by Jaymin Eve
“I’ll just get my documents,” he said, leading Melodee from the group.
“Why did you let her believe we were a couple?” she asked when they were out of earshot.
“CPS believe children function better within a family, especially if the couple are in a happy, settled relationship. If you want us to be able to keep Jewel for now, we need to present a united front.”
Melodee slammed her mouth shut. Damn him and his thoughtfulness, he was undoing twenty-three years of independence and the inability to rely on anyone but herself.
After a few hours, many phone calls, and a quick check of Jewel by the EMT’s, the cars finally left Nathan’s place. Melodee, Nathan and Charles were back inside the house. Power had been restored, and the heating had kicked back in.
“I say we head into town and meet up with Matty and Luke,” Charles said, his long legs spreading out before him as he sprawled back on the kitchen stool. He had Jewel sitting on his lap. “If the second storm hits, I don’t want to be stuck out here. I fitted the car seat into my truck, so we’re safe to go.”
“Jewel is going to need some food and diapers soon,” Melodee added. “If you drop me at the shop near my place I can walk home.”
Nathan growled. “You and Jewel are staying with me.”
Melodee shook her head, her first instinct demanding she stay in her own home. “No, you’ve done enough already. I can look after her until they find her family.”
He stalked across the room until he stood right before her. “Denise is going to check in with us. We have to be together or they might place her with another family. It’s just easier if you come to mine.”
His words were casual, but his eyes held depths of anger and something more that she couldn’t place.
Melodee sighed, she had forgotten about the CPS random checks. Denise had warned it could take a while to determine the identity of Jewel’s mother, and that she would pop in to make sure everything was going okay.
“Fine,” she said, throwing her hands in the air, “but you better have a spare room.”
Charles snorted. “His condo near the college has four bedrooms.”
It was Melodee’s turn to snort. “That’s as much a condo as this place is a cabin.”
Charles grinned. “You’ll have to get used to living with the rich and famous.”
Melodee screwed her nose up. “Your life is not mine and I won’t be getting used to it.”
“Come on.” Nathan took Jewel off his brother. “Let’s go shopping.”
Melodee’s feet dragged, she couldn’t force herself past the entrance. Jewel babbled as she stared around. Before them were the bright lights and fancy displays of a three level department store. Charles had dropped the three of them off. He said he’d be back in an hour.
“What’s wrong?” Nathan reached out and took her hand again. He was always touching her, messing with her senses and throwing her off her game.
“I figured we would stop at a Walmart or something similar. This is too much.” Melodee had no problem buying expensive or quality, but she generally ordered online. She planned on getting the best she could for Jewel, but since she wanted to use her money, and all she had on her was the change from the two hundred she’d taken to the grocer, she couldn’t shop here.
“Jewel deserves the best,” Nathan said, reiterating her thoughts. “So you’d better get in here and help me choose, because I have no idea what a baby needs.”
“I don’t have that much cash on me,” Melodee protested again.
Nathan leaned down from his considerable height and kissed her on the cheek. “If you think I’m letting you pay for anything, you’re in for a shock. I have plenty of money and Jewel is our responsibility together.”
Melodee almost stomped her foot, but unfortunately she was practical enough to know that he had a point.
“Fine,” she bit out, “but I’m paying you back.”
“I will never take your money,” Nathan said. “Right now, it makes me happy to be able to share my wealth with you and Jewel.”
Melodee pulled her hand free and started to move into the store. She hated money, it was the main source of the world’s evils, and no matter what anyone said, nothing came without hidden strings and agendas. Sooner or later Nathan Sinclair would show her that he was no different than everyone else.
Two hours later, Charles dropped them off in front of a dark gray building. It was one of those fancy apartments with the concierge to open the door and a security guard to check each person who entered. They only had a couple of bags; everything else was going to be delivered this afternoon. Nathan had refused to leave the store until they had enough baby gear to outfit an entire nursery. Melodee did not even want to think of how much money she’d need to pay him back, at minimum a few thousand dollars.
“I’ll pick up the boys and be back with the groceries,” Charles called from the window he had opened. “You all just wait here for the delivery.”
Somehow, Nathan had gotten a same-day delivery in the middle of a snowstorm. His family had a lot of power and pull in Syracuse. Actually, judging from everyone’s reaction, they had a lot of power in all of America. Entering the lift, Nathan pressed the penthouse button. Of course he would live in the penthouse. The smooth, noiseless box powered up.
“So what do your brothers do?” Melodee wanted to understand this family she had found herself thrust into. She’d never had a real family and she had no idea where she fit in, how to act.
“Matty is a barrister – he’s most like Dad and will eventually head into politics,” Nathan said, as he held open the lift for them to exit.
The hallway they stepped into was opulent, with gold and ornate edgings, plush carpets and silence that could only come from soundproofing. There seemed to be just the one door on this level, so Nathan had the entire floor.
“Charlie’s in law school, two years to go, and Luke is just a freshman at Syracuse, but he’s actually leaning toward med school.”
Melodee found it odd that the affable Charles had chosen something like law school. And Luke was only a freshman.
“For some reason I thought Luke was a junior at least,” she said.
Nathan’s features froze, his eyes dulled as he answered.
"Luke got really sick a few years ago, in his first year of college. He was hospitalized for a long time. Bacterial Meningitis.”
He had to rub his chest a few times, that damn dull ache was back. He got it every time he thought about how close they came to losing their youngest brother.
“Holy shit,” Melodee gasped.
“The doctor said if he hadn’t been so healthy to start with he’d have died. No questions. We got lucky that time.” Nathan focused on Melodee, a grin creasing his handsome features.
“Are you the only athlete?” She asked as he buzzed his front door open.
“We all played. Growing up we dominated the court, but I’m the only one with serious contentions for going professional.”
Nathan took the bags off her as they stepped into his home. It was huge, and very open-plan. A sunken lounge bordered a massive state-of-the-art kitchen. The colors were light and modern, much nicer than the monochromatic she’d expected.
“Mother insisted on decorating, and when she sets her mind to something it’s not worth arguing with her.” He dropped the bags onto the table. “Luckily, the end result was better than I expected from the ice queen.”
Melodee observed him for a moment. “You don’t get along with your parents?”
He laughed in a harsh bark. “They’re both selfish assholes, more interested in keeping up appearances and making money than their kids. Actually, to be fair, Dad’s not all bad, he’s just always been busy. Politicians travel all the time, but Mother was born into the life of privilege and cares for no one but herself.”
Melodee settled Jewel down onto the soft flat surface of his couch, tucking a blanket around her. The poor thing was exhausted, having been up all day. M
elodee hoped she’d be able to have a decent nap.
“So how is it that you and Charles are as far from selfish assholes as possible?” She couldn’t sate her curiosity, which was unusual. Usually she had no problem minding her business. But he was so unlike the arrogant ass she’d expected. Her experience with the Sinclairs so far showed depth of character and a caring attitude. Where had they learned that?
“Our grandparents did most of the raising, giving us much needed stability and love.” His eyes softened. “I believe they infused a strength in the four of us that we could never have gotten from our parents. We made a pact when we were young, after we lost our Gran and Gramps, that the Sinclair brothers would stick together.”
With those words, the front door opened and in marched three of the hottest men Melodee had ever seen – behind Nathan of course, who was beyond her wildest dreams of a perfect specimen. Charles was first; a smile crossed his face when he saw her, swooping in for a kiss on the cheek. He dropped the big bags of groceries at her feet.
“Hello, gorgeous.” He looked around. “Where’s my little girl?”
Melodee shushed him, pointing to where Jewel was sound asleep. She looked adorable with mussed black curls and her head tilted to the side, mouth slightly open. Charles pouted a little when he realized that Jewel was not going to be playing with him anytime soon.
The shortest of the four, but still around six feet tall, stepped forward. He was dark in all ways where Nathan was light, his hair a spill of midnight across his bronze features. “Charlie filled me in, and what the hell were you thinking, Nathan?”
Melodee figured this was Matthew. He screamed eldest, and had the biting tones of a lawyer.
“Mind your own business, Matty, we are just temporarily caring for Jewel until her family can be found.”
“Dad’s going to shit a brick.” Luke, the youngest, with blond hair like Nathan, but darker blue eyes, laughed as he spoke. “Wait until the press gets a hold of this.”
“I don’t give a flying dick,” Nathan said. “I gave up caring about that asshole many years ago.”
Charles interrupted their argument. “How about you all pull your heads out of your asses and say hello to Melodee. She has the ability to kick any of you in the balls before you can even blink, so maybe don’t ignore her.”
Luke laughed then, thinking Charles was kidding. His laughter died off when he noticed their unamused expressions. “Are you serious? She’s tiny and way too hot to be a fighter.”
Melodee closed her eyes, it would not be appropriate to prove him wrong. There was a time and place.
Nathan stepped closer to her. “All of you stop talking, you’re going to wake Jewel, and Melodee has enough to deal with right now. You’re only here to help me set up the nursery. Other than that, keep your opinions to yourselves.”
Luke stepped up to her then, hand extended. “I’m Luke: rich, single and awesome in bed.”
Melodee flicked her eyes over to Charles. “I’m starting to get the idea that that line works a lot for you Sinclairs.”
Nathan shook his head. “The next person to hit on Melodee is going to lose their arms. I’ll be ripping them off and beating them to death with them.”
Melodee suppressed her smile; that was her favorite threat. Although he probably had the muscled build to pull it off.
The eldest Sinclair with his serious features distracted her by stepping forward. “I’m Matthew. And I don’t know what your agenda is, Melodee...” His voice was cold. “But I will be keeping an eye on you to make sure you don’t take advantage of Nate, so watch your back.”
Melodee froze, she did not like it when people got into her face and demanded or threatened. But before she could move, Nathan growled, the vibrations of his anger spilling over into the room.
“Never threaten her again, Matty, or we are going to have a problem.”
Matthew did not back down. “You’re letting her beauty fool you. Don’t forget Mother. Lovely on the outside doesn’t equal it on the inside.”
Melodee saw it then: scars littered Matthew’s soul; as the eldest he probably copped the worst treatment from the parents. This calmed her righteous anger, she knew all about scars from parents.
“There is nothing about Melodee that isn’t beautiful.” Nathan held her eyes as he said this.
Melodee’s heart fluttered at these words. For the first time in her life she realized she cared about someone. Somehow, in less than forty-eight hours, Nathan had worked his way under her armor and nothing could have scared the shit out of her more. Because she already knew that nothing could destroy a person faster than love.
Chapter 6
Melodee had been quiet since the confrontation with Matthew. Nathan knew he'd scared her with his declaration, but he didn’t regret a word he’d said. She was a good soul, and that was rare enough in his world that he was afraid he was going to lock her up and never let her go. He could sense she wanted to run, that the tension between them scared her. Which meant he was more determined than ever to keep her here, shamelessly using Jewel to his advantage. The gorgeous little baby was Melodee’s Achilles heel, and he was taking every advantage he had. On the court he was the one who could read the other teams’ plays before they even happened. Strategy was his thing and he wasn’t letting go of his game plan.
It had taken most of the afternoon, but with his brothers’ help they had set up the nursery. After a while even Matthew had fallen under both Jewel and Melodee’s spell. Though if he knew his older brother, he’d have a full background check on Melodee by next week.
“See you tomorrow at the game,” Charles called to him as he followed the others out the front door.
Melodee walked out of the nursery.
“Is she asleep?” Nathan asked.
Melodee nodded. “Yes, she’s definitely a fan of proper baby bottles and a pacifier. Thank you for her nursery, it’s perfect.”
Nathan didn’t like to see the fatigue on Melodee’s face; it had been a big two days for her, starting with a massive car accident. She still had bruises littering her body, and on top of that she’d been up with Jewel a lot last night. He wondered if she would let him do the baby duties tonight.
“I shifted the mattress from that first spare room into Jewel’s room,” she said. “I don’t want her to wake up alone and be scared in a new place.”
Nathan nodded, stepping out from behind the kitchen, moving into Melodee’s personal space. He couldn’t help himself, he was drawn to her, and right now it was all he could do to stop himself pulling her into his arms and drowning in her softness.
“So you have a basketball game tomorrow?” Melodee hadn’t missed Charles’ comment from before.
“Yes, we have two games left before Christmas break.” He grinned at her. “Looks like you’ll get to see your first game.”
Melodee raised her eyebrows. “What makes you think I’ll be there? I have to look after Jewel.”
Before Melodee could stop him, Nathan reached out and captured her arms, his large hands wrapping around her biceps as he pulled her closer. She could have freed herself, but right now she was struggling just with the breathing part.
“You and Jewel will be there, front and center. It would be expected of my girlfriend.”
Melodee attempted to moisten her dry lips. “I'm not your girlfriend.”
He laughed, releasing her from the intensity of his body. “Right now you are, and everyone will be watching. Do it for Jewel,” he added.
Melodee’s eyes narrowed, and before he could process her movements she’d pressed right up to him. Her voice was low and breathy. “I know what you’re doing, Nathan Sinclair,” she snarled at him, “and if you don’t stop I’m going to kick your ass.”
He laughed then, she was so damn tiny, but he had seen her skills firsthand. “Is it messed up that you’re actually turning me on with those threats?”
She stilled before him and he caught the flaring of her eyes. He wasn’t the only one
feeling it. Time to push his luck.
Two steps and she was in his arms.
Two seconds and his lips were on hers.
Two breaths and she owned him.
Melodee couldn’t figure out what happened. One minute they were arguing – she was threatening him, which was what she did best – and then he was kissing her. Nathan was everywhere, and at the same time he was gentle, just his lips on hers. She couldn't stop the moan as their tongues clashed, an intimate dance between both mouths. If this was how he kissed, her knees almost buckled at the thought of his mouth on other parts of her body. Her nipples hardened then, as if they’d had the same thought. She knew, somewhere in the back of her frenzied mind, that she should be pulling away. Nathan was not from her world, and he had ‘heartbreaker’ written all over him. But instead she pushed further into him, seeking more, demanding more.
The height difference forced her to stand on tiptoes and crane her neck, but Nathan gripped her thighs and hauled her into his arms. She could feel his arousal pressed to the most intimate part of her, and right now she could think of nothing but having him inside her.
“Damn, Dee, if you don’t tell me to stop right now, I won’t,” he groaned, his hands tightening on her legs as he pulled her closer to him.
Melodee didn’t think she had the ability to speak, let alone push him away. Her body wanted this more than it wanted anything else right now.
Jewel’s cries rang through the room, startling Melodee. She wrenched her mouth from Nathan's, but he didn’t put her down straight away. He rested his forehead against hers, his breathing hard and jagged. “Well, fuck,” he said.
“I hate that word,” Melodee whispered to him.
His eyes captured hers, and this close the blue and green was faceted with a million shining pigments. “You better go see Jewel.”
She stumbled down, her normally graceful walk nowhere to be seen. Jewel’s second cry had her snapping out of her dazed arousal. She turned from Nathan and moved toward the nursery.