Page 41 of Auctioned to the Reaper

“You’re secretly adorable.”

“Take the fucking chocolate.”

I laugh and curl up on the sofa.

He settles beside me, leaving a respectable distance between us.

Which is disappointing.

Not that I’m going to admit that.

A gust of wind rattles the windows.

I glance toward the dark hallway.

“Did you hear that?”

“Wind.”

“Sounded like footsteps.”

“Old house.”

“Or ghosts.”

“The only thing haunting this place is my terrible judgment.”

I grin.

“Buying a haunted mansion or inviting me over?”

“Both.”

I take a sip of chocolate.

“Admit it. You’re enjoying my company.”

He looks at me over the rim of his mug.

“You’re loud, nosy, and you never stop talking.”

“So that’s a yes.”

He grunts.

I smile into my chocolate.

For a while, we sit quietly, watching the flames.

Then I turn toward him.

“Gray?”

“Hmm?”

“I never stopped loving you.”

He goes completely still.