The Rest of Forever: A Guardian Angel Paranormal Romance

by Carrie Pulkinen

  His gaze drifted behind her as he pulled away and started to roll onto his back, but she grasped his hand and clutched it to her chest. “Stay here. With me.”

  He inhaled an unsteady breath and nodded. “Juliet kept crossing over to spend time with Catherine’s husband. Comforting him, according to her. I should’ve been suspicious at that point; Catherine’s husband had a Keeper to comfort him. But I was too blind to see the warning signs. A few weeks later, Juliet Fell to be with him.”

  “Oh, Damian. That’s awful. I’m so sorry you had to go through that.”

  He squeezed his eyes shut and shook his head. “It gets worse. She was pregnant. We were going to have a baby, and she Fell.” Tears of pain filled his eyes, spilling over onto his cheeks. “The baby Fell with her.” His voice came out a raspy whisper. “He didn’t survive.”

  Tears welled in her own eyes, and she wrapped her arms around him, pulling him close. The agony he must have been going through all these years. Her core ached with his pain. She couldn’t imagine the torment he felt to lay out his emotions like that. Words could never soothe his pain, so she said the only thing she could.

  “I’m so sorry.”

  “She left me, April. She left me, and she killed my child.” He snuggled into her embrace, and she held him as her heart broke for him.

  No wonder he always seemed to be on an emotional roller coaster. Juliet had taken so much from him. She’d made a hole in his heart April was determined to fill. This man had been there for her her entire life. Now it was her turn to be there for him. To take care of him. He was so still, she thought he’d fallen asleep. But he finally lifted his head and looked into her eyes.

  “I’m okay. Thanks for listening. I just wanted you to know that, so you might understand why I acted the way I did. It’s no excuse, but it is the reason.” He trailed his fingers down her cheek and took her hand in his. “I’m scared. I’m afraid to get close to you, because I can’t go through that again. I can’t lose you.”

  “I’m not going anywhere. I promise.” Her heart filled with so much joy she thought it would explode in her chest. Damian wanted her, and nothing else in the world mattered.

  He smiled and brushed her lips with his. “Good. I…uh.” A rosy blush crept up his cheeks. “I haven’t been with another woman since.”

  “You haven’t?”

  “It’s been more than six hundred years.”

  “Not even to...”

  “You’re the first.”

  Her heart flip flopped in her breast. Surely he’d had plenty of opportunity; the man was gorgeous. But he’d built a fortress around his heart to guard himself from the pain. And she had broken down his walls. He’d certainly been a tough nut to crack, but she had peeled away his rough exterior and found the sweetness in the center. A sweetness she wanted to savor for the rest of her life.

  She put on her best seductive smile and climbed on top of him, admiring his perfectly cut muscles that looked as if they were carved from stone. She ran her hands up the ripples of his abs and across his muscular shoulders.

  Bending down to nuzzle his neck, she nipped his earlobe before whispering in his ear. “Well, then. Let me show you what you’ve been missing.”

  She inhaled deeply as she trailed her tongue down his chest, stopping to admire the halo and crescent moon that glowed softly over his heart. The image felt smooth as she traced her finger over the pale blue design, and it pulsed dimly in reaction to her touch. “I didn’t have this mark when I was alive.”

  He ran his fingertips across her shoulder where her own crescent moon lay. “Not on your Earthly body, but it’s always been in your soul.”

  His gaze caught hers, deep with desire, and she lowered her head to press her lips against his mark. She could feel his heart pounding through his chest as she continued kissing her way down his body, stopping just below his navel. When she gripped his length, he let out a hiss, his hardness growing in her hand. He fisted the sheets and moaned as she stroked his shaft. She showered him in pleasure and relished every second of it. He was the one; she was sure of it. And she wanted nothing more than to make him happy.

  Moisture beaded on his tip, and when she flicked out her tongue to taste him, he gasped. She reveled in the way his body reacted to her touch, the ease at which she could please him. When she took him in her mouth, he moaned. His hips rocked to her rhythm as she pushed him closer to the edge. His sighs of pleasure enthralled her, making warmth pool in her core. She released him, and he groaned as she trailed her tongue up his body.

  “I need to be inside you. Right now.” His deep masculine voice was rough, raw.

  His urgency aroused her, and she couldn’t deny him. She raised her hips, guided him with her hand, and shuddered as he filled her. Leaning down, she pressed her lips against his forehead and held his gaze as she rocked her hips. Faces close, fingers entwined, they moved to the raw rhythm of love as her climax knotted inside her.

  He sat up and crushed his mouth to hers as she slid up and down on his thick cock. He filled her fully, and electricity buzzed and tightened her womb. She cried out when her orgasm ripped through her body, just as he found his own release.

  They fell to the bed together, panting, and he traced his fingers across her back.

  “You’re incredible, April.”

  “You’re not so bad yourself.”

  She slid to her side and draped a leg across him. This was what love felt like. She wanted to tell him she was his forever. That she didn’t know love until this moment, and he was the only one for her.

  But she’d wait. She’d rushed into relationships far too many times, and the guy would only say the words because she did. When Damian told her he loved her, she wanted it to be for real.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  In the warmth of April’s embrace, Damian slept more soundly than he ever had. Though the sunlight filtering in through the sheer lavender drapes roused him from his Slumber, April still slept peacefully on his shoulder.

  He watched her hand on his chest, rising and falling with each breath he took. She was stunning; her lips curved into a slight smile, and her complexion glowed like an Angel.

  A wave of possessiveness filled him. This was it. He was going to tell her he loved her. Ask her to be his forever. As soon as she woke up.

  Anticipation built in his limbs, and he couldn’t stay still any longer. He carefully slipped out of April’s embrace, trying not to wake her. But his elbow knocked the bedside table, and something heavy and metal crashed to the floor.

  April woke with a start and smiled at him. “Oh! Hi.”

  He couldn’t help but smile back at her sleepy expression. “Good morning.”

  “Mmm...where are you going?”

  “Nowhere. I knocked something over; let me pick it up.” He leaned over the side of the bed to find the culpable object and froze. He’d forgotten about April’s token from her visit to Jared. He swung his legs over the side of the bed and picked up the frame. As he stared at the photo of the supposedly happy couple, he realized her heart wasn’t free for her to give.

  How could he be so stupid? Making love to her was reckless, and he deserved the heartache that would come from it. He should’ve known better.

  April slid her arms around his chest and kissed the back of his neck. How could she do this with him when she was still in love with Jared?

  “How long ago was this taken?”

  She rested her chin on his shoulder and slid her hands down to his thighs. “About seven months ago, I guess. In the summer. But, it’s not what you think.”

  “Really?” He laid the picture on the table. “What is it then? Why’d you bring this into our home?”

  Our home. That’s how he thought of it. He had since the day she moved in. But now he knew his vision of them sharing a life together would never be. Sorrow pressed against his chest like a weight.

  She sighed and sat beside him, wrapping her arms around his shoulders. “I took it because I neede
d a reminder that—”

  “A reminder? Why on Earth would you want to remember a sorry excuse for a man like that?”

  “No. Not to remember him. I wanted...”

  Damian shot off the bed and stormed to the middle of the room. Dressed in his usual jeans and white T-shirt, he turned to her and said, “You know what? It doesn’t matter. None of this matters. How can you be with me like this when you’re still in love with him?”

  She clutched the blanket to her chest and rose onto her knees. “I don’t love him. I don’t think I ever did. But if you want to talk about someone who can’t let go of the past, how about you? I held you last night while you cried over a loss you experienced how many years ago?”

  “Six hundred and fifty-three.”

  “Do you hear yourself, Damian? In nearly seven hundred years you haven’t worked through the pain. How can you be with me when you’re still hung up on her?”

  He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. How dare she compare her shallow relationship to the years of torture he’d endured? He’d lost a child, and he’d never forgive Juliet for that. He’d never forgive himself.

  “This was a mistake. We never should have done this.”

  She stumbled off the bed, still clutching the blanket to her chest. “Damian, wait. What we did last night was...”

  “An unfortunate accident. It won’t happen again.”

  When the tears spilled down her cheeks, he couldn’t bear to look at her. He had to get out of there fast, so he Jumped to his hill to wallow in his own self-pity.

  * * *

  The next two days went by in a fog; Damian ignored her completely. She checked in on Daniel occasionally, but he was as good as could be expected. Who knew the life of a Guardian Angel could be so boring?

  Of course, the only reason it was boring was because she missed Damian so badly. That man could be so stubborn. She’d tried again and again to tell him she wasn’t in love with Jared, but he wouldn’t listen. And now he wouldn’t talk to her at all. She almost wished something would happen with their Charge, so he’d be forced to speak to her.

  At least she’d gotten to know more of the Angels. She’d spent a good portion of the day hanging out with them at the lagoon. She lay on her stomach on a rock, watching the waterfall where her encounter with Damian occurred. What she wouldn’t have given to be in that cave with him right then.

  “Come on, April. We’re going to play water volleyball.” Ella squealed when a man goosed her from behind. “Come have some fun.”

  “That’s okay. I’ll have fun watching.”

  Ella climbed onto the rock and sat next to April, her wet hair raining droplets on them both. “I’m worried about you, sister. What’s going on?”

  April shrugged and rested her chin on the rock. “I just miss him.”

  “He’s still not talking to you?”

  “Not at all.”

  “Well, there’s no sense in making yourself miserable. He can’t ignore you forever, and you might as well have a little fun while he’s being hardheaded.”

  April turned her head toward her friend and rested her cheek on her hand. “I’m okay. Really. Go play volleyball and have some fun for me.”

  “Suit yourself, girl. But the invitation’s open whenever you decide to join us.”

  “Thanks, Ella.”

  She tried to talk herself into getting out there and playing, but her mind kept drifting back to the cave. To their night in her bedroom. The way his chiseled body felt pressed against hers. Ella was right; he couldn’t ignore her forever. And when he finally decided to listen, she’d tell him just how she felt.

  When the sun began to set, the game ended and most of the Angels ventured back to their houses. She said goodbye to Ella and strolled back home. The evening air caressed her skin, reminding her of Damian’s gentle touch. Roses bloomed on a nearby bush, their romantic fragrance filling the air.

  The whole situation was ridiculous. A simple misunderstanding. If he would just listen to her, they could work things out. And she was going to make him listen tonight.

  She marched home with purpose now. He was there in his bedroom; she could sense him. She walked into the living room and changed into a slinky, white satin dress. If she couldn’t appeal to his mind, maybe his body would listen.

  She tiptoed across the room and hesitated by his door. Could she handle the rejection if he still refused her? It couldn’t be any worse than what she was going through now. She tapped on the door and waited for him to answer.

  Nothing.

  She knocked again and waited. Still nothing. She knocked a third time, and her persistence paid off. With an annoyed look on his face, Damian opened the door, but his breath caught when he saw her. His eyes traveled up and down her body, and he gulped.

  “We need to talk.”

  Without saying a word, he pushed the door open, allowing her to step inside. She’d expected a bare, white space; his bedroom was anything but. Hunter green walls encircled dark mahogany furniture and a king-size bed. Varying hues of green made up the duvet and matching curtains. A large mirror with a heavy wooden frame hung on one wall, and a painting of the meadow hung above the headboard.

  She spun around to meet his gaze, expecting to see anger and resentment in his eyes. Instead she saw hurt, confusion, frustration.

  “Listen, Damian. This is all a misunderstanding. I’m not in love with Jared. I’m...” Adrenaline spiked in her blood, and she gasped. “Oh, no. Daniel.”

  “I feel it too. Let’s go.”

  They jumped to The In-Between, to the parking lot of a seedy bar. Angels gathered around a group of men beating the tar out of Daniel. A frail, blonde woman stood off to the side, screaming at the men to stop.

  “What’s going on?” Damian called to a Keeper.

  “We have to help him.” April didn’t wait for an answer. She crossed over behind the crowd and tore into the man holding Daniel. She knocked his legs out from under him, and he hit the ground cursing. She pushed Daniel out of the way, but he froze, staring at April in wonder.

  “It’s you. I thought I dreamed you.”

  “Well, you didn’t. And now I’m here to tell you to get the hell out of this place. Run!” She gave him another push, and he grabbed the blonde woman’s hand and took off. Her smile only lasted a second. A man grabbed her from behind and threw her to the ground.

  “Oh. Look, guys. A little girl wants to fight.” He spat at her and knelt down, pressing her shoulders into the ground. “Or maybe you’re here for something else. That’s a pretty dress.” His breath reeked of beer and cigarettes. What was it about drunken men thinking they could force themselves on her?

  “Leave Daniel alone,” she said through clenched teeth.

  “Me? He’s the one who came in here accusing me of murder. I didn’t kill his wife. That bitch that was with him did.”

  Before April had time to formulate a response, Damian tackled the man. The other men stared with open mouths and wide eyes. Damian had appeared to come out of nowhere. He grabbed the assaulter by the collar of his shirt and relentlessly pounded the guy’s face until April grabbed his arm.

  “That’s enough, Damian.”

  He released his hold on the man’s shirt and backed away. The guy and all of his buddies ran off, spouting curses at them as they fled.

  “Are you hurt?” He brushed the hair out of her face and checked her skin for bruises. The worry in his eyes turned to relief when he found no injuries.

  “I’m fine. What about you?”

  “I’m good. C’mon. Let’s get out of here.” He took her hand, and they crossed back to The In-Between.

  The woman’s Keeper was waiting for them.

  April didn’t bother with introductions; she pelted the Angel with questions. “Is what he said true? Did that woman kill Daniel’s wife?”

  “I’m afraid so.”

  “Who is she?”

  The Angel sighed and looked at her feet. “Her name is Jenny. She�
��s his wife’s sister. I tried to stop her.”

  Damian put his hand on the Keeper’s shoulder. “It’s okay. You tried your best.”

  “Thank you. I’m trying to convince her to confess, but she’s stubborn.”

  “Okay. We’ll take it from here.” And April knew just how she’d handle it.

  The Angel smiled sadly and disappeared.

  “He has to know the truth. I’m going to tell him.”

  “No, you’re not, April. It’s not our place to tell him. Don’t you think you’ve overstepped your boundaries enough with this guy?”

  “My boundaries? I’m sorry. I didn’t realize saving someone’s life was against the rules.”

  Damian raked his hand through his hair and blew out an exasperated breath. “C’mon. You know what I’m talking about. Saving his life is one thing. But charging in with no plan, without knowing all the facts? That’s reckless, and it’s going to get you killed again.”

  She put her hands on her hips. “So what? If it’s for his benefit, who cares if I die? I’ll come back to life.”

  “You’d go through all that pain? Sacrifice yourself again and again to help your Charge?”

  “Of course I would.” Without a second a thought. Wasn’t that what Guardian Angels did? Wasn’t that her purpose?

  He smiled and stared at her for a moment. “Okay, just promise you won’t tell him tonight. Go home and sleep on it. And if you still want to tell him tomorrow, I won’t try to stop you.”

  “That’s a compromise I can live with. But I do want to check on him. Wanna come?”

  His smile widened, and he reached for her hand. “Yeah. I do.”

  * * *

  Daniel sat on the sofa in his living room with Jenny’s arms wrapped around him. Damian’s blood boiled. “How could someone kill her own sister? It’s despicable.”

  “That it is.” April clutched his arm and shook her head.

  “Why do you think she did it?”

  “Isn’t it obvious? Look at them. She’s in love with him. Or at least infatuated.”