Songbird (A Sinclair Story #1) (14 page)

“I’ll
see you at the funeral, Nate.” His father clasped his son’s shoulder briefly
before leaving with his wife. As the door slammed behind them, Nathan’s
expression hardened further. He looked formidable, very unlike his usual
easygoing nature.

Melodee
hesitated, needing to go to Jewel, but hating to leave Nathan while he seemed
so upset.

“I
have to go to practice,” Nathan finally said, pulling his eyes from the door.
“Will you be okay for a few hours? I'll be back to get you before the funeral.”

Nathan
had basketball practice almost every day, even with the downtime over Christmas
and a few canceled games due to weather.

“Of
course, I’ll just stay here with Jewel and eat leftovers.” She stepped closer.
“Are you okay?”

He
nodded, but didn’t reach for her like he would normally. She was surprised how
much that actually hurt her. Typical, just as she got used to having someone to
rely on, it was yanked away.

He
must have noticed something in her expression. “Shit, sorry, Dee. It’s just a
heavy day. My parents and Doug’s funeral. Practice today will probably end up
being a remembrance for Doug.”
 

Jewel
cried out again, and Nathan smiled. “Go get her, I’ll see you just before
lunch.”

Melodee
pushed down her need to comfort him. He clearly didn’t want it right now, and
with nothing else to do she turned and left the living room to get Jewel. By
the time she’d changed her diaper and brought her out for food, the apartment
was empty. Nathan had already vacated. Although there was a fresh bottle of
formula sitting in the warmer, so he hadn’t just bailed straight way. Melodee
didn’t know what had happened. The meeting with his parents hadn’t seemed that
bad to her, but maybe he’d noticed something that she had missed.

After
breakfast, Melodee and Jewel set out to try to play with every new toy she’d
gotten for Christmas. Jewel especially liked the ones with lots of noise and
flashing lights. The little girl was so responsive and curious, she wanted to
learn and her clever little mind was taking in everything. Melodee found a kind
of peace she had never felt before, sitting on the floor with a baby and
building up counting blocks. But for the first time in her life the silence was
getting to her. Damn Nathan and his ability to point out every way her life was
empty and lacking before.

“We
don’t need men, baby girl, they’ll only break our hearts.” She tickled Jewel.
The little girl laughed and tilted her head to the side, as if she was really
listening. “And rich, almost professional basketball players are the worst.
Fame will go straight to their heads. And before you know it they’re on drugs
and are out cheating and you know what happens then?” Jewel giggled again, and
Melodee couldn’t help but laugh along. “What happens is I get all cranky and
start breaking arms, and no one plays their best game of basketball with a
broken appendage.”

Masculine
laughter echoed from the front door. Nathan strolled around the corner. He had
a gym bag slung over his shoulder and he looked sweaty, as if he had come
straight from practice without even a shower. Melodee groaned, the ache he
always created in her starting low. He was so god damned sexy.
Asshole
.

“I
know you’re not talking about me in that little speech.” He grinned as he
dumped the bag into the laundry room and strode across to them. “Fame could
never go to my head. I was born into a famous family and it’s like having my
balls run over a cheese grater every day. Fucking painful.”

Melodee
snorted. He sure had a way with words. He dropped to his knees beside the
girls, and after giving Jewel a hello kiss he faced Melodee. He took her face
into his large hands.

“I'm
sorry about before. My parents just get to me. Nothing else in the world can
bring me to pissed-off as fast as my mother.”

Melodee
shrugged. “I get it, but maybe next time hit a boxing bag, or ask me to spar
with you.” She’d been delighted to find out Nathan’s apartment had a fully
outfitted gym and ring. “A good fight will get that shit out of your system
pretty quick.”

Nathan
kissed her. It was like the hundredth time they’d kissed by now, but still her
knees weakened and her pulse went haywire. Melodee wondered if it would always
be like this between them.

As
he pulled back, resignation laced his expression and she realized he was still
upset. “I don’t remember it but Matt didn’t always live with us. Dad brought
him home when he was almost five. He’d been found next to his dead-junkie mom,
just sitting there, holding her hand.” Nathan stretched out his legs. “Mom made
his life hell here though, Dad was always gone and didn’t even care what was
happening. She used to beat Matt, just in case he’d done something bad that she
didn’t know about. It was fucked up. And Matt never stopped her or even said
anything, it was as if he thought he deserved to be treated like trash. It
wasn’t until Charles stepped in that things changed.”

Melodee
reached out and took Nathan’s hand. She understood that her family was messed
up, but in his own way, Nathan and his brothers had just as shitty a childhood.
Sure, they’d been rich, but most kids don’t care about that. All they want is
love.

“It
really pisses me off the way parents blame children for things that were never
their fault: like being born.”
 
Melodee’s
fingers tightened reflexively on Nathan’s.

A
sense of understanding passed between them. “Sins of the father were definitely
bestowed on the son in this case.” he sighed. They sat in silence for a few
moments, before finally Nathan kissed her on the cheek and got to his feet.
Melodee stood with him.

“I’m
going to shower and throw on my suit. The funeral is in an hour.”

He
rested his forehead against Melodee’s.

“Go,”
she finally said. “You smell like sweaty ass.” She was lying, he smelled
amazing; she was struggling not to tear his clothes off of him. Each time they
shared something emotional, the bond and attraction between them deepened.
Melodee knew she was in trouble; soon there would be no way to keep any
emotional distance from him.

Nathan
grinned and with one last kiss left to change. Melodee stood with Jewel then.
She took her in for her lunch bottle and food. Once that was done she changed both
of them into clean clothes. Melodee didn’t have much appropriate for a funeral,
but she made do with a knee length fitted black skirt, tights, a sweater, and
she’d throw the black coat she’d got at Christmas over the whole thing for
warmth. She bundled Jewel up also, not knowing how cold it would get.

Stepping
out of the room, Nathan was on his phone, his back to them as he stared out the
floor to ceiling windows in his living room. He was talking quietly, but she
heard him say ‘Charles’, so she figured it was his brother. He half turned,
running his hand through his hair and her heart stopped. She’d only ever seen
Nathan in casual clothes, and right now he was wearing a suit that had
definitely been tailored to his body. It was a dark charcoal, no tie, but open
collar. He looked like he’d just stepped off the page of a magazine. He noticed
her then, and his eyes darkened.

“I’ve
got to go, Charlie, I’ll pick you up in ten.” He dropped the phone into his
pocket.

He
crossed to her. “You look stunning. I’m pretty sure you have no idea what you
do to me. Or how beautiful you are.”

Melodee
snuggled into Nathan, Jewel between them. She wanted to be close to him; the
crispness of his suit was strangely comforting. “I’m not a liar, Nate, not even
to myself. I know I’m not ugly. My parents loved that they could dress me up
like a little doll. I guess I just think what’s on the inside is more lasting,
and I’ve never cared much for looks.”

Nathan
brushed his finger tip over her eyebrow. “You weren’t even worried that cut
would scar your face.”

He
truly didn’t understand Melodee. She was different from almost every woman he
had ever known. That in itself, even without her exceptional beauty, would have
attracted him. So much of attraction was physical, but to find a woman whose
sexiness went deeper than that: fucking unbelievable.

The funeral was heavy with
emotion. Nathan didn’t deal well with sorrow. Doug’s parents and sister were
huddled in the front row, their faces showcasing every facet of their shock and
pain. It still hadn’t sunk in that their only son would not be coming home,
that they’d never hear his laughter, his inappropriate jokes, or see him nail
that last minute three-pointer. Nathan knew the Barrant family very well,
having spent a lot of time with Doug over the last few years. But when he’d
expressed his condolences upon arrival, they’d been blank, registering nothing
and no one. Melodee was quiet beside him, jiggling Jewel up and down to keep
her from crying. He knew she had not wanted to come, feeling awkward since she
didn’t really know Doug, and had been in the car with him when he died. But she
had come for him, and that meant more than anything.

The
rest of the Sinclairs, including his parents, filled one of the long pews.
Candice was sobbing into a tissue; she was always a mess during sad occasions.
Nathan could tell that Matthew wanted to comfort her, but his stupid pride kept
him motionless. Someone was going to have to beat some sense into him soon
before he lost the one woman who’d put up with his moody shit.

“Douglas
Barrant was a beloved son and brother, active student at the college, and of
course a starter on the basketball team.”

The
priest read through the achievements of a life ended way too soon, and Nathan
had one of those moments where he was hit hard by how short life could be.
Anything could happen tomorrow, and right now he could think of nothing more
important than being with Melodee and Jewel. But what would happen if they lost
Jewel? Nathan had a terrible feeling he would lose Melodee also.

Later,
the mourners braved the freezing cold to attend the lowering of the casket in
the cemetery. Melodee had Jewel snuggled right inside her jacket, Nathan’s
broad shoulders blocking them from the icy wind. The tombstone above the casket
was massive; the Barrants had spared no expense. Halfway through the lowering
of the casket, Melodee turned to Nathan.

“What
do you think they’ll do with Jewel’s mother?” she asked him. “Will they bury
her without a name or wait until they figure out who she is?”

Nathan
was grim-faced as he watched his friend take his final trip. To rest six-feet
below, eternally young and gone too soon. “I’m not sure what will happen with
her mother, but I’ll find out.” He ruffled the little girl’s dark curls. “I’ll
pay for her to have a proper burial. Jewel can always visit her then as she
gets older.”

Melodee
stood on her toes, pulling Nathan down to kiss his cheek. “Thank you.”

“Anything
for you two.”

Chapter 10

“So I have a fight coming up
soon.”

They
were home from the funeral and Melodee and Nathan were just finishing up a gym
session while Jewel had her afternoon nap. It had been the best distraction
from the emotionally draining day. He stared at Melodee. She was sprawled
across from him on the blue mats.

“What
do you mean? As in a cage fight?”

Melodee
nodded. “It’s one of the biggest of the year, worth twenty thousand. I figured
this would be a good setup if I end up with Jewel.”

“I
would set you up,” Nathan bit out, his hands clenching on the mat. “You’d never
have to fight again.”

Melodee
laughed, flipping from her back to her feet. She stood over Nathan, hands on
her hips. “What in the world, after everything you’ve known of me, makes you
think I would ever accept your charity?” She stomped away to put her free
weights back on the shelves.

Nathan
was on his feet just as quickly. He stalked toward her. “It’s not charity, and
Jewel belongs to both of us.”

Melodee’s
face fell. “Actually, right now she belongs to neither of us. I guess it’s
useless to discuss until CPS gets back to us.”

Nathan
gripped her waist, before lifting her into his arms. “No sadness, Dee. For now
we have her. No creating problems that don’t exist yet.” His lips came down on
hers and she met him with equal force. She wrapped her legs around his waist.

“Is
it always going to be like this?” she gasped, pulling back. “I feel as if I’ll
never have enough of you.”

“No,”
Nathan said seriously, “something tells me it’s only going to get stronger.”

He
lay her down on the soft blue mat, following over the top. He tented his hands
on either side of her head. “I hate it when you talk of raising Jewel alone. Stay
with me, Melodee Lee, give this a shot. You’re the most real thing to walk into
my life in twenty-three years and I don’t want anyone else. I want you.”

A
spread of warmth flooded Melodee, and everything inside tightened at these
words, including her heart. Nathan’s aqua eyes were locked on her face, and she
could see he meant every single part of his statement. Could she do this? Could
she live a normal life and relationship? Nathan made her feel alive, like she
was more than the Melodee that had been running. He was special, she could see
that, and only a fool would give up what they had right now. And for once she
wanted to be selfish, she wanted him.

“Okay,
Nathan Sinclair, I will give this a real s–”

That
was all she got out before Nathan captured her mouth, and once again they were
set to give the blue mats a workout.

Clothes
took moments to disappear, and then in one swift thrust, Nathan was inside of
her. He threaded both hands with hers and pulled them up over her head, to hold
her motionless. He started to move inside of her. This was the first slow
lovemaking between them and Melodee couldn’t breathe. The sensations were
strong, blasting through them, and Melodee wanted to rise up beneath him, but
Nathan, using his weight and hold on her hands, kept her still.
 

For
some reason, having the control stripped from her brought on the craziest
orgasm she’d ever had. She cried out as she came and Nathan silenced her moans
with his mouth before beginning to slam harder into her. He was building the
rhythm again, his strokes long and hard as he held her against the floor. Melodee
could feel the buildup again. She would not have believed that she had more
energy after that last orgasm, but Nathan reached between them and stroked her
clitoris in time to his movements, and with a cry she shattered again, losing
all thought for that moment. The instant she started to moan, Nathan cried out
her name and his own release thundered through him. His last few strokes were
softer, slowing once they were both spent.

“Best
workout ever,” he said, grinning at her.

Melodee
laughed, and, utterly exhausted, closed her eyes and snuggled closer to him.

Nathan found himself staring
at her like a lovesick ass. She was beyond beautiful to him. He couldn’t
remember his life before her and he couldn’t imagine a future without her. He
needed to make sure that if CPS came back to tell them that Jewel had no
family, he pulled every single favor owed to the Sinclairs to make sure she
stayed with Melodee. And that they both stayed with him. Rising to his feet, he
lifted Melodee into his arms. Her eyes remained closed. She was so light; he
needed to start feeding her more. It was about time she got used to people
looking after her.

Nathan
left her asleep in his king-size-bed. This was the first time she’d stayed in
there, and he hoped that soon she’d be okay with moving into his room. But he
wouldn’t push her. He’d learned pretty quickly that baby steps worked best with
Melodee. Jewel’s babble started over the monitor. Nathan hurried to lower the
volume so it wouldn’t wake Melodee. He’d leave her to sleep while he cared for
Jewel. Striding into the nursery, he smiled as soon as he saw the little girl
waving her arms at him.

“I
got ya, baby girl.” He kissed her on the cheek. “Let’s get you some food.”

Thank
God Rose had made a few extra batches of that puree for her. He'd have no idea
what to feed her otherwise.

A few days later, Melodee
and Nathan were glaring at each other over the kitchen bench. The fight was
tomorrow night and they were trying to work out the details.

Melodee’s
tone was hard. “You don’t have to come with me. I can take the bus into the
city, do my fight and be back the next day. Plus, someone has to watch Jewel.”

“We’ll
all go together,” Nathan said firmly. “You’re not going into New York without
me.”

“Two
problems, Nathan. I’m sure CPS would not be cool with us taking Jewel from
Syracuse while they’re searching for her mother. And where do you think you’re
going to hide her in the fight club? It’s not child friendly, trust me.”

“Two
solutions, Melodee,” he shot back. “I’ll ring Denise and clear the trip, and
Charles will come with us and look after Jewel in our Manhattan apartment while
we’re at the fight.”

Melodee
sighed. “Fine! If you can sort it out, we can leave tomorrow.”

Secretly
she was excited at the thought she wouldn’t be away from Nathan or Jewel for
two days.

Nathan
laughed. “In all honesty, this works out perfectly. I’ve needed to go to New
York to meet with my agent for a few days. Apparently there’s a deal on the
table.”

Melodee
grinned suddenly, her scowl disappearing. “That’s amazing, Nate. Is it unusual
to have deals offered before the end of your college year?”

“It
happens, but I wouldn’t be surprised if my father doesn’t have a hand in this
deal. Gramps was a huge basketball fan and donated a lot of money. The Sinclair
name has influence even in the NBA.”

Melodee
opened her mouth, but he read her thoughts before she even spoke.

“I
know I’m good, but the deals my agent have mentioned are in the realms of those
players who are extraordinary. I’m not in that league and never will be. I love
basketball, but it’s not my … my everything.” He shrugged. “But I’ve worked for
it and I’m going to take what’s offered, even if it’s beefed up with Sinclair
money.”

The
sudden blaring of Nathan’s cell phone had them all jumping, even Jewel who was
playing with her toys on the floor behind them.

“It’s
Charlie,” he said, picking up the smart-phone. “I’ll okay the trip to the city
with him now.”

He
strode off, answering the phone as he entered the living room. Melodee thought it
was pretty cute how he liked to stare out over Syracuse while he was on the
phone. He said it gave him focus. Scooting off the stool, she kneeled to shift
a few of Jewel’s toys into her reach. Nathan was back within a minute.

“Charlie
said no problem, his class load is really light this semester and he could use
a few nights away.”

Melodee
raised her brows. “What did he really say?”

Nathan
grinned. “He said he’s not my house bitch, but that for you and Jewel he’d do
anything.”

Melodee
returned that grin. She loved Charles.

“So
if Denise agrees, we can leave first thing in the morning,” Nathan said.
Melodee could see he was already dialing another number. “That way we’ll get
there early and we can settle in before your fight.”

He
hit the call button on his phone, walking away again. Melodee shook her head.
She picked up Jewel and moved into her nursery to start packing a small bag.
Knowing the strength and determination Nathan showed with everything, he’d have
Denise convinced in about thirty seconds.

Early the next morning
Melodee strapped a drowsy Jewel into her car seat and Nathan threw their gear
into the trunk. A Porsche pulled up behind them and Charles emerged carrying a
tray with three coffee cups, and a pack slung over his shoulder.

“Hello,
party people. Ready to roll to New York City?” He handed Nathan the coffees so
he could lean into the back door and kiss Jewel. Then he snatched his cup from
the tray, jumped in the back seat, and dropped his sunglasses down to block the
rising sun. Nathan handed Melodee her coffee, planted a kiss on her lips and
opened the door for her. They were ready to roll. Melodee felt a flutter of
excitement. It was like a mini-holiday, and almost unbelievable that for the
first time she’d have someone to support her in a fight.

Charles
was quiet as they drove, Nathan glanced at him a few times in the rear-vision
and the worries for his brother resurfaced.

“Everything
okay, Charlie?”

Sunglass
covered eyes met his in the reflection, and Nathan watched as the affable mask
fell across his brother’s features. He produced a relaxed grin and carefree
tone.

“I’m
fine, Nate, just been dealing with an old friend who needed help. But it’s all
sorted now.”

He
wouldn’t say anything else, and Nathan found himself exchanging a worried
glance with Melodee.
An old friend?
That
definitely wasn’t the entire story.
 

They
stopped a few times, once for gas, and others to stretch their legs and give
Jewel a break. But they still made good time and it was just past noon when the
city line came into view. Melodee had been here a lot of times, but only for
fights. She’d never been to any of the main tourist sites. Nathan weaved
expertly through the chaos of traffic, even as they entered Manhattan. Dirty
snow filled the landscape, but still there was a special sparkle to New York
City.

Nathan took a few back streets, and before Melodee
could get her bearings they entered an underground car park. He drove through
the massive area, beeping his way into a second gated section. The security
guards gave him a nod and half wave. He pulled the car into a park right near
the lifts.

“Home
sweet home,” he said, turning off the engine.

Charles
was already out of the car, striding around to unbuckle Jewel. “The second I
finish college, I’m moving here.” He breathed deeply. “I think it’s the air,
something about New York is in my blood.”

Nathan
grinned. “Pollution never smelled so damned good.”

Nathan
grabbed their bags and they took the lift all the way to the top. Penthouse
again. Nathan opened the door before stepping back to let Melodee through
first. She gasped, freezing in the doorway. Charles swore as he almost crashed
into her, juggling Jewel so as not to hit anything.

“Holy.
Shit. Balls,” she said slowly. “This is unbelievable.” She finally moved her
feet again and stepped into the marbled front entrance. The men laughed as they
followed her inside.

Melodee
had thought Nathan’s Syracuse apartment and his gramps’ cabin were the most
beautiful places she’d ever seen, but this was beyond anything she could
imagine. The entire far wall was floor to ceiling windows, and the view was
central park. Everything in the massive apartment was marble and gold fixtures,
deep plush carpets and shiny everything.

“Who
does this belong to?” she muttered.

“It’s
mine,” Nathan said. “We split up our grandparents’ properties when they died. I
also have a villa in Italy and a few others scattered around.”

“Again,
holy shit balls,” Melodee repeated. “You’re rich, like really, really rich.”

Charles
snorted in laughter. “Yeah, we are.”

Melodee
attempted to veil the rush of sorrow that flooded her. She continued to get
slapped in the face by the reality of how far apart her and Nathan’s worlds
were. Worlds that might be too far apart to ever co-exist. He would see that so
keenly tonight. The fight club scene was dirty, deadly and dark. Nothing like
this beauty.

They spent the afternoon in
Central Park. Jewel loved the zoo, and Melodee was simply amazed by the sheer
size of the area. They saw only a small section before having to return to the
apartment. It was just on dusk and Melodee needed to get her gear and head for
the fight. She had to check her messages again to find the location. No point
calling in any earlier, this information was only divulged right before the event.
Nathan handed her his phone; she dialed in the number. She had two messages
again. The first was Dwayne. She jotted down the address on a piece of paper.
And with a beep a second message started.