Page 9 of Mercy

She played her fingers over the sides of his head where he kept his hair short, the light touch sending frissons of electricity through him. “We need to talk?” she whispered, her lips brushing his cheek and trailing down his neck.

“I... don’t remember.”

She gave a soft, sexy chuckle in his ear. “All I could think about on the ride here is what you meant by mating.” Leaning back slightly, she gave him a curious look.

“It has a dual meaning: sex and biting,” he explained.

“Only the guys bite?”

“Yes.”

“Do you want to bite me?”

“One hundred percent. But not until you’re ready.”

“If I’m ready now?”

He opened his mouth but wasn’t sure what to say. His lion growled hopefully, wanting to make her their permanent mate. “I just need to tell you one thing.”

“What?”

“When we mate fully, whether it’s tonight or in the future, I won’t be part of my pride anymore.”

“What are you talking about?”

“It’s a pride law. Only lions can be part of the pride, and if a male or female chooses a mate outside of our kind, they’re banished.”

“That sucks. Why does it matter that I’m human?”

“It doesn’t matter to me one bit. But it will matter to my alpha and the pride. My grandpa won’t care, either. He was hoping I’d find my heart-match.”

She settled back on his thighs with a frown. “You’re going to lose your people? What about your job?”

He shrugged. “Yes, I won’t be part of the pride, but you and I will make our own pride. And as far as my job goes, I don’t have a clue. I don’t think Titus and Duke will fire me for mating you, but it doesn’t matter.”

“It kind of does. Things like rent and utilities cost money.”

“I have savings to carry us until I get a job somewhere else. But Titus also knows that you’re human, and he said I could come back to work on Monday, so I’m not really worried about it.”

“If you’re sure? I hate that you’d lose something by being with me.”

He cupped her face, letting his lion out enough so his eyes would change color. “I getyou, Mercy. I know that it’s unusual for humans to have things go from zero to intense shortly after meeting someone, but I hope that you feel connected to me, too, even though you’re not a shifter.”

“I do. It’s fast but it feels right.”

He smiled. “Just know that I’d give up everything to have you in my arms. Whatever comes after we’re mated, I’ll deal with it. I feel like I can handle anything with you by my side.”

“Oh, Barron,” she said, her eyes glittering. “You say the sweetest things.”

“Just for you, Mercy.”

She kissed him. “Take me to bed and make me yours. I want to know what you sound like when you come.”

He pulled her close and kissed her, then rose to his feet. She wrapped her legs around his waist and linked her ankles.

“Sweetheart, I’ve been wondering what you sound like when you come ever since I saw you. Be warned, though. I might roar.”

“I might think that’s pretty damn awesome.”

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