'm forever in the public eye.  I'd ridicule myself 
and my family."  Jessica let out a tiny, bitter laugh. 

"So?  He hasn't come for me, hasn't contacted me.  He couldn't care
less.  You could have not told me this at all.  I would have been none 
the wiser.  What's the point, Jessica?"  Melanie cried out impatiently. 
 Hearing about Jake was cutting her to the bone and she winced each 
time his name was mentioned. 

"He's quit his job, Melanie.  He's staying at home, unshaven, unwashed,
uncaring and uncared for.  He does nothing but wander aimlessly and sit 
on his balcony and stare, according to Bruce."  Jessica sighed.  "He's 
dead, an empty shell of a man.  I've never seen him like this.  Not the 
great Jake Cannon!" 

"He..." 

"He's miserable without you.  And I love him enough to know what's good
for him.  He loves you, Melanie.  You." 

"No.  You're mistaken.  Terribly mistaken."  Melanie denied. 

"No, I'm not.  I could see it the whole time."  Jessica offered a sad
smile and walked tiny, quick steps toward the front door, opening it.  
"Go to him, Melanie."  And then she was gone.  The door closing quietly 
behind her. 

Melanie shook her head.  No.  She wouldn't go to him.  She'd laid her
heart on the line once and that was one time too many as far as she was 
concerned. 

CHAPTER NINETEEN 

Jake grunted and rolled over.  He'd gotten tired of staring at the
ceiling.  His eyes fell upon the malt whiskey bottle on his bedside 
table; empty.  His mouth felt like it was carpeted and he was thirsty.  
When had he finished the bottle?  It hadn't lasted very long and he 
wasn't even nearly satisfied.  He was still awake, which he definitely 
didn't want. 

He felt completely sober when all he wanted to do was pass out.  But he
couldn't and it was driving him nuts.  He was tired of being awake, 
tired of his insomnia and tired of his life.  He didn't even know why 
he'd quit his job, he just had.  Something had told him to, so he'd 
done it. 

He didn't know if he regretted it or not seeing as his brain was so
cottoned he couldn't think.  It had definitely been a unique 
experience, though.  Leaving work and then not going back.  Sitting on 
his couch and wishing time to pass faster.  Happy yet unhappy.  He'd 
grown weary of his work, weary of travel.  He needed to settle. 

Jake blinked.  Woah, where had that thought come from?  Jake Cannon
never settled.  Jake Cannon was a journalistic jet-setter!  He'd seen 
more of his house in the past month than he ever had in one go. 

Funny how he thought of it as a house and not a home.  Even with
Melanie's personal effects lying around the house, still unreturned, 
his house didn't feel like a home.  It was empty and shallow, a money 
pit. 

And since Melanie had left, he'd noticed the silence and he'd noticed
the buzzing sound of the traffic, a sound he had previously never 
noticed.  Suddenly he didn't like it here anymore but he couldn't 
figure out why. 

He sat out on his balcony and stared out at the harbour, watching the
boats zip and cruise.  He could see why Melanie spent so much time out 
here, gazing, taking photos.  She'd even gotten him in the habit of 
eating his meals out here.  He'd never really taken the time to enjoy 
the view from his balcony.  He'd work until late, come home, and crash. 
That was it, his life. 

Now his life was slow and progressive.  He'd slowly progress from couch,
to balcony to bedroom.  And yet he still didn't want to return to work, 
no matter how bored and listless he was.  It had nothing to do with 
Melanie, though.  Not really.  He just needed a change in life.  Maybe 
he'd write that book he'd been thinking about for years now. 

The fact that his life had done a total turn around from the moment he
first met Melanie had nothing to do with it.  The fact that he'd 
enjoyed trekking through the bush in search of the perfect bird photo 
with Melanie had nothing to do with it.  The fact that making love to 
Melanie had been the most mind-blowing experience of his life also had 
nothing to do with it.  Of course.  Undeniably.  Irrefutably. 

Jake's phone rang and he groaned, smothering his face in his pillow has
he reached out and blindly grappled for the receiver.  "Hello?"  He 
muttered. 

"Get out of your house, you sorry excuse for a man, and get your arse
back to work!"  Barked Bruce, his booming voice causing the phone to 
vibrate in Jake's hand. 

"You may have neglected to notice that I handed in my resignation a
month ago.  You let me go, no questions asked."  Jake pointed out. 

"Yeah, because I knew you'd be back eventually.  But you're taking too
damned long for my liking." 

"Well, I'm not coming back.  I'm fine just how I am."  Jake started to
move the phone away from his ear to put it down. 

"Alright, do one more assignment for me and I'll leave you alone!" 
Bruce came as close as he ever would to begging. 

"Why, Bruce?"  Jake snapped. 

"Because you love me and you miss me?"  Bruce barked, then laughed. 
"Because you're the best and you know you are." 

Jake laughed and sighed, "All right, just this one last assignment." 

"Good boy.  It's pretty simple, really.  We've gotten you an interview
with Hamid Rashar and you know how difficult interviews are to get with 
him.  Mr. Arab Rebel Leader will only speak to you.  It seems he's been 
keeping an eye on your work." 

Jake nodded, "Ok."  He was once again the old Jake Cannon.  The
pre-Melanie Jake Cannon.  All business and ready to spring into action. 
 "Why me, did you ask?  Why not some big hotshot American?  He'd get 
more coverage if he agreed to an interview with someone like Malcolm 
Shanley from the Washington Post." 

Bruce let out a short, bitter laugh, "You heard what happened to the
last one.  Too cocky for Rashar's liking.  He came pretty close to 
being lynched Rashar and his rebel party.  Obviously he likes your 
style." 

"Mmmm, lucky me."  Jake felt fleeting panic but pushed it away.  He
could deal with it, he always did.  People thought he was a tough 
bastard but he felt fear with the rest of them. 

"I put this off as late as I could, you'll be flying out of here
tomorrow evening.  That gives you...twenty four hours to explain to 
Melanie what an ass you are.  Set things right before you head off." 

Jake blinked, "Say what?" 

"You heard me." 

"Bruce, quit meddling.  I don't want to talk about it and there's
nothing to mend."  Jake snapped. 

"Oh bull."  Bruce boomed so loud that Jake actually cringed.  "You're
miserable, lazy and smelly.  Get your arse into gear and do what you 
know you want to do.  Pay the woman a visit.  You can pick your ticket 
up at the terminal upon departure tomorrow." 

Dial tone.  Jake cursed and slammed the phone down.  Meddling bugger. 
He didn't need to see Melanie.  Not really.  Much.  Oh hell, who was he 
kidding.  He missed the hell out of her but he didn't want to go back 
to her.  He just wanted to know she was OK.  Maybe he'd ring her or 
something... 

He sniffed his shirt and wrinkled his nose.  He stank. 

***** 

Jake peered through the kitchen window and swallowed.  Melanie looked a
little fragile, he could see she was still recovering, but she looked 
even more beautiful than the last time he saw her.  He'd almost 
forgotten the extent just looking at her had driven him wild. 

She looked a lot happier than she had when she'd been in Sydney, more
free, more at home and comfortable.  He felt afraid to even attempt to 
break into her little world again, a world that had felt alien but good 
to him. 

He could picture in his mind the two of them working together, not as
journalists but on a book.  He would write it and she would take the 
photos.  Side by side day in and day out as they worked together, lived 
together, loved together. 

But he was too restless, he couldn't offer her a dream like that.  It
wouldn't last long before he'd be zipping off somewhere, the lure of 
jetsetting too much to ignore.  He'd never gone for the easy life.  
Challenges had interested him far more. 

Jake began to back away from the window, prepared to walk back down the
street to his car and make the long drive back to Sydney that evening.  
But then Melanie yawned and her body sagged.  She plonked down on a 
kitchen stool and suddenly Jake realised how tired and weak she still 
was.  His heart went out to her. 

He had to see her. 

Not giving himself time to hesitate again, he stepped up onto the porch
again and knocked loudly at the door and then stood back again so he 
could see through the window into the kitchen. 

Melanie's head popped up and she looked confused and reluctant to move. 
She looked toward the window and Jake ducked out of sight.  He saw her 
shoulders lift in a sigh as she rose from her seat and shuffled towards 
the front door. 

Jake kept a reasonable distance from the door as she opened it, his eyes
moving to meet her startled ones. 

"Jake."  She gasped, her face paling even more under the porch light. 

"God, Mel, you look like hell."  He instantly regretted the words.  What
had possessed him to say that, of all things? 

"Yeah, tends to be that way after you get hit by a car."  She bit out
harshly, her eyes darkening considerably. 

"Aw geez, Mel, I'm sorry.  I don't know why I said that."  Jake cast his
eyes down to the porch, toeing some leaves that had settled on the 
concrete. 

Melanie sighed, the stiffness leaving her body.  She looked exhausted. 
"What do you want, Jake?" 

"I wanted to see that you're doing okay.  I've been wondering for a
while, hoping you're doing ok."  Jake replied with a slight shrug to 
downplay the truth of his words. 

"Well, you've seen me.  I'm perfectly all right, so you can go now." 
Melanie began closing the door on him, like a symbol of the door that 
she'd already shut in her heart. 

"Bull."  Jake forced the door open before she could shut him out any
more than she already had. 

"Get the hell out of my house, Jake Cannon.  You have no reason to be
here at all."  She fumed but her body didn't tremble from anger.  She 
was weak. 

"Well someone has to look after you." 

"My neighbours have been looking after me.  I'm fine!"  Melanie snapped.


"Yeah and I bet you tell them you're fine too, even though it's obvious
you're not."  Jake strode into the kitchen and began opening cupboards, 
searching.  "Have you even had dinner tonight?" 

"No, I've been too t..." She stopped herself too late. 

'Too tired."  Jake sighed.  He wasn't mad at her; he was worried.  "I'll
fix you something." 

"I'm not hungry, Jake.  My appetite hasn't been the same since the
accident.  Don't know why." 

Jake looked at her and decided it wasn't worth arguing.  He grabbed her
hand.  "Come on.  I'm taking you to bed."  Melanie looked at him 
sharply.  "To sleep."  He stressed. 

Melanie didn't fight him.  Truth be told, she was elated that he was
here.  She bit back a yawn as he marched her down the corridor.  Once 
in her room, Jake began unbuttoning her shirt and jeans, stripping each 
off efficiently.  Melanie didn't even make a move to stop him, his 
actions were quick and impersonal enough to let her know he wasn't 
after anything. 

Jake tugged big oversized T-shirt over her head, kissed her cheek and
led her to the bed.  She followed a little reluctantly.  She should be 
mad at him, she should tell him to leave, but she couldn't.  Her mind 
was numbed by his presence.  A presence she had missed so much.  If 
Jessica had been telling the truth, this could be her chance. 

Jake lay behind her, spooning her against his solid torso and legs.  He
gently stroked her side as she relaxed against him. 

"I can't lie to you, Melanie.  This is the last time you will see me.  I
came tonight because I needed to see you one more time."  He felt her 
body stiffen and he held her still, resting her strong hand on her arm. 
 He pressed a kiss into your hair.  "We did share something fantastic, 
Melanie, but don't kid yourself into thinking I have anything to offer 
a relationship.  My life is the entire world, not one small part.  I'm 
too restless and you know it." 

Melanie sighed in resignation and gave a barely imperceptible nod
against her pillow.  "Ok, Jake." 

Jake resettled behind her and held her close.  "Tomorrow I'm getting in
a plane and I'm flying over to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.  I'm going to meet 
Hamid Rashar for my final big interview, my final piece of work for 
Bruce." 

Melanie gasped, "He's a monster!" 

"Shh, it'll be fine.  He picked me, he likes me.  It'll all go smooth as
silk."  Jake pressed another firm kiss to her hair.  "Go to sleep, Mel. 
I'll hold you tonight." 

Melanie's eyes were already drooping and she let out a sigh, her body
completely relaxing against Jake in exhaustion as slumber took over. 

CHAPTER TWENTY 

Melanie awoke the next morning feeling at peace and strangely happy. 
She hadn't felt this way for a long time and she knew why without 
hesitation to think.  It was Jake, his mere presence brightening her 
day and making her feel a wholeness she'd never felt in her lonely 
years.  She loved him, she thought, her breath catching in throat and 
her eyes widening.  She loved him and she was going to tell him that 
before he left. 

She flipped over and let out a groan, settling back into the pillows,
stricken.  He was gone already.  She didn't need to read the note 
resting on his pillow to know that; a pillow that was still dented, a 
couple of his hairs decorating it.  She touched it with her hand - 
still warm.  She hadn't been able to tell him.  It wasn't fair. 

She snatched the note from the pillow and read it slowly, lingeringly. 

Had to leave early so I'd be back in time to prepare for my flight and
interview.  Lots of preliminary work and packing to do.  You know how 
it is.  I don't regret coming over and holding you all night, for the 
last time.  We were a wonderful team - but a dream.  Jake. 

Melanie let out a sob and plunged her face into his pillow.  God it even
smelled like him.  She took a deep breath, his scent calming her.  She 
could deal with this, she'd seen him one last time.  She should be 
grateful she at least had that, but really she wasn't.  She wanted 
more, so much more.  She selfishly wanted everything, anything...she 
wanted Jake. 

Melanie closed her eyes and burrowed further into her bed.  She didn't
feel like getting up. 

***** 

Jake hoisted camera gear over his shoulder.  He wished Melanie were here
because she was the photographer, not him.  He hated cameras and was 
rendered useless with one.  This was the one time when her expertise 
was drastically needed but couldn't be provided.  Just his luck, he'd 
end up with a great story but crappy pictures, which was not good.  
What was that saying?  A picture said more than a thousand words? 

When was he going to get her out of his head?  She'd been consuming his
every thought from the moment he'd woken up beside her the previous 
morning.  She'd plagued his mind on the flight over, which in turn had 
driven him crazy during the long flight.  She had a habit of doing 
that, making him crazy.  He wanted it to end but nothing worked.  Maybe 
he could blame his jetlag. 

The meeting place for his interview with Hamid Rashar was as
inconspicuous as they came.  It was a dirty shack, handmade with 
sallow-coloured clay, wood and tin, nestled in the back streets of 
outer Riyadh.  People swarmed the street.  The women were shrouded from 
head to toe in black cloth, their faces covered, and the men strode 
about purposefully, many trying to sell something.  Jake stood out like 
a sore thumb but would have been more noticeable in a deserted street. 

The window shutters were nailed shut and the front door was closed but a
guard stood at the door, eyes shifting from left to right, hands 
clutching an automatic rifle to his chest in readiness.  Definitely not 
a friendly customer.  Jake took a deep breath, mentally prepped himself 
and moved toward the shack slowly, one foot before the other, trying to 
exude a confidence he didn't feel. 

As Jake approached the guard the man changed his stance, opening the
door and stepping aside for Jake.  That was when all hell broke loose.  
The shack exploded, forcing Jake off his feet and through the air.  
Amidst screams, flying chunks of clay and the crackling of fire, Jake 
hit the dirt road with a grunt, his head hitting a jagged rock.  People 
stared at him, eyes narrowing. 

Jake staggered to his feet, shaky and desperately wishing he could allow
oblivion to take over.  He tried to flee the scene, dodging bursts of 
flames as he went around the house to the back, intent on jumping the 
rickety fences to safety, but he blacked out a mere two feet from the 
blazing shack where the flames could lick at his body. 

***** 

Melanie yawned, fell down on the sofa and stretched out.  Before her
accident she'd had no idea that being lazy could be so tiring, that the 
act of doing nothing could be more exhausting than her hikes through 
the bush.  She didn't like it at all.  Where she was normally 
contentedly tired when she went to bed, now she felt restless, zoned 
out and uncomfortable by mid-morning.  Boredom had finally sent her 
into a zombie-like state. 

Of course, that zombie-like state could have been induced by the fact
that her world had suddenly been left so empty, so completely empty, 
that she didn't know what to do.  Before, she'd known deep down it was 
possible that Jake would be back and that possibility had fueled her 
dreams just that little bit further. 

He'd been gone almost two days now. 

I can't lie to you, Melanie.  This is the last time you will see me. 
The words floated through her head taunting her.  It was definitely 
over, her inner dreams sufficiently killed by Jake's need to travel.  
He hadn't even given her chance, hadn't asked if she would travel with 
her.  The way she felt right now, she'd travel to hell and back for 
Jake if he asked her to.  In fact, she'd do it without his consent.  
But he'd been adamant that it was over, for the good of both of them. 

Melanie huffed, blowing long tendrils of wispy hair off her face.  Her
hair never sat the way she wanted it to anymore, the rebellious strands 
escaping the confinement of the elastic band tied at the nape of her 
neck. 

She lazily stretched her arm out to the coffee table and snatched up the
remote control.  Best way to kill boredom - watch some TV.  She pointed 
the remote control at the TV and pressed the isolated, green button. 

Burt Newton's Good Morning Australia...urgh...some over dramatised and
sickening soapie...definitely not...chat show...she'd remember it as a 
last resort... 

Now this looked interesting.  She couldn't understand what the
presenters were saying, it was in some frightfully difficult foreign 
language and Melanie had always been terrible at languages.  Smoke made 
the late afternoon scene hazy but behind the reporter she could clearly 
make out a blazing building.  Not even a building, really.  More of a 
hovel or a shack. 

For some reason, beyond Melanie's comprehension, this shack was
important, the journalist looked almost anxious, and it made her doubly 
curious.  News always did.  Her eyes flicked to the bottom of the 
screen, absorbing the fast paced, yellow subtitles. 

"...in Riyadh, perhaps a historic event for the middle east.  The
building behind me, an inconspicuous home in an outer residential area, 
exploded before the eyes of dozens of bystanders.  Officials have 
revealed that, indeed, one of the victims of this bombing is rebel 
leader Hamid Rashar.  The explosion and burning of the building has 
rendered the seven bodies unidentifiable but it is believed that one is 
of internationally renowned Australian journalist Jake Cannon.  Rashar 
had personally invited..." 

"Oh lord, no...they're wrong," Melanie jumped off the couch, her eyes
burning with tears, fists clenched.  "They're wrong!"  She screeched at 
the top of her lungs, as if hoping they would hear her all that way 
away.  Then she broke down and wept. 

Whatever slim chance she'd had at getting Jake, and his love, back had
been lost in that fire.  Forever. 

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE 

Melanie went about her chores methodically.  She wasn't thinking and in
a non-literal sense her brain had stopped functioning two weeks ago.  
She didn't even want to leave her house, quite a change of tune.  She 
didn't care about her photography, her hide had probably been trampled 
and destroyed by wild pigs by now anyway.  She didn't even want to walk 
to the shops, even though she was more than capable of doing it now. 

She never spoke a sentence, not a word.  The only person she ever saw
was Maria, her next door neighbour, who visited frequently and 
organised groceries for her.  The woman was concerned, Melanie could 
see it in the way she watched closely, but she never asked Melanie what 
was wrong, why she wouldn't talk and why she wouldn't go outside.  
Maria just kept a careful eye on her to make sure she was eating, 
functioning. 

It was nice to have somebody who cared about her, to fuss over her. 
Nobody had since her dad had died.  Except Jake, she was certain he'd 
cared, certain that he'd cared more than he was willing to show.  And 
now he was dead too.  Everyone she loved died, a thought that had been 
badgering, pestering and festering for two weeks now. 

She hadn't cried since the day of the news report, she only felt numb. 
A sense of total loss had consumed her, something she hadn't even felt 
after the death of her father.  She now felt certain she'd lost her 
soulmate and would now have to settle for second best.  If only she'd 
been able to tell him that she loved him, maybe things would have 
different.  Maybe he would have stayed and not gone over to Saudi 
Arabia.  In the least, he would have died knowing she cared. 

She'd just finished a load of washing and was hanging it out on the
clothesline that stretched along the wall at the side of her house.  
She hadn't even worn the clothes, only pulled any out of the cupboard 
that looked a little grotty or stained.  She'd then proceeded to clean 
each article by hand, something she'd never done before.  It gave her 
something to do. 

Melanie grimaced and thought, the Nappysan doorknocking man would be
proud. 

In the messy, scruffy shrub beside her, a tiny bird fluttered about, the
slender branches bending under the lightweight honeyeater.  Melanie 
smiled for the first time in ages as she eyed the bird out of the 
corner of her eye.  It didn't matter what mood she was in, watching 
birds always made her feel good, especially the tiny delicate ones.  A 
tiny piece of beauty in a big, bleak world. 

Melanie sighed and picked up the washing basket from its stand beside
the clothesline.  Walking inside, she dumped it on top of the ironing 
board and made her way down to the living room.   She froze. 

The front door was wide open, something she never did.  It had become a
habit since she'd lived, briefly, in Sydney.  A break and enter in 
Narolee?  Unheard of.  Melanie scanned living room.  TV, video, and 
stereo all accounted for.  Her eyes flicked to the back corner where 
her camera gear sat and sighed with relief.  Good, still there.  So if 
her valuables were untouched, why... 

The sound of footsteps coming from her bedroom made her heart leap into
her mouth and her eyes widen in fear.  Someone was in the house!  
Melanie had always been a bit of a toughie but she had no problem 
admitting she was more than scared at this very moment.  She definitely 
wasn't going to go back there and investigate. 

She grabbed the cordless telephone from the bench and dialed the Narolee
Police Station as she hurried out of the house, away from the threat 
and into the public eye, onto her front lawn.  There she stood, phone 
pressed to ear, staring at the front door which she'd left open. 

"Narolee Police Station, Sergeant Robson speaking." 

"Gareth, it's Melanie." 

"Melanie!  Well, well, haven't heard from you for a while.  What's up?" 
The sergeant's voice smiled through the telephone. 

"Um...I seem to have a prowler inside my home.  Can you come over?" 
Melanie asked meekly. 

She heard a curse, "I'll be right there.  Get out of the house." 

"I am out, believe me."  She turned off her phone and stood and waited. 
Any second now... 

A white car came racing down the street.  Melanie had to smile.  This
was the advantage of living in a small town.  The police were situated 
right around the corner so you always got a quick response.  The car's 
lights didn't flash and the siren didn't blare.  Obviously they didn't 
want to alarm or frighten off the prowler. 

Melanie shivered at the thought of someone being in her house, touching
her thing, and wrapped her arms around herself.  She nodded at Sergeant 
Robson, her gaze flicking to the open door.  He went in. 

It wasn't long before she heard a scuffle and indignant objections. 
Melanie expelled her held breath and sagged with relief.  They had the 
prowler.  She still couldn't figure out who would want to break into 
her house but she guessed she would soon find out. She looked at her 
hands, they were still shaking. 

"Do you recognise this man?  He claims he has a right to be here." 

Melanie looked up and gasped.  The colour drained from her face until
she was paler than a ghost and her hands shook even more than before. 

"Melanie?  Are you okay?"  Robson looked at her and frowned in concern. 

Imploring, steady, dark brown eyes pinned her to the spot.  Eyes that
were so familiar yet eyes that she should only be seeing in her dreams. 
 She found herself tucking blonde strands of hair behind her ears, 
suddenly embarrassed by her unkempt appearance.  Still her colour 
didn't change.  Her eyes met his. 

Her eyes filled with tears she'd been holding in for weeks.  She stared
at his face, as if trying to memorise it all over again.  She noticed 
that he had two scars on his face, one running along his hairline on 
his temple, the other slashing down his jaw.  Both were angry, red and 
fresh, not fully mended yet.  The tears in her eyes cascaded down her 
cheeks now.  His beautiful face..."Jake?" 

He simply nodded at her.  By now Robson had let go of him, standing back
to watch the reunion in surprise.  They didn't even know who Jake was 
but it was pretty obvious that whoever he was, he was special to 
Melanie. 

Melanie let out a strangled noise, half scream and half sob, as she
flung herself at Jake and pummeled his chest with her fists.  'You're 
dead!  I thought you were dead!  You bastard!  How could you do that to 
me?" 

Jake wrapped his arms tightly around her, pulling her against him so she
couldn't move or beat him.  He let her squirm and curse, all the while 
making soothing sounds, until she suddenly stopped and cried into his 
chest.  His fingers delved into the golden tangle of hair he'd been 
dreaming about since he'd awoken from his deep, three-day sleep.  In 
fact he'd probably dreamed about it during that sleep. 

His voice hoarse, Jake finally spoke as his hands gently stroked and
soothed, "I didn't make it into the hut before it exploded.  I got 
flung onto the road and hit my head...I tried to flee but I passed out. 
Someone found me and took me into their home where I slept for days. 

"He stitched my face," Jake grimaced, "Not the best job I've ever seen
but it did the job.  The he and his wife took care of me until I was 
well enough to fly home." 

"But the news...they said your body was amongst the ruins."  Melanie was
confused. 

"No, they assumed that.  Someone must have told them I was meeting Hamid
Rashar and so they assumed I was in there too.  Rashar and his men all 
died." 

Both were silent for some time, just holding each other.  Melanie
vaguely heard a car quietly and discreetly pulling out of her driveway 
but didn't acknowledge or wave or look.  Jake was here, it was like a 
dream.  She wondered how long the dream would last this time. 

"Nearly dying and having all that time to think made me put my life into
perspective."  Jake filled the silence.  "I don't think that there's 
anywhere in the world I haven't been.  Good or bad, I've been there.  
And I've reported on things that most people would prefer to forget.  
Terrible and horrific things.  Just like you with your photographs of 
East Timor and the bloodshed.  You've had enough so you retreated to a 
life that made you happy. 

"And that's exactly what I'm going to do, retreat to a life that makes
me happy."  Jake concluded. 

This is it, he's going back to Sydney, she thought.  It was now or never
to pitch her sale.  "Jake..." 

"That's why I'm staying here, in Narolee." 

Melanie blinked, "Pardon?" 

Jake pulled back and stared into her eyes, trying to gauge her response.
 "I'm moving to Narolee.  I'm going to chase my dream career as an 
author." 

Melanie plastered an unsteady smile across her face, "That's...that's
lovely.  Maybe we could work on a project together sometime." 

"Do I have to spell everything out to you?"  Jake smiles softly at her. 

"I...I guess so."  Melanie challenged. 

"I love you, Melanie Forsythe.  I want to marry you."  He stroked her
face and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. 

"Is that a proposal?"  She asked breathlessly. 

Jake groaned, "Don't make me get on bended knee and ask, Mel.  I'm still
covered in bruises." 

Melanie laughed and flung herself against him wrapping her arms around
his neck and kissing him hard.  She pulled away, her eyes dancing for 
the first time in so long.  "Yes!" 

"Um...'Yes, get on bended knee' or 'Yes, I will marry you'?"  Jake asked
carefully. 

"Yes, I will marry you, Jake Cannon.  I love you."  She kissed him again
and this time he drew her into his arms and kissed her back thoroughly. 


***** 

Melanie stifled a yawn and eyed her sleeping daughter who was draped
over Jake's shoulder.  "Hon, maybe we should go home.  I think Shelly 
is tired." 

Jake laughed and cuddled his wife, "Liar.  She went to sleep long ago. 
I think somebody else is tired.  Or bored with the book launch." 

"Both.  As proud as I am of our first book, I've had enough for one
night.  Somebody wants to take you home so she can play with you by 
herself."  She winked. 

Jake grinned at her devilishly, "They told me pregnant women were
demanding but I didn't know they meant this demanding." 

"Of course I'm demanding.  I'd for our skills to go to waste.  I want to
practice for my next baby!"  Melanie grinned. 

Jake groaned and pleaded, "Please, not another one yet.  You haven't
even had this one!" 

"Yeah, well, you know what they say.  There's no such thing as too much.
The more the merrier." 

"You would say that.  I think two within two years is plenty for now." 
Jake told her firmly but with a smile, his hands stroking her 
voluptuous belly. 

Melanie grinned and waggled her eyebrows at Jake, "Somehow I think my
powers of persuasion will change your mind."  And with that she turned 
away, hips swaying seductively as she walked. 

Jake all but drooled.  His wife was even sexier when she was pregnant. 
Maybe they should have more kids.  Hmm...He licked his lips.  Time to 
make excuses and go home with the woman he loved. 


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