Free My Tethered Soul: Volume 2 (Reaper's Rite) by Dorothy Dreyer Page A

the silky material shiny in my bedroom lighting.
    “H-how did you know?” I turned to face him.
    He shrugged, wearing an expression that boasted of cleverness. “Naomi told me you tried it on and looked great in it.”
    Naomi. Of course. I really did love my best friend.
    “But how did you pay for it?”
    “Hey, don’t start asking me about my financial status. I might think you’re a gold digger or something.”
    I shoved him lightly. “Shut up.”
    Letting out a small laugh, he jerked his head to get the hair out of his eyes. “Naomi showed me the dress, I bought it, and then we gave it to Mara to sneak into your closet.”
    I covered my cheeks with my hands. “Oh my God, I can’t believe you did that.”
    “You don’t like it?”
    “What, are you kidding me? I love it! I’m just, I’m in shock. Thank you so much!”
    I twirled and gaped at the dress again. This was unbelievable.
    “Wait, so that’s a yes on going to prom with me?”
    I pulled him close, holding him on both sides of his face. A warm sensation flooded me, elation at having such an awesome boyfriend. “Yes. Of course I will.”
    “Good, because Naomi called dibs on the dress if you said no.”
    I laughed. But only for a second. His eyes held me prisoner. I’d heard that people only really fell in love once. But that couldn’t be true, because every time I looked at him, I fell in love over and over again.
    He leaned down, his hands finding my hips, and gently pressed his lips against mine.
    “Sorry I lost your bracelet,” I said, pulling back just a couple centimeters from his mouth.
    “Don’t worry about it.” He pushed my hair away from my face and came closer again, his mouth caressing mine in a slow, soothing rhythm. The kiss grew deeper, hypnotizing and dizzying, and I never wanted it to end.
    My bedroom door suddenly clicked open. I covered my tingling lips with my hand and gawked at Mara. Her eyes flitted between Gavin and me, then she grinned and shook her head.
    “Hi, Mara,” Gavin said. I could tell he was holding back a laugh.
    “How did you open the door?” I asked. “I locked it.”
    She looked at me like I was stupid. “You’re not the only Vila in the house.”
    “Oh, right.”
    Checking over her shoulder, she stepped into the room. “I heard a strange noise, and I’m supposed to be keeping an eye on you. Guess your eyes aren’t the only things on her, huh, Gavin?”
    I picked up a small decorative pillow from my bed and threw it at her. “Shut up, Mara.”
    “Yeah, well. If you’re on duty, then I guess I can get some sleep.”
    “Goodnight, Mara,” Gavin said.
    “Mm-hm.” Her eyes went to my bed as she backed out the door. “Nice dress.”
    “Thank you. Goodnight.” I couldn’t help but smile.
    Gavin tugged me toward him and pecked me on my temple. “You should get sleep too. Aren’t you going to visit your mom tomorrow?”
    I sighed and reluctantly left his arms. “Yeah. I have a feeling it’s going to be a stressful visit.” Admiring my gift, I zipped up the garment bag and took it to the closet.
    “Maybe it won’t be so bad.”
    When I turned around, Gavin was lying on top of my covers. He beckoned me to come and lie beside him. I felt like I needed to fan myself. I went straight to the door and locked it again, giving myself time to fight off the intense heat coursing through me. It wasn’t like anything was going to happen between us. Just sleeping. Or was I naïve for thinking that? I counted to five in my head before I faced him, reminding myself that he was here to watch over me. That this was purely a safety sleepover, not a date.
    I slipped into bed, and part of me was relieved Gavin remained on top of the covers. There would be plenty of time for us to decide to take our relationship under the covers. One day. If a Reaper didn’t get to me before my next birthday, maybe.
    I tucked myself into Gavin’s side, and his arm came around me so that his hand caressed my shoulder.