Melissa's Mates (6 page)

Tightness enveloped his cock as he buried himself deep inside of her. The feeling was so different than what he could remember. It could have been the condom, but he wasn’t sure. He’d never worn one before. It had been over five years since he’d last been with a woman. Even then, he’d never thought to wear one. There really wasn’t a point. He knew when women were infected, plus, it wasn’t like he could catch anything, anyway.

A groan came from his mouth as she started to rotate her hips up and down his length. Channing bit his lip, praying for the strength to let him please her before he expired. “Melissa, slow.”

She looked up and immediately connected back with his lips. Her taste stole his sanity, made it impossible for him to think straight. Drinking her in, he hardly noticed that he’d somehow managed to get her on her back. He pulled back, looking at her wide eyes.

“Did I hurt you?”

“No, but how did you move so fast? I think you broke the frame of my bed.”

Searching through his memory, he couldn’t recall how they’d gotten there. He really should have fed before letting things get this far. He knew, more than anything, he would not be able to stop himself from tasting her completely before they were finished. Fire burned his throat just smelling her essence.

“I’ll buy you a new one. I’m sorry.”

“No, don’t worry about the bed.” She wrapped her legs around his waist, pushing him into her deeper. Wetness coated the protection. He looked down, annoyed with it. He wanted to feel her on his skin, not something separating them.

Small hands pulled at him, and he lowered, forgetting about everything. Their mouths connected, and he could feel himself begin to thrust faster. Sweet moans poured into his ears, and he pushed harder. He wanted for her to never forget what he could bring her.

Tightness clutched around him, and Channing lost it. He could feel his fangs lower. The scent of her skin called to him, begged him to pierce the flesh they lingered on. Burying his face in her neck, heat raced through his eyes. He tried fighting it, but he knew he couldn’t battle the bloodlust he felt for the woman he knew was meant for him.

A cry accompanied by nails digging into his back were barely heard or felt as her flavor exploded over him. Flashes of her life, everything she ever had experienced, poured over him, and he went through them, desperate to know who this beautiful woman was. The need to understand her likes, dislikes, passions, hobbies, drove him into a frenzy of impatience. Memories blinded him. He could still feel his thrusts, still feel her clutched around him greedily as she tried to cope with the multiple orgasms associated with his bite.

Her last few days filtered through him, and just when he thought he was almost done, he slowed a memory down. He stared at the man who had pulled her out of the water, watched as they yelled at each other. When time stilled and he felt her pull to the wolf, he wanted to yell out angrily. Cum shooting from his cock jerked him from his own thoughts, and he pulled back from her neck.

Melissa’s wide-eyed gaze looked up at him. Tears ran down her face, but she remained quiet. “Oh God, did I hurt you? I’m so sorry.” Channing tried to comfort her, but she pushed him off.

“You fucking bit me hard!” Multiple expressions passed her face while she lightly shook her head. “But that wasn’t just a sexual bite, was it?”

Her whole body was shaking as she slowly edged off the bed. Fuck. How had he forgotten to lock her memories? He’d been so consumed by seeing the beginnings of a bonding the thought didn’t even cross his mind. He really didn’t want her to remember this. Shit, he didn’t even make the marks disappear.

“No. When I said I needed to eat before—”

“My blood?” A small hand reached to her neck as she continued to back away.

“Don’t be scared, Melissa. Please. I’m not going to hurt you. Was it truly so bad?”

Her face looked dazed as she stared toward the bare wall. “No, but that’s beside the point. Is this what everyone is hiding? Please tell me I’m dreaming. Vampires!” She got quiet as her eyes darted around in different directions. He knew she was deep in thought. “Is Ev a vampire? She’s pale.”

“You’re friend Evelyn is not a vampire. Now, Brandon, he’s the vampire. Stephen is the werewolf. Evelyn just carries one of their children.”

A shuttering breath came from her as she blindly reached her hands around. Channing eased from the bed and inched toward her. “Melissa, please do not fear me.”

“Stay away from me!”

A curse left his mouth as she grabbed a robe hanging from the door and bolted from the room. Quickly, he threw his clothes on and used his mind to feel where she was going. The stairs. He rushed toward the living room and out the front door. The pale skin of her legs flashed in the moonlight as she headed toward the sounds of the beach.

Taking off at his vampire speed, Melissa was just approaching the sand when he pulled her down. “I told you I wouldn’t hurt you. What are you worried about?”

She tried to scream, but the moment she looked into his eyes, he stopped her. He hated having to use his abilities. He put everything into it, knowing no matter what, it wouldn’t be enough. The screams might not come, but he wouldn’t be able to keep her quiet completely. The realization at what he was doing made his stomach sick.

“Nothing is as it seems.” Her voice cracked as sobs took over. “I’ve always known, always felt that something more was out there. But this…I didn’t expect vampires and werewolves. Angels, maybe, but not this.”

“Get off of her, Channing.”

A low growl had his vision snapping up . He looked into the face of the man he knew had been outside of her house when they arrived. He was the same one that had made time stop for her now hours earlier.

“How do you know my name? Who are you? Why are you watching her?”

The man tensed, and Melissa wiggled under Channing’s body. He looked down at her, but then continued to stare up at the man. The stranger kneeled down and came face to face with him.

“My name is no concern. Ayden sent me to watch over her when Tom was on the loose. Maybe I didn’t want to leave.”

“Well, maybe you should.”

The men stared at each other for countless minutes, neither budging. A stinging raced across Channing’s cheek. Melissa lay under him, absolutely livid as she stared into his face. One moment she was scared, the next angry. He quickly grabbed her hand before it could strike again.

“Why did you slap me?” He couldn’t keep the shocked tone from his voice.

“I thought maybe your gaze was stuck. I was helping. Now get off of me. I have sand in places I don’t care to mention. The shower is calling me. Now off!”

“Wow, Stephen wasn’t kidding about your temper. Remarkable.”

Channing stood, gaining a new respect for the woman. Wasn’t she just scared out of her mind? Now she’d somehow turned that fear to anger. Good girl. They were going to get along together perfectly. But what was he going to do about the wolf? Fuck. He really didn’t want to think about what he feared was happening.

Chapter 6

Melissa turned on the shower, still numb from shock. Vampires and werewolves. No fucking way. This had to be some sort of horrible dream. Looking in the mirror, she saw the puncture wounds and wiped her last thought away. Nope, this was no nightmare. Damn it. What was she supposed to do now? Would they try to kill her for knowing? Just thinking of what happened between her and Channing, she couldn’t believe that.

She jumped in the shower and quickly washed herself off. The need to get back out there and check on the two strangers in her living room made her move extra fast. Drying off and slipping on her white silk nightgown, Melissa walked into the living room and came face to face with the two men. They both sat stiffly at opposite ends of the couch, staring at her with weird expressions on their faces. Nervously, she walked to the chair and eased herself down.

“So what happens to me now? One of you aren’t going to kill me for knowing what you both are, are you?”

“No way! No one is going to touch you. I won’t let them,” the stranger said, breathing heavily.

Taking in his handsome face, Melissa scooted forward. “Who are you?” The rudeness in her voice made her sigh. “I mean, I’m sorry. What is your name?”

“Connor.”

“Connor, it’s very nice to meet you. You mentioned Ayden sent you to watch me when Tom was after Sarah, is that correct?”

“Yes.”

Melissa nodded. “That was weeks ago. Why haven’t you left?”

He took a shuttering breath and ran his fingers through his dark brown hair. Strands fell to his eyes, capturing her attention. “I don’t know. I mean, I couldn’t leave. We’re meant to be mated. I have this feeling for you, the need to protect you. It’s something I can’t control.”

“Shit.” Channing stood and walked into her kitchen. She turned and watched as he began messing with her coffee pot. Turning her attention back to Connor, she focused on his words.

“You said we’re meant to be mated. What do you mean by that?”

“Werewolves have mates. Once the bond recognizes who that person is, the pull begins. Once the pull goes into effect, there’s no escaping it.”

“And this pull, has is started?”

“It has for me. For you, I’m not sure. When you saw me earlier, did you feel anything?”

Melissa didn’t even need to remember back. The image she saw in her head of his hand touching her face sent heat sizzling over her. “I think I did.”

“She felt it. I saw it in her memories.”

“My memories? What are you talking about?”

Channing walked in as the sounds of the coffee pot echoed in the background. “When I drank your blood, I learned and saw everything that makes you the person you are today. I needed to see it. See, for vampires, we go through something similar to werewolves. We don’t have bonds, but there is a pull. And I know you feel it for me, too.”

Connor jumped to his feet and stalked forward. “You’re lying.”

“Ask her.”

Channing sat down while Connor sunk to his knees directly in front of her. The sadness crossing his face sent weight pushing into her chest. His hand reached for her, but quickly withdrew. Offended that he stopped, she grasped his hand and pulled it into her lap. The beginnings of a smile surfaced on his face.

“I didn’t think you wanted me to touch you. I’m sorry.”

“That’s ridiculous.” Hearing her words, she thought she was the one sounding completely absurd. She didn’t know this man. Why would she want to hold his hand, or even get angry that he’d pulled back?

“Is it true? Do you really feel something for him?”

“Yes. Something. I don’t know what is going on with this…thing we all have going on, but I plan to find out first thing in the morning. Actually, would you both excuse me for a moment?”

Melissa stood, grabbed her phone, and walked to her bedroom. She hit Stephen’s number just as she shut the door.

“Hello?” Music made it almost impossible for her to hear him.

“Stephen, you better go somewhere where you can hear me, right now!”

The music died out as it sounded like he walked outside. “Melissa, are you all right?”

“Fucking vampires and werewolves, Stephen? Please tell me this isn’t possible.”

“I see Channing didn’t erase your memory.”

Air wouldn’t come upon the confirmation of her lover. She knew she’d been bit, but hearing it from someone other than the people under her roof was enough to almost make her pass out. “Son of a—” Melissa took a deep breath. “What do I do? I have a werewolf and a vampire in my living room who both say we’re all meant to be with each other. Are they full of shit? Should I kick them out?”