Melissa's Mates (16 page)

“Nope, she’s staying here. She needs time. Why is it impossible for men to understand that rushing isn’t going to solve all the problems?”

“She’s right. I need time.” Melissa nearly had to pry her fingers from his shirt. Turning to face Julie, her heart dropped at seeing her friend with a drink in her hand. She turned back to Channing. “I’ll call you if I need anything. I’m sorry. Don’t forget to tell Connor.”

Her body leaned toward his, but she made herself step back into the apartment. Julie went and sat down in front of the television, continuing to drink her beer. Looking back at Channing, she kissed her finger and pressed it against his lips. He smiled and turned toward the steps. Shutting the door as fast as she could, she could feel herself sliding down the cold metal of the door. The room was spinning. The further away she knew he got, the more the agony swelled in her chest.

“Whoa, what in the hell is wrong?” Julie rushed to her side while Melissa pushed her palms to the floor to stop the movement. “Mel, talk to me. You’re really pale right now. You don’t look good at all. Should I call him back?”

“No, I’ll be fine. Give me a few minutes.” Even though she said the words, she didn’t mean them. Yes, she wanted him back.

Pushing herself to her feet, Melissa made it the couch. Distance, that’s what she needed until she figured out what she wanted. She couldn’t continue to go through this each time one of them left her side.

“Beer?”

“No. I’m not even going to ask what you’re doing drinking already.”

“Good, and I won’t ask why you’re wearing a man’s shirt or why you have a hickey on your neck.”

Melissa’s hand slapped to cover where she knew she’d been bit. Channing! Damn it! She got up and raced the restroom. As long as it looked like a bruise and not a puncture wound, she would be okay. Stopping in front of the mirror, she cried out. It wasn’t a bite – there was no sign of one of those—it was a damn hickey! That shit was not going to fly in the future.

Julie laughed behind her. “I see you’re dating a vampire. Nice. I used to date one myself. Makeup does not cover those things.”

“Vampire?” Melissa felt as though the floor dropped from beneath her.

“Yeah, that’s what I call the guys who think they need to suck all over your neck and mark you so other men won’t take notice. Freaking vampires are everywhere.”

“Oh.” Letting out a sigh of relief, Melissa pulled her long hair over her shoulders. That was a close one. Too close. She didn’t even want to imagine what would happen if Julie knew about the world that was hidden from everyone. It was better if she never found out. And she was willing to do whatever it took to keep her friend safe.

Chapter 13

Melissa groaned as red and blue lights flashed behind her. She’d barely made it into Corpus, and she was already getting a ticket. What the hell! She wasn’t going but three miles over the speed limit. All she wanted was to bring her truck back to Julie’s so she could have a vehicle.

She’d managed to keep her and Julie in a bubble for the last two weeks. Convincing her friend to call off Bets for two weekends in a row wasn’t hard, but getting her to slow down on the drinking was another story entirely.

As the officer approached, she groaned. She knew who he was. Melissa had only seen him a few times, but no one could forget Ayden. His good looks could make any girl drop to their knees and beg him to do things that would make even the wildest girl blush.

Rolling down her truck window, she raised one of her eyebrows at him. “Ayden, what can I do for you?”

“I need my man back. Until he can think straight, he’s useless in his position. I would hate to have to replace him. He’s the best. Can you please tell me why you’re doing this? I understand you need time to think, but can’t you do that closer to him? Hell, you haven’t even called him or Channing. They’re a mess without you.”

Melissa took a ragged breath. “I’m not going back because you need Connor to do his job. I’m still not convinced that things will work out between the three of us.”

“Well, you’re sure as hell not going to find out by staying away from them.”

“I know. I’m just—” Melissa paused.

“Scared?” Ayden finished. “Yeah, this can be a scary process. I ran, too, Melissa. I know what you’re going through. But trust me, running doesn’t accomplish anything. The bond wouldn’t have mated you three if it wasn’t beyond a doubt positive that you all were meant for each other. Take my advice. Stop hurting them and yourself. Go home, Melissa. Take your men and work things out. I promise you’ll never be happier. If I’m wrong, you have my permission to take a bat to me. I won’t even move.”

“That’s not funny.” Melissa tried not to smile, but his handsome face made it impossible.

“I’m not joking. I’m dead serious. You have nothing to worry about and neither will I. Go get your men, and take them back to the island.” Ayden stepped forward, inhaled deeply, smiled, and took a step back. “Congratulations, and have a good day, Melissa.”

Confused, she unbuckled and hung out of the window after his retreating form. “Congratulations for what?”

“Bye, Melissa.”

He got in his car and took off. Shaking her head, she buckled back up and put the truck in drive. “Whatever. I don’t have time for riddles.” Turning up the radio, she battled the emotions his words stirred. If she got in the right lane, she could exit and go to the apartment. No. She looked back toward the busy traffic ahead of her.

“Don’t do it, Mel. Don’t do it. Fuck!” She barely made the exit, nearly taking out a small car in the process. “This won’t work. It won’t.” Even talking to herself, she wasn’t sure whether or not she believed it. Damn Ayden! She was doing so well at distancing herself. Shit, she’d ruined it now. She knew she needed to go and see them. Just knowing how bad her men could possibly be caused guilt to eat at her insides.

Turning into the complex, Connor’s truck and Channing’s Mercedes were both there. The beat of her heart shook her whole body. Melissa parked her truck and slowly walked to the door. Music poured from inside. The lyrics to the sad song made her stomach twist. This probably wasn’t such a good idea. Things had to be worse than she thought.

Raising her hand, she knocked as soft as she could. If they didn’t answer, she’d run like hell and pretend she was never here. Next time, she’d call. That’s what she should have done in the first place.

Channing opened the door, a look of shock quickly passing over his face. Dark circles were etched under his eyes. He looked like hell. Tears came to her eyes at how bad off things truly were.

“Channing?”

Arms wrapped around her, pulling her close and tight against his body. His cheek was freezing cold pressed against hers. “Are you okay? Where’s Connor?”

“He’s in his bed. I don’t think he’s left it for days. Hell, I don’t know anything anymore. Just let me hold you.”

“Can you at least take me to the music so I can turn it off?”

“Connor doesn’t want it off. He’s not well. I’m not so sure you should be here until you make up your mind. I don’t think he can stomach you leaving again. Hell, I don’t think I can take seeing him go through that.”

Melissa wiggled from his arms and walked to the radio. Pushing the stop button, she crossed her arms over her chest, and faced the direction of his room.

“Channing! I said leave it on, damn it! We’ve been over this repeatedly.” Connor came barreling out of the room, nearly knocking the door off the hinges. He stopped motionless the moment he saw her. His heavy pants shook his upper chest. “Melissa? You came back?”

She held up her hand when he took a step in her direction. “Connor, what do you think you’re doing?”

“What do you mean?”

Melissa waved her arms around wildly. “This music, and look at the trash. I’ve never seen so many to-go boxes in my life. And this. Soda cans! Everywhere.”

He looked down to the ground. “I don’t know. I…”

“I’ll tell you what you’re going to do.” He looked up at her. Melissa held in her smile. God, what was she doing? She didn’t have a clue, but she knew she couldn’t let this continue, and hell, she needed them as much as they needed her. She wasn’t going to mention that she noticed herself wearing two completely different color socks when she climbed into her truck.

Connor interrupted her thoughts. “Tell me what to do. Anything.”

“You’re going to clean up this mess. Then, you’re both going to pack and come home with me.”

Connor had her in his arms before she could blink. “Oh, thank God. Thank you, baby. I promise you won’t regret this. I love you.” Lips crushed into hers only to jerk back upon impact. His eyes stared up at her wildly. “Channing, take her.”

“What’s wrong?” Confused, Melissa looked back and forth between the men.

Channing’s arms were pulling her back before she could figure out what her other mate was upset about. Connor stepped forward, closing his eyes as he approached.

“Just smell her. I know I can probably detect better than you, but-“He again ran his fingers through his hair. “Just take in her scent.”

Channing’s face buried in her neck, and she pulled back. “Enough of this. What in the hell is going on?”

Wide blue eyes looked at her. “No bets?”

Appalled, her jaw dropped. “Of course not! Now let me down!” Anger flared through her. “I haven’t been with another man besides the two of you for almost two months. If you’re both saying you smell someone else on me, then the only person that I’ve came in contact with is Ayden. He pulled me over right before I came here.”

“Bets? What in the hell are you talking about, Channing?”

Melissa closed her eyes. This was not how she pictured this going. “My friends and I used to bet on men. I haven’t done that since a few weeks before I met Channing.”

“What exactly did you bet they could do?”

“Leave with me.” Her eyes stared deeply into Connor’s. Not once did she break their contact. His hand pressed against his chest, and she felt his pain. “But that was in the past. I’ve let yours go. Are you willing to do the same for me?”

“Of course. I’m just not sure how to take all of this. You bet your friends you could…” He paused. “Fuck men?”

“Thanks for putting it so bluntly, Connor. I’ve never been more embarrassed about what I’ve done than in this moment right now. I’m outta here.”

Melissa spun around and nearly ran into Channing. “Don’t go. He didn’t mean it like it sounded. Did you, Connor?” Channing said the last sentence angrily. She turned around to look at him.

“No. I told you, I’m trying to understand. It’s not very easy. Just thinking about another man touching you, tasting you! It makes my fucking blood boil. You were meant to be cherished, Melissa.”

“I’m not a saint, Connor. I never have been. Either you accept it or not. When I walk out this door, you can come with me and leave it alone, or you can stay here. But this is the last time we talk about it. I’m willing to leave Michelle, here, in the past. Are you willing to leave Bets?”

“Yes.” There was no hesitation in his response, but she could still see how much it hurt him.

“Both of you meet me at the house. I’m assuming you’re going to want to bring your vehicles.”

“We’ll be there shortly.” Channing stepped to the side and let her pass. She continued forward without looking back. When she reached the outside, she took a deep breath. Damn, she hoped she was doing the right thing.

Chapter 14

Connor rubbed his eyes, angrily. “You knew about these bets? Why in the hell didn’t you tell me before now?”

“It wasn’t my place to say anything. I knew she hadn’t been with another man, but I had to make sure. That’s the only reason I asked. Connor, she doesn’t know yet. We can’t tell her. Remember how I told you she needed to feel in control? If we take away from her finding out on her own, she’s going to take it hard. We have to pretend not to know. At least until afterward.”