Chapter 31
Chapter Thirty-One
I stretched beside Merrick in bed, awoken by the sound of barking. The backyard squirrel was probably taunting Brisket again. The morning ritual woke us nearly every morning.
Merrick stirred as I shifted, his arm tightening around my waist as he pulled my back closer to his chest. He buried his face against the curve of my neck, scruff rasping against my sensitive skin. A shiver ran down my spine when his mouth turned from soft kisses into possessive nips.
“Good morning, Wildfire,” he whispered in my ear, his voice still gravely from sleep. His breath sent goose bumps cascading down my body.
His large, rough hand slid down my naked side, tracing the dip of my waist and the swell of my hip. A needy sound escaped my throat before I could stop it.
Merrick nibbled on my ear, stroking my hip. My breath hitched as he inched closer to the apex of my thighs. I moaned at the agonizing slowness of his movements, unhurried like we had all the time in the world. Finally, he slipped a finger between my legs, and a primal growl emanated from his chest.
“You’re already soaked for me, aren’t you?” he asked, stroking. The friction of his hand made me arch into him.
He lazily circled my clit, his touch teasing and unhurried, while his hard cock pressed insistently against my backside.
But then—just as my hips rocked for more friction—his hand disappeared.
“Merrick,” I gasped, heat spiking into frustration.
He only chuckled, reaching across me for the clamshell case on my nightstand.
“I’m curious about this,” he said, pulling the curved silicone toy from the case. “I searched it online and read a few interesting examples of how it can be used.”
He pressed the button, and the toy whirred to life, its low hum filling the room.
Hovering over me, he slid the vibrating end inside me easily, the buzzing curve pressing perfectly against my G-spot.
The other end curved up, the suction sealing over my clit.
A jolt of overwhelming pleasure ripped a cry from my throat.
“Fuck!” My hands knotted in the sheets. My hips bucked helplessly.
“That’s it,” Merrick groaned.
“I–I’m not gonna last long,” I gasped, the sensations overwhelming, teetering on the edge before I’d even caught my breath.
“I don’t give a fuck,” he growled.
He grabbed my hips, flipped me onto my stomach, and spread my legs with his knees. The slim silicone toy buzzed mercilessly inside me and sucked at my clit, making my entire body tremble.
“Goddamn, look at you,” Merrick said, spitting into his hand before stroking himself. The slick sound sent a pulse of anticipation straight through me.
“You’re going to take me with that toy in your pussy.”
He lifted my hips slightly before sliding into me in one smooth, brutal thrust, filling me to the hilt and pressing the vibrations harder against my G-spot.
“Fuck,” I sobbed, overwhelmed with the fullness. The toy pressed harder into me with every stroke of his cock, and the pressure of his body over mine pressed the suction end harder onto my swollen clit. Every movement sent me spiraling higher, the pressure nearly unbearable.
Merrick leaned down, voice rough against my ear. “You like that, Wildfire? My cock stretching you while that toy ruins you?”
“Yes,” I moaned.
“You’re mine. This pussy is mine.”
His pace was maddening—slow, steady, deliberate. He forced me to feel every inch until my legs shook.
“Say it,” he commanded. “Say whose pussy this is.”
My breath hitched. “Y–yours,” I stuttered.
“Louder.” His thrusts deepened, hitting that same devastating spot with each roll of his hips.
“Yours, Merrick!” I cried, clutching the sheets so tightly my knuckles ached.
“Damn fucking straight,” he growled in a savage tone. “Mine to fuck. Mine to fill. Mine to make scream. You’re fucking mine.”
He rolled his hips harder, and the toy sent vibrations ricocheting through me until I shattered.
A violent, all-consuming orgasm tore through me, my body pulsing around him and the toy as wave after wave wrecked me.
“Good girl,” Merrick whispered, his release chasing mine. He tightened his grip on my hips as his strokes became frantic. He roared my name as his climax hit, pulsing deep inside me.
He collapsed beside me, dragging me back into his arms. I slipped the toy free and turned it off, hypersensitive following my orgasm. Still trembling, I curled against him.
Merrick kissed the top of my head, his voice soft. “You ready for tonight?”
I sighed, my fingers tracing idle patterns on the tattoos covering his chest. “Not really.”
He squeezed me gently. “You don’t need to be OK. You don’t need to be ready. I’ve got you.”
I nodded, but my stomach twisted at the thought of seeing Alec’s family in Boston for the ribbon-cutting. The idea of facing them for the first time since his funeral made my chest ache.
Hours later, the Boston air hit me. The crisp sixty-five-degree weather felt unfamiliar following my time in the humid Texas heat. I clutched my bag as we stepped off the plane, memories of my former life rushing back.
As if sensing my anxiety, Merrick’s hand found the small of my back, the gentle pressure steadying me as we walked through the busy terminal.
Outside, he tugged my arm. A sleek town car idled by the curb with a man in a suit and hat holding a sign with my name. I stared, irritation flickering through me. “They sent a car?”
Merrick chuckled, squeezing my hand. “Guess they wanted to make sure you got there. You’re a bit of a flight risk.”
I rolled my eyes but let him guide me into the car. As we pulled away from the airport, the city skyline rising in the distance, I leaned into Merrick to draw strength from his presence. His warmth, his quiet confidence, made the tightness in my chest ease just a little.
The dedication ceremony was held in a sunlit atrium at the university, surrounded by glass and greenery. The sound of laughter and soft conversation filled the space, but all I could hear was the pounding of my own heart.
The ribbon cutting was brief but poignant. Alec’s mother spoke about his passion for helping children, his kindness, and his dreams for the future. I stood in the front row, Merrick’s hand in mine, as tears burned hot paths down my cheeks.
At the reception afterward, I finally faced Alec’s mother.
Her eyes widened as she took in Merrick beside me—his broad shoulders, the tattoos peeking from beneath his rolled-up sleeves, the quiet intensity in his gaze.
But without his cut, he looked less intimidating.
He stood tall, his posture respectful, his smile polite—the most approachable I’d ever seen him.
“This is Merrick,” I said, my voice steady despite the lump in my throat.
Alec’s mother blinked twice, then extended her hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Merrick.”
Merrick shook her hand gently. “It’s an honor to be here, ma’am. Alec sounds like an incredible man.”
Her eyes softened. “He was. And Kenna, I’m so glad you came. I wasn’t sure you would.”
I tried to smile. “I wasn’t sure either. But I’m glad I did.”
“Kenna!” My mother’s sharp voice cut through the crowd. I braced myself against Merrick as she appeared in a tailored navy pantsuit and pearls.
Her mouth pinched as her eyes flicked to Merrick. “I’ve been trying to reach out all day. You should have called me when you landed.”
I sighed. “Just coming was a lot,” I said, my tone flat. “I didn’t feel like talking.”
She huffed. “Sweetheart, people will talk. Couldn’t you come to an event like this alone? For Alec’s family? Who is this man?”
My fingernails carved crescents into my palm. “If you’d give me five seconds without criticizing me, I’d introduce you.”
Merrick’s jaw ticked. “Merrick Morris.” He stretched his palm toward her.
She shifted at the snarl in his tone. She glanced down at his hand, taking in the dark tattoos. She took it gingerly. “Sutton Walsh,” she squeaked. “And what exactly do you do, Mr. Morris?”
Merrick’s tone stayed polite, but his steely gaze didn’t waver. “I work in private security,” he said evenly.
Her eyebrows shot up. “And you met Kenna … how?”
I couldn’t hold back a laugh, the interrogation lighting up my rebellious streak. “Merrick is in a motorcycle club. The club is a client. He’s one of the officers.”
Her eyes widened, lips parting in silent horror. Before she could collect herself enough to respond, my oldest brother’s smooth baritone interrupted.
“Mom, Senator Greenfield’s looking for you. Says he needs to talk to you about next week’s fundraiser.” Everest gestured to the corner, where the suited man was engaged in a heated conversation with a constituent, clearly not looking for my mother.
My mother nodded sharply. “Of course,” she said, smoothing her hands down the front of her pants. She threw me an icy glare. “We’re not done with this conversation,” she said before stepping away.
Everest let out a low whistle. “I overheard most of that, sis. For a second there, I thought Mom was going to have a full cardiac event. Thanks for the entertainment.”
He turned to Merrick, giving him an appraising scan, then offered his hand. “Everest Walsh. Eldest brother and the one always saving Kenna’s ass from Mom’s wrath. But it looks like you might be able to handle it.”
Merrick shook his hand. “Happy to handle anything for Kenna.”
I hugged my brother tight. “Thank you. Are Logan and Kendall here, too?”
Everest shook his head. “Logan has some big case she’s working on right now and practically sleeps at the law firm. And Kendall is … well, doing what Kendall wants.” He shrugged. “She’s trying to steal your crown as ‘Most Difficult Daughter.’ She changed her major to social work, of all things.”
“The horror. How will she ever find a husband?” I scoffed sarcastically. “I’ll see her major change and raise her one tattooed biker.”
Everest chuckled. “You always did like to win. Why don’t you go say hi to Alec’s sisters, and I’ll introduce Merrick to the best bourbon in Boston?” He clapped Merrick on the shoulder.
As the guys peeled off toward the bar, I found myself exhaling. The tension drained from my shoulders as I wove through the crowd to Alec’s sisters, letting the conversations and laughter settle the nerves my mother had frayed.
Throughout the rest of the reception, Merrick mingled like a gentleman.
He listened, smiled, shook hands, and made small talk beside Everest before returning to my side.
He stood close enough to remind me he was there but never crowded me.
He let me have moments with Alec’s family and friends, and the memories that still lingered.
After, we slipped away, ducking dinner invitations and well-meaning questions.
With nerves worn raw, all I wanted was a bed and a glass of wine.
The city lights glittered as the town car took us back to the hotel.
When we checked in, I frowned at the key card in my hand.
“They upgraded our room,” I muttered. “Of course they did. Always meddling.”
Merrick smirked, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. “They just want you to be comfortable, Wildfire.”
I sighed, but I couldn’t help but smile. “I know. It’s just … a lot.”
He kissed the top of my head. I leaned into him, grateful for his strength and patience. I let the exhaustion slide between us, feeling for once as if I could let someone else help carry my grief.