Page 32 of Wilde Abandon
Her gaze shifted to Fox.She could look at him all day and night and never get tired of the view.“I like him more than money.”I like him more than anything.
She took the tray and weaved her way through the tables to the back of the bar.
One of the other waitresses stepped in front of her.“I thought Brian was banned.”
“Keep an eye on him.You catch him dealing in here, you tell John to bounce him hard and fast.”Melody continued on, set the tray on Josh’s table, and set the pitcher and glasses down.
Brian came up behind her, real close, too close for comfort, and dropped a wad of fives and ones on her tray.“Thanks, baby.”
She grabbed the tray and pulled it toward her, elbowing Brian in the gut in the process to get him to back off.“Not your baby.”She glanced up at him.“Behave.”
His gaze narrowed.“I’m not a toddler.”
Before she could snap,Thendon’t act like one, Josh grabbed her arm.“It’s been too long, Mel.We should go out.”
She glanced at his hand on her, then met Josh’s gaze.“I’m—”
“Seeing me,” Fox said, coming up beside her and crowding Josh as he glared daggers.“So hands off.”
Josh slowly took his hand away and backed up a step.“Didn’t you just get to town?”
Fox hooked his arm around her shoulders.“Been here a couple months on and off.”He kissed Melody on the side of the head.“Should I know him, too?”
“Josh wasn’t in our classes but went to the same school.You probably saw him around back then.”
Fox turned to Josh.“Sorry.Don’t remember.It’s been a long time.”
Josh glanced from her to Fox, his expression tense.“And now you’re back and she’s with you.”
Brian poured a beer and handed the glass to Fox.“Some guys have all the luck.”
Melody didn’t know how to respond to the compliment.
Fox held her tighter.“I didn’t want to let a good thing go.”He kissed her forehead.
She didn’t want to be let go, but she had a lot of tables to catch up on.But first… “I need a word.”She cocked her head for Fox to follow her away from Josh and Brian.When they were out of earshot, she put her hand on his shoulder, went up on tiptoe, and whispered in his ear, “Brian is the local drug dealer.It’s the worst-kept secret in town.You don’t want to be associated with him, especially when you’re trying to help so many at the center you just opened.Now laugh like I said something funny.”
Fox did as she asked and brushed his fingers along her cheek.“Always looking out for me, aren’t you?”
“Always.Now have one beer, kick his ass at pool, then get the hell away from him.”She brushed a quick kiss on his lips, then turned to get back to work.She felt Fox’s eyes on her and turned back to catch the grin on his face and desire in his eyes.She swung her hips just a bit more for his enjoyment.
She couldn’t wait to see him again later tonight at his place.
Chapter nine
Melodyparkedoutsidetheapartment complex she’d watched change as construction crews refurbished the old building.Rumor was someone from out of town bought the building, renovated, then never advertised for renters, though judging by the cars, there were plenty of folks living here.
Now she guessed that Fox must be the out-of-town owner.
Fox had given her the code to enter the building and she admired the clean and spacious lobby area with mailboxes on the right next to a door that had a PACKAGES sign and a lock that required you type in a code.A security camera surveilled the area.
She hit the button on the elevator and the doors immediately opened.She stepped in and hit number 4.She exited on the top floor, turned to the left, and found Fox standing in an open door down the hall in nothing but a pair of low-slung jeans, showing off lots of abs, his wide chest and shoulders, strong arms, and sleepy grin.
“Hey,” he called out softly.
She raised a brow.“How’d you know I was here?”She’d texted him before she left the bar, wondering if he was still up for her coming over tonight, or if he’d fallen asleep and she should just go back to her place.He’d texted back immediately saying,I can’t wait to see you.
“I can monitor the camera feed downstairs from my phone or laptop.”