Page 30 of Virgin Lust

“Yourgremlins?” Prudence gawked at me.

Ignoring her, I asked Payne, “Why are you always with Prudence?” Her arousal had dissipated completely, but mine transformed into anger. “She was with me the other day, and you took her away.”

“I’m her babysitter, so lose that expression.” Payne’s jaw ticked.

“Babysitter?” That again? Why the hell did she need one?

“It’s a long story,” Prudence interrupted. “Did you come to glare at Payne or talk to me?”

“It’s been a day,” I said.

“Longer for me.” Tilting her head, one brow slowly raised. “Howdidyou find me?”

“That’s not important.” I wasn’t ready to tell her I bonded to her soul and was already obsessed with her. “Why do you have a babysitter?”

“That’s none of your business.” Prudence stiffened slightly as I stared.

None of my business?

I supposed her answer made sense on some level. After all, we’d just met. But something troubled me. I feared her rejection, which kept me from telling her about the bond. But what were her reasons for keeping secrets? It didn’t matter. I was determined to tear down walls to learn everything about her.

“Are you in danger?” I asked.

“It’s possible,” Payne interjected. “Harvest targeted one of Grim’s daughters.”

The words made my heart jump.

I frowned. “Who’s Harvest?”

Prudence sighed. “Why are you asking so many questions? You haven’t answered mine yet.” Then she looked to Payne. “And why are you answering for me?”

“There’s nowhere you can go in either world that I can’t find you,” I stated.

Her eyes rounded, and her jaw dropped as her cheeks flushed. “What do you—”

“Harvest started the crisis,” said Payne, rubbing his jaw. “Jesus, where the fuck have you been not to know about him?”

“I have nothing to do with the Underworld.”

Prudence’s eyes softened at my admission. She stepped closer and reached for my arm. I held my breath and waited, letting her choose to come to me. At the last minute, she blinked, startled, and retreated. My shoulders drooped. Why did she stop? I hoped for her to say something—anything—to clue me in to her thoughts, but she remained quiet as traces of sympathy echoed through the bond.

“Are you causing problems, Soul Reaper?” Payne crossed his arms over his broad chest.

Why did he keep acting like her boss?My lips twitched as I glowered at Payne. “I haven’t had the pleasure of being around her enough to give her those.” I hated how much Prudence tensed when I stepped closer. “I can keep an eye on her.”Fucking leave, I wanted to say.

“I don’t think so. She snuck off once, and the entire castle was in an uproar because she was with you.”

Prudence’s expression tightened. Finally, she sighed and said, “Payne,it’s fine.”

Not wanting to scare her, I fought the desire to hug her to me. If possible, I would have stolen her irritation away, so I could discover her smile. I’dgladlyget rid of the Reaper for her and eat his soul if she asked.

“If any of the Harvesters show up, Shepherd can eat their souls quicker than you or I can kill them,” Prudence said, then raised an eyebrow up at me.

I nodded. “I’m all yours.” My words held a double meaning. Her lips parted, and she averted her gaze. The second I looked at Payne, my tone deepened. “She doesn’t need you here.”

His chest expanded as he scowled.

Prudence rushed between us and placed her hand on my chest. “Relax, both of you.” Looking at Payne, she added, “Shepherd can’t hurt me.”

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