Mellie's Angel [Men of McKenna Downs 2] (Siren Publishing LoveXtreme Forever)

by Zoey Marcel

  She fell deeper into the trance of possession as she came for longer than she thought possible. The wicked spasms in her pussy sucked Emmett’s cock like he was her last hope of salvation. He, too, was overcome with euphoria and jerked hard into her body as he finished.

  Melanie quaked against Hunter, writhing and practically sobbing with ecstasy when he teased his fingertips up and down her back.

  Diego squeezed her right breast, also garnishing her with shiver-inducing, light touches.

  Emmett panted hard, sounding as gratified by the encounter as she was.

  “I’m not letting you go, Mellie,” Hunter told her seriously.

  She lifted her head off his chest and looked down at him. “What do you mean?”

  He hesitated. “I’m not letting you drive to your cousin’s alone. I’ll drive you and I’ll pick you up in the morning for work.”

  “That’s generous of you, but—”

  “It’s no use arguing,” Emmett cut in as he pulled out and then helped Mellie to her feet. “You have to obey us because you work for us and because we’re men and you’re in McKenna Downs now.”

  She bristled at his arrogance, but there was something about his dominance that called to her.

  Hunter gave him a look over her shoulder before looking down at Mellie while Emmett and Diego redressed her.

  “Unless it goes against your conscience,” Hunter specified. “If we do something that bothers you, tell us.”

  “Nothing you’ve done has bothered me so far.”

  Emmett snorted from behind her. “I should think not.”

  She just barely refrained from rolling her eyes at his conceit, but the smile she couldn’t hide.

  It suddenly occurred to her that Hunter’s clothes had stayed on during the tryst and he hadn’t penetrated her in any way. What the heck was up with him?

  He cupped her cheeks, holding her face still while he made her swim in the tenderness of his gaze. “I want to take you somewhere special, Mellie. I’m going to buy you a present and when you’re ready, I want you to wear it.”

  “Okay. Th–thank you.”

  She still couldn’t think straight enough to ask what his present to her was. Her body was wracked with uncontrollable shakes and fluctuating temperatures she couldn’t break free of. The three cowboys had caught her completely under their spell.

  * * * *

  Melanie felt like a kid in a candy store when Hunter took her into the jewelry store in McKenna Downs. She was surprised a place that size had one, but it seemed well stocked for being small. They had watches, jewelry of all sorts, and rings that made her wish she had several hundred proposals so she could wear all the gorgeous rings the store had.

  There was also a section with different types of BDSM collars and leashes. She tried not to be too obvious about gawking at them, but she had to admit she was curious.

  Hunter let her have a look around before he led her over to a long case with slave bracelets. She’d always loved the bangle style bracelets that were attached to a ring by a small chain. She’d never owned one, though.

  There was a striking collection of gold, silver, platinum, precious stones, leather, and other materials the bracelets came in. She didn’t know how she’d ever be able to choose from one. Did Hunter mean to buy her one? He’d said something like that at the house, but jewelry like this was exceptionally personal.

  “Pick one out, Mellie, and I’ll buy it for you,” he offered from behind her.

  She was beaming. “Really?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Wow, that’s…I shouldn’t.”

  “You should, sweetness. I won’t drive you to your cousin’s until you pick one.”

  Well, if he planned on holding her hostage until she consented to let him buy her expensive jewelry, how could she refuse him?

  “Yes, sir.”

  She scanned the case thoroughly, trying to decide which bracelet most suited her. There were so many to choose from. Her attention became ensnared by one that was entirely her. It was simple compared to some of the particularly ornate ones, but the silver slave bracelet adorned with white pearls called to her. The silver chain was thin, not really a bangle, but it was perfect, and there was a silver Celtic cross on the part of the chain that would drape over the top of her hand to connect the ring with the bracelet.

  “That one.” She pointed, eyes bugging out when she spotted the price tag. The cowboys had money, but only a mooch would take advantage of that.

  Hunter smiled when he saw her choice, and his eyes got profound warmth in them as if he approved of her decision on some deeper level. “It’s beautiful, angel. Is that the one you want?”

  “Yes, please.”

  “It suits you.” He waved at the cashier. “Can we get this one bagged up?”

  The cashier came over and got the slave bracelet from the case and then rang them up. “Good choice.”

  Mellie tried it on and found that it fit nicely. It looked stunning against her tan skin.

  She wondered why the cashier winked at Hunter before handing him the bag. The woman got a big grin when she looked at Mellie.

  “Good luck,” she said as they left.

  “Thanks,” Mellie mumbled, wondering what the hell she would need luck with. Getting the jewelry on? It fit her just fine.

  Hunter sat with her in the car, but he didn’t turn the engine on. “Melanie, before you put that bracelet on, there’s something you should know.”

  “What’s that?”

  He touched her hand to stop her when she tried to open the bag. “That bracelet means something in this town.”

  She gave him a quirky look. “What, do you own me now or something? I haven’t put the bracelet on yet, you know.”

  “No, you haven’t,” he agreed with a monk’s level of seriousness. “And you shouldn’t unless you plan to spend your life with me.”

  Mellie blinked rapidly, assuming she’d dozed off and they weren’t really having this conversation. “W–what?”

  He finally looked at her again. “I’m serious about you, Mellie, but don’t ever wear that bracelet unless you’re serious about me. If anyone in town sees you wearing it, they’ll assume we’re together. I want to be, but I need you to want that as much as I do.”

  She was dumbfounded, flattered, and confused. “I…is it some kind of engagement ring or something?”

  “In a way. It’s a sign of commitment between us. I really want you to wear it, but not until you’re ready.”

  She let out a shaky breath. “Hunter…I don’t know what to say. You’re wonderful and I like you a lot, but I just met you this week. This is all happening so fast. It can’t last.”

  “It can and it will, but I won’t push you. I’ll just wait for you.” He took her hand in his and caressed her skin tenderly with his thumb. “We’ll take it slow from now on. As much as I enjoy the physical with you, we need more alone time that doesn’t involve touching. Would that make you more comfortable?”

  It might render her more comfortable, but it was by no means preferable. She would miss his touch probably more than she should, but quality time bonding with him sounded appealing. She nodded.

  “Take all the time you need.”

  She smiled and nodded again, going speechless.

  “Are you all right? You haven’t said much.”

  “I’m sorry. It’s just a lot to take it. It means a lot to me, though, that you want me. I really like you, too.”

  He studied her features intimately while running his fingers through her hair. “I’m glad, but there’s no pressure. I want you to wear my bracelet, but not until you’re ready.”

  There was a tangible pause thick enough to slice a knife through.

  “Can I ask you something?” she queried.

  “Go ahead.”

  “How come you’ve never…penetrated me?”

  His eyes lowered briefly, but his head didn’t move. “It isn’t that I don’t want to. God knows I do. I
think about it all the time, but the truth is I can’t penetrate you until you agree to wear my bracelet.”

  His answer puzzled her, intrigued her. “Why?”

  “It’s part of a vow I made.”

  It sounded personal so she didn’t pursue it. “Oh. So you’re holding out for the one, huh?”

  “Something like that. I made mistakes in the past before I became the man I am today, and I don’t mean to repeat them.” His timbre quieted to a private hush. “I want you to be different. I’ve waited a long time for you, Mellie.”

  She wanted to return the compliment, but Jake’s face entered her mind and stopped her. She had feelings for both of them. Not good. Her life had become more complicated since coming to McKenna Downs, albeit she was much happier than she could ever recall being in her troubled life.

  “Will you at least give me a chance to prove that I’m right for you?” Hunter asked.

  Jake had sworn to prove that she belonged with him.

  Now Hunter requested a chance from her.

  How could she care for them both? Why weren’t they jealous of each other? They both claimed serious adult feelings for her and seemed sincere. Could she trust them with her heart?

  Melanie surprised herself when her captive heart overrode her logical brain and she nodded a silent agreement to give Hunter the chance he sought. She figured she must be out of her mind partaking in naughty romps with some of her bosses and trying to understand her mixed up feelings while she juggled two brothers who were trying to woo her without an ounce of jealousy of one another.

  Wonderful, crazy town.

  Chapter Six

  Melanie couldn’t stop thinking about Jake…or Hunter for that matter. Jake had been gone for a week. Did he not know where North Dakota was or something?

  Hunter’s amorous confession and the sophisticated medieval-looking slave bracelet kept tripping through her head. She wanted him and the lovely jewelry, but this was all happening so fast, and what about Jake? Where did he fit into Hunter’s proposal? She wanted them both and felt guilty for it.

  She’d gone to bed last night dwelling on it and had woken up in tears when she had those troubling dreams of loss again. She couldn’t take this anymore. The pain and anger were too much. It was high time she let them out. She only knew of one way to do that.

  Hunter had told her last night that she could come in later today. She figured she’d have time to make a stop before he came to pick her up for work.

  Seeing an elaborate cathedral right smack at the far end of a small cowpoke town was beyond interesting. McKenna Downs only had one church that she could see so far, unless other ones were scattered elsewhere.

  She took a deep breath and went into the cathedral. It had been a while. The interior of the chapel was a masterpiece. The stained glass window of the crucifixion, the colored lights hanging from the ceiling that resembled artistic chandeliers, the many pews and wide aisle leading up to the pulpit—it sent a quiet blanket of awe over her.

  She was far from religious, but being in churches and cathedrals always gave her a welcome sense of peace and quieted her troubled spirit. She found the confessional and waited inside, kneeling at the bench in quiet reflection. A screen separated her from the priest on the other side. Her head was bowed while she knelt.

  Melanie made the Sign of the Cross after he did, but she couldn’t see his face. “Bless me, Father, for I have sinned.”

  If she wasn’t careful, she would break down and cry.

  “How long has it been since your last confession?” His voice sounded vaguely familiar, but her distress and inability to place where she might have heard his voice before made her dismiss it.

  “A while. A few months I think.”

  “What are these sins, my child?”

  She paused, willing herself to unclench her fists from all the silent anger she’d held onto through the years. “I allowed my heartache to turn into anger.”

  “Who have you wronged?”

  She burst into tears, trying to smother any noises of sorrow. “They wronged me. I hate them.”

  Her eyes squeezed shut, milking the droplets.

  “Who do you hate, my child?”

  She wiped away the wet streaks on her face, but more supplanted them. “I don’t hate them.”

  “Is that the truth?”

  Silent tears fell and her heart ached. “I hate the couple who took my baby.”

  “Did they kidnap your baby?”

  God, if only they had. That would have been so much better than what really happened, and she would hate herself less.

  “The woman was barren and the man was sterile. They wanted a baby and were devastated. I was eighteen at the time. I felt so bad for them I…” The ache in her chest crippled her. “I gave my virginity away to a friend of mine. It was partly because he needed sex for healing and partly so I could get pregnant. When I was past my first trimester, I told the couple I wanted to have a baby for them so they wouldn’t be heartbroken anymore.”

  The priest was quiet while he listened.

  Melanie forced a smile, remembering the precious innocence in the little one’s eyes, her cute little face. “The agreement was that I would give the baby to them to raise as theirs, but only if they let me visit her. They agreed, but said they didn’t want the baby knowing I was the real mother. I went along with it. It didn’t matter to me back then. It does to me now.”

  She buried her face in her hands and started bawling.

  “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to cry like this.”

  “Don’t be sorry, my child. Tell me everything.”

  She wiped away the tears, trying to get her bearings, but additional salty bastards poured from her eyes. “When the baby was born and I saw her and held her in my arms…I felt so much love. I felt like I’d been reborn and my life had purpose.”

  “You wanted to keep her,” the priest concluded.

  Mellie nodded with closed eyes. Her chest felt hollow and it hurt more than she could stand. “I wanted to keep her so bad. She’s my daughter. I did all the work and bonded with her and they just took her.”

  She shook her head, realizing what a flake she must sound like.

  “I know it’s not their fault and I don’t blame them for taking her. I gave them my word, but they broke their end of the deal. They changed phone numbers and moved away without telling me. I never saw her again. God, it hurts so much.”

  She heard a noise and wasn’t sure if the priest left or changed positions on his side.

  “How could I give my precious little baby away like that? There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t regret it. I’m so angry with myself and them for going back on their word and taking her from me.” She wailed into her hands. “I just wanted to see my daughter once in a while. I wouldn’t have told her who I was. My word means everything to me. Sometimes I like to imagine…God, I can’t say it.”

  “Tell me.”

  “Sometimes I like to imagine they’re dead and I get her back.”

  It sounded awful to admit something like that aloud, but there it was. The priest had probably passed out from shock of her vileness.

  “That’s not all. I’m in love with two men.” She was too depressed to blush, but embarrassment hovered regardless. “I know what you’re thinking. You probably think it’s only lust or a stupid, girlish infatuation, but it’s not.”

  “I’m not here to judge you. I’m here to listen and help you. Do these men return your affections?”

  “Yes, but they’re my bosses. I’m just their housekeeper. I can’t have them both.”

  The priest was quiet for a moment. “Why not?”

  “Because I can only legally be married to one man. What’s wrong with me? I don’t mean to seem fickle or greedy, but I’ve never felt like this before. I love them so much.” Her heart softened when she thought of Hunter and Jake, the two cowboys who had stolen her heart. “But I’m scared. I’ve only been in two relationships, but I’m not good
in relationships. I get hurt.”

  “I understand you’re scared, but if you don’t take risks in life you could miss out on something wonderful.”

  “I know. I just can’t decide between them. How do you choose between two people you love?”

  “You don’t.”

  Tears dribbled down her cheeks and she nodded. “I should leave them then. It really hurts. I’m so tired of losing the people I love. I just want to love and not get hurt.”

  “Tell them how you feel, both of them. They have a right to know.”

  “I can’t. They’re brothers. I don’t want to come between them.”

  “You won’t.”

  “Then at the convent I felt like such a hypocrite sometimes. Everyone there believes in a theistic God, but I’m not sure I do. I’ve had so much pain in my life and have seen so much suffering. I still believe in God. I just think he must be a deistic type of God who doesn’t intervene.”

  The priest was quiet.

  “I know that’s probably not what you want to hear, but I can’t keep pretending to believe something I don’t. More than anything I want to believe that he loves me and he’s there watching over me instead of off floating in space, but after all that’s happened to me, I can’t.” Mellie sobbed harder, feeling her heart seize painfully like a fist squeezing a blade. “Help me, Father. Help my unbelief. I don’t need a god to do what I know to be right, but I need a miracle to believe that he intervenes.”

  “Then pray for one.”

  Her head flew up and she gasped when the priest stood in the confessional with her on her side of the screen. It was Hunter O’Neil. She put her hands over her mouth, having no trouble blushing like a naughty child’s bottom now.

  “Oh god, it’s you! You’re a…you’re the priest.”

  She wept with embarrassment and shock over her staggering level of vulnerability. She’d just dumped a truckload of information on him. Personal information he probably hadn’t wanted to hear.