Page 77 of Merrick

“You’re not holding my hand, so forget that.”

“I would never dream of it.” His expression was so bland and innocent, it tore a laugh out of her.

And even though she tried to avoid it, he still managed to hold her hand just before he hopped onto the elevator.

Shaking her head, she veered off to the commander’s office and was ushered right in. Brad was there as well, and the two men were beaming.

“What’s going on?” She asked puzzled.

“Your husband is a very generous man.” Commander Williams turned his desktop around to face her. “New and sophisticated software update to make our investigations a hell of a lot easier.”

“And more than that, excellent coffee in all the rooms. His own brand. I just had a taste of it in the squad room and I am never going back to the mud disguised as coffee we were accustomed to.” Brad lifted his brows at her. “You did not know.”

“Of course not.” She shook her head. “He’s sneaky like that.”

“He does not want it advertised at all.”

“Sounds like him.” She felt the love overwhelming and threatening to overflow.

“You got yourself a good man there, Sullivan.”

“I do. Please excuse me.” Turning out of the office, she dragged her phone out and made a call.

“Where are you?”

“Still in the parking lot. I had to make some calls. What is the matter?”

“Stay there. I am coming out.”

He was leaning against a sharp-looking Lamborghini, his coat flapping in the sharp February wind, the same wind ruffling his black hair threaded through with gray.

His gray eyes examined her face as she came hurrying forward.

“Darling?”

Saying nothing, she stopped in front of him and fisted her hands on the lapels of his coat. Going on her toes, she crushed her mouth to his, knocking him back with the force of the passion in the kiss.

He was taken aback and for a few seconds could not react. When he started to slide his hands around her waist, she ended the kiss and danced away.

“What…”

“That is for being the best man in the known planet. And being a hell of a husband. I love you Merrick Pendergast.”

He watched dazedly as she turned to walk away.

“Wait…”

“Later. I have to run.”

It took him a full two minutes to peel himself off the car and to feel the control coming back. When he got behind the wheel, he had to wait until the trembling of his hands had subsided. Leaning back in the seat, he closed his eyes and laughed softly. He was never going to be bored married to her. God, he loved her so damn much!

*****

“You look absolutely ravishing. Perhaps we should skip this thing and stay home.”

“I would love to gleefully agree with you and take off this sorry excuse for a dress, but I am trying to be a better wife.” She told him dryly as she tugged at the bodice so that only half of her boobs were hanging out. “Seriously Merrick, I am a woman in my fifties and there is no need for advertising the package. I feel like a prostitute.”

Chuckling, he grabbed her around the waist and turned her to face him. “You look like a beautiful woman on the way to the ball.”

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