The night was early, and I had hoped she would invite me up when Scott pulled in front of her building.
The neighborhood wasn’t the safest, and I noted the lobby was worn down when someone came out, leaving the door wide open. What I didn’t notice was Melody’s lips on my cheek until they disappeared.
“Thank you for dinner and the invitation. Call me,” she said, opening the car door.
Scott rushed out to grab her door.
“Where are you going?” I barked.
Her head swung around. “Excuse me? I’m going home.”
My tone was harsh, but all I thought was she was going to leave, just like that.
“No, you aren’t. I mean...” My chest was pounding. “You were leaving without me walking you to the door.”
She rolled her eyes. “I thought I would save you a few steps.”
I reached for her hand as she was about to step out. “Wait. Please.” She turned back around. “Scott, could you drive us around the block until I signal. There’s something Ms. Dumas and I need to discuss.”
He nodded and waited for Melody’s leg to slide back in before he shut her door. I raised the partition and was glad we took the Maybach, which offered privacy. I moved to sit across from Melody and grabbed her left hand.
“You may think it’s chauvinistic, but I like opening doors and walking beautiful ladies to their home.”
Her jaw tightened.
Fuck.
“Talk to me, Songbird.”
“It’s not that.”
“Then what is bothering you?”
She looked down, and I scooted closer, lifting her chin. I noticed her left knee bounced and prepared myself for whatever she was about to say.
“Ben, I’m not sure where this is going. Are we trying to become... friends?”
“Hell, no. I’m good in the friend’s department. I was hoping we could become more.”
“I was too, but... you seem reserved when it comes to more.”
Leaning back in my seat, I ran through our times together. How the hell would she think I didn’t want more?
“Melody, you need to say what’s on your mind. Men can’t read women’s thoughts, and we don’t want to.”
“You never kiss me,” she huffed.
Her cheeks were red, even in the dim lighting. Her leg wouldn’t stop bouncing, and she was fidgeting with her dress hem.
“Is that what’s been bothering you?”
She looked up and nodded.
Before she said another word, I pressed my mouth against hers, demanding entry. Melody’s eyes flew open, and I watched as she submitted to my madness. Her murmurs of appreciation fueled me.
When my tongue gained control, I pressed myself harder against her, using my knee to spread her legs wider. Sliding her dress up, I felt her silky skin, stopping at what I sought.
“So wet,” I breathed, then took her tongue back into my mouth.
This was not what I had planned.
My innocent Songbird needed to be kissed gently, reverently, not have my greedy hands feeling and caressing every part of her.
I kissed along her neck, pleading for her to stop me. Her fingers twisted through my dark strands as she pushed closer. I pulled back and looked into her responsive eyes.
“How could you think I didn’t want you... want this? I’m trying to be a gentleman.”
“Don’t,” she whimpered.
I bit her bottom lip and pulled it into my mouth as my hand cupped the side of her right breast. She gasped, and I froze for an instant, remembering she was my pure Songbird.
“I won’t fuck you here,” I said against her mouth, “but I will fuck you.”
Melody stared into my eyes as she tried to catch her breath.
I moved back to the seat across from her as I pressed the intercom, advising Scott to drive back to Melody’s apartment.
This time around, Melody waited for me to open her door and walk her to the front steps.
I placed her beautiful face between my palms and embraced her gently, fervently, longingly, and passionately—the way our first kiss should have been.
“Wow,” she breathed out with a light giggle.
“I’ll call you next week.”
Our hands stayed entwined as she walked up the stairs, both of us not letting go until the last finger parted.
Chapter Eight
Melody
Ben Schilling was anything but predictable. Laughing to myself, I rolled over on my stomach. I couldn’t go to sleep after he dropped me off. I took a long, hot shower to relax my mind, but that didn’t help.
I giggled, thinking about what I said to him and was shocked at my honesty. New York was rubbing off on me. I had wanted him to kiss me since the first night, and when he didn’t kiss me after our second date, I felt it was me.
It was obvious I wasn’t like the women he dated. I thought he might be fascinated with the thought of dating someone like me, someone different from his norm.
But that kiss... oh, it was everything. And his hands. Oh, his hands... That was the first time I felt him lose control, panting and groaning, and when his lips started exploring, I wanted more—so much more—even though I wasn’t sure I could go through with it.
At the time, I was caught up in my emotions and ready for him to rip off my underwear. But after the cloud of lust settled, I was scared half-to-death. I was unsure if I could be as bold with him again.
Then that kiss goodnight...
It was sweet, sexy, and perfect.
I wanted to invite him up.
As I looked around the darkened room, I felt lonely. I grabbed my pillow, snuggling against it as I tried to empty my thoughts.
“You have to pick that dress!” Genesis smiled.
“It shows too much cleavage.”
She laughed. “Please, your boobs are small. Which reminds me, we need to find something to accentuate them.”
“I can’t afford anything else.”
“I’ll pay for the accessories. My treat.”
Her new director was being extra friendly and gave everyone Visa gift cards for Christmas. Genesis was the only one who had extra zeros after the dollar amount. She bought a few things for me, I would never buy myself—a new handbag and a pair of jeans I had my eye on. Gen was always a giving person, like her wanting to buy me something for Ben’s party.
Genesis danced around the consignment store, looking for accessories. We had been searching for a dress that would be appropriate for a cocktail soirée. The city had great second-hand stores, and many of the dresses still had the tags on.
“Go, try this necklace on with this dress,” she said, pushing me back into the dressing area.
This guy was smiling in my direction as I closed the curtain. He was cute, looked younger than Ben, but I didn’t smile back. There was only one man I wanted to see. When I came out of the fitting room, the guy’s eyes bulged, and I knew then that Genesis was right about the dress.
“That is it. Turn around,” she ordered. “Your boobs look bigger to match that ass.”
“Not funny.” I turned to look at the back of the dress in the full-length mirror. “You don’t think this is too low?” The short, shimmering silver dress had a front and back plunging neckline.