To keep herself from having a panic attack inthe hallway, Melanie counted the stairs as they climbed to thethird floor. At the top, she focused on her apartment door whileshe walked past her neighbor’s and stopped outside her home.
She unlocked the door, flicked on the lightswitch, and strode across her living room. Tossing the keys on thecounter, she turned back as he closed the door.
“We have beer, water, orange juice, andtequila,” she said.
“I’ll take a beer,” Kyle said.
Melanie pulled out two beers and set them onthe counter. She settled onto one of the stools, and Kyle satbeside her. With a twist of her wrist, she unscrewed the top andtossed it in the trash can.
“Nice shot,” he commented and tossed his capinto the can.
“Same to you. Your sister is very talented,”she said.
“She is,” Kyle agreed. “I’m sorry if theymade you feel uncomfortable tonight.”
“Isn’t that what siblings are supposed to do?Or at least that’s what I’ve heard they do.”
“It’s very much what siblings do. I’ve beenguilty of it a time or two myself.”
“Not you,” she teased and playfully bumpedhis shoulder with hers.
Being here, like this, and in her place madeher feel more relaxed than she had all night. He grinned at herbefore sipping his beer.
She watched the muscles in his neck flex ashe swallowed, and a tingle of desire seeped through her. She workedat the edges of the wrapper on her beer bottle as he set his drinkdown.
They fell into easy conversation, and thoughshe was tired and could hear her bed calling her name, she enjoyedtalking to him too much to go to sleep.
CHAPTER 12
The pressure in herbladder propelled Melanie from bed the next morning. She gatheredsome clothes before opening her bedroom door and poking her headout. She was pleased to discover Kyle still on the couch, with hisarm draped over his eyes and his mouth parted as he slept.
It was almost four o’clock by the time sheretreated to her room. He’d offered to go home, but she insisted hecrash on the couch. Sending him home tired and at that time ofnight could be dangerous.
So, she got him a pillow and blanket and madehim a bed on the couch. Lucy would be so disappointed in her, butthough she’d enjoyed her evening with him, inviting him into herroom hadn’t felt right at the time.
However, knowing he was so close had causedher to toss and turn before finally settling into a restlesssleep.
Melanie crept into the bathroom and closedthe door. She took a shower, brushed her teeth, and dressed in apair of baggy sweatpants and a loose-fitting T-shirt. If Lucy couldsee her outfit, she would roll her eyes and command Melanie tochange, but she was going for comfort, not style.
When she opened the door, she discovered Kyleawake and sitting up on the couch. Earlier, with the blanketsaround him, she hadn’t realized he’d taken off his shirt. Now, shespotted it sitting on the floor near his feet.
She also noticed every inch of the chiseledmuscle making up his chest and abs; it stopped her in her tracks.Had someone carved him from a piece of marble? Her mouth watered asshe drank in every spectacular inch of him. No man should be thatgood-looking. It simply wasn’t fair.
Kyle couldn’t help smiling as he took in herbaggy clothes. Hanging over her shoulder, the ends of her damp hairdangled against one of her breasts.
When he realized she wasn’t wearing a bra,his cock stirred and his fangs pricked. He’d fed yesterday andshouldn’t be hungry now, but seeing her like this and smelling herfresh, spring aroma awoke his appetite in more ways than one.
When he rose from the couch, her gazetraveled over him, and her heart quickened as she bit her lip. Thenshe tore her gaze away and focused on something in the kitchen.
“Would you like some coffee?” she asked asshe fiddled with the edge of her shirt.
“No, thanks.”
“Okay. I’m going to make myself some.”
She felt like a fool as she tried not tostumble over words or drool. Unable to continue standing therewithout gawking at him, she tried to walk proudly toward thekitchen, but she felt like she was scurrying.
Kyle tried not to smile as she made her wayinto the kitchen. Her shyness and uncertainty were endearing.
