by Jaymin Eve
“Oh, and Melodee…”
She spun her head around to meet his fiery stare, his expression intense. “You’ll be at the game.”
Wrenching her gaze free, she turned away from him. She was in no position to argue right now.
Later that night Melodee couldn’t sleep. Damn Nathan. She’d always been able to shut her mind off, through murder, mayhem and torture. But one freaking kiss had her too hot and bothered to sleep. Jewel, on the other hand, was sleeping soundly, her breathing even and smooth. Nathan had insisted on buying a breathing sensor mat; its flashing light was blinking away. But it definitely gave Melodee peace of mind and she should be able to sleep. She rolled over onto her stomach again; the shirt and shorts she was wearing felt like they were strangling her, although she was grateful to have some of her own stuff. Charles had picked up her backpack from her place. Everything was inside, since she’d never had a chance to unpack at her apartment. And now she also had her cash, and Nathan could stop paying for things.
“Can’t sleep?”
She wasn’t startled by his low, deep voice. She had heard him approach the open door. He perched in the doorway and was shirtless, his body even more muscled than she had expected. Her eyes greedily devoured him. His tattoo was nothing short of spectacular, an intricate mix of tribal and picture art that blended shades of black, gray and purple. It was definitely from a top tattoo artist and she wanted to run her hands over it so badly. Trace every line and mark on his body.
To distract herself she sat up. “When is the funeral?” she asked.
“Next week. Coach called earlier. We’ll be wearing bands for Doug in the game tonight.” He shifted to stand straighter. “Going to be tough playing without my wingman.”
Suddenly Melodee couldn’t take the tension any longer. She threw the blankets off and got to her feet. Standing on the mattress brought her close to Nathan’s height.
“What are you doing?”
He moved forward until he was at the edge of her bed. “What are you talking about?”
She shook her head. “You know exactly what I’m talking about. Why are you being so nice? Why do you want Jewel and I here?”
She forced herself to calm and lower her voice, so as not to wake Jewel. “I’m not your charity case, Nathan. I don’t need you.”
He remained passive, watching her, waiting for the tirade to end. “Have you ever thought that I need you?”
His words had tears springing to her eyes again. She fought them off. What could she possibly offer someone like Nathan?
“So what are we doing then? What is this? What are we? You said you weren’t the right man for me.”
She had to know, for some reason she wanted it defined. She couldn’t bring herself to rely on someone after so many years of being alone. Generally, she wrapped her independence around herself, shutting out the world, but she’d gone soft now. She wanted to know everything.
His eyes darkened to a cobalt blue. “I said I wasn’t a good enough man for you, and that’s still true, but I’ve decided to be a selfish ass. There’s something between us, Dee, I’m not stupid enough to deny it any longer. I want you.” He ran a hand through his hair, it fell back down in attractive disarray. “I’ve never wanted anyone this way.”
And just like that Melodee was content to leave things the way they were; to push would only force something unnatural, and she didn’t want that. But, she had to warn him not to expect anything from her.
“I’m fine with moving forward and just dealing with Jewel, making sure she’s safe and cared for. But I’m not sure there’s a long term future for us, Nate. Our worlds are just too far apart.”
He laughed. “Don’t be one of those people. Our families, our pasts, it doesn’t mean shit. If we want to be together, nothing should stop us.”
“You’re oversimplifying something that’s complicated. You’re in college, an almost pro basketball player. I don’t have a career. I’m a cage fighter and a nomad who moves with the circuit. I’ve never settled and I’ve never had a home. I was raised by monsters, I’m damaged and I don’t know if I even could exist in a normal home.”
Nathan was in her face now, the hard planes of his bare chest pushing against her breasts. Her body reacted, those disloyal nipples straining against her thin shirt.
“A building is not a home, a family makes a home,” he whispered to her. “And your capacity to love tells me that you aren’t as damaged as you would like to think.”
“Nathan,” she protested. Or begged.
“I need you to admit, that what we could have, is worth pursuing,” he murmured. “And while it’s damn hard to fight against my attraction to you when you stand before me like this, I promise you, until you say the words, there will be no sex … no touching … no kissing.” His lips brushed the edge of her jaw as he spoke. Melodee’s knees buckled and he caught her, his fingertips brushing along the side of her breasts. “But I’m going to pursue you, Melodee Lee, so prepare yourself.”
She collapsed onto the bed as he left the room. Her heart was rapidly beating and she could feel her pulse racing. She had to stop herself from leaving the room and begging Nathan to take her right now, consequences be damned. Instead, she pulled herself up, checked on Jewel and had another shower in her attached bathroom. But for once the running water didn’t leave her feeling renewed. Just confused.
A black-haired girl, with pouty lips and fake bouncy breasts, brushed up close to Nathan as they walked across campus. “Can’t wait to see you tonight, Nate.” He gave a non-committal smile and pushed past her. His gym bag bounced over one shoulder, and Jewel’s diaper bag over the other.
“Hey, Slam Dunk, knock ‘em dead tonight,” a man shouted and waved from across the central quad area.
Melodee couldn’t get over the way the student body of Syracuse treated Nathan. He was their god. Women threw themselves at him, men wanted to be his friend. And more than one curious glance was thrown toward the female and baby at his side. He didn’t seem to give a shit about any of it. Which helped to quell her inbred assassin instincts, which were urging her to break that chick’s arm as a warning. That’s where Melodee knew she’d be dangerous. She would never tolerate cheating, and when she loved someone, if they hurt her through their own stupidity or weakness she would probably kill them. She had to smile at these thoughts. Would Nathan still want her if he knew how crazy she was deep down?
Nathan reached out and took her hand. Her heart fluttered even though she knew he was keeping up the fake-girlfriend-appearances. At this point the curious female glances changed to glares. And mutters.
Charles stepped out from behind a building, a backpack slung over one arm “Lucky you’re a cage fighter, Dee. Looks like things are about to get scratchy and hair-pully.” He reached out and gave her a one arm hug, and a kiss for Jewel as they walked. “You’ll have to watch the women, they get a little crazy over young Nate.”
Nathan pulled her closer to him. “Ignore Charlie.”
“Who the hell is she?”
A whiny voice reached Melodee’s hearing. She turned her head to see two bottle-blondes following them.
“How is she with the Sinclairs and which one knocked her up?”
Melodee realized they thought she was a dirty little secret, and had a baby to one of the brothers. Her immediate reaction was to spin around and make a smart remark, but she refrained. Jewel didn’t need that negativity. Plus, public fights would not be the best information to get back to Denise from CPS.
“We’ve got you a seat in the family section,” Charles said, and Melodee realized he was trying to distract her from the curious stares. “Matty can’t make it, he’s on a huge case at the moment, but he said he’d catch it on TV.”
“Yeah, he told me,” Nathan said shortly. And Melodee knew that wasn’t the only thing the eldest brother had had to say. Suddenly she saw a payphone against the side of a large brick building, sheltered under huge snow covered trees. It reminded her of someth
ing she did every few days.
“Before we go any further I need to make a call.” She nodded toward the booth. She didn’t own a cell, all she had was a voicemail box where a few select people could leave her messages.
“Just use my cell,” Nathan said, “and I’ll pick you up your own tomorrow.”
Melodee came to a grinding halt, her hand wrenching free from Nathan’s.
“I don’t need a cell, I’m happy not having a device attached to me permanently, and I don’t like to be easily contactable.” She kept her voice low.
“Every woman should be able to call for help if they need,” Nathan growled. “What if something happens to Jewel? What if you’re attacked?”
Melodee laughed. “Don’t forget who you’re talking to. There are very few people I couldn’t best in an attack situation. I’m not afraid.”
Nathan reached out to take Jewel from Melodee. “You’re arrogant, and that scares me.”
“I’m not arrogant,” she said softly, “I’m confident, and I trust in my training and abilities. You don’t know my life, don’t second guess me.”
With a huff she released the precious little girl and left them standing there. As she lifted her hand to dial into her private mail, she realized her fingers were shaking. Nathan riled her up like no one else could. Closing her eyes, she fought for composure before entering the number and password.
“You have two new messages,” the automated female voice sounded in her ear. “Press one now.”
The beep sounded in her ear. Followed by a familiar voice. Dwayne from the fight club.
“Hey, Songbird, big fight coming up in two weeks. It’s worth twenty grand, knockout style until one winner. Let me know if you’re in?”
Melodee hadn’t planned on fighting again anytime soon, but twenty thousand dollars would set her and Jewel up for a long time. If nothing else came up, she’d be fighting.
Another beep sounded in her ear and the second message started.
“Hello, Melodee Lee, my name is Craig Luiz and I am the solicitor in charge of your parents’ will and estate. It has taken me a long time to find you, but I need to discuss the estate with you. If you could phone me back in a timely manner...” The male voice listed out two numbers before he disconnected.
Melodee pulled back from the phone and stared at the receiver. How the hell had the solicitor found her? And what would he have to tell her after all of these years? There was something very strange about that message. She decided to leave it for a bit; for now she wouldn’t be calling back. Although she did take a few seconds to leave a voice message for Dwayne, confirming her place in the fight.
“Everything okay?” Nathan asked when she made her way back to them. He was focused on her with his usual intensity. Their tense words from before were already forgotten.
Melodee nodded. They continued walking to the basketball stadium, joined by orange clad college students and townsfolk, all heading to support their team. And Nathan apparently.
“I’ll see you after the game,” Nathan said, handing Jewel and the diaper bag to Melodee. He leaned down and kissed her on the cheek and then another right in the corner of her mouth.
“Look after them,” Melodee heard him mutter to Charles as he left.
She chuckled. “Don’t worry, Charlie, I’ll look after you.”
He shook his head, a grin crossing his features. “I’m never living that down, am I? I still maintain that the fight was unfair, you were raised by ninja monks.”
Melodee grinned, he wasn’t even close. But the fight had definitely been unfair. Together they followed the masses of orange-colored fans streaming into the basketball stadium.
The stadium was massive and filled to capacity. Syracuse team colors were dominant throughout, a world of orange, and she figured the opposing side didn’t have much of a shot at a home game. A chant of Nate, Nate, Nate, had started up at some point and didn’t seem to be dying off. Comfortable in her soft-backed chair, with Jewel on her lap happily chewing on her teething toy, Melodee was just trying to take it all in.
Charles laughed at her expression. “You think this is crazy, you should see the pro games.”
“Basketball fans are insane.” Melodee could see a few shirtless men, their chests painted with numbers and symbols.
“What can we say, we like our sports here, and you just happen to be living with the basketball captain.”
Melodee watched the play of lights over the shining basketball court. Their seats were very close to the court, she could see everything. “Is he going to make professional?” she asked.
“He’s definitely going to be scouted this year, but whether he decides to continue on, only Nate can tell you that.”
She spun her head at the strangely somber tones from Charles.
“What does that mean?” she asked.
Charles just shrugged, and in that moment the music and a loudspeaker kicked in. Melodee sat forward in her seat, anticipation flooding her system, and she realized she was waiting to see Nathan. He had knocked her on her ass and was slowly but surely chipping away at her protective shield. She felt vulnerable, but the sense of exhilaration when he was around was eclipsing everything. Melodee had spent her life running, but she had always known that the capacity for epic love was inside of her. She felt things very strongly. And she was already half in love with Nathan, and dammit she promised she’d never do something as stupid as falling in love. Especially overnight. But in love or not, the future was as unsure as ever. Their lives were worlds apart, and unless they could find a middle ground, what hope was there?
“Where’s Luke?” she said, looking around.
“He’ll be here any second,” Charles said, and sure enough, in dashed the youngest Sinclair, just before the start of the game.
“Hey, Dee,” he said, having adopted Nate’s name for her. “And hello, precious Jewel.” He tickled the little girl, who started to giggle.
“Get lost on your way here?” Charles drawled.
Luke grinned. He had perfect teeth, just like the rest of the Sinclairs. “Found a damsel in distress, she needed assistance.”
“I’ll bet,” Charles snorted. “Did you get her name this time?”
Their conversation was cut off as names sounded over the loudspeaker. In single file, men entered the court area. Nathan was last, wearing the number one on his orange jersey. And now Melodee understood all the men with large number ones painted on their chests. Her eyes greedily drank him in; his hair was so blond under the lights. His aqua eyes flashed as he scanned the crowd. He stopped when he found her. They simply stared at each other, the moment brief, and yet it went on for a million years.
People screamed, women called his name, and yet in that moment, Melodee knew he saw no one but her. Jewel finally noticed him and started waving her arms toward Nathan. She already loved him, that was for sure.
“Holy shit,” Charles said, distracting her.
She forced her gaze from Nathan, wondering what Charles had seen. Following his line of sight, she understood his curse was for Nathan. She hadn’t noticed before, but the star center had moved off the court and was making his way up the stadium. He stopped right in front of them, and judging by the gasps and mutters, this was not something that generally happened. Leaning down, Nathan planted a kiss on Jewel’s cheek, and then moved across to imprint his lips onto Melodee’s. It was brief, but scorched her all the way to her soul.
“Wish me luck,” he said as he pulled away.
Reaching up, she grabbed his shirt and hauled him closer to her.
“Good luck, Nate.” She lowered her voice. “I'm going to kill you for this.”
With a laugh he pulled away and went back to the court. Melodee sighed as she noticed her face was now plastered across all of the screens surrounding the stadium. The words written beneath her picture: Who is Slam Dunk’s mystery woman? The image frozen on the moment he kissed her. Melodee wasn’t sure if everyone noticed, but on the large screen she
could see vulnerability written all over her face. And she hated that. She wanted to get up and leave, she detested publicity, but knew this was for Jewel. They needed to keep up appearances, so she simply smiled and maintained her calm.
Thankfully, before the stares could get to her, the cheerleaders hit the court and distracted everyone. The show was fast, the beat of the music flooding the space. Melodee was fascinated by the way they threw each other in the air. Had she ever been allowed to attend normal school, she’d have loved that. During the routine, the two teams seemed to be huddled up with their coaches. Nathan definitely wasn’t the tallest on his team – a few of them towered over him – but he certainly held center of attention when he talked. Finally it seemed as if the game was ready to get underway. Five men on each side, and the rest were on the bench.
Charles and Luke started giving her a rundown on the rules. It didn’t take her long to realize two things. Nathan moved with skill and grace unparalleled by his teammates. And that she still had no interest in anything to do with sports. Yet for some reason she couldn’t take her eyes from the court. Jewel fell asleep after her bottle at half time, snuggled into Melodee’s shoulder. She never even stirred during the second show and cheers.
“I’m glad that Nathan found you and Jewel,” Charles said, close to her ear.
Melodee met his gaze. “Don’t get the wrong idea, this kissing and girlfriend business is just for Jewel until we make sure she has a good family.”
“Whatever you say, Dee. But we both know there is something between you two. I’ve never seen Nate like this with any woman. He never brings them to his place and he wouldn’t normally give a damn about CPS.”
“I’ve lived a shitty life, Charlie. I don’t have the capacity to survive all of this fame and uproar that surrounds Nate. He deserves so much better.”
Charles laughed. “Good luck with that one. Nate’s a devil when he sets his mind to something, and you’re in his sights.”
They stopped chatting then as Luke came back from the concession stand with food for everyone.
