Page 28 of Property of Azrael

“I am looking at you. Do you know how fucking beautiful you are?”

No, I don’t. Throughout my life, my mother always pointed out my imperfections, big and small. I think it resulted from her own body dysmorphia issues. Her comments about my chubby cheeks, wide hips, or soft belly had an effect. According to her, the one and only beautiful thing about me are my green eyes, which I’d inherited from my late grandfather.

“You don’t have to keep up the charade. No one is watching,” I remind him. “It’s just a bet.”

“This isn’t just a bet, Hallie. Far fucking from it.” I peer up at him in confusion. His stare never wavers, nor does the clench in his jaw. His body radiates with pulses of anger, need, and something else I don’t recognize. “I stayed behind because I couldn’t let you go just yet.”

“We’re practically strangers, Azrael. I can name what I know about you on one hand.”

“We can remedy that. Stay here with me tonight.”

“Eden won’t let me do that.” I wouldn’t dare admit aloud that staying with him was what I truly wanted to do. The meet and greet would be a great networking tool, but here, with him, is where I want to be. With my books and with Azrael. “I’ll just go for a bit. That should be enough to satisfy Eden and to get something to eat.”

“You’re not leaving this room looking like that.”

“What did this dress do to you?”

“I will not stand by and watch other guys eye fuck you in front of me.” His hand leaves the cutout of my dress and falls again to my hip. “Not if they want to fucking breathe again.”

“Why does that matter to you? I’m not yours.”

“You know what it would mean if I claimed you, Hallie. You’ve written all about it. If you want to go, fine, but that dress is not leaving this room. Either put some fucking clothes on, or I’ll rip this scrap of a dress off of you.”

I narrow my eyes and scowl. “You wouldn’t dare.”

Tangling his hands in my hair, he angles my face up so I’m looking into his eyes. My heart leaps into my throat when he leans down softly brushes his lips against mine.

“Test me, Hallie, and find out how far I’m willing to push you.”

He’s going to kiss me. This is really happening.

I raise up to meet him, and just as the softness of his lips settles onto mine, the door opens and slams against the wall, startling us both. Jumping at the sound, I attempt to put some space between us, but Azrael’s grip remains firm against my scalp, cementing me to his body. The feel of his erection pressing into my belly sends a shiver down my spine.

“Times up!”

I groan, my head falling against Azrael’s hard chest.

Paying no mind to what she’s just walked in on, Eden grabs me by the arm and drags me toward the door. “I’m hungry, and if y’all keep that shit up, I’m going to need to find someplace else to stay tonight.” She stops in the hallway, right outside the door, and asks over her shoulder, “Where is your buddy Foxy staying again?”

Did Eden just stop me from making a huge mistake? I’m not sure I know.

AZRAEL

Five more fucking minutes,that’s all I needed. Five minutes and I would’ve claimed her, even if it was against my better judgment. There’s no rhyme or reason to it, except for the lingering desire to claim her mind, body, and soul so it would ruin her for the rest of her life and me. I’ve wanted no one in the way I want her.

I want Hallie. I want her more than I’ve wanted any woman in my life, but I don’t know what to do about it.

Maybe Eden barging in was a sign to back down, but tell that to my aching cock, straining and rubbing against the zipper of my jeans. I try to will it away, thinking of anything I can to take my mind off of her ass, swaying deliciously in that fucking dress in front of me.

Hot garbage. Dead bodies. The way Asher’s feet smell after a long day on a job site… Not even that’s working.

“It’s time to meet, greet, and get drunk, sweets. Let’s do this,” Eden squeals when we find the busy meeting room.

Hallie’s eyes go as round as saucers as she surveys the space. “Oh, my.”

I’ll admit, I didn’t expect such an elaborate affair. The large room is filled to the brim with people. Mostly women in prom dresses and tiaras, with a smattering of men amongst them.

“Is this a meet and greet or a fairy ball?” I mutter under my breath. Eden trudges on, but Hallie hears me loud and clear. She shakes her head, peers over her shoulder at me, and returns her attention to the crowd in front of her.

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