Sweet Mercy - Lynn Hagen Page 0,31

Mercy.

Mercy tightened his legs around Ford, pressing his heels into the alternately flexing and relaxing ass to impale himself deeper onto his mate’s thick cock.

“Fuck.” Ford’s lips parted, and then he hissed, finally opening his eyes to stare down at Mercy with liquid pools of green that stole Mercy’s breath. He slid his hands to Mercy’s hips, keeping him pinned down, holding him in place as he rocked forward.

Mercy cried out, tossing his head from side to side, clawing at Ford’s strong back. The rasp of Ford’s whiskers against Mercy’s jaw as they found each other’s lips was almost too much. He’d never felt so conquered, in a good way, and loved every second of it.

This was the kind of possessiveness Mercy could get used to, could become spoiled by. Ford took his mouth as if he owned Mercy, every damn inch of him. He growled low, reminding Mercy that he was with a bear shifter, of how powerful Ford was, and fuck, that was such a turn-on.

Mercy was nothing more than a shaking mess, breathless, caught up in Ford’s strokes, the way his hands dug into Mercy’s flesh, the intensity of his gaze when they parted from their kiss.

“I love you.” The words had just jumped from Mercy’s throat, so strong that he hadn’t been able to hold them back. His heart beat hard and fast as he waited for Ford’s reaction.

Mercy hadn’t spoken those words since before his relationship with Lloyd had gone sour, but he didn’t regret confessing how he felt. It was the truth, and Mercy wouldn’t take it back because he’d fallen helplessly in love with Ford.

Ford brushed his lips over Mercy’s jaw, his cheekbone, his eyelids with such tenderness. “I love you, too, sweetheart.”

Those words made Mercy’s heart burst with joy as Ford’s thrusts became wild and erratic. Pleasure pooled at the base of Mercy’s spine and tingled along his nerves. His cock ached for release as his balls drew up tight.

Mercy’s eyes rolled back, his head thrashed, and he screamed Ford’s name. It was too much for Mercy as Ford’s hand snaked between their sweat-slick bodies and enveloped his straining cock and pumped hard. He felt Ford still pounding inside his ass as his release covered Ford’s hand and his own stomach and chest.

Ford threw his head back and growled low and deep and needy as he exploded within Mercy’s ass. Mercy clung to Ford as the aftershocks rippled through him.

Then Ford eased out of Mercy’s body and lay on his back. Mercy draped himself over his mate, listening to the strong and steady beat of Ford’s heart. He was boneless and exhausted, so deliciously sore that he smiled.

Ford swept his hand down Mercy’s back and settled it on Mercy’s hip. “A nap is in order.”

Mercy wholeheartedly agreed, though he was still glowing from Ford’s declaration, reveling in it. Even so, the claim Mercy had made frightened him because he’d opened himself back up, and trusting someone so completely left a person vulnerable.

Something Mercy had sworn he’d never be again, yet there he was, trusting Ford with his heart.

“I meant what I said.” Ford kissed the top of Mercy’s head. “I didn’t say I love you in the heat of the moment.”

“I meant it, too.” Mercy snuggled closer and closed his eyes, pushing aside his anxiety so he could simply enjoy the moment.

Chapter Nine

Four days had passed since Ford had laid out the plans in front of him and Mercy was no closer to choosing one of them. He stood at the stove in the apartment upstairs, flipping pancakes, letting his mind wander between what he wanted his shop to look like and the amazing sex he’d had last night.

He was so lost in thought he hadn’t heard the voices coming from the other room. Mercy strained to listen as he removed the pancake then added more batter.

“Not bad,” Lincoln said as he entered the kitchen. “This is actually a nice setup. This apartment is also huge, Mercy. Plenty of room for a bear.”

“You don’t have any Wi-Fi,” Red complained as he walked in. “What’s up with that? And have you thought about your website for your bakery? That’s real important for advertising. I can create one for you once the shop is finished.”

Mercy nearly cried at the sight of them. He hadn’t realized how much he missed the two until now. Tightness filled his chest, and he had to force himself not to shed a tear.

God, why was he so emotional? It