Melissa's Mates (Blissful Bets #3)

by Alaska Angelini

  “Mind if I join you?”

  Channing’s heavy-lidded eyes stared at her, looking just as confused as she felt. How could she deny him? Damn it, this wasn’t going to be good. “Sure.”

  His powerful, nude body climbed in, and she moved over, sharing the water. The fact that she didn’t feel one bit self conscience or uncomfortable made her lips twist. Shouldn’t she at least feel shy from what they’d all just done? Nothing. All she felt was heat building in her again. She couldn’t believe she was ready for round two.

  “Melissa, are you hungry? You haven’t eaten all day.”

  At the mention of food, her stomach growled. She laughed and looked down. “I guess so.”

  “Good, I’m starving.” Connor climbed in and her mouth parted in shock. The men didn’t seem the least bit uncomfortable standing so close together. And from the looks of things, there wasn’t an inch to spare. She quickly washed her hair and moved out of the way. Connor pulled her body into his and held her while she tried to grasp the reality. This could not be happening.

  “So, where’s a good place to eat? Does anyone feel like going to Corpus? We could grab lunch there.”

  Melissa quickly shook her head. “It’s dinnertime, Channing. It’s already past eight.”

  He stiffened under the water. “There’s no way.”

  “No, she’s right. I can feel it. It’s late.”

  “Holy shit. What happened?”

  Connor and Channing switched places while she looked back and forth between both of them. “I’m not sure. I just remember you both biting me and nothing. By the way, the biting thing, guys, has really got to stop. At least not on my neck, Channing. I have to go to work tomorrow, and it’s a little warm to be wearing a turtleneck.”

  They both looked at her as she climbed out and wrapped a towel around her. “What?” Suddenly, she felt like she was missing something. “What aren’t you both telling me?”

  Not wasting any time, they both got out and followed suit. As all three of them walked to the room covered in towels, she waited. Still nothing. They continued to look at each other but refused to look at her.

  “Well? What is it?”

  The moment Connor had a pair of sweatpants on, he gazed at her sadly. “Melissa, we both put our mark on you. We sealed the deal, so to speak.”

  There it was, that anger she kept trying to fight. It pushed at her insides until she almost started seeing red. Containing the fury, she took a deep breath. “I’m not sure I know what you mean. You sealed the deal, as in what? I thought we were already all supposed to be together. What changed?”

  “Well, we are supposed to be together. But you see, when Channing and I bit you, we finalized it. There’s no turning back.”

  “You mean there was turning back before? I thought you both said we couldn’t escape the pull? I thought you said there was no getting out?”

  “Before, you would have felt pain. Really bad pain. Now, well, it’ll be worse if you do leave.”

  “But better for all of us since we’re all okay with being together,” Channing rushed in.

  Melissa began counting to ten in her head. She would not explode like she wanted to. “Why didn’t you tell me what you were going to do, before you did it?”

  “I said it was time. I thought you knew. I thought if you didn’t want it, you would stop us. Truthfully, I thought since you were all for what we were doing that maybe you’d given in.”

  A part of her knew she had already accepted her fate. Hell, who was she kidding? She wanted them. Both of them. But her stubborn part still couldn’t accept. She couldn’t help but think that a part of them somewhat deceived her. It didn’t sit well at all. Should she be staying here with them? If they wouldn’t leave, should she? Anxiety rushed through. She’d think about it over dinner. If she needed to leave, she knew the perfect place to go.

  “We’re getting something to eat, and then you’re both sleeping in the living room until I decide when and if I want to forgive you.”

  Melissa dropped the towel and opened her drawer. There, making them sleep separate would at least show them how angry she felt for them not telling her. After all, wasn’t there big thing about not being away from her?

  Putting on a red pair of lace panties, she turned around to still see them standing in the same spot. She raised one of her eyebrows and put on her bra. “That’s not a problem, is it?”

  “Can I kiss you?”

  Connor took a step forward, and she immediately took a step back. Her angry façade disappeared the moment she looked at his lustful expression. “Let me kiss you, Mel. Let me love you.”

  Walking backwards, she connected with Channing’s hard body. “Let us, Melissa. Quit fighting it and give in to what you know you really want.”

  Jumping away from both of them, she pointed to the door. “Out. I’ll be ready shortly, and we’ll eat. Now go get dressed.” Yes, leaving was really starting to feel like the thing to do. If this continued, no telling what would happen. Would she lose herself? Would this bond twist from neediness to nightmare? What if ten years down the road she ended up exactly where her parents had—angry, fighting, and abusive toward each other? Nothing said the bond meant happily ever after. With the way history always seemed to repeat itself, she might be doomed.

  They both reluctantly left. Melissa shut the door and sighed in relief. Damn, that had been a close one. If either of them would have given her the softest touch, she’d have been lost. It was time to go. To escape to Cuero, Texas. She’d have the river, the peacefulness, and best of all, the seclusion with no temptations. It was exactly what she needed to clear her head.

  Chapter 9

  Melissa kept her head down as they sat at the small table for four. While her thoughts churned, she tried to go over the plans she needed to make. First, she would call Pop-Pop and let him know she’d be there. Her grandfather wouldn’t mind if she used the small cabin on the river. Shit, no one probably had gone there in forever. After she finished making arrangements, she’d call Sarah and have her get Hanna to cover her at work. Things were slow, so it shouldn’t really pose a problem. Damn, but how was she going to get clothes out of her house without them noticing what she was doing?

  “Melissa, are you okay? You seem distracted.”

  Looking into Channing’s stare, she quickly averted her gaze. She couldn’t get trapped in their depths. One look that lasted too long and she’d be lost forever. Their connection was so much stronger now.

  “I’m fine. There’s just so much I need to do. I think I’m going to visit my grandparents this afternoon.”

  “Do you want us to come? I would like to meet your family.”

  Melissa’s head snapped up to look at Connor. “No.” The word rushed out faster than she could stop herself. “I mean, not today. It’s too soon.”

  “Of course.” He looked down, and she felt an ache race through her chest. Startled, she placed her hand over her heart. What was that? She couldn’t possibly be feeling the way she’d affected him, could she?

  “Are you thinking of running from us?”

  Cold fear covered her body while she looked at Channing. “No. No, I’m not going to run.” Melissa was stuttering all over her words. How did he know?

  “I’m not so sure of that. I can feel you withdraw.”

  Connor looked hurt, and once again, the pain weighed heavily inside of her.

  “Please don’t go, Melissa. I don’t want you to leave. You’ll only end up hurting us all.”

  Her mind screamed. She had to leave. It might hurt them now, but in the end, staying would hurt them even worse. She’d seen how love could turn sour quickly. One moment her family was the Cleavers, the next her father was a raging alcoholic and an abusive husband and father. Things didn’t always end civil. And she wasn’t about to let theirs get that far.

  “Are you both done? I have laundry to do and family to see.”

  “But it’s late,” Connor whispered.

  She d
idn’t give him a response. They stood from the table, and Melissa was stopped the moment she went for her purse. Shrugging, she placed down the tip. If Channing wanted to pay, fine with her. She was way too jittery to argue. The moment she got home, she was going to rush to get out as fast as she could. Damn it, she wasn’t sure how they knew, but she wouldn’t worry about that now.

  Warmth encircled her shoulders. Looking up into Connor’s face, her eyes welled up with tears. What in the hell was the matter with her? Jesus, she felt guilty as hell. And she shouldn’t! They didn’t even really know each other.

  “Just know, unexplainably, I do love you. You probably think it sounds stupid since we’re practically strangers. But I do. “

  Melissa couldn’t speak past the lump in her throat. Connor led her to the brightly lit parking and rested against Channing’s car. While they waited for him to finish paying, he held her. Closing her eyes, she leaned her face into his chest and inhaled deeply. She couldn’t understand, but she could swear she knew that smell. A sense of familiarity settled through her, and she squeezed her eyes tighter together trying to place it.

  “Melissa!”

  Well, she knew that voice. Her eyes opened to see a shocked Julie staring at her from the parking space next to them. She had never heard the car pull up.

  “Wanna get your butt in here and explain?”

  Looking between Connor and Channing, who was walking outside, she nodded and headed around to Julie’s passenger side door. The moment she was in and the windows were rolled up, she looked at her friend nervously.

  “I was going to ask you who in the hell was that guy you were wrapped around but let me rephrase the question. Who in the hell are those guys? As in more than one, Mel. Are you seeing both of them? Why didn’t you tell me anything? People don’t cuddle in public like that unless they’re serious.”

  “It’s complicated, Jules.” Her conversations with Sarah and Ev exploded into her mind. God, how hard it must have been for them.

  “Complicated, my fucking ass. You tell me. I’ve never known someone so hell bent against two men in a woman’s life. Weren’t you just saying something the other—Oh. My. God! Is that the guy from the restaurant?” Julie stared at Channing as he stood by the driver’s side door waiting on her. He looked just as nervous as Melissa felt. “Oh fuck, it is! Mel, start talking. I’m a lawyer; you’re not going to get out of this one, so don’t even try.”

  “Jules, something happened. I’m leaving town.”

  A gasp came from Julie’s mouth. “Whoa. Slow down. You’re not going anywhere. What could you possibly be running from? Them?”

  “I don’t want to talk about it. I shouldn’t be gone more than a few weeks. I just need to get my thoughts in order.”

  “Why can’t you do that here? What’s wrong with your house? Do you need to stay at mine?”

  “They live there now.” Melissa rubbed her eyes so the tears wouldn’t come. Even if she didn’t know these men, having to fight her feelings for them was starting to get harder and harder. “Listen, Jules. I can’t say anymore. I’m leaving, and thanks for the invite, but it’s not nearly far enough away.”

  “Oh, fuck me. Melissa, I might sound like you did days ago, but something is definitely going on. Tell me. You’ve changed. Everything’s changing. Shit, I think I need a drink.”

  “Everything’s fine. What’s this drinking thing, Jules? Do you need to talk about it? I mean, you’ve been drinking a lot lately.”

  Her eyes shot over to Melissa. “I don’t have a problem if that’s what you mean.”

  “Just checking. You can call me anytime. You know that, right?”

  “Enough about me. What about you? Where are you going? Why can’t you just kick these men out of your house? Call Stephen.”

  “I can’t do that, Jules. I…I’m connected to them. A part of me…You know what, I have to go. My men are waiting.”

  “Your men? Mel! You’re acting a lot like Ev and Sarah. They have ‘their men,’ too.”

  Melissa opened the door and struggled to give Julie a smile. “I guess if it were anyone but me it wouldn’t be so bad. It would be more like a dream, I guess. They’re both really great guys. I just can’t believe what we have will last. Anyway, I’ll see you in a few weeks, Jules.”

  Shutting the door, she walked to Channing’s Mercedes and got in the passenger side. Connor got in the back while Channing also climbed in. No one said a word as they drove back to her home. She absolutely hated this. The feeling of being torn seared her insides. The amount of anger she felt when Jules started ripping into her made her furious. She knew her friend felt concerned. Hell, she’d done the same to Sarah and Ev. But the need to protect her men came first. That was the part that drove her to want to leave faster. How could she already be so attached?

  Pulling into the drive, she barely waited for the car to stop. Melissa raced up the steps and unlocked the door, rushing to her room. She needed to call Sarah and fast. Pulling out her phone she dialed and waited.

  “Sarah.” She whispered quietly.

  “Mel, is that you?”

  “Yes. I need you to do me a favor. I don’t have time. I’m leaving town, and I want you to tell Hanna to take care of my clients until I get back.”

  “Don’t do it, Mel. You can’t stop it. Don’t make this harder for yourself.”

  “I love you, Sare-bear.”

  Melissa hung up the phone and turned to grab her laundry basket. Connor was standing at her door. A light scream yelp left her before she could stop it. How had he opened her door without her hearing?

  “I knew you were leaving.”

  The pain racing through caused her to take steps back. She clutched to her chest as tears blurred her vision. “Connor, I can’t do this.”

  Channing walked around him. Their presence together made her room feel as small as a closet. They were huge, and she, well, felt smaller than ever.

  “Mel, please. You haven’t even given it a chance. Did you enjoy what happened between all of us? Didn’t it feel perfect?”

  “Of course it did! But it won’t last, trust me. Everything comes to an end eventually. I don’t want to feel this way if it’s going to leave. I can’t take that kind of hurt.”

  Connor stepped forward while she backed herself to the far wall. She felt surrounded, and she hated it.

  “Please, come and let me hold you. I think we need to talk. If we all got to know each other better, it would help. Don’t you think?”

  “I don’t want to talk. I already know what’s going to happen.”

  Damn it. She needed to leave, to run, but they were blocking the door. The windows were out of the question. Taking a two-story dive down to the ground wouldn’t get her anywhere but the hospital.

  Connor walked over to her slowly. Just at seeing his large frame coming at her, she jumped to the bed to run across, but Channing was suddenly there. Melissa screamed and pitched herself backwards, right into Connor’s waiting arms.

  “Okay, I see we’re going to have to do this the hard way. Channing, go find some rope.”

  “Wait, what? What do you need rope for?” Melissa asked, panicked.

  “Well, we can’t let you escape, and that’s exactly what you seem to be trying to do. So, I’m going to tie you to the bed. Don’t worry. Channing and I are going to take really good care of you, baby.”

  Alarms shot off in her mind. Melissa wiggled in Connor’s arms, trying to break free of his hold. Suddenly, she could feel herself eased to the bed, and his weight settled on top of her. A moan came from her mouth. God, he smelled so good.

  “I really didn’t want to have to do this to you. But, you see, there’s no way I can let you go off without me there to protect you. Do you know what I would do if something happened to you?”

  Melissa shook her head slowly. Devon’s words about his past echoed in her mind. “Do you have to tie me up?”

  “Beyond a shadow of a doubt, I know you’ll run. I don’t plan on tyin
g you up at the moment because I know I can restrain you from leaving, but tonight, you can bet your sweet ass that the ropes will go on. I can’t risk you escaping while I try to get some sleep.”

  Connor shifted between her thighs. The heat that enveloped her skin made it hard to breathe. God, how could her body betray her like this? Even knowing she still wanted to leave, she wanted him. To feel him buried inside her again would be the best thing she could think of at the moment.

  A large intake of breath brought her eyes to his. The look he wore told her he knew perfectly well that she wanted him. Heat burned her cheeks, and she looked away.

  “No, honey. Don’t turn away. There’s nothing wrong with your reaction. It just shows me that we’re truly meant for one another.”

  Fingers brought her face back. Light kisses brushed across her forehead, eyes, chin, and then her mouth. He didn’t push, just continued to make the slightest contact until Melissa was positive she couldn’t take anymore. At the connection of their skin, sparks ignited. Pains twisted her stomach tightly with an intense need to release.

  “Connor, we have to stop. Please. This isn’t going to work.”

  “How can I convince you? What are you so afraid of, Melissa?”

  The sound of the door opening turned his attention away from her. Relief took over. She really didn’t want to go into her reasons for knowing why things would end in disaster for them all.

  “Found some rope in my trunk, but seriously, Connor, I don’t like this.”

  “Thank you,” Melissa sighed. She struggled against the weight holding her down, but she didn’t make any progress.

  “No, you misunderstand. I mean I don’t like the rope specifically. Maybe we can find something else that won’t hurt her skin. I’ve got a few ideas.”

  Melissa gasped and shot an angry expression at Channing, who just smiled. She watched as he climbed onto the bed and lay down until he was inches from her face. Those beautiful eyes penetrated hers, and no matter how much she wanted to, she couldn’t look away. She was hypnotized by his gorgeousness. How could someone look so perfect?