Page 8 of Melissa's Mates (Blissful Bets)

“I bet you’re not so bad. Come to me.”

The words, with the combination of looking into his stare, drew her closer. Leaning forward, she stood as he did. A large hand gripped the side of her waist, and she couldn’t look away. She felt hypnotized, in awe of how attractive he was.

Before she realized what she was doing, her body was pressed tightly to his as he moved her against him erotically. Every nerve-ending she possessed felt consumed. Her body pulsed and vibrated against the hardness of his thighs and chest. He felt perfect. The two of them together blew her away.

“See, I knew you were a very good dancer.”

“Maybe because I’m not thinking. I don’t know, I can’t…think.”

“Don’t think. Feel.”

Feel. Just hearing him say that, she could have sworn she almost had an orgasm. Clutching her fingers in his polo shirt, she pulled him closer. The smell emanating from him intoxicated her. Leaning closer, she breathed in heavily, suddenly feeling lost in the crowded bar.

“Channing?”

“Yes, Melissa?”

The need to pull his mouth to hers was crippling. It hit her hard and fast. What was it about this guy? “Would you like to leave with me?”

He jerked back so suddenly, he bumped into a couple standing behind them. As he apologized, she watched him look around nervously and come back toward her. A look of anger passed his face, but quickly vanished.

“Melissa, I’m not a bet. I know all about your little game. I didn’t miss the sign, either.”

Stunned, she watched as he stalked off. Oh, she was going to kill Ev or Brandon! How could they have told? Damn it. She really wanted to leave with him, and it had nothing to do with the fact that he was the one that got pointed out to her.

Rushing forward, she quickly caught up with him as he approached the front doors. “Channing, wait!” Pulling his arm, he turned to her. “I wasn’t asking you to leave with me because of that. I know what you saw, but weren’t we talking and getting along fine before that?”

He looked deeply into her eyes, pulling her back into some weird, spellbinding state. “Yes. But would you have asked me if it weren’t for that?”

“Absolutely.” The answer left her mouth before she even knew she’d opened it.

He laughed. “I believe you. But I really should be going. I must…eat dinner.”

“Oh, I would think you would have grabbed a bite before coming. That would have been smarter.” She quickly clamped her mouth closed. What he did was none of her business. Now not only did she make it sound like he was stupid, she’d probably scared him away permanently.

Geez, way to go Melissa.

Once again, he laughed. “You’re right. I should have grabbed a bite, before coming.” Something about what she’d said seemed to make him laugh harder. Confused, her hand came to rest on her hip. She didn’t necessarily like getting laughed at, especially when she didn’t know what could possibly be so funny.

“How would you like to go to lunch tomorrow?”

“Lunch? Why are you asking me out tomorrow? Why not to go catch that bite to eat you were wanting? I can go with you. Julie’s going to ride home with Natalie since they both live here in Corpus.”

He looked around uncomfortably. “Not tonight, okay? Why don’t you give me your number, and I’ll call you in the morning?”

Desperation clutched to her conscious. Why was she scared for him to leave? It was so unlike her. Regardless, the rejection was enough to snap her out of the weird spell. “Wow, that hurt. Nice. If you wanted to blow me off you should have just said no thanks.”

Melissa shook her head and walked back toward the table. Great, the one guy who could make her melt and he totally rejected her. She wanted to laugh. Served her right for having such high hopes. Snatching her purse, she spun around to leave, when she collided with his hard chest. Damn, if she wasn’t making it a habit of literally running into him.

“I wasn’t blowing you off. I really want to see you.”

“Right. Listen, I’m not going to tell Brandon or Ev that you’re not interested, and my feelings are hurt, okay? They don’t even have to know we’ve met. Have a nice night.”

She walked past him, ready to just go home. Fingers wrapped around her waist, and she couldn’t help the way her body responded to his touch. A moan almost left her lips as she bit the softness of her bottom one to keep them closed.

“I couldn’t care less what you tell your friends.” The length of his hand traveled up passed her ribs as he pulled her back against him. Tightness erupted over her body at feeling his thick cock pressed right above her ass. “You see, I’m not one to care what other people think. Out of courtesy, I was trying to spare you from who I am. But seriously, why should I? I don’t plan to let you go. Come, we’ll leave.”

Melissa only paused for a moment. His words were confusing but a complete turn-on. She let him wrap his arm around her shoulders as she followed him out of the main doors. They approached the same Mercedes she saw earlier. Channing was definitely not someone she would usually leave with. Imagine that—her leaving without a cowboy. She couldn’t believe it.

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