Page 84 of Hunted Vengeance

Instead of going to the office, I shoot Theron a text telling him that I’ll call him later. I need the rest of the day to deal with what just happened. He knows where we’ve been and likely had eyes on us the entire time. There was no way Nadine was just going to walk out of the office with Vaughn and Grayson without Theron knowing what the fuck was happening.

THERON: WILLOW CLUB. TEN TONIGHT.

That isn’t the response I want, but then I realize he’s going to want to gauge my mental state. I don’t blame him.

Honestly, I probably do need to check in with everyone, and a night away from my own inner thoughts would be a welcome distraction. Because right now, I want to go home, drink, and fuck until I pass out.

I don’t want to deal with the way I’m feeling or what fucking just happened as a result of me not being man enough to protect my woman.

A woman who I clearly do not deserve.

Pulling into the parking garage of my condo, I find my spot and shift the car intoPark. I don’t open the driver’s door, though. Instead, I send Theron a confirmation text that we will be there tonight, then I stare straight ahead until I hear Colette’s voice softly calling my name.

Slowly, I turn to face her. I’m not sure how I expect her to look at me, but it’s not with a smile.

“Merrick,” she whispers again. “It’s really done now,” she says. “Or it will be.”

“How can you look at me like that?”

“Like?” she asks, her brows knitting together with obvious confusion.

Shaking my head, I clear my throat as my gaze continues to stare directly into hers. Fuck me, but this woman does not give a shit that I’m a terrible goddamn protector. Just by looking into her eyes, I can tell she would follow me to the ends of the goddamn earth. She shouldn’t, though. I’m not worth it.

“Like you think I’m the exact opposite of worthless.”

She gasps at my words. Then, before I realize what’s happening, she’s climbed over the center console and is straddling my lap with her hands cupping my cheeks as her eyes search mine.

“You’re anything but worthless, Merrick. I was forced on you, and yet you still take care of me. You could have walked away so many times, but you came back. You’re the best man I’ve ever known. I love you, every single part of you.”

I snort, closing my eyes in a long blink before I reopen them and find hers again. “I don’t deserve it. Not an ounce of it. I can’t protect you.”

Colette leans forward, touching her lips to mine, but she doesn’t deepen the kiss. Instead, she speaks, and when she does, her words take root deep inside my soul.

“I’m alive, I’m safe, and it’s all because of you. Whatever comes our way, you have always protected me, even when you didn’t want to and didn’t have to. I’m grateful for you, Merrick.”

Instead of arguing with her, because clearly, she will not see reason, I lift my hand, grasp her hair with my fingers, and pull her against my mouth in a hard kiss. I know I don’t deserve her. I know I’m not worthy of her. And yet—I’m keeping her.

Forever.

Because I fucking love her—every goddamn inch of her.

COLETTE

I can seethe doubt in his eyes. He’s doubting himself, but I refuse to allow that. Merrick has not only been my savior, he’s also been my pillar of strength. I was ready to give up completely on life until he came back.

My life should not be dependent on this man, but it is. It’s always been dependent on a man—my father, Merrick, or Malcolm. The only difference now, the only reason that I am at complete and total peace about it, is because I want my life to be reliant on Merrick.

I love him.

His tongue slides into my mouth, swirling around mine. Warmth glides down to my stomach before I feel tingles in my lower belly. Shots of desire spark between my legs, and since I can’t press my thighs together to relieve the ache, I whimper as my hips roll.

I need him.

It doesn’t matter that we’re in a parking garage, cramped inside of the front seat of his car. I need him right now. Right this damn minute. Reaching for his shirt, I tug at the fabric, then slide my fingers across his abs, feeling every single ripple and trying not to whimper.

He breaks the kiss before leaning back in his seat. Climbing off him, I shimmy my pants and panties down, leaving them in the passenger seat floorboard before I climb back onto his lap.

Wrapping my fingers around the base of his dick, I align his head with my center. Then I pause when he grips my hips, holding me where I am, unable to move. Sinking my teeth into my bottom lip, I lift my eyes to meet his.

---