Page 17 of Secrets in the Shadow

“You’re so fucking perfect like this,” Raziel growled, placing a hand in the middle of Cody’s back, the other around his waist. He nipped lightly at his mate’s neck, soothing the bite with a soft, wet kiss.

Cody was temptation incarnate, causing Raziel to fight a different battle inside of him. His fangs ached to descend, begged him to sink into the soft flesh of Cody’s neck, to feel the human’s blood coat his tongue. He wanted to fuck his mate and seal their bond.

Don’t you dare wreck his life!

Breathing heavily, he slammed a hand against the wall, watching a myriad of emotions sweep across Cody’s features. But his mate was holding back. Raziel could see it in his pretty blue eyes.

“Stop fighting it.” His voice was a deep rumble, proof of his struggle not to claim Cody. “Let go, baby. I got you.” He buried his fist in his mate’s fiery hair and then yanked the man’s head back. He’d meant to kiss Cody, but the pulse drew his attention, mesmerizing him.

Raziel’s heart quickened. His gums ached. His heart beat even faster as his breath grew shallow. Then his wings fluttered, as if telling him to do it, to bite down on the warm flesh and claim what was his.

“Raziel!”

The shout of his name was enough to wrench attention away from the biggest mistake Raziel had nearly made. His mate’s body seized, trembling violently as his release hit. His muffled cry sent a thrill through Raziel, who held him steady, keeping him grounded as Cody rode out every shudder, every wave of pleasure.

Then his mate slumped against him, his breaths coming in ragged bursts. That had been too close.

“You’re incredible.” Raziel cradled the back of his mate’s head. “I could watch you fall apart like that forever.”

When Cody finally stirred, his cheeks were still flushed, his eyes glassy. Raziel eased him back, studying the dazed, beautiful expression on his mate’s face.

“Stay with me, kitten,” he whispered, his lips grazing Cody’s ear as his fingers curled beneath the hem of his mate’s shirt. He slipped them inside, brushing them against the bare skin beneath. “Don’t drift away. Let me feel you.”

Let me hold you for as long as I can.

Closing his eyes, Raziel let himself savor the moment—the feel of Cody’s weight against him, the sound of his breathing, the unspoken connection humming between them.

Then reality forced its way back in.

What in the fuck have I done?

* * * *

Cody wasn’t sure why he thought Raziel would still be there when he woke up from his nap. It was a foolish hope that had only led to disappointment.

Sitting up, he lifted his arms and stretched, the good kind that burned and popped all the right muscles.

“It was too intense anyway.” He walked to the kitchen to make some coffee, the floor cold under his bare feet. But he stopped when his gaze landed on the backward chair and remembered how gorgeous Raziel had looked straddling it.

Cody pressed his palm against his chest when it began to ache. “Don’t you dare fall apart over some guy. You’ve known him less than a day.”

Righting the chair, he refused to let Raziel live rent-free inside his head. He was stalked by an angel, had used the man’s thigh like his personal sex toy, and now it was time to move on.

Duchess crept slowly into the kitchen, her eyes darting around. She took measured steps, like she was walking through a mine field.

“You’re fine.” He scooped her up into his arms. “Mr. Invisible poofed home. You’re free to run around disobeying all the rules.”

Duchess loudly meowed, like she was lodging her complaint with him. That was the thing about calicos. They were very vocal. Cody had lost count of how many times they’d argued.

“You can’t blame me.” He rubbed her back, stroking her soft fur. “What kind of security system does someone buy to keep out a celestial being?” he asked her, but she gave him a lazy stare. “Exactly! I don’t know either!”

He set her on her feet then headed into the living room when his cell phone rang.

It was his mom. He knew exactly why she was calling him.

Thanks, Dad.

“Heeey, Mom. What’s up?” He plopped down onto the couch and dragged the Afghan blanket over him.

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