Page 47 of Virgin Lust

That woman looked like she didn’t have anyone watching out for her and needed someone—anyone—to care. She could have easily been my sister.

And I killed her.

I peeled my eyes open slowly. It took a second to decipher the doom that weighed heavily on me. The energy shackled me, preventing me from sitting up. But the helplessness, anger, and confusion didn’t belong to me. I sighed.Shepherd.

After scanning through two years’ worth of his memories, I rose and wiped my face. At that point in his life, Shepherd still had no clue what he was. My heart ached. He was killing people, justifying it for his sister while his self-hatred grew because he couldn’t stop.

Oh, Shepherd.

“Good. You’re finally awake,” said a nasal voice. I recognized that annoying tone. Leaning down, I spotted Dirk. The gremlin stood beside my bed with his puny green arms crossed. Rustling on the other side of the bed grabbed my attention. I turned and found Wallis tap dancing in my panty drawer. Although I was in my old childhood room and none of my underwear had been worn in decades, I didn’t like the putrid gremlin burying his face in a pair while dancing.

Clenching my teeth, I reached over and shoved him. “Disgusting!” Wallis fell over the side of the drawer and hit the floor. The fool jumped to his feet and bowed. “Stop that,” I muttered as I climbed out of bed.

“I deserve to die,” he whimpered, and I rolled my eyes.

“That’s why I told you not to mess with the princess’s stuff.” Marty wobbled toward him.

Oh, brother.

“What are you guys doing here?” I shouted.

“Shh.”

Dirk dared to shush me?

“Can’t you see Sire is sleeping?”

Shepherd was here too?

Dirk pointed toward my huge black beanbag chair I loved when I was a kid. Shepherd was sprawled on top of it. His head hung off slightly, while his legs and arms rested on the floor.

My mind wandered back to Shepherd’s memories. Not knowing what he was created his loneliness. His loyalty to his sister had been gratifying but heartbreaking. He kept saving her while destroying himself.

Suddenly, I had the urge to crawl into his lap and hug him, but that was impossible because his fucking gremlins were there. Why were they in my room while Shepherd looked like a delectable fallen angel on my beanbag chair? Spread out, sleeping so peacefully… A woman could walk right up and plop down on his thighs. My lips curled upward.No!Not going to happen, so stop thinking about it. Shepherd brought the vermin. That wasn’t cool. I wanted him all to myself.

“Oh,yoursire is sleeping?” Forcing myself to stop admiring Shepherd, I glared at Dirk. “What about me? I’m his princess.” I blushed. Thankfully, the soul reaper was still snoozing and didn’t hear me. “Because Wallis sniffing my panties won’t work, we’re setting boundaries. Right here and now!”

“After Sire wakes up.” Dirk plopped down on the floor and turned his back.

The vein in my forehead throbbed.That gremlin!With a deep breath, I reeled my anger in.

“I agree. He should be awake.” I smiled wickedly before walking over and grabbing a stuffed gorilla off my makeup stand. I chucked it at Shepherd. A large hand shot up and snatched it midair. My grin faded as Shepherd’s lids opened.

I closed my mouth, suddenly struck speechless. Shepherd’s jaw ticked and something crackled between us as our gazes met. His stare had me rooted in place.

Oh, Hades.

“You peeked where you shouldn’t have again,” he said in a gruffy voice.

My cheek warmed as my stomach churned.Oh, no. He knew I was in his memories again.

“What are you guys doing here?” I asked again.

“Babysitting you, of course,” Marty replied, and I crinkled my nose.

“Your room is bigger than our home,” Wallis murmured.

Shepherd cleared his throat and stood. “Let’s hear your rules.” His lips curled upward and stole my breath. “Myprincess.”

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