Men of Mercy: The Complete Story

by Cross, Lindsay

  “Impressive.” Jared wriggled his fingers and wrists, testing for any weakness. He found none.

  “Might as well stop struggling. Nobody’s ever been able to get out of one of my knots. And I used my new rope too, so it wouldn’t snap easy.” She made a snapping motion with her fingers, the emphasis driving in just how stupid his plan had been. He should have used that easy opening she’d given him with the gun.

  His foreboding turned to real worry. He had to get out of here to rescue his brother. Hoyt’s life depended on him. If he couldn’t get free… “Nice, now what?”

  “Now you tell me who you are and why you’re here.” Sparrow sat back on her heels, the curve of her ass grazing the tip of his cock. He clenched his muscles, fighting to free himself from the pull of lust.

  Remember, you’re the soldier trained in interrogation techniques. Now he just had to stop thinking with his dick for long enough to find out where Hoyt was being held. “My name is Jake.”

  She tapped her chin, staring down at him. Once again he was enthralled by the intense color of her eyes. They were golden, almost like a cat’s, with a darker brown ring around the edges. “Jake. You don't look like a Jake.”

  He enjoyed hearing the name on her lips. Would enjoy hearing his real name even better. Her soft accent and long vowels stretched it out slow. Sensual. “And what do I look like?”

  “I don't know. Killer? Tiger?”

  “That's what people name their cats.”

  “True. Why are you here?”

  “Why did you take me hostage?” he countered.

  “You were spying on my family. Only our enemies do that.” She shifted, brushing against his tip again. Fuck he wanted to rip free of these bonds and throw her down beneath him. Where was his detached logic now? Something about her was making him lose control.

  “I have no interest in you. I was looking for a family member who went missing, know anything about that?” He studied her reaction intently, watching for any flash of awareness, but she didn’t give away anything.

  “Haven’t seen anybody new around here in a long time, and I would know. Sorry, but you plopped down on the wrong piece of land.”

  “He told me he was coming here.” Not really, but Jared knew without the slightest shred of doubt that Hoyt had been taken by the Crowes. Miss Kay wanted to finish what she had started all those years ago, even if Jared didn’t know why. It was bad enough his parents had died when Jared was only nine, Hoyt six, but to have his aunt try to murder them....

  Jared yanked on the bonds again, testing the bed frame. It screeched but held firm. Shit.

  “What does he look like?” Every time Sparrow moved or shifted he felt her. Desire was holding him hostage as much as the damn ropes. Got to get free. Got to find Hoyt.

  “What do I get if I tell you?”

  “What do you get? You get to live.” Her brows shot down as if confused.

  “You won’t kill me.”

  “Try me.”

  “How about we make a little trade—you give me something, I give you something.”

  “Give? What do you want?” She laid her palms on her thighs, kneeling over his body, the position incredibly erotic.

  Blushing aside, maybe she wasn’t so innocent after all. He had a plan and she was part of it. He knew he could get more information out of Sparrow than her giant ass brother. And he’d find it a hell of a lot more enjoyable too. “Kiss me.”

  She stopped moving all together and her eyes narrowed in on his mouth.

  “Give me a kiss and I'll sing like a bird.”

  Chapter 3

  Sparrow stared down at him in shock. He wanted a kiss? From her? Power emanated from the man’s body, and she’d actually worried he would bend the bed frame by yanking on the rope. Even though his features were masked by the paint, there was no denying his strong square jaw or full lips. He was gorgeous. Gorgeous men never asked for kisses from Sparrow.

  And she had no intention of giving away her first kiss to a man covered in war paint.

  “No. No kisses.” Why wasn't she moving? She should be interrogating him, threatening him with sharp knives and other wicked devices she wouldn’t ever really use on another human being. But a delicious tingle had started down low her belly, something she’d never really felt before, and she wanted to feel it more.

  “No kiss?” The first flicker of real emotion in his eyes, and it was disappointment.

  He was disappointed she wouldn't kiss him? She chanced a quick peek down at herself. Still the same Sparrow—all bones and no curves. He was playing with her, teasing her. Anger built up inside her. He was doing it again. Even though he was the one tied to the bed, he was taking control.

  She wracked her mind, trying to come up with a way to wrest it back from him. Sparrow had a feeling holding a knife to the man's throat would be useless. Pressing her gun into his belly hadn’t even made him blink.

  Then she noticed that his crystal-hard gaze was locked on her chest. “Then take off that over shirt,” he said, his voice husky.

  Undress? The most she’d ever undressed was to go swimming, and even then she wore a T-shirt and shorts. Unbidden, her mama's voice whispered through her mind. “All men can be controlled. Show him a little skin, give him a slap and tickle, and he’s putty in your hands.”

  Sparrow hadn't understood back then, but as she got older and listened to the other girls around camp she came to realize exactly what her mama had been talking about. And she vowed to stay completely clear of men. That trap was way too easy to fall into. One time was all it took to get pregnant and end up shackled to some cabin in the woods, popping out babies every year. No life, no money, no future. Just a broodmare. The other path—the one her mother had taken—was even worse.

  But until now, it had been easy to stay away from men. None of the others had made her feel this way. Hell, she hadn’t even known men like this one existed. He lifted his hips, pressing against the growing ache between her legs, and she found herself caving. Just a little skin wouldn’t hurt anything…

  Besides, if she didn’t fully interrogate him, Sparrow would lose all the gains she’d made with the Crowe family. She was so close to being moved up in the chain of command. If she sealed this deal, she was as good as promoted. No more worrying about where her next meal would come from. No more worrying about her best friend, Squirrel. No more worrying about being forced to whore. Sparrow would run her own section of the county, collecting the money from the girls and making sure to keep them in line.

  She knew the price of failure all too well. She would be demoted, and in the Crowe camp that meant one thing for a woman—she’d find herself on her back or on her knees. Just like Tootsie, her mother.

  A shudder worked through her. No matter how scared she was to bare her body for Jared, she didn’t have much of a choice. She could play with him, hopefully enjoy it a little, and get his information, or she could play the whore for the rest of her life.

  But she didn’t have a choice. She’d never make it off the mountain, no matter how much she dreamed of exploring the world outside these hills. She had no education. No job skills outside of collecting money for Miss Kay. And she couldn’t leave Squirrel behind. The old man was even less likely to survive in the real world. He’d been born and bred here, lived and trapped his whole life in the woods. Even if Sparrow had a shot at making it out there, she couldn’t leave him behind. Jimbo had already told her what he’d do to Squirrel if she left…

  No. No way she could turn him over to that fate, no matter how much she wanted to leave.

  Besides, she sensed the man tied to her bed knew exactly what was going on with her brothers and if Sparrow’s instincts were right, if they were planning to take their mother down and take over the mountain, the whole community was at stake. No matter how deadly Miss Kay was, her brothers were worse. So much worse.

  Sparrow had never used her body as a weapon. But if that's what it took, she’d do it.

  She swallow
ed down the knot of fear blocking her throat. You’re not like your mother. This is your choice. Besides, he was gorgeous, and he was trussed up to the bed, unable to do anything. She would be in control. She would take and he would give. Those were odds she could handle.

  “All right, Rambo. I'll play.” She worked hard to keep her voice steely and commanding, praying with each second that he wouldn’t see the fear lurking inside of her. She lifted shaking hands to the top button of her loose cotton over shirt. They were pearl snap, and like all of her clothes, the shirt had come secondhand—heck, maybe third-hand—from the thrift store. She popped the first one loose, the sound exploding in the room.

  His eyes stayed fixated on her fingers. Maybe he really did want her. If he wasn't interested, he sure wouldn't be staring this hard at her chest. The next button came undone a little bit easier and by the time she hit the bottom button, she felt like a pro.

  She shrugged the shirt off her shoulders, letting it slide down her arms real slow before tossing it on the floor. Something wanton overtook her—that was her only excuse. She shifted her fingers through her hair and tilted her head provocatively, letting her hair slide down around her shoulder on one side.

  “All right, why are you really here?” she asked.

  He took a deep breath and the movement expanding his chest so much that her knees almost lifted off the bed. “I told you. I'm looking for someone. A relative.

  “And?” she demanded, frustration tingeing her words.

  “Now the other shirt.” His voice turned husky and deep. Sensual. Chills raced down her arms and she shifted, trying to ease some of the tension building down below. His stomach muscles flexed, which made the burning in her belly turn up a notch instead.

  “You still haven't told me why you're here.” She crossed her arms, pushing her breasts up a little higher. But her movements felt awkward and disjointed. She’d never given much thought to men and seduction.

  “I told you, I’m looking for a relative.”

  “You know I'm asking more than that,” she said.

  His eyes finally lifted from her chest, only they weren't dead and cold anymore, they were full of heat. For her. Sparrow licked her suddenly dry lips and he fixated there next. Should she kiss him? How could she be this attracted to a man she'd never seen before? Let alone a man who could be here to do her family harm.

  Miss Kay's words drifted through her mind, “How far are you willing to go for your family?”

  Her stomach tightened.

  “Maybe you should work on being more specific with your questions. I've already answered that one. If you want more, you've got to give more.” His voice rasped across her sensitive skin, yet it carried the hint of a command.

  Anticipation and anxiety warred within her. Undressing in front of him felt so…naughty. But this might be her only chance to experiment with a real man. Explore at her own pace.

  And no one would ever have to know.

  “I've only got so many articles of clothing left.”

  His smile was full of enjoyment. “I know.”

  What did she need to ask? Smart questions, she reminded herself.

  “You're thinking awfully hard,” Jared said, throwing down the challenge. Sparrow had never been one to back down from a dare.

  “Who is it?”

  He nodded to her shirt. Her heart fluttered in her chest, wild and crazy and out-of-control as she slipped her fingers under the hem and lifted it over her head. By the time she tossed the shirt on the floor, she was breathing hard and fast.

  His gaze locked on her chest and embarrassment heated her body. She wanted to groan in frustration. Her sports bra covered her completely, but she felt so…exposed.

  “You're gorgeous.” His voice dropped even deeper and her nipples tightened in response to his words. He groaned and pushed his head back into the pillow, his body straining upwards. The sudden movement threw her off-balance and she barely caught herself on his chest. Their faces were only inches apart. She could smell him. Raw. Masculine. Delicious.

  What was wrong with her? She had to keep her head on straight and stay away from his sinfully sexy lips.

  “Kiss me. I'll die if you don't.” His words were so sincere, so aching. He lifted his mouth to hers, but she held herself just out of reach.

  Her own lips tingled and throbbed. Could she give him her first kiss? Should she? Her body screamed yes. Yes. “Tell me. Why are you really here?” Was that soft breathy whisper really her voice?

  His neck muscles strained and bulged, but the rope held fast. “Because I tracked him here.”

  “Who?”

  “My brother.” He shook his head, as if he’d said more than intended, but she barely noticed. His chest was expanding and pressing into her aching body, and she wanted to rub her breasts across his chest to feel the friction. “God, I can feel your tight little nipples. Let me see them. Let me taste them.”

  Sparrow had to bite back a moan. This man was erotic beyond words, talking to her like that, so…dirty.

  Sparrow forced herself to sit up, but she couldn't help the slight thrust her hips gave. His eyes darkened instantly.

  “Tell me your brother’s name.”

  “The bra. Take it off.” Any soft teasing had completely disappeared—his command was harsh, and her body reacted like whiplash.

  All inhibitions gone, Sparrow pulled her bra over her head, eager to see his response. To see him wanting her. She let the material drop and crossed her arms over her chest, holding the material in place.

  He growled, deep in his throat. The sound reminded her of a giant grizzly bear.

  “Tell me,” Sparrow said.

  “Your arms. Need to see.”

  Sparrow shifted, the uncomfortable tightness between her legs growing every time he spoke. Even more, when he looked at her like that, he looked like he wanted to eat her alive.

  Brazen and bold, she uncrossed her arms. Before she could think, he bucked hips high, tossing her forward. Sparrow landed flat on his chest. The instant her naked breasts pressed against his hard muscles she tensed, the sensation almost more exquisite than she could tolerate.

  “Let me see. Bring them to me.”

  As if some foreign being possessed her, Sparrow dragged herself up his chest, until her breasts hovered just out of his reach. Chills beaded across her skin. She could feel his hot breath on her. Feel the urge to dip down. His lips closed over her nipple and instant white, hot heat shot straight down her core. Her body lit on fire, tight and needy at the same time. She moaned, her hips moving of their own accord, and still he didn't let go. He hadn’t taken her lips yet, but he was kissing her more intimately than she'd dreamed possible.

  When he let go, she whimpered, but he quickly lavished attention on her other breast. Licking and biting, driving her wild. She locked her fingers behind his head, holding him to her, lost in his caress.

  “Untie me. I need to touch you, to feel you,” he leaned back into the pillow.

  Sparrow shook her head, “No.” She was out of breath. Losing her mind.

  “Then kiss me,” he commanded.

  She shook her head again. “No kissing.”

  He snarled, his frustration evident, and she pulled him to her, wanting him to resume where he’d left off. Greedily, he sucked her nipple into his mouth. The tension inside her grew to near explosion. She rocked her hips harder against him.

  “That's it, honey, ride me just like that. I'll take care of you.”

  “You feel good. Really good.” Breathless and craving more, Sparrow lay against him, enjoying the feel of her body pressed to his.

  “You’re so beautiful. Perfect. Untie me, let me pleasure you.”

  “I can’t untie you.” Sparrow couldn’t stop touching him. She traced his neck, his chest, his corded arms.

  “I can’t keep going like this. Neither can you. You have to give me at least one arm. I promise you won’t regret it.” His voice was rough with desire.

  Sparrow ch
ewed on her bottom lip, giving the thought serious consideration. Could she risk it? He’d already given her pleasure, but she knew there was so much more to be had. Her body craved for something else, something deeper. She lay on top of him, her head beside his, her aching breasts pressed to his chest. He kissed her shoulder, her neck, anywhere she maneuvered for him to reach. She couldn’t think when he was touching her.

  “That was only a teaser. Untie me.”

  She lifted up on her elbows, wondering at the man panting beneath her. “A teaser?”

  His smile was feral. “I almost made you come just from sucking on those pretty nipples, and dammit, I want your mouth so bad.”

  His words had her panting with need. She had almost…come? That was what all the whores talked about? No wonder they gabbed so much about it, cause that had been freaking amazing. “What about you? Did you almost…”

  He ground his hips up again and she became very aware of the hardness pressed between her legs. “Does it feel like I came? I'm hard as a rock for you. Fuck, I need you. Touch me. Please.” Sparrow shifted so she could see the huge tent lifting up the front of his pants. She wasn't so naïve that she didn't know his dick was hard. And that in order for him to get off she would have to…touch it.

  Tentatively, she leaned back and let her fingers trace its length. It jumped beneath her hand as if it was seeking her touch.

  “That's it.”

  “What do you need me to do?” Curious, she cupped his length, learning his shape. He bucked into her hand. Seeing him like this was intoxicating. This incredibly powerful male tied up beneath her, desperate for her to touch him.

  “Wrap your fingers around me.” She knelt beside him on the bed and unbuttoned his pants, slowly inching the zipper down to reveal his hardness. Jesus almighty, he was just as big down there as the rest of him.

  Her fingers grazed the bare skin of his shaft, watching in fascination as a small bead of moisture collected on the tip. He sucked in a breath and she stifled a gasp as he grew even bigger. Longer. He was huge. She'd never seen one before now, but she didn't think they were all made so perfectly.