Chapter 13
CHAPTER 13
M elanie took a sip of her wine in the small alcove of the restaurant. The scent of garlic and roasted peppers wafted around. “You are out of your flipping mind,” she repeated.
Colton drew air in through his nose, his hand around a glass of some man drink. “I know.” He grinned. “You should’ve seen the face of the guy I stopped mid-jack.”
Laughter bubbled up in Melanie, and she snorted. “I bet you weren’t looking at his face.”
Colton groaned. “Don’t remind me.”
After hurrying from the clinic, Colton had driven them to his favorite pizza joint in the outskirts of Seattle. “So you didn’t get inseminated.”
“No. Even though I’m ovulating right now, I couldn’t do it.” Frankly, she had been having doubts and felt unprepared to make such a monumental decision. Well, not true. She’d decided to hold off because of Colton. She didn’t have to admit the truth to him, but she couldn’t lie to herself. “I don’t know what to do.”
Colton nodded. “Well, I was thinking. Say you get a baby from a sperm bank, and you have a boy. Who will teach the kid baseball?”
She hunched her shoulders. “Well, probably you, though I’m not bad.” Although Colt had been the best pitcher in Montana in high school and part of college before he’d turned to MMA fighting.
“Right. And who will attend those embarrassing your body is changing nights at school with him?” Colt took another drink of the clear liquid.
Yet another good point. “You.”
“In other words, if you had a baby, I’d step in anyway,” Colt said reasonably.
She sighed. Truth be told, any time she pictured a little boy, she pictured him with Colt’s intriguing hair and eyes. “I know.” Now she felt selfish for even considering having a baby. Everyone’s lives would change—not just hers.
“So why not give the kid superior genes and a whole lot of cousins and family?” Colton showed a rare dimple in his right cheek.
Melanie lifted an eyebrow. “Superior genes?”
“I’m glad you agree.” Colton finished his drink as the pizza arrived.
She shook her head. “The timing is terrible. I mean, after we?—”
Colton slipped pieces on their plates. “I know. The fact that we slept together does muddy the let’s have a baby waters.”
Melanie rubbed her eyes. “Life has gotten out of control.” Though it would have been easier to forget that night, deep down, she knew she wouldn’t change a thing. “I can’t ask you to become a father right now. I know that’s not in your big plan.”
“My big plan?” he asked.
Self-aware, he was not. Melanie chuckled. “Sure. You plan everything. Go to school, check. Get masters, check. Study international business transactions, check. Take over family company, check. Talk Dawn into working there when she comes home for good in December, check. Open businesses with childhood friends, check. Play the field and have fun for a decade, check. Find hot, big-breasted blonde and settle down with three point two kids…”
He chewed thoughtfully and then sipped his water. “You know me pretty well, do you?”
“Yes.” The pizza warmed her belly, and she finally relaxed for the first time that day.
His gaze heated hotter than the pizza. “You believe in fate, right?”
She shrugged. “Sure. I live in Mineral Lake, Montana. Fate and destiny are in the waters.”
“So, let’s proceed as if we just started dating, which frankly, we have, and see where fate leads us.” Colt signaled for another drink. “We ditch the condoms and let destiny decide.”
She coughed and then quickly took a drink of her wine. Colton—inside her—bare and hard? Heat slammed between her legs, and she shifted restlessly. Sex anywhere and anytime with Colton?
She tried to sound normal. “Let destiny decide? That is so unlike you. For years, I’ve watched you plan every relationship, up to and including the probable breakup.”
“I’ve never been with you before,” he rumbled.
Warmth spread right around her heart and settled in. If he didn’t stop being so sweet, she would fall even deeper in love with him. She cleared her throat. “What if I do get pregnant?”
“Then we proceed from there.” Colton accepted his new drink and didn’t seem to notice the waitress pressing her boobs against his shoulder and flirting.
Melanie waited until the woman had left. “If I get pregnant, you’ll convince yourself you’re in love with me, and then you’ll want to get married to fulfill your plan. I can’t take the pressure.” Even worse, what if he fell in love with somebody else down the line, and she was left alone? Because from the moment lightning had struck her the other night, it had become abundantly clear that Colton was it for her—and he still saw her as a buddy he wanted to help out.
The sides of his eyes crinkled. “I’d hate to pressure you, so let’s make a deal.”
Even she knew better than to make a deal with Colton Freeze. “What kind of a deal?”
“If I get you pregnant, I promise not to pressure you to marry me.” He leaned back, confidence in his eyes. “In fact, I’ll wait until you ask me.”
Colton opened the door to their hotel suite, smiling at Mel’s gasp of surprise. A stunning sunset illuminated the Seattle skyline outside the wide span of windows, and she hurried past the sitting room furniture to get a better view.
His manic rush through a Seattle sperm bank had showed him one thing in exact clarity. He cared for Melanie too much not to be there for her and whatever baby she had. As always, he could plan this out. The woman reminded him of a skittish colt he’d trained as a teenager, all big eyes and hot temper.
This whole health problem made her even more reluctant to start up with him, so he’d proceed carefully until he figured out the best plan.
For now, they’d proceed slowly and have some fun.
He yanked his tie loose and tugged the silk free, unbuttoning the first couple of buttons on his shirt.
Melanie turned around as he was rolling up his sleeves.
Her eyes darkened and widened.
He bit back a smile. The expression crossing her face was one he’d never seen on her. Wary and intrigued. So he continued rolling up his sleeves and stalked toward her.
Slowly.
She swallowed. “I’m not sure about this side of you.” Her words emerged just breathless enough to awaken his cock.
“What side?” He continued toward her.
“You know.”
He knew exactly what she meant. But she was going to say the words. He reached her and grasped her chin to tilt her head. “What’s throwing you here?”
She blinked. “You’ve always been a bossy and protective pain, but this edge , is almost too much.”
She was so sweet. He liked that she didn’t play coy, even when he kept her off center. Nor did she attempt to hide the desire now spiraling through her and darkening her stunning eyes. No other woman had ever come close to this one.
“I have never been bossy.” He ran his thumb along her lower lip, letting the softness entice him.
She rolled those eyes. “Baloney. If not bossy, then what?”
“In control.” He tightened his hold and slid his lips against hers. Once, twice, a third time. “I like to be in control in the bedroom, and you like giving it up.”
She gasped and jerked away. “I do not.”
Oh yeah . Cat and mouse. One of his favorite games—and one he’d bet Melanie had never played. He leaned in until his mouth rested against her ear. “Sure you do. I bet you’re wet right now.”
Her hiss accompanied a two-handed push against his chest. The intrigue crossing her face didn’t lie. “I am not.”
“Prove it,” he suggested.
“You are such an ass.” She bit her lip against a half smile.
He grabbed her and kissed her hard until she pressed against him, little moans chorusing from her chest. Then he released her. “Watch that language, or I’ll do more than one little spank this time.”
The clouds slowly slipped from her eyes until they narrowed. “I don’t think so.”
“I do.” He ran his knuckle down the side of her face. “We both know I could have you begging, totally at my mercy, within minutes.”
Her gasp should’ve warned him. “Mercy?”
“Yes.” He kept his gaze on her smooth skin.
And thus didn’t see her leg shoot out to hook his. She took him down in a quick move he’d taught her about four years previous, turning them until he landed hard on his chest, her strong thighs straddling his back.
Her ass hit his just as she slipped an arm under his neck and pulled.
Then, against all logic, he burst into laughter. Not chuckles, not light amusement, but full-bore belly laughs that came from deeper than his heart.
Her execution of the move was beautiful.
He could barely breathe, his neck pulled back, her arm cutting off his air. The cold wooden floor chilled his skin, while his blood heated with lust.
“Stop laughing,” Mel hissed, pulling harder.
He couldn’t help it. Tears gathered in his eyes, and even with her chokehold gaining strength, he couldn’t stop laughing.
Until she released his neck, grabbed his hair, and smashed his forehead onto the floor.
Pain radiated through his entire skull. He stopped laughing.
She. Did. Not.
Using his knee, he flipped over, grabbed her arms, and rolled until she lay flat on her back beneath him. “That last move is supposed to knock an opponent unconscious,” he ground out, his head aching.
She rolled her eyes. “You’re fine.”
“I didn’t teach you those moves to use against me.” He fought to tamp down on a temper that suddenly wanted to roar.
“You shouldn’t laugh at people. There are consequences.” She glanced up at his pounding forehead and blanched.
His temper settled. “You believe in consequences, baby?”
She stilled, her gaze flashing to his. “Uh?—”
He reached down, spun them around, and ended up in a position he never thought he’d see, with Melanie Murphy Alana Jacoby over his knee, ass in the air. He brought his hand down hard to gain her attention.
She yelped and tried to scoot away. “Colton!”
He easily kept her in place and laughed, his good humor restored. “You’re staying here until you apologize for trying to bash in my skull.”
“I should’ve tried harder.” She half laughed and half bellowed. “Now let me go.”
He smacked her again. “No.”
“Hey, butthead.” She kicked out her legs. “This isn’t right.”
He paused. “You’re right. This is all wrong.” He reached for the waist of her skirt and yanked it off her legs, almost groaning at the sexy black thong that left her pinkening buttocks exposed. He ran a finger along the seam of material. “This is pretty.”
“I am so going to kick your ass—” She shrieked as he smacked her again. “Damn it, Colt?—”
Smack. “Apologize, Mel.” Smack. “Though this is fun.” Smack. Smack. Smack.
His dick pulsed in agreement with each playful hit. He settled her more comfortably across his thighs and bit back a harsh groan at the contact. If he didn’t get inside her soon, he might explode.
“You’re getting turned on by this?” She gurgled, laughing while struggling with all her strength.
His palm print was outlined on her gorgeous ass. “Oh yeah. I could do this all day. So you might want to apologize.” He smacked her again for good measure.
“I should’ve knocked you out. You’re a pervert.” She wiggled her butt in a move to slide from his lap, and he groaned out loud this time.
He palmed her heated ass, grinning at her sharp intake of breath. “Pervert? You’re as aroused as I am.”
“Am not,” she predictably hissed.
“Lying gets you spanked in earnest.” He slid his palm over her butt, between her legs, and fingered her wet slit. Hot and wet, she’d saturated the material.
The sound she made echoed full of need.
His eyes almost rolled back in his head, and his balls drew tight and said hello . He slid up and ran his nail over her clit.
She gasped, her muscles tightening. “Colton.”
“Ah, Mel.” His voice emerged guttural. “I think I’ll make you come just like this. While being spanked.”
She shoved her torso up from the floor. “I’m sorry . Way, way, way, sorry , so sorry I smashed in your head, not that you need your brain. Sorry , a thousand times sorry .”
He laughed out loud and then hissed as his cock brushed her underbelly. Well, fair was fair. So he lifted her up.
She turned and tackled him, wrapping her legs around his hips and slamming her ass down on his groin. They both groaned at the contact, and then her mouth was all over his.
Hot, greedy, demanding.
He fell back, taking her with him, his mouth working hers the entire time. Her hands were frantic as she ripped open his shirt, sliding heated palms along his skin. He tore off her thong.
She fumbled with his zipper, and he kicked off his pants and boxers at her urging.
Levering up, she grabbed him and tried to lower herself. Fire all but shot from her eyes as she failed. “You’re too big.”
Basketball. Football. Television sitcoms . He fought to keep sane as she gripped him tightly. “No, I’m not.” He ripped her shirt over her head for good measure. “Go slower. Take your time.”
“Okay.” She took in air and rolled her hips while taking him in.
His heart pounded in his ears, and every muscle he owned tensed with the need to flip them over and pound into her. He fought the urge, letting her play, allowing her to set the pace.
Finally, decades later, her ass finally hit his groin.
“Oh.” Her mouth pursed, and her eyes widened. Both palms flattened on his chest as she angled her pelvis.
Heat surrounded him. Pulsing, caressing, taking…her internal walls gripped him with impressive strength. The neurons in his brain may have misfired. His control teetered on the brink, a sliver away from snapping completely. “Melanie? You want to start moving now.” His voice scraped like raw gravel.
“All right.” She threw back her head and lifted up.
He manacled her hips and slammed her back down.
Their groans melded together. Then he did it again, setting a pace she easily jumped right into.
He glanced up at her, wanting to stay in this moment forever. Her wild curls cascaded around her classic face, her brown eyes focused elsewhere, and a light blush wandered from her breasts to her cheeks. She was fucking perfect.
Gripping her hips, he set up a fast rhythm. She met him thrust for thrust, her thigh muscles constricting with each movement.
He wanted to slow down, to get lost in her. But electricity sparked down his spine to lash his balls, and he was too close to ending the moment. So he reached down and slid the calloused pad of his thumb along her clit.
She cried out, back arched, nails digging into his chest as the orgasm overtook her. Pumping harder, faster, she yanked him right into heaven with her.
He held her tight, coming like a teenager on prom night.
Finally, she took a deep breath and collapsed against his chest. He slid his palm down her spine to caress her still warm ass. “We’re gonna have to do that again,” he said with a smile.
Contentment wandered through his blood, warming him. He wanted to spend all night with her in his arms, instead of needing to ease away after sex. Instead of freaking out or worrying about the new feelings, he allowed them to take root.
His phone dinged from across the room. The ding pointed to a programmed alarm. Setting Mel to the side, he yanked on his jeans and scanned his phone.
A chilling dread slithered down his spine. Melanie lifted her eyebrows in question, and he shook his head, standing and leaping for the laptop perched on the table. Typing furiously, he double-checked the cash accounts. “Son of a bitch.”
“What?” Melanie asked.
“I had an alert set on our accounts with Manning, and it looks like he just took the money and ran.” Colton would kick the crap out of him…if he found him.
“Call the police.” Melanie reached for her clothes.
Colton sighed and rubbed his eyes. “If we turn him in, the money will be tied up forever as they build a case against him.”
“Oh.” Her breasts jiggled as she tugged her shirt over her head. “What’s your plan?”
“I go after him.” This was a clusterfuck of tremendous proportions. Sure, they could survive without the money for a year by tightening their belts, but at some point, his family needed the money back. Especially before next calving season.
“Okay.” Melanie wiggled her butt and shimmied into her skirt.
His dick sprang alive. He faced a complete financial disaster, and his body wanted to play. “You are way too tempting.”
The smile she flashed him heated right through his blood to his heart. Man, he needed to get a grip. Turning away, he quickly dialed his assistant. “Anne? Sorry to disturb you. This is what I need.” Giving her details, he ran through his itinerary. “Thanks.”
Shaking his head, he ended the call and focused back on Mel. “I have to go get our money back.”
Melanie nodded. “You will.”
“I thought he was my friend. Guess not.” How could he have been so stupid? So sure of himself he didn’t stop to think. Colton eyed the flushed brunette he’d much rather be playing with right now. “You take the plane back home. I have to track Mark down—if he went by car, I’ll follow him, or I can get a commercial plane ticket.”
“Is this man dangerous?”
“Not as dangerous as I am,” he said, grimly.
Melanie eyed the door. “Oh. I’ll get ready to go.”
He reached for her and drew her close. “When I return, we need to talk.” Maybe by then he’d figure out what he wanted to say.