Living Lies by Kate Mathis Page A

the asphalt. He let out a deep breath. They walked, slowly, to the Jeep where he leaned on the passenger door, his hands stuffed deep into his pockets.
    “What just happened?”
    Danny gave her a quick glance then studied something across the parking lot. Melanie glanced behind her to see what he was looking at – the line waiting to get into Jungle Jim’s. She turned back to him.
    “Danny?”
    A wary smile lifted the corners of his mouth.
    “Is there any chance of avoiding this conversation?”
    “Not likely.”
    He tugged at his ear lobe. “I might have had a couple of fantasies about you.”
    Melanie blushed, his words and his eyes that had a way of undressing her. X-ray vision drilling beneath her 50 percent rayon blouse, Melanie chewed on her bottom lip.
    Danny pulled his eyes up to meet hers, shrugging with a cagey grin.
    “I was packing for Denver when Carolyn dropped by my place. We were messing around and at the very wrong moment I said ‘Melanie.’” Melanie knew this was awkward for him despite his cool demeanor.
    “Carolyn was justifiably pissed and I was embarrassed. It just slipped … I never meant to hurt her. Tony’s my roommate, and he heard everything. I’m sorry, Mel.”
    She stretched on tiptoes to put her lips on his. His warm breath filled her mouth followed eagerly by his tongue.
    Danny drove to her apartment in record time and was undressing her before she got the door open, shedding a trail of clothing.
    “Danny,” she tried to speak but all she kept saying was his name. His mouth on her neck, distracting, along her collarbone, distracting … she couldn’t form her thoughts.
    “Danny, I need to tell you something.”
    They were on her small bed, he was undressed to his unbuttoned jeans, when she tried again.
    “Hmm?” He continued kissing her, his warm, strong body pressing her into the mattress.
    “I’ve never done this before,” she whispered.
    It took almost a full minute before he stopped. He lifted himself up enough to look into her eyes.
    “ We’ve never done this or you’ve never?”
    “Both.”
    He stared, processing her confession, the lust clearing from his eyes.
    “Jesus, Mel!”
    The words burned like she’d been slapped in the face. She bit the inside of her lip to keep from crying.
    “You’re a virgin and you thought this would be the best time to tell me?”
    Melanie knew it was a comment made out of frustration, but it stung. She crawled out from under him and quickly covered up with his T-shirt, which he had tossed over the footboard.
    “I’m sorry, I didn’t know how to tell you. I tried.”
    Danny sat back against the wall.
    “God, Mel. Just give me a second,” he said, clearly irritated.
    He blew out a long breath and closed his eyes.
    Melanie stood next to her bed, waiting nervously for Danny’s response. She had no idea where the rest of her clothes had been thrown but she knew this night was over and moved to get dressed. The rejection flooded through her and it was all she could do to keep her chin from trembling.
    “Mel?” His voice gentle now.
    “I’m sorry I didn’t say something sooner.”
    “No, no.” He rose from the bed to wrap his arms around her. “You surprised me, that’s all.” He kissed the top of her head. “It’s me, I’m sorry.” He pressed her harder into his chest. “So, you’re a virgin?”
    He said it like he’d never met one and Melanie pulled away to look into his moonlit face. He bent and kissed her tenderly.
    “How about we hold off on this and I’ll plan something special, romantic. We’ll get a room and champagne.” His smile was back, reaching his eyes. She felt the laugh in his chest but kindly he brushed the hair from her eyes.
    Instantly, he was forgiven and she knew she was making the right decision. “I don’t want to hold off. I haven’t been waiting for the right place, I’ve been waiting for you.”
    Cupping her face in his hands he put his lips to hers, kissing her slowly, less