by Jakz, Nikita
To hide her dreamy sentiments, she sniffed indignantly and took a sip of her wine, eyeing him over the glass’s rim. Finally she shifted atop her pillow. “Alright, I must admit, you have my curiosity piqued. I must know. How do you wield such magic? Are you a wizard?”
She frowned as he grimaced visibly. Was suggesting him a male witch offensive? “Hell no, I'm not a wizard,” he grunted before shrugging. “Maybe I was just such a handsome specimen that the powers that be said, ‘Oh look, let’s make him extra special.’” He smirked, taking another bite. Sera couldn’t help laughing, nor could she resist lobbing another piece of food at him. “Sera,” he laughed, dodging the second projectile, “food is meant to be eaten, not thrown at my head.”
She froze as he picked up a grape and tossed it her way. It hit her chest, then fell down the front of her shirt. She yelped, then scowled as Cole laughed, sitting back in clear satisfaction to watch her retrieve it from her cleavage. Shameless male!
Once the grape was extricated, Sera raised a brow, refusing to be deterred off subject. “While your explanation is amusing, I am afraid it will not suffice in sating my intrigue.” An impish grin emerged. “If I am able to make this morsel land inside your mouth, you will tell me the truth. If I am unable, you can ask a truth of me. Do we have a deal, handsome male of curious talent?”
Cole shook his head with a chuckle. “I'm not letting you play hoops with my mouth, Sera. I am what I am; special with a twist.” With one last bite, he set down his fork and wiped his mouth. As he watched her bouncing the grape in her hand, he couldn’t help wondering what was going through her active mind now. Had she accepted his less-than-forthcoming summation? In all honesty, he wasn't sure she'd believe him even if he did tell her the truth. He remained silent as Sera nibbled her lip. Most likely she was debating the next tactic to use to get him to divulge more about his ‘specialness.’
She eyed him.
He eyed her back.
She grinned.
He grinned back.
War of the wills, he drawled to himself, how nice.
She suddenly laughed and shook her head. “Do not play games with me, Cole, or I will have no choice but to think you afraid to tell me your little secret.” He watched her shift closer. “Are you a closet gypsy of some sort?” A fresh smile played on her lips. “I bet you are. And I will tell you now, before you open those plump, perfect lips of yours, that as an angel I can smell deceit. So do not even bother with falsities.” Amused at her antics, Cole grinned. His little seraph thought herself so clever. She beamed at him brightly, crossing her arms. “Well?” she prompted. “Out with it, terrified gypsy man.”
Cole leaned back on his elbows. “Have I told a lie yet, little angel? Like I said before, I'm just a special person, not a gypsy vagabond.” Her dubious expression made him laugh. Shaking his head, he decided to disclose a bit more. “I was born like all people. I just turned out a little different when I finally grew up.”
He inclined back further, hands clasped behind his head, ankles crossed without a care. In reality, he was very much aware that if Sera ever found out what he truly was, she'd probably run screaming, just like she'd done a hundred years before.
Her face turned frustrated. Cole lifted a brow as she suddenly put down her fork and crawled around the table toward him. She smiled at him sweetly, then sat on her heels at his side.
His gaze dropped down, watching her fingers pluck random little pillow fuzzies off the surface of his shirt. “‘All people’ does not include you, Cole,” she murmured. “You are indeed special. I will certainly give you that. But you are also something else; something that you clearly have reservations revealing to me.”
She tilted her head and sighed, the sight causing Cole’s heart to thud in his chest. “If I am really your mate, your love, like you claim,” she went on, “then why do you keep such information from me? I am not a simpleton. I recognize powerful energy, just as all angels do.”
Cole’s eyes lifted. A genuine frown was curving her lips. “Should I assume that this ‘relationship’ we once had was imbalanced?” she asked. “Did you frequently keep things from me?” Cole tensed, seeing where she was going. She sat up straight and stiffly crossed her arms. “Because if that is the case then…” she shrugged sadly, starting to turn from him, “then I fear the future for us is rather bleak indeed.”
Cole scowled, grabbing her arm. “I’ve never lied to you, Sera. You did know what I was before, but...” he rubbed his face, “I’m not lying to you now and I didn't lie to you then.”
With a snap of his fingers, he returned the living room to its previous state and swiftly got to his feet. He needed to escape her accusing eyes. Long strides took him down the hallway as another finger snap dropped the shutters on every window in the house. He didn’t want Sera getting any bright ideas while he was busy hiding.
Inside his bedroom, he yanked off his shirt and tossed it aside. He was beyond aggravated, but more at himself than anything. He threw his shoes hard enough to leave two gaping holes in the wall.
A small sound emitted, dragging his attention to the door. Sera stood there, watching him quietly. “Just drop it, Sera,” he grumbled, stalking into the bathroom and slamming the door.
Back in the bedroom’s doorway, Sera frowned. She hadn't meant to ruin their lovely dinner with her intrusive questions. But in her own defense, her questions were valid. She had a right to know what he was, did she not? She chewed anxiously on her thumbnail, then walked to the bathroom door. As she stared at it morosely, she listened to the activity – or lack thereof - on the other side. What was he doing? Was he ok? She splayed her hands on the wood and leaned her forehead against it. Softly, she apologized. “Cole? I am sorry. I did not mean to upset you.”
The muted sound of his breathing ceased. Sera blinked, her brows dipping. A ripe curse resounded as Cole abruptly yanked open the door. She stumbled into him with a yelp. But to her surprise, her caught her and pulled her into his arms.
“I'm the one that's sorry,” he murmured, hugging her tight. “I'm acting like an ass. I just-” he cleared his throat, swallowing audibly, “I just don't-” a groan left his lips as he buried his head into her shoulder. Despite their predicament, Sera’s heart went out to him. She could tell he was struggling, trying desperately to get out the words he knew she needed to hear. She had a strange, foreboding feeling that he was afraid of losing her. “Just accept me for who I am,” he beseeched, “right now in this moment.” His voice was so low; she could barely hear his plea.
She frowned in compassion, her small hands rubbing his back. “Do not worry, sweet male,” she whispered. “I am already aware that you are an abductor. How much worse could you possibly be?” She laughed softly, trying to lift his spirits. But he merely buried his face in her hair. She went on with a sigh. “Behold, Cole. Do I not still remain?” Her fingers slid gently into his hair. “I assure you, I am very crafty and very clever. If I had strong reservations about you, I would be long gone by now.”
He groaned a second time. She pulled back and looked intently into his eyes, her own need for the truth still riding her hard. “Be honest with yourself, Cole, if not with me. What is worse: revealing your secret and in turn freeing your soul from its burden, or keeping it held deep within, to fester, inevitably driving a wedge between you and all those you hold dear?” He shook his head, wary apprehension churning in his eyes. Her heart stumbled at the sight. Before she could think better of it, she whispered tenderly, “I am Seraph, I fear little. And I do not fear you. No matter what you are. Tell me, and I give you my word, I will not run.” She blinked slowly up at him, her eyes drifting to his lips. “Tell me. Let the truth set you free, sweet beautiful male.”
Cole pulled her so tight to his body that he heard her squeak. Deep inside, he believed what she said. She may not know his origins, but he was very much aware of hers; an angel, incapable of lying. If she gave her word, she would keep it. He drew in a deep, fortifying breath. It was n
ow or never. “I'm a demon, Seraphina,” he gritted between clenched teeth.
In his arms, she stiffened. He winced, dread coiling in his gut as he waited for the fallout. But then she relaxed, a tiny giggle escaping her lips.
Cole pulled back and frowned. “What's so funny?” Her shoulders shook, her hand covering her mouth as her eyes twinkled in amusement. “I'm not lying,” he growled. “I'm telling you the truth.” To his frustration, she laughed, giving him a dramatic look of suspicion. He threw up his hands in complete exasperation. “I give up. You win.”
Having moved from the doorway, he paced his bedroom, muttering under his breath. “I tell her I’m special. What does she do? She thinks I’m lying. I tell her I'm a demon. What does she do? She laughs. What the hell?”
Behind him, Sera cleared the laughter from her throat. He turned to scowl at her, but her expression had him instantly stilling. She was looking at him as if she found him utterly adorable. His fists clenched as another dark curse ripped free. As he resumed his marching around the room, he knew frustration was obvious in his every jerky step, but he was beyond the point of caring.
He glared over at Sera, her valiant attempt to keep a straight face less-than-valiant. He snarled, watching her climb atop his bed. She plopped down on her stomach and propped her chin in her hands. He turned away, but could feel her watching his every step as he continued to wear down the rug. Back and forth he went. All the while, he could feel her lips twitching impishly.
Finally he turned and leveled her with a look. Sera burst out laughing. “Oh come now, Cole. You don’t really expect me to believe you are a big, bad, nasty ole demon.” His jaw ticked in frustration as he leaned his forehead against the bed post. Sera only laughed harder, sitting back up on her heals. “You are good with the jesting! You have actually found a way to fool my lie detector.” She tilted her head, “But really, Cole. A demon?” Her look of pure bemusement had Cole fighting back the urge to gnash his teeth.
And then she scooted closer, playfully rubbing her nose against his cheek. Cole exhaled, suddenly sensing that she no longer cared about his secret, that she wanted only to cheer him. “You do not look like a demon,” she crooned. “And you certainly do not smell like I would imagine one to smell. As a matter of fact, you smell positively divine.” She smiled up at him, her eyes twinkling cheerfully. “Are you certain you are not of the angelic blood line?”
Despite the way she could make his heart gallop, Cole knew she was humoring him. He eyed her warily and sighed. “No Sera, I'm not any kind of angel.” Unable to help himself, he cupped her face and kissed her. He couldn't resist that sweet innocent look on her face. She was just too adorable for words in all her untainted innocence. Which made him glad he hadn't lied to her.
His breath caught as she wrapped her arms around his neck, scooting closer until her torso was flush with his. He was one big throbbing mass of arousal, perpetually on the edge from all the times he'd stopped before things went too far. It only took one touch for her to make him harder than steel.
“Sera,” he choked out as her tiny hands wandered over his chest. “I won’t be gentle if you persist in teasing me this way. I’ll slide so hard and so fast inside that tight channel of yours, you won't know which way is up by the time I get done with you.” Instantly, the image of her splayed naked on the bed with his cock buried deep had his nostrils flaring. And when her hands wondered down to the waist band of his pants, he could feel his eyes change to black. He growled, gritting his teeth, the bed post creaking in his hand as her fingers danced over his abs.
Sera knew she shouldn’t be touching him this way. She knew and yet her hands seemed incapable of stopping. Her fingers equally impaired as they meandered across his torso. His body was just so fantastical! A tactile wonderland! She reveled at how the faintest touch sent his smooth, firm mounds of muscles tensing deliciously. His pectorals pumped as she explored them. His abs bunched and relaxed as she gave them homage. Her eyes, she couldn’t tear them away from his glorious torso.
And all the while, his husky words tickled her, stimulating her in ways that made her shiver in delight. He wanted to take her. To possess her. It occurred to her that perhaps she should be wary of a male with such fierce passion, such potent lust. But she wasn’t. She was quite the opposite, in fact. Positively captivated. She wanted him. She just hasn't figured out how to justify such a desire. Bugger that.
She frowned, looking up at him as she moved her hands away. Softly, she whispered, “I do not remember you, therefore I do not feel validated taking what is not rightfully mine to enjoy.” She leaned her forehead against his chest, hearing him heavily sigh. “Forgive me, Cole. I wish I could give you what you want.” Her head shook sadly. “But I simply cannot.” She moved away as her face dropped into her hands. “Truth be told, I wish nothing more than to remember this life you describe to me.”
“Yeah well, life's a bitch and then you die,” Cole drawled. She could practically feel his body humming, like a livewire that could explode any second. How badly she wanted to ease him. Or if nothing else, cease in causing him torment.
Cole turned and left the room, leaving Sera alone. He needed space, distance to calm himself, to cool off his overheated body. Growling, he dropped down on the living room couch. If he didn’t find a solid distraction he was going to go off - and not in a good way.
With a snap of his fingers, the television sprang to life. But as he sat there, staring sightlessly at the screen, his mind continued to race. He knew this was karma biting him in the ass. Damn bitch. She just didn't know when to leave well enough alone.
CHAPTER 11
Sweet Seductions
Cole grinned at the fun new items he'd acquired for Sera and him. He eyed the objects where they sat on the bedside table, all the things he’d need before the night was through. He ran his fingers over each of them, making sure he hadn't forgotten anything. Absently, he tapped his chin in thought, then snapped his fingers to produce the one item he'd left in the kitchen.
“There,” he murmured, turning to exit the room. “Now, where did Baby Doll run off to...”
If Cole was going to ignore her with his secretive little projects, then Sera decided she would be productive in her own special way. What was life, after all, without purpose and goals? Her goal today would be to teach herself how to bake. How hard could it possibly be? She just had to remember not to put weapons into that stainless steel box that she couldn't remember the name of.
She shrugged, pulling what looked like a large instructional manual from a cupboard high above her head. Dust rained down like snow. Coughing and sneezing, she flipped open the book. With just a few page turns, she found a lovely image of lime-green squares with fruit on top of them. “Perfect,” she beamed. “Perhaps I can buy my freedom from sexy Cole with some of these. I have heard on more than one occasion that the way to a human male’s heart is through his stomach.”
She nibbled her thumbnail, reading aloud, “One stick of butter, three eggs, a cup of milk, three cups flour and a cup of sugar.” Confident nod. “Alright Seraphina, you can do this.” After a quick rummage around the kitchen she finally found the ingredients.
A stick of butter went first into the bowl -intact within its wrapper. Next, she dropped in three eggs –shell and all- and began to crunch them together with a sturdy wooden spoon. She frowned down at her concoction. “Hmm. I do hope Cole likes crunchy.”
Cole shook his head, watching her from the kitchen door. The hardcover she was reading from looked like book worms had eaten if for dinner. Where did that thing come from anyway? He crossed his arms and leaned against the jamb, staring raptly at how she was biting her lip. It wasn’t until she muttered about ‘crunchy’ that he barely bit back his laugh. “Only if it’s spread all over your body,” he smirked.
Sera whirled around, losing her grip on the bowl. Cole stepped to the side as the container flew by, landing upside down against a chair. Yellow egg and butter goo splattered everywhere.
“Nice toss there, doll,” he chuckled. “You should try out for the New York Mets.” Amused, he watched as her eyes went wide. It looked like she didn't know if she should stomp her foot or bust out laughing. Finally she sighed, her disappointed frown making Cole’s heart thump a bit harder.
Re-crossing his arms, he watched as Sera grabbed two wash rags and marched over to him, a kittenish scowl on her face. “I do not suppose you could snap your fingers and clean this up?” she asked. He flashed a stunning smile and shook his head. Her eyes narrowed suspiciously. “I am not certain I believe you,” she growled, “but because you are half the cause for this mishap, you will be helping me right what we have wronged.”
His eyes dropped to her twitching lips. But before he could open his mouth, she whapped him upside the head with one of the towels, then shoved it into his chest. Over to the yellow, drippy, crunchy mess, she dragged him. “I will have you know, sexy mysterious Cole,” she chattered, “that I was in the midst of making you a dessert like you have never known but- whoa!”
Abruptly she went flailing – Cole reluctantly in tow- slipping and sliding along the slimy tiles. Her free arm flapped wildly in an attempt to regain her balance. Cole jerked and pitched beside her, his eyes wide as he barked out a string of curses. Sera laughed hysterically even as she floundered for footing. “Cole!- Oh my!- Do not let me- whoop!!” With a final yelping shout, the two went down, sliding ass-first into the dripping chair. Cole groaned as Sera winced, sprawled halfway atop him. “You truly believe the ‘New York Mets’ would have me?”