Page 68 of Built for Mercy

Until we came together, the sound of our moans echoing off the walls.

The vibrator disappeared, my shackles released, and I was left in a limp heap on his bed. He pulled me into him, and I whispered, “Nine.”

31

Maverick

Istroked Sophie’s hair back from her face. Her breathing was just returning to normal, and the heat of her flushed skin warmed my lap. Her eyes were still closed, and she hadn’t moved an inch. I knew I’d worn her out, but I couldn’t let her go to sleep with the remnants of lube and whipped cream all over her, let alone without properly caring for her backside.

Pressing a soft kiss to her jaw, I rolled away to run a bath and pour some Epsom salts into the water. I lit the candles that adorned the corners of the large garden tub and prepared robes for the both of us, then returned to the bedroom to find her in the same position.

A smile formed on my lips as I took a moment to drink the sight of her in. She was so wonderfully responsive to what I wanted to do to her, even though she was still discovering the things she liked.

Fuck.She belonged in my world, not in New Jersey as a cop.

I scooped her into my arms and carried her to the bathroom, her head resting on my chest and her eyes dazed. I climbed into the tub before gently setting her on her feet so we could settle comfortably.

Sophie moaned softly, her body relaxing into mine. The warm water lapped at her skin, tiny beads rolling down her collarbone, catching on the black hearts piercing her nipples. I had to mentally tell my dick that now was not the time.

From this angle, her ribs were noticeable, the skin over them taut. Each time her chest rose and fell, I could see them more. It killed me that she was still so impacted by people that were no longer a part of her life.

“You hanging in there?” I asked her softly.

She nodded. “Just needed a minute for my soul to return to its rightful place in my body.”

That made me laugh. “Thank you.”

“For what?”

“I needed that after today. It’s why I wanted to make sure I understood your boundaries with the safe words.”

She hummed, her hands swishing in the water. “I should be thanking you. You’re making me understand things I never knew I wanted… or needed.”

Sighing, I trailed my hands over her too-thin body until they settled on her stomach. She stilled for a moment before resting her hands on mine. “You’re too perfect.”

“You can’t say things like that to me,” she murmured.

I grinned and kissed the soft spot behind her ear. “Get used to it.”

“Keep spoiling me and I’ll never leave.”

I squeezed her closer. “Okay, now those are thingsyoucan’t say tome.”

Sophie laughed heartily. “Whatever, lover boy.”

A moment of silence passed between us. I took the opportunity to gently massage her shoulders. “Why did you pick blue as a safe word?”

She hesitated, not answering for several seconds before loosing a heavy breath. “Your eyes,” was all she said, causing me to pause my gentle kneading.

“My eyes?”

“Yeah. When you look at me, you make me feel safe.Wanted.It felt apt.”

My heart lurched into my throat.

She reached for my arm, turning slightly as her fingers brushed over the ink that covered my skin, following the intricate lines of the sleeve she’d always been obsessed with.

“You’ve never told me what this means,” she murmured, her touch slow, reverent.