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 ever go away. I can’t take that kind of hurt.”
Connor stepped forward while she backed herself to the far wall. She felt trapped, 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 at the smell that erupted around her. 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, no. 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 tying 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. Look at me. There’s nothing wrong with your reaction. It just shows me that we’re truly meant for one another.”
Fingers brought her face to look at him. 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?
“Melissa, I know why you want to run. I’ve seen your entire life. You can trust me not to tell anyone. But I need you to know, Connor and I will never put you through anything remotely similar to what you’ve had to endure in your past.”
“You can’t know that for sure.” Melissa’s breath shuttered at the realization that he saw what she’d gone through. The beatings, the hospital visits to her mother, the suicide of her mother. No! She wouldn’t think about it. Jerking wildly against Connor, the tears came harder. “Let go of me!”
“No, no. Just let it come. Melly, I don’t know what happened to you, but I’m so sorry for your pain. God, I can feel it, and I wish I could erase it. Please let us try.”
At the name, she went even crazier.
“Don’t call her that, Connor. Oh, shit. He didn’t know, Melissa.”
Flashes of her father blinded her. His hands were so large, were always reared back so high when he brought them down at her. She couldn’t hide; there was nowhere to go. She wanted to run away forever. You’re worthless, Melly! You never listen to anything I say, Melly! God she hated that name.
Wetness from Connor’s tears hit her face, ripping her from the vision she could see so clearly. Burning coated her throat, and she wasn’t even aware of when she started screaming. She grew still from her thrashing, horrified at what had just happened. “I’m so sorry. Did I hurt you?”
Connor looked at her through his bloodshot eyes. “Hurt me? Baby, I hurt for you. Not because of you.” He turned over, placing her between him and Channing. “God, Melissa. I had no idea of the pain you carried. We both share that, you know? Whenever you feel ready to tell me, if you ever feel ready, I’ll be here.”
“What pain do you carry?” Wiping the tears from her eyes, she studied his face while Channing pulled her against his body. She thought about pulling away, but she was too tired to fight anymore, and something about him holding her felt right.
“I was born in New Orleans where my father was Alpha. I had a pretty normal childhood. My parents were great, if not a tad bit overprotective, but what kid doesn’t think that? Anyway, I’d just gone through my change at seventeen, and things were starting to get pretty rowdy. Threats were coming in from a rival pack, but at the time, I didn’t take it too serious. I should have.” Connor took a deep breath. “Sorry, I haven’t ever said any of this out loud before.”
“Go on.” Melissa’s hand reached for his, pulling it to her chest. A look of tenderness swept across his face. He brought her fingers to his lips, and returned her hand to be placed against her heart.
“Sometime in the middle of the night, our house was attacked. I remember waking up to the sound of something crashing from downstairs. Thinking it was just one of the pack members drunk again, I went back to sleep. The next thing I knew, my mother’s screams woke me. I started to run for the door to see if she was all right, but they made it to my room first. I heard my mother screaming for me to run. Without thought, I did, and to this very day I regret it.”
“Oh, Connor. If you would have stayed, you’d be dead right now.” Melissa’s breath shuttered as she stared up into his haunted eyes. The vulnerability that she could see broke her heart. “I’m so sorry you had to go through that.”
“Yeah, me, too. You see, the remaining pack brought me back and hid me at one of their houses. They wanted me to fight the man who killed my parents, but I couldn’t face him back then. It took three years of them beating me to finally realize I wouldn’t go along with their plan. The day they let me go, I went to him. No orders from anyone. It was all me. Needless to say, he won’t ever be hurting anyone else. “
Melissa kissed his hand repeatedly. She wasn’t sure why, but the need to comfort him during his pain overpowered every thought in her head.
“Would you like to tell me about your past, Melissa?”
She looked into his eyes long and hard. He deserved to know after what he had gone through by telling her his past. Searching for the words to begin her story, she tried to calm the growing panic. To say the words out loud would open wounds she didn’t want to face. But oddly enough, she felt willing to do that for Connor.
Chapter 10
“I was seven when it all started. The beatings, that is. I’m not really sure what happened. I used to think everything was perfect. The first time is still as clear to me today as it was twenty-three years ago.
“My mom was cooking dinner and I was helping.” Melissa took a ragged breath. “She used to make desert every night. I was stirring the cake batter when my father slammed the door. I remember the sound scared me, and I jumped, dropping the bowl. Chocolate mix sprayed across the floor.”
Melissa stared in a trance, seeing everything in slow motion. The plastic bowl bounced, sending the dark color across a shiny white floor. “Where were you earlier! I called, and you didn’t answer.”
The image of her father came rushing forward. “Melissa, honey, go to your room.” Her mother’s soft voice sounded so near. She knew she was speaking the words out loud, but it didn’t stop her from reliving the incident over in her head.
Melissa could see her former self trying to rush out of the room. She’d never heard her father yell that way before, and it frightened her. Just as she passed him, she felt his fingers wrapped in her hair and jerk her back. The pain was excruciating, and she remembered crying out and bursting into tears. A strong smell nearly choked her as her father’s face came inches from hers. Now, she knew it was liquor, but back then she hadn’t a clue.
“Oh no, she’s cleaning up this mess! What, do you think money grows on trees, Silvia? Someone has to pay for the bills and food. It’s sure as hell not you.”
Melissa could feel her tiny frame pushed down toward the chocolate. She could remember crying so hard the dark color blurred together.
“Melissa, go to your room.”
The voice was so quiet she could barely hear it over her sobs. A hand wrapped around her arm gently, and that’s when she heard it. The crack was so deafening as he hit her mother, she screamed, trying to block out the noise. She could hear her father yelling at her to be quiet, but she couldn’t stop screaming.
Hands gripped her with enough pressure that she thought her arms would be crushed. The shake he gave her snapped her head back, only scaring her more. Melissa saw his hand rise, and she could feel herself become frozen in fear, just like the little girl she once was.
“How long?”
“What?” She broke from her daze and looked at Connor. She wasn’t sure exactly how much she’d told. Maybe everything, maybe hardly anything at all.
“How long did this go on? With your father?”
“Oh.” Melissa gave her head a little shake. “My mother committed suicide when I was twelve. Everyone said my father drove her crazy. If you ask me, it was my father who fell off the deep end. Anyway, after that I lived with my father for about a year before I came to live with my grandparents, here in Port Aransas.”
“Melissa,” Connor pulled her body to his, “I’m so sorry. No wonder you don’t trust us. Channing and I would never do anything like that to you. God, I would kill anyone who even thought to place a hand on you. “
“As would I.”
Turning to look at Channing, she wasn’t sure what to think anymore. They looked so sincere. Damn, more than anything she wanted to believe them. Could she really let her guard down and allow them to start breaking through the walls she’d spent years building?
Loud banging brought all of their faces toward the door. The men stood, and she followed suit. “Are you expecting anyone?” Connor asked.
“No.”
Melissa walked forward and headed for the living room. Channing made it to the door before she could get there. “Wait, let me open it.” Nodding, she watched as he blocked her view.
“You move the hell out of my way. Where’s Melissa?”
Julie barged in, pushing her way through. “Mel, get your stuff. I’m not letting you leave town. You’re coming to stay with me.”
Connor turned her in his direction. “Melissa, baby. Please, I’m begging you not to leave. Give us a chance.”
“Who are you?” Julie walked forward, pulling Melissa out of his arms. “And why are you calling her ‘baby’? How long have you known her, a second? I’ve never seen you before, and trust me, I’d remember. Plus, if Mel was dating anyone, I would know.”
“Jules, why are you here?” Her friend looked at her like she’d lost her mind. She had to admit to herself it was a pretty stupid question.
“Get your stuff, Mel.” Julie leaned in close enough to whisper in her ear. “I tried telling Stephen to come over here, but him and Ev both told me to leave it alone. Can you believe that?”
“Yes,” Melissa whispered. As hard as she tried, she couldn’t focus. Should she leave after everything they’d just discussed? As much as they were trying to convince her that they’d all live a happy life, Melissa saw her chance to escape and wasn’t about to let it pass her up. Scared at how they’d react, she turned and took in her men.
“I’m sorry. I can’t.”
Julie grabbed her arm as both men took a step forward. “Neither of you move another inch. I have pepper spray in my bag, and I’m not afraid to use it.”
Channing just dismissed Julie with his eyes and advanced another foot. “Melissa, please don’t go. You have to know that we’re meant to be with you at all times. If you leave, we’ll have to follow. It’s useless to run.”
“How can you both say we’re meant to be and not give me time to adjust?”
Connor walked to the couch and sat down. “Julie, is it?”
“Yes.” Her friend narrowed her eyes as she looked at him.
“Have you ever been in love?” Connor’s voice cracked at the end of his words.
“I was married for two years. I loved him very much. I thought…” Julie let out a ragged breath. “What’s your point?”
“Channing and I love her. Do you know what it’s going to do to all three of us if you take her away? She’s going to physically hurt at us being separated, not to mention Channing and I will be going through pain, too. I ask that you please don’t do this.”
“It’s not up to her.” Melissa grabbed Julie and pulled her backwards, toward the door. “Now, don’t follow us. Just leave me alone. We’ll all move on. You’ll see. Everything will be fine.”
Agony like nothing she’d ever experienced swarmed her insides, and she hadn’t even made it out of the door.
“Let’s go, Jules.” Opening the door, Julie gripped her hand tightly and pulled her down the stairs. With every step down, she felt the pain intensify. By the time they reached the Mercedes, tears streamed down Melissa’s cheeks.
“I’ll take care of you, Mel. Don’t cry.”
They both got in, and Julie raced toward the highway that led to Corpus Christi. Sobs wracked Melissa’s chest while she grabbed the hand her friend offered. She leaned over, burying her face in Julie’s shoulder.
“Jules, tell me everything’s going to be all right.”
“Everything will be fine, honey. I promise. You’ll see. We’ll get your mind off of those men. It’ll be like they never existed, if that’s what you want.”
“No, I’d never be able to forget them. God, why did this have to happen?”
Mindlessly, Melissa tried talking to herself to get her mind off of the pain that threatened to explode out of her chest. Everything inside of her screamed to go back, but she couldn’t. She had to let them go or at least try.
“Tell me what you want me to do. I hate seeing you like this, Mel. I’ve never seen you cry.
What was that guy talking about back there? Are you really in physical pain?”
“No.” The lie came out of her mouth before she even thought to answer. Everything in her said she couldn’t let her friend grow any more suspicious than she probably already was. “Are you sure I can stay with you? I really would hate to impose.”
“You’re fucking kidding me right? I threw up in your grass, and you gave me your pajamas and put me in your bed, and now you’re asking me if I mind you staying with me while you go through the hardest thing in your life? Come on, honey. You know I don’t mind. I would love your company. Gosh, you’re like my sister. Do I mind?” Julie shook her head back and forth.
“I know, but I’m not sure how long I’ll be with you.”
“And it doesn’t matter. You can stay as long as you need. If that’s ten years, I’m perfectly okay with that.”
The lights from Corpus came into view, and Melissa clutched to her chest as she turned to look out the window. Damn, she hoped she was doing the right thing. It sure as hell didn’t feel like it at the moment. Time, hopefully, would help.
* * * *
Connor raked his fingers through his hair while he stared angrily at Channing. “I hate this. Do you feel how much pain she is in? I say we go to Corpus right now and bring her back. If Ayden told us not to let her hurt, why are we still here?”
“Because it is six in the morning and I think she needs to realize her love for us on her own. Control, remember? She needs to feel like things are exactly the way she wants them. We fit into her life. Or have you forgotten us talking about this already?”
“But it’s crazy. We need to at least stay in Corpus to be closer to her. The nearer we are, the more the pain will decrease.”
“So, what are you saying? Do you want to go stay with Ayden?”
“I have an apartment. Or are you forgetting that’s where I’m from?” Connor shook his head at the vampire who was looking rather annoyed.
“Why didn’t you mention this before? We’d have left a long damn time ago. I would have mentioned motel, but I seriously hate those things.”
Salaiz, Jennifer - Melissa's Mates [Blissful Bets 3] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) Page 8
