She swung the hand holding the lighter wide and used the other to place the bottle against her lips, swallowing twice before extending the liquor to him in offering.
“Thisanswers prayers quicker, saint. Suggest you call on it when all else fails.”
She placed the bottle next to her feet, appearing more fragile than a demon had a right to be. She extinguished the flame, dousing her vulnerability inside the shadows.
The faintest rays of the Lord’s light had made their way to him. He gave a silent prayer of thanks.
His path was clear now. It terrified him, but he was clear.
“The others don’t know how easily lies fall from the mouths of men of god, but I know, Iremember,”the female fallen said. “You hurt them, you betray them, you die. I promise you.”
She opened the door and walked through the opening. Before she could shut it, Cornelius called out, “Please, can I have my robes brought to me? Can you ask Mama? Please.”
The fallen shut the door without responding.
Cornelius stood up. Outside the window, the vibrant colors of dawn filtered through tree branches and leaves.
His purpose was clear now. It was time to do what was needed and embrace his future.
Chapter 10
Every part of her ached, but not the part she’d taken the pain pills for.
No, that part felt wonderful, well-loved,juicy,even.
Stormy stretched and turned to face the man snoring beside her. He was in the exact position he’d collapsed last night, and if he didn’t sound like an industrial-sized leaf-blower she would’ve believed he was dead.
Detangling herself from the sheets, she scooted off the bed and eased down on the floor on all fours. Quietly digging through her luggage, she pulled out a pair of yoga pants and a sports bra and tiptoed to the front room to dress, then grabbed her phone and earbuds and walked outside into the late morning sun.
It was already hot and humid, so temperatures would likely reach the high nineties before they made it to Oklahoma. She hadn’t planned on it, but nature provided her the perfect conditions for some hot yoga.
Opening theDowntempofolder in her music app, she hit play and started with a sun salutation, flowed from warrior one, to warrior two, to inverted triangle. By the time she worked her way into downward dog for the third time of completing the series, the poses and heat had loosened her muscles to near-liquid fluidity.
Breathing deeper into downward dog, she barely registered the click behind her. Opening her eyes, she looked under her arm and saw Lucas, totally naked, as he stood with his arms braced on each side of the doorframe, face obscured by unruly hair. She could see glimpses of emerald through the dark strands, and knew he was staring at her ass.
Stormy rose out of the pose and paused her music.
This man is standing out here buck-naked, she thought without surprise, because that was just him, raw and unconcerned.
“Morning, Lucas.”
He remained quiet so long she wondered if he’d fallen back asleep.
“Lucas, are you awake?”
He rested his forehead on his forearm and peered down at her. “Humph?”
“You okay?”
He shook his head. “My boy won’t wake up…I think you broke him, Stormy, he always wakes up with the sun, but look at him now.”
She looked at Bubba, who hung low and heavy against Lucas’s thigh.
“Um…he had a hard night, Lucas, he’s tired, it’s okay if he rests.”
“My grand used to say, you break it you buy it. If Bubba is broke, you gon’ have a limp-dicked man at your side for the rest of your days.”
“Bubba’s fine, he just—”
