Secret Santa Surprise (Kindred Tales)

“Oh, um…I see.” Melanie nodded.

“I won’t ask if you’d like to take a bath, because you already look uncomfortable,” Strong remarked. “But just know that if you ever would like to try our bathing pool, you would be welcome.”

“With or without Strong and I present—whichever you choose,” Clear added.

“Thank you.” Melanie nodded and smiled at both of them. “But I think for right now I’ll just get dressed, if that’s okay?”

“Perfectly fine,” Strong assured her. “Come, Brother—let’s give our guest some privacy.”

“Thank you,” Melanie said again, nodding at both of them as they left.

When the door slid shut behind them, she breathed a sigh of relief. Whew! How had she gotten into such an awkward situation?

And how in the world was she going to get out of it?

7

“So what happened then?” Sonja asked, wide-eyed. She was literally sitting on the edge of her seat, so much so that Melanie was afraid she was about to fall off the couch.

“Well, I got dressed and we all had breakfast.” She shrugged. “I think Clear must have said something to Strong because there were no more innuendoes or invitations to ‘make love’ or get Joined to them or anything like that. But he just kept looking at me—undressing me with his eyes, you know? I just…wasn’t sure how to feel about it.”

“Girl, I told you the Dark Twin is always the scary one!” Sonja exclaimed. “Didn’t I tell you?”

“You did,” Melanie admitted. “But I still wasn’t prepared for how he looked at me.”

“He wants you,” Sonja said decisively. “They both do.”

“Surely not.” Melanie shook her head. “I’m way too old for them! And they even said they’re too young and don’t, uh, have enough status for me.”

“That’s just Twin Kindred speak for ‘Girl, you’re a goddess—let me worship at your feet!’” Sonja assured her. “Don’t let it throw you off.”

“I don’t know…” Melanie shook her head. “This is all happening so fast—if it’s happening at all. I mean, I haven’t even been divorced from Steve a whole year yet.”

“That’s plenty long enough to move on and find yourself something better,” Sonja assured her. “Do you know that before Sahran, I dated the same boy since high school? Seriously, we were together all through college and I was sure I was going to walk down the aisle with him.”

“What happened?” Melanie asked, taking another sip of her tea. She had invited her friend to her suite to get ahead of the gossip mill and also to get Sonja’s advice. She knew a lot more about the Kindred than Melanie did.

“Well, he got tired of waiting for me to give up my V card and went off with some skank,” Sonja said candidly. “Now, to be fair, he had been waiting about four years. But still, I’m worth waiting for.” She tossed her long black braids and Melanie laughed.

“You certainly are. Good for you for not giving in.”

“I’ll give it up when I’m good and ready,” Sonja remarked. “And you should do the same. You don’t have to feel pressured to hop into bed with Clear and Strong, but do give yourself a chance to know them. I mean, you like Clear—right?”

“Yes, I do,” Melanie admitted—both to herself and her friend. “He’s an absolute sweetheart, even if he is too young for me.”

“Stop it with all that age nonsense,” Sonja commanded. “You like him—let’s leave it at that.”

“Okay.” Melanie nodded. “He’s incredibly sweet and thoughtful and caring and handsome. I like him.”

“And how do you feel about his twin?” Sonja asked.

“Well…” Melanie bit her lip. “If I’m being honest, I was a little scared of him. Or maybe not so much scared of him as scared of what I might do with him and Clear if I wasn’t careful and I let down my guard.”

“Would it be so bad to let down your guard, though?” Sonja inquired. “It could be fun.”

“Says the girl who’s saving herself for marriage,” Melanie pointed out.

“Hey, just because I’m waiting doesn’t mean I’m not going to enjoy sex when I finally get some.” Sonja put a hand on her ample hip. “Sahran has informed me that he intends to worship every inch of my body with his tongue and girl, I can’t wait.”

Melanie laughed.

“I certainly hope sex turns out to be as good as your imagining it,” she told her friend sincerely. “I think it can be really special with the right person.”

“Or people.” Sonja nudged her with an elbow. “I’m serious, Melanie—you should give Clear and Strong a chance.”

“Well, I’m seeing them again at the Christmas party,” Melanie pointed out. “At least Clear will be there and I’m assuming he’ll bring Strong.”

“They’ll both be there,” Sonja assured her. “They’ll be wanting to see you.” She started to giggle. “I can’t wait to see the three of you get together for the first time since you woke up in their bed!”