Chapter 24

TWENTY-FOUR

Gabriel

Willow is quiet as we return to our room. I can sense her uncertainty. Whatever she and Mist spoke of weighs heavily on her.

Should I press her? Human emotions are messy and unpredictable. I want to know everything she is feeling, but will the knowledge help her in anyway? Or only me?

I flip the lock and rest my back against the door while she disappears into the tiny bathroom. Water runs in the sink. I take the time to strip down to my boxer briefs. Human clothing is so…restrictive. I miss my robes and sandals.

Shockingly, those are the only things I miss from the celestial realm. The Sea of Tranquility is beautiful—breathtaking, even—if we needed to breathe at all. An earthen sunset can be just as stunning. Willow's face as she comes even more so.

I will not survive an eternity without her. Yet, if I stay in this realm, I will eventually become mortal. Am I willing to die for a chance at a life with her?

Yes.

The answer does not surprise me. Not truly. I think I have known since our very first kiss.

"All yours," Willow says as she emerges from the bathroom. She smells of mint and soap, her skin pinked and glowing.

I close myself in what is little more than a closet with a sink and toilet, splash water on my face, and brush my teeth—another human custom I had to learn. The mirror reveals tiny lines around my eyes. Those are a surprise. Maddox has them. As does Killian.

Every day brings new experiences. But none more beautiful and perfect than making love to Willow.

I find her huddled on the bed, legs drawn up to her chest and arms around her knees. Her t-shirt clings to her breasts, revealing the hard points of her nipples through the thin fabric.

" Sol mea , what's wrong?" Cupping her cheek, I drag my thumb gently under her right eye. Exhaustion shadows her gaze. "Mist upset you. I will speak to her. Right now."

"Gabriel, no." She curls her fingers around my wrist. "You can't protect me from every single thing in this world."

"I absolutely can." Anger bristles over my skin. "Or have you forgotten that I am an archangel?"

She chuckles. "No one could forget that, stud."

"Stud? I am not a breeding stallion." My response has the desired effect. Willow's laughter eases much of the strain in her muscles. "Though, I do like it when you call me that."

Leaning closer, I breathe in her scent. Fresh, clean, but with undercurrents of arousal and my seed lingering on her skin. My cock juts firmly against my boxer briefs. "How many times can I make you come before you beg me to stop?"

Heat floods her cheeks, and she squirms under my gaze. " Beg you?"

I answer her whispered question with a searing kiss. She opens for me, and I sweep my tongue along hers. Easing her onto her back, I angle my body so she can feel how hard I am for her.

She moans, swiveling her hips under me. "Gabriel. I need…God. Touch me."

Peeling off her t-shirt, I dip my head to lave my tongue over one of her peaked nipples. The hard nub rises, and goosebumps race over her skin. Her panties are soaked with her desire.

"You were made for me, deliciae . Your body. Your heart. Your mind." I turn my attention to her other breast, kissing, nipping, and sucking until she is panting for more.

Desperate to taste her, I tug her panties down her hips with too much force, and they rip into shreds. Her sex weeps for me. My first long, slow stroke through her folds leaves her trembling.

I settle between her legs, my hands stroking up and down the creamy skin. With two fingers thrust deep inside her, I trace circles over and around her clit, using my free arm to stop her from wriggling right off the bed.

My desire for her knows no bounds. I could feast on her forever. Watch her fly apart for the rest of my days. Listen to the sounds of her pleasure for all eternity. It still would not be enough.

Her words dissolve into helpless mewls. She winds her fingers through my hair, tugging me closer as her body implodes and her release bursts over my tongue.

When the sun rises, we will have to face reality. My celestial duties, the threat to Willow's very existence, even the expectations of our friends. But tonight, she is mine. Utterly and completely mine.

Willow sleeps easily. I made her come three times before she begged for my cock, then another two while inside her. Watching her drift off was one of those perfect moments I will hold in my memories forever. I wish I could join her, but with Azrael's deadline looming ever closer, I have been staring at the darkened ceiling for almost an hour now.

Enough .

I swing my legs over the side of the bed, elbows on my knees, and pick up my phone to text the one person who might have answers for me.

Gabriel: I need to speak to you.

It takes five minutes before Mad answers me, each one longer than the last.

Maddox: It's the middle of the night. This can't wait until morning?

Gabriel: No.

Maddox: Fine. Hallway. Five minutes.

I ease myself off the bed, careful not to disturb Willow, and pull on the black boxer briefs. Nakedness does not concern me, but the first time I visited a hotel vending machine in the middle of the night—a very odd experience—I discovered it makes many humans uncomfortable.

Maddox slips out of the room he shares with Killian.

"This better be important," he snaps, then frowns. "Fuck, Gabriel. Have you ever heard of pajamas?" He waves his hand up and down, presumably gesturing to his white t-shirt and a loose pair of pants with…cats on them.

"I do not have time to discuss my clothing choices with you. I need to know how you convinced Seraphiel to let you leave the celestial realm."

Mad runs a hand through his tousled hair. " That's what this is about? It's a damn good thing Killian is a sound sleeper or he'd kick your ass. Short answer? I didn't. Azrael sent me to retrieve the celestial sand. I'm not sure where Seraphiel was, but based on the timing… shit." His blue eyes darken. "He might have been preparing to send Zoe to earth."

"Even if he was…otherwise occupied, he would have noticed eventually. You must have done something to convince him." I ball my hands into fists, frustrated with this conversation already, but unable to walk away.

"Nothing. My guess? Azrael didn't want Seraphiel to know he lost the sand in the first place. If I'd gone back, there would have been questions. Azrael saw my ‘falling in love' as the perfect way to cover his ass and hide his colossal fuck up." Mad shrugs, then narrows his eyes, studying me. "You're going to stay. Holy shit. You're falling in love with Willow."

I would protest, but lying is not in my nature. "I am expected back tomorrow. Azrael will understand a short delay. He does not like ferrying souls to the afterlife prematurely. But…"

"The Almighty won't like losing her great communicator," Maddox says, finishing the thought for me. "I don't know what to tell you, Gabriel." He pauses, searching my gaze. "But know this… If Seraphiel decides to be his usual dickish self, you could lose everything. Your angelic strength, your powers, your immortality…even your wings. You're the only one who can decide if Willow is worth that sacrifice."

He returns to his room, the door closing softly behind him.

"She is," I say to no one. "She is worth everything."