Page 54 of Living with Death

“Because your thoughts are all I hear.”

“Why is that?”

“I do not know.”

The man in front of me swipes his card, and I hand him his receipt. “Have a good day.”

“You, too,” he says.

Azrael walks up. “Hello, Mabel.”

I smile at him. It bothers me how much I’m glad to see him.Chill out with the smiling, Mabel.He grins and looks at Jason.

I feel my cheeks heat.Shit, Azrael heard me.Don’t think.

Shut up.

“Jason, this is an old friend of mine.”

“Jack,” Death says.

Jason looks a little intimated, as he should. Azrael’s darkness and his presence are demanding.

“Nice to meet you,” Jason says.

“The pleasure is mine.” He places a container of ice cream onto the belt.

“Ice cream?”

“Yes. I thought I’d give it a try.”

“You’ve never had ice cream?” Jason asks.

Azrael looks at him. “Not this kind,” he says.

A smile plays on my lips as I scan the ice cream. When Azrael slides some cash from his pocket, it surprises me.Where’d he get money?Cassie walks in, and Azrael’s eyes follow her before landing back on me.

“I’ll see you at home?” he questions.

I swallow because he says home as if he lives there. I feel Jason’s eyes on me.

I clear my throat. “Yes. I’ll see you there.”

Azrael walks out of the store, and I ring up the next customer.

“Meet me in the back.”

“I’m going to take a five,” I tell Jason, seeing the store is now empty.

“Okay,” he says.

I look at Sam. “Be right back,” I say.

“Um, hmm,” she says.

I grin and push the door open. Wrapping my sweater around me, I hurry around the back of the building. A hand is placed over my mouth as I round the corner, covering my scream. My pulse pounds against the skin on my neck as Azrael’s scent surrounds me. Like warm bourbon drizzled with honey.

I turn molten as he pushes me against the wall of the building. “I’m sorry I was away for so long.” He removes his hand, but I grab it.

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