Broken Melody (Rock With You #2) Rock Star Romance (10 page)

“Then
let’s just leave it for now. You’ve had a horrible day and I’ve missed ye.”

He
kissed her gently at first, and she tried to let her mind follow her body, to
let the touch of his lips, then his hands as he moved them over her body, and
later, the feel of him beside her in bed sooth her mind, ease her fears.

And
he did sooth her mind, while deliciously exciting her body. Melody let herself
be wrapped in Logan’s arms, her legs around his waist, their bodies moving as
one. When she arched against him, opened herself fully to him, every worry she
had was erased in the swell of passion, of love, in the physical release she
felt.

It
wasn’t until later, after they’d recovered, lying in the dark listening to Logan’s
slow breaths that the fears came back. It wasn’t only Ryan, an insidious
presence, but somehow easier to deal with than the nebulous fear that Claire
had instilled in her heart. Even with Logan’s reassurance that the past was
just that, there was a dull empty feeling inside her.

She
lay awake a long time, the window turning from black to felted gray to a dim
yellow as dawn approached. When Logan stirred beside her, she was still awake.

“Morning…”
His voice was sleep-roughened, sexy and husky, and she turned to him, burying
her face against his shoulder. Tears she’d thought she’d pushed aside rose to
the surface, and Logan held her as she cried against him.

“Melody,
what is it?” He gently pulled her away from him, pressing her back against the
pillow.

“Have
ye slept at all? What is it?” The concern in his voice and on his face made her
heart swell with love, made the empty feeling grow smaller.

“I’m…it’s
just…not knowing is worse than knowing what Claire wants.” The words tumbled
out in a rush.

“I
just want to know what it is she’s after. I can’t know how to think about
something if I don’t know what it is.”

Logan’s
mouth curved into a smile but the warmth of it didn’t quite reach his eyes. He
lay back on his pillow, pulling her against him. She curled into the protective
crook of his arm, her hand on his chest. He covered hers with his, wrapping his
fingers around hers.

“I
know…I understand. But don’t let it eat at you, Melody. We’ll find out and then
we’ll both know. Whatever it is, it won’t change what’s between us. I won’t let
it.”

He
turned to her, his gaze intent on hers. “You believe me when I say that, don’t
you?”

She
nodded, sniffling. “I do. It’s just…in the dark, it’s harder to believe.”

“Go
to sleep. It’s not dark any more.” He pulled her to his chest and she rested
her head on his shoulder.

“Sing
to me, Logan. Sing me a song.”

 “Aye.
A song. Any one in particular?”

She
closed her eyes. “Something in Gaelic, something I don’t need to understand to
like. If that makes sense.”

He
laughed softly. “I know what you mean.”

She
fell asleep with the dawn breaking outside, listening to Logan’s soft singing.
She knew it wasn’t the song from the pub, the song about home. The melody was
different, the few words she might recognize not there. But she drifted off, Logan’s
arm around her, his body warm against hers.

* * *

Melody
woke with a jolt. The bed was empty and for a fleeting instant she thought Logan
had left. She sat up, clutching the sheet, searching his pillow for the note
she’d hoped he’d left.

But
the sound of the shower brought her fully awake. She lay back, her heart
thudding in her chest.
This has got to stop.

She
was still sitting up in bed when Logan came into the room from the bathroom.
Even with just a towel wrapped around his hips—or maybe because of the
towel—he radiated charisma.

“Hey…”
She lay back, stretching beneath the sheet, letting it slide from one shoulder.

Logan
stood at the foot of the bed. “I’m sorry. Did I wake you?”

“Uh-uh…I
woke up on my own. But I missed you.” She arched her back and the sheet slid
further, revealing the curve of one breast.

“You
did? Imagine that.” Logan’s mouth turned up in his characteristic charming grin
and he stood, hands on hips, watching her improvised strip tease with the
sheet.

His
hair was still damp, curling around his face. Melody let her eyes wander down
his body, lingering on the towel, before traveling back to meet his gaze. She
thought she saw a not-so-subtle movement beneath the towel.

“I
did. And I think you miss me too.” She raised a questioning eyebrow. Logan
walked slowly to her side of the bed, just out of arm’s reach, taking hold of
the edge of the sheet. Slowly he tugged it away from Melody’s body, revealing
more of her, his eyes traveling over her body as the sheet moved lower.

“I
did miss you…taking a shower alone is no fun. And I want you very much.” He
tugged the sheet past her hips.

“And
I think you want me.”

By
the time he’d uncovered her feet, Melody’s breathing was fast and shallow, her
lips parted, heart racing. Logan dropped the sheet on the floor, leaving her
naked on the bed.

Her
eyes strayed back to Logan’s towel, now barely concealing exactly how much he
wanted her.

“Do
you want me, Melody?” His voice was low, teasing, so seductive it sent a ripple
through her body. She nodded.

Logan
pulled the towel away from his hips, dropping it to the floor with the sheet.
She held out her arms and he climbed onto the bed, kneeling between Melody’s
legs.

“Say
it…say you want me.” Logan bent forward, hands planted on either side of her
shoulders.

“I
want you, Logan. Now…”

Logan
sat back, holding her gaze a moment longer.

Then
he was pulling her toward him, fingers digging into her hips, sliding up his
thighs, taking her so fast she cried out in surprise.

He
was rough and sensual and dominant. And she surrendered to him, letting him
control everything, letting go completely, letting him use her while giving her
so much in return.

At
the end she clung to him, as he knelt, hands splayed across her back, holding
her hard against his chest. She rode the waves of her release, head back, arms
around his neck as Logan buried his face in her breasts, his noises muffled
against her skin. He trembled as he held her, his body taut as a wire, as he
shook with the force of his release.

He
finally lowered her gently to the bed, collapsing beside her. She stroked his
back, tracing her fingers along his shoulders and down his spine, over and
over, until he rolled onto his side.

“I
suppose then you’ll be wanting more of that later. That being so grand and
all.”

She
laughed, swatting his arm. “You’re full of yourself today, aren’t you?”

 “That
I am. And it’s a good feeling.” Logan pulled her down, kissing her hard. When
he finally broke the kiss and spoke, his voice was serious, but the glint of
laughter was still evident in his eyes.

“But
you will be wanting more, yes? Because I know I will.”

* * *

It
was late Sunday when Melody finally got ready to leave for her apartment.
They’d skirted around the subject of Claire, Logan reluctant to either answer
her calls or return them, and Melody decided she’d rather enjoy the little
bubble of peace Logan had created for her than think about it.
It’ll still
be there Monday, whatever it is she wants.

“I
almost forgot about work. Oh, shit. I’m supposed to give Joe an answer about
being interim managing partner.”

She
sat down on the couch. Logan was sitting at the table beneath the window, the
notebook he wrote lyrics in open in front of him. He’d steadfastly refused to
let her read anything he’d written and as tempted as she was, she’d honored his
request.

He
closed the notebook, joining her on the couch. “It’s a good sign they offered
it to you, no? Ryan obviously hadn’t said enough to whoever it matters to then
to make them take you off the list for partner.”

“I
know. And it is a good thing. I do want partner, but this is going to be a huge
amount of work and responsibility, all at once. I’m not sure…”

Logan
reached for her hand, the severe tone of his voice startling her. “Never doubt
what you can do. Never. You’re stronger than you know. It won’t be easy, but
you’re not one to back away from hard work.”

Melody
drew a deep breath, sitting back against the cushions. “I guess I’m feeling a
bit fragile after all that’s happened. It’s shaken my confidence in more ways
than I care to think about. I’ll be fine. It’ll all be fine.”

She
leaned forward, kissing his cheek. “I need to go home, get some clothes for
tomorrow. I love you, Logan.”

“And
I love you. You’ll be back in time for dinner? We’ve yet to exhaust the extensive
menu room service has to offer. I’ll order something for you, if you like.”

“I
should be back by then. Nothing fancy, maybe just a salad. I’m not sure I can
stand all these big dinners every night for much longer.” She ran her hands
down her sides. “I’ll need a new wardrobe and you’ll stop loving me because
I’ve grown as big as a house.”

Logan
stood and pulled her up from the couch. “If that’s the case, then we’ll just
have to devise a strategy to work those meals off of you. I’ve got some ideas…”
His hands slide from her waist, cupping her against him. He leaned forward to
kiss her but she ducked aside, laughing.

“Logan.
I’ve said it before…you’re incorrigible.”

“And
it’s one of the many things you love about me.” He stopped trying to kiss her
but still held her in his arms.

She
was laughing up at him. “Yes. It is. One of many. Now let me go so I can come
back.”

* * *

It
was raining as she came out of the hotel and she ran from the lobby door into
the waiting cab. She gave the driver her address and settled against the seat.

As
the cab hesitated before pulling away she glanced back at the hotel. And froze.

Standing
in the shadow of the awning that stretched over the sidewalk was the figure of
a man, dressed in a dark coat. For all the world, it looked like Ryan Marshall.

The
cab was moving into traffic and she turned, looking out the rear-view window.
The man had detached himself from the building, standing in the middle of the
sidewalk, watching her cab. Or so she thought. She kept him in sight as long as
she could, until the cab turned and he disappeared from sight.

She
fished her cell phone out of her purse and punched in Logan’s cell phone
number. It rang unanswered and then went to voicemail, the automated voice
requesting that she leave a message.
Leave a message? What message?

“Logan…I’m…I
think I saw Ryan outside the hotel. I can’t be sure…” The cab swerved in
traffic and she juggled the phone, disconnecting the call.

“Damn.”
I’ll call from home.

The
cab dropped her half a block away from her apartment and by the time she was
inside, she was soaked. Dropping clothes and shoes along the way, she headed to
her bedroom.

* * *

Victoria
was already at her desk when Melody arrived. As much as she wanted to confront
the woman, she knew she couldn’t.

So
she pasted a smile on her face and treated Victoria as if it were any other
Monday morning, offering a friendly greeting as she passed the woman’s desk.

Victoria
looked up from the document on her desk. “Did you have a good weekend?”

Melody
paused outside her office door. “Yes. I did. You?”

Victoria
nodded. “Yes, thanks for asking. I did spend it alone, but…sometimes that’s
nice too.”

Melody
nodded and went to her office. Her message light was flashing; Joe Hunter was
already anxious to meet with her.

* * *

Joe
was pleased with her acceptance, telling her he’d issue a formal announcement
later that morning. Melody went first to find Lori, who greeted her with a big
smile.

“I’m
so happy for you, Melody! Really. This is going to be great. Congratulations!”

Melody
had never seen Lori quite this animated and couldn’t help but be buoyed by her
enthusiasm. They spent a brief half hour going over Ryan’s cases and Lori was
eager to help Melody in any way she needed, including typing the documents for Logan’s
case.

The
rest of the day was barely controlled chaos. Victoria struggled to keep up with
Melody and her requests for files, updates on cases and caseload updates from
the other associates. By the end of the day Melody’s office was inundated with
piles of papers, files and most of the contents of Ryan’s office.