Dying to Love Her (6 page)

“Are you really suggesting I help the two of you become
human again, shack up together and live happily ever after?”

They both looked unfazed by her question.

She cleared her throat and tried to get them to see reason.
“I’m sorry but I live in reality, not some dreamed-up dirty erotic romance
fantasy world. I mean, I expected to one day be a Mr. and Mrs., never a Mr. and
Mr. and Mrs.”

Melanie pushed to the back of her mind the sad the truth
that she’d begun to think she’d spend the rest of her life alone.

“We’re rich, Melanie. That affords us a certain level of
eccentricity,” Rook said. “We can make this work however you want. Women like
you are few and far between. It’s not unusual for vampires who have the same
blood needs to share a lifemate. I’ve seen as many as four commit to one woman
and trust me, they keep her so happy she doesn’t give a damn what anybody
thinks. But if this lifestyle makes you uncomfortable, maybe sometimes you
could stay with me in the city and other times out here with Alec.”

“No,” Alec interrupted. “That might work in the beginning
but what happens when we have children? Melanie being away from my side would
be hard enough—but my children? That’s never going to happen. We’ve talked
about this, Rook. We’ll be a family and that means we live together.”

Like her ass was on fire, Melanie shot up off of the bed and
away from the two men planning a life for her without her say. “I don’t think
we’ve gotten nearly far enough in this conversation to be discussing living
arrangements and kids. I mean can you two really have them?” She thought of
their orgasms just moments ago. They both had been missing a key element
necessary for fathering children.

“Remember, we’ll be human,” Rook said. “But you should know
we can only give you sons and they will someday become vampires too.”

She paced the room as her mind raced, trying to put all the
pieces together. Too many were missing. “Look, this is a lot for me to try to
understand. I know you say you have feelings for me and I’m not saying I don’t
feel something too, but really is it something to base a lifetime on? I’m not
sure.”

Her gut wouldn’t let her say no. That instinctual part of
her that embraced the crazy romance of it all didn’t care about doubts.
Unfortunately, that logical part of her brain that had been missing since
yesterday decided to show up. “I need some time. Let’s take it slow, get to
know each other better.”

“We have until tomorrow night to do that,” Alec said, his
face a mask of guarded emotion.

“Tomorrow? Are you serious?” Melanie rubbed her forehead,
fighting off the mother of all headaches. “Why are you in such a hurry?”

“Your blood carries a virus that our bodies will learn to
fight.” Alec frowned. “By tomorrow evening we’ll be resistant. We need more of
your blood—”

“Take it.” Melanie thrust her wrist at Alec before she
realized what she was doing. It had been a purely physical reaction, done
without thought—only need. Why should she care about losing either of these
men, she barely knew them?

Alec took her hand, looked into her eyes and kissed her
upturned wrist. Tingles traveled along her arm to the rest of her body.
“Melanie, we can only feed from you one more time. It will mark the beginning
of our lives together. We want to make it memorable.”

“So I help you make the change and then we see about us.” It
was all starting to sound like an arranged marriage and she needed someone to
be with her because they wanted to, not because she was their only option. “You
don’t have to make a commitment to me just because you need my blood. I’ll help
you anyway.”

“You’re missing the point.” Rook stood and poured all his
emotions into his passionate words. “This isn’t about us being human. This is
about us being with you.” He cupped her face and rubbed his thumb along her
cheek. “It’s all or nothing for us. Alec and I love you. Accept that, trust it
and listen to what your own feelings are telling you. This is right. Your heart
won’t steer you wrong.”

His words should have brought her to her knees but the
overload of emotions began to numb her body. It all seemed too perfect and
unrealistic.

Melanie remained motionless, undecided. There wasn’t any
room left for her to consider anybody else’s feelings when she hadn’t gotten a
grip on her own.

Vampires weren’t susceptible to human ailments like carpal
tunnel syndrome but at the rate he’d been turning his wrist to check his
Tourneau, Alec might be the first. He pulled his keys from the ignition of his
Audi R8 GT and switched his cell phone to his other hand. “She should have
contacted one of us by now.”

“It’s seven o’clock on Sunday morning,” Rook grumbled
through his long, drawn-out yawn. “I doubt she’s up. I wouldn’t be if you
hadn’t called. Give Melanie a little more time. If we want her trust we need to
trust in her. She’ll find her way to us.”

Alec gripped the steering wheel and his knuckles whitened.
Neither of them had talked to her since yesterday. She’d left without any
promise to commit. Last night with the memory of her touch still warm on his
skin, he’d been as optimistic as Rook.

Hell, he had new body art to prove it. They’d both gotten
traditional vampire marriage tattoos to prove to her just how committed they
were to becoming her mates. Sounded fucking brilliant at the time but now he
feared it might serve as a reminder of the one that got away.

“I think one of us needs to talk to her and it needs to be
done in person,” he said, adjusting his sunglasses as he stared out his window
at Melanie’s small suburban brick home.

Silence. That was all he got from Rook’s end for a few
uncomfortable seconds.

“You’re already at her house, aren’t you?” Resignation mixed
with aggravation and jealousy colored Rook’s tone. “So this call wasn’t to ask
my opinion. You’ve already made up your mind.”

“I thought you should know.” Alec unbuckled his seatbelt.
“Anything that concerns Melanie concerns you too. She’s as much mine as she’s
yours.”

In actuality she wasn’t really either of theirs yet. With
one final taste of her blood they’d be hers forever. She’d still need to take
the traditional kiss of blood to seal her bond to them.

“She was adamant about what she wanted, Alec. I think we
should give her the chance to come to us.”

“And if she doesn’t?” Alec let out a frustrated sigh, opened
his door and stepped out onto the pavement. “Look, we fucked this all up taking
her blood so quickly. Now we have hours hanging over our heads and if Melanie
doesn’t follow her heart we’re all screwed. Forgive me for wanting to make sure
she’s moving in the right direction.”

“You’re my best friend, Alec, but I swear if you fuck this
up for us—”

“I won’t. I promise.” He’d never forgive himself if he did.
Alec headed across the quiet street. “You keep making sure tonight is special
for Melanie and I’ll make sure she’ll be there.” He ended the call and shoved
the phone into his back pocket.

His long-sleeved shirt and jeans gave him little protection.
Already his skin felt tight and itchy. Self-preservation quickened his pace. He
recognized the early discomfort of sun exposure. Melanie’s blood—its effect—was
beginning to weaken. Everything in him burned to strengthen the precarious
bond.

Potted mums decorated either side of the wide steps leading
up to her shaded porch. He hurried to find cover under the awning. Alec slid
his sunglasses down his nose, folded them into his shirt pocket and knocked
loud enough to wake her neighbors.

Through the door he could just make out the sound of her
steps. They slowed as she neared. Inches of milled wood separated them but it
felt like miles. Not knowing what was going through her mind, not knowing if
she’d be in his arms from this day forward suffocated him.

Melanie opened the door and his lungs gave way, filling with
cool morning air. She crossed her arms over the pink tank top that matched her
striped flannel pajama bottoms, and tilted her head. “What, no danishes?”

If she looked this cute every morning they were never going
to make it out of bed before noon. The furry pink slippers she wore looked like
bad seventies shag carpet. They put a smile on his face. So did her
unconvincing frown.

“Just tell me the name of your favorite baker and I’ll bring
you back a dozen.” Give him a day and he’d have them shipped over from Paris if
that’s what she wanted.

“Where’s Rook?” Melanie rose on her toes and looked around
his shoulder, her eyes searching. A fleeting shadow of disappointment darkened
her expression and then disappeared. “We might need more than a dozen.”

He didn’t let the twinge of jealousy nagging at him take
hold. It could only mean good things for them if she missed Rook.

“I’m betting he’s lost his taste for danishes indefinitely.”
His gaze traveled to her lips. Alec’s sluggish heartbeat sped up. Never would
he lose his taste for her. He barely kept himself from taking her into his arms
and indulging in one of her sweet kisses. “When you left yesterday he headed
back to his apartment in the city.”

“So what you’re telling me is Rook is better at following
directions than you.”

“You said you needed time, not how much.”

Her lips quivered, almost giving way to a smile. She ran her
fingers through her hair releasing the faint citrus aroma of his shampoo still
clinging on from yesterday’s shower.

He wanted her covered in his blood scent too, marking her as
his own. “I was hoping we could talk.”

“Do you want to come in?”

More than anything
. “I better not. Me, you and all
manner of surfaces to have sex on. I don’t trust myself. We better stick to
public places.”

Melanie looked up from under her flirty lashes. “You don’t
strike me as the kind of man who would shy away from putting on a show in
public.”

With Melanie he’d never shy away or apologize for the desire
he felt. How he’d need to touch her, always and often. He rubbed his fingers
along the hard line of his unshaven jaw. “I’m game if you are?”

“You think you’re so charming, don’t you?” Melanie shook her
head and challenged him with her no-nonsense look.

“I don’t know. You tell me.”

Alec had promised himself they’d just talk but she was
irresistible. And her obstinate posturing was his favorite kind of foreplay. He
moved closer and when she held her ground he cupped her face. The warmth of her
skin relieved his worries. Touching her made everything right.

Her lips parted but no words came. Slowly he closed the gap
between them and breathed in her shallow breath as it bathed his lips. The
space between them became almost nonexistent.

“I can hear the race of your blood beneath your skin and
smell your desire, Melanie. And those nipples of yours refusing to be ignored
under your shirt, hard and needy begging to be touched. You don’t have to tell
me you’re charmed by me. Your body already has.”

Alec followed her sharp intake of breath and sealed his lips
over hers. He delved into her mouth, slipping his tongue along hers. Her taste
was addicting, something he craved more than blood. Time ticked away but still
he didn’t rush. If this was all they’d ever have he wanted to relish every
second.

Kissing her deep, he filled her with his longing and pulled
her near. The way her hands rushed around him to grab his ass made him quake.
Alec stepped forward and guided her into her home. Blindly he reached for the
door and shut it as she ripped her mouth away with a moan.

Her carnal, lusty tone traveled across his skin like
electrical currents.

“Just because my body doesn’t know what’s good for it
doesn’t mean I should be with you and Rook,” she said, her tone defiantly sexy.
Melanie’s body language, however, was much more willing. She turned, braced her
hands flat against the door and arched her back.

Every one of his muscles tensed when she wiggled her ass
invitingly against his erection. She didn’t have to tease him twice. Alec
pushed her pajama pants down and she helped him by kicking the slippers from
her feet. Bare-ass beautiful, she wore no underwear to impede him. He looked
his fill, admiring her flawless milky skin, the curve of her waist.

“You’re wrong. Your body knows just how good we are for
you.” Alec unbuttoned his jeans and forced them down his thighs along with his
fitted boxers. He bent his knees and thrust through her whimpers until he was
as deep inside her as she could take him.

Skintight perfection. Her silken heat tempted him to lose
all his control. Fuck her so hard she’d be too exhausted to say anything but
yes to him and Rook. He mastered his emotions. He needed to cater to hers right
now. Alec didn’t move an inch.

“When you’re thirsty you drink. When you’re tired you sleep.
So when your body tells you to love, why are you fighting it?”

Melanie looked back out of the corner of her eye and even at
this angle he could see the dimple at the corner of her shaky smile. She
rotated her hips in a circular motion tempting him to move. “You call this
fighting?”

Smart-ass. He loved her quick wit.

“You’re here aren’t you?” Alec drew away and with
considerable willpower didn’t drive back into her like he ached to do. “You
should be with Rook and me where you belong. Forever and always. Not here
alone.”

Her playfulness vanished and she looked down at the floor.
“No talking, no thinking—not right now, Alec. I’ve spent all night doing that.”
Melanie pushed her hips back and flexed her inner muscles around the head of
his cock. “Please…please just fuck me. Fuck me hard like I know you want to.”

“You want it too.” Alec clenched his jaw against the
incredible sensation. He held onto her hips and kept her willing body at bay.
“You want it today and I promise you’ll want it tomorrow.” Finally he gave in
to his need for her with a never-ending volley of forceful thrusts that tore
gasps from her.

“And you’ll want it for all the tomorrows after that.” He
pounded each word home with the slap of his hips.

Melanie screamed out with pleasure and bucked against him.
Her hair slipped away, revealing the delicate line of her neck.

The temptation to end this here and now overwhelmed him. His
fangs erupted. He threw his head back and released his frustration with a
gut-wrenching groan. It would be so easy. Other vampires had done it, bonded
with a lifemate without permission. Rook’s youngest brother Archer had but not
without consequence. It had taken a long time for the couple to rebuild trust.

Not Alec. She’d come willingly or not at all.

He kept pounding into her seizing flesh, wet with her
excitement and ignored the burn of his imminent orgasm, determined to milk hers
for all it was worth. “Don’t let this end today. Fuck, Melanie, please don’t
walk away from me.”

Whatever will he had to hold back crumbled when she cried
out his name. Alec slammed into her pussy and dug his fingers into her hips
hard enough to leave bruises. His release assaulted his senses and a wave of
heat ripped through him. The tip of his cock was supersensitized. With slow,
short thrusts he prolonged his orgasm with the most pleasurable shocks of pain.

Alec felt her sobs in the quiet tremble of her body before
he heard them. “Melanie?” He tenderly ran his hand up to the bottom hem of her
shirt, working his fingers beneath the fitted material. “Are you okay?”

She pulled away and huddled up against the door instead of
taking comfort from him. She covered her face with her hands. “I don’t know.”
She sniffled.

He could deal with a lot of things. Not this. Not seeing her
cry. Alec pulled his pants up and enveloped her from behind. “Talk to me,
Melanie.”

She shook harder with his words.

Thankfully, his fangs receded. He nestled his cheek against
her head and ignored his own rush of emotions.

“I don’t know if I can do this.” The words came out in a
rush.

“You’re one hell of a woman, Melanie Woodson. I’ve only
needed a few hours with you to see that.” Alec forced her around. “You can do
anything you want.” She kept her head bowed but he refused to let her hide.
“Look at me, Melanie.”

When her eyes met his, hers wet with tears, he hated himself
for being the one to have caused them. He’d spend the rest of his life making
it up to her if she’d let him. “I’m sorry we didn’t give you more time. Both of
us were selfish. We should have waited to take your blood but you are so
tempting and we didn’t want to lose you.”

Now they just might. Alec smoothed the hair from her face
and couldn’t resist keeping his fingers nestled in the soft strands. “You know
what I want, what Rook wants. We want you.”

“You make it sound so simple but it’s not.” She dabbed the
tears away from the corners of her eyes. “What will people think of me, being
with two men? I don’t know if I can spend the rest of my life being the object
of scorn, let alone bring children into this world to deal with the same
ridicule.” Melanie took a deep breath and guided his hands from her hair. She
held them gingerly. “Kids always made fun of me for having the fat parents. Can
you imagine the kind of crap our kids would face?”

“This is getting ahead of ourselves, but there are private
schools here in the city that cater to our kind. If you do agree to be with us,
if we’re blessed with sons, there is a whole community there to support us.”
Alec gripped her hands tighter. “My parents were monogamous but Rook lived with
three fathers. That hasn’t stopped him from wanting a similar life for his
sons. I don’t think he’d choose to do anything that would hurt people he
loves.”

She stilled and her eyebrows shot up. “Really, three?”

Alec nodded. He wasn’t ready to deal with what her answer
might be to his next question but he forced himself to ask. “Would you have
already agreed to become a lifemate if there was only one of us?”

Her cheeks flushed and she stared at him, unflinching.
“Honestly,” she sighed, seemingly relieved to speak the truth. “Probably.”

Her admission was like a punch to the gut. Even though dark
curiosity had him wanting to ask her who she would choose given a choice, he
didn’t ask. He loved Rook like a brother, but he didn’t know if he loved him
enough to walk away from Melanie. And he wouldn’t fault his oldest friend for
feeling the same way.