Page 59 of Reaper

Chapter Twenty-Two

Reaper

Reaper cursed again as he flew across the room for a fourth time.He landed in a heap on the mats they’d set up in their basement for training.But after close to a month of training with Ara, he wanted to call the others so they could take the beating for him.Every time he lured them over, they would refuse, tired of getting their asses kicked by his mate.

He’d taken over the training when Ghost had spoken to her about becoming an assassin, working under Ghost, but with Reaper as her partner.Ghost had partnered up the assassins when Liv had voiced her worry about Kai working alone.Reaper had yet to hear whether Ara accepted the position, but he figured they would make a great team.If he didn’t have a heart attack from the anxiety of her out on assignment.

“You really need to start defending yourself,” Ara growled at him.

From his back on the floor, he groaned.“I don’t think you need training anymore.Or, we’ll invite Ax over and he can take the hits for me.He deserves to get his ass kicked at least once.”

He heard her steps as she walked closer, but didn’t open his eyes.When she lowered herself onto his stomach, he smiled.

“Aren’t you going to kiss me?” he asked.

She waited until he had opened his eyes and caught her gaze.She worried her bottom lip between her teeth, and he knew that something else, other than the job offer, was on her mind.

“Did I hurt you when I said that your claiming meant more than marriage?”

He couldn’t help it; his mouth tipped up into a smile.He pulled her down for a scorching kiss before he bent his arm beneath his head and relaxed back on the mat.

“No, beautiful.I feel the same way, but when Kai and Liv married last weekend, I watched you during the ceremony and I thought that marriage is something you might want, with me.”

She shook her head, and slid her hands up his chest until she cupped his cheek.

“I was happy for them.The night you claimed me and left your mark meant more to me than a piece of paper and announcing our love, albeit, it would be in front of our friends.I like that fact that our commitment is between you and me.”

Her eyes were shining with the truth of her words.They were both opposed to being the center of attention, and with the extravaganza that Kai had thrown for Liv, it solidified that their declaration for each other meant more to them than an actual wedding.All he wanted was time with her, alone, to make their future the way they wanted it.

The wedding was lavish with decorations, flowers, a five-tiered cake, and a catered lunch and dinner.Liv made a beautiful bride; her simple white gown emphasized her beauty.Kai had been anxious to get Liv to become his bride, and when the ceremony was over, the vampire relaxed and enjoyed himself at the reception.Something about the extravagance fit Kai and Liv to a T, but Reaper and Ara preferred to commit themselves to each other in a different way.

“You do know you’re my life?I will love you for the rest of our existence.”

Ara kissed him and settled onto his chest.His arms wrapped around her and held her close.He loved that his mate had become a strong, confident woman who loved him back.Before Ara, he’d never thought about finding a mate, but once he set his sights on her, he knew that his life had changed for the better.

“I love you, too, Reaper.”

His arms tightened around her as he lifted them both off the ground.Jogging toward the stairs, he had other plans for his mate.

“Where are we going?” she asked.

“The bedroom.I need you.”

She laughed as she pressed her face against his neck and tightened her hold on him.Wasting no time, he ripped her shirt, followed by her bra.Before he could reach for her jeans, she slid her hands into his pants and squeezed his ass.

“Tired of me beating on you?”

“Every time we train, it makes me hard.”

As they reached the bed, he gently set her on the edge and kneeled before her, savoring the skin he’d exposed, but needing more.As he reached for her, she surprised him.

“Ghost officially hired me as your partner.Our first assignment is on Tuesday.”

Sliding his hand through her hair, he pressed her forward and kissed her.It was several minutes before they came up for air, but when they did, he knew that he had a goofy smile on his face.

“What?” she asked.

“I’m just thinking that even on assignment, I’m going to want you.You’ll need to come up with a distraction so I don’t tear your clothes off and take you wherever we are.”He smiled against her mouth.

“I think it would just be easier to let you have your way with me, and then get the job done.”

“Yeah, I doubt that.”And he proceeded to show her.

The End