Page 20 of Conflicted

He huffed, his eyes narrowing as they ran over me. “Really? No shield? Hands in your pockets? I don’t know if you’re stupid or disrespectful. I could execute you without even trying.”

“You could.” I lifted one foot, resting it against the wall behind me as I eased into an even more relaxed position. “But you won’t.”

He bared his teeth. “Don’t think that this…connectionbetween us gives you any leniency or protection where I’m concerned.”

My eyes widened. It was exactly what I’d been hoping to hear, but it was still strange hearing him say it. It was thefirst time either of us had openly admitted to the fact that we were fated mates.

Schooling my expression, I smirked back at him. “Oh really? Then why has it taken a literalriotto get your attention?”

His mouth opened slightly, revealing a tantalising glimpse of his pink tongue between his lips. “That’s why you’re doing this? To get my attention?”

I shifted, trying to will my cock to stop plumping up.It’s normal. Micah’s hot, even if he is an angel. It doesn’t mean anything.“Of course not. I need sin to function, angel. You don’t seem to know a lot about demons for someone who claims to knowmanyof them.”

Micah scoffed. “It’s not like I’ve spent hours getting to know them. But those I do know don’t need sin to this extent. I think you’re using it as a bullshit excuse.”

The penny dropped. “Let me guess…those demons are the sons of Lucifer?”

“Not all of them.”

“And the Grim Reaper?”

Micah muttered under his breath. “Fine, yes. Those are all the demons I’ve spent more than a few seconds with.”

Meaning they were ones he didn’t automatically kill on sight.

“Well,angel—” Condescension coated my words. “—it’s a bit different for the rest of us. We might be higher demons, but we aren’t royalty, and we sure as shit aren’t one of the original fallen. Our powers need a near constant stream of sin if we’re to operate at our full strength.”

Micah’s golden hair was being ruffled by the wind. It looked unbearably soft. “Humans sin all the time. Surely you can get your needs met another way.”

I shoved off the wall and prowled closer. Micah stiffened,but didn’t back away. My respect for him shot up slightly. “There is one way I could get it without causing chaos. One sin that yields more power than the rest combined. Do you know what it is?”

A faint flush tipped Micah’s ears, the only sign that he knew exactly what the answer was. His mouth remained stubbornly closed.

Giving in to temptation, I ghosted my fingers along his lips. “That’s right. It’s the one you’re feeling right now, little angel.Lust.”

He knocked my hand away, stepping back with a snarl. “Don’t call me that.”

My smile widened. “Little angel? You don’t like that?”

“On what planet would I like being calledlittle angel?” He spat. “It’s insulting.”

“Aw, but why would I stop when you’ve just told me how much you hate it?”

“God, why are you so infuriating?” Micah fisted his hair, looking to the sky like it might hold the answer.

“Not sure God can answer that. Lucifer, on the other hand, might have a few explanations for you.”

Micah cleared his throat, shifting on his feet. “Okay, so use lust instead. That’ll make it easier for everyone.”

“You offering, little angel?”

Disgust flooded Micah’s features, making something in me ache. I scowled internally. What the fuck was that about?

“In your dreams.”

I pouted. “Is touching a demon that scary? I promise, I can bereallyfun. Much better than the angels you’re probably used to.”

His beautiful face hardened. “I’m notusedto anyone, angel or human. And I’ve seen firsthand whathappens when an arch starts flirting with a demon. Believe me, that’s thelastthing I want. It’s against the law for a start. Besides, angels deserve better than demons.”

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