30. Good Morning
THIRTY
Good Morning
MELISSA
Melissa woke to sunlight streaming through the windows of the hotel room. Dust motes danced in the room, drifting on the lazy currents of air. The bedcovers twisted around her legs, trapping her in their tangled web. Her side ached. The healing muscles complained each time she moved.
It had taken every ounce of self-control not to flinch when CJ’s hands had roamed her bruises, but every other inch had been pure pleasure. She stretched out, disappointed to feel the other side of the bed empty.
No CJ.
She rose to her elbows, her mind not thinking so much about CJ, but what the rest of the day would bring. Detectives would come. Questions would be asked. She’d be forced to deal with the reality Scott was out there. He’d keep killing until she came to him, or until he took her back—either option sent shudders trembling down her spine.
A soft knock pulled her from her morbid thoughts.
“Melissa, are you awake?”
She loved the rough timbre of CJ’s voice. He had one of those deep male voices that captured attention, but then there were moments, such as now when the tenderness within him shone through. Her heart softened, listening to that voice.
Brushing back the hair from her face, she scooted to a sitting position, pleased to find she didn’t hurt as much as she had the night before.
She cleared her throat. “I’m awake.”
He pushed open the door to her room. The white terrycloth robe clung to his amazing frame, and he held a bundle of clothing in his hand. Her mouth watered at the sight of him, and her eyes dipped down to the belt of his robe.
“Do you mind if I use the bathroom?” Fine lines marred his face.
She waved him through. “No, please, go ahead.”
He headed to the bathroom without another word, giving the bed a wide berth. He was out in less than five minutes, dressed in the clothes he’d worn the night before.
“Bathroom’s yours.” He gave a wink, and her belly flip-flopped.
“How did you sleep? You look horrible.”
His eyes narrowed. “For someone who claims to be upset by my compliments, you don’t hand them out very well yourself.”
Melissa couldn’t help but roll her eyes. “Sorry, but you look like hell.”
“I didn’t sleep well.”
“Why didn’t you sleep in the bed?”
He took a step toward her, heat smoldering in his gaze.
“I considered it.”
“You should have joined me. Maybe then you would’ve slept better.” As bold as her words were, she still pulled the covers high on her chest.
He snickered. “The thought crossed my mind. Several times.”
She bit her lower lip. “Then, why didn’t you?”
“I tried.”
“No, you didn’t.”
“Yes, I did.”
“I waited…”
“You fell asleep.”
The second orgasm had been more intense than the first. Heat bloomed in her cheeks, and she was helpless to stop the flush she was certain betrayed her embarrassment.
The smirk on his face told her how much he enjoyed making her blush.
CJ sat at the edge of the bed. They stared at each other across the distance. He touched her leg, and burning contact was reestablished. Her chest did that flutter thing when the desire in his eyes couldn’t be ignored. She wanted him to kiss her, but he didn’t, and she was too hesitant to take the initiative.
Instead, he spoke in a teasing tone. “I left to make a few calls when I returned you were snoring…”
“Snoring! I don’t snore.”
A smile lit his face, erasing the lines of fatigue she had seen earlier. The sunlight streaming through the windows twinkled in his eyes.
“Snoring…and drooling.” He winked.
She threw a pillow at him, but he blocked it, sending it tumbling to the ground.
He scooted closer, close enough for a kiss, but only stared in her eyes.
“Did you go shopping last night?” She couldn’t come straight out and ask if he’d bought condoms. While eager to explore more with him, she didn’t want to appear desperate.
“We’ll get there, darling, There’s no rush.”
He leaned in, and their lips collided. Soft and gentle, he brushed his lips against hers, his tongue teasing her mouth open before he delved inside to tangle tongues. He ended the kiss long before she was ready.
“I’m sorry,” he said, “but, I have to leave for a bit.”
She placed a hand on his arm. “Why? What happened?”
He shook his head. “Nothing happened. I asked Mac to pick up my things from my hotel, but he’s busy with Jenny. I need to check out of my hotel and bring my things here, maybe buy those condoms while I’m out.” He winked and pressed her nose with the pad of his thumb. “I’ll be back in less than an hour.”
“Okay.”
“This is important, your security detail isn’t here yet, but hotel security knows what’s up. They’re watching through the security cameras, but there’s no one posted outside the door. Lock the door behind me. Let no one in. You understand?”
She nodded. “Lock the door and let no one inside. Don’t worry. I know what to do.” She’d feel safer if he wasn’t leaving, but the hotel had decent security.
He pointed to the bathroom. “No showers until I get back.”
“I feel a thousand times better. I can manage a shower by myself. Although if you’d like to redeem your nun-ish ways…”
“I’d love nothing better.” He breathed out a sigh. “But, I have to go. I’d feel better if you didn’t shower while I’m gone. I don’t want to worry about you falling.”
“Fine,” she said. “No showers.”
CJ rose and tugged at the bottom of his shirt, straightening it. “If anyone, and I mean anyone but me, Mac, or Jenny tries to get in, you call 9-1-1, then you get inside the bathroom and prop a chair under the doorknob.”
“He’s not going to come after me here. Scott’s too smart for that.”
“Better to be cautious.” CJ kissed her again but broke it off before the kiss became too intimate. He showed her how to brace the door with a chair.
His caution made her wonder what he did for a living. Still, a little paranoia was probably a good thing when a person had a serial killer ex-husband out to get them.
She kissed him goodbye, a much more affectionate and satisfying embrace than their first kiss. He copped a feel of her breasts, and his smirk promised more later. She locked the room after he left, but she wasn’t going to listen to all his rules.
She was dying for a shower.