Page 41 of TBR: Dead But Well Read

Her sweet fragrance hung heavy in the air, an animalistic call that her body was ready and begging for me to tend to her needs.

There was nothing I wanted more, and I knew I could easily seduce her into being pliant, and letting me have my way with her all night long.

Not all reapers were as indifferent about sex as I had been before meeting Axelle, and I’d heard plenty of talk about their so-called conquests. They found it amusing how little effort it took to get a woman in their bed and enjoyed comparing their times as though it were a race.

I wanted her to rest, but that wasn’t the only reason I’d put her to sleep. The larger reason was my fear. I’d savored the opportunity to learn how to heighten her arousal with my body, touch, and even my commands.

But how much of her attraction was because of my species’ allure, rather than me?

I didn’t want her to have sex with me because I was a reaper.

I wanted her to feel the same way about me as I felt about her.

Until I knew those answers, I would happily give her energy and satisfy any itches she wanted scratched… but I wouldn’t claim her body with mine. Once that happened, there would be no going back. She would be mine forever.

Assuming my cock didn’t fall off before then.

BANG!

My sleepy ghost sat bolt upright as the bedroom door flew open. Not wanting Zacharias to see her naked body, I tossed the sheet over her head a fraction of a second before he walked in.

“Listen, Saul. I’ve never seen you so angry and I really think we need to talk—” Zacharias froze mid-step as his eyes landed on me lounging in bed wearing only my boxers and the sheet-clad figure beside me. “This… is… a surprise.”

The hair on my body lifted as he sniffed the air. She was mine, and I didn’t even want to share the scent of her desire. It was for me. Swallowing back a snarl, I forced my features into an expressionless mask.

“You brought a woman to your bedroom? I never thought I’d see the day.” Zacharias chuckled and leaned against the doorway.

Arrogant, mannerless prick.

“Are you going to introduce me to the girl who got your V-card?”

An odd strangled sound came from beneath the sheet and her fingers curled around the hem as she prepared to lift it. Acting unbothered, I stretched out my legs, pinning the thin fabric to the bed and trapping her inside.

“I’d rather not. We’re in the middle of something.” I gave Zacharias a pointed look that told him to leave before I lost my patience. “We will talk later.”

“Are you sure she’s okay under there? Sounds like something might be wrong?” His words sounded caring, but a nasty smile curved his lips.

“Yes. We’re roleplaying. Not that it is any of your business.” I wanted to grab my scythe and demand answers for his actions in the tunnel, but I didn’t want to show my cards. Not yet. For now, he needed to believe I trusted him.

“The Vanilla Reaper is roleplaying?” Zacharias snorted. “And what is she pretending to be? A ghost?”

“Yes. A ghost,” I ground out between clenched teeth.

“This is some boo-sheet,” the love of my immortality whispered, just low enough that I could hear.

I wanted to yank her out from the blanket and kiss her adorable self until she was breathless, but knowing I needed to keep her safe until I knew Zach’s true plans, I remained motionless.

Zach raised an eyebrow. “You can’t expect me to believe you seduced some girl into playing Ghost and Grim Reaper with you?”

We eyed each other for several long seconds, and I could see the growing suspicion flickering his pale purple eyes.

The sheet sighed. “Woooooo. Woooooooo. I’m a ghost here to haunt you all night longgg.”

Zach’s eyes widened as he stared at the sheet.

She wiggled, getting into her performance—or maybe just seeing how far she could take it. “I might be the ghost, but I wasn’t the only one moaning last night. Woooo.”

I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing. Zacharias knew me far too well, and the only person who’d ever made me laugh was my brother. If I laughed now, he’d realize she was important to me. That would paint a target on her back and risk him trying to use her as a pawn to force me to do his bidding.

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