Page 39 of Soul Food

Lars couldn’t know since I was still struggling with the true gravity of my reluctance to give into Ruth Thomas.

I was a fucking soul reaper for fuck’s sake. I wasn’t, nor would I ever be controlled by a mere human whose soul I wanted to devour. I’d been giving her what she wanted for years to keep her happy, and I’d continue to do so until her very last day.

Ruth Thomas wanted me, well, so be it. I’d let her try to seduce me so that her soul persevered. I wanted it strong and healthy. Right now, it was at a low point, almost as bad as it had been the day I led her to the bookstore.

“Leave,” I said as I faced the living room and spotted the phone lying in the floor. “Don’t go to her house either. Disappear for a while.”

I swallowed. Then swallowed again.

I had a bad feeling.

The kind when you realized you went too far for too long and it was too late to go back.

Ruth Thomas was about to fuck shit up—including my control.

_______

RUTH

Wiping my eyes, I froze in place and tried to cover up the sniffles I didn't want to hear when my phone went off. My heart sunk to my knees. I was so sick with the prospect of him calling only to yell at me. I was already embarrassed and full of regret. My fear grew worse as I picked up my phone. He was video calling me. The panic grew worse.

Why would he be? To curse at me? Threaten to sue? Call me names? Worst of all, to admit how much he didn’t find me attractive?

Every molecule in my body begged me not to answer. I slid my thumb across the screen, anyway, and accepted the video chat. I flipped the screen around so that he’d see the sofa instead of my face. I held my breath and waited to see if he was calling to yell. It was just his chest again filling up my screen.

“Ruth.” It wasn’t a question. Amit’s voice carried my name like it was a demand.

“What Amit?” I replied in a clipped tone.

“Turn the camera so that I can see you,” he requested.

“Why?” My heart was going crazy.

Silence.

Then finally, “I thought you had something to show me.”

I huffed bitterly. “A woman can take a hint, Amit. You cut me off pretty quickly.”

“Show me what you wanted to show me,” he barked.

I flipped the screen around and glared at him. “What?” I blinked. “Happy now?”

“You’ve been crying.” He took notice, his voice sounded even angrier. “You’re going to let my actions affect the way you feel?”

“My pride took a hit,” I admitted. There was no point in denying it. I wasn’t one of those women who could hide their emotions. “That’s all. I’m over it.” I was far from over it or Amit, I knew that. I had it bad and didn’t even know why. When silence filled the air once more, I sighed. “If that’s all… I’m getting off—”

“I thought you had something to show me?” he interrupted with the same words he already said.

Damn, the traitorous place between my thighs throbbed and shot electric jolts through me. Like I needed the needy ache between my thighs to remind me how much I desired him. I should save myself and end the video. My heart was doing that stupid thing again. It really liked the idea of showing off for him. I was a singer. I enjoyed all eyes on me, but this… I must have an undiscovered kink because the idea of performing for him in a way I’d never done had my body on fire.

“I forgot what I was going to show you,” I pretended as I brought the camera closer to my face. I wiped my eyes and rubbed my wet nose.

“You were messing with the straps on your shoulder, but if you forgot, I can let you go.” I knew he was baiting me, but I let him.

I let my free hand fall to my shoulder and fussed with the straps. “These?” I pointed the camera over my shoulder. Letting my voice drop and become huskier, I whispered. “Amit, do you want to see more?”

“I want what you want,” came his reply. “And you want me to see more.”

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