A Match Made by Cupid (Harlequin Special Edition) by Tracy Madison Page B

work for you?”
    “That would be really helpful.” Covering her mouth, Melanie yawned. “Where are we meeting and when?”
    “Just give me a call whenever you’re set tomorrow, and we’ll take it from there.” He opened the door and shivered at the blast of cold wind that met him face-first.
    “Will do. And Jace? Thanks for hanging out tonight. It was nice.” Her voice, sleepy and warm, forced him to turn around. To look at her.
    “Welcome,” he said, his voice strangely tight. “Your mom whispered something to you right before she left. What was it?”
    Hesitating, Melanie sucked her lower lip into her mouth. One second was all he’d need to pull her to him for a kiss. As if she could read his thoughts, a slow, sensual smile emerged. The fire returned, both in her eyes and on her skin.
    “Normally,” she said in a slow, sultry tone that he’d never before heard from her, “I wouldn’t tell you this, but you’ve been a nice guy tonight. Nicer than I expected. So, if you promise never to bring this up again—”
    “I promise. Cross my heart. Hope to die. Whatever it takes.”
    “Okay, so here goes.” She did that lower-lip suckle again, and he ceased to take in air. “My mother seems to think I need a night of great sex. And she seems to think you’re the man to give it to me.”
    With that, she gave the door a solid push, it slammed shut, and Jace somehow managed to stumble to his car. For a parting shot, it was a damn good one. So good, he’d be awake all night thinking about the possibilities. His groin tightened as one possible image came to mind.
    Hell. He might never sleep again.

Chapter Four
    M elanie strode up the steps to her duplex and stabbed her key into the lock. Without intending to, she’d stayed the night at her mother’s. Worry had kept her there, and fatigue had put her to sleep somewhere around three-ish. She hadn’t awakened until Loretta finally decided to come home at six.
    Twisting the key, Melanie pushed the door open with far more force than necessary and nearly tripped over a red gift-wrapped present that had been left on her front porch. Over the past month, she’d received two gifts wrapped in the same paper and delivered in the same way. Most likely, this one wouldn’t have a card attached, either. Intrigued and annoyed, she swore under her breath, swept the package into her free arm and entered her living room.
    Soft, buttery-cream-painted walls surrounded her, giving her a shot of serenity she desperately needed. Home. Finally. She loved being here more than anywhere else. Tossing the present on her secondhand, slip-covered sofa, she went to the kitchen to start a pot of coffee, hoping the caffeine would dull the pounding headache her mother’s news had created.
    Engaged. Her mother had agreed to marry the man who’d dumped her less than a week ago. The entire situation was ludicrous and in all likelihood would end in heartbreak. Of course, Mom didn’t see it that way. No, she’d fluttered around in excitement, full of wedding plans as she showed off her diamond ring and waxed poetic about her romantic evening. When Melanie’s response hadn’t lived up to Loretta’s expectations, mother and daughter had one of their rare arguments.
    Maybe that was where the headache came from, Melanie admitted. She hated fighting with her mom. But come on…like she was supposed to believe the lame story Mr. Wade Burlington fed her mother? In his words, he’d only broken up with Loretta over fear at the depths of his feelings. Once they spent five miserable days apart, he realized how much he loved her. Hence the proposal.
    All hogwash, in Melanie’s opinion. Or, even if Wade spoke the truth, what was to stop him from becoming overwhelmed by fear again? Perhaps, Melanie thought with horror, at the wedding altar? Oh, God. This was absolutely going to end badly, but she couldn’t do a damn thing but wait for the inevitable.
    She paced the kitchen while the coffee brewed.