A Heart's Endeavor Page 7

  Embarrassed, Mel lowered her head.

  “Don’t hide your emotions from me, Melanie.” He cupped her chin and forced her to look at him. “Stop this nonsense at once. You’re a beautiful, sexy woman. There’s absolutely no reason for you to be embarrassed.”

  Mel expelled a loud harrumph. “I’m old.”

  Jack heaved a sigh and brushed away a strand of hair that had fallen across her forehead. “Now where in the world did that come from? You’re in the prime of your life.”

  She fingered the hair on his chest. “Men want younger girls, not older women like me.”

  Jack did a double take. “Who told you that line of crap?”

  Mel didn’t have a chance to reply. She was picked up by the waist and set on her feet. He kicked his jeans and boxers aside. Mel let out a loud squeak when she was flipped onto the couch.

  Jack stretched alongside her body. “Hell, woman, if you’re too old then I must be dead. Did your husband put these silly thoughts into your head? If so, then I’m sorry, but the man was an asshole. Not all men want the drama that comes with ‘younger girls’ as you put it. Most mature women don’t play mind games. They know exactly what they want and aren’t afraid to take it.” He waggled his brows. “You sure took me. No ifs, ands, or buts about it.”

  Mel eyed him with blatant disbelief. “Are you telling me that you don’t stare at small asses in tight jeans or perky breasts that don’t bounce?”

  Jack ran his hands along her rib cage and up and over her belly only to stop at the under swells of her breasts. He juggled the twin globes playfully. “I like bounce. You, my dear, have a delicious pair of tits. I can’t get enough of them. And it was your ass that first caught my attention.”

  Now Mel was really mortified. “What? Not my fat ass?”

  Jack narrowed his eyes before he slid down to nuzzle the valley between her breasts. “You were sweeping the pavement in front of the store the first time I saw you.”

  Mel rolled her eyes. “You don’t know how many times I wanted to jump on that broom and fly away. I didn’t expect Bob to hire me on the spot and stick me behind a register the same day I filled out my application.”

  “Evidently Bob knew a good thing when he saw it.” They rubbed noses. Mel giggled. “The second time was even better. You were on the floor. Your luscious ass was pointed directly toward me.”

  Mel groaned and scrunched down so she was eye level with his flat belly.

  He tickled her ribs. “I’ve been fascinated by you ever since.” Suddenly, she was lying across his knees. He smacked her ass. “I don’t want to hear you insult yourself again, is that understood?”

  Mel struggled to get away, but he was too strong.

  He smacked her ass again. “Is.” Smack. “That.” Smack. “Understood?” Smack, smack.

  “You’re actually spanking me?”

  “Damn straight.”

  He whacked her ass again then gave each cheek a gentle squeeze. Mel caught her breath. His long fingers stroked her tailbone, skipped lightly along the seam of her ass, and plunged into her pussy. He added another finger. She spread her legs to accommodate his thrusts. His palm smacked her pussy as she bucked and writhed across his knees. Her climax came quick.

  Jack leaned down and whispered into her ear. “I need to fuck you.” He laid her on the couch and dug into the front pocket of his jeans. “I’m clean. You have no worries on that score.”

  Mel nodded. “So am I.” She should be. She hadn’t had sex in over four years.

  His white teeth sparkled against his tanned face. “Then wrap those sexy legs around my waist, baby, and be prepared for the ride of your life.”

  He straddled her hips and guided his cock to her entrance. He pushed into her body slowly. Mel bit into her bottom lip.

  “Fuck, Mel, you’re tight.”

  She crossed her ankles and dug her heels into his back. “Fuck me, Jack. Please, fuck me.”

  Jack’s cock rammed inside her. He suckled her nipple as he fucked her pussy. It was too much. Too many sensations came at her all at once. She couldn’t hold back any longer.

  “That’s it, baby come with me now.” His hand slipped between their bodies, and he pinched her clit. The note of authority in his voice was Mel’s undoing. She screamed and arched her back.

  Within seconds of her forceful climax, she felt Jack stiffen and shudder.

  * * * *

  Jack hugged Mel to his chest and rested his chin on the top of her head. He inhaled her woman’s scent and the urge to make love to her again overwhelmed him. He could see himself spending the rest of his life with this beautiful woman. He wanted to be the man to protect and possess her body and soul.

  But something worried Mel. He could see it in her eyes whenever he spoke of marriage and children. Jack prided himself on being able to read people’s faces. Experience on the job enabled him to tell whether a person was lying or telling the truth. Eyes were the window to the soul, and Mel’s gorgeous blue orbs appeared haunted from time to time. He’d find out what was troubling her and make things right.

  Chapter 8

  Mel winced as the disgruntled customer paid for his gas and stormed out of the store. It wasn’t her fault that the price of fuel was so darn high. For some reason, people were in a combative mood today. Her attitude wasn’t all that terrific either. She wanted to stomp her foot and howl. Today was supposed to be her day off, but one of the girls had called in sick and another one quit unexpectedly. Bob had begged her to cover the three-to-eleven shift while he worked seven-to-three. Blast her soft heart, she couldn’t say no.

  She called Jack and they canceled their plans for the day. He sounded disappointed but promised to see her after work. He said he couldn’t wait to be with her again and went on about his coming retirement. Mel quelled her excitement. She still had to come clean about her illness.

  The day began hectic and remained that way all through the late afternoon. People pulled in left and right for ice and soda and snacks. Must be a full moon, Mel thought wryly as she wiped down the meat slicer. She didn’t know why she even bothered. It never failed—as soon as she finished cleaning the monstrosity, another customer rang the deli bell. That bell was going to end up in the garbage can one of these days. She expelled a breath. God, she was so grouchy she couldn’t stand herself.

  To top things off, Stacy was being a pain in the ass. All she had done was moan and groan about her boyfriend problems. Normally, Mel would have listened patiently, but today she felt like pulling out her own hair. Shit had hit the proverbial fan when Stacy argued with a customer over coffee. She insisted the pot was fresh and shouldn’t taste like crap. Somehow Mel had gotten suckered into a taste test. Her eyes nearly crossed. Yep, sure did taste like crap. She apologized profusely and brewed another pot. Mel suggested Stacy take her break. Maybe she could find an anti-bitch pill for the both of them in the humongous purse she lugged around.

  The old lady left with her free cup of coffee and for once the entire store was empty. Mel took a deep breath and smiled. Ah, peace and quiet. She’d better enjoy it, because she knew it wouldn’t last long. She stepped from behind the counter and poured herself a cup of coffee. Just as she was about to take a sip of the fresh brew the bell jingled.

  She glanced at the customer, and her smile faded. Great, it was the old man who insisted on Stacy doing his lottery numbers. Mel’s first thought was to buzz for the girl, but then she changed her mind. She could do this. She wanted to stop being her own worst critic and the opportunity had just presented itself. “I’m sorry, sir, but Stacy is busy at the moment, so I’ll have to do your numbers today.” She smiled brightly and prayed he wouldn’t argue.

  The old man merely nodded and spouted off his numbers. Mel did fine until it came to the Cash Five. She played the numbers for one day instead of a week. This particular game couldn’t be cancelled, so she threw the ticket in a Styrofoam cup that held all the day’s mistakes. If the man yelled at her she was going to sit down
on the floor and bawl her eyes out.

  “That’s okay. I’ll take the ticket. Play my numbers starting tomorrow.”

  Nervous, Mel bit her lip and managed to hit all the right buttons. The man introduced himself and surprised her by apologizing for his earlier rude behavior. “My wife had been diagnosed with breast cancer. She needed a double mastectomy, and I was scared to death that I was going to lose her.”

  Mel’s heart immediately turned over with sympathy. “I’m so sorry. Is she okay?”

  He beamed. “Yes, the doctors are certain they removed all of the cancer. She still needs to do some chemo sessions, but she should be as good as new. I just worry about her mental state.”

  Mel grew silent. How well she knew about mental states. But her problem was minute compared to cancer. Although depression wasn’t to be taken lightly, cancer was an altogether different scare.

  “My wife and I are alone. There are times I wish we had a daughter. You know, another woman my wife could talk to. I’m not good at talking about female stuff. I know she’s worried about no longer being a complete woman. I don’t know how to tell her that I still love her even though she lost her…” He made a helpless gesture with his hands and twin flags of red colored his cheeks. “You know.”

  Mel’s throat tightened with heartfelt emotion. The woman was indeed blessed to have married such a kind, caring man. Mel squeezed his hand as he handed her the money for a candy bar. “Just show her.”

  He promised to keep her up to date on his wife’s condition and left. She blinked back the tears in her eyes and saw Jack step inside.

  “What’s wrong, honey?”

  “Oh, Jack. That poor man’s wife has breast cancer. She’s okay now, but I don’t know if I’d be strong enough to go through such a horrible disease.”

  “You’re a lot stronger than you think you are.”

  How could he know that when she didn’t know it herself? “I saw his wife in here once. She’s so pleasant, and I had wondered how she could have married such a grouch, but I was so wrong. He’s a real nice man.”

  Speaking of men... Mel drank in the sight of the handsome one standing on the other side of the counter. His black t-shirt stretched across a pair of wide shoulders. Cut-off denim shorts showed off tan, muscular legs, and he wore a pair of men’s flip flops. It was the first time she’d seen him in anything other than dress shoes or sneakers, and good Lord did he have sexy feet. She longed to suck on every one of his toes. Geez, now I’m turned on by the man’s feet.

  “Are you finished for the day?” she asked him.

  “Yeah.” He ran a hand over his head. “I need a haircut.”

  Mel snorted. “You don’t have any hair to cut. Why do you keep it so short?” That question was irrelevant. The man could easily turn a woman into a blubbering idiot with short or long hair.

  “The military style is easy to keep.” He waggled his brows. “Besides, if I have to arrest any bad girls I don’t have to worry about them pulling my hair.”

  Mel’s comment was interrupted by Stacy walking up the aisle with a huge grin plastered across her face. What a transformation. Maybe the girl did have some anti-bitch pills in her purse.

  “Of course, it’s the older women I have to worry about,” Jack added ominously.

  Mel switched her thoughts back to the conversation at hand. She crossed her arms over her chest. Here we go. Those green eyes of his were sparkling. He was about to tell another one of his tall tales. Against her better judgment, she asked, “Why is that?”

  “I learned from experience that they’re not as frail as they look,” he replied. Both Mel and Stacy leaned over the counter, waiting for him to continue. “A few years ago I responded to a call of a disturbance at a residence. When we arrived we found an old lady clubbing her husband with a frying pan. He had eaten the cookies she was saving for the grandchildren. I stepped between the two of them and she hit me with the pan.”

  Mel laughed. “Were you hurt? Did you arrest her?”

  “No to both questions. She reminded me too much of my mom. I gave her a warning. She felt so bad she wanted us to wait until she baked more cookies to take back to the barracks.”

  “I thought all cops ate doughnuts?” Mel asked mischievously. Jack’s expression sharpened a bit. Oh, she was going to pay for that one. A customer entered the store and Stacy headed toward the deli. Mel waited until the girl was out of earshot. “I can think of a few times when I’d love to be able to yank on your hair and keep you right where I want you.”

  Jack grinned. “Sweetheart, your ankles locked around my head keeps me exactly where I want to be.”

  A surge of heat enveloped her entire body, and her face felt as if it was on fire. Blast. He always had her blushing like a teenager with his ribald comments.

  Jack threw back his head and laughed. “I do love it when you blush. Too bad you’re working. I’m going to my mom’s to cut her grass. I would have taken you along.”

  Mel stiffened. Meet his mother? Wow, things were moving way too fast. What if she had a weak moment and she let it slip about her depression? She wasn’t ready to admit she had an illness that required daily medication. Especially a mental one.

  Would Jack have the patience to put up with a woman who cried all the time? Well, that wasn’t exactly true. At least not anymore. Since she’d been taking her medication and keeping herself occupied the crying spells had just about disappeared. Once in a while she’d come close to crying, but there had been a reason. Before she was diagnosed with depression she’d burst into tears at the slightest thing, like dropping a spoon.

  Mel often thought about discontinuing her medication on her own, but remembered her doctor’s warning. Stopping all at once could very well backfire and cause a relapse. No way was she going back to the way she had been four years ago.

  “Hey, Mel, don’t forget we have ice to bag.” Stacy’s voice broke the uneasy silence.

  “Oops, I did forget.” She moved from behind the counter and touched Jack’s arm. Damn, the man was solid all over. “I really have to go.”

  * * * *

  Mel’s heart beat a furious tattoo all the way home. She couldn’t wait to see Jack. The last few hours at work seemed to drag on forever.

  She pulled into her driveway and saw him leaning against his Durango. His arms were folded over his chest and his legs were crossed at the ankles. He pushed away from the vehicle and was by her side as soon as she switched off the ignition. He opened her car door and held out his hand. Mel placed her hand in his and allowed him to pull her to her feet. He fit his body flush with hers.

  Mel basked in the warmth of solid muscle and sinew. He smelled so good and felt even better. She rubbed her lower body against the hard bulge pressing against her belly. A low growl reached her ears. She threw back her head and asked innocently, “Is there a problem, officer?”

  Jack narrowed his eyes. “You know damn well there’s a problem, young lady.” He pushed her gently in front of him and smacked her on the ass. “That’s for teasing me.” They reached the front door and he drew her to a stop. He cupped her jaw and kissed her mouth. “Hmm, you taste like vanilla.” He licked her throat and nibbled at her ear. “All over.”

  Mel grew hotter by the minute. That smack on her ass had not only warmed her backside, but had the pulse in her pussy doing a tango. She angled her head to one side so he had better access to her skin. “All over?” she asked breathlessly.

  Jack switched his attentions to her other ear. “Yep, all over, and as a matter of fact, I’d like to reacquaint myself with that taste.” He continued to ply her throat with kisses. “I’m hungry.” Those two little words sent a pierce of white hot heat to Mel’s womb. “Come on, let’s go inside. I can’t wait to get my hands on you and my mouth on your pussy. Then I want to fuck you.”

  Oh God. Mel fumbled with her keys. Her heart pounded with such force it was a wonder it didn’t pop out of her chest. The minute she unlocked the door Jack yanked her inside and
backed her against the wall. With one hand he captured both her wrists and pinned them high above her head. He slammed his mouth onto hers and slid his knee between her legs.

  A myriad of sensations assaulted her body, but Mel centered her attention on the solid length of muscle wedged against her pussy. She arched her back and pressed closer to his heat.

  “That’s it, baby.” Jack’s breath fanned her ear. “Rub that sexy body against mine.” He ground his thigh into her crotch. “Come on, show me how much you want me to make love to you.”

  Mel’s breath came out harsher and harsher at his coarse language. Higher and higher she climbed. “Oh God, Jack. I’m coming.” She let out a wail as a wash of fluid flooded her panties. Her knees buckled, and she would have fallen if not for Jack’s strong arm around her waist.

  He hurried her into the kitchen and pulled her shirt over her head. With nimble fingers he unhooked her bra and cupped her breasts. He suckled her nipples. Mel had barely enough strength to lift her arms and lock her fingers around his neck. She held on for dear life as he lavished her breasts with his tongue.

  “I have to taste you again, Mel. Please, let me taste you again.”

  Mel closed her eyes and nearly swooned as she pictured his head between her legs. She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him fully on the mouth. “Give me time to shower first.”

  Jack dropped his arms and Mel hurried into the bedroom. She went into the adjoining bathroom and pushed aside the shower curtain. After turning on the water she tore off her jeans and panties. Her fingers grazed her clit and she moaned. Her sex felt swollen and heavy. This was going to be one hell of a quick shower. She stepped under the pulsating spray and reached for the soap. A wave of dizziness came over her and she began to shake. Her body turned to ice despite the warm temperature of the water.

  Mel closed her eyes and tried to will the sense of dread and panic to go away. “Oh God,” she moaned, “please not now. Not now.”

  She clutched her head with her hands and squeezed. Her heartbeat thumped loudly in her ears. Her throat felt closed. She gasped for air. She couldn’t swallow. She was suffocating. It was as if she stood at the very edge of a cliff and she was going to fall straight to the bottom. Blindly, she stretched her arm, seeking something to grab onto. She lost her balance and landed hard against the wall. She slid along the wet tile to settle at the bottom of the tub in a heap of trembling arms and legs.