Page 96 of Living with Death

I look into his eyes, seeing the love he has for me. The love I feel for him, it’s overpowering, like the ocean around us. So prevailing. It can’t be contained. It’s left a mark on my soul and will always be there.

“You don’t have to decide now,” he says, noticing my hesitation. “We have a bit more—”

“Put the ring on me,” I interrupt.

“You’re sure?”

“I’ve never been surer of anything in my life. I want to be your wife. I want to be with you forever.”

He exhales a breath of relief, and I watch as he gently slides the ring down my finger and over my knuckle. Something inside of me stirs.

A fire is swarming in my stomach, not burning me but warm. Incredibly warm. It moves up to my chest, and I feel it wrap around my heart.

“You must put my ring on, too,” he says. He slides it from his pocket and hands it to me. It’s thicker than mine and has only one single band.

I hold his hand, sliding the band down his thick finger. The ring appears stark against his pale skin. It matches his tattoos.

I kiss it there, and the warmness around my heart grows, rising to my neck, and bonding with my veins. I look at Azrael. “Do you feel that?” I ask.

“Yes. The rings are solidifying our bond. You thought you loved me before.” He smirks. And as the rings push through my body, tangling with my bones and DNA, my eyes widen, and my pulse thunders.

He licks his lips, and my mouth opens. “Get us home.”

Our clothes are torn off, tongues licking and tasting as we rush up the stairs. He lifts me and runs the rest of the way up—we’re nails and teeth, biting and scratching. I’ve never felt like this before. It’s as though the love and want for him have intensified. I want to crawl inside of him. I need him to touch me, kiss me, and love me. I’ll die without it.

I push him onto the bed and look at him as I take his hardness into my mouth. Azrael bucks off the bed, wrapping my hair around his hand. He drives into my throat repeatedly before pulling me up his body.

“We have to consummate our marriage,” he says, voice husky. The look on his face could set me on fire. It’s intoxicating. He grins, and I grab his cock and slide down his length. “Heaven above,” I moan. I rock my hips, holding on to his chest, feeling his heart roar under my palm.

“You looked good before, but now. Goddamn,” he says, gripping my hips. I moan at the sensation rocking through me. Stars explode, and planets collide. I come so hard that he places his hand over my mouth to keep the neighbors from hearing. “Grab the headboard,” he commands. “Hold on.”

I grip it tightly, and he flexes upward, repeatedly hitting me in that magnificent spot. My legs tremble, and my toes cramp as a second orgasm rolls through my body. He growls loudly as he comes, spilling everything he has inside me. I fall onto his chest, breathing heavily.

“I may die,” I say, sweat trailing down my back.

He kisses the top of my head. “I don’t think you will.”

I laugh and realize he’s still inside of me, growing harder. “Again?” I ask, lifting from his chest.

“Again.”

Chapter Thirty-Seven

I woke up the following day with the sun shining in my eyes. I don’t know how long I slept, but I’ve never slept so well. I felt different, more vital. And Hypnos was right; I felt no pain. I only dreamed. Of Azrael and me together. Round two was slower and more meaningful. Afterward, I heard someone knocking on my door. I ran downstairs with my robe on and saw through the side glass window that it was my neighbor.

“Can I help you?” I asked, running a hand through my hair.

“Um, yes. We just heard some loud noises and were ensuring everything was okay.”

I felt my cheeks redden, and she looked behind me. I turned to see Azrael standing at the stairs, shirtless in those black jogging pants.

“Everything’s good here,” I said with an embarrassed smile.

When I looked back at her, I saw her eyes had widened. “Yes. I’d say they were,” she said. “Well, the decorations look great. You have a good night.”

“You, too,” I said and shut the door.

I laugh as I think about her facial expression. I reach over and slide the new curtain into place as Azrael walks in from the kitchen, and then I hear it.

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