Page 15 of Secrets in the Shadow

“This is my life now,” Cody groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Invisible angels and traumatized cats.”

“Could be worse,” Raziel said, his tone light. “At least I’m not a demon.”

Cody wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cry.

Chapter Four

Raziel saw the flare of interest in Cody’s eyes, had been feeling it since he’d revealed himself in the kitchen. He’d also noticed the covert looks when his mate thought he wasn’t paying attention.

Even now, the scent of the human’s lust hung in the air, spicy and electrifying. The fragrance tangled with Raziel’s senses, each inhale drawing it deeper.

As soon as the father was gone, Raziel stalked closer, unable and unwilling to resist any longer. He wanted to taste Cody’s lips, to draw every moan and whimper he could wrench from his willing body.

Logic had no place here. He smirked as Cody’s pale blue gaze widened, his breath hitching at the approach. A low growl rumbled in Raziel’s throat as he pinned his mate against the wall, desire igniting like a wildfire.

His wings unfurled behind him as he pressed his lips to Cody’s, letting the hunger consume him.

“Kiss me.” Raziel crooned the demand, unable to recall the last time it felt like his body was drowning in need.

Like a little kitten, timid but brave, Cody slid his arms around Raziel’s neck.

That was all it took.

His mate’s surrender.

Crushing Cody’s soft body against his, Raziel lowered his lips to his mate’s. “I might not be a demon, but I know how to be sinful.”

The sparks were instant, igniting a flame that would only grow higher. Raziel tightened his arms around his mate, grinding his leather-covered cock into Cody’s stomach.

Somewhere in the back of his mind, he recognized the danger in touching his mate, the consequences of his actions, but god help him, he couldn’t find the strength to pull away.

The grip on his control was fraying, and he wasn’t sure he had the will to reel it in. Kissing Cody was a mistake—a selfish, reckless indulgence that risked everything he was trying to protect.

But he was literally drowning in Cody’s scent.

His mate tasted like warmth, like something Raziel hadn’t realized he’d craved until it was pressed against his lips.

Sliding his hands down Cody’s sides, he mapped out the soft curves and firm planes he had no right to touch. Yet, his mate fit against him so perfectly it made Raziel’s heart ache, a sensation he didn’t know how to protect himself against.

The right thing to do would be to pull away. But he wanted just one more kiss, one more stolen second, and then Cody’s breath hitched, and his fingers tightened on Raziel’s shoulders like he was holding on for dear life.

And just like that, it was over. Raziel was undone.

His resolve to stay away was obliterated.

When he eased back, his mate’s lips were swollen, his cheeks flushed, and he wanted to commit that look to memory, wanted to lick every inch of the human as well. His cock was hard and pulsing, and fuck, Raziel wanted him so badly, had wanted Cody even before he realized they were mates.

“You’re beautiful like this,” he murmured, his voice rough, low.

Still clinging to Raziel, Cody blinked up at him, his pale blue eyes dazed. “I’m not—”

Snarling, Raziel cut him off with a hard kiss, refusing to hear the denial. He trailed his lips over the man’s smooth jaw, tasting the salt of his skin as he worked his way down to the curve of his neck. “Yes, you are.”

“Whatever you say.” Cody tipped his head back against the wall, giving him access to that captivatingly vulnerable stretch of throat, and the quiet sound the human made, half gasp, half whimper, was enough to push him closer to the edge.

So responsive.

Mastering indifference hadn’t been hard for Raziel. It was easier to keep everything, everyone, at arm’s length. But his mate’s hands, soft and steady, undid every wall he’d built.

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