Page 118 of Crimson Promises
“Aurora, you know it’s part of the bargain I made. There is more?—”
“Now isn’t the time to get into that.” I cut him off. I didn’t want to hear this, not now. I needed him to listen to me, not agonize over whether I thought he still saw me as an obligation or not. “I understand, for whatever the reason, my safety is paramount to you. I told you I comprehend the severity of the situation, and I promise to abide by all the parameters you set.”
“Because that’s worked out so far. You couldn’t even keep your promise to rest. This won’t work.” His muscles were bunched and rigid.
“Because I have suffered through the consequences when I refuse to listen or follow your rules. I know nothing about Heaven or Hell, demons or angels. What you shared with me shattered all of those illusions wide open. You have experience in this department, and as much as it pains me to concede on this, it seems like I have no choice.”
His pinched brows relaxed. “Finally, thank you for seeing reason.”
I gave Ben’s wrist a quick squeeze. “There’s a ‘but’ to all of that.”
“Should’ve realized that you wouldn’t make it that easy for me.” He rolled his eyes.
“I have a decision to make about my life. And if I survive all of this. Being a mortal or angel is not something I want to decide from a remote cabin in the Cascade Mountains. You know I’ve never fit in anywhere. You’ve seen the cruelty I experienced for being different. ACU has been an opportunity for a fresh start for me. I have a job and am in the process of working on the friends part. I had a date with the quarterback.”
Ben let out a low growl at that.
“If I decide to remain human, I don’t want to automatically abandon the life I’ve spent the last few years trying to curate. I will follow whatever protocols you put into place, but I’m not leaving. Plus, it would raise more suspicions. I already agreed to attend the game against Bay City in six weeks.”
“You did what?” His eyes bulged. “If I agree to you staying, going to a crowded football stadium with rowdy, drunk, horny college students and alumni is not safe.”
I took a step back and crossed my arms over my chest. “Part of your job is to ensure you figure out how to make it safe.”
“Why are you going to the game anyway? You hate football.”
“Because Riley invited me.”
A muscle hopped in his jaw.
“He insisted on walking me after bumping into me on my way home from work. I got knocked over by someone, and the bruise hasn’t even fully healed. Do you think the book could have messed something up with my healing powers?”
“Lucifer probably spelled it directly to drain you. Only his magic or that of another archangel could impact someone with your level of abilities. Let’s monitor it and go from there." He ran his hand through his hair. "So, the angelfucker has now become your bodyguard.”
I used the hem of my sleeve to wipe my mouth to hide my smile. Ben was always so reserved when it came to sharing how he felt about me, about us. He oscillated between passionate kisses and declarations of friendship. Riley was the sole factor that pushed him to exhibit any form of emotion.
“No, that role’s already been filled. The boyfriend vacancy is still wide open.”
“Are you fucking serious right now?" His fists were balled up in tight, white-knuckled fists of fury. "You are in mortal danger, and your priorities are going to a game where some guys throw a prolated spheroid from one end of the field to another. Did he ask you to wear his number with his name on the back? That way, he can show you off as the possession and trophy he wants. He will never value your mind, or your ambitions, or your dreams, or your heart. He won’t worship your body the way it deserves or crave to learn every corner of your soul. He won’t treasure your flaws or think they will make you more beautiful.” He stared me down with a hateful twist of the mouth.
I stepped forward until my toes touched his, my chest reaching right below his sternum. I looked up to meet his gaze.
“If Riley's not going to value all those things, then who is, huh?” I poked my finger in the hollow below his throat.
Anger, desire, and something else I couldn’t see warred behind his eyes.
“Me.” He pushed my hand away with his forearm and reached down to slant his mouth over mine.
I slid my arms around his shoulders, opening my mouth to his. His tongue slipped in, caressing my own.
He was already as hard as diamonds as I moaned into his mouth.
Ben gathered me in one effortless movement before setting me on the island. He alternated between tracing his tongue along my lips and exploring more of my mouth with his tongue. He kissed me like he was a man starved. I wrapped my legs around his waist, pulling him as close to me as possible. Ben ripped his lips from mine, pulling back to look at me. His eyes roved my body.
“Mine,” he breathed.
Truth settled around me like a shroud. I was his. And he was mine.
This time, when his lips returned to my body, he pulled down the flimsy material of my long-sleeved sweater. He kissed a line from my collarbone to the tender spot behind my ear. I tilted my head to the side, giving him more access as shivers erupted over my body.
