Page 15

Fragrant bubbles tickled ’s nose as he sank to his chin into the immense, obsidian clawfoot bath dominating the bathroom. His gaze swept the opulent white and black space.

With its marble floor and walls, dazzling crystal chandeliers, and gold and silver-gilded monochrome furnishings, it wasn’t the kind of place he’d normally choose to visit. It was too lavish. Too decadent. Too… hedonistic .

Unease tightened ’s belly.

Do I really belong here?

As the Right Hand of the God of Death, he was accustomed to the stark ambience of the bone and ivory castle he shared with his master, and the modest domain he inhabited with his Reaper brethren. His gaze strayed to the door leading to the rest of the hotel suite at the thought of the deity who commanded him. ’s face flushed with more than just the heat wafting off the rose and jasmine scented water.

The Reaper God waited for him in the next room.

He squeezed his legs to his chest, acutely conscious of what was about to unfold and still somewhat dazed by it all.

I can’t believe Master wants to—wants to do that with me!

His groin stirred when the words the Reaper God had uttered in Occulta just before they left the bar an hour ago echoed through his skull once more.

“ We are going to consummate our relationship. Pan has given me careful instructions and a book on the subject. ” His master had directed a laser-like look his way when he’d taken hold of his hand to guide him out of the place. “ We are going to try all the positions. ”

bit his lip and dropped a hand to his cock. He shivered at the prickly pleasure his own touch elicited when he stroked his swelling shaft. The body the Gods Pan and Boreas had granted him so he could navigate the earthly realm was a little too sensitive.

Will Master touch me here? He swallowed. Will he—will he put his inside me?

His ass twitched at that perverse thought. hesitated before dipping his hand past his taint. He stopped shy of touching the tight pucker that protected his passage, too self-conscious to explore that part of his body yet.

Though he could not recall the details of his past life, he was aware of what sex entailed, even between men. Reapers sometimes recounted the various acts they’d caught the humans whose souls they’d harvested engaging in over the centuries that he’d lived among them. Their curiosity was driven by pure academic interest, since there were innumerable humans who crossed over from the world of the living into that of the dead in flagrante delicto of the enterprise. It caused Reapers to wonder whether such fleeting pleasure was worth losing one's life over.

But there was a reason they called an orgasm “La Petite Mort.” had seen the evidence of this with his own eyes when he and the Reaper God had walked in on Pan making passionate love to Demetrius during a visit to the Spirit Realm. From what had witnessed, the demigod of Spring had thoroughly relished what was happening to him despite the loud keens and tortured gasps that tumbled from his throat as Pan held his hips in a white-knuckled grip and plundered his body with savage thrusts where he’d bent him over a table.

had done his best to hide how flustered he’d been by what he’d seen. The Reaper God on the other hand looked like he’d been taking notes.

wasn’t sure when he’d started looking at his master with more than just admiration and respect. He did not possess a beating heart in his Khimer form, but he was certain that if he did, his growing awareness of the Reaper God would have caused his pulse to flutter in his presence.

There were many things he had learned about his master in the time they’d spent together. Things that made it so he now cherished the deity more than his own existence.

Though his role and his appearance instilled terror in most, the Reaper God was kind and just. He liked thunderstorms, cats, and, more recently, the lemon sherbet Pan served him on his visits to the Spirit Realm. He rarely granted second chances. He told terrible jokes. He was awful at just about any game. And he often appeared lonely, to the point there were days when all wished for was to erase the forlorn expression that haunted his master’s face when he thought no one was looking. When he wanted to take him in his arms, press his head to his chest, and murmur words of comfort in his ear.

Of course, would never dare do that in reality.

It wasn’t until the Reaper God was taken captive by the God of Darkness who invaded their domain that came to know true fear and was finally forced to acknowledge the depth of feelings he harbored for his master. Feelings he’d hidden inside himself for too long.

He loved the Reaper God.

He would happily have kept his one-sided infatuation a secret and continued to serve the deity in his best capacity as his Right Hand until he was no longer needed. He had no right to expect more and none knew this better than him.

Except the Reaper God had implied that he also entertained some kind of affection for . His master had not specified what his feelings for him were in so many words. The only thing he had made clear tonight was that he wished to have a physical relationship with .

It was a request could not refuse. Not that he would have wanted to anyway. He lifted a handful of bubbles and stared as they popped and vanished on his palm. Resolve had him clenching his fist.

I shall do my best to satisfy Master!

With that thought firmly in mind, washed his body thoroughly before rising and climbing out of the tub. He was reaching for the towel on the standing rail when he caught sight of his reflection in the floor-length mirror opposite him. He paused, mesmerized by what he saw.

With high cheekbones, an elfin-like jaw, full lips, and a broad forehead, his face was arresting, as was the lithe body he now owned. Add to this hair and eyes the soft, rich brown of chestnuts and flawless, honey-colored flesh that had taken on a dewy sheen from the bath essences he had soaked in and could not help but avoid his own gaze.

He still wasn’t used to the bewitchingly handsome form Pan and Boreas had granted him. According to the two Gods, his current appearance bore a close likeness to what he had originally looked like, when he was still a human. Color stained ’s cheeks when his glance danced off his semi-erection. He hastily dried himself and slipped into the black velour robe hanging on the wall.

Awareness sent his heart thumping when he opened the door and entered the bedroom. Like the rest of the luxurious suite, this space was decorated in monochromes accentuated with silver and gold tones. Unlike the bathroom however, the lighting here was muted, the only illumination coming from a floor-standing lamp in the corner and some dozen, glass candle holders scattered atop a myriad surfaces.

The Reaper God stood at the far end of the room. He was looking out through the terrace doors to the bay and the dazzling bridge beyond the balcony. Ice clinked in a bucket holding a bottle of champagne on a table beside him, the candle light sparking off the drops of condensation coating the dark glass. His robe stretched across his shoulders when he lifted a flute of the drink to his lips.

An ache roused inside . Though the Reaper God was built along the same willowy lines as him, he wasn’t gaunt by any means. had only ever caught glimpses of his true form through the cloak of shadows he normally wore. Heat warmed his veins as he studied his master’s strong back and the defined muscles of his arms and legs for the first time.

The Reaper God was like a ballet dancer, all grace and supple limbs that still projected undeniable strength.

It wasn’t just his master’s body that had entranced. He itched to sink his fingers in the lustrous black hair flowing down the deity’s back. He found himself wondering what it would feel like against his skin. On his lips.

Draped all over his throbbing cock.

flushed at that illicit thought. He almost bit his tongue when his master spoke.

“ Your gaze is burning a hole into my back, .” The Reaper God turned and met ’s nervous stare, his own inscrutable. He observed him for a silent moment before reaching out a hand. “ Come .”

padded barefoot across the parquet floor, powerless to resist his master’s command. He stopped in front of the Reaper God, his pulse racing with excitement and a degree of trepidation even as he tilted his chin to maintain eye contact with the deity.

He wasn’t sure what the Reaper God intended to do after tonight. Whether he expected this to be a regular thing. Or whether he would be content with sleeping with once to satisfy his curiosity about the carnal aspect of being with a human, and resume their working relationship the next day as if nothing had happened.

As far as was concerned, he would never be able to look at the deity in the same light again. Not after being physically intimate with him. By the time morning came, the Reaper God was going to own his heart, his soul, and his body and damn if that didn’t make him tremble in anticipation.

His restless thoughts scattered to the winds when the Reaper God raised a hand and caressed his face with gentle fingers. shivered, his eyelids drooping as he instinctively moved into the deity’s cool touch. His hooded gaze dropped to his master’s pale, sculptured lips.

His belly clenched on a spasm of pure need.

I want his mouth on me.

A crimson light flared in the pupils opposite him, as if the Reaper God had read the lewd wish that had just crossed his mind. ’s heart skipped a beat.

His master’s face was full of a dark emotion. One that raised delicious goosebumps on ’s skin.

“ What are you thinking about?”

The question was so unexpected it made blink. He stared blindly at the deity whose touch had bewitched him, too stunned to formulate a reply.

The Reaper God traced his lower lip with a thumb, his heated stare locking on ’s mouth.

Sparks ignited across ’s flesh.

The Reaper God leaned in and repeated the question. “ What are you thinking about, ?”

His velvety voice and the faint scent of camphor wafting off his body made ’s cock spring to attention.

“I—” he stopped and swallowed, flustered. “I—I’m too ashamed to tell you, Master,” he finished on a rushed whisper.

He could never lie to the Reaper God. But there was no way in the Nine Hells he was going to admit to the deity opposite him all the filthy things he wanted him to do to him.

His master sighed. squirmed, knowing his answer had disappointed him.

If the Reaper God noticed the pulse beating frantically at the base of his throat, he gave no sign of it. He straightened and handed the champagne glass on the table.

“ Drink ,” he said imperiously.

“Hmm.” stared from the flute to his master’s face. “I—I’m not used to alcohol.”

“ Good .” The Reaper God’s eyes flashed. “ It should help loosen your inhibitions a little.”

hesitated before taking the glass.

Is he trying to get me drunk?

He squinted at his master. The Reaper God met his suspicious stare with a guileless look. tipped the flute to his lips and guzzled down a mouthful of the champagne. He realized his mistake when the bubbles tickled the back of his throat, making him cough and splutter.

To his everlasting mortification, the Reaper God patted his back as if he were a child.

“I’m—I’m sorry, Master!” choked out once the fit had passed. Dismay had his stomach sinking. He’d spilled some of his drink on his chest and robe. “I’ll go wash up again.”

He put the glass down and whirled around, embarrassment heating his face. A strong hand clasped his wrist.

“ No ,” the Reaper God said. “ I shall take care of it myself. ”

Incomprehension widened ’s eyes as his master turned him around.

Gold glittered in the Reaper God’s hooded gaze when he saw his skittish expression. He put his own glass down and leaned in, his hair a glossy curtain that hid half his face.

Air locked in ’s throat when the Reaper God sniffed the side of his neck.

“ Did I mention that you smell utterly divine? ”

’s legs almost gave out at the feel of his master’s breath on his flesh. Unlike his fingers, it was hot. Then the Reaper God carefully licked the golden liquid staining ’s exposed skin and lost his mind.

He bit his lip to stifle a cry, his teeth pressing in so deep he almost drew blood. His hands found the Reaper God’s head, his fingers sinking none too gently into hair so soft and glossy he never wanted to let go.

His master did not seem to mind his rough touch.

twitched and panted as the Reaper God laved his flesh with his tongue. It was even more scalding than his breath. And his fingers were growing warm where he still held ’s wrist, as if his desire for him was heating him up from the inside out.

Blood pounded heavily in ’s skull. His body bowed helplessly toward the one wreaking sweet havoc on his senses.

Is—is this really happening?!

But there was no way he was imagining the hot tongue lapping sensuously at his skin. shuddered, dropped his head back, and closed his eyes, light-headed at the forbidden pleasure the sensations were evoking and the wicked thought that immediately followed it.

He wanted his master to do that to the rest of his body, especially at the juncture of his thighs, where his sex throbbed with a hunger he had never known.

His cock jerked at that mental image. A moan fell from his lips.

The Reaper God shuddered at the sound. blinked his eyes open when his master slowly straightened.

“ Interesting. ” The Reaper God’s voice had deepened to a gravelly tone that quickened his already racing pulse. “ It tastes sweeter on your skin. ” He met ’s dazed stare, his own glowing with a banked heat.

gulped, unsure how to respond.

It almost seemed as if his master was…trying to seduce him.

“I—Master, I am yours,” he murmured. “You need not concern yourself with foreplay. You can do with me as you wish.”

The Reaper God stilled. ’s mouth went dry.

Though his master’s expression hadn’t changed, he could tell he was unhappy from the stiff line of his shoulders. Panic made swallow convulsively.

Did I—did I do or say something wrong?!

“I’m sorry, Master,” he whispered wretchedly. lowered his gaze. “I—I didn’t mean to ruin the?—!”

The Reaper God gripped his chin, swooped down, and swallowed the rest of his words with his mouth, the movement almost angry.

went rigid at the first touch of his master’s lips. He stared wide-eyed into the gold-laced, crimson gaze opposite and trembled at what he read there.

Irritation. Desire. Possessiveness. And…something else. Something daren’t put a name to.

The Reaper God clasped ’s face with both hands and angled his head so as to deepen the kiss, his touch gentling. moaned breathily as his master carefully learned the shape of his lips before delving inside his mouth and exploring the heated depths past his teeth.

His breathing fairly stopped when the Reaper God twined their tongues together. Electricity sparked across ’s nerve endings. His entire body buzzed, as if he’d been struck by lightning.

This kiss was madness.

It was fire. It was ice. It was a blaze that would wreck his body. A storm that threatened to shatter his very sanity.

didn’t realize he’d looped his arms around his master’s neck and was pressing his body wantonly against him until he felt something hard poke his belly.

The Reaper God nipped at his tongue and lips with strong white teeth before reluctantly ending the kiss. He touched their foreheads together, the red flags on his cheekbones stark against his pale skin, his breathing more labored than it had been a minute ago.

“ I do not wish you to lie with me because you believe it is your duty, . ”

gasped when the Reaper God took one of his hands where he still clung to his nape and lowered it to the rock solid length tenting the lower half of his robe.

“ I want you to feel what I’m feeling. I want your body to heat up and harden, just like mine is doing. I want you to want this just as badly as I do. I want you to want me , . ”

’s heart thundered erratically at his master’s words and the slight quiver in his strong voice. He never knew he held such power over the deity he loved until this very moment.

He didn’t realize he was crying until the Reaper God’s face softened. The deity stooped to kiss the tear drops trembling on his lashes.

“Do—do you really mean that, Master?” quavered. “Do you—do you feel the same way I do?!”

The Reaper God’s pupils flared at his indirect confession. “ If by that you mean I want to worship you from the top of your head all the way to the tips of your delectable toes, then the answer is yes, . ” His breath danced against the shell of ’s ear when he leaned down to kiss the side of his neck. “ I care for you deeply, . And I want you. I want to kiss you and touch you all over. I want to explore every inch of you, especially this part. ”

sucked in air when the Reaper God slipped his arms around his waist and caressed his butt.

“ I want to be inside you.”

’s hole twitched and contracted hungrily, his body reacting like it couldn’t wait for those words to come true. He whimpered when his master worked a hand inside his robe and trailed his knuckles along his straining erection.

“ And I want to see this part of you weep for me and taste your pleasure. ” The Reaper God bit his ear lobe at the same time he squeezed the head of his swollen shaft.

’s eyes rounded. “Oh!”

His dick jerked at the sharp prick of his master’s teeth and the pinch of his fingers. He blinked when warm wetness oozed out of his cock and filled the Reaper God’s palm. To his horror, his master lifted his hand and stared at the sticky fluid now coating his pale skin.

“ So, this is precum, ” the Reaper God said solemnly.

’s mouth rounded on an O of pure mortification.

“ M—Master! ”

He grabbed the Reaper God’s hand and wiped hurriedly at the evidence of his disgraceful act with the edge of his robe, his face flaming.

A low chuckle had his head snapping up.

Though the Reaper God was keeping a straight face, his shoulders were quaking with mirth.

“You’re laughing,” said, stunned.

The Reaper God took his hands and kissed his knuckles, looking mighty pleased with himself. His tone dropped to a husky rasp that did all sorts of wicked things to ’s pulse. “ I feel I will experience many firsts with you, . ”

went weak at the knees. He’d never known his master act like this before.

He blurted out the first thought that came to his mind.