Chapter 10

Raphael

Outside the pulsing club,I blend into the passing crowds lining the bustling downtown avenues. The night hangs humid, heat lightning crackling in the distance promising a storm’s soon arrival. Fitting atmosphere for the tempest churning within me.

I keep my head down as I walk, thoughts swirling as gloomy as the roiling clouds above. Perhaps one day, I might find my destined soulmate to share eternity’s marathon with. But clearly, I need to refine my search tactics after this embarrassment.

Lost in contemplation, I round a shadowy corner into an alley leading towards the parking garage where I left my car. The electric scent of coming rain tinges the air.

Halfway along the grimy passage, faint footsteps echo behind me. I pause, neck prickling. Before I can turn, a hand grasps my shoulder, spinning me around forcefully.

I’m slammed against the alley’s brick wall, breath gusting out in a stunned whoosh. Blinking through the shock, Helena’s exquisite yet fearsome face materializes inches from mine.

“Have you been following me, archangel?” she demands, eyes narrowed dangerously.

“What? No, I—” Words lodge in my throat. She’s even more stunning in the gloom, lips parted and chest heaving, some wild emotion animating her.

“Do not lie,” she hisses, fisting a hand in my shirt, pressing closer still. “I saw you back there, skulking about. Tell me—are you stalking me?”

“You flatter yourself overmuch, my dear,” I return, regaining some bravado under that piercing gaze. I tisk softly. “Must everything revolve around you?”

A gasp, and then I’m shoved hard against the brick, gravel biting into my shoulders. “You dare mock me?” she breathes, leaning in until her dizzying honeysuckle scent floods my senses. “I should end your sentient existence for such arrogance.”

I laugh despite myself. Even riled, her threats ring hollow as a tin drum.

“Come now, Helena. We both know you won’t actually smite me.” I flash a roguish grin. “Might put a damper on our future trysts.”

“Trysts?” she reels back, looking fit to spit venom. “You’re mad as hell if you think I’d make that mistake again.”

I clutch my chest as if dealt a mortal blow. “You wound me with these false denials. I distinctly recall you breathlessly begging me not to stop as we—”

With lightning speed, her hand claps over my mouth, muffling my taunts. I see a war waging behind those tawny eyes, desire at bloody odds with restraint. In desperation, she tries a different tack.

“Have you no concern for your safety, archangel?” Her tone turns grave. “If Lucifer discovered us, he would delight in peeling your immortal flesh inch by screaming inch. He already hates your guts—this would only be the cherry on top!”

I catch her delicate wrist, lowering her hand with care. “Let me worry about Old Scratch.” My voice drops, determined. “He and I go way back.”

I skim my thumb across her knuckles, delighting in her breath hitching. “I’m more interested in right now. With you.”

For a long taut moment, all sound recedes, the entire alley holding its breath. Distantly, I’m aware this is unwise, but wisdom flees before the force of my pounding heart.

Finally, Helena looses a wordless growl, shoving me once more into the unyielding wall. But this time, when she presses close, her lips crash feverishly into mine, swallowing any further arguments.

Like striking a match to gasoline, need explodes through my veins. I clutch her supple curves to me, reveling in each delicious point of contact. Our earlier dalliance pales compared to this hungry joining.

Her nails rake at my back urgently and I groan, hands roving lower to cup her taut backside. With a nip at my lower lip, she hitches one lithe leg around my hips, body undulating sinuously.

I grind into her, feeling her heat through the thin fabric of our clothes. She moans throatily, arching into me, and I can feel the hardness between my legs straining against my jeans in response.

I break the kiss to trail hot, open-mouthed kisses along her jawline, down to her neck. My hands slide under her top, fingers tracing the path of her spine, learning the curves and dips of her body.

Helena’s breaths come in harsh pants as she grinds against me, her need just as tangible as mine.

Before me stands an icon of utter perfection, begging to be touched and adored. I run my hands over her breasts, my thumbs circling the peaks pronounced over the crimson fabric of her blouse before leaning down to suck one between my lips.

She moans, back arching as she presses into my mouth. I switch to her other breast, giving it just as much attention before trailing kisses down her stomach.

Helena writhes as she stands there, pressed against the wall. And I am on my knees, consumed in adoration.

As my kiss lingers just over the place of her pleasure, she stoops down against me, her breath hot in my ear. “Please…” she whispers between panting breaths, and I know exactly what she wants.

A low moan escapes me in response, and I straighten, towering over her in seconds, sealing her mouth with mine in one slow and lustful kiss.

Breathless moments later, we break apart, pupils blown wide with lust. Helena looks thoroughly debauched, lips swollen from my attentions. I smooth back her mussed hair tenderly, and say, “Well, that’s one way to end an argument.”

My quip earns me a scoff as she attempts to fix her disheveled clothes. But a reluctant smile tugs at her lips all the same.

I lace my fingers through hers, marveling at how perfectly her hand fits in mine. “Come with me?” I ask on impulse.

She stills, the mirth in her eyes replaced by vulnerability. “Raphael... I shouldn’t…” The way she immediately bites her lower lip tells me just how much she really wants this.

I squeeze her hand gently. “Only one night, no strings attached. We’ll be discreet. I swear it.”

I see the temptation warring behind her dreamy eyes. Softly, I add, “Just give us a chance to explore this fire between us. Please.” Begging—that’s a first.

Fat raindrops begin to fall, beading on her silken skin like crystalline jewels. A fitting backdrop for this exquisite moment stretched taut.

Finally, she nods once, a goddess deigning to grant my plea. Joy leaps in my heart as she whispers, “Lead the way.”

Sheltered in the shadows of my car, our lips meet again, sweet as ripened fruit. Still, plenty of night left for stoking the flames between us. Consequences can wait until the harsh light of morning.

Tonight, my goddess of starfire is finally… mine.