Shaking her head back and forth, Melissa couldn’t understand. Hadn’t she been trying to figure out this whole ménage thing since Evelyn got together with Stephen and Brandon? “Please tell me how you’re both okay with this? It doesn’t make sense to me. You both want to be with me but are willing to overlook the fact that you’ll never be able to have me for yourself. You’ll have to share me with each other. How are you okay with that?”
Connor pulled her back in his lap, nuzzling his face in her neck. She tried to ignore how unbelievably natural the gesture felt. This man was a complete stranger, yet she could swear some part of her knew him. They kept talking about bonds and ties. She wasn’t sure exactly what they were, but the link was obviously there. It tugged at her heart, sending tingling all throughout her body.
“Some things are more important than greed. I’d rather have half of you than nothing at all. Melissa, it might sound impossible to understand, but the bond is designed to make the people involved fall indefinitely in love with each other. This love will never die, never waver. It’ll last until one of us is no longer here.”
Melissa sighed, staring deeply into his eyes. “That sounds so romantic. And too good to be true.” She wiggled from his arms and stood. “Listen, there’s somewhere I need to go. Are you both going to be following me, or can I go on my own?”
“You’re free to do as you wish.”
She looked at Channing and nodded despite the fact that she didn’t feel like she comforted him enough after her outburst with the phone. This wasn’t right. Melissa didn’t even change. Grabbing her truck keys, she ran outside and jumped in the cab, slamming the truck into drive. She needed to see Devon and apologize. She wasn’t sure what this feeling was, but she knew it was connected to what they were. Fuck. She’d been such a bitch to him.
Devon’s new house was located not two miles from her. Before the song playing could finish, she pulled into the long paved drive. Jumping out, Melissa ran as fast as she could. Her long, loose curls fanned around her as she slid to a stop. Gavin opened the door holding a bowl of cereal and looking around alarmed.
“Mel, what’s wrong?”
No words would come to describe the endless list. Instead, she lifted her hair and showed him the puncture wounds on her neck.
“Oh shit. Were you attacked?”
He led her through the entryway into a large living room. Sarah and Devon walked out of a hallway laughing and stopped when they saw her. Melissa burst into tears, running to her friend. “I’m so sorry, Sarah. I was so mean to your mates. But I didn’t know. God, please forgive me. I’m sorry.”
Sobs wracked her chest as she could feel her legs growing weak. Sarah held her tightly while leading her to the couch. “Mel, you said mates.”
Melissa pulled back her hair. “I’m to be mated with Connor and Channing. I didn’t know. I don’t think I want this.” The tears were coming so steadily, she couldn’t breathe.
“Channing! Oh that’s excellent news, honey. I know not very many people trust him, but he saved my life from Tom. I couldn’t adore him more. But who’s Connor?” Sarah’s words trailed off as if trying to remember.
Devon sat down on the opposite couch, and she looked back and forth between him and Sarah. “Devon, do you know Connor? Stephen says he has a bad reputation or something. Is that true?”
Devon’s mouth opened, closed, and then he turned and threw a quick glance to Sarah. “I know Connor. He’s…Truthfully, Mel, we don’t know much about him. He’s very quiet but very deadly. The story is that when he was growing up, something horrible happened to his family. He was meant to be Alpha, but he ran. He didn’t want it. Eventually they found him, and well, they couldn’t make him do anything. He took multiple beatings for years until finally they released him.
“But I do know one thing for a fact, and that’s how protective he is over women in general. He’s very passionate about the way the men in the pack treat them, even if they’re not mated. He’ll take good care of you. I have no doubt. But Channing? How in the world did you meet him, more less bond with him, too?”
Just the thought of what happened between them sent heat searing her body. God, she wanted to feel him again. She wanted to look into those light blue eyes and feel that strange pull as he claimed her.
Melissa shifted on the couch and took a deep breath. “Well, Julie lost her court case yesterday, and she wanted to have drinks, so I went with her. We were there a few hours, and as we were leaving, I ran into him. Literally. The moment I looked into his eyes, there was something. I felt a little scared at first because they reminded me of Tom, but after he kept trying to be nice, I could feel myself getting sucked in his direction. It was like I was meant to lean into him.
“Needless to say, he showed up at the Martini Bar last night and even though I was bet to take him home, I’d already basically decided on it myself. Well, one thing led to another, he bit me, and I got scared and ran. Connor showed up on the beach, and that’s where the shit hit the fan, and we all discovered the bond that links us together.”
Everyone remained quiet as they took in her words. She stared around the large living area, noticing plastic things covering the walls’ sockets. They were baby proofing already. Amazing. Adorable. Damn, she wanted to cry again.
“God help me. I think karma just bitch-slapped me.” Melissa burst into tears, again and laid her head on Sarah’s lap. She didn’t want to ever move from this spot. Control. Damn, she needed some about right now.
* * * *
Channing paced Melissa’s living room, ready to yank his hair out. He wasn’t used to this. The pull he felt for her almost made it impossible for him to stay within the walls of her house. He wanted to go to her, make sure she was okay. Her emotions poured though him, and he knew she was distressed. Even Connor seemed to pick up on her heartache.
“What do you think is happening?”
Connor looked up from the couch and shrugged. “I don’t know. The bond is still too weak for me to know what she feels. All I know is I feel like my heart is breaking. If I didn’t know about the effects of what we all have, I’d take it for my own emotions, but I know it’s not me.”
“Yeah, I feel the same thing. We have to make this easier on her. She’s new to all of this. There has to be a way we can cheer her up.”
“I’m lost. I’m not used to being around other people unless I’m eliminating them.”
“I’m not used to it, either.” Channing sighed. He sat down on the couch and rested his head in his hands. Everyone steered clear of him. His position to his servants caused him to make them fear him. For so long now, that’s all he knew. Now he’d have to find a way to soften up and woo a woman. He still couldn’t believe it.
“Where do you think she went?”
Looking up, Channing searched through his thoughts. “I’m not sure. She has a lot of friends.”
“I wish we could go and comfort her. I hate knowing she feels this way. Yes, I understand she’s having a hard time coming to terms with the way things are, but we can’t just sit and do nothing. We have to convince her.”
“Give her time. If we smother her, it’ll make things worse. Trust me. Did you not see the way she reacted earlier? She’s used to having things her way. We can’t take that away from her. She needs to feel in control of her life. We just somehow have to fit ourselves into it.”
Connor nodded and stood. “I’m starving. Popcorn is not breakfast. How territorial do you think Melissa is over her kitchen? I’m not about to cook if she’s going to get upset.”
Channing looked up and laughed. “I have no idea.”
Connor laughed back and grabbed his phone. “Take-out, it is. I’m not chancing pissing her off. Hey, you know what? I have an even better idea for after breakfast. Get ready Channing. With this plan, I think we can make way with Melissa.”
The vampire looked into Connor’s face and smiled. He had a few ideas of his own to try to get the feisty redhead to submit to her f
ate. With the combination of both, they might be able to master Melissa’s fears after all.
Chapter 8
Melissa walked into her house physically and mentally exhausted. Not even looking toward the men on the couch, she walked into her room and shut the door. Curling into a ball under the covers, she closed her eyes with every intention of finally going to sleep. Channing appeared out of nowhere, right next to her. She screamed and tumbled backwards off the bed.
“Holy shit! You did not just do that.”
His eyes were round as he looked at her. “I’m sorry. God, I must be stupid. I didn’t think. I’m so used to just appearing wherever I want to go. Forgive me.”
Cautiously, she eased back to the bed just as Connor opened her door. “Smooth, Casanova. If you would have waited, we could have come in here together.”
Eyeing the men, she looked back and forth. “Did you both need something? I’m really tired and haven’t got any rest yet.”
“Then we’ll put you to sleep.” Connor crawled in on the other side of her, wrapping his arm around her waist and pulling her back against him. As much as she wanted to kick both of them out, she couldn’t ignore how relaxed and calm she suddenly felt. She was too tired to fight.
“Just close your eyes, Melissa. We’ll take care of you.”
Assurance settled over her at Channing’s words. Warmth came from both sides of her body as they pressed against her. A whole new heat rushed to her core as she felt herself become aroused at their closeness. Sleep drifted from her mind while the thought of them touching her drove her to stay awake. Keeping her eyes closed, she tried to breathe her way through the spell, but all she could take in was the mixture of their manly smells.
Connor’s chest rose and fell deeply against her back. Breath tickled her neck, and she tried not to shiver against the sensitive sensations erupting over her body.
“Melissa.” The word was husky as air brushed over her exposed flesh. This time, she did shiver.
“Yes, Connor?”
His hand spanned across her stomach, lingering briefly until he gripped the gown tightly. “Your scent. It’s unbelievable.”
Channing’s hands caressed her cheek, and she opened her eyes to stare into his depths. Light blue sucked her in, promising things she only could dream of. Melissa recognized it wasn’t him telling her mind what to hear, it was herself. Deep down, she knew they all could have the kind of happiness her friends had found, but she wasn’t ready to admit that’s what she wanted. There were too many ifs. And she didn’t like anything associated with doubt.
Hardness pushed against her lower back, and she couldn’t help but moan and lean more into Connor’s cock. Everything about what was happening felt so right. Channing’s hand trailed down her neck, and she fought to control the heavenly vibrations.
“Just say yes. I promise you won’t regret it.”
She turned on her back and looked toward Connor. For the second time in her life, time slowed. Captivated and immobile, it wasn’t until Channing’s finger lingered at the hem of her nightgown that she heard her answer.
“Yes. God, yes.”
Connor’s mouth eased to hers hesitantly. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she pulled him deeper into her body. Sweetness exploded over her tongue as she was swept away completely by his taste. Coolness settled over her body as her nightgown was pulled down her body. The sounds of tearing erupted all around her as Connor didn’t even break his mouth away to remove his clothing.
Warmth encased one of her aching nipples and lights exploded behind her eyes. Crying out into Connor’s mouth she clutched to him tighter. His body shifted, and the feel of his large hand eased down her ribs and over her hip. Fire engulfed her. The need to feel his touch overpowered every other thought she could think of.
* * * *
The taste of Melissa’s mouth went beyond anything he knew. Connor broke his lips from hers, breathing raggedly as he looked down into her dark green eyes. “I never thought it could be like this.” The more he took in her face, the more he felt the pull. “God, you’re so beautiful.”
Placing kisses down her neck, he took her other breast into his mouth. His face was so close to Channing’s, but he didn’t care. The need to take in more drove him to try to sample every inch of skin covering her body.
Gently biting the hard nub between his teeth, her fingers weaved into his hair. He sucked her more into his mouth, moving his hand to settle on her inner thighs. Wetness greeting him, and he couldn’t wait any longer. A growl came from his throat as he lifted and moved to lie between her thighs. In awe, he stared at what lay before him. She glistened, so wet and ready.
Lowering his mouth, he traced his tongue over her swollen folds. Her flavor hit him hard, leaving his chest aching with wanting to never be parted from her again. He’d been hollow for so long that he never thought he’d get to experience what so many people had died for, his father included.
Easing his tongue into her pussy, he felt his eyes roll back in pure ecstasy. She was made for him to savor. She was perfect.
The rotation of her hips brought his eyes up. Channing was now at her mouth, drinking in her moans. At the sight of her hips arched beautifully to receive him, her nipples hard with her pleasure, he circled her opening with his fingertip. More, she arched for him. These little things he suddenly loved more than anything he could remember.
Sucking the area around her clit, he eased his finger inside Wetness encircled him, gripping his digit. Slowly he thrust, rubbing her insides as he explored her depths. God, she moaned beautifully. There had to be a way for her to accept she was meant for them. Sure, times were going to be hard at first, but wouldn’t their loving her be enough to overcome the them? As she reached for him, he prayed it would be.
* * * *
Channing lifted his lips from Melissa’s, lightheaded with passion. Her hand came to his neck pulling him back down. He needed to touch her body more, taste her everywhere possible. While his mind went crazy with wanting to consume who she was, he battled the throbbing of his cock.
Connor lifted, easing up next to them, resting his head against the headboard as he lifted her body on top of his. Melissa’s back rested against Connor’s chest. Channing watched amazed as Melissa gripped her other mate’s thick cock and slid it into her pussy. The look on her face went beyond one filled with pleasure. She was in pure bliss.
“Channing, lay on top of her while she rests against me. I want you to have access to her neck. It’s time. It has to be now. God, this has never felt so right.”
He nodded, sliding on top of Melissa while Connor thrust his cock into her. With her sandwiched between both of them, he never thought anything felt more perfect. Her generous breasts moved against their gentle swaying. Melissa’s hand grasped around his thickness, and Channing moaned, kissing her deeply.
The softness of her stomach came in contact with his length as she began to stroke him faster. It was taking everything he had to keep his arms holding up his weight, above her. For some unexplainable reason, his body jolted. Opening his eyes, he knew they were glowing. He felt the heat. Looking at Connor, his were the same way. It was time.
* * * *
Melissa’s mind swirled as she felt both of their bodies touching her. Every expanse of her skin was covered. With every thrust of Connors cock, she knew this was the way things were meant to be. She could admit it in her mind, and it was a start.
Tingling erupted over her body, the same time, tightening collected in her stomach. She felt like she was in a state of pure heaven. Channing’s pre-cum coated her fingers. The thickness continued to get heavier and harder with every stroke she completed.
With a hard plunge, Connor pushed to new depths inside of her. Melissa screamed as an orgasm blindsided her. Her fingers clutched to Channing’s back as slight pain erupted in her neck and shoulder at the same time. Electrical currents shot through her body, making the tingling intensify.
Slowly, her world spun, but the se
nsation didn’t make her queasy or sick. Something was different. She knew Channing was biting her again, and she was thinking so was Connor, from the stinging in her shoulder. They had said it was time. Time for what? Things weren’t quite getting through to her brain.
As her pussy gripped around Connor, she felt warmth shoot inside of her and across her stomach. Millions of thoughts exploded through her mind. Lights flashed before her eyes, and suddenly, everything went black.
* * * *
Melissa awoke in a tangle of limbs. Apparently, she wasn’t the only one who had passed out. Pushing Channing’s weight off half of her body, she climbed out of the bed. Damn, she needed a shower. Aching raced over her body as she walked down the hall. Catching the clock on the cable box, Melissa nearly fell over her feet.
Searching her mind, she tried to recall when she’d arrived home from Sarah’s. Around 9:30 in the morning, she believed. It wasn’t past ten, that was for damn sure. How in the hell was it eight? Walking to the window, Melissa jumped back. It was dark! How in the hell did they sleep that late?
Confused, she headed to the restroom and started the shower. Going over the events, she could feel her cheeks heat. She couldn’t believe she had actually done that. Sure, it felt right, but she wasn’t so sure they should do it again. For one, Connor hadn’t worn protection. She could kick herself. Never once could she remember going without it. How had she been so far gone that she hadn’t even thought about the most important decision of her life?
Letting the warm water caress her skin, she remembered how she lost herself in their act. Damn, it really was amazing the way they both knew exactly what to do to make her lose every ounce of control she harbored. No. Melissa stopped herself the moment she could feel the tingling.
Melissa's Mates (Blissful Bets #3) Page 6
