Page 72 of Virgin Lust

“We can’t bring a baby into this current mess.” She pushed again, and I gave her a little space. “It’s scary enough that I found you when the end is coming. I won’t risk a precious life.”

Pain shot through my chest. She was right. I was already terrified for her sake. My brain thought of her carrying my child and for a second, I forgot everything at stake. “With you, sometimes I forget all the bad things you’re facing.”

“Because it’s been quiet,” Prudence murmured, biting her bottom lip. “Tooquiet. Harvest is planning something.”

“I’ll do whatever I can to help you,” I promised.

She gripped my sides. “I know.”

“But Prudence,” I waited a few seconds before adding, “The fact that I can have children with you makes me really,reallyfucking glad.” Her cheeks reddened as I ran my palms over them. “Because of you, I know I’m worthy of such things. My kids wouldn’t be monsters because of what I am.”

Prudence tiptoed and whispered in my ear. “Then it’s a date. After we end Harvest and the Devil, we start our future.”

My cock was so hard it hurt. I scooped her into my arms. More of her candy rum scent filled my nostril, intoxicating me farther. “We should practice for the future.”

“I want you, all of you, including your reaping form.”

I froze, skin shimmering. My soul threatened to burst from my skin. “Prudence?” She knew how badly my shadows wanted to touch her.

“I want to explore that part of you. It’s quite intoxicating when I think about it. That you can touch me in a way no one else can.”

Twenty-Two

Prudence

One second Shepherd’s eyes were brightly colored emeralds, and in the next, they glowed purple. The green reflected the humanity he clung to while the other represented the monster he thought he’d become. I was glad he came to terms with himself.

I was ready for Shepherd to unleash his desires and explore me in ways someone shouldn’t be able to. I’d despised soul reapers for so long, not knowing I’d meet such a beautiful demon.

“You’re sure?” His voice dropped an octave, and his body began shifting. Shepherd faded away in some places and revealed his fluid black soul.

“If I said no, would you be good and stop shifting?”

He snatched my wrist, and I gasped.

“No. You’re curious, Princess. I am too. You’ll never get away with lying to me. I know your emotions.”

I shuddered.

Shepherd lifted me off my feet and carried me to the bed. He hovered over me, caressing my jaw as he gazed down. He traced my face with his eyes, studying every inch.

Squirming under his scrutiny, I grabbed his palm and pulled his hand to my mouth to kiss. “What is it?” I whispered.

With a drawn-out sigh, he murmured. “You’re precious. This entire moment is precious to me. I want to box up every second I get with you and tuck it away for safekeeping. And then during those brutal, empty hours when we’re apart, I can replay you like a film inside my mind.”

“Why do we have to be apart?” I frowned.

“Because I’m going to do all that I can to help you and your family. To help the human world.”

“Or you can be selfish with me now.” I pulled his head down to mine and kissed him.

He gave me a sweet groan before pulling away. “No, Princess. I want to be selfish with youforever.Even if that means being away from you more than I’d like each day.”

I pouted as he moved off of me, pulling me up. “Shepherd,” I practically whined as I climbed on his lap. He let me, and my chest swelled with happiness when those giant arms wrapped around my center.

“Grim, your brothers—even Payne—hardly take breaks, right?”

I sighed. No, my brothers especially worked themselves close to death. Two of them had someone to lose. I did, too. I understood what Shepherd meant.

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