Page 39 of Mercy

The music thrums through my body, and I close my eyes, letting myself get lost in the rhythm.

For the first time in weeks, I feel... normal.

Like maybe I can actually enjoy myself without constantly looking over my shoulder.

I guess all it takes is a good ole clubhouse Memorial Day party dance with my best friend.

"Mind if I cut in?"

My eyes snap open at the sound of Tor's deep voice.

He's standing there, looking devastatingly handsome in a tight black t-shirt that shows off his muscular arms.

His bottle-green eyes are fixed on me, intense and warm.

"I... uh..." I stammer, caught off guard by the way my heart races at his proximity.

Starla grins, already backing away. "He's all yours, honey. I need a drink anyway."

Before I can protest, Tor's strong arms are around me, pulling me close.

His scent envelops me—leather, sandalwood, and something uniquely him.

My body responds instantly, melting against his solid frame.

"You look beautiful tonight," he murmurs, his lips brushing my ear.

I shiver, torn between desire and the instinct to push him away. "Tor, I..."

"Shh," he says softly. "Just dance with me, Meghan. No pressure, no expectations. Just this moment."

I nod, unable to form words.

As we sway together, I can't help but think this is what young love is supposed to feel like.

The butterflies, the breathless anticipation, the way the rest of the world seems to fade away until it's just the two of us.

"Is this okay?" Tor asks, his hands sliding lower on my back.

I bite my lip, nodding. "Yeah," I breathe. "It's... nice."

And it is. For once, I'm not thinking about the past or worrying about the future. I'm just here, in Tor's arms, feeling like the heroine in some romance movie.

It's cheesy and probably naive, but at this moment, I don't care.

I look up at Tor, meeting his intense gaze.

The lust I see there makes my breath catch, but there's something else too.

Something deeper, more tender.

It scares me, but it also makes me feel... safe.

"Meghan," he starts, his voice husky.

But before he can finish, the song changes to something faster, breaking the spell.

I step back, suddenly aware of how close we were.

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