Page 71 of Shades of Mercy

“Mateo is going to kill me,” he muttered.

“You know this is our only way. I saw the dream for SMH. I won't sit back and allow it to be destroyed.”

Chapter Twenty-Two

“I don’t know why we couldn’t just stay at my apartment,” Mercy said, dropping her bag onto the desk in the hotel room.

“You know why. I told you three times. It’s still too dangerous for you to be there. I agreed to come back under the condition that you are logical.”

“Fine. At least it’s nicer here than where we stayed before.”

He noticed that she was flexing her hands.

“How are the cuts?” he asked.

“Sore.”

“Let me see them.” He patted the spot next to him on the bed.

She sat down and faced him, her hands held out. “Be gentle.”

“I’m always gentle, aren’t I?” He removed the bandages. “Luckily, they’re healing.”

They are a reminder that I need to stay informed. Tomorrow won’t come fast enough.”

“I know you want this very much and I don’t blame you, but we have to take precautions.” He couldn’t stop staring. Her tongue swept over her bottom lip. His cock hardened and the threads of control were fraying. He wanted to kick himself in the teeth for not being able to resist her. “I still can't forgive myself for you almost getting hurt.”

She made a low, throaty sound and touched her fingers against his jaw. “Jag, you’re not responsible for what happened. You were there for me to pick me up off the sidewalk.”

He sucked in a deep breath.

She smiled up at him, a cheesy smile that made him laugh. Even after what she had experienced, she was still selfless enough to want to make him feel better.

He moved his attention to her scraped and bruised knees. He lifted her legs and laid them over his lap. She truly did have nice legs, feet, and toes. Her toenails were painted a fiery red that matched her personality.

“I know you think coming here is a bad idea, but trust me,” she said.

“You’re starting to grow on me,” he admitted.

“Really? Why’s that?” She wiggled her toes.

“I guess I have a soft spot for imps with a sassy mouth and beautiful ocean blue eyes.”

“Maybe I have a soft spot for rugged men with commitment issues.”

He rubbed his hand down her leg. Her skin was as soft as satin.

She pressed her forefinger in the center of his chest. “Too bad you can be distant and detached at times. I have a feeling we could be a power couple.”

He groaned. “I guess I can be distant, but I’m working on it.”

Have you thought of me over the past two years?

“I did. Not only did I think about you, but most of my fantasies revolved around you.”

“So I was the star in your fantasies?”

“Let me just say, porn never did it for me. However, thoughts of you wearing those librarian glasses, nose tucked in a book, your bottom lip tucked between your teeth as you focused, caused me a lot of pain and cold showers, if you know what I mean.”