One Immortal - Tia Louise Page 0,17
up toward the entrance and my entire body snaps to attention. She’s there, just outside the door, watching this woman with my partner. Her brow is lined in frustration, as if she can’t enter—or she doesn’t want to.
“Melissa…” The word is a whisper on my lips, and I’m on my feet.
Elaine and Patrick are talking. He’s turning on all the charm, and she’s falling for it hard—or maybe she’s already fallen for him, and all his charms are sweet icing on the cake. She sure walked into this bar and straight to him as if she knew full well the strange transformation happening in his mind.
None of it matters. I’m consumed by the discovery of Melissa. She sees me. Her sapphire eyes hold me, and a mixture of deep longing and cautious optimism moves through me.
I want her. I’ve wanted her all day. From this morning in the shower to every other minute of this long-assed day, I’ve thought about her luscious lips, her gorgeous breasts, her long legs wrapped around my waist. I’m at the door where she’s standing, keeping the glass between her and the bar as if it were a shield.
“Hello,” I say with a smile. “I’m really glad to see you again.”
Blinking down, she seems almost guilty when she answers. “I wasn’t able to be at Mr. B’s tonight. I’m sorry if you waited.”
She wasn’t there. The idea sends a wash of relief through me followed quickly by disappointment. I debate my next words.
“It’s okay,” I say. “I’m really glad you’re here now.”
Her hand trembles a bit, and I can’t help wondering if I make her nervous. Is it possible this small, beautiful woman who holds my entire breath in her hands is nervous?
“Did you come here after dinner?” she says.
I decide to be honest. “I wasn’t at Mr. B’s tonight either.” Her eyes blink quickly to mine. “A job took me away from the city, and I couldn’t make it back in time. I’m so glad you weren’t there.”
“And what if I had been there?” The defiance in her tone fans my smoldering desire even hotter. She’s so fucking strong.
“I’d do everything in my power to earn your forgiveness.”
I’ve stepped outside, closer to her, and she inhales sharply. Her gorgeous eyes blink up to mine, and I want to taste her so badly my mouth waters. The scent of ocean-kissed roses, her scent floats around us. I want it all over me again.
She exhales a little sigh, glancing toward the bar. “Lucky for you, I’ve had a really shitty day. I’m in a forgiving mood.”
“I had no idea it was going to be such a lucky day for me.”
A hint of a smile crosses her lips, and I want to gather her in my arms and love the shittiness away. Lifting my finger, I lightly trace a line up the smooth skin of her arm to her shoulder, and she shivers. Her breathing shallows, and it’s almost too much for me. I mentally calculate how far we are from Pirate’s Alley. The Royal Sonesta is closer.
“Let’s go to my hotel.”
Her eyebrows pull together. “You want to—”
“Spend the night with you.” I reach for her hand. “Yes, I want to spend the night with you… like before.”
Shaking her head, she moves out of my reach. “I’m sorry. I don’t do the walk of shame.”
“I would never let you walk home alone.”
Her back is to the glass doors and she seems to consider my offer. I take a chance, rubbing my hand across my chin. “A bed would be more comfortable, and I would do anything to see your gorgeous body spread across my sheets.”
She blinks up at me through her lashes, and desire spikes in my veins. I know she remembers last night. I glance quickly back in the bar to see Patrick dirty-dancing behind Elaine. She’s smiling with her blonde head thrown back on his shoulder, and from the looks of things, they’ll be in a bed together before long.
Closing the distance between us, I speak softly, right at her temple. “Can I have you tonight. Please?”
Only a brief hesitation, and she whispers, “Yes.”
Relief mixes with desire and urgency as I take her hand. We’re only steps from our own heaven, and I plan to spend all night with her there.
* * *
Melissa
Maybe it’s because I have nothing left to lose, or maybe it’s because nothing can really hurt me anymore—at least no more than I’ve already been hurt. Most likely, it’s because Derek is