Page 51 of The Merciless

“Say what?” she asked and saw close his eyes. Felt him take a deep breath,

“Ray,” he said dryly and glared down at her, the moonlight bouncing off his skin, “I’m trying to be romantic here.”

“I know–”

“And you’re being a gigantic pain in my ass.”

Ray huffed out a laugh, burrowing her face in his chest as he groaned, “And now you dothat,”he said as though he was exhausted, “How am I supposed to stay annoyed?”

Ray hummed, the sound reverberating against his chest, and lifted her chin, a smirk inching her lips. She knew he didn’t see it coming. Hell,shedidn’t see it coming. She just leaned back in his arms, wrapped a hand around the nape of his neck, and pulled him down. Angel’s eyes widened when she went on her tiptoes and pressed her lips against his softly. Carefully.

They moved closer when she deepened the movement, her other hand moving to touch the bare skin above his t-shirt, right above his collarbone.

She moved her hands, surrendering herself to him when he deepened the kiss. She took that as a chance to groan softly in his mouth and slide her hands to his back, right above the rift of muscles that flexed under her touch.

Angel broke the kiss abruptly, his eyes hazy,

“That your way of apologizing?” he murmured and went to kiss her again. Ray laughed softly but drew him closer and tangled her hand in his hair, sliding the other down,

“No,” she whispered, “It’s my way of calling you my boyfriend.”

He hummed against her, a beautiful smile lifting his expression, “Great. It’d be great if you did that every time instead of calling me your boyfriend.”

“Sure,” she laughed.

“FuckingstormI swear.”

She didn’t respond to that. But then again.

She didn’t have to.

11

Maybe peace had a fucking timer.

Hislife certainly did.

Because just when he was getting more and more comfortable with the feel of Raylene Walker pressed into his chest, a loudthud, thud, thudfilled the room. Ray groaned in his arms, burrowing deeper into his chest as he startled awake. He made to move, annoyance washing over him as he tried to twist away from the warmth of his sheets. But didn’t really get far, because just as his hand was right around her shoulders, hers was wrapped around his body. Ever the heavy sleeper, the girl just tangled her legs with his and began snoring softly. Again.

Angel bit back a grin, the haze of the sleep washing away at the sight of her. God knew how she’d survived up until now.

Thud, thud, thudand–

“Angel?”

He blinked once. Twice.

“Angel, are you in there?”

Oh shit.

“Ray.”Angel whispered furiously and huffed when she didn’t reply. He turned his head and yelled out,

“Yeah!” he said and looked back down at Ray, shaking her, “Ray, get up.”

She mumbled something incoherent and fell back asleep. Angel couldn’t help it. He let out a quiet laugh and loosened his hold on her.

God, thisgirl.

---