His lips brushed her ear. “If you think we’re making a mistake, now’s the time to say so.”
“No!” She’d already waited too long to make love with Dave again. She looped her arms around his neck and pressed her breasts against his chest. “Let’s finish what we started.”
His Adam’s apple bobbed. “Right now?”
Suddenly, Mel didn’t want to get too serious. She trailed her index finger down the back of his neck. Why not have a little fun recreating that night?
“Well, I am mighty thirsty. I wouldn’t say no to a cold drink.”
Dave’s eyes searched her face, his brows raised in a silent question. She grinned and nudged him toward the door. “Make mine a Dr Pepper.”
“Where have I heard that before?”
“Where indeed?” Mel laughed.
He hotfooted it into the hall, presumably on his way to the soda machine. She waited for the door to thump closed behind him, then stripped to her underwear and stretched out on the bed.
This’ll be fun.
Then she caught a glimpse of her cottage-cheese thighs and frowned. Maybe not so fun. She didn’t have a 20-year-old’s body anymore, after all.
Stop it. Muscles hasn’t had any complaints.
“That’s because he hasn’t seen me naked yet,” she muttered.
She tried to put herself back in a partying mood by trailing her fingers over her nipples. She wished for the lacy pink bra she’d been wearing then. The no-nonsense cotton number she had on now did her figure no favors.
Thank God she’d at least worn sexy panties. She slid her hands down, down, down. She’d just reached her destination, slipping her finger under the elastic between her thighs, when the door opened. Dave stopped near the bed, staring.
“Are your eyes bugging out?” Mel resisted the urge to roll up in the bedspread.
His tongue darted over his lower lip. “That’s what happens when I’m face-to-face with the most beautiful woman in Texas.”
She rolled her eyes. “Flattery’s not necessary, honey. I’m a sure thing.”
“I’m dead serious.” Dave’s eyes never left her while he set the sodas on the nightstand and shed first his shirt, then his slacks. “You deserve every compliment I give.”
Under his steady gaze, she almost believed him. Almost. “Enough chitchat. Get over here.”
He did, and she wasted no time getting him out of his boxers. She wrapped her fingers around the hard length in an intimate caress. “Hi there, Big Boy.”
Without any more words, she sheathed him in a condom and straddled his waist. She hovered over him, his penis reaching for her warmth, pulsing with a life of its own.
She closed her eyes to savor the anticipation of the pleasure she was about to receive. It really had been too long.
While Mel paused to take a deep breath, Dave undid her bra and palmed both her breasts. Excitement shuddered through her as his hands heated her skin.
He thrust his hips, ever closer. Mel lowered herself to meet him, slowly inviting him inside her. Inch by tantalizing inch, he invaded her, until he was buried to the hilt.
“Oh. My. God.”
He stilled. “Something wrong?”
Mel shook her head and gave her hips a tentative swivel.
“You’re driving me crazy here.”
“You think you can do better?”
Dave chuckled. “If not better, certainly faster.”
“Faster’s definitely not better.” She slid up his length, then back down, and he groaned.
Finally, she picked up the pace. He answered her every move with one of his own until they moved as one, a sensuous ride she didn’t want to end.
It did, of course. It had to. She lay beside him, her breaths warm and satisfied. He gathered her back in his arms and pulled her against him, pressing his lips against her head.
She snuggled closer, content because he wanted to keep her close.
He was so solid. Sensible. Dependable. Being with Dave did more than make her feel young. She felt cherished…protected…loved.
Mel wondered if she dared trust those feelings. Was it just the afterglow of great sex or something more? God, she hoped it was more.
She rose onto her elbows and peered into his drowsy eyes. She swallowed to wet her suddenly dry throat.
“Dave, I’m ready to believe.”
Chapter Eleven
Mel scrambled to grab her ringing cell phone before it woke Mr. Insatiable.
“Hello?” she whispered into the receiver as she stumbled into the hotel room’s bathroom, where she could talk without disturbing Dave.
“Do you have any idea what time it is?” Lu’s voice was frantic with worry.
She glanced at her wrist. No watch. Lord knew where it had ended up. In the bedroom, watery gray light seeped from the gap between curtains. She hazarded a guess. “Early?”
Luanne snorted. “I’ll say. It’s four in the morning.”
Warning bells clanged. Only one thing could prompt Lu to call at such an ungodly hour. “What happened to Tara?”
“She’s fine. Sleeping like a stone when I peeked in at one.”
“Then what’s wrong?”
“What’s wrong?” Disbelief dripped from both syllables. “You should have been home hours ago. Where the heck are you?”
“Did I forget to call?”
Now that was a stupid question. Ever since she and Dave left her parents’ house, she’d been totally focused on him. On recapturing the magic they’d conjured the night Tara was conceived. Well, hell.
Shame washed over her. She perched on the toilet seat. “Sorry, Lu.”
“You don’t have to answer to me, honey, but the curiosity is killing me.” Her tone became teasing and Mel imagined her friend’s lips curving into a sly smile. “It had better be Muscles keeping you from the comforts of home.”
“We came to his hotel.”
Lu’s delighted squeal had Mel yanking the phone from her ear. “Shhh. He’ll hear you.”
As usual, Luanne was undeterred. To say her friend was obsessed with sex was like calling the Grand Canyon a wide spot in the road. “So was he as good as you remembered?”
She poked her head out of the bathroom. Dave was still snoring on the bed. Grinning, she eased back onto cool porcelain. “Better.”
“Aww, Mel—I’m so happy for you. You needed to get laid.”
“This is more than just sex, Lu.”
“Honey, don’t go confusing lust and love.”
She felt a need to defend herself. “I’m not. He said things—”
“Men say a lot of things when they’re trying to get in your pants. You should know that.”
Mel opted not to point out she’d been just as eager to get in Dave’s pants—both then and now. “Lu, he wants to be in both our lives. Mine and Tara’s. Permanently. He said so. And I believe him.”
“More power to you, Mel. But the proof is in the pudding.”
Lu hung up without another word, apparently assuming her point was made. And it was. Mel knew as well as anyone that actions spoke louder than words. So far, Dave’s actions backed up every last one.
****
Faraway whispers dragged Dave from the sleep of a deeply satisfied man. He was warm, sated, his limbs still heavy from the passion he’d shared with Mel.
Mother of his child. The woman who’d grabbed hold of his heart.
Eyes still closed, he reached for her. He wanted to capture something of hers. Again. His outstretched hand encountered…nothing but sheet.
Dave’s eyes flew open. Yep. Mel’s side of the bed was empty.
Again?
He bolted upright and glanced around the room. Just as empty as the bed. Like last time. Shit.
He buried his face in his hands in a pre-emptive attempt to ward off the worthlessness sure to follow her disappearing act. Mel was the only person besides his father who managed to make him feel inadequate.
“I thought she said she was ready
to give ‘us’ a chance,” he muttered.
He’d obviously heard wrong. Great. More than just his batting average was shot.
He was still stewing over her abandonment—and his most recent step to geezerhood—when Mel’s voice penetrated the haze.
“I believe him.”
She was still here? Thank God.
Seconds later, the mattress dipped. He raised his head and saw Mel, her face bathed in the moonlight, watching him. Her forehead creased with worry.
“Shoot. I tried not to wake you.” Her dimples flashed. “You looked so darn pleased with yourself, I didn’t want to disturb you.”
“Next time, don’t worry about me.” He wrapped his arms around her, squeezing her tight. She hadn’t made another early-morning getaway. Thank God. He worked to wrap his brain around her absence. “Were you talking to someone?”
She nodded. “Lu called, wondering where I was.”
“Suppose she told you to watch your step.”
“She wouldn’t be my best friend if she didn’t.”
Mel had a point. His curiosity wasn’t satisfied yet, though. “But you told her you believe me.”
“You seem to know me a little too well.” She tensed in his arms.
“Not nearly well enough, Lin.” He pressed his lips to her collarbone. “You should believe me, you know. I never make promises I can’t keep.”
****
The next time Mel awakened, it was to the sounds of a running shower—and Dave’s off-key rendition of “Just Can’t Get Enough.”
Lucky for him, Mel was of the same mind. She couldn’t think of anything she’d like better than to join Dave in the shower. She strolled to the bathroom and slipped into the tub behind him. Then she slipped her arms around his waist and slid her hands over his abs and sudsed-up chest. Mmm—slippery could lead to some serious fun.
He clamped strong hands around her wrists. “I’d love to play here all day, but I told your parents I’d spend today with Tara.”
She tensed. Twice now she’d forgotten all about her daughter.
In an instant, Dave had turned to face her. There he went again, staring at her as though her face hid the answer to the mystery surrounding Marilyn Monroe’s death. “What’s wrong, Lin?”
Mel started. Could he really read her that well so soon? If so, there was no point in trying to convince him she was fine. He’d suss out the untruth faster than Hardy found the dog treats Tara crammed in her pockets. “The minute you kissed me, I forgot all about Tara. I’m a terrible mother.”
“You aren’t.”
“Easy for you to say. You at least remembered our daughter exists. All I could think about was you.”
He folded her into a hug, his strength reassuring. The water streamed over them both, rolling down her back and pooling where their bodies joined. “You’re a mother, but you’re a woman, too. As many years as you’ve put Tara first, it’s understandable that you’re…” he paused to clear his throat “…eager to have some fun. How long did you say it’s been?”
Mel tried to pretend it was the steam heating her cheeks. “I didn’t.”
Dave’s arms anchored her, and just for a minute, she wanted to tell him. But there’d be no living with his ego if he suspected he’d been her last bedroom playmate. Mel didn’t count her attempted reunion with Bud, because she’d put a stop to his fumbling almost before it started. Bud’s clumsy moves were full of selfishness and inexperience. Or maybe it was just that the one night with Mr. Mood Lifter ruined her for anyone else.
Time to change the subject. She danced away from Dave and gave him a playful shove. “Now that I’ve remembered we’re spending the day with the most adorable daughter on earth, what do you propose we do with her?”
Dave didn’t hesitate. “Saw an ad in the airport for the Amarillo zoo. Looks like fun.”
“Tara loves the zoo.” His instant answer proved he’d actually given it some thought. “But she has school this morning.”
“She can miss a day to spend it with the father she doesn’t see often enough, can’t she?”
“Fair enough.” The school would just have to understand.
Ten minutes later, after she’d slipped back into yesterday’s clothes, they were on their way to her place. Mel called Lu to let her know preschool wasn’t on the day’s agenda. “We’re going to the zoo, so make sure you coat her with sunscreen—and throw the bottle in a tote with snacks, juice boxes, water and an umbrella in case it rains.”
Lu laughed. “Stop fussin’, Mel. I’ve been to the zoo with y’all before. I know the drill. Tara’ll be ready when you get here.”
Luanne was true to her word. While Dave loaded the bag and Tara into the Honda, Mel took a few minutes to put on a clean T-shirt and denim shorts and sweep her hair into a ponytail. Then they were off again.
She no longer objected to Dave driving. He handled the car with a smooth, easy confidence. He used the same technique to start a conversation with Tara, and soon she chattered away about her favorite zoo animals.
As the car gobbled up the miles to Amarillo, Mel watched Dave divide his attention between Tara and the road. He kept sneaking peeks at her in the rear-view mirror, a soft smile crossing his lips every time.
Guilt threatened to overwhelm her. She’d been childish and selfish, keeping Tara to herself. Refusing to try to find him. Denying both him and Tara the chance to know each other. She couldn’t have been more wrong.
So what if he admitted he’d have made a terrible father? She still should have given him a chance. He probably would have stepped up to the plate and knocked one out of the park even then. That was who Dave was: a genuinely great guy.
Mel laid a hand on his knee. “Dave, I’m sorry.”
Chapter Twelve
Mel was on her way back to Brannen after dropping Dave off at the airport Friday morning when her cell phone rang.
After Wednesday’s dinner debacle, she was tempted not to answer it. But Daddy called rarely, so it was probably important. She punched the “Talk” button. “Hi, Daddy. What’s new?”
“Melinda dear, I’d like you to stop by my office this morning to talk campaign strategy.”
Campaign strategy? Mel cast an impatient glance at the phone. “Does that mean Pete will be there?”
“Of course.”
“Forget it. I have no desire to talk to that creep.”
Her father cleared his throat. “I let Peter know he went too far Wednesday night. He wants to apologize.”
“He probably just wants another chance to insult me,” she muttered under her breath.
“I heard that.”
“Good.” She took a deep breath. “Daddy, I can’t keep putting up with Pete always thinking he’s smarter than me—and better than me—when he’s really just older and balder.”
Her father’s chuckle surprised her. “All the more reason for you to come to my office. You two can finally have it out.” He laughed again. “I can’t believe I’m saying this about the man who knocked up my little girl, but I think Dave is a good influence on you.”
She picked her jaw up off the Civic’s floorboard. “Excuse me?”
“He’s the reason you’re finally standing up to your brother, right?”
“Maybe.” Remembering Dave’s insistence that she deserved respect, Mel smiled to herself. Then she checked her watch. “I can be there by nine-fifteen.”
“We’ll be waiting.”
Despite her bravado on the phone, by the time she stood in front of the door to her father’s plush office, she was having second and third thoughts about confronting her brother. Nothing she could say would change Peter’s mind.
Still, she wanted to try. She wiped her sweaty palms on her shorts and then tapped on the doorframe. If she knocked softly enough, they wouldn’t hear her and she could escape with a clear conscience.
No such luck. Her father’s voice boomed. “Come in.”
When Mel stepped into the office, both men rose to their feet.
The show of respect from Pete threw her off balance, but not more than his offer to fetch her coffee. “Cream and sugar, right?”
“Right.” Pete never waited on her. He had to be up to something.
Seconds later, a cup of aromatic, perfectly prepared java in her hand, she sank into one of the chairs in front of Daddy’s mahogany desk. “You said we needed to talk campaign strategy.”
Her father nodded and Pete cleared his throat. “You’ve decided to take up with Tara’s father again, right?”
No point in lying when Pete walked in on them the way he did. Still, she couldn’t resist taking a poke. “Been so long you forgot what it looked like?”
Malice glittered in her brother’s eyes, but he didn’t bite back. “Then it’s time we introduce him to the good people of Brannen. They need to get to know the man behind those damn underwear shots flooding the Internet.”
Her father chimed in. “Those pictures are unfortunate—but not insurmountable. We can spin it as another youthful indiscretion.”
Even though it contained the two spoonfuls of sugar she preferred, her coffee suddenly tasted bitter. She thumped the cup on the edge of Daddy’s desk, not caring when it sloshed over the side. “You mean like me?”
“No, darling,” her father assured her.
At the same time, Pete said, “Yes.”
Mel wished she didn’t know which one of them to believe. Her father would never acknowledge she was a drag on his campaign, even when it was true. Pete blamed her for every negative article, every drop in the polls. Even as it occurred to her the truth could well be somewhere in between, she jumped to her feet. “Sorry I’m still such a disappointment.”
“Sit down, Mel,” her brother snapped. “We don’t have time for your hysterics.”
Daddy sent Pete a stern look. “I wish you’d stop talking to your sister that way.”
“I’m sure she does, too.” Pete flashed the wolfish smile Mel hated. “The truth hurts.”
Diva In The Dugout (All Is Fair In Love And Baseball) Page 10