“I not only called him, I went to see him. He was busy with a client, so get this…I went to his office and waited for him. I must have waited two hours until he saw me.”
“What did you say to him?”
“I told him I had a tax question.”
“And then what?”
“It’s hard to ignore a naked woman in your office.”
“Right there in his office? You took your clothes off?”
“I knew what I wanted and I went after it. Pretty simple actually.”
“How did you ever have the nerve to do something like that?”
“I know how to get what I want. So, what do you think of him?”
“Like I said, he seems nice.”
“Come on,” Calla huffed. “Have you ever seen anyone that fucking good looking? He’s gorgeous. His brother’s not bad either, or his friend,” she said, turning toward the mirror to check herself out.
“Yes,” Melody agreed. “They’re all above average when it comes to looks.”
“And rich, too. And when I say Gabriel knows his way around the bedroom, too, believe me he does. Sex is great. He’s totally unconventional and has some dark, twisted ideas about pleasure that I have to admit”—she swallowed—“are hotter than hot.”
Melody tried to digest what Calla was telling her. “So you’re telling me you two just…”
“Fuck is the word I believe you’re looking for,” Calla said and laughed. “Still the prude. Well, let’s just say as fuck buddies go, he’s one of the best. I’ve never had so many orgasms.”
Melody turned away. Calla’s eyes followed her by way of the mirror. “You can’t still be a virgin, are you?”
“Calla, of course not,” Melody lied, not wanting her friend to think she was a prude.
“Well thank God for that. At least I know you’re not a lesbian.”
“You never thought that.” Melody gasped.
“Well, no, but you’ve always been so awkward about sex. I mean, I’ve had more men than I can count, and I’m just glad you’re not still a virgin. It would have been weird.”
“So I take it you’re not serious about this guy then?”
“Not really.” Calla hesitated. “He likes being in control, and so do I, so we’re not really that compatible outside of the bedroom. He likes to play games. One being that he likes to make me jealous. He’ll learn that making me jealous isn’t going to work. I have my ways of getting even.”
Melody wasn’t sure what to say. This did not sound like a match made in heaven. If anything, it sounded like they were really at odds with one another. She may not be as worldly as Calla, but she wasn’t stupid either, and she didn’t want either one of them using her as a tool in their battle of wills.
“I hope everything works out the way you want.”
“It will. Don’t you worry about that. Just know that he’s a little on edge tonight. And Constantine and Jonathan aren’t helping. Those two are real pains in my ass. But they could be useful,” she giggled.
“You usually have men eating right out of your hand.”
“Gabriel’s a lot of work, but in time, if he doesn’t bore me, I’ll have him trained. But by that time, I’m sure I won’t even want him anymore. Men like him usually don’t hold my interest for too long.”
“Okay,” Melody murmured.
“I’m ready. Let’s go back to the table before the place closes. And…” Calla smiled her Cheshire cat smile. “I think Constantine wants to talk to you.”
“What are you talking about?” Melody asked.
“You’ll see.”
When they returned to the table, the three men stood until she and Calla were seated.
“We were getting worried that you weren’t going to be able to find Melody, or that you found her and you two had left us,” Jonathan said, looking right at Melody and not Calla.
“Where’d you find her?” Gabriel asked.
“Nowhere exciting. She was just in the bathroom,” Calla answered.
“That seems to be a favorite place for women to meet,” Gabriel said dryly. “Men are in and out at the speed of light unless, of course, they’re given a reason to linger.” His eyes found Melody’s. She felt another blush coming on. Eyes that beautiful should belong to a woman, she thought, wishing he would stop looking at her. She was tired of blushing and feeling uncomfortable.
Constantine laughed. “I know exactly what you mean, brother.”
“Gabriel, we should be leaving,” Calla said, downing her last glass of wine.
“I want another drink,” Gabriel said coolly. “We’re not through here yet.”
“Me, too,” Constantine agreed. “How about you, Jonathan?”
“Sounds good. I’m not ready to leave either. At least not until after you’ve…”
“That’s right,” Calla said interrupted. “We can’t leave yet, can we?”
Melody watched the interaction with interest.
“Here’s to the very lovely Melody with the beautiful voice,” Constantine murmured, tipping his glass and emptying the contents.
“I’ll get another round,” she said anxiously.
“Aren’t you off duty yet? I thought the bar was closed.” Constantine snapped. “I have something I wanted to talk to you about.”
Melody felt as if he had slapped her. “Yes, I’m off duty, and no, the bar isn’t closed quite yet. I can get you all another drink.”
“Call for a waitress,” Gabriel ordered.
“Sorry, but the last half hour the bar is open, the waitresses no longer serve. It’s serve yourself.”
“In that case,” Gabriel said as if she were waiting for his permission, “then serve us, if that’s your desire.”
Calla’s face turned hard, almost unreadable. “Just go get the drinks, Melody.”
“I’ll be right back,” Melody said, wondering what it was with these guys. They seemed to be talking in code half the time. There was some kind of undercurrent running between all four of them. Calla was definitely on edge. And the two brothers who were sexy as hell were giving her reason to doubt her own sanity around them. She was a mass of contradictions and that was not like her. The only one who seemed remotely normal was Jonathan, and there was something about him, too. She couldn’t put her finger on it, but she was definitely the outsider here.
They were sexy but dangerous men, and she, who never liked danger before in her life, was attracted to them and that surprised her. She needed a drink. Maybe she’d make it a double.
Chapter Four
Constantine watched Melody walk away from them and toward the bar. She was a beautiful woman with a beautiful voice. She could also write music. He knew she was going to be famous, just like she had said she wanted, and he was going to help her get there. And along the way, he hoped that she would want to share his bed. He was amazed at how much he wanted to fuck her. He had felt desire for her as soon as he laid eyes on her. Maybe it was the strawberry-blonde hair or the big, innocent eyes, but whatever it was, she had gotten to him before a word had been spoken between them.
Just standing there at the table being introduced to her, he had wanted to drag her into his arms and kiss her senseless. It was as if she were silently begging him to take her into his arms and tell her everything was going to be all right. All he could think about was tearing her clothes off that luscious body and sinking himself deep within her. He had needed to get some control over his wayward thoughts or he was going to have to excuse himself. Luckily, he still had some self-control left. He had never felt so intense about a woman this quickly before. It was throwing him a bit off-balance.
Both Jonathan and Gabriel had also been eying her up, too. She would have been perfect for all three of them, except for Calla. She was a problem. Not for him and Jonathan, but for Gabriel. There was something about Calla he hadn’t liked from the moment he met her. He couldn’t hide it from Gabriel, who had thought he and Jonathan might also enjoy her, but had quickly changed his mind.
In fact, until tonight, he thought Gabriel had stopped seeing her.
“You know,” Calla said loudly, “Melody’s really pretty fucked up. That song she wrote, it’s dark and so is she. I could tell you things.”
“What kind of things?” Gabriel shot back.
Calla’s eyes widened as she continued to gaze into Gabriel’s eyes. “My parents practically raised her. She spent more time at my house than she did her own. My father used to laugh and say he should claim her on his income tax return. Her mother’s a drunk and so is her stepfather. Only he’s an abusive drunk.”
“Did he hurt Melody?” Constantine asked, his brow etched with concern.
“No matter how many times we called the cops, her mother refused to file charges. The woman was pathetic. Melody never said he did anything to her, but she’s her mother’s daughter. Who knows.”
“That must have been awful for Melody.” Jonathan’s voice was low.
“Sometimes I think my parents paid more attention to her than they did me. She was needy then, and I can tell you she’s needy now. So just beware.”
“I thought you two were friends?” Jonathan asked, shaking his head. “You don’t seem to be very sympathetic.”
“We are friends. And it’s not that I’m not sympathetic, it’s just that we’re not kids anymore and I can’t be her protector anymore. She needs to learn to take care of herself. I really debated about coming here tonight. I should have listened to my own instincts. Now I’m going to have to wean her from me all over again.”
“That’s pretty harsh,” Constantine said, realizing Calla had more of a personality flaw than even he had realized. “You sure you’re not just jealous because she’s so talented?”
“I’m not jealous of her. I pity her.”
“Weaning her should be easier this time. She’ll have her own career, new friends, and a life where she hopefully won’t miss you.” Gabriel’s voice was cold and distant.
Constantine was happy to see that Gabriel was getting tired of Calla’s crap, too. He and Jonathan exchanged a look in hope that Gabriel had finally come to his senses. His brother needed to dump her for good this time, no matter that she had initially intrigued him by stripping for him in his office. That in itself should have been a warning sign. However, Gabriel was a sucker for the unusual.
“Now, I didn’t mean it quite like that,” Calla said in her little girl voice. “I don’t want to hurt her feelings. I know Constantine is doing her a huge favor. I really appreciate it, Constantine, what you’re doing for my friend and I guess me, too.”
“I’m not doing her any favors. She deserves a recording contract. I’m certainly not doing it for you.”
“I agree,” Jonathan said. “She’s not only an excellent singer but a songwriter. That’s a combination that could produce a very long and lucrative career. Besides that, she seems really nice. I like her.”
“She’s gotten to you hasn’t she?” Calla stamped her foot beneath the table. “She always does this…gets people to feel sorry for her and then they get all protective. Well, don’t be taken in by her. She’s not nearly as helpless as you might think.”
“Enough of this talk,” Gabriel said with ill-disguised anger. “I’ve got to use the bathroom.”
“You want me to come with you?” Calla batted her eyelashes dramatically.
Obviously she was remembering Gabriel’s earlier statement about why men might linger in the bathroom. Constantine was glad to see that Gabriel ignored her.
After Gabriel had left the table, Calla turned to him. “You don’t like me much do you, Constantine?”
“I find you irritating to say the least.”
“Well, at least you’re honest. I wish you did like me, because I like you, and”—she looked seductively over at Jonathan—“I like you, too.”
“Come on, Calla. What’s your game?”
“Gabriel's exactly what I’ve been looking for in a man. He’s rich, powerful, and kinky. He’s also a man who doesn’t mind sharing his woman for the pleasure of all. I’ve been with a number of different men at the same time, and I like it,” she purred.
“Is that so,” Constantine said, leaning back in his chair. “And what makes you think we’d be interested?”
“I’m beautiful, I’m smart, and I know my way around the bedroom. And I can be as kinky as you like. I have few limits. Don’t tell me that doesn’t interest you?”
“What about you, Jonathan, does what Calla’s proposing interest you?”
“No.”
“Ouch! That hurts, Jonathan. You’re always so sweet, but I had a feeling that was just a facade. You didn’t even try to cushion the blow of rejection.”
“Not where you’re concerned. I’m not a lawyer, just a stockbroker, but I’m sure you’re the type of person who needs to hear the facts, and just the facts. Otherwise, you’ll look for a loophole.”
“What you must think of me. And you, Constantine, do you feel the same way?” She leaned down so her cleavage was further exposed while at the same time reaching under the table for Constantine’s leg. He shook her hand off.
“You’re Gabriel’s problem, not mine. I’m not complicating things by taking this conversation any further. Let’s just say Jonathan and I are of like minds.”
“That’s such a shame,” she mocked them. “And here I was willing to play so nicely with you. If you’re holding out for Melody, don’t. She’s sexless. You won’t find what you’re looking for there.”
How he would have liked to wipe that heartless smirk off Calla’s face. When he let his hand feel a woman’s flesh, it was done in the bedroom to enhance pleasure. She held no sex appeal for him in the least. The only thing he felt for her was abhorrence.
Gabriel walked back to the table and sat down. “What’s going on? You all look pretty serious.”
“I made them an offer that they refused.”
“Really,” Gabriel said, raising his eyebrow. “And what offer was that?”
“Do you want to tell him,” she said looking at Constantine, “or do you want me to tell him?”
“It was your offer, you tell him.” Constantine eyed Calla with distaste.
“I just told them that I like it with more than one man at a time and wouldn’t be averse to being shared with either of them or both of them as long as you remain in the mix. You’d like that, wouldn’t you?” She looked up at Gabriel, slowly drawing her tongue over her lips.
“You really are a total bitch, aren’t you?”
“I’m your bitch when you want me to be.”
“Don’t try and control me.”
“I just wanted to help bring you even more pleasure.”
Gabriel grabbed Calla’s arm and drew her upward from her seat and toward him. “I’m finding you to be less than desirable tonight. I’ll call get you a cab to take you home when we leave.”
“And here I thought you’d want to punish me first,” she said breathlessly.
“Where are the drinks?” Gabriel asked no one in particular, removing his hand from Calla’s arm as if he had been burned. “Melody’s been gone a while.”
Constantine looked over his shoulder. “She’s still at the bar. Looks like everyone wants to get in their last-minute drink orders.”
“I can’t wait to see her face when you tell her about the possibility of the recording contract.” Jonathan smiled.
“Are you really sure you want to go through with this? What if she had no more songs?”
“Damn it, Calla. Enough already,” Gabriel growled.
It looks like she’s got the drinks,” Jonathan observed. “She’ll be back here shortly.”
“I’ll tell her about the contract, if you don’t mind,” Constantine said, looking pointedly at Calla.
“Whatever you say. I can do what I’m told.”
Gabriel just shook his head and looked the other way.
Calla was a piece of work. Constantine could see where Gabriel was attracted to her spiritedness. How
ever, she had a mean streak a mile wide. That was what he had always sensed about her. She was beautiful but as hard as nails when it came to people, and he didn’t like that. Calla had never attracted him and all Melody did was make him want to get to know her better.
Gabriel thought women like Calla were fun to dominate and bring to heel because they professed to not to be submissive but usually ended up being more slave than submissive. His brother liked the challenge. It was a strong possibility that Melody really wasn’t Gabriel’s type. Maybe that would be for the best. The last thing he wanted was for Melody to make a choice between her friendship with Calla and his brother’s attention. He wasn’t sure his brother would win that decision.
Chapter Five
Todd was still behind the bar when Melody approached him with her order for final drinks, including her double bourbon and coke. She didn’t drink that often, but when she did, she found bourbon to be her favorite of the hard liquors.
Todd looked up when he saw Melody. “Hey, Melody. You done real good tonight.”
“Thanks. I was hoping I wouldn’t screw it up.”
“Well you didn’t. You should be proud of yourself.”
She gave him her order just as Max appeared out of nowhere and leaned up against the bar beside her. “You got some real nice friends.”
“I don’t know that I would call them all friends. I just met most of them tonight. They’re more acquaintances.”
“I wish I had acquaintances like you. I doubt I’d still be managing this bar.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I guess he hasn’t told you yet.”
“What are you talking about?”
“When Constantine tells you, act surprised.” Max was smiling like the cat that ate the canary.
“What?”
“He’s a lawyer and one of his clients is a record producer. He seems to think he can help you negotiate a contract. He asked me if I was your manager.”
“My manager?” She couldn’t have been more shocked. Her head was spinning from what Max had just told her.
“Yup. I told him I needed to confirm that with you.”
A Triple Melody (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 3