Vibrant Heart: Book 1 in the Great Plains Romance Series

by Corrissa James

  “Look, Raymond has his own demons to fight. They’re none of your concern.”

  He grabbed her elbow and spun her around, pulling her so close that his lips were just inches from hers. “Did he?” He spoke through a clenched jaw, fighting to control his anger. The pure rage in his eyes scared her, especially as she was in a hotel room, naked under her robe, alone with this man.

  “Let go of me.” She sounded more confident than she felt.

  The grip on her arms tightened. “Tell me!” he snarled.

  Melanie straightened her spine and pulled back her shoulders, standing to her full height to look him squarely in the eye. “Let go or I’ll scream.” She spoke quietly, but she knew he didn’t doubt her for an instant.

  He stared at her, his eyes softening as well his grip. His jaw relaxed as his anger disappeared—no, not disappear, not exactly. More like he was tucking it back into place, hidden from the prying eyes of the world.

  Realizing that he was fighting his own demons, Melanie’s knees wobbled. She focused on staying upright as she fought an intense urge to pull him close to her and hold onto him, telling him that everything would be all right. She could see in the way he looked at her that he wanted the same thing.

  She inhaled a shaky breath, overwhelmed by the power of her desire for the man standing so close to her that she could feel the warmth of his body, smell the hint of beer on his breath. She wanted him, more than she had ever wanted any man. The realization was both exhilarating and terrifying. The only thing she was absolutely certain of was that if she went to bed with Jake Monroe, she’d never find anyone else to measure up to the intensity she felt with him. Her body was screaming for her to rip off her robe and throw herself at him, but she couldn’t move, afraid she might do just that. She looked into his eyes, willing him to understand, begging him to make the decision that she was afraid to.

  When he left her standing there and walked out the door, Melanie finally exhaled. She collapsed on the bed, wanting to scream, but she wasn’t sure if it was out of relief or frustration.

  Chapter Twelve

  Jake stormed down the hallway, barely controlling his emotions, thankful he didn’t encounter any staff members as he slid out the back door and headed for his truck. The last thing he needed right now was for his staff to be terrified of his black rage. And they would be terrified, of that he had no doubt. What he wanted more than anything was to find Raymond and strangle him until the scrawny excuse for a human begged for mercy. Jake would wait until he felt the life leaving Raymond’s body and only then would he drop him to the ground, letting him gasp for breath.

  He slammed his truck door. Well, maybe he would let go. Maybe he wouldn’t. No matter what happened, Raymond wouldn’t be touching any women other than his wife, and he certainly wouldn’t be touching Melanie ever again. Jake cranked the ignition and growled. Melanie was his.

  Just as quickly as his anger had surged upon hearing Melanie’s explanation, it now drained from him, leaving him shaking in its wake. What did he mean, Melanie was his? He’d just met the woman, and yes he was attracted to her, but he barely knew her. He certainly had no claim over her. Melanie wasn’t the kind of woman to be claimed. She was the one who did the claiming, although he wasn’t sure she realized that herself. His lips curled into a smile. He saw it in her, in the way she stood her ground by the side of the road, on the stairs when she wasn’t worried about how intoxicating her beauty was, in the hotel room when her robe slipped open, revealing soft mounds of flesh that even now made him wish he had pushed the robe open just a little farther, shown just a little more of the heaven that he knew it hid. Such a woman should never be restrained or claimed or possessed.

  He leaned back against the seat, exhaling slowly, trying to block out the image of her staring him the eye, her chest heaving in anger, her robe falling open just enough to hint at the pure ecstasy it held. How was it that seeing her fully covered in a robe made her even sexier to him than when he’d seen her in her lacy bra and panties? It didn’t make any sense. None of it made any sense. How had this woman invaded his life so deeply, so completely in just a few hours?

  His heart thumped in his chest when he remembered what she’d said. She hadn’t hooked up with Raymond. Jake had assumed he had interrupted them, yet she said she bit his shoulder to get him to stop. So she didn’t want Raymond, despite certainly trying to protect him when Jake confronted her.

  Not protect. Excuse his actions, even dismiss them, but not protect.

  Jake turned off the ignition and rested his chin on the steering wheel, more confused than ever. He should never have gone to her room, should have just ignored the call from the receptionist and stayed in the bar, nursing his beer while monitoring Bruce Garrison. If only Bruce had acted up in some way, followed his usual course of action, Jake might have had an outlet for his frustration and then he could think more clearly.

  The night was still young, though, and Bruce had a few more hours of drinking before the bar closed. Perhaps Jake still had a chance. He slid out of the truck and headed for the bar once again, refusing to think about the auburn-haired vixen under the same roof.

  On any other night, Jake would have been thrilled with how calmly Bruce was drinking his beers. Tonight, however, the calmer Bruce acted, the surlier Jake became. When the bartender told them it was last call, Jake almost goaded him into a fight. Luckily, Bruce stood up, threw a couple of bills on the bar, and walked out. Well, lucky for Bruce, but not so for Jake, who downed the rest of his beer and ordered a shot of vodka as a chaser. He didn’t like to drink in front of his staff, but he needed to make sure he would be able to fall asleep without thinking about Melanie any more. Besides, nursing two beers all night couldn’t really be considered drinking.

  He dropped a twenty-dollar bill on the bar and headed for the room he used when he was in town. He didn’t mind living in the hotel, especially as he was usually in town for only a week or so at a time. However, tonight he was really wishing he had a place somewhere in town, somewhere far from her. He slid the master key card into the lock but didn’t open the door. His mind screamed at him to open it, to go inside the room and close the door behind him, locking himself away until the morning, when he could sort things through more clearly.

  But he chose to listen to the other voice, the one that told him it would only be polite to check on her and make sure everything was okay. After all, he’d left in such a hurry. What if she panicked? Called Raymond to warn him? Called her father.

  He smiled as he stepped to the door directly across the hall from his. She hadn’t called her father because his mother would definitely have called and read him the riot act. His cell had been silent since the message that Melanie had checked in. And Raymond was too cocky by far. If she’d called him, he would’ve come down to the hotel for a showdown. Well, he wouldn’t come himself; he would call the sheriff. But the sheriff was nowhere to be found, which meant that Melanie hadn’t called anyone. She didn’t care what happened to Raymond.

  Or she cared enough about Jake to not want him to get into trouble.

  That glimmer of hope was the only motivation he needed to slide his master key card into her lock.

  Chapter Thirteen

  The empty wine bottle sat on the table. The sweet drink had not calmed Melanie down, as she’d hoped, and now she paced in front of the bed, unsure of what to do. She did not call anyone. What would she say if she did? That Jake was angry and itching for a fight and Raymond was the likely recipient? Her father would just want to know why Jake was all riled up and how she knew. Those were subjects she thought best not to broach with her father. Plus Evelyn might not like being disturbed so late, especially tonight of all nights, only to find out that her son was being what she would most likely perceive as chivalrous. Calling Raymond to warn him offered no better options. If his wife answered the phone, how would Melanie explain Jake’s anger without having to share details that no wife wants to hear, especially a very pregnant wife. No
, it was better to let this play out however it was meant to happen.

  Every time she heard a sound in the hallway, she raced to look through the peephole or press her ear to the door. When she heard a car in the parking lot or saw lights flash, she ran to the balcony door and pushed her face against the glass to look out. Soon all the sounds stopped, but there was still no Jake. Of course, he probably didn’t even plan on coming back to see her tonight. Maybe she’d imagined his interest in her. Maybe he’d found someone else to satisfy his lust. Maybe he and Raymond were sitting at a table somewhere, having a good laugh about how they played her.

  Melanie finally flopped down on the bed, her overwrought emotions exhausting her. Raymond had made his bed, so to speak. Yes, she’d come home to win him back, but she’d told no one of her plans, and all desire to be with him ceased the moment she met his wife. Melanie rolled over on her side. That wasn’t exactly true. If she were honest with herself, her plan had been in serious jeopardy the moment she’d seen that cowboy get out of his truck to help her on the side of the road. Her brain just took a little longer than her body to catch up with reality.

  Although she hoped the wine would silence the thoughts whirling in her head, it only made the thoughts take on a more provocative tone, punctuating her imagination with visions of Jake’s kisses all over her body. Her body clearly knew what it wanted. Of course, her brain argued the point, but her body was winning by a landslide. No one could blame her for wanting to have a little fun, and a weekend fling would be just what the doctor ordered, wouldn’t it? She had no doubt that Jake would be able to work out every kink in her body so she could wake up tomorrow refreshed and ready to take on the world. Her brain was still arguing though. If she acted on her feelings, it could make for awkward family get-togethers. And what if it turned out that they didn’t get along at all, that it was just a physical attraction?

  Melanie giggled. A physical encounter was all she wanted. She was still adamant about no long-distance relationships. Jake probably wasn’t even relationship material. All she wanted was a one-night stand, no strings attached. If it was good, she might come back and visit more often. If it was bad, she could always get too busy at work to visit. She didn’t want to fall into the Raymond trap again, where she was pining over someone only to have those feelings unrequited. Jake’s casual flirtations from their first meeting and his good looks led her to believe that he liked having fun as well, so she didn’t think he would pressure her for any kind of commitment. The fact that Jake was hell-bent on hurting Raymond proved to Melanie that he at least had some respect for women. It really was the best of both worlds for her: satisfaction with no commitment.

  If only he would hurry up and come back to her. He would come back, right? Melanie let out a slow breath, telling herself to be patient.

  Raymond didn’t stand a chance. She willed Jake to go easy on Raymond. Yes, Raymond should get what he deserved, but Jake didn’t need to get in trouble, and as much anger as had flashed in his eyes, she hoped he could control it. If not, he’d probably be calling from the jail. Or worse. What if he killed Raymond?

  Melanie sat up, blinking as her eyes adjusted to the lights that she hadn’t bothered to turn off. “He wouldn’t, would he?”

  “Wouldn’t what, darlin’?” Jake was leaning heavily on the open door, a key card in his hand.

  “How did you get a key?”

  He wiped his hand slowly across his mouth. “Um, it’s my...my...I know someone.”

  Melanie’s eyes narrowed.

  He wobbled as he stepped into the room to close the door behind him.

  She laughed. “You’re drunk.”

  “Am not. But I have had a drink. Or two.”

  “Just a drink or two?” She giggled, thinking about the wine. She didn’t feel drunk, but she knew her inhibitions were impaired, to say the least.

  “Would I have been able to make it back here if I were drunk?” He glanced around the room, smiling. His eyes came to rest on Melanie, and she saw him take a sharp breath in. “Sweet Jesus, you are beautiful.”

  Looking away demurely, she realized that her robe had fallen open, revealing her nakedness underneath. She pulled it tightly around her.

  “No, please, don’t do that.” He stepped toward her, his eyes burning brightly as he licked his lips.

  Melanie studied his shirt pulled tightly against his broad chest and tucked into dark jeans that made it all too easy for her to see that he was aroused. She let the robe relax slightly open, watching his reaction. His breathing became heavy, and he groaned lightly. She felt bolts of electricity shocking her skin everywhere his look traveled. She would go mad if he did not touch her soon. The robe fell back to reveal one breast. He licked his lips again. She wanted to feel his tongue caressing her entire body. She arched her back slightly. It was the only invitation he needed.

  He stretched out on the bed next to her, kissing her deeply, their tongues chasing each other back and forth. She could taste just a hint of alcohol on him. When he struggled to remove his clothes while maintaining the connection with her, she reached out to help, only to fumble with the buttons on his shirt as well. He stood up to rip off his shirt without ever taking his eyes from hers. After he removed his pants, she let her gaze travel the length of him, appreciating each muscle of his body until she saw that he was fully ready.

  “Melanie, you are sorely testing me,” he growled as he returned to her side. He drew her breast into his mouth, his tongue circling the nipple until Melanie thought she was being consumed by fire from the inside out. She moaned loudly, thinking the whole town could hear her. She didn’t care. Let the whole town know what they were doing as long as he didn’t stop.

  His mouth left her breast to travel up her throat to her ear. “I don’t think I can wait.”

  She turned his face toward hers and kissed him, tearing down all her walls and giving herself to him completely. Finally she pulled away just long enough to whisper, “Then don’t.”

  She spread her legs slightly, and Jake shifted to lower himself between them. She clung to his back, pulling him into her, feeling him fill her completely as she wrapped her legs around him.

  His head lowered to kiss her, his mouth demanding and urgent. She arched up to meet him, matching his urgency.

  “Mel...I can’t—”

  “Don’t wait. Now...now!”

  She shuddered her release. A second later, she felt him climax, then he collapsed on top of her, both of them panting heavily.

  Melanie smiled. He was so much better than she anticipated.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Jake slid his hand down her stomach, letting his fingers trace across her skin, still amazed at how quickly he was ready for more. “So now are you glad you came back for the wedding?”

  Melanie looked at him from the corner of her eye, one eyebrow arching.

  “Your dad wasn’t sure you would come back.”

  She rolled onto her side to face him. “It’s not that I don’t like coming home.”

  “You’re a big city gal. I get it.” He rested his hand on her hip.

  Propping herself up on her elbow, she frowned. “No, that’s not it.”

  “I meant no offense.”

  “Everyone always gives me grief about living in Chicago. I lived here for nearly twenty-five years, and I’ve been in Chicago for a couple of years now, yet somehow I am seen as a traitor to the rural life.” She flopped onto her back, scowling at him when he chuckled. “Not like you’d understand anyway.”

  “Oh, you might be surprised.” He leaned in and nuzzled her neck.

  “Is it really so bad to want to experience new places?”

  “You mean, like here?” He kissed her shoulder, then moved down to her belly button. “Or here?” He drew a lazy circle on the back of her knee with his fingers. When she tried to snuggle into him, he pushed her onto her back once again, laughing. “Not yet. I’m not done playing.”

  She closed her eyes and turned her face
away from him, but he could still see her smile. He was moving his hand up her thigh and across her abdomen, his fingers so light against her skin they barely touched her. Her flesh broke out into goose bumps, as if anticipating his caresses. The reaction nearly drove him over the edge with desire, but he focused on her. He wanted her desire to match his own. His fingers continued moving up, going between her breasts, then circling one and then the other in wide circles. He circled her breasts again and again, each time moving almost imperceptibly closer to her nipples. Just as he was about to cross the tender flesh, he made the circles wide again.

  “Not fair,” she breathed, then bit her bottom lip. “You’re torturing me.”

  “Now you know what you were doing to me all day today.” He sucked her earlobe into his mouth and nibbled on it gently as his fingers continued their circles. She arched her back, moving one of her nipples into the path of his fingers, then moaned at the heat searing across her skin.

  “Naughty girl.” His hand moved back to her abdomen as a whimper escaped her lips.

  When she looked at him, losing herself in his gaze and moving her hand to his stomach to trace his muscles as they tensed under her touch, he had to use every ounce of his determination to control himself. How was she doing this, arousing him so quickly, so deeply?

  “Jake, please.”

  The words weren’t much louder than a whisper, but they created in him a desire so intense that he hesitated, afraid that moving would cause him to lose all control. His breathing was ragged as she pulled him down on top of her so his mouth could trace the path that his fingers had been following. Melanie pulled his mouth to her breast, holding him there until he slid his hand between her legs. She opened herself to him. He touched her, tentatively at first, then she shifted her hips to give him full access. He moaned against her nipple.