Flawed Angel (The Fall Book 1)

by J. J. Dean

  "He's happy in the mornings. Give him a break," Eli's quick to reply, which causes me to bite my lip to stop the sound of my laughter pouring from me. A futile attempt when my body literally shakes the bed again with my suppressed laughter.

  Apparently, my ability to turn the bed into a giant vibrator doesn't sit well with Asher the Angry Angel, so he flings the duvet off all of us and sits up in bed. What he wasn't expecting was my barely there panties and cropped t-shirt. His eyes widen a fraction before undeniable lust darkens them to the color of the ocean under a night sky.

  "Killing me, here," Eli groans from right in front of me. Oh yeah, I'm practically glued to his front. How that slipped my mind is beyond me, but my focus is now very much on the man in front of me with tented boxers.

  When he looks down at me, his eyes are shining with both equal parts amusement and desire and I'll be damned again if that doesn't do something funny to my body. I can't stop staring at him, even when I feel Asher getting out of the bed grumbling, "Can't sleep in because she wakes up at the ass crack of dawn and then she's wearing skimpy shit..." His voice trails off, but not once does my gaze stray from Eli's humor filled eyes.

  The longer we stare at each other, the quicker the amusement dies and all that's left are the burning embers of lust heating his irises. Suddenly, I find myself on my back with Eli holding himself above me, keeping his weight on the delicious tattooed arms that lie next to my head. My breath hitches when his head dips a little closer, slowly and deliberately.

  Just as his breath fans my lips, my stupid brain can't seem to help but cause my mouth to spew verbal diarrhea and I almost yell at him, "I kissed Asher yesterday morning."

  He leans back a little and simply looks at me. "Okay".

  And then he's moving those delicious looking lips closer to mine. As though my brain is functioned to make me blurt shit out at the most indecent of times, I spill, "That doesn't bother you? I mean, it was literally yesterday, when you barged-"

  I'm effectively cut off when Eli slams his mouth onto mine. I can feel him smile on my lips when I stop talking, but it's quickly wiped away when I kiss him back harder. He growls into my mouth, goosebumps breaking out all over my skin. My hands take on a mind of their own, running slowly up his back an up further until they’re tangled in the loose hair at the top of his head.

  He kisses me senseless, tuning my bones to mush and all thoughts other than his body lying on mine fly swiftly out of the window. I know I shouldn't be engaging in a very pleasing game of tonsil tennis with someone who's plotting to drag me to the Underworld but fuck it all to Hell in a handbasket. His kisses light me up from the inside out, so if Hell is where I land, I'll be pissed off afterwards.

  Eli doesn't seem to have any plans to go any further than turning me to Jell-O with his panty disintegrating kisses, so when he pulls back, both of us breathless and flushed, I feel like I'm having a second round of lady blue balls.

  "Now that's a way to wake up in the morning," the bastard says with a cheeky wink. If I still didn't want to ravage him then and there, I'd have scowled at him for leaving me hanging, but the stupid Angel makes it hard to be mad, especially with the fucking dimples that I'm starting to think he knows are my weakness.

  "I've no idea what you're thinking, but you're smiling and scowling at the same time and it's an unusual look to have after I thought I kissed you dumb."

  I outright laugh at the perplexed look on his face before gathering my wits about me and shove him off my body with one buck of my hips. He easily falls to the side and lies shamelessly sprawled across the bed, his body on display for me to have a good, long, thorough look at. He laughs when I stare at a certain good, long part of his body before I tell him to "shut up" and get out of my bed. Just as I reach the door to my bathroom, I'm being picked up and thrown over a shoulder before I'm unceremoniously thrown back onto my bed.

  Eli throws me a shit eating grin before the bastard runs into my bathroom and locks himself inside. Dick.

  "Fine, not like I wanted a shower anyway. And it's not like you have a bathroom downstairs. Asshole!" I call through the door. I gather my things and get dressed quickly, freshening myself up as much as I can before leaving my room. I make it downstairs, head to the second bathroom and brush my teeth with a spare toothbrush from the stash I keep in the cupboard.

  As I'm leaving, an idea sparks in my brain. Funny man won't think it's so funny to mess with me in the morning.

  Softly, I begin to sing the lyrics to Ciara's version of Paint It Black. I walk into the kitchen still humming, and Asher, who's seated in the same spot as yesterday morning, immediately flicks his widened eyes up at me in panic.

  He's around the island faster than I would have pegged someone with his muscle could move. I'm smiling while I sing, and just as Asher reaches me, I lift my hand and put it over his mouth. My free hand makes the universal sign for 'shut the fuck up,' my index finger hovering over my lips. My singing gets a little louder and it's like understanding dawns on the beefy man in front of me.

  I move my hand from his mouth and we both turn to face my bedroom door from just outside the kitchen, Asher throwing a thick arm over my shoulders while I wrap my arm around his waist like this is an ordinary, everyday occurrence.

  When we're comfortable where we stand, it's then I push my gift into the lyrics and watch my power infused with lust float to where I direct it, through the door to my room and then under the slight gaps of the bathroom door.

  It's silent upstairs for a moment, and then a muffled hesitant, "Luna?" is called from the upstairs. I keep singing, of course, and pretend I didn't hear him call my name.

  The next call is a little more haggard, the noises of things crashing into the floor and a distinct thud comes from the bathroom, "Luna?!"

  The fight to keep singing and not laugh is a tough one, but I push on, continuing with my song, effortlessly hitting every note perfectly while I push more power through the melody. Another crash and I hear the fumbled opening of the bathroom door, so I push even more power into the song.

  Everything is silent for a brief moment until I hear a noise that is like music to my ears and gets the attention of my vagina that's already suffering blue balls. They really need to make a term for those of us without actual balls.

  A repeated, "Fuck, fuck, fuck," comes, heh, first, each word getting more and more breathless until a glorious groan sounds from behind the closed door of my bedroom. I hear another thud, and I like to think it's Eli thumping his head on the door when he realizes he really shouldn't fuck with someone who can make him blow his load any time she feels like the occasion calls for it.

  I sing the last chorus of the song with the full force of my power entwined, but when things sound like they're heating up again, I cut off mid-sentence. I hear more of a pained groan this time around, and my grin is victorious.

  "What the fuck, Luna?!" Eli yells through the door, before swinging it open, a towel in his hand that covers his junk.

  I return his shit eating grin from earlier before smugly telling him, "You gave me blue balls and stole my shower. I've given you blue balls in return, and I'll collect on the shower thievery another time."

  He grinds out a long, "Fuuuuccck," before turning around and walking back into the bathroom.

  I turn to Asher with my triumphant grin, and am left thoroughly breathless when I see the stunning grin he's sporting to match my own.

  When Eli calls down, "You gave that asshole two, and now I'm walking with a hard on from hell!" Asher straight out laughs, and if my heart wasn't already beating furiously from the adrenaline and the rare smile Asher is displaying, it would have beaten straight out of my chest with that laugh.

  If messing with his brother rewards me with that laugh, I'll do it as many times as I can before it gets old.

  Luna

  I decide to visit the Tardis library, taking Noah up on his offer to spend my time there today. I stop in briefly at Frenchie's to get my coffee fix and then I head
over to the library on foot, leaving my baby in the alleyway where I normally park her.

  The weather is nice, so walking isn't a hardship. The sun is out, but it's not hot, yet not cold enough to warrant a jacket either, so I'm plodding along in a black flowing chiffon dress with sleeves that hang around my biceps, leaving my shoulders bare. I've traded in my black Converse for a pair of tan colored ankle boots, and a wide brimmed hat to match sits atop my head, my dark purple locks cascading in waves down my chest.

  I'm practically skipping as I walk down the same streets I'd jogged down when a big angry Angel chased me what feels like weeks ago already but was only four days ago. Has it really been that little time? Holy shit. And yet the very same Angel and his brother won't leave my damn head.

  I take my time walking, the journey from Frenchie's to the library taking longer than before with my languid stroll. The light breeze feels good on my exposed skin and I'm feeling good.

  That is, until I reach the steps leading up to the library.

  Just as I get to the very first step, a bone chilling shiver trails up my spine, and a very distinct feeling that I'm being watched settles over me like a wet blanket. I slow my pace, taking each step even slower. I subtly scan my surroundings as I go, checking all around me, but see nothing out of the ordinary. Still, the feeling never leaves. I search left and right, my guard up and my legs ready to bolt should I need to, but when I still come up empty, I hurry the rest of the way up the steps and let myself into the building. Another cold shiver runs up my spine and my heart thunders in my chest as though I've just ru a marathon.

  The second the door loudly shuts, I turn and lean my back on it, taking a couple of deep, shuddering breaths, not sure why I still even try when this whole calm breathing shit never works for me.

  "Can I help you?" asks a voice without a body. I stand by the door with my eyebrows scrunched in confusion, not seeing where the voice came from, until a man stands from behind the front desk opposite where I stand. His blonde hair is so light it's almost white, reaching his shoulders in soft waves. He has an angular face, a chiseled jaw so sharp it could cut you like glass and the slightest dent in his chin. Light green eyes framed by long black lashes watch me impassively as I take him in. A straight, narrow nose sits just above a set of full lips that seem to be pulled down in disapproval.

  The man before me coughs to get my attention and I realize that's why he'd looked disapproving. I was staring. Something I find myself doing a lot lately.

  "I asked if I could help you, so if you're done staring at me, maybe we could press on," he repeats with a raised eyebrow, clearly not appreciating my appraisal of the stunning man who has a little bit of an attitude.

  I shake my head in an attempt to clear it and answer him with my own question. "Is Noah here?"

  His facial expression remains the same, a quickly becoming infuriating eyebrow raised high on his too-good-looking-for-an-asshole face. When he doesn't answer, just continues to give me a look of great condescension, I give him a 'well?' look and wait for his answer.

  Finally, after an awkward amount of time passes, he grants me with a reply. "Who's asking?"

  I furrow my eyebrows and my mouth tugs up in a bemused smile. I take a look to my right, then to my left and then behind me before pointing at myself and obviously stating, "Uh... me. Who are you?"

  His cheeks grow a soft shade of pink, his face growing tight at his embarrassment and I can't help the mocking smile that makes its way on to my face. He coughs into his clenched fist before he snarks, "He's upstairs. I'll call him down now.”

  He’s ignored my question asking his identity, so I press the matter, “Great. So, who are you?”

  “Devon Crowe.” His response is clipped, and his follow up sentence is nothing short of sounding bored. “You might want to move away from the door because you're obstructing the only point of entry."

  If he thinks his shitty attitude is going to affect me, he's in for a sure surprise. I can out snark the best of them. This guy, no matter how beautiful, will be no different.

  "Oh, I'm sorry," I exclaim in over exaggerated concern while placing my hand over my chest. "Am I blocking the door to the incredibly long line of people wanting in the building? Shall I move in case they trample me in their haste to get in?" I sarcastically quip with faux worry before giving him a smirk and walking to the right of the room in search of the chair I claimed the last time I was here. "Asshole," I mutter under my breath none too quietly.

  "I heard that," he calls from behind the desk.

  I give him an eye roll that he can't see and drawl, "It's not like I whispered. And it's not like I'm wrong."

  I don't get a response, so I notch it down as a victory and settle into my chair while I wait for Noah to make an appearance. It doesn't take long until I hear a smooth voice, like melted butter, tentatively call my name, "Luna?"

  I poke my head up from the back of the chair and grin at him while subtly checking out every inch of him. Why are all these Angels that are popping into my life so damn good-looking? I could stare at him all day. Standing in the archway of the room in thigh hugging jeans and a button-down shirt, looking a lot more casual than the first time I met him, he looks good enough to eat. His small smile turns into a grin to match my own and it's like the sun rising from behind a stormy cloud. One guess who the fucking cloud is. My heart stutters when his smile almost literally lights up his face, his honey colored eyes sparkling in the light that's shining through the large windows.

  "What are you doing here?" he questions, surprise in his tone.

  "I'm here for the chair," I deadpan, watching his face fall a little before he recovers and the smile comes back, though a little dimmer.

  "Noah, I'm kidding," I assure him with a laugh. "You said I was welcome, and although I'm not hiding from big scary men this time, I thought I'd stop by anyway."

  The bright smile returns, a soft blush kissing his cheeks. Normally cute and shy does nothing for me, because they usually run the opposite direction when they take a good look at me, but this man has me grinning when he does. His smiles making my chest tighten weirdly.

  Clearing my throat a little, I ask him, "So, what're you doing today? Day off?"

  He looks down at his clothes self-consciously, as though the tightly fit grey shirt and black jeans didn't look seriously good on him, and shuffles his feet awkwardly. "Uh, yeah. I didn't have any plans, really."

  "Great, then you can spend the day with me!" I gleefully respond, before jumping out of my comfy chair. If he’s not running away from me in terror, then I’m keeping him.

  Meanwhile, Devon has moved to the archway just behind Noah, a fierce scowl on his face, but seeing as though I'd like to think of myself as a nice person, I extend the invitation for him to bask in my presence, even though he seems like a grade A asswipe.

  "You're welcome to join us, too, if you'd like," I politely offer.

  He looks surprised for a split second, but his impassive mask is back in place in a blink. Then his asshole beacon shines bright when he says, "As much as I'd thoroughly enjoy wasting my day with whatever you have in mind, I need to watch the library. As you've noticed, only two people work here."

  Two people to take care of how many? I look around the room to really sell the point I make next. “Take care of the library? Oh, sure, because this place is just swarming with people.”

  “Okay, fine, I’d rather spend my time doing anything other than spend any more time with you than I have already. Unlike Noah, it seems, I won’t follow you around like a lost puppy. I’d rather attempt to bathe a cat.”

  Uh, excuse him.

  "I take back my offer, in that case. I happen to very much like puppies, fuck you very much. Not so much pussies." I smirk at the double meaning behind that particular P word, and turn my attention to said 'lost puppy'. "And you're not looking so lost, really. Want to go see a movie or something?"

  Noah's looking between Devon and me, but I focus my attention on Noah, p
retending as thought Devon the Dick, a newly formed yet incredibly accurate nickname, isn't glaring a hole into my face.

  "Sure, uh, yeah. Let me just get my wallet from upstairs."

  There's sudden tension in the room when Noah leaves to retrieve his things, the air becoming thick with an extraordinary animosity, and not being one to back down, I face it head on.

  "Taking a picture might last you longer, you know?" I retort once I'm fully facing the Angel who's still glaring. I blink a few times, my face as blank as his.

  When he doesn't respond, I push his buttons a little more, unable to help it. I'm like a kid in an elevator who just has to press every single button available. "You want to talk about that mighty big stick that's lodged up your ass? Maybe I should refer you to a specialist who's good at stick removals?" It's safe to say he looks less pleased with me than before, so, being the asshole that I am, I continue, because button pushing can be incredibly fun when done correctly.

  "If your face tightens anymore, you're going to look like you’re seconds away from shitting yourself. Maybe we should put that on a note for the specialist. That stick of yours might be clogging some holes that should not be clogged, if you know what I mean?" I have no idea how I'm keeping a straight face when I want nothing more than to let my laugh loose of its tightly bound confines.

  He finally speaks, ending the reign of the constipated angry face. "Real mature for a fully-grown woman. It may not have occurred to you, but maybe I'm just a lot more resilient to whatever shit you're spewing around Noah and won't fall for your so called 'charm', and that bothers you."

  I snort so loud it echoes off the walls of the huge room, which causes me to outright laugh and the noises repeatedly sounding around us, getting fainter. Meanwhile, Devon rolls his eyes and crosses his arms, but not before I catch his lips twitch. Did they twitch? Or am I seeing things? Surely not.

  "I have literally zero charm, as you're likely quite aware. I do, however, have the ability to make people ejaculate while surrounded by people." I deadpan.