Heart of an Angel

by Rosalie Lario

  Waves of frustrated desire pulsed off his body, and there was no doubt she sensed them. She slowly turned to face him, rubbing her hand along his wing the entire way. Then her eyes were on him, burning a blaze of heat and longing into his hyper-sensitive flesh.

  Gods. The woman was stunning. How could he have withstood her this long?

  Abby’s chest visibly rose as her gaze slid down to his stomach, her fingers blazing a trail to the very spot she admired. “Your abs are amazing.”

  “Mm…” was all he managed to say. The sparks of electricity zinging off her fingers electrified his nerve endings, making him even harder than he’d thought possible.

  “So flat and defined, like you spend all day at the gym…but you don’t, do you?”

  “No,” he murmured, his voice low and husky. He’d never even been inside one of those places humans called fitness centers. “Though beating my wings does take a fair amount of work.”

  “I’ll bet.” Without warning she leaned forward to press a soft kiss to his chest. Though her lips were cold, he felt the heat of her touch deep inside him.

  To hell with it.

  What was he fighting for, anyway?

  He snatched her into his arms and crushed his lips to hers, warming her mouth with his lips and tongue. The kiss blazed on and on, until he thought he might melt with the heat of it. Her taste was exquisite, like strawberries melded with the finest of wines.

  His hands traveled in search of her flesh, but there wasn’t an inch to be found under the heavy weight of her coat. Heavens knew she didn’t need one now, not with the heat of their intertwined bodies evaporating the snow around them.

  But when he thoughtlessly reached forward to undo the buttons on her coat, she stopped him.

  “No,” she said softly.

  No?

  Was she refusing him now? Paying him back for his supreme stupidity?

  When he drew back to look into her eyes, she gave him a tremulous smile. “I need a bath.”

  “A bath,” he repeated blankly.

  “I’ve been training all day.”

  The blush that spread over her cheeks clued him in to the hidden meaning behind her words. She wanted to be freshly bathed for their first time together. She wanted it to be perfect.

  That, at least, he could grant her.

  He nodded, and slowly took her back into his arms.

  “Come on.”

  He’d take her back to the compound, show her the bathing facilities. And then...

  And then he would claim her.

  Maybe not as his life mate, and maybe not forever. But by the time the night was through, there would be no doubt that she was fully and thoroughly loved.

  *****

  Abby’s footsteps echoed the soft pounding of her heart as she followed Nate down the stairs leading into the bathing area. Back on the ledge, she’d hardly been able to believe it when Nate had kissed her. When he’d looked at her as if he wanted nothing more than to devour her. And then, when she’d suggested a bath, he seemed to understand what she meant.

  Please God, let him have understood her. If he was leading her down here only to turn around and leave her to bathe alone, she would be absolutely mortified. Not to mention frustrated beyond belief. But she hoped that wasn’t the case, especially since desire and anticipation pulsed off him in dense, heavy waves. He wouldn’t be so anxious if he didn’t plan on staying with her, right?

  Hell, she really hoped so.

  She wanted Nate. Had longed for him all these years. She absolutely had to have him.

  But that didn’t mean she wasn’t scared.

  Oh, she was.

  Her heart beat fast as a jackrabbit, her eyes were all blurry, and her skin felt cold and clammy, as if she was on the verge of a nervous sweat.

  It wasn’t every day a girl lost her virginity, not to mention to a delicious, perfect specimen of man. One who had wings, to boot.

  The stairs led them to a long, narrow corridor with walls covered in the same stone as the rest of the cavern. These walls were damp and slimy-looking. She reached out her hand and touched them.

  Gross.

  “Down here,” Nate said as he trod through the corridor, past a small table that held a miniature statue of an angel. No more than six inches tall, the cherubic angel looked nothing like the real deal. He reached out and carelessly dropped it onto its side as they walked past.

  “Um…I agree the thing’s hideous,” she said, “but why even keep it down here to begin with?”

  His low chuckle drifted back to her.

  “When turned on its side it indicates to others that someone is using the chamber.”

  “Oh.” That made sense. With so many people living here, there had to be some way to ensure there weren’t any embarrassing naked bathroom incidents.

  She rounded the corner after Nate, and stopped with a gasp. Even though he’d explained it to her, seeing the corridor open out into a large room with a stream running perpendicularly through it was astonishing. Steam drifted up from the slow-flowing current, and a natural bank protected the ground from being inundated.

  “This is…wow. I can’t believe this is here.”

  Nate nodded. “It’s one of the reasons we chose to build our compound in this cave. Since the stream flows from the hot spring, the water is always warm. Perfect for bathing.”

  A wooden bucket sat on the bank, and inside were several small bars of wrapped soap. A pile of towels sat on a rickety wooden crate against one wall. Guess she had everything she needed.

  “Well…”

  Words deserted her. How did one ask a man if he was going to join her for a bath?

  She met Nate’s gaze across the distance separating them, and her face heated.

  He must have sensed her discomfort, because he gave her a cheeky grin. “Shall I go in first?”

  “Yes,” she practically screeched, her shoulders sagging with relief. But then his fingers went to the button of his jeans, and her body tensed for an altogether different reason.

  Holy mother…

  Was he going to take them off right in front of her?

  Abby’s question was answered when, with an astounding level of speed and efficiency, he slid the zipper down and slipped his jeans down his legs.

  Oh my God!

  Her mouth fell open at the sight before her.

  It wasn’t like Nate was the first man she’d ever seen naked. She’d occasionally watched Cinemax back at home. But he was the first angel, and no human man could compare to the naked perfection she beheld.

  Nate’s sculpted abs gave way to a rock-hard ass that any being would envy. His thighs were thick and lined with ropy muscles that continued down his legs, ending in perfectly sculpted feet. And the front of him…

  Holy heart attack.

  She might not have seen much of that particular appendage, but she knew enough to realize he was more than a little bit gifted.

  Gulping, she zipped her gaze back toward his face. When she saw that he watched her with a slight smile on his face, she couldn’t stop the flow of blood rushing to her face.

  Kill me now.

  Could she have been any more obvious…or desperate?

  Rather than comment, he simply said, “Coming?”

  Before she could respond, he stepped forward and dropped into the water. It came up to his lower abs, revealing the light trail of hair that led down his body. When he sank into the water until his head was fully submerged, she finally got enough sense to free herself from the spell he’d unintentionally cast over her.

  Her fingers moved tentatively to her heavy sweater. She wasn’t particularly ashamed of her body. In fact, it was pretty decent. Still, knowing that and actually revealing it to someone else—to the man of her dreams, no less—were two entirely different things.

  Courage, Abby. She could do this.

  Taking a deep breath, she snatched the fabric of her sweater in both hands and tugged it over her head, then quickly toed off her
sneakers and followed suit with her jeans. A quick glance toward the stream showed her Nate was still underwater.

  Jeez, the man could hold his breath forever.

  Before she could think any further and risk chickening out, she unhooked her bra and slid it off, then took off her panties.

  Oh God. She was really going to do this, wasn’t she?

  She sucked in a gulp of air and then slipped into the stream, allowing her entire body to submerge in the water.

  Yes. Her body went limp from the delicious feel of the water permeating her bones. It was warmer than she’d imagined, perfect despite the crisp bite of the air in the cave.

  Abby languidly allowed her head to float back up above the water. She opened her eyes to see Nate leaning against the bank, a knowing grin on his face.

  “I’m in heaven,” she sighed.

  “It is quite luxurious.” When he carelessly threw an arm over the edge of the bank, making the droplets of water clinging to his chest glisten in the dim, orange lighting, her mouth went dry.

  Damn, he was beautiful. Exotic. Unattainable.

  But he’s mine. Her heart, mind, and body told her so.

  Now if only Nate would agree…

  His blue eyes darkened, glistening with purpose, and he murmured, “Come closer.”

  Her heart quickened to a rapid flutter in her chest. This was the moment she’d dreamt of for years. Yet now that it was here, she couldn’t help but be afraid. What if she totally spazzed out? What if he changed his mind?

  What if it wasn’t good?

  Oh hell, who was she kidding? There was no chance of the latter.

  Slowly Abby drifted toward Nate, willing her racing nerves to calm. It was impossible, though. Her heart beat skyrocketed, making her fear she’d pass out before any of the good stuff could happen. But she’d waited this long to divest herself of her virginity. She wasn’t about to let anything else get in the way.

  His stark gaze remained locked on her as she approached. He had mercy on her and reached out, interlocking their fingers and pulling her forward until their bodies practically touched.

  Oh God.

  The electricity from their intertwined fingers practically sizzled, creating a current of tension and desire between their bodies.

  “Smoking,” she murmured, unable to tear her gaze from his. When his eyes narrowed into seductive slits, she shook herself out of her haze long enough to say, “No, seriously. We’re smoking.”

  Nate grinned. “It’s the residual heat our bodies put out from the electric currents sparking off us…and from the temperature of the water.”

  “Oh.”

  She had no time to say any more than that before he leaned forward, softly touching his lips to hers. As if he feared she’d run away. She couldn’t help but give an internal snort at that. More than likely he’d be the one running.

  To hell with it. Seize the day.

  Abby slid one hand around the back of Nate’s neck and tugged him down, mashing her lips to his. His sharp intake of breath emboldened her to tug her fingers from his and run the tips along his back, then around to the front of his chest. His skin was smooth and unmarred, like the richest velvet beneath a layer of finely-tempered steel. Slick from the water, it pulsed beneath her fingertips.

  “Wow,” she murmured against his mouth.

  “Mmm…” His palms slid down her back and beneath the water, firmly cupping the curves of her ass and pulling her tighter to him.

  She gasped at the thick, hard heat of him across her belly. Much as she’d imagined doing this with him, she never could have dreamt he would feel like that.

  “Please,” she panted.

  With a low chuckle, he whirled until her back hit the bank. The dim lights in the cave passed in a blur as he bent her backward and ran his thumbs over the hardened peaks of her breasts before flicking his tongue across one of the buds.

  “Oh my...wow.” This she never could have imagined. The shuddering pulses of electricity that ran from her breasts to that delicious spot between her legs made her long to cry out in ecstasy.

  Practically puffing for breath, she ran her fingers through his silky hair and just let herself feel. The heat of his tongue on her breasts. His fingertips dancing along her body. The rest of the world floated away, leaving her and him and the heady sensation their movements created.

  “Heavens, but you’re beautiful,” he breathed.

  “Don’t stop.” She tugged on his hair.

  He let out a husky chuckle and slid his fingers down between her legs. She shamelessly parted them, past the point of caring about anything other than their mutual pleasure. When his wet fingers slid along her desire-slickened crease, she cried out at the electricity pulsing through her flesh. Her body spasmed into a release so quick and unexpected that she was left all but breathless, powerless to do anything but brace herself and ride it out.

  He made a soft sound of surprise, his glittering gaze lifting to hers. “How swiftly you respond.”

  “You have no idea,” she murmured.

  A lifetime of celibacy would do that to a gal.

  “Hmm.” Eyes shuttering, he drew his mouth down to her other breast.

  Half lost in a dreamy haze, Abby couldn’t help but think he would be a merciless warrior…because he gave her no rest now from the pleasure he inflicted. His index finger slid inside her with agonizing ecstasy.

  He sucked in a breath, briefly lifting his gaze to her. “So tight.”

  Though his eyes held a hint of question, she wasn’t about to clue him in now. It had been hell just getting him to this point. Finding out she was a virgin might be enough to send him racing from the room.

  “More,” she panted instead, and that was enough to distract him from his thoughts. His finger, slick from her desire despite the water, slid partially out and then farther in. Delicious enough to make her gasp and curl her fingers through his hair. He didn’t seem to care how hard she yanked, though. It only egged him on, making him increase the intensity of his movement until her tight muscles relaxed enough for him to slide a second finger in.

  “Oh, yes,” she cried out. This was what she’d been missing all along? Good thing she hadn’t known how amazing it would be. She might have died of agony having to wait all these long years.

  A low, growling noise tumbled from his throat, and he pumped his fingers harder, faster, until—with a loud cry—she went over the edge once more. Only then did he slowly straighten, trailing kisses up her neck until his lips met hers once more. He proceeded to kiss her senseless.

  “Now,” she panted.

  He let out a soft laugh. “What’s the rush?”

  A dozen years of waiting, that was the rush.

  “Now.”

  Chuckling, he floated forward in the water and buried his face against her neck. When he positioned himself at her entrance, she couldn’t help but stiffen against him. This was her first time, and from what she’d heard, it hurt the first time...

  But then he pressed forward, and she could only gasp at the unfamiliar sensation of her body stretching to accommodate him. He gave one small thrust and she let out a low cry, her lower back arching from the wet embankment when he easily breached the barrier of her innocence.

  With a low, deep sound, he froze.

  Uh-oh.

  “Abby,” he said, his voice tight.

  “Y-yes?”

  He pulled back to lock gazes with her. “Have you done this before?”

  So he’d figured it out.

  All too aware of the heat spreading across her face, she shook her head.

  “Heavens,” he murmured, his gaze growing pained. He screwed his eyes shut. “You should have told me.”

  And have him run away for good? Never.

  Her arms tightened over his shoulders in an unconscious effort to keep him close.

  “I-I didn’t think it mattered,” she stammered.

  His eyes opened, fiery gaze flashing. “Of course it matters.”

/>   She bit her lower lip against the heat in his gaze. But just when she thought he’d pull away, he surprised her by instead lowering his head to hers. His lips pressed against hers, softly coaxing her mouth open, and his tongue slid inside in a soft, warm caress.

  Only after she’d given in to the passion of the kiss, letting her body relax against him, did he press forward.

  Oh. She gasped against his mouth as the sensation of his body slicing into hers soared from acceptable, to good, to the most amazing thing she’d ever experienced. He pushed onward and a cry tore from her throat. He was so freaking big. So hard.

  So absolutely perfect.

  Her body shook with desire, the residual pulses from their skin-to-skin contact making her clitoris tingle. All rational thought fled, all shame with it.

  “More,” she cried out, uncaring how needy it made her sound. How embarrassed she’d be if she actually knew what she was saying. “Please.”

  He obeyed with a groan, pulling back only to pump into her again and again. Making each of his thrusts blessedly harder and harder, as if he understood that she didn’t need it soft or gentle. She just needed him now.

  “Yes,” she cried, raking her nails down his wet back. The movement seemed to excite him, because he made a sound in his throat and grabbed onto the bank for support, increasing the intensity of his thrusts so he pounded into her with a zeal that tore the breath from her lungs. Harder, deeper, until the pressure building inside her bubbled over in an explosion of heat.

  “Yes,” she shrieked, digging her nails into his ass to hold him deep inside. Her walls clenched tight around him, and he shook as he buried his face in her neck. With a loud, guttural yell, he joined her in climax.

  Too much. Her body collapsed into pleasure overload, limp from the intensity of her orgasm and from the delicious, alien feel of him emptying inside her.

  “Oh my God,” she gasped when she could finally breathe again. “That was…that was…”

  Amazing. Mind-blowing. Indescribable.

  “I know,” he whispered, his voice soft but raspy.

  She rested against him with a contented sigh. That had exceeded her expectations. Hell, it hadn’t even been in the same ballpark. She’d just become one with the man she loved.