Page 5 of Stitch's Mercy
“Well, I’m glad you set that bitch straight.” My mind was reeling with this new divulgence of information. I doubted Kelly would remain silent about Brady and me. I wasn’t sure how I’d do with rumors circulating through the hospital about us. Then again, the way Brady shut her down, I had every faith he’d do the same to anyone else.
“I’m not talking about Kelly anymore.” He raised his hand and revealed nail marks on his palm. “Something had you terrified. Tell me what happened out there.”
Oh, crap! He knew nothing about my brother, only Hope did, and I wasn’t about to bare my soul to him now… Maybe never. “I was just nervous our lives would unravel.”
“Because you think Kelly has that kind of power over us? Come on, Mercy. I’m a Knight. We rule the Upper Midwest.” He fisted his hand and hit it against his chest like a brutal Viking.
“You don’t need to remind me.” I went to peer out the window, but I couldn’t see anything more than the white Christmas lights on the house’s eaves, reflecting off the snow. I’d sobered some and, in my clearer state, I shouldn’t be alone with Brady.
I hated he was a biker and proud to be. Hated even more how I couldn’t resist him and loved him down to the depths of my soul. I wouldn’t dream of changing him or asking him to walk away from the club.
“Hey.” He turned me around to face him. “I feel you pulling away. Please don’t. If I upset you, tell me. I’ll do anything to make you happy.”
And that right there was why I loved him. He made me feel like the most important person in his life.
“You’re fine, Brady. It’s me, not you.”
“Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. Don’t give me that line. It’s me, not you, is utter bullshit. Are you saying you won’t go away with me? Are you saying you don’t want to be with me? Tell me now, Mercy. Don’t lead me on.”
“Lead you on? I have never. You pursued me from day one. You don’t give me a chance to forget you. Even when I avoid you like the last several months, you’re already imprinted on my heart, and I’m mad as hell about it!”
A smile tugged at the corners of his lips. “You just gave me hope, baby.”
“Not intentionally.” I crossed my arms over my chest to block him out, but I was a fool for thinking such a thing was possible. Brady Hayes had the keys to my heart, and I needed to accept it, embrace it, and love it. “What time will you pick me up in the morning?”
His smile grew bigger. “Bright and early, at eight. I want you all to myself.”
“Are you going to hold me captive after you have me all to yourself?” I lowered my arms and stepped closer toward him. The pull toward him was stronger than my stubbornness.
“No, because I want you to choose me because you love me. Not because I forced you.” He cradled my face and kissed me softly. “You just have to let me in, Mercy.”
“I’ll try… When do you want to go to your place?”
He hiked an annoyed brow. “I’ve changed my mind. You’ll have to wait for it, sweetheart.”
“Are you punishing me for being unsure?” How dare he revive my engine all evening, then pour a bucket of ice water over my head?
“I’m not punishing you, baby. I just want you to be sure.”
I was sure that I wanted him to fuck me tonight, but I knew what he meant. “You’re right.” I patted his firm chest and exhaled a deep breath. How would I sleep tonight? My mind would be racing a mile a minute thinking of all the things that could go wrong or go fantastically well, better than all my dreams. I was most worried about the latter…
“Of course, I’m right.” He winked. “And after our little getaway, you’ll see how right we are for each other.”
I hope so…
2
Stitch
On the first day of our holiday getaway, we were off to a horrible start, judging by the icy chill and deafening silence in my Land Rover. I’d been white knuckling the steering wheel as I drove us to my cabin at Lake of the Woods.
Mercy was wound tighter than a ball of knotted Christmas lights. It was totally my fault too.Fuck! If I already screwed things up, I’ll hate myself.But I couldn’t be sure of what she’d heard while I’d talked to her dad…
“Mr. Kolter, I love your daughter very much.” A lump of coal appeared in my throat and interfered with my declaration.
“Interesting. Mercy never talks about you.” His words hurt, but I couldn’t say I was surprised. Mercy had never invited me over to meet her folks. All our interactions had been at the hospital or a hotel near the airport—where no one would see us. “How long have you two been dating? Seems I should’ve seen you around the house before now.”
“Yes, sir. You should have.” I felt like an idiot, pouring out my heart to a man who didn’t know I existed in his daughter’s life. But I was on a mission, and sure as hell wouldn’t abandon my plans, because my ego had just been beaten. “We aren’t officially dating.”