Page 56 of Virgin Lust

She was mine. I wanted her because she made me whole. I could make her happy. At least,I did.

I wanted to go to her, but how could I face her again? No one’s ever pushed me so far. No one’s ever made me feel so deeply either. I loved her smile, and her affection toward me.

I fucked up everything.

“The princess probably doesn’t want to see me,” I grumbled and stood tall.

“What did she do now?” Dirk asked.

Fury gripped me, filling my veins as he complained about Prudence once again. “Shut the fuck up. She didn’t do anything.” I scowled. “If you don’t start treating her with respect, you’ll be gone. I’m your master. What I say is law.”

Something in Dirk’s yellow gaze brightened before he bowed low. His silence unnerved me.

My cell phone buzzed. Peering at the screen, I saw a new job notification. Honestly, I ate enough souls working with Prudence. I had no need to accept the contract. I exhaled painfully. From that moment on, I only wanted to live for Prudence. I denied the job and returned the device to my pocket.

Petals fell at my feet.

Iachedto be with her.

Sixteen

Prudence

“Who’s the watchdog?” I asked Joy as we raided a vampire den in L.A. “I’ve never seen him before.”

She glanced over her shoulder and tensed. Her focus seemed to be on a warlock in a black cloak. “His name’s Derrick. Dad found him for my bodyguard.”

“What’s so special about the warlock?”

“Shh,” she snapped before her lips curled, displaying teeth. “He might hear you. And he’s a proxy.”

That piqued my interest. “A proxy?” Joy gave me a look that screamed, if-you-don’t-shut-up-I’m-going-to-murder-you. “Do you think Dad brought him in to counter Nova?”

It felt weird saying her name aloud. The fact that the witch, who worked for Harvest, could be August’s soulmate made Nova a touchy topic. My brother didn’t take it well, and he’d been MIA since. But Nova was extremely powerful. As immortals, we still struggled against her, and if she was my brother’s marked mate, that meant she was immortal too.Double trouble.

Derrick slowly approached us. I frowned as Joy rubbed her flushed cheek and sighed. If I didn’t know better, I would say Joy was high. But Joy didn’t consume human alcohol or witch elixirs.

“Will you be with us all day?” Derrick’s gaze landed on me.

I took a good look at the lanky man with the dark hair and eyes. I’d admit he was handsome.

Instead of answering, I asked Joy, “Hey, you okay?”

“Yes.” She rubbed her neck and yawned. When she caught me staring, she glared. “What?”

When was the last time she slept? Joy was never grumpy.

“She’s been like this for days,” Derrick said.

“Derrick,” Joy warned.

I stepped toward her. “How has she been?”

“Your sister yells at me like she might snap my head off. A second later, she’s apologizing for it.”

Joy cringed at his words. “Sorry.”

“See what I mean?” Derrick quirked his brow at me, and then he turned slightly and winked at Joy. “Don’t worry. I still find you’re very sweet.”