Page 65 of A Forever Love

“It’s just one round, Sandra.” That asshole Shawn doesn’t drop it. “We all know Carter is a crack shot. Honestly, Jason, aren’t you a bit curious about how skilled his girl is?”

“When you phrase it like that, I can’t deny that I’m intrigued.” Jason shrugs. “But Merida didn’t expect this tonight, so let’s not put her in a tough spot.”

“I’m sure that being with Carter, she’s learned to think quickly on her feet. This guy is nothing short of a genius when it comes to finding solutions.” Hate drips from Shawn’s every word, mimicking my own emotions.

“Mr. Hades, I didn’t anticipate that there would be a test, or I would have dressed and prepared accordingly. However, since everyone seems to like your idea, I’m open to go for one round. But I must warn everyone, I’m completely out of practice, so you will have to be impressed by my willingness to participate more than my actual performance.” Merida grins as she looks around the group, and everyone replies with a chuckle, while I can’t hold back my scowl.

My left eye twitches as I gently pull her close. “Mere, you don’t have to do any of this nonsense.”

“Don’t worry, King. I promise to hit the target at least once.” She gives a plastic smile, eliciting a chuckle from our audience.

However, my heart refuses to settle down. This wasn’t the plan for tonight, dammit. She was supposed to be by my side, not providing entertainment or trying to prove to this bored crowd that she’s the one for me. Yet, despite it all, I can’t ignore the way my pulse quickens when she places a hand on my chest.

My fists tighten, and the urge to kill Shawn Hades returns with a vengeance as he leads Merida to the back of the venue. The shooting range is set up for contingencies, in case any disputes among the men escalate beyond verbal resolution. Two staff members skilled in firearm handling unlock the vault.

“Should I set up the gun for you, Merida?” Shawn grins, his mood doing a complete one-eighty.

“Why don’t you worry about yourself?” I grab a gun and load it. Before handing it to Mere, I whisper, “You can still back out from this nonsense.”

“Have a little faith in me. I’m your student, remember?”

“I have more faith in you than in myself, Mere. It’s everyone else I don’t trust.”

She gapes at me for a second, as if shocked by my words. But I’m not going to lie to her now, especially when she’s willing to go to such lengths for me. However, Shawn’s words interrupt our tiny moment.

“Ladies first, Merida.”

“What a gentleman, Mr. Hades.” She shifts her gaze from that jerk to the audience standing a few meters behind us. “Remember, you all like me.”

Her statement triggers another round of boisterous laughter, but all I feel is anger surging through my veins like molten lava. However, my fury subsides as Merida takes aim at the first bottle, and, true to form, she hits it beautifully. The sound of shattering glass has never sounded more joyous.

“Looks like beginner’s luck,” Hades mutters.

She glances at Hades as our audience roars for her.

But when she turns around again, something changes on her face. Her expression shifts from playful to serious, much like it does when she’s deeply focused on a difficult piece of code, or when fifteen years back she first promised me that she’d love me forever. Merida points her gun forward and fires bullets in quick succession until she hits all the targets. She finally places the gun onto the table and bows to everyone.

Every coherent thought vanishes from my mind as I pull her close, my insides screaming with possessiveness and awe. Without thought, my lips find hers. I kiss her, pouring out every bit of gratitude, apology, and ounce of love I have for her.

Because I do love her.

My kiss is intense and fervent, the desire to consume her completely running deeper than ever before. Merida’s hands grip my forearms tightly, her fingers dig deeper, throwing kerosene on the blazing fire within me. My own hands, once cradling her face, move to the nape of her neck beneath her soft curls.

A rush of heat surges through my body, and all the blood travels south to my cock, making me dizzy and oblivious to everything else around me.

Seconds stretch into what feels like an eternity, and nothing has ever felt so perfect in my entire life. It takes me a while to come back to my senses.

This isn’t just any girl. This is Merida.

The little girl who begged me to let her love me because she didn’t have much love in her life.

Fuck.

17

MERIDA

Carter steps back, and the deafening cheers surround us. My mind is still dazed, swimming in the sensation of the kiss.

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