Page 87 of The Merciless

His palm dropped down to the side of her neck lazily then, his thumb sliding up her skin until it reached the underside of her chin and tipped her face upwards. Ray’s lips parted deliriously as he filled the gap with his own.

She could feel the steady beat of his heart as he kissed her softly. Quietly.Fervently.Like it was all they needed. Ray’s hands fisted around his t-shirt, a soft gasp leaving her as he angled her face up further and leaned closer. Slid his lips across hers as if he could do it all day. And sent terrible butterflies fluttering in her chest and stomach as he swallowed any sounds she made like he was drunk and–

Thud!

Ray broke away from him with a start, her eyes flaring wide as she turned over her shoulder and ignored Angel’s groan as he flopped on his back.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

“Where the hell is he?”

All of them jerked awake at the muffled yell from the other end. Ray shot up from her seat, her hands going to the knife hanging in the waistband of her jeans when a movement stopped her. She looked down in amusement as Angel wrapped a calm hand around her waist and placed his head in her lap,

“It’s Verana,” he said and yawned. Ray blinked in surprise and barely got a word out before she heard the silentclickof the door. Could do nothing but watch as Verana Smith whipped her door open and rushed in. Ray’s eyes widened as her head whipped around in search of–

The snoring idiot who was still asleep on the chair.

Her lips parted as she saw,everyonesaw, Verana literally step over her cousin and stride in the direction of the chair where Luke was lying with his head hanging back.

Verana stopped a few inches short of Luke, her eyes narrowed in leashed rage as she breathed out harshly. And placed a hand on the chair, right beside Luke’s asleep face.

“HEY!”

Luke jerked up so fast that he almost collided with Verana’s face. Verana watched him calmly though, her eyes aflame as she waited for him to settle. Waited for him to wake out of his daze and realize just where he was.

They all saw the moment realization dawned upon his face.

For a moment, Ray could see the stark surprise on his face. As though he thought he was dreaming. But then he blinked. Once. Twice.

“Vera?”

Verana’s shoulders stiffened,

“You’re an asshole for calling me last night.”

Luke’s brows furrowed, “I didn’t call you.”

“Yes, you did. Drunk out of your fucking mind.” Verana snapped in response, her hold tightening until her knuckles went white, “And you said shit I didn’twant to hear–”

She stopped short when she saw his lips curl into a satisfied grin.

“Verana Smith.”

Ray had to bite her knuckles to keep herself from laughing when the girl’s eyes twitched in annoyance.

“Where you concerned for me?” Luke asked cheekily, his eyes sparkling as he watched her seethe, “Worried?”

“Fuck. Off.” She growled and jerked away from him to run a shaking hand through her hair.

“Were you worried?” he drawled and leaned forward, propping his chin on his fist, “Is that why you’re here?” he gasped, “Did yousleeplast night? Or were you too busy worrying?”

Verana’s glare was dark enough to send a normal person scurrying away. Luke only laughed and shook his head, looking absolutelysmittenas she looked away and said something inaudible under her breath,

“Vera,”

“Don’t.”

A clap had all their attention directed elsewhere. Ray’s lips threatened to break as she grinned and saw Akash looking at his cousin in deadpan. Clap his hands went again, his lips thinning as Vera’s brows arched,

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