Grim grimaced, then released my side, putting distance between us. Was he bothered by my prying into his reaping skills? Or the nickname I’d given that rando? Either way I was grateful he’d let go of me. My brain was on the verge of melting out my ears trying to resist jumping him.
Grim slipped his hands back into his pockets in that casual way models did to show off their designer trousers. “He would be granted access to the afterlife. He is a nice, bland, inoffensive man. Perhaps a bit selfish from being raised by wealthy parents and a bit naïve to the dealings of his business partners.”
Suddenly antsy to get out of here and out of this exposing getup, I rubbed one arm. “It’s been over an hour. Don’t you think the master or one of his goons would have shown up by now?”
“Patience.” Grim looked out over the edge of the landing and down to the party below. The masses writhed in the show of lights and deep well of techno music. It was the same posture he’d taken in Wolf Town. As if he were surveying his kingdom from some faraway tower with no small amount of burden and responsibility. I was struck with the need to lighten the invisible weight that I could almost see pressing on him. Who would have guessed Death could seem so…human.
“Have you ever been down there?” I asked, coming to stand next to him.
“On occasion, I will go and make a brief appearance at some of the larger events,” he said.
I nudged him with my shoulder. “That’s not what I meant. Have you been down there, dancing, drinking, letting loose?”
A smile tugged on one side of his lips. “Mingle amongst the masses?”
I rolled my eyes and gave him an actual push this time. “I mean have fun. Fun, Grim. Do you know what that is?”
Turning to look at me, his eyes darkened with either regret or distaste. “I have had lifetimes of experience with pleasure.”
I understood what he was referring to. “I’m not talking about what you had with Qwynn.” The way he’d described those times sounded like a hard metal trip of nonstop orgies and drugs. “Fun isn’t only about vice. Maybe if you let go a little bit here and there it wouldn’t be such a deep rabbit hole when you finally gave in.”
Based on the slash of his mouth, he did not agree. And he certainly didn’t seem to appreciate my butting in to give my opinion on how he lived his eternal life.
Looking back at the pool, I said, “When was the last time you went for a swim?” I walked over to the edge of the glittering, lit pool. The smell of chlorine and expensive vodka stung my nose when we’d first gotten here. But with so many tropical flowers planted around the grounds, they mellowed the sharpness of the initial odors.
Grim followed me over to the edge. “I often swim laps. Especially after a long day’s work. I find it invigorating.”
I sucked in my cheeks right before sticking an arm out, pushing Grim off the edge and into the pool. He barely pulled his hands from his pockets before he hit the water with a tremendous splash. I wasn’t fast enough to throw my arms up to keep from getting half-soaked.
Grim’s head emerged, sputtering with shock. Before he could get out with a burst of murderous power, I jumped. Grabbing my legs, I shouted, “Cannonball.” I hit the water, an explosion in the tranquil atmosphere of the private pool.
Submerged in the water, joy and peace surrounded me. I let myself slowly sink, enjoying the sensation. Maybe immortal existence wasn’t so bad if you could stitch your life together with more moments like this.
Finally, I kicked my legs and swam to the surface. Emerging into the night air, I pushed my now-loose, wet hair back. Grim’s pristinely tousled black hair dripped in his glowering eyes. His lower lip glistened in a pout that was both menacing and adorable.
“Hey,” I said, allowing the smile to blossom on my face. “I just learned I can swim.” I pumped a fist in the air while continuing to tread water. “Awesome.” Then before he could bum me out, I swam over and wrapped my arms around his neck.
The scowl Grim sported gave way to surprise, as I brought my face within inches of his. Despite the ruckus I’d made, the other guests were doing a fantastic job minding their own business.
“I bet I know something you’ve never done before in your whole existence,” I murmured, licking my lips.
My motion captured his lust-filled gaze. “Never bet Death,” he rumbled. “Especially when he owns a casino.”
Fighting the smile, I said, “What should we wager?”
His hands finally rested on my bare ribs. His touch was infuriatingly light again. Need pounded at my center. I wanted him to press his hands against me, slide them over my breasts and then lower.
“The usual would entail your soul but…” He trailed off.
“Right, vampire,” I said, with understanding. “Well, how about I collect my winnings later, then.”
Then before he could say anything else, I gave into my impulse and kissed him. Our lips were already wet from the pool and slid against each other with a sensuous heat. I sighed against his mouth as he coaxed mine open. When our tongues met, fireworks exploded inside me. All rational thought slipped away as I drowned in the taste of him.
I was right. I could die like this. I wouldn’t even be mad about it.
Grim kissed deeply, thoroughly, awakening every nerve ending in my being. The pressure of his lips promised sex that would flay the skin from my very body. There was raw, desperate hunger in his kiss, making me wonder when the last time was that he’d done this.
My legs found their way around his waist of their own accord. His hands dropped to my ass, lining up my sex to his hardness. A tortured moan escaped my throat as the underwater friction stoked the incredible need inside me.
