The Keeping(93)

Letting go of her arm, he ran his hands through his hair while trying to remember that he was angry with her. Melody was adorable when she was a bit drunk. Ringlets swished back and forth as she shook her head and he longed to wrap them around his finger. He forced himself to remain stern. “I left you a note, saying I’d be late. It’s your own fault if you arrived too early.”

Her lips formed into a pout. “No, it’s not. Bryan never gave me the note. Oops!” She clamped her hands over her mouth and stared up at him wide-eyed. Whispering between her fingers, she continued. “I wasn’t supposed to say that, ’cause we don’t want you to be angry. You won’t yell at him, will you?”

Suppressing a growl, Ryne agreed. “No, I won’t yell at him.” Kick him in the ass maybe; put him on the night watch for a month, possibly. But yell at him? No.

“That’s good.” She grinned at him, happy once again. “See? You can be nice when you want. You’re not always an ass-hole.”

“Oh really?” He folded his arms and stared down at her. If she wasn’t acting so cute, he’d have ripped a strip off of her for that comment, even if there was a grain of truth to it. “And how have I been an ass-hole?”

“Well you won’t talk to me about your work, and when you do, you give stupid answers. Then you lied about Harley and you keep getting me all worked up by being nice and sexy, and then suddenly you’re cold and sarcastic. And you left me sitting in the bar by myself for hours and hours...” By now Melody’s happy mood seemed to have faded and she was scowling at him. She ended her statement by shoving against his chest and turning to leave.

“Oh, no you don’t.” Ryne grabbed her arm and hauled her back. “You’re not leaving yet. We have to talk.”

“We have talked. Now I remember why I was mad at you and I want to go.” She huffed and blew a strand of hair out of her eyes.

“No!” His wolf was stirring restlessly again. The female was defying him, trying to leave. He pulled her closer to him so that their bodies were touching.

“Stop that.” Melody squirmed in his arms and he chuckled at her feeble attempts to escape him. The sound apparently pissed her off because next thing he knew, she’d kicked him in the shins.

“Hey!” Instinctively, he moved back and she kicked at him yet again. Ryne lost his balance and fell backwards, but not before grabbing Melody and pulling her down with him. They landed on an old couch that creaked in protest at the sudden application of weight. “Why you little...!” Ignoring his throbbing leg, he wrapped his lower limbs around hers, stilling her movements. When she began hitting against his chest, he held her even tighter. Melody opened her mouth and realizing she was about to scream, he silenced her by clamping his mouth over hers.

Her struggles pleased his wolf and he began to kiss her thoroughly, plunging his tongue into her mouth while moulding her body against his with his hands. He pulled her hips into firm contact with his while holding her head in place with the other. Melody’s struggles lessened and he sensed a change in her. No longer was she fighting against him, she was struggling to get closer.

Ryne relaxed his grip and shifted so that she was on her back and he was partially on top. She ran her hands up and down his chest, tugging at the bottom of his shirt. He obliged her by sitting up and pulling off the offending piece of clothing, tossing it over his shoulder. As he leaned over her again, she used her fingers to explore the exposed skin. Melody flicked his male nipples before raising her head slightly and licking at them, eliciting a groan from deep inside him. For a moment he stilled, enjoying the sensation of her hot wet tongue lapping at him. Softly, she skittered her fingers down to his stomach, and he quivered from her gentle touch, feeling his manhood springing to life in response.

Suddenly, something inside of him roared, spurring him to take action. With quick precision, he stood and stripped off his clothing. Melody gasped as his throbbing erection was revealed and he smiled at her obvious appreciation of him. He reached down and tugged off her boots before easing her jeans over her derriere and down her long slender legs.

At his urgings, she sat up and tugged off her top, then moved to unhook her bra. Ryne noted how her hands slowed when she saw him watching her avidly. A blush of pink swept over her and she lowered her eyes.

“Ryne, I...”

Giving her no time to think or worry, he placed on finger on her lips. “Shh... Let me.”

He sat beside her, his hips brushing hers on the narrow couch. Cupping her neck in his hand, he kissed her tenderly while brushing the curves of her breast with the back of his other hand. Obviously wanting more, Melody pushed herself against his hand and he caressed her through the silken cups of her bra. She purred her delight.