Page 3 of The Reaper's Mate

I bump into some dancers and find myself pinned as he approaches. In his black robes, he looks almost ethereal, as if Halloween is his night and everyone else is just pretending.

“Angel.” His voice. Strong and deep, cutting through the loud music like a knife through sinew.

My knees go weak. Why? I don’t know. His large palm grips my elbow, steadying me. I stare up into his face. Pale skin, a few days of stubble, strong jaw, sharp nose, and those eyes. I can’t look anywhere else once they drag me in. How did he get that effect?

“Boss?” Vera crackles into my ear, and I jump. “Not to be a twat, but it’s getting chilly out here, and I’m wearing an outfit that consists of a little bit of spandex, spit, tape, and prayer.”

“I’m coming.”

The giant smiles, dimples pressing into his cheeks and stopping my heart. “Soon.”

I can’t place his accent. Sort of Russian but also English somehow?

I drag my gaze away from his, though it takes every ounce of willpower I possess.

“Excuse me.” I try to step past him.

He blocks my path with unnerving speed.

I affect my best “boss” tone. “Look, sir, you’ve assaulted two of our guests. I need to check on them, and then I have more business to attend to.”

“Like the truck out back?”

I glance up but then away before his eyes snare me again. “How’d you know about that?”

“Just a guess.” The hint of laughter in his tone sends a thrill down my spine.

“Please, let me by.”

“I can’t.” He crosses his arms over his broad chest, his black robes flowing like water over smooth rocks. His hood hides his hair, but I can tell from the shadow on his cheeks that it’s dark, maybe even raven black.

Get it together, Annabelle. It doesn’t matter how handsome he is; I’m not in the mood for another prank pulled by an overgrown frat boy. “If you don’t get out of my way, I’ll have security escort you out.”

A dark laugh escapes him. “You think you have enoughsecurityto escort me anywhere?”

I know I don’t. All my workers seem to have taken the night off. I drop my head to my hand and rub my fingers along my brow, as if that will give me the key to getting around the giant who seems intent on standing in my way.

“I won’t leave you. That’s not an option, but perhaps I can help?”

“What? How?”

“Allow me tocheckon the men who touched you.” His voice turns into a low threat. “That’s one task I’ll happily finish for you.”

“No.” I meet his eyes again.

His lips quirk up on one side, as if he is pleased with my direct gaze. I study him a little longer and an idea forms. “You’re big.”

His chest puffs out beneath his arms, and his smile intensifies. “Yes. I’m rumored to be the largest of my kind.”

“Of your kind?”

He nods. The DJ switches tracks, and a slower song plays. The frenetic flash of lights lowers to a more bearable level. I’m still taken aback by the giant, but the relative calm soothes me and helps me formulate a plan.

“Listen, you look tough enough to handle my booze problem. If you want to help, head out back.” I turn and point toward a set of double doors at the rear of the room.

He moves to my back with uncanny speed. One moment it’s only air, the next he’s pressing lightly against me.Holy shit is that an erection?I step forward. He follows. Definitely an erection—the largest I’ve ever felt—pressing against my back.

A ketchup and mustard bottle couple have helped Voorhees to his feet. He sees the giant and me, and turns to hurry away through the crowd.Smartest move of the night.

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