We stand around talking, brainstorming ways he can do that.
By the time he leaves a few hours later, I’m finally tired enough to head to the couch and try to get some sleep.
It doesn’t go well and when the sun rises the next morning I’ve only catnapped. I drag myself up and stretch, then quietly make my way to the kitchen to get the coffee started.
Melody is already up and in the kitchen at the counter in a pair of shorts and a faded T-shirt that shows a few inches of her soft skin at her waistband. I catch a glimpse of a small tattoo and that brings me and my cock fully alert. I wonder what the tattoo is and how far down it goes.
“I made coffee,” she says.
“I’ll have some when it’s done brewing.” But what I really want is you.
“I’ll get dressed and wake the kids.” She darts around the island like she’s about to sprint away. I catch her by the arm when she’s close enough and she stops but won’t look up at me.
“I think I understand where your thoughts have been, so let me make everything clear. You know that I want to fuck you. But you also need to know that doesn’t mean I’m going to use you or trample on your heart.”
“You don’t understand at all.” Her jaw tightens, then she lets out laughter that sounds forced. “What’s going to happen between us has nothing to do with either of our hearts.” She looks at me then. “I don’t love you and I never will and I know it’s the same for you.”
“Why do you sound so upset?”
“I’m not upset.” She scoffs like I’m way off base. “I’m half awake and I don’t know why I have to justify just wanting a little dick and nothing else from you.”
“I didn’t say you did. And it’s a lot of dick. That’s what I’m going to give you.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, it’s so.” I touch her lips. “In here.” I touch her ass. “In here.” Lastly, I touch her between her legs. “And in here. You can choose the order.”
Her eyes darken. “I’m fine with all of that. The sooner, the better. But that’s all I want. A lot of wild and crazy sex. No boundaries there. We can swing from the ceiling and we can use toys or ropes as far as I’m concerned. But this?” She taps the center of her chest. “Is out of bounds. Don’t even try it. We’re a few encounters of sex, that’s all that will eve be between us.”
She tugs her arm free and walks off.
I frown, not understanding how she could have done such a turn around since last night. We had a good evening and a great kiss. At least I thought. Maybe I completely misread her. Maybe she’s not being vulnerable. Maybe she’s not acting tough at all and she’s just being who she is.
I pour myself a cup of coffee. I can’t figure her out and that bugs the hell out of me. I take a sip of the brew, then promptly spit it out into the sink. That shit’s strong enough to make my balls shrivel like raisins. I pour out that pot of coffee and make a fresh one.
Why is she saying her heart is out of bounds? Because of her? Because of me? I’m not the world’s greatest catch, true, but I’m still…whoa…what the hell am I thinking?
I’m standing here fretting that a woman I don’t feel anything for doesn’t feel anything for me? Clearly my brain is still sleeping.
While I wait for the coffee to brew, I push the nonsense I’m thinking aside and go find a clean shirt from my suitcase. I shake out the wrinkles and whip off the shirt I was wearing.
“Am I driving…” Melody’s voice trails into silence as she stares at my bare chest.
“The kids to school? Yes. I was going to do it but when I was in the barn last night, I thought I saw a water stain on the roof. I need to get up there and check it out.”
“I see.”
“If the roof is leaking it has the potential to lead to respiratory issues for the horses. After that, I’ll check in on my ranch and make sure everything’s running smoothly there.”
“Be careful.”
I grin. “Are you worried about me?”
She points toward the front door where I took off my boots last night. “I mean be careful what you track in. You stepped in something and brought it into the house.”
“You sound like my wife.”
She snorts and it sounds like an insult.
