When Angels Fall (10 page)

***

Melody lay naked, anticipating the touch of Alec’s skin on hers. She dared not open her eyes, excited by the unknown.

Then she heard footsteps; he was walking away!
Oh that was just cruel.
Seconds later, she heard the clink of glass. She couldn’t help it, she opened her eyes an infinitesimal amount. He was standing at the drinks cabinet, his back to her; he turned and she quickly closed her eyes again. The footfalls came closer until the mat dipped slightly beside her.

A moment passed followed by the most delightful sensation of silk gliding over her body and making swirling patterns on her bare skin. Then it was gone. She pouted, like a petulant child. She wanted more; every touch was blissful and torturous. This wasn’t lovemaking, this was worship.
Aphrodite never had it this good.
A gentle hand lifted her head and the silky material covered her eyes. Alec tied it firmly, but comfortably.

Melody let out a small sigh as another wave of silk touched her skin, this even softer than the last. It traced the inside of both of her thighs before reaching their apex. The slow sensation as the silk drifted up lazily between her thighs made her lower stomach clench and the maddening tingling between her legs became a throb.

Alec placed both of her hands on her stomach, and then wound the silk around her wrists, binding them together—a gentle reminder not to move rather than a restraint. He raised her arms so her wrists sat just above her head, her elbows comfortably bent.

The chink of glass sounded again, followed by the unmistakable chill of ice at her bellybutton. She sucked a breath in between clenched teeth. Her body flexed and erupted in goose bumps. The cube made patterns on her stomach as the silk had done before it, this time a watery trail left in its wake. Then something warm and equally wet followed the trail—Alec’s tongue.

Melody opened her mouth and a deep sigh of blissful longing escaped her. His mouth caught up with the ice at the cleft between her breasts, and she felt the cube dissolve between his tongue and her skin.

Another chink, another cube. Alec used his mouth to maneuver this piece straight to her nipple; the skin surrounding her peak, so sensitive already, seemed to constrict in exquisite agony. Again, a moan escaped her lips at the intensity of the sensations, hot and cold.

She was about to explode and he had barely touched her. Her breathing seemed to emanate from the depths of her stomach, the same place that was tightening with the most delicious craving to feel Alec fill her.

As if he read her mind, his hand traced her hips. A shiver ran through her body. He lightly brushed over the curls that guided him to his destination. Two fingers slid inside her, while his thumb gently circled her clit.

Melody licked her lips, then bit gently at the lower, little sighs and moans of intense pleasure escaping her, as fire and ice continued to bathe her breasts. Another ice cube had melted against her skin, but when Alec returned this time, she felt his body move lower against hers and cried out as his ice-filled mouth enveloped her core. She squirmed against his mouth as his warm, rough tongue tasted her and vied for position with the ice that tempered her desperation to come.

All Alec’s caresses disappeared and she was a breath away from crying out for him to come back, when she felt his weight above her hips.

“Yes!”

As he slid into her warmth, he leaned down, kissing her like he never had before. It was as if he were surrendering to her and claiming her all at once; loving and tender, yet fiercely passionate.

She wasted no time in lifting her bound arms around his neck, and wrapping her legs around his waist, pulling him closer. She pushed her body toward each thrust he plunged into her, though she couldn’t hold out very long. Her arousal had already been near its pinnacle before he’d entered her and she knew the surge was only inches away. He thrust, shuddering, as she cried out in ecstasy, every muscle in her body clasping him closer to her.

Alec’s weight collapsed upon her and she held him close, not wanting to let go, hoping that this time he had completely surrendered to her. Some of his weight lifted and her arms stretched up, though neither of them attempted to remove them from his neck. The gentle tug at her blindfold returned her vision and she blinked at the afternoon sunlight cascading into the room.

“You really are the most amazing woman, Melody.” His smile was soft, still lopsided, but not his usual cheeky grin.

It spurred her to ask the question she was terrified of hearing the answer to.

“Am I amazing enough for you to want me on a more permanent basis?” She held her breath and waited for an answer. The last time she’d trusted a man had been two years ago and it had ended...badly. Now here she was, laying herself on the line after less than two days, yet she knew she was made for Alec, and she wasn’t willing to take this slowly.

He brushed tender fingers down her jawline. “You know the price for being with me.”

“I know, but it’s a price I’ve already paid.”

Alec’s brow creased in confusion. “What do you mean?”

“My ex-boyfriend, Simon, didn’t think it necessary to be careful during sex, even outside of our relationship.” She knew her tone was bitter, but she also knew that was never going to change. “By the time I found out I was infected, it was too late; the disease had done its damage and I was left infertile.”

“I’m sorry, Melody.” He cupped her face in his hand and it had the effect of a wave washing over her whole being, stripping the pain and anger of the memory away with it.

“So now you know, I have nothing to lose if you let me stay with you.” Melody searched Alec’s eyes for a glimpse of his heart, but before she could find a hint, he closed them solemnly.

“Grace, forgive me.” The words were spoken as if in prayer. He opened his bright blue eyes and met her gaze. “Stay with me, Melody, for as long as you live.”

Alec tried to tell himself, over and over again, it was just sex, that he would protect her, but not love her, because that would have been a betrayal to Grace. He truly believed he could not love another after she died. It had been easy to ignore the women, and there were many, who tried their advances on him. Yet not once did he feel inclined to break his wedding vows—not until meeting Melody.

She was having a shower before they headed out to dinner. When he’d told her that he wanted her to stay, she shone like the sun was within her and she couldn’t seem to stop kissing him. Every second of it pleased and amused him greatly.

Her first touch at the park was an awakening. The past twenty-four hours consisted almost solely of denying his feelings, yet his body refused to be without her caress. He had put a force field around his heart, but each touch, each kiss, each word was a key unlocking another barrier. Then the strangest thing happened when he entered her this time. Her essence enveloped him, pulsing with each thrust they shared, and as they’d climaxed it shattered, bursting into a million tiny stars around them. It was a feeling rather than a physical manifestation, and at last he realized losing her now would be the greatest loss he’d perhaps ever known. How and why she was affecting him after such a short space of time was a mystery to him; he just knew that his happiness depended on her.

When she entered the restored drawing room, he turned to look at her. She bounded up to him, even though she wore very high heels and a very short dress. As she reached him, her arms reached out to wrap around his neck and he lifted her to him for a kiss, then placed her gently back down.

“Have I mentioned how happy I am?” She smiled; it was radiant and full of contentment.

“You may have mentioned it, one or two...dozen times.” His lips curved in response to her obvious joy.

She put her palm to his left cheek, as if smoothing down the lopsided smile, as her face became more serious. The depths of her eyes floored him.

“Please don’t laugh. I know this sounds ridiculous after such a short time, but I just feel as if we were made for each other.” She seemed to be waiting for him to tell her how foolish she sounded. It was the first time he’d caught any glimpse of timid girliness from her. She was feminine, in every way, but her femininity was that of an assured woman. He liked that she felt secure enough to confide this side of herself to him.

He smiled softly, holding her cheeks in his palms. “Not ridiculous, because I feel it too. And I know better than most that there are powers in the universe that could make it happen.”

She snuggled into his chest as his arms folded around her. “Thank you, Alec.”

“What for, Melody?”

“For saving me.”

He squeezed her tighter for a moment, then released her and held her at arm’s length. “You weren’t the only one who needed saving. I just didn’t realize it until now.”

Her smile became seductive as she placed her palm on his torso. “Why don’t we just eat in tonight?”

“Because I want to go out and be seen with the most beautiful woman in Edinburgh.” He swept her body with an appraising glance, which ended with a “damn you’re hot” expression and approving nod.

“Smooth.” She raised an eyebrow and grinned. “But I would have gone with the world, and not just Edinburgh.” She gave him a sly wink.

“Melody, you are the most divine creature on the three planes.”

“Oh, all right then, let’s go out. Actually, I do fancy the idea of making every woman I see green with envy, because of the hotness of you.”

He smirked and took hold of her hand. “Are you going to be all right in those... things?” He nodded toward her dangerously high platform heels. “We are walking to the pub tonight.”

She frowned. “Probably not, and I don’t like the idea of breaking my neck right after getting my claws into you.”

He raised an eyebrow.

“I mean that it the nicest possible way.” She batted her eyelashes while giving an unconvincing demure smile as she slipped her shoes off, dropping her height by about four inches.

“Sure you do.”

When she turned, he gave her a playful smack on the rear. She didn’t turn back, but he did hear her recite in a singsong voice, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but whips and chains excite me.” He chuckled quietly to himself. When she returned she was wearing a pair of strappy sandals that complimented the dress and her tanned legs perfectly.

As they ventured out into the early evening air, Alec linked their fingers together. They strolled leisurely past the renowned Georgian homes of the New Town, and Alec watched Melody craning her neck to see into the windows.

“Oh, to see how the other half lives,” she murmured.

He gave her a sideways glance. “You do realize that’s how you live now, don’t you?”

“Yes...no...kinda?” She shook her head, screwing up her nose lightly. “It just doesn’t seem real yet. I’m afraid something or someone is going to come along and snatch it all away from us. I mean, I still have this life-force issue.”

He smiled, hoping to alleviate her worries. “You make it sound like a disease.”

Her face became grave. “Knowing it might kill me makes it feel like a disease.”

“It won’t kill you. I won’t let it.” He frowned at her, took hold of her elbows, and turned her to face him. “There is no way after sixty years of being alone that I will let anyone steal this happiness from me.”

He placed his hands in her hair and leaned down to kiss her. It was a long, slow lingering kiss, their tongues brushing along each other like languid waves on a tropical shore. A shout intruded on their ardor.

“Oi, Ron Weasley, why don’t you and Hermione get a room?” Guffaws of laughter followed.

Melody raised her hand to her mouth to try to control the giggling fit that was threatening to overcome her. Her body betrayed her as it quaked silently.

“I’m not ginger!” Alec shouted in exasperated amusement toward the two youths now halfway down the street on their bikes.

“Um, you kinda are.” Melody continued her attempt at stifling her grin.

“Shut up, you. Let’s get some dinner.” Knowing his grin belied his gruff tone, they headed toward the pub, Melody giggling madly.

The Wolf and Hart was packed as they walked in, but they managed to snag a small table in an alcove near the door as a couple departed. Alec helped Melody to her seat, and then headed to the bar for drinks and menus.

On his return, he stood for a moment watching her, as she looked out of the window. Her eyes were wide and alert with curiosity as she searched the dimming light.

“Are you all right?” he asked, placing their pints on the table.

She jumped; he’d clearly intruded on her concentration. “What? Um, fine. I just thought I recognized someone, but I think it was a trick of the light.” She began chewing the inside of her lip. From the little he really did know about her, that wasn’t a good sign.

Alec forced his voice in to a determined casualness. “Really? Who did you think you’d seen?”

She frowned and eyed him warily as if anticipating his reaction. “I thought it was the guy who was hassling Rosie last night.”

Still standing, he cast a vigilant look around the room.

“But it wasn’t. This new bloke was fairer; he just looked dark-haired at first because of the fading light outside.” He could tell she was trying to reassure him, to calm him. It wasn’t working.

“I think you were right. We should have dinner at home tonight.”

“But we only just got here. I’m sure it wasn’t him.” Her voice was a gentle plea. Alec knew she wanted him to say they could stay, to relieve her growing anxiety. He could tell she understood that if he felt cautious, there was something wrong. Nevertheless, he would not risk her.

“Where is he?” All emotion had drained from his voice.

“He didn’t come in. He met someone—a woman—she walked out of the pub, and that’s when the light hit him. They headed in that direction.” She indicated the opposite way from which she and Alec had come.

Alec exhaled as he forced a more relaxed manner. “I didn’t sense any demons when we walked in. Do you really want to stay?”

A smile lit Melody’s face. “We are here now.”

“Okay, but if I say move, we move, understood?”

“Sir, yes, sir.” She gave him a small salute and a wink, but not in a mocking way. He knew she understood the gravity of the situation, and it was just her way to try to keep things light.

He gave her a kiss on top of her head before handing her a menu.