Page 9 of Melissa's Mates (Blissful Bets)

“Channing, nope, pick someone else. You can’t have her.”

Melissa spun around to see Stephen’s tall frame. “Hey, what the hell? I thought you weren’t going to be here tonight? Where’s Ev? She didn’t come, did she?”

“No, she’s at home, but she sent me to watch over you girls. Good thing I came, too. Mel, go back inside. You’re not leaving with him.”

Taking a step closer to Channing, she raised one of her eyebrows at her friend’s boyfriend. Stephen being a cop had its benefits, but not tonight. “I don’t think you understand. I want to leave with him. It’s okay, really.”

“No, it’s not. I’m telling you I don’t care what you want. You’re not going to.”

“I think the woman has made herself clear. She wants to leave with me.”

“Don’t make me call Ayden.”

Melissa could feel her eyes widen at his words. She knew who Ayden was, but not that well. They’d only met a time or two through passing and only because Ev and Ayden’s’ wife were friends. “What is Ayden going to do?” When neither of them said anything, she raised her voice. “Damn it, what the hell is going on?”

“Go inside, Mel. Don’t make me tell you again.”

She knew they were hiding something, and she wanted to know what the fuck it was. She was tired of secrets. “I’m not going until you tell me exactly why I can’t leave with Channing. And I want to know where Ayden fits into this.”

“Listen to Stephen, go inside.” The man standing beside her was so quiet, she almost didn’t hear him. Snapping her gaze to Channing, she looked at him, hurt. She wanted to lash out she was so angry. What was it? What could the secret be? She knew she couldn’t be imagining this. Too many things kept clicking together the wrong way. Why would Ayden care what Channing was doing? Why would the two of them being together even concern Stephen’s friend?

Planting her feet apart, she crossed her arms. “I don’t plan on taking a step until one of you either tells me what this is about, or Channing and I leave.”

“Melissa, you don’t know what you’re doing. You don’t know who he is.”

“So tell me, damn it! Who is he?”

Stephen took a step to the side, closer to her. “He’s one of the most feared men I know. “

Pieces began to come together. Stephen and Ayden were both cops, so if this guy was feared, he had to be into something illegal or bad. “Oh god, are you a drug dealer or a murderer or something?”

Taking a step back from Channing, she looked at him skeptically. He laughed, and the fear vanished instantly, leaving her confused as to what they were referring to. The look he shot to Stephen was one that made her feel stupid for asking the question, which only replaced the earlier anger. Impatience left her fists clutched.

“No, I’m not into anything criminal, I assure you. Now, do you want to leave with me or not? I’m not letting anyone tell me what to do. I’ll deal with the consequences.”

Melissa looked back over at her best friend’s boyfriend. “Stephen? Please tell me why you don’t want me to go. Is he going to hurt me?”

A look she couldn’t make out crossed over his face. “Hurt you, no, probably not.” He turned his attention to the tall man standing beside her. “Channing, you need to tell me what your intentions are. Is this just for tonight? What are you planning to do with her?”

“I want her.”

Those three words caused Melissa’s heart to race. Stephen’s eyes grew the size of saucers. She looked back and forth between them, feeling as though she was missing some large piece of his statement. “Channing…oh fuck. I don’t know. You don’t know her temper. She’s all wrong for you.”

“Stephen. What the hell is the matter with you?” Tears clouded Melissa’s vision. It was one thing for someone to say something like that behind her back, but so bluntly caused hurt like she couldn’t imagine. She had problems. She knew that. But what was wrong with her? Channing said he wanted her. She wasn’t sure exactly what that meant, but she liked the sound of it.

“Mel, that didn’t come out right. I’m sorry. You know I love you, but Channing doesn’t know you. I just think both of your personalities don’t mesh well together.”

“We’re talking about a night, Stephen, not forever.”

“I don’t know about that,” he mumbled.

“What did you say?” She’d heard him perfectly well, but she still couldn’t believe what he’d said. Not waiting, she grabbed Channing’s hand. “Let’s go.”

“Mel, wait. Just please, think about this. Don’t look at him. Look at me. What does your mind, your heart, tell you to do?”

Stephen grabbed her face and made her stare into eyes. For seconds she searched her own mind for the truth. “I don’t know what you mean, but I know I feel compelled to go. I want to. Now let me, and tell Ev congrats. I wasn’t the nicest person earlier. Tell her I’ll call tomorrow.”

He nodded and dropped his hands. “Be careful. Call me if you need anything. Anything! I’ll come get you or whatever needs to be done.”

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