“Why, Cassandra?”
At his pause, I scrambled with how to answer the open question, but he didn’t give me a chance anyway.
“Why are you doing these things? Do you want to die?”
“What? No. Of course not.”
“Then why do you continuously put yourself in situations where you could?”
I met his gaze, not in defiance, but with a plea for understanding. “I’m trying to help. I just want to get out of here.”
“Then let’s go.”
His answer took me by surprise. “What?”
“Let’s leave the Sanctuary. I’m done chasing my tail here. And I’d rather have you with me than rebelling against me, putting yourself in danger… alone.”
“Where will we go? Back to our old life? Can we even do that? You said you couldn’t handle Caleb and his new army alone.”
“We can go wherever you want. My crew will come with us. I’ll talk with Hadraniel. We’ve played his way long enough. He’ll have to play ours now. In the meantime, I’ll make sure the others stay on alert, ready to fight for us if and when we need them. I’ll put it in terms he won’t be able to refuse.”
I didn’t know what to say. At the very least, I wasn’t expecting this. He’d been so adamant lately that we couldn’t possibly survive without the angel army. I should have been happy. Hell, I should have been ecstatic with his change of heart, but it only made me leery. Would I be leaving a prison only to live life with a shadow underfoot, guarding my every movement, watching my every breath? At least in the Sanctuary I had some privacy. Hunter felt safer with an army around, so he didn’t pursue the need to be at my side every minute. Without them, would I be smothered by his protective nature? I couldn’t handle that, especially with the uncontrollable changes that had been taking over me lately. I didn’t even understand it, so how could I expect him to?
His hand raised and cupped the back of my neck, his thumb stroking my cheek. “I won’t let anything happen to you, Cassandra. You know that.”
He must have taken my contemplation for fear. His eyes were tender, full of love and devotion to keeping me safe, telling me he would forever be my guardian. I had never doubted that. I was more afraid that might change if he saw what was happening to me.
I leaned my face into his hand, closing my eyes so he couldn’t see into my heart and of the real fear within.
“I do. I just… I don’t know what the right thing to do is anymore. Shit, what am I talking about? I never did. I know I’ve driven you to make this decision, but I don’t want to get anyone killed either. I do know we still need to find Caleb though, Hunter.”
“We will. I’ll keep sending guys out, the angel army will keep going out. None of that will change.”
“But not you?” I asked.
“Having you safe with me is my only concern.” He lowered his head, and his lips hovered over mine. “That’s all I’ve ever wanted.”
My eyes closed, and I shut out everything else in my head except the feel of his mouth as it brushed against mine, teasing me with its tenderness. I pressed into him, wanting more, taking more from his mouth, overzealously covering up my sense of deception with physical worship.
“How touching,” the demon said from behind the door.
We both stepped back, and I leaned over to glare at him through the slat in the door.
Hunter turned and slid the slat closed. He was very calm about it. Too calm.
Facing me again, he used a finger under my chin to bring my gaze to his. “Go and pack your things. We’ll leave tomorrow morning. I’ll use tonight to tie up a few loose ends and will meet you in our room in a few hours. Then we’ll go to dinner.”
I knew exactly what loose end he would start with, but I didn’t mind. The demon’s life was of no consequence to me, and he had come here to die anyway. I was afraid of the things he’d told me and maybe, as impossible as it was, knowing he was gone would make them less true. It was my rationalization.
“Okay,” I told Hunter. “You’ll talk to Hadraniel?”
“Yes. I’ll talk with everyone. They will all know by the time you see them at dinner.”
“Do you want me to pack for you, as well?”
“Yes, that would give me more time to make sure everything is in place before we leave.”
“Okay, then. I’ll see you in a few hours.”
I started to walk away, but Hunter grabbed my hand.
“We’re going to be okay, Cassandra. I promise you.”
I caught a glimpse of him over my shoulder, and he turned back to face me. He didn’t even need words to make me feel safe. Just the way he looked at me was enough. I believed him.
“I love you,” I said with everything that was true in my heart.
“I love you too, Cassandra.”
“Thank you.”
He nodded and kissed my hand before letting it go. I smiled at him and then headed to the basement door. Looking back, I expected to see Hunter enter the cell, but he stood in front of the door, intent on watching me leave the area, and I waved before walking out and closing the basement door behind me. I didn’t even want to think about what would happen after I’d left them alone.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Heading straight back to our room, I didn’t waste time, getting more excited about our decision to leave with every step. Finally, I would be rid of this place. No more hostility, tension, and anxiety. Well, maybe still some anxiety since Caleb was still out there, but at least I didn’t have to feel like a pariah amongst a bunch of saints anymore. Of course, fear of the whole, I’m-going-to-be-evil-thing the demon had foretold would be in the back of my mind, but I was hoping for a newfound freedom and being away from the negative vibes. Any dark, hellish plans for my fate would be knocked on its ass, taking with it the dreams of killing Hunter and thoughts of soul-stealing.
Packing didn’t take long at all since we didn’t have much. All of the room furnishings belonged to the Sanctuary. We’d only arrived with our clothing and a few personal items, not expecting to be there as long as we were. It had only taken about an hour, and with time to kill before Hunter returned, I was getting quite anxious. Would Hadraniel fight him on this and change his mind? Would anyone else? No, I thought, chastising myself, Hunter wasn’t one to have his mind changed by anything or anyone, except maybe me, but even I had a difficult time with it.
I thought about telling Hunter everything, coming clean with all I’d done, my evil thoughts, my dreams about killing him. It only seemed right after all he was risking for me. He might even help me try to make sense of them. Maybe he could banish the dreams for good.
By the time Hunter got back to the room, I’d concluded I’d definitely tell him, just not until we were out of the Sanctuary. Now that freedom was so close, I would do nothing to jeopardize it. Once we were settled in back home, I’d spill my guts.
“Good, you packed up everything,” he said eyeing the bags near the door. “It’s all set. We’ll leave early in the morning.”
“You told everyone?”
“Yes. Most of them understood, even expected it, and gave us their blessings. Those who didn’t… well, I told them to fuck off. Eric and Nora, along with the other demons, have agreed to leave with us.”
None of this surprised me. The demons obviously wouldn’t feel comfortable staying at the Sanctuary without us, and I knew Nora would go wherever Eric went. I made a mental note to talk to her after dinner tonight, to apologize, and let her know I planned to tell Hunter everything. The last thing I wanted was for her to feel obligated to warn Hunter of my misdeeds before I had the chance to talk with him myself.
“And Hadraniel?” I asked, wondering if we were creating some sort of holy war with our exit.
“He was one of those I told to fuck off…”
I gasped.
“At first. But eventually he saw it my way and we agreed on terms we could both live with. Rest assured, he and his army will still align with us should the need
arise.”
I exhaled with relief.
“Ready for your last supper with the angels?” he asked with a smirk.
I laughed. The sound seemed foreign. It had been so long, but it was definitely therapeutic. “You mean the angels are actually joining us tonight? They must be really happy we’re leaving.”
Hunter chuckled. “No, I’m joking, they’re not coming. I might be suspicious of an ambush if they were to join us after all this time.”
“You’re suspicious of everything.”
“I’m suspicious of you right now. Are you trying to seduce me?”
“What?”
His eyes seemed to cloud over as they trailed the length of my body and back up again. My skin flushed as I watched his tongue dart over his lips while he slowly sauntered up to me. Hunter kept me locked in his gaze until he refocused and watched his fingertips skimming the edge of my blouse at my chest. Goosebumps formed from the light touch, and I sucked in a breath, causing my chest to rise directly into his fingers. He let them ride the wave as his eyes followed.
“I like this.” His voice was deep and sultry. My nipples seemed to be in direct communication with it.
“It’s just a blouse.” I could barely catch my breath enough to let the words out. And it was just a blouse. One of that flimsy material kind. He was probably so used to seeing me in T-shirts and tanks for working out or lounging around the Sanctuary, making this one seem dressier than it was. Or he was simply easily aroused.
“Mmm hmmm.” His fingers slid down between my breasts to play with the tiny pearl buttons down the middle of the blouse.
My gaze was hypnotized by his features, lured in by their blatant desire and intensity.
Slowly, he raised his head and looked directly into my eyes. “Then you wouldn’t mind if you could never wear it again?”
“Hunter, we can’t. We have to g—”
My words were cut off by the sound of material ripping, and my gasp as the chilled air hit my breasts.
“Hunter,” I moaned, trying desperately to hold the two pieces of my blouse together. It was impossible, of course, because Hunter had already planted his hands beneath it on my breasts. Not to mention his mouth was suckling my neck in the most divine manner, rendering my motor skills useless. “Dinner,” I managed on a breathy whisper.
His lips left my neck, causing me to shiver from the cold air blowing over the wet path that remained. Without a second to recover, his hot breath was in my ear. “I can’t think of a tastier meal.”
Another moan escaped my lips, and I leaned closer. My breasts pressed into his hands while my core found his thick hardness to rub against, sending a burst of ecstasy throughout my body. The contact, along with his mouth, most definitely making a meal out of me, made me ravenous for more. But I knew we had to get to dinner. I needed to talk with several people before we left early in the morning. But…
He spread his legs, caging mine in between while his hands swept behind me and grabbed my ass. His hips rotated, grinding the erection against me, causing the pressure between my legs to become almost unbearable. I latched onto the back of his neck and pulled his head down, smashing my mouth against his, not caring about the bruising it would leave later. I only wanted his tongue in my mouth, a fleshy part of him invading my body, claiming it. It was exactly what I got, and I lashed at his tongue with my own, using the same urgency and greed he used to grind against my core.
As our mouths continued melding together, his hands left my backside and moved to the front of my pants. Hot against my belly, his fingers teased at the waistband, threatening to relieve the pressure not far from their tips.
“Oh, God, Hunter,” I said against his lips.
His mouth left mine while his tongue trailed a path along my jaw and up my neck. A sharp pain cut through the pleasure humming throughout my body as he bit into my earlobe.
I cried out, but there was no mistaking it was a cry of pure pleasure.
“You like that?” His breath was hot on my ear, heating my lobe where he’d just sunk his teeth.
“Yes.” My answer was automatic as if my body was replying for me, and my mind had nothing to do with it. That’s not to say my mind wasn’t enjoying every second.
“It seems this is the only way I can control you.”
One of his hands skimmed up my body and yanked down the cup of my bra. I heard the elastic strap give way, but I didn’t care because his fingers were pinching the nipple, sending sweet, pleasurable jolts throughout my body.
His other hand inched down my pants, teasing as it went.
“Are you wet for me?” His fingers were ever so close to where I wanted them. I almost came from the sheer anticipation.
I sucked in a breath to give them more room.
“Why don’t you find out?”
He chuckled, and I opened my eyes to find him staring at me, his bottom lip between his teeth, a gleam in his eye. I wanted to ask him what he was thinking but couldn’t stop panting long enough to utter a word.
“Cassandra?”
“Hmmm?”
“You’re going to need new pants, too.”
Before I could even process the words, the item in question was torn away from me. Torn. Away. With one forceful pull of his hand. It happened so fast, I wasn’t even sure if my feet came off the floor, but there I was… standing in my panties. By the hungry way his eyes swept over me, they’d be gone soon too.
I smirked as I glanced at myself. “Well, this isn’t proper dinner attire.”
“It is for our menu.”
With that, he swept me up into his arms and stalked over to the sofa, where he set me down gently, adjusting the throw pillow behind my head before straddling my hips and hovering over me.
All thoughts of dinner vanished. My body pulsed with need as Hunter leaned over me. I was desperate for more, his hands, his lips… hell… any contact with his body. The mere brush of his thighs against my lower half had me rocking toward him.
His passion-filled eyes met mine as he slipped fingers beneath the straps of my bra. An eyebrow shot up, teasingly, and I shook my head. He grinned while deftly undoing the clasp at the front, releasing my breasts for his enjoyment.
And mine.
Instinctively, my back arched when his lips latched on to one of the tender buds, his thumb simultaneously playing with the other. My hips continued to undulate upward of their own accord as if dancing to a silent tune, seeking the hardness between his legs. Hunter remained hovered over me, barely out of their reach. It was excruciating and frustrating while being powerfully erotic at the same time. I feared one touch of the sensitive spot between my legs would put me over the edge of bliss where I teetered.
“Hunter, please…”
A deep growl-like sound came from his throat before he switched his mouth to the other breast and gave it the same affections he’d done with the previous one. While the gesture seemed to even me out, it drove me more insane for release at the same time.
Unable to stand it any longer, I pushed at him with my hands, frantically pulling on his shirt to lift it off and gain access to his pants zipper. Instead, he grabbed my clumsy arms by the wrists and held them together over my head in his powerful grip.
He nibbled on my ear before whispering, “Oh, no, sweetness. I plan on savoring this meal.”
I barely processed the chaste kiss placed on my lips before his mouth inched its way down my body. Leaning in to every suckle, every tongue lash was my only option. The idea of where he was headed killed me with delicious anticipation.
When his hands parted my thighs, I realized my wrists were no longer being held. They’d stayed up on their own accord as if paralyzed while he made a meal of my body. That situation changed when his tongue laved the tender folds of my core, and I had no choice but to grab handfuls of his hair and hold on for dear life while he feasted on me.
I rocked my hips into him, lost in the waves of pleasure he was creating.
“Come for me, baby
. I want all of it.”
They were the only words I needed to send me into complete erotic oblivion. And he took all of it. I could barely handle the sensory overload his continued strokes caused. Finally, he stopped, and I was able to breathe in enough air to bring me down from the high, but his hot breath remained so close, it continued to tease enough to keep me from recovering completely.
When my eyes regained focus, I looked at his self-satisfied smirk only a man with such carnal skills as Hunter should wear.
“That was insanely wonderful,” I said, surprised I could even form words.
“Oh, really? It wasn’t even the main course.”
He crawled up my body, staying between my legs. I wasn’t sure I could stand much more. I’d already overdosed with sexual gratification, but when he entered me, I was ready again.
Buried deep inside me, his arms on either side of my head, he lowered himself onto his elbows until our faces were only a breath apart. “Open your eyes, Cassandra.”
I did as I was told and couldn’t help but fall into the glowing blue orbs staring back at me, making me feel as if he were taking me in metaphysically and melding our souls together.
“Burn this feeling into your memory. Us. Right here. Right now. Use it as your beacon anytime you feel lost. This is your world. With me. Nothing else matters.”
His words were like a spotlight on my heart, chasing away the darkness that had taken up residence there, casting shadows on everything that mattered. It all made sense, but he had it all wrong. The memory of a feeling wouldn’t lead me back where I was supposed to be. He was my beacon. Hunter. His whole being, his very essence, everything that made him who he was. Whenever I was lost, all I needed to do was think of him, my angelic demon. He was, and I knew he always would be, the guardian of my fate.
“I love you, Hunter.”
His eyes closed slowly as if he were taking my simple sentiment and letting it bury deep inside his soul. When he opened them back up, they were the brightest I’d ever seen them. He brought his lips to mine in a kiss that lingered, sweet and telling of his love for me too. But then, as if he wasn’t satisfied with the kiss’s portrayal of his love, his mouth came down hard on mine.
Angel Of Fate (Fate Series Book 3) Page 10
