The last one, a hundred years ago, had jumped off a bridge.
It was the last time I’d allowed my own carnal pleasures to destroy an innocent life.
Until Genesis, until I figured it was my duty to try to mate with a human to bring about the end of the curse.
Only to realize within days of knowing her—that she was never mine to have. Never would be.
And that, even a woman as beautiful as Genesis—could never fill the gaping hole Stephanie’s absence had made in my life.
“Make love to me.” Stephanie’s body twisted underneath mine for dominance as she pushed against my chest then pinned me to the bed.
Chuckling, I drew the shape of a heart across her chest, my fingers etching an icy trail as they danced across her fair skin.
Stephanie’s breath hitched as her eyes flashed white.
“Like that?” I asked.
She nodded. “But that’s not what I meant.”
“So you don’t want me drawing hearts all over your delicious body until you beg me to stop?”
She hesitated.
I laughed.
“I’ve never seen you laugh this much.” Her smile was bright.
I sobered, kissing her again, tasting her. “I’ve never had reason until now.”
With great care I lifted her into my arms, wrapping her legs around me as I kissed down her neck.
She gasped when my tongue slid between her breasts moving downward until the angle forced me to stop.
“This is…” She shook her head as the light above us shattered into a million tiny pieces blanketing us in darkness—our eyes glowed at one another. “Too much all at once.”
“I wish I could tell you what to expect. But I’ve never been mated before,” I answered, my body craving more of her kisses, more of her touch, just… more of everything.
“You’re stuck with me now.” She laughed against my mouth. “Basically married.”
I nodded, then swirled my finger against her ring finger as a beautiful crystal diamond appeared wrapping itself in icy tendrils all the way up to her fingertip. “I shopped for hours.”
Stephanie examined the ring. “Yes I can see that, great detail on the diamond and the rose petals around it.”
“Eyes closed the whole time,” I whispered.
“Keep them open.” She cupped my face. “I missed you.”
I frowned. “I’ve been here the whole time.”
“You’ve been missing half of your true self,” she answered. “And now… you’re whole.”
“Because of you.”
“Because of my selfishness.”
“That too, though it sounds less romantic that way, more needy.”
She pinched me in the shoulder but it didn’t hurt.