Taking Mercy Read online

  He stares at me with an expression that can only be described as adoration.

  “This isn’t about sex for me, Dimka. It’s about so much more and I wanted to show you that you can trust me and that I trust you. And that with Kai and Alex, maybe we can have something unexpected.” I cup his cheeks. “Something I’d never have back home.”

  “You’re a gift from Laird,” he whispers, brushing my hair out of my face.

  I kiss him softly and move my hips once again, feeling the immense pressure between my legs. I groan into his mouth, craving friction, wondering what it feels like to have him inside of me—twice.

  His mouth moves to my breasts; kissing, sucking, licking, and it brings me to the brink.

  “Can I touch you?” he asks, hands on my inner thighs.

  “Yes. Please. Yes.”

  He doesn’t cross the barrier of clothing, he doesn’t need to. It’s been enough time since I’ve done this with a man, that my body is electric. His fingers rub across the ache between my legs and I hiss at his touch, pushing down on his hand, his cocks; panting like an animal.

  “One day I’ll bury myself inside you, show you what a man from the Southern Tip has to offer,” he whispers in my ear. I almost ask him to show me now but my knees quake and his fingers tweak my nipples. I writhe against him, overcome—overwhelmed with sensation. His promise just sends me to the edge.

  He watches me like a gift from his god as I shatter against his body, feeling the rush of release. His hips jut forward and I reach between us, feeling if not seeing the majesticness of his girth and length.

  Twice.

  “It’s…” he swallows, “I’m very sensitive.” His breath is already labored and I guide my hand over the hard expanse. “Oh, Mercy…you’re beautiful. You’re…” His eyes hold mine, glazed over with lust and he groans deep within his chest. His head drops to my shoulder before he grunts, thrusting against me, until he releases everything.

  It’s only after, when I’m curled against Dimka’s chest, that I wonder if I’ve gone too far—we only have the guarantee of this one night—because once we go back to our normal lives, they’re not here to love me, they’re here to guard me, and I have a mission to complete.

  “Please tell me I didn’t cross any lines,” he says, lifting my chin so he can see me.

  “No. Not at all, in fact, I’m already thinking of the next time, when we can go further.”

  He exhales, looking calmer and more relaxed than I’ve seen him. “Don’t tempt me.”

  “I can’t make any promises.”

  He captures my lips and kisses me. “I will make a promise to you. This won’t be our only time together and next time I’ll make you beg for mercy.”

  20

  Alex

  “Goddammit,” I mutter, dropping the pot in the sink. It’s the third time I’ve heard Mercy’s sex moan from the other room and it’s driving me mad.

  My dick has been hard since she walked out of the bathroom and I’m trying desperately not to barge in the other room and demand my turn.

  “Settle down, brother,” Kai says from the couch. He’s completely unfazed, studying his data pad from the couch.

  “That doesn’t get to you?”

  He glances up at me, his blue skin now familiar as my own. That wasn’t how it was when we first met. I considered him an enemy. It didn’t take long for us to become allies.

  “I’ve been celibate for a long time. I’ve learned a lot of tools to keep my desires under control.”

  I finish scrubbing the pot and leave it on the counter to dry. I cross the room, eyes shifting over the closed door. Kai watches me. “Are you going to be able to handle this?” he asks. “Men from Earth, particularly the region you’re from, are not involved in polygamous relationships. It’s one thing to think about it—it’s completely different to engage in it.”

  I run my hand through my hair. “Yeah, I can handle it.” He gives me a skeptical look. I roll my eyes. “Seriously, I can. I get that Dimka needed a little extra convincing. I have no doubt Mercy’s managed to get him on board.”

  We both laugh at that. Mercy’s carrying an arsenal of power she has no idea she commands. Smart, beautiful, sexy. Dimka’s past and lack of experience got to him. We’ve all been there, or at least I remember those days in high school before I filled out, got a little experience, and gained some confidence. I’m glad Mercy knows how to assure him. Maybe getting off will make him a little less cranky, too.

  “Any thoughts on how to handle this once we get out of here?” I ask.

  “Discreetly.”

  I shoot him a glare. “That’s not exactly helpful.”

  He sighs. “You and I both know this is against Custo policy. We’re here to work, not build relationships.”

  “So, we just forget this? Forget her when she leaves?”

  “Do you think you can forget her?” he asks.

  I shake my head. “No. Definitely not.”

  “We’ll figure something out.”

  I trust his word, not because I trust him as a person and my commander, but because I don’t think I can believe otherwise. I can still feel the weight of Mercy’s body against my hands, her mouth pressed to mine.

  I’m not ready to let that go.

  I’m not sure I ever will.

  21

  Kai

  I won’t deny there’s an awkward moment when Mercy and Dimka exit the data room, their cheeks flushed from activity and both smelling of sex and release. Alex and I react casually; he suggests a game of cards. Dimka abstains—he’s not a game player of any kind, but the three of us huddle around the small table and I quickly learn I do not understand Earth games.

  “I think you’re taking advantage of me,” I grumble, tossing my cards on the table.

  “I think you just suck at poker,” Alex replies, yawning. “I think I’m going to head to bed. You know once this storm is over, we’ll be on clean up.”

  “Good idea,” I say. Mercy stacks the cards back into a square. “I’m going to check on the data real quick.”

  “Have you sent a message to Damon?”

  “Earlier. He would have noticed us going off grid.”

  “Who?” Mercy asks.

  “Someone we work with,” Alex says. “We all keep in touch—for safety reasons.”

  “Oh, okay. Are there more beds?” Mercy asks. Dimka has already pulled down one bed from the wall and is sound asleep. Whatever he and Mercy did behind closed doors wore him out.

  “Yep, I’ll get it situated if you need to use the bathroom.”

  She smiles and gives him a quick kiss on the cheek. “Thank you.”

  I leave them alone, going into the office to check on the storm. The data is mindless but we’ve locked ourselves down here and it’s our job to get back to the surface as soon as it’s safe.

  In the other room I hear the squeal of the hinges as Alex lowers the bunks and then Mercy’s quiet voice.

  I’d never pray for a storm like this. It’s dangerous and we very nearly lost Mercy out there, but the time it gave us has been a gift from Laird. We needed an opportunity to lay our feelings in the open, reveal our true feelings and find out what Mercy thinks.

  I’m still stunned she’s interested in the three of us. That she kissed us. Touched us, and in the case of Dimka, did more.

  I lean back in my seat and watch the radar blip over the screen.

  “Is everything okay?”

  I spin in the chair and see Mercy standing in the doorway, the lights are out in the main room. I see the shape of Alex’s body already stretched out in his bunk.

  “You surprised me.”

  “I was being quiet,” she says in a low voice, shutting the door behind her.

  “They could sleep through anything, you know that, right?”

  She shrugs. “Maybe I wanted a little privacy.”

  My heart, and other body parts, thunder in reply. Instead of lunging at her, I spin the chair back around and face the
screen. “The radar shows continued twisters for the next several hours, but I can see the back edge. It should pass over late tomorrow morning. We can leave the bunker then.”

  I feel the soft touch of her fingertips on my neck and then her thumbs kneading in my shoulders. I exhale and say, “That feels nice.”

  “You’re very tense.”

  “I have a tense job.” She massages into my muscles, working out the knots. I fight the groan building.

  “Are you saying I stress you out?”

  “You don’t stress me out, but keeping you safe? It’s the most important job I’ve ever had.” My eyes shut. “How did you get so good at this?”

  “I learned some massage techniques to help my patients during labor.” She jabs her thumb deep in my muscle and I can’t fight my reaction any longer, exhaling with a loud groan.

  “It feels amazing.”

  “I like making people feel good,” she says, spinning my chair around. I feel my knees part and open my eyes. She’s standing above me. “I like making you feel good, too.”

  I touch the back of her legs, feeling the fascinating mixture of strength and softness. A stark contrast to the hard length sheathed in my shorts. She bends forward, giving me a better view of her curves, the full roundness of her breasts. I leave my hands on the arms of the chair, unsure how to proceed.

  “Can I make you feel better?” she asks, lips almost touching mine. I swallow, all words caught in my throat. I don’t know what she wants to do but who am I to say no to this Laird-sent dream before me? I nod and I’m rewarded with a pleased smile.

  She continues with her massage, this time while facing me. Her thumbs knead the hollow in my shoulders, the muscles in my chest. Her fingers wander near my sensitive nipples, never quite touching, but I sense it’s on purpose. Mercy Ladd is a deliciously naughty girl.

  I’m putty in her hands as she lifts my shirt over my head and eyes my chest with a hunger I can’t conceive is really for me. I don’t have time for insecurities, because she kisses me on the lips, down my throat, across my chest. Her teeth graze the darkest part of my nipples, her fingers explore the hard muscle of my abdomen, brushing through the hair on my lower belly, dipping beneath the fabric at my waist.

  I’ve never had the pleasure of a woman like this—never dreamed it would be possible. I chose my job, my mission, and the celibate life I felt was necessary for focus, but that was before Mercy came into my life. Mercy with the red hair and pale skin. Mercy with red lips and full breasts. Mercy who is currently tugging at the waistband of my shorts, urging me to lift my hips and reveal my body to her.

  Who am I to deny her? Myself? Us?

  Once free, she stands over me, holding her hand toward my throbbing, aching flesh and asks, “Can I?”

  “Laird yes.”

  The first touch is like nothing I’ve ever felt before. So soft, so warm. Gentle but firm. As a younger man I would have cum all over her in a moment, but I’m older, more restrained, and I will my body to behave.

  “This is the first Athion penis I’ve seen,” she tells me, stroking along my length. “Outside of the medical journals at the clinic.”

  “Not Dimka?” I ask, hoping I don’t sound jealous.

  “He wasn’t ready, and I’m not sure I was either.”

  She’s still touching me with those delicate hands. My fingers grasp the arms of the chair, holding tight. I watch as she drops to her knees, her face level with my pelvis, my cock hard and aimed directly at her. When she leans forward and flicks out her tongue, licking the tip, my mind starts to crumble.

  She repeats the motion, licking, sucking, stroking. Her fingers dip low, rolling my balls in the cup of her hand. I groan and lean back in the chair, closing my eyes although I don’t want to. I can’t look at her. If I do this will be over in a second. I want this, the feelings, her mouth, all of it to last forever.

  “Mercy,” I moan, pushing my hands through that flaming hair. She responds by taking me in, working me up, winding me around and around.

  She groans when I tug on her hair, releasing me from her mouth and looking up at me with her bright eyes. Her lips are puffy and swollen, glistening and red. “Come when you’re ready. Don’t hold back.”

  I’d been holding back my whole life. Right now doesn’t seem to be the time to let loose, but when she tells me what to do my brain snaps and I stand, right when she takes me in again. The chair spins out behind me and I guide her head at the rhythm I crave. Her fingers grip my backside, my cock fucks her mouth. I grow bigger, harder, more and more desperate, whispering her name in a chant.

  My knees weaken, my heart throbs and I’m half-blind with wanton desire when I finally release, my seed spilling deep in her throat. My chest heaves, catching my breath, and the woman before me takes a final swipe with her tongue before looking up at me.

  “Get off the floor, Mercy.” I grunt, lifting her by her hands. “That was…that was a gift,” I tell her and run my hands over her backside. “You’re a gift.”

  “You keep me safe. You watch over me. You’re my protector, the least I can do is show my thanks for all that you do for me,” she says, kissing my chin.

  “Soon,” I say, gripping her tight, “I’ll repay you for your generosity.”

  Her lips part like she wants to respond but she doesn’t, just nodding. “I should go to bed.”

  “We both should.”

  The storm would pass soon enough and we’d all have to face one another in the light of day. I didn’t think it would be a problem, but this bubble we’re in? It makes it hard to know for sure.

  Whatever happens when we leave this quiet place, I know one thing for sure: Mercy Ladd has stolen my heart and I never want it back.

  22

  Mercy

  “Oh my god! Mercy! I was so worried about you!” Rose flings her arms around me and hugs me in the doorway. She pulls back and notices the healing bruise on my cheek. “You’re hurt!”

  “No,” I say, touching the tender spot. “Really I’m fine. I just got caught in the storm, but a Custo found me and took me to safety.”

  “A Custo?” she says, eyes wide. “They’re terrifying. Did you spend the last twenty-four hours with him?”

  Them. I want to clarify but don’t. Instead, I step into the room and look through my clean clothes. I need to bathe and get to the clinic.

  “Yes, there are some underground safe zones. We stayed there until the storm cleared.”

  “Well, I’m just glad you’re okay. Someone called up here looking for you during the lockdown and I had no idea where you were. They definitely sounded panicked.”

  I could only guess that was Alex. Before I would have wondered why he was looking out for me. Not anymore. All of those questions had shifted during the last day. Now we are on different footing—our thoughts and desires revealed.

  “Which one was it?” she asks, as I rummage through a drawer.

  “Which one who?”

  “Which Custo was with you?”

  I think of Dimka and our private moment in the office. I can tell her the truth about the men of the Southern Tip—how I hadn’t seen it yet but I’d felt it, how just the size and feel had brought me ecstasy. I could tell her how Kai’s nipples are a dark blue and incredibly sensitive. I could describe how his semen tastes, or the way his jaw slacked when he came hard for the first time in a woman’s mouth.

  I couldn’t tell her those things, including how Alex watched me longingly, his hands as eager as his mouth. That we hadn’t taken it further but I knew we would, because something special happened down in that bunker. We’d bonded and started the early stages of a relationship none of us are supposed to be in.

  We spent the remainder of our time together in affection. Small touches and kisses, sharing stories of past relationships, our family and homes. We used the time to become closer, forge bonds, and along with the joy I felt about that, I felt a pang in my chest at the idea of leaving them.

  While experiencing so
mething so wonderful—I’d also opened myself up to the risk of loss. Again.

  “It was Alex,” I said, knowing he’d been the one to call for me. “When he realized I wasn’t in the dorm he came looking for me at the clinic. I was lucky he found me.”

  An hour later I’m cleaned up and being escorted by a Custo I don’t know to the clinic. My boys had to report to their commander after being MIA for the last day. I don’t speak much to the Custo—instead watching the cleanup occurring in the streets. When we get outside the clinic, my eyes shift to where I’d been crouching by the statue. The iron figure stood untouched, but a large block of crumbling rock has shattered in the very spot I’d been hiding.

  I fight a shudder at what could have happened if Kai hadn’t found me.

  The workers have cleared the entrance to the clinic, which is a priority for obvious reasons. I step over debris and rocks. The windows held firm—the glass strong and resistant. I pass the front desk and enter my work area, glancing over at Dr. Kane’s office. His eyes connect with mine and he stands.

  “You’re okay,” he says in disbelief.

  I raise my eyebrows. “I am.”

  “I got back to my home and heard over the scanner that you were missing. I was terrified you’d been injured. What happened? We left at the same time.”

  I didn’t want to confess it was my fault—that going back in for the tablet had been my downfall. “I just got caught up in the wind and couldn’t make it through. Luckily, one of the Custo got me to safety.”

  A line appears on his forehead. “Just one?”

  There’s an intensity behind the question. “Well, one saved me. Two others were with me in the bunker.”

  “I suspect I know who they are?”

  Why does he care? He left me out there without a second thought. “The Custo assigned to watching me—yes, they noticed I didn’t make it to the dormitory. By the time they found me it was too late to go anywhere else. Thankfully, Kai knew of a safe zone nearby.” I hear the defensiveness in my tone and take a step back. “I was really very lucky they found me in time.”