Uh, oh. Jade kept a hold on her sheet as she hopped out of bed. Her knees didn’t so much as jiggle when her feet touched down on the wooden floor. That angel blood sure packed a powerful punch.
“Because she realized—we both realized—” Cody spoke quickly now as he pressed his back against the wall in an attempt to put more distance between him and Az. “We realized that she’s healed.”
Jade crept up behind Az. Tanner didn’t move. She reached out and her fingers skimmed over those shadowy wings. She could almost feel them against her skin. Like silk.
Az stiffened. He’d loved it when she stroked his scars before. What effect would it have on him when she touched these shadowy remnants of his wings?
“Jade . . .” Her name was a rasp, heavy with need, lust.
She stroked the shadows once more.
This time, he shuddered.
“She’s healed,” Cody said again. “And—”
Az turned to face her. His jaw was locked, and his eyes still burned hot enough to scorch her. And the man looked like he could eat her.
Oh, my.
“I think it’s time for us to get out of here.” Tanner hurried over and grabbed Cody’s arm. “They need to . . . talk.”
“Talk? I don’t think talking is what—”
Tanner knocked his brother’s head into the wall then hustled him out of the room.
The shifter made sure to slam the door closed behind him.
Az’s wings were out of her reach now, but she wanted to touch them again. “I can see them,” she whispered.
He shook his head. “Nothing’s there. The wings burned away when I fell.”
Maybe. But those shadows were still there. She stepped closer to him. Jade kept one hand on the sheet that she’d hurriedly wrapped around her body while her left hand lifted and touched those shadows. “What does it feel like when I touch them?” Jade whispered.
“They aren’t there.”
Something was. Her fingers went right through the silken remnants.
He stepped back and put enough distance between them so that she couldn’t touch his wings. Then he caught her hand and held tight. “You’re seeing what was,” he gritted. “My blood’s in you. Only those with an angel’s blood can—”
“Thank you,” her soft words cut him off.
He blinked. Shook his head.
“You saved me.” That she knew with certainty.
His fingers tightened on hers. “I was afraid I was too late.”
No. Leave it to an angel to know just how to cheat death.
“Are you afraid of me?” Az asked as his eyes searched hers.
She let the sheet drop. It pooled on the floor between them. “No.” Jade moved closer to him.
His head lowered toward hers. “You’re sure . . . ?” Only inches separated their mouths as he asked, “You’re certain you aren’t still hurt?”
She smiled up at him even as her heart raced in her chest. “The demon said I didn’t even have a scratch.”
He still didn’t kiss her. “You scared me.”
The big, tough angel?
“Don’t ever do that again,” he ordered, then, finally, his mouth took hers.
It was as if an inferno ignited inside of her. With the touch of his lips against hers, lust seemed to fuel her blood. She opened her mouth. Her tongue met his.
He tasted even better than she remembered.
Since his chest was bare, her br**sts pressed against his skin. His flesh seemed hot, so strong, and rippling with muscles.
His hands were tight around her—tight, but not hurting. Az knew his own power too well.
Her hips pushed against him. The thick length of his arousal was impossible to miss. Her fingers unsnapped the button at the top of his jeans. With a low hiss, his zipper slid down.
His c**k sprang forward, heavy, straining, and she stroked the tip.
Az pulled his mouth from hers. “Should go slower . . .” His breath rasped out. “Should take care . . .”
“Yes.” She licked his neck. Bit lightly with her teeth. “You should definitely take care of this need I have.” Only for him. She’d never wanted anyone so quickly, so much. “Show me that I’m still alive, Az. Show me.”
He lifted her up. Held her as if she weighed nothing. To him, she probably did. Two steps, and he had her on the edge of the bed. Her legs wrapped around his hips. His c**k pushed between her legs.
No foreplay. No soft words. No fake promises.
Sex. Lust. Need.
Life.
He thrust into her. Filled every inch of her, stretched her so full she ached.
Then his fingers pressed against her clit and that ache changed into a delicious curl of pleasure. Her sex clamped tight around him. She loved the thickness of his flesh in her body.
Az stood between her spread legs. He leaned over her as he thrust into her. When he pulled back, his flesh slid over her sensitive core. Then he thrust balls-deep into her body.
Their eyes held. Her heart thundered in her chest. The bed was soft beneath her. He was hard in her.
The rush of pleasure was consuming. She arched up again, but his hands clamped around her hips, stilling her. His eyes seemed to burn her. She’d never had anyone stare at her with such raw lust before.
Brandt had acted as if he owned her. Az . . . he acted as if he’d die without her.
His c**k filled her completely. Since he held her locked against him, she couldn’t force him to thrust with the arch of her hips. But . . . Jade tightened her flesh around him and squeezed his c**k with her inner muscles.
His pupils flared wide.
Then he began to thrust and withdraw again, but, this time, it was different.
The consuming hunger was still there, held barely in check. He moved a little slower. Softer.
Sweat beaded his upper brow. His hands, though lethally strong, were lighter on her flesh.
Gentleness. She’d only expected heat and hunger.
“I won’t break,” Jade told him.
“I’ll never let you.” A vow.
He kept the easier motions. Lighter, but still just where she wanted him. Now she could arch her hips against him, and every drive of his body rubbed against her clit. The sensation was a pure stroke of pleasure that vibrated through her body.
“I won’t lose you,” he said, the words a growl but his hands still gentle on her body.
She wrapped her legs around his hips. Her body was tightening and preparing for the release that was just moments away. She could feel it building inside her. Az leaned close to her, and Jade bit the curve of his shoulder.