Adjusting his stride to match her shorter one, he relished the way their thighs occasionally brushed together. Her arms were folded in front of her and, as he glanced down, he noted with a distinctly male appreciation, the fact that she was unconsciously causing her top to gape at the neck, allowing him a satisfying glimpse of her cleavage. Ryne found himself inclining his head towards hers. The scent of her shampoo tickled his nose and he inhaled deeply trying to place it... Green apples, possibly? Whatever it was, it mixed well with her own natural scent as it drifted upwards and wrapped around him.
Her car was, in fact, parked just a block down the road fromThe Broken Antler and they reached it sooner than he would have liked. As she turned to face him, he leaned in close until her back was up against the vehicle.
“Ryne?” She looked up at him sounding uncertain, as if she wasn’t sure what his intentions might be.
Well, he’d thought earlier on that he’d like to run a test to see how attracted she was to him. This was his opportunity. He cupped her face and ran his thumb over her bottom lip, noting how her eyes started to darken. Pressing a bit closer, her breathing hitched and he could see the pulse at the base of her throat quicken. Yes, he definitely affected Melody. He should stop now that he had his answer, but once again his wolf had other ideas.
Slowly, he lowered his head, gauging her response. When their lips were almost touching, he paused and waited. Mel made an indistinct little sound and stretched her neck the tiny amount needed to bring their mouths into contact. Gently, he brushed his lips back and forth across hers, savouring the sweetness of her breath as she exhaled, the softness of the plump surface, and the tingle of sexual awareness that bounced between them.
He withdrew and let his eyes lock onto hers. They gazed at each other, questions and uncertainty quivering between them, but overriding it all was a desire for more. Of one accord they kissed again, mouths opening to taste and tease. Ryne wrapped his arms around her, drawing her in closer and, in response, he felt her moving her hands move up to clasp his shoulders.
Plunging his tongue into her mouth, he stroked her sensitive upper palate, the soft inner surfaces of her lips, absorbing the essence of her. He withdrew and she followed, exploring him a bit more tentatively and he moaned in encouragement. Breaking away briefly, he tilted his head to change the angle of their connection. She whimpered at the momentary separation and he reassured her with another deep kiss.
She worked her body even closer to him and he widened his stance, feeling the heat pooling in his groin. Experimentally, he brushed against her and she reciprocated. His excitement grew. He grasped her butt, and flexed against her, a low growl escaping his throat. For a moment she seemed to be responding, but then abruptly froze before starting to struggle. Now she was pushing him away, ducking her head to avoid his attempts at nuzzling... It took a minute for his brain to register her withdrawal. Dropping his hands to his side, Ryne stepped back and took a deep, calming breath, forcing the animal within back down. Silence stretched between them. Clearing his throat, Ryne attempted to speak.
“No?”
Mel brushed her hair from her face, looking everywhere but at him. “I...I just met you and I don’t hop into bed with a guy the first time I meet him.”
“Well, technically this is the third time we’ve met. Once at my house, at noon today and now for supper.” He quirked a smile at her, hopefully hiding how much the encounter had affected him.
“Nice try, Taylor.” She shook her head and slid a glance his way.
He shrugged and shoved his hands in his pocket, responding in an indifferent tone. “I didn’t think it’d work, but figured I’d give it a shot.”
She cocked her head to the side and then gestured between the two of them. “My getting to interview you wasn’t contingent on the outcome of this, was it?”
He snorted, feeling somewhat offended. “Do I look like I need to blackmail women into sleeping with me?”
An embarrassed flush crept over her face, but she continued on. “No, but in some of the journalism courses I took, they warned us about sexual involvement with interviewees. It can make things pretty sticky sometimes.”
Ryne opened his mouth to say something crude and sexual, but caught her expression and stopped. She’d obviously realized that what she had just said was the perfect opening for him to make one of his usual comments. He hated being predictable, so said nothing. After a moment, she continued.
“Well, thanks again for the meal. I’ll be waiting to hear your answer in the morning.” Mel looked at him hopefully.
“In the morning.” He nodded and opened the door for her. She slid inside and he pushed the door shut. With a final puzzled look in his direction, she drove off. Ryne stood there until her tail lights disappeared, before starting towards his own vehicle.