Chapter 8

CHAPTER EIGHT

AIDEN

Taking Melody’s hand, I guided us inside. I wasn’t sure how the guys were gonna act, but I told them they needed to make themselves scarce and not to embarrass me. Her hand fit into mine like they were perfectly linked.

“Thanks for letting me cook dinner for you,” I told her as I opened the door.

“Well, I can’t say when the last time a man cooked for me. So this is nice.”

She shed her leather jacket, and I placed it on a chair.

“What would you like to drink? I have beer, wine, water, and juice.”

“Beer. I’m a beer girl.”

“I like it. My kind of girl.”

“What are you making, and what can I do to help?” she asked.

I grinned, pulled her into me, and hiked her up onto the counter as she let out a squeal. “Aiden!” I laughed. “I can’t believe you just lifted me like I was nothing.”

Why in the hell was this woman down on herself?

“Just sit here and look pretty.” I leaned up and kissed her bare shoulder.

“Where are your bandmates?”

“Somewhere around here, I told them to make themselves scarce.”

She smiled wide. I moved to the fridge and grabbed us both beers, then handed her one.

“I’m making steak, and baked potatoes. I hope you aren’t a vegetarian.”

She shook her head. “I’m not. I love steak.”

“Medium rare?”

“Yes.”

“I am liking you even more.”

She smirked, placing her hands on the edge of the counter.

“Don’t mind me, just getting a beer,” Talon announced.

I huffed with annoyance. “You must be Melody,” Talon said, holding his hand out to shake hers. “I am. And you are?”

He smiled. “I’m Talon.”

“Nice to meet you.”

“You too.”

He turned to walk out of the room, and he smiled at me with approval while opening his beer.

“Sorry about that,” I told her as I continued cooking.

“It’s okay. He seems cool.”

“Yeah, he is. Dinner is almost done,” I said as I checked on the potatoes.

“Want another beer?” she asked as she hopped off the counter.

“Sure. You know where it is.” I smirked at her.

I grabbed two plates while she grabbed the beers. Then I plated the food, and she followed me to the small table by the window.

“Hope you like it.”

She cut into the food and took a bite. “It’s good. Thanks for this.”

“Sure. So what do you do in your free time when you aren’t working at the bookstore?” I smirked.

“Well, I go line dancing with my friends. I do like to read contemporary romance books, perk at working at the bookstore.”

I nodded, agreeing.

“Other than that, there isn’t much to do. Sometimes, Lockridge has festivals around the holidays. Very Hallmark movie-ish.” She laughed. “Once in a while, we might hold charity events for certain organizations. I like them because you get to dress really nice. Oh, and my friend is getting married.”

“Yes, she was wearing the sash at the bar.”

“Yes. What do you like to do?”

“I like to sing, songwriting, and I love a good autobiography book. And I like playing my guitar.”

“Well, you made a career out of the singing and songwriting.”

“Yes. I love it.”

When we finished eating, I cleared the plates and put the dishes in the dishwasher.

“Want a tour of the house?”

“Is this you way of getting me into your bedroom?”

I laughed. “Can you blame a guy?”

“Yes, I want a tour.”

We carried our beers as I led her through the house, showing how big the house was, and you couldn’t hear the guys from the kitchen.

We rounded the corner, and I heard the ruckus as I opened the door. “These are my bandmates,” I said as they all turned their heads to us, even though they were gaming.

“That’s Talon, Royal, Marc, and Caden. Guys, this is Melody.”

They all waved and said hi as they got back to their game. “Nice to meet you guys.”

“You too,” they called over their shoulder.

“Okay.” I took Melody’s hand and led her down the hall. “This is my room.”

She walked into the room, and I had the same view as the windows in the living room. She went to look out. “It looks so peaceful.”

“It is.”

There was a pull to her as I snuck behind her and wrapped my arms around her middle. Surprisingly, she leaned her head back against my shoulder.

“You know this is crazy, right?” she asked.

I shrugged. “A little crazy never hurt.”

She twisted in my arms as the glow of the room cascaded over us. “I haven’t been with anyone in a long time, and the last thing I want is another broken heart.”

I weaved a hand through her hair and looked into her eyes. “I don’t plan on breaking your heart.”

My eyes traveled to her lips, and I crashed mine onto hers. Her arms circled around my neck as we stood in place, kissing. I leaned down, kissing her neck. I’ve known this woman a total of what…three days, but I wanted this woman with everything in me.

“Aiden,” she whispered my name.

“Hmmm.”

“I should go.”

“You run every time you are scared, Melody?”

“No,” she answered offensively.

“Yes, you do.”

“Aiden, I am really trying not to get my hopes up. You are only here temporarily, and you’ll eventually be on tour promoting your album.”

“Nashville is only five hours from here,” I told her as I bent down, kissing her neck again. “All I know is I want you, not just in the physical way, but I want all of you. If you feel like you can’t give me that, then tell me now.” I was laying everything out there for her, and it was her move now. I wasn’t going to pressure her into anything if she wasn’t ready. “Don’t you think you deserve to be loved and cherished?” I looked into her green eyes, needing an answer. “I’m not playing games with you. I knew I wanted you the second I saw you and your sassy mouth.”

She reached up, cradling my face in her face as she looked into my eyes. “We’ll try it your way,” she said, causing me to smile, and I took her mouth again. Her body relaxed into mine.