Mercy (Somerset University #3) - Ruby Vincent Page 0,67

fight with him. How was this any better?”

“I knew I’d fall in the pool,” I tried.

“You can’t swim!”

I winced. Maverick had every right to be angry with me. I went after him for participating in Aiden’s twisted test and then I turned around and did the same.

“We pretend like we’re fooling him,” I whispered, “but the truth is Aiden’s pulling all the strings in this puppet show.” I pressed a soft kiss to his cheek. “I saw my chance to discover what’s been haunting us since we set foot on that campus. My chance to end it like we swore we would. It seemed worth it—to go back to the way we were.”

“We also promised to do it together.” Maverick caught me as I reached for him. My eyes closed as he pressed my palm to his wildly beating heart. “Don’t do that to me again.”

“I won’t.”

“I had to throw a man off a balcony because of you.”

A tiny snort escaped me. “No less than he deserved. Forcing me on a ledge and throwing ping pong balls at me? Seriously, how does he come up with this stuff?”

“He’s dangerous, Val.” Maverick trailed his nose down my bridge and lightly nipped my lips. “If he’s made anything clear tonight, it’s that.”

“I’m done. With Aiden. With the club. With Teagan and her lies. I’ve risked too much for someone who doesn’t want saving.” Maverick’s lips caressed mine, borrowing a soft breath. “As for Leighton, I thought I was free of her when I threw away that knife, but in truth, she’s been controlling me since that night. No more. But,” I said as he pulled me to his chest. “I’m not leaving the Sallys.”

“Val.”

“I love it, Maverick. I love them.” I lifted my shoulders helplessly. “My mom said she was happy I found my place in Somerset. That I had friends and was happy. I realized she was right. Those girls are my friends and despite Eve, Kendra, and Sabrina, I know that most of them are exactly who they say they are.”

“How can I look the other way when that guy is right next door?”

“He’s been right next door for a long time. Aiden isn’t after me, and the people he is after are right there with him willingly. All we’re doing at this point is entertaining him.” I stroked his jaw. “Will you walk away?”

“I just saw you fall off a ledge, Val. You don’t have to ask me if I’m done. I want nothing to do with these guys and they’ll be glad of it. I don’t know what I’ll do the next time I get my hands on them. One of them should’ve said that it was wrong.”

I shook my head. “It’s not up to Eve, Nasir, or Teagan to be my voice of reason, but it is up to me when to say enough is enough.” I slipped out of his hold, falling onto the sheets. “And I say enough with those guys crowding out our headspace. I don’t want to talk or think about them.” I lifted my foot. “I believe you were drying me, Mr. Beaumont. Please continue.”

He smiled slightly. “Here? After everything.”

“I can’t think of a better time than following a near-death experience.”

“Don’t say that word,” he hissed. “I may have to find Aiden’s ass and throw him off again.”

Gripping his lapels, I tugged him down. “Find my ass first.”

Our lips clashed in a shower of sparks.

I reached for my buttons and Maverick stopped me. He rose—our lips staying connected until the last possible second. He towered over me, showering me in his pulsing, consuming gaze. Maverick said nothing. Merely twisted his finger.

I turned and got on my knees immediately. Gentle, calloused fingers encircled my neck, caressing a line over my collarbone and down the valley of my breasts. I held my breath unconsciously—excitement rising as he dipped into my bra and... drew back. I clicked my tongue on his hand’s retreat.

“Tonight is not the night to tease me, Beaumont.”

“The name is Maverick.” He tipped my chin back, locking eyes. “I will hear that name on your lips. I’ll make you scream it. Make you say it between your demands for harder, deeper, and more.”

My throat bobbed against his fingers. Dampness collected in my soaked panties, begging for my sweet, gentle teddy bear to get filthier.

“This isn’t a tease. It’s a surrender.”

What could be said to that, I didn’t know.

Maverick dropped to his knees. One by one, he popped my buttons, dropping kisses on