3. Bash
Chapter Three
BASH
“I think you’re going to like this place,” Melissa says as I open the door for her. “It’s got a great vibe.”
I nod, trying to focus on her words and not the sway of her hips in that tight dress as she walks inside ahead of me.
The place she chose is pretty cute for a downtown bar. The interior is dimly lit, with small tables scattered around and Latin music pulsing from hidden speakers. It’s intimate. Sexy.
Just like her.
It’s been years since I’ve seen Melissa, but time has only made her sexier. Her wavy blonde hair cascades over her shoulders like a waterfall of silk, while her tight black work dress hugs her luscious curves in all the right places.
There’s also a newfound confidence in how she carries herself now, a self-assured woman completely at home in her own skin.
It’s a huge turn-on.
“Have you been here before?” I ask, my hand lingering on the small of her back as the hostess leads us to a booth in a quiet corner.
Melissa slides in and I follow, our thighs brushing under the table. “A few times,” she says. “With some girlfriends from work.”
I bite back the urge to ask if she’s ever brought a date here.
I’m not usually a possessive guy. But this place is crawling with douchebags in expensive suits, eyeing Melissa up and down like she’s a piece of meat. I grit my teeth, fighting the urge to punch every one of these assholes in the face.
This isn’t a date, I remind myself. We’re just two old friends catching up.
Except I want to do a hell of a lot more than catch up. I want to taste every inch of her smooth skin. I want to hear her moan my name as I make her come undone. I want to claim her. Mark her. Show all these pricks that she’s off-limits.
That she’s mine.
Even if she doesn’t know it yet.
I flag the bartender. “Whiskey, neat, please. And for the lady...”
“Dirty martini, three olives,” Melissa finishes.
The bartender nods and turns to make our drinks.
“I have to admit, I’m impressed,” I say, leaning in close so she can hear me over the din of the bar.
“Why is that?”
“A dirty martini is a serious drink.”
Melissa arches one perfect eyebrow. “You think I can’t handle it?”
“Oh, I have no doubt you can handle just about anything, Counselor.” I flash her a grin. “I’m just remembering the girl who used to gag on wine coolers at high school parties.”
I instantly regret my choice of words as the image of Melissa gagging on something else entirely fills my mind. I shift in my seat, trying to adjust myself discreetly under the table.
She laughs, a genuine smile lighting up her face. “That was a long time ago. I’ve refined my palate since then.”
I let my gaze travel deliberately down her body. “You’ve refined a lot of things.”
A faint blush colors her cheeks and she looks away. But not before I catch the darkening of her eyes, the quickening of her breath. It seems I’m not the only one feeling this explosive chemistry.
The bartender slides our drinks in front of us and I raise my glass. “To reconnecting with old friends.”
Melissa clinks her martini against my whiskey. “To reconnecting,” she echoes.
I watch her full lips wrap around the rim of the glass as she takes a sip. She makes even that simple act look sensual.
“So, what’s it like being a big-shot lawyer these days?” I ask as I take a sip of my drink. “Saving the world one case at a time?”
Melissa chuckles and shrugs. “It’s been okay, I guess.”
I quirk a brow at her. “With an office like yours, things seem like they’re a lot more than okay.”
“I mean, I love what I do, but...” She pauses, twirling the olive skewer between her slim fingers. “Things at the firm have been a little rocky lately, to be honest.”
“Oh yeah? How so?”
She sighs heavily. “They’re thinking about cutting our pro bono program. You know, the cases we take on for free to help people who can’t afford legal representation.” Her hazel eyes flash with passion. “It’s something I really believe in, something that gives real meaning to my work. But the other partners just see it as a financial drain.”
“That’s bullshit,” I growl, suddenly feeling fiercely protective of her and her ideals.
Her eyes widen slightly at my vehement response. “I didn’t realize you were so supportive of pro bono work,” she says softly.
“I’m supportive of anything that matters to you,” I tell her honestly, holding her gaze. “I always have been.”
Something flickers in her expression, a flash of vulnerability quickly masked. She clears her throat. “Well, what about you, Bash? What have you been up to all these years besides getting even more charming?”
I grin at her over the rim of my glass. “You think I’m charming, huh?”
She rolls her eyes but can’t quite hide her smile. “I think you know exactly how charming you are. You always did.”
“Nah, I was just a cocky kid back then,” I say with a self-deprecating shrug. “I didn’t know shit.”
Especially when it came to you.
I take another sip of whiskey, the smooth burn fortifying me. “But to answer your question - after I retired from baseball, I decided to open a bar in Barton Beach.”
“Really?” Melissa’s eyes sparkle with interest. “Tell me more.”
I can’t help but smile, my chest swelling with pride. “Yeah, it’s called the Silver Coop. Business has been booming. I love it.”
“That’s fantastic, Bash. I’m so happy for you.” Her smile is warm and genuine. It makes me feel ten feet tall.
“Thanks. Yeah, it’s been a hell of a ride. And get this, my twin brother Brett even lives in Barton Beach now, too.”
“No way! How’s Brett doing?”
“Man, he’s crazy in love.” I shake my head in wonder. “He and his wife run a bakery together in town. Can you believe it? My player of a brother, settled down and playing house.”
Melissa beams. “That’s incredible. I’m glad to hear he’s doing so well.”
“Yeah, we both are.” I pause, my gaze caught on the elegant line of her throat as she takes another sip of her martini. I imagine pressing my lips there, feeling her pulse jump under my mouth.
I swallow hard. “You know, you should come visit Barton Beach sometime. I think you’d really like it.”
She arches an eyebrow, a playful gleam in her eye. “Oh yeah? And why’s that?”
Because I want to lay you out on the beach and worship your body under the stars. Because I want to show you just how good we could be together.
But I don’t say any of that. Instead, I say, “It’s a special place. Beautiful. Peaceful. A place where you can just be yourself, no expectations.” I lower my voice to a rumble. “I’d be happy to show you around. Give you the full experience.”
She giggles. “That’s, um, a very tempting offer, Mr. Cooper.”
“You’re a very tempting woman, Ms. Graham.”
Our eyes lock and the air crackles between us, electric and alive with possibility. I watch her throat work as she swallows. I’d give my left nut to know what she’s thinking right now.
Then she shifts gears on me.
“You know, I think I’ve actually driven past the Silver Coop before,” she says, tapping a manicured finger against her glass. “My friend Lisa lives in Barton Beach. I visit her a few times a year.”
My heart kicks into high gear at her words. The thought of Melissa being so close to my stomping grounds, so close to me, without me even knowing it... it’s almost too much to handle.
“No shit?” I ask, trying to play it cool even as my pulse races. “Small world. So you’re telling me we could’ve run into each other before now, and I missed my chance?”
“Maybe it just wasn’t the right time,” she says with a coy smile that makes my blood run hot. “Timing is everything, Bash. You know that.”
I hold her gaze, letting the heat build between us. “Damn straight, I do.”
We spend the next two hours catching up on the past twenty-odd years. I tell her about my baseball career and my decision to retire early. She fills me in on law school and making partner at her firm.
And the entire time, I can’t take my eyes off her. The way she tosses her hair back when she laughs, the graceful movements of her hands as she talks, the fullness of her lips shining with gloss. I’m riveted.
As the conversation flows, I decide to test the waters. “So, is there a Mr. Melissa Graham these days?” I ask casually.
Melissa laughs softly, shaking her head. “No, no husband for me. I’m married to my job at the moment.” She looks down, tracing the rim of her glass with her finger. “Plus, most men aren’t exactly lining up to date a workaholic lawyer who puts in eighty hour weeks.”
“Their loss,” I murmur, my eyes locked on hers. “Sounds like they just can’t handle a woman who knows what she wants.”
She laughs softly. “I don’t know about that. But it’s true I don’t have much time for dating. My career keeps me pretty busy.”
I nod in understanding. “I get that. It can be tough to find someone who appreciates your drive and ambition.”
“Exactly.” She takes a sip of her martini, looking at me curiously. “What about you? Have you found that special someone willing to put up with your busy schedule?”
I shake my head, chuckling. “Nah. I’ve had a few relationships over the years, but nothing that stuck. Guess I’m still waiting for the right woman to come along.”
“I’m sure she’s out there,” Melissa says, her voice softening. “Any woman would be lucky to have you.”
Our gazes catch and hold, the air between us charging with electricity. I feel the pull, the urge to lean in and capture her lips with mine.
But I resist. As much as I want Melissa, I don’t want to scare her off yet. I clear my throat, breaking the spell. “You want another round?”
Melissa glances at her watch. “I should actually get going soon. It’s getting pretty late.”
I nod, tamping down my disappointment. I signal the bartender for the check. “Well can I at least walk you out?”
Melissa hesitates for a moment, then nods. “Sure. I’d like that.”
We settle the tab and I guide her through the crowd with my hand on her lower back, staking my claim. Let all these suits see she’s leaving with me.
Outside, the muggy Houston air envelopes us. “Which way is your car?” I ask her.
“Oh, I’m actually parked a few blocks away in a garage.” She gestures vaguely down the street.
I frown slightly. I don’t like the idea of my girl walking alone at night.
“Let me walk with you,” I say, trying to keep my tone casual. “Keep you company.”
Melissa hesitates again. “Are you sure? I don’t want to take you out of your way...”
“I’m positive.” I give her my most charming smile. “It would be my pleasure to escort you, counselor.”
She links her arm through mine with a small smile. “Such a gentleman.”
“I have my moments.”
We stroll down the sidewalk, our strides matching effortlessly. It feels right to have her next to me like this.
“Bash, I...” Melissa pauses, biting her lip. “I’m sorry I didn’t make it to your retirement game. After you invited me and everything. I feel terrible about that.”
“Don’t worry about it, sweetheart. You’re a busy woman. “I squeeze her arm reassuringly. “And besides, I know you had your reasons.”
It’s the closest that we’ve come to talking about all the unresolved history between us.
Melissa’s brows furrow, her expression serious. “I know, but I still feel bad. I should have at least called to let you know.”
I shrug, trying to lighten the mood. “Hey, it worked out in the end. We got our second chance tonight.”
She smiles again, a small one this time. “Yeah, we did.”
We walk the rest of the way in comfortable silence. But all too soon, we arrive at the parking garage. And I’m not ready for this night to end.
Melissa turns to face me as we reach her white Porsche SUV. “It was great catching up with you, Bash.”
My eyes drop to her mouth. “The pleasure was all mine.”
Fuck. I know that kissing Melissa is probably a bad idea right now. Especially since we still have things we need to talk about. Not to mention that she’s my lawyer.
Melissa swallows hard. “I’ll reach out on Monday about your case once I hear back from my friend at the Attorney General’s office.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
Then I lean in slowly, giving her every chance to pull away.
But she doesn’t.
Instead, her eyelids flutter closed as the distance between us slowly starts to evaporate.
You know what?
Fuck it.
I cup her face in my hands and crush my mouth to hers.
The first brush of her lips is electric, sending a jolt straight through me. She tastes like gin and honey and something uniquely Melissa.
I deepen the kiss, my tongue teasing the seam of her lips until she opens for me with a breathy little moan.
My hands skim down her sides to her waist, itching to touch all that smooth, tanned skin. Her fingers curl into the front of my shirt, holding me close.
“Bash,” she breathes, my name a plea on her lips.
I press her back against the car door, eliminating any space between us.
The kiss turns hot and urgent, months of pent-up desire unleashing.
Melissa arches into me, her nails digging into my shoulders as I trail kisses along her jaw, her neck. I nip at her collarbone and she gasps, her head falling back.
I want her. Here and now, consequences be damned. And from the way she’s grinding against me, I’d say the feeling is mutual.
I groan against her skin. “Give me your keys, baby.”
She fumbles in her purse before pressing the key fob into my palm. I hit the unlock button.
Then I yank open the backseat door and pull her inside.