Page 44 of Semi-Fallen

So, after Evangelyn had poofed off to…wherever Evangelyn tended to go, Lucien had transported Lane back to his house for the night. Her parents hadn’t been happy she wasn’t coming home, but he didn’t imagine they’d be happy about anything involving him. If they survived, he’d have to make winning them over a priority.

Not that he had any idea how to do that. For Lane, though, he was going to try.

Speaking of Lane…

She’d said she was going to take a shower, but he didn’t hear the water running. He told himself she was fine, that there were no humans around for miles, and if there were demons or angels he’d feel their presence. But even knowing she wasn’t in any danger here, he couldn’t help but quicken his step as he went to check on her.

Finding the bathroom empty didn’t help his anxiety. He never should’ve just assumed she’d be safe here. That kind of complacency could get both of them killed. He should’ve…

That’s when he found her. She was standing on the balcony off his bedroom, bathed in the light of the setting sun as it started dipping below the horizon. Her eyes were on the mountains in the distance. The scenery was beautiful here. It always had been. But it paled in comparison to the sight of her, barefoot, wearing only one of his T-shirts, golden skin glowing in the fading light, lean muscles relaxed, as she enjoyed the view.

Lane turned as if she’d known he was there all along and gave him a crooked smile that knocked the air right out of his lungs.

He’d traveled so many worlds, so many dimensions, and seen so many things—things that defied description. Things that baffled and mystified the mind. Things so lovely they brought tears to his eyes. And he’d never in his lifetime seen anything as beautiful as Lane in that moment.

Do you think the plan will work? she signed.

“It has to,” he said.

Because the alternative was unfathomable. Losing her was not a thought he would entertain.

She nodded but he could see the storm clouds rising her eyes. Did she make the wrong decision?

“Did who make the wrong decision, sweetling?”

Cassiel. She chose love over Heaven and look what happened to her. Everyone is in danger, especially you, because of me.

Lane was the strongest woman he’d ever known, and right now, she was more vulnerable than he’d ever seen her. It broke his heart. He crossed the balcony, not stopping until they were toe-to-toe, his heart beating against hers. Cupping her face in his hands, he said, “If she had it all to do over again, she wouldn’t change a thing. And neither would any of your family and friends.”

She blinked up at him. How do you know?

“Because Cassiel’s choice led to you. And this world is better with you in it.”

She couldn’t hear the trembling of his voice when he spoke the words to her, but she must’ve been able to read the intensity in his eyes, because her own eyes filled with tears. What if I’m not worth it?

Oh, sweetling.

He leaned down just enough that she was able to look him right in the eye. “I’d sacrifice everything I am, everything I have, burn Heaven to the ground for you. I’ll defy Rion, the other archangels, all my brothers and sisters, and God Himself for you. And I’ll never regret it. Because you’re everything.”

Lucien felt her deep intake of breath as if it were his own. Her hands shook and glowed with angelic energy she no longer had the strength to fight as she tunneled her fingers into his hair and whispered, “Show me.”

He didn’t need to be told twice.

Three seconds. That’s how long it took to get them both naked and into the bedroom.

They didn’t make it to the bed, though. Her lean, strong legs looped around his waist and tightened as he pinned her to the wall with his weight. He groaned when she dug her heels into the small of his back, pulling him closer.

“Don’t make me wait,” she whispered against his mouth.

As if he could ever deny her anything her heart desired.

Her mouth fell open on a hiss as he slowly lowered her onto his cock. His thoughts after that unraveled until only one remained.

Mine.

After tonight, he might never again have the opportunity to be with her like this, and he’d be damned if he was going to waste one minute of their time together.

He drove into her hard and fast, desperate, like he knew she wanted. She pushed back with equal ferocity. Their combined desire was nothing short of animalistic.

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