She's Got the Look

by Leslie Kelly

  He reached for her, still looking angry, not at all the man she’d grown up knowing.

  Still, Mel didn’t really believe he’d hurt her. Not until he grabbed the front of her blouse and ripped it down the middle.

  NICK KNOCKED on Melody’s door, waiting outside her apartment for her to answer. When she didn’t, he knocked again. “I know she’s there,” he muttered to Fredo, who stood next to him in the hallway. “Her car’s still parked right outside.”

  Still no answer.

  She might be in the shower. Or asleep. Maybe she just couldn’t stand seeing him right now. But something wouldn’t let him turn around and leave.

  It was that feeling, the same feeling he’d had a couple of other times. The feeling that had driven him to sit outside her apartment on those nights, watching for some unknown danger that he’d sensed but couldn’t identify.

  Fredo growled. Looking down, Nick saw the normally placid dog’s ears lying back on his head and his fur standing upright. The dog was staring at Melody’s door.

  At that moment, Nick knew his intuition had been correct. Something was wrong. No way was he leaving, not until he made sure Melody was all right.

  Nick hadn’t been a cop for four years without learning a thing or two about locks, and Mel’s was a piece of cake. Thankfully, she hadn’t thrown the top bolt, just the knob, so he was inside her apartment within about twenty seconds.

  The kitchen light was on, and it cast a pool of illumination across the living area, which was empty. He took one step toward the lit room, but Fredo had other ideas. With a yip, the dog leaped away, taking the leash right out of Nick’s hand. He ran toward the back of the apartment—toward Melody’s bedroom. Nick, reaching for his gun, was right behind him.

  He simply wasn’t prepared for what he found.

  Melody, with her blouse hanging open—obviously ripped—stood over a man, clutching a golf club like a broadsword.

  “Mel…”

  “Oh, God, Nick,” she said, dropping the club and throwing herself into his arms. “I’m so glad you came, I didn’t want to have to hit him again. I’m afraid I might have given him a concussion as it is.”

  She was afraid she might have injured the creep lying on her floor? Nick was going to do a lot more than that to the man. When he looked at Melody’s blouse, now just rags barely covering her beautiful body, he knew he could easily kill the man.

  He reached for him. “That bastard’s going to wish he’d never left Atlanta.”

  “No,” Melody said, grabbing his arm. “It’s not Bill.”

  Surprised, Nick squatted down beside Fredo, who was growling over the unconscious figure, obviously standing guard. He rolled him over and was shocked to see Rosemary’s brother. “Brian?”

  She nodded. “I don’t know how I’m going to tell Rosemary or her family. This is awful, Nick. I think he’s really sick.”

  Checking the man’s pulse to ascertain that the lump on his skull hadn’t been fatal, he slowly rose to his feet. Melody was shaking now, reacting to what had happened. Nick holstered his gun behind his back and pulled her into his arms, trusting Fredo to watch Brian.

  “It’s okay, honey,” he whispered, rubbing his hand up and down her back. “It’s over.”

  And over the next couple of hours, he realized it truly was over.

  He’d called for uniformed backup while Melody had changed her clothes. While they waited, she filled him in on everything. Brian’s obsession, and his confession.

  The man had regained consciousness by the time the EMTs had arrived, but they’d taken him to the hospital anyway, with an armed escort who’d arrest him as soon as he was declared fit. Brian had tried to speak to Melody before they’d taken him, but she’d walked away.

  Knowing she dreaded having to tell Brian’s family, Nick made a call to Dex. Between the two of them, they decided the best way to proceed was through Simon Chilton. Dex had gone to see Brian’s stepfather immediately. He’d called back a half hour ago, confirming that while Simon had been devastated, he’d remained calm and had told his wife and daughters. Dex was still with the family, helping them sort through their options.

  Nick suspected one of those options might be a mental hospital. From what Melody had told him about the way Brian had acted and the things he’d said, that sounded like the best place for the man.

  Finally, after Nick and Melody had both given statements to Draco and Jones, two of the other detectives from his precinct, they were once again alone in her apartment. After walking the detectives out, Nick had returned to find Melody in her room. She’d changed into an oversize cotton nightshirt, and was sitting cross-legged in the middle of her bed.

  She hadn’t turned the bedroom light on. But the puddles of light spilling in from an outside streetlamp, and the glint from the hallway were enough for him to see her. To remind himself that she was absolutely fine.

  He walked across the room, watching out the front window while Draco and Jones pulled away.

  “Rosemary called while you were outside,” she said.

  Nick immediately tensed, not knowing how the other woman had reacted to the accusations against her brother. Brian was family, after all. If she hadn’t believed Melody, or had blamed her in any way, Mel would be crushed.

  “She asked me to forgive her, to forgive all of them, for not seeing Brian had a problem.” Mel continued looking down at her hands. “For not stopping him from hurting me.”

  Relief eased the tension from his shoulders. Maybe Rosemary was wiser than he’d given her credit for. She’d certainly been right about standing up to Dex during his craziness. “I’m glad. They’ll make sure he gets the help he needs.”

  “I hope so. I still can’t believe it happened, you know?” She shook her head, sending her soft auburn hair gliding over her shoulders, picking up a glint of gold from the streetlamp. “I keep feeling I’m watching a movie of the week.”

  “It would probably be on that chick station.”

  She smiled a little for some reason. The first smile he’d seen on her face in hours. God, he was glad to have it back.

  “You know,” he said, thinking of why this had happened, of what had sparked Brian’s rampage, “I’d happily burn that list of yours…if it hadn’t led to us meeting.”

  She glanced up. Maybe she’d heard the note of intensity he couldn’t keep out of his voice.

  “I suppose I feel the same way,” she admitted.

  And suddenly he knew the subject had changed. They’d finished dealing with murders and cameras and stalkers. Now they were talking about them, Nick and Melody. They both knew it.

  “Why did you send me away tonight?” he asked, crossing his arms and leaning against the wall.

  She countered with a question of her own. “Why did you come back?”

  He frowned. “I forgot Fredo’s water bowl…why do you think?”

  Swallowing visibly and twisting her hands together in her lap, she said, “I sent you away because I was afraid.”

  “Afraid I’d hurt you.” His voice was low.

  She nodded. “And afraid I didn’t know my own mind, that I couldn’t trust my own feelings.”

  He was about to tell her she could trust his when she continued, “But I knew I’d made a mistake. I came in here to change so I could go to your place and tell you…something.”

  Straightening, he approached the bed, moving slowly, not wanting to startle her when she was finally opening up. “Tell me what?”

  Melody nibbled her lip, her head down. Eyeing him through a few tendrils of hair that fell over her face, she said something that made no sense at first. “I was going to tell you I’m not going to move to Antarctica, and I’m not going to eat my way through February and April.” She breathed deeply, as if to calm her slightly shaky voice. “I wanted to say that I know you’re going to fit me as well in June as you do right now.”

  And he got it. Immediately. She was referring to the crazy conversation they’d had a while back ab
out shopping for a bathing suit when she was looking for a leather coat.

  Unable to contain a small smile, he nodded. “Does that make me the pink-spotted bikini?”

  Melody giggled, the sound washing over him like a cool, clean blast of fresh air. Unexpected, cleansing and utterly delightful.

  “I love you, Melody,” he said before the laughter had left her lips.

  She froze. Her lips parting, she simply stared at him from the center of the bed, as if not sure she’d heard correctly.

  “I love you,” he repeated.

  “Is that what you came back to tell me?”

  “Yeah. I also wanted you to know I’ll wait if you need more time.” Lord, he hoped she didn’t need too much of it. Because it was already killing him to think of walking out of here tonight and being away from her until morning. Much less being away from her for days. Weeks. Months. He might lose his mind.

  He sat on the edge of the bed, shifting to face her, but not going too close, not crowding her in any way. “I also want you to know something. I’m not a cheat. When I give my word, it’s unbreakable.”

  She inched closer. Just an inch, but it was something.

  “I will love you as much twenty years from now as I do today, and I swear to you, I will never break your heart. I’ll never let you regret it if you allow yourself to love me, too.”

  Another inch. Another deep breath. Another sigh. And finally, another smile. “Oh, Nick, I don’t have to give myself permission to love you. I fell in love with you when I was sure I would never love anyone again.”

  He dropped his head back, closing his eyes, letting her words and the surety in her voice fill his head. Letting her presence—her whispers, her scent, her sweet, sweet face—fill every corner of his memory.

  When he felt able to look at her again, he found her watching him.

  “You know,” she said, “I started loving you the moment I looked out my window that night and saw you sitting in your car, watching to make sure I was okay.”

  That was still a touchy subject. “I know you don’t want to be protected,” he said, remembering her arguments from earlier that day. “And that you’re capable of taking care of yourself.” Thinking of Brian and that five-iron, the woman was more than capable. “But I’ve got to tell you, Mel, it’s who I am. I’m a bossy, arrogant cop and I’m going to have a hard time ever letting you put yourself in danger if there’s anything I can do to stop it.”

  “How about if I promise not to put myself in danger?” she asked, that little smile still playing about her lips.

  She eliminated the final space between them, rising to her knees and sliding her arms around his neck. “I love you, Nick Walker. I don’t need time. I don’t need any more reassurances.” Laughing softly, she added, “I know you know I can swing a golf club, so I’m not at all worried about some floozy catching your eye.”

  “Impossible,” he said, shaking his head. “You’re the only woman I see.”

  She communicated her happiness—and her emotions—by kissing him sweetly, lightly, delicately.

  That lasted about ten seconds before Nick had had enough. Wrapping his arms around her, he hauled her close, parting his lips over hers, making love to her mouth the way he wanted to make love to her body.

  She tasted so damn good. Perfect.

  They shared everything they were feeling in the silence of the kiss, and soon it was enhanced by want. Hunger. The need they’d had for each other since the minute they’d met.

  “I’ve never made love to someone I loved…and someone who I knew loved me,” he muttered against her mouth as he pulled his shirt off and tossed it away.

  When he reached for the bottom of her nightshirt, however, she stilled his hand and backed up. “Then we’d better make it something to remember, don’t you think?”

  Without explanation, she slid off the edge of the bed, standing in front of him in a puddle of moonlight. Her expression confident and inviting, she began to lift up her nightshirt. Slowly. Her teasing was surely going to kill him before the night was over.

  It was like the first time all over again. The excitement was just as powerful, the want just as overwhelming. His impatience was driving him wild. “You are one beautiful woman, Melody Tanner,” he managed to whisper.

  “And you are one beautiful man, Nick Walker.”

  He was about to reach for her, to rip off the shirt she was taking her own sweet time with, when he spied a flash of blue between her legs. “Holy mother of God…”

  She pulled the shirt a little more, revealing the thin, feathery strip riding over each hip. And those dark swirled peacock feather eyes riding low on her body. Right above the place where he wanted to lose himself forever.

  “Ah, I see you recognize it,” she murmured as she continued to pull the shirt up. Revealing her hips. Her midriff. Then more of that sultry blue—the bottom of the bra.

  “Oh, yes, ma’am, I definitely recognize it,” he said, wondering how he could get the words past his tight throat. He choked out a rough laugh. “Considering it’s more than likely evidence, I don’t think I’m going to forget it.”

  Melody tugged the nightshirt completely off and dropped it to the floor. As she stared at him, her blue eyes glittered as brightly as the skimpy lingerie she wore. She stepped closer, her whole body swaying, so feminine, so soft and desirable. His fantasy girl come to life.

  Only, she was no fantasy. And she was no girl. She was his woman, his mate in every possible way. Or she would be, as soon as he put his ring on her finger. Which would happen as soon as she was ready.

  “If you think I’m giving this up for somebody to use as evidence in a murder trial, you’re sadly mistaken,” she said, her voice challenging, her stance provocative. “If anybody wants this off my body, they’re going to have to come and get it.”

  He needed no more invitation than that. Rising slowly from the bed, Nick stepped toward her.

  “It’s mine,” she added, licking her lips but not backing away as he approached. “And from now on, honey, what’s mine, I keep.”

  Melody was talking about more than lingerie, now, he knew it. Just as sure as he knew what she was saying. “You can keep me as long as you want me,” he said. Forever would be nice.

  She lifted a hand to his face, rubbing the pad of her thumb over his lips. Nick kissed her fingers, then caught her hand in his own and began tugging her closer.

  “I’ve wanted you all my life,” she whispered before gliding into his arms. “Wanted someone to love me for who I am, and to make love to me until I’m sure I’m going to die from the pleasure of it. Someone who’s good and honorable and honest. Brave and sweet and sexy.”

  He rolled his eyes. “Don’t overdo it.”

  “I’m not overdoing a thing,” she whispered as she slid her arms around his neck and leaned up until their faces were only a breath apart. “You’re my dream man. My fantasy guy. Number one on my list, now and forever.”

  He laughed softly. “As long as I’m the only man on your list.”

  “I wouldn’t have it any other way,” she whispered.

  Her lips were so close to his they nearly brushed together, separated by only the tiniest sliver of late-night air.

  And then, there was nothing between them at all.

  EPILOGUE

  ROSEMARY AND DEX WERE married in a small civil ceremony six weeks later. Nick served as best man, and Melody as maid of honor. Tanya and Paige were witnesses.

  The rest of the Chiltons would see them later at dinner. Because of the stress in Rosemary’s family, the couple had decided on this low-key wedding, not wanting to wait, not wanting to delay their joy over the baby they were expecting.

  The baby seemed to be a source of joy for all of Rosemary’s loved ones, who were still struggling to understand how Brian had gotten so sick without anyone ever realizing.

  Brian was in one of the best hospitals in the state, visited often by his sisters and his parents. Nick thought it doubtful th
at he’d ever be competent to stand trial, considering the psychiatric evaluations. Maybe that was just as well…Simon and Patty might not ever have their son back, but at least they didn’t have to fear for him in prison.

  It still made Melody sad to think that Rosemary wasn’t getting the big church wedding with the long white gown that she’d always dreamed of. Somehow, though, when she saw the way the bride and groom looked at each other after they’d said their vows, she had the feeling they didn’t give a damn.

  They were crazy in love. And love was enough.

  Meeting Nick’s eye from the other side of the judge’s chambers, she completely understood.

  God, life was good. Miraculous.

  With Nick by her side—living with her, working with her, loving her every minute of the day—she felt capable of anything. Including, she had begun to suspect, accepting his proposal of marriage. He’d asked her a week ago, telling her she didn’t have to answer until she was ready. That she could take as long as she needed. Somehow, looking at the man who’d burst into her life a few short months ago, she began to realize she was ready. No more questions, no more doubts. She was absolutely certain she’d found the love of her life.

  Maybe Rosemary had been right. Maybe it had been fate.

  Or maybe Melody was simply the luckiest woman on the planet.

  “So,” Paige said as they all prepared to leave the courtroom after Dex and Rosemary had been pronounced husband and wife, “Tanya, you’re the last single one. We’ve got to get you a man.”

  “Huh. I’d rather have a vibrator,” Tanya said with a snort.

  The judge coughed. Nick and Dex rolled their eyes. And Melody, Rosemary and Paige all burst into laughter.

  Yeah. Life was so good. It’d taken a while, but Melody truly believed she’d finally gotten to the place she was meant to be, with the people she was meant to be with.

  Her family. And her love.

  “You know?” Melody said as they walked out the courthouse doors into the sunny, cool November day, “It hardly seems fair that Rosemary didn’t get to have a bachelorette party.”