a bunch of babies at your age.”
“Actually, Strong and I are quite good with young ones,” Clear offered. “Our parents had a second set of twins when the two of us were already twelve cycles old. You ought to see Strong change a diaper—he’s lightening quick. And I’m excellent at midnight feedings myself.”
“Really? That’s interesting,” Melanie said warmly. “Anyway, I probably shouldn’t have told you all that about my ex and his pregnant girlfriend. It just upset me, that’s all.”
“You need something to take your mind off it,” Clear offered. “Maybe you could come back with Strong and me to our suite after the party. We could make Christmas cookies—if you’ll mix the ingredients I can work the wave.”
Melanie started to say no and then stopped herself. A big office Christmas party was nice but a small, intimate setting with the two big, handsome warriors would be even nicer. It was possible that she wouldn’t have said yes if she hadn’t drunk quite so much punch, but as it was, what Clear was proposing sounded like a wonderful idea.
“All right,” she said, smiling at him. “Thank you—I’d love to come make Christmas cookies with you two.”
“Wonderful.” Clear smiled at her. “And now I think it’s Strong’s turn to dance with you—if you don’t mind.”
“Of course not,” Melanie said and then the Light Twin was handing her off to his taller brother.
Just at that moment, the music—which had been jazzy and light—turned suddenly into a slow dance tune she remembered from high school.
“Well, this is a blast from the past,” she said, looking up at the tall warrior. “I remember we danced to this at the prom.”
“The what?” He frowned, obviously confused.
“A big dance party we had when I was younger. Here—this is a slow dance so we’re supposed to be closer.”
She pressed herself against him, feeling her braless breasts rub wantonly against his broad chest. God, what had gotten into her tonight, acting like this? Whatever it was, it made her feel deliciously naughty. It seemed to release her inhibitions and erase her worries.
For once she didn’t have to fight the negative self-thoughts that tried to invade her head—they just floated effortlessly away the minute she gave them a slight push. It was like they were bricks that had suddenly turned into balloons…
Wait, did that make sense? Oh, who cared? Melanie was having a fabulous time and she never wanted it to end!
“You feel good in my arms,” Strong rumbled, dipping his head to speak in her ear.
“Thank you. You feel good in mine, too.” Melanie was glad she was wearing high heels, otherwise it would have been awkward dancing with someone who was so much taller than her. But her heels were high enough and the way the Dark Twin was holding her felt just right.
“I wasn’t sure you’d want to see me again, tonight, you know,” he murmured, looking down to search her eyes with his. “My brother thought I frightened you, the last time we were together.”
“You mean when I woke up half-naked in your bed and you were practically undressing me with your eyes?” Melanie asked, raising an eyebrow at him. Somewhere inside a little voice was telling her that she really shouldn’t talk like this. She ignored it. Brick into balloon—bye-bye, float away…
“Yes, that.” The Dark Twin looked uncomfortable. “Please forgive me for my behavior. It’s just…you’re a very beautiful female. I think I got what you humans call ‘carried away.’”
“You did come on a little strong,” Melanie admitted. “But that’s your name after all, right? She giggled. “Anyway, I forgive you.”
“Thank you,” he murmured and drew her closer. “Mmm, I’m glad I came tonight just so I could see you again, little one.”
“You’ll be seeing a lot of me,” Melanie told him. “Your brother just invited me to come make Christmas cookies at your place after the party is over.”
“He did?” Strong raised his eyebrows hopefully. “And you agreed to come?”
“I did.” She smiled up at him flirtatiously. “Is that all right with you?”
“More than all right,” Strong growled softly. “I can’t wait to make Christmas cookies with you, Melanie.”
Melanie felt a rush of pleasure but he was looking at her so intensely that she had to put him straight.
“Now, you know that ‘making Christmas cookies’ isn’t a euphemism for anything else, don’t you?” she murmured and giggled.
His eyes went half-lidded in the dim room.
“By euphemism you mean a pretty saying you use as a substitute for something more…raw and provocative?”
“Exactly,” Melanie said primly.