Broken Melody (Rock With You #2) Rock Star Romance Page 3

  “That was expected, no? Nothing unusual about that. Ashton would want his day in court, not settle out of it. And that’s all bullshit about using Revival’s name or songs. Ashton was the one who set up those deals, set up the contract. He’d have known then it was a breach, if it was.”

  Logan snorted in disgust. “Talk about playing both sides against the middle. That man would sell his own grandmother for a dime, if he thought he could get away with it. Listen, for now, as long as we’re in Scotland, let’s not talk about Ashton. We’ll have a long time on the plane back to figure out what to do. Let’s just enjoy our last night here. Pretend the rest of the world doesn’t exist.”

  Melody looked across the table at Logan. The smile had come back into his eyes, at least until she’d brought up Ashton.

  “Okay. Yes, I agree. No more Ashton until we’re in the air and over the Atlantic, at least.”

  After dinner, Logan led her back through the dark streets to his hotel. She’d checked out of her run-down little inn, moving into Logan’s room. The resulting chaos of her belongings strewn about the room had then both tripping over luggage and shoes and clothing.

  “Sorry about the chaos, Logan. I’m taking over your room with my things.” Melody was kneeling on the floor, rummaging through her suitcase, looking for her toothbrush.

  “You are. But other than the occasional stray shoe underfoot, I’m not too fashed.”

  “Fashed?” Melody cocked an eyebrow, looking up at Logan. “Not sure I know that one.”

  “Troubled, worried…bothered. It’s temporary. And if I had known you were going to track me across the Atlantic, I’d have gotten a larger room. But as it is, this is fine. We’re only here one last night, you know.”

  Stepping around her open suitcase, he crossed the narrow room. “I promise from now on I’ll get rooms big enough for the two of us.”

  He pulled her up from the floor and held her, brushing a strand of hair from her forehead.

  “I meant what I said on the bridge. I’d like to bring you back here, on holiday, take you up into the Highlands.”

  “I’d like that.” She relaxed against him, the search for her toothbrush long forgotten.

  “There are places I’d like to show you, wild places, lochs and hills and caves.”

  “Caves?” Melody shuddered. “Not sure I’d like a cave. You mean, like spelunking?”

  “No, not explore the cave, although you can go inside. It’s not particularly large. Legend has it a man, James Fraser of Foyers, hid in the cave for seven years to evade the British after the Battle of Culloden.”

  Logan held her close. “It’s part of the history of the place and if nothing else, Scots love their history.

  His hands were roaming over her now, restlessly exploring her back, sliding down to cup her ass. He pressed himself against her and it was clearly evident where this was heading, brushed teeth or not.

  “We have a monster, too, ye ken.” A corner of his mouth quirked up in a devilish grin.

  “You do? Where?” Melody raised an eyebrow in return.

  “Well, they say it’s in Loch Ness…but…” He pulled her hard against him, his hips pushed against hers.

  “I think we’ve got one in the room with us. Would you like to see it, Melody? I’d be happy to show it to you.”

  She was laughing when his lips captured hers, her giggles lost in his kiss. After a moment she broke away, looking up at him.

  “I think you better let him out, then. By the feel of things he’s a persistent little monster.”

  Logan snorted. “Little? Woman, haven ye not been paying any attention? Little…I’ll show you little.”

  He had her on the bed then, his hands tugging at her jeans and his, over her laughter and squeals of delight. Her laughter changed to other sounds as he finally removed enough clothing, lying between her legs, sliding into her.

  When they were done, lying spent and gasping, Logan raised up on one elbow. His dark eyes were alight with such a range of emotions, chiefly love, followed closely by the teasing glint that had returned, all of them so welcome after the pain and sadness she’d seen there.

  “I’ll dare you to call it little again, Melody.”

  She struggled to sit up, leaning back. “And if I do?”

  “Aye, well, then I’ll have to prove you wrong.”

  He leaned over, kissing her hard. “And it’s something I’d gladly prove wrong, as many times a day as I can.”

  * * *

  The flight back was much more enjoyable for Melody than the trip from New York. She and Logan discussed the case, all the possible scenarios that could play out with Ashton.

  Logan finally brought up Ryan and asked what Melody was going to do when she was back in the office. She could hear the tension in his voice.

  “I can’t hide from him, but I can’t let him manipulate me anymore. But I’m certain that if I file a complaint against him, right now he’ll manipulate it to look like my fault. And I’ll lose everything I’ve worked for. And I don’t want to jeopardize your case either. I think, for now, until your case is settled, I’m just going to have to put up with him.”

  She sighed, leaning her head against Logan’s shoulder. The sun had set and it was dark as they flew over the Atlantic.

  “I’m sleepy and I don’t want to think about Ryan right now.”

  Logan laughed. “Fair enough. There’s time to think about him when we’re in New York. Just a question though, something to think about. If you had a witness to his harassment, would it make a difference? It wouldn’t be your word against his anymore, would it?”

  Melody looked up at Logan, a frown creasing her brow. “You mean like what you saw at my apartment? I’m not sure…he wasn’t at work then.” She closed her eyes, and he slid an arm around her, pulling her against him.

  She was almost asleep and his voice so low she wasn’t sure if she really heard him, or if she’d imagined it when he spoke.

  “That’s not quite what I meant.”

  * * *

  Victoria greeted her warmly if not a little cautiously as Melody walked toward her office. She stopped in her doorway, a little shocked at the chaos that was her desk. Victoria trailed behind her, another stack of files in her hands. Melody scowled at her desk before dropping her purse on the floor and sinking into her desk chair. She waved Victoria toward the chair opposite the desk. But Victoria hesitated in the doorway.

  “Mr. Marshall asked that I tell him when you’re here…”

  Melody held up one hand. “I am perfectly capable of letting Mr. Marshall know that I’m back. Have a seat and tell me what’s what here.”

  Victoria sat down, leafing through the stack of files in her hands. “Well, there’s not much, actually. Most of these have been handled by Mr. Marshall and Lori. The things on your desk are copies and confirmations. I haven’t had a chance to file everything yet.”

  “What about the MacKenzie-Ashton case?”

  Victoria shook her head. “Mr. Marshall has the file and from what Lori said, is now the lead attorney. So I’m out of the loop on that. She said he’d address the counterclaim himself.”

  Victoria looked up in alarm as Melody muttered a curse under her breath.

  “I’m sorry if I did anything…”

  “No, Victoria, you didn’t. It’s fine.” She passed a hand across her face, forcing herself to smile. “I’m suffering from a bit of jet lag.”

  “Did you have a nice trip? You left so suddenly. I hope it wasn’t an emergency.”

  “It was an emergency but it turned out for the best.”

  Melody rose. “I’m going up to Ryan’s…Mr. Marshall’s office. If you could…” she waved her hand across her desk. “I guess file everything and put them in some kind of order. I’ll be back to look at them later.”

  In the elevator Melody tried to control her anger at Ryan. There were grounds for taking over the case in her absence, but without Logan’s knowledge, he couldn’t just appoint himself
lead council.

  Lori looked up and Melody noticed the look of surprise on the woman’s face. Melody knocked at Ryan’s door and she heard Ryan’s muffled voice from inside.

  He was sitting at his work table, files and papers spread out around him. He looked up, a smile spreading across his face.

  “Melody. Glad to see you. Your trip was shorter than you anticipated, I see. But I assure you, you were missed every minute you were gone.”

  Ryan stood, coming toward Melody, taking her gently by the elbow. The touch of his hand on her arm made her cringe and she tried hard not to pull away. “Sit. We have things to discuss.” He held the chair for her and she reluctantly took a seat.

  “Ryan…”

  Ryan held up a hand. “Let me start. I’m not going to reprimand you for your leave. It’s in the past. We’ll just move forward from there.”

  “Alright.”

  “But I did need to step in on a few cases, most notably the MacKenzie-Ashton case.” He raised an eyebrow, regarding Melody from across the table.

  “I assume you’re still seeing your client?” He shook his head, looking at her disapprovingly.

  “I have yet to say anything to the other partners, since I have no actual proof, just a very substantial amount of circumstantial evidence, and a very strong hunch. And I always go with my hunches.”

  Melody glared at Ryan. “You’ve done enough damage. Things are…” Her voice trailed off and she dropped her eyes, twisting her hands in her lap. She really did not want to discuss her relationship with Ryan.

  Ryan was watching her closely. “Things are not so good in paradise? I can’t say I’d be unhappy knowing that, if that’s the case.”

  “It’s really none of your concern.” She raised her eyes, meeting his gaze.

  “What concerns you concerns me, especially if it affects your work here at the firm. And let’s talk about that. Ashton is filing a counterclaim, as you know. Breach of contract. We’ll need to have Mr. MacKenzie interviewed in light of these new questions. I’d like to have that happen this week…in the next couple days. Do you think that could be arranged? We’ll conduct that interview together.”

  Ryan waved a finger at Melody, a smirk on his face. “No leaving you two alone here.”

  Melody felt her anger rising again, but fought to maintain control. “Ryan, I’m still capable of doing my job. And you can’t appoint yourself lead attorney just because.”

  Rising from his chair, Ryan walked behind Melody. The snick of the door closing softly behind her made her jump, and then Ryan’s hands were on her shoulders, his fingers rubbing her shoulders, thumbs working into the nape of her neck.

  “I haven’t. If you heard that, you heard it from someone who doesn’t know what they’re talking about.”

  His fingers were sliding slowly down the front of her blouse. “Melody, when I tell that the health of your professional career is in my hands…” His fingers slid lower, brushing the tops of her breasts. “…I am not exaggerating. You are hanging by that proverbial thread and I am the only one who can pull you back.”

  The touch of his hands on Melody was almost too much, but she gritted her teeth, tense in the chair.

  “What do you want from me, Ryan?”

  “The same thing I’ve wanted all along. You. Your success. But mostly you.”

  His breath was stirring the hair near her ear. She closed her eyes, willing him to let go of her. But he leaned closer, his lips brushing her ear.

  “I’m still waiting for you to see the light, Melody. I’m hoping when this case is over, you’ve won, and the client has departed to be a rock star on the road, leaving you in the dust, you’ll come to your senses. Until then, I can only be supportive…” Ryan leaned over, kissing the side of her neck “…and persistent.”

  There was a soft knock at the door. With unhurried ease, Ryan removed his hands from her shoulders. Melody turned, watching as Ryan moved with unhurried calm to the door. Lori was there, holding a file.

  “Sorry to interrupt, but I need a signature.”

  “Fine. No trouble.” Ryan took the file, reading as he walked to his desk. Melody glanced at Lori and found the woman looking at her intently. She wondered for a moment if a button had come undone on her blouse, but she couldn’t very well check now.

  “Here you are. Are you filing this now?” Ryan handed the file back to Lori.

  “Yes. In the next hour or so. I’ll email you the confirmation.”

  As she left, Lori gave another pointed glance in Melody’s direction. What’s with her today? Am I on everyone’s black list?

  Ryan returned to the table, leaving the door open. Melody was wary but for the next half hour he discussed the MacKenzie-Ashton case, laying out a strategy for her to follow in interviewing Logan.

  “I think you should schedule that interview soon. Tomorrow, if possible. I suspect you know how to reach Mr. MacKenzie on such short notice?”

  Melody grimaced at the condescending tone in Ryan’s voice, but chose to ignore it.

  “Yes, I’ll have Victoria make the arrangements and let you know.” Melody rose, turning toward the door. She felt Ryan behind her and as she stepped out of his office she felt his hand briefly brushed against her hip in an all-too familiar gesture.

  “Remember: we’re on the same page here. We want success for you, and we do want to win this case. Remember that, Melody.”

  * * *

  Logan had checked into a small hotel not far from Melody’s office. She met him there after work, excited to see him again, but still irritated by Ryan and his latest advances.

  “I had room service send up something for dinner. I think it’s best if we stay out of sight for a time, rather than give Ashton any more ammunition for his case.”

  Melody dropped her purse and coat on the couch, walking into Logan’s open embrace. She nuzzled against his chest, breathing in the complex scent of his aftershave, clean soap and the underlying scent of Logan himself, rich and warm and utterly masculine.

  “I think you’re brilliant.” She smiled up at him, taking in the lines of his face, his eyes, and his sensuous mouth. Out of habit and now almost an obsession, she traced his lips with her fingers. He looked more rested than he had in days, but there was worry and tension in his eyes, in the way he held his mouth. The case and especially the breakup of the band, which he had yet to talk about, were weighing on him.

  He held her gently, his lips on hers, and for a moment all thoughts of the case and Ashton and Ryan left her mind. When he broke the kiss, she sighed.

  “I wish we could just stay here, in a cocoon, for a long, long time.”

  “Aye, I’d gladly agree. But, we’re stuck with what we have at the moment. A case and a jackass. Actually two jackasses.”

  “That reminds me. Did you get a call from the office, from my paralegal? Ryan wants to interview you as soon as possible.”

  “She did call. Left a message.” Logan pulled his cell phone out of his pocket, scrolling through the messages.

  “I wanted to ask you first about it, before I agreed. Make sure I wasn’t being set up again.” He gave her a wry grin. “I’m not fond of being set up by that man.”

  Melody watched as he searched for the message, scowling briefly at his phone.

  “Here it is.” He set the phone on the coffee table and they listened to Victoria’s voice. When the messages were done, Logan stuck the phone back in his pocket.

  “Call in the morning and take the meeting. It’ll be at one o’clock and in Ryan’s office. Lori will probably come get you from reception and bring you up to his office.”

  Logan sat back on the couch and Melody curled next to him. “I just want this to be over, for both of us. It drives me crazy thinking of you there, with him, every day.”

  Melody started to protest, but Logan held his finger to her lips. “I know…I know there’s nothing. But to know that this is happening, it’s just hard…very hard.”

  They ate by candlelight, t
he distant rumble of thunder and the brief flashes of lightening lending the whole meal a romantic flavor. After dinner, Logan carried one tall candlestick into the bedroom, setting it on the night stand.

  In the candlelight, and in silence, Logan slowly undressed Melody, taking his time with each piece of clothing. She could feel his eyes moving over her body as he uncovered her, looking at her with something like awe. The gentleness in his gaze, the love for her brought tears to her eyes. Logan looked puzzled, pulling her against him, his lips tracing the track of a tear that rolled down her cheek.

  “Did you know tears of happiness are chemically different than tears of anger?” He murmured the words against her neck. Melody suppressed a sudden, small giggle.

  “No, I didn’t. And why do you know this?”

  Logan straightened, looking into her eyes. “I read on the road. Picked it up somewhere. These…” He ran a finger over her cheek “…are tears of happiness.”

  Melody raised an eyebrow. “You can tell?”

  “Aye. They taste like happiness…they taste like you. And I have no reason to doubt that you’re happy. Am I right?”

  Melody smiled. “You’re right. Very right.”

  Logan picked her up, settling her on the bed. Images from their first night together came flooding back, the heady feeling of being with this strange man, not thinking at all about anything but the look of him standing naked beside the bed, the confident he exuded, the blatant sex appeal, all which pointed to the promise of a fantastic night of sex…and nothing more.

  But here she was, in love with him, and he loved her. That took her breath away and made everything that was happening to her at the office fade into the distance. With Logan here, in bed with her, his body pressed against hers, there was nothing else she needed or wanted.

  Their lovemaking was long and slow, the candle melting down into long fingers of wax, finally guttering out, and leaving them illuminated only by intermittent flashes of lightening.