Closed Off To You (Singing Star Trilogy #1) (2 page)

I was grateful to him, of course, for getting me out of my trap. However, he would forever be a part of the most mortifying, embarrassing, shameful event that ever happened to me.

“I’m sorry, sir, but I’m going to have to ask you to leave the store.”

I darted out of the changing rooms. When I plunged into the clothing aisle, I paused. Looking over my shoulder, my heartbeat increased when my gaze met Nathan’s. He stood in the entrance to the changing room. A security guard made his way towards him.

“Melissa!” I shouted.

A grin lit his face, but I didn’t stop to see the guard take hold of him. He would be escorted out of the premises because of me, yet, I couldn’t bring myself to hang around. He was the best looking man that had ever seen me almost naked, but that didn’t matter. He was also the most handsome man that had ever seen me perform the greatest act to go into my lifetime hall of shame.

Chapter Two

“You’re not serious, are you?”

Lizzie. My best friend. Also the one woman on earth who knew me better than I knew myself.

The door to the bar opened, sending a rush of cold air through my legs. When Lizzie had asked me to join her for a drink, I had considered ignoring her request. How could I show my face in public? Even though no one other than Nathan and his sister knew what happened, I wouldn’t live down the shame.

“I’m not joking. Today was the worst day of my life. At least I can say I’ve been naked in a changing room with a gorgeous man, though.”

Lizzie’s snort brought unwelcome glares from the people at the table next to us. I couldn’t help but smile when she winked at them before she reached over and grasped my hand. “Shame you didn’t see him naked.” She laughed.

“He saw my wobbly bits. I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t want to get naked with me.”

The beauty of having a best friend who had the same figure as you meant that you didn’t compare. She raised her eyebrows, but it was short lived. “Well, it’s certainly one you can tell your grandkids.”

I frowned as she tucked a stray strand of blonde hair behind her ear. The way things were going, I’d be old enough to be a grandma before I had kids myself.

Her big blue eyes stretched open as she looked over my shoulder. “Don’t look now. Men full of potential have just entered the pub. Don’t panic, I’m on it,” she muttered.

There were some people in the world that automatically brought out the head shaker in you. You know, the ones who acted in a certain way so when you were with them, you did nothing but shake your head. Lizzie, my darling friend, was one of those people.

“And, how are you on it?” I wrapped my hand around the cool glass in front of me.

I wasn’t a big drinker, preferring a cup of tea over alcohol any day. I told you, the grandma years were upon me. After the bra incident, however, which was what I had named the embarrassing event of the century, I was ready to get drunk.

“There’s three of them. It’s a shame Ella couldn’t make it, there’s a perfect one for her.” Lizzie suddenly smiled and fluttered her eyelashes as she spoke. They must have looked in her direction.

I itched to turn around and get a look, but I resisted.

“There’s a good one for me, too.”

“Well, before you say there’s a man for me, I don’t want one. Not after today,” I said.

Lizzie’s gaze moved, obviously stalking the men to the bar. They must have spotted her because her cheeks turned red, glowing at the attention she got. It was fascinating to see her whole face light up just because a man looked at her. Was that all it took to make a woman happy?

“I’m not sure he’s your type. But mine is…”

Lizzie, although my best friend, was the complete opposite of me. Being a visual person, she always went for looks first. We were all guilty of perving, but I was more attracted to a man who could hold a conversation.

“…Coming over… Shit.”

I laughed when her gaze darted back to me. She dipped her head, covering her face with her hair. She had all the talk when men were at a safe distance, but as soon as they were close, her confidence waned.

“I thought it was you.”

If the bra incident had been a nightmare, the consequences were even worse. The deep voice was unmistakable.

I didn’t look up. I couldn’t.

“You know him?” Lizzie stuttered.

From the glare she threw my way, I deduced that she had laid claim to my embarrassing saviour when she had set eyes on him.

Why did the universe taunt me? I mean, seriously? I had never met the man in my life before, and he just so happened to be in two places in one day. At the same time as me. Usually, I would be excited. I believed that things happened for a reason. Not today, though. No, not today.

“Melissa, isn’t it?”

Nathan. The very hot and hunky man who had ripped me out of my bra in the changing room. Unfortunately, not for the reasons I found myself fantasising about.

“Hi, my name’s Lizzie. How do you know Melissa?”

I still hadn’t removed my gaze from my best friend. Her mascaraed eyelashes fluttered as she gazed longingly up at him.

“Let’s just say, I know her quite intimately.”

My mouth dropped open as I finally looked at him. The twinkle in his eye didn’t lessen the heat of embarrassment that burned my veins as our gaze locked.

“Really?” Lizzie murmured.

If I looked at her, I would lose my composure. From the corner of my eye, I saw her fingers wrap around her wine glass. She would be squinting at me in an attempt at giving me the evil eye.

I couldn’t tear my gaze away from Nathan. The slight smirk on his face tempted me. Not to kiss him, no, but to rise from my seat and get rid of it. I resisted. In fact, I did a lot of resisting.

“Can we join you?” Nathan asked Lizzie.

He was brave not to ask me. He already knew my answer.

“Here’s your pint, Nathan,” his friend said as he joined us.

The new man was perfect for our friend Ella. Tall and lanky, just how she liked them. To be fair, she was taller than both of us and much lankier.

If Lizzie even dared to invite them to sit with us, I wouldn’t hang about.

“Of course.” Lizzie scooted along the bench so they could join us around the table.

My mouth hurt from the forced smile. Nathan looked between us as he settled to my left. Lizzie glared at me when the tall man sat next to her. A third guy hovered around the bar, waiting for his drink. He was shorter than the others but had a strong chiselled jaw.

“How are you feeling?” Nathan asked me quietly.

Picking up my wine, I downed it in one. I wouldn’t stay. I could see it turning into a great big laugh. At my expense. The whole table talking about my fun adventure.

“I was just leaving, actually.” I reached for my bag.

Lizzie grabbed my arm and squeezed. “No, you weren’t.”

I stared at her, but she ignored me. Turning, she smiled at Nathan. “So, you haven’t told me how you know my best friend…intimately.”

Nathan raised his goddamn sexy eyebrows. The smirk was still stuck on his face. Would he play a game or would he let me be? I couldn’t help but run my gaze down his chest. He still wore the same T-shirt from earlier in the day. Bringing my gaze back up, I coughed when our eyes met. The grin deepened in his cheeks. He didn’t blush, unlike me. How did he have so much power over me?

“Are you going to introduce us, Nathan?” the tall man asked as the last friend joined the table.

Lizzie offered her hand to him. “I’m Lizzie, and this is Melissa.”

They introduced themselves, but I didn’t hear their names. I was too busy trying my hardest not to look at Nathan. My body hummed with the energy of him. The whole of my left side was hot from where he sat only inches away. At one point, he scooted back on the bench, almost pressing his thigh against mine.

“I’m a little bit disappointed,” Nathan whispered.

The other three were deep in conversation about everyday life. Boring things, like jobs, and where they came from. I had never been good at small talk. Until Now. I would gladly settle for small talk with Nathan. It didn’t look like my wish would come true, though.

“And why is that?” I looked at him sideways.

He ran a finger up the side of his pint glass, wiping away the residue. “I can plainly see that you’re more dressed now than you were when you left the shop today.”

I bit my bottom lip before I could retort. By the time I went home from the pub, I would be a whole new shade of red. I glanced down at my top. It was purple. It pulled in at the waist and flowed over my stomach. My bra did a good job of lifting my heavy boobs to create the cleavage that Nathan stared at.

“Well, I’m sorry for disappointing you.”

My empty glass taunted me. I could do with another drink. There was something about the handsome stranger with the deep voice, who had seen me mostly naked, that made me want to drink more.

“No, worries, I forgive you. I do think I deserve a special thank you, though,” he said under his breath.

Lizzie giggled with the two men. She was so absorbed in them, I guessed that she had forgiven me for stealing her ideal man.

Our friendship had been strong for a very long time. Ella had joined our little twosome a few years ago. All three of us were single and happy.

“I think you got a very special payment for helping me. Not many men see me that helpless.”

I glanced at him, swallowing when his tongue flicked out and licked his lips. It should be my tongue dancing across that mouth. I quickly pulled back the thought as his eyes dropped from my face to my chest again. He didn’t exactly show me the greatest of respect.

“I was a very good boy. I didn’t take advantage of the situation. You asked me not to look. I tried the best I could. Given the circumstance, of course.” He leant closer so the others couldn’t hear.

Picking up my empty glass, I hoped someone would get the hint. I was trapped on the bench between Nathan and Lizzie. It wasn’t like I could just get up.

I wiped my palm on my thigh. The black jeans were rough against my skin. Did he make me nervous? The thundering of my heartbeat confirmed my fear. I needed to get my wits about me.

“Okay. You want a special thank you?” I handed him my empty glass. He took it, frowning at me before he smirked and got up from his seat.

“Double vodka and lemonade, please,” I called.

His retreat slowed, but he didn’t stop or turn to look. He didn’t even ask the others if they wanted a drink.

Lizzie cocked her eyebrow at me. It seemed that her envious feelings had gone. She probably noticed the intensity between me and Nathan.

“How do you know him?” she hissed.

I rolled my eyes, tempted to get up and leave before Nathan came back with my drink. I grinned suddenly, aware that Lizzie was dying to know. Maybe I could have a bit of fun. Maybe the day wasn’t a complete waste.

“He’s my rescuer. He saved me from my…bra…” I whispered the last part of the sentence so the others couldn’t hear.

Her mouth dropped open at the same time her eyes widened. Her perfect teeth gleamed when her lips pulled back into a big grin. She glanced at the other men before she huddled closer to me.

"I know you said he was handsome, but my God," she said. "I would easily go through what you did, just to have my bra ripped off by him."

A glass thumped down in front of me. Lizzie glanced up at Nathan as he sat back down. His thigh deliberately pressed against mine, but I ignored it.

My friend discreetly pulled back and joined in the conversation with the other men.

“So, about my special thank you.” Nathan gestured at my drink.

Picking up my glass, I took a huge gulp, almost choking myself at my enthusiasm. It seemed that I was trapped by a very handsome man. I would need courage.

“What about-”

“Nathan knows a good place, don’t you, mate?” his tall friend interrupted.

Nathan frowned as I glanced at Lizzie. She reached forward and clung to my hand. “Let’s go dancing!”

Was she mad? I loved to dance, but I wasn’t in my twenties anymore. Dancing in a room full of teens made me feel ancient. Just the other week, we were moaning about our age. Surely, she didn’t expect me to make more of a prat out of myself? After the day I’d had.

“You want to go clubbing?”

At least Nathan sounded as disgusted as I felt. The others nodded enthusiastically.

“Why not? It’s been ages,” the shorter friend said.

I stopped myself from shaking my head at Lizzie. She pulled a face at me. It was her way of provoking me into doing something against my better judgement. She always did it when I held back.

“We can go if you want.” Nathan nudged my glass into my hand again.

Were we seriously thinking about going clubbing? It was the middle of the week. I sounded like my mother in my head. She would worry about dancing on a work night. It made me mildly depressed. The younguns didn’t need my jiggly arse to show them up on the dancefloor.

“Melissa’s an amazing dancer. She’ll show you some moves.” Lizzie grabbed her coat and started to put it on.

“You are kidding me?” I asked.

Nathan shrugged when I looked him. Downing the last of his pint, he gestured to his mates. They stood in unison. Each one of them was different, yet, the look they threw each other spoke the same language. Men were so typical. I frowned as Lizzie got up to join them. Did they really think that we would go clubbing? We were too old, surely?

“How old are you?” I blurted.

Nathan looked around before his gaze settled on me. “Twenty-five, why?”

I snapped my mouth shut. He looked older, a lot older. I was a bit of a cougar. He was five years younger than me. And he wanted a special thank you…whatever that was.

“Lizzie, we can’t go with these young lads. Let’s head home.”

Nathan lowered himself next to me again. He turned to the side so his bulk blocked my view of the others. I shrunk in on myself, even though there was no need. He wasn’t threatening me.