She settled on a favorite dress of hers. A simple gown that was pleated at the waist. It reminded her of something from the fifties. The style suited her and she liked the fact that it fell below the knee. The button up neckline worked for her and with a wide belt, it seemed to have a retro flair. It was nice enough for dinner and casual as well.
Exactly five minutes to six, her doorbell rang. Opening it slowly, she was surprised to see Jason standing there without Sheba. He looked utterly gorgeous. His dark hair was wet and combed to the side. His cleanly shaven jaw revealed a small dimple as he smiled making her want to touch it. He wore a simple white button-up shirt and dress pants- classic and looking like a movie star from a black and white film from years ago. In his hands was a bouquet of flowers, reminding her that she had the other ones sitting in a vase on the mantle just behind her.
“Where’s Sheba?” she blurted out nervously, feeling her stomach tighten with excitement as she realized she was going to get to spend the next few hours with this incredibly attractive man.
“With Officer Martin, the other guy from the airport. He’s dog sitting for me. You look breathtaking.” The way he said it, made her feel like her fairy godmother should have been standing there with a wand. There was no doubt about it, he made her feel utterly beautiful in a way she’d never felt before.
“Thank you. You look pretty incredible yourself,” she admitted shyly.
“These are for you.”
“Thank you again,” she repeated, accepting the flowers. “Let me put them in water. Did you want to come in?” Nodding, he stepped just inside the door glancing around. She picked up the vase off the mantle and put the bouquet in with the daisies.
“You kept them?”
“Of course,” she answered. How could I not? She thought. She had done nothing but think of him and dream of him since she’d awoken in the hospital. This must be what infatuation is like.
“I’m glad.” Melanie pinched off a flower and tucked it in a small star shaped pin on the side of her dress. She never wore jewelry, but the star shape was actually a pattern that she loved to sew on her quilts.
“There.”
“Perfect,” he agreed.
“Far from it,” she countered and noticed that he was fidgeting a bit. He was standing there, his eyes searching as he looked around. “Everything okay? You seem a bit nervous.”
“I am,” he admitted with a smile.
“Why is that? Do I make you nervous?” she asked, picking up her wallet. Her purse had been beyond saving. She was surprised to see him nod once he thought she wasn’t looking his direction. If only he knew, she had a hard time keeping her eyes off of him. “I’m ready.”
He held the door open, politely allowing her to step outside first. She locked it behind her and turned to see that Jason already had the truck door held open for her. It wasn’t his squad car, but instead he was driving a classic pickup truck. He was doing everything he could to impress her and so far, it was working.
“Wow! What kind of truck is that?”
“It was my Grandpa’s and I tinker with restoring it sometimes. It’s a 1953 Ford F-100 pickup truck. We used to work on it together when I was younger. He had it repainted a few years ago before he couldn’t take care of himself. He needs 24-hour care now and I can’t give it to him. I visit as much as I can though.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry.”
“It’s okay. He painted it green, saying it matched my grandma’s eyes when she got angry.” he said with a laugh, shaking his head. The truck was a dark, exquisite green that twinkled with hidden glitter in the paint. “Grandma always smiled at me. She never got angry that I knew of, but he remembered that and knew the exact shade.”
Melanie sat down on the bench seat of the truck and marveled at how beautifully it had been restored. Everything seemed so old, yet so new. The fact that he told her of the paint color made her yearn for a relationship like that. What was it like to be loved by someone that could remember faint details like that? She was touched that Jason was lucky enough to be raised in that environment and wondered if something like that rubbed off on him too? So far, the man had wowed her every time she’d turned around regardless of the fact that he’d arrested her.
He took his seat and turned the key, causing the truck to roar to life. Melanie couldn’t help but smile. Cars simply didn’t sound like this anymore. She watched fascinated as she realized that the shifter was on the column. He moved it easily from reverse to drive, and then into first and second gear.
“It takes a little getting used to, but once you’ve got it? It’s a nice drive. I can teach you if you want?”
“Maybe later,” she quickly declined. Coordination was not her thing; that is why she drove an automatic. She could trip over linoleum and when she tried to learn a stick shift years ago? Every time she let up off the clutch and was supposed to give it gas, the car would die.
The truck was a bit of a bumpy ride, but it was really nice to drive around in. The looks that they got at the eye-catching truck made her glance over at the beautiful man driving it. His profile seemed so open compared to when she’d first seen him.
“Where are we heading to?”
“I thought maybe we’d have the best of both worlds tonight: a nice dinner and some dancing.” Melanie quickly looked down at her ballet flats she’d worn and thanked her lucky stars that she’d decided against trying to wear heels.
“Sounds nice.”
“I hope so,” he admitted staring at the road ahead as he drove. “I’ve never been but I heard it was a really a good place to go.”
“You’ve never been?”
“No, have you?”
“I don’t date much,” she murmured. I don’t date ever, she amended mentally. Her last date cancelled on her a few years ago. When he called back, she had never answered.
“I haven’t either.” Jason pulled into the parking lot easily and found a spot. He opened the door for her and held out his hand, helping her out of the truck. As they walked into the dim building, she felt his hand at her lower back and had to bite back a sigh of happiness.
The room was filled with wagon wheel chandeliers illuminated faintly with Edison bulbs that flickered, making them resemble gas flames. She knew she was gawking but there was so much to see! Longhorn steer were mounted to the walls, along with jack-a-lopes. Lanterns hung from barn rafters and each table had a mason jar, with a candle inside. A large dancefloor filled the center of the restaurant and it was quite full. This must be the place to go locally, as several couples were dancing cheek to cheek. They were led to a table off to the side and their drink orders taken.
“Shall we dance?” Jason asked her, interrupting her thoughts. His easy smile made her shiver happily. He held out his hand and she took it, as he escorted her to the floor. Giving her a little twirl, Melanie found herself laughing happily as he pulled her near to dance. She felt like the only woman on earth right now and it was heady.
“Tell me why you haven’t dated much since you are obviously quite smooth with the ladies,” she teased. Her hand lay on his shoulder and looking up at him, she realized that she understood what his grandpa had meant when he said he knew the exact color of his wife’s angry eyes. Right now, Jason’s eyes were the color of amaretto. A rich, golden brown that had flicks of dark and light highlights in the iris.
“Well, when women find out you are a widower it changes how they look at you,” he began and then smiled sadly. “See? Right there. Your expression just changed. I don’t want your pity, I want to get to know the real you.”
“I can’t help it. You seem too nice, too young to have to go through something like that. What happened?”
“Car accident.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Me too. I was in a really bad place for a while, but you find a way to get through. I found peace in knowing that I had a chance to meet her, to know her. I also knew that there would be someone else when God said I was ready. When I felt lik
e everything was falling apart on me, that is when I found doors opening. I was accepted into the K-9 program and was given Sheba. I needed to not feel alone, and she was there just like a child. It was what I needed to get me through since I’d had no children with Kate.”
“I can understand that. Do you miss her?”
“I miss the companionship and having someone to talk to.”
“Well if you need a friend, you’ve got one.”
“Did I just get friend-zoned?” he teased warily, looking down on her as they danced. He held her hand against his chest just above his heart in mock horror. “Say it isn’t so!”
“That is a pretty modern term for an old-fashioned guy,” she smiled, resisting the urge deny the accusation.
“This old-fashioned guy will do everything he can to keep an enchanting woman from sloughing him off as a just a buddy, including this,” he whispered as he leaned down and kissed her there on the dance floor. A simple, tender, gentle kiss that promised so much more. She looked up at him and realized that there was no way that they’d be just friends when she found herself craving another kiss from him.
“Consider yourself unfriended,” she whispered, staring at him and blushing wildly as he laughed at her muddied-up words. She meant that he was no longer in the friend zone.
“I’m wounded, my sweet Melanie. Are we no longer friends?” he teased with a knowing smile as he stared at her lips.
“You know what I meant.”
“I do and I’m glad you feel that way too.”
They danced for a while longer before heading to their table. He was a perfect gentleman at dinner and she was sincerely impressed. He’d casually asked what she wanted for dinner and then ordered once the waiter arrived. It made her feel special when he referred to her as ‘my lady’. He held her hand as they said grace before their meal. After they’d eaten, he asked for coffee and led her to the dancefloor yet again. He’d claimed that he needed to stretch his legs after a wonderful dinner, but she knew he just wanted to hold her again in his arms. Or at least she hoped so, because she wanted to feel his arms around her again.
“What are you doing tomorrow?” he whispered in her hair as they danced slowly in each other’s arms. She adored whatever cologne he was wearing and the spicy scent made her stomach clench with excitement and passion.
“Well, I was going to get my classroom ready for the school year to start,” she admitted. “Nothing incredibly fun or eventful, but necessary.”
“Want to play hooky?”
“Lawman, are you trying to get me to break the rules?” she teased, glancing up at his face that was so close to hers.
“I’m trying to ask you out again.”
“Let me get some work done in the morning and then I’m free all afternoon.”
He nodded happily and spun her around the floor again. Melanie liked that he liked to make her smile or laugh. He seemed to be incredibly thoughtful and focused on her and only her.
When he drove her home, she noticed that he kept watching her out of the corner of his eyes. He tried to hold her hand, but the shifter made him have to release it in order to accelerate or decelerate. He pulled into the driveway and hopped out of the truck, opening her door for her.
“You are going to spoil me,” she admitted with a smile. She stepped out of the truck delicately and liked that he took her hand to help her. He made her feel elegant, prized.
“I hope so,” he grinned. Jason walked her to the front door of her house politely.
“I had a nice night,” she admitted, wondering if he would try kissing her again like he had done so on the dance floor.
“I did too. I will see you tomorrow.”
Jason stood there for a brief moment and then turned away to return to the truck. Melanie watched him step down off of the porch in surprise that he was going to pass up the chance to kiss her. He suddenly stopped, then turned, and she saw the heat in his eyes in the soft porch light. Without a word, he stepped up, clearing both steps in a single bound, and pulled her into his arms. His lips met hers and she knew now what happiness tasted like. His taste was intoxicating. He broke the kiss and held her tightly, her head against his chest. She could hear his heartbeat thrumming under her cheek.
“Jason,” she began shyly and pulled away from his arms.
“I told myself that I would be a gentleman,” he started, “But I’m not sorry. I’d like to kiss you like that again and again.”
“I think you should probably go for tonight.” Smiling, she nodded in understanding. She’d like to kiss him again as well.
“I agree” he stood there torn between leaving and kissing her again. She could see it in his eyes.
“I will see you soon.” She stepped forward braving another kiss, knowing that she was taunting him. Her lips gently brushed his, her tongue wantonly coaxed his lips open. She felt her soul unfurling with the idea of wanting him in her life. She felt him tense up with excitement, his breath caught in surprise at her aggressiveness. Breaking the kiss, she stepped away.
“Until tomorrow, Wildman.”
Six
Brushing back her hair into a pony tail, Melanie frowned as she tried to open the windows to her classroom. It was terribly stuffy in the building, and either the AC had not been turned on yet, or it was out again. Several times last year this happened and thankfully she’d had large windows in her classroom. This time, she did not.
This year she had small windows that had one handle that leaned the glass inwards about five inches. Enough for a faint breeze to stir papers on her desk. She was glad she’d come in early because it would be unbearable in the late afternoon. She intended to finish up, go home, get a shower and then get ready for her date. If she had time, she might sneak in a nap.
She’d not slept well thinking about that kiss they’d shared. At first, she was worried what he might think of her, but then the more she played it in her mind? They more she realized that he wanted that kiss and more. The attraction between them was humbling and she thanked the Lord that she’d been put in his path – even if it had gotten her sick and arrested.
She finished her lesson plans and had fresh worksheets straight off the copier, enough for the first few weeks. Décor was up and frankly, she had nothing left to do but memorize names to faces and learn their personalities.
Shutting the windows, she turned off her lights and pulled the door closed. Turning, she saw Joan headed her way. Grinning. Whatever was causing her to smile from ear to ear like a Cheshire cat must be some really good gossip. Joan knew everything about everyone in the school district.
“What’s eating at you?”
“You have a special little hottie after you, don’t you?”
“Excuse me?” Melanie gaped. How in the world did she know about their date already? Had someone seen them at the restaurant and called her? No, she would have texted last night because it was too juicy to pass up. Joan could not keep a secret for the life of her, nor could she stand waiting to discuss it with another person. It was a good thing her heart was in the right place or she’d be dangerous.
“My favorite old lady has a hot boyfriend cop!”
“Jason is here?”
“I knew it!” she squealed excitedly, stomping her foot in giddiness. “When he said he was here to see you, I thought there might be some mistake! Melanie, where ever did you meet that scrumptious man? Does he have a brother?”
“Where’s he at?” she asked quickly, looking over her shoulder.
“He dropped this off for you at the office and said he’d see you later. You sly dog, you!”
Joan handed her a big wad of green tissue paper. It looked like a mass of flowers that Miss America would be gifted on stage, except it wasn’t. Inside were plastic flower stems alright, but at the top of each stem was an origami fabric flower. Pieces and pieces of fabric of all shapes and colors were rolled and folded to resemble flowers. Dozens of origami flowers.
Melanie felt her heart burst with emotion as
she looked down at the handmade bouquet. This crazy man had given her flowers every time he saw her, literally. The fabric flowers touched her to the very core of her being. He listened. He was learning what she liked. This was his way of showing acceptance and that she was precious to him. He was wooing her like no other man ever had.
Wooooooooooooooo with a capital WOOO.
“Jason?” Melanie called out, clutching the bouquet to her chest. She darted past Joan, her sneakers squeaking wildly on the newly polished floors of the hallway. She heard Joan yelling out behind her in that he’d left already, but she had to try to find him. To tell him thank you.
“Jason!” she yelped, seeing the cruiser heading out of the parking lot. She bolted uncaringly out the front door of the school and ran into the hot summer sun. Her sneakers hit the pavement at full speed as she saw the brake lights illuminate. She was filthy and pouring sweat from the lack of air conditioning, but it didn’t matter. She needed to tell him how touched she was.
Jason opened the car door just as she caught up. He got to his feet immediately in almost the same rush that she ran to him. He was in that black uniform with those dark sunglasses on his devastatingly handsome face. How had she ever thought he was cold and unfeeling?
“Thank you so much! I can’t tell you what this means to me,” she exclaimed happily. Skidding to a stop, she clutched the flowers to her chest. “This is simply amazing!”
“I’m glad you like them.”
“I adore them.”
“Maybe you’ll show me some of your work sometime?” he offered politely.
“Come with me Saturday- I am putting a quilt I made into a contest, a show.” Melanie stared at him anxiously, her feet and fingers twitching. She wanted to throw her arms around him and kiss his socks right off. She was infatuated with the man and he was blowing her mind over and over again.
Lawfully Wild Page 4
