Chapter 25
TWENTY-FIVE
The next afternoon, Melody arrived at Nate's office, ego in check, and manuscript firmly in hand. The familiar scent of old books and coffee wafted through the air, but that day it did little to calm her nerves. She took a deep breath, straightened her blazer, and knocked on the door.
"Come in, Archer," Nate's voice called out, sending an involuntary shiver down her spine.
She pushed open the door, plastering on her best professional smile. "Mr. Carlisle, I hope I'm not interrupting your brooding session over profit margins and market trends."
Nate looked up from his desk, his blue eyes twinkling with amusement. "Ah, there's that razor-sharp tongue I've come to expect. Please, have a seat. I promise I'll try to keep the corporate jargon to a minimum."
Melody settled into the chair across from him, spreading her manuscript on the desk between them.
"So, shall we dive in? I'm dying to hear your thoughts on Chapter 15.
I'm particularly proud of the scene where my protagonist tells her love interest to shove his alpha male posturing where the sun doesn't shine. "
Nate chuckled, leaning forward. "Funny you should mention that scene. It's actually one of the highlights of the chapter. Your dialogue is snappy, the tension is palpable, and I particularly enjoyed the creative use of a potted ficus as a makeshift weapon."
Melody felt a warm glow of pride. "Thanks. I may or may not have drawn inspiration from a certain stubborn editor I know."
"Is that so?" Nate quirked an eyebrow. "Should I be worried about any nearby plants?"
She laughed, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly. "Only if you start spouting clichés about bottom lines and target demographics."
They spent the next hour going through the manuscript, their heads bent close together over the pages.
Nate's insights were spot-on as always, pushing her to dig deeper into her characters' motivations and tighten her plot threads.
Melody found herself getting lost in the flow of their collaboration, the way their ideas bounced off each other and sparked new possibilities.
It was only when Nate leaned back, his fingers working into the dark and silver-streaked hair atop his head, that she noticed how much time had passed. "Well, Archer, I have to say, you've outdone yourself. This manuscript is shaping up to be something truly special."
Melody beamed at him, riding high on the praise. "Thanks, Nate. I couldn't have done it without your guidance."
A shadow passed over his handsome face, and she felt her stomach drop. "What is it? Did I miss something? Is there a glaring plot hole I've overlooked?"
Nate sighed, the sound deep and rumbling, his expression turning serious. "No, nothing like that. It's just... there's something we need to discuss. About the company's expectations for your book."
Melody straightened in her chair, her defenses immediately going up. "What kind of expectations?"
"The board is getting antsy. They want to see concrete results, and soon. They're pushing for a more... conventional approach to marketing your book."
"Conventional? Once again, you mean watering it down to fit some mold of what they think will sell?"
"Not exactly," Nate held up a placating hand. "I've managed to buy us some time. I proposed a compromise – we stick to your original vision, but we also develop a parallel marketing strategy. One that emphasizes the unique qualities of your book while still appealing to a broader audience."
"And you think this will work?"
Nate met her gaze, his sea-blue eyes blazing with an intensity that took her breath away. "I know it will. Melody, I believe in this book. I believe in you. We just need to show the board that taking a risk on something different can pay off."
His words delivered a blow, knocking loose all the emotions she had been trying to keep in check. "You really mean that, don't you?"
"Every word," Nate said softly. He reached across the desk, his hand covering hers. "Melody, you're not just another author to me. You're... you're extraordinary."
Suddenly, her own breath felt thick in her lungs. She was acutely aware of the warmth of his hand on hers, the way his thumb traced small circles on her skin.
"Nate," she breathed, her voice barely above a whisper. "What are we doing?"
He stood slowly, never breaking eye contact. "I don't know. But I'm tired of pretending I don't want to find out."
In two strides, he was around the desk, pulling her to her feet. They stood there for a moment, their bodies inches apart, the air heavy as if holding its own breath.
"This is a bad idea," she murmured, even as she leaned into him.
"Probably," Nate agreed, his hands settling on her waist. "Want to do it anyway?"
Instead of answering, she closed the distance between them, crushing her lips to his. The kiss was electric, sending shockwaves through her entire body. Nate responded immediately, pulling her flush against him as his tongue traced the seam of her lips.
She parted her lips, granting him access, and the kiss deepened.
It was nothing like their first encounter – that had been all heat and urgency. This was slower, more deliberate, but no less intense. Nate kissed her like he was trying to memorize every detail, his hands roaming her body with a reverence that made her weak in the knees.
"God, Melody," he groaned against her lips. "You have no idea how long I've wanted to do that."
She pulled back slightly, her breathing ragged. "Oh? Care to show me just how long?"
Nate's gaze—usually ocean-blue—deepened to the color of an evening sky. In one swift motion, he lifted her onto his desk, scattering papers and pens to the floor. "With pleasure."
His lips found hers again as his hands worked at the buttons of her blouse. She fumbled with his tie, desperate to feel his skin against hers. When her hands finally made contact with his bare chest, she couldn't help but moan in appreciation.
"Like what you see, Archer?" Nate teased, his voice husky.
She raked her nails lightly down his abs, relishing in the way his muscles twitched under her touch. "Not bad for a corporate suit."
Nate chuckled, the sound sending vibrations through her. "I'll take that as a compliment."
His lips trailed down her neck, leaving a path of fire in their wake. When he reached the swell of her breasts, he looked up at her, his eyes seeking permission. She nodded, arching into his touch.
Nate took his time, his mouth and hands exploring every inch of exposed skin. It was maddening and exhilarating all at once. By the time he finally slipped a hand between her thighs, she was practically begging for release.
"Nate, please," she gasped, her hips bucking against his hand.
He grinned wickedly. "Patience, Archer. I intend to savor every moment of this."
He dropped to his knees, his hands sliding up her thighs, pushing her skirt up to her hips. She could feel his breath, hot and tantalizing, as he leaned in, his tongue tracing a path up her inner thigh. She shivered, her body aching with need.
"Oh my God, Nate," she moaned, her hands gripping the edge of the wooden desk, her fingernails carving crescent moons into the striated grooves.
He looked up at her, his gaze flitting from one eye to the next. "Is this what you want, Melody? You want me to taste you?”
She nodded, her breath pulling into her lungs in small sips. "Yes. God, yes."
Nate grinned, his hands hooking into the waistband of her panties, pulling them down and off. He leaned in, his tongue finding her clit, circling it slowly. She cried out, her body arching off the desk.
He took his time, his mouth and tongue working her into a frenetic chaos. She could feel the orgasm building, her body tensing as he brought her closer and closer to the edge.
"Nate," she gasped. "I'm going to…You’re making me…”
His glare lifted, his eyes locked on hers as he slid two fingers inside her, curling them to hit that spot that made galaxies explode behind her eyelids.
"Come for me, Melody," he growled, his voice low and commanding. "Let me taste you."
And she did. She came undone, her body convulsing as waves of pleasure crashed over her. Nate stayed with her, his mouth and fingers drawing out every last bit of her orgasm.
She slumped forward onto one of his broad shoulders, unable to move.
If only staying stationary could make time do the same. A minute passed by. Then two. After a third, she sat up, suddenly very aware of their surroundings. "Oh god, we just… On your desk. In your office. During work hours."
Nate pulled back to gaze down at her, looking thoroughly disheveled and utterly delicious. "Technically, it's after hours. But yes, that about sums it up."
She buried her face in her hands, torn between mortification and lingering desire. "This complicates things, doesn't it?"
“You mean beside the fact that my back isn't what it used to be, even given the hours I spent pushing myself at CrossFit?” He grinned, but then stood to his full height, gently prying her hands away from her face. "Melody, look at me. Yes, this complicates things. But I don't regret it. Do you?"
She met his gaze, seeing the vulnerability there. "No," she admitted softly. "I don't regret it. But Nate, what does this mean for us? For my book?"
"Honestly? I don't know. But I do know that I care about you, Melody. More than I probably should. And I'm willing to figure this out if you are."
She nodded slowly, her mind whirling with possibilities and potential pitfalls. "Okay. We'll figure it out. But for now, maybe we should... I don't know, establish some ground rules?"
Nate grinned, pulling her in for another kiss. "Agreed. Rule number one: no more office rendezvous. My back can't take another round on this desk."
She laughed despite herself, swatting at his arm. "Ass. I'm being serious here."
"So am I," he retorted, his expression sobering. "Melody, I promise you, this won't affect your book or your career. I'll keep things professional when we need to be professional. But when we're alone..."
He trailed off, his eyes darkening with promise. She felt a shiver of anticipation run through her.
"When we're alone?" she prompted, her voice barely above a whisper.
Nate leaned in, his lips brushing her ear. "When we're alone, all bets are off."
As they hurried to dress and make themselves presentable, she couldn't help but feel like she was standing on the edge of a precipice. On one side was the safe, familiar world of her writing career. On the other was the unknown territory of whatever this was with Nate.
She knew she should be more cautious, more concerned about the potential consequences. But as she watched Nate straighten his tie, his eyes meeting hers with edges of affection and desire, she realized something.
She was ready to jump.