Page 31 of Just What She Needed

Rhys's laugh came from deep in his chest. "I'd be disappointed if you weren't."

She drew in a sudden, sharp breath and slapped his hand away from her hair. "Cut it out, Rhys." Tough, no-nonsense Mel was back.

He leaned back a bit. "And do you think Rhett can do that?" Even though he strove for a normal tone of voice, it was hard to put the genie back in the bottle when he let it out. "Because when I'm on the road that's who I am for the biggest part of a year. And that doesn't even begin to encompass the way I live." He sank back in the seat and sighed. "I'm more attracted to your sister than I've been to anyone in...shit, I can't remember the last time. I don't know what might happen between us, but I sure as hell don't want to go through what happened with Hayley again. Can Rhett deal with who I am? All of me?"

"If you're attracted to her like you say, then why don't you try her and see?" Mel arched her brows at the look he tossed her way. "She ran yesterday because she wasn't expecting it. But she's dealt with more crap in her life than you can imagine, way more damaging than a cheating husband, believe me, and she's come out the other side. I think she might just surprise you."

The last vestiges of Poster Boy finally drained away, and Rhys relaxed. "I'll never know if I don't try, right?"

"Right."

He smiled at her fierce expression. "Thanks, Mel."

"Hey." She waved away his thanks. "If you ever need a nosy, interfering bitch you know who to call."

On impulse, he kissed the end of his index finger and placed it against her nose. Chuckling at her astonishment, he got out of the car. He was halfway to the elevator when he heard her voice again.

"Hey, Rhys?"

He turned back. "Yeah?"

There was no smile on her face now, just a deadly seriousness. "Don't hurt her. Or I'll be the one with the gun."

After a moment he nodded. "The last thing I want to do is hurt her." He lifted his coffee cup in salute. "But thanks for the warning."

13

Rock and roll: Music for the neck downwards.—Keith Richards

After eating one too many of the doughnuts Mel brought home, Rhett dawdled over her coffee while she pretended to read the comics section from the newspaper. In reality, she was trying to figure out the best way to approach Rhys again. A long night of heavy-duty thinking and introspection gave her answers to questions she didn't even know she had. Now it was time to straighten things out and begin to set them right.

From across the table came the rattle of paper as Mel skimmed the Business section of the Dallas Morning News. Ever since she returned from her usual Sunday morning run to the bakery there had been an air of smugness about her, and Rhett couldn't help but wonder just what she'd gotten up to while buying pastries. Knowing Mel, it probably had to do with a man, and Rhett figured Gary was on his way out, soon to be replaced by whoever captured Mel's attention.

Rhett folded the comics and set them aside. If anyone knew how to approach a man, it was her sister. Who better to ask for advice? She cleared her throat in preparation.

"So, I did what you said and thought about my situation with Rhys."

The Business section was flung aside as Mel leaned forward, eyes bright with anticipation. "And?"

Rhett huffed a short laugh of surprise. "Well, I appreciate your enthusiasm."

Mel's cheeks grew pink. "Sorry. But you're my baby sister, and I just want you to be happy, okay? So." She cupped her chin in her hands. "Was it the whole James/Collinsworth thing?"

"Not really. I'm not saying I didn't get a little freaked out when I realized I was actually sitting there with the guy I've drooled over since I was kid, but..."

"But that's not what made you want to stop?" Mel narrowed her eyes in what looked like skepticism.

"Are you kidding?" Rhett laughed again, and admitted the truth. "It just made me want to do it more."

"Well, that's understandable."

"What?"

"Nothing." Mel shook her head. "Just thinking about something else. So, did you listen to some Stones and figure it out?"

"Huh." An indelicate snort accompanied her statement. "Mick and Keith were of no help with this."

Mel's lips twitched with amusement. "Did you try Robert and Jimmy?"