CHAPTERNINETEEN
MARCUS
It was time.
For the first time in my long life, I didn't want to do what needed to be done. I wanted to stay with Merry.
Two days had passed since the night we had dinner together. After dinner, we watched a few more episodes of One Punch Man. She laughed at my inability to understand certain aspects of the show and teased me relentlessly.
No trace of the scared woman I'd met only days ago remained.
I couldn't bring myself to touch her that night, to ask her if she wanted what I wanted.
I knew she wanted to touch me and be touched in return, but I could still sense a certain hesitancy. The warning I'd given her had sunk in. She understood that for me it wouldn't just be sex. It would be a great deal more.
Still, she kissed me before going to her room, just a light brush of lips against mine.
Tonight, we were going to the house that Dumont was using as a base. As Ava suspected, he left Austin, but he didn't go far. He rented a house between Austin and Houston and he'd remained there rather than returning to Louisiana.
None of us were certain if he was waiting for orders from someone or planning something, but we agreed it would be best not to wait and find out.
"Be careful," Merry said.
I focused on her and saw that her mouth was tight. "We all will. It will be fine. I promise."
She didn't say anything else but I could see that worry still gnawed at her.
"We'll be back by dawn," I continued, hoping that it would reassure her.
"I know. Will you call me when you're done and on your way home?" she asked.
It was the first time anyone other than Callum or Macgrath had asked me to check in after a mission.
"It will be late. I don't want to wake you."
She laughed, a short, harsh sound. "I don't think I'll be sleeping so feel free to call and text."
"Okay. I'll call you."
"Promise me," she said, her gaze piercing.
"I promise."
"Good."
Without warning, she stepped into me, put her arms around my neck, and pulled me down so her lips closed over mine.
The kiss stole my ability to think. I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her onto her toes and into my body. She tasted of the coffee she'd been drinking and the Andes mints Callum had brought home after his planning session with Ava and Macgrath.
A shrill whistle interrupted the kiss and Merry pulled her mouth from mine. She didn't back away, but I wanted her mouth back. I wanted to forget everything and lose myself in her.
"Celebrate when we come back," Callum yelled. "We have a mission."
Merry's eyes opened and she sighed. "I don't suppose you could just forget him and leave him behind when you're done, could you?"
"I'm definitely considering it," I murmured.
She smiled, her dark eyes sparkling. The anxiety had faded from her face. "Just come back to me in one piece. I have plans for later."
