Page 65 of Mercy & Her Devils

What if the stuffie makes Lark think of Millie?

I glance at the door that leads through to the shower. I can still hear the rushing sound of the water.

I hurry on exhausted legs to the bed, struggling to grab the bear. I let out a grunt as I bend over the bed, but Prince Growl is sitting smugly in the very middle on the top pillow, and it’s such a big bed that I can’t grab him.

“Naughty bear,” I scold.

Prince Growl doesn’t look bothered.

I raise one knee onto the bed, and my shirt raises up. My fingers graze the bear. “Yes!”

Too late, I realize that the water has shut off.

“Shit.” I grab Prince Growl by his fluffy ear, letting out a whine in delight at how wonderful the material feels on my skin.

Then I hear the door swing open.

“Well, I’ll come to this hotel again, if this is the view,” Lark drawls.

My cheeks redden.

I’m mooning him.

I’d hoped that I could be seductive tonight.

Well, at least he’s not complaining.

Hurriedly, I stuff the teddy underneath the pile of pillows.

Then I throw myself onto the bed with a moan of delight.

Shit, this is amazing. I’ve never felt anything like it.

The sensation of the pillows, velvet bedding, and silk scarves is incredible.

My skin is buzzing.

I roll around in delight. My fingers clutch in the covers. I feel floaty, overwhelmed with so many delicious sensory stimuli at once.

A purr bursts from me. I can’t hold it back.

This is heaven.

It feels like something deep in my dynamic that I’ve always been missing.

That’s been stolen from me.

But now, I have it back and I could live in it forever.

When I open my eyes and look at the man who’s standing naked in the doorway, watching me with such fondness, I know that I could live here with Lark forever.

He’s such a gorgeous man.

I’ve seen him at his most vulnerable: in the rawness of his grief, rage, and the bliss of coming.

But I’ve never seen him naked.

Lark’s stretched out with his arm against the door frame.

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