When had she closed them? Lord only knew.

Gently, so very gently, Sean kissed her still pulsing clit. Her soft answering cry was met with a deep chuckle. He moved over her and leaned down, pressing his lips to hers.

She tasted herself on him-a saltiness that, strangely, didn't seem weird, just...different.

"Such a good girl." Sean reached above her and pried her hands apart before easing her arms down in front of her. Looking at the indentations where her knuckles had pushed against the sides of her fingers, only then did she realize just how tight she'd gripped them together.

"Got your breath back?" Sean moved over her, leaned on an elbow and placed a hand under one of her knees.

She should have paid attention to the hungry, determined gleam in his eyes.

"I, well," she began, before he lifted her leg high and in one smooth motion, buried himself deep inside her. "Ahhhh." Despite the slickness of her recent orgasm, the walls of her vagina burned as they stretched to accommodate his girth.

"Damn, you're a tight fit." Sean clenched his jaw. He waited a few moments, letting her get her breath before he eased into a slow rhythm of strokes. "Wrap your legs around me." She complied. "That's it. Now hang on."

She slid her arms around him as he took all his weight on his elbows and quickened his pace. Harder. Faster. Deeper. Each driving thrust was an implacable show of his dominance.

And her skin hummed with the need to accept more.

Arousal heated her blood. She clenched herself around his hardness, wanting him to feel her like she did him.

His hard curse filled the air. Yes. Perfect. She smiled, only realizing her mistake when he froze above her.

"Oh, no. Mercy." His voice, growly-rough with desire, sent a shiver down her spine. "That's gonna cost you." He adjusted his hips and began a series of shallow thrusts. The head of his cock bumped right near her g-spot. Hard enough to bring her to the threshold of a climax, but not pushing her over.

No. No. No. "I'm sorry." She tightened her legs around him, but he lifted himself higher on his elbows, making her lose her advantage. Oh, God, he wouldn't do this, would he?

He held still as the head of his cock nudged the tender area on the roof of her vagina.

"Is that right?" Sean rested all his weight on one forearm and forced his hand between their bodies. "Not sure I believe you." His finger grazed over her clit. The flurry of ripples whipped over the walls of her core, but only enough to drive her desperation higher.

"I meant it. Honestly. I won't try that again." Tonight. That was a promise she could keep.

His gaze narrowed, and she gulped. Seriously, could he read her mind? Maybe he was just a suspicious guy by nature?

"I promise, Sean." She lifted her chin and strained to kiss his mouth as he held himself away, only managing the briefest of contact.

"You wanted all of me. That's what you'll get." He plunged deep inside her, pushing her back into the mattress.

Her mouth opened as the head of his cock dragged over her g-spot. Once, twice, too many times to count. Her head fell back into the pillow as a frantic hunger whipped through her body. She dug her nails into Sean's back, dragging them down as she clawed at the last shreds of self-control she possessed.

Sweat soaked Sean's skin and hers. Her grip slipped on his body. She held on for dear life. If she fell now...

"Look at me."

She blinked through the sweat stinging her eyes and gazed at Sean.

He stilled for a moment. She opened her mouth a second before he lifted his hips and ground his cock against her g-spot.

Her world erupted in a dizzying explosion of feeling. Her core convulsed in a chain of spasms, sending brilliant colors of ecstasy through every fiber of her body. Clinging to Sean, she hugged him tighter as his body stiffened before his bone-deep cry of satisfaction filled the air. Deep inside her, his cock shuddered with his release. She kissed his shoulder, his arm, wanting to share this moment with him.

At last, he collapsed on top of her before rolling to his side, still joined with her.

He reached out and smoothed her hair off her sweat-dampened forehead. "You're beautiful, Mercy." She watched his eyes move as he swept his gaze over her. "Flushed. Sweaty." His voice deepened. "Taken."

Taken. And with his cock still inside her. There was something almost primal about his declaration that was like a big, protective hug for her soul and felt so, so wonderful.

"You're going to stay the night, right?" She bit her lip at the small note of uncertainty in her voice.

"Absolutely." Sean leaned in and kissed her gently. "But we need to go clean up. You take your master bath. I'll use the main bathroom."

She sucked in a breath as he eased from her, enjoying the ripple of sensation of his cock against sensitive nerve endings. "Okay." The bonus of staying under the sheets as he rose was catching sight of his naked ass as he walked out the door. The ancient Greeks couldn't have sculptured a finer specimen of man.

Five minutes later, she was back in bed, with Sean spooning her from behind.

"Just to say, I've been told I make fabulous French toast," Mercy offered up.

"As a connoisseur of French toast, I feel obliged to investigate if your bold statement stands up to proper scrutiny." Sean said, his voice above her head as she snuggled deeper against his front.

"Then we have a plan." Good things happened when a plan was in place. That's what Mercy's parents had always told her.

"That we do, gorgeous." Sean kissed her hair, and squeezed her tight.

Neither of them had made any promises about tomorrow except they'd share breakfast. And that was okay.

After all, there was still so much she still had to learn about Sean. His family. What his goals were for the future. Even his favorite types of music. There was plenty of time to learn about each other. They had already revealed their past relationship mistakes.

It wasn't like they had any deep, dark secrets still left to share.

5.

Aidan woke to the sense of warmth along the front of his body. Mercy. His arms closed around her, drawing her closer against him. Still asleep, she rubbed the side of her face on his shoulder and snuggled deeper. A rush of protectiveness for her swamped him.

And he was the cop who had lied to her.

He closed his eyes, and silently cursed himself for the hole he'd dug for them both. He didn't regret sleeping with Mercy. No fucking way. She was a gorgeous woman with an innate sweetness and a sharp mind that had intrigued him within seconds of them meeting.

The unease coiling in his gut was for her feelings. He grimaced at the irony. Christ, he was a selfish bastard, but he wasn't going to apologize for having seized the chance to sleep with Mercy when presented to him. He, Aidan, desired her physically and intellectually. His occupation was secondary to that attraction.

No doubt his captain would kick his ass for taking such a risk with the case, but Mercy had been conclusively eliminated as a suspect. His partner, Tony Morgan, had checked her bank accounts for any suspicious payments, and she'd come up clean. Mercy's colleagues and students regarded her with respect, the latter often with a hint of admiration. Aidan had done his homework both at the school and by utilizing police resources. Mercy was in the clear.

Aidan rubbed his chin on the top of her head. The scent of her hair-fresh with the subtle hint of some herbal shampoo-filled his nostrils, calming him. He lifted his head and studied her. Relaxed in sleep and free of makeup, her face had a creamy, healthy complexion. He traced his fingertip over her cheek, smiling to himself as the corner of her mouth twitched, but she remained lost to her sleep.

So trusting. And vulnerable to being hurt. His gut tightened with the knowledge he held that power.

He needed to find the bastards responsible for the drugs and close the case, so he could reveal his identity to Mercy. If he was lucky, she would forgive him, and let them build on whatever connections were left standing.

If not...he'd have to wear the consequences of losing a chance to get to know her better.

He checked his watch. 7:00 am. Two hours before he was due for game review at school. He needed to shower and get some breakfast. Good thing he still had his gym bag with a fresh change of clothes and toiletries in his SUV.

The sweet bundle of woman stirred against him. He glanced down as she opened her eyes.

"Hey." Mercy's sleepy voice and lop-sided smile were all the enticement he needed to claim her mouth.

She joined him in their intimate greeting, coaxing him with her lips to prolong his exploration.

God, if she kept this up, he'd find other things to do than shower. With a groan, he eased away. "Babe, I've got post game practice and review at nine."

The way she pushed out her lower lip gave him ideas of better uses for that mouth. Yeah, he really needed to move. "But I remember the promise of French toast."

Her face broke into a smile. "You bet." She pulled his head down for a quick kiss before sliding out of bed.

Aidan glimpsed a pear-shaped ass before Mercy's blue kimono covered her up.

"Grab a shower and I'll make breakfast." She knotted the kimono's belt at her waist and headed to the kitchen.

"It's a deal." He dressed in his old clothes, got his gym bag from his SUV, and within ten minutes, was showered and dressed.

Aidan entered the kitchen to the aroma of fresh-cooked bacon, reminding him he had only eaten cannoli last night. "Damn, smelling that bacon's made me hungry."

Mercy looked up as she served breakfast at the small two-seater table. "Glad to hear it. You're there." She waved to the chair in front of a plate piled with French toast, strawberries, and bacon.

He waited as Mercy poured coffee for them both before offering her the jug of syrup. "Mercy, this all looks delicious."

"Thanks." She fidgeted in her seat, her cheeks turning pink at his praise.

He studied the table covered with a light blue tablecloth, brown and white patterned flatware, and glasses ready for juice if he asked. She had gone to some trouble, setting a nice table. The small things mattered to her.

Just like his mom and sister when they cooked for family and friends. 'That's how you show people matter, son. You make the effort.' Pleasure washed through him like the spring rains that had filled the stream to overflowing on Grandpa Shaw's old farm. Was that Mercy's way of showing he mattered?

He forked a piece of syrup-covered toast into his mouth and chewed. "Jesus, you weren't kidding. Best French toast I've ever had."

Mercy's grinned and crunched on a strip of crispy bacon. "I'm glad my cooking skills held up to your expert judgment." She smirked at his chuckle. "You're still okay to meet Isaac this afternoon?"

"Absolutely." He wiped some syrup from the corner of his mouth with the brown napkin. "Tell me some more about him." The more intel he had, the better chance of not messing things up with the kid. "He's a senior at Macarthur High, but I haven't seen him around much." A few glimpses in the corridors of a tall, lanky kid but that was all.

"He completed his civics classes last year, and he missed a couple of English lessons last week due to his mom's being ill." She shrugged. "Isaac will be eighteen in a couple of months. He's a good kid, tries hard to be the man of the family." Her sharp exhale rang with frustration. "That's what started his problems. Older kids he grew up with knew the family's struggle to pay the rent and keep food on the table. His mom works two jobs and tries hard, but she suffers from diabetes, which doesn't help. A few years ago, Isaac was offered money to run errands for his buddies. Unfortunately, part of the job included delivering tiny bags filled with coke to the gang's customers."

Aidan gripped the handle of his mug harder. How many times had he heard of some gutless bastard using kids to do their dirty work? Mercy's downturned mouth warned the news wouldn't get any better.

"Three years ago, Isaac got busted on his deliveries. Did six months in juvie." She gave him a sad smile. "He's kept himself out of trouble since, gets good grades at school. But..." She looked over toward the kitchen, as if gathering her thoughts. When she turned back, a frown creased her brow. "I'm worried. Lately, he seems angry, frustrated. I don't know why, and when I've asked, he brushes off my concern." She wrapped her hands around her coffee mug. "Then, last night at the game, he was talking to a girl I didn't recognize. And something"-she shook her head-"I don't know what it was, but something wasn't right. It seemed like they were arguing and then Isaac looked scared."

"Of something the girl said?" Aidan reached for his coffee. "Did you recognize her?"

"Yes to the first question. No to the last." Mercy sighed. "I may have misread that encounter, and he was just acting out, but..." She broke off with a shrug.

"I need to go easy the first meet. If the opportunity presents itself, I'll dig deeper." But he had to be careful. Kids didn't like snoops, especially kids already familiar with the law. Their self-protective radar was set to high. "You'll be there for the introductions?"

"Yep. Three o'clock at the youth center." Her gaze met his before dropping back to her plate. "I'll hang around for a bit and check in with some other kids, but I have to leave by four. My friend's having a bachelorette party." She smiled as she leaned back in her seat and sipped her coffee. "I'm hoping we don't end up getting arrested for dancing on tables and generally running amuck."

Aidan would give up a week's paid leave to be her arresting officer.

"Wild night out with the girls, huh?" He felt a pang of regret he couldn't ask her out tonight. But he needed to check in with Tony between practice and meeting Isaac this afternoon. Plus, his brother, Derek, was up from Portland this weekend, so he should show his face at his parents' house.

"That's the general idea. Although most of us aren't huge drinkers and our bride-to-be falls asleep after two wines. We may have to get creative and find other ways to cause mischief." Mercy forked some more of her toast, leaving Aidan wondering what alternative paths to waywardness she would discover.

Once he had finished breakfast and kissed Mercy until both of them were breathing heavy, he headed off to the gym. The rest of Aidan's morning flew by. At lunchtime, he sat across from Detective Tony Morgan at a tavern an hour's drive away from Macarthur High. He chewed on his burger as Tony updated him on events at the station.

Aidan's partner for all of his three years in Vice, Tony was in his mid-thirties and married with two kids who thought of Aidan as an uncle. That closeness never stopped Tony from ribbing Aidan whenever he had the chance.

"Jack's not happy you're interested in a teacher." Tony referred to their senior sergeant. "I didn't bother to remind him that he met his wife on a case four years ago, since he was doing such a good job telling me the ways he was gonna kick your ass."

Aidan rolled his eyes as he wiped his mouth with a napkin. "She was a suspect in a drug case, right? He cleared her but not before he fell head over heels for the woman. Mercy's not even a suspect."

Tony gave a wry smile. "Not to you and me." He held up a hand at Aidan's frown. "Jack's not saying Mercy Jones is involved, just that you don't have any suspects right now, and he wants some answers. All we have is one terrified kid in juvie."

Michael Willis. "He still not talking?"

The muscles around Tony's mouth tightened. "No. He nearly shits himself every time I push him, and the pro bono lawyer is fucking useless. Half the time, Jack and I have to remind the guy when we've scheduled an interview." He rubbed a hand along the back of his neck. "The kid knows he's on his own and looking at some serious jail time if he doesn't cut a deal, but he's so scared of his supplier, he won't say a word."

Aidan drank from his bottle of water. Normally, he'd have a beer with Tony, but since his next stop was a Youth Center, having alcohol on his breath wouldn't be appropriate.

"It's tough the kid's so scared, but I keep seeing Heather Raynard in that hospital bed, and my sympathy is with her and her family."

"Agreed." Tony ate a few fries. "So you got anything to share?"

"No." Aidan tossed his napkin on his empty plate. "Doesn't seem like the players know much, or if they do, they aren't saying. The kids on the team hang around each other. Hernandez had said as much." Aidan referred to the teacher he'd replaced. "Coach Parker runs a tight ship. I can't see outsiders getting much chance to infiltrate that group."

"We concentrate outside the team?"

Aidan nodded. "Michael Willis is from a tough neighborhood. Heather was more a good girl slumming it with a bad boy. Michael and any of his friends are my best bet."

"Then I suggest you make some inroads. Apart from getting Jack off your back regarding Miss Jones,"-he shot Aidan a pointed look-"it will also buy us ammunition to use on Michael Willis." Tony grabbed for his napkin and wiped his hands. "Buddy..." he began, and Aidan tensed at the warning tone in the man's voice. "I mean it about getting some answers. A kid's in the hospital, parents are complaining their kids are no longer safe at school, and the brass upstairs want to look good. Jack needs something worthwhile to feed them soon." His shrug was almost apologetic at the end.

Aidan clenched his jaw. Fucking politics. "I'm visiting the youth center this afternoon. We'll see if that brings anything."

And if not? Christ, there was no guarantee Isaac would even talk to him, let alone have a lead he could develop.

Via the cover of Principal Frasier, Aidan had organized a presentation by the K-9 sniffer dogs. The team had walked past the seniors' lockers but the dogs had not registered any trace of drugs. Aidan had studied the students as the dogs had sniffed and scurried around the lockers and doorways of classes. Not one student had registered a flicker of unease. That alone had troubled Aidan. Shouldn't there be at least one kid amongst all those who had lockers who would have something, even if it turned out to be innocuous, which they thought might be picked up by the dogs?