My Forbidden Mentor (30 page)

The nervous glance of their eyes held. “One step at a time, John,” she told him, thinking, you have to love me, John. You’ve got to tell me so first. I can’t be hurt again, especially by you.

At least she hadn’t rejected the idea. “Good. Now, about this Jack character.”

“John I explained earlier, he’s my driver.”

“Melissa I want you to think about moving out of that hotel room. You can stay with me in mine.” He didn’t trust Jack’s intentions.

Melissa liked the idea but it was much too soon. She needed more time. If she stayed with John it would be less than half an hour before he’d have her in bed with him. Not yet, she told herself. “John you’re worrying too much. I appreciate the offer but really, I’m only staying one more night and then I’ll be on my way home,” she informed him, sounding very sure of her plans.

John wanted to kick himself for moving too fast but he needed to get rid of Jack. He would leave when she did and take her home and then Jack could go on his merry way alone. “Perhaps, but if you leave in another day you’ll be leaving with Jack. Why don’t you stay and I’ll take you home? And I think I should stay in your room with you just to make sure Jack stays in line.” Pausing, he saw that “I know what you’re up to” look on her precious face. “Well, you won’t stay in mine.” Pausing again, he assured her, “I’ll sleep on the floor.”

Melissa began laughing, startling John for a second, and then his lips curved into a smile while she spoke with true confidence. “Sleep on the floor?” she said to John with a broadening grin, her brows rising as she proceeded. “John, you wouldn’t last half an hour and I’d find you in my bed,” she told him, her white teeth glowing.

He responded to her remarks by telling her how it would really be. He inclined forward, “Let’s be serious now, sweetheart. Wouldn’t it be more like me finding you on the floor next me?” Leaning even closer to her, his face only inches away, he carried on, “Gripping that part of my body right below my belly.”

Her face flushed and turned bright red. She interrupted him before he could continue. “Stop it, John. That’s enough.” Leaning back against the soft leather seat to distance herself, she counteracted his lustful words, “I don’t want to hear anymore. You’re not fair, talking like that.” She caught his satisfied grin before averting her eyes. She wasn’t smiling anymore.

He reclined back as well to give her room to breathe for she seemed to be gasping for air. The smile John gave her was out of the satisfaction that he’d affected her and not in a friendship sort of way. “Will you have supper with me?” he asked, hoping to rectify her mood. “I know a nice restaurant we could try?”

A smile crept upon her lips. “I don’t give you enough credit, Lord Blackburn. Your approach makes it hard to resist.”

“Does that mean yes then?” he asked in that lusty, husky voice of his.

“Yes.” How could she refuse?

John was pleased with the results he had attained. Supper was an opportunity to be one step closer to her. Seeing the steaming desire for him in her hazel eyes a moment ago combined with her blushing cheeks was pure torture for him. He became aroused as a result of teasing her when in the process he was being teased as well. Now is not the time he told himself, hoping he would be back to normal before entering the restaurant.

Supper resulted in pleasant conversation and delicious food, although at times the mood was a bit strained due to the history of intimacy between them, and the lack of touching seemed to initiate a battle of inner struggles for both.

Melissa craved his love and affection but swore to herself she would not give in until confirming the reality of his feelings for her.

John wanted to devour her, to imprison her within his embrace to ensure he hadn’t lost her, but he kept his distance to avoid scaring her off.

Both were polite and agreeable but beneath their cool and easy exteriors sparks were flaring, their desires for physical contact burning with a heat so hot it left them both flustered.

After supper John walked Melissa to her hotel. On the way Melissa gave infinite details about her visit with her cousins and how much she had enjoyed herself, leaving out any notion at all of her possibly being pregnant.

They weren’t far from her hotel so in a short amount of time they were approaching the stairway to her room. Climbing the stairs, her focus moved to his strong, handsome profile, lingering on the lips that she yearned for. He turned to catch her looking at him and she quickly faced forward to avoid his seductive gaze that mirrored back.

Reaching her door, awkwardness set in for both. They stood before each other, not touching but very close. John’s gaze shifted downward and he noticed Melissa’s intertwined fingers tightening, proving she was just as uneasy. John took the liberty of placing his large hands around her folded ones.

She looked down at their clasped hands. She felt jittery and her body began to tremble. Her gaze was broken when John spoke.

“Melissa, I had a nice time tonight. I’d like to do it again.”

After skimming his handsome features her eyes found his, catching in his glistening heated trap. “It was very nice John. I would like to do it again, too,” she responded in a sighing plea.

Their eyes steadied as passion was growing anew between them. John directly conveyed what they both wanted. “Melissa, I want to kiss you? May I?”

The heat simmering between their connected hands was only a prelude to the fire beginning to rage within her body. Thirsty to taste his mouth again, she finally replied with quivering lips, “Yes.” Yes, she wanted this.

His hands didn’t move, only his head lowered so his mouth could kiss hers. Her head lifted to meet him half way. The apprehension of feeling warm, desirable and acquainted lips seemed almost unreal when just a few inches apart. As reality intervened, their lips never met due to an interruption from Jack.

“How was supper?” Jack asked.

Melissa witnessed a devious smile upon Jack’s face, his eyes appearing glassy. He was drunk. Perfect timing, she thought.

John’s chin dropped to his chest, his eyes shut and he began cursing Jack under his breath. Their hands separated as Melissa reached over to steady Jack. John’s arms folded across his broad chest as he stood gaping at Jack and Melissa. He was not amused with Jack’s performance. In silence he observed them, thinking of appropriate actions to take to make Jack disappear.

“Supper was fine, Jack. I think perhaps you should get some rest,” Melissa responded, taking her hands off of his arms once he stood straight again.

Jack’s gaze had been unsteady but there was no mistaking John’s presence nearby. He remembered John’s treatment from earlier that day. Jack’s next move was calculating. Placing a hand on Melissa’s shoulder, he commented, “Great. I wanted to let you know that I will join you tomorrow and I’m looking forward to it,” he told her with a sly smile and a slur to his words. His hand slipped from her shoulder back to his side.

Melissa could only imagine what was going through John’s mind about now, but she replied to Jack with courtesy. “That’s fine Jack. Good night, then,” she said, trying to give him the hint to leave before John exploded.

Jack was tired and drunk anyway and ready for bed. “Good night, Melissa.” He turned toward John and bowed, almost falling over. “Milord.” He caught his balance and headed unsteadily three doors down to his room. Taking a minute to find the keyhole, he stumbled inside his room, barely managing to close the door after him.

Melissa followed Jack’s movements. She could already picture John’s expression even before looking at him. Nevertheless, she turned his way. “Don’t start John,” she said, pointing a finger toward him.

“Start what?” He tried to look innocent but it didn’t work. His pause was short as his hand gestured in Jack’s direction. “What the hell was that all about?” he inquired, knowing that Jack pushed his buttons on purpose and was taking advantage of Melissa’s kindness.

She crossed her arms and tipped her head to one side. “See what I mean?” she paused, gathering her resources to deal with his impossible attitude again. “I’m not a piece of property, John. You don’t own me.”

He was beginning to loathe her reminders of his not owning her. She was too beautiful for men to ignore and Jack had close proximity to her. John would have to change Jack’s position by making it clear that she wasn’t available. Only John had the privilege of touching her exquisite curves. He’d already made his stake. His eyes began searching over her body as he resumed his position.

His possessiveness intrigued her and enraged her at the same time. Jack had been every bit a gentleman. Why John was so unruly puzzled her. She could handle Jack. She was in love with this man, who was not so easy to handle, this obstinate man standing before her, looking her over as he had many times in the past. His glare was one that she knew meant he wasn’t going to give up without an answer. “I always give in, don’t I? Oh how I hate your persistent ways,” she said, shaking her golden head. Moments of silence fell between them and as usual her impatience gave way. “He’s bored so I invited him to join me on a tour of the town tomorrow.”

Showing temporary satisfaction, John behaved as any jealous lover would. “I see.” He hesitated while leaning forward, making his point specifically clear. “He’s not to touch you, Melissa. He’s not to lay a finger on you again.”

Realizing he was referring to Jack’s hand on her shoulder, she avoided the flinging of words and only made a comment, unsuspecting of the reaction it would get. “You’re unbelievable,” and saying so, she turned away from him to obtain her key. As she tried to open the door the key wouldn’t cooperate, falling to the floor three times before she could get a steady enough grip on it. She was a wreck, cursing the key aloud. “Damn key.” So much for a goodnight kiss, but was she supposed to let him interrogate her all night? She thought not.

John didn’t like being ignored or her trying to escape the inevitable. Grabbing her arm before she could open the door, he twisted her to face him then backed her against the wall adjacent to her door. His other hand grabbed her opposite arm, restraining her. Leaning his body into hers, his mouth took over, kissing her hard, devouring her, conquering her once again, ensuring his position, reminding her of the passion between them.

His kiss was like the very first one except this time it was acquainted and enticing. It had been so long since she’d had his strong, powerful body against hers. “Mm,” she moaned aloud without meaning too. Responding with intense need, her body obviously recognized the familiarity of his.

But her mind still fought against the exhausting conflict with her betraying body. Her hand came around his gripping forearm, trying to stop this madness, but his own hand curved around her wrist, gripping her hand within his, bringing her resistant arm toward his eager manhood. Slipping their clasped hands beneath his wool coat he placed her hand on his evident arousal. With his hand over hers he kept her there until her defensive motions vanished. Sensing her fingers curling around him, a groan retreated into her forgiving mouth. Still holding one arm against the wall and still kissing her, the brutal force of his lips turned tender and lingering. Feeling her submission his hand lifted off of hers and slipped beneath her shawl, settling on her firm, full breast.

What is he doing to me she thought? She missed him more than she wanted to admit, and now, if she didn’t stop him soon, there wouldn’t be any stopping him. Forgetting where they were, only feeling, tasting and inhaling his maleness, she was lost in him until her eyes flickered open to look at him and she remembered they still stood in the hallway. His lips left hers, his kisses continuing down her neck. A single word escaped her. “Please,” she managed but couldn’t continue when his selfish fingers began tugging on the tip of her breast.

“Please stop . . . or . . . please go on?” John asked against her neck.

Melissa floated back to reality when he made the inquiry. “Please . . . stop.”

Obliging her, his hand left her breast and his head lifted, facing as close to her as possible without touching. “Now we both know that you don’t hate all of my persistent ways, do you?” he murmured. His hand rested atop hers again, his fingers wrapping around hers that delicately gripped him. Only his head shifted when he made a quick scan up and down the dimly lit hallway to ensure that they remained alone. Facing her again, his voice held purpose and considerable meaning. “This is all for you Melissa.” Her chest rose higher at his candor and a shiver ran through her body when he moved their hands together along an awakened part of him. His brazen hand lifted from hers, finding a stirring of warmth hidden within layers of her clothing. Knowing by now she’d be receptive, his fingers reached further in between her cloth-covered thighs and rubbed back and forth across her heated opening. “Just like this is all for me,” he convincingly informed her.

His protective motion struck her with such force that her immobile hand poised against the wall fell open, letting the key slip from her trembling hand to land on the carpet at her feet once again.

“Remember that when you’re spending the day with Mr. McGuire,” he told her. Knowing the key had struck the carpet from her quivering response told John that his sweet Melissa was just as restless as he was. In slow motion John let her go and bent down to retrieve the key.

Aware that tonight could go no further, he didn’t waste any time and unlocked the door for her. When he turned back to her, she was straightening her clothing.