The Melody In My Head (Love and Music in Texas Book 2)

by Nikki Lynn Barrett

  "Oh Jameson, why do you have to go and say things like that?" Melody laughed, sounding a little bitter. "It makes me want things that can't be."

  "What are those things, Melody?" Jameson whispered, leaning closer.

  "I don't know … starting something with you. Living a normal life again. Not having to hide or fear someone coming after me. Sitting with you on your roof while writing songs and getting lost in the music." Her tone was wistful, driven by emotion.

  "So you feel what I do." It wasn't a question, more of a statement, but he anticipated her response, all the while his pulse quickened and his desire for her spiked.

  "If what you feel is a need so strong but you know it's dangerous, then yeah." Her smoldering eyes met his, matching every feeling that raced through him at the moment. "But, Jameson- ."

  "Shh. How about we try that not thinking again?" He inched closer to her, his lips so close to hers now. He claimed her mouth with his. Yeah, this not thinking worked out well. The only thing he knew, that he wanted to know, was how much he needed to touch her. Hold her. Keep her near him and not let go. Melody had found a way into his mind and heart without him fully realizing it, and it wasn't something he was ready to leave behind yet. Forget consequence. Forget the aftereffects. Right now, he just wanted to have her. More than just the kisses they'd shared. So much more.

  Melody stopped protesting, and met his lips with an eagerness that nearly sent him over the edge. He smiled as she curled a hand around his neck, digging her fingers into his skin. He met her gaze, so intent and focused on him. Her lips parted, and a small moan escaped from them. He had her exactly where he wanted her. A strong vibration of need pulsed through him as he trailed the tip of his finger down her cheek, loving how silky smooth her skin felt. "I don't know what I'm doing when it comes to you, but I do know I love the way it makes me feel." His voice grew husky.

  She shivered beneath his touch. Jameson laughed. Melody raised a perfectly arched brow.

  "What is so funny?" she asked, beginning her own trail down his chest and stopping just above the waistline of his jeans. Oh, so she wanted to play that way? Okay, he'd give her that satisfaction. He shuddered when she teased his sides with her fingertips. "I fight just as dirty," she grinned, leaning up to kiss his cheek.

  Jameson turned his head to take her lips again. He pushed gently on her until she was on her back, staring up at him with rounded, gorgeous eyes. Jameson could easily get lost in them, the way they looked further into his soul than he'd care to admit. He couldn't decide where to start. "Do you have any idea what you do to me, Melody?"

  She shook her head and blinked innocently. "I have no idea." Her tone was seductive and playful.

  "You drive me wild, that's what you do to me." Jameson went for her neck, running a line of kisses there that had her in the palm of his hands. Gently, he lifted her up and fingered the strap of her short sleeved shirt. Was he pushing? Should he really be doing this?

  Yeah, go away, conscience. Stuff it.

  He knew Melody wanted him as much as he wanted her when she shrugged the shirt off and was exposed down to her lacy, sexy bra. Jameson's breath hitched as he took in the sight of her. She sent a sultry smile his way. "Like what you see?"

  Oh yeah. Hell yeah he did.

  He reached to unclasp her bra. Melody slapped his hand lightly. Confused, he met her stare.

  "I think it's your turn for clothing removal first." She slid a mischievous smile his way.

  "I think something can easily be done about that." Jameson sat up, flung his shirt off and tossed it away. Checking the door, he turned the lock and made his way back to Melody. She was still ahead of the game. She sat in the middle of the bed, waiting for him with open arms. She'd taken her bra off and her ample breasts awaited him. Jameson didn't delay. He took her in his arms, leaving kisses on her face, her neck and down to her breasts. He took them in his hands and kissed the spot right between them. "Mel? Are you sure about this? I don't want to make you uncomfortable. I don't want-"

  She cupped his face and kissed the corner of his mouth. "Jameson, I want this. I want you. I can't stop thinking about you, no matter how I try."

  She didn't have to say any more.

  She was so beautiful. Tall, slender, the right amount of curves and she matched his every desire. As he dipped to take a nipple in his mouth, Melody moaned. He could feel her tugging on his jeans. He could help her, but right now he was right where he wanted to be and didn't want to stop. He swept his tongue out, lightly teasing her skin. She gasped, followed by another moan.

  How could something so uncertain feel right? The unknown of what would become of them was evident. They were two people at different paths in their lives, but their desire for one another grew stronger. This was the last thing Jameson expected, but what a surprise. They shared more than two people needing a friend through a rough time. It had grown into something much deeper.

  They quietly undressed each other the rest of the way and sprawled out on the bed naked. Melody's curly locks surrounded her face. Jameson playfully circled her belly button with his finger and her body reacted. He chuckled. He was having too much fun.

  "You're teasing terribly, Jameson." Melody stuck out her lower lip, but her eyes lit up.

  "No pouting." He raised his head to her face and nipped lightly at her lip.

  "Then no teasing. Or I'll get back to fighting dirty."

  "What if I don't take that as a threat, but a promise?"

  Chapter Fourteen

  Everything in her mind screamed run. Melody listened to her heart instead. Waking up in Jameson's arms had been refreshingly wonderful. When she'd opened her eyes to see him watching her, for awhile she felt like she belonged. She wanted to belong. Right here in Jameson's arms. He made her feel like she'd always been meant to be there.

  And right then and there, she had given in to every resistance she'd been holding onto. Forget everything else. She wanted Jameson's hands all over her, touching, feeling.

  She just had to remind herself not to fall for Jameson Grant. Because it wouldn't work.

  Might be a little too late for that.

  The madness in her mind faded every time Jameson reached for her. He ran his slightly calloused hands along her belly, down lower as he neared her throbbing area that yearned for him to be inside her. A deep, desperate fire burned within, only growing hotter as Jameson teased his way up and down her body with his kisses and his tongue. She fisted a hand, and with her other pulled Jameson to her so they were touching, full body contact. His breaths were short as he took her mouth for another satisfyingly hot kiss.

  Melody reached for his dick, wanting to please him. Jameson had been all about her, and right now she needed to give back. She wrapped her hand around him and stroked him slowly at first.

  "Melody..."

  She loved the way he said her name. It came out as a sigh of content. Jameson positioned himself to her command with a smile. As she stroked faster, he plunged a finger into her wet folds, massaging the ache that grew from dull to intense in just seconds. The look in his eyes gave her a shiver, as his gaze never left her face. He pulsed and shook at her constant touch, and she had to try her hardest not to stop or slow down as her own body gave in to the temptation of Jameson.

  It wasn't long until she felt the climax beginning. It came in waves, each stronger than the one before. Melody clamped her lips shut in order to not release a scream that would surely wake up the neighborhood. She was dizzy with pleasure as her head spun, and every vein and pulse point on her throbbed. Her legs tingled and shook, still writhing. She didn't realize that she had stopped stroking Jameson until he moved off the bed. She whirled her head to find out what he was doing.

  "You're amazing, Melody. My sweet Melody." Jameson's voice was thick with passion as he unwrapped a foiled packet. He'd grabbed a condom.

  Melody sat up, still reeling from the pleasure's aftermath and took the condom from his hand, grinning slyly. "Allow me."

 
Jameson shrugged as Melody took her time rolling it over his penis. He grunted a time or two, which had her laughing, but finally finished putting it on. Jameson's hand was on her shoulder again and he met her eyes. So deep blue, full of passion. Magnificent. So different from anyone she'd ever met.

  As he spread her legs apart and settled himself between them, Melody moaned as the tip of his cock entered her. Her entire body tingled.

  "You are amazing, Melody," he whispered, lowering his face to hers. He thrust into her with an urgent need. Hard and fast. She dug her hands into his back and pulled him closer. She wanted to feel every inch of his skin.

  Hot ecstasy engulfed her. Brilliant colors seemed to explode before her eyes. She had to close them and open them again to see straight. "Don't stop, don't stop!" she cried out.

  "I have no intentions on stopping, baby," Jameson muttered against her lips, suckling her lower one. Melody cupped his face, stroking along his jawline until she needed another taste of his kiss.

  I need you!

  The words caught in her throat. Instead, she let out another moan of pleasure. Jameson rode her to the brink of falling and never coming back up. She gasped for air.

  "You okay?" His voice thick with emotion, he slowed down.

  "Just fine," she reassured him. "How can I not be with you here with me?"

  The blue in his eyes lightened. He continued to drive into her. He lowered his head to kiss her neck, teasing right in the curve behind her ear. Melody closed her eyes. She couldn't take it anymore. Her body exploded in another wild climax. Tears slid down her face as she tried to gain control of her wild heartbeat. Jameson fell on top of her just seconds later.

  "I can't breathe." He laughed, huffing.

  Melody lazily ran her fingers through his hair, loving the feel of his breath on her chest. They laid there in silence for awhile.

  "I wish there wasn't so much to do today." Jameson broke the silence. He tilted his head to meet her stare. "I could stay here with you all day and do more of that." His grin was contagious. Melody laughed.

  "I could, too." Not even just all day, but all her life.

  Whoa. Talking about jumping the gun. That thought shouldn't have come up like that. But it had, and she needed to deal with it.

  "What are you thinking about?" Jameson rolled off of her and removed the condom. He tossed it in the trash near the desk. Melody couldn't help but watch him retreat and then return, enjoying the view of his body. He climbed back into bed with her, grabbing the blanket and draping it over them.

  How much I care about you.

  She didn't dare say that out loud. Her heart swelled at the thought of being near Jameson more.

  "Hey," he said gently, twirling a lock of her hair in his finger. He kissed her temple. "You look like you're about to cry."

  "Kind of," she admitted. "But it's not bad tears. I'm overcome with a lot of feelings right now." Most of them being about him.

  "So tell me about them."

  Melody opened her mouth to reply. Then they both bolted up, startled, when Blaine's voice drifted through the walls.

  "Jameson? Where are you?"

  "Crap," he muttered, frowning. He gave her another kiss. "We'll finish this conversation later?" His tone was hopeful.

  Melody nodded, unsure what else to say. Time to face the day.

  *****

  This morning should not have happened. I'm only going to make things worse for both Jameson and I.

  No matter how much she tried, Melody couldn't focus on work today. Her mind still went back to Jameson and their morning lovemaking. How could she allow her guard to be let down so much? How could she let her heart take over instead of thinking rationally? Jameson fit the picture perfect world in her mind, the one that wasn't hers to live, no matter how much he offered his help or had been there for a shoulder to cry on. She had to find a way to untangle herself from Jameson's effect.

  "Hi Mary. Do you know if Jameson works today? I've got some estimate info on his truck and I forgot to ask him yesterday."

  Melody jumped in her seat, startled. Lucas stood on the other side of the desk. She couldn't read his expression.

  Her cheeks heated. Why, she wasn't sure. Just the sound of Jameson's name. Shit. Lucas might catch on fast that something was up. Not that it mattered really, but she didn't feel like explaining herself. "Yeah, he said something about working when I talked to him this morning." She didn't give anything away with her expression, had she?

  They'd definitely done more than talk this morning. Way more.

  "All right. I'll just send him a text later. I know he's probably taking care of things, getting his mom over to the rehab center." A dark look crossed Lucas's face and he frowned. Then he shook his head. "Well, I'd better get back to it. I'll see you later. Meet you at eight for a ride?"

  "Yeah, sounds good. Thanks, Lucas."

  Lucas was just about out of the inn's entryway when someone bumped into him. It looked like Shelly's boyfriend. The guy gave him an aggravated grunt, but if Melody saw the exchange correctly, the guy had bumped into Lucas. Shelly came into view behind him.

  "Watch where you're going, dude!" the boyfriend snapped.

  Melody waved at Shelly. "You're looking good," she said with a smile. "How's the baby?"

  "Good! I just needed a bit of a break from the hospital." Shelly kept looking back over at her boyfriend. Lucas had already walked off.

  "Are you ready to get some food, Shelly?" her boyfriend asked, coming up behind her and put an arm around her possessively. The nice attitude that he'd had with Melody the first night was gone. Now he looked tired, irritable and not to be messed with.

  Something was way off. She felt bad for Shelly, but she had enough to try and sort out.

  "Yes of course," Shelly nodded. She gave one last look at Melody before taking off. No goodbye, nothing.

  Maybe their problems hadn't been fixed. Shelly acted more on edge than she'd been when they first arrived in Harmony's Echo.

  Melody spotted Lucas coming through the hall again a little while later. After she'd helped everyone, he came up to the desk. His brows furrowed.

  "You don't know much about Shelly and her boyfriend, do you?" he asked in a hushed tone. He kept his eye on the door.

  She shook her head. Maybe Lucas picked up on the same things she had. "Unfortunately, no."

  "I got bad vibes from him, and he sure as hell had an attitude. I don't know. I sense a lot of trouble there. Figured I'd see if you had any idea. She follows him around like he owns her or something. Not my business, but it just bothered me."

  It bothered her too, but what could be done about it? Who knows how long they were going to be around after the baby was released? She tried to recall any hints from when they'd been talking on the bus, but nothing came up. Like herself, Shelly had been pretty tight lipped about what she'd been running from.

  Lucas shrugged and said goodbye, walking off with Avery's dad.

  The phone rang. She reached to answer it.

  "I was hoping you'd be the one to answer the front desk."

  Melody smiled at the sound of Jameson's voice, but then panicked. Why would he be calling the inn, let alone to talk to her? Was something wrong? "Hi!" she said a little too excited. Act calm. That's what she needed to do. Her heart raced just from the sound of his voice. "What's going on?"

  "Not much. I'm heading into work. Blaine and I got Mom off to the rehab center. It was hard, and we all were pretty emotional, but she seems like she's ready to get back on track. I think Blaine coming home did the trick for her." Melody detected a trace of sadness in Jameson's tone. She couldn't blame him. He'd been the one home helping her, watching her deteriorate, and she'd never given him much thought. "How is your day going?"

  "It's pretty good."

  "That's good. Anyway, I don't want to keep you long. I was hoping maybe you'll wait up for me tonight, if you aren't too tired. I have something planned, if you're up for it."

  That certainly caugh
t her interest. "Really? What would that be?" What on earth would he plan for when he got home after eleven? And now she'd have to wait all day just to find out! Jameson had a way of driving her crazy even when he wasn't around. Damn him. Melody smiled.

  "That, sweet Melody, is a surprise." Jameson chuckled.

  He'd given her a nickname. Sweet Melody. Call her giddy and a sap, but she enjoyed it. Loved the way he treated her so well. She held back the tears. This was getting way out of hand. What right did she have to get his hopes up, let alone her own? She didn't know how to easily stay away from him anymore.

  "Tell you what. If I'm asleep, you have my permission to come wake me." My, how the possibilities ran through her mind with that one. She'd do everything within her power to stay awake, but just in case...

  Goosebumps broke out on her arms at the thought.

  "Hmm. Now I'm not sure if I want you awake or asleep when I get home." He chuckled. "I'll let you get back to work. Until tonight. I'll be thinking of you." Jameson made a noise that sounded like a kiss, and disconnected the call.

  If only the time would speed up, and her heartbeat would go back to normal.

  *****

  Lucas had an uneasy feeling all day. No matter how he tried, he couldn't concentrate. There were times he'd been caught up on his own world when he was talking to someone, like Avery's dad.

  "Are you all right, son?" his soon to be father in law asked, clicking the pen in his hand repeatedly.

  Lucas shook it off. "Yeah, I'm good. Sorry. I'm not sure what's with me today."

  "Better catch up on all the sleep you can. When that beautiful grand baby of mine comes into this world, you're going to wish you could still get that sleep. But I'll tell you, it's the most rewarding job ever. Difficult, but an amazing part of life."

  Lucas knew they appreciated it even more when Avery had come into their lives. She'd been a sweet blessing, for himself as well. "Don't I know it. I just hope the last couple months turn out better. Avery has had it so rough with all the craziness of reporters not leaving us alone."