It’s a paralysis I welcome.
Chapter Ten
“Are any of these skulls from the women you killed here?” The words slip from my lips before I can change my mind. I swallow down the bitterness, the hidden jealousy that he possibly kept souvenirs.
He glances at me, confused. “No, some I burned their flesh and bones and used the ashes as fertilizer, mixed it with the manure. Others Marvin took care of.” Jasper shrugs, and I suppress the laughter that bubbles up.
“Fitting,” I murmur, and he grins at me. “Promise me, though, if you ever do feel the desire to end my life, to respect me enough not to turn me into dung.” I deadpan.
Jasper looks at me, his brows furrowed, eyes widened. “First, Darling, you will not perish by my touch. I’ve waited too long for you, and second, if death finds you, I will cherish you.Embalm you, and lay you to rest in a glass coffin beside my bed so I can continue my worship.”
The fact he thought about it doesn’t frighten me, it’s strangely romantic.
“Teach me how to preserve death, Jasper.”
He nods, playing absently with the silver nose ring pierced through his nostril.
“We’ll need someone for that.”
Thrill pools low in my stomach—a new hunt.
“We do,” I confirm, almost too eager.
“I hope you’re ready for a hike tomorrow, Darling. At least the weather forecast looks good. Temperatures are rising, so it’ll be warm, which means more people will go out.”
My eyes flit to him. “You already were planning an outing, weren’t you?”
“Perhaps.”
I shake my head and smile—this man. I feel giddy about tomorrow, the memory of Patrick still vivid in my mind.
That night, it takes time before the Sandman whisks me away to his realm. Too early, I open my eyes, the sky still dark, and I blink a few times, adjusting my sight to the shadowed surroundings. Jasper’s arms are draped loosely over me, yet possessively, and despite yesterday’s revelation, I feel calm. No unease gnawing at my mind. I lean into his embrace. Still half asleep, he presses me closer, and I relish the warmth that radiates from his body.
One of his hands travels down my body and drags up the black satin negligee I’m wearing. His fingers graze my thigh, and I sigh in contentment. He hooks his finger underneath the fabric of my thong and pulls it aside. My core is instantly singing and dripping from his touch. He dips his digit inside me, the cadence slow. My breathing increases as he pumps in and out of me.
“So, so wet for me already, Darling. You’re fucking soaked,” he murmurs approvingly.
His warm breath, caressing my ear, sends delicious shivers down my spine.
Jasper lifts my thigh, widening me, and uses his other hand to guide his erect cock to my entrance. With ease, he thrusts into me, and I gasp. I’ll never tire of the sensation of feeling him deeply inside me. At a lazy pace, he fucks me, planting soft kisses on my neck, and I surrender to him, melting into his touch. He traces his tongue over my skin, from the base of my neck to my earlobe, slow and deliberate.
There’s nothing better than waking up your body with leisurely love making, savoring each other until you both reach that toe-curling high.
I stretch and roll onto my side to quickly kiss him, painfully aware of my morning breath, keeping my lips pursed. Not willing yet, to make out without brushing my teeth, I get out of bed and go into the bathroom. I smirk when I hear his padded footsteps approaching; he always joins me in the shower. I quickly grab a toothbrush, clean my mouth, before I turn on the faucet.
After Jasper towels me dry, the fabric feels soft on my skin, we put on our clothes.
I open the front door, glancing over my shoulder at Jasper, and bump into Marvin. His body stiffens from our altercation, and Jasper is at my side in a second, shoving me behind him. I want to hide behind Jasper, but aside from the fact that I literally walked into him, it would be childish behavior.
“I’m so sorry, Marvin. I wasn’t expecting you. My apologies,” I say.
“It’s all right, Miss.” His words are clipped, as if it pains him to speak to me. I have a sense he doesn’t like me being here.He forces a smile, but it only heightens the anxiety I feel under his glowering stare.
“Marvin, now that you are here, Clara and I had a conversation yesterday about her living with me.”
His eyes shift from me to Jasper. This time, the smile that appears is genuine.
“She is bound to stay here, and you shall treat her with the respect she deserves. This woman ruined me in a way I cannot describe. The love I have for her is deeper than the abyss itself. If I ever notice she experiences any discomfort from you, I’ll bring her your blood. Is that clear?”
