I Love You Twice (Falling For Him Contemporary Romance Series Book 7) (7 page)

Saturday rolled around and Melissa was a nervous wreck. She stood in from of her closet, trying to decide what she should wear for the day. Dean had told to come over around noon. They’d have a barbecue at his place and then progress from there.

God, I’m so nervous! I wish he hadn’t told me his sister is a famous model. She looks gorgeous on all those magazine covers!
Melissa was quickly talking herself into a full-scale self-confidence crisis.
His sister is probably perfect. Tall. Skinny. He’ll take one glimpse at me compared to her and realize I’m full of flaws!

Melissa was just about to call Dean and say she wasn’t coming when Grandma Annie knocked on her bedroom door. “Melissa, your friend is here to pick you up.”

Oh my god. He’s early. And I’m not even completely dressed!
Taking a calming breath, she answered, “Come in.”

Annie walked into the bedroom and immediately registered the situation. “Mellie, you don’t have to be nervous. He’s a good man.”

“Oh Grandma, how do you know this?”

“It only took me one good look into his eyes. They show character and integrity.”

Melissa nodded and then asked nervously, “Do you think I’ll be dressed good enough to meet his sister and her boyfriend? You know, his family is rich and important. And she’s a top model.”

Grandma laughed, “And you’re poor and unimportant?” She hugged Mellie and then held her at arms’ length to gaze her straight in the eyes. “Melissa, nobody is worth more than you are. No matter how much money they have or their celebrity status.”

“But, what if they don’t like me?”

“I’m sure they’ll like you. What’s not to like about you?”

Melissa shook her head, “But Grandma, I’m just a girl who finished high school and is a part-time waitress.”

“And you’re adorable. You care for your little girl and you have brought so much joy to Hugh’s and my lives.”

“Thanks.” Melissa returned Annie’s hug and then told her, “Are you sure I look okay?”

Annie gave her a once over and replied, “Why don’t you go downstairs and let him be the judge of that?”

Melissa was still nervous, but she followed Grandma Annie’s advice. She quickly finished putting on her shows and headed downstairs. Dean was already waiting, and she took a deep breath before she began to descend the stairs.

She was wearing her best daytime dress. A red summer dress with a floral print, a tight bustier-like top with a big décolleté, and short sleeves. Not too revealing to be shameless, but cut low enough to have the men turning their heads. Her auburn hair reflected the red color of the dress with a warm scarlet  shine.

The wide skirt swung back and forth in waves as she turned in a circle. The hemline stopped below her knees and with every step the soft cotton caressed her bare legs. Melissa loved the way it made her feel. Light and airy. Sexy. Confident.

She had paired the dress with flat strap sandals without heels. She’d loved to wear heels, but with Happy in tow, she’d have to run, crawl, or cross the sandboxes scattered around the lake. Heels were definitely not an option. Not at this point in her life, anyway! She compensated by picking flat sandals in matching colors to her outfits. Hence today’s bright red sandals.

Dean’s eyes widened when he saw Melissa and he almost let out a loud whistle of appreciation. “Wow! You’re beautiful!” When she’s near enough, he gave her a whirl and then whispered into her ear, “You’re torturing me with your dress. It’ll take all my determination not to rip it off you.”

Melissa giggled. Before she could respond, Happy came running from the kitchen, “Hello Dean.” She threw herself right into his arms, her little hands up in the air, demanding “Now me.”

Dean laughed, and released her mother, “Of course, now it’s your turn.” He lifted her up in his arms and then proceeded to turn them both about several times.

Happy screamed with laughter, and every time he stopped and threw her up into the air, she screamed a bit louder and demanded, “Want more. Want more.”

Melissa watched, amazed at how good those two were together. Happy was truly living up to her name and smiled at almost everyone. She was used to becoming the apple of everyone’s eye, especially her “Adopted” family; but never once had Happy become so absorbed with one person, like she had with Dean.

It was as if she shared the feelings of her mother and had decided that Dean would make an excellent dad.
Dad…
Thinking about that, Melissa’s heart grew warm and soft.
Would Dean not only be her love, but also a beloved dad to Happy?

Dean turned towards Grandma Annie and offered, “Mrs. Olsen, I’ll bring Melissa and Happy back around 8 o’clock.”

“Please, call me Annie.”

“Ok. Mrs. … Annie.”

“Will the party be over by 8 o’clock?” Annie asked.

“No, it’s just that my sister wants to go to dancing to a club outside Topeka. Not exactly a place for a three-year old!”

Grandma looked warmly at Dean and then at Melissa, “So why don’t you lovebirds drop Happy off with me and go to the club with your sister?”

Melissa rushed over to give Grandma a hug, “You sure? Because you’ve been working so much lately and I don’t ever want to burden you.”

Grandma answered with a smile, “Happy is never a burden. And I expect her to sleep early after an exciting day out.”

Dean smiled at the elderly woman, “Thank you, Annie.”

After making sure she had everything she might need for Happy, Melissa told him she was ready to go. Dean carried a laughing little girl, followed closely by her beautiful momma, out into the sunshine and off they went.

At Dean’s place, they climbed from the car. He insisted to open the doors first for Melissa and then for her daughter. Melissa loved those little details. He showed so much consideration for her. Always.

Happy immediately demanded to be put down and rushed towards the large garden area, where she chased the birds and butterflies.

Samantha and her boyfriend Craig already waited on them on the porch overlooking the lake. She came running, throwing herself into  Dean’s arms as she gave him a big hug and kiss. “Dean!”

“Samantha, you look fantastic.”

He was right. His sister looked gorgeous and even better in person than in the magazine pictures. She was beautiful, no doubt. But there was something else, her cheerfulness and an authenticity Melissa hadn’t expected. Listening on as Samantha hastily filled her brother in on her latest activities, she added fun and outgoing to her list of attributes.

Melissa watched her closely and could feel a nagging emotion.
I’m jealous!
Not because this woman posed a romantic threat, but because she noticed how close Dean and Samantha were. They shared a bond that was intimate and easy and she was jealous that Samantha had something she’d never been able to find.
A place in a close knit and loving family!

Before she could dwell in her sad past, Samantha came up to her and wrapped her in a big hug. Just like that. She squeezed her close, with honest appreciation and then said, “Hi, I’m Samantha. I’m so thrilled to meet you.”

“Thanks. I’m Melissa and this is Happy.” She gestured over to the girl jumping about.

“She’s so cute. How old is she?”

“Almost three.”

“So you’re the woman who owns my brother’s heart.”

I do? How does she know that already? We’ve just met!
“I do? Why would you say that?” Much to her dislike, she was blushing again. That constant blushing had to stop!

Samantha gave Melissa a conspiratorial grin as she leaned close and answered, “No reason to blush. I like you by the way.” That simple acknowledgement meant the world to Melissa. She’d not only found a man who loved her with his whole heart, but also a sister who liked her and could become a good friend.

“I hear he’s taken you on an excursion to watch his insects. That’s a first. He’s never done that before. Ever. That’s his sacred space, something he doesn’t share. He hasn’t even offered to take me. Not that I mind, you know? But if he took you, that means, he’s head over heels in love.”

“It was wonderful. You should have seen the magical beauty. Ask him to take you sometime,” Melissa told her with a smile of her own.
And what happened after our trip was even more wonderful.

Sam looked as if she’d bitten into a lemon, “No thanks. I love my brother dearly, but I definitely don’t share his love for insects. Eww!”

Melissa laughed. It was so easy. She’d had no reason to worry.

Sam introduced her boyfriend Craig, whom Melissa immediately took as someone very egocentric.
What is such a beautiful girl like Samantha doing with someone like him? She needs to be with someone who loves her more than himself!
Those thoughts sprang to her mind, but she held them inside.

“I always like to visit Dean when he’s up here at the lake. It’s a nice change of pace to the hectic life I live in NYC and I can actually relax. Can you imagine he doesn’t even have a phone in his rental house?”

Melissa nodded. She’d already known that from talking with Denise. It had been one of his prerequisites for a rental property. Dean owned a cell phone, but never seemed to carry it around.
Come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve ever seen him answer it either!

Before she could answer, Happy stole the show, demanding to become the center of attention.

Samantha’s reaction to her daughter was almost identical to that of Dean! She fussed over the little girl, listening patiently as Happy talked to her about the various things she’d found in the garden. Her three-year old speak was oftentimes closer to jibberish than English, but Samantha wasn’t phased in the least.

Melissa enjoyed herself so much. The smile upon her face became broader by the minute until she heard the petulant tone coming from Samantha’s boyfriend.
I now know why Dean doesn’t like the man! He sounds like my three-year old when she hasn’t had her nap and isn’t getting her way!

Craig began to whine about the fact that he was bored and lunch had been a long time ago. The sun was too bright, the mosquitoes too many, the grass too prickly. Samantha ignore him at first, but after ten minutes of his whining, she brought Happy back to Melissa and gave her a rueful grin, “I guess someone wants their dinner.”

Melissa took Happy into her arms, pleased to see that she wasn’t completely covered in dirt from the garden! She turned to see Dean glaring at Craig, and not in a good way. Hopefully the evening would turn around once Craig had something to eat.
What a pain in the ass!

Dinner turned out to be at a restaurant instead of a home-cooked picnic. Craig had put up such a fuss when Dean had first asked him for help with the grill, that Dean had thrown his hands up and made reservations at one of the restaurants with outdoor patio style seating.

The small group had their own private patio area, and the service was excellent. After dinner, Dean drove Melissa and Happy back to Grandma Annie’s house. Craig had groused about having to tag along, so they’d stopped by Dean’s house and dropped Sam and her whiny boyfriend off.

One and a half hours later they arrived at the club. Samantha’s rental car parked already right at the entrance of the parking lot.

Before opening the door Dean pulled Melissa into his arms and gave her a passionate kiss. He’d waited the whole day to be alone with her. She’d been so beautiful in her red summer dress and whenever the swinging skirt showed a piece of her legs he’d wanted to touch them.

He slowly slid his hand under her skirt, making small circles with his thumb on the soft flesh of her thigh. She felt so good! He pushed further until his hand reached her core. A small moan escaped her mouth and set him on fire.
Oh my. How wet she is. For me!
She was so sexy, and she didn’t even know it!

“You know what I want to do more than anything else?” he whispered in her ear.

Her answer was another moan. A sweet and sexy sound and his shaft took on a live of its own.
I’m behaving like a hormone-driven teenager.

“I’m about to take you right now and here if you keep making these sexy sounds.”

Melissa glanced into his eyes and he could see his own desire reflected in them. She was hot. And his. “Hmmmm.”

His thumb slid beneath her panties and slightly brushed her clit. She squirmed in his arms and moaned. “Oh Dean. If you don’t behave, we have to leave immediately.”

“Nothing I would love more. But we should at least go inside and spend a little while with Samantha and Craig. I don’t get to see her that often anymore.”

“Let’s go dancing.” Her eyes sparkled with mischief. “I might get really tired pretty soon. So tired you have to take me back to your place immediately.”

The promise in her words and her eyes already did its best to torture him. A sweet torture. Dean gave her one last kiss, before he rounded the car to open the door for her. When helping her out, she leaned against him and whispered; “I have to be back home at 7 in the morning.”

Oh my god. She intends to spend the whole night with me. I’ll make love to her until she begs me for a pause.

He searched the crowded club for his sister and her boyfriend. When he spotted them across the dance floor, he nodded in their direction and told Melissa, “Let’s go over to them.”

She pressed herself against his body, causing him to embrace her and not groan out loud. The heat in his body rose to almost unbearable levels.
God, she feels good!
Dean had to forcibly keep his hands at her hips as she pressed herself tight against him. He wanted to touch her all over, but resisted – barely.
This is a public place. If you act on those thoughts you’re going to get arrested for indecent and lewd behavior!

A moment later Melissa pushed herself out of his arms and looked around. “I haven’t been to a club in ages. I mean, with Happy around, I don’t get a chance to go out very much.”

Dean smiled at her and took her hand, leading her around the crowded dance floor. He loved the expression of pleasure upon her face.
I’m glad she’s enjoying herself. That makes this all worth it!

He pulled her out onto the dance floor and found himself barely moving as he watched her every move. Her movements were so innocent, and yet mature. She moved in a capturing way. Took in the music, forgetting everything around her.

Off to the side, Dean watched as a petulant Craig and his sister started arguing. This was a constant in their relationship. What happened this time? When Sam came over a few moments later, it took all of Dean’s control to not demand she explain what she was doing with that guy. She should dump him. She deserved better.

“Dean. I’m sorry, but we have to leave. You know how sensitive Craig is.” 

“You’re sure he’s the right one for you?”

Samantha’s look turned very harsh. Glaring daggers at him, she replied tersely, “Don’t get involved in my live. I’m grown up and I don’t need my big brothers to take care of me.”

“Okay, okay. Don’t get upset. I’ll see you out.” Samantha and Craig were staying in Topeka near the airport. Their flight back to New York was scheduled mid-morning.

“Oh I almost forgot. I still have the books you asked me to bring in my car.”

“Let me tell Melissa where I’m going and I’ll meet you outside by my car.” He walked back to where Melissa was still line dancing to an upbeat number and placed his hand on her shoulder.

He hadn’t meant to startle her, but that was exactly what happened. She whirled around and stared at him furiously for a moment, “Oh sorry, I didn’t realize it was you.”

Dean pulled her close and whispered in her ear, “I’m sorry, but Craig and Samantha have to leave. Can you wait for me here for a few minutes while I see them out?”

“I can come with you, if you like,” Melissa offered, but he refused.

“Darling. Enjoy yourself and continue dancing, I’ll be right back. Craig is being his usual unreasonable and unlikable self. I don’t want him to ruin our evening.”

Melissa nodded, looking over as Craig and Samantha started to leave the club. Craig was leading the way, stomping through the tables and people while Samantha tried her best to keep up.
What an asshole! He can’t even wait for her!

Turning her attention back to Dean, she gave him a smile. “Hurry back!”

Dean looked at her and silently thanked God he had such a loving and considerate woman in his life. “I’ll be right back. Keep dancing.”

“I will. But only until you come back and take me to your place to finish what you started in the car.”

With these words she jumped back onto the dance floor. Dean watched her for a moment. Did she really just say that? How on earth would he survive until he finally could take her to his bed and make her shout his name in ecstasy? Again and again. Until she begged him to stop.

Then he trailed after his sister. Outside he exchanged a few words with Sam and Craig while retrieving the books from her car.

“So, I guess I’ll see you for Mom’s birthday next month?”

“Sure. I wouldn’t miss it.”

Dean pulled his sister in for a big hug, managing to shake Craig’s limp hand without planting his fist in the man’s face. He truly disliked him.

“Love you,” Samantha called to him as she climbed into her vehicle.

“Right back at you, sis. Drive careful.”