Reinventing Mel: A Hellion MC Novel (5 page)

"I've never…that…before," she yelled over the loud music.

"What?" he called back, cupping a hand around his ear.

She shook her head hard enough to set the waves of her hair moving.  Deciding enough was enough, he reached around the table and grabbed the bottom of her seat before dragging it closer to his.  At her somewhat shocked look, Mel bent and placed his mouth down by her shell-like ear which was festooned with a black earring in the shape of a flower.  "Only moved you 'cause I couldn't hear you, Lu.  Say again?"

She blinked at him more than a few times before she tilted her chin so that her mouth aligned with his ear.  "I've never had that before.  You know, somebody that ordered for me.  It's nice." 

The words were great but it was the feel of her hot breath on his ear, cheek and neck that was better. 

As they waited on their drinks, he saw her palm on the tabletop keeping time to the music which he had to admit was pretty good.  He wondered if she'd be amenable to him reaching a hand across the back of chair. Was it too soon?  According to Billy, his best friend and the biggest player at Beaumont High School, girls gave off signals on when it was time for a guy to step up his game.

As the waitress set their glasses down and Mel slipped her his cash, he reached a hand to the back of Lulu's chair while he lifted a butt cheek to place his wallet back in his pocket.  He made sure to slide the hand on the chair along until it touched her furthest arm.

As moves went, Mel thought it was pretty smooth.  And must've been in his date's view too because she wiggled a shoulder in his armpit, snuggling closer.

The smell of her damn sultry perfume had his teeth clenching and hard length pulsing.

Lifting her chin to look up at him, Lulu asked, "Can we dance now?"

Hell, the real question was he gonna be able to stand up without everyone and their sister knowing about the kick-stand in his pants which had been created with nothing more than her words, breath, looks and smell.

"Surely," he mumbled and stood, his hand at the top of her chair pulling it back when she gained her feet.  Snagging her hand he found a place for them on the crowded dance floor and turned to maneuver her backwards to start the beginning of the standard two-step.

If Billy was right and women really did do the dirty like they danced, then he and Lulu were destined to be perfect together between the sheets.

Mel couldn't wait to find the time and a quiet, private place to get Miss Lulu Palmer alone.

Chapter Five

Were you kidding me?  This guy was like something out of a book.  Not only was he extremely easy on the eyes with a body that made me dizzy but he was chivalrous, too.  Which was a huge point in his favor since another one of my personal dating codes was that my partner had to lead but do it in such a way that was gentlemanly protective.

Mel hit that in a huge way.  In every way.

I knew what I was talking about having started dating at sixteen.  And I was an equal opportunity dating partner that hadn't really gotten picky about who she spent time with until after my twenty-first birthday. 

So in the five years between sixteen and twenty-one I dated all sorts:  the jocks and the nerds, the bad boys and the religious ones, the really smart and the not so bright as well as the handsome and the his-looks-could-use-some-work.  Both my sister and my girlfriends thought I was nuts but I knew I was figuring out what kind of boy (and then man) I was attracted to, what ones were worth going out with again and those that needed to be avoided at all costs.

Then my father had stepped in and I discovered all my research was for nothing since he'd basically not allowed me a choice.

"You're really good at this," I praised when Mel changed our positions and moved straight into the 4am Waltz.

"You too Lulu," he murmured back and smiled into my eyes causing a tummy tumble so strong I stumbled.  But he quickly made sure I was steady on my feet before we resumed our steps. 

That was another thing.  I liked my men to be able to dance which seemed to be a dying art form among the masculine gender.  And I didn't mean standing in the middle of a overly crowded floor bouncing up and down in one spot to a techno beat.  Having a sense of rhythm and taking the time to learn some actual moves no matter what style of dance was important to me.  Because if a man had rhythm and had taken lessons or learned how to perform certain steps, I knew he'd be much more interesting when it came to our bedroom activities.

And less involved with just himself in that activity, too.

"Whew, I need a breather," Mel advised and turned us towards our table as the band took a break.

Again, he made a point of pulling out my chair but didn't seat himself.  Instead, he leaned down with a warm hand on my shoulder, until his mouth was again next to my ear.

"I need to call home but it's too noisy to do it here.  Are you gonna be okay if I step outside for a couple of seconds?"  I felt a shimmer of goosebumps move over my skin at the feel of his breath.

I nodded and twisted my head so he'd be able to hear my answer.  "Sure.  I'll be fine."  I pulled back and made another point of beaming my smile directly at him.  Something that had him staring again before he rubbed my skin and moved away.  A touch that had me shivering with anticipated pleasure.

I let my eyes follow him as he stepped towards the entrance unable to help comparing him to the other men as he passed them.  And discovered that my opinion of Mel being the best looking man in the bar wasn't out of line, not with all the women's eyes that tracked his progress.

"Well, looky here, Mole!  It's that girl with pink hair," I heard from in front of me. Which if I could hear so clearly, meant whoever said it was shouting.  I whipped my head forward hoping it was someone else talking about
anybody
else but my mind's initial assessment was right.

Cheese and rice!  Of all the dumb luck.

The unclean bikers who's attention I gained at the Sit 'n' Sip, the ones who wore the gray vests, were standing directly in front of our little table.  I eyed them noting the uncombed locks and untidy scruffs of facial hair.  Their clothes looked as if they'd been slept in and from the smell emanating from their direction, hadn't been washed in quite a while.  But it could've been just the stink of their bodies, a thought that had my stomach roiling and found me lifting a hand to my nose.

"And lookin' all purty.  Don't Pinky look purty, Lucky?"  The man named Mole had his eyes glued to my cleavage in such a way it made my skin crawl in both worry and disgust.  Feelings that only intensified when the man scratched his crotch as he stared.

Lucky, the fatter of the two, smacked his lips as he looked me over and reached for an empty chair.  "Yep.  Too much woman to walk away from.  Pro'lly what made the kid leave.  Knew she was outta his league."  The chair he plopped his wide butt in groaned in protest.  And I gagged at the smell his movement had caused to waft my way.  His friend sat in Mel's chair and I scooted mine as far away as possible while holding my breath.

They continued to make comments about me and my appearance, about what a coincidence that we frequented the same places but I tuned them out as my eyes frantically searched for a member of the Boots staff to help me.  But I couldn't see anyone, not a waitress or bouncer, in the milling boisterous crowd.  What would Mel think when he returned to our table and saw who'd joined me?

"I need you to leave, please," I instructed loudly and was thankful my voice didn't reveal my distress.  "My date will be back any moment…"

"Aw, Pinky, don't be that way," Lucky chided.  To add an 'ick' to the 'eww' factor, the man seemed to spit when he spoke.  "We saw him high-tailin' it out the front door.  'Sides, why keep a kid around when you've gotta couple of real men interested?"

I again anxiously hunted for someone to help but felt my shoulders immediately relax when I heard, "You're in my chair," rumbled from behind me as a warm hand slid onto my shoulder.   Dragging my eyes all the way up to Mel's face, I saw a muscle tic in his cheek as his narrowed eyes spoke of danger as it shot between my two unwanted table-mates.   Those were the only clues that signaled the menacing vibe rolling off him.

And set my body to thrumming with the heat it generated.

The other men laughed as if Mel had said something wildly funny and I felt his hand come off my shoulder before it pressed against the hand Mole had on the tabletop.  While I couldn't see exactly what Mel was doing, his fingers moving on back of the other man's hand, whatever it was made Mole squirm in his chair as the smile slid off his face.  Within seconds, I saw sweat appear on the biker's upper lip.

Mel stared directly at Lucky but asked me, "Are these friends of yours, Lu?"

"No, Mel," I answered firmly, looking up at him although his eyes were still on the fat biker.  "They just showed up and sat down.  I asked them to leave and they wouldn't."

"So the lady doesn't want your company and I don't share.  What's your next fucking move, boys?"  The words Mel ground out through clenched teeth weren't all that scary.  It was the
way
he said them, in a deeply menacing voice, that had me clenching my thighs as I tried to contain the heat, the pressure he'd caused with his bad-ass attitude.

I saw Lucky's eyes shift to Mole before they met Mel's again and the older fat biker tried to sneer, appeared to try to look tough but in my opinion, he missed the mark.

The stare down continued for a few seconds before Lucky finally stood, yanking up his filthy jeans as he moved.  As soon as the dirty, unkempt biker was on his feet, Mel released Mole's hand who immediately cradled it against his chest using his other hand to protect it.

With a glare our way, the two men wordlessly moved off, the crowd quickly swallowing them up.

Mel sat down and put a forearm on the table in front of me, the other arm around my shoulders so that our faces were only a few inches apart.  I looked into his green eyes and saw concern before I heard his voice.  "You okay, precious?"

I nodded and he quirked an eyebrow as if to question my silent response.  I took a deep breath, the first full lungful of air I'd taken since the bikers had turned their attention my way, and answered.  "Yes.  Rattled a bit but I'm okay now." 

I blinked and saw his eyes soften.  "Thanks for getting rid of them, Mel."

"Sorry, I left you alone.  I thought in a place like this you'd be okay for a couple of minutes, Lulu."  He used a hand to push my hair back over one of my shoulders.

I couldn't believe it!  Here I'd attracted a couple of sick yahoos and yet Mel was apologizing to me?  Who
was
this guy? 

Clenching my hands, I realized I'd never wanted to kiss someone so much in my life.  To press my mouth to his in both gratitude and to try and relieve some of the arousal he'd caused while he'd handled the situation in such a manly way but without attracting any attention.

He must've misread my tension though, because he put one of his large hands over my fists and said, "It's over now, precious.  Everything's all right now."

I was afraid he was going to call the end to our evening together, but he didn't.

"What made you choose Montana?"  He asked finally, leaning his elbows on the table and turning back to me.

"I saw pictures of it online when I was in Alb…uhm, L.A. looking for someplace new to live and thought it was the most beautiful place I'd ever seen."  I hoped he didn't catch my little fumble which as a lifelong 'fudger' shouldn't have shown.  "What about you?"

"I met Trey and his men when I came up to...for a visit.  They convinced me it was the right place for me and my family.  Got us set up and, well, here we are."

"The Hellions sure seem to take a personal interest in their employees, don't they?"  I couldn't help my giggle.  That 'interest' was just short of 'interference' in my opinion.

"Yeah.  Yeah, they do," Mel agreed as he waved the waitress over.  "You want another Lulu?"

"No, thanks but a water wouldn't go amiss."

And so the rest of the night went.  Finding us on the dance floor where I was allowed to stand close and to touch him to my heart's content.  And then back at our table where we'd talk, laugh and I could get lost in his eyes. 

He seemed to enjoy himself as well although I was a little disappointed he didn't do much more than put his arm around my shoulders and dance closer than was acceptable. 
Maybe he really is shy
, I caught myself thinking.  Although the little altercation could've put him off his game.

I saw him glance at his phone before he announced, "We should probably call it a night since we both have work tomorrow."

I stilled my mouth at the pout it wanted to make at his suggestion to end to our time together after only a couple hours but he did have a point about it being a work night.  I gathered up my clutch and sweater before I stood trying to smile.

After guiding me back to his car and getting me settled,  Mel aimed our ride back to my place.  About halfway there, he pulled one of my hands to hold it against his thick, muscled thigh which I found deliciously sweet.  I liked a man who enjoyed touching and he seemed to of that type even if it was of the innocent variety. 

After parking in front of my building and turning off the ignition, Mel hesitated.

"I had a really good time with you tonight, in spite of the dickwad twins."

"Me, too," I breathed wondering why he hadn't saved the recap until we were at my door.

"And, if you wouldn't mind, I'd like to kiss you here in private instead in view of your neighbor's spy-holes."  Yes! 
Now
we were getting to it!

I smiled before turning my head and saw a soft expression on his face as he looked at me.  "I'd like that, too, Mel."

Shifting in my seat I scooted closer and twisted a bit before I saw him do the same.  As first kisses went, it was good.  Right amount of lip action without too much pressure.  But
way
too short and still in the innocuous range.  So short and so hesitant in fact, I went in for another one and allowed my lips to part midway through.  Mel took the bait and I felt his tongue enter to meet with mine.  Soft at first and then gaining speed and force as arousal took over.

I was in heaven and made a mental note to use whatever trick was at my disposal to get him out of the chaste and into the sexy scheme of things!

When he pulled away which could've been minutes or hours from when we'd started, I found myself pressed into the passenger door with Mel partially covering me.  We'd obviously gotten pretty carried away if the clutch I had around his neck and his hands roaming my waist and back were giving the true story.  Yes, yes, yes!