Chapter 8
CHAPTER EIGHT
M el bit into her turkey-and-Swiss sandwich at lunch the next day, as she scrolled down a page of search engine results on her computer screen. Adam still hadn’t called, but she wanted to be ready when he did. And her search for clubs in Indy had been quite interesting. There was one in particular…
The Tipsy Wench.
That’s where she’d decided she wanted Adam to take her on their reconnaissance mission. Whenever that might be. He’d acted squirrelly again when he’d left her parents’ house yesterday. She hadn’t pressed him too hard about it because how could she with her mom and dad and James all listening in?
But after seeing the way he’d kept glancing at her butt in those jeans and how his gaze had flickered down the front of her top whenever she’d leaned over to hand him something, she knew he was definitely interested, even if he was too stubborn to admit it .
She printed off a map to the bar she’d chosen, closing the browser as the automatic doors at the library entrance swished open. She greeted the new arrival without looking up to see who’d come in. “Welcome to the Point Beacon Public Library. Please let me know if there’s anything I can help you find.”
“How about my sanity?” Adam said.
She looked up fast, eyes wide, forcing a nervous smile, her heart racing as it always did when he was around. Adam had never come to her library before, at least not that she remembered.
“Hey,” she said, trying to sound casual. “This is a surprise. I thought you were going to call.”
He shrugged, drawing her attention to his muscular torso beneath his soft dark cotton T-shirt. A bicep tattoo of the United States Army insignia peeked out from under the edge of one sleeve. Her brother had the same one, same spot, too. Dirt streaked his faded jeans, highlighting his strong thighs and trim hips. And those dark eyes. They seemed even more unfathomable, if that were possible. “Figured face-to-face was better.”
Face-to-face sounded ominous. Like whatever news he had might be bad. Mel swallowed hard around the sudden lump in her throat. The room seemed warmer now as the atmosphere in the library changed from subdued to stressed. She licked her lips and didn’t miss the way Adam’s gaze tracked the tiny movement.
They were short a volunteer or two today, so Mel had stayed in for lunch, eating at the circulation desk to make sure they were covered for any patrons who might need help. Technically, food or drinks weren’t allowed in the library, but a girl needed sustenance .
Adam glanced at her plastic containers and frowned. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to interrupt.”
“It’s fine.” She gave another look around to confirm she and Adam were alone, then asked, “What’s going on?”
“We need to talk about this bar trip you want.” He shuffled his feet, resting his palms on the edge of the counter. Hints of grease lingered under Adam’s nails. He looked dangerous and hot and Mel nearly swooned. “I can get off early on Wednesday and take Thursday off, if that works for you.”
Mel nodded, showing him the map she’d printed. “That works. And I here’s where I want to go.”
He scrunched his nose. “Are you sure? The Wench can get kind of rough at night.”
“I’m sure. And I’ve got personal time to use, so I’ll take both days off. Maybe we can get a hotel and stay the night down there. That way we’re not rushing back late. Separate rooms, of course.”
He didn’t respond at first, and she hazarded a look at him.
Adam stepped back and crossed his arms, his expression wary. “I don’t know, Mel.”
“We had an agreement, Adam. You promised to attract the kind of guy I want. Where do you suggest we do that around here? The frozen food aisle at the local grocery store? The Dirty Dog? You saw how well that went the other night.” She matched his guarded body position, not giving an inch despite her nerves. “Like I said before, if you don’t want to go with me, I’ll find someone else. I can’t quit now.”
He took a deep breath, looking like he wanted to argue, but in the end all he did was shake his head. “You’re not going there with Lilly. Two women alone at night isn’t safe. ”
She gave him a flat stare. “Last time I checked you weren’t my boss.”
“You’re right. I’m not. I’m your friend.” His dark eyes turned stormy. “And I don’t like the idea of you going to that place with Lilly or anyone else. Who knows what kind of trouble you’d get into.”
Affront surged through her bloodstream. She might be a virgin, but that didn’t make her an idiot. “For your information I graduated at the top of my self-defense class and have taken judo at the Y. I can take care of myself. And my trouble is none of your business. Especially if you break our agreement.”
They glared at each other across the circulation desk as the air between them sizzled. Finally, Mel shrugged and turned away, her heart threatening to slam out of her ribcage. “Come or don’t. Your choice.”
One long beat stretched into two. Then three.
Please don’t let him walk away. Please don’t let him walk away.
Finally, Adam huffed out a breath behind her. “Fine. But we leave when I say, no arguments.”
Mel managed not to fist pump, barely. To him, she said, “I don’t need a babysitter.”
“No, you need a mentor, a dating guru. That’s what we agreed to. And if I’m doing the teaching, you listen to me. All right?”
She huffed out a breath. “Fine.” It wasn’t officially a date, but closer than Mel had gotten with him so far. She’d take it. “Pick me up at my house at four on Wednesday. That way we can get to Indy, check into our hotel and eat before we go out. I don’t want to drink on an empty stomach. I’ll make the reservations.”
He nodded then left without another word, Mel watching him the whole way out.
Adam took another swig of dark lager as the classic cover band in the corner of the bar rocked out their version of “Enter Sandman” by Metallica.
He hadn’t been to The Tipsy Wench since before he’d left for basic training a decade ago, but it didn’t look like the place had changed much. Still a bit too rough and trashy for polite conversation—or conversation at all, really. A trendy dive-bar nightmare, filled by an odd mix of hipsters with man buns and tight jeans, rockers, and wannabe Goths with black clothes and eyeliner.
So. Much. Eyeliner.
Mel sat on a stool beside him at the bar, taking it all in like a kid on their first trip to Disneyland. She’d told Adam to stay out of sight in a corner, but he’d insisted on being where he could keep an eye on everything. Yes, he was here as her coach, but the idea of one of these guys groping her—or worse—made his head pound. He might not be an actual badass, but he could sure as hell fool these idiots into thinking he was. And if that kept some random dude from messing with Mel, so be it.
“What about him?” She pointed toward a guy across the room with hair a fauxhawk at least two feet high and a painful-looking piercing through his lip. “He seems interesting. ”
“Not him.” Adam grimaced. “How would you kiss him around that thing in his mouth?”
“Good question.” Mel frowned. “He’s kind of cute, though. And I do like a bad boy.”
Adam grunted, swallowing the words that teetered on the tip of his tongue. Then you’ll love me.
Except he didn’t want Mel loving him. Didn’t want love at all.
Love only left you when you needed it most. Just like his mom had.
Better to keep emotions out of the equation when it came to relationships. What Mel needed was a nice, quiet, boring guy who’d keep her safe and secure. Like an insurance salesman or an accountant. Unfortunately, that type was nonexistent in this place.
He drained the rest of his lager in one long gulp then set the empty bottle on the bar. “Since there aren’t any good prospects at the moment, how about a lesson instead?”
“What kind of lesson?”
“Small talk.”
“Small talk?” Mel scrunched her nose.
“Yeah, you know, banter, flirting, verbal foreplay.” He mentally punched himself for that last one as she blushed, and his body tightened against his will, but it was too late now. “You’ll have to talk to your mystery man at some point, right? Unless you pay him.”
“Okay. Go on. Teach me to flirt.” Mel pressed closer to him and batted her eyelashes.
His pulse tripped. He straightened to increase the space between them and did his best to focus on the task at hand rather than the adorable woman beside him. “Uh, coming on too strong is not good. Now look at me like you’re interested. Five-second rule.”
She frowned. “The five-second rule?”
“When you find someone attractive at a party or whatever, hold their gaze for five seconds. If they come over, they’re interested. If not, they aren’t into you or they’re taken.”
Mel gave him a look that was more zombie than hot-chick-looking-for-a-mate.
“Relax.” Adam gestured to the bartender for another lager for himself and refill on whatever frou-frou drink Mel had ordered. “Now smile. It makes you look more confident. Plus, you have a great grin. Brings out your dimples.”
Mel’s face lit up then, taking her from pretty to gorgeous. “You think I have a great grin? That’s so sweet.”
He frowned down at his toes as heat clawed up his cheeks. “C’mon. You know you’re beautiful, so just stop.”
“Ha! Got a compliment out of you!” She winked and Adam felt another one of the carefully constructed barriers around his heart begin to crumble. Before he could recover, she said, “Next flirting tip, please.”
After clearing his throat, Adam continued, “Be who you are. Don’t pretend to be something you’re not to make people like you. The right person will love your intelligence and drive and strength, not be intimidated by them.”
Mel gave him a pointed stare. “I never play dumb for anyone. I’ve got a mountain of student loan debt and a graduate degree to prove it.”
He tipped his bottle to her. “Cheers. Next tip: when you find someone you think is right, don’t be afraid to take charge. Make it clear you’re interested and get their number. If you say you’re going to call, then call. And don’t be afraid to touch their arm, put your hand on their shoulder, show affection, that sort of stuff.”
Mel shifted then, running her foot up the side of Adam’s shin, the caress freezing him in place, as his nervous system went haywire and his traitorous libido kicked into overdrive. She gave him an innocent look. “Like that?”
“Uh, yeah,” he managed to mumble, his voice rougher than normal. “Maybe a little subtler though, especially at first.”
This time she stroked his bare forearm, a light touch that had him stifling a tiny groan of pleasure. It had been so long since anyone had touched him like that—softly, tenderly, reverently. Then she broke the spell by turning away and sliding off her stool. “Great. Time to practice on someone else. What about him?”
Mel pointed to a new dude standing in the shadows with two other guys who were all dressed in ill-fitting suits, sporting ink on their hands and cheeks. Adam had seen the same designs on a couple of guys in his platoon. Prison tats. He’d bet money the trio had just come from court appearances. “Uh, that is a definite nope.”
“Why?” Mel scowled, hands on hips. “They look like professionals.”
Professional criminals, maybe. Adam snorted. “Not your type. Unless you like them from Cell Block C.”
Mel gave him a peeved stare. “How do you know? You’ve seen them one time from across the room. You don’t know anything about them.”
“I know those suits probably came from the thrift shop, based on the bad fit. I know the tats all three are sporting on their faces are symbols for how long their sentences were.” He stood and fished his wallet out of his back pocket. “Come on. Let’s get out of here.”
“I’m not ready yet.” Mel took another long sip of her drink. “I haven’t met my quota.”
“Quota?”
“I promised myself I’d talk to at least one new guy tonight.” She patted her hair, which she’d worn up, with a few loose strands hanging down around her neck to give Adam all sorts of naughty ideas. As if riding here with her on his bike—her front pressed against his back, her hands clutching his waist—hadn’t been bad enough. Like heaven and hell all rolled into one. The way her fingers gripped the front of his shirt as if she’d never let go. Adam leaned back against the bar. “Stop fussing. Your hair still looks perfect. The same as it did when we left the hotel earlier.”
A server in the standard bar uniform of leather shorts and tight fuchsia tank top, strutted by, giving Adam a wink. The guy was more James’s type than his, but Mel shot visual daggers at Adam anyway as he checked the crowd again for a suitable person for Mel to flirt with. “I don’t think you’re going to find what you’re looking for in this place.”
“How do you know? Maybe I’m in the mood for a quick booty call.”
He busted out laughing. Couldn’t help it. “Where’d you learn about booty calls?”
“I’m going to be twenty-five, Adam, not two hundred and five. And just because I’ve never had one doesn’t mean I don’t know what they are. I read Cosmo . ”
“I know. I saw the evidence on your coffee table the other night.” He handed the bartender a fifty to cover a twelve-dollar tab. He could afford to be generous. They made good money at Victory Vets, and he saved most of his paychecks, other than for bills and home repairs. Adam couldn’t resist a little flirting with her, even though it was tricky territory considering his reactions to her tonight. He watched Mel over the rim of his bottle, enjoying the way she flushed under his gaze. “Wow. I didn’t realize you were a frisky girl at heart, Mel.”
“I’m full of all sorts of surprises.” She picked up her own glass and swirled the liquid inside. “Or maybe this place brings out my wild side.” Then she smiled again, the one that went straight to his core. “Thank you, by the way. For being my wingman.”
He blinked at her. “I’m your wingman?”
“You are.”
As if drawn by some invisible cord, Adam found himself leaning closer to her, so close his breath stirred the wisps of hair at her temple. “Then as your wingman, I’m telling you that if you’re so determined to flirt, let’s try someplace else.”
Her shoulders sagged slightly. “I think you’re missing the potential?—”
“There is no potential here.” He straightened and took her hand. “C’mon. I know we’ve got a deadline on this project, but nobody here is even remotely good enough for you.”
Me included.
Mel finished her drink as the cover band started a sappy rendition of “Sister Christian.” She stopped, staring at the stage. “I love this song. How about one dance before we go. Please? ”
He should have said no, should gone outside and gotten on his bike and headed for the safe, familiar confines of their separate hotel rooms. But instead, he let Mel lead him out onto the crowded dance floor. The space was small, and they had no choice but to press together to avoid bumping into anyone else. That’s the excuse he was going with anyway.
As they swayed in time with music Adam did his best to remember why all of this was such a very bad idea. Then Mel slid her arms around his neck and twined her fingers into the hair at his nape, making Adam shudder against her. He gripped her waist, the material of her top silky beneath his fingertips. She chosen purple tonight, with a short black skirt.
All this was wrong, so wrong. And yet it felt so, so right.
Another couple brushed past them, and Adam pulled Mel even closer. She looked up at him, her eyes dreamy and soft, her full lips parted, and he couldn’t look away, not if his life depended on it.
Time slowed as he bent and then his lips were on hers.
God help him, he’d wanted to kiss her again since that night in her foyer. One taste of Mel hadn’t been enough, would never be enough. His heart pinched with yearning as he tightened his arms around her. Mel relaxed into him, lifting her chin and opening her mouth to give him better access.
He shouldn’t be doing this. He didn’t want to get involved with Mel. He didn’t want to get close to anyone. He certainly didn’t want to fall in love, but he couldn’t seem to stop himself where Mel was concerned. Every look, every touch drew him further under her spell. She gave a little moan into his mouth, making him wonder when else she might make those kinds of noises …
Her little mewls of pleasure sent a fresh wave of desire through him, and he had to break away for fear of taking things too far, too fast. Breath ragged and hands shaking with need, Adam rested his forehead against hers. He had to stop. They had to stop. Because if he didn’t Mel’s first time would be right here in this seedy bar, and she was far too precious for that.
Adam licked his lips and tasted her there—sweet liquor and sinful desire. Mel tried to kiss him again, but he pulled back slightly. She looked as punch drunk of emotion as he felt. Her panting breaths only encouraged him to get the hell out of there before they couldn’t anymore. Still, he couldn’t resist running his thumb over her trembling bottom lip.
Big mistake. Her green eyes darkened, and her lashes fluttered as she nipped his thumb, and for a moment he forgot where he was, who he was and what he wasn’t, forgot everything except her, in his arms.
Mine.
He’d never been an alpha sort of guy, but damn if Mel didn’t bring out that side in him. He realized then that he didn’t want her dating other men, test-driving them while he watched her, coached her. And he certainly didn’t want her sleeping with anyone else. If she wanted to learn how to please a man, he’d do the job.
Still, he needed to be sure.
Adam gently tipped her face up to his until she met his gaze. “Mel, I want you. Is that what you want, too?”
In answer, her body melted into his and he cupped her butt, pulling her against the evidence of just how badly he wanted her. Mel grinned then, a wicked affair despite her innocence. “There’s only ever been one man I wanted, but I didn’t think you wanted me?—”
He shook his head. “Believe me, Mel. Wanting you was never the problem.”
She tilter her head, brows knitting. “Why now?”
“I don’t know.” The music ended, and the dance floor cleared. “I’ve either made up my mind or I’ve lost it completely.”
Her seductive laugh coiled inside him, tightening the aching knot of need in his gut. She felt so warm and soft and perfect in his arms. He’d had well under his limit of lager tonight, but his inhibitions were suddenly gone. He pulled her in and kissed her once more—testing, tasting, teasing. She traced his jaw with one finger, a delicate touch that made him hurry outside to his bike, Mel in tow. He couldn’t take much more of this exquisite torture. His body thrummed with anticipation, his blood sizzling through his veins.
Mel gazed at him with eyes full of promise. Never in his life had Adam wanted something as much as he wanted Mel tonight, and the thought both thrilled and terrified him.
She went on tiptoe and whispered in his ear, “Let’s go back to the hotel.”