7. Bash
Chapter Seven
BASH
When I wake up the next morning, Melissa is still sound asleep beside me. Her blonde hair fanned out across the pillow, and her red lips slightly parted.
I slide out of bed quietly, careful not to disturb her.
Padding to the kitchen, I find the coffee and filters. I pour two mugs, leaving room for cream in Melissa’s, just how I know she likes it. Then I lean back and take a sip of the hot liquid as I think about the day ahead with my girl.
As if summoned by my thoughts, Melissa appears in the doorway.
My pulse kicks up at the sight of her sleep-tousled hair and long, bare legs. She’s wearing nothing but a tiny pair of panties and a thin white tank top that clings to her curves. I can see the dark outline of her nipples through the fabric.
Fuck, this woman is going to be the death of me.
“Morning, beautiful,” I say, holding out a mug to her. “I made you coffee just how you like it.”
Melissa takes the mug with a soft smile. “You remembered.” She takes a sip and lets out a little moan of pleasure that goes straight to my dick. “Mmm, perfect. You’re spoiling me.”
“That’s the plan, sweetheart.” I pull her into my arms and give her a quick kiss. “How’d you sleep?”
“Best sleep I’ve had in ages,” she purrs, running her hand over my chest. “Someone really tired me out last night.”
“Is that a complaint I hear?” I tease, nipping playfully at her lower lip.
“Definitely not.” She grins wickedly at me. In fact, I could really use a repeat performance.”
I set down my mug and cage her against the counter, my arms braced on either side of her. “Careful what you wish for, Counselor,” I growl. “Keep looking at me like that, and we won’t leave this house all day.”
Melissa throws her head back and lets out a throaty laugh. “I think I created a monster.”
“Baby, you haven’t seen anything yet.”
She shivers deliciously at my words, and it takes all my willpower not to carry her back to bed and show her just what kind of monster she’s unleashed. But I have other plans for today.
“As much as I’d love to spend all day worshipping this sexy body,” I say, running my hands over her curves, “I thought we could get out of the city for a bit. Head down to my place in Barton Beach. You could probably use a change of scenery after the week you’ve had.”
Melissa blinks up at me in surprise. “You want me to come to Barton Beach with you?”
“Why not? Sun, surf, a secluded stretch of beach all to ourselves...” I trail off suggestively. “Plus, I need a date for the gala. What do you say, Counselor? Be my plus one?”
“The softball gala?” Melissa asks, sounding uncertain. “I don’t know, Bash. Those kinds of events aren’t really my scene anymore.”
My heart sinks at the hesitation in her voice.
Is she having second thoughts about us already? Or is this about more than just a party?
I study her face, remembering the shy, bookish girl she was back in high school before she transformed into the powerful, polished woman she is today.
The girl I was too stupid to appreciate back then.
“Melissa,” I say seriously, tipping her chin up to meet my gaze. “I know I was an asshole to you in high school. I was a dumb jock who didn’t know what he had. But I’m not that guy anymore. You’re not just some fling to me. I want you by my side, in Barton Beach and everywhere else. I want the whole damn world to know how lucky I am to be with you.”
Her eyes search mine, and I pray she can see the truth in them—the regret for my past actions and the sincere desire to be the man she deserves now.
“Okay,” she says softly. “Let’s go to Barton Beach.”
I grin and kiss her again, quick and hard. “You’re not going to regret this, baby. I promise you that.”
She smiles up at me, radiant and carefree, and in that moment, I swear I fall a little bit more in love with her.
A few hours later, we pull up to my condo building in Barton Beach.
The sun is high in the cloudless sky, glinting off the sleek lines of my black Porsche 911 as I pull into my reserved parking spot.
I glance over at Melissa in the passenger seat. She’s been quiet for most of the drive, just staring out the window with a small smile playing on her lips. But now, as she takes in the modern beachfront condos and the sparkling expanse of the Gulf beyond, her eyes widen.
“Wow,” she breathes. “Bash, this is incredible.”
Pride surges through me, knowing I can give her this. The views, the luxury, the escape from the grind of the city.
I want to give her everything.
“Just wait until you see the inside,” I tell her with a grin. “And the private beach access.”
“Private beach, huh?” she says, arching her brow. “It sounds like you’re trying to get me alone, Mr. Cooper.”
“Damn right, I am,” I growl playfully. “I’ve got plans for you, Ms. Graham.”
She flushes, a pretty pink that spreads down her neck, and I’m hit with a flashback to a few hours ago, when I had her naked and writhing beneath me, that same flush spreading across her skin.
A knock on the window jolts me out of the heated memory.
I turn to see Jack and Marlie Barton, the couple who live in the condo next to mine. They’re both grinning at us like they caught me with my hand in the cookie jar.
Mentally cursing the interruption, I school my features into a friendly smile and open the door to greet them.
“Jack, Marlie, hey. Didn’t expect to see you guys here.”
“We could say the same,” Marlie says, eyeing Melissa with open curiosity. “Who’s your friend, Bash?”
Friend. The word feels wrong, inadequate. Melissa is so much more than that.
“This is Melissa Graham,” I say, unable to keep the pride from my voice as I reach for her hand and twine our fingers together. “My girlfriend.”
There’s a beat of silence. I feel Melissa tense slightly beside me, and I worry I’ve overstepped and pushed too far too fast.
But then she relaxes and squeezes my hand, and when I glance at her, she’s smiling, her eyes soft and warm as they meet mine.
“Girlfriend,” Jack repeats, his eyebrows raised. He shoots me a look that says we’ll discuss this later. “Well, it’s great to meet you, Melissa.”
“You too,” Melissa says, shaking Jack’s hand.
Marlie steps forward and air-hugs Melissa. “Welcome to Barton Beach, hon. We’re so happy to have you here.”
“Thank you,” Melissa replies, her cheeks flushed. I can’t help but wonder if it’s from the warm welcome or the possessive way I’m holding her hand.
“So, how do you two know each other?” Jack asks, looking back and forth between us.
“Bash and I went to high school together,” Melissa stammers.
“That’s so adorable!” Marlie says, her eyes lighting up. “High school sweethearts, huh?”
“Something like that,” I say, brushing it off. The truth is obviously a bit more complicated than that, but I don’t feel like getting into our tangled history right now.
“We should let you two get settled in,” Jack says, nudging his wife. “Welcome to the building, Melissa. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask.”
“Thanks, Jack, Marlie. I appreciate it.” Melissa flashes them a dazzling smile before they finally leave.
As soon as the elevator doors close, Melissa turns to me with a twinkle in her eye. “Girlfriend, huh?”
“Seemed like the easiest explanation,” I shrug. “Besides, it’s not that far from the truth, right?”
Her cheeks turn even redder. “I guess not.”
We ride the elevator up to my penthouse in silence, the sexual tension thick enough to suffocate. My heart hammers in my chest as I swipe my keycard, and the doors open, revealing the spacious living area and breathtaking ocean views.
Melissa steps inside and turns in a slow circle, taking in the sleek modern furnishings, the original artwork on the walls, and the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the swirling Gulf waters.
“Bash, this is... wow. Just wow.” She shakes her head, looking awed. “And I thought my office view was impressive.”
I can’t help preening a bit at her reaction. I’ve put a lot of work into making this condo the ultimate bachelor pad. But now, seeing it through Melissa’s eyes, I realize it was just a fancy facade—an empty shell waiting for her to make it her home.
“You like it?” I ask, coming up behind her and wrapping my arms around her waist. I nuzzle into her neck, breathing in the sweet scent of her perfume.
“I love it,” she says softly, leaning back against me. “It’s perfect.”
“That makes two perfect things in this room, then,” I murmur, kissing a path up to her ear.
She shivers and turns in my arms, looping her own around my neck. “You’re such a smooth talker, Sebastian Cooper. If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were trying to seduce me.”
“Who says I’m not?” I lower my head, capturing her lips in a deep, drugging kiss.
Melissa moans into my mouth, her fingers threading into my hair. I walk her backward until her back hits the window.
I tear my mouth from hers and blaze a trail of hot, open-mouthed kisses down her throat. She throws her head back, giving me better access as I nip and suck at her soft skin.
“Bash,” she pants. “The windows.”
“What about them?” I rasp, not stopping my sensual assault.
“Someone might see.”
I lift my head and give her a wicked grin. “Let them. I want the whole world to know you’re mine.”
With that, I drop to my knees in front of her and slide my hands up her smooth thighs, pushing the hem of her sundress out of the way.
Melissa’s breath hitches as I hook my fingers in her panties and slowly drag them down her legs. I help her step out of them, then spread her thighs, revealing her glistening pussy to my hungry gaze.
“Fuck, you’re so wet for me already,” I groan. “I’ve barely touched you.”
“It doesn’t take much with you,” she admits breathlessly. “I’ve been turned on since the car ride.”
“Well then, I better not keep you waiting any longer.”
I lean in and lick a broad stripe up her slit, savoring her unique flavor. Melissa cries out, her hips bucking as I lick and suck at her clit, spurred on by the desperate little noises spilling from her lips.
She tastes so fucking good, sweet and musky, and I can’t get enough. I thrust my tongue inside her, fucking her with it, and she grinds against my face.
“Oh, Bash, yes,” she moans, fisting her hands in my hair. “Don’t stop, I’m so close.”
I double my efforts, sealing my lips around her clit and flicking it rapidly with the tip of my tongue. At the same time, I slide two fingers into her slick heat, pumping them in and out.
Her walls clench around my digits, and I know she’s right on the edge. I crook my fingers, hitting that secret spot inside her, and she shatters with a ragged cry.
“Bash!”
I work her through it, lapping at her juices as she rides out the waves of her orgasm. She’s trembling, her knees weak, and I have to support her with my other hand on her hip.
When she finally stills, I press a tender kiss to her mound and look up at her from under my lashes. Her eyes are closed, her cheeks flushed, her lips parted as she pants for breath. She’s never looked more beautiful to me.
“You okay, baby?” I ask, my voice rough with desire.
Her lids flutter open, and she gazes down at me with a dreamy, sated expression. “More than okay. That was incredible.”
I grin and stand up, pulling her into my arms. She sags against me, her body pliant and boneless from her release. I kiss her deeply, letting her taste herself on my tongue.
“We’re just getting started,” I promise. “I plan on keeping you in this state of bliss all week.”
“Is that so?” she says with a breathless laugh. “You sure you can handle me, Cooper?”
I grab her ass and hoist her up, wrapping her legs around my waist. She gasps as my hardness presses insistently against her sensitive core.
“Oh, I can handle you, Counselor,” I growl, walking us toward the bedroom. “The real question is - can you handle me?”
She tightens her legs around me and rolls her hips, creating delicious friction. Then she gives me a sultry smile. “Bring it on.”