Page 6 of The Reaper's Mate

The pixie stares as Annabelle continues rubbing my chest over my black tunic. I would have thought the waifish pixie cute only a few hours ago. But now, the thought is abhorrent. Only Annabelle, she’s the sole female I will ever want. And right now, I want—no,need—to be inside her. I’ve freed the champagne from the truck as she requested, so now we need to move along to being naked together with my cock firmly embedded in what I’m certain is the sweetest cunt I’ve ever tasted.

“Who’s the mountain?” The man hitches a thumb at me. A thumb I want to break.

“He’s—” She catches my gaze and pulls her hands away. Color rises along her cheeks, as if she realizes she’s been stroking me in front of the pixie and the man. “I’ve never actually gotten your name.”

“Mathieu Tobias Gindriel Halcyon Scythian.”

My mate glances to the pixie, who gives her a look of chagrin. “Okay, let’s go with Matt.” Annabelle turns back to the man. “This is Matt. Where is Marco?”

The man scratched his head. “I’m not sure—”

I shoot my hand out and grip him by the throat. “No one lies to my mate.”

His dark eyes begin to bug as I squeeze and lift him off the ground.

“Put him down!” Annabelle beats on my forearm.

I lower him to the pavement. “Try another answer. If you lie to her again, these will be the last words you utter.” My hands itch for the smooth elm handle of my scythe.

The man cowers and presses his hands to his throat. “Upstairs, room seven-thirty-two.”

“Vera, handle the booze. Luigi, step out of line again, and you’re gone.” Annabelle puts her hands on her hips. “I’ll go fire Marco. It’s too late for him.”

“Got it.” The pixie nods and hikes a leg to climb into the back of the truck. For the first time in my immortal life, I avert my eyes. This mating thing is no joke. I can’t even look at another woman.

You have to take her soul.I ignore the dark thought. But the midnight chimes begin to sound all over the Quarter, and I realize I only have a little more than three hours with my mate before her time is over.

But does it have to be? If I refuse to take her soul, then she’ll stay here. The idea lights a fire in me. I’ll save her from the drunk driver, and her soul will be safe. I know the penalty for failing to reap a soul when it’s time, but I don’t care. My mate will never know the sting of death. I will see to it.

CHAPTER FOUR

ANNABELLE

DESPITE MY EFFORTS,MATTrefuses to stay downstairs at the party while I handle business with Marco. So, we’re riding the elevator together. The door closes, and he starts crowding me.

“Can we just, I don’t know, ride the elevator without touching?” The words feel wrong as they tumble from my tongue. Which is odd. Because it’s what Ishouldbe saying. But it’s not what I want.

“Why?” He walks toward me until my back hits the wall. He’s huge, and gorgeous, and the grim reaper outfit is shutting off all the lights in my brain while lighting up every nerve ending between my thighs.

“It’s just that I don’t even know you. And you have those eyes. You move fast, too fast. I’m not sure—”

“I am.”

“What?” I peer up at him, and staring into his face is like looking into a dream that’s half frightening, half turn-on. He strokes my cheek with this thumb. Okay, maybe three quarters turn-on.

I should push him away, but I don’t. I can’t seem to control myself when he’s close.

“Who are you?”

“I told you my name.” He brushes my hair behind my ear, and I lean hard against the wall of the elevator.

“No, but really. Your eyes. Your—youreverything. It’s like you aren’t…” I stop myself before I say something crazy.

He tilts my chin up, so I get another stunning view of the light eyes and unbelievable pupils. “I’m yours.”

“What?” I can’t catch my breath. “What do you mean?”

“Just what I said. I’m yours.”

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