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“Yeah, I know,” she said unapologetically, placing her hand on my cheek. “I know, and I don’t care.”

My hand brushed against hers at her side, and she stepped forward, closing the gap between us.

“So why are we inside a library?” she asked. “You’re about to head into a war zone with your coven, and I have to sit back and watch for the possibility that you won’t be here when I return.”

Her words gave me a pause.

My feelings for Melissa weren’t a lie. I cared for her more than she probably believed. I needed time to figure shit out, that’s all. To sort through my feelings. I needed time to be okay with Mercy’s choice to remove me from her life and the consequences of that choice.

As if Melissa could read my thoughts, she said, “Mercy’s not here, Caleb. I am. I’m here because I care about you. Even knowing you still love her.”

I attempted to mask my shame, but I knew it showed.

“I understand you need time, and maybe it makes me desperate because I’ve been lonely for so long. But it wasn’t until I met you that I finally believed I had a second chance at love. Perhaps you do, too, but you must let Mercy be loved by another because eternity is a long time to be alone.”

There was another pause between us. I could feel her breath on my face. And for a moment, I forgot about everything else. I forgot about Mercy and all the complicated emotions swirling around in my brain. I took a step forward, my hands sliding around her back. She kept her eyes on me as I pulled her in, our lips meeting in a kiss. The sweet, warm embrace I needed. Everything my body craved.

Our mouths were hungry for each other as Melissa pressed her body against mine, and I could feel her heat. My hands went to her ass, and I squeezed while her moans hummed against my mouth.

In a moment of clarity, I pushed her away and took a step back. I didn’t want to use her. I didn’t want to feel like I was taking advantage of her.

God, I’m such an ass.

We stared at each other for what felt like an eternity. I wanted Melissa but didn’t want to feel like she was just a conquest. It wasn’t in my nature to use women like this. But after a moment, she put her hand on my chest and leaned in to kiss me again.

Melissa had to know. There was no world in which she didn’t understand that I was still hoping Mercy would tell Dorian she didn’t love him as she loved me, but that would make me a giant fucking asshole. Then I’d have to admit that Mercy didn’t want me, no matter how much I loved her.

This little movement between Melissa and me must have indicated that she didn’t care either. She wanted this as badly as I did, even if it meant she had to be second string to Mercy. At least for now.

I wanted to touch her, but I also wanted to push her away. I couldn’t do both, so I surrendered to the kiss.

Her hand went to my crotch, rubbing me under my jeans, and my cock twitched. She slightly pulled back and looked into my amber eyes. Whatever she must have seen there made her smile.

“I think it’s pretty clear we both want and need each other tonight,” she whispered.

Melissa didn’t have to beg. It wasn’t as if this was our first time.

I took her hand and followed her up the stairs, down the long hall, and into my bedroom. We were unable to keep our hands off each other; item after item, our clothing ended up on the floor, and we were in my bed, under the sheets.

Something inside me broke free. All my resistance fell away like autumn leaves blowing in the wind. The beast inside my head took over, and I grabbed her forearms gently, lifting her away from my body and flipping her onto her back.

I climbed over her, my hands roaming to her breasts and squeezing. My fingers toyed with her pert nipples, her back arching underneath me at the sensation. Melissa’s legs wrapped around my waist, and I could feel her heat on my hip bone. I slipped inside her all at once, and she cried out my name, her head falling back.

She was so fucking tight. So wet. So warm. My head spun as I pushed myself into her over and over again; the force of my thrusts forced her into the mattress. I ground my hips into the sweet heat, and she arched her back, her body writhing underneath mine. My lips slipped down her neck, traveling over her shoulder and collarbone—eager to mark her as mine in every way there was.

The full moon shone through the window, casting a white glow all over the room. Her skin was almost glowing, as if an inner light was radiating from within. Her tattoos stood out like negative space against her skin, decorating the temple of her body like stained glass.

“Oh God, Caleb,” she cried out again. The sound of her moans hummed like the sweetest melody, curated for my ears only.

Her inner walls clenched around my cock, the most exquisite torture I’d ever experienced. I didn’t want it to end. I dug my fingernails into her back and then squeezed her ass. She was moaning so loudly that I felt the entire bed rumble underneath me, only urging me to fuck her harder until I could barely contain myself.

“Fuck! Caleb!” she moaned as she climaxed, her body trembling beneath me. Her pussy clenched around me, firm and violent, as if it wanted to prevent me from ever abandoning her. Her juices gushed out, soaking my cock and balls.

“Fuck …” A moan broke free from my own lips as I shook on top of her. I felt my orgasm approaching, and I didn’t fight it. I picked up my pace, hitting that spot inside of her over and over again, chasing my own peak … But she beat me to it, coming all over my cock once again with a loud moan that seemed to suck out all air from her lungs, leaving her breathless. Her sharp nails raked down my back, leaving red lines in their wake. I captured her wrists and threw them above her head on the pillow, pinning her in place as I ground into her repeatedly. Melissa’s body writhed beneath me, her legs clamped tight behind my thighs, pulling me in as deep as she possibly could. I gritted my teeth and squeezed my eyes closed so tightly that it hurt. Then, with a ferocious growl, I found my release.

The world exploded around me in a burst of color and heat. I growled, my head falling back. I was barely conscious as I let out a throaty moan, then collapsed on top of her, panting and gasping for breath. We were both covered in sweat. It dripped from my face, ran in rivulets down my back, and soaked the sheets beneath us.

I rolled over on my side and rested my head on my palm. Melissa turned on her side, popping her hands over her head while I brushed her curly hair out of her face.

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