Page 22 of When the Angel Falls First

A grin split my face as I turned toward her, and then I was sucking in a breath for different reasons. She was stunning in the sun’s last rays, bathed in golden light that highlighted her every tantalizing curve. Her chestnut hair gleamed, kissing the top of her breasts, and I had the very un-angelic desire to skim my palms over them and pull her against my chest. Feel her melt and mold against me in the way she used to.

To see, once and for all, if her heart beat in time with my own.

She wore one of her usual quirky T-shirts, paired tonight with a beautiful skirt, which brushed the tops of her knees, setting off the shape of her calves. Every bit of her was perfection, a Greek goddess worthy to be painted by one of the masters. But I’d never let her be hung in a gallery for the faceless hordes to ogle. She was mine, the shy smile she wore only for me.

Something inside me fractured when I realized yet again that it wasn’t true.

She couldn’t be mine, not to cherish, not to touch. Therewas no way an angel could claim a human as his Chosen. I had tried to ignore the fact before, and look where that got me.

Josie and I were companions of convenience. Temporary. Set to be blown away with the wind, erased from the pages of history. Not a love written in the stars, but impermanent names scrawled in the sand. One day, she would move on, find her own love, and I would be left to watch from the heavens, living out eternity without her.

It was more than I could bear and yet no less than the truth. A cupid, an angel of love and desire, destined to never have it for his own.

“Caleb, hi.”

“Josie.” I stepped forward, wrapping her in a hug. Her head fit perfectly under my chin, and I took the moment to close my eyes, compose myself.

Douse the searing pain of our reality.

I blinked and pulled back, letting my hands linger on her upper arms, starved for the feel of her soft, perfect skin. I itched to slip my hands up, caress the bare hollow of her throat. Follow my fingertips with my lips, and hear her moan out my name. But that would spook her. I had to take it slow, not push beyond what she was willing to share after I’d broken her heart the first time.

If we only have a little while, I’ll take whatever I can get.

“Are you hungry? The restaurant gets rave reviews. I hear the ceviche will change your life.” I gave her a wink.

She snorted, and I couldn’t help but smile at the cute little noise. She could never hold back her opinions, and it was one of the many things I found irresistible about her.

“Raw fish will change my life, all right. Because it willscar me for life. No thank you.”

Itsked, teasing her. “I bet your cats would love it. Be brave for them.” I offered Josie my arm as we turned toward the restaurant, and she took it absently. Absent or no, I reveled in the victory.

That’s it, Josie. Trust me. Lean into my side.

“They’recats, Caleb. That’s not even a little bit of a valid point.” She sank into my side, distracted by the silly conversation, and I relished the feel of her chest against my arm, breasts soft and perfectly tempting.Focus, Caleb, or you’re going to get an erection in the middle of the damn sidewalk.

“Fine, but don’t blame me when you go home smelling like fish and they’re disappointed in you.”

“If you’re that worried about it, you can bring them some ceviche on your own time.” She shuddered as if the mere idea of ceviche was horrific, her reaction all delicate disgust as I held open the door to the restaurant. It was lovely, with dim lighting and views of the water. Soft jazz played in the background.

“Maybe I will.” I smiled down at her as I gave the host our name. Reservations were hard to come by here, but I’d pulled some strings with a lynx shifter friend who knew the owner. People found it handy to have an angel owe them a favor.

“Right this way.” The maître d’ quietly led us to our table with a flourish of his arm. We were seated at the back of the restaurant, in a private booth right next to a window with a stunning view.

“Oh, it’s gorgeous!” Her eyes lit with excitement. She leaned forward, nearly pressing her nose against the window. “How did you get us a spot?”

“I have my ways.”

“You didn’t…influenceanyone, did you?” She cocked an eyebrow at me, clearly not pleased by the idea of me using mypowers to score us a table. It sent a frisson of pleasure through me, the smallest hint of her acceptance.

“No. I’ll have you know I pulled strings with a friend, like any other man with a lovely lady to impress.”

She looked skeptical but swallowed the question when our waitress appeared to take our drink orders.

When the waitress left, Josie cocked her head at me. “Lemonade, huh? You still love it, after all this time?”

“What’s not to love? It’s delicious, like the woman who introduced me to it.”

She blushed at the memory, then drummed her fingertips on the table, a different question brewing this time.

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