Melody took her suitcase and looked around the huge room while placing it beside the bed. The room was decorated in red, white, and blue with a giant presidential seal on the carpet. “I can’t believe it,” she murmured. “This is amazin’!” She walked to the window and opened the curtain. A sliding door was on the wall of windows, so she opened it and walked onto the balcony, seeing New York from twenty floors up. The lights were amazing all across the city, giving her such a feeling of adventure like she’d never known before.
“Do you like it?” John asked, surprising her.
She glanced at his face, then out over the city once again. The full moon was high in the sky, lighting up the blackness of the night, with a slight breeze blowing her hair. “I’m usually afraid of heights, but this is incredible!”
“I used to come up here when I wanted to get away. This was my favorite room.”
She looked down over the edge, then backed up to the building. “I don’t think I could live up here.”
“You get used to living in a place like this.” He put his arm over her shoulder and leaned back against the wall. “I remember coming up here and just staring out over the city, trying to figure out what I was going to do with my life.”
“You didn’t always want to play tennis?”
“The problem was I did want to play tennis, but Dad didn’t want me to play. He wanted me to get a real job, and I had to figure out what to do. He suggested I go to law school, which is when I was discovered as a good tennis player. I took tennis lessons since I was about four, so it wasn’t a surprise to me that some day it would be my job. I always thought it would be the best thing, jetting off from city to city, living in the fast lane, but I never figured I’d be doing it alone.”
She studied his expression, so sad and lonely. “But people travel with you, right?”
“They travel with me, but they’re working the whole time. I don’t have anyone just to hang out with and laugh. I miss laughing the most. Nothing’s fun anymore and all humor has left my life.”
“That’s so sad,” she said, then grinned. “So you don’t laugh at all?” She tickled his side, and he backed off, chuckling.
“Not at all, usually. You’re the only one who’s given me a reason to laugh again. Calling me a serial killer or a rapist made me realize how isolated I was from the rest of the world. I never would’ve thought anyone could think that about me.”
“You’re in bad shape,” she said.
Wrapping his arm around her waist, he pulled her to him, then caressed her cheek. “I know.” He moved a strand of hair from her face, then ran his fingers through the side of her hair. “You’re so pretty. Do you have a temper because you’re a redhead?”
“I don’t think so, but other people have told me otherwise.” She stared down at his arms. “Should you be up here touchin’ me like this? Won’t you get in trouble with your dad?”
He snorted and wrapped both arms around her waist, facing her. “Dad? He could care less about me. He probably doesn’t even know I’m in New York.”
“Your own father? What about your mother?”
“She’s even worse. Since I’m not in her social circle, she doesn’t care. She’s even forgotten my name when I’ve called her.”
“Your mother forgot your name? Holy smokes! I thought my life was tough! You are alone!”
He studied her face for a moment. “Why is your life tough?”
She moved away from him and went back into the room. “No reason. If I’m to be up and ready at five in the mornin’, I have to get to bed.”
He was silent for a moment. “I understand. Art, my manager, wants me to stop by to see him tonight anyway.”
She checked her watch. “But it’s after eleven thirty!”
“I really can’t sleep much these days.”
She shook her head. “If you were my brother, I’d put you to bed with a sleepin’ pill and make sure you slept. That’s not good, you know.”
He smiled and headed toward the door. “I’m fine. Get some sleep and I’ll have someone up here tomorrow. His name’s Ted. He’s my bodyguard.”
She raised one eyebrow. “You have a bodyguard?”
“Yeah. Not a big deal.” He walked back to her, leaned over and kissed her cheek. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” After walking back across the room, he opened the door and walked out, closing it behind him.
She watched him leave, then raised her hand to her cheek, the heat filling her stomach with butterflies. Why did he do that? She wondered what his real intentions were with her, because of the way he felt comfortable enough to kiss her cheek like that. Feeling such a draw to him, she had to dismiss it. It was probably just her imagination.
She turned and pulled her suitcase to a table. The room was immense—bigger than the entire downstairs of her father’s house. As soon as she unzipped her suitcase, the phone rang. She looked all over for it, finding it beside the bed.
“Hello?”
“Melody? What are you doing in the presidential suite?”
She smiled. It was good to hear her friend’s voice. “Elsie! I mean…Elise! How’re you doin’?”
“I’m doing great. Chuck and I were out on a date tonight before the big wedding, and I just wanted to make sure you made it into town. Why are you in that room?”
“Oh, it’s a long story. I met this man—”
“You met a man?” Elise asked, sounding almost scared for Melody.
“Yes. I’m to ask if I can bring him to the rehearsal dinner and weddin’ with me. He knows your fiancé.”
“Who is he?”
Melody flopped onto the bed and looked up at the ceiling. “He’s someone famous by the name of John Spencer.”
Melody heard Elise turn and say something to someone else before returning to the phone. “Chuck knows him and he’s a playboy. Do you know that?”
“He said as much, but it’s not true. It’s all media hype.”
“Chuck wants to talk to you.”
Melody heard the phone change hands and a very masculine voice spoke into the phone. “Melody?”
She sat up and stared across the room. “Yes, sir. It’s good to talk to you. Congratulations on your wedding.”
“Thank you. I’m glad you could come to town.” She could hear the smile in his voice. “Now about John Spencer, I went to college with him.”
“I heard,” she said. “You had a ruler to measure your socks. Is that true?”
Chuck laughed. “Good old John. It used to be true, but not anymore. I’ve changed, but I don’t think John’s changed. They used to call him Playboy Johnny. Did he tell you that?”
“No, and I don’t think that’s true. He just wanted someone to talk to. I don’t think he’s very happy these days.”
“No? He’s doing very well in tennis and is on the cover of every sports magazine. He has girls falling at his feet and he’s not happy?”
“He said he’s very lonely and I believed him. Is it okay if he comes to the weddin’ with me, just so he can do somethin’ fun?”
She heard something muffle the receiver. “A wedding is fun?” Chuck whispered. “He must be lonely.”
Melody laughed. “Pre-weddin’ jitters?”
“You have no idea.”
“Oh, yes I do. I’ve known Elsie…I mean Elise almost my whole life. Good luck with that one!”
He laughed. “Bring John and I’ll let you know if he’s worthy of you.”
She waved him off, talking with her hands, even though she was alone. “Oh, I don’t need to know that. We’re not dating. I just met him when he saved me in the train station from a fight.”
“The train station? What was he doing at the train station?”
She’d said too much, sure that was supposed to be a secret. “Uh, let’s just leave it at that. Tell Elise I’ll be ready at two to see the Statue of Liberty.”
“I’ll let her know.”
“Oh, and I won’t be here in the mornin’. I’m gonna me
et John, early.”
“I see,” Chuck answered. “So did John have your room upgraded? Elise just handed me a note.”
“Yes, he did. He said his dad owns this hotel.”
“He does, but they don’t get along,” Chuck said. “If you’re charged full price, let me know and I’ll pay for it.”
“No, it’s okay.”
“That room’s a thousand a night, at least.”
She felt her eyes open wide in surprise, glancing around the room. “Dollars? That’s more than my father’s rent for a whole month!”
Chuck laughed. “Welcome to New York.”
~~~~~
Chapter 2
A constant knocking at the door had Melody turn over in her bed. Reality suddenly hit her and she checked her watch. It was 4:55 in the morning. She hopped off the side of the bed and ran to open the door, where a huge man was standing. He was balding and looked like he was used to getting up at all hours of the morning.
“I’m Ted. I’m to take you to see John Spencer.”
“I’m so sorry. I overslept. I could’ve sworn I set that alarm. I’ll be ready in a few minutes.”
“Take your time,” he said.
She ushered him into the room, opened her suitcase and grabbed some underwear, shorts and a t-shirt. “I’ll be out in a jiffy.” She ran into the bathroom, took a two-minute shower and threw on her clothes. When she walked out, Ted was watching television on the big-screen TV in the room.
“You’re done so soon?” he asked.
“Yeah. Back home we have to take quick showers because we don’t have much hot water.” She grabbed a brush, the room key and her purse, then walked to the door. “Ready?”
“I guess.” He flipped off the television and she turned off the lights. As they took the elevator to the first floor, the man said not a word.
“So are you from here?” she asked as they walked through the lobby. She had to run to keep up with the man.
“Yep.”
“Do you like New York?”
“Sure.”
“Do you talk more than one-syllable words?”
He stopped and turned toward her, holding the outer door to the hotel, looking surprised. “Nope.” They walked out a few feet, and he opened the door to a waiting black stretch limousine then helped her inside.
There were at least six seats in the limo, along with a huge platter of breakfast items. “Mr. Spencer wants you to have breakfast before you get to his home.”
“That was nice of him. Want some?”
“No, I’ve eaten.”
“What time did ya get up?”
He turned toward her, his face angry. “Look. I’m not here to chat with you and I don’t appreciate you turning Mr. Spencer’s head.”
“Turnin’ his head?” she asked, surprised at his outburst.
“You know, making him fall for you. He has to stay focused and a woman is only going to mess that up for him. So, do whatever he wants you to do this morning, then get out of his life, for good. Go back to whatever southern state you belong in and leave him alone. Don’t ever contact him again, either. If he doesn’t win, I don’t get paid. I like being paid, so my goal is to make sure he wins. Any distractions will interfere with that. Got it?”
She stared at him, feeling her mouth drop and her face heat up. Her eyes filled with tears because this man was a brute. Now she knew why John wanted to get away. She would, too.
“Yes, sir.” She ate some of the different breads that were on the plate and a few sips of orange juice, but after that little speech, she wasn’t very hungry. This man hated her, and she didn’t even know him. Did she do anything wrong? Why did John hire him, anyway? Maybe John didn’t have any control over him?
The driver took them out of the city and into Long Island. The streets weren’t as crowded as Melody thought they’d be, but for five o’clock in the morning back home, it would be considered rush hour traffic from what she saw.
After driving for a long time in silence, the car headed down a street with huge homes sitting back from the road. But Melody was afraid to ask if John lived in this area. More than likely, Ted would scream at her if she asked.
The limo turned down a long driveway, the front covered with trees. As soon as they rounded a corner, an enormous home sat in front of them. She couldn’t believe her eyes, taking in the huge stone building as the car slowed, thinking he could house a whole small country in the huge place.
The driver stopped in the front and helped Melody out of the car. As soon as she grabbed her purse and shut the door, John came running out of the house.
“Melody! I’m so glad you’re here.” He ran to her, took her hand and pulled her inside. She turned slightly to see Ted scowl, making her swallow hard.
“This is your home?” she asked, taking in the huge paintings on the walls. Everything in the home was tan, brown or beige. Since the colors blended and matched, all she could think was how his life wasn’t only devoid of fun, but also devoid of color.
“It’s a house. I don’t live here enough to call it home.” He walked her through the long living room and down a hallway, then into an office. “Did you eat breakfast?”
“Uh, sure,” she said, looking at the bare walls in the office. It only housed a desk, and there was no clutter in the room, looking like the room wasn’t used for anything. He opened a sliding glass door and walked with her outside, letting go of her hand.
He stopped in front of a huge swimming pool to the left and a tennis court to the right, hardly even filling the gigantic backyard, with trees lining the back. “What do you think?” he asked.
“I think y’all have a lot of room.”
He chuckled. “What would you like to do?”
“I thought I was comin’ here to play tennis with you.”
“We can do that if you want, or something else. It’s all up to you. I’m just glad you’re here.”
“Can we sit down for a minute first?” She glanced back at the house and saw Ted standing inside with his arms crossed, just watching them through the window. “Some place private?”
He glanced at her face, then turned toward the house. “Sure. What’s the matter?”
“I want to be completely honest with you and don’t want to hold anything back. You’re a wonderful person and I don’t like secrets.”
“Secrets? But I just met you.”
“Yes, sir.”
He looked frustrated, then took her hand. “Let’s go for a walk. I want to hear this.”
“I bet you do.”
They walked between the pool and the tennis court, then headed toward the back of the yard. As soon as they got to the trees, he turned toward a small building. “This is where I do my best thinking.”
“What is it?”
“A guest house, but I use it for myself sometimes. I don’t have guests here.”
“I bet,” she murmured. No one would want to stay in a place where they weren’t welcome by the bodyguards. They were a scary bunch. She almost felt like a prisoner herself.
He took her inside to a huge room containing a kitchen, living room and dining room, also decorated in different shades of brown. A staircase filled the center of the house, making her wonder if the upstairs was also beige or brown. They must’ve had sales on brown paint and brown furniture.
John walked her into the living room and they sat on overstuffed couches.
“Nice,” she said, looking around as she put her purse beside her on the couch.
“Spill it. What’s going on?”
“Is anyone able to hear what goes on in here?” she whispered.
“No. This is my sanctuary and I can guarantee no one comes in here.”
She sat up. “I talked to Elsie…Elise last night and she put Chuck on the phone.”
“Okay,” he said. “But I don’t see the secret to that.”
“Chuck said you’re a playboy, and you used to be called Playboy Johnny.”
He started to laugh. “T
hat was a rumor started by another guy we used to hang out with. Here’s what really happened. In high school, I was very shy around girls. I’d been playing tennis almost all my life and didn’t have a social life. So, my friend Ben made up this name for me—Playboy Johnny. It was a joke, but Chuck believed it and we gave him the idea that he should believe it. He was always so gullible. Is that what you wanted to tell me?”
“Not only that,” she whispered. “Ted doesn’t like me. He told me to get out of your life and quit messin’ with your focus. Am I in trouble, or are you in trouble?”
John sat back and ran his fingers through his hair with a sigh. “He said that to you?”
“Yes, sir.”
“There’s no need to call me sir, Melody. I’ll never be sir to you.”
She lowered her head. “I’ve been taught to call every man sir, or I get in trouble.”
He leaned closer to her and lifted her chin to face him. “Who gets you in trouble?”
“I’d rather not say. Now, about Ted—”
He dropped his hand with a grin. “I’ll deal with him. Don’t worry about anything. You’re more than welcome in my life and I really don’t want you to leave.”
“Please don’t tell him I told you,” she whispered. “He’s a scary person.”
“Ted? He’s nothing.”
She swallowed hard. “He reminds me of my daddy. Please don’t make him angry.”
John studied her face. “Does your father scare you?”
She couldn’t answer him. She glanced outside instead, and saw Ted walking toward the house. “He’s here. Hide me!” She grabbed her purse and stood up, looking for a place to go, finally kneeling behind the couch. “Don’t tell him I’m here,” she whispered.
John moved to stand beside her, reaching out for her hand. “I’ll do no such thing. He works for me, and if he gives you a hard time, he’ll be fired.”
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