Crave (Tainted Angels Book 1) (25 page)

A sharp gasp rushed from me, my lungs winded as fire tore through me and incinerated every bit of oxygen in my system. My back arched with the intense agony that brought my heartbeat to a stop and forced tears to pour from me. I grappled around for Willa, fighting for her hands. She found me, gripping me tightly as her own back arched and she released a torturous scream. My heart felt like it was about to explode as the piece of her heart that she’d broken off slid through my soul and attached itself to my own, shocking it enough to start the beat once again.

We both fought for breath as the pain died and Willa slumped over me. I stilled, a shameful sob breaking from me. Willa snapped her head up, her eyes wide on me, horror or terror, I wasn’t sure which, forcing more tears from her eyes. “What is it? Are you okay?”

For the longest moment, I couldn’t move. “I ...” I couldn’t form the words, my mouth so dry that I struggled to get my tongue to function. “I can feel your heartbeat. It’s inside me. It’s … it’s like it’s encouraging my own, playing …” I grinned, a crazy chuckle slipping free. “It’s quite frisky.”

“Of course it is,” she whispered, her own smile mesmerising me as more plump tears rolled over her cheeks. “It’s happy.”

We both looked down at my chest, our eyes locking on the tiny black heart that was seared just beside my right nipple.

Excitement burst through me, and flinging my arms around Willa, I rolled us both over until she was underneath me, staring up at me. She was all mine, all of her.

She grinned up at me, her hand sliding into the side of my hair. “I love you,” she whispered, her plump lips brushing over mine. “My mate.”

I swore, as I slid into her depths again, I touched Utopia.

R
ax’s chest didn’t make a good pillow. It was too hard and I grumbled when I poked it with my finger, attempting in vain to find a soft spot for my head.

Rax chuckled, his fingers drawing faintly down over my ribs. “You know, I could take offence to all your grumbling. I thought you liked my body.”

“Oh,” I scoffed, running my fingers down over his impressive muscles. “I do, so much, but you’re not good for the migraines.”

“You have another?” He twisted around until he was facing me, concern covering his face as my head plopped on to Rax’s pillow.

I gave him a small nod. “Yeah, but I’m okay.”

He regarded me with curious eyes. “I can’t feel it.”

I smiled. “Then I’m happy. I’m also hungry. Are you hungry?”

He tapped the tip of my nose, narrowing his eyes. “Don’t change the subject. You should really get checked out.”

I sighed, rolling over onto my back, staring at the small stain on Rax’s ceiling. “I’ve been, had all the checks, I’m fine. Just something I’m going to apparently suffer with, I’m afraid.”

“But we’re spiritual, we don’t suffer, Seraph.” He huffed. “I’ll make you an appointment with the doc in Gehenna.”

I pursed my lips. “I trust the doc in Empyrea. If she says there’s nothing wrong then there isn’t.”

“But you’ll be living here, it won’t hurt to …”

“Excuse me?”

We both tensed, Rax’s eyes growing a little too heated for my liking. “I said,” he drawled slowly, “it would be good for you to meet your new doctor anyway.”

I sat up, crossing my arms defensively over my chest. “May I ask his lord and master why he seems to think that’ll we’ll be making home in Gehenna?”

“Well …” He blinked at me. “All my friends are here. My family.”

“Oh, and mine will all pack up and hitch a ride down here, will they?”

Rax sighed, blowing out a breath. “Willa, I can’t live in Empyrea … it’s full of …” Catching the way my tongue slid over the inside of my cheek, he didn’t finish his sentence.

“Come on,” I pressed. “It’s full of what?”

He coughed slightly to clear his throat. “It’s full of angels, Willa. You know … pretty angels, angels that could take my attention away from you.”

I stared at him. And then I stared some more. “I’m sorry. What?”

He shrugged as though we were just discussing the damn weather. Holding his hands out in front of him he mimicked cupping some round objects. “Shit, Will. You’ve seen all those pretty little angels, their … breasts. They’re fucking amazing. What is it about angel boobs that …”

The pillow smacked him square in the face as I stomped across the room in search of my clothes.

My body was lifted off the floor as Rax’s arm grabbed my waist. Pulling me back on to the bed, he was laughing loudly. “Jesus, Seraph, chill. I’m just teasing.”

I pouted at him. “Well, I happen to think you make a shit comedian.”

He was rolling with laughter and I narrowed my eyes. “Besides.” I sniffed. “Now I’ve seen exactly how well-endowed demons are, maybe you’re right. Living down here could be fun.”

He shut up and scowled at me. “What?”

I smiled. “Well, we’re coupled now. I’ve snared you. What would a little fun with another demon hurt?”

My heart jumped when his face darkened. When his chin started to stretch I realised that maybe I hadn’t thought my teasing through very well.

“I’m just messing, baby. Calm down.”

I gulped when Rax’s demon made an appearance, his teeth bared as he growled at me. His long fingers slid slowly down my body as his eyes blazed with a dangerous glint. “This is untouchable to others but me,” he snarled.

Gasping when he grabbed between my legs, I pulled up my courage and smiled softly as I lifted my hand to his face. His skin was rough beneath my fingers but the handsome monster had me enthralled. “I’m all yours. All of me. My heart, my soul, my love, my needs; they’re all yours.”

His hand slid back up my body until he was embracing my throat. “Kiss me, mate.”

His growled order should have scared the shit out of me, instead I whimpered in need as I reached up and softly pressed my lips to his. It felt strange, but not in a bad way. His lips were soft but sort of drier, rougher.

His hand left my throat and snaked around my head, his grip softening as he kissed me with an adoration that took my breath away.

Pulling away I was relieved to find Rax back with me. “Welcome back,” I whispered.

“You shouldn’t goad him, Willa.”

I smiled, touching his lips with the tips of my fingers. “He won’t hurt me.”

He kissed the tip of my nose. “We’ll sort out living arrangements later, when it’s safer. I need food.”

I nodded eagerly. “Me too. What are you making me?”

He gawped at me. “What?”

“Food. What are you cooking? I’m starving.” My belly rumbled right on cue.

“But … I presumed you’d be the one cooking something for me.”

I laughed then, so hard that tears slid down my cheeks and I got a cramp in my side. “You’ve never tasted my cooking, right?” He shook his head. “I know, because you’re still breathing.” I added with another bout of laughter.

He stood staring at me in shock. “But …”

I stopped laughing and scowled at him. “You thought because we’re coupled that I’ll be the dutiful mate and cook?”

“Well, yeah. One of us has to.”

“If you don’t like long bouts on the loo, then it’s going to be you.”

“Aww hell,” he murmured. He seemed to ponder something for a moment then grinned at me with a delight that had my eyes slipping over his head to see if a light bulb had appeared. “Cheese sandwich?”

I grinned and nodded. “Perfect!”

Pushing my plate to one side when I swallowed the last of my sandwich, I sat back and looked at Rax. Swallowing my nerves, I coughed to clear the lump in my throat. “There’s probably something I should have told you before we coupled.”

He stilled, looking at me with a probing stare. “What?”

Picking at the black nail varnish that was this week’s choice, I pulled in a breath. “Uhh well …”

“Seraph?”

“Well, we might not have a choice where we live.” He remained silent so I just blurted it out. “I’ll be the taking over The Almighty’s job.”

He didn’t say anything for a long time. I shifted nervously in my chair as I waited for him to run away.

“What? Um, I … I’m not sure I get you.”

“She came to visit me.”

Rax’s eyes grew so wide that I swore he was going to lose them in the glass of water he held in his trembling hand.

Reaching forwards, I took the glass from him and placed it on the table.

“She’s dying, and apparently I’m next in line to the throne, so to speak.”

Rax still remained in complete silence. He was making me nervous. My eyes wandered round his kitchen, taking in the sheer size of his apartment. Maybe if we did choose to live here I could get the hound I wanted.

“Do you have any idea what that means?” he finally managed.

I nodded. “Oh, yeah.”

“Jesus, Willa.”

“I’m sorry, I should have told you before we …” The words died in my throat when Rax quickly slipped his hand across the table and grabbed my hand.

“It doesn’t make the slightest difference to how I feel about you, but yeah, you should have told me.”

We both looked across the room when the air rippled and Dexter and Delilah appeared. I’d forgotten Rax shared his place with Dex and I swiftly pulled the t-shirt Rax had slipped over my head down to cover my thighs.

“Hey, kids.” Delilah smiled. Then her eyes fell to Rax’s bare chest. Her jaw dropped and her eyes popped wide when she spotted the tiny black heart. “Well, fuck me backwards on the table! My baby got coupled!”

Her excitement was contagious and I couldn’t help but grin back at her when she scooped me into a fierce hug.

Dexter slapped Rax on the back when they man hugged. “Pleased for you, mate, although …” He turned to me, “I feel for you, Willa.”

The air popped again and Zak, Jaron and Diablo appeared. Word spread quickly once Delilah knew, apparently.

Diablo held the hairiest and most gorgeous hellhound puppy in his arms. For a puppy it was already the size of a fully grown tiger; at full size he would be the height of a horse and his ginormous bulk would eventually tower over me. His beautiful, long grey hair was silky smooth when Diablo passed him to me. “Coupling gift.” He grinned.

I squealed, nuzzling my face into the huge beast. I struggled to hold him so I placed him on his feet and then sat on the floor with him as he proceeded to give my face a bath. I giggled, delighted with him. His breath was rank and his tongue actually took the skin off my cheeks but he was perfect.

“I love him!” I cried as I wound my arms around him. “Herb,” I declared to the hound. “You like that, huh?” I laughed when he gave me another wet kiss.

“Herb?” Rax questioned, his lip curled on one side.

I nodded. “It suits him, short for Herbert. Doesn’t it, Herb?”

Delilah laughed as she came to join us, trying to swat at Herb when he started to gnaw on the handle of her whip.

Suddenly she grew sombre and looked at me. Taking my hand, she gave it a squeeze. “I’m pleased for you.”

I smiled back, the tears in her eyes making my heart swell. She swallowed and I knew she had something to add. And I knew what that something was. “It’s okay, I’ve accepted it. But you know, Rax will have a child, so I’ll still be a stepmom.”

Delilah gave me a huge grin when Rax came up behind me and dropped a kiss to the top of my head. “And she’ll make an amazing stepmum.”