29. Uriel

29

URIEL

M y fingers curl into fists as her family's footsteps fade. Anger boils beneath my skin, the only thing keeping my fear at bay, making my wings snap out and cast shadows across the workshop floor. I grab Athena's arm and yank her against me, my heart thundering at how close I came to losing her.

"What were you thinking?" My voice drops to a growl. "You could've been killed."

Those golden-green eyes flash with defiance. "You never fucking relent, do you?" She shoves against my chest, but I don't budge. "Can't you see why I did it? Why I want to be here?"

"Enlighten me." The words scrape from my throat.

"Because I'm in love with you, you arrogant ass." Her voice cracks. Those honey-blonde curls tumble around her face as she drops her gaze. "I know I'll never mean that much to you. I'm just some human you tolerate, but I want you. And if you don't feel the same-"

My control snaps. I slam her against the wall, caging her with my wings. "Never feel the same?" A snarl rips from my chest. "You think I don't lie awake at night, burning for you? That I don't dream of marking you, claiming you, making you mine?"

I drag my fingers through her hair, tilting her face up. "I'm obsessed with you, little demon. Have been since the moment you walked into my life. But I never thought you'd want a xaphan like me, but you own my heart." I press my forehead to hers. "I'll rip it out and give it to you if that's what you need. I love you. All I want is you."

"Then stop treating me like I'll break." Her fingers dig into my shoulders.

"You're everything to me." I brush my thumb across her lower lip. "And I'll kill anyone who tries to take you from me."

Her eyes search mine, vulnerable yet fierce. "Do you love me? Really love me?"

"More than anything in this realm or the next." My wings curl forward, sheltering us both from the world. "You've haunted my thoughts since that first day. Every smile, every defiant look, every time you challenged me - you've carved yourself into my soul."

Her answering grin steals my breath. Not the polite, careful smiles she gives others, but wild and free - a glimpse of the fire burning beneath her gentle exterior. My chest constricts at the sight. It's one I've always wanted from her.

"I love you too." Her words send lightning through my veins. "All of you, even when you're being impossible."

I crush my mouth to hers, desperate to taste that smile. She melts against me as I lift her, her legs wrapping around my waist. My fingers tangle in those honey-blonde curls, softer than silk against my callused hands. She tastes like summer storms and forbidden promises.

Her hands explore my shoulders, trailing fire in their wake. I press her harder against the wall, my wings forming a golden cage around us. She nips at my lower lip - a challenge, always challenging me - and I growl into her mouth.

My little demon. My salvation and damnation wrapped in one perfect package.

I break away to trail kisses down her throat, drinking in her gasps. The scent of her - sweet herbs and something uniquely Athena - fills my lungs. Her pulse races under my lips, proof of her mortality, her fragility. But there's nothing fragile about the way she pulls me back to her mouth, demanding more.

I give her what she wants. I always will. My tongue slides against hers as her fingers dig into my shoulders. She's fearless in this, like everything else, meeting my passion with her own. The metal and citrus that clings to my skin mingles with her scent until I can't tell where I end and she begins.

I carry Athena to my study, kicking the door shut behind us. Her legs lock around my waist, her lips never leaving mine. She tastes like summer and sin, a combination that drives me wild. My wings rustle, snapping open to cocoon us in a haven of gray feathers.

I set her down on the worn leather couch, my hands already tugging at her clothes. "Off," I growl, my voice rough with need. She complies, her breath hitching as she pulls her shirt over her head, revealing smooth, sun-kissed skin.

"You too," she demands, her fingers trailing down my chest. I grab her wrist, pinning it above her head as I lean in, nipping at her lower lip.

"You can have whatever you want, little demon," I murmur. "I'll give you the world."

She smirks, her golden-green eyes sparkling. "All I want is you."

A groan rips from my throat as I crush my mouth against hers. Her hands roam my body, leaving trails of heat wherever she touches. I shrug off my shirt, my wings shuddering as her fingers trace the muscles on my back.

I bite her shoulder, hard enough to leave a mark. She gasps, arching against me. "More," she begs, her nails digging into my skin as she works out of her pants until she is bare.

I oblige, sucking and biting until her skin bears the evidence of my claim. I mark her breasts, bite her nipples, leave bruises down her ribs and hip bones. I trail up her thighs with harsh nips, loving the evidence of me on my skin.

She retaliates, her teeth sinking into my neck. A hiss escapes me, the pain fueling my desire. "You're mine," she whispers against my skin, her breath hot and moist.

"And you're mine," I counter, my hands gripping her hips. I flip her over, arching her body beneath mine as her hands slam into the couch. She's bent forward, at my mercy, and I love it.

She looks back over her shoulder as I unlace my pants. My cock springs free and I stroke it, loving the heat in her gaze as I kick my pants away. Stepping up behind her, I kick her legs open and slap her ass again, earning a moan.

"Take me, Uriel," she begs, her voice a husky whisper. "Make me yours."

I growl, my hands sliding down to cup her ass. I slap the flesh there, loving the way the skin blooms red. She squeals as I do it again and again, kneading the heated skin.

She pushes back against me, grinding against my cock. I can feel her heat, her need, slick against me. It's intoxicating.

"Say it again," I demand, my voice rough.

"Make me yours," she repeats. There's a challenge in her voice, a dare. One I'm more than willing to accept.

I wrap my hands in her hair, yanking her head back. "Open," I tell her with a grin.

She parts her lips, sticking her tongue out and my cock throbs as I spit into her mouth. She swallows, moaning, and then sticks her tongue out again. It makes me so fucking hard as I watch her take more of me, take the degradation with excitement in her eyes.

Fuck. I am so in love with her.

I slide into Athena, and she's so fucking tight. She squeals and squirms, but I grip her hips, holding her steady. "I'll stretch you, little demon," I growl. "I'll remake you for me."

I push her legs open wider, burying myself deeper. She gasps for air, her voice breathy and raw. "Uriel... you're so deep. I've never... never had someone like this."

"You'll never think of anyone else," I promise, my voice rough. "I'll make sure of it."

I start fucking her ruthlessly, each thrust driving her forward. It's violent, primal, as I slap her ass, leaving handprints on her soft skin. She cries out, but not in pain - in pleasure. She loves this as much as I do.

I reach around, gripping her throat lightly, feeling her pulse race under my fingers. Her breast fills my other hand, and I pinch her nipple hard enough to make her yelp.

"Do you love being owned, Athena?" I ask, my voice a low rumble.

She reaches back, her fingers exploring, stroking my balls. I jerk forward as she rolls them in her hand. "No one owns me, Uriel." Her voice is defiant, but her body tells a different story. She pushes back against me, meeting each thrust with her own.

"Is that so?" I grin, my thrusts becoming more forceful. The sound of our bodies slapping together fills the room. It's rough, dark, and dirty, just like us. Just like our love.

"Fuck," she moans, and I tilt my hips up, sinking deeper into her.

"You're mine, Athena," I growl, my teeth sinking into her shoulder. She moans, her body shuddering beneath me.

When I come, I pull out just enough to watch as I spill inside her, the head of my cock pressed to her entrance. The sight of me filling her is intoxicating. I push back in, making sure her pussy is full of me, feeling her tighten around me. "You're mine," I repeat, my voice a possessive growl.

I pull out slowly, savoring her whimper as I do. Scooping Athena into my arms, I settle back onto the couch with her straddling my lap. My wings curl around us, creating a private sanctuary of gray feathers and shadows.

My fingers trace the constellation of marks I've left on her skin - bruises blooming like dark flowers across her throat, bite marks decorating her breasts, red handprints painted on her hips. Each one a claim, a testament to my possession. My obsession. My love.

She shivers under my touch, her golden-green eyes heavy-lidded but alert. Even now, she watches me with that mix of defiance and devotion that first drew me to her. My little demon, who will always give back the fire I give to her. I couldn't think of a better match.

"Be my mate." The words scrape from my throat, rough with emotion I've never shown anyone else. "Let me bind you to me for eternity." My hand cups her face, thumb brushing across her swollen lips. "I want everyone to know you're mine - that I belong to you."

A slow smile spreads across her face, wild and fierce. She leans forward, pressing her forehead to mine. "Yes." Her fingers trace the muscles of my chest, following the path of old battle scars. "As long as you'll be mine."

I growl, tightening my grip on her hips. "I'm yours, little demon. Have been since you first walked into my workshop and challenged everything I thought I knew." My wings tighten around us, pressing her closer. "I'll kill anyone who tries to come between us."

"There's my warrior." She nips at my jaw, fearless as ever. "Yes, I'll be your mate. Yes to all of it."

I capture her mouth in a bruising kiss, pouring every ounce of possession and promise into it. She matches my intensity, her hands fisting in my hair, pulling just hard enough to sting. My perfect match in every way.