Melody, page 12
“Not me,” I say, raising my hand, which drains the remaining energy I have left.
“Good enough. Anyone want anything else?” the server asks.
“Water,” I say.
“Gas or no gas?”
“Huh?”
“He means sparkling or still, Jess,” Rory says.
“Oh. Nonsparkling, please.”
A few moments later, our drinks arrive, mine without ice.
“Could I get some ice, please?”
Our waiter, whose name is Snod—seriously—furrows his British brow. “We don’t serve water with ice, but I’ll see what I can do.”
“Right,” Rory says. “I remember that from my reading.”
“Whatever. I just need the water.” I take a big gulp. It’s…cold. Just not icy cold. Yuck.
“This place is known for its fish and chips,” Brock says.
“Along with every other pub across London,” Brianna gibes. “Didn’t you read your guidebook, cuz?”
I can’t help but raise my head to look her way. Fuck. She looks gorgeous, her cheeks rosy, her eyes shining…and awake.
“Fish and chips sounds amazing.” Maddie smiles.
“I think I’ll have the chicken pasty,” Brianna says.
“That sounds good to me too,” Rory says. “How about you, Jess?”
“My God, I don’t care.” I scan the menu quickly. “I’ll try the meat pie.”
“No, Jesse,” Rory says. “We’re all going for meat pies later on Fleet Street. Have something else.”
“For the love of God, Rory. What does it matter whether I eat a meat pie tonight?” I close my menu and place it on top of my plate.
I will eat what I want.
Brianna is sitting next to Dragon, and I don’t like how he’s looking at her and her shining brown eyes.
I clench my jaw.
Brianna is not mine. Brianna will never be mine. But she won’t be Dragon’s either. Or Cage’s or Jake’s, for that matter.
Or any randy Englishman who comes across her.
Jesus Christ. I’ve got to get a grip.
The server comes around to take orders, and I order the meat pie while Rory scowls at me. I down all my water and then signal to our server that I need more.
I’ve got a headache from dehydration—or exhaustion or whatever. Who knows? All I know is a hammer is pounding nails in my head and I really want to find my pillow.
But no… I have to sit through dinner with a bunch of people who got to sleep on the plane, whose luggage didn’t get lost, and who don’t seem to care that Dragon is looking at Brianna as if she’s his next meal.
This day can’t end soon enough.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Brianna
After dinner, and once we’re back at the hotel, Maddie goes up to bed, but I stay down in the bar with Donny and Callie for a nightcap.
We find seats at a high bar table and sit down. A giant yawn splits Callie’s pretty face.
“Did you get to sleep on the plane?” I ask.
“Oh yeah, I did. I’m just a little tired, though.”
“If you want to, go on up to the room,” Donny says.
“You know, if you don’t mind, I think it will.” She kisses Donny’s lips. “Night, baby. Night, Bree.”
“Good night.” I turn to my brother. “You can go with her if you want.”
“No, that’s okay. I need to talk to you.”
“What about?”
Donny leans toward me. “Remember back in November when Brock and Rory came over here to see Ennis Ainsley? To get information about his girlfriend of ages ago, Patty Watson?”
“Right, the first Steel winemaker. A friend of our grandparents.”
“Yeah. Well, Brock emailed him to let him know we were coming back, and he invited us to tea tomorrow. Rory won’t be able to go because she’ll be working with the band, and Callie booked a spa day. But Brock and I are going to go, and we thought you might like to join us.”
“Yeah, sure. High tea served by an actual Englishman sounds awesome. Count me in.”
“It’ll be afternoon tea, not high tea like you get at the Brown Palace in Denver.”
I frown. “You mean I’m not going to get scones and clotted cream?”
“You might. I don’t know. But you love tea.”
“I do, and I’d love to meet him. I kind of remember him.”
“Yeah, he lived on the ranch after Uncle Ryan took over the winemaking, and then he moved back to England a couple of years later. So you may have some memories of him.”
“I remember he was nice-looking. I liked his accent.”
“Right.”
“So he wants to see us? How come?”
“Well, our family was a big part of his life for a long time. So we have to tell him…”
I swallow. “I suppose you’re right. You have to tell him what really happened to Patty Watson.”
He nods. “I know. Brock’s not looking forward to it.”
I bite my lip, thinking. “Maybe I shouldn’t go. Maybe it should just be you and Brock.”
“Don’t be silly. He’s going to want to see you.”
“We’ll be here for the next several days, and then we’ll be back after Scotland. I can see him then.”
“No, I’d like you to come along.” He wrinkles his forehead. “Or did you and Maddie already make plans for tomorrow?”
“Brock was going to take us sightseeing in the morning. Is it okay if Maddie comes along?”
“Callie isn’t going. Would she feel uncomfortable?”
“I don’t think so.”
“All right. I’m sure it’ll be fine.”
A server comes and asks what we’d like to drink.
“Just a Coke for me,” I say. “Make it Diet Coke.”
“I’ll have the same,” Donny says.
I give my brother a punch in the arm. “You’re not going to have another pint?”
He laughs. “I don’t like beer that much, and I’m not sure if they serve margaritas on this side of the pond.”
“They probably do, Don. Just order what you want.”
He shakes his head. “I’ve had enough alcohol for the night. I need to get a good night’s rest. We all do. Jesse may be jet lagging worse than the rest of us, but it’s going to hit all of us soon. That’s why Callie’s tired.”
“I’m not tired at all,” I say. “I’m just so excited to be here.”
“Yeah, this can be a fun time for all of us. Especially you and Maddie. You’re going to get to go on the whole tour, see so much of Europe.”
“You could do that too, you know. You and Callie both.”
“The city of Snow Creek needs its attorney,” he says. “I can’t be away for that long. Besides, I already promised Callie an amazing honeymoon wherever she wants to go once we get married.”
I stifle a yawn. “So…when are you guys going to get married? And what about Brock and Rory?”
“They’re talking about a double wedding, which Brock and I are fine with. They think it will be easier on their parents. Of course, Brock and I have told both Rory and Callie not to worry about expenses, but they’re worried about what their parents will think. And I get it. So if they’re willing to have a double wedding, Brock and I are in.”
“Actually, a double wedding could be really fun.” I pull my phone out of my purse and tap the calendar. “What about dates, Donny?”
“Rory has to get through the tour first. Then we’ll see what happens next. Rory and Jesse are hoping that the band gets more popular, and maybe they’ll be able to open for some other big names, or maybe even get asked to tour themselves. Once we know what’s going on after that, we’ll set a date.”
“Oh, sure. I see. You don’t want Rory to miss out on any band stuff.”
“Of course not. Rory’s a big part of the band now. Emerald Phoenix wouldn’t have asked Dragonlock to open for them if not for her.”
I smile. “It’s so great that she’s finally found her true calling. She has a beautiful operatic voice, but boy, she can rock too.”
“You don’t have to tell me. She’s awesome. It’s funny how Rory and Jesse got so much musical talent, but Callie and Maddie don’t seem to have any.”
“Callie’s got the brains, though.”
“True enough.”
“It all kind of bothers Maddie,” I say quietly. “Jesse and Rory are so talented, and Callie’s so smart. Maddie feels really…ordinary.”
Donny frowns. “Really? She’s beautiful, and I’ve never really talked to her, but I assume she’s as smart as the rest of the family.”
“She is. She’s gotten straight As all through college. But she’s in the shadow of three amazing older siblings.”
Donny laughs. “That’s silly. I suppose you never had that feeling, huh?”
“What feeling?”
He chuckles. “Being in the shadow of three amazing older siblings?”
I give him a good-natured swat. “You guys are all amazing. You know what I think of you. But we’re all so different. I don’t know how we could ever be in competition with each other. You’ve got reclusive Dale, with his gift for winemaking. Then you, such a big personality who followed Mom into law. Quiet and brainy Diana, who completely does her own thing with architecture. And then you have me. The only one who’s really interested in what Dad does.”
“You are the cowgirl of the bunch,” Donny agrees.
“And damned proud of it.” I smile for a moment but then sigh.
“What’s wrong?”
“Dad wasn’t happy when I decided to go on this tour. He was excited that I was going to be able to start working with him right away since I graduated early.”
“You’ll be able to do that when the tour is over.”
“Yeah, that’s what I told him. Both he and Mom agreed that this would be a wonderful time for me to see Europe, especially since you were going to be here for part of it and Brock for the rest of it. But you know Mom and Dad. I’m their baby, so they think I need to be looked after all the time.”
“I suppose we all kind of feel that way about you, Bree.”
“You don’t have to. I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself.”
“Callie and Rory are thrilled that you’re doing this for Maddie. This is huge for her. The fact that you’re letting her stay in your room, and that Brock paid for her flight. They worry about her a bit.”
“Why?”
“Because she feels left out so much.”
“Angie, Sage, Gina, and I don’t mean to leave her out. It’s just that we’re all family. We’ve known each other, well, since we were born.”
“I know, but like you said, she feels like she’s overshadowed by her siblings too. She seems a little depressed lately.”
“She won’t be depressed for long.” I glance around the hotel bar. The UK flag is displayed proudly on one wall. “We’re in England, Donny. Can you believe it?”
“I know. It’s going to be great.”
Our Diet Cokes arrive…without ice.
“I guess we have to get used to no ice,” Donny says.
I pour some soda from the can into the glass it was served with. “I guess so. But isn’t it cool? To see how other people live?”
“It’s very cool.”
I take a drink of my Diet Coke, let the fizz slide down my throat. It’s good and refreshing. I just feel…
I feel like I’m about to embark on an amazing adventure.
If it doesn’t include Jesse Pike? Oh, well. I’ll get over it.
But I still haven’t ruled it out.
“Jesse was in a bad mood this evening, wasn’t he?” I say to Donny.
“Yeah. You know how tall he is, and he was stuck back in economy in one of those uncomfortable seats. Then they lost his luggage. I’d probably be in a foul mood if it were me.”
“You think he’s okay?” I ask.
“Callie says he’ll be fine. It’s just how he is. Jesse’s an artist. He can be moody. Though not as moody as that Dragon guy.” Donny’s handsome face goes rigid as he leans toward me. “What were you two talking about at dinner?”
“Nothing much. Small talk mostly.”
“I didn’t know Dragon Locke could make small talk.”
“He’s actually a good guy. Sage and Gina think he’s the hottest of all the band members.”
Donny rolls his eyes. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
“Come on, Donny. You’ve seen them hang all over him at the bar at home.”
“I try not to think of you, Sage, and Gina doing anything of the sort. To me you’re still little girls holding on to your teddy bears.”
I give him another swat. “Sorry, big brother. Those years are long gone.”
Donny takes a drink. “Well, I’m just glad that once I leave, Brock will be here for the duration of the trip. Somebody needs to keep an eye on you and Maddie.”
I hold back a scoff. “Are we back to that again?”
And then I drop my jaw.
Jesse Pike just walked into the bar.
“What is it?” Donny asks.
Then he follows my gaze. “Jesse!” He gestures him over.
“Hi,” Jesse says.
“Thought you were heading to bed,” Donny says.
“Yeah. I was looking forward to it, but then I hit the pillow and was wide awake. Thought I’d get a nightcap.”
“That’s what we’re doing. You can join us if you’d like,” I say brightly.
I’m still a little embarrassed about the whole belt buckle thing, and Jesse and I haven’t really talked since then. But my God, even exhausted, with bags under his eyes, Jesse Pike is the most amazing man I’ve ever looked at. No one wears washed-out jeans quite like he does.
Jesse takes a seat. “Where’s Callie?”
“She went up to bed.” Donny yawns. “I think I’ll join her. Come on, Brianna.”
I hold up my can. “Not quite done yet.”
“All right. I’ll text you with the details for tomorrow.” Donny throws a twenty-pound note on the table, rises, and walks away, leaving me alone with Jesse.
“What details about tomorrow?” he asks.
“We’re going to go see this old guy, Ennis Ainsley. He was the first winemaker for our vineyards. He still lived there when we were little kids, but I don’t really remember much about him.”
“Oh, right. Rory told me about him. She and Brock came over to see him a couple of months ago.”
“Yeah.” I take a tiny sip of my Diet Coke. I have to make it last. “I’m sorry you can’t sleep.”
“I’ll be fine.” He signals to a server. “I need a shot of scotch please.”
The server nods.
“I’m also really sorry about your luggage.”
Jesse shrugs, not meeting my gaze. “It happens.”
“Yeah. And I’m sorry you couldn’t get that upgrade to first class.”
“My own fault. I waited too long.”
I’m not sure what to say to that, so I take another very tiny sip of my drink.
The server comes with Jesse’s scotch, nods to my can. “You want another?”
“Yeah, thank you.”
“You sure you want to drink all that caffeine?” Jesse says. “We need to sleep if we’re going to get on London time.”
“The caffeine in Diet Coke never bothers me,” I say. “When you’ve been raised on strong coffee like I have, this is nothing.”
He doesn’t say anything. Simply nods.
Then he downs a scotch in one gulp.
“Good night.” He rises, pulls some bills out of his wallet.
“I can get that,” I say. “If it’s more than Donny’s money, I’ll just charge it to the room.”
“I pay my own way.” He leaves the bills, turns to walk away, but then he looks over his shoulder.
My heart races.
“You want to get out of here?”
“And go where?”
“I don’t know. But there’s one thing that I know will help me sleep tonight.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Jesse
I tried.
I fucking tried.
How am I not supposed to look at her?
Brianna Steel is fucking beautiful.
She looks better now than she did at dinner tonight, but at dinner, I was trying not to fall asleep.
Then of course when I finally get back to my room, threw myself onto the bed—sleep didn’t come.
And now?
Brianna—her long dark hair like a curtain around her shoulders and over her breasts, her long-sleeved Dragonlock T-shirt that hugs her figure, and her tight boot-cut jeans and cowboy boots.
Her whole look screams American cowgirl.
All I can think about is what she might look like naked. Naked and underneath my body.
This is not a good thing.
I know how she feels about me. Why else would she have bought me that belt buckle?
It’s a crush, and I shouldn’t lead her on.
But I’m running on no sleep, and my dick is hard in her presence.
Where would we go?
Dragon’s in my room, and Maddie’s in hers.
“Where?” she asks.
“What?”
“You asked if I want to get out of here.”
Yeah, I did. “Come with me.”
She stands, and I rake my gaze over her entire body.
My God, her nipples are hard. They’re protruding right between the D and the O in Dragon.
Fuck. Me.
“Do you remember our kiss, Brianna?”
She swallows. “Yes.”
“It was amazing.”
“It was,” she agrees, her lips trembling.
I close in on her, caress her cheek. God, it’s like silk. “I want you. I need you, right now. Just tonight. I can’t make any promises other than tonight.”
She swallows again, and this time I hear her soft gulp. “What are you saying, Jesse?”
“Do I have to spell it out for you? If that’s the case, I’m going to need to rethink this.”
“Of course you don’t have to spell it out for me. I’m a grown woman.” She crosses her arms, covering up those luscious nipples. “If you’re asking to take me to bed, just where and how do you think we’re going to do that?”
