“I will. Promise. We’ll talk soon.” I hang up with a sigh.
“Who was that?” Melanie asks, narrowing her eyes.
I groan. “My manager, Gary. Wants to know when I’m coming back.”
“Weren’t you supposed to be gone until you write this whole album?” Melanie frowns.
I might be imagining it, but there’s a little pink to her cheeks.
“Yes. I am.” I stand up and move to sit by her, tugging her close. “I’m not going anywhere soon, trust me,” I murmur, tugging her closer and planting a soft kiss on her mouth.
Melanie pulls back, running her fingers through my messy hair and gazing at me with a lazy half smile. “Okay. But why did you say you have to stay away from Nashville for a while?” she probes.
I hesitate. I’m not sure I’m ready to talk about what went on down there yet. But the closer Mel and I get, the more it feels like I’m keeping things from her. “I just… There are influences.” I let my words hang in the air. “Just trust me. Here is where I need to be for now.”
“Okay.” Melanie seems satisfied with this when she grabs the collar of my T-shirt and pulls me to her again, kissing me softly. “Can I ask a favor?” she asks without pulling away from our kiss.
I grin into her mouth. “Anything.”
“How do you feel about ditching the couch?” Melanie pulls back, dragging her lower lip between her teeth.
“I’m not sure what you mean?” I furrow my brow. “I don’t mind this couch.”
Melanie giggles. “I meant…would you sleep in my bed with me tonight?”
I fight back the grin threatening to betray my poker face. “Oh,” I say, licking my lips.
“I just…could use a warm body.” A smile tugs at her mouth. “Just to cuddle.”
“Cuddle,” I repeat with a nod. “I think I can handle that.”
17
MELANIE
I’m warm and content as the sun streams through the small window in my bedroom. The air conditioner is blasting, but I’m not cold because I’m wrapped in Josh’s embrace, our legs intertwined, his feet on mine, keeping them warm. It’s been three nights of us sleeping together like this, and despite the feeling of his hard body against mine each morning, neither of us has made a move. I desperately want to, but I can’t help but think if he wanted more than this, he’d go after it.
His cellphone alarm beeps and buzzes from the nightstand, startling him awake. I’m already awake, but I keep my eyes closed anyway. Josh reaches to turn it off and then his arm finds my hip again.
“Time to get up,” he murmurs into my neck. His hot breath sends a jolt straight between my thighs. He kisses my neck, and his light stubble dragging across my skin has desire pooling in my belly.
I turn over to face him, letting my fingers trace his jawline. “I hate waking up early,” I whisper. “But I love waking up with you.”
Josh kisses me then, pulling me close enough that I can feel his desire. It’s a relief to know I’m not the only one feeling these things. I never thought I’d see Josh again, let alone have a second chance. He deepens the kiss, tangling his fingers in my hair, his teeth clicking against mine. Hungry. That’s the best way to describe it. I let out a soft moan, and he echoes it with his own.
“I want you,” I say softly into his mouth. Relief at having admitted it flows through me.
Josh pulls back, meeting my gaze. He brushes hair off my forehead. “I want you too,” he admits. “But we’re due at the radio station in an hour and…I’d like to take my time with you.” His voice is thick with yearning.
I groan. “Okay. That’s fair,” I say, moving away from him.
He tugs me right back. “Hey,” he says, tracing his calloused thumb over my lower lip. “Idowant you. Waking up with you the past few days has meant more to me than…” Silence hangs in the air for a moment as he struggles to find words. “I just—never thought we’d get a second chance. I don’t want to screw this up.”
“Me neither,” I say, placing my hands on his face and pulling him to me. “And it’s meant so much to me too.”
“Good.” Josh pushes up, throwing the covers off him. “Let’s get this show on the road.”
We take turns showering—seeing Josh walking around my condo in a towel, his broad shoulders still glistening with water, does something to me. It’s not only that I want him—I do—but it’s also that I want himhere, with me. He fits. We move around each other naturally, getting ready for our day together. While I blow-dry my hair, he fixes my coffee and sets it on my dresser. He packs up our guitars, fills up my water bottle, and he’s waiting patiently for me when I come out ready to go.
