Page 67 of Angel Of Darkness

Goose bumps rose on her arms. Six months ago, she’d caught that sweet scent a few times in her classroom and in her home. The scent—she realized now it had been Keenan. Watching.

But they’d get to that soon enough. First, “You didn’t answer me, Keenan.” She’d noticed he was very good at avoiding answers to her questions.

The furrow smoothed away. “Instead of you dying that night, the vampire died.”

“You went against orders.” Now she could think past the rage and pain that had consumed her at the motel.

He gave a slight inclination of his head.

Nicole swiped her tongue over her lower lip. “The vamp was supposed to walk away, but he was the one who bit the dust.” Help me. She hadn’t realized it but Keenan had.

In the only way he could.

Keenan stared back at her.

“Thank you,” she told him softly.

Now he blinked. “Nicole…”

“This whole thing—it’s a little much for me, okay?” She let go of the banister and faced him. “I mean, you’re an angel. I’ve heard stories about angels all my life, but—” Her laugh sounded broken even to her ears. “I never thought I’d actually meet one.”

“Most people don’t think they’ll ever meet vampires, either.”

Right. “You killed him.” Her focus centered totally on Keenan. “You killed that vampire so I’d live.”

“Yes.”

She stalked toward him and pressed her hands on his chest. “Thank you for saving me.” He hadn’t just stood by. No matter what he’d said—she was alive because of him.

But he pulled away and eased back. “I didn’t save you.”

She was there, breathing, fighting bloodlust, because he had.

“The angels are coming after you. Azrael—Az, he’s coming. Nothing will stop him.”

Don’t think about that. Don’t. “Then let him come.” Don’t think about what happens after death. “Right now, I don’t care about him or what might happen in ten days.”

“You’re lying.” His head cocked. “Humans lie so much, and usually so easily.”

She stepped forward and closed that distance again. “I’m alive right now. I might not be alive much longer, but I’m alive now.” Alive and with one of the sexiest men—the sexiest—she’d ever met.

He’d saved her. Suffered for her.

Protected her.

Definitely the sexiest.

She stretched up onto her toes and let her mouth hover near his. “Thank you,” Nicole breathed the words against his lips, and then her mouth pressed against his. A hot, open-mouthed kiss. When his tongue touched hers, a lick of lust shot straight through her body.

But the fierce burn was so good.

His hands clamped around her arms, and he pushed her back.

What? Back?

“I won’t stop this time.” Keenan’s words held a dark promise.

Oh, nice. She licked her lips and tasted him. Rich, like chocolate. Except better. So much better. “I don’t want you to.” But he needed to be warned. “Sex with me...” Be careful. “It won’t be like with other women.”

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