Page 70 of Merrick

“You’ll be here when I get back?” He ended the kiss reluctantly.

“I will, I promise.”

“Good.” Kissing her roughly on the mouth, he rose and went to get dressed.

Looking back at her lying against the cushions with her hair spread over the silk, he felt his heart turning over. “This will not take long.”

His nephew was still standing outside, waiting for him. “Whatever I have that you want, just ask.” He said quietly. “I owe you my life.”

Michael grinned. “It was really my pleasure. You two belong together.”

“We do.” Bolstering a smile, he headed towards the ballroom, to attend to the unpleasant task of getting rid of his date.

*****

She stretched languidly and smiled. It felt good. No, great. She had come here with the intention of having it out with him and trying to put it behind her, but now it looks like she was sticking. She loved him – Lord, how she loved him. So much so that she could scarcely believe it.

When the doors were shoved open, she started to say something but stopped as the woman stormed into the room.

“You must be very proud of yourself.” Janey stood there vibrating, her pink gown with the silver etchings shimmering. “You ruined our family’s lives, by lying to Merrick and all of us and now you are back here spinning more lies to get him to take you back.” She swept a scornful gaze over the woman on the sofa. “No doubt using your body…”

“Stop it now.”

Both of them looked towards the doorway where a furious Merrick was standing.

“Merrick, darling, I was just…”

“Leaving. Go and see to your guests. I will excuse what you just said to the woman who is going to be my wife and chalk it down to your worries over Jason. But you get one shot. Just one. If you ever speak to her like that again, there will be consequences. Is that clear?”

“Merrick…”

“Is that clear?” His face was cold and uncompromising.

“Janey.” Maurice had come up behind him and hustled into the room to take her by the arm. “I apologize.” He gave Margo abrief glance before practically pushing his wife out the room and slamming the doors shut.

Merrick rushed over and sat at the edge of the sofa, an anxious look on his face. “It took longer than I expected, and I never thought Janey would come in here, let alone insult you like that. Baby, I am so sorry.”

He felt his heart spiking as she continued to look at him without speaking. Then it turned to anger. “If you think you are going to worm your way out of marrying me, think again. I will hunt you down…”

“I was just here thinking that she caught me with no clothes on and I could hardly get up to kick her ass while I am only just wearing boots.”

He blinked and stared at her in stupefaction for a full minute. Then snatching her into his arms, he laughed, relief shuddering through him. “I adore you.” He managed as he buried his face in her hair.

“Yeah. Yeah.” She clung to him, loving the feel of his body against hers. “How did the judge take it?”

“Not very well.” He eased back to look at her. “Want me to take the boots off?”

“Are we staying here?”

“No. I want you all to myself. Are you on duty tomorrow?”

“No.”

“Good. We get to spend all day in bed.”

“You just want to use my body.”

“And what a body.” Pushing her back, he slid in next to her. “Just let me hold you for a bit.”

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