Page 89 of Living with Death

I open a drawer, rubbing my thumb over the gold drawer pulls. A cup of warm coffee sits on the counter, and I angle my head at the small black box beside it, knowing those two items were not put there by me.

My eyes dance around the house, looking in the shadows for him. I swallow and lift the box, flipping it open. A gold chain necklace rests over black silk, and attached to it is a locket.

I remove it and press it open—a photo of me sleeping on his chest. My heart melts. He must have taken this when we were at the manor. His lips are pressed to my hair, his eyes open, looking devastatingly beautiful.

My hand goes to my throat. On the other side of the locket, it reads,“I’ll be seeing you.”

Tears fall down my cheeks as I recall the song we danced to with baking soda on the bottoms of our feet. Why does it seem so long ago, when it was only last week? I knew then that unexpected feelings were swarming. Is it normal to fall for someone so quickly?

I groan and look to the heavens, squeezing my eyes closed. “Why is this so hard?”

“It doesn’t have to be, darling.”

I open my eyes.

Azrael stands in the doorway, leaning against the frame, wearing all black, his tattoos looking stark against his cream-colored skin.

“But you lied to me.”

“I fucked up.” He walks into the kitchen, eyes roaming over the space.

They ripped the carpet up in the living room, revealing beautiful hardwood. The old furniture was removed, and the new stuff will be delivered tomorrow. The house is transforming, just as I was when I met Azrael.

We did start with a lie, but does it matter now? After everything we’ve shared.

“I shouldn’t have deceived you.” He leans against the counter, crossing his arms, his teeth sliding over his bottom lip. “I saw no other way. I only knew I wanted to make you mine, and I merely had two weeks to do it.” He looks at me, eyes tracing over my face. He reaches his hand out, taking the locket from mine. “May I?” he asks.

I nod. My hair’s up, and I’m in overalls with dust and paint splatters. The coolness from the tile seeps into my bare feet as his fingers feather over my skin.

“When you’ve been alive as long as I have, and you finally find someone who sets your soul on fire more than any other, you fight.” He fastens the necklace, and I place my hand over it, knowing I’ll cherish it for the rest of my life. “What you said about love, you were wrong. A heart will do anything possible to keep what is theirs.” His breath caresses my nape. The brush of his lips causes chills to race down my spine. “And, my darling, you belong to mine.”

I close my eyes, swallowing emotion.

“Forgive me,” he murmurs. Azrael reaches into the side of my overalls, dragging my shirt up. He circles his thumb over my skin. His smell surrounds me, hints of pine and bourbon.

Heat pools between my legs, and that familiar need simmers. His hand trails lower, and he runs his finger over the apex of my thighs. My head falls back, and I become molten. The refrigerator hums and Chet Baker plays “My Funny Valentine,” stretching the note on the trumpet. I run my hand over Azrael’s forearm, feeling his muscles shift beneath it.

His cock presses into my back as he grazes my center. “Forgive me,” he repeats.

“I do,” I moan, my voice thick with shameless want. “I forgive you.”

With that answer, he dips inside my panties and slides two fingers inside me.

I roll my head as he fills me. I unfasten my overalls. They fall forward, and Azrael’s hand slides up the front of my shirt, cupping my breast as his fingers continue diving in and out of me. He rakes his teeth over my neck, licking and sucking.

My orgasm is within reach, just behind a shimmery veil, ready to shatter, and as he rolls my nipple between his fingers and plugs back inside, I feel my legs tremble. My hand goes to the back of his neck, holding him in place.

“I’m not going anywhere, darling. Come for me.” I grip the counter and bite down on my lip as ecstasy rips through my body, physically causing me to shake.

He slips out of me, and I drop my clothes, turning around to face him.

He smiles. “Goddamn, I’ve missed you.”

I undo his pants, and he removes his shirt. I drop my panties, and he lifts me, and in one sweet earth-shattering moment, he slides his cock into me. We both moan, our lips touching but not kissing. He slides out and drives back hard enough to force my eyes closed.

He fucks me like a man gone mad, gripping my neck and looking down as he slides in. I lick his bottom lip, running my hands through his soft hair. He slows. “You made a promise to me.”

I slant my head, pure pleasure coursing through my veins.

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