Page 35 of Built for Mercy

Feeling him all over me like this, so much of his skin touching mine, feeling that magical mouth on other areas, had me climbing toward my release. Already so worked up from my spanking, I realized he was going easy on me. Providing comfort after the first time he punished me.

I was okay with that.

Because I got a feeling Maverick didn’t do this for just anyone.

He grabbed my leg and draped it over his shoulder, changing the angle to hit me deeper. The sight of him, naked and sculptedlike Adonis himself… he was every bit the dark prince he painted himself as.

His name tumbled from my lips as I fell apart again, rejoicing in every moment of this orgasm as much as the others. I didn’t care that tears continued to fall. I wasn’t in pain, not really. No, I was very much savoring the sting across my ass from where he’d spanked me. Loved how tightly he gripped my hips and nipped at my tits with his teeth. I was certain I would have bruises and marks from him tomorrow, and my muscles would be sore from these new positions.

And even though I barely knew the man, even though he owed menothing, he was still more honest with me than anyone in my life had ever been. It was such a fucking turn on; it made me want this man in ways I shouldn’t. Made me loyal to his cause.

When I caught my breath and opened my eyes, I realized that the idea of being punished sounded so… demeaning. Yet, all I felt was peace.

When his gaze met mine as we came together, I had never felt more powerful.

***

Maverick nuzzled my neck as I stroked his dark locks back from his forehead. He curled into my side, lazily tracing circles across my stomach.

I’d gotten up to use the bathroom moments after we finished our second round, smiling giddily at my reflection once the door was closed. Flushed cheeks and bright eyes and wild hair—I looked satisfied.

Now we were just resting on his bed, silence wrapped around us.

I felt comfortable. Sated.

Grinning to myself, I murmured, “You’re a good snuggler.”

He stilled, immediately making me wonder if I’d overstepped.

Shit.What was I thinking, opening my mouth? He was a dangerous man and probably didn’t want to be called asnuggler.

He was definitely a fuck-’em-and-chuck-’em type.

When he immediately pulled away, it just confirmed my thoughts. “I’m not the cuddling type, Soph. It just…” he frowned. “Felt right, I guess. But I’m not going to promise it to you every time we fuck.”

The high I’d been riding dissipated in an instant when embarrassment hit me like a splash of cold water. A lump formed in my throat. I felt humiliated.Of course,he didn’t want me getting attached.Of course,we would only ever fuck and nothing more. Not like I expected anything more, because I really didn’t.

But he didn’t have to be so cut and dry while I lay naked except my stockings and my ass still burned with his handprints.

Needing space, I cleared my throat and sat up, instantly missing his warmth. I tucked my hair—now damp with sweat and wavy instead of its usually straight hairstyle—behind my ears and said, “I wouldn’t expect it.” There was no emotion in my voice, because truthfully, I was tired of feeling anything resembling hope or happiness. Being angry at the world was within my comfort zone. Maybe I’d get a reprieve here and there.

Which is what Dean served as to me.

And hanging out with Callie and Liam, too.

Even sex now.

They were all distractions at the end of the day.

And this? I had to remind myself what it really was. At no point could I allow myself to catch feelings for Maverick Mercer. No matter how incredible the sex was.

This will only ever be us acting on the sexual chemistry between us.

“Hey. Where’d you go?” Maverick propped his chin on his hand.

I gave him a tight smile. “Nowhere that matters.” I tried to put an inkling of lightheartedness into my voice but failed monumentally. Bitterness was bleeding through. Climbing off the bed, I started gathering my clothes.

“Where are you going?”