My eyes drop to her lips. I didn’t realize how close our faces were until this moment.
Well,maybeI realized it. But I ignored it, assuming it was my imagination.
I inch closer to her, continuing to pierce her eyes with my own when suddenly, she breaks away, stepping aside abruptly. “I can’t believe Stephen barged into the throne room like that. I genuinely believe you would’ve earned your wings and ascended that very evening if it weren’t for his childish antics.”
Great.I’d love nothing more than to talk about that dumbass right now.
I push my hands through my hair and let out a chuckle, folding my arms. “He’s a real idiot, but I can’t say I’m surprised. I felt like that trial was going a little too well. It was only a matter of time, you know?”
“Well, your ability to charm others is impressive,” she admits, running her hands down her little black dress, then resting them on her waist. My eyes linger there. “Even the Archangels were enamored with you. Except Nial, but that’s no surprise.”
That dress is driving me crazy.
I jump back into our conversation, unable to hold back my next question. “What’s your deal with Stephen anyway?”
“What do you mean?”
“There’s obviously more to your relationship than meets the eye,” I say. “Did you use to be friends, or…?”
“Ah,friends…” she mutters. “We were friends for a long time. Rather than blossoming into something greater, that friendship wilted.”
“Hmm…” I knit my brows, attempting to decipher the meaning behind her sentiments. “So. You were friends with benefits?”
She chokes, coughing a bit. A laugh bursts out of me in response. “It’s fine, Cleo. I don’t know what life was like back when you were alive, but friends with benefits are pretty common down below now.”
Her eyes widen. “It’s not scandalous anymore?”
“Oh, it’s still alittlescandalous. It’s just more accepted now than it was before.” I pause, suppressing a smile. “You know those romance books you love so much? Yeah, well, those have gotten alotspicier over the last few decades. Some authors even write books about friends-with-benefits relationships blossoming into something greater, kind of like what you mentioned.”
She gawks, her eyes flickering from side to side, obviously trying to wrap her head around all this. “‘Spicier.’ Explain that.”
“Romance authors often go to great lengths to provide vivid details, making sensual acts in their books highly immersive experiences for romance readers.” I inch closer to her and speak in a low voice, right into her ear. “Those types of novels includeactualfucking. Moans, groans, touches, and all.”
She gulps but doesn’t back away. “You seem to know an awful lot about spicy novels.”
I sink my head into her neck for a second, letting out another laugh, then back up, raising my hands in defeat. “You caught me. My ex-girlfriend used to read them—she wasn’t a big reader, but when she did read, spicy romance novels were her favorites. She explained spice to me.”
Her eyes flicker at the mention of my ex-girlfriend, then she clears her throat.
“Well, thanks for the explanation. Considering I haven’t spent much time down there since passing, I didn’t realize that genre developed into something more. I haven’t read any ofthose up in the library before,” she says, her lips curling into a subtle smirk. “Those novels sound like my cup of tea.”
Now,I’mthe one gulping.
Heavens. This girl.
The sound of live music catches my attention. Who knows how long that’s been playing? I’ve been too busy trying to keep up with her.
“Looks like there’s another party tonight,” I comment, squinting my eyes over at the atrium from up here, noticing gleaming beams of light shining upward into the star-filled sky from that very spot. Suddenly, I get yet another bright idea. “Hey, we never finished our chat about Stephen, but let me take a wild guess. You both started hooking up, his feelings for you grew into something more, and yours didn’t—because you’re incapable, of course.”
Her jaw drops as she punches my arm and shakes her head. After another intake of air, she shrugs. “Something like that, yeah.”
“Perfect. That makes my plan for tonight even better.” I push off the railing and wrap my arm around her shoulders, avoiding her perfect wings as usual. “He never misses a party. I’m willing to bet he’ll be there tonight. Let’s go make some noise.”
At first, she resists my pull, keeping her feet firmly planted in one spot. “Ugh.I’m too old for games like this.”
“Says who?” I challenge her. “You said it yourself. Stephen is the real reason why we’re in this mess, so we’re simply evening out the playing field. I don’t know if you’re aware, but I used to be a coach. I’m all about fair play, angel.”
“Hmm, yes. I know you were a coach. I take it upon myself to learn as much about my Guardians as possible before taking themon,” she says casually as I lead her to the square across the bridge. “Well, Iusedto.”
