by Cassie Ryan
It had been a long time since she’d fallen asleep in someone’s arms. In her profession, distance was something to be kept at all costs. Especially when she needed sexual energy to thrive and survive, she couldn’t remain too dependent on just one person to provide it.
Or so she’d always thought.
But the idea of letting herself open up and care for someone fully besides her sisters was both terrifying and tantalizing. She’d befriended Jethro, but he’d been right, she’d never let him close. There had always been a wall of distance that she’d kept between them, and no amount of time would’ve changed that.
But somehow Levi had skirted all her protections and he’d gotten too close before she was able to erect a strong enough wall between them. She grinned into the dark. The lack of barriers between them probably explained why the man could make her so crazy.
She took Levi’s hand and tucked it more securely around her middle as she let her eyes slip closed.
No matter what happened tomorrow, she’d face it. It was worth it for this one perfect moment.
Damned if Raphael wasn’t right.
As soon as Raphael left the farmhouse, he made his way to Uriel’s property. He’d felt the repeated telepathic nudges that told him first Uriel and then Gabriel had been looking for him. But he wasn’t sure how much of what he’d told Amalya was true. Would Michael and even their Father consider healing Amalya interference?
He hadn’t yet been summoned by Michael, and he hadn’t spoken directly to his Father in some time. So he had to assume that he’d skirted any standing orders Michael had given them, however vague they had been.
Sometimes Archangels had to function blindly, just like humans.
He materialized on Uriel’s porch and rang the bell.
Seconds later, Uriel pulled open the door. “Are you well?”
The concern that laced Uriel’s voice threatened to send guilt slicing through Raphael, but he reminded himself how many times both Uriel and even Gabriel had gone off on their own. “I’m well. I was doing some healing.”
An awkward silence fell between them and Raphael knew Uriel sensed there was more he hadn’t said. It wasn’t as if Raphael was trying to hide anything, but he didn’t believe in coincidence. There had to be a reason that out of all days, two days ago he had been summoned to meet Levi and be there in time to save Amalya.
As much as he hated to admit it, this very situation helped him to understand Michael’s dilemma of not being able to share everything.
“I’ve found another journal,” Uriel said finally as he stepped back and waved Raphael forward. He turned to head deeper into the house. “It mentions something odd that I wanted to run by you. Neither Michael nor Gabriel had any idea what it could refer to.”
Curious, Raphael followed Uriel out to the back porch, the soothing sound of the waterfall in the background making him feel welcome as it always did. He sat without being asked and waited for Uriel to do the same.
Uriel laid a blue leather journal on the table between them. This one was the same size as the previous journal, worn around the edges with gold-tipped pages. A long green leaf marked a page near the center and Raphael reached out to open the journal to that page.
He laid the leaf aside and began to read. When he reached the word Ha-olinim his blood ran cold. “Beware the second of four, the destroyer of worlds, who carries both the blood of temptation and the blood of the angels . . .” He let his words trail off as the possibilities percolated inside his mind.
It might be a reference to Amalya, who now carried his blood in her, but Raphael didn’t think so. His instincts told him it alluded to Levi. He would definitely have a part to play in the end times. But the question remained . . . which side needed to beware of him?
Since he’d shared a soul gaze with Amalya before he’d shared his blood, he’d been able to see Levi through her eyes. The man wasn’t capable of doing great evil. But it wouldn’t be the first time evil had used an innocent man as its pawn in the larger scope of events.
“I can tell by your expression you know who this refers to.”
Raphael met Uriel’s gaze and nodded. “I’m not sure what part he will play, but he’s already involved. He’s currently protecting the succubus Amalya.”
“Amalya?” Uriel frowned. “Sinner’s Redemption. That’s where he found her, isn’t it.”
Raphael nodded, confused with the sudden turn in the conversation. “Why?”
“We need to go and speak with Lilith.”
Uriel and Raphael were ushered inside Lilith’s throne room to find Gabriel already there.
There was no telltale musk of arousal hanging in the air, but Uriel still had the potent scent burned into his memory along with the sight of the two of them twined together on Lilith’s bed. Jealousy curled through him and he wrestled it back and clamped it down mercilessly.
A small crease appeared between Lilith’s brows as she looked between Uriel and Raphael. “What’s happened?”
Tension caught and held as she met Uriel’s gaze, and almost absentmindedly Uriel noted how Gabriel and Raphael shifted uncomfortably as long seconds ticked by.
Gabriel stood abruptly. “Raphael, why don’t you fill me in while Uriel and Lilith talk?”
Uriel turned to ask them to stay, but they were already out the door by the time he found any words. When he turned back, Lilith looked as stunned as him with their sudden departure.
“Please, sit.” Lilith’s small smile was forced and Uriel resisted the urge to make up some reason to flee. Instead, he sank into the chair she offered.
“I don’t like this tension between us, Uriel.” The words were blurted out more than stated.
It was the most honest they’d been with each other in a long time and Uriel blew out a relieved breath that she’d broken the stalemate between them. “I don’t like it either. I’m sorry I brought us to this.” He waited for all the familiar arguments they’d had in the past, but none came.
“We need to find a way to coexist without losing all semblance of the relationship we’ve had.” She swallowed hard and studied her hands in her lap. “I know we can never have—” She waved away what she’d been about to say. “Anyway, I don’t want to dread being left in the same room with you, Uriel. We care for each other. There has to be a way for us to make a friendship of some type work.”
He nodded and reached out to take her hand in his. The fineboned fingers were warm to his touch and he feathered his fingers over her knuckles as he’d done a thousand times in the past. “I agree.” He forced himself to meet her gaze. “I miss you.”
A small, sad smile curved her lips. “I miss you too.”
Silence fell again, but this time it was much less uncomfortable. Finally, Lilith squeezed Uriel’s hand and glanced up. “Why did you come to see me today? I know it wasn’t originally to talk.”
Lilith was right. He’d been a coward, and if Raphael and Gabriel hadn’t taken the choice from him, he would’ve avoided this talk with Lilith for as long as possible. All because he couldn’t find a way to reconcile his desires and his duty. He didn’t blame Lilith—she’d been completely honest about what she wanted from the start. He’d been the one to sleep with her, then tried to redraw the line of separation between them. Even as he’d pushed her away, he’d felt like he was betraying something deep inside him.
What a hypocrite he was. And even knowing that, he had no idea how to change things.
He sighed and met her gaze. “What do you know about Obediah Levi Spencer, Duke of Ashford?”
Lilith’s lips pressed into a firm line and the crease between her brows returned. “He is Amalya’s protector.”
“What deal did you make with him?”
Her expression remained wary, but Uriel knew she wouldn’t deny him the information. “He wanted information on his parentage in return for escorting Amalya safely back here.”
Raphael had filled Uriel in on Levi’s parentage before they made it to Lilith’s lair. “If I’m
not mistaken, he’s already in possession of that information.”
Lilith raised one brow in question. He knew she prided herself on finding and bartering rare information. If Levi had found out through another source, Lilith would want to know who had told him and why.
Uriel quickly told her about Levi and Raphael’s meeting and what he’d found inside the journal.
“I suppose it was Raphael’s story to tell,” she said with a thoughtful expression. “Don’t worry, I’ll find something of equal value to pay Levi with. I have a knack for deal making.” She smiled and Uriel was gratified to see something of the old Lilith in the expression.
“He is somehow integral in the end times. I’d like to keep him close if I can. If he comes to you for any other deals, I’d be interested in buying that debt from you.”
She glanced at him from under her lashes, the mischievous Lilith flashing through quickly. “Buying it from me? With what?”
Uriel grinned. “Yes, buying. We can discuss details later.”
Lilith’s artful expression fell away to reveal the real being beneath. She looked down at their joined hands and then up into his gaze. “No. This is one debt I’ll happily pass along to you. I’m grateful for all you’ve ever done for me. And most of all I’m grateful to have not lost your . . . friendship forever.”
Uriel noticed the slight hesitation before the word “friendship,” but he wasn’t so sure he knew how to define what they had either.
Lilith smiled. “Don’t worry. I’m a master at getting humans indebted to me. You’ll have Levi’s debt. I promise.”
He leaned over and brushed a kiss across her brow before standing. “Thank you,” he murmured before he turned to walk away.
15
The fresh, warm scent of sunshine and woman filled Levi’s senses as he slowly surfaced from sleep. He was relaxed and comfortable, his face resting on a pillow of silken hair, the front of his body pressed against familiar soft curves. His arm was around Amalya’s waist holding her close, and her hand rested over his as if to ensure he didn’t move or pull away.
From her deep, even breathing, she was still asleep, and Levi enjoyed the comfortable moment to just savor their closeness before the world encroached on them again.
He spread his fingers over her perfectly smooth stomach, forcibly erasing the gory image of how she’d looked after the demon had gotten hold of her. Raphael had saved her, and Levi would feel forever in his debt.
Amalya stirred in her sleep, shifting against him and reminding his body there was a very desirable naked woman in front of him.
His cock grew and lengthened against her ass and he had to resist the urge to lay a line of gentle kisses along her neck and shoulders.
He shifted to try to find a more comfortable position where the silky skin of Amalya’s back and lovely bottom wouldn’t brush against his erection with her every breath.
She thwarted his efforts when she stretched in front of him, arching back and reaching back under the covers to lay her hand on his bare hip. “Mmm. Morning.” Her voice was filled with sleep and pure female satisfaction.
“Good morning.” He swallowed hard, not sure where to go from here. The last time they’d spoken, back before the demon attack, they’d fought horribly and he’d stormed out. He wasn’t sure if he’d been forgiven or if this was some sort of diabolical female test.
She turned over, wriggling against his aching cock unmercifully on the narrow couch. When she settled herself comfortably, his cock lay pressed against her stomach, her full breasts flush against his chest and her feet tangled with his. “You look well rested this morning,” she said with a slow smile.
“As do you,” he ventured as he searched her face for clues about how to proceed. “In fact you look quite mischievous this morning.”
She laughed, tracing her fingers over the stubble along his jaw. “You don’t need to be afraid of me, Levi. I’m sorry for the other day. I don’t react well when people keep things from me.”
“I suppose I don’t either. I’ll endeavor to do better in the future.”
“Good.” Her slow smile lit her face and his chest ached from how beautiful the woman in his arms was. “Is Levi short for something? It’s a unique name.”
“My full name is Obediah Levi Spencer, Duke of Ashford.”
She laughed. “Your Grace. That’s why Jethro kept calling you that. Do you still hold the title?”
“Technically, yes. But I haven’t been a practicing duke for a long time.”
“That explains a lot, you know.” She traced her fingertips over his lips and Levi sucked in a breath as a spear of hot arousal shot straight to his groin. “I’m sure that’s where you get the haughty arrogance.” She smiled to soften the comment. “But when you’re not busy being overbearing and bossy, you’re actually very sweet.”
“Sweet?” he asked with disbelief. He’d been called many things through the years, but sweet had never been one of them.
Ignoring his reaction, Amalya wriggled tighter against him. “How about we start again? After all, Raphael did remind me to enjoy the little things and not let all the good parts of life slip by me.” She smiled up at him. “What do you think . . . Your Grace?” she murmured before brushing her lips over his.
The sudden softness and warmth made his entire body tighten. He opened for her, excitement swirling through him as she dipped her tongue inside his mouth, stroking and enticing until he growled low in his throat and pulled her tight against him.
Her seeking fingers teased and stroked as did her talented mouth while she arched against him until he was panting and breathless.
When he would’ve rolled them over and covered her with his body, she preempted him by sitting up and shifting him over to lie on his back on the couch so she could straddle him. The wet heat of her pussy pulsed against his cock teasing and beckoning while she ground against him, thrusting her tongue inside his mouth as if showing him what she would soon let him do to her.
When he thought he would go mad from all the erotic sensations careening through his system, she finally shifted and reached between their bodies to guide the tip of his cock to her opening.
She traced him up and down her slit, the hot slickness of her arousal coating him, the exquisite sensations ripping a long moan from his throat. “Amalya,” he said through gritted teeth.
She didn’t answer, but instead sank down on him fully, impaling herself with a ragged gasp and began to move, her body slick and smooth as it accepted him.
She anchored her hands on either side of his head as she rode him, her blue gaze burning into his. An unnamed connection slowly formed between them and grew stronger, tighter as he stared into her eyes while pleasure built between them.
This was much different than last time. Amalya was here. Present. She wasn’t purely using him to gain energy. She wanted him for him, and it showed. The difference was clearly stated in her every movement, and it sent possessive warmth swirling through him.
Mine! he wanted to say.
Her blond hair spilled around them in a sensuous waterfall that caressed his arms and chest with each movement. The tips of her ripe breasts bobbed teasingly just in front of him. He rested his hands on her hips, enjoying the play of her muscles under his fingertips as she rode him. She looked like a Greek goddess come to life, her long hair moving around her as ecstasy lit her face.
When she shuddered against him and her skin took on a shimmering glow, he frowned up at her.
She slowed, drawing out her movements as if savoring the delicious friction between them. “Your pre-come. When it comes into contact with my body, I absorb it and it feels like a mini-orgasm.”
He smiled as understanding dawned and he tightened his grip on her hips, widening his thighs and thrusting up inside her until his swollen tip came into tight contact with her cervix.
Amalya gasped and tipped her hips to take him even deeper.
The sensation of being buried fully inside her tightened his
balls against his body and he had to suck in several breaths to stave off the familiar tingling deep inside his pelvis.
When Amalya gasped again and the golden glow rippled across her skin, he smiled as he realized what had happened.
Her breathing had become raspy and her movements more urgent as she continued to let him guide her. The walls of her pussy tightened around him as arousal swirled higher inside him.
Amalya stiffened on top of him and cried out, her eyes dark with passion, her skin flushed with exertion. Levi had never seen her look so lovely.
While she continued to recover from her orgasm, he pulled her down on top of him and rolled her over so he covered her.
Amalya sighed as she slid her fingers into the hair at the back of his neck and pulled him down for a kiss.
Levi went willingly, meeting her in a searing kiss as he slowed the rhythm between them, sliding inside her with long, slow movements before pulling back and sliding inside her once more.
Time spun out slowly between them as he banked the fires of his own arousal and concentrated on which movements pulled small sighs or gasps from Amalya. The hard tips of her breasts teased against the hairs on his chest as he moved and she dug her nails into his back as she arched beneath him.
Only when she began to tighten around him again did Levi loosen the hold on his own control and allow the delicious friction that built between them to beckon him toward his own release.
“Yes,” she murmured against his lips. “Come inside me, Levi. Let me feel you and see you.”
He pulled back to watch her face as he continued to move inside her. The wonder that shone in her eyes awed him. Had a woman ever looked so lovely spread beneath him, her blond hair spilling over the pillow, passion darkening her eyes, and the scent of her body filling his senses?
She moved with him staring into her eyes as her muscles convulsed around him as she came.
A few more thrusts in the tight heat of her body slammed his own orgasm through him, stealing his breath and making him cry out as he continued to thrust, unwilling to stop until they’d both experienced every last ounce of pleasure to be had between them.
