Page 53 of Deviled Eggs

His brow raises. “What’s in it?”

“Necessities.”

“So… ropes?”

“Yep.”

“Gags?”

“A few.”

Another soft laugh breezes from his lips. “Maybe we should go to my place and pack, too. We might have different ideas of what is deemed essential.”

“Have you given any thought to where you want to spend our vacation?”

He smiles, wrapping an arm around my waist and tucking me into his side. “Anywhere with you is perfect, Xal.”

“Who’s getting sappy now?” I tease, and he places a finger under my chin and tilts my face to his.

“I love you,” he whispers, and I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him closer as his lips move with mine. The taste of him floods my mouth as our tongues roll, hands coasting over skin in a frantic, desperate exploration while our bodies press together so tightly every curve and dip aligns.

When we come up for air, we’re both flushed and panting. “Careful, or I’ll bend you over and fuck you right here, and we’ll never actually make it anywhere.”

“Don’t tempt me with a good time.” He comes back for more and pouts when I pull away.

“Such a sweet angel,” I murmur, dragging my thumb over his bottom lip. “And with such a perfect mouth. Regrettably, I must take a raincheck on those plans, because I have to make a pit stop before we leave.”

“It can’t wait?”

“God, you are stunning when you pout, aren’t you?”

“Does that mean you’ll give me my way?”

I laugh, weaving our fingers together and tugging him beside me. “Not this time.” We walk along the sidewalk, enjoying the mild weather and beautiful scenery of the realm. It’s peaceful, although Micah snaps his wings out whenever we come across other Angels. Containing my eye roll is a chore every time.

The occupants of Heaven are still wary in his presence, though they learned early in our relationship not to give him any grief about his demon lover. A lower ranking Angel was almost fried by heavenly fire when he insulted me under his breath. Micah’s wrath was only quelled when I asked him to stop, and word spread quickly about the demon who has the mighty Archangel on a leash.

If only they knew.

Ever since, they’ve steered clear, but no one else has commented. They leave us alone, and that’s fine with us both.

Micah’s brows furrow as we approach a familiar building, and he glances at me in question just as the door swings open. Beau and Azrael step out into the sun and wave, and as Azrael trips on a rock, Beau snaps his arm out to catch him like it’s second nature.

“This is your errand?” Micah asks, confused. “Stopping by Beau’s classroom?”

Beau walks over and thumps Micah on the shoulder, giving him a squeeze before Micah rips his arm awayimpatiently. We all chuckle as Beau rolls his eyes, then turns his attention towards me. “Everything’s set.”

“I really appreciate your help,” I say, reaching over to shake his hand as he gives me a giant smile. The sentiment is sincere, because the large human is impossible not to like. Azrael gives me an excited grin from behind him, bouncing on his feet as though he’s unable to stand still.

“What sort of help?” Micah asks, and I only grin as I wave goodbye to Beau and Azrael and lead him towards the building. “Xal, you cannot ignore me just because you don’t want to answer.”

“Wanna bet?” I mutter, and he huffs a haughty scoff as I pull the door open. It’s pitch black when we walk inside—the windows have been blacked out and the lights are off. Micah can’t see it yet, but all the furniture has been shoved into closets or along the perimeter of the room.

“What are we…” The words die in his throat as I click a few buttons on the remote control Beau snuck into my palm as we shook hands. Dim lights illuminate, shining on the endless roses that line the room in vases, and the scattering of crimson petals on the ground. Music floats from the speakers in a slow melody.

“What—” He tries again, but his voice cracks and he closes his mouth to take a shuddering inhale. “What is this? What… what did you do?”

I turn to him with a smile, but it falters when I catch the devastation on his face. A single droplet rolls down his cheek as he stares at me, his bottom lip stiff as he tries to control his emotions. “You said you always wanted to go dancing.” I reach to wipe away the tear, my thumb drifting back and forth over his defined cheekbone. “Is this not what you wanted? Did you want—”

My words are cut off as he slams his lips into mine, shaking his head even as he kisses me senseless. “This is perfect,” he whispers against my lips. “This is… everything I’ve ever wanted. You’re everything I’ve ever wanted.”

My palms land on his cheeks, forcing his eyes to stay on mine as I wipe away his tears and smooth his hair back from his face. “I love you, Micah.” I back up a few steps and hold my hand out for his, dipping into a bow when he slips his fingers into my grip. “May I have this dance?”

His eyes close as he nods, drawing me to his chest as we sway to the music. “You may. This one… the next one… and every one after that, darling. I belong to you, always.”

And we dance.

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