Donovan hated leaving her there.

He watched Delilah as he drove away and he headed in the opposite direction to Boston.

Turning on some tunes, Donovan still couldn't shake the feeling that he'd left her in a dire situation. He had Millie's number so perhaps he'd ask for her to keep an eye on his queen.

That was so ridiculous. He barely knew Delilah, but she was still living in a town with that asshole.

And she was still one of the sweetest human beings he'd ever met. Her children were lucky to have her and she truly loved them.

He winced at the idea that maybe they were the only reasons she continued on.

No, she was stronger than that and he knew it. He could sense how tired she was, but her fight to carry on was so much greater.

He felt an attraction to her like a moth to a flame. That scared him. The only woman to ever make him feel that way had been Melanie.

He had a little over an hour before getting home and Bryce was already calling in. Hitting the car speaker, Donovan smiled.

"Hey, son.. how's it going?"

"It's all good. I hear you've been in Salem quite a bit this week," Bryce said, his knowing voice amusing Donovan.

"Yes, I have," Donovan told him,"You've been talking to your mother?"

Bryce chuckled,"Yeah, but she doesn't give me details, you know that. We want to come to dinner."

Donovan paused. That changed a lot.

"So, you boys won't be in town this weekend?"

"No, but that's why we wanted to see you tonight and Mom is coming over tonight to see us off—if that's cool."

"Of course. What about Derek?"

Derek was Melanie's fiance and he got along smashingly with the family.

"I think he has to work, but he sends well wishes," Bryce told him, "So, steaks sound good?"

Donovan grinned. He loved spending time with his sons and that they were such fine, young men.

"Sounds great," Donovan told him, "I'll be home in about thirty."

"Drive safe. Love ya!"

"Love you, too, Bryce."

Maybe a night with his boys would get Delilah off his mind.

Pulling the car into his driveway, Donovan stared up at the big home now pretty much empty since his boys went off to college.

He never had a thing for servants or butlers, but he'd hire them from time to time for parties or when he needed a quick scrub of the entire place.

It was too big for one man.

Delilah's cottage was the perfect size, even with five people in it.

Shit, was he ever going to stop thinking about her?

Gathering his belongings, Donovan strolled into the house, the sound of his own heartbeat could probably be heard. It was so quiet.

When he and Melanie purchased the home, the boys were still little, but this was the house they knew and it had been so long since their little feet pitter pattered on the marble floor and their giggling and fighting echoed through the halls.

He stepped into the family room where Melanie had insisted on having a large tree and then a smaller tree for the den.

All three kids wanted to learn to play the drums so he got them each a set and while Melanie was aggravated with the noise, she was still proud they'd all learned the percussion instrument and moved on to others.

Maybe he'd get Isaiah a drum set.

"Fucking stop, Donnie.. he's not even your kid!"

He tossed his suitcase into his room and kicked off his shoes. Salem wasn't far away, but he was tired.

Texting Delilah to tell her he was home and he had some exciting news for her sent Delilah calling him immediately.

"Hi!"

"Hey, beautiful. I have a bit of a change in plans. Instead of the lake house, my home is completely empty this weekend if that's alright to change locations."

Delilah nodded even though he couldn't see her, "Of course it is. I'd love to see your home. I'm skimming over the contract now."

"There's one more thing. I don't want you for just one night, Delilah.. I want you the entire weekend."

There was a shirt pause, but Delilah giggled, setting off a fire in his soul.

"I'm all yours, my king."

"Still wobbly from this morning?"

"I had to come home and soak," Delilah told him, "You're.."

"No, Del, you're the amazing one."

They said their goodbyes and Donovan went to cleaning up a little bit and setting out the steaks. His boys learned how to cook at a young age and he was always excited that they wanted to hang out with their parents and cater to them.

He heard the car pull in a little before five and then another car roll in behind Bryce's Benz. Melanie was in a flashy blue Corvette and looking as nice as ever, but he found himself wishing it was Delilah.

"Hey!" Donovan hugged his boys one by one and getting a soft, quick hug from Melanie who eyed him with a gleam in her eye, "What? What is it?"

"You look good, Don.."

"Oh? I thought I looked pretty rough," he admitted, "You look great as ever."

"Dad!" Cooper called from the kitchen, "Baked or mashed potatoes?"

"What do you want?" He turned to Melanie as she handed him a container, "Dessert?"

"Yep and both potato options sound good," she said as he escorted her into the kitchen.

"Do mashed," Donovan said as they sat around the counter and talked about their schooling, girlfriends, football season being over, and how they wanted to spend the summer abroad.

"So.." Cooper said, "You've got the whole house to yourself this weekend."

"That I do.." Donovan said, smiling, but they all knew better, especially Melanie.

"Grill's up to temp!" Jason said, handling the steaks, "Coop, Bry..help me or get your asses kicked."

Melanie sighed, "Boys.."

Smiling she turned to Donovan, "Is she nice?"

"Is who nice?"

"The last one."

Donovan breathed in deeply and took a sip of his bourbon, "Sure. She's alright."

Melanie scoffed and shook her head, "I have known you my entire life, Donovan, and I know that look. You're taken with her. Is she pretty? You've gone out of your way twice to be in Salem. I want you happy, Don."

Donovan shrugged, "She's..gorgeous."

"And?"

"And what?"

"And she makes your dick feel things it never has before, but that's not why you're bringing her here, is it?"

"I am bringing her here because I don't have to kick anyone out," Donovan laughed.

Melanie smiled, "You like her."

"As a friend, Mel."

"Oh, shit..you really, REALLY like her!"

"What is this?" Donovan grinned, "You like busting my balls. How's Derek?"

"Great," she said, "Late night at work, but he's the one who made the bundt cake, not me. You have a glow about you, you're bringing her here, Les said you specifically requested her."

"Sheesh, can't I do my job?"

"I thought you wanted to settle down soon?" Melanie inquired, "I don't mean to overstep my boundaries."

"You're not," Donovan said, "It's just I don't know what I want."

"I think you do and you're afraid to admit it. You're not going to hurt her, you know that."

Donovan gulped down the rest of his drink.

"I'll be leaving for Dubai on Tuesday."

"I know," Melanie frowned, "The boys are excited to fly out to see you, but you know they'll miss you like crazy."

"And I'll miss them..."

Melanie was about to speak when Donovan intercepted her thoughts.

"And yes, Melanie, I'll probably miss that gorgeous red-head, too."