Page 14 of Hellraiser

I sighed heavily. “It’s not on purpose. I’m just on ten right now. I feel like I’m trapped in a snow globe that keeps being turned upside down. I can’t catch a damn break. Have you made any leads with the video footage?” I asked. “I only have a few more days to write my article.”

“I don’t want to talk about that right now. Honestly, I don’t want to talk at all anymore.”

“Then what do you wanna do?”

“You.”

My heart thudded as Dre’s confession hung in the air. The truth, simple, raw, and unfiltered, was finally revealed in the dim glow of the dashboard light. I felt it too. I wanted it. I wantedmy body beneath his, my tongue silenced by deeper, sweeter sounds.

“I think I want that too,” I replied, voice barely above a whisper.

“So, is that an invitation?” he questioned, his voice gravelly with want.

He was right there, just inches from me. It was the closest we’d been since the first and last time we kissed. I inhaled, drawing in the hypnotic scent of his cologne, mingling with the faint smell of leather from his seats.

“No. It’s a demand,” I said, fire burning bright in my eyes as I unbuckled my seat belt and turned to face him.

Dre was stunned into silence before a low chuckle rumbled from his chest. My breath hitched when he reached over to trap my chin gently between his thumb and forefinger, forcing me to meet his gaze head-on.

“You sure about this, Mercy? You sure you want to play with fire?”

“Never been more sure about anything,” I confirmed. “And trust me, I can handle the heat.”

The clock on the dashboard read one thirty-seven a.m., the glow illuminating his bearded face as he reached across the divide to place his hand on my thigh. The warmth of his big hand seeped through my skin, sending an electric current straight to my yoni.

“Mercy, I don’t think you mean what you’re saying. You’re just all wound up because a nigga got you mad.”

“I mean it, Dre,” I retorted, my voice a husky growl. “I want you. One night. One time.”

I needed to feel a release. I needed to feel the warmth of his tattooed body against mine. I needed to feel better inside and out.

“I hope you know what you’re getting into,” he warned me one final time.

His spare hand covered mine, squeezing gently before he turned off the truck. His mind was already made up.

There’s no turning back now. We’re doing this.

I unbuckled my jeans before gliding my hands up his abs. “I know exactly what I’m getting into,” I replied as my lips quirked into a predatory smile that made my blood hum under my skin. “Now shut up and fuck me.”

Dre placed his tattooed hand on my chest, his fingers tracing the outline of my collarbone through my T-shirt.

“So fuckin’ bossy,” he murmured, reaching over to my side and pulling me closer.

I giggled. “You know you love it,” I retorted, my eyes never leaving his as I started tugging at his shirt’s hem.

“And what if I do?” he asked, whispering in my ear.

I responded by capturing his lips in a searing kiss, my fingers tangling in his long locs as he groped blindly for my waist. The truck was an awkward place for sex, but I didn’t care.

“Then prove it.” I breathed against his lips once we finally broke apart for air.

And he intended to do just that.

With a swift motion, he managed to find the door handle, and we shuffled out and climbed into the back. Once again, he laid down the blanket, and we laid under the stars, my body hovering over his. The light from the streetlamp outside cast a soft glow on his face, accentuating his handsome features.

“Fuck, Mercy. You look so beautiful,” Dre whispered, one hand sliding along the curve of my hip while the other braced against the side of the truck.

A devilish glint sparkled in my eyes at the sound of my name on his lips. It made me wet. I raised a challenging eyebrow and craned my neck. His mouth was hot against my pulse point.

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