A Love Melody

by Grace Roberts

  “I’m starving. What’s on the menu?”

  “Irish salmon,” he said, proudly. Ever since he’d been released from the hospital and had a lot of time on his hands, he’d become obsessed with cooking shows on cable TV and he’d been experimenting new recipes. Valerie was only too happy to be his Guinea pig, especially since the hospital cafeteria wasn’t renowned for its gourmet food. “I thought you might be needing some good food after your double shift.”

  Valerie kissed him, long and slow, wanting to show him how much she loved him and how lucky she was to have him.

  “Wow,” he said, taking a dramatically long breath when she finally pulled back. “If this is what I get for cooking salmon, what will you do if I make you a three-course meal?”

  “We’ll see...”

  She grinned and stroked his cheek. The last time she’d done this simple gesture, his skin was prickly with his stubble, but now it was soft and smooth. She’d been working almost a full day non-stop, and hadn’t seen him since the previous morning, when he’d gone out to Berklee to speak to the dean and had kissed her goodbye while she was still half-asleep.

  “Go make yourself comfortable now. I’ll finish cooking and we can have dinner whenever you’re ready.”

  She disappeared into the en-suite bathroom for a long, hot shower and when she walked out into their bedroom, she felt renewed. The thought of having a whole day off tomorrow and a nice, quiet dinner with Ryan came as a relief after such a tough day. She was really looking forward to it all. She put on her favorite tracksuit and let her hair down, combing it with her fingers and fixing it behind her ears. Ryan loved when she didn’t pull it back into a ponytail, the way she did at work, so she usually pulled the elastic band off it as soon as she came home.

  As she reached Ryan in the kitchen, she gasped in surprise, mesmerized by the wonderful atmosphere he had created: a vase with fresh daisies sat in the middle of the square table in the corner of the room, and two candles on each side of it created the perfect, romantic setting. Red napkins were neatly arranged next to the cutlery and the salmon was already on the plates, surrounded by roasted potatoes and green salad. Her stomach grumbled, reminding her she hadn’t eaten anything since midday.

  For a quick second, her vision blurred with happy tears. She loved the way Ryan always looked after her and seemed to know every time what it was she needed. With her crazy working hours and shifts, sometimes she was so tired the last thing she wanted to do when she got home was cook something. But Ryan always made sure she was well-fed, and he’d make sure she’d find croissants or muffins when her night shift was over, or order a pizza or take-out when she got home at night after a long day shift.

  She’d moved in with him days after he’d been released. Ryan’s apartment was closer to the hospital and much bigger. At first she’d thought it might be too soon, but they had known each other for basically all of their lives and there wasn’t a thing that either of them didn’t know about the other. The thought of going back to an empty apartment didn’t really compare to coming home to a cozy place where the love of her life was waiting for her.

  “I see you’ve dressed up for our romantic dinner,” he said with a lopsided grin, pointing the spoon he was holding in her direction, up and down her body.

  She stared at her baggy tracksuit and pulled at the hem of her sweatshirt. “Sorry. I needed to be comfortable after wearing scrubs all day.”

  Ryan laughed and closed the distance between them, wrapping her in a one-armed hug, which was enough to encircle all of her petite body anyway.

  “I was kidding, you eejit,” he said, nuzzling her neck. “And I think you’re sexy anyway, even in a tracksuit.”

  She laughed, enjoying his cuddles a little longer, until her stomach grumbled again and they both understood cuddles would have to wait until later.

  After she’d cleaned off her plate, leaving not even a single crumb, Valerie stood up to do the dishes. Ryan waved her off and gently pushed her out of the kitchen, telling her to sit down and relax while he finished. She was too tired to argue, so she simply kissed his cheek and thanked him for being so wonderful, before leaving him to load the dishwasher.

  She went to the living room and slumped down on the couch, closing her eyes for a moment. A sweet scent of roses came from more candles Ryan had placed on the shelves of the bookcase near the window and on the glass coffee table in front of the couch. He knew how much Valerie had always loved scented candles and, not only had he accepted her obsession, he’d also indulged her and let her light candles in his house—or, like tonight, he was the one lighting them for her. She loved him even more when he showed his attention to the smallest detail, to all the little things about her only he knew.

  Ryan’s soft footsteps approached the couch. She opened her eyes and a corner of his lips curled up in his adorable, crooked smile.

  “Wanna watch a movie?” he asked, tilting his head to the side. She waved a hand over her head, in the direction of his music station.

  “Just put on a Sinatra CD and come back here; I need cuddles.”

  He chuckled and padded away, picked a disk out of his huge collection and adjusted the volume to a soft, background sound. He flicked the lights off and with the only light coming from the dozen or so candles positioned around the room, he walked back to the couch looking all mysterious and sexy in his loose black sweatpants and a gray T-shirt with Temple Bar, Dublin written in red bold letters across it. She’d bought that T-shirt for him the last time she’d gone home, five years ago, as a medicine for homesickness and a way to never forget where he came from, she’d told him. It was cute that he still had it and that he actually wore it, even though he could afford to buy expensive clothes now.

  Once he approached the couch she lifted her legs up in a silent invitation. He sat, and she lowered her legs again, resting them on his thighs. This was one of her top three favorite positions on the couch, the first one being when she had her head on his chest and his arm around her shoulders and the other when she lay with her head on his thighs and he ran his fingers absent-mindedly through her hair.

  The first notes of Moon River played in the quiet room and she closed her eyes, thinking back to that rainy July afternoon, almost seventeen years before.

  “You wanna go to bed?” Ryan whispered, stroking the side of her face. Valerie opened her eyes, and shook her head.

  “I was... reminiscing.” He quirked an eyebrow and tilted his head to the side. She smiled. “Moon River was playing at the Club the day I first met you.”

  “Really? I don’t remember.” His face puckered in a pensive frown and she closed her eyes again.

  “I do. I remember every detail of that day—the day my life changed forever. It still feels like yesterday, although it was ages ago.”

  He chuckled and stroked her hair, eliciting a soft moan from her throat. They’d always had a touchy-feely kind of friendship and had never been ashamed to hold hands or show their love for each other with hugs or caresses. But ever since she’d realized her true feelings for him and they’d become a couple, every time Ryan touched her he lit a fire inside her body. She’d never felt anything remotely close to this when Jake touched her—but that was because Jake didn’t mean half as much as Ryan meant to her.

  “Do you remember the first time we danced at the Club?” Ryan’s deep, warm voice pulled her from her introspection. She nodded. “I think it was a Sinatra song, wasn’t it? You were too shy and didn’t want people to make fun of you, so I had to drag you onto the dance floor.”

  “Yeah, I remember. I felt silly and clumsy, but once I was in your arms, everything changed. I’ve always felt safe and warm in your arms.”

  “And I always felt overprotective and jealous if someone else at the Club wanted to dance with you.”

  She laughed. “Aww, come on now. The youngest man in there was probably sixty-five!”

  “I know, but you were mine and I didn’t want to share you with anybody.”


  Valerie’s eyes shot open and she stared at him with a smirk on her face. “I was yours? Now, this is new.”

  He shook his head, smiling. “Don’t get me wrong. Back then you were simply my friend, my dance partner, my little sister. I felt responsible for you and I didn’t want anyone else to be around you. Ever wondered why Kevin stopped teasing you after we spent Christmas with his family?”

  “You were behind all that, weren’t you? I always suspected you were.”

  “Guilty as charged.” Ryan raised his palms and let out a chuckle. “I didn’t want Kevin to break your heart; he’s a good guy, but he wasn’t good enough for you. I wanted to protect you from the world of stupid men out there, and then I ended up pushing you in the arms of a bastard who broke your heart anyway.”

  “Don’t blame yourself for that.” She sat up and rested a hand on his cheek. He stared at her, his eyes dark in the dim light. “They say you have to meet the wrong people first, so that when you finally meet The One you’re grateful for him. I never blamed you for what happened with Jake. It was just life, just a small brick in the yellow brick road that led me to my true love.”

  “Whoa, someone’s being romantic tonight. Is it the wine?” he teased, twisting a lock of her hair around his finger.

  “No. It’s the nearness of you,” she whispered, before gently brushing his lips with hers.

  Ryan kissed her back briefly, then suddenly stood up and offered his hand to her. “Dance with me.”

  She groaned. “Please, Ryan, I’m tired. I’ve had a long day.”

  “Come on, Val, humor me,” he said, taking her hand and pulling her up. “This is our song—you’ve got to dance with me.”

  She sighed and let him wrap his arm around her. It felt good, totally different from the times they had danced at the Club. He swayed slowly to the music, his warm breath on her neck and his right hand splayed on her back sending tingles around her body as if she was being tickled by a hundred feathers. For the first time since she’d met Ryan, Valerie felt a physical need for him, something so unexpected and strong it nearly hurt.

  They hadn’t made love yet, although they’d had more than one occasion to since she’d moved in with him. The first few days after he came home she’d thought it would be better for him to take it easy, and the following days she’d been too busy with her crazy shifts that they’d never had the chance to make it happen.

  But now, with his warm body against hers, every curve and line molding perfectly as if they’d been created for each other, and their favorite artist playing in the background, she couldn’t think of anything else but what it would be like to feel his skin on hers. She had waited all of her life for the right man to share her heart, body and soul with—and that man was holding her in his arms now.

  Valerie tilted her head back and her lips found his immediately, like two opposite poles attracting each other. The zip of current raced from her mouth down her chest and pooled in her belly when Ryan didn’t pull back and deepened the kiss. She abandoned herself completely in his arms, and let him take control.

  Ryan took one step backward and sat on the couch, pulling her down with him, their lips glued. She straddled his lap and braced her elbows on his shoulders, her hands cupping the sides of his face, while his hands roamed across her back, from her neck to the top of her pants. Their breaths came in gasps and at some point she had to pull back for a second, fearing she’d run out of oxygen. Their gazes locked and scorching flames licked at her chest, her heart, her stomach—every single vital part inside her was on fire. Ryan’s eyes were a pool of heat and desire, and when she licked her lip, still breathing fast, she saw a flash of something flick through them.

  This is it.

  She wanted Ryan more than she wanted her next breath, and even though she was scared her inexperience might be a total turn-off for him, she knew he wouldn’t hold it against her. After all, practice makes perfect—and they had plenty of time, a king-sized bed and, hopefully, the rest of their lives together to reach perfection.

  She gave a light nod, knowing he wouldn’t need words to understand what she was telling him. His eyes locked with hers for two long beats, reading into her mind probably in search of a sign of doubt, of uncertainty or maybe fear. She licked her bottom lip again, more seductively this time, and the corner of his lip quirked. He captured her mouth in a breathtaking kiss, wrapped his arms securely around her and stood up. Her legs went automatically around his waist and he carried her to their bedroom, laying her gently down on the bed.

  Valerie’s heart sped up in anticipation as soon as she hit the mattress, and she scooted back to make room for Ryan. He knelt on the mattress and they stared at each other for some long, heated seconds.

  This is it.

  Their lovemaking was sweet and slow, without any sense of urgency, knowing they didn’t have to worry too much about impressing the other. She should’ve known better than to worry herself silly, thinking she wouldn’t know what to do and would end up disappointing him. Her body seemed to know Ryan’s as well as his knew hers, as if they’d been made for each other—and, in a way, she knew that was the way it was.

  When it was over, Ryan rolled on his side and propped himself on his elbow, his head resting on the palm of his hand. He didn’t say a word, but his eyes bore into hers and asked the question she knew was going through his mind: Are you okay?

  Valerie smiled, and it was all the confirmation he needed. He pulled her close to him and laid on his back. She snuggled in his arms, resting her head on his chest, her fingers gently trailing down the scar on his skin as they met it. It would be a constant reminder of that awful night, the night when she’d almost lost her best friend and true love. She shook the thought away. Now wasn’t the time to let bad memories spoil the precious moment of intimacy.

  “You know, I’ve just realized all my first times involve you,” she said out of the blue. She looked up and met his eyes. A twinkle of amusement flashed inside them. “My first kiss, my first drink, my first jazz club, my first time in a five-star hotel...” She tapped each finger against his chest and he captured her pinkie before she could count the fifth thing.

  “And your first time having sex,” he continued, bringing her hand to his lips. Valerie nodded against his chest.

  “They’ve all been special because you were with me. I know it wouldn’t have been the same with someone else, and I’m so glad I’ve always been too busy for men, so you could be my first.”

  “Sorry my first time wasn’t with you, love.” He kissed the top of her head and his arm tightened around her. She adored when he called her love—it made her feel special. “But if it helps, well, this was the best time ever.”

  She propped herself up and stared at him. “Was it, really?”

  He nodded. “It’s because I love the person I was making love to with all my heart. It’s never felt this good, trust me.”

  “Well, I guess I’ll have to take your word on that.”

  She lay back down and a chill made her shiver. He pulled the duvet up and over her head, burying her until she burst into laughter, gasping for air. They remained silent for a while, Valerie stroking his chest and Ryan rubbing her arm in pleasant abandon.

  “Our grandfathers were right, after all; they’ve always been. About us, I mean.” Ryan broke the quiet when she was just about to nod off.

  “My grandpa used to say we were a match made in Heaven.” She smiled, remembering the words her grandfather told her and that she’d never really understood until the moment she was just about to lose Ryan.

  “And we are, aren’t we? Maybe it took us a while to realize it, but eventually we did.”

  She nodded, snuggling up closer to him and feeling his arms instinctively tighten around her. She’d always loved the way she felt safe and warm in his arms, as if not even a hurricane could harm her as long as he held her close—and with his bare skin on hers it was even better.

  “I’m glad we did. I can’t imagine being happ
ier than I am right now.” She looked up at him and brushed his cheek with her thumb, before propping herself up on her elbows to kiss him. “I love you, Jazz Star.”

  “I’m not a jazz star anymore. I’m just Ryan now,” he whispered, inches away from her lips. He raked his fingers through her hair, and one of his hands stopped on the back of her neck.

  “My Ryan.”

  He nodded, smiling. “Yeah, your Ryan.”

  She closed her eyes and he kissed her, rolling over her as the kiss deepened, until she was flat on her back and he was staring down at her with dark eyes filled with endless love.

  Chapter 39

  Ryan’s final gig was at the Madison Square Garden in New York. Just like Gordon had predicted, the tickets were sold out within hours, so Ryan had agreed to add another night.

  Since this would be his final show, Ryan wanted to do things his way for once in his career, so he asked Kevin to join him on stage. Ever since he’d started touring, Ryan had wanted to have Kevin perform with him, but Gordon had always had other plans as to who should play in the band. Now that his manager had no say in his life anymore, Ryan had finally managed to have his friend play with him in front of thousands of fans, and Kevin had been thrilled about it.

  Valerie and Karen had managed to get two whole days off, so the four friends had gone to New York together and had even managed to do a bit of sightseeing during the day, just like normal tourists enjoying the city for the first time.

  As they strolled down Fifth Avenue, Valerie finally got a taste of what life with Ryan as his girlfriend would be like. Over the past month and a half they’d been together, they hadn’t been out much in public. Apart from visiting Kevin and Karen’s, or Ryan coming to the hospital to bring her food he’d cooked for her, they’d spent all their free time cooped up in Ryan’s apartment, happy to be cocooned underneath a warm goose-down duvet and talking about their future.

  Now that Ryan had shed his celebrity clothes and gone back to the regular down-to-earth guy from Dublin, nobody cared what he was doing or who he hung out with. He’d been shoved into paparazzi oblivion as quickly as his name had made a sensation after his first single aired. Ryan hadn’t seemed sad at the notion—he’d actually told her he was glad he could be his normal self again. He’d never liked seeing his life splattered on tabloids.