That isn’t important. You deserve her and every good thing that’s going to happen to you. You’ve proven your faith. I don’t think He could ask any more of you.
Thank you, Mika’il.
He turned back to her. “Tonight isn’t the night for secrets. We’ll have all the time in the world to tell each other our pasts.” He slid her onto his lap and wrapped his arms around her waist. Laying her head on his chest, she kept quiet. There wasn’t anything else to say until they pulled into the driveway of his house.
She stepped out of the car and gasped. Staring up at the three-story plantation house, she couldn’t find the words to describe her reaction.
“I felt the same way when I first saw it,” Terrance told her with a wink.
“Do you like it?” Dominic pulled her close to him as they stared up at the wide veranda.
“Like it? Oh, Dominic, it’s beautiful. What did you call it?”
A sad smile graced his face. “I call it Paisible. It means peaceful.”
“Peaceful. I can feel it.” She hugged him. “Will you show it to me?”
He nodded. “Thank you, Terrance. You can have the rest of the night off.” Dominic knew Terrance would probably stick around. The mercenary training was kicking in.
“Thank you, sir. Good night, miss.” Terrance got in the car and drove it around the house to the garage. Dominic led Teresa up the sweeping front steps to the huge double doors. In the light of the porch lamps, she could see the intricate leaded glass panes in the doors. It depicted several people kneeling on a mountain. Their arms were raised to the skies and tears ran down their cheeks. In the sky above them floated an angel dressed in armor and holding a sword. He was pointing behind him at a gleaming golden gate. There was such sadness in his eyes, Teresa had the feeling he was denying the people’s pleas. There were piles of what looked like wings all around the people. She reached out a hand and touched the face of the man who looked strikingly like Dominic. She had a feeling this stained glass window held the secrets to Dominic’s heart.
Tears filled her eyes. “This is so sad. What does it represent?”
He wiped her cheeks, but stared at the glass. “It’s a reminder that everyone can make a mistake.”
“It depicts the Fall, doesn’t it?”
“Yes. Even angels can make mistakes. They aren’t infallible. No matter what any priest wants you to think.”
She didn’t comment, but by the certainty in his voice, she felt that Dominic was speaking from experience. The ageless understanding he often exhibited made her think he was more than a mere human. If she believed in vampires, she could almost believe he was one, but he never gave off the menacing presence those legendary creatures would have. Dominic often made her think of a guardian angel the way he took care of her.
He pushed open the door and waved her inside.
She was speechless at the exquisite marble staircases climbing towards the second floor. Done in deep jewel tones of sapphire, emerald and burgundy, they sparkled like precious stones under the crystal chandelier that graced the ceiling. The ceiling was created out of pale gold tiles. Though the staircases and chandelier were awe-inspiring, it was the fountain in the middle of the main floor that held the eye.
Made of obsidian, it formed a large natural cross. Water cascaded down its front in a bubbling waterfall. She went and stared down into the basin. The bottom was lined with rose quartz.
“It’s gorgeous.”
“Here is where peace begins. In this house, there has never been conflict or pain. When it was a working plantation, no slaves were held here. There were only free men and women of every race. They shared in the profits.”
“That was very generous of the owner.”
“I had…I mean he had no need for money and even if he did, he wouldn’t have made it on the backs of others.” He led her up the stairs to a door just a few steps away from the top step. Swinging the dark mahogany open, he allowed her to enter first.
The room was dark at first. Then candlelight appeared. Soon a hundred candles illuminated an intimate dining table where two plates were set across from each other. He went to a chair and pulled it out for her. She sat and admired the pale blue china and sparkling silver. She reverently touched the elegant crystal wine glasses. Another single lily graced the table.
“You remembered I loved lilies.”
“I remember everything you tell me.” He poured her some wine. Lifting his glass, he toasted her. “You are perfection. There will never be another lady like you, Teresa. You’ve touched the darkest place in my heart and brought it into the light again.”
Tears welled in her eyes. “Tonight has been wonderful.”
“But it doesn’t end here, my love. It’s only started. We have all night to reach for heaven.”
He had cooked the dinner, but she couldn’t remember what they ate. She knew he had created all her favorite foods and she was sure they tasted great. She never knew for sure because she lost herself in his eyes and remembered nothing until he stood holding out his hand.
She knew it was her last chance. If she had qualms, she could say no and he would show her to a guest room. He wouldn’t berate her or make her feel guilty. He would simply continue to love her. It was that knowledge that gave her the confidence to take his hand. As they left the room, she glanced back one last time and the candles went dark. She thought it was a pretty neat trick. She’d have to ask him how he did that.
They went up the next flight of stairs, side-by-side. This time they stopped in front of a door made from ebony. He swept her into his arms and the door swung open. The room was lit by two small Tiffany lamps. Soft shadows danced in the corners, but she didn’t fear them. Tonight, she would rely on Dominic to keep her safe.
He set her down next to a large sleigh bed made of ebony as well. It was carved in minute detail depicting angels. She ran her fingers over the one closest to her.
“You believe in angels.”
“Yes, I must believe in them.”
“Why?”
“The world would be too bleak a place without something good to make it worth saving.” He stared at her, but she wasn’t sure he was seeing her.
“Yet you believe in the Fall as well.”
“Yes, but the reasons why are too deep for us to discuss tonight.” He reached for her.
She agreed silently and offered her lips to him. He took them gently with patience and love. Pressing her body tight to him, she found out how much he wanted her. His erection was huge and she rubbed her mound against it. A soft groan came from his chest. She couldn’t help but grin.
“You think torturing me is funny?” He growled as he slid his arms down to cup her ass. He lifted her so they fit perfectly together and they both groaned.
“Dominic.” An urgency came into her voice.
“Hush, love. Tonight we have all the time in the world to explore each other.” He kissed her again.
This time the kiss was a little more demanding and a little rougher. She loved it. As much as she wanted him to take her quickly and hard, she found she was enjoying him taking his time with her. She could feel his hand pulling the hem of her dress slowly up her legs. She gasped when his rough hands stroked the top of her thighs left naked by her stockings. They drew a deep breath together as he drew the dress up over her head.
She knew he had seen her naked before, but it was different tonight. They were going to have sex and she was afraid he wouldn’t like what he saw. She dropped her gaze. He lifted her chin and smiled at her.
Kneeling, he slid her shoes off. She tried to focus on the feel of his touch as he caressed her knees and her inner thighs. She waited for him to take her stockings off, but a shock rippled through her when she felt his lips on her hip. He placed a gentle kiss there. Leaning forward, she put her hands on his shoulders and spread her legs a little more. He pulled her panties off and stared at her curls for a moment. She felt his shoulders rise and fall with the breath he took.
She threw her head back and whimpered as he settled his mouth on her and started to feast. She braced herself on him and he held her steady with one hand on her ass. The other hand pulled back her nether lips and revealed her clit.
He hummed his appreciation against her and she jumped. His tongue flicked her and she trembled again. While he continued to kneel, he urged her backwards until her knees hit the edge of the bed and she sat suddenly.
“Relax and enjoy. I know I am.”
He spoke against her and the warmth of his breath and the vibration of his voice made her wetter. He licked her slowly, savoring her.
“I knew you would taste good like the most expensive wine.”
She leaned back on her elbows and watched his head buried between her thighs. His wide shoulders forced her legs further apart, giving him better access. He had a very talented tongue. She’d had several lovers go down on her before, but it had always felt like they didn’t enjoy it and that they were only doing it to impress her. Dominic seemed to be enjoying every taste of her. His mouth attached to her clit and sucked deep. She moaned and dropped back onto the bed. Closing her eyes, she became lost in the sensations he was creating.
A scrape of his teeth and her hips were arching off the bed. A flick of his tongue and she was moaning. She felt the touch of his finger and she was begging. He was relentless. He slid his finger into her tight passage. He thrust it in fast and pulled it out slowly. Her inner muscles clenched in disagreement. She wanted it to stay. The tip of his finger teased the perfect spot inside and she tightened everywhere. The pressure kept building as he tasted, teased and licked every dripping inch of her. Just when she thought her head would explode, he pushed two fingers inside her and pumped. The pressure exploded and she pulsated everywhere.
“Please.” She lifted her arms to him as he stood up. Through half lowered eyelids, she watched him strip. The black shirt he was wearing went flying across the room and she admired his flat stomach. She knew he worked out often to maintain his body. She sent up a silent thank you to God for that. The light dusting of hair on his chest tapered down to a thin line leading to the waistband of his slacks. When he reached for the button, she sat up and gestured for him to come to her. He smiled and moved closer to her.
She reached out and unbuttoned the slacks. She brushed her hand over his erection as she pulled the zipper down carefully. He groaned, but didn’t try to stop her. His cock sprang free and she couldn’t help but lick her lips. She pushed his slacks down his lean hips. He moved her hands away and finished pulling them off. He stood in front of her so she could look her fill.
She studied him from head to toe. There wasn’t a flaw to be found except for the curious cross-shaped brand on his chest. She had never noticed it before. Then she realized she had never seen him without a shirt on. Even when he worked out, he wore a t-shirt. There were black markings along the top of his shoulders and around his biceps. In the faint light, she couldn’t make out what they were, but she wasn’t too concerned about it. She wanted him pressed tightly against her and inside her.
She ran a finger lightly up and down his shaft and it jumped and trembled with desire for her. She leaned forward and took him in her mouth. Licking him like he was her favorite sucker, she swirled her tongue over the head of his shaft and enjoyed his salty taste. Her hands cupped his balls and he widened his stance as she rolled them around and squeezed them while she milked his cock. Soon he was thrusting into her mouth fast and deep. She knew his climax was getting close when his breathing quickened and he reached out to grab her shoulders. Instead of coming in her mouth, he pulled away from her.
“Someone’s a little overdressed for the occasion.”
He pushed her back on the bed and stripped her stockings off her. Her pretty lace push-up bra was flung behind him. She couldn’t help but laugh. He pressed her back into the mattress as he crawled over her. She wrapped her arms around his neck while he moved his hips between her legs. They sighed as he settled into her. It was like he had finally come home. She had been made for him. Staring into her eyes, he began to rock into her gently. Neither of them wanted it to end.
It was a perfect union between two souls and Dominic realized she had been meant for him all along. His climax ripped through him bringing with it an epiphany of his supreme arrogance. He had never trusted that God knew what He was doing. How could the being who created the Heavens and Earth know what was best for a simple angel like him? He heard Teresa cry out as her orgasm hit her. God was good and sent her to him.
He cuddled her close and vowed he would never let anyone hurt her. He couldn’t afford to lose her.
* * * *
They lay in bed and he held her tight to him. Stroking her back, he reveled in the pleasant tiredness engulfing him from their lovemaking. She was asleep for now, but he didn’t plan to let her sleep for too much longer. Suddenly restlessness struck him. He slipped from the bed and went to the French doors that led to the balcony. He strolled out into the dark night and listened for the sounds of the bayous. He had loved this place from the moment he stepped off the boat onto the land. The animals and the spirits of these bayous spoke to him and made him welcome. Two hundred years ago, he was among the first white men to settle in this place and didn’t plan to ever leave it. The total silence of the night warned him things weren’t right.
In the silence, a voice intruded in his mind. Dominic, help me.
He tried to ignore it. There was no way he was leaving Teresa alone and unprotected. Even in his own place of peace, evil could intrude. He wasn’t going to take the chance of something happening to her.
The pain is terrible and I want to die. The voice was ragged and exhausted. The fallen it belonged to had lived too long. The madness and suffering it had endured made it yearn for death. A tug at Dominic’s soul told him where the fallen could be found.
“It’s difficult to ignore their pleas.” Mika’il joined him.
“Is this what you hear?”
Mika’il nodded. “They’re similar. They have the same hint of desperation.”
“He’s decided to make me his executioner.”
“Yes. He calls out to you for forgiveness and redemption when all you can give him is death.”
“That’s all I can give any of them.”
“That is the way it should be. Only the Father can forgive him and if he doesn’t ask Him for it, he’ll never get it. We must humble ourselves to get forgiveness and most of us are too proud to ask for it.”
Dominic nodded. He remembered how it had torn him apart to beg when he had been one of the most powerful creatures God had created. He also remembered the heartbreaking pain he had felt when God denied him and Mika’il had taken his wings. “There are times when I understand their madness. It’s been hard at times to continue on.”
“You are stronger than they are, Dominic. All of the Enforcers are. You are the ones who have found a way to survive in this mortal world without hurting anyone else.”
They heard Teresa murmur. Mika’il smiled at him. “You should go back inside. She’ll be waking up any moment and you don’t want her to see us talking together.”
Dominic went back inside and slid into bed. Pulling her into his arms, he warmed his cold soul with her body and love.
Chapter Five
The next morning, Dominic picked Teresa up and carried her into the bathroom, waking her up with the pulsing warmth of the shower. He smiled as she gasped with pleasure when the water hit her. She leaned against him as he held the massaging showerhead between her legs. His other hand fondled her breast. His fingers tweaked her nipple, tugging and squeezing. Her head lay on his shoulder and he kissed her. His tongue drove into her mouth and he stroked hers with passion. He wedged his leg between hers and rubbed his erection against her ass.
Her hips began to move and he groaned. The feel of her soft skin against him built the pulsating pressure higher and higher. He hung the showerhead up so that the water beat down on both of them
. Grabbing the soap, he lathered his hands and began running them over her body. He stroked, teased and played with every part of her. Her ears and neck were nibbled and sucked. Her breasts were fondled and squeezed. The torture continued as he knelt to wash her legs. She cried out when his hands reached her clit. He ran his fingers across the hard nub.
“Dominic,” she moaned.
He pressed her against the shower wall and lifted her up. She wrapped her legs around him. He kept one arm around her waist and lowered her down on to him. He loved the feel of her inner muscles gloving him tightly. He pulled out and thrust in again. Bracing one hand against the wall beside her, he set a fast pace. He rode her hard, loving the wetness of her pussy and her skin. Both slid smoothly against his skin and increased his pleasure.
He tilted her hips slightly and the head of his cock scraped against her sweet spot. She screamed as her orgasm rocketed through her. His climax exploded and he bit the tendon on her shoulder. They both cried out as he filled her emptiness with his wet heat.
While she stood limply against the wall, he washed them both off. He turned the water off and helped her out of the shower, then gently toweled her dry. He took her into his bedroom where a clean set of clothes was waiting for her. She stared down at the clothing and then looked at him.
“I picked them up for you yesterday.”
“You were that sure of me.”
“I hoped you would stay the night, but it wouldn’t have mattered if you didn’t. It would have happened eventually. I just couldn’t wait anymore.” He pulled some clothes out of his closet. “I have to head to the club. I’ll drop you off at the store. Will you join me for lunch?”
He watched her dress as he did, making sure she didn’t see his back. He didn’t have time to tell her what it meant. She caught him unaware though when she walked up to him and traced the cross branded into his chest.
“What’s this for?”
He winced. “A group of friends and I got them done to remind us about the past.”
“What kind of past did you have?”
Fallen: Dominic Page 5
