by ML Guida
She met his intense gaze. “So, you’re here to punish me?”
He sheathed Judgment. “Only if you want me to.”
She knotted her eyebrows. “What does that mean? Don’t you have to follow Michael’s orders.”
“Of course.”
“So, did he—”
“No, he doesn’t want me to punish you. He expects us to mate.”
“Excuse me?”
“I’m fading, Cupid.
“Fading? What does that have to do with mating?”
He lifted her chin with his rough fingers. “You don’t know much about mating, do you?”
She broke away. “I’m not a virgin.”
He shrugged. “So, neither am I.”
“Yes, I’ve heard of your escapades.”
“I’ve not been with a woman for a long time.”
Was he playing some kind of seduction trick on her before he broke the bond? “Goodie for you. By the way, why not?”
“Ever since I knew who my angel-mate was.”
“Oh, you’ve not been with a woman for a whole two days. Such a sacrifice.”
“It’s been more than two days, Cupid. I’ve known you were my mate for awhile.”
“So, why the rush now?”
“Because I can’t fight it any more. I need you.”
His husky voice melted some of her wariness. “You’re hurt, Lethal. Who did this to you?”
“A demon.” His eyes darkened, and Judgment turned bright blue. “He won’t be strutting like a peacock anytime soon.”
Cupid shivered, not wanting to think about the violence. She hated fights. “We can talk more after you see Raphael.”
“Raphael can’t help me.”
“An archangel can’t heal you?”
“Once angels are mated, Raphael’s powers diminish. Only angel-mates can heal each other.”
“I know that, but there’s no way I am more powerful than Raphael.”
His good eye darkened. “You think I’m lying?”
“Well, no. I think you just misunderstand.”
He pulled her to him. “No, you’re the one who’s sadly mistaken.”
She struggled, but he kissed her and all misgivings edged away. This kiss was more intense than the last. He explored her mouth with his tongue with such intensity that she thought he’d discover the secrets of her soul. His spicy taste was stronger, and she couldn’t get enough of him, but there was a tang of something metallic. Blood? A spark formed in the middle of her chest, then goose bumps rushed over her in a flash.
He released her. “I need more.” He pushed her hair behind her ear. “So much more. Will you indulge me?”
Cupid grappled with her thoughts. His battered face tore at her heart. “Meaning?”
He nuzzled her neck. “Let me make love to you. I promise you won’t regret it.”
Only if she wanted a broken heart. “Lethal, this can’t be right. I don’t believe we are—”
“Yes, we are.” He moved his hands up her back and started to unzip her gown.
She skidded away. “Stop.”
“Please, don’t make me beg.”
“Lethal—”
“I’m fading, meaning I can’t protect you. Balthazar will find you. You have power he wants.”
“Are you insane? No, I don’t. I’m an Angel of Love. Why would he think that’s powerful?”
“I don’t know, but you have to trust me. I won’t let him hurt you, but I’m not strong enough to fight him. Not right now.” He gritted his teeth, and his cheek twitched.
Cupid’s mind raced. Were she and Lethal really destined to be together? Was she in danger?
“Are you telling me you don’t feel anything when we kiss?” He ran the back of his knuckles down her cheek, awakening chills of desire inside her.
“No, I can’t deny it.” She couldn’t squelch the flush rushing through her. Something she’d never experienced before.
“Our names are written in the Book of Love. Arrow or not, we’re destined to be together.”
“Do you think Gabriel was telling the truth?”
“Michael showed it to me. So, my little Valentine, what do you say to that?”
Cupid studied his face, trying to decipher if he believed the archangels. Manipulating the truth was their favorite game. This was moving too fast, but then, when she shot her arrows into the intended couples, they always ended up in a whirlwind wedding.
He bent down to kiss her again. She didn’t deny him. Even if he was fudging, she couldn’t stand seeing him so broken, not if she could do something about it. She’d been dreaming about this moment for a long time. Not just kissing him, but to see the man beneath the suit, to roam her hands over his naked skin.
She broke away from him.
Disappointment flared in his eyes.
She held up her hand and turned away. Before she lost her nerve, she quickly stripped out of her white gown. He hissed behind her. She prayed he wasn’t displeased about what he saw. She dove into the cool water. If she was really his mate, silver angel wings would have been branded below her nipple on her right breast, but there was nothing there. She swallowed back her disappointment. Forget it. He’d just been an amazing kisser, and she was about to find out if the rumors about him were true.
She swam the length of the pond, stretching her arms and kicking her legs, afraid to look at him. Tension bunched up in her muscles. She burst out of the water and shook her hair.
“You’re a sexy mermaid.”
Cupid crossed her arms over her breasts and spun around, dipping lower into the water.
Lethal stood on her rock next to her discarded clothes. He had a smirk on his handsome, bruised face, and his wings were spread out.
“What are you doing?”
He shrugged. “Watching you.”
She lowered her gaze. “Are you disappointed?”
“No. I’ve wanted you since the first time I saw you.”
“You did?”
“We’re angel-mates, remember?”
She dipped lower into the water. “You keep saying that, but I don’t have a mark. It has to be mistake. There has a way to break it and then you can be free to find someone who meets your standards.”
She wished she’d kept the hurt out of her voice, but when the guy you think is the hottest man candy in heaven thinks you’re a lowlife, it’s not easy.
“I never said you didn’t meet my standards, Ariel.” He smiled.
Bugger, he’d already forgotten her name. “My name happens to be Cupid.”
“I know, but you remind me of Ariel, except she wore seashells to cover her breasts. Yours are lovely naked.”
Heat washed over her from her cheeks to her curled-up toes. She couldn’t believe this was happening. How many times had she pictured him joining her on this very spot? “Are you going to get undressed?”
“Anxious, are you?” He unbuckled his belt and placed Judgment on a nearby rock. “I wouldn’t want to keep you waiting.” He struggled to pull off his torn jacket.
“Do you need help?”
“No.”
Stubborn man.
The muscle in his cheek tremored and his face paled as he wiggled out of the jacket.
She rolled her eyes. He needed help whether he’d admit it or not. Wishing she hadn’t been so impetuous, she swam over to him. Dried blood coated his shoulder. She flew out of the water and landed next to him.
“What are you doing, minx?”
“You said you needed my help to heal you, so let me help.” Not waiting for him to argue, she unbuttoned his shirt, her fingers trembling.
He moved his hand down her back.
She shivered. “Stop. Let me heal you.”
“As you command,” he said.
She gently tugged the shirt and gasped at the bruises and cuts on his body. “Oh, Lethal.”
“I’ve had worse.”
“But Raphael always healed you.”
He glanced over his shoulde
r. “Now, you will.” Passion flashed in his glowing eyes.
Despite a cool breeze, Cupid burst into hot sweat. Her heart beat harder and harder, sending desire whistling through her veins. All because of the incredible specimen she was undressing. She couldn’t help but admire the glorious bulk of solid muscle that strained and flexed with the simple movement of shifting out of his torn shirt.
“Do you need help getting out of your pants?”
A wicked smile flashed across his face. “Yes.”
His voice was husky and soft.
This was stupid and foolish, and she’d probably get her heart broken. Or would she? Gabriel wouldn’t lie about the Book of Love. It was sacred. He valued love above everything and would never toss it around needlessly. “I thought you were resisting me. You seemed to be able to do it quite well.”
“That’s before I was wounded and wanted to see you naked.”
She squirmed underneath his watchful gaze. “You liked what you saw?” She unbuttoned his pants and slid them down his powerful thighs, pretending not to notice his erection.
He put one hand on her shoulder to steady himself. “Ever since I saw you come into the Grand Ball room on Christmas wearing a green gown instead of red.” He laughed. “Gabriel was furious, but I couldn’t take my eyes off you.”
She liked the way he laughed; it was like a smoldering thunder. She frowned. That had been another trick Venus had played on her—switching her gowns. “I thought I was wearing red.”
“You’re colorblind. I know.”
“You do? I’ve kept that secret for so long.”
“I have secrets of my own.”
“That’s not surprising. You’re an Angel of Death.”
“True. When you blush, you turn the prettiest shade of crimson, like you are now. Your cat eyes were huge that night, but you didn’t shrink. You faced Gabriel’s wrath without bursting into tears. Then you sang. Your voice was sweeter than a nightingale’s.”
She looked up at him. “You liked my singing?”
“Yes.” He stepped out of his pants and held his hand out to pull her to her feet. “Your song awakened something inside me. I’ve memorized every line on your face, starting with your expressive eyes, your perky nose, your pouting lips. I know without a doubt that you are my angel-mate.”
His throaty voice sent a need racing through her. She hung on his every word. This was a dream. How could an Angel of Death be interested in her?
As if reading her mind, he held her gaze. “And now, I’m going to take what is rightfully mine.”
He wasn’t kidding. Lord Almighty, his aroused cock was huge.
She hadn’t been with anyone for awhile. Sex hadn’t excited her. All her friends told her when she made love with her mate all her arousal would open.
“Let’s go into the pond, little mermaid.”
He led her into the cool water. The flood gates of desire opened up for Cupid. Electric, dazzling, and crackling tingles sizzled through her.
“Are you sure you can do this?”
“Try and stop me.” He kissed her hard, wrapping his arm around her waist, pinning her to his massive chest. She barely came up to his nipples.
Every pore, every nerve in her body craved him. She’d dreamed of him running his hands over her body, discovering every sensitive nerve, his hot mouth tasting her. She’d fantasized about him pumping his cock inside her. Was this really happening, or would she wake up disappointed yet again?
He stopped kissing her and pushed a wet strand of hair off her face. “Yes, it’s really happening.” He rested his palms on her shoulders.
He lowered his head down. He had the longest eyelashes, but it was his parted mouth and warm breath that sent her heart pounding faster than a hummingbird’s. He kissed her. She indulged in his spicy taste, never wanting to forget this moment. Their kisses built inside her, no, inside both of them. She could feel it. Whatever it was that was between them was far more powerful than either of them.
The breath rushed out of her lungs, and the only thing that mattered was him. His arousal pushed against her thigh. Both trepidation and excitement flowed through her. Wetness formed between her thighs, and she did want him, wanted him rutting between her legs.
She gave into temptation and put her hands on his sleek chest and moved her palms across his rippling chest, careful not to hurt him. Sinew moved beneath her palms, and she flattened her breasts against him as she explored the tension in his shoulders. Molten heat ignited between them, setting their hearts thumping frantically.
He moved his palm to the nape of her neck. His fingers were warm and tender as he held her close, almost as if he was afraid she’d try and escape. He lowered his head, planting kisses down her throat. He moved his hands to her lower back as he gently held her, keeping her from sinking into the pool. He took her nipple into his wicked, hot, mouth and suckled her. She shuddered and held his head to her breast, her fingers running through his silky hair. Stark pleasure pulsed through her.
It was wonderful, totally unexpected, and hot.
“Lethal,” she said, her voice heavy with need. “I want...I want...”
“This,” he said as he parted her quivering thighs with his hand and stroked her feminine folds, eliciting a small shriek.
He stopped. “Are you all right?”
“Yes, yes, don’t stop.”
“Ah, my little love angel.” He inserted his finger deeper and deeper into her body. “Your heat is wet with liquid fire. I want to plunge inside you. Do you want me to?”
She nodded, unable to talk.
“But first, I want to taste you.”
Before she could answer, he lifted her out of the water. His ashen face tightened and he bit his lip tight.
She slipped through his fingers and splashed into the water, sloshing droplets onto his hard chest.
“Damn it,” he said.
Heat flushed over her cheeks. “I’m sorry. I know I’m too heavy.”
He put his finger on her trembling lip. “Don’t. I dropped you because of my battle earlier. It has nothing to do with you. You’re perfect. I want to taste your perfection.”
A tremor of excitement rushed down her spine. “What do you want to do?”
He clasped her hand and led her to a rock that the waterfall splashed over. “Climb up.”
Unsure what he wanted, she did as he asked. The beads of water splashed onto her back, sending shivers through her body. “Why did you want me to do this? It’s so cold.”
His gaze flickered over her naked body, and warmth spread over her.
“I love this color on you. Don’t worry.” A devilish glint flashed in his eyes. “I’ll keep you warm.”
She thought he was going to take her there, but instead, he widened her thighs, draping each leg over his shoulders. He licked and kissed her mound, his thumb caressing her clit. She never wanted him to stop, wanted to shatter into a zillion million pieces. Between his velvet tongue delving deep inside her and the cold water pelting on her hot flesh, the pleasure bordered on sweet agony. He was voracious, sweeping her over the edge ruthlessly as her body twisted and bucked beneath him. She’d never experienced an orgasm, but she came not once, not twice, but three times.
He rose. “Put your hands on my shoulders.”
Still shuddering, she did as he ordered. He cupped her ass, then lifted her up and slid his cock into her slick heat. She wrapped her legs around his hips, locking her ankles. She could feel him stretching her, waiting for her muscles to accommodate him. Instinctively, she moved her hips, setting a slow tempo. But as her need increased, she dug her fingers into his muscle, and he moved his hips. Their tempo increased, slamming hips together, the intensity stealing her breath, sending her tumbling into another orgasm.
Lethal arched his back. In a loud voice, he said, “I claim you as my angel-mate.”
His words sent her spinning out of control. He came, spilling his hot warm seed into her body.
White light slid arou
nd them. Cupid arched her back, and a burning sensation sizzled beneath her right nipple. Oh, Lordy, it happened. She glanced down. Her hair plastered against her body, but she could see a pair of white wings had been tattooed on her skin. She raised her head. Lethal had a matching pair. The deep gash on his shoulder healed as if a pencil erased the wound. His cut lip slowly disappeared, and the bruises faded on his face. He stared at her with two unblemished eyes. She couldn’t believe it. It was true. She’d healed him.
He clasped her chin and stared into her eyes. Possession flickered in his gaze. “You now belong to me. Forever and always.”
Happiness soared inside her. Tingles swept over her. The love buried inside her pumped through her veins. She clung to him, afraid to lose him. She wanted to tell him how she felt, but was too scared to utter those words. She panted as little tingles shot through her, and he steadily rocked his hips, pushing his cock deeper. She could remain connected with him for eternity, but she wanted him to love her, not to be bound to her because of the arrow. “How do I know if this is real? And it wasn’t the arrow?”
“It doesn’t matter. It’s real. You’re mine, mine to protect.”
She leaned her head against his chest, listening to his heart beat as hard as hers. They were mated. It couldn’t be undone, but he hadn’t said the binding words of love. Something she’d desperately wanted to hear from him.
“I went to see Saint Peter.”
She liked how his chest rumbled when he talked. She looked up. “And?”
“You’re not to go to Earth again.”
She blinked. “Excuse me?”
“You’ve been assigned to the Angels of Destiny. You’ll be sending souls to the new babies, which can be done from here.”
The blood drained from her face. All the glorious love making she’d just experienced crumpled up and shot into the wastebasket. Tears welled in her eyes. “I’m fired?”
He caressed her face. “No, you’re re-assigned.”
“I don’t want to be re-assigned.” She untangled her legs from his hips, his cock slipping out of her slick core. She backed up and folded her arms across her chest. “I don’t have a choice?” Her voice cracked.
He turned his head, grumbling.
She splashed her fist into the water. “So, do I?”