12. Caleb

TWELVE

Caleb

The week flew by, between me following my matches and two more meetings with Josie at the Bookish Cat to go over her family specifics, not to mention the little side project I’d taken on after my conversation with Victory about the perfect gift. Moroseness warred with anticipation as I got ready for the birthday party.

My nights were filled with visions of her. Both current, her smiling with Gatsby intertwined around her ankles, and older, gilded memories of her. Bare skin resplendent in the moonlight, her hair floating like a dark cloud around her in the lake. The taste of her lips, the way she gasped out my name as she came on my fingers. The electric heat between us every time our skin brushed. Blinding power surged through me at just that one memory of her passion. She was a thing of beauty; a masterpiece I’d stolen for a little while.

I cherished each day, each second of time I had etched into my memory with her.

Because it really did feel like stealing. Like I was hoarding precious moments that didn’t belong to me. I knew we didn’t have a future together, and yet I couldn’t pull back. Couldn’t be anything less than fully invested, though I knew how bad the fall would be once we’d finished our little bargain, and I was back with the heavenly Host.

I’d seen it in her aura, the wave of acceptance that we could never be together again. Even as I knew it had to be that way, it broke that last shred of will power I’d been pretending I still had.

I slid my arms into my jacket sleeves, pulling on the cuffs of my button-down shirt, and looked in the entryway mirror. We’d agreed to semi-casual attire, so I was sporting jeans with a blazer, a freshly-shaven face, and styled waves. Slipping into my party outfit was like stepping into the role, and it was too good of a fit.

Boyfriend .

I craved it, that forbidden thread between us. Anything that tied us together, pulled us closer.

I had no right, but I still wanted her. I wanted her with an unholy need, one that wouldn’t die no matter how hard I tried to kill it with the cruel reality of our situation. I was an angel, she was a human. I could never have her.

The soft pop of air pressure changing behind me had me spinning to find Gabriel, who had poofed himself into existence on my sofa. He was already reclined, fingers laced behind his head, a cocky grin on his face.

“So, big plans tonight?”

Satan’s asshole, he is too perceptive. Do I tell him about Josie’s great-grandmother’s party?

“Sort of. I’ve got a friend who’s helping me with my last few matches in exchange for my attendance at a family event.”

“A human friend?” He cocked an eyebrow.

“Yes, she’s human. ”

“A pretty human?” he asked, leaning forward onto his elbows, studying me with a wicked gleam in his eyes.

“She’s…” Stunning. Intelligent. Gorgeous. Vivacious. Hilarious. Sexy enough to send me straight to hell. “Very pretty.”

“Pretty enough to catch a cupid, do you think?” He was smiling now, but all the arrogance was gone. Was he worried? Worried that I’d flub up my chance at ever regaining my full power? An emotion I couldn’t name settled into my gut, heavier than a stone.

“No, Gabriel. I’ve learned my lesson. I won’t be making the same mistake twice.”

She’s not a mistake, not even a little bit . She’s just off-limits , a little voice inside me whispered, but I ignored it. Had to ignore it.

“Ah, I see.”

Was he disappointed, or was I imagining things? I did up the buttons on my coat, trying to get a read on him. It was pointless, though. He’d kicked back again, loafer-clad feet propped on my coffee table as if he didn’t have a care in the world. As an archangel he could shield his aura from others of his kind, so I couldn’t tell if he didn’t let me, and as usual Gabriel was a firmly closed book.

I crossed the small distance, bumping his feet off the table before settling into the chair across from him.

“I’m sure you didn’t come just to check on my afternoon plans. Is everything okay? I matched that couple you sent, and so far, they seem to be falling in love smoothly.”

“Yes, they’re doing fine. Right on schedule,” he agreed, not taking offense to me keeping his—admittedly pristine—shoes off my furniture. Archangel or no, there were boundaries . “How did you get them together so quickly, anyway? Bookish folks can be a challenge. Introverts are usually hesitant to take the first step.”

“Ah, it was all Josie. The friend I’m helping today. She’s got this sixth sense about what book a person needs. Uncanny, really. She gave them each a book, and voila.”

I waved vaguely in the air, not sure what else to say, nervous that he’d remember her from all those years ago. Though the Host hadn’t named her specifically during my punishment, she had left an unforgettable impression on me, and it was hard to imagine her having any less of an impact on those around me.

“The plot thickens,” he murmured. “Are you sure she’s human?”

“One hundred percent.” Well, ninety-nine percent. I felt I should make that qualifier for myself. How did she know the exact right books that would bring those two together?

He shrugged, seemingly not remembering her after all. “Well, we don’t complain when it’s easy, right? There is one other thing I need to remind you about.”

I tensed but tried to stay calm. Was he going to warn me off getting too close to her? If he gave me a direct order from the Host…

“The angelic seals. The book needs to be found in order for your wings to be restored. I’ve got a sense that it’s here in Seattle. The bookshop owner is perfect—she loves rare books. Maybe she can help you hunt down whoever’s got it.”

“I… hadn’t thought of that.” The admission felt like an enormous, stupid oversight, but it was true. The book of angelic seals was powerful, nothing like an ordinary book, though it looked plain to the human eye. Only those with angelic blood could read the script inside, and no mortal ink could stain its pages. “I’m not sure how I’ll explain the importance of a blank leather journal to her, but I can ask. ”

I shoved down the thrill I felt at having another reason to visit the bookstore after her great-grandma’s birthday was over. I shouldn’t want it, but I did with every cell in my celestial body.

“I’m sure you’ll come up with something.” He grinned again, as a knock on my front door startled me off the chair and into motion.

“This is probably her. I should?—”

“I’d love to meet her, this mysterious friend with uncanny beauty.” Gabriel rose, smoothing back his perfect blond hair in a practiced move and pasting on a devil-may-care smile.

“No!”

He froze, giving me an incredulous look. You didn’t tell an archangel no. It just wasn’t done.

Shit!

“I don’t want to confuse her or introduce any more supernatural influence into her life. I’ve already been enough of a disruption.”

“Well—”

Another knock, impatient this time. Josie was very punctual, and I was officially one minute late for our agreed pickup time.

“Please, Gabe,” I pleaded shamelessly.

“Fine, fine.” He waved, the motion bored, and then popped out of existence a second before I twisted the doorknob.

“Hey, Josie. Do you want to come in?”

Josie looked lovely, a light-pink skirt made out of something frothy—tulle, maybe?—paired with a classic, off-the-shoulder black sweater. It left the wide expanse of her collarbone completely bare. All it took was one look, and the temptation was there .

She had a displeased look on her face. Was she trying not to be put out at my lateness? I resisted the urge to smirk. She was predictable in the best possible way. Her bottom lip poked out in an adorable pout, and I was overcome with the sudden urge to kiss it, taste it. See how she responded if I sucked it between my own, let my fingers skim over the delicate line of her clavicle.

I wanted to peel that sweater over her head, toss it on my floor, and trace that little indent with my tongue. Peel off her bra, and then?—

Shit . I had to stop. I had to stop.

I stepped forward, but the intent in my eyes must have cued her to my thoughts because her eyes widened, and she dropped the pout.

“Um, no. We should get on the road. Don’t want to be late, or early, for that matter. Right on time is best. We don’t want to turn into the White Rabbit in Wonderland, do we?” She smiled, and I sensed her frantic pulse slowing a bit as she allowed herself to slide into her comfort zone, books.

“We do have a very important date. Let me grab my keys and we can go.”

“Excellent.” She did a little spin, the motion all awkward exuberance which caused her tulle skirt to flare out like a flower around her. The soft floral perfume she wore bloomed into the air, and I adjusted the collar of my shirt as I snagged my keys off the hook, trying to turn the dial down on my very physical response to the increased time together.

It was going to be a long day if I didn’t get myself under control, and quick.

We rode in Josie’s car, the first part of the drive passing in companionable silence. The familiar streets of Seattle gave way to more nature as we headed for Snoqualmie, a gentle drizzle dampening the roads and prompting drivers to turn on their headlights.

“Are you ready for this?” she asked, breaking the silence. Her knuckles were white with her grip on the steering wheel, and her aura was all prickly edges from the nerves.

“I’m ready. I know that Fred reports everything back to your father. I know that Emily and Lena are your actual friends, not just cousins. I know about Uncle Jim’s cancer and prosthetic leg and to avoid all topics of hiking—even though Nana Geraldine’s house is perfectly located for it. Every single thing you’ve shared, I remember.”

“That’s… impressive. Do you have some sort of angelic super-memory?”

“Something like that.” I winked, and she swerved a little but quickly pulled the car back into the center of the one-lane road we’d pulled onto.

I shouldn’t have found it satisfying to know I affected her that much, but I did. I was a masochistic bastard, because I loved every second of the pain.

“Well, we’re going to put it to use tonight. And I hope you’re ready because we’re here.”

She put on her blinker and turned onto a curving gravel driveway. A lovely log home came into view a few seconds later, its large frame casting a cheerful glow out into the gloomy weather. She parked off to the right side of the porch, at least a dozen other cars already taking up the prime parking spots.

“I haven’t said it yet, but thank you. Thank you for doing this, for pretending. I’m sure it probably violates some angelic code. Limitation? Whatever you call it. I appreciate you being here. And I’m sorry in advance, for anything awkward my family may say?—”

I pressed a finger to her lips, gently stopping her. “You don’t owe me any apologies, not for anything today, or any day. I’m the one with all the making up to do in this relationship, and I’m more than happy to be here. I promise.”

I let my finger drop, gently tracing the edge of her mouth down to her chin before completely dropping the contact. Her aura turned a deep plum, desire lighting her up. Her eyes were wide, pupils blown as she stared up at me in the dim car interior. We swayed together, drawn like moths to the flame that would surely burn us both up. So why was I hell-bent on making that leap anyway?

“Well, well, well. What do we have here?” A cocky male voice had us springing apart like shrapnel, and I pushed out my senses to see who it was.

Fred . Right off the bat, we were in the deep end.

She sucked in a fortifying breath, shot me one last look, and cracked open the car door. I hurried to follow suit.

“So, your boyfriend is real after all.” His condescending tone made me bristle as he brushed past Josie, circling the car to extend his hand.

I shook it, using the contact to get a more in-depth read on the man.

What I found shocked me.

Jealousy, hot and prickling.

Suddenly, everything she’d told me about him clicked into place. He wasn’t antagonistic because she wasn’t in the family business. It was because he was .

“Fred, I’ve heard so much about you. It feels like we’ve known each other for years.”

He looked surprised, casting a glance quickly at Josie before homing back in on me. “Is that so? Well, I can’t say the same. My dear baby sister hasn’t told me a thing about you, besides your name. I can’t wait to catch up.”

His smile was half-predatory, and if I hadn’t sensed his one-hundred percent humanity, I’d have sworn he was a shifter. But no, just a run-of-the-mill overbearing brother. Those were feral enough, apparently.

I looped my arm around Josie’s shoulders, reveling in the heat of her as we ascended the wide, sawn steps of the porch, doing my best to read the inhabitants quickly, in case anything else jumped out at me that would be useful in easing the way for her.

It was a wicked tangle of emotions, and as Fred threw the door wide, I knew one thing for certain—these people needed me, desperately.