Safe Word Read Online Free

helicopter parents out of her mind and concentrated on getting ready for her night out with Zane.  Two coats of midnight black mascara gave her long, thick, full lashes, and a touch of lip gloss topped off the look nicely. 
    Back when she had been living in the city, Melody had enjoyed taking the occasional fashion risk.  She loved trends, whether it was bright red thigh high boots, animal print coats or faux leather leggings.  But she wasn’t in the city anymore, and she knew that those sorts of things would look out of place in her small, sleepy hometown.
    It pained her that whole section of her fun college wardrobe was now essentially off limits.
    But she didn’t want to stick out like a sore thumb, so she chose something more conservative to wear.  Fitted blue jeans and a black button up blouse with a deep v-neck accentuated Melody’s curves without making her look out of place.  She complemented the ensemble with a pair of silver hoop earrings and black stiletto knee high boots that made her legs look long and lean.
    Then she rushed downstairs, hurrying past her mother before she had to suffer through yet another barrage of questions.  It was time to go out and hopefully have a little fun.  God knew she needed that!  Simply being around someone her own age in a non-wedding setting sounded amazing.
    And it didn’t hurt that it was Zane who she was on her way to meet.
    Part of Melody wished he had asked her out on a date.  He was sexy as hell and had a strange sort of intensity about him that drew her in, making her hang on his every word.  She wanted to know him...and be known by him.  She wanted all sorts of things...
    “Oh my God, what’s wrong with you?” Melody asked her reflection in the car’s rear view mirror as she backed out of her parents’ driveway.  She’d had one conversation with the guy and now she was what, fantasizing about going to bed with him or something?  “Get a grip!” she ordered herself sternly. 
    Yet despite her best efforts, Melody couldn’t help but think of Zane the entire drive to the bar.  She found herself riddled with questions about him.  She wanted to know everything about him and she wanted to know what it felt like to be in his arms and underneath him and... 
    Oh God.
    As she walked into the laid back, nondescript bar where bored locals hung out after work, Melody tried to act cool.  She scanned the area in search of Zane, but when she spotted him slouched down in a booth near the back looking relaxed and gorgeous, all bets were off.  She immediately felt her heart begin to race as adrenaline surged through her. 
    When he noticed her and gave her a casual nod before taking a sip of beer, Melody lit up like a Christmas tree.  Beaming at him, she waved a bit too animatedly.  Immediately, she regretted it and pulled her arm down, holding it stiffly against her side. 
    She couldn’t help her reaction.  She was really, genuinely excited to see him.
    What was that all about?
    At the wedding reception, it had been easy to write her giddiness off as being under the influence.  But now she was stone cold sober and was still blushing like a schoolgirl simply from being in Zane’s presence.  She was flushed merely because he’d acknowledged her existence.  Melody wasn’t usually like that.  In fact, she couldn’t remember the last time she had reacted that way to a guy she barely even knew.
    Something about Zane set her alight with sexual energy.
    She hoped he felt it too.
     

Chapter 03
    “Have another drink,” Zane offered.  “I’m buying.”
    “I’m fine, really,” Melody insisted.  “Thanks though.”
    “Alright then,” he replied, signalling to a passing waitress that he wanted another pitcher of beer.  “But I will warn you right now, the shame of coming in last at trivia will be dulled considerably if you’re drunk off your ass.  I speak from personal experience here.”
    Melody chuckled.  “Well alright,” she told him as