Page 57 of Merciless

I tilt my head.

She picks at the banana bread. “Do you ever look at the birds when you walk outside, or do they blur in the background?”

“I don’t pay much attention to them,” I say.

She nods and turns her face toward me. “Exactly. I love birds because people skip past them. They’re free from everything, except for the few who are cruel to them.”

My teeth clench together.

It was a dig toward Derrick, not me. When he killed the crow, I’ll admit it infuriated me as well.

A tiny smile dances on her full lips. “Did you know birds have different personalities? They can be very loyal too. Pet birds are one-person creatures, showing their devotion and loyalty to them. I like that they have sass and can be ornery.”

I smirk. “I didn’t think birds could be like that.”

She finishes chewing and stuffs the wrapper into her pocket. “Thanks for breakfast. I need to go to class now.”

“I’d like to know more about you, birdie.”

She turns her face toward me, and a grin stretches across my face.

She glares at me. “What’s so funny?”

“You have something on your cheek.”

She ducks her head and wipes her mouth with the back of her hand.

My grin widens. “You didn’t get it. Allow me . . .”

I bend down and drag my tongue over the cream cheese. The sound of her sharp inhale goes straight to my cock and hardens it again. I didn’t realize how much of an uphill battle this would be.

“Elijah,” she whispers.

I groan and flick my tongue on her upper lip before pulling away and straightening. “Keep saying my name like that, and I won’t hold back again.”

She checks the area again, and I pinch her chin between my fingers, turning her face toward me.

“Eyes on me, birdie.”

“You really shouldn’t have done that.”

“You’re always so worried about what people think.”

She narrows her eyes and jerks her chin out of my hold. “I can’t help it. Not after being tormented for almost all of my school life. It’s not something I can just stop doing because you’re now in the picture.”

“It is that simple.”

She shakes her head with an annoyed huff and stands. “Thanks for breakfast. You don’t need to walk me to class. I can manage on my own.”

I raise an eyebrow. “And why is that?”

“I need space from you. I can’t think with you around.”

I grin and glance at her lap. “Do you think with something other than your brain when around me?”

“I’ll see you later.” She turns and walks away.

I watch her until she disappears around the corner. Then I pull out my cellphone.