Page 16 of Virgin Lust

I couldn’t fight it or run from it, which meant I had to confront him in the dream again. I shouldn’t have left when I knew I required him. It was only an illusion I created. It wasn’t my actual body he touched. So it was fine. I would never have to break my own rule if I just gave into the fantasy.

For Hade’s sake! I could do that.

Despite how much I needed him, I couldn’t confront him right away. I’d wait a few days. Maybe the ache would lesson as I slept. If I went to him again so soon in his dreams, he might wonder why, and I couldn’t risk him learning how much I needed him.

Five

Shepherd

Eighteen hours.

That’s how long it had been since I sampled the mystery woman’s soul. Those hours could have easily been days with how differently time moved in the Underworld. I wrestled with the fact I tasted her soul. Why did I shift into my reaping form? It had been an accident. I’d been so blinded by my desire for her that I became uncontrolled. For the rest of the night, I had to fight the urge to go to her.

She consumed my thoughts. The idea of having her in my arms sent a strong, persistent tingling across my skin. Those irrational feelings were like nothing I could explain. Her indigo eyes had been so full of shock when I groaned. Before my mistake, it seemed as if we agreed on something. Like she wanted to come to me.God knows that’s all I wanted.

I waited for her in my dreams. The next morning I tried to sleep longer, but my body refused. I hung around the trailer in hopes she’d send me to her dream realm again. If she came, I wanted to be available for her. Knowing she might come to me eased the desire to seek her. Something told me it was for the best. She might have sought me out in our sleep, but it didn’t seem like she wanted what I had to offer. For some unknown reason, I yearned to be whatever she needed.

I rubbed my face.Was it the mark on my chest making me feel that way? Did I care?

For whatever reason, something so beautiful—possibly deadly—had appeared before me. All I wanted was to learn her name, get to know her, and find out why my body longed for her. Plain and simple.

When Dirk returned at noon I was spread out on the couch with my eyes closed, trying to find my way back into her dreamworld.

My mysterious woman… Why hadn’t you come yet?

“Sire.”

I peered down at Dirk. “Did you learn anything?”

He picked up a single purple petal. “Yeah, I did.”

“Let’s hear it.” Sighing, I sat up and cracked my neck.

Inspecting the dead flower, Dirk asked, “Where’s Wallis and Marty?”

“Probably still asleep.” I grabbed a pack of smokes from the table, pulled out a cigarette, and lit it.

“Why are you still lying around?” Dirk crossed his arms and observed me. “You never sleep so late.”

“Waiting on someone to visit me in a dream again,” I admitted even though he wouldn’t understand.

Or so I thought.

“You encountered a woman at the human festival, didn’t you?”

Inhaling deeply on the nicotine stick, I arched a brow and exhaled. “We cross paths with dozens of them every time we’re out. Of course, I saw women there. Hundreds were kidnapped and brought to the Underworld for that sick tradition.”

“You’re dodging the question. I said awoman. Not women.”

“I never spoke to a single woman down there.” Not a lie.

His nostrils flared. “You crossed paths with someone and something profound happened. Or more likebeganwhen you saw her, didn’t it?”

How did he know?

When I said nothing, he asked louder, “Didn’t it?”

“Yes!” I snapped. “It’s her, isn’t it? She’s done something to me.”

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