Page 28 of Rise from the Flames

“But if you don’t want to...” My voice trails off as I bite my bottom lip between my teeth.

Storm groans and steps closer. “I want to. More than anything.”

“You say that like it’s a problem.” I glide closer, treating the distance between us like an enemy. “It’s not.”

Reaching up, Storm touches my cheek, brushing my blond hair behind my ear. I lock my gaze to his, offering him a reassuring smile. My heart steadies, no longer racing, and I caress his arm until I slide my fingers around his neck. He resists for only a moment, his eyes flicking to my mouth and lower, taking a moment to savor the sight of my body. Goosebumps prickle over my skin as heat blooms between my thighs, igniting something wilder and more deep-seated between us.

“Please, Storm. I swear this is real. You said it yourself, putting space between us and Damien broke the spell. I just—I don’t know how to explain it. I’m just so...I don’t want to be so easily manipulated by my curiosity and desire. If Damien is an incubus, his power will only get to us if we deny ourselves what we truly feel.” Because I’ve heard about the incubus. About the hundreds of other demons that feed on different types of emotions. Damien’s is lust. I had no idea until now, and I wish he had told me sooner.

Storm leans in, slowly brushing his lips to mine. “You need to show me that you mean it, Riella. I won’t take advantage of you. I don’t know if it’s the Hell speaking or if this is something you are absolutely certain about.”

I slide my fingers up the back of his head, playing with his soft hair. Without a word, I deepen our kiss and slide my tongue into his mouth, the affection feeling so utterly and completely human. My mind opens and a flash of my past life blooms in my thoughts. I was once human and suddenly remember everything that came with it. The love and heartache. The pain and joy. I remember how I had denied myself a lot of connections and threw myself into my mission to change the world. I died before that was possible. I can’t remember exactly how, but I know I was young—in my twenties and not quite ready to settle down. A plane crash? No. Something worse. Unexpected.

My mind wanders again, and I stand before Storm, my very essence tangling with his, showing him how much I need this connection now. I want nothing more than to experience the things I’ve missed. The things I will fight for to ensure that humanity gets them. They don’t deserve a short existence. And I don’t deserve a life without love and pleasure and all the things that help a soul grow.

Storm groans and slides his hands to my waist, pulling me flush against him, letting me feel his erection through his pants. The gesture excites me more than I expect it to, and I jump into his arms, just wanting to feel his body close. To experience what it was like to be human.

“You are the most spectacular being in the universe, Riella. I should’ve never doubted you for even a second. Hell has no place in your existence.” Storm carries me through the firehouse and into his bedroom, the grand suite a bit bigger than River’s, and comforting, warm, the whole place smelling as good as Storm does. My heart races as he breaks away from my mouth and kisses down my throat, using his teeth to tug my shirt away from my shoulder. My back hits the bed. Storm adjusts my body, lying between my legs while exploring the skin of my cleavage. I arch my back at the sensation of his fingers moving to pulling at the hem of my shirt, and I raise my arms and let him drag it off my head. He groans and glides his tongue over my breasts, sucking my nipple into his mouth, sending a shockwave of pleasure between my legs.

I gasp and arch, squirming as he works his way lower. My whole body buzzes and hums, his mouth leaving a fiery trail down my torso. He unfastens my pants and tugs them down, his eyes heavy with lust. I don’t know exactly what he saw in our connection, but it’s enough to get him to give in to my need. My desire to feel mortal even if it’s only for a moment in time.

Storm undresses me completely, working his mouth over my hip and to my pelvis. He kisses his way between my legs, igniting bliss through my body. He uses two fingers to spread me open and flicks his tongue over my clit, sensually and confidently, his kiss to my apex enough to send electricity through my body, making my muscles tense. I gasp as I lose myself to his affection, squirming and wiggling until he pins me down, licking and sucking and sending pleasure to my very being. My body clenches, and I tighten my thighs around his head making him moan, the vibration sending me over the edge of something amazing. I feel as if I’m falling, or maybe jumping, from Heaven all over again.

My wild emotions push me forward, and I roll over and get on top, wanting to bond with Storm completely. He tugs off his shirt while I unbutton his pants and undress him, locking my fingers around his hard-on to stroke him, memorizing the softness of his skin, the hardness of his desire. Storm doesn’t let me stay on top long, flipping me over onto my back while stretching my leg up, letting me feel his tip as he tests my body for my reaction. I hold his gaze, my mouth parting with my heavy breathing, and he slides into me, sending my eyes rolling to the back of my head with pleasure. The pressure and ecstasy that crashes between us only make me push my body harder against his, encouraging him to thrust into me completely. There’s pleasure and good pain, and Storm kisses me and whispers how beautiful I am. We lose ourselves to each other, and I clutch onto him, digging my nails into his shoulders, enjoying every second of such a human act of devotion. It’s as if our beings merge, and we get to know each other on a deeper level, the simple act bonding us in a way I never expected. And it feels so good. So right. I never want it to end.

Storm thrusts over and over again, kissing my lips and my neck, making sure that I feel as amazing as he does.

“You’re a godsend, Riella. I hope you never doubt that. You’ve shown me my true purpose, and I vow to always be by your side, fighting evil. Teaching you everything you need to know about humanity while learning everything there is to know about the universe from you.” Storm kisses me again, not letting me respond, just making sure that I’m lost to his everything.

It opens me in a way that makes me realize how much I want to stand by humanity’s side, and not even for Heaven’s sake. I might’ve trained as a warrior, but I’ve been thinking all wrong. I’m here for humanity and only humanity. Storm proves it.

“You’re the reason I’m here. It’s now that I know for certain. I’ve been seeking guidance from the wrong place. You’ve proved it.” I kiss him again, drowning myself in pleasure, enjoying such a raw experience that leaves me completely breathless.

Storm rubs his hand over my clit, awakening my body even more, sending me over the edge again as he loses himself, grunting with his orgasm, the two of us lost to each other but also found. I scream out as I hit my peak, and Storm slows, caressing his tongue against mine and just showing me his affection. His need and desire. Showing me how perfect humanity really is even with its flaws. Even with their sometimes wayward decisions and actions. But that’s what makes them incredible. It makes Storm incredible.

“You’re so perfect, Riella. We’ll figure out this life. We will destroy Hell together.” Shifting me beside him, Storm cuddles me close, just kissing me and ensuring that I get everything I desire from this moment. And I do.

I never expected to feel this way, and I truly understand what is at stake.

It makes me want to fight harder than ever.

And I will.

Hell won’t ever have me.

I belong to humanity.

I belong to the mortal plane.

I’ll never let it go.

23

Unstoppable

Riella

Idrawmyfingeracross Storm’s bare chest, listening to his soft breathing. It feels so good to just lay next to him, feeling his heart beating under my hand and knowing that we’ve connected in a way I crave over and over again.

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