The Grim Reaper’s Mate

Feisty Little Firecracker

Christine

Did this guy just reject me and spare my life in the same breath?! I’m not sure whether to be relieved or disappointed. I mean, here I am bearing my nude body to this gorgeous man who can obviously tell that I want him, and he has the audacity to turn me down?! I feel a bit crushed, actually, and not at all sexy. Maybe I’m not one of those sexy types. That's discouraging. I should push him a little harder and find out. I’m standing in front of an assassin in the nude. I have nothing to lose.

“Why don’t you want me? Am I not sexy?” I can’t help but ask dejectedly. I saw him eyeing my pout. I looked down at the obvious protrusion in his pants. I mean, at least I got him interested, right?

“What the... Are you crazy?!” He exploded in shock. I turned my eyes on him but couldn’t meet his eyes. Now I’m feeling self-conscious from the rejection and just want to hide. I can’t bear to look at him, though I hear his breathing accelerate a bit.

“Do you have a death wish or something? I just told you I wouldn’t kill you, and your first thought is that you’re not sexy? Ugh.” He finally moved, and it was a swift move to close the distance between us. Suddenly he yanked off one of his gloves and grabbed my shoulder with his bare hand. His voice had gone hoarse, and the skin on his hand felt rough and uncomfortable.

“I think you’re incredibly sexy. I can't believe such a beautiful woman is propositioning me right now, but... I can't take advantage of such a pure creature as yourself. I'm going to spare your life, so there's no need for you to do anything desperate even if I really do want to. Is that what you want to hear? That you’ve driven me crazy? Because you have! All I want to do is fulfill your request, but I can't. And I won't."

He stopped talking when he heard my breathing hitch. I felt a surge of triumph and delight. He's having a hard time saying no? I'm really doing a good job seducing him? Huh. I should have tried out these talents years ago for fun. Plus, this forbidden talk... I kind of want more of it. I've never been so shameless before. It must be my adrenaline that's emboldening me. I haven't had time to feel horrified and embarrassed yet.

“So, are you only saying no because you’re really going to let me live?” I asked slowly. His hand was unconsciously squeezing my shoulder, and he seemed to be studying my face carefully while I reacted. It actually seemed to be calming him down. I finally decided to look up at his face, so I raised my chin. My eyes widened when I met his already staring eyes. He was obviously waiting for eye contact.

“Yes. And no. I only kill the condemned. Those who have committed unspeakable acts and are definitely guilty of them. Other casualties such as the security guards and...” he gazed at me, “anyone else...are unfortunate souls who just associated with the wrong person. You...deserve better...than for your first time...to be with your father’s killer.”

His eyes filled with sorrow as they begged me to forgive him. That’s right. I’m an innocent. A victim. That is how he sees me. Not as a sexy woman of the world, but as a frightened child who is putting off an inevitable death and responding based on adrenaline rather than reason. He wasn't wrong, but suddenly, I felt a bit annoyed.

“David...” I murmured and leaned up to him and kissed his lips. My body buzzed like it’s been charged after a long time of being dead. My heart began beating frantically. What kind of reaction to a simple kiss is THIS?! Maybe I've been a tightly guarded fortress for too long. I've never had any sort of reaction to any man.

My reaction now was fast. Only a second or two, but I was hooked to this feeling. Is this what romance feels like? Is this why little girls dream of being swept off their feet by a handsome prince? For this feeling of euphoria? I never understood it when I was younger. I never felt attracted to anyone. I never wanted to be close to anyone. I, the unloved daughter of a ruthless man, didn't want relationships like he had with women. They disgusted me. And yet, I like kissing David. Why?

I focused my attention back on him and slowly wrapped my arms around his neck. He froze as I closed my eyes and raised my lips for another kiss, but it didn't come. I opened my eyes to see him gritting his teeth.

“What. Do. You. Think. You’re. DOING?!”

David

I couldn’t stop the rush of hormones or adrenaline. I’ve never been close to a woman. I’ve never felt anything for a woman. In my 23 years of life I haven’t ever seen a woman who gave me ‘that’ feeling and certainly no woman that would have me. I was undesirable. Yet, suddenly this little firecracker is wielding full power over me just because she’s naked, and she's not even naked for me. She just sleeps that way. What is WRONG with me?! I’m a trained assassin! How is this woman, who is supposed to be a target tonight, exercising so much control over me? When I kill, I’m robotic, but she’s done something to me. Something no one else has ever done. She’s reached a tiny, neglected corner of my humanity and made the blood in my body boil. I feel alive.

I glanced at the bed behind her as she raised her face and closed her eyes for another kiss. It does look soft and inviting. Then her hand lightly brushed the back of my hair. My heart fluttered. I had never considered romance for myself. I don't deserve the soft touch of a woman. I have blood on my hands and revenge in my spirit. Such a delicate creature as this doesn't deserve to get hooked up with someone like me. Besides, this body...

“Do you... even understand...what you are DOING?!” I growled.

I look down at her, but she was blinked at me innocently, seeming unafraid of me.

"I don't know anything. Can you teach me?" She asked playfully.

I balked at her. Like I was thet authority on romantic relationships. That's a laugh. She batted her eyes up at me. This is so unprofessional. My boss is going to literally kill me if he finds out what I'm planning for her. If he finds out.

She smiled and gently ruffled my hair and then cupped my cheek with her hand.

Does this mean...could it be? She’s actually attracted to me? A killer? She drew me in closer, and I finally met her kiss hungrily. Fresh rain and the autumn. Of COURSE her breath had to smell like two of my favorite scents. Only this wasn’t like riding in the car with my windows down. This was far better. Far more intoxicating. Far more impossible to resist. Her lips parted like she wasn't sure what to do next. I was giving into her. Against my better judgment, I was losing control. I opened my mouth and allowed her tongue to enter it. Along with her tongue flowed in the rain and earth flavor. Now I could actually taste it, and I was an immediate addict. This girl was a VIRGIN?! How is she so good at this? It feels so natural to kiss her. Her scent feels like it’s made for me. In fact, I’m pretty sure she’s my personal demon meant to punish me for playing the role of the grim reaper with everyone out here.

My brain was not calculating the risks any more. I only wanted this experience. Forget all the repercussions. There’s a blood bath outside her tent, but inside the tent is nothing but romance firing up.

“David...please...don't let me die out here alone," she whispered, breaking away from me.

Her soft plea brought me back to my senses. How could I allow such a thing? How could I perpetuate such a crime? And against a pure and innocent woman who had brazenly stopped me from committing a true atrocity by taking her life?

"You won't. I'm not killing you, Christine. Never. You're safe with me," I promised her, pulling her into a comforting hug.

"Thank you," she breathed, hugging me back.

Today, at least, I'm not going to Hell.