A Little Mad

Chapter 75

Mercedes put her hand up to stop Jerome as he walked into the living room loading his gun.

"Um... What are you doing...?"

Jerome looked at her confused. He wasn't sure how he should answer so he told the truth.

"I'm getting ready to help go find TaTyana...."

Mercedes shook her head and carefully took the gun from him and put it in her pocket.

"Thank you for the gun, but you are not going."

Jerome stepped forward confused and tilted his head. Mercedes smiled and placed her hand on his cheek.

"You are still busted up. You shouldn't be up this much. At this rate you will bust your stitches."

Jerome laughed. 

"What? I can so still go. I'll be fine."

Jerome noticed Mercedes wasn't laughing and how serious she was. Her expression turned slightly sad. She shook her head, stepped closer to him.

"No.... You are not going out there injured... I'm not losing you because you want to be some happy gun trigger hothead.. I almost lost you two days ago...  please stay here.. I'll have Bailey and Ash okay?" 

The loving look she gave him almost broke his walls completely. She gave him a sincere smile. She ran her fingers through his hair and down his cheek.

"I need you to be here so I can come home to you and snuggle, because that's what I plan on doing. I plan on coming home, getting under the blankets with you and just lay there. I don't care if we watch a movie, eat, or just lay there talking or in silence. I just need you here."

Jerome couldn't control his smile. Sometimes it frustrated him that he couldn't control his emotions around her. She had him hooked deep. Jerome noticed her hand was still on his smoothly shaved cheek. He chuckled. 

"Okay fine. I'll stay here for you. I'm sorry I shaved..."

Mercedes gave him another sincere smile. She stood on her tiptoes slightly and gently kissed his cheek. 

"You're handsome no matter what. You keep the beard as long as it doesn't bother you every time you have it."

Mercedes went to pull away and Jerome gently grabbed her chin. 

"That's not fair. I only get a cheek kiss?"

Mercedes giggled. Their faces were inches apart. Mercedes smiled. Jerome stared into her eyes. He shook his head dumbfounded. 

"My God.... you are so beautiful..." 

Mercedes pressed her lips into Jerome's without warning. She rested her forehead on his when she pulled away. Jerome sighed. 

"Please.... be careful... I love you.."

Mercedes ran her fingers down his chin again. 

"I will come home to you my love. I love you too." 

 Jerome set up in bed and turned off the laptop. The front door closed with a bang. He slowly stood up, groaning from the pain. He made his way to the living room. He froze in shock.

"TaTyana?! Everyone's looking for you!"

TaTyana stared at him blankly before delivering a blow to his midsection that knocked him across the room. Slamming into the wall, Jerome lost his breath from impact. TaTyana stood over him.