Secret Santa Surprise (Kindred Tales)

“Oh…” Melanie wasn’t sure what to say to his action, so she answered his words instead. “Thank you,” she said. “I, uh, couldn’t have been brave without Clear being there for me. And thank you for healing me,” she added, looking up at Strong.

“It was my pleasure, little one,” he rumbled.

Melanie became suddenly aware that she was wearing only a thin hospital johnny and that both the twins were bare-chested. They did appear to be wearing pajama bottoms, at least, but it was still an awkward position to find herself in.

Not to mention incredibly sexy, whispered a little voice in her head. Remember what Sonja said about being the filling in a yummy, muscular Kindred sandwich?

Melanie pushed the voice away and tried to keep from blushing.

They were just giving me their healing energy, she told herself quickly. They were just being nice. Clear even said his brother told him I was too old for them!

But she certainly wouldn’t know it from the way Strong was looking at her right now. Sonja had been right when she’d said that the Dark Twin of a Twin Kindred pair was scarier and more intense. Though Melanie didn’t exactly feel frightened of him. More…undressed by those piercing, dark blue eyes of his. It was like he could see right through the thin maroon hospital johnny she was wearing and he liked what he saw…a lot.

“Um…” She shifted uncertainly. “Well…I, um…”

“Brother, stop staring at her like that,” Clear’s deep voice behind her was irritated. “Can’t you see you’re frightening her?”

“Forgive me.” Strong looked away. “I was just thinking that now I understand what you see in this little one, Brother. She is lovely.”

“Thank you,” Melanie said a bit awkwardly. “Um, you guys aren’t so bad yourselves,” she added, not sure if she ought to comment on the twins’ physique or not. But it was absolutely true. Strong’s broad, muscular chest and six pack abs were mouthwatering and she could feel that Clear was every bit as muscular, since he was still pressed up against her back.

“Thank you, little one,” Strong rumbled, giving her that look again—the one that made Melanie feel like he knew what she looked like naked.

“And thank you for not being upset at finding yourself sleeping between us,” Clear added. “I wasn’t sure how you would feel, but we couldn’t bear to leave you at the Med Center. We needed to hold you between us to feel certain you were all right.”

“I guess it’s okay,” Melanie said uncertainly. “Um, do you two, uh, sleep with a girl between you often?” she asked. The minute the question was out, she wanted to call it back. What was wrong with her? Now they would think she was asking about their sex life! Which was definitely not the right thing to ask either your coworker or your doctor.

But the twins answered at once.

“No,” Clear said. “We’ve never slept with a female between us before.”

“You are the first,” Strong added, his blue eyes piercing her.

“Oh, uh…” Now Melanie really didn’t know what to say. She was grateful when Clear sat up and asked if she was hungry.

“I can make First Meal for the three of us,” he added. “So you don’t need to go anywhere near the wave, Melanie.”

“That sounds really good, but what about work?” She raised her eyebrows at him.

“I took the liberty of calling you both in sick,” Strong said, grinning at her. “Your supervisor was very understanding when I explained about the accident you had.”

“Both of us?” Melanie bit her lip.

“Is there a problem?” Clear asked, frowning.

“Not really. It’s just that when Sonja hears that both of us are out sick at the same time she’s going to think—”

“That you slept together?” There was a mocking grin playing around one corner of Strong’s mouth.

“Well…yes.” Melanie could feel her cheeks getting hot at the thought.

“But in that case, she would be right,” Clear pointed out innocently. “Because we did sleep together—you slept between the two of us,” he added, motioning to Strong.

The Dark Twin shook his head.

“No, Clear. In this context, ‘sleeping together’ means making love,” he explained.

“Oh.” Clear frowned. “Would you like me to explain to her that we didn’t make love to you?” he asked, Melanie. “I can tell the entire PR and Marketing department if you’re worried about your reputation. I’ll simply gather everyone together and explain that while you did spend the night in bed with my brother and me, nothing of a sexual nature happened.”

“Oh, no! No, please don’t do that!” Melanie put her hands to her hot cheeks, her eyes going wide. “I’m pretty sure that would only make things worse.”

Much worse.

“Worse?” Strong was frowning. “Would it be so bad if you had made love with us? Do you not wish the others at your work to think we were together sexually because of our lower status?”