Page 48 of The Spare

I turn at the sound of my brother's voice.

Hendrix walks into the foyer, and immediately the other guys straighten up and all the fun sucks out of the room as usual when Hendrix comes around. I've learned by now that he just can't help it. He walks in a room and commands it.

"Hello, sir. I'm Leo, and this is Brian." Leo steps forward, holding out his hand. Hendrix takes it, shifting his eyes to me.

I stand to the side, leaning a shoulder against the wall and just watch. His eyes slide to Melody, who is blushing harder than I think I've ever seen her do before.

"Melody, you didn't say your friend was going to be bringing friends," Hendrix says smoothly, ignoring the men.

"I-I didn't know she was going to," Melody stammers, biting her lip. "Is that okay, Hendrix? They drove all this way."

My eyes narrow, getting ready to kick them out, long trip be damned, but Hendrix turns his blue eyes back on Melody and nods once. "Stay in the den or the dining room, please. No wandering the house. And sign this."

I narrow my eyes at him as Jefferies steps forward and gives them all an NDA to sign.

They all proceed to follow him out the foyer, but I hang back to see what my girl is going to do. Just as they reach the doorway to the den, her steps falter, and she looks back over her shoulder, meeting my eye. I stay right where I am and watch her carefully.

For one long drawn out moment, everything falls away, and it's just me and her.

My heart beats heavily in my chest watching as she half turns, the tassels in her dress swaying with her movements. The muscles in her legs stand out as she pivots easily back around to face me.

"Are you coming?" she asks.

I push off the wall and stalk towards her, stopping when I'm by her side. I turn my face to look down at her, seeing her eyes light up, like she's so innocent. But I know better, we both do.

"You keep your hands off Leo," I say, "Or I swear to God, Melody."

Her brow arches as a disbelieving look crosses her face. "Orwhat,Mason?"

A muscle twitches in my jaw as her eyes narrow at me. I lean forward, snatching her by her wrist and taking her in the opposite direction of the den. I ignore her soft protests as her heels click loudly on the marble floor as I work to lead her down the hallway and to the opposite side of the house where we won't be disturbed.

Opening the door to a random sitting room, I pull her through and close the door harshly behind us."You know what,"I growl, my eyes flash as I spin around to face her. My patience finally snapped."You know what the fuck you do to me."

There's a tense moment of silence where she breathes hard, staring at me. It's like a key sliding into a lock and her eyes narrow. "Mason, what are yout-talkingabout-"

"I want you, Melody,"I say harshly, my heart pounding against my ribcage.

An awkward silence ensues as my words echo throughout the room. Her eyes widen, and I take a step forward, effectively breaking her from her spell.

"If you want me, then do what it takes to have me, Mason," she snaps. Her usually soft voice is firmer, but I know her. It's also laced with hurt.

"I do want you," I stress, taking another step forward.

Her eyes well up with tears."No, you don't!"

I grab her by her elbow, pushing her the few feet to the door behind her. Her back hits it with a thump, and a gasp escapes her lips as Icrowd her space. I press myself into her body, catching a groan in my throat at the feel of her curves against me.

"Enough," I rasp, looking down into her eyes and feeling a muscle jump in my jaw as I clench my teeth hard. "I've been driven crazy for as long as I've wanted you-"

"No, you don't,"she hits back at me, narrowing her eyes. "If you wanted to you would have-"

"Melody, stop fighting this!" I exclaim harshly. "The rest doesn't matter anymore. I want you, and I know you want me; don't try to hide it." Her breathing becomes labored, and she stiffens against me as I tilt her head up with a finger under her chin.

"Mason..." Her breath hitches as the anger melts from her eyes, instead becoming hooded with desire, and I swipe my thumb over her trembling bottom lip. Finally so close to what I've coveted for so long. "Mason, wesh-shouldn't.They're all waiting for us-"

"No. I've waited long enough…," I say quietly. "So they can wait, too."

Melody's hands come up to my chest and fist my shirt in her slender fingers while I move my hand to her nape and grip her tightly. Desperately. Forcing her head to tilt up so I can stare in her eyes for a few drawn out seconds before lowering my head, and brushing my lips against hers. Finally.