Page 27 of When the Angel Falls First

I sighed. “I wish you were wrong.”

And that was how our evening continued, with a few laughs, a lot of sighs, and more stories of family drama than I thought I could tell overthreepieces of cake.

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 littleside projectI’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’thave 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 softpopof 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.”

“Aprettyhuman?” 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.Hadtoignore 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 wereboundaries. “How did you get them together so quickly, anyway? Bookishfolks 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.”

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