Page 27 of The Reaper's Vice

“And you’re not just doing this for me?”

I hold out my little finger to her, even though I know it’s only half the truth. “Pinky promise.”

She hooks hers with mine, a great big smile finally reaching her eyes. It causes my heart to pinch, and as I watch her skip toward the couch, I know I’ve done the right thing.

I help her stand and we move to the couch. I turn on the TV to whatever channel was playing last, pretending to pay attention to the show as my mind swirls, trying to figure out a way for me to be at the apartment more often.

First, I’ll have to cancel Sunday with Tommy. Then, I can move Mark to Tuesday afternoon and be home for dinner. Oh, and maybe I could?—

“Oh my God! That’s so fucking cool!” Maggie gasps, breaking me from my thoughts as she slaps a hand violently against my knee. “Look, Nina! Those people are literally standing on top of that mountain! And look at that sunrise!” Her eyes stay glued to the screen as she watches the panorama of the couple watching the sunrise atop Mount Kilimanjaro.

“The sunrise from Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania is said to be one of the most beautiful—and rare—sunrises a person can witness. Hikers travel hundreds of miles on rocky cliffs, sometimes taking several days to reach the summit, all to catch a glimpse of this beautiful spectacle of nature.”

“Nina… I want to see that,” Maggie breathes, her eyes shining with a glimmer of raw desire. “No, Ineedto see that. Write this down Nina—before I die, I need to see the sunrise from Mount Kilimanjaro.”

I can’t help the laugh that escapes me. “Magoo, you literallyhateexercise. Now you want to climb up an entire mountain?”

“To seethatin person? Hell yes,” she says, a nod accompanying her determined expression. “I’d do anything. Even if it means I have to take a couple of rounds on a stair-stepper.”

“I think that’s theleastyou’ll need to do. Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro is abitch…or so I’ve heard.” I laugh, nudging her shoulder fondly. “And hey, if it helps, I can train with you. We can do a whole schedule to make sure you’re ready to climb that big ole rock.” So few things really get Maggie interested in leaving the house, so if this is the thing that finally gives her the desire to try, I’m going to go with it a thousand percent. “Hey, I’ll even buy us one of those fancy stair-stepper machines.”

“Really?” Maggie turns to me, her eyes bright.

“Pinky promise.”

Maggie and I nestle into the couch cushions, and before long, I feel my lids droop. It’s been four days since I’ve slept, yet when its sweet embrace tugs at my conscience, I fight it with everything I have. But it doesn’t matter—sleep always finds me one way or another.

And with it comes the memories.

10

ORION

“SHITTY, TITTY TWISTING LIFE”

The golden-eyed girlgazes up at me from where she’s crouched between my thighs, her lids hooded as she inches her lips toward my pulsing cock. I buck my hips in an attempt to feel her sooner, and the seductress leans back with a smirk, pressing a red-tipping finger to her lips in a shushing motion.

The veins in my forearms pulse from the strength I hold myself back from touching her—knowing as soon as I do, the image will be shattered, and the beautiful girl will be gone.

“Have you been a good boy?” she whispers. “Do you think you deserve to feel my lips on your cock?”

Her lilting voice is a sweet caress, rolling over my skin and soaking to the marrow of my bones. I buck my hips in response, my lips slightly parted as I nod my assent.

“Yes,” I groan. “I’ll die if I can’t have you—just fucking die.”

“Will you?” She bites her lip seductively, placing a finger on my abdomen and dragging it down at an excruciating pace. “And what would you do to have me?”

“Fuckinganything.” My response is immediate. “I’d pull down the moon if you wanted it—tear down the fucking stars if it would make you happy. Just, please, put me out of my misery.”

Her feline smile widens at my words, golden eyes shimmering in the moonlight as she ducks back down to my cock. Her plump lips part just so, ready to take my head into her mouth and?—

“Caw! Caw!”

A furious roar pours from my mouth as I’m dragged from my blissful dream and into reality. Shitty, titty twisting reality.

“Damn crow.” I slap my arm over my face as Bacchus screeches like a damn rooster. “Can’t find a moment’s peace.”

Bacchus ceases his crowing, turning his one beady eye onto my half-naked frame. With a dramatic gasp, I pull the threadbare sheet up to my neck, wagging my finger at Bacchus with a stern expression. “Bacchus! I’m indecent!”

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