Act of Mercy (PSI-Ops / Immortal Ops) (18 page)

Mercy had never behaved so wild or been so free with her wants and desires. She felt like a new woman—a changed woman—and Duke was who she had to thank. Emotions she shouldn’t feel for him surfaced, confusing her as he pounded into her from behind. So much pleasure, so much passion and so many feelings of love.

She hardly knew him. She shouldn
’t love him. Not yet. Not this soon into it all. She was a rational woman. Sex did not equal love. Yet she loved the man filling her. As if she’d been loving him all her life.

Mates.

The words bounced around in her head as he grabbed her hair and held tight as he shoved deeper into her. She moaned in delight, having him fill her so completely. The man seemed to go on forever. He tugged on her hair, forcing her head back more. He bent over her, his body pressing to her back, the feel of his steely torso against her skin nearly making her hit her peak. She rocked against him, wanting more of what he was offering.

Bliss.

She arched her back as he pounded into her. She dug her fingers at the floor, pulling on them, doing anything she could in attempt to ground herself. It would be so easy to slip away into a state of sexual delight. It wasn’t in her to lose control like that, but she was dangerously close to making a liar out of herself.

Duke kissed her shoulder and then nipped at it, his teeth seeming
sharper than they should. She’d thought the same thing when he’d nibbled at her breast before. There had been pain, but only a small amount before pleasure had rushed over her. Instead of being worried, the idea he might bite her turned her on more. Mercy pushed against him.

She could barely think with his body thrusting in and out of hers with such a hard pace. Her body spasmed around his and she lost control of herself, slipping into erotic bliss. Duke pounded harder, prolonging her orgasm.

“Say you’re mine,” he commanded. “I want to hear it again.”

“
Yours.”

She felt pressure on her shoulder and then intense
gratification washed over her, accompanied by the strangest feeling of buzzing in the air around her. She felt as if someone was tying her to Duke from the inside out with the smallest of threads that were indestructible.

The next she knew his palm was before her, sliced open enough for blood to well. Mercy couldn
’t stop herself as she put her lips to the wound and licked. The second the blood rolled over her tongue, another orgasm took control of her body. She shook as Duke thrust in deep, holding steady there, releasing in her. She’d heard of people seeing stars during a moment like this and had always thought it was just an expression. But as white burst behind her closed lids, she knew the truth. He’d just fucked her brains out and the saying was totally warranted.

She felt drunk from the passion. More than that, she felt connected to Duke on a baser level. She knew whatever had just happened between
them transcended simple sex. Whatever it was left her changed—for the better.

He pulled out and she turned, looking up at him, trying to figure out what, exactly, had
just occurred. Her hand went to her shoulder and then her breast. He’d bitten her.

No. He
did more than that
, she thought.
He claimed me.

“
What does this mean?” she asked, her voice weak, worry that he might regret what he’d done washing over her.

Duke swatted her ass cheek playfully, making her yelp.
“Means you belong to me.”

She lifted a bro
w. “I belong to no one. I’m my own person.”

He swatted her again and rubbed the spot his hand had made contact with her butt.
“Not true, Doc. See, in the eyes of the supernatural community, we’re now,” he leaned and widened his eyes, “husband and wife.”

Me
rcy felt faint.

Duke grabbed her around the waist, pulling her back to rest against his body, her back to his front.
“I’ve got you, baby.”

Baby.

Hearing the word made her panic more. They’d not used protection. She knew better. She understood the risks. How could she have lost her mind so completely when it came to him?

Because you
’re mates. It’s destiny.

She gasped.
“Duke?”

“
Yes, Doc,” he said, his hand easing up as he went for her breast. He began to play with it lazily as if it was no big deal that he was chained and they were on the floor of a holding cell, or that he’d just said they were man and wife.

“
We didn’t use protection.”

“
I know,” he said. He kissed her shoulder, squeezing her nipple. “Wouldn’t have done us a bit of good. We’re mates, Doc. That means no birth control works for us. Nature sorts it out. We don’t get a choice, and before you go getting yourself worked up, we can’t transmit any sexual diseases either. Trust me, I looked into that one long ago.”

She stiffened and he jerked.

“Well, what I mean to say is…”

She drew out of his hold.
“Exactly, how many women have you been with?”

Silence.

She looked over her shoulder at him. He was eyeing the floor as if the bare, hard surface would produce some perfect answer. One she’d want to hear. Not the truth which was probably way more than she wanted to know about.

Damn him.

She was upset with herself as well for falling so easily for his charm.

“
You’re the only woman for me from here on out,” he said. “That is how it works.”

From here on out.

The words seemed to stick to her, making her itch. Before her there had been how many? Mercy knew it was irrational to be upset about his past but she couldn’t help herself. There had been no other men but him for her. She’d hoped the same was true for him—that somehow he’d been saving himself for her all these years.

Clearly, that wasn
’t the case.

She needed space.

Distance.

Time to think.

Without him near.

Huffing, she grabbed the torn remnants of her hospital gown and stood. Duke tried to grab for her but she darted out of his reach. The chain around his neck caught him, jerking him back from her.

“Mercy,” he pleaded. “I mean it. The other women don’t matter. You’re my mate.”

Overwhelmed, she nodded, backing away from him, as she tried to cover herself as best she could.
“I need time to process all of this.”

He reached for her.
“Mercy!”

Shaking her head, she rushed from the room and made it down the hallway
before Striker was there, taking off his shirt, his gaze upwards. He handed her his shirt. “Cover yerself, lass. I’ll take you to a guest room. You can shower and I’ll get you some clothin’.”

“
Thank you,” she said, unable to hold on to her emotions. She wasn’t sure what the heck was wrong with her. Maybe Duke broke her. “Can I see Jimmy after I’m cleaned up?”

“
What about yer husband?” he asked. “He’ll nae like you runnin’ after another man.”

“
He’s chained up so he can just sit there and deal with it,” she said loudly, knowing Duke would hear her.

“
I’m sorry!” he yelled. “I don’t know what I did wrong but I’m sorry for it.”

Striker laughed.
“Och, I warned you about redheads.”

“
You were right,” Duke returned. “Worth it!”

Mercy tossed her hands in the air. They
were unbelievable.

Duke strolled in the direction in the room where Striker said he’d placed Mercy some forty minutes prior. Each Division Headquarters had living quarters attached. Quite often they were needed to house operatives or informants who were from out of the area. He was nearly there when Corbin and another man stepped out and into his path.

Duke did his best to hide his grumble. He knew better than to cause too much of a f
uss with the man from London Division Headquarters standing there, but he found it difficult to concentrate when his mate needed him. Striker and Boomer had left him chained for nearly thirty minutes, mocking him before they let him free and insisted he shower, shave and wear something other than a chain to see his wife.

Pressing an even faç
ade to his face, Duke rocked on the balls of his feet, wanting to get to Mercy but realizing he had to play the game. “Colonel Lovett.”

Colonel Ulric Lovett had a lot of
weight and power in England and outside of it. He was descended from their line of royal lycans. As the Immortal Ops Team Leader, Lukian Vlakhusha, was to the lycans in the States, Ulric was to those in England. Didn’t matter how alpha you were, you paid your respects.

Ulric
inclined his head, his ink-black, wavy, shoulder-length hair falling forward. His blue gaze locked on Duke. “I hear congratulations are in order.”

Duke exhaled, thankful Ulric wasn
’t there to send him on another mission just yet. He needed time with his woman. He had to make things right.

Even though he was sure what was wrong.

“I met your mate a little bit ago,” said Ulric. “She asked if I was a testosterone-driven jackass who could turn into a wolf too.”

Rubbing his forehead, Duke sighed
, embarrassed to have his superior know about his woman troubles. “Shit. Sorry.”

Ulric laughed.
“Don’t be. I found her quite charming. She has information vital to us and I’ve been in contact with General Newman. We’d like to offer her a position within PSI. She would be invaluable in our research and development area—Division B State-side, of course.”

Duke was about to protest. No woman of his would work.

Corbin shook his head, before Duke could argue. “She’s a career woman. Present the option to her. If she wants it, support her decision. If you don’t, I suspect you’ll spend a lot of time in the dog house.”

“
Fuck.” Duke growled and then remembered who was near him. He looked at Ulric. “Sorry.”

Ulric waved a hand and laughed
. “One day I can only hope I have the same issue.”

“
As do we all,” added Corbin. And Duke knew he meant it. “A mate is a glorious thing. Don’t take her for granted and whatever you do, think hard before you open your mouth. You tend to have foot-in-mouth syndrome.”

He was right.

Duke hated when Corbin was right.

They stepped aside and Corbin gave Duke a
hard look that spoke volumes. He was sure Duke would screw this up. Problem was, Duke felt the same way. He didn’t want to mess up things with Mercy any more than he had, though he still wasn’t sure what he’d done to set her off.

Didn
’t matter.

She was mad and that wouldn
’t do.

His baser instincts demanded things be smooth between them
—that they have no rifts. He was a difficult man. He knew as much. Living with him wouldn’t be easy but he cared enough about her to do whatever it took to make her happy.

You more than care for her
, he thought.
You love her. Tell her as much.

He covered the distance to her room and knocked gently, wanting instead to
just barge in but holding back. Controlling his alpha side was a must with a woman like Mercy. She’d keep him on his toes for the rest of their long lives. And she would live a long life—pixies were immortal. The powers that be would not pair a mortal with an immortal as life mates. It would be cruel.

Duke knew from the bottom of his feet that his wife was immortal. She was also pissed.

One thing at a time.

He knocked again, wondering if she was dancing around with noise
-reducing headphones again. He smiled at the thought.

The door opened and his breath caught, she was there, her hair wet, smelling heavily of soap and wearing only a PSI-issued, oversized t-shirt.
She stared up at him, her lips in a soft pout.

“
Are you here to talk about all the women you’ve been with in your long life?” she asked.

Wait?
That
was what she was upset about?

As he thought about his words to her and how they
’d probably come off, he realized the error he’d made. He shook his head, standing in the hall, refusing to enter until she welcomed him. His pride was all but gone. He’d do whatever it took to get in her good graces. If that meant begging, he’d do it.

“
No,” he said. “I was stupid and that wasn’t what I meant.”

She lifted a brow, saying nothing. She clearly wasn
’t about to make this apology easy on him. He couldn’t blame her.

He licked his lower lip, his throat suddenly very dry.
“I’m not great with words. Never have been. I’m normally in a bad mood all the time. I hate just about everything.” He paused, meeting her gaze. “But I love you and I’ve never loved anything in all my life.”

A crease formed on her brow. She stood there for what felt like forever, watching him, saying nothing.
The silence was nearly deafening between them. Was she trying to give him a heart attack?

His h
ands began to shake. He’d never be able to handle it if his mate rejected him. “I mean it, Mercy, I love you. And I’m an asshole.”

She snorted and then threw herself at him. He caught her, lifting her in the air, his lips finding hers.
He could smell her cream building and knew she was ready for him.

Growling, he kissed her harder, wanting to devour her.
He barely managed to get the door shut behind them before he was moving quickly to the bed with her in his arms.

She nipped at his j
awline, making it hard for him to focus on not coming in his pants. “Doc,” he pleaded.

“
You said you love me.” She tugged at his lower lip with her teeth.

He fought the urge to permit his mouth to shapeshift. “
I also said I’m an asshole.”

She laughed. “
That part I already knew.”

He grinned and looked down at her. “
So, about that anal probing you offered me when you first called PSI.”

“
I didn’t offer you anything of the sort. You offered it to me.” She huffed and the laughed harder. “Pig.”

“
Wolf,” he corrected.

“
I should make you wait for sex until you apologize for that too,” she said playfully.

He gasped. “
I’m sorry!”

She smiled wider. “
Uh-huh, sure.”

“
So, the anal probing?”

She kissed him, moving on him, grinding herself against him.
The smallest of musical beeps caught his attention, stopping his progress. He drew back from Mercy slightly, glancing to the side. Another of the handheld tablets she seemed so fond of was there and it was making noise.

She squealed and then leapt out of his arms, lea
ving him standing there, his arms empty and his cock hard.

He really hated technology.

She lifted the tablet and keyed in several things. The next Duke knew he was staring at Eadan’s image on the screen. The damn faerie was interrupting sex with Duke’s mate. A low growl emanated from him as he glared in the direction of the entirely too blond male on the screen.

Eadan grinned ear to ear, looking like the cat who ate the canary. “
Called Corbin’s phone first. He said you were busy but he gave me Mercy’s contact information.”

“
I’ll be sure to thank him,” Duke bit out.

Mercy sat on the edge of the bed and Duke had to move around to her side to keep his sights on Eadan. “
Hi, I’m Dr. Mercy Deluca and I’ve just spent the last twenty minutes reading up on you and your Immortal Ops.”

“
Did the files mention they were punks?” asked Duke.

Mercy waved a hand at him dismissively before looking to Eadan. “
I was told you are Fae.”

Eadan
nodded, seeming entirely too pleased with interrupting Duke. This was the thanks Duke got for helping save Eadan’s ass a week ago. He bent, putting himself closer to the view thingy—whatever people called it. “You owed me, faerie.”

Eadan snorted. “
All the faerie jokes are coming back to haunt you. Mercy,” he said, his focus on her.

Mercy moved the tablet so she was centered in the small box on the screen. “
I’m here. Ignore him. He wants sex. He can have that when I’m done talking to you. If he’s a good boy.”

Eadan roared with laugh
ter and had to take a moment to calm himself before speaking. “Green has your test results in front of us here,” Eadan said, motioning to the tall redheaded male near him. “He says you’re part pixie. He also seems excited to speak with you.”

Mercy waved. “
You’re Dr. Thaddeus Green.”

“
I am,” said Green. “Nice to meet you, Dr. Deluca. I’ve read some of your publications regarding biometric engineering. I cannot wait for a chance to talk in person with you. Eadan tells me you’ll be back in the States before the week’s end.”

Mercy glanced at Duke, excit
ement in her eyes. “Will we?”

As much as he wanted inside her, he
couldn’t deny her this moment of science geek bliss. He nodded. “Yes, baby, we will be.”

“
Oh, can I meet him?”

Duke hid his laugh. “
Yes, Doc, you can meet him.”

She dropped the tablet an
d launched herself at him again. “Thank you!”

Duke glanced down at the tablet and then kicked it under the bed. He wanted hi
s woman, audience be damned.