More Than One Night (22 page)

"Can you make a pallet on the floor for Jason?" she whispered. "The extra blankets, pillows, and comforters are in the hall closet."

Moving closer to the bed, he lowered his voice. "I'm making one for Annie too. I'm not sleeping on the couch again tonight."

Her mouth opened to protest—this he could handle. Avoiding the sleeping children, he braced his hand on the pillow under her head and slid his lips over hers. The silence—golden, her mouth—amazing.

Moments later, she turned her head to break the kiss. "You're very adept at shutting me up."

Unable to resist, he slid the tip of his index finger over her lips, the touch returning her to silence. "Haven't heard you complain yet—one more quick kiss."
Damn, kisses are addicting.
"I'll get the blankets and be right back."

Less than five minutes later, his army training paid off, and he'd assembled two makeshift pallets on either side of the bed. He lifted Annie and kissed her forehead. "Good night, princess. Sleep well. The kingdom is safe."

He repeated the maneuver with Jason, leaving out the kiss. "You fought mightily, brave knight. Sleep well."

As cute as the kids were, their presence in the room only delayed his reward for slaying the dragons. He turned off the light and slid onto his side of the bed. His fingers ached to feel Melodie's skin. A few touches wouldn't hurt. Reaching under the covers, he caressed her bottom, the resulting murmur of pleasure music to his ears. Need and desire prompted him to push for a little more. Spooning her firmly against him, his hand slid higher and to her front. The fire in his belly ignited, demanding relief the moment his palm cupped her breast, teasing the tips.

Maybe they could move this party to the living room, bathroom…any room but here. "Mel?"

"Mmm, good night. Very tired…thank you for slaying my dragons." She moved closer into the "spoon" shape with him, breathed a sigh of contentment, and settled further into sleep. Any other time. Any other woman. Normally, this situation would've pissed him off. With Melodie, the physical ranked pretty damn high in importance. For the first time, though, something more demanded attention. He wanted peace or at least some version of happiness.

He snuggled in close enough for each breath to draw in the clean scent of her shampoo. Contentment rained down on him, and, in that very moment, he knew. Damn it all, and despite his best efforts, he'd gone and fallen in love.

Hours later, Daniel jolted awake, sweat clinging to his chest and limbs. Checking quickly, he saw that Melodie had turned on her side when he woke, but the gentle rise and fall of her chest showed she was still asleep. Drawing a slow breath in and then releasing it, he prayed the pounding of his heart wasn't as loud as it sounded in his ears. Otherwise, everyone would be awake in a matter of moments.

He rolled his shoulders in an effort to ease the tension. Each muscle in his body protested the movement. He hurt everywhere. The rock in his stomach weighted both his body and spirit. The vivid nightmares providing a painful reminder that, despite what Melodie said, he didn't deserve happiness. Looking at her sleeping form, blanketed in innocence and beauty, he also doubted he deserved her.

Saturday

"Auntie Mel! Wake up. Wake up. Wake! Up!" Jason bounced on the foot of the bed. "Did you marry Annie's dad?"

The bouncing and yelling she might've been able to ignore, but his question was another matter entirely. Forcing the sleep from her limbs, Melodie reluctantly pulled herself from Daniel's embrace. "Come here, sport."

Jason bounded into her arms and plied her with a good morning kiss. "Did you marry him?"

"What makes you ask such a question? You know I'd never have a wedding without you being there as the ring bearer, right?" She tousled his mop of brown hair.

"He was sleeping in your bed. Doesn't that mean you're married?"

She searched her brain for a way to explain her sharing the bed with Daniel without providing him anything potentially scarring or trouble-worthy when he repeated it. At seven, she had no doubts he'd repeat it.

Before she could answer, Daniel's gravelly morning voice joined the conversation. "You ever slept on your aunt's couch, buddy?"

Jason's eyes squinted. "Yes."

"Was it comfortable?"

The brown curls bounced as he shook his head. "No. Very lumpy."

"You and the princess here took up all the space on the floor, and my old back couldn't take another night on the couch."

Jason nodded. "Only place left was Auntie Mel's bed. Good thing it's big enough for both of you."

Melodie pulled Jason into her arms and started tickling him. "My couch is lumpy, you say? I'll show you lumpy."

The giggling woke up the remaining sleepyhead, and Annie joined the party. "Tickle me, Daddy. Tickle me."

Daniel smiled at his daughter, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Maybe later, princess. Daddy's tired this morning."

Melodie kissed Jason on top of the head. "Okay, you two, go get on the lumpy couch, and find some cartoons to watch. We'll be out in a minute to fix some breakfast. I'm pretty sure there are donuts in the cabinet calling your names."

Cartoons and sugar prompted the kids to leave the room in a hurry, leaving her alone with the man who'd played hero in the most erotic of dreams last night. The moment the kids cleared the door, she leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. "Did you not sleep well last night?"

His lips covered hers and made her forget for a moment what question she was asking him. His kisses ventured lower, the neckline of her T-shirt being pulled aside to give him access. Temptation engulfed her, pushing aside the adorable rug rats channel surfing down the hall. Physical and emotional need weaved together to form a chain of desire settling low and deep within her body.

"Daddy, we're hungry!" Annie's voice sliced through the building tension between them, and she regretted instantly his lips lifting from the swell of her breasts.

His eyes darkened. "I'm pretty damn hungry myself but not for donuts."

One more kiss. She needed one more kiss before she could tear herself away. Pulling his body flush with hers, the hard contours of his chest provided a comforting and welcome weight against her chest. "Tonight, Annie sleeps on the lumpy ol' couch, and you get the bedtime story you've been wanting."

Thoughts of the children dissipated the moment their lips touched. Pleasure mounted swiftly as his tongue swept across the seam of her mouth. With no hesitation, she opened to him, deepening their connection. Wanting more. Needing more.

"Auntie Mel! We're starrr-ving!" Jason's desperate proclamation forced them apart once again.

Her eyes closed as Daniel's fingertips slid over her highly sensitized and well-kissed lips. "Maybe Annie can stay with them tonight and give us an evening alone."

She laughed and sat up, fearful if she remained prone it would prove too difficult to resist pulling his body on top of hers for another attempt. "Just as well, I need to get ready and drop Jason off before work." Her hand covered his heart. "You will be here when I return, won't you?"

The strong beating under her palm increased, and his hand came to rest over hers. "I want to be with you as long as you want to be with me." She'd grown accustomed to him being here. She didn't want to think of how lonely this place would feel when he had to go home.

A quick kiss this time before she made her way to the kitchen. "Come and get it, kiddos. A breakfast filled with sugar and carbohydrates. Your parents will thank me later." She loved being the aunt.

Jason devoured the first few bites of his chocolate goodness while Annie remained ever the lady and nibbled at hers. Melodie could swear she witnessed a glint of amusement in the young girl's eyes as she watched Jason consume his breakfast. Once the first few bites were down, along with a few swigs of milk, Jason found his voice. "You should ask Mommy where she bought her couch."

Melodie sipped some of her coffee and tried not to think of Daniel using up all the hot water in the shower without her. "Why's that, sport?"

"Cause Daddy sleeps on the couch a lot of times. It must be more comfortable than yours."

Melodie thought to the number of times she'd seen her sister lately, rarely accompanied by her husband. Maybe Evelyn's life wasn't as accomplished and perfect as she let others, her family included, believe. "I'll be sure and ask her. Finish up your breakfast while I get ready, and then I'll take you home."

"Can't I stay? Puhlease?? I wanna play with Annie today."

Daniel stepped into the kitchen. "It's okay with me if his mom approves. We can take him home later after work. There's gotta be a park around here somewhere."

Sexy. Sensitive. Sweet. Smoking hot. His hair still damp from the shower and the flush of red on his tanned skin prompted her to not even care if he'd used up every single drop of hot water. A cold shower would be in order for her anyway. The desire to call in sick and spend the day with her pretend family overwhelmed her. It wouldn't do, though. Despite what her mother might think, she took her job and responsibilities very seriously. Add to that her promise to visit her mother and make another attempt to repair their relationship, today could rank pretty high on the total crap list. The thoughts cooled her ardor and provided focus on what needed to be done. "I'll call Ev and ask. Going to jump in the shower and get ready for work."

Before heading off to get ready, she squeezed Daniel's hand. When he looked up to smile at her, the dark circles under his eyes brought her concern for him back into focus. "You still haven't answered my question from earlier. Are you okay? You look exhausted." She winked at him and whispered, "I'm pretty sure I didn't keep you up all night."

He lifted their clasped hands and kissed the back of hers. "I'm fine. Go get ready for work. You don't want to be late."

And just like that—bam!—he'd shut her out. She'd gotten much better at reading him and recognized his behavior. Of course, it wasn't hard to remember as they'd been down this road before. She nodded and fought the urge to sigh. She didn't want to lose him again.

A lump the size of a donut hole rested firmly in her throat. The last four hours at work crept by with interminable slowness, allowing her to think of little else besides the conversation about to take place with her mother. Unwilling to put it off any longer, she pushed the button next to the door frame, sending chimes of her impending doom reverberating throughout the house and her heart.
I can do this. A conversation long overdue.
Confidence didn't fill her, but enough found its way into her limbs to give her courage to remain at the door.

"Mel, so good to see you."

The breath she'd been holding left her lungs. "Dad, how are you?" She pulled him into a hug. "How's Mom?"

They separated, and he smiled. "Not planning to divorce me, so I'd say the Alexander charm is still alive and well."

She couldn't decide if his words made her happy or sad. He'd told her before his vows meant something. For better or worse. From her perspective, he'd certainly been given a lot more of the worse than the better when it came to his relationship with her mother. "As long as you're happy."

He smiled and kissed her on the forehead. "Happiness isn't a feeling, baby girl. It's a state of mind, a conscious decision. Though, seeing you here, uninvited, makes me experience the feeling as well."

"Maybe Mom will extend her good mood and not try to divorce me either." She offered a small smile. What kind of grown woman dreaded seeing her mother?
This one, that's who.

"She's in her office. Go say your peace. This has gone on long enough between you two. You deserve to find your happy state of mind."

He pulled her into a hug—a gesture she knew with absolute certainty she never wanted to outgrow. "I love you."

"Love you too." Her father's tender gaze held hers. "She loves you too. Never forget that, Mel. Even if she has a tough time showing it. You know how she is."

She exhaled slowly. She knew.

Her steps were slow. Every nerve ending, from the top of her head to the tip of her toes, coordinated their efforts to reduce her stride and delay the inevitable. The confidence building in her since Tom's death and meeting Daniel provided hope. She inhaled and exhaled deeply. She was ready.

Stepping into the formal and imposing study, she soaked in the power and affluence that radiated not only off the woman sitting behind the mahogany desk but off every piece of furniture and art. Marie Alexander, certified public accountant, business owner, formidable adversary, and timeless beauty. Finding and grabbing hold of her courage before it slipped down her pant leg and ran like a scared child screaming from the room, she located her voice. "Everything about this study suits you, Mother."

Marie looked up from her papers and removed her glasses. "It should. I hand selected and decided on every detail."

Melodie nodded. "May I come in?"

At her mother's gesture, she took her first step into the lion's den. "I confess. I'm surprised to see you. Social visits from you aren't really the norm."

Don't take the bait. Stay calm. Be honest, even if it hurts.
"I want to talk—really talk. About you, me, and our relationship."

Marie's eyes narrowed. "I try to talk to you on a regular basis. You never seem interested in listening."

Because lecturing isn't having a conversation
. "I have listened. The problem is, I can't get you to listen to me."

The older woman reclined, crossing her arms and legs. "Please, enlighten me."

Inhale. Exhale. "For starters, I am not now nor will I ever be a good cook. Not because I can't learn, simply because I don't want to. I enjoy research. It's how I learn. I do love having my head in a book and dreaming as it allows me to escape the harsh realities of life—a life, I might add, created primarily by a mother who reminded me often of never being quite good enough. I chose to be a librarian because giving children a love of reading opens up an entire world for them. When they can read, they can accomplish anything."