He grunted, swallowing the words that teetered on the tip of his tongue.
Then you’ll love me.
He didn’t want Mel loving him. Didn’t want love at all.
Right?
Bad enough she’d crushed on him all these years. What she needed was a nice, quiet, boring guy who’d keep her safe and secure at home. Maybe an insurance salesman or an accountant. Unfortunately, that type was nonexistent in this place. Adam drained the rest of his lager and set the bottle on the bar. “Since there aren’t any good prospects at the moment, how about a lesson instead?”
“In what?”
“Small talk.”
“Small talk?”
“Yeah. Banter. Flirting. Verbal foreplay.” Okay, yeah. Maybe not that last one. He mentally punched himself for going down that road, but it was too late now. “You’ll have to talk to this mystery man at some point to get him into your bed, right? Unless you pay him.”
“Funny.” The flat look she gave him said the exact opposite. “Fine. Teach me to flirt.”
“Well, first off, glaring at your target is a definite turnoff,” he said, chuckling.
Mel pressed closer to him and batted her eyelashes. “How about this instead?”
“Uh, coming on too strong is almost as bad.” He straightened to put some space between them. At this point, she could do just about anything and he’d find it irresistible, but that wasn’t helpful, so he focused on the task at hand instead, ignoring her disappointed look. “You said you wanted to learn. So, no throwing yourself at guys, unless a hookup is all you really want.”
With a sigh, she plopped back onto her stool and crossed her arms. “Go on.”
Adam steeled himself for what was ahead. “Great. Now look at me like you’re interested. Five-second rule.”
She frowned. “The what rule?”
“The five-second rule. Basically, when you find someone you’re attracted to at a party or whatever, you hold their gaze for five seconds. If they come over, they’re interested. If not, then they aren’t into you or they’re married or taken.”
Mel stared at him, more zombie than hot-chick-looking-for-a-mate, her expression blank.
“And that brings us to the next pointer. Smile. Makes you look more confident.” He gestured to the bartender for another lager, then took a swig. “Plus, you have a great grin. Brings out your adorable dimples.”
“You think I have a great grin?” she said, her whole face lighting up, going from pretty to gorgeous. “That’s so sweet.”
Heat prickled up from beneath the collar of Adam’s shirt, and his pulse raced. “Uh, yeah. You know you’re beautiful, so just stop.”
“Ha! Worked!” She winked at him, and Adam felt another one of the barriers around his heart crumble even though he’d walked right into that one. Mel nudged him with her elbow. “Next flirting tip, please.”
“This one might be harder for you, since you seem set on changing your persona, but be who you are. Don’t pretend to be dumb or something you’re not to make him like you. The right guy will love your intelligence and drive and strength, not be intimidated by them.”
Mel gave him a pointed stare. “I’m not changing myself for a man. I’m changing myself for me, thank you very much. If the right guy happens to come along with the package, fine. And I refuse to play dumb for anyone. I’ve got the mountain of student loan debt and a graduate degree to prove it.”
It was his turn to frown. “Sorry. I didn’t mean any offense.”
“None taken. Just don’t assume you can tell me what to do. I get enough of that from James. We’re partners in this, remember?”
“Understood.” He tipped his bottle to her. “Moving on. If you find a guy and you think he’s the right one, don’t be afraid to take charge. Make it clear you’re interested and get his number. If you say you’re going to call, then call. And don’t shy away from physical contact. Touch his arm, put your hand on his shoulder, brush legs with him under the table, that sort of stuff.”
Mel shifted on her stool, running her foot up the side of his ankle, the caress going straight to his already overactive libido. She gave him an innocent look. “Like that?”
“Uh, yeah,” he managed to squeak out, several octaves higher than his usual baritone. “That’s it. Maybe a little subtler, especially at first.”
“Sure.” She leaned closer and stroked his bare forearm, light touches that had him biting back a tiny groan of pleasure. It had been so long, too long, since anyone had touched him like that—softly, tenderly, reverently. Then she broke the spell. “Time to practice. What about him?”
Mel pointed to a new dude who’d walked in. He was standing near the corner of the room, playing darts with two other guys with more piercings than Adam could count. They were dressed in low-slung jeans and faded concert T-shirts and sported ink on their hands and cheeks. Adam had seen the same designs on a couple of guys in his platoon. Prison tats. Based on the ill fit of new arrival’s suit jacket and the company he kept, he’d bet money the dude had just come from a court appearance.
“Uh, that would be a definite nope.”
“Why?” Mel scowled. “He looks very professional.”
A professional criminal, maybe.
Adam snorted. “Not your type. Unless you like them from Cell Block C.”
Mel gave him a peeved stare. “Cut the crap. You’ve seen the guy one time from across the room. You don’t know anything about him.”
“I know his suit probably came from the thrift shop, based on how badly it fits. I know the tats on his buddies are symbols for how long their sentences were. And I know James would kill me if I let you get within five feet of that guy.” He stood and fished his wallet out of his back pocket. “Come on, Mel. Let’s get out of here.”
“No. I’m not ready yet.” She lifted her glass tumbler and waggled it at him. “I still have booze left, and I haven’t met my quota.”
“Quota?”
“Yes. I promised myself I’d talk to at least one new guy tonight.” She patted her hair, which she’d worn up, with a few loose strands hanging down around her neck to give Adam all sorts of ideas. He looked away fast.
Having her on his bike all the way here had been heaven and hell all rolled into one—the way her curves pressed against his back, the way her arms wrapped around his waist, the way her fingers gripped the front of his shirt as if she’d never let go. Adam shook off his forbidden lust and dropped back down on his stool. “Stop fussing. Your hair still looks perfect. Same as when we left your house earlier.”
One of the waitresses, a buxom blonde dressed in the standard Tipsy Wench uniform of leather mini and tight fuchsia tank top, strutted by, giving Adam a wink. Mel shot visual daggers at him again.
Jeez. Seemed he was damned if he did and damned if he didn’t. Leaning his elbows back on the edge of the bar, he checked out the crowd. “I don’t think you’re going to find what you’re looking for in this place, Mel.”
“How do you know? Maybe I’m in the mood for a quick booty call.”
He busted out laughing. “Where’d you learn about booty calls?”
“I’m going to be twenty-five, Adam. Not two hundred and five. Just because I’ve never had one doesn’t mean I don’t know what they are. I read Cosmo.”
“I know you do. I saw the evidence on your coffee table the other night.” He went ahead and handed the bartender a fifty to cover a twelve-dollar tab. He could afford to be generous. He made good money at Victory Vets, and he rarely spent any of it. Too busy these days. Adam took another long swig of lager and watched Mel, enjoying the way her cheeks pinkened under his gaze. “Dang. I knew you wanted to change, but I didn’t realize you were a frisky girl at heart.”
“I’m full of all sorts of surprises.” She narrowed her eyes and nursed her gin and tonic. She’d originally tried to order wine, but this really wasn’t that kind of place, so Adam had changed it for her, telling her to drink it slowly to keep from getting hammered. S
he wrinkled her nose and set the booze aside. “Or maybe this place brings out my wild side. Rawr.”
Her cheeky growl was meant to be funny, but he couldn’t shake the awareness searing through his bloodstream, burning away his common sense. She leaned closer to say, “I’m glad you’re here. To be my wingman.”
He looked at her. “I’m your wingman?”
“Yep.”
Adam moved closer as well, so close his breath stirred the wisps of hair at her temples. “Then as your wingman, I’m telling you this place is dead. If you’re so determined to hook up, let’s try someplace else.”
Her shoulders sagged slightly. “I think you’re missing the potential—”
“There is no potential here.” He set aside his half-full second lager and stood once more, taking her hand. “C’mon, Mel. I know we’ve got a deadline on this project, but nobody here is even remotely good enough for you.”
Myself included.
Mel downed another gulp of her drink as the cover band started playing a sappy rendition of “Sister Christian.” She slipped her hand in his. “Oh, I love this song. One dance, before we go. Please?”
He should have said no, should have pulled her outside and onto his bike and headed for the safe, familiar confines of their separate hotel rooms. But instead, he let Mel lead him out onto the crowded dance floor. The small space was so full, they had no choice but to press together to avoid bumping into anyone else. That’s the excuse Adam was going with, anyway.
As the music played and Mel’s delectable body swayed in time with his, he did his best to hold on to his barriers, hold on to his long-held inhibitions, but felt them slipping fast. Her fingers twined around his neck and into the hair at his nape, making him shudder and swallow hard. He gripped the silky material of the sexy purple shirt she’d worn over a short black skirt.
This was wrong, so wrong. And yet it felt so, so right.
Another couple brushed past them, and Adam pulled Mel even closer to keep her from getting stepped on. She looked up at him, her eyes dreamy and soft, her full lips parted, and he couldn’t look away, not if his life depended on it.
Time seemed to slow as the space between them disappeared and his lips were on hers.
God help him, he’d wanted to kiss her again since that night in her foyer. One taste of her hadn’t been enough, would never be enough. The last of his defenses vanished as he tightened his arms around her and she relaxed into him, lifting her chin and opening her mouth to give him better access.
He shouldn’t be doing this, but he’d wanted nothing more all night. Hell, all week. He didn’t want to get involved with Mel, didn’t want to fall in love, but he couldn’t stay away. Every look, every touch drew him further and further under her spell. Her fingers slid upward, clutching his hair and making him imagine how she might use those hands on him elsewhere…
Her soft moan sent a fresh wave of desire through him, and he had to break away for fear of taking things too far, too fast. His breath was heavy, and his hands were shaking with need, but he had to stop. They had to stop. Not because he wanted to, but because he didn’t want Mel’s first time to be in some dark corner of a seedy bar. She was far too precious for that.
Adam licked his lips and tasted her there—sweet liquor and sinful desire. She reached for him again, to pull him in for another kiss, but he caught her and pulled her forehead down to his chest. He wanted seconds on that kiss, man did he want seconds. Thirds, fourths, and fifths, too, truth be told. Her panting breaths only encouraged him to go for it, but he wouldn’t.
Not here. He didn’t want an audience.
Mel pulled back and looked up at him, her expression an odd mix of want and confusion.
He couldn’t help running his thumb over her bottom lip. Big mistake. Her eyes darkened, and her lashes fluttered, and for a moment he forgot where he was, forgot who he was, forgot everything except her, in his arms.
Mine.
He’d never been an alpha sort of guy before, but damn if Mel didn’t bring out that side in him. He didn’t want her dating other men, test-driving them, and he certainly didn’t want her sleeping with anyone else. And yeah, he’d promised James to watch out for her, but he’d deal with that situation later. Right now, all Adam cared about was Mel. If she wanted to learn how to please a man, he’d do the job.
Mel was ready; so was he. Both of them were willing, and both of them were adults.
Still, he needed to be sure.
Adam gently placed one hand on her shoulder and used the other to tip her chin up until she met his gaze. “Mel, I want to take you to bed. Is that what you want, too?”
In answer, she kissed him again, deeply, her body melting into his. His hands slid from her shoulders to her lower back to finally cup her butt. She smiled into their kiss, and this time he was the one melting.
At last, Mel pulled back. “There’s only ever been one man in this room I wanted, but I didn’t think you wanted me—”
He leaned back far enough to see her face. “Believe me, Mel. Wanting you was never the problem.”
She nodded, her lips parted. “What changed?”
“I don’t know.” The music ended, and the dance floor started to clear. “It started that night at the Black Dog, then the makeover, then the kiss, now tonight. I’ve either made up my mind or I’ve lost it completely.”
Her seductive laugh coiled inside him, tightening the knot of tension aching in his gut. She felt so warm and soft and perfect in his arms, and it had been so, so long since he’d had more than a meaningless one-night stand. He’d had well under his limit of lager tonight, but he felt drunk on her. Mel’s lopsided grin sent him over the edge. He pulled her in and kissed her once more—testing, tasting, teasing. She traced his jaw with one finger, a delicate touch that made him forget where they were and who he was. All he knew was he couldn’t take much more of this exquisite torture. His body ached with anticipation, and they needed to get back to their hotel. Fast.
She broke their kiss, gazing up at him with eyes full of promise. Never in his life had Adam wanted a woman as much as he wanted Mel. The thought both thrilled and terrified him. Before he could bolt, she smiled softly and took his hand. “Let’s go back to our room.”
Chapter Ten
Mel sat with her front pressed to Adam’s back as they zoomed through the midnight streets of downtown Indianapolis to their hotel at City Centre. She hadn’t paid much attention during check-in, just remembered everything being clean and bright and luxurious. The thought of staying there tonight with Adam sounded like the most exciting thing in the universe.
Anticipation, mixed with a good dose of nervous energy, had her heart racing and her arms tightening around his waist, trying to get as close to him as possible to prove this wasn’t all a dream. Her hand pressed against his flat, toned abs through the soft cotton of his T-shirt, allowing her to feel his muscles flex with each twist and turn of their bodies on the bike. Her skin felt too tight, and her blood was on fire. She’d waited twenty-four years for this night, but now she wasn’t sure she could last until they got to the hotel. That’s how bad she wanted him. Given his sharp intake of breath when she kissed the nape of his neck, Adam felt the same way.
Seemed that now they’d made their decision, neither could move fast enough.
All those hours of planning and plotting to seduce Adam had left Mel breathless for release. She only hoped she wouldn’t freeze up or let her doubts hold her back when the time arrived. Her fantasies were about to become reality.
They pulled into the underground garage of the hotel and circled downward, beneath the streets of Indy. He parked in a spot near the entry doors, then cut the engine, waiting until she’d removed her helmet before pulling her into his arms, his mouth millimeters from hers.
“You’re sure?” he asked again.
“More than I’ve ever been about anything in my life.”
They crashed into each other once they were off the bike, a jumbled mass of a
rms, legs, and lips, her back pressed to the cold cement wall while they waited for the elevator to arrive. They’d gotten separate rooms for the night, but only one would be occupied. The bell dinged, and they tripped onboard, Adam blindly slapping the button for their floor while Mel pulled him closer and gripped his rear.
The ride upstairs was a blur. Somehow, they managed to get off the elevator, still kissing. In the hallway, Adam hoisted her up in his arms, and Mel wrapped her legs around his waist. Next thing she knew he was pushing inside his room. Polished wood floors and a bank of windows that glowed with the city’s skyline. Same style and view as hers next door. Not that it mattered.
They finally had privacy. Heat exploded through her nerve endings as she slid down his front. They stood in the center of his room near the bed. Mel couldn’t resist leaning in to kiss his neck, licking the salt from his throat as she’d imagined doing so many times before. Her tongue found the pulse point at the base of his neck, thudding beneath her touch.
Adam groaned low and pulled her chin up to reclaim her lips.
“You taste so good,” Mel whispered, pulling away slightly, her breath panting. “I can’t wait to make love with you.”
His body tensed beneath her touch, and she ran her hands down his back, kneading the bunched muscles between his shoulder blades, hoping to alleviate some of whatever was bothering him. When he still didn’t respond, she pulled back, heart pounding and chest aching. “What’s wrong?”
…
Adam wanted Mel so badly, but once they crossed this line, they could never go back. “Nothing’s wrong. I just…”
Mel leaned her forehead against his chest and took a deep breath. “It’s me, isn’t it?”
“What? No!” He kissed the top of her head. “I’m sorry, Mel. You’re perfect. What we were doing was perfect, it’s just…” He shook his head and stared across the room. “I killed the moment by thinking too much.”
“Yep.” Mel gave him a weak smile, her lips tight. The disappointment in her eyes matched his own mood, and the sizzling heat between them dropped to a low simmer. Every fiber of his being yearned for the electric fire they’d shared minutes ago. In truth, everything about Mel drove him crazy with desire—her touch, her tiny moans into his mouth, her sweet kisses.
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