Page 55 of Virgin Lust

What?

“Buthowis that when you’re my soul’s—” Shepherd cut himself off and dragged his fingers through his hair. When our eyes met, my heart felt like needles were jabbed into it.

How did he come to this misunderstanding?

“Know what pisses me off more than you knowing my past? The fact that you weren’t curious. Were you searching for something?” My throat tightened, and my eyes watered as he spoke. “Probably something bad, right?” He rubbed his chest as the pain shined in his eyes. God, were his eyes wet too? “Whatever you were looking for, I’m glad you found it. Find someone else to babysit you today, Princess.”

My jaw dropped.

What was he talking about?

Yes, I was curious, but I wasn’t looking for anything.

Something bad?

Did he really think he was such a horrible demon? He was perfect for me. I adored him even more for everything he’d overcome. “Shepherd—”

“Don’t worry about the wilting. I’ll survive a day without seeing you.”

Purple flower petals fell to his feet from his torso. His gaze lingered for a moment before he frowned. Shepherd kicked the petals and then ported out of my room.

You’re waiting for someone else, right? A soulmate?

Oh, Shepherd, you are my soulmate!

Anger hit me suddenly. I huffed and flung my pillow across the room.

The fury dissipated quickly as I cradled my knees. How could he know that when I hadn’t told him the truth about the marks? I didn’t know why he thought there was someone else, but there would only be him.

What have I done?

I should have let him tell me on his own time.

Fifteen

Shepherd

“You’re not going to see her?” Dirk sighed as he watched me.

Taking a swig of my beer and ignoring the pain in my chest, I aligned the cue stick. “Nope.”

Dirk grunted. “I don’t care one way or another, but you’re awfullywiltyagain.” He pointed at the cluster of purple flowers at my feet.

“That’s not a word,” I told him.

“It should be for Soul Reapers,” he stated. “So what happened?”

“Nothing.”

I fucked up.

No matter how upset I was, I shouldn’t have spoken to Prudence the way I did. When I cruelly mentioned the dreams, her cautious response replayed inside my head. I felt like I walked on clouds when she came to me in my sleep. Then, in a moment of anger, I ruined something special by throwing her actions in her face. Prudence already saw herself dirty because of her curse. She was so much more than that to me.

Last night had been amazing. Playing cards, watching her laugh, and having her open up to me—fuck, she was perfect. My breath seized, remembering how quickly she paled and those trembling lips as I yelled.

I was still upset with her for intruding upon my memories, but no one loathed me more than me. What did my princess think of me after learning about my shame?

Fuck soulmates. Fuckhersoulmate. Fuck the bond.