by Vivian Arend
“Annoying, but less annoying than actually being pregnant,” Callie suggested. “I did think it was a little quick for you and Steve to be starting a family, but accidents happen.”
Oh shit. Steve. She needed to get in touch with him a.s.a.p. Melody grabbed the work list from Callie. “I’m not pregnant, if anyone asks.”
Her wonderful day had developed a nervous twitch. She headed back to her truck, hauling out her phone before she did anything else.
Hopefully she’d make contact with Steve before the rumour mill did.
Chapter Twenty
Steve dug his way out from under the tractor, clicking on his phone one ring before it went to voicemail. “Hey, sweetheart, how’s your day going?”
She hesitated before answering. “It’s going strangely, but not because there’s anything wrong with me. In fact it’s not about me at all. I’m fine. I mean… Oh fuck, I don’t know what I mean.”
Steve pulled himself to a sitting position as he laughed. “If you want to talk about it, you’ll have to be a little more coherent than that. I hope no one gave you grief this morning.”
“Not in the old way. There’s new trouble making the rounds, and I wanted to make sure you know it’s a rumour and not the truth.”
His amusement faded. “That sounds ominous. Has it been suggested we’re gang leaders involved in the tearing down of the morals of our community?”
“That one I could see being fun. No, someone obviously decided my delicate female condition and bitchy attitude could only be caused because I had a bun in the oven.”
It took a moment before what she’d said registered. “Someone started the rumour that you’re pregnant? What the hell?”
“Exactly. But I wanted you to know it’s not true, in case some good-natured Samaritan decided to drop that bomb on you. I am not pregnant, and while it makes no sense that anyone—”
“Oh, shit.” Steve stared into space, desperately trying to remember the offhand comment he’d tossed at Barry the other day. “Oh, fuck.”
“Steve?”
He felt like an idiot. “I’m not one hundred percent positive, but this might be my fault.”
Her curse rang in his ear. “What the heck are you talking about? You told someone I was pregnant? Why would you do that?”
“I didn’t say you were pregnant. I made a smartass comment to someone while at the same time pointing out you were far more educated than they were.”
“Jeez. And then the rumour mill took that and twisted it into the crap I’m having to deal with now.”
He didn’t blame her for being pissed off. Not one bit.
“I’m so sorry. It was a casual comment to make my point, and then I forgot all about it dealing with my mom leaving, and you and the thing with Sean.” She sat quietly on the other end of the line for long enough his nerves began to twitch. “Talk to me, sweetheart. What can I do to make this better?”
Melody let out a long sigh. “There’s nothing to do. And I get it. I’ve said things in passing myself that could come back and bite me in the ass. I’m just frustrated I have something else shitty to deal with.”
“I feel horrible,” he confessed, bluntly honest. His gut was somewhere down around his toes.
“I know you do, but that doesn’t change the situation.” Another condemning pause rattled him before she spoke. “Give me some time to deal with it. I’m not really mad at you, I’m just—mad.”
Steve understood. “I’ll give you some room, but if you think of anything I can do to help, let me know. Please?”
“I will.”
She sounded so sad and alone he was pissed off all over again at himself, and at the community that appeared to have the brains of a bat. “Come over for dinner tonight. I can’t make it up to you, but I can take care of you. I’ll rub your feet. Play your favourite songs…”
She laughed. “It’s hard to stay upset when you’re being adorable.”
“Good to know. I’ll keep adorable at the top of my arsenal just for you.”
“Okay, dinner. And a back rub,” she demanded.
“Anything you want,” he promised, hanging up with a lump of dread settled at the base of his throat.
Fuck stupid mindless comments, and fuck small towns that thrived on gossip, and fuck…everything.
He powered through his day, hoping in passing that by the time his mom came back the rumour would be killed dead. He waited on the front porch for Melody to arrive, his feet on the railing, his hands crossed behind his head.
The evening had turned out to be beautiful and clear. The sound of cows grazing nearby and the occasional songbird were all that interrupted the whisper of wind in the trees at his back. To the west lay the only land in the area that didn’t belong to the Colemans, and beyond that the Rocky Mountains rose to the skies on Alberta crown land. It was a glorious place to live, and in spite of his worries, Steve felt contentment roll through his soul.
They’d get through this stupid moment, him and Melody. They couldn’t give up when they had so much to look forward to.
She turned into the yard, and he waited for her to join him. Don’t screw up again that little voice in his head warned.
Melody seemed calm as she lowered the tailgate, and Charlie leapt down, heading off to greet Prince.
Steve watched her approach, her hips shifting rhythmically from side to side as she strolled forward, setting his blood boiling. She’d let her hair down around her shoulders, like golden strands of sunlight clinging to her.
He stood to greet her as she took the front steps two at a time, coming to a stop inches in front of him. She turned her pale-blue eyes up to meet his, a small smile curling the corner of her mouth.
She didn’t look pissed off. This was a good thing.
“Hey.”
Melody slipped her hands around his waist and eased their bodies together. “Hey, yourself. I hope you made a big supper, because I’m starving.”
He placed his fingers under her chin and tilted her face up so he could press a tender kiss to her lips. Warmth passed between their bodies as they moved together.
Her eyes danced with mischief as she pulled away. “So you’re planning on being extra good tonight?”
“Honest truth, I’ve been trying to be extra good ever since you said you’d go out with me.” He linked his fingers with hers and guided her into the house. “Trust me to fuck it up with one ill-timed bit of sarcasm.”
“After I had some time to think about it, it definitely got funnier.”
She helped herself to a drink from the fridge, holding up a beer in his direction. He nodded then placed the rest of the food on the table.
“Can I hope you didn’t get asked too many personal questions the rest of the day?”
Melody offered him a cocky grin. “I decided a strong offense was the best defense. Stopped off at the café and had a rather loud discussion with one of the waitresses about PMS and cramps.”
“Evil.”
She outright laughed. “You should’ve seen the morbid curiosity in that place. It was like they all wanted to listen to what we were talking about, but none of them wanted to look like they were listening. I think the café owes me commission for the extra pieces of pie that were ordered while people hung around hoping some juicy gossip would drop.”
“So the rumours should die down?”
“I think so.” She paused in the middle of scooping stew into her bowl. Laid her hand over his and looked him straight in the eye. “I’m not mad at you anymore, but like Allison and I pointed out last night, the best thing we can do right now is ignore the idiots.”
“I can do that. Although in my defense, I did make the stupid comment before you told me to keep my mouth shut.”
She shook her head. “People are crazy.”
“They totally are,” he agreed.
Dinner was quiet, peaceful and nearly perfect as they talked about nothing of consequence.
“There wasn’t a single vehicle at
Lee’s place when I drove past. You hear what the rest of the boys are up to for the evening?” she asked.
“They’re all over.” Add another bizarre twist to his day. “It was strange—they all checked in with me before heading out.”
She paused. “Maybe it’s because with your mom gone, they want somebody to know how to get a hold of them, in case there’s another emergency.”
Maybe. The neat thing was Steve felt honoured to be included like that.
“Jesse and Lee decided to go tie one on somewhere south of Calgary for the weekend—I didn’t ask for any more details. Trevor is snooping around at the neighbours to see if it’s worthwhile putting in an offer to rent the land. And Rafael is babysitting for Blake and Jaxi.”
“You’re kidding me.”
He shook his head. “Nope. Stopped off here to see if I still had the box of Barbies my brothers gave me as a gag birthday gift once.”
She took his empty plate and stacked it with hers, carrying them to the sink. “Is it terrible that I can picture him? Those three little girls demanding he help host a fashion show.”
“He’s good with kids.”
She spotted his guitar leaning against the wall. “You want to serenade me a little?”
“Anytime, sweetheart.”
Yet as he settled in the living room, he was torn between playing or putting her in his lap and playing with her.
Melody took the lead, passing the guitar over. “If you don’t mind, I feel like singing tonight too. It’s a good way to forget about everything else.”
For the next half hour he led them through a medley of their favourites, the harmonies growing stronger the longer they sang until Steve thought they sounded pretty damn good.
She rested her elbows on her knees as she leaned forward and let him finish the final chorus on his own. “Well, that wasn’t half-bad.”
“We make beautiful music together,” Steve insisted, which set her laughing even as she offered a smile.
“We’re getting better, I’ll give you that.”
That was what he wanted to hear. He put the guitar aside and reached for her hand, pulling her between his knees. He slid his hands up her body, wrapping around her back until he could press them close, gazing up at her beautiful smile.
“I’m glad you’re here,” he confessed. “Not just here, in my place, but here, together. I’m glad we tried again.”
Her fingers danced over his shoulders for a second before she dragged a hand through his hair, tilting her head as her smile grew more mischievous. “I’m glad I’m here too, especially since someone promised me a back rub.”
He stood, giving her room to retreat. She didn’t move, their bodies touching as if they couldn’t get enough of each other. “Come on. You can lie on my bed,” he suggested.
“That sounds like fun.” Her voice had gone softer. Sultry. “Is this a clothing-optional massage?”
Steve laughed. “Is there some other way to get a really good massage?”
She paused at the entrance to his bedroom before stepping in, trailing a hand over the solid wood beams of his bedposts as she wandered past. “I suppose we could try with our clothes on, but that sounds complicated.”
“Nah. Complicated is when I tie you to the bed before rubbing oil over every inch of your body.”
Melody’s breath skipped. “Is that one possible item on tonight’s agenda?”
“Maybe.” He took a step closer, the pulse beating rapidly at the base of her neck drawing him forward like he’d been lassoed. “I’m more interested right now in getting you naked. You need some help with that, or you okay on your own?”
Her gaze met his, and desire flashed. “I think I can do it on my own. But maybe you should watch me really closely—to make sure I do it right.”
The evening slipped off great to fucking great. His body reacted to her teasing words, his cock thickening. Breath growing more rapid.
He pulled the chair from beside the wall and lowered himself into it. “It’s your show, sweetheart. Let’s see what you’ve got.”
She stood beside the mattress and lifted her hands to her shirt, moving leisurely as she undid one button at a time. His eyes were fixed on her fingers as if he couldn’t look away.
“You have any massage oil?” she asked, easing the shirt off her shoulders and letting it pool at her feet.
He didn’t blink. Just pointed at the top of the dresser.
Melody sauntered over and picked it up, swinging her hips from side to side far more than necessary. She opened the lid and took a sniff. “Mmm, coconut. Makes me feel as if we’re headed somewhere tropical.”
“You and me, and a beach in Hawaii? I’m all over that.”
His voice went rough at the end, probably because she’d tipped the container back and drizzled a line of oil across her shoulders and chest. The scent of summertime filled the room as she reached behind her and undid her bra.
“Oops. I forgot I needed to take this off first.”
She leaned forward and shifted her shoulders, the soft material falling away as the oil she’d applied dripped lower in rivulets.
“Fuck.”
Steve had a hand over his groin, rubbing briskly as he stared at her, mesmerized.
She brought her hands over her belly, cupping her breasts before moving high enough to get her fingers wet. As she massaged the oil over her upper body, she wasn’t sure how much of the tingling was from touching herself, and how much was from the way his gaze burned her skin.
She was definitely having fun.
The button on her jeans slipped open under her fingers, then she eased the zipper down one tooth at a time, the rasp of metal on metal loud in the stillness. The only sounds were his breathing and the deafening pulse of her heartbeat in her ears.
She dropped her jeans to just off her hips, panties going with them until three quarters of her mound could be seen. She paused and placed one hand on her belly, sneaking her fingers under that final edge of material that had her blocked from his view. A moan escaped as she rubbed herself, dragging a curse from his lips.
“You need me to rub the oil on,” he said.
“Soon. Oh…”
She arched her back and slipped her hand farther into her panties, closing her eyes as she enjoyed the tease.
She was flat out on the bed before she could blink.
Steve lay over her, staring down, his pupils gone dark. “No, I meant you need me to rub the oil on. It’s in my job description, and I refuse to do a bad job.”
Melody caught her hands around his neck and pulled him down for a deep lingering kiss, shivering as his clothes brushed her naked body, a wicked sensation that drove her desire that much higher.
“I suppose if you have to, go ahead.”
She expected him to lose control and strip her bare. Hurry them together for what would undoubtedly end with another fabulous rush of physical pleasure.
What she didn’t expect was for him to actually use the massage oil on her. He dribbled a line from her collarbone down the center of her body, past her bellybutton to stop just shy of her mound. Then he rubbed it in, so patient and thorough his touch sent her reeling the longer his fingers were in contact with her skin.
He eased along the side of her breast before sweeping inward, finger and thumb closing around her nipple for a brief, sharp pinch. He followed that with his palm, the even pressure of a liquid caress cascading her further into pleasure.
By the time he placed both hands on her hips to lift her to his mouth, she was ready to implode, arousal making every one of her senses more alert. More sensitive.
And then his lips were on her, his tongue dipping into her pussy. A tease and a promise, and oh-so-good she was on the edge of coming without ever feeling the build-up. Between one breath and the next she was gone. Her body responding like a well-trained instrument to his touch.
She was still spinning when he rose over her, pressing her legs apart with his broad hips and slipping his cock a
ll the way in. The deep thrust that she was ready for, a connection and a promise.
There was no stopping this time. No teasing wait she needed to suffer through. Instead, with his gaze locked on hers, he continued to drive forward, rocking the bed with his thrusts.
Melody wrapped her legs around him, locking her ankles at his lower back. Keeping them as tightly together as she could. She placed her hands on his shoulders, clutching the strong muscles as he held himself on his elbows over her, avoiding crushing her with his weight even as he used her hard. No slowing down, no treating her as if she were delicate, and yet…
She felt precious.
The distinction turned something inside sweet and eager as the passion in his eyes deepened.
“This is all about us,” Steve said softly, kissing her forehead. Kissing her cheek and the tip of her nose. “Whatever we want, whatever works for us, we do.”
“Feels so good,” she admitted.
He rocked his hips slower as they spoke, but never easing up completely. “Because it’s us. Because it’s what’s right for you and me. Beautiful, strong, amazing Melody. So unique, so what I need.”
As if he were serenading her, his words rang in her ears like the chorus of a song she’d been longing to hear. “We fit together.”
“Always.”
Another thrust, forcing a gasp from her. She held on tightly as he ground his hips against hers, providing the final bit of friction she needed to go off. He called her name as he came, still connected, their bodies one.
He never said it, but the words hovered between them. Like the perfect note at the end of the musical phrase, it should have been there, but neither of them was willing to risk it yet.
Always and forever.
Not yet, but soon.
Chapter Twenty-One
It was good to have familiar places to go.
In this case, more than familiar. Heck, Traders Pub should have renamed itself and kept the doors open strictly to entertain the Colemans.
