by Julie Morgan
With her heart still beating hard, she says, “I don’t understand what you mean. What do you mean by ‘intended to take place’? What changed?”
Alex inhales deeply, then lets it out. “Samuel was a demon, Lisa. He was an incubus. He targeted your soul a long time ago. Strategically, he set plans in motion to put you at the right place and the right time. When you agreed to work for him, you agreed to sign away your soul. It was only recently that he decided to collect.
“You never knew me previously, but when your soul came up for collection, that is when I manifested into my human form. It was my duty to protect you. I’ve always been with you Lisa, you just never knew I was there.” Alex smiles softly, hoping Lisa believes what he’s telling her.
“Oh, god, this is a lot to take in.” She looks down, feeling like her world is falling apart around her. “None of this sounds real.” She looks at him and shakes her head. Leaning forward, she challenges him, needing more. “Can you prove to me that what you say you are is real? The memories, or whatever it is you did, that's…hell, I don't know what that was. Please, just humor me. Prove it.”
“Okay, as you wish."
Sighing, he stands up and untucks his t-shirt. Pulling it over his head, he tosses it to the couch. Lisa’s eyes widen as he stands bare chested in her living room. For a moment, she's distracted by his naked torso. As Alex lowers his arms to his sides, she watches his chest expand, then contact with his breaths. Her imagination paled in comparison to what she's seeing in front of her. “What are you doing?”
“Proving that I’m not lying.”
Alex walks into the center of her room and faces her. Lowering his head, he closes his eyes. Nothing could prepare her for what was coming next. The air surrounding Alex's body begins to shift and wave, similar to a heat wave over a desert. As the air settles, Alex lets out a breath, then black-feathered wings immediately push out from his back, expanding behind him. Opening his eyes, he lifts his gaze to Lisa. The pupils begin to expand outwards, covering the blue of his iris until it bleeds through the white of his eyes.
Stretching the length of the wings out, Lisa's eyes widen. She covers her mouth to hold in a scream. Standing up quickly, she yells out, “Holy shit!”
Slowly, she steps towards him. He turns his eyes to her, watching her. She looks into his searing black eyes then, tentatively, reaches her fingers towards his wings. Just before she touches them, he brushes them against her. She screams and jumps backwards, tripping and landing on her ass.
“Oh, damn, I’m sorry. I promise, I’m not going to hurt you. Let me help you up.” Alex extends his hand out for Lisa’s, while his wings pull into his back before knocking anything over.
Slowly, she lifts her hand, grasping his. After pulling her to her feet, she looks up into his eyes. The black pools begin retreating until the white appears, then his blue irises. “You didn’t have to do that.” She runs her hands across her backside.
Considering what has just come to light, her mind wanders to the night at the club…the night when she ended up outside. “You were the one who took me out of the bathroom that night in the club.” She tilts her head slightly. “Was he there that night? Is that why you did it?”
Alex keeps his gaze on Lisa and nods. “Yes.” The thunder claps outside, causing Lisa to jump. "The weather, right? When an angel falls, the weather changes to mourn the loss." His gaze moves to the window. "When the sky turns red and it hails, a demon has died and a new one has taken its place." Alex looks back at Lisa and offers a soft smile.
“Oh, umm, alright." She considers this, then continues, "When did you…umm, manifest yourself?” she questions.
“I've been with you since your birth. You were my charge to keep safe. I was your guardian angel. The day you signed the contract, I manifested myself into human form.
“I moved myself into your building to keep close to you, then I came down to the mailroom that day, purposely, to meet you.” He sighs and his gaze drops. “Somewhere along the way, I allowed myself to fall in love with you.”
Lisa closes her eyes, taking in everything that he’s telling her. Feeling the truth in his words, she crosses her arms over her chest. “Go on.”
“When your soul was taken,” he takes a small step towards her, “that was the worst day of my entire existence. I had lost you. I couldn't bear the thought of not seeing you, not touching you, not having you in my life." Sighing, he continues, "That day, I chose you instead of remaining an angel. The results forced me to become a Fallen.”
Furrowing her brows, she raises her head and looks at him. “You chose me and became a Fallen? What does that mean?” She’s pretty sure she knows exactly what it means, but she needs to hear it from him.
“It means I was stripped of everything that made me an angel, thus becoming a demon. I was cast out of Heaven and sent into Hell.” Alex tries hiding the emotion inside of him, the experience of his ordeal still fresh in his mind. The burning is still very much alive inside of him; however, the flames have calmed some. “When I crossed into the planes of Hell, it was my intention to find you.”
“Alex.”
Flashes of memory tease her mind. She sees herself crying in Alex’s arms, telling him she loves him. At a loss for words, she stands there and stares at him, her lips parted. Her heart thumps hard in her chest, but this time it’s not from panic. Stepping closer, her hands reach up and her fingers gingerly touch his arms. Her eyes look deep into his. She looks down, then leans forward and lays her forehead against his bare chest. Alex wraps his arms around her and pulls her close. She lays her cheek over his heart and listens to it beat, her arms going around his waist. In this moment, she feels their hearts beating as one.
“In the end, we were both freed. I ended up facing a few consequences, though,” he tells her.
Tilting her head up and looking at him, a tear slips down her cheek. Alex brings a hand up, his thumb gently swiping it from her face. “What kind of consequences?” she asks.
Recalling Michael’s words, he carefully considers what he’s about to tell her. “When I became a demon, everything inside of me died, except how I feel about you. I needed something from my humanity to hold onto; it was you. It’s always been you.” He smiles softly.
Lisa closes her eyes and tries to keep the tears from falling. A few escape and Alex runs the pads of his thumbs over her cheeks. “I gave myself to free you. I accepted your fate as my own. Doing so broke your contract, and your soul was returned to your body.”
“Oh, Alex.” Having no idea what to say, she reaches up and cups his cheeks. Seeing the torment in his eyes, she pulls him down to her and kisses him softly. After their lips part, she rests her hands on his shoulders. He gently presses his forehead against hers.
“I didn’t expect what happened next to occur. I was freed from Hell, but not as a demon. I’m still a demon, but only partially. I regained a part of my angelic side. I became something of a hybrid.” Lifting his head, he stares into Lisa’s emerald green eyes, looking for any signs of confusion or fear.
She considers this, then asks, “What happens to you now?” She shakes her head. “Let me try that again. What I mean is what does this mean for you? For us?”
He nods and offers a smile. “For now, it means I’m able to remain on earth for as long as you’ll have me.” He chuckles, knowing he should tell her he’ll never die or grow old. He knows he should tell her everything right here and now but, against his better judgment, he decides that this is enough for one day. “I'm not sure where I fit in between Heaven and Hell yet, but we can discuss this more later, if you like.”
Lisa nods and smiles. “I would like that.” She sighs and glides her hands down to his biceps. “I mean, if you plan on being my boyfriend, I should know how this hybrid thing works.” She raises a brow and looks at Alex.
His eyes widen slightly and he smiles, feeling relief rush through him. He knew Lisa was an amazing woman; she’s accepted him no matter what. “Boyfriend? Hm
m…” He pauses as if to think about her offer. She gasps and playfully slaps his arm. “Hey now! I’m teasing.” He chuckles, then adjusts his arms around her waist again, pulling her closer. His voice lowers an octave. “I want to be more than your boyfriend, Lisa. I want you to be mine.”
Lisa opens her lips to respond, but Alex crushes his lips to hers, sending a shock through her body. She’s whimpers and tilts her head, parting her lips and accepting his tongue as it enters her mouth. His hands move across her back, wrapping further around her, pulling her flush against him. Her heartbeat picks up and she moans softly. The hunger in his lips causes her knees to weaken. His tongue glides over hers and their lips move as one. His hands move down over her ass, squeezing her closer. She feels his erection pressing through his clothes and she lets out another moan.
Her body heats up, her hands moving up his arms and around his neck. Her breasts press against his chest and a gentle heat throbs between her thighs. She mumbles softly against his lips, “I guess it goes without saying that your lips are no longer sensitive?”
Alex chuckles against her lips. Pulling back, he says “As an angel, it burned me each time we kissed.” He grins playfully. “Now, I only feel your soft lips against my own.”
She raises a single brow and grins. “Then I suggest you continue kissing me. You have a lot of making up to do.”
A growl erupts from Alex’s lips. Raising his hands, he grasps her cheeks and claims her lips again. Letting out a moan, her hands move down Alex’s chest, allowing her fingers to memorize the contours of his chest. His muscles ripple underneath her fingers. She moves her hands down his abs. She pushes her hands around his back and he leans into her.
He moves his hands down her neck, past her shoulders, to her breasts. Gently, he squeezes them, and she gasps against his lips. Moving away from her lips, he kisses her jawline, then just under her ear. Feeling his breath fan across her skin, she tilts her head slightly, another moan escaping.
Pulling her hands back from his chest, she pushes them around his neck. Alex glides his hands down to her waist, then back to her ass. He lifts her up, Lisa wrapping her legs around his waist. As they continue to kiss, her arms tighten around his neck and the heat grows between her thighs, his erection pressing hard against her.
Walking into her bedroom, Alex lays her down on the bed. His lips move down to her neck, then he grinds against her. Gasping, Lisa’s back arches slightly. “Oh, my god,” she whispers. Alex grins against her neck, then nibbles on her ear, his breath sending a shiver through her body. Bringing a hand down to her breast, he gently squeezes it, pinching her erect nipple through the material of her shirt.
“I love you,” he whispers to her. His lips move down her neck and his hands begins unbuttoning her top. Separating the material, he kisses down her chest, between her breasts. Her hands move up into his hair, her legs hugging around his body.
Her eyes watch Alex. When he meets her gaze, she says “I love you, too.” The blue in his irises glows softly. He smiles and moves back up, kissing her again. The kissing turns more aggressive and she whimpers when he grinds against her again.
Her hands press against his chest and he sits up. Her hands move over his skin. “I have too much on. Help me?” She bites her lip playfully.
Grasping one of her hands, he brings it to his lips and kisses the top of it. She lets out a giggle as he pulls her up. Grasping the hem of her shirt, he pulls it over her head, tossing it behind him. His eyes move over her body, appreciating the beauty that is Lisa. Reaching behind her, he unfastens her bra; like the top, he tosses it.
His hands grasp her bare breasts. She sighs and claims his lips. Pressing against her, Alex pushes her back down on the bed. Kissing down her neck to her chest, his lips move over her right breast, his tongue running circles over her hardened nipple. His hand pinches the other nipple gently and Lisa closes her eyes, moving her fingers into his hair. Holding up his body with his knees, he grabs both of Lisa’s arms and pushes them above her head again.
Looking up at her, Lisa catches his gaze. Her lips part and she whimpers, laying her head back. Moving to her other nipple, he pulls it into his mouth, sucking gently. Her legs tighten around his waist and he grinds against her. The heat between her thighs grows with his teasing. Kissing down her stomach, his hands move to her pants, unbuttoning them. He slips her sandals off her feet, then takes her pants and tugs them over her slender legs.
Gliding his hands up her legs, Lisa watches him with a grin on her lips, her hands grasping the bed above her head. Alex hooks his fingers on the outside of her panties and pulls them down. Tossing them to the floor, his eyes roam over her body, his hands moving up her legs. “You are absolutely the most beautiful creature I have ever laid my eyes upon.”
He stands up, removing his pants. Kicking them off, he grabs his boxers and pulls them down. Standing straight again, Lisa sits up and looks over his body, her eyes trailing down his sculpted chest and his amazing abs. She imagines putting ice cubs in her mouth and skimming them around the contours of his muscle. Her heart quickens and her eyes trail further down. Her brows rise at the sight of his erection. She looks back at him, her lips slightly parted.
Alex grins, raising his own brow. “You’re not scared, are you?”
Blinking, she laughs and shakes her head. “Absolutely not.” She reaches for him, taking his hands and pulling him towards her on the bed.
One knee on the bed and then the other, he hovers over her, looking down into her eyes. As he lowers himself, his erection rubs up against her, causing her to gasp. Pressing her lips to his, Lisa moves her legs around his torso and he grinds against her, causing her to moan.
Her hands move up Alex’s arms, stopping on his biceps. Her fingers grip against his muscles and her hips grind back against him. A whisper leaves her lips, “I love you."
“I love you,” he whispers back. Moving his hand down, Alex lifts his body just enough to run his hand down between them. Grasping his length, he presses it against her. The heat radiating from Lisa reaches him in a way he’s never felt.
Feeling the tip of his dick pressing against her, she whispers, “Please,” against his lips. His heart drums faster in his chest and he pushes inside of her. Gasping, she grips his arms tighter and moans. Their lips barely touching, she feels Alex’s breath fan across her face.
He pulls back and thrusts inside her again, his eyes watching her. She moans and closes her eyes, her back arches, pressing her body against him. He kisses along her jawline and his hand moves up her side, gliding from her waist up to her breast. Pinching her nipples, he brings his lips back to hers.
Her hands move down his arms, then around his back. When he pulls back, she opens her eyes and looks into his. She knows everything that’s happened has led them to this moment. He thrusts into her again, the sensation soliciting a moan from her that echoes throughout the bedroom.
He looks at her and grins, thrusting again. He receives the same response and grins wider. Lisa’s breath becomes ragged, her body coming alive with sensation. At this moment, heat builds up inside her, causing an explosion unlike anything she’s ever felt. Her hands reach above her head and grab the headboard. She moans louder as Alex thrusts faster, her orgasm causing her body to shake.
Suddenly, Alex yells out once, twice more. Slowing down, he pants for air, sweat beading on his forehead, chest, and back. As he looks down at her, she begins to relax underneath him. Bringing her legs down beside his, she looks up with a smile.
“Oh, my god, Alex.” Lisa shakes her head, and her smile widens until she laughs.
“I’m not sure I like it when you laugh after sex, Lisa.” Teasing her, he pulls out, then lays beside her, pulling her into his arms.
She laughs again and turns on her side, resting her head on his chest. Her arm moves across his chest and she sighs. “Trust me, I’m not laughing because of the sex. I’m beside myself and at a loss for any words to describe what we just did.”
His
arm wraps around her and he looks at her, creasing his brows. “That’s good, right?”
She looks up and nods. “Absolutely.” She reaches up and kisses him, then relaxes against his chest.
With a grin, he settles against the pillow, bringing his free arm up and placing his hand behind his head.
“Once we relax,” she said, “we can get up and go take a shower. Maybe do this again in there.”
Alex shifts his head and looks at her, winking. “How long until you’re relaxed?”
She laughs and hugs him to her. His arm tightens around her body and he kisses the top of her head.
Chapter 13
After taking a long shower, Alex and Lisa dress and venture into her kitchen for some food. He leans against the counter and watches her pull out sliced ham, cheese, mayonnaise, and mustard from the fridge. Looking over at him, she realizes she’s being watched. Smiling, she sets the items down, then turns to him; his black t-shirt from earlier appears slightly wrinkled from sitting on her floor.
Approaching him, Lisa runs her hands up and around his neck. Leaning into him, she asks, “What are you thinking about?”
He grins, his arms moving around her waist and his fingers pushing into the back pockets of her white shorts. Her yellow halter-top, tied up around her neck, provides Alex with exposure to her back, something he intends to take advantage of during their day together. “Just how sexy you look in this outfit.” He leans in and kisses her, lingering on her lips for a moment. “How much I love you.” He kisses her again. “How happy I am that I can love you without fear of persecution.”
She smiles against his lips. “I love you, too.” Considering what he’s said, she moves her fingers across his cheekbone and asks, “Alex, how does this work for you?”