Sweet Melody (Rock & Rodeo Romance #1) (25 page)

T
wo days
. No word from him. Patience and Waiting can go screw themselves. Against the advice of Mac and EJ and clinging to the words of Ms. Eugenia, I’m going to fight for Hunter and go to him.

My plan is to wait until the end of my shift, but the entire bar is dead. Not once has it ever been this quiet. Only the one guy in the corner who I recognize as having been here more than once. He watches the new waitress cleaning the tables for lack of anything else to do. Kelly-something I think is her name.

Shane keeps checking his phone while I cut another lemon for something to do.

“What, you’ve got a hot enough date tonight that you’re breaking your no-phone-behind-the-bar policy tonight?”

He shoves the phone in his pocket. “Not your business.” The look he gives me rests somewhere between mischief and glee.

“What got into your pants? Did you get a quickie before work?”

He shakes his head. “Nope.” His phone buzzes in his pocket.

“Oh for shit’s sake. Who the hell keeps blowing up your phone? You know what? I don’t care. Since it’s dead in here, I’m gonna take off.” Placing the fresh-cut lemons in the bin with the others, I wipe down the mess and leave the towel on the bar.

“No. You can’t leave.” Shane holds his hands up for me to stop.

“I get it. It’s not typical policy. But I really need to go do something.” Omitting the fact that I won’t be back for at least a week will keep him from blowing up at me. “And it’s better if I head out now. Tell Trey that I’ll call him.”

The shithead furiously types on his phone. If he’s gonna rat me out, then I have to get out of here now. Thankfully, I stashed my bag in a cabinet behind the bar instead of in the locker room. Grabbing it, I salute Shane with my middle finger.

My heart races, thinking about Hunter and going to him. Questions swim in my head. Will he be happy to see me? Will he accept my apology? What if it’s over? What if I won’t let it be over?

Shane calls out to me. “Mel, stop.”

“Unless you and an army come stop me, I’m out the door.”

“Uh, it’s Bethany. She needs you on the other side.”

My feet halt. If it’s a lie, nothing will stop me from beating his ass.

“Needs me? Like she wants to talk to me? Or is this some piece of bullshit to keep me from going?”

Trey enters the bar. His face wears a serious expression. My heart drops from my chest to my stomach. Shit, something is really wrong.

“I need you to follow me.” He crooks a finger.

In a panic, I hurry to break past him to the other side of the club. He reaches for my bag and lifts it off my shoulder. The minute my feet cross the threshold, my breath catches in my throat.

Customers pack the entire place. I push my way through the crowd, searching for Bethany. The low lights piss me off since they make it harder to see. Trey puts his hand on my shoulder and guides me deeper into the room.

I turn to him. “Is Bethany all right? Where is she?”

His brow furrows. “Bethany? Yeah, she’s fine. Why?”

Confused, I yell at him. “What the hell is going on?”

His big hands push me backwards until my butt hits a stool. He leans into me and whispers in my ear, “Exactly what should happen.”

When I try to get up, he holds me on the stool and turns me to face the stage. In my panic, I hadn’t noticed the spotlights on the stage. A huge screen sits behind a microphone. Some whistles and cheers start in the far corner closest to the stage. They grow until the whole crowd goes crazy.

Hunter stands in the middle of the stage, holding a guitar. He waves at the audience, and looks out in the crowd. His eyes settle on me, and he grins.

“Hey guys. Our guest of honor has finally made it. Before I go any further, I want to thank Trey and the R&R staff for making this possible.”

Trey’s hands squeeze my shoulders. He leaves and walks up to the stage. When he gets there, they both lean in and whisper to each other. Trey claps him on his arm and Hunter puts out his hand. They both shake, leaving me wondering what the hell they said to each other. Didn’t I screw up their friendship?

Trey leaves the stage, and Hunter throws his guitar strap around his neck. “How many of you were here for the final Tailgate Down concert?”

Most of the crowd shouts and roars. I look around the room, trying to figure out what the hell I’m doing here. Part of me wants to run up on stage, tell everybody to go home, and claim him right there under the spotlight. The rest of me can’t figure out if I’m dreaming or not.

“If you were here or if you checked out the videos on our Facebook page, you might remember that sexy woman who sang with me. Well, she’s here tonight. She’s here most nights since she works at the R&R. Everybody, say hello to Mel.”

The spotlight shines on me, blinding my vision from seeing anyone else. Lots of people whoop, holler, and whistle. I shield my eyes with my hand until the spotlight returns to the stage.

“You know, I’ve been incredibly fortunate most of my life. I have a family who loves me, a band made up of true friends and brothers, and a dream career. In fact, I’m sure several of you have seen our good fortune of being the first artists signed to Stacia Rollins’ new label, Long Road Records.” He does a stupid fist pump, and everyone laughs.

“Stop talking and sing something for us, Hunter,” a woman’s voice calls out.

“I will, and y’all are gonna help me like we rehearsed. But not until I say a few more things.” He points at me. “Mel, what I hadn’t planned on was finding you. That night…call it fate, call it destiny, or call me the luckiest bastard in the world, but the best thing to happen in my life was you.”

Quiet ooh’s and aww’s spread around the room. Some girl near me whispers loud enough to hear, “Lucky bitch.”

“And I know it hasn’t been that long, but I wanted you, and I guess everyone else in here and soon to be online,” he points to one of our bouncers who’s holding up his phone taping everything, “to know that I love you, Melody Barnett. That I’m definitely
not
a single guy. And that my heart belongs to you.

“I know that when a guy writes a song for his girl, it’s supposed to be romantic and slow. But there’s nothing slow about us, baby, so this is what I wrote for you.”

Music pumps through the sound system. Hunter winks at me and starts strumming along. Behind him, the screen comes to life with video images taken from a car as it drives down the road. Flashes of buildings, landscapes, and then familiar landmarks play. Nashville.

Hunter starts the first verse, and I concentrate hard to pay attention to the lyrics and not to the hot man who gets me hot singing them. The words talk about meeting and falling for someone fast. I can’t help the smile that spreads on my face. The lyrics leading up to the chorus talk about trust and holding on to him. When he gets to the chorus, they are a fast tumble of words about not being scared, not doubting, and holding on to him.

The final line of the chorus hits me hard, detonating my heart.
“If you fall fast, I’ll love you slow.”

My body buzzes with desire, and my hands grip the stool to keep me from rushing the stage. Although my mind tries to keep up with the second verse about true love, all I see is him. At the end of the second verse, my hands cover my mouth as I laugh hysterically at the lines leading to the chorus.

I hold up my hand so he can see the tattoo on my arm.

At the top of the second round of the chorus, the video changes behind him into short vignettes that transition into multiple boxes as each one adds to the rest. First, Hart smiles at the camera playing drums. Levi waves. Mac smiles down as he sits and plays at a beat up old upright. Underneath all their images is #Come2Nashville. EJ stands in front of the Grand Ole Opry with a sign that says, “See. Told you to wait. #Come2Nashville.”

The audience erupts in loud cheers over the music when a video of Stacia Rollins hits the screen. She gives a thumbs-up and holds up her own sign. “Can’t wait to work with you. #Come2Nashville.” The hashtag stays at the bottom of the screen as more images and videos from around the famous city play.

“Okay guys,” Hunter yells out. “Just like we practiced. One, two, three, four.”

Everyone stomps twice and claps once in rhythm to the music. The floor shakes, and my stool vibrates underneath me. All the other instruments except the drum banging the same rhythm drop out.

Hunter grins at me as he stomps, clamps, and sings the bridge.

The entire crowd sings along to the chorus, and I join them, clapping along and soaking it all in. My body floats as a natural high alters my entire being.

At the end, Hunter cues the audience, and they sing “nah-nah’s” to the tune. Their interaction’s just as much a part of the song for me as he is. Music surrounds me and fills me up.

I don’t even notice when the song finishes. The crowd erupts, clapping and yelling. Hunter smiles down at me from the stage. My body remains motionless on the stool, my breath heaving. Too many emotions try to direct my next move.

“What are you waiting for, honey? Go get your man,” a woman prompts me.

The stool crashes to the floor as I stand up. Moving my feet, I run out of the room.

S
he ran
. She fucking ran. Placing the borrowed guitar carefully on the nearby stand, I jump down from the stage. Hands grope me as I push my way through the crowd.

“Forget her. You can write a song for me,” says a busty blonde woman.

The crowd parts as I make it to the hallway leading to the kitchen. Trey meets me there.

“She went out the back door to the staff parking lot. Give her a break. Hear her out first.”

A rueful laugh bubbles out of me. “Maybe after I kill her.”

“I don’t think she’s running, man,” he yells at me.

My hands push the heavy metal door open. It crashes against the brick wall. “Mel!”

I scan the lit parking lot. Near the end of the row, I spot her with her car door open and her ass sticking out. The desire to spank her for punishment as well as for pleasure battles with immediate anger at her running away yet again.

My boots stomp on the pavement as I make my way to her. One of them might get shoved up her ass.

“Mel, whatever you’re doing, stop.” My tone leaves no room for disobedience.

It takes her too long to stop messing around with whatever she has in her backseat. She straightens up, her hands planted on her hips. “What?” She looks at me like she has no fucking clue how she’s breaking my heart.

My God, she’s fucking stunning. Even in the low light, her eyes sparkle with life. The curves of her body call to me. My own dick betrays my anger, making its hard argument that there are far better things to do with her than fight.

“I cannot believe you’re going to run away from me. From us. Not after everything.”

Her brow furrows. “I’m not.”

The next line of accusations dies on my tongue. “What? I don’t understand. Then why did you leave the room?”

She holds up a piece of paper with a frayed edge from being ripped out of a notebook. “I had to go get this.”

“What is it?”

“Words. Well, not just words. Something I wrote so I could sing them to you when I found you in Nashville.”

My turn to look confused. “You were going to Nashville?”

She pointed at her car. “I’m all packed. Was going to leave tonight even though Mac and EJ cryptically told me to wait. They never told me why. And now I know. Guess we were trying to surprise each other.”

My feet cover the distance in seconds. My arms hold onto her as I look down at the most amazing woman I’ve ever known. “You wrote a song? For me?”

If the light were brighter, I’d bet everything I had that she’s blushing. “Well, not a whole one. Kind of part of one. First verse and a chorus.”

My finger brushes down her cheek. “Sing it for me,” I breathe out.

“Now?” Her voice squeaks in panic.

I chuckle. “You wrote it for me. I sang for you. Now you sing for me. That’s an order.” I tip my forehead against hers.

The paper crinkles in her hand, but she doesn’t look at it as her beautiful voice sings low so only I can hear her.

N
o words could ever
sum up the emotions overwhelming me. Ever since she harmonized with me that first night with natural ease, I knew we had a connection beyond anything I’ve ever known.

My face hovers in front of hers, my mouth almost on top of hers. “We both wrote about falling in love fast and holding on.”

She licks her lips. “Mm-hmm.”

My lips gently brush against hers. “Does yours have a title?”

Mel takes a deep breath. “It’s ‘Fast and Slow’ for now.”

I chuckle and indulge in another light graze of lips. “Mine’s ‘Fast Love.’ Dammit, woman, I love you.”

Her lips move against mine. “Hunter, I’m so sorry—”

My finger stops her mouth. “No apologies. We’ve both screwed up. But I think our songs say everything we need to, don’t you?”

She nods her head.

“So less talking, more kissing.”

With one passionate kiss, we claim each other. No matter how hard I press against her, it will never be enough. Our tongues entwine in a familiar dance, and we devour each other like we may never have another chance. And we almost didn’t.

Her hand moves down my back and grips my ass, pulling my erection into her. She rubs her leg up mine, giving me better access to her. My hand grazes her bare thigh. Thank fuck she’s wearing a skirt tonight. I push the leather up until my fingers touch lace. My thumb traces the edge closest to her warm core.

A car drives by, its lights catching the tops of our heads. In our hurry to be together, we’ve forgotten where we are.

“I need you right now,” she growls. Her intensity surprises me.

“I’m in total agreement. We can get in your car and go someplace.” Her place. A hotel. Anywhere with a bed. Anywhere with a flat surface I can lay her down on.

“Takes too long.” She grabs my hand and drags me behind her. “Follow me.”

Her quick steps amuse me, but the promise of what comes next stokes my arousal. She walks past the huge garbage containers and around the side of the building.

“What if someone comes out to find you?” I ask.

“Then they better as hell see you buried in me.” She grasps the back of my neck and pulls me in, crushing her against the brick wall.

The fear of being caught lingers and enhances every action. Our lips, teeth, and tongue move all over each other in a hurried frenzy. Again, my hands push up her skirt. Hooking my thumbs underneath the delicate lace, I rip off her panties. My fingers find her wet and wanting. They stroke her as her hips writhe, pushing her against my touch.

“God, I’ve missed this,” she whispers in my ear, biting my earlobe. “I’ve missed you.”

“Me, too.” My concentration focuses on not coming in my pants from her clear desire.

Her tender flesh engorges under my strokes. My thumb circles her clit, and she moans. That’s the song I want playing in my ear.

One finger slips inside her, and she rocks her body against my hand. Without moving in and out too much, already her channel tells me she won’t last long. She breathes out the same words.

“I’ve gotta get you ready. Neither of us will, baby.” Another finger joins the first one, and she gasps. My mouth captures her moans as I lather her up.

“Unzip me.” My hands are occupied, so she has to do the work to release me.

After a few fumbles made more difficult by a few extra flicks of her clit, she pushes my jeans and boxer briefs down and holds onto my painful erection. Her hand slides up and down on me, and stars break in front of my eyes. Anymore of that, and I’ll come nowhere near where I want to.

“Mel,” I pant.

“Lift me up.” She breaks away from kissing my neck and driving me crazy. Her eyes, full of desire, direct me.

Reluctantly, I pull my hands out and away from her. She hitches a leg around me and boosts herself on her tiptoes as I pick her up, balancing her in my hands and against the wall. The physical exertion feels fucking fantastic. The only thing better would be to bury myself in her.

Her hand grips my hard penis and guides it against her slick folds, coating it in her arousal. My balls tighten at her warmth and wetness. She moves my dick in front of her entrance.

“Fuck me.”

Sweat beads on my brow. I shake my head. “I can’t hold back once I start. And I’ll hurt your back against the brick.”

She loops her arms around my neck and kisses me with gentle force. “Scrapes and bruises will heal. You not being in me may hurt me more. I love you, Hunter.”

With her declaration, my heart soars, and I lose control. I push all the way into her with one thrust. Our mouths swallow our collective groans. Her muscles contract around me, and it won’t take long until we both explode.

My eyes squeeze shut. Tingles work their way down my spine to my base. My stomach tightens.

Mel rocks against me once, twice, pushing me in even deeper. Her legs squeeze around my middle. She moans and bites down hard on my earlobe.

Losing it, my hips surge and pump myself in and out of her with sharp thrusts, knocking the breath out of both of us. We teeter on the edge of sanity. It will only last few more lunges.

“Yes,” she cries out.

“Fuck. I fucking love you, Melody.”

Her entire body quivers against me, and her head leans back as she comes hard on my dick. The spasms pull me in and push me off my own cliff. With a few harder pounds, I spill all of myself inside of her.

Too much. It’s all too much for me to handle. Her wrapped around me in all ways. Our love made stronger as we work our way through our mistakes. Her desire to stay with me.

Feather kisses on my neck wake me up from my haze of mixed thoughts and feelings. The sound coming from her can only be compared to a purring cat.

“Well, that was definitely not slow.” She laughs. Her body shakes around my sensitive dick, and I jerk inside her.

“Keep laughing, and you might get another fast response. We’ll do slow later.” With care, I lift her off of me. Taking off my shirt, I let her use it to clean herself. I pull up my pants. “Did I hurt your back or shoulders?”

She shrugs. “Who cares? Like I said, they’ll heal. It was worth it.” She leans up and kisses my lips. “Guess I need to take you home with me. Can’t send you back inside looking like that.” Her finger traces from my sternum down to the edge of my jeans, my muscles jumping underneath her touch. She grabs my pants and pulls me against her. “Not for them. You’re mine.”

Her possessiveness slays me. Surprisingly, my dick pays attention. I kiss her one last time and move out of her grasp. “Come on. Take me back to your place and sing that song for me again.”

She rolls her eyes and takes my hand. “It’s not a full song.”

“It’s all I ever need to hear.”

We walk over to her car. We left her back door wide open. She leans in and digs around for the keys she left inside. Her ass wiggles, and again, thoughts of taking her bent over like this swirl in my head.

She finds her keys and stands up. Without saying anything, she figures out what I was thinking and smacks the back of my head. She throws a T-shirt at me to put on. Holding up the black shirt, it says, “You read my shirt. That’s enough interaction for today.” Its size is laughable, but I put it on. It stretches over my chest, and falls at least an inch short of the top of my jeans.

“Can’t take any chances in case we run into one of your female fans. Hot Hunter better remember who loves him and keep his body covered.”

She unlocks the doors, and I get in the passenger side after flipping her the bird.

As we both settle and buckle up, she turns toward me. Her bright eyes regard me for a long moment. With a sigh, she starts the car. A long moment of silence passes without us moving.

Shifting to look at me, she puts the car back in park. “I need to know something.”

“Anything. What is it?”

“You and Trey. Did you work things out?” Her face looks hopeful and full of regret at the same time.

She doesn’t need to know the words that passed between Trey and me. Or that he gave me the opportunity to hit him, and I almost took it. But since he helped me orchestrate my impromptu concert, forgiveness came a little faster than expected. Besides, he’ll suffer enough in the long run.

“Yeah, we worked things out. Nothing to worry about there.”

She studies me for a hot second. When she accepts the truth, she puts the car in reverse. “Okay, but tell me one more thing.”

“What’s that?”

“Did you kiss him?” The corner of her mouth crooks up in that sassy way that drives me crazy.

Laughing my ass off, I think back on the bargain she struck with me that first morning together. If we can find humor even in some of our worst moments, then I know we have a real shot. “I’ll never tell. I’m a gentleman.”

She scoffs, and I silence her next smartass comments with my lips covering hers. The only kisses I want her to think about or pay attention to are the ones we’re going to share. Pulling back from her way too soon, I readjust myself in the seat.

She looks at me with a goofy grin on her face. “Sing me your song.”

“But it’s fast. Not romantic like yours.”

The car backs out of her space. She drives us to the street entrance. The car idles as she stops and looks both ways.

“Who says romance has to be slow and not fast? According to us, it’s both.” She winks at me, and pulls out into the street.

Smiling, I watch the buildings pass us as we drive. “We have as long as it takes to find out.”