by Clarissa Yip
He could still feel her stare as he trained his eyes on the TV. A picture of the Great Wall dusted with tourists filled the screen. He swallowed hard when the couch dipped, and Melissa shifted closer. Her breast pressed against him for the barest moment. His body tightened, but she moved away before he could let out the breath he held. She had swiped the dirty cup from the stand next to him and stood up.
“See ya later. I have to go to work.”
James frowned. “Work? It’s Saturday.”
She nodded.
“Where?”
Melissa shifted on her feet. A look of unease passed over her delicate features. “I got a part-time job, bartending.”
He stood up and studied her. She wouldn’t meet his gaze. The brat was up to something. “Why?”
She pursed her lips and crossed her arms over her chest. The movement pushed her cleavage up, but he quickly brought his gaze back to her face. “What do you mean ‘why’?”
“Are you short on cash or some--?”
Melissa closed the distance and waved a finger in front of him. “No, I don’t need your help. I’m doing fine.”
He frowned. “Is it your mother? I can--.”
“No. We’re fine. We don’t need your handouts.” She poked him in the shoulders to emphasize her words.
“Mel…” Startled by the fire blazing in her emerald eyes, he caught her jabbing finger and shook his head in warning. He’d never seen Melissa this angry. He was just trying to help… “Why are you working?”
“It’s just a part-time job I enjoy. Don’t work yourself up over it. And I’m not the little girl you can boss around anymore.”
His eyebrow lifted. Where could she possibly be working?
“Don’t worry. I can take care of myself. Go get ready to go out.” She turned around. “I’ll see you tonight.”
He watched the mesmerizing sway of her hips, then let out a groan and adjusted himself in his tight jeans. Her answer didn’t ease his concern, but he knew one thing: the brat was off-limits. Or so he told himself.
* * * *
James couldn’t get out of the house fast enough.
After dinner, the girls had gone home to get ready for the club, and he hung out with Alan, drinking beers and watching the local news.
“The finance market must be hard to keep up with,” Alan had said.
James had never understood what his little sister saw physically in the scrawny blond. Alan was a total geek, but at least he made good money working for some IT company. “It is. The economy is making it tough for brokers, but there’s a rise in retirement accounts with the baby boomers.”
“That’s cool,” said Alan.
And that was the end of that conversation. His sister appeared dressed in a short black skirt. He didn’t even like seeing his sister in the flimsy tank tops she wore, but he tried to hide his big brother disapproval. Liv hated when he acted overprotective. “That’s what you’re wearing out?”
Liv made a face. “What’s wrong with it?”
James frowned. “It’s…a little revealing?”
“Get over it.” She took Alan’s arm and pulled him out the front door.
“Have fun,” his mother called from the kitchen.
James shook his head as he followed them out and got into Alan’s Jeep. He didn’t know where they were going and he didn’t care as long as he didn’t have to spend the night listening to his mom go off on how she’d never see him settled before she died. Since his father passed away, he’d become the head of the household, and he didn’t mind supporting his family or paying for his sister’s wedding. As long as they were happy and he didn’t have to marry, he was fine.
He couldn’t handle any more women in his life. And with the brat being mysterious about her job, there was bound to be trouble.
They drove through downtown, and Alan parked his car in front of a pizzeria. The streets were littered with people, ready to get the most out of their weekend. His hometown had grown over the years since he’d been away. Unlike New York City, shops and restaurants were spread out, and there were no tall skyscrapers and strings of policemen patrolling the streets.
James got out of the car and waited for his sister and Alan. “Where are we going?”
“Sullivan’s.” Liv pointed at the three-story building down the street. “I don’t think you’ve been there. It opened last year. Arcade on the bottom, restaurant on the main floor and the club is upstairs. I like it.”
James shrugged. As long as he could get his hands on a cold beer, he didn’t care. After the long day he had, he just wanted to relax. He followed them across the street and spotted Liv’s friends, and couldn’t help but wonder if he’d see Melissa tonight. His groin tightened at the thought. The memory of her breast brushing against his arm sent another jolt through him. “When is Melissa coming?”
Liv gave him a nervous glance then drew up Alan’s wrist to look at his watch. “She might be out of work by now. It’s late.”
“Where is she working and why?”
His sister shrugged and immediately grabbed Alan’s hand, pulling him along. He watched Liv speed up to meet her group of friends at the entrance. She was hiding something. He knew it, but he decided to let it go. Melissa and Liv had always gotten themselves in trouble, and he’d be the one to bail them out. He’d find out some time, hopefully before all hell broke loose. The line at the entrance didn’t seem too bad as they approached.
Cara, one of the blondes he’d met earlier, immediately looped an arm around his. “Have you been here before?”
He shook his head. “I haven’t been downtown in a while.”
“The city must make this place look like a dump.”
He chuckled. He didn’t find her amusing or interesting, but made nice to please his sister. If he ever offended any of Liv’s friends, he’d never hear the end of it. His sister was going to be exactly like their mother whether she wanted it or not. “It’s not too bad. Grant has its attributes, like the golf courses and hiking trails.”
Cara frowned as they made their way into the club. He hid his laughter. Most girls hated golf and anything outdoors. It was rare if he found one that shared his enthusiasm.
James stepped away from Cara and pulled out his wallet to pay the bouncer. The gentleman in him never allowed the ladies to pay. Alan argued, but James insisted. They got their hot pink bracelets and then went up the escalator to the club.
He was impressed. The interior was more sleek and modern than he’d assumed from the ratty exterior of the building. Neon swirls lined the walls and big white lanterns hung from the tall ceilings. The dance floor was already packed with a crowd, bumping and grinding to a Fergie song. Alan found them an empty table in the corner, and James left to get everyone drinks. Weaving his way through the tight crowd, he could already smell the sweat blended in with the spilt alcohol on the sticky floors. He found an empty spot at the bar and forced his way in.
The guy next to him hollered out an order and James winced, tempted to rub his ringing ear. Not that he minded these scenes, but he’d been to enough clubs in the city and he had to admit maybe he was getting too old for these hangouts. Expecting some guy bartender, his gaze met a luscious butt clad in tight black leather behind the bar. Okay, maybe I’m not that old. His gaze trailed over her long legs, back up to the short skirt, then over the small of her back and to the messy black hair piled on top of her head. Arousal strummed through him. If only she would turn around, he could see her face and admire her breasts, but the sexy bartender was busy punching in numbers in the cash register and counting change.
James looked around to see the line of guys leaning against the bar, admiring the same view. One guy even caught his eye and nodded at him. He had to laugh. Guys were such dicks and he was one of them.
“All right, who’s ne--?” Emerald eyes widened in surprise.
He froze, but finally found his voice. “What the hell are you doing here?”
The brat was in trouble.
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Chapter 3
He wished his eyes were lying.
Anger swarmed through every pore of his body. He couldn’t believe it, but it was definitely the brat--baring the swells of her pert breasts in some tight confining corset thing.
“What the hell are you doing here?” James repeated.
She had the gall to smile and cross her arms over her chest. “I work here.”
“Grab your things. You’re quitting.” He swallowed the rage clawing to get out. The sight of her and knowing the other guys were seeing what he’d admired a minute ago made him see red. Blood red.
“No.”
“Now, Melissa. I’m not joking.” He toyed with the idea of climbing over the bar to throw her over his shoulder, but one of the guys came up next to him.
“Leave her alone, buddy. She’s working and we all need drinks.”
James glared at the short white man, who immediately moved away, before he turned his attention back to Melissa. “You get your things and come with me now, or I’m going to carry you out of here.”
“What’s the problem, Mel?”
It was the bouncer from the door, a big Hawaiian-looking guy in a black muscle shirt and jeans. Even though the dude was the same height as him, James knew the guy could easily pound him into the floor, but there was no way in hell he was letting Melissa stay.
“It’s fine, Cal. It’s my friend,” Melissa said in a rush.
James straightened and puffed out his chest when the bouncer looked him up and down. Not that it made a difference since the bouncer could easily lift him and throw him across the room, but he stood his ground. “She’s leaving now.”
The bouncer turned to Melissa. “That right?”
James narrowed his eyes at Melissa, daring her to oppose. He watched as she glanced at the line of drooling men staring back at her, and she tugged at the hem of her skirt. James wanted to take his shirt off and cover every inch of exposed skin. With an agitated sigh, Melissa shouted to the other two bartenders that she was leaving. Triumph surged through him as she moved to the end of the bar and lifted the wood panel to exit.
James walked down the length of the wooden counter and took her elbow in a firm grip. “Where’s your purse?”
“I didn’t bring one.”
“Keys?”
She lifted her hand to her chest and his gaze dropped to her breasts. Oh, hell. He lost all train of thought. He bit his cheek at the urge to press his mouth over her sweet flesh and seek the keys out with his teeth.
A nearby shout brought him back to reality and he pushed his perverse thoughts away. “What the hell are you doing here, of all places?”
“I knew you’d be like this.” She tugged out of his grasp, and he slid his arm around her waist before she could get away. She elbowed him in his stomach and he ignored her. No way was he going to let her loose in this sex-starved hellhole. “I work here. I told you. You’re lucky my shift is over.”
“Why? It’s not as if you don’t have a respectable job, brat.” James frowned.
His nickname for her didn’t sound right all of a sudden. Somehow, he couldn’t associate her with the short gangly girl with braces.
No. Melissa Johnson had turned into a sexpot.
“Where’s Liv?” she asked, looking around, then stopped when a couple carelessly bumped into her.
“At a booth. We’re leaving.” James pulled her to him and stifled a groan as her bottom rubbed against him. His cock hardened at the contact. An image of dragging Melissa into Alan’s car and hiking her short skirt to her waist sent another jolt of heat to his groin. He saw her long legs wrapped around his hips with him pushing into her, filling her. He was ready to burst.
Melissa gasped and looked at him over her shoulder. Shit. She felt it.
But instead of moving away, she pressed closer and his breath caught.
He swallowed hard. “Melissa.”
She turned into his arms, laying her hands on his shoulders. He almost growled at the feel of her breasts against his chest. His hands itched to grab her bottom and grind his hardness into her. “This is wrong.”
She licked her lips. The overpowering urge to taste her brought him to lean down toward her before he could stop himself. She rubbed against him, her cheek grazing his as her breath tickled his ear. “Take me.”
His head spun. The sensation roared down his spine, fueling his lust. Desire fought against his conscience. This is Melissa. She’s supposed to be like my little sister. But there was no brotherly love anywhere. Just hot, feral need.
With a ragged groan, he pulled her along, looking for the exit.
Melissa stopped and led him in the opposite direction. “This way. We can go out the back.”
James followed her, keeping his arm around her waist as she led him toward the back exit. Male eyes paused to admire Melissa as they passed, and he almost growled out loud. What the hell is wrong with me?
A bouncer, guarding the exit, nodded at Melissa, then assessed James before he held the door open for them. Melissa took his hand and led him through. His eyes trained on the bounce of her leather-clad bottom as they made it down a flight of stairs.
He stopped when they reached a landing. This is Melissa. The brat. “Mel--.”
She cut him off before he could say another word, pushing him against the wall and covering his mouth with hers. He groaned, unable to think, unable to focus on anything else but the feel of her in his arms.
Soft curves rocked against his frame as her tongue dueled with his. Her sweet minty taste sent heat coursing through his veins, overloading his brain. His hands curved around her butt, pulling her tight against him, and he hefted her up, her legs wrapped around his waist, then turned to the opposite wall and pressed into her. She felt amazing. Her breasts poked at him, pushing the swells over the tight leather.
Trailing his lips over her jaw, he sucked on the throbbing pulse below her ear. She whimpered and moved in closer. Her intense response set him on fire. He trailed his lips over her throat, then over the ripe swells of her breasts. He cupped them gently, lifting the magnificent globes out of her confining corset. Another thrill rocked down his spine. Looking up into her face, he saw the same molten desire mirrored in her eyes.
Growling, he latched onto her nipple, rolling the hard bead against his tongue. Melissa gasped, dragging her hands through his hair and gripping him tighter as he laved over the hard bud. Her legs squeezed him as he slid his hand across the smooth leather of her skirt and found soft silky skin. The contact singed his fingertips, and he reached under until he found her sex. Sliding a finger over the edge of the lace, he moved the material aside and found something better. Hotter.
Her breathing escalated, pushing her chest against his face as he slid his finger into her tight warmth. The wetness and heat enshrouding his touch sent him onto another plane of lust. He needed more, but hesitation stopped him.
He loosened his grip and drew away. A cry erupted from her lips as he allowed her to slide down the length of him, and he stifled a groan at the feel of her body pressed against his. He took a step back. They were moving too fast. “Melissa.”
“Don’t.” She shook her head and held a finger against his lips. “I want you.”
Her words sent another jolt to his groin. Concern with consequences leapt away from him as need knocked all thoughts out of his mind. He gathered her in his arms and covered her mouth again. Her fingers dug at his waist, slipping her palms under his shirt and he growled at her touch as she caressed his abs. Her fingernails reached up and grazed his nipples, and goose bumps rose on his skin.
A loud bang from above broke through their haze and his muddled brain cleared. He drew back and grabbed her hand. “Let’s go.”
They fumbled their way down the rest of the stairs and went out the exit at the bottom of the stairwell. Instead of the parking lot, Melissa pulled him along the side of the building and they turned left down a block to a two-story apartment complex.
“Where
is this?” he asked once they reached the top landing.
She reached into her corset and pulled out a gold key. “I live here.”
He frowned. This area of town wasn’t suitable for a woman to live on their own. “What happened to living at home?”
“It’s convenient for me.”
Melissa unlocked the door and swung it open before turning back to him. She held out a hand and he stared at it, hesitating. Could he do this? This was the brat.
“Don’t think about anything.”
His gaze shot upwards as she reached behind her. The sound of a zipper scratched against the ill-painted walls. Her leather corset dropped, baring her full breasts. His breath caught. With a low growl, he closed the distance between them, pulling her into his arms and kicking the door closed with his foot.
Melissa let out a laugh as she kissed him. He backed her into a stand under the mirror in the hallway. She held him off, then reached for the hem of his shirt and pulled it over his head before she allowed him to touch her again.
“Where’s the bedroom?” he asked against her lips. He lifted her up on the smooth surface and spanned his hands over her breasts, testing the weight in his palms before covering them. He dragged his lips across her shoulder, then down to her taut nipple. She gasped at the contact and he sucked harder.
“Down the hall, but I don’t think I can wait that long.” She reached for the zipper of his jeans. He groaned in relief as his cock sprang free.
Melissa pushed him back to look at him. Her eyes widened for a moment, and he thought he saw a flicker of fear before she wrapped her dainty hand around his girth.
Holy hell, I’m not going to last. Pulling her to the edge of the table, he hiked her skirt up. Wetness seeped through the black lace of her thong. He needed to taste her. Dropping to his knees, he ran his hands over her knees and trailed his fingers across her silky skin. He heard her breath hitch, and he looked up to gauge her reaction. Her teeth worried her bottom lip, and she stared at him, eyes darkening. She couldn’t be any sexier.
Pressing his lips to the inside of her thigh, he worked his way up. His palms slid over her hips, and she lifted for him to pull off her underwear. He slid the scrap of lace down her long legs and threw it to the side. His attention focused on her glistening sex. He swallowed hard as he ran the pads of his fingers over her skin. Once he reached her center, his thumbs parted her drenched folds and he leaned in. Her arousal heightened his senses. His cock hardened even more as her scent filled his nostrils. His tongue darted out and met heat. The feel of her undid him. As he circled around the tight bundle of nerves, Melissa cried out, pulling at his hair so hard that he almost winced. He lapped at her, her sweetness lighting a torch in him. Working his tongue over the rim of her sex, he slid his finger in. She was wet and hot--for him.
