Touching Melody - By RaShelle Workman Page 0,73

briefcase and his coat and moves to the door. “Lovely. Almost there. Keep it up. I’ll check back after Christmas break.”

He leaves. The air’s thick with a tension I hadn’t noticed before. I glance at Kyle and we both start to laugh.

“Are you staying with your aunt and uncle for Thanksgiving?” He stands and makes his way over. The butterflies in my belly flutter with eagerness.

I swallow and clear my throat. “Yes. Are you going home? I mean, to your aunt and uncle’s?”

He walks behind me, touches my back with his hand. Moves my hair out of the way and massages my shoulders.

“Mmmmmm. That feels sooooo good.” I let my head hang forward, giving him easier access.

His magic fingers knead the stressed muscles. Then move further down. I close the lid over the keys and lean forward.

Kyle chuckles. “I take it you don’t want me to stop.”

“I might have to hurt you if you stop.”

“Got it, Boss.” His fingers move further down my spine.

My body is humming in happiness. I think I could let him do this for hours. He moves along my waist to my sides, then presses in. My body responds like a light bulb flipped on and I whirl around, slapping his hands away. “Don’t tickle me.”

He pulls me close, nudging my neck with his nose, his lips. My heart pounds against my chest so hard I think I’ll pass out. “I want you, Maddie Martin.” His hands slide under my shirt and his hands press my body tightly against him.

I melt into him, hugging him. I want him too. But Evan’s voice is in my head. “Keep your knees together and your lips closed.”

He straddles the bench so he’s facing me. I lean in. Mesmerized by his hands on my body. When they reach my neck, he lifts my face and kisses me. Long and deep, until I press into him, dizzy with pleasure.

“Until break we’d better practice long and hard.” His voice is hoarse, filled with emotion.

I mutter something incoherent, too focused on the gratification his tongue and lips are eliciting as he blazes a trail of hot kisses over my body.

33

Maddie

Coats Are For Babies

“My Aunt and Uncle are waiting, Gina. Let’s go.” I’m trying not to act like an impatient bitch, but she’s making it difficult. At the moment she’s stuffing random clothes into a big black duffel bag. “We’re going to be gone three days, not two months. Jeans, tee shirts, shoes. That’s it. All you need.” I stomp my foot in frustration as I watch her ignore me. Open a shoebox and toss her black ankle boots into the bag.

Gina looks up. “Almost done.” She pulls a short black dress off a hanger. “You never know when you might need a party dress.” She smiles big, and it reaches her eyes, a rarity for her. It finally occurs to me that she’s excited. To meet my family. A small piece of my heart melts. I’ve sensed something going on with Gina. I’m hoping during these three days—without boys, parties, booze, or drugs—she’ll tell me what that something is. “Ready,” she says, tugging on her black leather jacket and zipping it. Wrapping a red scarf around her neck.

She walks over, tugs on my gray sweatshirt, and says, “Why the hell don’t you have a coat?”

“Coats are for babies,” I say smugly.

She snorts.

We head down on the elevator, her with her big bag, and me with a small rolling suitcase. The elevator is crowded. Hot and stuffy. When the door dings open, we burst from the small container. I look at Gina, and she smiles.

“This is going to be fun,” she says, pushing open Irvine Hall’s front doors.

I’m about to agree until I see Evan. He’s leaning against Kyle’s Jeep. His ankles and arms crossed. He’s smiling, and my heart drops into the pit of my stomach.

Kyle, I think, and frantically search for him. I see my aunt and uncle’s car. They are parked in front of Kyle’s Jeep. My heart is frenzied. I wonder if Evan knows who they are.

“Hey Maddie.” Kyle appears on my left and wraps a hand around my waist.

“Hi,” I respond, my gaze spinning back and forth between Kyle and Evan.

Kyle kisses my cheek. “Let me help you with your suitcase.”

“Um…” Evan points a finger gun at me and pretends to shoot. I look at Kyle. “That’s okay.” I walk a little faster, pulling away from his hand. “I’ll see you in a few days. ‘Kay?” My uncle gets