Page 48 of The Merciless

But she did.

“It’s a bit big, but I think it’ll do.” It tookeverythingin her to keep her voice steady. Because she knew this was awfully cliché, but maybe cliché was good. Just for today. Knew he was seeing her in his large white shirt and well, nothing else. A soft sound drew her out of her daze and Ray looked back up. Angel was frozen on the spot, wind blowing through his hair as he looked at her.

And kept looking.

She arched and brow and crossed her arms, a smirk turning her lips, “Enjoying the view?” she asked slyly, and a guttural sound left his throat again.

“Very much,” she heard him murmur and laughed as he closed his eyes and turned away, a tortured expression on his face, “Ah,” he said and rubbed his chest, “This isn’t good for my heart.”

Ray looked down at herself, feigning innocence.

“What do you mean?” she asked and saw him peep through his closed eyes, “Want me to change–”

Nothingcould have prepared her for what Angel was going to do.

Those amber eyes wereemberswhen he moved. Angel crossed the room so fast, that Ray barely saw him move. And out of nowhere, he was just a few feet away from her when she heard him murmur,

“Not really,” his voice was strained.Low,“Say no now Raylene Walker,”

Her stomach dropped. Her heart paced.

But she just let a slow smile curve her lips.

Angel released a harsh breath, and before she knew what he was doing, Angel’s hands were cupping her neck, and his lips were on hers. He swallowed Ray’s gasp, pushing her against the wall.Clickwent the lights and suddenly in the darkness, the sirens of reasondisappeared.Angel’s lips parted, his tongue sliding. His teeth clasping. Ray’s entire body arched, her hands reaching up to the back of his shoulders. She felt the muscles flex under her hands as she let out a soft moan and arched further against him. It was warm everywhere,himeverywhere.

“Fuck.”he murmured in the darkness and with the stars shining in Ray’s eyes, pushed her further into the open doors of the washroom.

“Wait,” she managed to breathe but didn’t take a step away from him. Instead, just led him back, and as if knowing exactly what her mind was saying, his hands gripped her waist and hauled her up the counter.

Ray’s breath caught, and Angel coaxed it out of her as he fell on her again, his hand dropping to her waist as he broke the kiss and swore again, “Is this okay?”He breathed, and a part of Ray wanted to sayhell noand run away.

But she just grabbed the back of his neck and pulled him in for another scalding kiss.

His groan rumbledthroughher and suddenly Ray was floating. His hands were on her body, her fingers roaming the broad expanse of his back. His heaving chest. Andthat mouth. Holy. Shit.It pulled and stretched and silenced.

It sang.

Ray’s body bowed as Angel pressed against her, his lips breaking to kiss its way down to her neck. A bit lower.

“God,” she breathed and threw her head back.

“Stay the night?” he whispered against her skin and Ray looked down at him, her gaze flickering with doubt. Angel caught the look, softening his gaze upon her as he rose to face her and cupped the nape of her neck gently,

“Juststay.” He said and she knew by the soft look in his eyes thathedidn’t want to go ahead either. Didn’t want to take another step forward inthatdirection. Ray melted, leaning into his touch as she kissed his palm softly and murmured,

“You?” she asked nonetheless and saw him inhale. Felt the movement as he leaned closer and brushed his lips over hers.

“Not yet.”

She might’ve murmured something in response, but lost track of her words when he leaned forward and pressed his lips against hers, coaxing a moan from her lips. His hand clasped her thighs then and a soft gasp left her as he pulled her closer.

“Hold on,” he mumbled against her lips and picked her up. Ray’s legs wrapped around his body, her hands tangling in his hair as she kissed his lips, his nose, his forehead.

Angel’s chest rose with a sharp breath, a soft sound leaving his lips as she tightened her hold on the back of his neck,

“That’s dangerous, Storm.” He whispered but she pressed a soft kiss against his lips. Didn’t quite know how he handled the walk back to the bed. Was too busy getting drunk on the feel of him.

Soft, cold sheets brushed her back when Angel lay her on the bed and placed his hand right above her head, hovering over her, dragging his lips over hers lazily. As if he couldn’t help himself. As if he couldn’t stop. Ray couldn’t help a chuckle when he leaned back, a small smile slipping on his lips,