by Rue Volley
All Hale could think about was stripping her naked and getting those legs around him. Against the wall, on the bar, atop the pool table - It didn't matter, as long as his cock was buried deep inside her. The way Cera was moving against him and clawing at the wall, he just couldn't wait any longer.
"Hale," she said it so softly he almost didn't hear her.
In a matter of moments, he'd torn the remains of her shirt away and pushed the skirt up around her waist. "Climb onto the bar."
When she didn't immediately do as he asked, he gripped her beneath the arms and sat her up on the cool surface. The little angel looked aroused, scared, and stubborn all rolled into one. Without giving her too much time to over think what was happening, Hale pulled her forward until she was barely hanging on then unzipped his jeans.
He claimed her mouth as his hand fisted his cock and gave it a couple pumps. Damn, he was so hard! Fighting back a growl, he gripped Cera's hips as the swollen crown nudged against her wet folds.
"Wait," Cera's voice was hoarse. Hale fought to keep the desperation out of his gaze. "Can I touch you?"
In his lust-clouded mind, Hale did not immediately respond. For a moment, he simply stared at her. Finally, without a word, he took her small hand in his and guided it toward his dick. Her blue eyes rounded and her throat muscles tightened.
An unparalleled satisfaction washed over him. He glanced down at his engorged cock, loving the way it looked in Cera's small hand. She ran her fingers along the shaft, touching every single inch of it, and fingering every vein. She gently squeezed him until a small bead of pre-cum pooled at the tip. Her gaze lifted to his and she licked her lips.
He grunted at the pearl of lust then gripped her hips. "Mine," he said in a desire roughened voice.
An emotion floated in her eyes, a longing that he knew was too deep for him to fill. If he were a stronger man, something more than just a demon, he would have stopped right then and walked away, but he'd already gone too far.
He pulled her forward and impaled her. She arched her back and enclosed his hips with her legs. He pushed himself deep, relishing every inch. He could tell from her tightness and the tensing of her facial features that she had not known a man in an awfully long while. Her fingers gripped his shoulders and held on for dear life as he claimed her.
Cera pulled the t-shirt over his head and tossed it to the floor. He hadn't told her she could do that, but only a moments worth of irritation bothered him.
As Hale's thrusts grew harder and deeper, Cera's cries of passion echoed throughout the empty bar. Her nails dug into his shoulders and her head fell back to expose her throat.
Gripping a handful of her dark brown hair, he pulled her head back as far as he dared and latched onto the tender skin that connected her throat and shoulder. A trickle of blood ran down his throat, showing him everything this woman had experienced and desired.
Cera moaned and the inner walls of her pussy clamped around his cock in response. Her legs tightened around his hips and she continued to claw at his chest and shoulders. "Oh god, Hale. Oh god."
When he kissed her, he left a smear of crimson across her mouth. He thrust deeper. "Say it."
Her eyes popped open and she licked her lips.
Teasing her, he pulled out almost to removal. It was torture for both of them. "Say it," he repeated.
Cera shut her eyes and a single tear ran down her cheek. "I'm yours!"
With a self-satisfied smirk, Hale drove into her with a renewed determination. She was his and he'd damn well do with her as he pleased.
Chapter Four
"Open your eyes." Hale’s fingertips traced patterns across her chest until he finally cupped a breast in his palm. Tweaking the nipple just hard enough to make her bite her lip, he said, "I want you to look at me.”
"I can’t.” Her eyes were squeezed tight. “I’m afraid to.”
Hale studied her a moment, confused by his own emotions. He was somewhat pleased by her confession, but also frustrated. He didn’t know why he did, he just needed her to really look at him, to see him.
This was the third night he’d come to her. Normally he would have already ended her pathetic life. There would have been groveling on her end, trickery, pain, and cruel games on his. He simply had no idea why he was toying with her for so long, other than she was his property and he’d not finished playing with her yet. He lay beside her, watching the expressions roll over her face.
Cera’s eyes opened slowly and she gazed up into his. She was such a pretty, little thing. The blue of her eyes was like untouched oceans. “Hale?”
He loved the sound of his name tumbling from her lips. The tip of her tongue snaked out to moisten her lower lip. Then she bit it in the nervous way she did when she thought too much.
His eyes flashed red and he inHaled sharply. Her rich, feminine scent mingled with his own. She was his, and it pleased him.
She stirred beside him then lifted a hand to touch him. Hale flinched slightly as her fingers curled around his cock. He wasn’t used to anyone touching him in such a gentle manner. Her movements were unsure at first, but as she stroked his length, her hand became steady and confident. He nuzzled her hair and groaned in pleasure as his fallen angel leaned in for a quick kiss.
Cera was one of a kind. For, he would normally shove others away. He didn’t like it when they got this close or confident. Something about this woman was different. He didn’t want her to cow down in absolute fear. He didn’t want her completely submissive or broken. He liked this little spark of fire in her.
His body shuddered beneath her exquisite touch. If he didn’t stop her soon, he might explode in her hand. Though he hated to break the contact, he pushed her hand away. She made a delectable sound of disappointment so he ran his tongue across her earlobe and whispered, “If you’re a good girl, I might let you suck it later.”
“Promise?” she asked with a raise of her brow.
“Mmm,” Hale answered as he ran his tongue along her collarbone then between the valley of her breasts. He tried to focus on pleasing her, but all he could think about was her lips wrapped around his dick or being buried inside of her. There were so many things he wanted to do to her. So many…
Fuck. Why did he have to think that?
He reared back, breathing heavy and trying to get a grip on his wayward thoughts. He was supposed to go after one of his marks tonight. He had to have the dude’s soul turned in by midnight or risk his master’s anger.
Cera sat up, concern etched all over her face. She placed her palm on his chest, fingers splayed over his heart. “What’s wrong?”
God. Damn. It. Taking control of himself and the situation once more, Hale said in a lust-roughened voice, “Turn around, get on your knees, and hang onto the headboard.”
Cera blinked once, twice. “Hale?”
“Do it,” he said in a quiet voice of authority.
She did as he asked, but looked a bit apprehensive. As soon as her fingers curled around the metal bedframe, he smacked her on the ass. Cera yelped then attempted to turn around. Caressing the red whelp on her left cheek, he smirked and said, "I didn’t give you permission to turn around, angel.”
For good measure, he smacked her again. This time though, the slap was a little softer. She sucked in a sharp breath and arched her back. His cock couldn’t possibly get any harder. Spanking her was something he was definitely going to have to explore a little more in depth.
Cera was already wet, but as his fingers worked her clit, she was so slick with need. Her hips rocked against his fingers and she moaned. Every once in a while, she would toss a look of desire over her shoulder or whisper his name. It wasn’t until he dared to press his mouth to her did she cry out. He lapped up her sweetness and she made the most beautiful sounds he’d ever heard.
He couldn’t take anymore. He had to be inside her. Positioning himself behind her, his engorged cock pushed against her entrance. She was so tight and he marveled at how her flesh stretched to accommo
date him. Cera’s hips bucked against him and she cried out as he drove his entire length inside her. He pumped into her, no longer caring about taking it slow or whether she could accommodate him. Judging by the way she gripped the headboard and was rocking against him, she didn’t either.
Cera’s voice was lost somewhere between a moan and a strangled cry. Her hips bucked and her back arched. The headboard creaked and banged against the wall. None of that distracted Hale once he was in the zone.
He pulled out just enough to catch some of the juices with his thumb then ran it along Cera’s crack. Her head lifted, but in her lust-filled haze, he didn’t think she really comprehended what was happening. As he pumped into her pussy again, he gently pushed the tip of his thumb against her ass. He continued to do this, stealing the lubrication they made together, until he was able to pop the tip into her tight little hole.
Her sharp intake of breath and the way she looked over her shoulder at him spurred him on. His thrusts became harder and he pushed his thumb a bit deeper into her ass at the same time. Cera threw her head back and cried out his name. Her pussy was so hot, wet, and needy. The inner walls clamped around him just as his balls tensed and he climaxed. One final thrust and he leaned forward to set teeth against her scars.
Cera screamed in ecstatic pleasure-pain as they both shared an orgasm. He flicked the blood away with his tongue then kissed her shoulder.
Once he’d given all he had, Hale collapsed onto the mattress then pulled her against his body. The aftershocks of orgasm left him relaxed. Cera, on the other hand, was still trembling.
Hale pulled the sheet over Cera then nuzzled her hair. He wouldn’t sleep here, but it wouldn’t kill him to stay for a little while. Besides, there was always the promise of cock sucking later.
In a surprise move, Cera snuggled up against his body. She tucked her head beneath his chin and toyed with his chest hair. Within a few minutes, her hand stilled and her breathing grew deep and rhythmic with sleep. Her warmth seemed to envelope him and calm his nerves. The mark could wait. For now, he was content to hold her for a while longer.
Staring up at the dark ceiling, he lay there wondering just what in the hell he was supposed to do now. This strange twinge of fondness was alien to him. This sense of possession, possession without stealing it, was absolutely foreign to him. He was Hale, fearsome demon of the underworld. Hale, one of the most badass bounty collectors out there. What the fuck was going on?
* * *
“Please, Therineal. There’s no one else here.” Cera’s voice was high and reedy, tinged with worry.
Footsteps sounded in the hallway outside the bedroom door. Hale sat up and rubbed his eyes. What the hell? He’d slept here and left himself vulnerable?
He quickly got dressed then flipped his hood up. The sun hadn’t gone down yet and he didn’t relish the idea of going out in it. He moved toward the window, but faltered just short of opening it when he heard the man’s voice outside the bedroom.
“It is bad enough that you run a bar, Ceraphinia.” The voice was stern. The way Hale’s skin prickled, he figured it must be an angel sent to spy on her. “It stinks of demon. You stink of demon.”
“Get out.” Cera’s voice shook. Hale wasn’t sure if it was from fear or anger.
Fists clenched at his sides, he was torn on what to do. If he were smart, he would turn his back. He would open the window and never give Cera or this town a second thought.
“You’re coming with me,” the man said in a voice that didn’t leave any room for discussion.
Cera laughed. “Why? What could the angels possibly want from me now? They’ve stolen my wings and robbed me of my powers. I have nothing more to give.”
There were sounds of a scuffle in the hallway. A slap rang out and Cera’s grunt of pain made his blood boil.
Hale crossed the room and cracked the door open. Anger and hatred coiled in his gut. These feathered bastards had taken everything from Cera and now they wanted more? What could she possibly have left that was of any value to them?
The big man in the hallway grabbed Cera’s upper arms. Even as she fought to free herself, she was no match for the big brute.
“Then you’ll be judged here, now. Your soul has been tarnished, Ceraphinia.” His wings unfurled from his back and the hall lit with a soft golden glow. The angel’s wingspan was massive. It filled the hall and left little room for him to maneuver.
Oh, hell no! The door slammed into the wall as Hale shoved it open. “She belongs to me.”
Holding Cera against the wall with his forearm against her throat, Therineal pulled a silvery dagger from the scabbard strapped to his waist. “This does not concern you, demon. Leave or you’ll be dealt with.”
Growling like a cornered animal, Hale lunged forward and caught the angel by the upper wings. He pinned the heavenly freak against the wall and gave one of the feathery appendages a hard twist. Bones and tendons broke and pulled free from the man’s back. Therineal threw his head back and screamed in pain as a fine mist of blood sprayed the wall behind him. The dagger fell from his grip and he shoved Cera away. She fell to the floor and looked surprised to see Hale come to her rescue.
The wing separated partially from the man’s back and hung like a broken butterfly wing. It flopped uselessly as he turned on Hale. The angel took a menacing step toward him. “How dare you interfere with matters that are of no concern to you?”
“You’re a fine one to talk! Your kind are not fit to pass judgment.” Hale thumped the creep in the chest with his fist. “You sit on your ass and never lift a finger to help these miniscule beings. When they’re led astray, you simply punish them instead of guiding them. How is that fair, feather boy?”
“What do you care?” The angel growled. “You’re the one leading them!”
"I don’t care. I’m simply saying you’re a hypocrite.” Fire ignited Hale’s fingertips then crawled up his arms. He stood in a defensive stance and motioned for Cera to come to him. She didn’t even question it. Instead, she scrambled past then held onto the back of his jacket as if he was her anchor. Or maybe she was just frightened the angel might somehow snatch her away if she let go.
Therineal appeared somewhat confused. He stared at Cera a moment then said, “If you choose to stay, your soul will blacken. You’ll never achieve forgiveness. Is that what you want?”
Her blue eyes slanted toward Hale and the grip on his jacket tightened. That was all the answer he needed. Moving forward, he pulled away from her.
Teeth bared and arms ablaze, he grabbed the angel by the forearms. “Get out. Don’t ever come back or I’ll kill you. Do you understand?”
Therineal’s eyes widened as the flames crackled across Hale’s hands and began to lick at his skin and wings. The scent of singed feathers and flesh filled the narrow hallway. The skin of his shoulders began to bubble and crack. The feathers closest to Hale’s hands were singed black and curled up from the heat created by the fire. Small flames had erupted across the arch of the left wing and if Therineal wasn’t careful, it might go up like kindling.
Cera gagged behind them as the smell of flesh, feathers and smoke filled the hallway. Hale glared at the angel. Each time Hale tasted Cera’s blood, he also shared her memories, fears, and desires. This flying twat seemed pretty familiar and he was sure he’d been in some of her memories. Hale was about ninety six percent sure this was the fucker who’d gotten Cera’s wings sawed off and kicked out of heaven. There was a familiarity in his eyes when he looked at her, something in them that said he’d known her carnally. Hale didn’t like it.
Leaning in close, Hale made sure his next words were understood. “Cera is mine. She belongs to me now. I’ve claimed her.”
Tears streamed down the big man’s face as he nodded and attempted not to cry out from the pain he surely felt. Finally, Hale released him. The guy stumbled backward then in a burst of golden light, disappeared.
The flames died away and Hale turned to survey Cera. She stood just
behind him, clutching the angel’s dagger. She lifted her gaze from the highly polished metal to meet his eyes. For a moment, she said nothing and simply stared at him.
Hale didn’t move. He didn’t speak or act as if he was worried. He simply brushed his sleeves off and kicked a burnt, curled feather that had fallen too close to his bare foot away. Finally, he said, “Was that him? Was he the one who cost you your wings?”
Cera held the dagger out to him, handle first. “Yes.”
Hale smirked as his fingers curled around the dagger’s hilt. He immediately let go and it tumbled to the floor between them. “Shit!”
She was there in an instant, taking his hand in her smaller ones and examining his wound. The metal, whatever it was, had burned him severely. His fingers and palm were a raw bloody mess. While he’d normally heal quickly, this was taking longer than usual, and it hurt like a son of a bitch.
Cera guided him through her bedroom to the attached bath. Once he was seated on the closed commode lid, she doctored, and bandaged him. She seemed pleased to do something helpful. Brushing the hair out of his face, she said. “Thank you. Thank you for what you did out there.”
He looked at everything in the tiny bathroom except her. She was getting emotional and he just didn’t know how to handle that.
Cera’s voice shook a little on the next words. “He would have taken me back to them and had me killed. That’s what judgment is, you know.”
"I have to go.” Hale stood and caressed her cheek with his good hand. "I want you to keep that weapon where you can get to it, just in case they decide to come back.”
“Hale… please don’t go.” She hugged him close and pressed her cheek against his chest. “Stay with me tonight.”
He sighed. “Two more marks, Cera. Two more and I’ll be free from my master.” Bending to kiss her, he nibbled her bottom lip and smiled against her mouth. “I’ll be back soon, little one. Besides, I think you made me a promise. I intend to make you keep it.”