Page 112 of Between Soul and Vessel
Everything a partnershould be. Everything Aureliuswasn’t.
I looked up at the handsome male standing before me—completely mesmerized by him and all he stood for. If I were to tell the outside world what the God of Death was truly like, when it was just me and him, I doubted anyone would believe me.
On the outside, he was a fearsome, dark immortal who commanded reapers and was the keeper of the dead. Von was the type of male who, when he stepped into a room, others cowered from because they didn’t want any trouble.
Ah, but underneath . . . underneath, he was a teddy bear.
Von’s thumb brushed over my curved lips, tracing them. “And to what do I owe the honor of this sweet gift?”
“My smile?”
“Mhm,” he purred, eyes fixed on my mouth.
“I was just thinking how thankful I am for you.” I slid my hands up his torso, feeling the hardness of his muscles beneath his tunic. Resting them against his chest, I leaned into him. As if the walls were listening to us, I spoke in a hushed voice. “And that you don’t have to worry. Your secret is safe with me.”
“What secret is that, love?” Moonlight caressed the side of his face while the other remained darkened by shadow. In that moment, I could see the two sides of him—good and bad, and both were breathtakingly beautiful.
“That . . . Death might look like a big, scary Doberman, but underneath his towering, muscular, tattooed exterior, he’s a golden retriever.”
Like a spark bursting into flame, something wicked lit his dark eyes. “The only thing I have in common with that breed is that I retrieve what ismine.” Slowly, his fingers drifted down my neck, sweeping possessively across my sensitive skin. “You belong to me. Your wants. Your needs. Everything about you. From your silky white hair to your decadent lips, to your soft, supple breasts, to your sweet,sweetsex, and all the way down to those darling little toes of yours. You are mine, love, and I am yours.”
His words left me breathless and filled with fever.
He grinned, knowing the control he had over me.
Pulling his hand from my neck, he returned it to his glass, lifting it from the windowsill and bringing it to his smirking mouth. His commanding gaze remained locked on me as he drank. Lowering it, he said, “Now, there’s something else we need to discuss, which I must admit isn’tvery . . . golden retriever of me, but I am a god of my word.”
“What?” I asked, my curiosity piqued—my body aching for more of his touch.
“I madetwopromises to you. Do you remember what they were?”
“Two promises?” I asked, my brow furrowing as I raked through my thoughts.
Then . . .
I’m going to ink these by hand, his phantom growled softly in my ear. I could feel the heat of his large hand on my breast. My nipples budded in desperation as I recalled what he had said next as he had pinched the one.And as for these? I’ll pierce them with my silver.
My lips parted, a small gasp escaping me. Heat crept up my neck, flushing across my cheeks. “I remember.”
“Ah. I’m glad you do,” he said, infinite black eyes meeting mine. His voice lowered, striking a deep, primal chord. “Ifullyintend to keep those promises to you, although I am willing to altersomeparts if you wish.”
A shiver strolled through me, arcing up my spine then back down into my core.
“Do you like the thought of wearing my ink? My silver?” he asked, his words a sensual purr.
I snatched the glass from his hand and took a deep pull from it. With a bit of liquid courage in my system, I admitted, “I find the idea intriguing. Arousing, even.”
He smirked, running his wicked teeth over his bottom lip, tugging it back slowly. One black brow raised in question, his eyes smoldering. “Do you want to know whatkind of tattoo I plan to give you?”
“Yes,” I answered, my throat suddenly parched. I took another sip.
Thick, black lashes lowered as his gaze slowly drifted down, taking every inch of me in. “Take off your tunic, and I’ll show you.”
“In front of the window?” I asked, eyes flicking toward it.
“Does it excite you?”
“Yes.” I had no idea what had gotten into me.
