Page 52 of Merrick

“Please.” Her breath shuddered out and she unwittingly fisted her hands on his chest where she found his heart beating wildly. Her knees buckled and she would have fallen if he was not holding her. Tears swam in her eyes and her lips trembled open. “Please.”

“Damn you.” He whispered as he hauled her against him. She did not resist, but melted against him, tears spilling down her cheeks. The anger dissolved like smoke from him as he bent his head to capture the tears. He knew her to be tough, saw it every time he was with her and her tears moved him beyond belief.

He wanted desperately to hear her say the words to him, but right now, he was prepared to accept just being with her. His mouth whispered against her cheek and trailed down to her lips, his tongue darting into her mouth. The kiss was gentle and potent and had her gasping, her moans swallowed up by his mouth.

His hands went around her waist as he brought her even closer. His body was charged and ready for her. His blood was hot, always hot for her. He felt as if he was trapped in a fever that was never getting better.

Margo accepted what was. Very soon, she was going to be faced with his hatred, and she could not bear to think about it. She needed this now, needed what he was offering if only for a short time.

Her arms came around his neck and she went on her toes to participate in the kiss – a kiss that took only seconds to go wild. He devoured her mouth, his hands racing up and down her back. He wanted to swallow her whole, was desperate to place his stamp on her.

With that in mind, he lifted her up and carried her to his bed, Putting her down, he struggled to take off his clothes before undressing her. She laid there and watched as he lowered himself and gently took off her clothes. Her breath hitched, her body trembled as he ran his hands over her stomach and arms, his eyes boring into hers.

Neither of them spoke, there was no need. The air was thick with unspoken questions, an air of anticipation and desperate need that they both were trying to ignore. He shifted so he was lying next to her.

His hands framed her face as he inched closer to her. The argument was forgotten for now. The uncertainties that she was going to walk out him were shelved for the moment. All he wanted was her. All of her. But for now, he would take what she was offering. His lips met hers in a tender kiss that had her wrapping herself around him.

Her fingers touched his face, lingering on the shadows on his cheeks, before going to the dent in his chin. She wanted memories to take with her, to keep, after she was gone, after it all came out, after he started to hate her for her duplicity.

He felt the change in her and wondered on it. Her touch was gentle, her expression one of wonder. It got his juices flowing even more and he knew he was not going to last for very long.

Ending the kiss, he kissed her cheeks, sipping away the tears that still rested on her skin. Her neck arched, inviting his mouth andhe took advantage of it, sucking at the skin, sipping at her flesh and ravaging the hollow of her throat.

When he sidled down to her chest, her nipples were hardened peaks, inviting his lips. And he seized the invitation. His tongue swirled around the tight bud and had her arching, her fingers digging into his shoulders, her moans echoing around the room and firing his blood.

He climbed on top of her when he realized he could not hold out any longer. Slipping into her, he watched her face went alight with passion.

Her fingers touched his chest and curled into fists as she closed around him like a tight wet fist.

“I love you.” He whispered against her mouth. “What you do with it, is up to you.” His mouth seized hers and she wrapped her legs around his waist.

Sensations raced through them with the speed of lightening and before long, they were consumed by the flames of a passion and desire that was so strong, it left them breathless. He felt her stiffen and knew she was on the brink.

The orgasm rocked her with a violence that had her clinging to him. Lifting his mouth from hers, he switched position, so that she was on top of him.

Her fingers curled into his chest, and she was so shaken, it took her a few seconds to settle, and even then, he was determined not to give her any rest. Reaching between them, his eyes holding hers, he tugged at her swollen flesh and had her going over again.

“God!” She cried, arching her back as the second vicious orgasm slammed through her slender body. He went over with her, eyes blinded, body shuddering as he emptied himself into her.

She collapsed on top of him, her body weak, her mind scattered. He held her close, his own body still shuddering.

They stayed that way for a few minutes before he shifted her off him. She opened her eyes to see that he was getting off the bed and watched as he strode towards the bathroom and slammed the door shut behind him.

Scrubbing her hands over her cheeks, she curled into a ball and pulled the covers over her. She wanted to weep again because she knew nothing had been resolved between them.

Standing at the mirror, Merrick curled his fists on the malachite counter and stared at his image. His hair was sticking out on top of his head and his eyes were still blurry from the passion they had shared. There were scratch marks on his chest and shoulders. And he felt the bruises on his back as well.

He had left marks on her as well. He was close to begging her to love him, very close to begging her to stay with him. Move in with him. She was careful not to leave even a stitch of clothing at his place.

Not even a toothbrush. She carried a case inside her large purse and would use things and put them back inside it. She even carried her own travel size toothpaste and mouthwash.

Nothing was left behind. He had palmed one of her panties and folded it under his t-shirts. It was pathetic. He was pathetic. He had lost himself and given her power over him. And still she refused to commit to him. Not even to leave so much as a shirt at his place. He had nothing of her, other than the panties he had stolen.

Easing off the sink, he went to relieve himself and closed his eyes as he felt the wetness from her, the musky scent of her filling him. She was hiding something, his gut told him that and he was dreading what it was. But like it or not, he was going to have to find out what the hell it was.

And he was going to have to deal with it. Washing his hands, he opened the door and walked back inside the room to see her curled up with her knees almost to her chest. Love swamped him and almost had him staggering under the weight of it.

He wanted to tell her to go home, leave him to his thoughts, but he needed her and needing her so much pained his heart. Because it was not returned.

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