Page 58 of Virgin Lust

Oh, man. Just seeing Dirk made my heart twist. The ugly gremlin made me think of his sire and my argument with him.

Gods, I missed Shepherd. I didn’t know if it was because of the mark or what. Whatever it was, I hated being at odds with him.

“I’ve come in Sire’s place.” Dirk glowered at Derrick and then dusted off his pants and crossed his arms. “Why is this warlock with you?”

“In Sire’s place?” I asked instead of answering Dirk.

The gremlin nodded. “Sire’s terribly distraught but impossibly stubborn.” Dirk glanced back at Derrick. “Give us some privacy.”

Derrick complained and walked a couple houses down. Dirk watched him a while before facing me. “What happened between you and Sire?”

I hoped I kept my expression neutral. “Why would have something happened?”

“Because Sire would spend every second with you if allowed. Why is he fighting to stay away today?”

He’s fighting to stay away?

The ache in my chest paused. Shepherd still wanted to see me,but he refused to. My stomach knotted. “I don’t know.”

It was a lie. I knew exactly what made him keep his distance.

The gremlin watched me for a long, uncomfortable minute. “This is why you’re no good for Sire.”

Tucking my hair behind my ear, I asked, “How much do you know of Shepherd’s past?”

“Ah, so that’s what you’ve done.” Dirk exhaled. “My master has a sister he goes to visit often. Her name is Tiffany, but that’s all I know.”

Somehow, I didn’t believe that. “Then why do you loyally serve Shepherd?”

Dirk thumped his chest twice. “Sometimes all it takes is a few moments in someone’s presence to know what kind of person they are. I knew who he was to me the second I saw him. That’s all that matters to me.” Sticking his hand in his pocket, he removed a purple petal. My heart fluttered painfully as he held it out to me. “Stop looking at the past. There’s nothing there for you. The present is what should concern you.”

“I’ve never once ran from Shepherd.He’sthe one that ran the second I did something he didn’t like. I’m a Reaper, Dirk. If he can’t handle me digging my claws into his secrets, I’ll never share mine.”

The gremlin was silent for a while before he said, “But you will?”

“Will what?”

“Share yourself with him?”

I laughed at how absurd the gremlin was. “I’m giving him all of me.”

Dirk blinked his beady beige eyes, and then his lips curled. “Does Sire know that?” When I didn’t speak, the gremlin continued. “My master is a benevolent soul reaper. Most would have fallen prey to the bond and claimed you by force, yet he hurts himself to give you space. He’s a worthy male.”

“He’s not giving me space. He’s upset with me.”

“More with himself than you.” Holding his hands behind his back, Dirk added, “Sometimes we all need to be pushed.”

My mouth fell open. Did he compliment me for pushing his master too far?

Coughing suddenly, Dirk pressed his portal chip and disappeared without another word.

Seventeen

Shepherd

I didn’t make it a full day. It was impossible when my heart ached. I wasn’t where I wanted to be. I missed Prudence. A half day away from her felt like I ingested a lethal dose of toxins.

Before the sun rose in the human world, I went to her. I ported directly to her like I had the previous morning. She was at her father’s, sleeping in her childhood room. Guilt churned my gut as I thought about the angry words I had spewed.

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