Take Two (The Jilted Bride #1)(31)

The music began its decrescendo, the horns played softer and softer. He pressed his forehead to mine.

He’s really going to kiss me…

“There’s a fire starting in my heart, reaching a fever pitch and it’s bringing me out the dark. Fi-na-lly I can see you crystal clear…” Adele’s voice floated across the air.

My body went stiff. I snapped out of my fantasy and realized that Matt was engaged, just like Sean had been. I wouldn’t dare put another woman through what I experienced.

“I should go,” I slowly moved away from him.

“Now?” he was visibly frustrated.

“Yeah, I um…I have to do stuff so—”

“It’s too dark for you to walk alone,” he turned off the music. “I’ll come with you.”

No! Stay here! Make him stay here!

“Won’t someone take your stuff?”

“I highly doubt that. If someone does, I think I can afford to replace everything,” he smirked.

The walk back to my villa was awkward. We didn’t speak much and I could still feel the palpable tension between us. We asked each other empty questions—questions that didn’t really need answers, questions that just made the long walk seem shorter.

I stopped at the pathway that led up to my suite. “Well, this is where I’m staying. Thank you for walking me back. I’ll see you around?”

“I enjoyed tonight Melody,” he ran his hand through his hair.

“Me too.”

I didn’t know what else to say. He stood in front of me, looking as if he didn’t know what else to say either.

“I have to leave tomorrow,” he stepped closer. “My school’s graduation was pushed up and I can’t let all those kids down. Rain check on the polar bearing?”

“Yeah sure,” I stepped back.

Walk away…Turn around and walk away!

“I’m not sure if the Hudson River is the best place to go polar bearing though,” he took two steps towards me. “We may have to go someplace else.”

“That’d be fine,” I couldn’t move a muscle, his eyes were holding me in place.

He closed the gap between us and tilted my chin. I leaned in to kiss him, but moved away at the last second.

“Good luck with whatever project brought you here. I have to go,” I turned around and headed for my suite.

“Wait,” he grabbed my hand and pulled me into his arms. He kissed me—hard, and hugged me tightly. I kissed him back, wrapping my arms around his neck, not wanting to let go.

I slowly opened my eyes and found myself staring into his dark and sultry gaze. He was watching me.

He gently bit my bottom lip and rubbed his hand up and down my back.

My breathing slowed.

Invite him in!

As if he could hear my thoughts, he pulled away from my mouth and planted warm kisses on my neck—slow, sensuous, torturing kisses.

I couldn’t breathe anymore.

Invite him in!

I shut my eyes as he slid his hand underneath my dress and caressed my thigh. He kissed my lips again, much harder this time, forcing my tongue to play with his, forcing me to open my eyes, to stare back at him.

Hurry up and invite him in!

I slowly pulled away from him, but before I could catch my breath and invite him in, he kissed my cheek and whispered. “Have a good night, Melody.”

Chapter 16

Matt

“Matt! Matt! Have you agreed on the pre-nup yet? Can you talk? Why did you need throat surgery? Try not to get another parking ticket! Did Selena buy you this car? Where are you going?” the paparazzi surrounded my Lamborghini.

I put my shades on and honked. They reluctantly backed away and kept shouting their annoying questions.

I turned my music all the way up and drove away. I was late picking Selena up for my school’s graduation and a part of me wanted to “forget” and go straight to the school.

It was Joan’s off day so I was running behind schedule. I woke up late, forgot to meet with Shelby, and missed a phone interview with Travel and Leisure.

The only thing I didn’t forget to do was think about Melody. I couldn’t get her out of my head.

I wished she had invited me into her room or come back with me to my yacht. She was developing a habit of leaving me at the oddest moments, but I liked that.

I pulled in front of Selena’s condominium and called her. “I’m outside and so are your friends.”

“I’ll be right out.”

Photographers swarmed my car, yelling a myriad of questions that I couldn’t hear. I never understood why they felt they had a right to know what was going on in my life. Just because I was famous didn’t mean that I had an obligation to share my personal life with everyone. Then again, I put myself in that predicament by opening up in the first place.

Selena’s security guard parted through the sea of annoyers and opened the passenger door. For some reason, Selena looked like she was actually pregnant—a small bump was protruding from underneath her dress. She smiled and slid into the seat.

“Thanks, Bennie!” she shouted as security shut the door. “Hello Matt.”

I sped off. “What the hell is that under your shirt?”

“It’s a baby bump.”

“What! I thought you said that—”