Page 82 of Reaper Released

“A fucking what now?”

“Fun sponge!” I mutter, huffing out a breath.

“We can go out tomorrow, just the two of us, up to the campsite and take a picnic. How about that?”

“Fine, but if I don’t get to ride my bike tonight, then… ” I grab him by the front of his trousers and pull him forward. I lean up and kiss him, wiggling my eyebrows at him. He picks me up off the bike, pinning me to his body.

“You can have anything you want tonight once we get back to our place!”

“Our place… I like the sound of that!”

“And I don’t want you to think I forgot, so in a couple of days, we need to go and collect our rings, okay?”

“Rings?”

“Wedding Rings! You didn’t think we were gonna get married and not have rings, did you?”

“I never actually thought about it.”

He laughs at me and shakes his head.

“Come on then, let’s get back to the party. I'm hungry!” sliding my hand over the bike again.

He laughs. “You’re always hungry!”

“Let’s not let it turn into hangry then, as you’ll be wanting a divorce, okay?” I pull him along behind me as I rush back for more hog roast.

As I’ve finished stuffing my face, I walk along the edge of the dance floor towards the sweet table when there’s a squeal.

“Reaper!” I spin around as six little kids barrel towards me. And fuck, that's more terrifying than being kidnapped!

“Matilda! What’s up, kiddo?”

“Reaper, I told my friends that I knew you and you were coming to my wedding, and they said I was lying!”

I bend down to their level. “Huh, they did, did they! It’s not nice to tell lies, but it’s also not nice to not believe your friends. Do you normally tell lies, Matilda?”

She looks at her shoes, and the others all nod.

“Okay, well, Matilda is gonna stop telling lies, or I’m not coming to her wedding, but if she promises to always tell the truth, then I’m going to go. Deal!”

Matilda nods. “I promise, Reaper!”

“Good, so you guys go have fun, and I will see you at your wedding, okay?”

As they turn and walk away, one little girl says. “Oh my gosh, I can’t believe we just talked to Reaper, and she’s going to your wedding. Do you think if I stop telling lies, she will come to mine?”

“She’s my bestest friend. I can ask her and put a good word in for you, so maybe she will!”

“Would you do that?” the other little girl asks.

“Sure!” Matilda shrugs. I have to laugh; they are so cute. As I stand, strong arms tighten around me. He’s taken his jacket off, his sleeves are rolled up, and his tanned arms hang around me as he leans in, engulfing me with his heat and smell. It makes my head spin and my toes curl in my boots. It feels like the earth tilts every time he’s near me, pulling me into his own gravity.

“Quite the following you have there, Reaper.” He nips at my shoulder.

“Mhm,” I mumble as I melt into his strong arms and tight grip.

“Dance with me?”

---