He stood and swept her into his arms, stroking her hair and caressing her cheek, wiping the tears away.
“I love you, April.”
“I love you, Damian.”
He crushed his mouth to hers, and fire shot through her core. He pinned her against the wall with the weight of his body, and his essence filled her heart once more. He was inside her. A part of her. Swirling in her soul.
“I can feel you again.”
“You’re about to feel a lot more of me.” He worked her gown off her shoulders and nuzzled into her neck. He nipped and kissed her sensitive skin from her earlobe to her collarbone. Chill bumps rose on her skin, and her womb tightened with need. But the most miraculous sensation was in her soul.
“I mean in my heart. The hole is gone.”
His intoxicated gaze landed on hers, and he grinned. “That’s because we’ve given ourselves over to each other. We’ll have this connection forever now.”
And forever was exactly what she wanted. She slid her hands under his shirt and pulled it over his head. His sculpted body left her breathless. She’d never get over how beautiful he was.
The corner of his mouth pulled into a grin, and he worked her dress down her hips and let it fall to the floor. He inhaled deeply as his gaze traveled up and down her body, and his hands caressed her curves.
“You are truly the most beautiful creature in the universe.”
“And I’m all yours.” She popped the button on his jeans and pushed his clothing to the floor. His erection sprang out, and he moaned when she took it in her hand. “To have and to hold and make love to whenever you please.”
He lifted her up, and she wrapped her legs around his waist. His hardness pressed into her, making her wet with anticipation. Then, he dropped her on the bed and climbed on top of her.
His tongue brushed against hers, and the taste of him made her head spin. He belonged to her, and a wave of possessiveness washed over her. He was the one; she’d never let him go.
“You’re mine,” she whispered against his lips.
“Yes, ma’am.”
He trailed his tongue from the tip of her chin to the middle of her chest. Then he took a breast in his mouth, teasing her nipple with his tongue. He took the other between his thumb and forefinger, and he gently squeezed. Blissful sensations shot down to her hips, and she spread her legs to let him in.
He moved to tease her other breast, and using his hand as a guide, he rubbed against her, slipping his tip inside only to pull it out again. The anticipation drove her insane, and she lifted her hips to take him in deeper.
He took the hint and plunged inside. She moaned when he filled her, and her fingers dug into his shoulders as his hips began rocking. Tingling electricity throbbed in her womb and wound its way into her core like tendrils of ivy climbing a trellis. It reached her heart and cascaded down her arms and legs until her entire body pulsed with warmth. The feeling was intoxicating. Love and lust coming together in a beautiful union.
His rhythm increased as he gazed into her eyes, and she lost control. Wave after wave of orgasm rocked through her body, and she cried out in ecstasy. His hips pumped relentlessly, sending her over the edge again and again. He gripped her shoulders and buried his face in her hair when he came.
Breathless, she traced her fingers along his back and kissed his neck. When he raised his head, his eyes sparkled with his smile.
“I love you, April.”
“I love you too.”
“Say it again. I can’t get enough of that.”
She grinned. “I love you, Damian. I love you, I love you, I love you. And I will always love you. Forever.”
“Mmm…Sounds like Heaven to me.”
With their legs entwined, they lay face-to-face in his bed. Their bed. The idea of spending the rest of forever with him made her giddy with excitement. Nothing could bring her down from this high.
“Oh, no!” Except for losing her Charge. She searched for Daniel, opening her mind to feel him. To find him. But he was gone.
“What is it?”
“Daniel’s gone. I can’t feel him anymore.”
“Hmm...If you feel anything like I do right now, your own emotions might be overpowering his.”
“No. He’s definitely gone. I can’t sense him at all. Did Paul take him away from me? I thought you said I was still his Guardian.” Panic coursed through her veins. She couldn’t lose her Charge. Daniel was her responsibility. She was the one who cared about his life. She was the one who went through the agony of death to keep him from committing murder.
Damian must have seen the terror in her eyes, because he pulled her into his arms and called for Mira.
“Mira? Mira, we need you. It’s an emergency.”
“She can hear you?”
“She can hear everyone.”
April clutched the blanket to her chest and clung to Damian. When Mira appeared at the foot of the bed, she blushed.
“Oh, my goodness. I’d apologize for intruding, but you called me.”
“April can’t feel her Charge. Did Paul take him away?”
She looked at April and smiled warmly. “No worries, dear. It’s only temporary. But, this.” She gestured to the couple. “Do my eyes deceive me? Has Damian fallen in love with his Charge?”
His cheeks flushed with adorable color. “Well, technically she’s not my Charge anymore.”
Mira clapped her hands and rested her chin on her fingertips. “Oh, this is wonderful news!”
And it was, but a sickening feeling churned in April’s stomach at the thought of losing Daniel. “Wait a minute. What happened to my Charge?”
“Don’t worry. I’ll be taking care of him myself for now,” Mira said.
“Why?”
She smiled and winked at her. “Because every newlywed needs a honeymoon.”
Damian squeezed April tightly and kissed her on the cheek. “Thank you, Mira.”
“You’re very welcome. Now, if you don’t need anything else, I’ve got a wedding to plan.” With excitement in her eyes, she bowed her head and disappeared.
“So I’ve got you all to myself, with no interruptions?” She walked her fingers up his side and ran them through his hair.
“Mmm...whatever are you going to do with me?” He nuzzled her neck and nipped her earlobe.
“Oh, I’ve got some ideas.”
“Oh, really?”
“Uh-huh.”
“You know, now you can have your dream wedding. The dress, the flowers, everything you’ve ever wanted. You’d better go see Mira in the morning so she doesn’t take over the planning.”
She shook her head. “I don’t need all that.”
“Oh?”
“A wedding is one day out of thousands we’ll spend together. I’ll be happy with whatever Mira plans. I don’t need a fancy dress or an elaborate ceremony. As long as you’re there to meet me at the altar, that’s all that matters.”
“I’ll be there for you. Every day, for the rest of my existence.”
“Promise?”
“I promise.”
EPILOGUE
April wore a simple white slip dress and carried a single lavender tulip. The grassy meadow and sparkling lagoon provided a pristine backdrop for the ceremony. And though it seemed like every Angel in the Realm showed up for the celebration, it was a quaint and intimate gathering.
Arm in arm with her grandfather, she waltzed down the aisle to meet her husband. A crooked smile reached all the way to Damian’s eyes as he took her hand and pressed his lips to her fingers.
“You look stunning, April.” He’d traded his usual jeans and t-shirt for a crisp white suit and tie, and his normally tousled hair was combed back from his face.
She trailed her fingers down his cheek. “You look like a dream come true.”
He sucked in a shaky breath, and his eyes shimmered.
“Are you crying?” A lump formed in her throat.
“No, I just got some dust in my eyes.�
� He pulled her into a hug and kissed her forehead.
“Ahem.” Paul stepped in front of them. “You aren’t supposed to kiss her until after I pronounce you husband and wife.”
“Right. Sorry.” He slid his hands down her arms and laced his fingers through hers.
They said their vows, and in an eloquent speech, Paul pronounced them husband and wife and presented them to the audience. Hugs and congratulations poured after them.
Ella waved and danced toward them. April stepped away from Damian to give her friend a hug.
“I’m glad you finally cracked your nut,” Ella whispered.
“Me too.”
She grinned. “And I guess the inside is as sweet as you’d hoped?”
“And then some. He’s amazing. Thank you, Ella. For everything.”
Damian wrapped his arms around her from behind and pressed his lips to her cheek. “What are you ladies talking about?”
“You, of course,” Ella said. “Congratulations to both of you.”
Mira hugged them both and took April’s hands in hers. “Was the ceremony everything you wanted, dear?”
“It was perfect, Mira. Thank you.”
All she wanted—all she needed—was to be with Damian. The celebration was nice, but the prize whose hand was joined with hers was the most incredible of all.
April married the man of her dreams, and she’d get to spend the rest of forever in his arms. The most extravagant wedding in the world couldn’t compare to the way she felt for her Guardian Angel.
ALSO AVAILABLE
REAWAKENED
Jules Hume lives in a world where magic is a myth and supernatural creatures are fiction—or so she thinks. As a strong, independent woman, a relationship is the last thing she needs. Then she meets Ian Kincaid, a mysteriously sexy bachelor with otherworldly charm. She’s instantly enamored of him, drawn by an inexplicable magnetism. Ian awakens something magical inside her, opening her mind to things she never thought possible. Things that shouldn’t be possible. But Ian has secrets Jules is better off not knowing. The truth will tear her world apart, making her question everything she once knew to be real.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Carrie Pulkinen has always been fascinated with the paranormal. Of course, when you grow up next door to a cemetery, the dead (and the undead) are hard to ignore. Pair that with her passion for writing, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for an exciting storyteller.
Carrie spent the first part of her professional life as a high school journalism and yearbook teacher. She loves red wine and chocolate, and in her free time, she likes to read, take pictures, and spend time with her family.
Carrie invites you to connect with her online:
Website: www.CarriePulkinen.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/CarriePulkinen
Facebook: www.facebook.com/CarriePulkinen
The Rest of Forever: A Guardian Angel Paranormal Romance Page 23