Melody wipes a tear from her eye. “OK, you sorry sap. Enough making me cry. You’re going to ruin my mascara. But seriously, thank you. I needed to hear that.”
“Whatever you need, you know where I’m at.”
Melody pulls me in for a hug and I breathe in her cherry vanilla scent. I know her and Jaxon have had a rough go of things so I can’t help giving her an extra squeeze.
Pulling away, Melody levels me with a smirk. “So… give me the deets. What’s up with you and Kayden? He hasn’t been able to keep his eyes off you all night.”
“I don’t know what you mean…”
“Don’t bullshit me, woman. Every time you catch his eye you blush redder than a California sun.”
“He’s attractive is all. Who wouldn’t think so?”
“Ahhh, but my Dani has no fear of going after the men she wants, yet you’re acting more timid than a mouse.”
“He feels like someone that would absolutely wreck me,” I admit, taking a deep drink of my water.
Melody looks at me playfully. “Kayden is a great guy. Ex-military, rich beyond belief, and a good head on his shoulders. He doesn’t let the money get to his head, ya know? You could do much worse. Why don’t you make a move?”
I laugh nervously. Part of me wants to give in to Melody’s prodding—the part of me that hasn’t had sex in two months—butthe other half thinks getting involved with the man that rescued me from a house of nightmares is probably not a good idea.
“I don’t know, Melody. You don’t think it would be weird or crossing a line? Your best friend getting with your brother-in-law?” I question as though trying to talk myself out of it.
“Girl, I’ve known Kayden for years. He’s never looked at another woman the way he looks at you. I say go for it.”
I toy with my lip ring, contemplating her words. I am not usually indecisive when it comes to men. Ever since my rescue, I’ve become very confident in my sexual endeavors. I’m not a whore by any means, but when I want it, I don’t pussyfoot around the bush. But Kayden feels different. There’s an unspoken significance, like having a one-night stand with the man would be next to impossible. His stare is intoxicating in and of itself… I’m afraid I’d fall head first and never get enough of him at the first touch.
My eyes scan the crowds, but my hopes are dashed when I don’t see Kayden.
Standing up, I reach a hand out for Melody. “What do you say we call it a night? I’m sure Jaxon is dying to have you home and my feet are killing me anyway.”
She narrows her eyes at me but relents. “Sounds good, let me text him to pick us up.”
After texting Jaxon, we make our way back down the stairs and head for the front entrance.
Grabbing our coats from check-in, we head out the doors to wait. It’s not long until Jaxon pulls up in an electric-blue Lamborghini, and my heart drops. I know for a fact that car doesn’t have a backseat, so how the hell am I supposed to get home?
Melody looks back at me at the same time I realize I’m stranded.
“It’s OK, Dani. Don’t panic! I’ll make Jaxon turn around and get his work car. I know I told him you were coming home with us, I don’t know what he was thinking…”
Jaxon rolls down the passenger window, whistling and looking Melody up and down.
“Fuck, baby. How did I let you leave the house wearing that?”
Melody sashays over to the car, leaning over and resting her arms on the door. “Because you knew you’d get to peel it off me later.”
I think she meant to say that quietly, but with her inebriated state what she thinks is quiet is actually quite loud.
“Jaxon, my love. How do you expect us to get Dani home?”
“Fucking shit. Dani! I swear to god it’s an honest mistake,” Jax yells as he looks around Melody to meet my eyes.
“No worries, Jax,” I shout over Melody. Although, inside I am actually very worried. Derek was escorted out, but that doesn’t mean he’s not waiting around somewhere to catch me as I’m leaving. Whatever part of me was still under the influence of alcohol has quickly sobered as I try to process my predicament.
Almost as though I summoned him with my thoughts, Derek stumbles toward us, the light from the street lamp illuminating him and casting shadows that reach out to my slender frame.
“Dani, honey. I thought you were never going to leave. Can we talk please? I miss you so much it hurts,” he says, taking a step closer.
