Page 78 of When the Angel Falls First

“Caleb—” I lost my footing, which would have brought a rocky end to our rocky relationship before I even had the answer I needed.

“I’ve got you.” He had a hold of my wrist, and with a pull, I was right back in front of him. His hands steadied me, running down my sides until they settled on my hips. He stepped closer so I had no choice but to look up at him, despite the nervous energy that made me want to fidget. His chest rose and fell with a steadying breath before he started to speak.

“Josie,” he started, and I closed my eyes at the sound of my name on his lips.

Just a little longer.I wanted—no,needed—to stay in a place where he and I could be together. I might have been delusional, in denial, but whatever it was, I had to have him a little longer. If he was about to say goodbye forever, I needed to savor this last moment of delicious possibility, his heat and strength and scent surrounding me, making me feel whole.

“Caleb…” I pressed myself against him, letting my breasts mold against the hard muscles in his chest. My nipples immediately responded, and a rush of heat flowed through me, my underwear soaked through from even that little bit of contact.

Caleb’s eyes shut, a throaty groan coming from his lipsbefore he said, “I can feel everything that’s happening to you. The desire, the lust?—”

“The desperate need,” I finished, taking his cheeks in my hands and making him look at me. “What I feel goes beyond sense, Caleb. I’m aching for you, like I cannot be complete without having you again. On me. Over me. Inside me.”

A low rumble, possessive and fiery, told me he felt the same. There was just one thing.

“Caleb,” I mustered up the courage before my aching core overtook all sense. “Is this the end?”

He put a finger to my lips, gently stopping me in my tracks, his eyes reflecting the blue of the sky above. “Oh, my Josie. Is that what you thought?” He stroked my hair with such tenderness that I melted into him. “It turns out that the future I sought was seeking me, too.”

He leaned in, his lips meeting mine in a kiss that was all possession, so overwhelming I felt it down to the tips of my toes.

THIRTY-TWO

Caleb

With our lips still locked,I held her close to my chest and swept us back up and into the air. She gasped against my lips, fingertips digging into the soft shirt I wore.

“It’s okay, I won’t let you fall.”

“I trust you,” she breathed the words against my neck. The close contact—the warmth of her breath—sent a surge of adrenaline through my veins that was even greater than the joy of flying again after so many years without my wings. I pushed them hard, enjoying the feel of the air flying past us as we swept above the landscape below.

“Josie, you are the heart that beats in my chest. The power that fills my spirit. The heavens have ordained our match, for now and for eternity.”

Tears filled her eyes as I spoke, and she bit her bottom lip. If I couldn’t sense the joy pouring off of her, I would have been a nervous wreck. Instead, I was just elated. I’d spent so much time thinking I could never have her, all that was left was euphoria at how wrong I’d been.

She’s mine.

“As you know, there is a special bond that an angel can bestow on only one other being, for the whole of their existence.” I spoke slowly, watching her face as each and every word sank in.

She was wide-eyed, digging her nails into my pectoral muscles through my shirt without realizing it. I relished the bite of pain. It meant she was solid and real in my arms.

“I know. You’ve told me of theChosen. But you told me you and I could never have that bond, because no angel has ever bonded with a human before.”

“Well, I was wrong. Apparently, our match was determined years ago, but it wasn’t the right time. But we overcame every obstacle we thought prevented us from being together. Sometimes, it’s just meant to be, no matter the odds.Youare the one for me, the one written in the stars since the beginning of time. Josie, will you accept your place as my Chosen, and seal this bond between us?”

“Yes!” Her voice shook with emotion, but her hands didn’t when she reached up and cupped my jaw, drawing my lips back down to hers with fierce possession of her own.

How did I get so damn lucky to have her? I wasn’t sure, but I was never going to question it again.

Our tongues tangled in a feverish kiss. Her fingers dug into my hair, pulling me closer. I let my wings drive down hard, lifting us up into the clouds so that we were wrapped in our own, private cocoon.

Using my power, I held her secure as I reached down and played with the hem of her shirt. It was a sensible hiking tank top, but it didn’t diminish the fire I felt when I looked at her. I was determined to take it slow, make sure she enjoyed every second—but Josie was driving full steam ahead, not the least bit interested inslow. She reached down and peeled her top off,leaving her in a baby-pink sports bra that framed her cleavage perfectly. I sucked in a breath as I got a full view of her breasts, the perfect curve of her making me groan with need.

“Uhm, where do I put this?” She looked around, blinking slowly as she seemed to realize where we were, and that there was nowhere to put the clothes.

“Do you want me to take care of our clothes?” I asked, voice husky with desire.

“Yes.” Her pupils were blown wide when she dove back into our kiss, so I plucked the top from her fingertips.

---