Chapter 6

CHAPTER SIX

AIDEN

With Melody’s hand in mine, I lead us into the house. It was quiet because all the guys were out partying. I had left Royal at the bar to his own defenses.

“It’s gorgeous in here,” Melody said, looking around.

“Want a drink? We have water, beer, juice.

“A beer is good,” she answered.

I removed my hand from hers to go grab us drinks. When I came back, she was looking out the huge picture windows that looked off into a forest in the back of the house.

“Here you go.” I handed her the beer.

“Thank you. Where is everyone at?”

“Out partying.”

“So…we are here alone?”

“We are. Are you scared to be alone with me?”

“Should I be?” She knew the answer to that. Looking out the window, she said, “This is a gorgeous view.”

Looking at her, I said, “It is.”

She turned her head to look at me. “No. Out there, it is gorgeous.”

I smiled. “I know where you were talking about. Can’t you take a compliment?”

“Clearly, you don’t know me.”

“You’re right. I don’t. So, allow me to get to know you.”

“Why?”

“Why not?” I asked.

She stepped back. “I don’t know what kind of game you are playing, but why did you kiss me?”

“Because I have enjoyed our interactions so far, and I am attracted to you. Why can’t you believe that?”

“Look at you.” She pointed her hand up and down the length of my body. “You can have any woman you want. I am sure there are plenty that would fall at your feet. Ready and willing. As you can see, I don’t look like those women.”

“Like I said, I love your sense of humor, you are sexy, and I want to get to know you. I like that you don’t treat me like a celebrity.”

“I don’t care about you being a celebrity.”

I nodded. “I know.” I slowly stepped closer to her.

She swallowed, and her breath hitched, barely breathing.

“What are you doing?” she asked nervously.

“I’m going to kiss you again.”

“No, you aren’t.”

I looked at my watch. “It’s almost midnight…right about… now.”

Before she could protest, I took her face in my hands and kissed her again. This time, she allowed my tongue to tangle with hers.

I was still holding her face when she pulled her lips from mine. She was looking deep in my eyes.

Breaking the silence, I smiled and said, “Happy New Year’s, Melody.”

She broke into a smile. “Happy New Year’s, Aiden.”

“Want another drink?” I offered.

“I’ll do one more.”

“Are your friends going to be mad you left them?” I asked as I went to the kitchen, grabbed two bottles, and met her back in the room.

“No. They knew who you were immediately, and it took me a while to figure out who you were. It wasn’t until my friend pointed it out.”

“Oh.” I popped both bottles open and handed her one.

“Cheers,” I said, clinking my bottle with hers.

“Cheers.”

We both took sips from our drinks.

“So how come Royal Whiskey is in Lockridge?” she asked.

“Well, one, to escape the noise of Nashville, and two, we are recording our second album, and it has to be perfect. We have to really focus and not act like fools. I’m sure you have heard about my reputation.”

“I haven’t, I don’t keep up with the gossip. And I tend not to believe everything I read or hear about unless I know for sure,” she told me.

I smiled. “I appreciate that. But I am working on being better and calmer.”

“That’s good. How are you liking Lockridge?”

“I like it. It’s small but quaint. You from here?”

“I am, all my life. I live right outside of town, on the other side of town. I rent a little cottage.”

“Your parents around?” I asked, I was really curious about her life.

“My parents retired and moved to Florida. But my dad died two years ago.”

“I’m so sorry.”

She shook her head and blinked back tears. “Thanks.”

“You must have been really close.”

“We were. I was one thousand percent a daddy’s girl, and he taught me everything I know about motorcycles.”

I smiled. “Ah, hence the kill switch.”

She chuckled. “Yes. I was dared to do it.”

My eyebrows rose. “Oh, okay. I see.”

“Do you know how long you are going to be here for?”

“Until we finish recording. Why?”

She smiled. “I just wondered.”

“Just admit you like me, Melody.”

“I don’t.”

I stepped closer, looking into her eyes, then her lips. “I think you do.” I inched my face closer to hers, and she knew I was about to kiss her, and she let me. She tasted sweet, even after drinking beer. Her tongue was velvety against mine.

She pulled back and smiled, then took a deep breath. “Need to catch my breath. Is it hot in here?”

I laughed. “It’s not hot. But you sure are.” Her cheeks turned pink.

“Aiden.” She slow-blinked. “What are we really doing here? What is your agenda?”

“I already told you, Melody. I like you and want to get to know you.”

“I think you are crazy.”

I smirked. “It’s not the first time I’ve been told that.”

She shook her head at me. “I should head home.”

“I’ll drive you.”

“Oh, you don’t have to. Really.”

“No. I insist.”

She sighed. “Okay.”

I put my hand on the small of her back as we headed back into the chilled night. When we reached the bike, I handed her the helmet she used to get here.

I adjusted the bike so she could get on, using my shoulder to adjust herself. I wasn’t mad that her dress hiked up some. The woman was stunning, and she didn’t even realize how much she was already affecting me.

She would point out how to get to her place. And with her on the back of my bike, I was careful and treated her like she was precious cargo.

We arrived at her house, and once again, I adjusted the bike so she could get off. She unhooked her helmet and handed it to me. I kicked the stand down and loaded off the bike so I could walk her to her door.

“I had a nice time with you tonight,” I told her.

“Well, you kind of kidnapped me.” She giggled.

That made me laugh. “Yeah, you’re right.”

She stepped onto her porch and was at her door. “When can I see you again?”

“Aiden. I don’t want to be a fling for you to pass the time with. We can leave it as it is.”

I closed the distance between us and tucked her hair behind her ear. “I don’t want you to be a fling either, Melody.”

I kissed her lips again; she opened them for me, and I swirled my tongue with hers.

I pulled back and said, “Give me your phone.”

She reached into her bag and handed it to me. I punched my number into it. “Here’s my number.” I texted myself from her phone, so I had her number.

“I’m not going to call you,” she said, which I knew damn well she would answer my calls or texts.