The Heir Affair (Las Vegas Nights 5)

“It’s Las Vegas.” His eyebrows rose as if this explained everything. “They came with the place.”

Melody’s lips quivered into a smile. Kyle was in such high spirits that her nerves rose up once more. Could she do this? Was she ready to take this step with him? And yet, how could she not?

She wanted him so badly, but they’d rushed their relationship in the beginning, caught up in the intensity of their sexual chemistry. Was letting her body speak for how she felt the right thing to do at this stage in their reconciliation? This was only day six of their relationship revitalization—although in truth almost two weeks had passed because of all the work that had gone into meeting her album deadline.

“What’s wrong?” Kyle asked, sensitive to her mood.

Screw waiting. She was only going to get more conflicted the longer she had to think about what she was doing. “Let’s have sex before dinner.”

Kyle stroked his knuckles over her cheek. “I’m pretty sure that’s not what you were thinking just now. Didn’t we promise to do a b

etter job of communicating?”

She held his palm to the side of her face and stared at his strong throat. Tonight he wore a long-sleeve T-shirt in dark gray that hugged his torso and hinted at the definition in his arms, chest and abs. No buttons to worry about. She could tear the thing right off him.

“I’m worried about us having sex tonight,” she said at last.

He didn’t tense or frown. Setting his hands on her shoulders, he gave her a gentle shake.

“So, you want to rush into something you’re not ready for?” His tone was fond exasperation.

“I don’t know what I want. That’s part of my problem.”

Kyle caressed down her arms and took her hands. His tender touch warmed her clear to her toes, banishing most of her anxiety. “This is your night.” His fingers tightened on hers, offering reassurance. “We will do whatever you want.”

“But you want to have sex.” She wasn’t trying to stir the pot and create discord, but she was sure he had expectations and wanted to be clear about them.

“I’m a guy.” One corner of his lips kicked up. “I want to have sex all the time. But I don’t expect you to do something because I want it. Especially not on a night when making you happy is my only goal.”

Melody relaxed a little at his reassurance. More than anything this made her long to be with him.

“So, no sex before dinner.” She paused. “And no sex after dinner.”

He gave her a wry smile as if understanding that she was testing him. “If you weren’t pregnant, I’d suggest a cocktail to relax you. Instead, I’m going to give you some sparkling cider and feed you all the delicious selections Chef Murray made for our dinner tonight.”

He’d brought in a private chef who even now was in the kitchen creating an amazing array of tasting plates for them to enjoy. Kyle led her to the dining room and they took their seats. She couldn’t believe her eyes; there were so many dishes to choose from.

Melody lost track of how many things she ate and couldn’t decide which of the amazing dishes were her favorite. By the time the chef left them with a half-dozen desserts to sample and share, Melody’s nerves were humming with pleasure.

“Time to bring out Mia’s gift,” she said, moaning over a flourless chocolate cake drizzled with sea salt caramel that melted in her mouth.

Kyle fetched the bag and together they pulled out a card game for lovers. Melody’s first reaction was an uncomfortable giggle, but Kyle scrutinized the cards with interest.

“I think she meant well.” He set them aside without further comment and rested his steady gaze upon her. “But what do you want to do next?”

Melody turned her hands palm up. “My ideas for tonight ended with the meal.”

“Well, we have to do something. How about we go into the bedroom and I snuggle you for thirty minutes. Nothing more. Clothing on,” he added as if worried she might think he was pushing. “You choose whether we spoon or face each other.”

This was something she could handle. “Sounds good and I want us to face each other. There’s nothing I enjoy more than putting my head on your chest and listening to your heart.”

“Then that’s what we’ll do.”

Since it was her evening, Melody positioned him on his back and snuggled up next to him. With his arms around her, she settled into the deep steady rhythm of his rising and falling chest. She missed this. It was peaceful and soothing. Tight against Kyle, locked in his arms, she floated on waves of trust and love. How had she forgotten he made her feel like this? She’d been so caught up in being hurt and self-protective that the important stuff had diminished in her mind. Why was it always so easy to be negative instead of positive?

“Is something wrong?” Kyle asked. “You’re not very relaxed and that was the whole point of this exercise.”

“Sorry. I was thinking about how nice this is and how much I’ve missed it.”