Such Violent Delights: A Holiday Paranormal Romance Anthology

by S. L. Jennings

  I frown and stand, careful to keep the shirt covering me as the too-large garment slides over my shoulder with my motion. The leather is rich and soft, smelling of Gabriel, and it’s a scent I wish I could bottle. My hand slides inside the pocket, and I smile when my fingers brush the pages of a book.

  “I was just wishing for a book,” I murmur.

  “I know.”

  “Mind reader?”

  He shakes his head. “Book lover. I recognize the expression of someone who wants to lose themselves in another world for a while.”

  I laugh out loud when I tug the paperback free of his jacket and find a very steamy historical romance by the looks of the cover. Cocking an eyebrow, I turn my face to him. “Smut?”

  “It’s not smut if they’re in love,” he says, indignantly.

  “And are they?”

  His eyes lock on mine, fierce and burning with need. “I’m not sure yet.”

  I thumb through the pages until I get to the end and start reading.

  “What are you doing?” he asks, horror in his tone.

  “I want to see how it ends. I don’t like investing my time in a story that won’t satisfy me.”

  “But…you can’t…that’s not…” he stammers.

  “Oh, that’s tragic,” I say, mock despair in my voice. “He dies.”

  His eyes go wide, and he snatches the book from my hands. “No, he doesn’t.”

  I let out a laugh, and his gaze finds mine. “Gotcha.”

  “You—”

  “I was kidding. I just wanted to see what you’d do.”

  “Naughty little witch,” he murmurs.

  I want to tease him, to play and get him to open up, but that’s not how things are supposed to be between us. He’s the messenger of God; we can’t be together. I need to change the subject, lead myself away from temptation. Clearing my throat, I say, “Speaking of that, tell me more about me being a witch.”

  He leans against the wall, training his gaze on me. “You’ll remember soon enough. The witch who cursed you is dead-- that’s how we found you. Your memories should’ve returned once her magic died, but it seems those were so deeply buried you need your coven to help unearth them.”

  “You know this doesn’t seem real, right?”

  He nods. “I understand, but it’s the truth. I’ll never lie to you, Ruby.”

  “And who are the witches in my coven? Will I even like them?”

  “Once the four of you were like sisters. But before the Great Flood came Helena, Isolt, and Guinevere were caught assisting my brother Sariel in his effort to fall from grace. Your coven leader cursed them, split you all apart in an effort to keep at least your power with her.”

  “And what happened to them?”

  “You all died, except for Calista and her sister. They managed to survive by allying themselves with Lucifer. Your coven sisters were reborn and separated, cursed never to live past their twenty-seventh birthdays. They would come into their powers, remember their pasts, search for each other, and die only to repeat the process over and over.”

  Despair grips me. “That’s…horrible.” Then it hits me. “Twenty-seven.”

  He nods.

  “I died but you brought me back.”

  “Yes, but your curse has been broken. This must have been a cruel twist of fate.”

  “So, I’ve lived more than one life, I have no memory of this, and my coven will help me find out who I am?”

  “And it would seem, the curse you were put under practically erased your existence. No one remembered you. Not even yourself. Until now.”

  It is all so hard to believe. “I’m not sure how to wrap my brain around this. I’ve always felt out of place, like something was missing, but this has never been in the realm of possibility.” I think back to my childhood, growing up in foster care, living my life thrust from one family to another, never planting roots. Was it all because I couldn’t ever be my true self?

  “Once my power rebuilds from the effort of saving your life, I’ll take us to your coven. You’ll be returned to yourself then. Everything will be different.”

  I nod and something akin to hope lights in my chest. A place to belong. People who want me with them. I hope he’s right.

  “Thank you for finding me.”

  He nods and swallows, the motion making me think he is fighting a response. I wish I could have my coven and keep him as well.

  Reading a sex-filled historical romance with a hot as Hell angel in the same room as me might not have been the best plan. I can feel his gaze on me with every shift and sigh I let out, and as the pages heat up, so do my cheeks. I can’t help but picture Gabriel and me in this same situation. We mirror the couple in this book, and I wonder if he realizes it.

  Stranded, weathering out a storm, the hero sworn to protect the heroine. Except they give in to their desires, and she allows the dashing knight to take her up against the wall, on the table, across a bear-skin rug in front of the fire. I bite my lower lip and squirm.

  “Bear-skin rug?” Gabriel asks, his voice tense.

  I take a long breath and close the book. “Bathtub this time.”

  “I haven’t gotten that far.”

  “She’s going to end up knocked-up for sure.”

  He grins. “It’s a risk. Doesn’t that make it more fun?”

  Oh, God. I need to keep my brain from taking his words and sending them directly between my legs. Yes, the risk makes it so much more fun. I want to risk it with him, right now.

  “It’s more fun when you’re reading about it. Not in real life.”

  His brow furrows and jealousy flashes in his eyes. “So, you’ve had this experience?”

  “Not that it’s any of your business, but no. I’ve never trusted anyone enough to let them have that part of me.”

  A smirk turns up the corner of his mouth. “Good.”

  “Oh, do you like your women virtuous?”

  “I like you untouched. In fact, I can’t stand the idea of you being with anyone else.”

  That makes me warm and only adds to my need. He’s being demanding and possessive, and God knows I’m a sucker for an alpha male. “I wouldn’t say untouched…I’ve just never had sex.”

  He clenches that chiseled jaw of his and takes a deep breath. “Don’t tell me.”

  A laugh builds in my chest. “And you? You read steamy romances but won’t let yourself have the experiences?”

  “I can’t. We’ve been over this.”

  “So, you’re supposed to spend your entire existence alone? Because that’s what God wants?”

  “I haven’t felt alone until now.”

  My heart breaks for that statement in itself. If he’d never met me…never been placed in my path, would he still be content? “I’m sorry.”

  “It’s not your fault. This is a test. You’re the temptation.”

  “What would happen if you let yourself have me?” The promise of what we might have together zings through me in a rush of arousal.

  He crosses the room faster than I would’ve thought possible, and in the blink of an eye, the angel Gabriel is kneeling at my feet, desperation in his gaze. “If I gave in, I’d have to give everything else up. I’d lose my wings. But I’d be yours.”

  Those perfect lips are close enough that all I need to do is bend down and press my mouth to his. I want to. God, I want to.

  “I think…” I clear my throat and start again. “I think I should go to bed. It’s been a long night, and we’re not doing ourselves any favors by talking about these things.”

  He gets to his feet and nods, eyes never leaving mine. “Would you like to stay here on the couch? Or shall we find you a bedroom?”

  “It would probably be best if we were separated by a door. I can’t seem to stop myself from trying to seduce you.”

  A sad smile turns up his lips. “I don’t think you’re trying to seduce me, you did that the moment I saw you. But, you’re right. We need to remove temptation.” He takes my
hand and pulls me out of the chair.

  Together we take the stairs until we reach the chambers. Gabriel opens the door and reveals a large room with a neatly made four-poster bed in the center, heavy damask curtains cover the windows and thick rugs line the stone floor. “This is beautiful. Are you sure your friends won’t mind me staying in one of their beds?”

  “If they do, they can take it up with me. Besides, this is the guest room.”

  “This is the guest room? I can’t imagine what the master bedroom looks like.”

  He grins and runs his thumb over my knuckles. “It’s bigger.”

  I free my hand from his, but I don’t really want to break our contact. Walking further inside, I catch sight of the open door to what is obviously an amazing bathroom. “Jackpot,” I murmur as I let myself explore, switching on lights and gasping when I see the huge claw-foot soaking tub.

  Gabriel is at my side, arms around me in an instant. “What is it?”

  “My next hour.” I gesture to the tub while looking up at him.

  “You can’t just gasp like that. I thought something had happened.”

  “Something did. I don’t think you understand the value of a soaking tub. I’m not leaving here until I use that. It’s colder than a witch’s tit in here.”

  He cocks a brow. “You should know.”

  “Ha-ha, very funny. Can I have the book? I want to see how it ends.”

  “You left it downstairs.”

  I frown and sigh. I don’t want to go back downstairs. I bend over and drop the plug into the tub before turning on the water. Then I grab a towel off the hook on the wall and set it on the small bench nearby and lay the bathmat on the floor. “I’m about to get naked. If you don’t want temptation, you should go.”

  His eyes flash. “I’ll stay just outside the door in case you need me.”

  “I’ll try to keep it down. But there’s probably going to be some sounds of ecstasy coming from inside this bathroom as soon as I stretch out in the hot water. I haven’t had a bathtub for years.”

  “Just promise me you won’t fall asleep and drown. I brought you back once already tonight. I don’t have the power to do that again.”

  I smile. “I promise.”

  As soon as he closes the door, I unbutton my shirt and let the fabric fall to the floor. My long hair cascades down over my breasts, and I’m so worked up from being near Gabriel my nipples harden as the tendrils brush them. Somehow, knowing he’s outside the door makes this all the more tense. He could burst in at any moment, have his way with me just like the hero in our book.

  I shake my head and try to clear those thoughts from my mind. There’s a bottle of jasmine bubble bath on the counter beckoning me. I pour a liberal amount into the half-full bath and relish the soothing scent as bubbles soften and foam the water. Stepping in, I bite back a groan as the heat radiates through me. I hadn’t realized how cold I was until now.

  I stretch out, the water rising until it covers my breasts, then, using my toe, I turn it off and finally lie back and let the relaxing scent and warmth cover me. My traitorous thoughts drift to Gabriel and what he might be doing right now. He said we couldn’t be together, but there’s nothing wrong with him starring in my fantasies.

  My hand drifts over my belly and between my thighs. I ache for him. It feels wrong to be touching myself while he’s so close, but I’m wound tighter than piano wire, and I need some relief.

  I whisper his name and slide my fingers across the swollen bud of my clit. Tingles race across my spine as I make tight circles with my fingers. My orgasm is close with minimal stimulation, and I know it’s because of Gabriel. I’ve been in a mild state of arousal since he gave me his shirt.

  I arch my back and give myself over to the absolute pleasure of my fantasy. Gabriel under me, inside me, coming right along with me. I let out a sigh and my eyes flutter open as the waves of my release diminish.

  But then a sharp intake of breath from behind me has me sinking lower into the water and Gabriel says, “That was…eye opening.”

  Chapter 4

  Gabriel

  I lose my grip on the paperback, and the book falls to the floor with a dull thud as Ruby yelps and slides deeper in the water. My pants are uncomfortably tight as arousal rears its head yet again. This is becoming a serious problem.

  “What are you doing in here?” she squeals.

  “I brought you the book.”

  “You didn’t think to knock first?”

  “I did. You said my name. I thought you wanted me to come in.”

  “I said…” she trails off, and her cheeks turn an even brighter shade of pink. “It doesn’t matter.”

  The tops of her breasts bob enticingly at the water’s surface, and I have to force myself to look away, but the raging erection in my unforgiving denim aches and won’t be assuaged. “What were you doing?” I ask, though I have a pretty good grasp on the situation now that I see her.

  “None of your business.”

  I cock a brow and smirk. “You said my name. It seems as though it’s very much my business.”

  She rolls her eyes and holds out a hand. “Give me that towel.”

  I reach for the folded towel but then pause. “What’s the magic word?”

  A sigh falls from her. “I’m not playing games with you, Gabriel.” Then she stands, the water running down her perfect body, full breasts, curvy hips, a dark triangle of tempting curls between her legs. Oh, Father forgive me, I am about to sin.

  I nearly choke when she steps out of the tub and brushes past me. “I’ll give you the towel.”

  She bends down, giving me a full view of her rear and grabs the towel before wrapping her body in the fluffy fabric. “Too late.”

  Heaven help me. I grit my teeth and watch her walk away with the memory of her sighing my name as she brought herself to orgasm singing in my blood. I won’t survive this. My will is going to crumble, but part of me wonders if that’s how this is supposed to end.

  “I can’t take this, Ruby,” I say, storming out of the washroom with precious little control over my need to hold her. To claim her. To make her mine.

  She’s sitting on the bed, her body covered by the towel, eyes flashing with frustration. “You are the one saying we can’t be together. You’re the one bursting in on me while I’m in the bath. I understand rejection. I’m done hoping for more.”

  “It’s not your fault. I want you more with every passing moment. My entire being feels wrong when you’re not with me.” I drag a hand through my hair and take a seat next to her. She smells like jasmine and sex and everything I shouldn’t want.

  “We don’t have to have sex, you know,” she says, her gaze trained on my mouth.

  Passion ignites like a flashover flame in my chest. “We can’t have sex.” Just hearing that word on her lips has me considering something I’ve never thought an option.

  “But there are other things we can do…to be close without breaking your rules.”

  Oh, temptation is a wicked mistress. Could I really have her on a technicality? I reach a hesitant hand out and trail my fingers over her cheek. She closes her eyes and leans in to my touch. “Show me,” I whisper.

  Ruby’s breaths are shallow as she leans closer to present me with the gift of her kiss. This is the wrong choice, but my strength has been waning since the moment we arrived at this castle. I wonder for a moment if she’d already been tainted by Lucifer, if perhaps he’s behind this situation we’re in. There might not be a better way to get what he wants than to cause the fall of God’s own messenger.

  “It’s okay, Gabriel.” Her words are gentle and tender, and I wonder at the meaning behind them. What’s okay? The kiss? Us? Or, is she telling me it’s okay if I can’t let myself take what I want?

  My thoughts drift back to the first time I decided to kiss a human woman, after my brother Sariel was granted his soul mate and changed everything. Our Father gave him a choice. He gave Sariel his greatest desire with only one con
sequence. Humanity over angelic grace. My kiss with that girl had been taken right from the pages of a romance novel, and yet I’d felt nothing. I’d pegged Sariel for a fool. Until Ruby.

  I wrap my hand around the nape of her neck and pull her to me as I give myself over to the need clawing at my entire being. Her lips are soft and pliant, tasting faintly of the peppermint tea we’d made together. She’s just as desperate for me as I am for her, and that’s evident by the whisper of a moan she lets out against my mouth.

  Yes. This is what I need. Nothing will be as satisfying as the sound of her when I touch her, the taste of her when I kiss her, the feel of her in my arms. With her I am whole, but I am also ruined.

  My tongue parts her lips, delving inside her mouth as her hands thread in my hair, and my world begins to spin. Lust rages in my body, a dangerous thing which takes control of my senses. All I want is to take as much of her as she’ll give.

  Her breasts press against my chest and I wish, I had my power at the moment, so I could make the towel covering her vanish without any effort. My hands slide down her back, over her waist, and to her thighs before finally finding their way under the hem of the fabric to the soft, warm skin underneath. I’m aching for her.

  “I want you,” I murmur against her mouth.

  She mewls in response, pressing herself closer to me. My fingers trail along her waist and up until I find her breasts, heavy and full. They’re absolute perfection in my palms, and I suddenly understand exactly why so many men are obsessed with the female form. Her nipples tighten at my touch, and I still haven’t removed her towel. I want to see her. All of her.

  She breaks us apart, both of us panting for breath and staring in shock at what just happened between us. “Wow,” she whispers.

  “Very much.”

  “You know, they always say it’s like fireworks or lightning. I never believed that, until now.”

  I laugh because she’s right. “I’m not sure a kiss like that could accurately be recorded.”

  “You’re a way better kisser than I remembered. Maybe it’s because I’m not on the brink of death at the moment.”