Whiskey Reveals

by Carrie Ann Ryan

  Beside him, Ainsley sighed and whispered, “Because, of course.” Then she looked at Fox and shrugged. “I guess the cat’s out of the bag. But I think Loch is wrong about what kind of cat we’re talking about. I would go chase him and explain, but I really don’t care right now. I’m headed home. Thanks for a good class. Now go make sure your girl isn’t thinking what Loch is probably thinking.”

  She kissed him on the cheek, aware that Melody was looking, and made her way to her car. Fox knew the other woman probably shouldn’t have kissed him just then, but that was Ainsley. Always making sure that everyone knew exactly what was going on even if she had no clue about his brother.

  Fox looked both ways before he crossed the street and made it to Melody’s side. She had moved from where she’d been standing, though he was kind of annoyed that Loch had left her there alone, even though Fox had been close. But that was something he would have to deal with later since, right now, he wanted his attention only on the woman in front of him.

  “So, it’s not what you think.” He winced. “And that’s something any dude who’s been caught red-handed says. But really, it’s what I meant too. In an honest way.”

  Melody just rolled her eyes and patted her hand on his chest. The fact that there was a smile tugging at the corners of her lips said it all, and he relaxed somewhat.

  “Since Ainsley is totally in love with Loch even though she won’t say it, and I don’t even know if she knows…and Loch is totally in love with her even though he won’t even dare to think it, I’m going with the fact that you were hanging out because you’re friends. I’m not some shrew of a woman who automatically thinks cheating. And if Loch weren’t so damn confused, even more confused than I am—and that’s saying something—he’d have probably figured it out, as well. So, what were you two doing? And why wasn’t I invited? Just kidding.” She winked, and Fox fell that much more in love.

  “We’re taking a cooking class. We both swore we weren’t going to tell anyone until we found some semblance of cooking talent because it’s kind of embarrassing to still have to learn the basics at our ages. But we’re getting better. And, somehow, the town hasn’t ratted us out to the family. Or maybe my parents know and they’re letting us pretend that we’re keeping the secret. That’s been known to happen since my mom always knows everything. As for what’s going on between Loch and Ainsley? I have no clue, and I try to give them their space because things are a lot more complicated since there’s a little girl involved. I just hope they can figure it out. And I’m really glad you didn’t think I was cheating on you. Because you’re my girlfriend, Melody, and I know we haven’t talked about it, and we don’t actually use titles, but I’m going to right now. You’re it for me. I’m not going to stray, and I’ll try not to keep secrets. That’s the only secret I’ve been keeping, but still.” He leaned down and took her lips, unable to hold back any longer. She smiled and kissed him back.

  He was damn stressed about what was going to happen, but he reminded himself that he also needed to live in the moment. And that meant he could live right then with his woman in his arms, her body pressed close to his.

  When they broke apart, Melody still held onto his hand and looked up at him. “I need to head home because I promised Grandma that I wouldn’t be out too late. She’s worrying more than usual lately, and frankly, I don’t blame her. But do you want to come with me? Unless you have other plans.”

  “That sounds like the perfect way to end the evening. I was going to ask if I could come anyway because we didn’t get to spend much time together today, and I want to hear about your day. I’m glad it doesn’t have to be by text.”

  She beamed up at him, and they headed to her car. Though she could walk from her house to the studio easily, they’d all agreed it would be better for her to drive or at least have someone with her at all times. Hence why Loch had been walking her to her car around the block. Fox had walked himself, so it was easy for him to just drive her car. Melody wasn’t a fan of driving as it was, and he didn’t blame her given her past, so she easily let him take the wheel.

  By the time they got to her house, Ms. Pearl was getting ready for bed since she liked to spend the last hour of her evening reading and drinking chamomile tea with a facemask. He loved hearing those little idiosyncrasies about the woman who had been the subject of his writing, as well as the woman who would help him be a part of Melody’s life. Yes, he and Melody would have eventually found each other because of the baby, but he wasn’t sure if it would have been the same if they hadn’t tried to start their friendship—and then the relationship—because they met again at Ms. Pearl’s house.

  They talked with the older woman for a few minutes before she went upstairs, and that left Fox and Melody alone. Because heat danced between them, he didn’t bother with the social niceties. He crushed his mouth to hers, needing to know that she was okay, needing to know that she was his—if only for this moment. Because she hadn’t backed off when he called her his girlfriend, but she hadn’t done anything else either. He was so afraid of losing her, and even with each kiss and brush of skin, he worried that they were getting closer and closer to their end.

  He pushed that thought away, locking it firmly in a vault so he could focus on the woman in his arms.

  “I want you. I’ve missed you.”

  She smiled against his lips. “I missed you, too. I don’t know how I can crave you this much even though I just had you a few days ago.”

  “Too long.” He kissed her neck. Her shoulder. “Let me take you upstairs. I promise we can be quiet.”

  She laughed, tilting her head so he could kiss her neck again. “No, we can’t. Be quiet that is. But we’re far enough away from Grandma’s room that we can go upstairs and do what I’ve wanted to do all day. Make me feel, Fox. Make me yours. Okay?”

  There was nothing he could do in answer except gather her up in his arms and kiss her again. He carried her to her room and closed the door behind them before he set her down on her feet, pressing her back to the hardwood of the door. She arched for him, a coy smile playing on her lips, and he couldn’t help but take her mouth again. His hands roamed over her body, cupping her breasts, then caressing her belly for a mere instant before moving to her hips. They both seemed to notice the gesture, the fact that there was a life growing inside her part of their every waking moment. But right now, it was just about the two of them.

  “I want to taste every inch of you. Take my time and lick and suck and bite. I swear every time together just gets hotter. It just makes me want you more.” He sucked hard on her shoulder, pulling the strap of her top down so he could taste more of her. His cock ached, pressing into her hip, and it was all he could do not to strip them both right there and fuck her hard against the wall. But he wanted more, needed more than a hard fuck on a hot night. So he would take his time. Savor every inch of her. And maybe even pound into her because she rolled her hips and shoved right back every time he did.

  “I think that sounds like a plan. But if you could suck my nipples right now, that would be great. Because they’re aching for you and we’re way too clothed at the moment.”

  Fox let out a sharp bark of laughter at that. He was always laughing when he was with her, even when both of them were so hot they were about ready to burst. So he did as she asked, slowly rolling her top up over her arms and head. Then he reached around and undid the clasp of her bra in one quick movement that had her eyes dancing, and slowly let it fall to the floor. The movement of lace and silk against what had to be her oversensitive skin was an erotic caress, even to him.

  Her nipples were hard points, her breasts fuller than that first night. Her nipples had only gotten more sensitive with the pregnancy, and he loved it. He lowered his head, sucking one into his mouth, biting gently while cupping her other breast with his hand and stroking his thumb over her rigid nipple. And then he switched sides, loving the way she moaned, arching her back so more of her breast filled his mouth. He’d always been a br
east man, and Melody had the perfect tits. Of course, he loved her ass, too. He loved when he stripped her pants down her legs just enough so they went under the globes of her butt so he could fuck her hard from behind and watch her curves juggle with each movement. He had to move back, catching his breath at that thought. Because Melody was just so damn hot, he was always afraid he would blow too early.

  Before he could go to his knees and take down her leggings so he could play with her ass and her sweet pussy, Melody pushed him away and put her hands on his hips to switch their positions. He was so surprised and turned on by the action that he let her do it. Of course, the sight of Melody going to her knees in front of him meant that he would let her do just about anything just then.

  She looked up at him, batting her eyelashes as she undid his belt and his jeans before pulling them down over his hips. He helped her, his cock springing free and bouncing against his stomach. He was that hard.

  She took him in hand, giving him two pumps before licking the crown. His eyes crossed, and he fisted one hand in her hair, the other laid flat against the wood behind him so he didn’t pull away and toss her to the floor so they could fuck each other hard. He loved the way she explored his length, licking and sucking down the hard line of him before going back to the head. She hollowed her mouth and danced her tongue along him before taking in the tip and sliding her tongue along the slit. She took her free hand and cupped his balls, rolling them in her palm as she bobbed her head, giving him the best blowjob of his life. And when she used her other hand to squeeze the base of him, he couldn’t help but arch his hips and tug on her hair.

  “Gonna come,” he warned, but she didn’t back away. Instead, she sucked harder, and when the first shot came from him, he called out her name, coming down her throat. He hadn’t come that quickly since the first night when they had been drunk on whiskey and each other. And, frankly, he did not care.

  Instead, he reached down, picked her up from underneath her shoulders, and brought his mouth to hers. He could taste himself on her tongue, and it just turned him on even more. She wrapped her legs around him, her leggings pressed against his dick so he had to somewhat waddle to the bed. He kicked off his jeans, then laid her on the bed so he could get to his favorite part. Well, at least one of his favorite parts.

  He tugged on her leggings, loving the way that she played with her breasts as he stripped her down. Then he spread her legs and went to town, sucking and licking and eating her out. She tasted so damn good, and he wanted to feel her come on his face at least once, maybe twice before he was ready again to fuck her hard into the mattress. He sucked on her clit, humming, and she let out little puffy moans as she tried to catch her breath. He used one finger to play at her entrance, slowly working himself in and out of her as he readied her. Then he added a second and a third. He wasn’t a small man, and he never wanted to hurt her. She was already wet for him, and not just from his mouth. And when he flicked his tongue over her clit and worked his fingers in and out of her with quick motions, she arched again and came, her sweetness filling his mouth.

  As she lay there, catching her breath, he went to his jeans and slid on a condom. They hadn’t had time to take their tests yet, and though he trusted her and she trusted him, they were still going to be safe just in case. Fox growled as he flipped her over onto her stomach, and she let out a giggle. He pulled her back so she was on the edge of the bed, her feet dangling off until they reached the floor. This was one of their favorite positions, and he really wanted to grab onto her ass and slide into her in one thrust. So that’s exactly what he did. He slid in to the hilt, and they both moaned. She had enough curves that he could grab on tightly and fuck her hard. The best part was, though, that her toes dug into the carpet on either side of him, and she pushed back, thrust for thrust. She put her cheek down on the mattress, causing the rest of her to arch up even more so he could go even deeper. She was so damn hot this way, so damn his that he knew if he weren’t careful, he would blow his load once again. Thankfully, her epic blowjob had taken off the edge so he could slide in a few more times and reach around to touch her clit. He only flicked her twice before she came again, squeezing his cock.

  When she was still riding her high, he slid out of her, ignoring her moan because he missed the heat of her, as well, and rolled her onto her back—but not fully. Her legs were still to the side and pressed close together so he could slowly thrust in and out of her, working his way in inch by inch. The position made her even tighter, and she met his gaze, her eyes dark, and he knew they looked just like his just then.

  He had one hand keeping her thighs together as he worked her, and the other went to her hand to tangle their fingers together. The position kept them so close, even though he wasn’t hovering directly over her. There was nothing like it, and all he wanted to do was squeeze her hand and never let that contact go. Because of those thoughts, he thrust home once again, and they both came, their bodies shaking.

  Melody was his, that much he knew. And it wasn’t just the sex. It wasn’t just the way she made him feel in bed. It was because of everything she was.

  And no matter what, he was going to do his best to make sure she knew that, even if she was scared of what they could have.

  Chapter 19

  Melody had so many feelings running through her, she had no idea how to organize them all so she could think. But she kept on about her day as normal since she was afraid that she’d either forget something or push someone away if she stopped.

  Both were her go-tos when it came to stress and dealing with the aftermath of the accident, and while she might have thought it helped once, it really hadn’t. So, instead, she found herself once again facing down the demons of her choices, but now she was afraid that she’d brought others into her pain, as well.

  Melody stood in her studio, the quietness of the room almost deafening. Fox had left her alone to go get them something to eat from Dare’s as she worked, though she knew Loch was close by, watching. The brothers never let her go anywhere, or at least not very far, without one of them near her since they were wound just as tightly as she was.

  She was on the final stretch, just one more night until the studio opened for her first dance class. While she was nervous, she was excited, as well. She’d put so much of her soul into this project, and now she would finally be able to what she’d dreamed of. Though the dream hadn’t been one in her mind after the accident, it was still the one finally coming true.

  No matter what, Melody would do her best not to let the past come back for her and ruin what she had in the present. Only it wasn’t that easy, and she knew that whoever was leaving her those horrible gifts wasn’t finished yet. She knew she deserved far more than a few broken bones from the accident. But, somehow, she’d thought that maybe she would find a way to live her life as it was rather than constantly having to look over her shoulder.

  Apparently, she’d been wrong.

  But she couldn’t stop, couldn’t let this rule her life. Not anymore. And she kept telling herself that so she’d believe it. What she needed to do was get out of her head, finish up the final details so she was ready for tomorrow’s classes, and get home so she could relax with her grandmother and maybe even Fox if he stayed over again.

  He was becoming so ingrained in her life, she knew she should worry, but with so much going on around her, it was hard to do that. She was falling for him, that much she knew. And while it should have worried her that everything was happening so fast, some part of her couldn’t really get that. Because it wasn’t as if they were in a normal relationship. They’d started off as a one-night stand that had turned to more and now was even greater than the two of them because they were having a baby. A small part of her worried that he was with her because of the baby and because he needed to protect her from whoever was after her—rather than because of what he felt for her inside. And she knew that was her own inner demons talking, but that didn’t make the words wrong.

  And because she w
ould start to cry if she kept thinking about that, she let the words swirl out of her brain and sat at her desk to finish up the last emails for the day. The week prior, she had sent out reminder notices about what equipment and costumes her students would need to bring with them for their first day since those were already posted when they signed up. She knew dancing was a financial burden for many families, and she would never require the best of the best, but she also wanted to make sure that everyone was prepared. Tonight’s email included a little bit more of that, as well as instructions for drop-off and pick-up times. While parents of the younger students would probably stay, she assumed that not everyone would be able to time-wise, and others would want to give their child space to learn.

  Her mother had been at almost every single practice, a stage mom to rival all stage moms. She wouldn’t say a word during the practices, but when they got home, she had plenty to say about Melody’s ineptitude. She threw in sprinklings of how talented she had been and how much potential she had, but it always circled back to how Melody still had work to do even with her talent.

  Melody would do her best to make sure her students were never put in that situation. It wouldn’t be easy, and she would probably make mistakes, but that was something she was good at.

  Emails done, she decided to at least stretch out a bit and dance something simple on her new floors to use all the nervous energy bubbling inside her. When she started showing as the pregnancy developed, she wouldn’t be able to do this, but she at least wanted to keep her body in motion for now. She went to turn on her music and noticed a music box next to the sound system. Thinking it might be a gift from Fox, she bent down to open the lid. A soft melody began to play its chords, and it sent shivers down her spine.

  She froze. That song…that familiar song.