She'd promised Mankel she would do whatever it took to save her teammates and her twin, and she'd meant it – right down to sacrificing her life for them. But she never expected she’d have to go on living, knowing she destroyed her singular chance at true love.
Merc’s fingers threaded through her hair, gently spreading them over her naked shoulder. “Why are you so quiet? Did I hurt you?”
The vulnerability in his midnight gaze cut through the loose stitches she’d hastily sewn up over her heart. Unable to keep from touching him, she shifted the pads of her fingers over his arm, tracing the granite hard lines of his huge biceps. “No, you didn't hurt me. I was just thinking.”
“About what?”
She answered with utter honesty, “That I would lay down my life for you, too.”
With the dim glow of sunlight filtered by heavily laced curtains, Merc flipped onto his back. He tugged Nightshade with him so that she sprawled across his chest, her legs spreading automatically, surprised when his hard cock nudged at her entrance.
“I wouldn't let you.” He planted his hands on her hips and slowly pushed her down on his immense length, her tender flesh resisting the intrusion at first, then giving way as he slid her all the way down.
“Okay?” he asked.
His cock was just as big as the rest of him, filling her so completely she struggled to draw in a breath, but the tight fit was nothing but incredible pleasure. “Perfect.”
Holding on to her hips, he pulled out slightly before impaling her again and wringing a loud gasp from her lips. The tenderness inside only added to the intensity, and liquid heat filled her instantly.
He pinned her to the spot, repeating the movement, carefully, she knew, because he was worried about hurting her. Her small frame had always intimidated men, made them tend to almost baby her because they were afraid they’d break her. But she was tough, and she needed more than the gentle lovemaking he'd given her before. If this was to be her only time with Merc, she wanted it seared into the very crevices of her mind, body, and soul.
She sat up, using her knees to lever herself up and off of him until his tip hovered at her entrance, then dropped down hard and fast, reveling in the way he threw back his head and clenched his jaw. She had power over this massive warrior, just as much as he had over her.
She repeated the movement, jerky at first, then smooth as she found her rhythm, balancing her palms on his chest as she rode him hard, increasing speed as the pleasure coiled tight in her belly. He rested his hands loosely on her hips, allowing her to take charge. Too soon she came, wringing all the air from her lungs, and she collapsed on his chest.
He lay still beneath her, allowing her to recover. “Fuck you’re gorgeous.”
Her lips tugged up in a smile. “And you're the most handsome man I've ever seen.” His deep rumbling laughter vibrated her cheekbone and Nightshade savored the sensation.
“Can you handle it if I finish?”
With a start, she realized he hadn't joined her in her orgasm. “Of course.”
She was shocked when he pulled from her, leaving her empty. “Roll over on your belly and get on your hands and knees.” He helped her, lifting her hips and then pushing her down until her chest rested on the bed. He growled, a deep rumble of a sound that was all sex. “I'm going to dream about you like this for the rest of my life.”
His hand soothed over the curve of her butt, up her hip, and around to fondle her breasts. Nightshade moaned as his other hand found the sensitive nub between her legs and quickly flicked it until she was bucking against his fingers.
This time, he didn't give her any warning, didn't even pause except to take his hand from her breast and grip her hips. Then he was inside her, slamming in deep, driving her ability to think, to breathe, to rationalize completely away. “Merc!”
He soothed a hand down her back, stroking her from the nape of her neck to the base of her spine. “Trust me.”
And she did. She forced herself to relax into the mattress, laying her cheek to the side and fisting her hands into the tangled sheets beneath her. He pulled out slowly, making her feel every single inch of his cock leaving her body, and then he slammed home, driving a scream from her lips.
“That's it, baby. That's what I want from you. Don't hold back.”
He repeated the motion, drawing back and slamming home, over and over. She ripped the fitted sheet from the mattress, the force of his thrust driving her entire body forward even as he yanked her back in the next breath.
Her orgasm built and built, levered off the leftovers from her previous one. She heard him grunting behind her and relished his movements as he increased the tempo, slamming forward as he yanked her back with a nearly bone-jarring power that was about to send her right over the edge again, this one even higher than before. “Merc, Merc, I'm going to come.”
“Just hold on another second. I want to come with you.” He slammed in again and she swore he touched her womb.
Sweat dripped down her arms, a fine sheen of moisture from the strain it took to hold back her screams zapping her willpower. “Hurry.”
“Need to savor it,” he ground out and slammed into her again.
“Can't. Hold. On.” She dug her face into the mattress and clenched her teeth. And then he thrust hard and deep, pushing her right over that raw edge of control, leaving her screaming his name as she came hard. “Merc!”
He stiffened inside of her, his cock seeming to swell even more as she felt the hot burst of semen filling her insides. “Caroline!”
A moment later he dropped to his elbows, his massive chest caging her against the bed. Instead of feeling trapped, she felt protected. She felt cherished.
She felt loved.
She knew in that moment what it meant to truly sacrifice. She couldn’t have this man who’d given her so much. This warrior who’d promised to protect her. He’d never look at her or hold her with such gentle care again.
Because she’d have to betray him to save her team.
