Marked by Hades by Reese Monroe Read Free Book Online Page B

would it taste like?
    What would she taste like?
    She grabbed his ass, pulling him impossibly closer, and her eyes shot wide. “Justin!” Her mouth opened, and she let out a contented sigh as she skyrocketed off the ledge.
    He followed right after her into the euphoric bliss that had eluded him since the night he’d felt the Ahavah.

Chapter Ten
    Yvonne tucked closer to Justin, heart still booming. His was, too, pounding a steady, intense drum solo just for her. Thank God he still wore a shirt; she could rest her cheek on his chest and listen to his song.
    She rubbed down his stomach and his leg, reveling in being close with someone. Cuddling.
    Sure, she had to have clothing and leather as barriers, but still. She wrapped her arm around his waist and hugged tight.
    He grunted. “You’re stronger than you look.”
    His voice rumbled through his chest. God, that was addicting. Another fire flickered deep in her stomach. She coiled her leg around his as he rested on his back. He’d made her feel so good, as if she’d been flying, and she wanted that again. Needed it.
    Something clicked deep within her about his voice, his touch, and how he took care of her. Could he be the one she’d dreamed about? The faceless man who’d rocked her world.
    Had to be. The hair. The eyes, yes, they were the same. Maybe—
    No. She shouldn’t be thinking this. With her fatal touch, it would lead to nothing good. The dream had proven that when he’d faded into dust.
    “Seems safe to touch your hair.” He twirled a lock around his finger.
    “Be careful.” She knew she should move away from him, but she just held on that much tighter.
    “You have strength.” He trailed his fingers up her back. Damn leather jacket prohibited her from feeling him more. “Figured, the way you propped that guy up.”
    A comfortable silence settled in. She couldn’t believe he wasn’t prodding her with questions. Good thing, though, because she didn’t have any answers.
    “You hungry?”
    “Starving.”
    “The diner down the street makes a mean omelet. Open 24-7.”
    “Why are you doing this?” She planted her chin on his pec to take in his glowing eyes. “Taking care of me?”
    “Haven’t quite figured that one out yet.” He reached for her face, then pulled back, jaw tensed.
    “Yet you do it.” She rolled away, but he pulled her right back.
    “Don’t.” He propped her on top of him, and the fire rekindled tenfold. “I can’t explain it, but I don’t need to. I just trust.”
    She arched an eyebrow.
    “The Great One.” He twined his hand with hers. “He never misleads.”
    Yvonne flinched out of his grip and sat up. “Great One?”
    “What? What’s wrong?” Justin looked around.
    “You mean, like, God?” Did she even believe in God? What kind of God would allow her to be like this? She hopped up.
    “Humans— er —some do call him God.” He planted his bare feet on the carpet and ran a hand through his hair. “What’s wrong?”
    She turned away. “Why am I like this? Why would your Great One do this to me?”
    Strong hands gripped her shoulders. “I don’t know, Yvonne, but I’ll help you figure it out.”
    “And you’re not scared to be with me?” Her body still hummed from how close they were minutes earlier. She hadn’t felt such pleasure in…two weeks. Maybe before she had, but regardless, he’d made her feel so good, and he wasn’t scared to get close to her.
    “I’m a tough one to knock down, and I don’t scare too easily. Tell me more about—” Justin tensed and faced the door.
    “What’s wrong?” Yvonne asked.
    “Nothing.” He shook his head. “Damn brothers and their damn bad timing.”
    …
    Justin. You ready? Theo’s voice filtered through Justin’s mind again. A sharp knock at the door followed.
    Yvonne jumped and pushed out from Justin’s reach.
    “It’s okay. It’s my brother, Theo.” He stepped to the door. “He’s harmless—for the most part.”
    Yvonne straightened