Page 36 of Melissa's Mates (Blissful Bets)

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. “I should have told you. I’m sorry. It 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, twisting his mouth. “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.”

Melissa spun 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 easy. Just thinking about another man touching you, tasting you, it makes my blood boil. You were meant to be cherished, Melissa.”

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

“Yes.” There was no hesitation in his response.

Chapter 14

Connor rubbed his eyes, angrily. Julie had already left, and they were meant to meet her at her house so they could pack and bring their cars. “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.”

“I still wish I would have known. Not that I guess it makes a difference.”

“It doesn’t. Let it go. Think about Melissa. About her scent. She doesn’t know yet, Connor. We can’t tell her. Remember how I told you she needed to feel in control? If she doesn’t find out on her own, she’s going to take it hard. We have to pretend not to know. At least until afterward.”

“I can’t believe it. Channing, we’re going to have a child. God, I never thought I’d see the day. If Ayden ran into her, he should know. I need to call him and make sure no one says anything. Get your things. I want to get to her as soon as possible.”

Connor grabbed his phone and rushed to his room. With one hand he grabbed his bag and began tossing as many articles of clothing in as fast as he could.

“Ayden, it’s me. You saw Melissa?”

“Well, hello to you, too. You sound better than the last time we talked. So, she stopped by, did she?”

“Yes, Channing and I are moving back to the house.”

“Good. I’m glad to hear it. I take it you sensed what I did.”

Connor couldn’t help but smile. “I did. You didn’t say anything to anyone, did you?”

“Of course not. I did tell her congrats, but I don’t think she knew what I was talking about. Why?”

“We don’t think she should know yet. Melissa likes to feel in control. If we told her, we’d take that away from her. She needs to find out on her own.”

“Ah, I get it. Okay, I’ll make sure no one says anything if they run into you. We’ve done this before.”

“Sounds great. Thank you, Ayden. I know she came here because of you. I owe you one.”

His Alpha laughed. “I think she would have come on her own. I just gave her an extra push. Now that you’re better, you know I need you back, right?”

“Just name it, and I’ve got you covered.”

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