Tempt Me

by R. G. Alexander

  Gabriel held both her wrists in one hand, tighter than he would have under normal circumstances, and pulled up the back of her dress. “I know I can make it just painful enough to feed your hunger.”

  He rubbed his palm threateningly across the cheeks of Angelique’s ass, taunting the creature with something it wanted just out of reach.

  It jerked against him in frustration, trying to get away. He laughed. “Oh, did you want to be the one doling out the pain? Knowing how it feels to watch them kneel at your feet, begging you for it?”

  Its eyes lit up. “Yes.”

  “Well, baby, you picked the wrong body. You want that power? Want to cause that kind of lust, that kind of pain? Then you need someone stronger.”

  “She’s strong. I could cause you pain.”

  He tightened his grip on her, bending her backward until she cried out. He whispered against her temple. “I’m stronger. If you really wanted to, you could have me. I won’t fight you. I want you to.” He pulled back just enough for it to see his eyes. “Or are you too afraid?”

  He let himself go for a moment. Let the ugly, bitter memories, the hate and rage that had been a part of him for years, swell inside him.

  Like to like, as BD had said.

  It recognized itself in him. And the impatience, the desire, inside it flowed toward him like a black molten river. The intensity of the shadows that swirled around him, inside him, were difficult to resist. Heady. Powerful.

  There was no going back now. He let it in.

  He could see nothing but darkness. It gorged itself on what was inside him. His punishments. His sins. The Dark Messenger with all the power of a demonic god. But he wanted more. He wanted all of it.

  Gabriel sensed the moment of triumph as it left Angelique slumping in his arms, the moment it began to push him out of his body. For a heartbeat he was afraid it would succeed.

  Love is your key, Gabriel. Love makes the light shine through the darkness.

  He heard Papa Legba’s voice as if the old man were right beside him, and suddenly he knew exactly what to do.

  Angelique? I love you.

  He opened up his heart where he kept his memories. His mother, rocking him back to sleep after he’d had a bad dream. Playing with the sister, who was his best friend, his heart. All the love he’d kept locked away, hidden from the world, he showered on the darkness.

  The energy balked, its movements confused. It was afraid.

  Gabriel turned his thoughts to Angelique. She was his beacon. She was why it wouldn’t win. Why they, whoever the hell they were, wouldn’t win. He loved her. He chose her. He may doubt himself, his worth, but he didn’t doubt the strength of his feelings for her.

  Every secret longing in his soul, every ounce of love he had to give, he gave to her freely, allowing himself to feel that for the first time. He belonged to her. He would love her until he died.

  When he saw that light glowing inside of him he realized something. He hadn’t been stealing energy from her. Emmanuel had been wrong, but Bethany knew. It was her. Angelique. She’d been giving it to him all along. Asking for nothing in return. She’d loved him.

  Like to like.

  He watched as the light permeated the shadow, bursting through like sunlight after a storm. The darkness had nowhere to go. No understanding of it. No sanctuary from it. In him it had made its last stand. And lost. Love swept through him, washing away every foul emotion, every bitter regret. Until nothing of the darkness remained.

  He dropped to his knees with Angelique still in his arms, his shaking arms laying her down on the floor beside him. Her lashes flickered weakly.

  “Angelique? Can you hear me, baby?”

  He felt a hand on his shoulder. “She’ll be fine now,” Emmanuel said. “And so will you. You did it. You figured it out and saved her.”

  Gabriel shook his head. He knew he hadn’t done it alone. Despite what the Loa had said. “We did it.”

  He leaned down and kissed her forehead, talking softly in case she could hear him. “You did it, angel. Loving you saved us both.”

  “I WISH YOU’D TOLD US.”

  Gabriel smiled and reached for his sister’s hand across the kitchen table. She was grumbling, but he could hear the underlying concern, the love, now. With Angelique resting safely surrounded by her family in the other room, he finally let himself relax. “I’m sorry, Mimi. For everything.”

  He watched Ben place a comforting hand on her shoulder and squeeze. “Not to ruin the moment, but I’m still wondering what Papa Legba meant about what was coming down the road. And why your gift makes everyone on the other side so jittery.”

  Annemarie Toussaint set a towering plate of johnnycakes onto the table. “We heard the story, but we’ll deal with it later. Stop talking now. My son needs to eat. Saving us all from a horrible death must work up an appetite.”

  Gabriel stood and took his mother in his arms, ignoring her exclamation of surprise. “And I’m sorry I brought this into your house, Mama. The last thing I ever wanted to do was hurt you. I love you.”

  She looked up at him and her beautiful eyes filled with tears. He had been such a fool not to tell her that sooner. “I always have, even when I thought you’d sent me away.”

  “Oh, my baby boy, you’re back, aren’t you? You’re really home.” She hugged him so tightly he wondered if his ribs might break.

  “She thought you might blame her for letting Angelique sneak out with that locket in the first place.”

  The Mambo lifted her head to glare at Elise Adair, but the older woman just shrugged. “What? You did.”

  BD finished chewing the corn bread and shook his head. “Everyone knows it wasn’t her fault. Mambo Toussaint is powerful, but these Loa were trying to stay beneath the radar. Still, I don’t think they’ll be back anytime soon. Not after the show Gabe put on today.”

  Gabriel watched the stubborn expression on her mother’s face find its mirror in Michelle’s. “We’ll make sure they don’t.”

  He smiled. “My family. I am a lucky man.”

  “Don’t get too nice too quickly, boy. You might strain something.” BD came to stand beside him and held out his hand. Angelique’s cross was dangling from his fingers. “And never let her take this off again. Theresa belongs with the Mamas more than she knows. This is as powerful a gris-gris as any I’ve seen.”

  So was love. Gabriel grinned. Damn, he was being poetic again. And he didn’t care. He was still sure he was right.

  He looked over at his sister and his smile widened. “Someone else hug me before I turn into the grumpy twin again. You know it’s just a matter of time.”

  CHAPTER 16

  ANGELIQUE STEPPED OUT OF THE SHOWER AND REACHED for a towel, humming her favorite Bessie Smith song, “Do Your Duty.”

  Gabriel had certainly done his last night. She giggled at her reflection in the mirror. Not that he was ever unwilling. Or uncooperative. Or unhappy.

  In fact, she could hardly think of a time in the last few weeks when he hadn’t been there to see to her every whim and desire before she even knew she had it. And he did it with a smile.

  It was freaking her out.

  She stuck out her tongue at her mirror image. She was just being difficult. She’d wanted him to love her. And she was gloriously happy.

  He’d just been so . . . gentle with her. And she knew why.

  She’d be lying if she said she’d escaped what happened unscathed. If Mambo Toussaint hadn’t made that batch of sleep-good tea, she wouldn’t have closed her eyes at all those first few days.

  At first, Celestin had taken her to her mother’s house, putting her in the room she’d decorated just for her. Bethany and Allegra had come to visit, as well as Ive and Kelly, but she couldn’t talk to them. Couldn’t explain where she’d been or what it had felt like to be trapped there—looking out.

  She’d needed Gabriel.

  After three days she’d called BD and told him to send Gabriel, repacked her small bag of thing
s, and waited. Her brother had come over, trying to convince her that she needed to stay with family. That Gabriel couldn’t take care of her.

  But when he’d driven up to her mother’s house and come to the door, Celestin hadn’t stopped her from going with him.

  He’d purchased a house only a few blocks away from Bethany and BD’s. The only furniture consisted of three boxes he’d had shipped from Italy and a bed.

  Gabriel had carried her up to his bedroom and held her in his arms, rubbing her back until she’d fallen asleep. It was the first peaceful moment she’d had since that thing had taken her over.

  She’d been here ever since.

  Angelique had told him everything. Everything she’d felt and seen, her horror when she realized that the body that was supposed to be hers was threatening the lives of the people she loved.

  She knew he was the only one who would truly understand. Her brother had been the host of a mischievous, sexual spirit. She knew he’d suffered. Knew it didn’t matter what you were taken over by, just that you were. Now more than ever she felt for what he’d been through. But only Gabriel understood what evil felt like. And only through his eyes did she see that she had no reason to be ashamed. That it wasn’t her fault. He showed her the light.

  Now she would have to remind him that there were a few things about the darker side that weren’t all that bad. Especially the way they did it.

  The sounds of male voices raised in argument made her frown. She reached for her short, terry-cloth robe and slipped it on, trying to tie the belt with one hand while she opened the bathroom door with the other.

  “It’s been weeks. There is no reason why she should still be here.”

  Her brother. Of course.

  Gabriel’s voice was steady. “I think she can be wherever she wants for as long as she wants. It’s up to her.”

  Angelique could practically hear her brother tearing out his hair. “Don’t tell me about my sister. I don’t care what you can do or see. I’ve known her all her life. I know she can. I’m saying you can’t just . . . well, just live together like this indefinitely. She’s special, too. She had plans. She has a future.”

  Top of my class, she quipped to herself. She should announce her presence, but she didn’t yet. Old habits died hard. She really felt for Celestin. He always tried to do the right thing. Mama was probably driving him crazy with the “living in sin” speech.

  Gabriel’s words made her hold her breath. “I agree.”

  “You agree. With what?” Celestin asked suspiciously.

  “All of it.” Gabriel sighed, the first sign of his own frustration. “I won’t stand in the way of her future. I know she told you about the engineering job she got with the city. The one she took to stay in town. And I know what you’re getting at, Rousseau, but I’m not the person to talk to. I know how special she is. I love her. She’s it for me. And I’ve asked her every day for the last two weeks, but—”

  Angelique continued walking down the hallway, unable to contain her smile. He loved her. “But I’ve said no.” She caught Gabriel’s green gaze and winked. “For the moment.”

  Celestin looked down at her and shook his head, his shoulders slumping. “I have a hard time believing we were raised by the same mother. Theresa Rousseau? Remember her? Remember the ‘Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free’ speech? Any of that ringing a bell?”

  Angelique laughed and threw her arms around her brother. “I love you for defending my honor. I really do. But you have a baby coming, literally any minute now, and I think you have more important things to focus on than my marital status.”

  Celestin squeezed her back, kissing the top of her head the way he always did. “Nothing is more important than you’re happiness, little one.”

  She leaned back and let him see her face. “I am happy.”

  He looked at her, then toward Gabriel. “I can see that.”

  “Good.” She grinned. “Now go home. Give Allegra’s belly a kiss for me.”

  Celestin nodded, his goofy smile at the mention of his wife’s rounded stomach making her snicker teasingly.

  When the door closed behind him, she turned to face Gabriel, arms crossed.

  Gabriel held up his hands, looking innocent. “What? You heard me. I was nice to him.”

  “Yes, you were nice.”

  “Why are you looking at me like that?”

  She let him see the need in her eyes, felt it heat her limbs as she leaned against the door. “You need to stop it. Now.”

  “Stop what?”

  “Stop being so damned nice.”

  She watched Gabriel’s beautiful face flush. His strong jaw tightened; his mossy green eyes dilated. Beneath the T-shirt she’d bought him because he owned only stuffy button-downs, his muscles rippled visibly, reacting to her words.

  He knew what she meant. He’d made love to her with all the fire and passion any woman could desire. But he’d held himself back, not wanting to go too far. Not after what they’d both had to go through. Not now that he was so aware of the light around her, and still not entirely used to dealing with it.

  But she loved him. Everything he was. The power and the vulnerability. The good and the bad. And she wanted exactly that. Everything. Gabriel when he was nice . . . Gabriel when he was naughty. If she had to entice him, to tempt him, into getting both, then she would.

  She touched the belt around her waist, moving to open it.

  “No.” His voice rasped.

  Damn, he had a sexy voice. “No?”

  His smile was wicked. “I’m glad you picked out such a sturdy table.”

  Oh yes. “In the dining room?”

  “Yes. I want you to go over there, take off your robe, but lay the belt on the table. Then I want you to bend over it and wait for me.”

  The belt? What was he going to do with the—

  “Baby, did you hear me?” Gabriel’s voice was gentle, but deliciously commanding.

  “Yes.”

  She walked a bit unsteadily toward the dining room. Her heart was beating so fast she felt light-headed. The fluttering in her stomach increased when she saw the thick plank table he’d asked her to pick out for him. Other than the bed and some books and paintings, there wasn’t a thing in this house he hadn’t wanted her input on.

  She slipped off her robe, her hands shaking as she unlooped the soft fabric and laid it on the table. When she felt the smooth, cool wood against her breasts, she breathed out a laugh. She hadn’t imagined this when she’d picked it out.

  Liar.

  “Are you laughing, baby?” Gabriel came up behind her, his shirt off, that familiar sparkle in his eyes. Thank God.

  “Only if it means you’ll spank me.”

  EMMANUEL WATCHED THEM FROM THEIR OPEN WINDOW. They were lying on the couch, lost in each other. He knew the conversation they were having was an intimate one. Knew he should announce himself or leave them alone . . . but he couldn’t tear himself away.

  They’d been like this since they’d gotten back from Ben and Michelle’s house, witnessing the birth of a new Rousseau. A little girl Celestin and Allegra had named Ariel.

  Another angel.

  Gabriel was apparently taking the opportunity to press his case for marriage.

  “What if I promised to spank you every day?” Gabriel asked.

  “Tempting, but no.” Angelique choked out a laugh when he tickled her in punishment.

  “Sing you boy-band songs?”

  “Nope.”

  “Give your favorite werewolf-loving professor a grant?”

  She smacked his arm playfully. “Hey, no mocking. You and I both know anything is possible now. You told me Emmanuel said—”

  Emmanuel watched Gabriel place his fingers over her lips to silence her. His charge slipped off the couch onto his knees, looking up into Angelique’s eyes.

  He had to strain to hear what Gabriel was saying. “What if I told you that I love you? I want to grow old with you, have babies that ou
r mothers can spoil rotten with you? That before you I was lost in the darkness, until . . .” Gabriel looked around her and Emmanuel knew they saw the same thing. Angelique’s bright spirit. “Until you found me, drove me crazy, and made me happy for the first time in my life. Then would you marry me?”

  Angelique was crying. She lifted her hands to Gabriel’s face and gifted him with a smile so radiant Emmanuel almost felt the need to look away.

  She shook her head.

  Emmanuel’s jaw dropped as Gabriel pulled away from her to stand. “Damn it, Angelique.”

  She got to her feet as well, reaching out for his hands. “What if I told you that I love you? That I want to grow old with you and, if it’s in the cards, have babies like Ariel that our mothers can spoil? What if I told you that you are the greatest adventure I’ve ever had, one I want to be on until I die . . . and hopefully after.” She laid her hand on his heart. “A piece of paper and a white dress doesn’t guarantee anything—you know that as well as I do. Both of our fathers proved that.”

  He frowned at her, but Emmanuel could tell he was listening. “Nothing is guaranteed, Angelique. But I can wait for you to think about it. I think.”

  He leaned down to kiss her, his smile disarming. “Though I reserve the right to tempt you into changing your mind, if only to honor your mother by—”

  Angelique gasped with laughter. “If you say by buying the cow, you are so going to pay for it.”

  Gabriel picked her up and headed toward the bedroom. “BD is right. It’s worth it. You’re worth it. Whatever it takes. Someday it will be you and me and that damned white gazebo. You know the one. It’s right next to the tree I pressed you against and first had my way with you. But that’s probably not something you’re interested in. You don’t even like weddings.”

  She covered his mouth and Emmanuel watched her smile soften. “There you go again. Throwing down a challenge I won’t be able to resist.”

  Gabriel froze midstep. “Are you saying—”

  “I do love that gazebo. And weddings.” She bit her lower lip. “And that tree.”

  “I’ll take that as a yes.”