The Gift

by Brenda Trim

  Suddenly, the demon’s form blurred then morphed to a solid with a roar. Without thinking, Ren charged directly for the devil, bat held high. Several steps in, he jumped into the air and swung the bat with all his strength.

  The wood rattled his arms painfully when it collided with the demon’s shoulder. The creature hit Ren’s hand, and the bat went soaring. His hand and arm went numb, which ached all the way to his bone. Instinctively, Ren crouched low while the demon swung high. Ren’s leg was in motion, sweeping out at the demon’s feet.

  The beast was a solid form, and quickly slowing as blood continued to drip from its wounds. Whoever the woman was, she put up a valiant fight. The demon said he was there to feed on Ren, but that didn’t explain why the woman was in his backyard.

  The demon anticipated Ren’s moves and dodged his outstretched leg. The creature’s foot clipped Ren’s head and sent him rolling to the side. Suddenly, he felt an object beneath him, and realized it was the bat.

  Picking it up, Ren gripped the fat end and held it with both hands. Panting, Ren stayed on the ground. The freezing snow bit at his bare back, but his skin was slick with sweat and blood, so the frigid temperature was easy to ignore.

  “Good little human. Don’t move. I’m no longer in the mood to chase you,” the creature rasped.

  His smooth voice held an edge. The creature was losing energy. If only Ren could believe this was a sign the odds were turning in his favor. Unfortunately, he learned long ago that he wasn’t that lucky.

  “Why did you attack the woman? Who is she?” Ren asked when the creature was a couple feet away.

  The demon turned its head to look at the crumpled figure, and Ren surged to his feet. “She’s my boon for being a good beast, and the key to taking over Mammon’s territory,” the creature said as it turned back around. Before his head made it all the way around Ren plunged the bat into its back. Black blood hit Ren’s arms, burning like acid.

  The demon’s screech sounded like a balloon slowly releasing its air. Ren stood motionless and watched the creature run through his side gate for several seconds until a cold gust of wind kicked him into gear.

  With his heart in his throat, Ren ran to the woman. He prayed she was still breathing, although he knew the chances were slim. His feet skidded to a halt when he realized the source of the bloody green feathers that littered his yard.

  This was no average woman.

  This was his angel.

  Maybe he was dreaming, after all. As pain assailed, he glanced to his burned arms. “It can’t be a dream,” he uttered and turned his focus to Arial.

  His angel was dying on the ground in his backyard. She had kept him alive, and fighting his addiction for so long. He couldn’t let her die.

  “Arial?” he murmured as he fell to her side.

  Somehow he knew this was the woman he’d kissed in the bar earlier that evening. Something hot and hard twisted in his chest at seeing her lying there, mangled and bloody.

  “Ren,” she whispered, and his heart leaped in his chest. She was alive.

  “I’m here, baby. I’ve got you,” he assured her. The love he’d felt for her for years now eclipsed any confusion, disbelief, or shock running through his mind.

  “No, go…demon,” she stammered.

  Ren caressed her cheek, wishing she’d open her eyes. He needed to see those beautiful gray depths that were his saving grace too many times to count.

  “You’re safe. The demon is gone. Now, let’s get you inside,” Ren murmured as he slid his arm under Arial’s shoulders. Her head lolled to the side, and her arms fell to the ground.

  Her breath was shallow and labored, and her body was so cold next to his. It was imperative he move her, but Ren wasn’t sure how to pick her up and not injure her further.

  “Sorry,” she said, and he was forced to lower his head to hear her words. “Shouldn’t…have come…love.”

  Ren had no idea what Arial was talking about, but he needed to get them both inside before frostbite took his toes and she lost her wings. Again, he feared he would injure her further. Arial’s wings spanned her entire back and were shredded. No doubt the demon sliced them with his claws. Ren suddenly wanted the demon to return so he could cut off its head. No one hurt his angel and got away with it. He vowed to kill the son of a bitch if they ever crossed paths again.

  As Ren walked inside the house, he noticed when her blood touched his injuries, it soothed the burns on his arms. Made sense though. She was an angel, pure and holy. He wondered how the demon gained the upper hand and attacked her.

  Ren lifted a hand and brushed her tangled hair from her face. She was beautiful despite the blood and injuries. His chest ached with his swelling emotion for this angel.

  Something settled in Ren’s chest when he entered his home with Arial. He wanted to be with her more than anything. The problem was he had no idea why she was in his backyard, or more importantly, why she came to him in his dreams. Too many questions zipped through his head, and he had not a single answer.

  He glanced down at the beautiful woman in his arms. As soon as she woke, they were going to have a long conversation.

  5

  Pain assaulted Arial but was quickly followed by a heady warmth that made her want to snuggle under the covers and sleep off the agony. Why did it feel like she was run over by a bulldozer, she mused as she soaked in the heat?

  “Arial. Come on, baby. Talk to me,” a male murmured.

  She immediately tried to open her eyes, but couldn’t. She knew that deep voice.

  It was Ren.

  She felt something soft press to her forehead. Did he just kiss her? Oh, how she wanted more, but then her pain worsened as she struggled to move.

  “Are we safe?” Arial croaked, as memories of the demon’s attack flooded her mind in a rush.

  The glowing red eyes set in the ghost-like face made her shiver, which sent pain tumbling through every nerve ending. Her wings burned at the reminder of the claws that shredded the skin, tendon, and bone.

  “Yes. I don’t think that thing is coming back anytime soon. I’ve got to tell you, this has been the craziest night of my life. It’s a damn good thing I stopped using, or I’d have thought the whole thing was a hallucination. And, we seriously need to talk,” Ren stated, and she felt his hand run over her arm.

  His caress was gentle and didn’t worsen her discomfort. In fact, his touch soothed upon contact.

  “You recognize me,” she murmured, and finally managed to open her eyes. Piercing blue orbs met her gaze, and her heart stuttered. Ren was gorgeous.

  Arial ached all over, and the simple act of opening her eyes took a great deal of effort. She’d never been in this much pain her entire life. She knew it was from the demon’s poisonous claws. Its venom raced through her veins, and her angelic blood was fighting for control of her body.

  “Of course I recognize you, Angel,” he divulged with a twisted smile. A dimple appeared on his left cheek, daring her to kiss it.

  “Why didn’t you have wings at the bar?” Ren asked as he stared at her face as if memorizing every detail. It took her breath, and Arial gasped.

  Her movement drew his gaze to her chest, and her pain immediately morphed to lust. Her nipples hardened as his gaze raked over her cleavage, and her core clenched with need.

  “I couldn’t show you who I really was.”

  “Who are you, really? And, why have I dreamed about you every night for the past five years?” he murmured as his eyes lifted, and captured her gaze. She melted at the raw emotion she saw.

  “Oh, Ren. It’s complicated,” she whispered and lifted her hand to stroke his cheek. The demon venom pulsed hot in her system, and she gritted against the pain.

  He turned his face into her palm and kissed. It soothed her agony like balm to a burn. His lips were soft yet firm, and Arial imagined him kissing other places on her body. Places that ached for different reasons.

  Ren stood up, taking her in his arms. Holding Arial close, h
e used one hand to spread a blanket over the cushions before he carefully set her down. Then Arial watched his firm backside as he walked into the kitchen.

  It was impossible not to stare at his sculpted ass in the tight sweatpants. And, then there was his chest. The sight of blood smeared on those perfect pecs didn’t detract from his sexiness.

  Arial heard the refrigerator open and close. “No shit it’s complicated, but I need some answers. I don’t understand this thing between us, but what I do know is there should be no secrets. Whatever this is deserves more,” he announced as he walked back into the living room.

  A sigh of appreciation escaped. She agreed wholeheartedly. Arial watched as Ren sat on the edge of the coffee table and rested his elbows on his knees. His shaggy, blond hair fell over one eye, and she could see he was in desperate need of a shave. A bottle of flavored tea rested between his fingers. Even his long digits drew her desire. Damn, she had it bad for the man.

  “You’re right. This deserves more.” Arial took a deep breath, praying her next words wouldn’t anger him. After all, she’d been visiting for a long time. He might not appreciate the fact she’d seen him at his lowest moments in life.

  “Long story short. I am, or was, your Angel of Forgiveness. I visit your dreams, helping you obtain forgiveness for the mistakes you’ve made. That’s what I was made for. It’s what I do,” she admitted.

  He unscrewed the metal cap from the glass bottle. “Here, drink this. Don’t ask me why, but I figured angels drink tea. So, let me get this straight. You’re responsible for forgiveness? Even though I don’t deserve it,” he stated then looked away.

  His self-hatred poured from his pores like a running faucet. This man had punished himself for so long, and couldn’t see past anything but failure.

  “Ren,” she whispered.

  He looked back and met her gaze. “Please explain what this is between us. Is this how it is with everyone you help?” he asked as he held the bottle to her mouth.

  Lifting her head to take a sip of tea was agonizing. Ren quickly placed his hand behind her neck, assisting her. After quenching her thirst, Arial laid back with a groan. “Ren, have you not listened to anything I’ve said all these years? What have I told you a million times?”

  It was incredibly endearing the way his handsome face turned a bright shade of pink. “That I am my own obstacle to putting the past behind me, and finding true happiness,” he parroted in a petulant tone. “I always assumed you were just saying that because you didn’t want to hurt my feelings.”

  Arial lifted a hand and placed it on his arm, sending as much of her calming energy as she could. “I’ve never said anything that wasn’t true. You’re a good man that has worked hard to make amends for your wrongdoings. Everyone deserves forgiveness when their heart is true. You’ve tormented yourself far too long,” Arial told him honestly.

  “You really believe that?” he murmured, mouth agape. “But, why? Why should a thieving drug addict be forgiven? Arial, I sold my mother’s wedding ring for a few bucks. My parents hate me, and I don’t blame them,” he divulged and lowered his head in shame.

  Arial grabbed his arm, forcing him to look at her. “I defied one of the most powerful archangels in Heaven to be here. I had to see you face to face. Listen to me. What you did back then does not define who you are now,” she insisted.

  Ren’s eyes widened. “You defied an archangel? Is that what attacked us? Are you in trouble? What the hell made you do such a thing?” By the end of his questions, Ren was looking around, eyes wide. His breath heaved from his chest in pants, and she could see his worry and concern.

  “I did defy Raphael. He planned on removing your memory from my mind, and I couldn’t bear the thought of never seeing you again. I didn’t think twice before I teleported to your home. That vile creature was here for different reasons, but I don’t regret coming. I would do it again without question,” she admitted then bit back a curse as the demon’s venom surged hotter.

  Damn her reaction to this man. The way Ren made her heart rate accelerate caused the poison to spread faster than her healing abilities could purge it from her system.

  “Shit, baby. I’m sorry. This isn’t the time for this discussion. What can I do to help?” Ren asked as he knelt beside the couch.

  Up close, she could tell he had bruises and cuts, as well. “I’ll be fine soon enough. Washing the venom away will help. But you’re injured, too,” Arial remarked and caressed his cheek.

  “This is nothing. It burned at first, but the pain went away when your blood touched it. The wounds are nearly sealed shut now,” he acknowledged and pecked her cheek then stood. “I’ll be right back.”

  She nodded and watched him walk away then heard him opening cabinets and turning on the water. Glancing down, Arial noticed she was a complete mess. Wet clothes, blood all over, and dirt and leaves littered her body and clothes. She could only imagine what her hair looked like.

  Ren returned, arms loaded, and once again knelt by her side. Grabbing a wet towel, he gently ran it over her arms.

  “I had no idea my blood would do that,” she muttered while she lapped up his ministrations. The care he showed was sublime, not to mention how wonderful it felt to have the worst of the crud removed from her skin.

  Ren snorted a laugh and smirked. “That’s the only thing that hasn’t been a major shock to my system tonight. You’re an angel. Of course your blood would heal,” he muttered matter-of-factly then stopped what he was doing, and met her gaze. “Do you have any idea how many times you’ve saved me over the past several years? God, I love you,” he confessed then froze. It was clear the admission slipped out, and Ren looked like an animal trapped in a spotlight.

  Sitting up as fast as she could manage, Arial placed a brief kiss to his lips and murmured. “I love you, too.”

  Relief washed across Ren’s face, and he smiled. “I knew there was something special between us when I saw you at the bar. It nearly knocked me on my ass. Honestly, I should’ve known it would be like this,” he proclaimed and returned to cleaning her.

  “How so?” she asked curiously.

  “Um, let’s just say, you inspire incredibly erotic fantasies,” he admitted sheepishly and lowered his head.

  His timid demeanor had Arial’s desire spiking. She was far from experienced when it came to sex, but with Ren, she felt she could be the aggressor. It was a huge turn-on.

  He dropped the dirty towel in an empty bowl and picked debris from her hair before grabbing another wet towel from the bucket.

  “Fantasies, huh?” she asked, eager to hear every detail.

  Ren was adorable as he looked up at her through long, thick lashes that didn’t belong on a man. “Yeah, and it’s all your fault,” he replied with a smirk.

  “My fault?”

  “Just look at you. You’re a sexy angel with gorgeous wings, and a perfect body,” he stated as his eyes perused the length of her body. The man might be shy, but the way he drank her in told a different tale. Arial was beyond ready to explore this further.

  “What did you dream about?” she whispered and grabbed his hand. She kissed the inside of his palm and stared into lust-filled eyes. “Did you touch yourself while you thought of me?” she murmured then licked his finger, remembering what Zakara suggested. She didn’t have a cupcake, but surely this would do.

  Ren moaned, and the sound urged her to continue. Arial sucked the tip of his thumb and didn’t miss the bulge in his sweatpants. She opened her mouth, and he slid his thumb inside. Thankfully, her desire overpowered the lingering pain because she needed this man more than she needed to breathe.

  “I was doing wicked things to your naked body,” Ren whispered as he leaned toward her. “And, yes. I pleased myself while thinking about you.”

  Images of riding Ren like he was an untamed stallion filled her mind. She had fantasized about him countless times, as well.

  “Tell me, Arial. Did you ever think of me?” he croaked, and she wondered if
he was as lost to his desire as she was.

  “Yes,” she whispered and leaned until their lips were scant inches apart. “I’ve wanted you for so long. I don’t usually visit my charges daily, but I couldn’t stay away from you.”

  “I think it’s time to find out if you taste as sweet as I imagined,” Ren confessed then claimed her lips in a passionate kiss.

  Yes! Arial thought. She’d spent her entire life making other people’s dreams come true. It was about damn time one of hers was fulfilled.

  6

  Ren felt like he’d won the lottery as Arial leaned into him, and his kiss. He couldn’t help the groan that escaped his lips. He cupped her cheeks as their desire ignited. Electricity sparked between their mouths the moment they touched and continued to send zings of pleasure straight to his groin. After several heat-filled seconds, Ren pulled back and licked his lips.

  The kiss was as divine as their first, and even though he didn’t deserve Arial, Ren wanted her. For the longest time, he denied himself, but Ren was determined to have this angel. Right here, right now.

  Ren brought his mouth back to hers and pressed their lips together again. A soft gasp left her, and he took full advantage, sliding his tongue inside. Taking the lead, she stroked her tongue against his. A kiss had never rocked his world, but like before, their desire quickly turned urgent. It took considerable effort to remember Arial was injured and to take it easy with her. If her actions were any indication, his angel wasn’t feeling any pain as she greedily tasted, teased, and explored.

  He grazed his hand down her neck, and the side of her breast then rested below her injured wings. Arial climbed off the couch and slid onto his lap. Within seconds, she was rubbing against his groin, and Ren lost control. He grabbed her ass possessively and pulled her against his hardening shaft.