by Jaymin Eve
“Damn it, Leanna is a cheerleader,” the youngest Sinclair cursed as he noticed a woman with long, braided red hair. “Nate’s going to shit a brick.” All of them focused on the court then.
“Who is Leanna?” Melodee asked, leaning forward.
Charles had straightened in his seat, his glare also landing on the redhead. “Just someone with a dangerous obsession. She’s unstable.”
“Crazy as fuck,” Luke said. “I haven’t seen her in ages. She used to stalk Nate. It got pretty out-of-control.”
Melodee pulled Jewel’s sleeping warmth closer. Leanna had better not come near them now. Melodee had a bad case of mother bear and would not be able to control her actions.
“Is she glaring up here?” Luke barked. “We can’t leave Dee and Jewel alone while she’s around. If she saw Nate kiss her, she might be ready to snap.”
He was right, Leanna’s dark eyes were locked on their group. Melodee wasn’t worried for herself, but Jewel was very vulnerable. Time to incorporate her training to protect her precious baby.
“I might have to have a few words with her,” Melodee said, her tone hard. “If she threatens Jewel in any way I will hurt her.”
Neither of the men said any more, but the worried expressions didn’t leave their faces.
The second half of the game was close, and Melodee found herself forgetting about the psycho cheerleader and focusing on Nathan. She even let out a cheer as his three-point shot landed right before the final buzzer, securing the win for Syracuse. The crowd went nuts – flashes as photos were taken – and the announcer over the speaker wrapped it all up. Jewel woke up just in time for them to stream out with everyone else leaving the stadium. The entire time Melodee stayed focused on her surroundings. No one was ambushing them tonight.
Chapter 7
“So what happens after a game?” Melodee asked the boys.
They were standing near the back locker rooms, where the players would emerge, and they weren’t alone. Women lined the area, primping themselves and squealing. Melodee hoped they weren’t going to strip off what little clothes they had on, when the basketball players actually appeared.
“After the game we have the after party,” Luke said, as he eyed off some of the scantily clad girls.
“Do these women realize it’s freezing outside?” Melodee was astonished by this behavior.
“God, I hope not,” Luke laughed.
Charles snorted. “Luke likes them stacked and stupid. The rest of us learned long ago that they were more trouble than they’re worth.”
“What can I say, I’m a slow learner.” Luke wandered off, firmly focused on a leggy brunette with breasts spilling out of her top. She seemed more than welcoming of his attention.
The noise around them increased as the double doors banged open and the first of the players emerged. Without pause, the groupies descended. Nathan was the fourth man through, and he was swamped by people from all sides. Melodee drank in the sight of him, his hair wet and slicked back, his gorgeous features searching the crowds.
“Great game, Slam Dunk.”
“Nate, will we see you at the after party?” female voices chorused.
Melodee had to shake her head. No wonder it was so common for sports stars to cheat on their partners. Women literally threw themselves at them.
Lucky for him, Nathan ignored them all, determination on his features as he scanned the masses. Melodee stepped forward. It was as if he was a magnet pulling her into his force field. His eyes locked on hers and the smile that curved his lips and the rapid beating of her heart, told her everything. Tonight Nathan Sinclair belonged to her. He’d told her that she had to admit that what they had was worth pursuing, and while she still wasn’t sure about the long-term viability, there was no denying she wanted him. There was something between them.
He must have read some of the emotion on her features, because his eyes turned dark and stormy as he moved toward her. People shifted out of his way, no one game to stop him in his current mood.
“Hey,” he said, as he reached their side. Jewel waved her hands at him and with a smile he scooped up the little girl. “Hey, baby, how did you like the game? Did you have fun?” He tickled her cheek.
“She fell asleep,” Melodee said.
Nathan laughed. “Can’t blame her, it wasn’t the most exciting game.”
“It was actually pretty g– ”
Melodee was cut off by a female voice. “Nathan Sinclair, it’s been a long time.”
They all spun to find Leanna standing a few feet from them. Her red hair was pulled back now and she was dressed in jeans, boots and a low cut sweater. Her eyes were dark brown and they were locked on Nathan.
“I know you’re not fu– ” Nathan glanced at Melodee before cutting off the curse. “You’re not supposed to be anywhere near me. You can kiss your cheerleading career goodbye.”
Nathan handed Jewel to Melodee and edged in front of them. He didn’t want this psycho bitch anywhere near them. What the hell was she doing showing up like this again? She’d been plaguing him since freshman year. They’d gone on one date and it had taken him all of twenty minutes to realize she was insane. Completely fucking insane. He’d dropped her home and bailed as fast as he could. That type of behavior was nothing new for him, but usually he got sex first. But even without any action, Leanna was obsessed. She started following him everywhere, calling and texting constantly, even after he changed numbers. It all ended when he found her naked in his bed in his college dorm. Leanna was the reason he now lived off campus in a high security building. His parents insisted on bringing in the police and Nathan had allowed it because he hoped the chick would get some help. This was the first time he’d seen her in at least a year.
Luke wandered back to stand next to him, presenting a united front against her.
“You look good, Nate,” Leanna said. “I’ve missed you.”
“Still crazy as fuck,” Charles drawled. “And in violation of a restraining order. Leave now before you get hauled off again.”
Leanna suddenly shifted her stare to Melodee. And for the first time the true insanity shone through. She took a step forward. “Who’s the whore?”
Nathan wasn’t surprised that Melodee didn’t move her stance at all or show any emotions. She was actually pretty scary right now, her eyes flat and hard, and he knew that she was focusing on her opponent. Standard training for a fighter.
“Holy shit, chick fight,” some guy shouted from behind them. It broke the tension, although Melodee still didn’t remove her eyes from Leanna. Eventually the redhead sniffed uneasily and turned away to leave.
“See you soon, Nate,” she called over her shoulder.
“If you come near me or my family, which includes Melodee and Jewel, I will make sure you end up in prison this time.” Nathan’s body was rigid, anger riding off him in waves.
“Get Detective Jack Morrins on the phone,” he said to Charles as soon as Leanna disappeared. “Time to get him back on the case.”
Their group was quiet as they made their way across campus. Charles had made the call and they would meet up with the detective tomorrow, but clearly Leanna was still on their minds. Halfway along sorority lane, Charles and Luke left them to attend one of the numerous celebratory parties. When they disappeared into the crowds Melodee turned to Nathan.
“You can go if you want?” she said. “I’ll just catch the bus back to your place with Jewel.”
Nathan was still furious, he couldn’t believe Leanna had gotten so close to Melodee and Jewel. He was against all violence toward women, but Leanna tempted his restraint.
“You must be kidding,” he snarled, even though none of this was Melodee’s fault. “No girls of mine will be taking the bus.”
Melodee didn’t say anything, her beautiful blue eyes focused on the snow covered ground. In silence they made their way to Nathan’s Range Rover. He loaded Jewel into her seat and opened the door to let Melodee in. He calmed once the darkness an
d scent of leather surrounded them. He pulled away from the college and headed toward home.
The car was smooth and silent as it cut a path through the snow-lined streets.
“You don’t have to be afraid for us.” Melodee felt some strange urge to reassure him. She wasn't upset by his anger earlier, she understood where it came from.
“I can't stand the thought that you might get hurt because of me.” His hands were tense on the steering wheel.
“You can't own this,” Melodee said, “this is all on psycho-cheer-crazy back there.” For the first time she made the move to touch him, reaching out to grab his hand. “If my parents taught me anything, it’s that you’re not responsible for what someone else does. You can only control your own actions.”
“Where did you come from, Melodee Lee?” He threaded his fingers through hers. “All I can think about is you. I still taste you on my lips, and I want to know you, everything about how you turned into this sexy, smart, fighter chick.”
She didn’t hesitate, her voice husky. “You told me to admit what we have is worth pursuing. Would you settle for a little less? I want you. Take me home, Nathan Sinclair, and tonight you can own my body, but I can’t promise I’ll share more than that with you. I vowed that no one would ever own my soul.” She twisted in her seat to see him better. “Can you accept that?”
He examined her for a long moment. “I accept it for now,” he finally said. She thought she heard him mutter something more about ‘baby steps’, but she could have been wrong.
The drove into the underground car park of Nathan’s building, the doors closing behind them. The sexual tension was ever present between them, but in the meantime the evening was filled with Jewel: playing, bath, food and bed. The little girl was such a delight. But Melodee couldn’t shake the unease in the pit of her stomach. What was CPS going to find out on her family?
After dinner, when they had placed Jewel in her cot, Nathan and Melodee stood over her, watching as she drifted off to sounds of the musical mobile over her head.
“How old do you think she is?” Nathan asked.
Melodee didn’t take her eyes from Jewel. The little girl was watching her closely, using her as a focal point while her eyes were doing the big blinks before sleep claimed her.
“I think around six months. She can sit and roll and seems to be ready for solid food. I might have to make her some puree soon.”
Nathan shifted closer to her and Melodee could feel his heat run along her body. Within minutes Jewel’s big blinks had ceased and she was asleep. Melodee turned on all the baby monitors and together they left the room.
Melodee attempted to determine his feelings on having a baby thrust into his world. “I’ll bet this isn’t your usual after-game celebration.”
Reaching out, he captured her face in his large hand. “I’m twenty-three years old, I was over the party scene a long time ago.” He pressed his lips to hers. “There’s no place I’d rather be.”
He pulled back and moved into the brightly lit kitchen. “Would you like a glass of wine?”
Melodee smiled. “Are you trying to get me drunk?” She took a step closer. “I assure you, there’s no need. I want you.”
He was across the space and Melodee was in his arms before she could blink. As he surrounded her she wondered if all the air had been sucked from the room, because she was suddenly struggling to breathe. He lifted her easily; she wrapped her legs around his waist. He moved them across the room until he had pressed her against the living room wall.
“Last chance to change your mind,” he whispered, his eyes holding hers with his intensity. Melodee answered by thrusting her hands into his blond hair and wrenching his head down to hers.
He captured her lips.
He kissed the same way he did everything else, with a skill that just about knocked her on her ass. He started light, grazing her lips with his, his tongue just tracing the seam of her mouth. Small little moans were already falling from her lips. She couldn’t remember being this turned on in her entire life and he still had not moved past her mouth. He held her weight like it was nothing, and she threw her head back as he started to trail kisses from the side of her lips, down her cheek and along her jawline.
“Nathan...” Melodee’s voice was breathier than she would have liked, but there wasn’t much she could do to change that. “You’re killing me.”
She felt him grin against the side of her neck. “You’ve been killing me from the moment I dashed through the snow to find a pair of sapphire eyes glaring at me.” He reached her neckline, and without hesitation tore her shirt from her body, buttons flying across the room.
“I’ll get you a new one,” he said, his lips moving along the edge of her bra cups, her breasts heaving with each of her ragged breaths.
“I. Don’t. Give. A. Shit. About. My. Shirt,” she gasped out in short bursts.
Then her bra was gone and Nathan’s mouth captured her right nipple, his hand surrounding her other breast. Melodee moaned. When had she gotten so damn sensitive? It felt as if he was about to bring her to orgasm already.
“Bed. Now,” she ordered.
He laughed as he pulled back slightly. “You’re a bossy little thing.” He turned and all but ran down the hall to his bedroom. “And I fuc … freaking love it.”
They started to kiss again, and by the time he hit the edge of his bed, Melodee had already stripped off his shirt and was attempting to get the button on his jeans undone.
It was his turn to groan. “Are you deliberately torturing me?”
She laughed because she was taking an unnecessary amount of time.
He laid her back onto what felt like million thread-count sheets, his large body crowding over her but not dominating. A few minutes later and their clothes had disappeared. Melodee took her time tracing her fingers over his body. She finally got to admire the tattoos.
“This is amazing.” She pressed her lips to a dragon spectra. Every picture bled into the next; it was seamless.
“A friend of mine did it. He’s a crazy talented artist, and even with his skills this job was impressive,” Nathan said.
Melodee continued her exploration. He definitely had the muscle tone of an elite athlete, not bulky, but defined muscles and an eight pack of abs that she couldn’t resist running her tongue over. Despite her lack of relationships, Melodee was no stranger to sex. For a time in her life she had searched for comfort in all the wrong places, but that was a long time ago. She had promised herself that the next time she was with a man, it would be because he meant more to her than one night of forgetting. And Nathan was the only man to ever bring her this.
Nathan’s mouth was at her breast again, his fingers tracing her body in the same manner that she had explored his. His right hand reached the junction of her legs, and without hesitation he slid one finger inside her. The sensation was too much. The moment he entered her an orgasm ripped through her; she cried out and rode the pleasure. He added some pressure on her clitoris with his thumb and this increased the orgasm to the point where she was lightheaded. Her legs moved restlessly beneath him as she processed the overload of sensory stimulus.
“So responsive. So beautiful.” He groaned against her lips. “Such a damn turn on.”
She cried out as his teeth scraped the pebbled bud of her nipple. He removed his fingers, using the wetness between them to further lubricate her. Reaching across to the nightstand he opened a drawer and grabbed a foil package. Protection had completely skipped Melodee’s mind; she was glad he’d thought ahead. Reaching her hand down between them, she captured the silky smoothness of him in her palm. He was huge; she could not close her fingers around his shaft, and her hand felt tiny as she started to move it up and down. She too used her own wetness as a lubricant and his head fell back as she started to stroke him. His low groan sent quivers through her already trembling body.
His breath slid along her neck as he spoke. “If you don’t stop that I’m going to embarrass myself,
and I haven’t done that since I was a fourteen year old boy.”
He reached out and slowed her movements, before leaning his head down to kiss her again. This time it was rougher, more jagged as their arousal took over. He reached between them one last time to check her readiness, and finding wetness coating his fingers, he slipped on the condom and finally he was inside her. Melodee gasped as she was filled to capacity. He felt even bigger than he’d looked, as he slowly slid deeper. She had to concentrate on her breathing just to stop a second orgasm ripping through her. This time they would come together.
“So tight. Perfect,” Nathan said; he rested deep inside her.
And then there was no stopping. His arm muscles stood out as he held himself up and thrust into her slowly. She rose up to meet him and their momentum increased dramatically as the sensations washed over. Melodee knew she wouldn’t be able to last much longer, he was everywhere and touching every sensitive nerve she possessed. Her moans were louder, and as his teeth closed over her nipple, biting down gently, she cried out as the beginnings of the orgasm washed over her. As dominant and independent as she was in life, at some point with Nathan she’d let go, given him some control. She’d never done that before.
Nathan threw back his head and, groaning her name, sent them both completely over the edge. The orgasms were forceful, shattering. He moved inside her a few more times, drawing out every second of pleasure between them. They stayed joined, their ragged breathing eventually slowing, and Melodee was able to think again.
“Well damn,” she said. “Let’s do that again.”
Nathan laughed as he withdrew from her body.
“My thoughts exactly.”
He stood and lifted her from the bed. Melodee’s heart swelled when his first instinct was to check on Jewel; she was still sound asleep. He then took Melodee into his huge bathroom. His shower was one of those from the magazines with six heads strategically placed around the stall. Nathan held her close, reaching out to hit the water. It was cold for only a second before the warmth surrounded them. And as the wetness poured over them, he found her lips.
