by ML Guida
“No. For the last few days, you’re all I could think about.”
Her eyes widened. “Really?”
“We’re angel-mates, remember?”
She dipped lower into the water. “You keep saying that, but you haven’t claimed me.”
“Yet.” His husky voice made her cheeks burn red hot.
She couldn’t help but wonder if he hadn’t claimed her because of Vixen. She’d heard in a recent battle in hell he’d run into Vixen. Maybe he couldn’t get her out of his mind either.
“Are you going to get undressed?” Her voice came out sharper than she intended.
“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.
A tremor ran down the side of his cheek, 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, Ariel?”
She frowned. “My name is Cupid.”
“I know, but you remind me of her except you’re more beautiful.”
She lowered her gaze, not sure she believed him. She scowled.
His fingers trembled as he unbuttoned his shirt.
“Whether you want to admit it or not, you need my help.” Not waiting for him to argue, she unbuttoned his shirt.
He pushed her wet hair off her face. “Thank you.”
She shivered. “You’re distracting me.”
“I haven’t even gotten started,” he murmured.
Her throat went dry at his soft words. She gently tugged the shirt and gasped at the bruises and cuts on his body. “Oh, Lethal.”
“I’ve had worse.”
She stepped back. “But Raphael always healed you. He’s an archangel and ten times more powerful than me. I can’t do this.”
He lifted her chin, forcing her to look up at him.. “Yes, you can.” Passion flashed in his glowing eyes.
Her heart beat harder and harder, sending desire whistling through her veins. It wasn’t just his desire, but it was his belief in her. No one had such faith in her.
“Do you need help getting out of your pants?”
A wicked smile flashed across his face. “Yes.”
His husky and soft voice sent butterflies fluttering in her chest. 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. “There were rumors you never wanted to be mated.” She couldn’t say why. Vixen’s name was a huge lump in the back of her throat.
“That was true for a long time, but things changed.”
She squirmed underneath his watchful gaze. He wanted her, but she just didn’t want to be claimed. She wanted someone to treasure her. Sometimes angel-mates never fell in love and she never wanted that lonely path, but alas, her it was. She ignored the tears pushing on the back of her eyelids. “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. “Yes. You bring light to my dark heart.”
“I do?”
He threaded his fingers in her hair. “Yes.”
“I never thought you noticed me.”
“I always notice a beautiful woman, especially one who has an enchanting voice.”
Her eyes widened. “How did you know I can sing?”
“Last Christmas, you sang Silent Night in the ballroom. I remember Gabriel was so mad at you for wearing the wrong gown.” He laughed. “You were the only one in green.”
She liked the way he laughed; it was like a smoldering thunder. She drew her brows together. That had been another trick Venus had played on her—switching her gowns. “I thought I was wearing red.”
“You stood out.”
“Like a sore thumb,” she grumbled.
He stroked her hair. “No, you were a nightingale among sparrows.”
“You can be really charming.”
He grinned. “You caught me on a bad day.” His throaty voice sent a need racing through her. She hung on his every word. This was a dream. How could a Dark Angel 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.
Her gut clenched. She hadn’t been with anyone for a while. Sex hadn’t excited her. All her friends told her when she made love with her mate her orgasm would be out of this world.
He clasped her hand. “Let’s go into the pond, little mermaid.”
She put her gently on his chest. “Are you sure you can do this? You look like you’re in pain.”
He sucked in his breath. “Try and stop me.”
Cupid’s heartbeat raced. What had she done? After mating him, would he break her heart?
Chapter 6
The palm trees flickered overhead, and sunlight reflected off the bubbling pond, warming Cupid’s skin. Hibiscus bushes with red, white, and orange blooms were around the pool, crowding out small ferns Birds chirped, singing a love song. The cool pool couldn’t douse the burning desire in Cupid. She couldn’t take her eyes off Lethal. The water barely covered his hips. He was a wounded warrior determined to claim her.
Her mouth ran dry. 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?
He stopped kissing her and pushed a wet strand of hair off her face. “You taste like sweet honey.” He rested his palms on her shoulders.
She couldn’t answer him.
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. He kissed her. She indulged in his spicy taste, never wanting to forget this moment. She slipped her hands up his chest, careful not to hurt him. Something build up inside her, sending blood thumping through her. She’d kissed angels before, but none of them left her breathless. She explored the recesses of Lethal’s mouth, wanting to learn his dark secrets.
The breath rushed out of her lungs, and the only thing that mattered was him. His arousal pushed against her thigh. Her pulse quickened. Wetness formed between her thighs, and she did want him, wanted him rutting between her legs.
She gave into temptation and locked her hands around his thick neck. She flattened her breasts against him. Molten heat ignited between them. Her heart beat as frantically as his.
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 were 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 hot mouth and suckled her. She shuddered and held his head to her breast, her fingers running through his silky hair. Blood pumped through her and her legs quivered. Stark pleasure pulsed through her.
“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.
She cried out and dug her nails into his shoulders.
He stopped. “Are you all right?”
“Yes, yes, don’t stop.”
“Ah, my little love angel.” He inserted his f
inger 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. 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 trembling thighs, draping each leg over his shoulders. He licked and kissed her mound, his thumb caressing her clit. Tingling sensations skimmed over her flesh. She held on tight to the rock and arched her hips. His velvet tongue delved deep inside her and tremors ran through her. Pelting water cooled her hot flesh, and the pulsating pleasure bordered on sweet agony. Her arms shook. The jungled blurred. She arched her back and screamed.
“Music to my ears.” He rose. “Put your hands on my shoulders.”
She shuddered, but 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. She could barely breathe and blood rushed down to her core. He thrust his hips harder and harder, taking her higher and higher. Friction slid against friction. Her heart beat faster and faster, nearly jumping out of her throat. Dots swam in front of her eyes.
She screamed again.
Lethal arched his back. “I claim you as my angel-mate.” His loud voice sent her spinning out of control.
He came, spilling his warm seed into her core.
White light slid around 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 she was too scared to utter those words. He’d claimed her but was she his second choice. It didn’t matter since she’d bound to him forever. He kissed her, making her forget everyone but him.
He murmured in her ear. “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 frowned. “Why?”
“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?”
Drops of water sprinkled onto him. He glared. “Are you daft? You’d rather be an Angel of Love, tempting Balthazar than being safe in heaven?”
“So, you asked Saint Peter to re-assign me?”
“You’re my angel-mate. It’s my job to keep you safe.”
“Your job is not to hold me prisoner and keep me from what I love to do.”
“Heaven is not a prison.”
She took both her palms and shoved water onto him. “Tell me how would you feel if someone told you that you could no longer be a Dark Angel and had to be an Angel of Love?”
He wiped the water off his stoic face. “That’s different.”
“No, it’s not. I believe in what I do just as much as you believe in what you do.”
His face darkened, and he narrowed his eyes. “You’re my mate, and you’ll do as I say.”
Cupid froze. For the first time, fear descended upon her heart. What had she done?
But she refused to be a frail flower. “We will see about this. I’m going to talk with Gabriel. You can’t keep me chained here.”
He reached for her. “I will if I have to.”
Not caring she was butt naked, she flipped out her wings and flew toward the castle with a pissed off Dark Angel on her tail.
Chapter 7
Fluffy clouds flutter around Lethal and the sun warmed his chilled skin. The jungle below disappeared. He chased after Cupid, admiring her delectable naked flesh. Mother of Mercy, she was beautiful. He’d have to make love to her on the clouds. Where did she think she was going? It wasn’t like she could hide from him. He was a Dark Angel and an assassin.
Cupid disappeared into a cloud, and when he flew in behind her, she was gone. Where was she? He frowned. Was her hidden power––invisibility?
He sped back to the castle to find Gabriel before his foolish angel did something really stupid—like to get her job back. Before he landed, he waved his hand, and his dark blue suit appeared. He landed in front of the double doors that opened to the Dark Angels’ wing. He straightened his tie.
Michael walked down the stark hallway, his massive shoulders nearly touching the gold walls. Chandeliers hung down from the ceiling, casting a soft light, but they were the only ornate decorations. Lethal held his breath. Fully dressed in her normal white gown, Cupid pressed her body against a doorway. What the hell was she doing? Luckily, Michael didn’t see her.
She disappeared down the opposite direction. What stupid game was she playing?
He followed her, but Michael motioned to him with his hand. “Lethal, I need to talk you.”
Lethal groaned. He forced back his frustration and met his boss in the hall. “About what, sir?”
“About Cupid.”
Lethal stiffened. “What about her?”
Michael flashed his gaze over him. “You’ve mated?”
“Obviously.” He swished his hand over his body. “She healed me.”
“Good. You’re at full strength. And you tried to reassign her to another division?”
Lethal’s gut tightened. “What do you mean ‘tried?’ I received special permission from Saint Peter.”
Michael’s eyes darkened. “Without consulting me.”
“I didn’t th
ink—”
“That’s right.” Michael grabbed Lethal’s tie and pulled him toward him, forcing Lethal to look up. “You never go over my head. Your request has been denied.”
Lethal’s heart squeezed tight. “Denied why?”
Michael easily lifted him off the ground by his tie. “You’re not privileged to that information.”
The tie choking him, Lethal beat on Michael’s hand and gasped for breath, spit flying from his mouth. “When it comes to my angel-mate, I do.”
Michael released him and shoved him against the wall.
Lethal he spat on the floor and panted. “You realize Balthazar wants her?”
“I have another mission for you.”
Lethal gritted his teeth. “I just returned from a bloody mission.”
Michael lifted his eyebrow, and his lips turned up into a sneer. The message was loud and clear: disobey, and you’ll regret it.
Lethal shoved down the desire to walk away from Michael and chase after Cupid. “What is it?”
“I want you to follow Cupid.”
Something was up.
Lethal blinked. “I don’t understand.” He stumbled over the words.
Michael held up his hand. “All you need to do is follow her and report back to me.”
Lethal’s blood boiled. He glared. “You want to use her as bait, don’t you?”
Michael shrugged. “Balthazar will attack. I suspect he is the key in unlocking her hidden power.”
Lethal scrubbed his face. “Why? This is a terrible plan. Cupid could get hurt.”
“You don’t have a choice. You know as well as I do that evil unleashes the good. Whatever her power is, it will not let evil harm her. That, I’m sure of.”
Lethal scratched the back of his neck. “In this business, nothing is for sure. You know that, Michael.” He couldn’t hide the bitterness in his voice.
“If you don’t do this, I’ll assign somebody else to watch over your mate.”
Archangels never played fair. “No. She’s my mate. It’s my job to protect her. And no one else’s.”
“Then you better follow my orders without question.”
Somehow, he suspected spying on Cupid wouldn’t earn him any kisses with her. She’d think of it as a betrayal.