Chapter Nine
EFFA
Mercs weakly smiles as Kiera looks over at him but says nothing.
He glances down at me and gives a subtle shake of his head.
“She was probably emotional about something. Seeing us all here might have stirred up some old crap, but that’s not for us to worry about.
She’s of no concern to us. All I care about is getting you back home and into bed…
resting.” He smirks, and I can tell there’s more behind that look than he’s letting on.
He definitely knows more than he’s saying, but whatever it is, he’s not about to unpack it in front of Kiera… or maybe not at all. Either way, I decide to let it go for now. “Okay, let’s go home. Kiera’s had a big night. Her eyes must be hurting.”
Kiera snorts and glances at me, scrunching up her face. “Huh?”
“I think Raoul must have holes burned straight through him with all the staring you were doing tonight, girl!” I tease, and she bursts into giggles.
“Shut up! He’s totally into me—”
“Fucking hell,” Mercs mutters under his breath as we head down the street toward the house, Kiera and I laughing like schoolgirls.
“Anyway, can’t a girl have a little fun? He’s only in town for a short while, and then he’ll be gone. Think of it as a fling, Kaden, not a boyfriend you’ll have to watch over and beat up when he wrongs me,” Kiera jests, flashing him a wicked grin.
“If he touches you, I will Taser his balls. I am not kidding.”
Kiera explodes into laughter, and I slide my hand up Mercs’ chest, cuddling into him as we walk. “I like this protective side of you, Mercs. It’s turning me on,” I murmur, leaning up to kiss his cheek.
Kiera groans dramatically and detaches herself from her brother, pulling a face. “Ewww, too much… way too much.” She strides ahead of us.
The house sits on the same street as the pub, so the walk is short. Gran trails a little behind, strolling casually as though she hasn’t a care in the world. I tuck myself closer into Mercs’ side, threading my arm through his.
The night is beautiful, the moonlight casting silver streaks through the towering sassafras trees lining the street. Cicadas chirp in a steady rhythm, and a soft breeze brushes across my skin. The mild fall chill sharpens my senses, and I press closer to Mercs, not just for warmth but for comfort.
Being with him makes me feel safe, cared for, wanted in a way I didn’t even realize I’d been craving. He makes me feel loved, and I adore the quiet certainty of that more than anything.
He looks down at me, brushing his lips against my temple. “You doing okay? The walk isn’t too much?”
“I’m fine, honestly. But you need to stop teasing Kiera.”
“Who’s teasing? I’m fucking serious. She shouldn’t be lusting over a guy in her condition.”
“Kaden, she’s sick. She should be spending her time doing whatever she wants, living life to the fullest, not being cautious and reserved. She needs to live every day to the max. Don’t you think? No regrets.”
A shudder runs through him, subtle but unmistakable, and he swallows hard.
I know that look. He’s spiraling toward worst-case scenarios.
I didn’t mean to take it there, so I quickly pivot.
“Hey… when we get back, can you take me to bed? I’m tired and want to lie in your arms for a while. Can we do that?”
“Yeah,” he replies softly. “Sounds like the best idea I’ve heard all night.”
By the time we reach the steps, Kiera has already beaten us inside and claimed the baby blue sofa, wrapped in the white throw, with The Big Bang Theory playing softly on the television. I chuckle, remembering that was what she was watching the first time I met her.
Gran closes the door behind her while Mercs and I head for the stairs. “What a lovely evening,” she calls out warmly.
“It really was. Thank you so much for letting me stay here with you all, Gran. It means more than you know.”
She waves off my gratitude, stepping closer with a smile.
“Nonsense. I wouldn’t have you anywhere else.
When Kaden rang and asked if it was a good idea to bring you and your crew down here, I thought it was the best idea in the world.
We love having you here, sweetheart. Now you need to rest and recover. That’s the priority.”
“Yes, exactly,” Mercs agrees, leaning in to kiss her cheek. “Big day. Let’s get you upstairs. Thanks for everything, Gran. See you in the morning.”
“Goodnight, my loves.”
“Night, sis,” Mercs calls, but Kiera doesn’t stir.
I lace my fingers with his as we climb the stairs. He’s quiet, thoughtful, the weight of the day settling on him. When we reach his room, he opens the door for me, and I step inside, heading straight for the bed. The mattress is blissfully soft, and I drop onto it with a small, contented groan.
He chuckles and moves to the luggage, rummaging for pajamas.
“So… Lilah,” I say carefully.
He pauses for a fraction of a second before continuing as though the interruption barely registered. He pulls out my lace nightgown and walks over, sitting beside me. “I don’t want to fucking talk about her… ever.”
I take the gown from him and set it beside me before I lift my shirt over my head. “We’ll have to talk about her sometime. She was a big part of your life.”
“She isn’t anymore,” he replies firmly. “And she never will be again. Effa, you’re my life now. So why drag her into it?”
I nod slowly, reaching behind to unclasp my bra. His eyes drop as my breasts fall free, and the air shifts between us. “Are you going to tell me what happened with you and her at the pub tonight?”
He exhales, dragging a hand through his hair. “I might’ve had some choice words.”
“Might’ve?” I raise a brow as I stand and deliberately unbutton my shorts.
He watches me without blinking, adjusting himself subtly as his gaze lifts to mine. “She cornered me in the hall and started mouthing off about you and the crew bringing drugs into town. I set her straight. Told her you didn’t overdose, that you were drugged. Then I politely suggested she leave.”
I laugh, sliding my shorts down and stepping out of them. “So she was crying because you were polite?”
His hands find my hips, warm and steady, sliding over my skin in a way that ignites something low and dangerous inside me. “Effa,” he warns.
“Mmhmm?” I step closer.
“Get dressed before I can’t help myself.”
His fingers glide up beneath the lace as I pull the nightgown over my head. The fabric settles against my skin, and his hands remain there, possessive and heated. He tugs me forward, and I gasp as I tumble onto him, straddling his lap.
A deep, rough sound vibrates from his chest, his hardness pressing against me through his jeans.
His eyes darken when he looks up at me. “You’re supposed to be resting,” he growls, hands tightening on my hips.
“That’s the only reason I’m not taking this further tonight.
Don’t mistake restraint for lack of wanting, Effa.
I want you… bad. But the time will come when you’re screaming my name again, and I won’t hold back. ”
He fists his hand in my hair and pulls my mouth down to his.
The kiss is forceful and heavy with need and filled with barely restrained desire.
He kisses me like he’s reclaiming something that was almost taken from him, like this is the first time since I woke from the coma that he’s allowing himself to truly feel it.
Every single time without fail, he does this to me.
I grind against him, a soft groan slipping into his mouth as his tongue claims mine. His teeth catch my bottom lip, not hard enough to hurt but enough to send a sharp pulse of pleasure straight through me. My fingers tangle in his hair while I rock against him, desperate for friction.
Suddenly, he stands, lifting me effortlessly before flipping me onto the bed. I squeal, laughter bubbling between kisses as he comes down over me, settling between my thighs. I wrap my legs around his waist as he presses closer, heat and weight and want surrounding me completely.
I like where this is going.
But the kiss slows.
He pulls back, brushing a strand of hair from my face, his expression softening. “You need to rest.” He sighs, kissing the tip of my nose.
I huff lightly, running my fingers through his hair. “We are really going to stop this?”
“Yes,” he says gently, brushing his thumb over my cheek. “You’ve only been out of a coma for a week, and I refuse to be the reason your recovery takes a hit. So no… no sex tonight.”
“But what if I just lie here and let you do all the work? I won’t exert myself… promise.” I grin wickedly.
He groans and pushes himself off me before temptation wins. I watch him pull his shirt over his head, his abs flexing, tattoos stark against his skin.
“Just get in the bed already, Miss Trouble Maker.”
“You’re no fun,” I tease.
“Keep it up, and I’ll have to punish you.”
My eyes widen. “Promises, promises.”
“I can’t fucking win with you, woman,” he mutters, climbing in beside me and pulling me into his arms.
I rest my head in the curve of his shoulder, breathing him in. “Nope! I’m too headstrong. You’ll never win, Kaden. Best admit defeat now.”
His hand slides slowly up and down my arm. “Babe, I’m the fucking winner here. I have you. You’re alive, we’re together, there’s no defeat in that.”
My chest tightens with warmth. “Well, damn. When did you become a sweet softy?”
“Never.”
I laugh and guide his hand over my breast. His fingers instinctively curl, squeezing gently through the lace, and I hum in approval.
“Mmhmm. Keep telling yourself that, lover boy.”
“You know,” he murmurs, tweaking my nipple lightly, “I think I’m gonna like having you here.”
“I should hope so. You’re kinda stuck with me.”
“Good. Now sleep.”
“You’re so bossy.”
“Deal with it. Sleep. Now.”
I kiss him softly, savoring the spark that always flares between us, before settling against him. The light clicks off, and wrapped in his arms, I feel completely at ease.
I love this place, and for the first time since landing in the States, I can actually picture a future here. If I ever wanted to settle down somewhere…
Ligonier might just be it.
***
A heat so intense it feels almost violent devours me, searing through every inch of my body. I gasp as my eyes snap open, desperate for air, for something cool to drown out the blaze consuming me from the inside out.
I jerk away from Mercs, my skin slick with sweat as I shove back the covers with a groan. I have no idea what time it is, but the darkness in the room tells me it’s still the middle of the night, only a thin ribbon of moonlight slipping through the gap in the curtains.
Mercs shifts beside me with a sleepy grunt, rolling over and blinking up at me. “You okay?”
I sit upright and start fanning myself with both hands, shaking my head as I swipe at my brow and blow out a strained breath. “Is it hot in here?” I ask, my voice edged with irritation and confusion.
He rolls onto his side and squints at me. “Uhh… no. It’s actually freezing.” Sitting up, he reaches out and presses his palm to my forehead as though checking for a fever, then pulls back with a frown. “You’re dripping with sweat.”
“I know. It’s freaking boiling,” I snap, swinging my legs off the bed and standing. I pace the room, tugging the lace of my nightgown away from my body to fan my overheated skin, trying to draw in deeper breaths that don’t feel like they’re scalding my lungs.
Mercs gets up immediately and crosses to the window, pushing it open. The moment a cool breeze slips into the room, I release a long breath of relief.
“Oh, praise Gaia…” I murmur, stepping into the stream of night air and closing my eyes as it washes over me.
Mercs watches me carefully, suspicion and worry tightening his expression. “Do you think you’re getting sick?” he asks, coming closer and running his hand slowly up and down my arm, as if assessing me for signs I can’t see.
I wrinkle my nose and shake my head. “I don’t think so.
I don’t have a sore throat or anything. It just felt like this wave of heat rolled over me out of nowhere.
It was intense… like it swallowed me whole.
But I’m starting to cool down now.” I inhale deeply, focusing on the chill brushing across my skin.
He swallows, and I notice goose bumps rising along his arms and chest. I blink at him, frowning. “Are you cold?”
A weak smile tugs at his mouth. “It’s the middle of the night, in fall, and I’m standing here in briefs. Yeah, it’s a little chilly, baby. You’ve gotta admit, though… a hot flash like that is strange.”
Tilting my head, I chew on my bottom lip as unease settles in my stomach.
“It’s probably something to do with my recovery,” I say, though I’m not entirely convinced.
“I’ll call the specialist tomorrow, I’m sure it’s nothing.
Go on… get back into bed. I’ll come back when I’m cool enough.
I don’t want you catching something because of me. ”
His face tightens. “I’m not leaving you standing here alone, Eff.”
I roll my eyes gently, trying to ease the tension. “I’m literally five feet away from you. I can cool down by the window, and you can warm up under the covers. Please… I’ll just end up worrying about you if you stand here freezing.”
He exhales slowly, clearly unhappy with the compromise, but leans in to kiss my temple before heading back to the bed. He climbs under the covers but doesn’t lie down, instead propping himself up and watching me as if I might suddenly collapse.
I stand at the window, letting the cool night air sweep across my skin until the lingering heat fades into something manageable. The breeze brushes the fine hairs on my arms, grounding me, calming the frantic pulse that had overtaken me moments ago.
I’m not sure what the hell caused it, but I know it didn’t feel normal.
It has to be connected to the anoxic brain injury. What else could it be?
Even so, a thread of unease winds through me. I’ll call the specialist first thing in the morning, just to be sure there isn’t something bigger going on beneath the surface.
I’m probably overthinking it.
But after everything that’s happened… better safe than sorry.