Page 66 of Begging for Mercy
You’re not in pajamas
Where are you going
Need a ride?
Ever since the revelation that Kane and Zane put cameras in my bedroom, I’ve been changing my clothes in the bathroomand trying not to be nude at all. The thought that they saw me and Sam—I blush, quivering at the memory of theheat.I’ve made out with Sam before, but I never knew how hot two bodies could get when they’re coiled around each other like that. My heartbeat trips as heat pools between my thighs.
I’ve had to ignorethat, too, with the boys watching me. Neither of them would object to a little show, I’m sure, but I can’t bring myself to do it, knowing that it’ll be lackluster when compared to the sparks of someone else touching me.
I type back a quicknoand run my hands down the front of my dress. It’s a high-collar neckline, so I forego a necklace for smokey quartz earrings and trade my combat boots for strappy flats my sister gave me for my birthday. As I’m buckling the first strap around my ankle, my phone goes off again.
KANE
You look good, Siren
Tell me that you’re coming to see me
It’ll make my day
I shake my head with a smile. “I’m not coming to see you,” I say aloud. “I wouldn’t even know where to find you.”
KANE
That’s an easy fix
Ask me where I am
I play with the ruffles of my skirt, admiring the soft champagne color. Lace butterflies are sewn into the fabric, matching the black button-up bodice. This dress was also a gift, but from my sister’s best friend Celia. She works in fashion. She might have even designed this. I stand up off of my bed and take a quick picture to send to her, including a thank you.
KANE
Send that to me
Rolling my eyes, I slip my student ID into my pocket and dab perfume on my wrists. “You’re seeing the outfit now. Isn’t that enough?”
KANE
No
I need to save it
I’m changing my wallpaper
To a pretty girl
If she’d send me a picture
Sam’s truck rolls down the driveway, and I watch him hop down from the cab. Our eyes meet through the window, and he smiles warmly, looking as handsome as ever. Normally, his green eyes sparkle in the summer, but in the fall they pop with color. Even from this distance, I can make out their exact shade of emerald.
“See you later, Kane,” I call out, heading for the door. “Don’t wait up.” Ignoring the rest of the incoming messages, I carefully descend the stairs and say goodbye to the house, knowing that my grandmother is here somewhere. “I’ll be back soon.”
The crisp fall air refreshes my senses as I step onto the front porch. The wood panels creak more than usual, a testament to how badly they need replaced, but I barely hear it over the sound of my hammering heart.
Sam meets me at the stairs and takes my hand without asking, leading me to his truck. He gently squeezes my fingers. “You look great, Mercy.”
I run my hand down the length of my braid. “Thanks. It’s new.”
The skirt isn’t exactly short, easily brushing the tips of my knees, but he stares at the curve of my calves anyway, practically mesmerized. After a hard swallow, he turns his gaze away. “Let’s get going.”
