Locking herself around Connor’s waist, she leaned back into Channing as the guys looked at each other. Melissa rested her head on his shoulder, loving the way both men had her trapped between them. “Both of you touch me, everywhere.”
Chapter 12
Channing knew beyond a doubt what Connor wanted by his “look”. They needed to try their damnedest to prove to Melissa how much she meant to them. This wasn’t going to be a quick love session. No, for her they were going to take their time and keep her with them as long as they could.
Slowing his breathing, Channing brought his fingers to the wetness of Melissa’s slit. Just feeling her juices coat his fingers, his cock thickened to painful proportions. She felt so swollen against his touch. The heat she was throwing off made him realize how much he needed to feed. She literally burned his skin against how cool he had become.
“Connor, I need to taste her, and so do you.”
He knew he was speaking in code, but the wolf in his friend would know exactly what he meant. A smile passed Connor’s face, and he pulled Melissa’s hips up even with his face. She let out a yelp and gripped to Channing’s arms. With her neck even with his face, he turned, nuzzling into her softness.
A moan came from her mouth at Connor burying his face in her pussy. They should have probably moved to the bed, but Channing felt rooted to the floor. He didn’t want to move for fear of breaking the spell they were all under.
The smell of Melissa’s blood called to him. Running his tongue over her pulse point, he felt the thudding of her heart beat throughout his body. His fangs came down under the lust he felt causing him to lick his lips.
“Do it, Channing. I know you want to bite me. Do it. I want you to.”
The soft sound of her voice left his vision blurring from the adrenaline. He took a deep breath and slowly kissed his way up her skin. Just when he thought his throat would close from the burning, he gently pierced her neck. Moans came from everyone in the room at the pleasure they all felt.
Melissa’s body went into spasms from her orgasm while Connor drank her in. Channing couldn’t break his stare from the glowing orbs of his love’s other mate. The wolf eyes penetrated into Channing’s very soul as their gaze’s locked. There was no need for words. A new instinct took over, letting him know what to do. Melissa, she was their link, and what bonded the two of them together for the rest of their lives. He unexplainably knew what Connor’s next move was without even having to verbally communicate with him.
* * * *
Melissa felt Channing’s lips break from her neck. The feel of his smooth tongue licking over the puncture wounds caused her to shake with need. She might have just had one of the most amazing orgasms of her life, but her body was telling her she needed so much more.
Connor’s face lifted, and she watched as he turned and put her in Channing’s arms. When the men had her lying between them, neither rushed to touch her. Fingertips trailed both side of her body. Staring into Channing’s blue eyes, she felt the need to kiss him.
“Not yet, mon amour. Let us just relish in having this time with you. There’s no rush.”
“If there’s no rush, then let me please both of you. Can you please lay by each other for me?”
The men looked at one another and then back to her. She lifted and moved to the bottom of the bed while they scooted next to each other. Their beautiful bodies kept her fascinated. Where Connor was so wide and thickly muscled, Channing was not only wide, but sculpted and lean. She didn’t want to stop taking in what so freely lay before her. They wanted to spend the rest of their lives with her. Why couldn’t she just give in and try? Why? Because she knew if she grew any more attached, she’d die inside if one of them left or hurt her.
Lowering, Melissa slid her hands along the inside of each one of their inner calves. Both of their legs flexed under her touch. She got inches from where their bodies almost touched and inhaled their two different scents, deeply. Where Channing had more of a sweet smell, Connor held more of an erotic scent. Together, they were paradise.
Melissa took her time nibbling her way up, back and forth between them. Music exploded from the living room, making her jump. The guys even bolted to a sitting position. She looked toward the door at the recognition of what was playing. The sappy love song filled the room. Melissa giggled and turned to them.
“Who, may I ask, is that in the living room?”
Connor pulled her to lie back between them. “Londyn. He must know you’re here.”
Melissa listened to the lyrics and smiled at them both. She eased back to the foot of the bed and crawled off. Cracking the door, she saw the same tattooed guy who brought her flowers. “Hey, Londyn, put that song on repeat for me, please.” They smiled at each other, and she laughed when he winked. Maybe he wasn’t so bad. There was something about him that she liked.
Melissa motioned for Channing with her finger. “This is one of my favorite songs, and I can’t dance. You made it easier for me the last time, and I really feel like having fun at the moment, so can you please help me?”
“Anything you wish.”
Closing her eyes, she listened to words. Channing’s heat molded against her from behind, and she felt him grasp her nude hips. “Now, feel the music throughout your body. Let go, and move to the beat.”
He began to sway her gently back and forth. Each string of the guitar coursed through her, stirring something deep inside. Before she knew it, her hips grew a mind of their own and began to rotate with every gentle move she made. Opening her eyes, she noticed Connor was leaning forward on the bed with his mouth parted.
“You said you couldn’t dance. That is the sexiest, most beautiful thing I have ever witnessed in my life.”
Melissa laughed and could feel herself grow embarrassed. “I can’t dance. It’s Channing’s doing, not mine.”
“I’m not doing anything but holding your hips. You’re a natural.”
A knock on the bedroom door cut off what Channing was about to say next. Connor growled. “What?”
“You know I wouldn’t interrupt if I didn’t have to.”
“Hold on.” Connor grabbed his boxers and slid them on, heading out the door. Melissa didn’t wait, she grabbed the first article of clothing she could find, which happened to be one of Connor’s T-shirts that was sitting folded on top of the dresser. She quickly pulled it on, happy it went all the way down to her knees.
She almost didn’t hear Londyn’s hushed words. “I told her to leave, but she won’t go. She said she was going to break the windows out of your truck if you didn’t come out and talk to her.”
“Tell her to give me a few minutes. And make her wait outside.”
Sickness flipped Melissa’s stomach. She didn’t hesitate. Grabbing her panties and jeans, she put them on as fast as she could.
“Connor, what’s going on?” Channing’s voice even sounded uneasy.
“Nothing. I’ll explain when I get back in.”
Nope, Melissa was not going to stick around to find out. If she knew anything about women, she knew this one obviously had feelings for him. And from the story of his past, she knew that he didn’t have a sister, so she was betting this was a girlfriend or lover.
“Channing, will you take me back to Julie’s?” His eyes grew big as he pulled his shirt down over his pants.
“No, don’t leave. Please.” Connor rushed forward, nearly stumbling on the jeans he was putting on. “It was before I found you. Since I came to watch over you, I haven’t left your side. There’s been no one else. Let me get rid of her real quick, and then we can continue.”
“But you’ve known about this pull we’ve had for weeks. You’re telling me you haven’t seen your girlfriend in all of that time?”
“Fiancée, honey. And I saw him last week, if you really want to know.”
Melissa spun around. Her eyes connected with the most startling pair of violet she’d ever seen. For what felt like minutes, she couldn’t move. The blonde was just as
breathtakingly beautiful as her friend Sarah. Bile rose to her throat against the woman’s words.
“Fiancée?” She looked at Connor, shocked.
“Girlfriend,” he corrected. “And I broke things off before I went to the island. As for the timing on when we say each other, that’s a damn lie, Michelle, and you know it. I haven’t seen you in weeks.”
Melissa shook her head against the confusion. Her mouth opened as she raised her hand to stop their arguing. No thoughts were getting through. She felt lightheaded against the jumble of emotions pouring through.
“Mel, listen to me. I love you. No one else.”
“Yeah, didn’t you use to tell me the same thing? Oh, I love you Michelle. There’s no one else, but you. I can’t believe you’re doing this to us, Connor. Make the girl go, and we can pick up where we left off. I can understand you have cold feet. We’ll pretend this never happened.”
“Listen to me, Michelle. I said it was over weeks ago, and I meant it. I’m not having cold feet. We didn’t have the same interests then, and we sure as hell don’t know. You need to leave.”
Melissa felt panicked. She had to get out of here. “Channing, please.” She begged him with her eyes. If she didn’t escape soon, there was no telling what would happen. Between her mouth and her uncontrollable outbursts, there was only so much she could take.
“Connor, give me your keys.” Channing held out his hand, but never took his eyes off of Mel.
“But I don’t want her to leave. Melissa, please. Just let me explain.”
“There’s no need, Connor. I understand it was before, but I just need time to think. I shouldn’t have come. I don’t know what I was thinking.”
Melissa rushed out of the room and headed for the front door. Large arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her up off the ground. Her back molded to Connor’s chest as he held her to him.
“Don’t say you regret coming here. God, I would do anything for you. Don’t let what she says make you leave. That’s what she wants. Just stay with me and Channing.”
He spun her around in his arms, making her face to face with him. “Connor, I can’t. I know you say things were over, but you should have told me about her. She obviously hurting over you.”
“It’s not real. That’s what I’m trying to say. These dramatics…it’s always something. She wasn’t who I thought she was. Everything was a game or a lie. That’s why I ended it.”
“Connor, I don’t know.”
“I swear that’s the truth.”
“There’s so much I need to think over.” Why did this keep happening? Her darkest fears surfaced, and she couldn’t help but feel trapped in his arms.
“I’m not letting you leave. We can do this. There’s nothing to think about. I love you. Not her. You. Stay. I want you to stay.”
Panic registered across his features, and the tone of his voice made her jump. “Connor, put her down right now.” Channing was at their side before she knew where he’d come from.
“No, she can’t leave. I have to make this right. She can’t go until I do that.”
“I said put her down. I won’t tell you again. You’re scaring her. Can’t you feel it? You’re making things worse. Give her to me.”
“God, what have you done to him?” Michelle walked over with a look of disgust on her face. “Connor, put her down and come with me. We’ll leave and talk. I know we can get past this.”
“Get out, Michelle! I don’t want to have anything to do with you.” Connor growled toward her and turned back to Melissa. “Please, you’re the only one I want. Don’t leave.”
The blonde threw her a look and slammed the front door shut on her way out. Melissa pushed against Connor’s chest. “Why didn’t you mention her before this?”
“I don’t know. Michelle was the last thing on my mind. From the first moment I saw you, no one else mattered. God, I never thought I’d find a mate. Some of us never do. She was just a girlfriend, someone I thought I could love if I tried hard enough. But toward the end, it was all drama. One big tragic story after the next. I didn’t know her at all. Me, you, and Channing – this was meant to be. Stop running and give this a chance.”
The all-too-familiar aching pushed against her insides. “I have to go, Connor. “
A tear slid down his cheek as Channing pulled her from his arms. After a bit of force on Channing’s part, he finally let her go. Londyn was sitting at the table. She couldn’t read his expression. It looked to be a cross between shock and sadness. He didn’t say a word as Channing took the keys from Connor and led Melissa out of the door. They walked to the truck in silence.
When the engine started, he turned toward her. “You have to know how hard this is for him. Connor loves you very much, as do I. I know you need time, and I understand that. But as for Connor, it’s harder for him. He’s used to protecting, and with you, he can’t really do that. Do you understand?”
“Yes.” Melissa looked out of the window as he pulled out of the parking lot. Thoughts obsessively ran though her head to the point that she thought she could be losing her mind. Just knowing how much pain they were all going through made her conflicted. She knew she needed a lot more time, but how could she do that and not make them hurt in the process? Only one thing came to her mind. She needed to stay away from them until she decided.
After a few minutes, the truck pulled in front of Julie’s building. She turned to look at Channing’s sad face. “I’m sorry. Please tell Connor I won’t hurt him anymore.”
“I’ll tell him, but I think you not being there is hurting him more.”
Melissa released the seatbelt and climbed over to sit on Channing’s lap. Normally she would never do anything like this, but the need to be close to him made her not think about how ridiculous she must look. “I can’t be with you both until I know that’s what I want. I mean, I do want that, but…I just need time. I wish Connor would have warned or prepared me for Michelle. I’m so confused. There’s no one from your past I should know about, is there?”
“No. I haven’t been with anyone but you in years. And, I know, he should have said something. But try to look at this from his side, too. He loves you. This pull has us all going crazy. Also, think about this: You wanted him to tell you about his ex, but there’s something you haven’t told him, either.”
Melissa gasped. “I’ve never hidden anything from him. What could be so important that I’ve neglected to tell him?”
“Maybe the fact that you play a game where men play a major role.”
She could feel her eyes go wide. “Bets.”
“Yes, Bets. Don’t you think he deserves to know about that?”
“Yes.” She grew quiet, feeling like a complete hypocrite. It could be possible that he’d forgotten to mention Michelle. Hell, they hardly had spent any time together. And wasn’t that conversation meant for people who knew each other a lot more? Even as she knew this, she also knew that they weren’t going through the typical, everyday relationship. Shit. Everything between them was going so fast. Her head was spinning at trying to process the details.
“I need time to get this all straight in my head. How do I get a hold of you?”
Channing looked deeply into her eyes. “I’m going to make you memorize my number. Will you allow me to do that?”
“Yes.” The light blue eyes sucked her in, and she allowed it. The number he gave her soaked into her memory like a sponge. She could hear herself repeating it over and over in her mind.
“Got it. I’ll call you if I need anything. Please don’t forget to tell Connor I’m sorry.”
“I won’t. Here, let me walk you to the door.”
He easily lifted her down. Melissa wasn’t sure why, but she wasn’t very comfortable coming back to Julie’s home. Maybe it was because her men wouldn’t be here, but she wasn’t sure. They walked up the stairs, and she retrieved her key from her jeans pocket.
Channing’s lips eased into hers. Tightly, his arms pulled her body into his
. The breath left her lungs at the taste of him. She clung to him like her life depended on it. She didn’t want to let go. Just the thought that he was leaving her made the pain return.
“God, would you both like a room? My neighbors do not need a free show.”
Melissa reluctantly pulled her lips back. Gripping to the back of Channing’s shirt, she tried to catch her breath. His forehead rested against hers. “You don’t want this. I can feel it. Come back. We’ll leave right now, and you and Connor can get everything out of the way. Then we can move forward. Don’t think, Melissa. Just come with me.”
“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.
Melissa's Mates (Blissful Bets #3) Page 10