by Erika Wilde
Her ploy had worked too well. And now that she’d begun an all-out campaign to become the woman who would accompany him to the charity auction for the Russell case, he knew he was in trouble.
Big trouble.
CHAPTER SIX
“Hey, hot stuff,” Noah said to Melodie as he came out of his office and into the reception area late the following day. “I’m outta here for the evening.”
Melodie shifted her gaze from the accounting figures on her computer screen to Noah, just in time to catch him checking the time on his phone. “Hot date tonight?” she teased.
A sly smile curved one corner of his mouth. “I never kiss and tell,” he said, and winked at her, giving her the impression that he was, indeed, off to see some woman. “Do you happen to have the MacGregor case file?”
“Actually, I do. I was getting ready to update billing and the MacGregor case is on my list.” She shuffled through the pile of work on her desk, searching for the client file. “Do you need it?”
“Actually, Cole does.”
She glanced up at Noah in curiosity. “If you haven’t noticed, Cole hasn’t been in all day,” she said wryly. And she had a sneaking suspicion that last night’s heated encounter between them was the reason he’d made himself so scarce.
“Yeah, I’ve noticed.” Noah scowled, seemingly annoyed with his brother’s absence at the office. “I’m the one who’s been dealing with him on the phone the entire day, and let me tell you, something has him in a pissy mood.”
Cole was using his cell phone, Melodie assumed, because her boss hadn’t called through the office line. Which also explained why Noah had collected Cole’s message slips throughout the day—he no doubt was relaying client calls to his brother so Cole didn’t have to talk to her.
Noah heaved a put-out sigh. “Cole asked me to drop off the file at his house so he could review the case report tonight. He has an appointment with the client in the morning.”
Melodie stood as an idea struck. “You know what, you seem anxious to be on your way, wherever that may be,” she added with a grin. “And I’d be more than happy to drop off this file to Cole on my way home.”
“Really?” Noah’s tone was hopeful and grateful at the same time.
“Yes, really. It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve played courier for the business.” She even had a key to his place that she’d used on occasion to deliver paperwork or some other item when he wasn’t home. “And unlike you, I don’t have any plans for the evening.”
“Thanks, Mel. I owe you one.” Noah came around her desk and gave her a smacking kiss on the cheek. “You’re an absolute angel.”
Little did Noah know, the plan she’d suddenly formulated to use this situation to her benefit was far more devilish than angelic. And if anything, she owed him for the golden opportunity he’d just given her.
Noah strolled toward the door and turned at the last minute to flash her a charming grin. “By the way, hot stuff, nice outfit. Go get ’em, tiger.”
He let out a low growl that made her laugh. She glanced down at the leopard-print top she’d paired with a brown suede mini-skirt. She couldn’t help but wonder if Cole would appreciate the outfit just as much as his brother had, especially since she’d worn it with Cole in mind.
Regardless of what Cole’s reaction might have been to her new outfit, Noah’s compliment lifted her spirits and restored her confidence. There was no denying that Cole’s brush-off last night had stung her feminine pride, but his reaction to her reading the erotic letter to him, along with their kiss, had soothed her ego. And it made her realize how those written fantasies could work in her favor to seduce Cole.
Besides, what kind of bad girl would she be if she allowed him to continue to avoid her and the attraction between them? The old Melodie would have heeded Cole’s subtle warning to back off, but she refused to cater to his demands when the kiss they’d shared contradicted his attempt to remain aloof.
And, oh, what a kiss it had been. She shivered at the memory of finally being ravished by Cole—his hot, seeking mouth, his skillful hands, and the press of his hard, aroused body against hers. He’d drugged her with the erotic sensation of his lips and tongue meshing with hers, and she’d melted with the heat and passion and hunger he’d unleashed inside her.
Even now she could recall the heavenly feel of his palm cradling her breast and the exquisite way he’d flicked his thumb across her sensitive nipple. She’d been overwhelmed by the intense throb that had settled in the pit of her stomach, and surprised by the yearning that rose within her—which was abruptly eclipsed by a stark emptiness when he’d abruptly pulled away from her, then insinuated that he regretted the embrace.
From some place deep inside that she hadn’t known existed, she’d gathered the fortitude to set him straight, to make sure that he knew she was a willing participant every step of the way. Not that her assurance had made any difference at all to Cole, who’d obviously berated himself for taking things so far.
She’d gone home last night frustrated, and even more intent on breaking through those personal walls of Cole’s that kept her neatly categorized as a “responsibility.” And while pondering the situation, she came to the conclusion that her erotic letters were the means to seducing Cole and showing him that she was a woman with a very sensual side. She’d witnessed his reaction as she’d read the letter and knew those fantasies were the key to their relationship and a way to force him into acknowledging the attraction between them.
She certainly wasn’t about to give up after one rejection.
Neither could Cole avoid her forever.
A grin curved her mouth as she cleaned off her desk and shut down her computer. Unable to fall asleep last night, she’d stayed up well past midnight penning more erotic letters of her own, all starring Cole Sommers in the role of her fantasy man. She had them in her purse and had planned to slip them to Cole at opportune times during the day. She hadn’t had the chance to put her idea into action, but the possibilities were endless for tonight’s impromptu visit. No respectable bad girl would pass up the chance to seduce her guy’s mind and make him hot and bothered in the process. And, she was determined to prove her capability of handling the Russell case until he had no choice but to admit she was the perfect candidate for the job. And the perfect woman for him.
Satisfied with her plan, she grabbed the MacGregor case file and locked up the office for the evening. She slipped into her compact car and, after stopping at Vince’s deli for a quick take-out meal, headed to Cole’s. A half hour later, she knocked on his door and waited anxiously for him to answer.
The door swung open abruptly, and she was completely unprepared for the gorgeous, breathtaking sight that greeted her—a shirtless Cole wearing a pair of faded jeans slung low on his narrow hips with the top button unfastened, as if she’d caught him right in the middle of undressing.
Oh, wow. She’d always known he had a wide, solid chest, but seeing it naked was a treat. So she allowed herself a few moments to enjoy the view. His upper body was toned with muscle, as was his lean belly. Fascinated by the soft, silky hair bisecting his abdomen and swirling around his navel, she followed the intriguing path lower, until it disappeared into the waistband of his jeans. Her mouth went dry as her gaze settled on the impressive bulge straining the fly of his pants, and her stomach fluttered with sheer excitement and awe. The man was so incredibly male—every part of him.
“Mel? What are you doing here?”
She jumped at his brusque tone and immediately lifted her gaze back to his face. He was scowling at her, and judging by the annoyance flashing in his eyes, he’d been expecting Noah, and he wasn’t at all happy that she’d filled in for his brother.
And then the awful, deflating possibility crossed her mind that he might have female company waiting inside for him. She forced herself to ask, “Um, did I catch you at a bad time?”
He crossed his arms over his chest and shook his head. “No, I was just on my way out to sit
in the hot tub for a little bit.”
“Alone?” she ventured to ask.
He raised a brow at her personal question and very hesitantly answered, “Yes, alone.”
Relieved, she flashed him a bright smile. “Well, good, because I only brought dinner for two. Me and you.” Without waiting for an invitation to enter his house, which she was certain was not forthcoming, she slipped past him and headed toward the kitchen, take-out bag in hand.
“Dinner?” he echoed from behind her, confusion deepening his voice.
“I thought you might be hungry, so I stopped by Vince’s on the way over and picked up a quart of potato salad and your favorite sandwich—a hot pastrami.” She cast a glance over her shoulder and caught him looking at either her swaying hips or her ass outlined in soft suede. “And for me, ham and cheese on sourdough.”
He dragged his searing, blue-eyed gaze back up, his expression both tormented and troubled, which pleased her immensely. “Mel…”
Hearing the distinct warning in his tone that had the potential to lead to a speech about all the reasons why she shouldn’t be there, or worse, another rejection, she turned around and graced him with a sweet smile and her familiar efficient manner. “Oh, and by the way, here’s the MacGregor file that you wanted.” She presented him with the client information, disappointed to see that he’d refastened his jeans on the short walk to the kitchen. At least his naked chest was still all hers to admire.
Tentatively, he reached out and took the file, careful not to let their fingers touch. “Why didn’t Noah deliver it like I asked him to?”
She set the bag of food on the dinette table and hooked her purse over the back of a chair. “Because he seemed to have better things to do and was anxious to be on his way.”
“So he sent you?” he asked in a way that insinuated that Noah had dumped the request off on her in order to get a head start on his own evening plans.
“No, Noah didn’t send me,” she clarified, not wanting Noah to catch any flak for something that had been her idea. “I offered and he accepted. I told him it wasn’t a problem, since I’ve dropped things off for you before. And it isn’t a problem,” she assured him, then tilted her head speculatively and added, “or is it?”
Her question was direct and meaningful, one she instinctively knew he wouldn’t back down from answering. Knowing Cole, there was no way he’d outwardly admit that he couldn’t handle the attraction between them. And it was that bit of pride and masculine ego that she was counting on to work in her favor.
He didn’t disappoint her. “No, of course, it isn’t a problem,” he said gruffly. Tossing the file onto the kitchen counter, he speared his fingers through his thick hair and exhaled a long, slow breath as his gaze once again met hers. “Thank you…for delivering the file, and for dinner.”
Satisfaction curled through her and she bit back a smile. “You’re very welcome. For both. Do you mind if I join you?”
He kept his distance and eyed her warily, studying her, giving her the impression he was thinking of last night and wondering what trick she might have up her sleeve to seduce him this time around. There was absolutely nothing tucked up her sleeve, but the erotic letters in her purse were another matter altogether.
When he continued to look at her as if he didn’t completely trust her motives, she tried to lighten the moment. “Despite the leopard tank top I’m wearing, I promise I won’t bite.”
“The thought never crossed my mind,” he said too quickly.
She almost laughed, knowing he lied. But she wasn’t about to contradict him and jeopardize the precious leeway she’d made with him so far. “Then you don’t mind if I stay for dinner?”
“Suit yourself,” he said with a casual shrug, then headed into the service part of the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. “What would you like to drink?”
Tearing her gaze from the smooth muscles flexing across Cole’s back as he moved, she opened the paper bag from the deli and withdrew their sandwiches and a tub of potato salad. “I’ll take any kind of soft drink you’ve got.”
He returned with a cola for her, a beer for himself, and two paper plates.
“Ahh, paper plates. A sign of a true bachelor,” she said with an indulgent grin as she set his pastrami sandwich on his plate and gave him a big scoop of the potato salad.
“Makes for easy cleanup.” He slid into the chair at the opposite end of the table from her and unwrapped his sandwich.
She settled into her seat and popped open the tab on her cola. “No wonder you don’t have dirty dishes stacked in your sink.”
“I’ve always hated doing dishes, or any other housework for that matter, so I’m always looking for ways to make my life easier in that way.” He lifted his beer to his lips for a drink.
She was gratified to see him finally relax with her, and knew their light, unthreatening conversation was what was putting him at ease. “Did enough housework as a kid, huh?”
“Oh, yeah,” he said as a reminiscent gleam appeared briefly in his eyes. “More than I care to remember.”
Just like her, he’d grown up without a mother, and she imagined life had been difficult at times for him and his siblings. And with Cole being the oldest, most of the household chores would have fallen to him. “Well, I’m definitely impressed, because your house is always spotless.”
“I have a housekeeper who comes once a week,” he admitted after swallowing a mouthful of pastrami. “I’m on my own the rest of the time, which is why I’m extra careful about the messes I make.”
She laughed, and his gaze met hers, filled with a warmth and awareness that tickled her tummy and stirred reminders of last night’s kiss. Not ready to shatter the easy moment between them with a reminder of the attraction he was fighting, she picked up her fork for a bite of potato salad and shifted to another casual topic. “So, how is everything going with the MacGregor custody case?”
He took advantage of the switch to business-related conversation. “As good as can be expected, considering what I’m dealing with. The guy wanting custody of his kid is a prior felon, and from what his ex-girlfriend has told me, he’s got an explosive temper and has no business being alone with their little boy. I’m hoping the evidence we’ve collected against him helps to keep her son with her and only gives her ex chaperoned visitation rights.”
“That’s such a sad situation,” she said, feeling a twinge of sympathy for the mother who was trying so hard to protect her son—at any expense. “Then again, being fought over by two parents has to be awful for the child, too.”
“It’s painful for everyone involved,” he said, his tone low and gruff.
She regarded him thoughtfully from across the table. “You say that as if you’ve had experience in the matter.”
“I have.” His fork stilled over his potato salad as he looked up at her, his composed expression masking deeper emotions. “My parents were divorced before my mother died.”
Regret rippled through her. “I’d forgotten. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be.” He shrugged his broad shoulders as if the matter was insignificant, yet the slight clench to his jaw told a different tale. “It was a long time ago.”
Despite his dismissive tone, she had a very strong feeling that his parents’ separation had affected him more than he was willing to admit. To himself or to her. “I can attest to the fact that growing up without a mother is extremely difficult, but having divorced parents has got to be just as traumatic—unless, I suppose, it’s an amicable split.”
“It wasn’t,” he said succinctly, and took a long drink of his beer before continuing. “My mother was having an affair and divorced my father for the other guy, whom she married. If that wasn’t enough of a shock for my father to deal with, my mother fought for and won custody of Joelle, who was five at the time, and took her to Arizona to live with her and her new husband.”
Melodie stared at Cole in stunned disbelief. Mothers gaining primary custody of their children during
a divorce wasn’t unheard of, but to only fight for one child seemed odd to her. “Just Joelle?”
“She’s the only one my mother wanted,” he said, unmistakable traces of bitterness threading his deep voice.
Her heart constricted with compassion, which she kept to herself, knowing Cole wouldn’t appreciate her expressing such a sympathetic emotion on his behalf. “What about you and Noah?”
“We lived with my father, which is exactly where we wanted to be since my mother wasn’t exactly the nurturing type.” He pushed his fork through his potato salad but didn’t take a bite. “At the time of the divorce, Jo was only five and very confused about what was happening to her and the family. It was extremely tough to stand by and let my mother take her away from us when we knew she only wanted Jo to hurt my father even more than she already had. And her ploy definitely worked, on all of us, not that she cared that her two sons were affected by her actions.”
Melodie set aside her half-eaten sandwich and exhaled a slow, deep breath, blown away by all she was learning of Cole’s tumultuous past. “I take it Jo came back to live with you, Noah, and your father when your mother died?”
“Unfortunately, it wasn’t as simple as that. My father had to fight for custody of Joelle again, this time against my mother’s new husband.” His mouth twisted with an ironic smile. “Peter held on to her for a good six months, until a judge ordered him to return Jo to my father because he had no rights and he wasn’t her legal guardian.”
“Wow, I had no idea.” She tucked her loose hair behind her ear and tipped her head. “Between your parents’ divorce and your mother and father’s deaths, you’ve been through a lot, haven’t you?”
“I’d like to think I managed okay, despite my less-than-ideal childhood,” he said a bit defensively. “And my sister and brother turned out okay, too.”