Page 5 of Melissa's Mates (Blissful Bets)

“I was here first. Didn’t you see me? Plus, I believe I saved you from falling.”

He smiled down charmingly at her, but she quickly removed herself from his arms. “No, you almost broke my neck. I think falling wouldn’t have hurt so much. Jules, let’s go.”

“Wait. I’m sorry if I hurt you. It wasn’t intentional, I promise.” His voice quickly rushed in. “Can I ask you a question?”

Melissa spun around and looked back at the man. Once again, she looked into his eyes, and this time she felt something different. The feeling of getting sucked in pulled her closer to him. Taking a step forward, thoughts of seducing this man burst into her mind. He was beautiful, charming, and…Melissa blinked and ripped her gaze away.

“What did you want?”

“Your name.” He smiled as if surprised by something.

“Her name is Melissa Taylor. She’ll be at the Martini Bar in Corpus tonight if you’re interested. Now, we have to leave because I don’t think I can stand much longer.”

Melissa glared at Julie. For some reason, she wasn’t sure if she wanted this man to know her name. There was something about him that left her anxious, yet appealed. Her mind kept telling her to run for the hills, but her body wanted to wrap itself around him.

“Nice to meet you, Melissa. I’m Channing.”

She nodded wearily and eased back to her friend. Julie sat propped against a palm tree, her hair catching in the bark. The poor girl was absolutely wasted. For four in the afternoon, that wasn’t a good sign.

“Let me call us a cab, Jules. We’ll be out of here in no time.”

“Allow me to drive you wherever it is you ladies need to go.”

Melissa took in the business suit and Channing’s jet black hair. Pulling her vision to the parking lot, she looked at the vehicles filling the space. There was only one she could imagine him driving—the only other Mercedes in the lot.

“No thanks, we’ll call a cab.”

“Mel, come on. I don’t want to have to wait. Aren’t you sober enough to drive my car?”

Even though she was sure she could make it the three blocks, she wasn’t willing to bet anyone’s life on it. There were too many pedestrians that walked this island. A lot of them happened to be high school kids.

“No. The cab shouldn’t take long.”

Julie let out a groan and sunk to the ground in her business skirt.

“Please, let me help you. I’m sorry for whatever I did to make you angry.”

“We don’t need your help. You were going in to eat. Please, go enjoy your meal.”

Distance. She needed so much more separation from this man. What was it about him that made her want to flee? He was beyond gorgeous. Yet something, an energy about him, definitely pushed her away. The moment he took a step forward, she took a step back. The pain that washed over his face was the only reason she didn’t continue.

“As you wish. I’m sorry.”

Hesitantly, she watched him walk inside. Torn, she felt the need to go apologize. She’d been rude, something she hated. Instead, she pulled out her phone and called a cab company. It didn’t take them long to arrive. Helping Julie in the back seat was nothing short of her friend falling inside. It wasn’t two blocks of passing houses and palm trees before she saw Jules sway to the side. After a few seconds Julie’s hand reached forward.

“I think I’m going to be sick.”

Melissa looked over, alarmed. Even the driver of the cab tensed as he made the turn to her house. Their speed increased, and he stopped abruptly. Julie opened the door and became ill right there outside her house.

“Well, thanks for not doing that on the stairs.” Melissa paid the driver and helped her friend into her house. By the time she got Julie showered, dressed in some of her pajamas, and into bed, the clock read fifteen till seven. So much for going out tonight. She guessed it didn’t matter. There would always be tomorrow, but still, she’d been excited to go and release some steam, especially after the disaster of last weekend.

Walking to look out her sliding glass doors, Melissa watched the sunset from her view of the beach. No one was around, leaving the large expanse of beach deserted. Just the thought of walking along the water caused her to head to her room. She grabbed her black bikini and a pair of shorts. Feeling a sense of urgency, she put them on and was running for the ocean like her life depended on it.

Something drove her faster until fire raced down her lungs. Pulling the clip out of her hair, she let her red curls cascade into the wind that whipped past her. Melissa didn’t stop until her toes connected with the rush of water. The slight coolness soothed her racing heart, and suddenly she didn’t want to stop. Walking deeper, she stared captivated at the setting sun.

Waves crashed against her chest while she ventured even farther. The soft sand beneath her toes urged her until the water rested even with her chest, and she had to fight to stand against the waves. Random thoughts poured through Melissa’s mind. She couldn’t help but think of her conversation with her friends earlier. Babies. They were going to become mothers. A new batch of tears burned her eyes.

Where had time gone? Here she was right at thirty, and even though motherhood crossed her mind on occasion, she couldn’t actually picture it. First you needed a man, and then came the rest. She didn’t trust men. She’d yet to meet one that didn’t hit, cheat, or drink himself into oblivion every night. The day that one of the “good guys” came along, she’d probably just say something to ruin it anyway.

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