Chapter Ten
“What the hell is wrong with you this week?” Beck finally asked.
Jay knew the inquiry was coming eventually, but he’d hoped it wouldn’t. It had been three days since Melanie left his house, and although it wasn’t unusual that he hadn’t seen her in that time, his time with her the other night had made him over analyze too many things.
It was pissing him the fuck off.
But Beckett was his best friend besides Teague, and because this issue had to deal with Melanie, Jay couldn’t go to his cousin about it. Teague would seriously rip him a new one for going against him, and he knew that Melanie hadn’t told Camryn a single thing.
“I fucked up,” Jay finally answered.
“What do you mean?” Beck asked, putting down a page on the desk. They’d been in his office that morning, trying to decide on a design for a car they were about to paint. “What’s going on?”
Jay sighed, but he hardly held anything back from Beck. Like Teague, he knew he could tell him anything, but he just couldn’t go to Teague about this one.
“So we get back at two in the morning the other night, right?” he began. “I’m tired as fuck and basically tell Melanie I’ll get her home later in the morning. Couple hours later I wake up and she’s right there in my bed. No big deal, she’s slept by me before, right? But I’m, like…” He made some gesture with his arms to signify hugging, but Beck just narrowed his eyes with confusion and shrugged. “I’m holding her,” Jay growled. “Like…spooning her from behind.”
Beck was silent for a moment and then started to laugh. “So? I bet she totally loved it.”
“Yeah, so much that she…”
“She what?” Beck’s eyebrows shot up.
“She played the freebie card.”
Beck’s mouth dropped open for several seconds. “And? Did you gamble on it?” Jay only sighed, which left Beck to his own conclusion. “You slept with her?” he whispered.
“No,” Jay answered right away. “I mean…not entirely.”
“Fooled around?”
“Uh, little more than fooled around, but yeah. I fingered her, ate her…and then she gave me the most incredible blowjob that I was not expecting.”
“Damn,” Beck exhaled. “What happened afterwards? Things are probably weird, huh. Sorry, bro. Messing with the friends thing fucking sucks.”
“No. Things are not weird. That’s the problem.”
Beck pulled up a stool and sat down. “Dude, I am totally not following you. Shit gets weird with Jess sometimes and she’s my damn girlfriend. You and Mel are great together as friends, and yeah that was a stupid ass move to risk messing it up, but if she’s not freaking out over it, you are seriously a blessed man. And, you know, what’s wrong with moving the relationship to something else? If you liked what you got the other night, I bet she could do a hell of a lot more if you let her,” he grinned. “She is seriously a cool chick, very gorgeous, and I’m betting you a million bucks that she wants you to bang her like there’s no tomorrow.”
As much as that made Jay smile, his conscience was still not on board. “Melanie and I are both lost souls right now trying to find our way. I don’t care if that sounds pussy. But she’s set on gaining some independence from guys and I’m set on putting my damn life in order. Getting together more than friends would be catastrophic.”
“Or it could be fucking amazing,” Beck shrugged. “What’s wrong with trying? You’ve been friends for months now, know a pile of shit about each other… You trust her, right?”
Jay hardly had to consider that. “Yeah, I trust her. I just can’t get mixed up in more stuff right now. Do you remember who the hell you’re talking to here?”
“Yeah, the complete fucking opposite of me right now. I got my shop,” he motioned to his surroundings. “I’m doing well financially and I’m on top of the world. But now I’m ready to settle down and Jess is dragging her feet.”
“You sure she’s who you want to settle down with?”
Beck narrowed his eyes as he stood. “What’s that supposed to mean? We’ve been together for two-and-a-half years.”
“And since when does time have anything to do with how right your relationship is with someone?”
“Don’t be a fucker, Jay. You know I love her.” Beck left the office to head for the garage.
“I do know that,” Jay chuckled as he followed. “I’m trying to ask you a serious question. If you’re not on the same page, how are you right for each other?”
“She’s just got other things in her life that I don’t, and I understand that. Family and shit. And she’s worried about the cuts going on at her work. She’s stressed out and I’m just trying to give her some space to figure it out. It’s what she asked for.”
“She asked for space?”
“Not like that,” Beck shook his head. “I meant about settling down; house, marriage, kids. I’m backing off until she’s ready.”
“Hmm,” was all Jay could reply.
He’d rather talk about someone else’s problems than his own, but he really had nothing to say about it. Despite how badass Beckett looked and acted ninety percent of the time, he had always been sort of soft with a big heart when it came to women. He really was Jay’s opposite in that aspect because there was no way settling down so soon had ever been a goal that Jay McCallan had strived for. And kids? Shit. He was barely responsible with his own decisions…
“So what design do you want to go with on the Challenger?” Jay asked as they entered the paint bay of the shop. They both stopped in front of the ’71 Dodge that was now ready for finish work.
Beck looked at him with a smile. “Way to change the subject, asshole. But let’s go with the Plum Crazy. That’ll look badass on this bitch.”
***
“This is really nice, Jay,” Sophia smiled at him. “I’m glad we could spend some time together.”
Jay took a drink of his beer and then relaxed against the seat again. They were having drinks in a very private corner of an exclusive club. Sophia’s bodyguards were at the next table, so it hardly felt like they were alone, but her attention had been glued to him all night and it felt pretty nice.
However, Jay knew Sophia well enough that he could guess her intentions. She looked amazing tonight, dressed to kill, but it took him back to the days where her celebrity status had pissed him off more than he was able to enjoy her. She seemed like a different person now, but there was still no escaping the Nixon name. And the mix of a Nixon with a McCallan was even worse. Why she wanted to start things back up with him was still a mystery.
“Yeah, I don’t think we’ve ever just sat somewhere and, um, chatted,” Jay replied.
Sophia laughed knowingly, but then she shook her head. “I’m sorry for that. That was all my fault.”
“No, it is what it is but…”
She had slid closer to him on the plush VIP bench and he stopped talking. Her hand snaked over his thigh and her face came very close to his. “No, Jay. I’m really sorry about what happened. You didn’t deserve that and I take full responsibility for letting my family ruin things between us. Let me make it up to you. Please?”
Sophia Nixon had beautiful brown eyes and she knew how to use them to her advantage. She also didn’t allow him a response when her lips closed the distance between them and took over his, pressing her body against him to get his arm to automatically wrap around her waist and pull her close.
“I want you, Jay. So bad. I miss you. Let’s leave, okay?”
She had her tongue in his mouth again, making it difficult for him to offer a sensible response. But all he could give her was an honest reply, which was, “I’m not ready for anything serious with you. With anyone.”
“Then let’s just have tonight and we’ll go from there,” she answered without missing a beat. “No hard feelings if things don’t work out; we’ll still be friends.”
That was basically a statement, not a discussion. Sophia was practically on his lap with her hand in his crotch, and then two seconds later she was pulling him out of the booth to follow her. They made it to the limo from the private exit at the back of the restaurant, and then she resumed her assault of his mouth and body as they rode.
If Jay got his way, he’d have her satisfied by the time they made it halfway to her Malibu mansion—which is where he assumed they were going. He would get this done in the limo. No need for an invite into her house that way, and it would simplify the rest of the night. He had her lain on the seat and her panties off and was kissing her as his fingers slid up her skirt between her legs. A sound came out of her mouth as she bucked against his hand, and her firm grip behind his neck informed him that she wasn’t letting him go.
But at some point Sophia slowed things down. She’d undone his pants and he was basically about to become unleashed, but she stopped and lightly pushed his chest away. “Not here,” she said breathlessly. “In your house. That’s where we’re headed. More time, more room, more…whatever you want.”
And the moment had arrived. Fuck. All Jay could do was pause as he tried to think of his next words to get himself out of this mess. There was no way he was taking a girl home with him; no way he was going to be stuck in the “what do we do now” moment when morning hit.
But Sophia seemed to know him well and she quickly changed her tactics on the fly.
“Never mind, I can’t wait,” she said, grabbing his shirt and pulling him back to her. Their lips met again and the kiss turned breathless as she yanked at his pants again, wrapping her legs around his waist with force. She was a woman on a mission, and the fact that she was still locked to his neck and waist like she wasn’t going to let go proved that she was determined to get her way.
The limousine came to a stop like it had a few times, but this time a knock sounded against the privacy glass. Jay knew they must be at his house and suddenly his interest took a different turn. He pulled away from Sophia, but because she was still attached to his neck, she sat up with him. Then she pushed him against the seat and straddled his waist as she continued to kiss him.
“God, I want you so bad,” she whispered against his neck in between kisses. “Take me to bed with you, Jay.” She knelt on the floor of the limo between his legs and got her lips around his cock in a matter of seconds. He’d never seen her so assertive like she was tonight. Usually Sophia Nixon was a little more passive and wasn’t normally so demanding. It had to do with her image and privacy before… He had no idea what had changed this time.
Her eyes glanced up while she was still going down on him. Normally that was one of the sexiest things about service from her, but this time it was just…not there for him. He enjoyed the pleasure of it, but his mind was in a million different places at once.
As expected, she pulled away from him before he was even close to release, and she was dragging him toward the limo door. “In your bed. Now,” she smiled. “There are things I want to do to you.” She glanced down at his lap and added, “And I definitely don’t want to leave you in that state.”
She tugged on his arm again, but Jay didn’t budge. With a sigh he shook his head and said, “Look, Phee… I don’t know what’s going on in your life right now, but flinging with me isn’t gonna help.”
Sophia’s eyes widened and she was speechless for a moment. But then she smirked and replied, “Who are you and what have you done with the real Jay McCallan? I mean good God, I know you’re a hump-and-dump kind of guy, so since when have you been so reluctant to get laid?”
“Hump and dump?” he scoffed. “Are you fucking serious?”
“Am I serious? You disagree with me?”
“I state up front what I am not willing to give, and that’s my freedom. Chicks know this and want me anyways, so don’t even go there, Sophia. I did the same with you and you were the one that fucked things up, not me.”
“I know that, Jay,” she sighed. “And I apologized. But I was the one that stated up front this time that I didn’t expect anything from you. Is it the whole ‘taking me home’ thing? If it freaks you out that I’m going to start moving my stuff into your place just because we sleep together, then just say so. I didn’t realize you were still like that, Jay, but I promise you that I’m not ready for any of that. No living together, no marriage, no kids… It’s not in my plans. I thought we were on the same page.”
He let out a breath of air and rubbed his face while he took a moment to respond. “We are on the same page,” he finally answered, and then he looked at her and shrugged. “I don’t know if I want to go this route with you again. It’s not that I’m not attracted to you—I am; you’re beautiful and worth every second of attention a guy can give—but I’m not the one that can give that to you. Not now and probably not for a long time.”
“I don’t think you should be the judge of what I need. All I’m asking for is just this one night and we’ll see where it takes us.” She slid closer to him on the seat and placed her hand against his chest. “Jay, you don’t have to keep me distant just because you’re afraid I’ll screw up your plans. I’d like to help you with your plans. I want to see you get what you want out of life. I know you won’t accept any kind of monetary help from me, but all you have to do is ask and it’s yours. But at least let me be on your side. That’s all I’m asking right now.”
She kissed him, and even though he cared about Sophia and respected her, the kiss didn’t mean anything to him. He allowed it to continue, just to make sure, but whether he was just exhausted from a long week of work or he was feeling moody, something was missing. He was hard as a rock and it was fucking killing him, but he just wasn’t interested in her and there was no explanation to it.
Sophia pulled back after a few more seconds and it was obvious she realized this too. She watched him for a few seconds and then nodded her head with reluctance.
“Okay,” she said softly. They both straightened their clothes and then Sophia opened the door so he could get out. “Hopefully we’ll talk soon, okay?” she asked as they stood outside the limo.
Jay leaned down and kissed her forehead with mixed feelings. He had no idea what the fuck went wrong other than the fact that he was looking at her in a different way than he used to. Two years ago he quite enjoyed their commit-less relationship, but it was for that reason that her family and status drove him fucking crazy. It was way too much hassle.
Without words he headed for his front door, and that’s when he noticed the car in the driveway and the light on inside. A few different possibilities mingled in his head, but he entered the house before any of them could develop.
Melanie was putting a vacuum cleaner away (he didn’t realize he had a vacuum cleaner) in the entryway closet and looked completely rattled when she saw him.
“I had no idea you’d be home this early, I’m sorry,” she rushed quickly. “I thought for sure you’d be out for a couple more hours and—”
“What the fuck happened,” he stated, looking around his house. The living room actually had furniture in it—a couch, a loveseat, and a coffee table. There was even a bookshelf by the window.
“Well,” Melanie answered, glancing into the room with him. “You needed furniture and I found some that was not only perfect for you, but almost brand-new and very inexpensive. I told you I was good at this stuff,” she added with a smile. “When me and Cam moved in to our own place, my Uncle Tim helped us get a few of the important things. But after that I thought it was kind of fun to shop for stuff and found a lot of cool things that way. There are also a few other things in the garage for now. I wasn’t sure where you wanted them or if you would.”
“You had help with this, right? Someone delivered it?”
“Yes,” she chuckled. “And because you don’t lock your garage door, I didn’t have to break into your house.”
“Hm, much appreciated.” He exhaled and shook his head at his new living room. The couches were dark brown leather and the coffee table and bookshelf looked like black walnut. It was actually pretty badass, and Jay was impressed. “So why did you think this was perfect for me?” he asked, motioning to the furniture.
Melanie smiled at him as she headed for the kitchen. “Because leather is tough and cold at first, just like you.”
That made him smile, especially when she started to laugh. He ventured to the kitchen where she finished off a glass of water. He leaned against the entry and watched her place the glass in the dishwasher when she was done. He hadn’t seen her all week yet here she was in his house, furnishing the damn thing without even being asked to. But it wasn’t just the nice deed that made his night better…
It was just nice to see her.
“Well I’d better get going,” she said as she came across the kitchen. “Like I said, I didn’t know you’d be back from your date so soon or I would have already left without cleaning. You have a vacuum now, by the way. And some other cleaning supplies.”
“How’d you know I was on a date?” he asked, basically tuning out the last part of what she said.
“Um, Teague mentioned it when I asked him for your spare house key. Don’t worry, I knocked like crazy just to make sure you weren’t here. I mean the house was entirely dark so I didn’t think you were, but just wanted to check.”
“If you’re talking about me having girls here,” he said, waving it off, “I don’t do that.” He turned away from her just so he didn’t have to look her in the eye for some reason.
“I know you don’t bother to bring them home,” she answered softly, and she passed by him for the front door.
“Melanie, wait,” he called.
She stopped and picked up her purse but didn’t face him. “Goodnight, Jay. Get some sleep. You look really…worn out.”
“Hang on a sec,” he said, coming across the room.
When she looked at him, he wondered if she was tired, as well. Then a couple of thoughts caught up to him and he felt like a complete asshole.
“How are you feeling?” he asked, glancing down at her baby bump. “You shouldn’t be here cleaning my house, Mel. I mean I appreciate it, but you need to take care of yourself instead.”
She looked at him for several long seconds, and it was as if the depths of her green eyes could convene his time fooling around with her earlier in the week with the time he’d just spent with Sophia. It was like an instant faceoff of stupid decisions and he felt totally mind fucked because of it.
“I’m feeling fine, Jay,” she answered quietly. “Thanks for asking.”
How he ended up less than two feet away from her was beyond his understanding, but Jay realized his hand was against the wall by the front door and he was leaning into her. She was looking him right in the eye, and there was a vulnerability there that kept inching him closer. And those damn lips of hers that he couldn’t stop glancing at were also his weakness.
An image flickered in his head again, and it had to do with the limo fifteen minutes ago. It ended his moment of weakness in a fucking flash. There was no way he would kiss her after that…
Jay pulled away and opened the door for her as he distractedly ran a hand through his hair. “Drive safe, okay? Text me when you get home.”
Melanie paused for a few beats and then nodded her head as she passed by. When she was on the porch she turned around and said, “By the way, I knew what you meant the other day about me using your shampoo.” He lifted an eyebrow for further enlightenment and she added, “When you smell like perfume, I don’t like it either.”
She’d rendered him speechless, and all he could do was watch her walk to her car, get in, and drive away.