It’s Complicated But It Doesn’t Have To Be

17

The two sat on the steps to the porch and talked, the chiminea giving off a little heat, kept them warm.

“I was out here taking photographs of the snow. It’s such a lovely picture, I couldn’t sleep.” Brock admitted.

“Oh same. I tossed and turned.” Melissa agreed, taking a sip of the hot chocolate.

Brock fiddled with the camera, holding it up, Melissa looked out over the street now covered in a cold white blanket. It sparkled under the dim light of the street lights. It looked so magical. Melissa thought how picturesque the street looked, the dark sky, the dim orange glow and the white snow.

Even the cars were covered in the deep snow.

Out of the corner of her eye she saw a flash of light and whipped her head round to look, there with a guilty look on his face was Brock.

“Oh my god Brock, you didn’t just take my picture? Give me the camera I’m deleting it.” Melissa placed her now empty mug under the swing seat on the porch, and she reached for the camera in Brock’s hands.

“Uh-huh I’m keeping this one you look so cute. All dreamy eyed and the snow is perfect.” He lifted the camera and stood up keeping it just out reach.

Melissa tried to grab the camera, jumping up and trying to grab at it. Yes Melissa was tall but Brock was taller and could easily keep the camera out of her reach.

“Give. Me. That. camera.” Melissa said breathlessly. As she leaned forward to grab it one final time, her clumsiness got the better of her, and she felt herself falling forward.

Unfortunately there was nowhere else for her to go but forward and the force of her fall caused her to push into Brock who landed on his back with Melissa on top of him. The camera, landed on the chair.

The air was thick with s****l tension, it hung in the air like smoke. “Hi.” Brock said softly. She leaned forward and kissed him. He wasted no time kissing her back, wrapping his muscular arms around her waist, pulling her closer to him, he moved one hand to the back of her head and threaded his fingers through her hair. Her hands rested on his hard chest.

When they broke apart, they both gasped for air. “I like doing that.” The words slipped out, before she had a chance to stop them.

Brock smirked as Melissa got up off him. As she stood she grabbed the camera, and tried to run, as he realised what was going on he hooked his arm around her waist pulling her close. Holding her chin between his thumb and forefinger he looked at her, her face was red from blushing, her lips were swollen slightly from the kiss.

He cleared his throat and said in a low voice thick with lust “If you don’t give it back, I will have to punish you.” Melissa gasped and said “What type of punishment.” Her throat was dry, and scratchy, like after you’ve had a sore throat.

Realising that she was still inexperienced he looked deep into her eyes, “There will be no more kisses.” He said challenging her.

She lets out a little squeal before saying “Storm, you naughty dog.” This distracts Brock enough to allow Melissa to get away. At break neck speed she opens the door, running through the house laughing quietly, Brock whisper yelled “it’s a good job my family sleep so heavily, they won’t hear us running.” Brock hot on her heels as he quickly recovers from her distraction.

Flinging the door to the basement open Melissa flies down the stairs taking them two at a time, before hiding, under the bed.

Brock gets to the top of the basement stairs, shutting the door behind him. He walks down slowly, saying “Melissa, where are you?” Melissa of course doesn’t answer. He walks around the bed to check the closet, as he’s on the far side of the bed Melissa makes a dash for it, unfortunately Brock is too quick and grabs her, leaning across the bed, as a result they both collapse in a heap on the bed.

“Give the camera back please.” Brock asked.

“Hmmm how about no.” Melissa said.

“Then you leave me no choice.” Brock said and he started to tickle her.

“Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha Brock ha ha ha ha stop ha ha ha ha ha please.” Melissa said while laughing.

“Please give me the camera.” Brock said “and I will stop.”

“Ok hee hee ok ha ha here hee hee.” She replied and true to his word he stopped tickling her. Brock with his hands either side of Melissa's head, looking down at her panting smiling mouth. He had to use every ounce of his willpower to get off the bed before he pushed further.

After the fun had stopped, Brock said “I’m keeping this picture. I’m going to print it and frame it.” Melissa looked at Brock her eyes staring at his. “Right I think all that has worn me out. I’m going to sleep.”

He gave Melissa a kiss on the cheek, and turned to leave. As he looked over at her from the bottom of the stairs he could see that she was lying on the bed. “Goodnight Brock.” She smiled sweetly.

“Night Sweetheart.” Brock said, and with heavy feet he made his way up the stairs and into bed.

What neither of them realised as they settled in for bed, is the black car that had been following Melissa had seen the encounter on the porch. And had even gotten pictures of the teasing and the kiss. “Great. This is great. Just a little more evidence.” Staring down at the photograph, of Melissa doing Christmas shopping, on the passenger seat, he stroked a finger on her face, “Soon my love. Soon we will be together forever.”

THE NEXT MORNING - CHRISTMAS DAY

Melissa woke up to bad breath, opening her eyes blearily, she saw a drooling, brown and white muzzle in her face “Urgh Sully you stink.” The St Bernard gave her a sloppy lick on her face. “Stop. I’m up.” Melissa said pushing the dogs face away gently.

Sully got up and onto the floor, Melissa, sat up, scratching her head a little confused and woolly headed as to where she was for a little while.

Getting up, she walked up to the back door, the dogs hot on her heels. Opening it, they ran out only to come to a sliding stop on the entryway floor, when they saw the snow. Storm looked out at the white blanket that now covered the previous lush green grass. Sully watched Storm eyeing him. He always made sure that it was safe by watching Storm in situations like these.

Taking a couple of cautious steps forward he stuck his nose into the snow, sniffed, and growled at the cold white stuff, deciding it was safe, he ran off into the garden, chasing invisible things and rolling in snow.

Sully decided that Storm was, as usual insane, and took a steady step outside to go to the toilet. Shutting the door on the dogs, Melissa went to the shower, showered under the warm water. Wrapping a towel around herself she went back to her basement bedroom, to change. A knock came at the door, And the disembodied voice of Elaine followed. “Hey Melissa, you up?”

“Yeah.” Melissa called out.

“Myself, Tony and Andrea are going to do our yearly routine of delivering presents, to family. Christmas lunch is already on, we will be back in about three hours. Lunch is at 12:00 on the dot. Make yourself at home. See you later.”

“Okay. Bye.” Melissa called out. Looking at her phone Melissa saw the numbers flick over to show 8:00. Changing into her oversized sweater and a pair of short shorts, Melissa slipped on her Adidas training shoes.

Grabbing her phone, and earphones she shot off a quick text to her parents, knowing it was 1pm in the U.K. and her parents would be recovering from a huge Christmas lunch, cooked by Shane, he always cooked at Christmas, and then they’d have dessert and fall asleep in front of trashy tv.

Bringing up the messaging app and the family group chat.

Family - Merry Christmas guys. Hope your all enjoying yourselves, and got the gifts I sent. I miss you all. Say hi to Grandpa Bill. Love you. M x

Plugging in the earphone jack, into her phone, and in her ears, Melissa called up her playlist. Starting off with Christmas songs, Melissa made her way up the stairs. The volume was low.

As she padded through the house, Melissa’s stomach grumbled. “Food.” She declared to herself.

Putting some bread in the toaster, she prepared the dogs food, placing it outside while the toast cooked.

Shutting the door and coming in the toaster popped up, grabbing the butter from the fridge, Melissa was dancing around the kitchen.

“Snow is falling, all around us, children playing having fun.” Melissa sang.

Blake stood in the doorway to the kitchen, watching Melissa dance around.

His heart ached, he knew he’d treated her badly, but when he tried to make amends and ring her mobile the number was blocked, so he rang her office, and the secretary told him that she didn’t want to talk to him. So he became disheartened, and decided to put it down to a one night stand.

His eyes followed the length of her body, and around the room as she sung and danced in the kitchen, every so often the sweater she was wearing would ride up exposing her short shorts. Causing a stir in his loins.

Now with her spreading the toast, and adding peanut butter he quietly approached her. She was leaning against the counter top with her back to him, he stood right behind her.

He could smell her pomegranate shower gel, and her floral perfume. He inhaled quietly. His memory went back to the night they’d spent together.

Blake had never been the most articulate especially when apologising, he got tongue tied, tripping over his words.

He’d been so preoccupied with his own emotions, that he’d failed to see Brock and Melissa get close. He could lose her, to his own twin of all people.

Running a hand through his hair, he sighed deeply. ‘Now. I have to make a move now.’ He thought to himself.

Wrapping an arm around her waist he pulled her backwards towards him, his hard chest pressed against her back.

She giggled “Morning sleepy head. “

He placed kisses on her shoulder and neck. Melissa giggled “Stop someone will see.”

Placing soft butterfly kisses up the length of her porcelain neck, making her tilt her head to one side as she moved her body back onto his, his fingers splayed across her stomach, and the other rubbing up and down her arm softly, the kisses stopped at her pulse point, eliciting a moan from her. And making her close her eyes.

He pushed her forward at the waist, as she leaned forward resting her elbows on the counter, placing one hand on her shoulder, he ground his pajamaed hips against her round ass. He let out a deep moan. He could feel her thrust her own hips into his hard c**k. He shuddered and leaned over her, nibbling on her ear, she moaned again, but louder. “You’re turning me on.” Between moans, Blake grabbed her sweater lifting it slightly, and he undid the button on her hot pants. Just as he was about to slide them down, over her full hips and tight ass. Melissa stopped him “We mustn’t do this here.” She opened her eyes turning slowly around to apologise for stopping the fun, but as Melissa's eyes made contact with Blake's, her beaming smile faded instantly. She froze, horrified that she had allowed him to touch her, to even come this close to her again, her horror was replaced with white hot rage, instinctively her knee swiftly rose connecting solidly with Blake's swollen member knocking the wind out of him as he doubled over in pain. Melissa darted towards the back door, stopping only to shout at him "Don’t EVER do that again!"

After letting the dogs in, Melissa walked back towards her basement bedroom, not looking around just focusing on where she was going. She was beyond angry, she felt humiliated and embarrassed.

Melissa hated all these emotions and they were starting to overwhelm her, she felt the bitter sting of salty tears burn at the back of her eyes, swallowing hard so the tears didn’t fall, she walked bumping into another hard body. Not daring to look up at the face of the person, she knew who it was from the Avengers pyjamas.

“Hey sweetheart.” Sleepy eyed, and hair all messed up from sleep, he had bare feet. His deep voice rumbled, Melissa looked up at him, he was looking at her with a bright smile on his face, when Melissa lifted her head, his smile faded.

“Babygirl what’s wrong?” Brock asked quietly. Melissa couldn’t respond, the tears would fall if she did. Brock understood and putting his arm around her shoulder took her to her bedroom, as soon as she stepped onto the steps and the tears fell, Melissa sat on the bed, with Brock sitting next to her she felt comfort from his presence. She sobbed quietly while Brock sat next to her his arm around her, and waited for her tears to subside.

After five or ten minutes, Melissa stopped crying. And slowly began to speak. Telling Brock what happened in the kitchen with Blake. He was angry but didn’t let it show. How dare he do that when he’d made it plain that he’d thought nothing more of Melissa than a one night stand.

The dogs were already asleep in front of the bed, having been let in earlier. Brock quietly rose off the bed “I’ll make you some tea.” He said and he disappeared off into the kitchen, where he saw Blake sitting on a chair taking deep breaths clearly still in pain with a bag of frozen peas on his groin.

Brock smirked at the sight of his younger twin in pain. ‘I hope you get double the pain that Melissa got’ ignoring a groaning Blake he made Melissa some tea and grabbed a packet of cookies.

Taking them both downstairs to her bedroom, he gave them to Melissa who smiled and thanked him.

Crunching the cookies, she dunked them in the tea, and Brock spoke up laughing as he did so “Blake’s still in pain. You must have got him good for him to still be in pain.”

“Good.” Melissa replied “How dare he do something like that. I hate him. Who does he think he is.” Melissa had eaten her way through a full packet of biscuits.

Placing the cup on the floor, Melissa gave Brock a kiss on the cheek, he wrapped his arms around her. “You know I thought you’d be jealous.”

“I don’t get jealous.” Brock answered honestly, “But I was angry, I was angry that he thought it was okay to treat you the way he did, but then to go and do something like this. It’s not fair nor is it right.”

Brock and Melissa heard noises from above them. “Sounds like Mom and Dad are back. They’re early, than usual.” The two walked up the stairs to be met by Elaine, Tony and Andrea with presents for the family from other family members.

“Oh crap.” Brock whispered loud enough for Melissa to hear but nobody else.

“Ah Melissa, Brock there you are. Where’s Blake?” Elaine asked

Before Melissa could say anything Brock interjected “Don’t know mom. Honestly.”

“We’ve got presents from family.” Elaine said

Blake came walking in gingerly and said “yay presents. Thanks mom.”

Melissa said “I need to just grab something.” As she went to go and leave for her room Andrea said “We’ll wait in the living for you okay?” Giving the younger girl a smile she nodded.

Dashing down the basement stairs, Melissa grabbed the big bag out of her case. She was wondering if her gifts would be okay. She hadn’t known it was Brock and his family she’d been spending Christmas with.

Taking a deep breath Melissa dashed up the stairs and into the living room.

Sitting down in the solitary armchair Melissa watched on as the family swapped presents, and got a small pant of unhappiness that she wasn’t with her own family at Christmas. Elaine turned towards her and said “This one is for…….Melissa”

Melissa’s mouth fell open. Elaine held out a long envelope. Taking it she said “Thank you. I wasn’t expecting anything.”

Opening the lip of the envelope she pulled out a letter. “Read it out?” Elaine asked. Melissa didn’t want to but knew that Elaine wasn’t the sort of person you said “No” too.

Melissa cleared her throat and read aloud “The holder of this letter, is allowed to have a whole weekend for two people at a…….a spa. This will include of all the facilities that are available and two nights in our luxury suite.”

“Oh Elaine. This is amazing You shouldn’t have spent your money on me.” Melissa said with tears in her eyes. Melissa hugged the older lady.

“Hey don’t worry. We wanted to do this for you Tony and I.” Elaine said tearing up also.

“Ok. Now I wanted to buy actual gifts, but then I realised I didn’t know much about you guys. So I brought gift certificates. Tony, having heard Elaine talk about you at work, I know you’re an avid reader, so here.” Melissa handed over a card inside an envelope.

Tony opened it while everyone watched, “Wonderland Book Store. Wow I don’t know what to say.”

“You can also use it on their app and website.” Melissa added.

Tony looked at her and continued “The bearer of this certificate is entitled to any FIRST edition book. Oh my god.”

Tony hugged Melissa “Thank you Melinda. Thank you so much.”

Smiling at Tony, Melissa delved into the bag, “This Andrea is for you.” handing an envelope to the teenage girl.

Andrea tore open the envelope and pulled out the contents, “Oh my god. Mom look at this. It’s for Versace. Mom I have a gift certificate for Versace. Thank you so much Melissa.” Andrea hugged the older woman.

Jumping up and down, Andrea sat next to Melissa.

“Ok so I remember from previous conversations that Blake and Brock were into different things. Now I didn’t know what to get them, but then I thought back on conversations we’ve had before. I got this one for you” she said to Blake handing him an envelope “And this one for you.” She said to Brock.

Blake opened his up “It’s a wine connoisseurs trip. Fully paid for. I don’t know what to say. Thank you Melissa truly.” For the first time since she’d met Blake again he smiled a genuine smile.

Brock opened his “Oh wow. This is too much.” Brock sat there stunned.

“What is it Brock?” Andrea asked

“It’s a certificate from an high end electronics store. I don’t know what to say.” Brock said, he could feel a whole host of emotions bubbling up inside of him. He wanted to grab her, hug and kiss her, instead he smiled and thanked her, he thought to himself ‘I’ll give her a proper thank you tonight.’ “Ok. So I have something for you Elaine, now I know how much you wanted this. And have been for a while. Here.” Melissa handed over an envelope.

Elaine opened it. Taking out the paper. “Dear Elaine, you’re an amazing employee, you’ve been faithful to our company in every way. And I didn’t know how to thank you for that, you opened up your home to me at Christmas time and for that I am truly grateful,

Please accept this gift as a token of not only my appreciation personally but the appreciation of Hartford Industries.”

She looked inside the envelope “It’s a key?” Elaine said confused. But carried on reading aloud.

“Ms Elaine Brockhelm, we at Hartford Industries, more specifically I, am pleased to present you with this. This is the tickets for you to have a month long vacation

in Hartford’s Industries villa in the Algarve, Portugal. Merry Christmas.. How did you?” Elaine asked.

“I happen to overhear you’d like to go back to Portugal after you won the company prize draw. I’m sorry. Did I overstep?” Melissa asked worried.

“No. Of course you didn’t. Oh my word. Thank you so much.” Elaine said genuinely happy and grateful. Tears started streaming down her face, Andrea grabbed some tissues for her mother, to wipe her eyes with.

Smiling in relief Melissa added “Oh by the way all taxes, and insurances have been paid for. All you have to do is book your flight.”

This caused Elaine to hug Melissa tighter. “Right Christmas Lunch.” She said. Scooping everyone up in her good mood.

“Erm Brock do you have a minute?” Melissa asked.

“Yeah sure.” He replied

“I have a gift for you, from me. I didn’t know you were Elaine’s son so I got you extra. I will give it to you later.” Melissa whispered.

Brock froze, he’d got something for Melissa too.