The Truth Keeps Silent: A Second Chance Romantic Suspense (Truth & Lies Duet Book 1) by A.V. Asher

Author:A.V. Asher [Asher, A.V.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781736543900
Publisher: Winter Zephyr Press
Published: 2021-05-10T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Seven

The force of the door closing behind her echoed down the corridor, making Mercedes wince. She tried to fill her lungs with air that wasn’t interwoven with Alec’s scent. Throwing her hoodie over her shoulders, Mercedes strode down the stairs and across the lobby, spotting an exit with a sign to the garden.

Perfect.

The whoosh of night air soothed her heated cheeks, and she sucked in the floral scent. The path opened up to a patio with a large firepit at its center. Sitting on one of the chairs, she drew her knees to her chest, her arms holding them tight.

A bitter recounting of all the ways her life had collapsed in the last three years ran through her mind. She fought back the tears. Each trauma weighing down her heart.

It was too much. She was falling apart.

Mercedes touched her lips, imprinted with the scalding heat of Alec’s mouth commanding hers. Why the hell would he kiss her like that if he didn’t want her?

There was more to it than just keeping her safe. She’d felt him resisting, even in the moments before the doorbell.

It had never been that way before. Three years ago, she hadn’t questioned how much he wanted her. He’d gone out of his way to be near her, to see her wherever there was an opportunity. Then there were the come-fuck-me eyes they tossed at each other across a crowded room. Flirting was one thing, but the first time he’d kissed her was forever seared in her mind.

As the pre-wedding madness descended on Edinburgh, Mercedes had found herself overwhelmed with the size of the McKinley family. Luke and Charlotte were meeting with the clergyman that morning, and Mercedes had been looking forward to catching some much-needed sleep and maybe exploring the city after. That was until Alec called and invited her on a hike. She wasn’t exactly outdoorsy, but spending the day with Alec was definitely appealing.

“There aren’t any bears where we’re going, are there?” she asked, only partially kidding. Bears freaked her out.

Alec pulled a pack out of the trunk of the car. “Oh, aye. We’ll have to be careful. Big bastards and vicious too.” His blue eyes were wide and serious. “They say their claws can cut right through metal.” He tapped the hood of the car.

Holy shit.

His lips twisted up into an impish smile.

Mercedes gasped. “That’s not funny.” She gave his shoulder a gentle punch, laughing despite herself.

Alec chuckled. “Oh, I disagree. It’s very funny.”

“Go easy on me. My idea of a hike is a walking trail in Golden Gate Park. I’m a total novice here.”

The rustle of a nearby bush made her heart jump. She grabbed his arm, ready to bolt to the car.

Alec wrapped his arm around her waist and laughed. “It’s just a squirrel.”

Mercedes held her breath until a red-coated squirrel burst from the bush and scurried up the neighboring tree. “Oh my god, he’s so cute. He’s different from the ones at home.”

Alec hadn’t let go of her waist. Mercedes met his gaze, not stepping away.

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