Chapter Eight

This was big. Like apocalyptic big.

The woman sitting beside him might bring about the end of the world simply by walking away from a job. It was mind-blowing.

“That seems a tad excessive.”

Cassie blinked and then burst into laughter. Should he be insulted? Uncertain, he shrugged and chose not to be. It was better to see her laugh than to have her upset and sad.

“Why couldn’t you just take a vacation?” Everyone needed a break from work on occasion. A thought occurred to him. “How long have you been doing it?”

She wiped a tear from her eyes. “Reaping?”

He nodded, wishing she hadn’t stopped laughing. She was pretty when she laughed, so uninhibited with her head thrown back, exposing the slender column of her neck. That made him wonder what she’d look like lying in his bed, her head thrown back in ecstasy.

“Since the beginning of time.”

“What?” Her quiet words made his sexual fantasy disappear in a puff of smoke. Had he misheard her?

“When I say I’ve been doing this forever, I’m not kidding.”

At a couple hundred years old, he felt ancient. Some of the Brotherhood had been around a very long time, and no one speculated about Maccus. As a fallen angel, he’d seen and done it all.

But Cassie was in a category of her own. “Forever?”

She nodded and rested her head on her knees. She seemed so small beside him but was probably the oldest immortal he’d ever met. Only the gods might be older. And he wasn’t even sure about that.

“No wonder you left.” When her lips trembled, he couldn’t take it any longer. He lifted her and settled her onto his lap, hoping she’d ignore his erection. This was about comfort, not carnal pursuits.

Not that he didn’t want to heat the sheets with her, but that could wait.

“It was my job,” she needlessly reminded him. “Not just that, a divine responsibility.”

“But to do it forever…” That was going to take a while to wrap his brain around. “That seems excessive and unfair.”

Her soft pink lips turned up at the corners. “No one ever said life was fair. Death doesn’t always seem fair, either, but at least there’s a plan.”

He cupped her face in his hands, loving the way she gave him her complete attention. “You needed time off. Nothing wrong with that.” In his opinion, the entire situation was totally unfair. How could you expect someone to do that kind of work for eternity and not imagine they’d get tired of it?

Didn’t seem smart to him.

She shrugged and rested her hand against his chest, right over his heart. “I think the fear is that if one of us takes a vacation, we won’t want to return. And that’s valid.” She bit her bottom lip, pulling the plump flesh between her white teeth.

He groaned and desperately did his best to ignore his throbbing cock.

“Is everything okay?” Concern reflected in her expression.

“Fine,” he gritted out. “Do you want to go back?” His arms banded around her. Just by asking such a question, he feared he might cause her to suddenly disappear.

“Humans are so different from us. They feel everything so deeply. I never really had emotions, not with this intensity.”

She hadn’t answered his question. “Do you like it?” He couldn’t imagine not being able to experience love or happiness. It was probably a blessing in her line of work. That way she didn’t have to deal with pain or sadness or guilt every time she collected a soul.

When she tilted her head up, her short black hair tickled his chin and neck. “Yes.”

Totally captivated, he stared into her green eyes. Cassie was different from any woman he’d ever met, and not just because she was a reaper. She raised her hand and stroked his beard. It pleased him that she seemed to be fond of it.

“We are here for the day.” The sensual teasing sent all his blood rushing to his penis.

“You sure?” His first instinct was to get her as far away from here as possible, but he knew nothing about how her people hunted. This was her area of expertise.

“I’m sure they’ll keep an eye on the town for a day or two, until they get called elsewhere. If we stay hidden, whoever hired him might write Damian’s death off as an accident. A stroke of bad luck. Nothing more than two immortals fighting.”

“Do you believe that?”

“Not really. We’re not big on coincidence, but who knows? Maybe it was his time and this whole thing was predestined. It’s more likely an unscheduled event, but they do occur naturally from time to time. Everyone has free will, and things don’t always go as planned.”

“Huh.” Seemed confusing to him. How did anyone know if any death was really part of a plan or just happenstance? “Won’t they know what happened? Isn’t there some way they can find out?”

A quick shake of her head. “We know when and where we’re supposed to be. The why of the death isn’t really our business.” She nibbled on her bottom lip. “I’m sure Death knows or at least could find out, but with so many people crossing over around the world every day, I doubt he’d bother unless someone reports back to him. Best case scenario, the reapers take the spirit, hang around for a while to see if they can figure out why he died so unexpectedly, then move on to their next job and forget all about this.”

Her lashes were dark and thick. Why had he never noticed that before?

Alexei squeezed his eyes shut and tipped his head forward. He really was being an idiot. Allowing himself to get emotionally involved, to be attracted to her, could lead to a quick death—his. He needed to be thinking about a way to get them both out of this situation alive, not daydreaming about getting her into bed.

Was she being truthful? One thing he’d learned early on was that you didn’t talk to the mark. Once you did, if they thought you had any kind of emotional attachment, they’d try to talk you out of killing them.

After his first job, he’d learned to hang back, keep his distance, and then move in and do what needed to be done.

Much like a reaper.

Except, if she was telling him the truth, her kind didn’t cause death. They were simply there for the spiritual cleanup.

“What are you thinking?” she asked.

“That it’s stupid to get attached to you.” She went rigid in his embrace before scrambling to her feet and moving away from him. He should have kept his big mouth shut, but lying to her wasn’t an option.

“You’re right. You’re a professional hitman. Whoever hired you assumed I’d out myself to stay alive. They’re using you to find me.” Her words were matter-of-fact, but there was pain in her eyes, disappointment too.

“Cassie,” he began.

She held up a hand. “No. No, you’re absolutely right. It’s not sensible for us to get attached. You saved me earlier and I appreciate it. I do. But I need to get out of here.”

He shot to his feet before she’d finished speaking. “You’re not going anywhere.”

“Why not? You going to stop me?” Holding her arms out by her sides, she faced him without fear.

Lust exploded inside him, flooding every cell of his body. With her skin flushed with anger, her lips parted, and her green eyes flashing, she was a sight to behold.

“You can’t end me.” She was on a roll and showed no sign of slowing down. “Only Death himself or maybe a group of head reapers can take me down. They’re banking on me having to defend myself against whoever they send against me.”

“No one is going to hurt you.” The thought of a world without Cassie made his heart hurt. Fear snaked down his spine, threatening to choke him. For the first time in a very long while, he was afraid.

He stomped over to her and peered down at her familiar face. They barely knew each other, but she’d wriggled her way into his heart. Yeah, it wasn’t smart. He could practically hear Maccus and the others warning him against getting personally involved.

It was the biggest mistake any assassin could make.

“Why not? You going to stop them all?” She waved her hand in a dismissive manner and turned her back on him. He gripped her by the shoulder and spun her back around.

“Fucking right I’m going to stop them.”

Confusion spread across her face. “I don’t understand. You were hired to kill me. Now you want to protect me. Why?”

“I have no fucking idea.” Frustration tearing at him, anger burning in his stomach, and lust riding him hard, he kissed her. Would she accept him or reject him? It would kill him if she pushed him away.

No way would he allow her to physically leave. She wasn’t going out there on her own with no backup. But he would never force his attention on a woman if it wasn’t welcome.

She held herself aloof, remaining stiff and unmoving. There was fire and passion inside her, but she kept it locked down. It came out in subtle ways—the color in her clothing, her sparkly earrings, the way she really lived in each moment.

Defeated and disheartened, he eased away, his arousal deflating under her cool response. A whimper escaped her. She surged forward, throwing herself against him. A lesser man would have been knocked flat by the impact.

Relieved, he wrapped his brawny arms around her. He hadn’t been mistaken. The connection, the passion that existed between them, was too explosive to ignore.

He slammed his lips down on hers, tasting her passion, savoring every sweet inch of her mouth.

…

She wanted him. It was as simple and as complicated as that. She was under no misconceptions. Her stint of running was coming to an end. It was only a matter of time until someone found her. It was a miracle they hadn’t already done so. Then she’d face the consequences of her actions.

Total annihilation would be her fate. There was no afterlife for reapers. Did they even have souls? She assumed so but couldn’t be positive.

When they died, they were simply gone. No reaper had ever been called to guide another. Of course, only a handful had been executed over the eons. And it was always for failing to carry out their duty.

If that was to be her fate, she’d at least have this day with Alexei. Her kind didn’t have lustful urges, but since she’d masked her gifts, she’d become very aware of her body. Everything was more vivid and exciting. She’d been fearful of giving in to the new urges that beckoned her, not only worried she’d hurt someone, but knowing she’d be irrevocably changed if she did.

It was time to release fear and embrace all that was good in life before it was ripped away from her.

He laid claim to her mouth, his tongue sweeping inside to challenge hers. He tasted slightly of whiskey and, oddly enough, pizza. A delicious combination. He was also more than a foot taller than her, making things challenging. She gripped his upper arms, jumped, and twined her legs around his waist.

He gave another of those sexy growls that vibrated through her, settling right at the apex of her thighs. She didn’t worry about falling, not with him holding her. That allowed her to focus on more important things, like rubbing her breasts against his chest.

Oh, that was lovely. The way her nipples peaked made her gasp. Her panties were definitely wet.

Everything about Alexei appealed to her. Not just his physical appearance, which was superb by any standards. He was thoughtful and patient, but when he decided to act, it was swift and brutal. He knew exactly who and what he was and accepted that.

She wished she could be the same. Or maybe he was just as confused as she was but better at hiding it.

He ran his big, rough hand up her spine. She arched into his touch and moaned. It wasn’t enough. Not with layers of clothes between them.

Both of them were panting. Sweat beaded his brow.

“Let’s have sex?”

God, she loved how blunt he was. “Yes, let’s have sex. Lots and lots of sex.”

The slow smile that crossed his face made her heart expand. Her chest seemed too small to contain the swell of emotion.

A niggling in the back of her brain warned she should tell him she’d never done this before. Then he brought his mouth back down on hers, and that tiny voice was lost in a tsunami of desire.

They were moving, but she didn’t pay any attention to where he was taking her. That would mean she’d have to stop kissing him again, something she wasn’t sure she could do.

She was committed now.

Sadness welled up inside her. Why couldn’t she have him for longer?

She made a sound of regret when he pulled away. “You okay?”

They were standing beside his oversize bed. Somehow, he’d pulled the covers back. Or maybe he’d never made it to begin with. Maybe he hadn’t bothered. She didn’t know anything about him really. Only that he was extremely dangerous and was a hired gun.

He’d also defended her with his life. If they’d been found, there’s no telling what might have happened. She had no idea just how much leeway Death had given those tracking her. The fact that someone had hired one of the Brotherhood and a vampire too… She couldn’t count on any of the normal rules to apply.

“Cassie.” He held her as though she weighed nothing, even though she was no lightweight. She was tall and muscled but had nothing on him.

Talking was overrated. It was time for action. Plunging her fingers into his hair, she pulled him toward her until their noses were almost touching. “I want this more than I’ve ever wanted anything.” Even more than her freedom, she wanted to experience his touch, to join with him in the most basic of ways.

“Thank God,” he muttered before taking them both down onto the bed.

Her top and bra went flying. There was no finesse, only speed. Before he could start on her jeans, she fisted the hem of his sweater and yanked.

He lowered his head to help, and she tumbled back against the pillows, his sweater covering her face. Laughter filtered out from beneath the fabric.

The edge of the garment lifted. He looked down at her and smiled. “Sorry.”

She managed to swallow her mirth. “No problem. We’re both in a hurry.”

Seemingly satisfied, he went to the end of the bed and peeled her jeans and underwear away.

She wasn’t the least bit self-conscious. At least she didn’t have that particular hang-up. Her body was a tool, one she honed so she could work at peak efficiency.

Now she was glad for her curves, her long legs, and her plump breasts. Most of her brethren were tall, which she was, but they were also slender. She’d always been different.

Alexei stood at the end of the bed, his chest heaving as his eyes devoured her. Her breasts ached. The urge to touch herself was too great to ignore. She placed her palms over the mounds, enjoying the way her nipples poked her.

A low growl made all the short hairs on her body stand on end. As Alexei watched her massage her breasts, he shucked his jeans. His shaft was long and thick. She swallowed heavily. She knew they’d fit, but uncertainty flickered.

Before it could take root, he sprawled across the mattress, taking up most of the space. He bent his elbow and supported his head on his hand so he was looking down at her. Why wasn’t he touching her?

“That is so fucking hot.”

Funny, as often as she’d seen people copulating—it was surprising how many people died during or just after—and as much as she’d thought about it since she’d left her job, she’d never once considered that a man would enjoy watching a woman touch herself.

“Really?”

“Oh yeah.” He covered one of her hands with his, moving it so her palm brushed against her swollen nipple. The friction created a blast of heat that went from her breast to the aching spot between her thighs. Her legs moved restlessly against the sheets.

She’d explored her body, giving herself pleasure before, but it hadn’t come anywhere near to the intensity of this.

He leaned down and nibbled the side of her neck, sending shivers racing through her. Who knew the side of her neck was so sensitive? Then his teeth grazed her skin and her body almost bowed off the bed.

“You’re so responsive,” he murmured, his deep voice rumbling right next to her ear. “Do you like this?” He captured the dangling part of her earring between his teeth and lightly tugged.

The ache low in her belly increased.

“Yesss.”

“Hmm, what about this?” He ran his tongue over the whorls of her ear, teasing and arousing.

All she could do was moan, which was answer enough. He was torturing her, right? There couldn’t be any other explanation. But it hurt so good.

I need to touch him.

He was finally naked. She’d seen him naked after he’d shifted, but this was completely different. This time she could explore to her heart’s content. She ran her hand over his chest, down his washboard abs. It was like petting a wild beast.

She kept going and finally struck gold, or in this case, a very erect penis.

It was his turn to moan, but it was combined with a growl. His fingers manacled her wrist, but she wrapped her fingers around his erection, unwilling to let go. “Let me touch you.” Without waiting, she stroked over the surprisingly soft skin. What was beneath it was harder than stone, but the covering was smooth as velvet.

When she reached the top, she circled her thumb over the slit, coaxing moisture from him. His body went rigid. She thought that was a good thing until she found herself flat on her back with him looming over her.

“Did I do something wrong?” For the first time, doubts crept in. Her knowledge about lovemaking was all theory. For a woman used to knowing exactly what she was doing, she wasn’t used to feeling this inadequate.

She didn’t like it.

“Too good.” He was frowning but didn’t seem angry. “I’d come before I got inside you if you kept that up.”

“Really?” With those few words, everything was fine again.

He held her hands over her head with one of his. The other he used to cup her face. “Really. There is nothing you could do that would be wrong.” His reassurance relaxed her even more. “This is all about pleasure,” he continued. “You tell me if I do something you don’t like.”

She nodded, her movement making a swish sound on the pillowcase. It was difficult to imagine he’d do anything she wouldn’t like. So far, everything had surpassed fantasy. “And you’ll do the same.”

He shook his head, his hair falling around his shoulders and tickling her chin. “I want your hands on me any way I can get them.”

“Then why did you stop me?”

“Too much.” He pressed his lips to her forehead, her cheeks, nose, and chin. Tears welled in her eyes. He made her feel precious, as though she mattered. “After.”

“After?”

“After you come. After we take the edge off.” He nuzzled her neck. “We have all day.”

All day. Oh yeah, that definitely worked for her. They should be relatively safe here. Once the sun came up, those searching for her would be more circumspect. They wouldn’t stop looking, but they’d keep their presence cloaked.

They certainly wouldn’t expect her to spend the day making love. It would never occur to them. If they scanned Alexei’s house, they would assume it was a normal couple.

That hadn’t been why she’d chosen to do this, but there was no denying it was a benefit.

“Promise?” He was so masculine, so intriguing, she wanted to run her hands all over him, discover what made him growl with pleasure.

His laugh was part chuckle, part chuff. “Oh yeah. That’s one promise I know I can keep.”

His lips weren’t demanding but coaxing, his beard soft against her skin. She tugged on her hands, but he kept them above her head. Giving in to the inevitable, she relaxed them.

She’d have her turn. And payback would be a bitch.