Page 101 of Scandal
“It wasn’t so bad, was it?” I find myself saying.
“No, it was pretty great, actually.”
I lean forward, grasping her chin. “Every moment with you is pretty great.”
Her eyes sparkle with mischief. “Pretty great?”
“No. You’re more than that,” I answer. “You’re like the first ray of sunshine after a storm, Merc. You make everything better, and I’m going to miss the hell out of you when you’re gone.”
Her smile fades. “I’m going to miss you too.”
Way to dampen the mood, asshole.
“We still have time,” I remind her, trying to focus on anything else. “Let’s just enjoy tonight, yeah?”
Her smile returns, though a little melancholy. “Yeah.”
We step out of the car, and the driver helps us inside with our luggage. Unfortunately, my mother was less willing to grant my request for no security than she was for privacy. So, in addition to the driver, we have a security detail with us.
Thankfully, there is a guest house adjacent to the cottage for all of them to stay, so we at least have the illusion of privacy, but not before two burly men search every room, closet, and corner for intruders, hidden microphones, and anything else untoward.
When everything checks out, they excuse themselves, and we are finally left alone.
We shed our coats and shoes by the door, then both stand there for a moment, awkwardly looking around. There is a bay window overlooking the lake, with a lovely old table and chairs. The small kitchen has all the modern conveniences without seeming out of place, and the living area is filled with cozy furniture and old books.
A clock on the wall ticks, and I find myself glancing at it. The sun is about to set. “We could go for a walk, or if you’re hungry?—”
“I’m not hungry,” she says quickly.
“Do you…” I pause, feeling my pulse quicken as I step forward. “Do you want to go for a walk?”
Her eyes lock with mine. “No.”
I don’t know who moves first—her or me—but suddenly she’s in my arms, and we’re kissing as if the world is on fire.
As if we’ve simply run out of time.
Because soon, we will. In the very near future, our time will be nothing but a memory. I will be the man she shared all her firsts with, but not the one she shares her life with.
And the thought of that nearly breaks me.
“I want you,” she murmurs against my lips.
Sliding my hands under her ass, I lift her up. She wraps her legs around my waist and her arms around my neck. Gazing up at her, I offer a halfhearted smile, trying to keep the mood light. “I did promise I’d teach you how to?—”
She pulls back, her fingers still curled around the strands of hair at the nape of my neck. “No.” She shakes her head. “No more lessons. No more teasing. Tonight is just about you and me, and I want all of you.”
I knew this would probably happen tonight. Or at least I hoped it would. We’ve been dancing around it for what feels like forever as we got to know each other inside and out.
“I’ve wanted all of you since the moment I first saw you,” I confess. “So I hope you’re prepared, because I don’t plan on letting you sleep tonight.”
Her eyes burn with passion, and then she kisses me again. I groan deeply as she locks her ankles behind my back and rolls her hips against my hard erection.
“Fuck, Merc.” What this woman lacks in experience, she makes up for with God-given talent. Mercury Creed is sexy as hell, and she doesn’t even know it.
“Is there a bedroom in this place?” she asks between scattered kisses along my jaw.
It’s scrambling my brain, but I manage to answer, “Several.”
