Now it was his turn to be silent as she put her hand over his mouth with a grin. “Okay, Malachi. I understand. It does make sense. But it’s hard to think of you like this,”—she waved at his naked body—“and that.” She wrinkled her nose.
Humming quietly, Malachi traced her lips with his thumb. “Would it help to think of me as two different people? Partner, K-9 in dog form, and lover, Evan, ugh, at night?”
“Lover?” She chuckled, “Who says that?”
“I do,” he offered quietly. “Because that’s what I am. The one who cherishes and desires you beyond reason. The one who will follow you to protect and guard you, be whatever you need. The one who will hold you in the night and kiss you whenever you want. You are mine, Kelly, and others may look at you, but the only one touching you will be me.”
She shivered under the intensity of his gaze. “I like that. But I don’t want to call you Evan. I can’t separate you in my head either. Maybe just… don’t talk dirty to me when you have four legs, okay?”
“No guarantees.” He grinned.
No Really, Angels are Jerks
After a lengthy steamy shower, in which he gave in to his need to taste her repeatedly until her legs gave out, they were dressed and holding hands on the sofa when Glenda and Nathan returned. Taking in Malachi’s wet hair and Chuck’s change of clothes, the witch beamed ear to ear as she playfully shook a finger at them.
“Get that out of your systems, naughty children?” she demanded. At their unabashed nods, she sighed and flopped on the other sofa. Patting the cushion near her, she motioned for Nathan to have a seat.
Gingerly lowering himself to the couch, Nathan glanced around, clearly still uncomfortable with the situation. “Uh, where’s the angel?” he mumbled.
“He didn’t go with you?” Chuck asked, surprise coloring her tone as she sat up straighter.
“Nuh-uh,” Glenda happily advised. “He grumbled something about that’s not what he meant by ‘guarding her body’ and poofed out!” She threw her hands out to demonstrate, nearly poking Nathan in the eye.Smiling sweetly, she wiggled her fingers apologetically as she stared at her warily.
Squinting in suspicion, Chuck stared at her friend before crossing her arms over her chest and smirking. “Glenda…” she drawled, “behave!”
Turning innocent wide eyes towards Chuck, Glenda dramatically placed her hand over her chest. “Me? Whatever do you mean?”
Malachi chuckled then. “Oh, come on, Chuck, leave her alone. I bet Glenda adores a man in uniform.”
Cocking her finger like a pistol, Glenda pointed at Malachi and clicked her tongue as she winked. “Caught me red-handed!” she cheered.
Glancing between them all, Nathan finally jolted as he realized what they were talking about. “Wait, me?” his voice rose in incredulity. “What did… why are… huh?” he sputtered, his mustache twitching like a nervous animal.
“Not important,” Nick grumbled as he stalked into the living room and threw himself heavily into a chair. “You guys really should consider some soundproofing for that room if you’re going to scream that loud. It was pretty embarrassing.” He shook his head with righteous fervor.
“How? Where?” Chuck was the one stuttering now. “Were you here the whole time?”
Shrugging, Nick held up his hands. “I don’t eat, didn’t really have anywhere else to be. You know, you should listen to Malachi. He’s right about needing to be near you to protect you.”
Blinking rapidly, Chuck’s face flushed deep scarlet. “Listen up, Uncle Nick,” she snapped. “You might be family, and you obviously feel you’re better than us, but you have no business snooping around my house and listening to two people who are supposed to bealone,when they are having a heartfelt conversation.” She clenched her fists, drew in a deep breath, andwas no doubt about to lay into him harder when Malachi tapped her thigh. “What?” she barked, then bit her lip in shame.
“Sorry to interrupt what was surely about to be an epic rant.” Malachi pointed at the angel while a wide smile stretched his mouth. “But did you hear him? Nick said I’m right!” His smile was triumphant and full of glee as he glanced at the others. A slight widening of Glenda’s eyes was his only warning as he swung his gaze back to Chuck.
Her finger rapped him sharply on the tip of his nose as she flicked him hard. “Bad dog,” she scolded, her lips quivering as she tried to rein in her laughter.
“The fuck?” he shouted, rubbing his nose as his eyes watered. “Not cool, Chuck. I just wanted to get back to the topic at hand. Did you leave your sense of humor in the bedroom? Damn violent woman.” He continued to massage his face as he leaned away from her, glaring.
At that moment, Reena trotted in to see what the noise was all about. She glanced between Malachi and Chuck, tilting her head in inquiry.
“She hurt me!” Malachi told the little dog, pointing accusingly at Chuck.
Lifting her lip in a snarl, Reena howled like a Hellhound—if Hellhounds could be five pounds of spite—and jumped in Malachi’s lap, glaring at Chuck evilly.
“Seriously? You’re turning her against me?” Chuck demanded and threw herself back against the cushions. “Unbelievable.”
Rolling with laughter, Glenda waved her hands. “Oh goddess be, you guys are hilarious. But let’s get back to the point, can we?” She wiped her eyes and shook her head. Gesturing at Nick, she invited, “Go on then, Saint Nick, tell uswhat we need to know.”
Barking out a laugh, Malachi slapped a hand over his mouth, muttering, “Saint Nick,” between his fingers while Reena wheezed her own laugh from his lap.
