Unstoppable (A Country Roads Novel) (23 page)

There were more drinks being served at the café, mainly wine and champagne, and enough had been drunk by all that the girls had to walk over to the Sleepy Sheep, but that had always been the plan. Jax was going to pick Bennett up at around midnight. The two of them were then going to drive over to the bar. Tripp was going to do the same thing for Brendan, and Shep was obviously going to be at the Sleepy Sheep already. Between the five men, they were going to make sure all of the women got home safely.

Mel was feeling awfully good by the time they got to the bar. She’d only had the one margarita at dinner, and after that she’d stayed consistent with wine…and possibly a glass or two of champagne.

Shep had let them set up the karaoke machine again, and they had free rein. The patrons at the bar were more than slightly entertained by the spectacle of the night. The girls weren’t obnoxious; they were just really giggly and obviously having a good time.

Somehow, Mel wasn’t exactly sure but she had a strong feeling it had to do with the amount of alcohol she’d drank, Grace managed to pull Mel along with Harper and Paige up onto to stage. They proceeded to belt out a resounding rendition of “Summer Nights” from
Grease
. Mel and Grace sang the girls’ part, while Harper and Paige had given the guys more than enough justice. And then just because they could, and an encore had pretty much been demanded, they stayed up on stage and sang “Living on a Prayer.” Bon Jovi would’ve been proud.

As the bar filled with applause and the girls bowed to the cheers, Mel looked up to find Bennett grinning at her and clapping his hands together enthusiastically. She quickly, and rather carefully in her towering red high heels, got down off the stage and crossed over to him. He held his arms open for her and she pretty much jumped into them.

“Holy shit, you look hot,” he whispered into her ear. He pulled back just a little so he could look down at her. “What are the chances you’ll keep those shoes on for a little while when we get home?”

“Will I be standing?” she asked as she ran her hands up his chest.

“Nope.”

“Then abso-fucking-lutely.”

Bennett laughed, his head falling back and his face pointing towards the ceiling. When he pulled his head back down he was grinning widely. “Never a dull moment with you.”

“With you either. You’re early.”

“Shep called us and told us we should head down. And good thing too, I would’ve hated to miss the show.”

“That good?”

“Better. I didn’t know you could sing
and
dance.”

Mel stretched up so she could put her mouth to his ear. “I was thinking I’d cross another thing off my list tonight. If I remember correctly you added something that had to do with dancing.”

When Mel pulled back, Bennett’s eyes were so hot she thought she might need to go fan herself. “You’re serious?” He sounded like he was struggling to talk.

“Mmm-hmm. Now go have a beer with Shep. We should be done in a little bit.”

“It’s going to be a long wait.”

“But well worth it.”

“I have no doubt.” He grinned.

Mel turned around and before she could walk away she felt a light little tap on her bottom. She jumped and looked over her shoulder at Bennett who tried to look innocent, but failed miserably. She headed back over to the table of women in the corner. She took a seat next to Harper, who was giving her a rather big smirk.

“What?” Mel asked.

“You are
soooo
gone for that man.”

“And?”

“Nothing, you’re just really freaking lucky.”

“Yeah,” Mel nodded, but that little bit of doubt as to that was really going on with Bennett flared up for just a second.

Mel must not have hid her reaction very well, because something flickered in Harper’s eyes and she was reaching across the table for Mel’s hand.

“Hey. Is something going on?” Harper asked.

“No,” Mel said a bit too vigorously.

Harper merely raised one of her eyebrows in that
don’t mess around with me
way.

“I don’t know. Things just feel…off. But our relationship is still kind of new. So maybe we just need some time to find our bearings. I’m sure it’s nothing.”

“Okay,” Harper said slowly. “But if that man hurts you, you better believe I’m going to be the first in line to bust his balls.”

Mel laughed. “I don’t think that’s going to be necessary. But thank you.”

“Anytime, babe.” Harper grabbed her wine and took a sip. She turned slightly over her shoulder and glanced at the bar, and her face flushed more than a little.

“What was that?” Mel asked making a move to turn and see what Harper was looking at.

Harper reached out and grabbed Mel’s arm. “No.”

“What?”

“Don’t look over there.”

“Why?”

Harper bit her lip nervously as she looked at Mel. “Do you remember that guy who won the massage package? Brad Nelson?”

“The blond Clark Kent you were drooling over?” Mel asked, leaning in closer to Harper.

“I wasn’t drooling,” Harper said a bit too loudly.

Some women at the table looked over at them for a second before they returned to their conversations.

“Yes, you were. But anyway, what about him?”

“He asked me out.”

“When?” Mel asked, intrigued.

“After the third massage. I told him I couldn’t date clients, so he said he’d wait until those last two massages were done, and then he’d ask me out again.”

“And?” Mel was just about coming out of her seat.

“His last massage was Thursday. He called me yesterday, and we have a date tomorrow night.”

Mel punched Harper on the shoulder. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me this before.”

“Hey, what do you want from me? I wasn’t sure if he was going to ask me out again, and there was no need in getting my hopes up.”

“You weren’t sure? He would’ve been completely stupid not to ask you out again. Holy cow, Harper. This is big. Really big, because it takes a lot for a guy to catch your eye.”

“Well, he’s caught it all right. He’s sweet and funny and God, that man’s body is perfection.” Harper paused for just a second before she looked at Mel. “Do you have any idea what it’s been like to have my hands all over him and to force myself to stay professional?”

“No,” Mel giggled. She could only imagine what that would be like. She tried for a second to imagine herself giving Bennett a full-body massage without getting all hot and bothered. It wasn’t possible, so Mel gave Harper all the props in the world for what she did on a daily basis. “I expect a phone call tomorrow.”

“You’ll get one.” Harper gave Mel a very uncharacteristic nervous smile.

“It’s going to be great,” Mel squeezed Harper’s hand. “Because you’re great. And anyone would be beyond lucky to have you.”

“Thanks.” Harper leaned forward and gave Mel a quick kiss on the cheek. “And just so you know, Bennett is beyond lucky to have you, too.”

A
fter Bennett dropped off the three fairly intoxicated women, he headed back to his house. Mel was still in a pretty good mood, and she was singing along to a song on the radio. Out of the corner of his eye he could see her little black dress slowly working its way up her thighs whenever she moved. She was wearing a coat, but it did absolutely nothing to cover up those fantastic legs.

He really wanted to know exactly what she was wearing underneath that dress…and she had promised to do a little dance for him.

When they got home, Bennett went outside with Teddy and waited somewhat impatiently for the pup to find a pile of leaves to relieve himself on. Teddy bounded up the back steps and not a moment too quickly, because when they walked inside Bennett almost tripped over his feet.

Mel’s little butt was in the air, swinging back and forth as she leaned against the counter and scrolled through her phone. She’d lost the jacket, but she was mercifully still wearing the red high heels.

“Perfect,” she said before she turned around and caught him staring at her. “I found the perfect song. I believe I promised you a dance.” She grinned.

“I believe you did.”

“Sit down.” She indicated the couch with her hand before she crossed the room to hook her phone up to his stereo.

Bennett kicked off his boots before he did what he was told. It was only a moment before the room filled with a steady beat, and a woman’s somewhat breathy and incredibly sexy voice.

Mel extended her hands above her head as she slowly danced her way across the room. Her body moved in rhythm to the music, and Bennett was more than a little amazed at how smooth she was, especially on those heels.

God, she was sexy. Every single thing about her. He knew for a fact that she had no idea how fucking desirable she was, and if anything that made him want her even more.

She dropped one of her hands to the back of her head and pulled out the clip that was holding up her hair. Her curls fell down around her shoulders and began to expand out. Both of her hands were in her hair now as she continued to whirl around the room. Her dress clung to her like a second skin and every undulation of her body was evident under the material.

Moments like this made Bennett know just how lucky he was. This was a side of Mel that she didn’t let out very often, and the fact that she shared this with him meant the world to him. She let him see every side of her, and she wasn’t self-conscious or nervous. She owned the room.

Hell, she owned
him
.

She was standing in front of him now, and she stepped between his knees. Bennett spread his legs wide so she would have plenty of room between his thighs.

She leaned forward, the top of her dress pulling down and showing more than just a hint of cleavage. She put her hands on his knees and ran her palms up his thighs. They traveled in when they got to his waist, but she only lingered at his abs for a moment before her journey continued up. Then her hands were on his chest and then up over his shoulders.

She was no longer touching him as she used the back of the couch to keep her balance.

Her face hovered above his, and their mouths were inches from each other. She looked at him for a second, staring into his eyes, before she came in for a kiss. Only their mouths touched.

Bennett desperately wanted to grab her hips and pull her down on top of him. But if he touched her she would be underneath him in a matter of moments. So Bennett put his hands down next to him on the sofa, gripping the cushions as if they were a lifeline to sanity.

And he thanked God he kept his control, because a second later Mel lowered herself between his thighs, and her hips started to swivel to the music. Her pelvis was perfectly in line with his growing erection, and the up-and-down movement she was making was driving him out of his mind. But damn, did it feel incredible.

She pulled back from his mouth and turned around, leaning back against his chest as she rubbed that perfect ass against him. She grabbed his hands from their death grip on the couch and put them on her hips. She turned her head to look at him, and as she stretched up he leaned down, wanting her mouth.

Their lips parted and their tongues met, and her body didn’t break rhythm for a moment. She pulled his hands from her hips and dragged them across her body, up her sides and to her chest.

Bennett groaned deep when she tightened her hands over his, making him squeeze her breasts.

Her hands were gone from his a second later, and one of her palms was slipping up to the back of his neck, and then her nails were lightly scouring the back of his head. Her other hand was on his thigh now, and she was using it to keep her balance as she began to move against him harder.

Bennett wasn’t exactly sure how long they stayed that way for. She’d put the song on repeat, and it was starting over from the beginning when she pulled herself up off him and turned around again. She pushed his thighs together, and a second later she was climbing up onto his lap. She pulled her dress up so that is was easier for her to move, and Bennett saw a flash of red before she was lowering herself onto his lap.

She used his shoulders to keep her balance, and his hands automatically went to her hips. She looked down at him with that secret smile he loved so damn much. She knew she was driving him crazy and she was enjoying it.

But who was he kidding? He was enjoying the hell out of it, too.

“Baby.”

“Hmmm?”

“I think I’ve reached my limit.”

She leaned forward, her mouth hovering above his. “Then take me to bed,” she whispered before she carefully crawled off his lap and got to her feet. Her dress was up over her hips and she was wearing a red lace thong. She didn’t miss his slow, lingering gaze, and her smile widened. She crooked her finger at him as she took a step back. “You coming?”

“In moments, most likely,” he said as he got to his feet and took the few steps to her.

She grabbed his hand and led him to the bedroom. And the view from behind wasn’t bad at all.

Nope, it was beyond glorious.

When they got to his bed she turned around. “Undress me.”

Bennett didn’t have to be told twice. He reached down to the hem of her dress that was now at the top of her hips. It was some sort of stretchy material that made a zipper pointless, so all there was for him to do was work it up her body. He let his hands linger in more than one place on the journey, but he was pretty damn impatient to get inside of her, so it didn’t take that long for him to work it all the way up.

Mel extended her arms above her head and Bennett pulled the dress free from her arms. Her hair went up with the motion and it scattered back down to her shoulders in a rush.

She stood before him wearing a red lace bra that matched her thong and those killer red heels. He had to stop and stare for a moment to take her in fully, to appreciate everything about the moment, appreciate everything about her.

“God, Melanie,” he said with no small amount of admiration.

He kissed her again, his hands roaming all over her body, and she did the same thing with him, undressing him in the process. His shirt was over his head and his pants and boxer briefs were on the floor in less than a minute. He undid her bra, and threw it on the floor with all of their other clothes, and then he was pushing her back on the bed, leaving her legs draping off the side.

She extended her arms above her head and stretched across the bed. Bennett reached down for one of her legs and pulled it up. He placed a kiss on her calf before he placed it on his shoulder. He placed her other leg on the same shoulder before he reached down to her hips and dragged the scrap of lace off her legs.

She was completely naked except for the shoes.

He grabbed a pillow before he pulled her legs up, lifting her hips off the bed. He placed a pillow underneath her before he lowered her.

He bent her knees toward her chest, then he pulled them apart and placed each of her heeled feet on the edge of the bed. He grabbed a condom from the nightstand. She watched him as he opened it and rolled it on, but her eyes closed in bliss when he slid inside her.

Bennett had to stop and close his eyes for a second, too, because the sight of her spread out like this in front of him was almost too much for him to handle.

Almost.

When he found a thread of control he opened his eyes, grabbed her feet from the bed, and wrapped her legs around his hips. He started to move in and out of her, and her legs tightened around him, drawing him in as she pumped her hips up to meet him. Her heels dug into his butt, but he couldn’t have cared less.

He wasn’t going to last much longer, not with the way she was moving. He could see everything, and it was stimulation overload to the max. So he would just have to overstimulate her. He brought his hand between their bodies and found the magic button that he knew was going to set her off.

She gasped, and her body arched off the bed when his fingers circled and applied pressure just the way she liked. “Bennett!” she cried out about a minute later as her body pulsed around his.

He took that as his cue and clutched her thighs, moving into her with more determined thrusts. He was right on the edge when Mel started coming again, or maybe her orgasm just hadn’t stopped. He wasn’t sure, and at the moment he didn’t really care, because he was letting go with everything he had, and the force of it was enough to knock his legs out from under him. He had just enough time to pull out of her body before he fell forward and rolled, dragging Mel on top of him.

They lay there for who knew how long, their legs tangled up and hanging off the bed.

“Holy shit,” Bennett said, still a little out of breath. “What the hell was that?”

“I don’t know.” She shook her head as she snuggled into his chest sleepily. “But I liked it.”

“Me, too.” He leaned down and kissed the top of her head. He lay back on the bed and stared at the ceiling for a moment, replaying the last twenty minutes in graphic detail.

“Mel?”

“Hmmm?”

“How did you know how to give a lap dance? More research?”

Mel laughed, her warm breath washing out across his skin. “There are so many things that can be found on the Internet.”

“Please tell me you didn’t Google lap dances.”

Mel sat up, placing her palms on Bennett’s chest and looking down at him. She gave him her secret smile again. “No, I didn’t,” she said. “I like to dance, always have, so I just went with it. So I did okay?”

This time it was Bennett’s turn to laugh. “Beyond okay. I’d give you an A.”

“An A, huh?”

“Yeah, but if you want to get that A plus, you can practice on me whenever you want. You know what they say: practice makes perfect.”

“They do say that.” She reached up and covered her mouth as she yawned.

“Come on. Let’s get you to bed.” He tapped her lightly on the bottom. Mel pulled her legs out from between his before she slowly got to her feet. She put her hand on the bed as she leaned to the side and kicked off her shoes.

As Bennett sat up, he looked down at the shoes in admiration.

“What?” Mel asked, putting her hands on her hips.

“I was just think we should get those shadow-boxed and hang them on the wall.”

Mel laughed as she bent down to grab them. She straightened and walked across the room, dropping them by the dresser. “That’s entirely up to you, but if you do that then I won’t be able to wear them anymore.”

“You make a valid point.”

“I always do.” She opened the second drawer and pulled out one of his T-shirts. She slipped it over her head, and it fell down to the tops of her thighs. “I’m going to go get some water and lock up. I’ll meet you in bed in five minutes.” She turned around and walked out of the room, the shirt pulling up just short of the swell of her ass.

Teddy got up off the pillow and followed her down the hallway. Bennett hadn’t even realized the pup had followed them into the room. To be quite honest, he’d been more than a little distracted ever since Mel had told him to sit down on the couch.

Images of her dancing across the living room came back to Bennett, and he couldn’t help but smile as he got out of bed and headed for the bathroom. When he was finished cleaning up and brushing his teeth, he opened the door to find Mel coming down the hallway, Teddy still on her heels. She handed Bennett a glass of ice-cold water before she switched places with him and went into the bathroom, locking Teddy out.

Teddy looked at the door for a moment somewhat pathetically before he turned and headed for the bedroom. Bennett followed and got into bed. It was only a couple of minutes before a fresh-faced Mel appeared in the doorway. She yawned again, and Bennett pulled back the covers for her. She turned off the light and climbed in to his open arms, snuggling into his chest.

“’Night, Benny Boo.”

“Good night, Melanie.” He kissed the top of her head and ran his hands up and down her back, then trailed his fingers through her hair.

As Bennett lay there holding her, he thought about how much she meant to him. About how much she’d changed. This one small woman had made a huge impact on him, on his life, on
everything
.

He’d never in his wildest dreams thought that anything like this could happen to him. He’d pretty much written love off entirely.

Love. Yeah, that was what it was, all right. He was definitely in love with her. He had been for a while now. He just wasn’t sure when it had happened, but somewhere along the way he’d fallen. The thing was, he was pretty sure it hadn’t been a gradual descent. No, he’d fallen off a cliff. He’d just been too scared to realize it. But there was no more denying it, no more avoiding it anymore.

Why was he such a freaking coward when it came to her? She was the strong one in this relationship. She was the one living her life like there was no tomorrow.

Bennett wasn’t sure how long he’d been lying there thinking, but Mel’s breathing had deepened. She was asleep. The love of his life was asleep in his arms, and for some reason that he didn’t quite understand he had to tell her how he felt then, because he wasn’t sure when he was going to say it again.