by Mary Abshire
“We can do this and everything will be all right,” he said in a tranquil tone.
She lowered her head. “I can’t Andrew,” she said softly. “I’m sorry, but I can’t. Please, don’t press this.”
When she lifted her gaze, he stared into her blue eyes. He saw love and fear, but he couldn’t understand why. Most women welcomed the love of a man. They didn’t fear it. Yet, she did. Had she been hurt before? Did she think he wanted her just to fool around with? Sure, he had a history of sleeping around, but it was all history. He wanted her and only her.
“I care about you, Em, more than you think. I would never do anything to hurt you.”
“I know.”
He took her face into his hands. “If you think I’m only interested in screwing around with you, then you’re wrong. I love you too much. Just give me a chance to show you.”
She put her free hand over one of his and then slowly slid it away as she stepped back from him. “I can’t do this.”
His heart sank a notch. He feared he was losing her. “Can’t or won’t?”
“What we have is not love, it’s lust.”
He inhaled a long breath. Clear to him now, she didn’t believe in love. “You’re wrong.”
She shook her head. “Fooling around will complicate our relationship.”
Her excuses were starting to annoy him. He knew he felt love for her in his heart, but it seemed it wouldn’t matter how much he said it because she wouldn’t believe him. He wished he could convince her somehow.
“I’m sorry.” She walked away from him.
Andrew ran his hands over his head and then kept them in the back as he ambled around. The woman he longed to be with didn’t believe in love. The council in heaven had to be laughing at him. Never in his life or death had he met such a stubborn and strong-willed woman. She was driving him insane.
He lowered his arms as he sat on the sofa. Her inability to see the truth prevented her from feeling the passionate love he had for her. Without a doubt, words were not going to change her mind. He refused to give up on her. Determination filled him along with a deep breath. Somehow, no matter how long it would take, he’d show her his love and prove it wasn’t lust.
Chapter Eighteen
Six days later
Emily tapped her fingers on the steering wheel while she sang along to the song on the radio. She’d turned the engine off, left the battery on for the radio, and had parked in a spot not too far from the entrance of the hospital. Andrew had sent her a text earlier stating his shift would run an hour over. She’d gotten bored at the house, so she’d left early. After spending so much time at home, she welcomed a change of scenery. The sun was setting as the hour neared 9:30. The pink tint in the sky gave her a sense of tranquility.
The buzz from her cell startled her and she flinched. She’d forgotten she’d left it on the charger, sitting in the slot on the dashboard with the sound turned off. She yanked the cord from the base of the phone.
“Hello,” she answered without looking at the number on the screen.
“I was starting to think something might have happened to you. We haven’t spoken in over a week,” Troy said.
“Hey, you,” she said, chipper. “How are things going?”
“Same bullshit, different day. Tell me what’s going on with you.”
“Not too much, to be honest. I’m waiting for Andrew to get off from work. He had to stay late for something.”
“Has he killed the demon yet?”
“No,” she said in a disappointed tone. “He’s still looking for a place in the hospital and he hasn’t been able to get much access to where they keep the drugs.”
Since she’d met the demon six days ago, he’d had only one day off from his job. He’d said he didn’t mind working so much since he needed to locate a good place to kill Susan. Two of the days he’d worked, Susan had been at home with the kids. The demon had rarely appeared near windows, but one time Emily saw her in the living room shaking her crying, red-faced baby. Emily had struggled not to run over, punch the bitch, and take the infant from her.
“Does he know which drug to use to kill her?” Troy asked.
“No. He said they have shelves filled with different medicines. He’s not familiar with a lot of the names, so he’s going to have to make a list for me. I told him I could look up the names to see if any could kill her.”
“That sounds time consuming.”
First he had to get into the room. He seemed to be too busy and someone typically worked with him since he was still new on the job. Once he could get in the room, he’d have to make a list. Researching would take time for Emily too. Unfortunately, they didn’t have any other options. Or did they?
“Do you have any of that poison left that I ordered in New York?” she asked.
“Do I seem like the type of person who keeps poison laying around?” he asked in his typical smartass tone.
“Can you get access to more?”
“You do know who you’re fucking talking to. Right?”
“Get me a couple more.”
“Are you asking for the angel?”
“He doesn’t know yet. And he probably wouldn’t want me to ask you anyway. He’s really trying to do everything on his own.”
Andrew deserved a lot of credit for putting up with the long hours at the hospital and having to deal with the evil bitch. He’d get off work and vent his frustrations, but then he’d face them again the next day. Emily tried to make him a little happy by fixing hearty meals for him, cleaning his laundry, and taking care of whatever other needs he had, except for intimate kind. After their talk about fooling around, she’d thought he might’ve changed his attitude toward her, but he hadn’t. He continued to walk around without shirts and flirt with her. Once, he’d even come out in the living room with only a towel around his waist. The angel seemed determined to get her attention and rouse her sexual appetite. He did, but she’d been equally resolute not to let her hormones control her. Given all his challenges, he remained in good spirits.
“Would this be our little secret?” Troy asked.
“Yeah, is that okay?” She wasn’t a fan of keeping things hidden from her nearest and dearest friends, but acquiring the poison now would save her from having to ask later in the event Andrew couldn’t get his hands on a drug to kill the demon.
“You know how much I fucking love secrets.”
“Get a couple for me. I’ll send you my address later.”
“It will take a day to get to me and another two to get to you.”
“That’s fine. I’m not going anywhere.” She glanced out the side window. A car drove by and two women were exiting the hospital, but there wasn’t any sign of Andrew.
“If I can be of any other help, let me know.”
“Thanks, Troy. Are you doing okay?” She hoped he wouldn’t beat around the bush like he had the last time they’d talked.
“Staying busy as always.”
“Do you need me?”
“Not right now. I will be sure to call you if I do.”
“You do that.”
Andrew emerged from the main entrance with his lunch bag in one hand. Unlike the other times when she’d picked him up, he had angry look on his face.
“Troy, I need to go,” she said as she straightened in her seat.
“Send me your address.”
“I will. Thanks again. You’re the best.” She turned the key in the ignition.
“Always.”
She returned her cell to the slot within the dashboard. Without delay, she backed out of the parking spot. Andrew stepped from the curb and started walking toward the Jeep as she steered toward him. She stopped at his side.
“Is everything okay?” she asked as he climbed into his seat.
He set his bag on the floor before he slammed the door. “Take me home please.”
Emily drove toward the exit. She glanced at Andrew, but he kept his face away from her. His closed lips and tight br
ows led her to believe he was upset about something.
“How was work?” she asked, hoping to get him out of his foul mood.
He delayed his response. “I don’t want to talk right now.” He avoided looking at her.
Her pulse quickened as concern flooded her. Something had happened at work to trouble him. The angel always liked to chat. She had to know what was bothering him, but she decided to wait until they arrived at the house to probe him.
The sky darkened during the drive. Emily chewed on her bottom lip while she held a firm grasp on the steering wheel. She sneaked glances at Andrew. He continued to stare at his window. The cause of his present state of mind continued to distress her, so she sped to get to the house.
She pulled into the garage of their home and quickly cut the engine. Before she removed her keys, he’d pushed open the door. He exited the Jeep with his bag without waiting for her. She’d left the door to the house unlocked from the garage as usual. He disappeared inside the home as she hefted her purse from the back seat.
Emily headed inside with her bag in hand. She shut the door behind her before she strode down the hall. After rounding the corner, she spotted his lunch bag sitting on the floor behind the sofa. The lamp she’d left on in the living room cast a soft glow through the house. She continued and found Andrew on the couch, bent over with his elbows on his knees and head in his hands. She dropped her bag as she walked around to face him.
“Please tell me what’s wrong,” she said in a gentle tone.
He slid his hands down his cheeks as he straightened. “An infant died tonight.”
“I’m so sorry,” she said, staring into his woeful eyes.
“It was the same infant that had been there when I started. Susan was constantly taking care of it. I noticed he cried a lot when she was there, then other times he would be fine when she wasn’t around.”
Emily dropped her jaw. Now she understood why he was so upset. “Do you think she had a part in the baby’s death?”
“I can’t prove it. I saw her feed the baby plenty of times, but I never saw her add anything to the formula. The other nurses thought he was gassy.”
“Did you say anything to anyone? The hospital administrators?”
He shook his head. “No. I was late because one of the doctors had to take our statements after our shifts. I wanted to tell him. It was on the tip of my tongue, but I knew it might hurt my chances of killing her. And I desperately want that bitch dead.”
He pressed his eyelids closed briefly and swallowed hard. She took a step toward him. The man had such a compassionate heart under his big and solid body. She hated to see him so gloomy.
“It’s not your fault,” she said.
“I am filled with so much rage that I want to walk up to her and break her neck.”
“You’d go to jail and the other demons would remain out there.”
“I know. I know. It’s just so fucking hard to see her near those babies. They’re so innocent, so full of life.” His voice cracked near the end.
Hearing his words struck deep into her heart. She moved closer and ran the tips of her fingers through his soft hair. “Hey, you’re going to kill her. You will get your chance and you will have saved many lives. You have to stay strong.”
He rose and stood close to her side. “You have no idea how close I came tonight to snapping her neck.”
“Do not let a demon ruin your life,” she said firmly.
“Do you want to know what stopped me?”
“The babies?”
He shook his head. “The very first thought that came to my mind was you. If I killed her right then and there, sure, I’d save lives. But I would lose you.” He took her face into his palms. “I need you so much. I cannot bear the idea of any kind of life without you. You’re the main reason I keep fighting.”
Maybe it was the way he gazed at her. It could’ve been his heartfelt words. Or perhaps she was long overdue for intimate attention. Whatever the reason, she didn’t resist the magnetic pull to his lips.
The kiss started as gentle, testing, and then tempting. Warmth spread through her faster than any drug. He sneaked his tongue inside her mouth and the invasion sent her hormones out of control. Her nipples ached for his touch while her southern region hungered for the one thing he had that could fill her. She pressed her body to his as she collected more of his kiss. He needed her and she needed him. Heaven help them because it seemed they were both going to get what they so desperately yearned for.
Chapter Nineteen
Her lips were soft and her tongue was warm. He’d slipped into her mouth, praying she would accept him. She had. Now, he couldn’t get enough of her. He wanted to devour her and so he tried. He held her close, flicking and then sucking on her playful tongue. She responded in kind, surprising him and encouraging his blood to rush to a specific area on his body. He’d had no intention of lighting the passionate fire within her, but since he had, he decided to fuel it. His day had been horrible. He refused to let the night end up the same way.
She whimpered delicately as their hungry kiss continued. His heart pounded while his hard cock transformed into a weapon of steel. Her desire seemed to match his. He’d finally reached his chance to show her how much he loved her.
He slid his hands slowly down her neck and to her breasts. Squeezing them gently, she let out a slight moan. She wore a blank tank top and shorts. Undressing her would be a breeze. Not wasting any time, he tugged on her shirt. She lifted her arms as he pulled it away from her.
The few seconds without her lips ticked by too long. He curled his arms around her and brought her hard pressed to his body. He merged his mouth with hers and delved his tongue inside. She moved her hands along the sides of his chest. Another part of him ached for her touch. She gripped his shirt and started lifting it, along with the one underneath. He hated to interrupt their kiss again, but since it would bring her bare flesh to meet his, he decided to do it.
He pried his mouth from hers and helped her remove his shirts. Before they fell on the floor, he enclosed his arms around her and reclaimed her lips. She grazed her fingers along his torso and tendrils of longing strengthened within him. Her body felt so warm. He wondered if the special place between her thighs felt as heated. He had to find out after he cared for breasts.
She broke their kiss this time and breathed in gulps of air. He needed to taste and touch her. He moved his lips to her chin and his hands up her back. She tilted her head back, inviting him to kiss her more. As he found the clasp of her bra, he flicked his tongue at her neck. She sucked in air. He loved her responses, big and small. She was a treasure trove of passion and he planned to spoil himself with her wealth. He unhitched her bra and the straps loosened over her shoulders. His erection pulsed, reminding him it needed attention. Soon. As he brushed his hands over her back and encouraged her bra to leave her, he dragged his tongue down her neck.
Emily relaxed in his arms and under his caress. Her bra fell to the floor as he traveled his tongue down. Reaching the dip under her neck, he planted a kiss on her. He inched away to marvel at her beauty. Her breasts were paler than her arms and neck, evidence she’d been in the sun too long recently. Perfect in size, her tits were perky and ripe for the taking, which he did. He groped her and rubbed his thumbs over her light-brown nipples. She quivered slightly, but enough for him to notice how sensitive she was to his touch. The hard peaks of her plump girls called to him and he couldn’t resist. He took one into his mouth and sucked on it while he pinched the other between his fingers. A soft gasp escaped her. Every sound and movement she made excited him. She ran her fingers over his scalp and light tingles shot straight to his groin. Damn, he was so hard. He released her nipple and latched onto the other. She moaned as he sucked aggressively. He felt the fast vibrations of her heart. She was so beautiful, so alive, and so in need of his love. He was more than ready to give it.
“Andrew,” she said in a near whisper.
He released her erect p
ebble from his mouth, but he couldn’t take his hands away from breasts. He straightened and reclaimed her lips again. Her tongue eagerly sought his. He loved her secret passion. She was his breath, his life, his reason for existing. His body starved for her. His mouth thirsted for her. His heart screamed for her. She would be his and only his. God help the person who would ever harm her.
She twisted slightly and pushed her palms to his chest, but kept their kiss lively. His calves bumped into the sofa. When she slipped her tongue away and gave him a nudge, he fell back onto the cushion. Her lips were red and her eyes captivated him. She hungered and not for food. She climbed over his lap and sat with her legs spread wide and so very close to his erection. There was no mistaking the bulge in his pants. The scrubs couldn’t hide his excitement this time. When she pressed her breasts to his chest and her mouth over his, he came very close to exploding in his boxers.
He kept her in his arms, smoothing his hands over back while she kissed him. He loved the feel of her flesh. He craved to touch and taste more of it. She gently rubbed her body against his while their tongues tangled. The need to have her consumed him. He slid his hands down to her shorts and worked to unfasten them. Once he had, he lifted her and their lips parted with a smack. He threw her down on the length of the cushions, careful not to hit her head on the armrest, and then yanked on her shorts, taking them and her thin panties down her legs. He dropped the clothes and gazed at her central prize. She was exquisite with a thin strip of pubic hair. His cock ached to be inside her, but he knew he couldn’t. Shouldn’t.
Emily sat up and collected his lips. He was more than happy to give them to her. She held his head in her hands and thrust her tongue inside his mouth. Her fire drove his. He crawled between her legs and ran his fingers over her thighs as she pulled him over her. He carefully lowered on top of her. Within seconds, she’d locked her legs around him and his erection rubbed against the place it yearned to be inside.
He was going to burst. He was certain he had a little. In all his life in heaven and Earth he’d never felt so famished for a woman. He sucked on her tongue and squeezed her breasts. She cried softly and tightened her legs, keeping him secured to her body. He sensed her need to be satisfied. He trailed his kisses down her neck again before he took one of her nipples into his mouth. Her breaths were heavy and her heart thudded as if she’d ran a marathon. He moved to her other breast and she held him there while he devoured it. She grazed her fingers grazed over his scalp again and more tingles shot through him. Her loving touch was driving him insane. He couldn’t wait any longer to taste all of her.
