Page 78 of A Tragic Melody

“He was mouthing off, insulting Tuesday and shit.”

“Do you like her?” He slides into the couch in front of me.

“Do you?”

“Not like that.” He shrugs. “She is like a sister.”

“I do like her,” I admit. “But I can’t do anything about it.”

“I think you’d be good for her, you know? Stable. Better than the other jerks she messes around with, but I’m not sure she would be good for you.”

“She’d destroy me and somehow be great for me at the same time.” I laugh. “Bittersweet.”

“Exactly.” He laughs. “It’s nice having someone else to look after her. The other guys don’t give a damn about her. It’s just a job for them. They would let her die to save themselves.”

“I know.” I nod.

“So, thanks,” he says. “It gives me time to have a life of my own for a change. I’m kind of hoping you stick around.”

“Not likely.” I sigh. “I’m glad you got to have some fun tonight. See you in the morning.” I push myself to my feet. “Night.”

“Good night.”

I walk to Tuesday’s bunk, peeking in to make sure she is still breathing. Her stomach rises and falls as she lays on her side. Bending down, I place a soft kiss to her forehead.

“I’m sorry I can’t save you,” I whisper before leaving to crawl into my own bunk.

I wake up to a cold hand over my mouth.

“Scream and I’ll slit your throat.”

It takes me all of two seconds to place her voice. My eyes open, meeting her gray ones.

She laughs, removing her hand and dropping on her side next to me.

“You punched someone for me.” She smiles.

My cock sticks straight up, throbbing. She is in a tank top that’s cut so low, I can see her cleavage and panties. I swallow the lump in my throat.

“I did.”

“And carried me to my bunk.”

“Yeah.”

“And stripped me down.”

“You said you were hot.”

“But didn’t fuck me.”

“You were out of it.”

“Hasn’t stopped anyone before.” She smiles. “But you aren’t like other men. You’re a gentleman. A nice guy.”

“I don’t know about that.” I turn to look up at the top of my bunk.

“I’d offer to help you out with that, but I’m afraid I can’t fuck you right now.” She sighs.