Chasing Merina

His hands curled into fists as he watched Merina slip out of the mansion as quiet

running a hand through his dark hair. Anger coursed through h

u, idiot, he thought. She barely knew him, and after all she had been through, it wasn't s

from him. Not now, not ever. He had made a decision th

s phone and called

, his voice a low growl. "Y

an replied wit

minute that passed. The thought of her alone, back in w

He looked down at a message from Sean:

car ready. He snatched his keys and walked out of the house, his eye

r Side of

wing down the street, the faint smell of decay hung over everything. The building itself looked as if it were held

ts. Groups of people loitering on the sidewalk turned to stare at the sharply dressed man who looked completely out of

door Sean had identified as hers. His chest ached as he imagined Merina living in a plac

He burst in without knocking, and the weak

tled at the intrusion. Her wide eyes met his, full of sho

er voice cold as ice.

yes not budging from hers. "You didn't real

e manner. "What are you doing here?" she asked, her voice s

ou think this is a pity? You think I'd was

. "I don't want to see you, Adam. I

ramped space. "Leave you alone? In this-this dump? Do you eve

is none of your concern! You don't know me or my life, so don't

er her. "I know enough-to know you're killing yourself in this place, enough to know that no matte

you to me, Adam? Who gave you the right to come here, to

nted to admit. Adam's fists clenched into his s

the nearest wall. His fist cracked the drywall loud under

all, glaring at him across that same maddening indiffe

as he turned to face her. "You think I'm here because I pity you? Fi

ury. But his hand on the door handle, he froze. His chest heav

ding there, glaring at him, cold, deta

y, his tone shaking with rage and

Before she could move a muscle, hands clo

o soothing coaxing words, with heat in his mouth and press of his kiss-too quickly her defens

face-possessive, yet so gentle. Merina felt the undertow, her heart poundin

his breathing was ragged, and he s

ed with vulnerability that ran chills down her spin