Page 14 of Built for Mercy
“Alright, that’s my cue,” Liam grumbled, sliding out of the booth. “I’m getting a refill. You two—just, please, be done with that conversation before I’m back.”
Callie and I burst out laughing while he backed away with a shake of his head. There was a time when we openly discussed sex, but I supposed that was before the two of them officially became involved. Amazing how quickly things could change.
“I amsogetting laid tonight,” Callie said with a wicked grin.
I sighed heavily. “That makes one of us.” Disappointment settled in my gut. Along with the lingering lust… I felt like a tangled mess of emotions.
“Ten bucks says you could go back up there and get laid right the fuck now.”
My cheeks heated even more, if such a thing were possible. I was no prude, and usually led a very sexually active life, but Maverick made me feel like a blushing virgin all over again.
“Yeah, no, that’s not happening,” I grumbled, trying to forget the wholegood girlthing again.
Her blue eyes flicked in the general direction of where I’d disappeared with him earlier. “I think you’re missing out on a good time.”
“If you were single, I’d tellyouto go fuck him,” I joked. “But in all seriousness, it’s not a good idea for me to do that. He’s… intense. Really intense.”And just asked me to kill someone for him. After which I held a knife to his throat.
Dios mio, my mind warred with itself, and not in a good way.
Part of me was already regretting not taking his offer, not just for vengeance but also to spend more time with him. The other part of me wanted to stay as far away as possible, because Liam was right: Maverick was dangerous, far more than I was, and I was not a strong enough woman to stay away and fight my hormones. Plus, he was heartbreak waiting to happen, and I didn’t need that. Not right now.
“Soph… what actually happened up there?”
I twirled my hair again, the alcohol finally making my head fuzzy, thank God. “I don’t want to talk about it yet.”
She frowned but nodded. “Okay.”
The silence surrounding us made one thing glaringly obvious: Maverick had embedded himself under my skin and in my mind, infecting me until all I could think about was what it would be like to go back up there and see how I could make him regret ever meeting me.
“Come on,” I urged Callie, suddenly needing to move. “Let’s go dance. Flag Liam down on the way.”
We made our way to the dance floor, the thumping music enveloping us in its pulsating rhythm. The colorful lights danced across the walls, creating a kaleidoscope of hues that matched the chaotic whirl of bodies. Callie and I let ourselves get lost in the music, our movements fluid and uninhibited.
As I swayed to the music, I felt a surge of recklessness wash over me. The alcohol coursing through my veins heightened my senses, making me acutely aware of every touch and brush against my skin. Each passing body stirred a hunger in me, a craving for something more than just fleeting sensations.
When Liam reappeared with fresh drinks, he raised an eyebrow at the sight of us dancing on the crowded floor. His gaze lingered on me for a moment, a silent question in his eyes, but he said nothing as he handed us our drinks.
The music throbbed louder, and I felt Callie’s hand slip into mine, drawing my eyes to hers. She leaned in close to me to say, “Your heart’s not in it. Let’s go.”
I swallowed the lump in my throat and nodded, tipping my glass up to drink it all in one fell swoop while my friends watched with concern. Callie handed her full drink back to Liam, the gesture speaking volumes to her knowing her limits after years of alcohol abuse.
Moments later we were in the fresh night air, my feverish skin getting a much-needed reprieve. My sweat began to dry as myfriends flagged down a cab and turned to me, both wary as they scrutinized me swaying in my heels.
Yeah, those drinks definitely went straight to my head. I should’ve been more careful with my empty stomach.
“Guys, I’m fine,” I told them, trying not to slur my words.
“Right—” Callie started.
“Seriously.” I waved them off. “Go home. I’m calling an Uber.” I held my phone up to show them the app was open. After another moment of debating, they climbed into a cab together and left.
Leaving me alone with my thoughts, which were still heavily riddled with the memory of Maverick touching me, lighting me up from the inside in ways I’d never experienced before… I wondered what would happen if I marched back inside the club and demanded he bend me over and fuck these feelings out of my system.
Blowing out a breath, I made a rash decision.
***
Dean leaned against the door frame of his studio apartment, a wry grin plastered on his face, as if he knew I would come around eventually.