Page 62 of Built for Mercy

I pretended to ignore the way my heart my fluttered and caught in my throat with the sudden excitement of seeing him again. The door opened, and my panties instantly dampened at the sight of him. His dark hair was disheveled, and his sleeves were rolled to his elbows. I could see his tattoos I was itching to run my fingers over—to ask more about—and the base of his throat was exposed with the top button of his shirt undone.

He looked utterly fucking delectable.

He opened his mouth, probably to call out my name, when his gaze settled on me in the kitchen. His face began to light up before he saw the blankets in the living room, his hand running through his hair in surprise.

Oh no.

Maybe I overstepped.

Maybe this was too much; too fast.

My heart constricted, my throat worked nervously.

Stupid, Sophie. What the hell were you thinking?

But then a slow smile crept across his face, and I could breathe again. “What’s all this?” His eyes twinkled with some unnamed emotion.

I dried my hands on a towel, rounding the island. “I thought you could use some throw blankets. You know, make the space a little more cozy and inviting.”

He cocked a brow, his lips quirking into an amused smirk. “Cozy and inviting, huh?”

I fidgeted with the towel as he stepped further into the room. “Yeah. I made fun of you when I first came here about it not being warm and fuzzy.”

He laughed, then reached out to grasp my waist and pull me against him. “And the candles?”

I giggled, and his eyes darkened. “Ambiance,” I murmured with a coy smile.

“Sophie Reyes, whatambianceare you trying to set?”

I refrained from biting my lip, remembering the rules he put in place our first night together. “I wanted it to feel more like a home. I hope I didn’t overstep.”

His face softened, blood rising to his cheeks in an unexpected flush. He cleared his throat. “You didn’t…” he shook his head. “It’s a nice surprise.” He let go with one hand and pulled the clip holding my hair up in a bun, my waves then cascading around my shoulders. He weaved his fingers through the hair at my nape and tugged me closer to kiss me, sucking on my upper lip, then my lower one. He drank me in, stealing my breath and heart.

My eyes stayed closed when he pulled back, and I was nearly desperate to keep him in this moment with me. He chuckled. “You’re so goddamn sweet. This was the best way to end my day. Thank you.”

I met his gaze with a half-lidded one of my own, feeling a surge of emotion. “I should be thanking you,” I whispered. “You really helped me earlier. I don’t think you realize just how much, and I…” I frowned, trying to articulate my thoughts. “I appreciate it. No one has shown me that kind of grace before.”

Maverick took my face in both palms, and I sank further into the abyss that was him. “Sophie, I want to be who you come to to share good news, and who you run to on your worst days. You seem to think you have flaws, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Every piece of yourself that you share with me… I find you more complex, yet no less perfect.”

I searched his eyes for sincerity, my heart pounding in my chest. I could choose to share how I felt now, risk it being too soon, or be bold. “I know it’s fast, and the odds are stacked against us, but I’m falling for you, Maverick.”

He blinked in surprise before briefly kissing me again. “I’m falling for you, too, Detective.”

29

Maverick

I’m falling for you, Maverick.

The last thing I expected when I came home was to discover blankets and candles, baskets and better organization, small touches of a woman. Things that didn’t even cross my mind but made perfect sense.

Now Sophie stood in the kitchen, making something fascinating to watch. Gone was the insecure woman from earlier, and in her place was a confident woman who seemed at peace. A smile rested on her lips, seemingly permanent by how it hadn’t faded, and her waves were wild around her.

And her words kept echoing in my head.

I’m falling for you, Maverick.

Sophie was single-handedly throwing every single one of my rules out the window, and I didn’t even care. Didn’t even think to stop it, because it felt right and it feltgood.