Chapter 47

MELODY

By the timewe walk into the hotel room, Ellis Wilton is nothing but a dreary memory.

I've given Jax the scoop on him on our way up.

Rich, privileged, and entitled. Brought up by some assholes, who are worse thanhim, if that's even possible.

The entire family makes the headlines, and pictures of Ellis and his latest squeeze appear in the tabloids.

In my defense, I knew little about him when someone introduced him to me.

I didn't pay much attention to my dates' personal history, in general. Not in the beginning, anyway.

I didn't think it was necessary.

Well, he changed that for me.

Buttruly, I don't want to think about him.

I want to enjoy this evening as much as I can.

"How was your trip?" I ask, dropping my purse on the coffee table when two arms loop around me, coming from behind.

Soft chuckles roll off my chest.

"That bad?" I murmur.

He smells divine. Deep, dark, musky tones with a hint of smoke.

Of all the men I know, he rocks black attire like it's nobody's business.

We both were black tonight, but this is Manhattan, so we barely stand out.

Kissing my neck, he removes my jacket and, in one swoop, he runs my zipper down and tugs at my dress.

It falls and crumples on the floor before a smack on my butt cheek makes my skin prickle.

I turn around to lodge a complaint but have no time as he undoes my bra and removes my underwear.

My lips quiver with hunger and pleasure when he drapes his arms around me. Still fully clothed.

Our lips are on a collision course, and so are our emotions.

The days he was gone felt like punishment.

"I missed you," I say.

"I missed you too," he murmurs.

My hands go down his hard chest.

"My turn…" I say, looking at him with lust and love.

"Sure," he says with a crooked smile. "But don't make me wait."

"I won't."

My lips draw a trail of kisses as my fingers slide over his body, undoing his shirt, unfastening his buckle, and unzipping his fly before pushing his clothes off.

When he stands naked in front of me with his hand resting leisurely on my neck, I crouch in front of him and take him into my mouth.

Rock hard, hefeels like fire in my mouth.

My fist glides down, smearing the moisture down his length while my tongue swirls around the chiseled tip of his erection.

He tastes good.

He tastes like he's about to come.

"It's been too long," he says, and I look up.

He seems drunk, but he's only had a couple of drinks, so it's not the alcohol that's threading through his blood.

He tightens his grip on my head.

"Enough," he says, lodged in my throat.

I peer up.

The word makes no sense until he lifts me and lays me on the covers.

The bed iswide, and several pillows are tucked against the headboard. It's perfect to lie down, nap, or fuck into the early morning hours.

The high ceiling fleetingly becomes my focus before a smile creeps up my lips as he spreads my thighs open and buries his face between my legs.

I'm tense in the beginning and then slowly relax as he drives the tip of his tongue over my clit and sucks on it.

His fingers follow suit, and heeasilypushes me to the finish line, licking my clit and thrusting his fingers into me.

I moan, with my hands on his head and my thighs wanting to draw close together. His strokes go deeper as my hips tilt up and my shoulders press into the mattress. I cry out my pleasure, sliding into an ocean of bliss.

Aroused out of his mind, he pulls away and hovers over me only for a second before running his hard length into me.

Now, this is heaven.

His body rocking against mine.

His hard fleshslidinginto me over and over again.

I'm still scaling down until my soft throbbing morphs into need again, and I hold onto him with both hands as we ride straight to the top.

MELODY

Next morning

Saturday

"It wasn't that bad,"I say, lying on the bed next to him.

"No, it wasn't."

Covered up to his groin with a white sheet, his bare chest on full display, he hands me my coffee.

I take it, bring it to my lips, and glance out the window.

I so don't want to go home.

"What?" he asks.

"Nothing."

"You don't seem too happy."

I smile and sip more coffee.

"I am happy. Especially now that you think dinner wasn't that bad last night."

Cracking a smile, he runs his fingers through his hair.

"Your circle of friends is not that bad, except that jokester."

I flick an eyebrow at him.

"And the ones before him," he says.

"He's never been part of my circle. That's what happens when you date random people."

He doesn't comment, and I feel compelled to tell him about my conversation with Aretha.

He brings his drink to his lips.

"I'm glad I could help," he says.

Ilook at him, entertained.

"You really did…" I say, my grin fading.

"So…" he murmurs after a few seconds, placing his drink on the nightstand. "What's bothering you?" he asks, evading my eyes. "You had sadness in your eyes as you were looking out the window."

"I don't feel like going home."

He extends his armout, reaches for his phone, and checks the time.

"We still have time," he murmurs, yet he seems conflicted.

"Is there a problem?" I ask, placing my coffee down before rolling back onto my side to face him.

"No."

He pauses.

"What about we do this?" he says. "You comewith me, and then I'll take you home."

"Come with you where?" I say, blushing for some reason.

Amusement glints in his eyes.

"I take you to my mother's place."

His words set my cheeks alight even more.

He bites his lip, and I stare at it. How beautifully it's rolled beneath his teeth.

"I don't think I've ever met a woman who blushes so easily."

"Your mother's place… Your mother's place??"

I screech a little as I remember her favorite brunette.

"What about that girl?"

"Angelina?"

"Angelina."

He tips his chin down, observing me.

"Your mother likes Angelina."

"She'll like you too. You just need to behave."

I jokily swat his chest.

"How have I ever misbehaved?"

He laughs.

"Just don't freak out. She'll like you."

I no longer smile.

"This is important," I say."And I truly want to make a good first impression. I need to go home and change. Maybe buy some flowers."

He shushes me, his finger going to my mouth and sealing my lips.

"We usually eat together on Saturdays. We try, at least. She's a good cook. Noah and Rylee love it when I'm there––"

I gesture quickly.

"No, no. You don't have to explain this to me. I know all that. It's just that I don't think I'm ready."

"Ready for what?" he tosses at me, and my blush probably needs a fire extinguisher. It's that intense.

"You're afraid of what they might think of you?"

"Something like that."

"Then disappoint them. You can only move up from there."

"This is serious."

"I am serious," he says, smiling. "I had no problem talking to your friends."

"It's not the same thing."

"And your mother."

"Ugh."

I bury my face in my hands and laugh.

"I can never win with you."

He peels a hand away from my face and stares into my eyes.

"I thought we had established that," he says, and my other hand goes to his cheek. "It's just lunch. It's nice. The food is good. The neighborhood… Well. You saw it. You'll feel great. Okay?"

I look at him for afew more moments, my chest heavy with feelings.

"Yes. Okay. I can't wait to meet them… I meanyour mother and Rylee.I know Noah. I hope they're going to like me."

"They will. I promise you that. Now, let"s put the hourswe haveleft to good use."

He runs his hand up my bare back while I push my breasts into his hard chest, trembling with anticipation and eager to feel him inside me again.