He reached into his back pocket and took out his wallet. Was he serious about trying to dunk her?
He waved a bill at her friend who looked to her, obviously apprehensive about taking it. “Well, am I going to get a shot at her or not?” he asked Kay. He glanced at Melanie and winked.
Melanie snorted with bluster, though secretly she prayed he couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn.
Kay handed him three balls and stood back. Some help she was. Why didn’t she try to distract him?
He placed two of the balls down on the counter and rubbed the other one between his hands. “Did I tell you I played ball in college?”
Melanie’s heart sank. She was going down.
He fixed his stance and with great force threw the ball, hitting the target square on.
Melanie felt the seat give way beneath her. She dropped, grabbing a last breath before going under. Icy cold water surrounded her. She came up sputtering, slapping at the water’s surface.
Damnable man and his huge, nicely formed arms. From somewhere nearby she heard loud hoots of laughter. Was that Kay? Would her best friend laugh at her misfortune?
She swiped at the hair dripping in her face, and peeked at Knox who looked damned proud of himself. She stood in the water and glared at him, her teeth chattering uncontrollably.
“I have two more shots,” he said to her, picking up another of the white balls, rubbing it around in his hand.
And I would wring your arrogant neck.
Reluctantly, she waded over to the ladder and sloshed out of the water, her clothes clinging to her skin.
She slid onto the seat and glared at him again.
The devilish grin he wore just seconds earlier had vanished, replaced by something she wasn’t sure of. She looked to Kay for answers. Her friend's face looked flushed. “What’s wrong?” Melanie had no clue what had happened.
“Didn’t you wear a bra?” Kay’s cheeks blushed a bright pink.
Melanie looked down. Her white blouse clung to her breasts and had become completely transparent.
Her hands instinctively flew to cover herself. Heat infused her face. The man had been ogling her chest, visible through the wet shirt. How mortifying. She’d never be able to face him again.
Tears threatened to well in her eyes. Melanie refused to succumb to them.
What did it matter anyway? He found her unappealing though his intimate gaze hadn’t appeared disgusted—just the opposite.
She shook off the thought.
Never again would she allow Kay to talk her into doing something for her. This was it—from this day forward she refused to play the fool for anyone.
Chapter Five
Knox pulled a white cotton polo shirt over his head, tucked the bottom into his pants and buckled his belt. On the floor next to him was a pair of comfortably worn black boots.
He sat on the bench in front of his locker and pulled them on.
After a six-hour detail he'd come back to the firehouse to change for the dance. Since that afternoon, his thoughts hadn't wandered far from Melanie and her sweet little, over-exposed breasts.
He’d never had such a reaction to seeing a woman’s chest before. You’d think they’d been his first pair from the intense arousal overwhelming his body even at the memory, like it had at the time of exposure. He wanted Melanie with a passion he'd never experienced, which was strange considering she didn't fit his ideal image of the perfect woman. Even so, she sure as hell sent his body into fits of uncontrolled desire—so much so that he thought of little else.
He wanted to see her again—be close to her—find out if those unusual feelings he’d experienced had been a figment of his imagination. He had to, and soon, because the mere thought of her kept him in a constant state of firestorm.
He slid his wallet into his back pocket and headed out of the firehouse.
His heartbeat accelerated as he anticipated running into Melanie at the Fire & Ice event. He wanted ask her to dance.
What would she feel like in his arms? Would that strange humming start up once he got near her? He'd gotten a taste of the vibration when he'd seen her from across the fairground—razzing a patron trying to dunk her.
He’d had to laugh at the expression on her face when he'd asked for a shot at doing the same. Fear was evident in her pretty blue eyes, though they had also held tiny embers of desire. A man would have to be blind not to see that—how her irises had darkened a shade. She wanted him and, against his better judgment, he had to have her. She’d become an all-consuming obsession.
Sandra hadn't stirred emotions even close to what he felt just being near Melanie, and Sandra was supposed to be his type. The whole experience was too strange to fathom.
Melanie had somehow woven a spell around him and until he went to bed with her, he knew his desire would only grow stronger.
The only thing that didn't set well was that sleeping with her would be a conflict of interest. She was a suspect in the Grainger fire, though Knox didn't think she did it. True, her flier was found at the point of origin. Seemed too convenient. Something didn't fit. To him it appeared as if whoever had set the fire was trying to make it look like Melanie had.
Maybe tonight he could learn more—find out if she had any enemies who’d want to point the finger of suspicion at her. Someone who knew her well, was privy to the prior arson charge? That was another thing he planned to look into more as soon as he had some free time.
Something in Knox’s gut said Melanie wasn't the type to do something so calculated or dangerous to other people. Not when she was an artist, someone who created beauty.
According to her she didn’t even know the Grainger’s. What would she have to gain? What was the motive? Most arsonists had one. Without a reason the whole thing didn’t make sense.
His conclusion made him smile. If she weren’t a suspect in his eyes, there’d be no reason not to date her. He’d make love to her—the one thing he wanted to do more than anything right now.
Once in his truck, he reached into the glove box, pulled out a bottle of cologne and sprayed some on. The soft, musky scent always seemed to arouse women and that was his goal tonight. He was determined to get Melanie to go back to his apartment. To put an end to this blasted humming once and for all. To be able to move on with his life as a single, contented man.
* * *
Melanie watched three couples sway to the music that came from the band in the corner of the raised platform.
Darkness had settled over the city of Barton and more and more people were arriving to dance until dawn.
She glanced over at the refreshment table, her ice sculpture glistening in the middle, food and drink surrounding it. A sense of pride made her beam.
Someone brushed her shoulder.
Inwardly she prayed it wasn’t Dean.
She turned around and relief washed over her when she saw Kay. “It’s beautiful, Mel.”
Melanie was still angry with Kay, blamed her for the calamity earlier with Knox. “I shouldn’t even talk to you. But thanks.”
Her friend’s pretty face scrunched up, her amber eyes narrowing. “I’ve told you I was sorry. What more do you want? Blood?”
Mel placed a finger to her lips, pretending to contemplate her friend’s offer.
Kay rested her fists on her voluptuous hips. “Well?”
“Well, what?” Melanie thought it was about time Kay realized their friendship wasn’t one-sided. That Melanie had feelings too and she was tired of playing the court jester.
“I am sorry, Mel. How was I supposed to know you weren’t wearing a bra and the shirt you wore went peek-a-boo when wet?”
Melanie cringed at Kay’s remark. Peek-a-boo was right. She was mortified at the memory of Knox’s surprised expression. At first she’d thought she’d read desire in his gaze. But she knew better. She’d read the emotion wrong, that’s all. He found her disagreeable at best. No matter what she’d like to believe.
“I’ll forgive you, Kay,
if you promise never to ask another favor of me.” Melanie raised a questioning brow. “Do you think you can do that?”
“I can try.” Kay squeezed her tight. She released her and glanced around the dance floor. “So who are we going to dance with tonight? Oh, look who just arrived.” Kay gestured to the opposite end of the platform.
Melanie followed her friend’s direction. When she spotted Knox her stomach fluttered.
The man looked heavenly. So tall and strong. The top of his head barely cleared the plastic icicles hanging from above. The white shirt he wore clung to his muscular chest and shoulders, highlighting his deep tan. Tight fitting jeans hugged his narrow hips and strong thighs. The outfit was completed by a pair of black, large-sized boots.
“Yummy,” Kay said, drawing Melanie’s attention back to her. “I want to take him out back and eat him.”
“Oh my God, tell me you didn’t just say that?”
Kay smacked her lips. “What? What’s wrong with what I said?”
Melanie tried to keep her mouth from gaping in shock, but failed. Her friend was worse than any man she knew. “Kay, about that friendship thing.”
“Yes, what about it?”
“Don’t mess with Knox Manning.”
Kay’s eyes glistened with amusement. “Mel, you like him, don’t you? I was beginning to wonder about you. I thought you might have gone over to the other side.”
“What?” Melanie’s temper flared. “Not hardly, and I never said I liked Mr. Fireman.”
“You didn’t have to. I can see it in your eyes. You want to take him out back and eat him.”
“Stop saying that. That’s terrible.”
Kay glanced at Knox, then quickly returned her attention to Melanie. “I bet it wouldn’t be terrible at all. I bet it would be very, very good.”
“Oh God, he’s coming over,” Melanie whispered. “Don’t say anything embarrassing or I’ll kill you.”
Melanie’s gaze dropped to her feet. She was too afraid to look at him.
“Ladies,” he said once his boots had stopped a few feet from her pink sandaled feet.
Melanie’s mind was in a jumble and her eyes refused to look up. Kay’s insinuation kept popping to mind—her and Knox out back engaging in a little tongue-on-tongue action.
Her face burned at the thought. In a matter of days she’d turned into an over-sexed kitten, like Kay. Obviously they’d spent too much time together. Somehow Kay’s free and easy lifestyle had rubbed off on her and Melanie was too ashamed to look at Knox. She might embarrass herself further.
* * *
Knox’s gaze locked on Melanie. She looked breathtaking in a clingy pink dress that came down to just above her knees. Her hair was done up in a ringlet style that made her look soft and feminine. He wanted to pull her into his arms and kiss her. Though for some reason, she wouldn’t even look at him—probably still embarrassed about the dunk tank incident.
“Would you like to dance, Mr. Manning?” Melanie’s friend asked, drawing Knox’s attention to her.
Disappointment filled him. He didn’t want to dance with Melanie’s friend. He wanted to dance with Melanie.
“Sure.” Knox didn’t want to hurt the lady’s feelings, even when she wasn’t the woman he wanted to hold in his arms.
“Great. Melanie was just saying how much she wanted to dance to this tune. Weren’t you, Mel?”
Melanie’s head flew up, her eyes filled with panic. “I…ah…yeah.”
Knox could barely contain his excitement. He held out his hand, pleased when she placed her delicate fingers around his. Electricity shot up his arm and bolted down his backbone, ending at the tips of his toes.
Damn. What would making love to her be like if just touching her sent a shockwave through his entire being? Somehow he knew it’d be an experience he’d never forget—one to dull all others.
Maybe getting involved with her wasn’t such a great idea. What if she got him to thinking the single life wasn’t all it was cracked up to be? What if she finagled her way into his heart and he liked it?
Hah! Not in this lifetime. Or any other. He was single and free to come and go as he pleased. No skinny red-haired woman would ever change that.
He lead her out to the middle of the dance floor, placed his hand on the small of her back and pulled her into him, so close he felt warmth radiating off her body—heard her heart pounding.
The perfume she wore was a heady mixture of exotic flowers and earthy tones, each complimenting the other, driving his senses crazy.
Desire coursed through him. Before it got out of control, he tamped it down. He was a grown man. He needed to remember that. For now. Once he got her back to his apartment he’d allow himself the luxury of touching her—inhaling her, tasting every inch of her skin.
“Sorry about dunking you this afternoon.”
She pulled back to look up at him. “I’d been lucky until you came along.”
Knox smiled. “So how’d the booth do?”
“Very well. Kay can bring in men for miles. I was lucky most everyone’s aim was off.”
“Your friend does have a flare for drawing attention, though she’s not my type.” It was a lie. She was exactly his type—or at least had been until he’d set his sights on a skinny blue-eyed artist.
Melanie pursed her lips.
“You look skeptical.”
She shrugged. “I guess I’ve never met anyone who didn’t find Kay attractive.”
“I never said I didn’t find her attractive. I’m just not interested.”
The spark in her powder blue eyes faded. “You’re dating someone?”
He shook his head. “No, I’m not.”
“So if Kay isn’t your type, then…”
Knox brought his thumb to her mouth to stifle her words and brushed it lightly across her bottom lip, mesmerized by the soft, supple texture.
Their eyes locked. Time seemed to stand still until the music ended. The spell Knox was under was broken when couples leaving the dance floor swept past them.
Reluctantly he led Melanie back to her friend’s side. “Thanks for the dance, Ms. Sharp.”
Knox needed time to regroup. The simple contact with her lips had made him hard.
He needed to cool down.
He’d bide his time, wait until Melanie had worked up enough sexual frustration, then he’d corner her again. That’s when he’d convince her with a few passionate kisses that a night in his bed was just what the doctor ordered. It sure as hell would be a magic pill for him—like a dose of Viagra to a geriatric patient.
He’d gone without sex since he’d broke up with Sandra and it was going on three months now—a record drought for him—one he planned to put an end to tonight with Melanie in his arms.
Chapter Six
Melanie's bottom lip tingled long after the touch of Knox Manning's magic fingers left it.
Intimately, he’d caressed her, then left her side—only to dance with every available woman from twenty-five to forty in the town of Barton. Talk about mixed messages.
Obviously the man was an insatiable flirt. Every woman seemed enchanted by him after a whirl around the dance floor in his strong capable arms. She couldn’t blame them. He was an amazing looking man. His charm had certainly blindsided her.
“He can see you watching him.” Kay wrapped her arm around Melanie's shoulder.
“Who?” Why had Melanie’s plans of appearing unaffected failed so miserably? Maybe it was just Kay who’d noticed.
“Who? Please, Mel. I'm not a five-year-old. And neither are you. Quit staring at him and wipe the drool from the corner of your mouth. You look like a rabid dog.”
“I'm not drooling,” Melanie snapped.
“Really? So why is there a puddle at your feet?”
Melanie looked down before she realized her error. Oh boy. She was in trouble.
Kay giggled.
“Stop laughing at me.” Melanie’s face heated. “I can't help staring. He's so hot. He’s l
ike watching a burning building, you can’t turn away.”
“Yes, he is scorchingly handsome. Remember though, men want to be the ones to chase women. They’re strange creatures. Panting after a man is fine as long as they don’t know you’re doing it.”
Melanie wasn't sure if she believed Kay or not. Though Dean seemed to like the fact that she didn't want him. Maybe her friend’s observation was right. Men didn't like women who liked them.
Odd, according to some doctor she couldn’t name, men and women were from different planets. Believing that wasn’t hard.
Hell, to Melanie the male species came from another solar system altogether. A system where no man had any sense and they toyed with women’s hearts. As far as Melanie was concerned Knox Manning wasn't playing fair. Coming on strong and then leaving her to deal with all this pent-up desire.
Kay tugged on Melanie's shoulder. “You're doing it again. You have to stop looking at the man as if he were a bar of fine chocolate on the first day of your period.”
Melanie frowned at her friend’s analogy. “I don't even like chocolate.”
Kay rolled her eyes. “It was a metaphor, silly. I know you don't like chocolate. That wasn't my point.”
Melanie's patience slipped. “Okay, get to your point because I'm not getting any younger here.”
“That's right. You're not. What I'm trying so badly to say, dear friend, is—if you want this man, don’t look so eager.”
Why did none of this make any sense?
Wait a minute. I’m mad at Knox and he isn’t even doing this on purpose. It’s a game men and women play. Another type of dance.
True, it was skewed, but who could change that?
Kay knew the dance well, had always gotten any man she'd set her sites on—though she'd be very disappointed to know that Knox had no interest in her.
The thought brought a smile to Melanie’s face.
“What?” Kay asked, her flawlessly unlined forehead etched. “What’s so funny?”
“Oh nothing.” Melanie caught a glimpse of someone on the other side of the raised platform. Her attention focused in on the person’s face—Paul. “Don’t look now, Kay, but your ex just showed up.”
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