“You say that, but now that I’m pregnant, it changes things.”
He held back a wince, knowing that being a dance instructor while pregnant probably wasn’t the easiest thing to do. But then again, he didn’t actually know the ins and outs of her days—that was something he wanted to change.
“We’ll figure it out. Just remember, you’re not alone in this. We’re the ones having this baby. So we’re the ones who will make the plans. But first, let me show you Whiskey. Maybe when you get to know the town, and tomorrow when the town gets to know you even more, you can feel a little more settled. Because, yeah, I’m just as nervous as you are about what’s going to happen in the next few months, but I think knowing what’s around you and maybe having that touchstone will help. Or I’m just blowing smoke up your ass and trying to think of a way for us to go on a date in the middle the day since we both have other things to do.”
That made Melody laugh, and he was glad for it. “It’s not really the middle the day. You only took the last hour off work, and at this point, I think it’ll probably count as lunch. I’m sorry we had to push it back a couple hours, but I was in the groove at the studio and didn’t want to break it. You know?”
“Actually, I don’t. I don’t really groove.”
“You grooved that night. And…I can’t believe I actually just said that out loud. It’s not like we're really going to ignore what happened, and we’re both trying to figure out if we want to work together as a couple or friends or co-parents or whatever and I’m freaking myself out. But yeah, you had moves, good moves.”
If Fox were a peacock, he would have preened and spread his feathers at that point. Why that image popped into his head, he didn’t know.
“You had pretty good moves yourself, Melody. Just saying.” And because he remembered the moves, his cock pressed into the zipper of his jeans, and he had to clear his throat. Her gaze traveled down his body and landed on where his visible erection strained against the denim. There was no hiding it, and even though he should have been embarrassed, he wasn’t. Because Melody was the one who had done that to him. He could see the sharp pebbles of her nipples pressing against her shirt, and he knew that he wasn’t the only one turned on.
He swallowed hard, and then held out his hand, determined not to act the fool and kiss her right there on the sidewalk where anyone could see. He’d promised her a view of the town, and that’s what she’d get.
And he’d do his best to learn to walk with a hard-on from hell.
As he’d been in this situation a few times now thanks to Melody, he learned quickly.
“Ready to see Whiskey?” He hoped his voice sounded calm and not like he wanted to jump her. When she took a deep breath and took his hand, he had a feeling the walk would end up a different form of torture for both of them.
“Sounds good to me. Are there ghost stories? I love ghost stories.”
“There’s a few,” he said as they made their way down the street so they were on Main. “Though I think the most famous one is where they thought Ms. Pearl was the lady in white in the attic.”
Melody’s eyes widened, and she laughed, the sound filling him, drawing him near. “That sounds like her. She probably put on the getup just to get a rise out of people.”
“And since I might have reminded her of the story when we were talking, she said she might do it again.” He gave her a pained grimace, but she laughed.
“She’ll probably rope me into it, and I’ll be in another window in the attic dressed all in white so I can scare the children, too.”
“You know, she’d probably put you in the outfit from Swan Lake so you could dance in the widow instead.” They made a turn so he could show her the bridge where they would easily walk from Pennsylvania to New Jersey, ending up in both places at once at a certain point, something that tourists loved to do.
“Oh, God. She totally would. I’d have to be on pointe too because Grandma doesn’t do things halfway.”
“Don’t put ideas into her head because you know she’ll do it.” He squeezed her hand, and she smiled up at him. “Okay, so this is the main bridge that gets us from Whiskey to the New Jersey side of the Delaware. This is the newer bridge. The original one from back when the town was founded had to be taken down due to safety issues, but it’s still pretty damn old. And in a few feet, you’ll be able to stand in both states at once, something you’ll need a photo of at least once if you want to be a Whiskey resident.”
“Is it wrong that I’m oddly excited about that fact? I saw it in a movie once and thought it was the most romantic gift ever because the heroine was sick, and the hero wanted her to have all her wishes.”
Fox squeezed her hand again and tugged her close so someone could walk on the other side of them. Only one side of the bridge was for pedestrian traffic so they couldn’t take up too much room. He let go of her hand as she sank into his side and he wrapped his arm around her shoulders, tightening his hold.
He liked the feeling of her against him, the idea that the woman carrying his child was touching him. He might be a caveman thinking that, but he didn’t care. He wanted more of this, wanted more of Melody. How much she gave of herself, however, wasn’t something he could find out just by holding her close. It would take time, and no matter how close he felt to her, how much he felt as if he knew her, they were still almost strangers. Strangers who were having a baby and slowly going down a path of a potential relationship. His head started to spin at how quickly everything had changed, but he had to remind himself that no matter how complicated things got, he had to live in the moment, as well.
“Fox? Are you okay? We’re at the line.”
He blinked, pushing away the thoughts that could get him into trouble, and kissed the top of her head before looking down at the line that demarcated the division between the two states. They were standing over the Delaware River, people milling about, and yet his whole world was in his arms right then.
If that didn’t send a shock through him, he didn’t know what would.
“Let’s get you your photo.”
“Want me to take a picture of you both?” a woman said from beside them. “I always hate when all my photos of this spot end up with just my feet and not my face.”
Fox smiled and nodded. “That’d be great. Thanks.” He looked down at Melody. “Ready to play tourist?”
“Always.” He handed over his phone, and Melody turned in his arms so he leaned against the railing and she was in front of him, his arms wrapped around her. Without conscious thought, he splayed his hand over her belly, and she froze for a moment before realizing, her hand tangling with his so they could both cradle their child.
Holy shit.
Their baby. As in a new life forming under his hand at that very moment. As the woman took their photo, he knew this point in time would be forever immortalized. And he knew when he saw photo or the line again, he’d always remember the fact that he’d been reeling inside even as he held Melody for what felt like the first and hundredth time.
How it could feel so right so quickly, he didn’t know, but he knew he didn’t want to let her go. He kissed the top of her head again, trying to tone down the emotions and perhaps even the possessiveness that warred through him.
She shook against him, and he had a feeling something was going through her system just as it was for him. He thanked the woman and took back his phone, and without words, he and Melody made their way to the other side of the bridge, then turned back so they could walk through Whiskey. Just as he was about to stop by the bar for lunch, knowing that while there were plenty of other places to eat, his family bar was a favorite and something that would always be a part of his—and now perhaps her—life, Melody put her hand on his arm and stopped him.
“What’s wrong? Would you rather go somewhere you haven’t been before to eat? That probably would have made more sense, but the girls will be at the bar tonight, as will my brothers, so I figured you might want to hang with people you know.
But now that I say that, it doesn’t sound like a date. It feels a bit overwhelming. I can easily take you to another place. Sorry I didn’t even ask you, I was just playing tourist.”
She smiled, her head shaking as he continued to talk.
“What?”
“You just rounded yourself into like four issues I don’t even have with what you planned. I’ve loved today, and though it should have felt weird and awkward since it’s technically our first date, it wasn’t. I’m having a wonderful time, but I’m also a little tired.” She held up her hand when he would have rambled more. “I’m fine. How about we get something from the bar and take it to your house?” She swallowed hard. “I, uh…I’d like some time alone with you, too. I know we’re doing a great job of not talking about what’s growing inside me right now since I know we’re both still shocked, but what I do know is that we need to get to know each other. And I’d like to try and do that tonight.”
There was an underlying heat in her words that made him want to bring her close and crush his mouth to hers. And because he knew that wouldn’t be the best idea when they were both standing outside his brother’s bar, he kissed her temple instead and pulled back, loving the way her eyes darkened at the touch of his lips on her skin. Oh, yeah, he wasn’t alone in this need, and yet they were both being so damn careful about not doing anything about it.
Yet.
Thankfully, when he went inside with Melody, he quickly got a takeout order from one of Dare’s waitresses and somehow avoided his family and the other ladies. While he wanted them to see him with Melody, he also wanted to be alone with her.
Before he knew it, the two of them were in his house, under the same roof where he’d had her in his arms before, and all he could do was stare at her like a man beyond thirsty for the oasis in front of him.
The thing was, though, he could tell he wasn’t alone in this hunger. Melody stared at him, her mouth parted, her eyes wide, her breaths coming in pants. There was a sexual energy between them that sizzled, crackling as it danced along their skin.
“The food’s going to get cold if you keep looking at me like that,” he growled. He hadn’t meant to growl, to even say that, but they hadn’t even taken off their shoes yet, and all he could do was need.
“You know we should talk,” she said, though he wasn’t sure she believed her words.
“We did. We talked about Whiskey. Talked about my family. Talked about Ms. Pearl. Your dance studio.” They hadn’t talked about the baby, her dancing, her parents, his writing, but those things would come.
First, however…
She stepped forward, the first to close the distance, and it nearly sent him over the edge. Then she put her fingertips on his chest, and he nearly shook.
“I know we should, but I don’t want to talk. Not right now. We have time. Right now, I want to do something that might be a mistake, and might make me go running again, but I don’t care. I should. But I don’t.”
He cupped her face, her cheeks in his palms soft. “We will. But for now, tell me you want this. Tell me you want me.”
She snorted. “Of course, I want you, Fox. I’ve wanted you from the first moment I saw you, and it wasn’t because of the whiskey. As for this? Yes. But no promises. I can’t…I can’t make those kinds of promises. Though we should since this isn’t just about the two of us, but I can’t.”
He nodded, not hurt in the slightest since her words mirrored his thoughts. “I can do that. Because we’re not done, you and me. That’s the only promise I can make.”
And in answer, she went on her tiptoes, so he leaned down, meeting her halfway to take her lips with his own.
She closed the distance so she was pressed firmly against him. Their mouths pressed harder, the kiss deepening. His hands slid from her cheeks down her body so he could grip her hips. Her arms wrapped around his middle, his erection a firm line against her belly. He was so hard from the mere kiss that he knew if he weren’t careful, he’d blow right there and make a fool of himself.
But with Melody, he didn’t know if he’d mind acting the fool. Because with her, he could be his ramble-filled self who didn’t make much sense, and growl and stare off into the distance as he thought too hard.
She pinched his side and winked. “Mr. Writer is thinking too hard again. Just kiss me. And maybe get me naked. How about we go upstairs to that bed I know because, while I’m flexible, I’m really not in the mood to get stair marks on my ass.”
He laughed, taking her lips with his before bending down so he could hold her in his arms. She let out a gasp as she wrapped her hands over his shoulders.
“Fox!”
“Well, since you’re in a delicate condition, I figured I shouldn’t let you walk up stairs.” He was careful as he practically ran up the stairs, eager to have her in his bed again.
“I’m about to run a dance studio, I think I can handle stairs.” He set her down in front of the bed, careful not to jostle her. She was his and, hell, she was carrying their child. Shit, he needed to stop thinking that or he’d freak out. He promised himself that he’d handle it all soon. But for now, he wanted Melody naked.
“Fine, how about I just wanted you up here quickly so I could lick between your legs?”
She smiled, didn’t blush at all before giving him a nod. “You know what? I can handle that. Now get stripping.”
He laughed. Fucking laughed as he stripped off his shirt and helped her take off her clothes, as well. Somehow, the two of them ended up tangled in jeans and shoes but still wrapped around each other on the bed, his hands roaming over her curves as he tried to calm himself down. They were both naked, touching everything they could without taking the next step, but they couldn’t keep their hands off each other. He remembered their first night together and knew they hadn’t taken it this slowly, and for that he was grateful. Now, he could go slower, savor.
That was if Melody’s roaming hands on his dick let him.
“Jesus.” He closed his eyes, sucking in a breath.
“Just wondering when the licking is going to begin,” she said huskily.
“I need to get condoms first because I think my mind is going to be a little too on you and not on being safe.”
“You can’t get me pregnant again, Fox,” she said, her voice soft.
“I know, and I’m clean, but I want you to be safe.”
She nodded, letting him get up off the bed so he could grab a condom from the nightstand.
“When we do this again,” he continued, “we can get our tests done to make sure we can go condom free.”
“When, not if? You’re so sure of yourself?” she asked, her head going back as he kissed down her belly and then along each thigh. She let out a moan, and he nipped at her skin, spreading her with his hands so he could get closer to her pussy.
“You’re in my skin, Melody, in my bed. I’m not sure of much these days, but I’m sure of the fact that there’s something here.” And before she could answer, he had his mouth on her, and she was groaning under him. She tasted sweet and his and if he weren’t careful, he’d fall right then and there. He let his hands roam up to her breasts, pressing his face closer to her pussy. She bent for him, letting him cup her, playing with her nipples. Then he went back to putting his hands on her thighs as she cupped her breasts in her hands.
It was so fucking hot, he almost came again.
But he held back and sucked on her clit, and when she came on his face, he growled into her, the vibration thankfully sending her over the edge again. He quickly sat up, licking her wetness from his lips as he sheathed himself in the condom. Then he was over her, his cock nudging at her entrance. She arched up for him, and he pushed, impaling her in one quick thrust.
They both moaned, but he didn’t stop, couldn’t. She met him thrust for thrust, their bodies coated in sweat as he turned them over so she could ride him.
She gave him a wink, and he gripped her hips even harder, pounding into her from below even as she rocked her hips
. She looked like a blond goddess above him, her rounded curves sexy and alluring, her smoky eyes filled with sex, heat, and need.
And he wanted to provide everything she needed.
So when he flicked his thumb over her clit, and she came, he followed soon after, filling the condom until he knew he’d be spent for hours. She fell on top of him, and he held her close, her breasts pressed into his chest, and his cock still inside her.
They didn’t say anything, and when they ate their meal naked in his bedroom and went for round two, they still didn’t talk about the important things. And when he walked her home, they still didn’t. He knew they would, they both talked far too much not to, but he had a feeling that what had happened just now had changed something between them.
What that meant, he didn’t know, but he knew they would deal with it. Because he didn’t want to let her go. He’d started to fall for Melody, and with each new aspect of her that he discovered, he knew that had always been an inevitability.
Chapter 16
Melody’s nerves were causing little sparks to dance over her skin, and she was sure if she stopped moving, she’d fall right then and there. And having the dance instructor fall on the dance floor during the opening day of a dance studio wouldn’t make for great business.
She’d spent months getting ready for this day, hours upon hours organizing, setting up loans, designing, and preparing herself to become a teacher in something she’d once thought was more important than breathing. And though she’d found more important things in her life than dancing and had done her best to change her mean-girl attitude since she’d hated the woman she was back then, dance would be at the center of her life once again.
Only, now, there was something far more important than dance, her studio, or anything else she’d ever done, and she was beyond scared and nervous about it. She had no idea what she was going to do when she made it to her third trimester and needed to teach dance, or what would happen when she had to take time off to recuperate after having the baby, or even what she would do once she was ready to teach again but had an infant in her arms.
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