Page 32 of The Merciless

Froze.

His lips parted, and Ray knew exactly what he saw. Wet hair, her large hoodie. And nothing else. Angel’s yes darkened a fraction and set tingles running down her spine. Ray inhaled sharply.

He was wearing the same shirt from yesterday, same airdried hair, samelook.And yet.Yet,he looked absolutely beautiful. Handsome.

Basked in sunlight.

Hers.

Angel’s eyes narrowed in her direction, but he just fished a hand through the soft strands of his hair and stepped on the other side of the island, leaning back against the counter. Ray blinked back into focus.

“So am I.” he countered, completely serious.Shit,Ray thought to herself, her jaw clenching,angry. She was angry. Because how dare he want to talk about this? How dare he speak his feelings out loud when she felt the exact same way?She shook her head again and breathed out,

“I’m high maintenance.”

“I have money.”

“So do I.” Ray snapped, and he just blinked.

“I know.” he said softly.

They paused, Ray breathing a bit harshly. How had they gotten here? How hadshegotten here?Whyhad she gotten here?

“I sleep like a rock.” She said, the tad bit of anger washing away at the look in his eyes.

“I’ll manage to wake you.”

Her breath caught at the complete seriousness in his voice,

“I’m not looking for anything casual.”

His eyes flashed, “I don’t do casual.”

Oh. God. That fucking look.

“I get annoyed easily,” the bite was disappearing, and Angel was stepping closer and closer. He’d crossed the distance between them. And she’d stood her ground. Didn’t know how much longer she could hold it.

“I have patience.”

She shuddered as he stepped into her space but tilted her chin upwards to look at him. Her resolve flickered, knowing where this was going.

“I might betray you,” She whispered, “Might kill you.”

“You can try.”

Ray scoffed and he leaned down. His amber eyes flickered with the warm sunlight. She hadn’t expected him to say anything. Hadn’t expectedthis,but had hoped for it, nonetheless. And somehow, Angel De Santos gave her exactly what she needed.

“I get nightmares a lot.” He whispered, but it sounded like a tentative question.Like he was asking her if she would–

“I get jealous easily, but I’ll trust you if you ask me to.”

Ray’s breath left her shortly as he continued quietly, his voice not shaking once. But she saw his hands, saw the way his fingers clenched nervously at his sides.

“I make a big deal out of the smallest things.” He continued, “You think you’re clingy, but I can barelythinkwhen you’re not around. I’d like you beside me.”

“You don’tneedme?”she’d meant it as a teasing question, but her voice shook nonetheless.

His eyes flickered, “No.” he said quietly, and she couldn’t help a smile, her heart beating wildly in her chest, “I want you around me only if you can be.” He paused after that and leaned back up. She could feel the faint tremors that rocked his body.Five days, she thought as he looked down at her. As goosebumps erupted on her skin,five days had caused this.

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