And he was scared to death because the only thing he knew how to handle was hate – not love.
“I know I'm not on your level. I mean, it's bad enough I’m in the military, but it’s even worse that I’m an operator. Hell, you live in a mansion.” He squeezed her hands. “I know I don't have anything to give you. You deserve so much more than what I have to offer. And I’ve been telling myself that I can’t, that I shouldn’t. But I do. I love you, Caroline.”
How couldthis giant of a man, this strong trained soldier, love her?He loved her.
No, he loved Caroline Cotter.
God, he might as well have put a gun to her chest and pulled the trigger. Merc didn't love Nightshade. He was in love with her twin sister.
He shifted his weight to his right foot, nervous. “Say something, please.”
Staring into his intense gaze, she saw fear and hope.Hewas scaredshewould reject him?Her?Even before he knew her, he’d saved her life. And then he turned into a companion, an ally, a lover, taking her side even against Cotter.How could she ever want to reject that?
God, she wanted him so badly. The way he was looking at her now gave her hope that maybe if she told him the truth, after this was all over he would understand and forgive her. He had to, because she didn't know if she could live without him.
“I love you, too.”
His arms were around her in an instant, lifting her off the floor, his chest rumbling with a sigh of pure relief. “Damn you’re gorgeous.”
How could her chest swell any more without bursting?
Feet dangling a full foot off the floor, held up by Merc’s huge muscular arms, Nightshade cupped his face in her hands, taking in every single inch of his hard sculpted jaw and perfect lips. His expression was full of open adoration. She wanted to remember this moment for the rest of her life.
He took her lips in a gentle caress that she felt straight to her toes. Soft, as if they had all the time in the world, his lips brushed over hers. Then he backed her to the wall in the recessed area by the door and Nightshade sensed the hunger that he was holding back.
The moment she opened her mouth to his, their tongues met in an explosion of passion. She wrapped her fingers in his hair, holding him to her, unwilling to let him stop when she needed more. His answering groan as he pressed her harder against the wall made the aching pressure between her legs intensify.
At some point, his hands moved from around her waist to cup her bottom, and her legs wound automatically around him, pressing her aching core against him. His hard length swelled through the material of his jeans, and at that moment, she needed him more than she needed anything in her entire life.
Merc broke the kiss, dropping his forehead to hers as they both panted to catch their breath. She tugged him to her, trying to reestablish that lost connection, but he held back. “Not here.”
Unable to speak, Nightshade bit her lip and nodded. He inched her to the floor, and Nightshade twined her fingers through his.
“I promised you a date, and we’re not done yet.” Merc tugged her down the hall to rejoin their group, who were staring at them with knowing expressions.
Ethan asked, “Is everything all right?”
Merc looked down at Nightshade with a smirk. “Everything’s perfect.”
The girls shot her their own secret smiles and Nightshade blushed, but she lifted her chin in defiance. She wasn't ashamed. She would never be ashamed of loving Merc.
