Page 92 of Thanatos' Craving

“So you do like to be preened, huh?” I mused.

Thanatos took a deep breath of my tangled hair and ran his hands down my back, cupping my backside. “As long as you are doing it, then yes.”

We lay there longer in silence. It wasn’t awkward in the slightest. It was comforting just being around someone, touching, feeling, and letting the warmth from his body sink into mine.

I enjoyed this, relishing someone else’s touch. Not being alone. I didn’t want to let it go, and the thought of leaving him broke my heart.

Would he even let me go if I tried to leave?

A low, primal growl reverberated through his chest. With a sudden surge of strength, he sat up, his naked chest glistening with sweat, each muscle rippling beneath the surface. As he drew me close, I could feel the heat of his body, our skin pressed together, igniting a fiery sensation. “You will never leave me, Juniper. I have taken your choice.

I tilted my head up, my hair tickling my bare back. I wasn’t planning on leaving, not when I haven’t been happy most of my life and finally finding it with Thanatos. And with Uriel and Mariah—the first real friends I’ve ever really made.

“Is that so?” I raise an eyebrow. “If I want to leave and not see you again, then I can’t?”

Thanatos’ brows lowered, his eyes shining that brilliant blue.

“Absolutely not. You are mine as I am yours and you will never leave my side. I will give you anything you want. Name it and I’ll give it to you.”

We were nose to nose and with his seriousness and bravado he was trying to exude, I couldn’t help but let my lip curl into a smile. “Really? What of the sun? I think I will miss it.”

I don’t think I really cared too much about the sun any longer. Thanatos, with his dark aura, the light I gave off and the flowers, trees and bushes that still grew around his home, I think I would survive. Besides, there was more to explore. I mean, there was a lake of fire, plus Hades’ palace had a garden. I’m sure I could find other things to occupy my time than complain about feeling the sun on my skin.

“Then I’ll make you one,” Thanatos said. “I’ll put it right over our home if you wish. It will kill the plants, the animals will run away. But if you want it, I’ll give it to you.”

My eyes widened. “Don’t do that to the little demon rabbits, that’s mean!”

“Your happiness means more, my treasure, and if that means roasting the little beasts out of my garden, then I think having a sun will be fine.”

I shook my head vigorously, and he gripped my chin.

“I’m not letting you go, Juniper. You are mine. You fight it–but I know you know this to be true.”

I knew it. There was no use in fighting it. I still had the thoughts in the back of my mind that this was too good to betrue. Thoughts that he would tire of me, leave me, because I wasn’t meant to be here.

Thanatos leaned forward and captured me in a kiss, pushing my back against the mattress. He was already hard, his length pushing up against my pussy and I groaned, feeling him cupping my breast.

“You are my mate, Juniper. Do you know what that means?” He rasped.

Ah yes, the mate thing again.

“Ahh, yeah.” My hands raked down his hips and my fingers scratched down his perfectly toned ass.

He stopped kissing me and his head popped up. “Wait, you do?”

I kept my hands on his ass and squeezed again. “Yes, I might have coerced Uriel into telling me. Mariah got into more details about it, but yes. I know what mates are.”

Thanatos tilted his head. His dark hair falling into his face. “And you are not–how you say, freaking out?” He eyed me warily.

“I mean, I was at first. I just don’t–understand why me. Are you going to keep kissing me, or are we done?” I squeezed his butt again.

Thanatos chuckled and rose above me with those strong arms.

Blast, no more hanky panky.

Thanatos reached for me and pulled me into his lap. I still couldn’t get used to seeing his face. I never wanted to see him hide it under the hood, but I got it. He wanted to continue his persona of who he was–death. Supposed to be some big scary god to everyone else.

“Why wouldn’t it be you?” He pushed my hair behind my ear. “Out of all the souls in the universe, I would want it to be you.” His finger trailed down my shoulder and arm. My skin rose with pretty prickles of bumps.

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