“I didn’t want it,” he rasped, his voice small and sad. I looked up at him to see his cheeks were streaked with tears.
I got to my feet so I could kiss those away, too.
“I know.”
“Are you going to leave me?” he asked, his voice cracking like he really believed I might.
“Never.I’ll never leave you, baby.”
He was staring at me with so much disbelief and awe on his face that my heart broke for what felt like the hundredth time that day.
“Can I kiss you? I know last time you said I tasted like?—”
“Kiss me, Shemhazai. You can always kiss me. You don’t have to ask.”
He hesitated, so I kissed him for the both of us.
Having Gabe’s willing mouth on me instantly made the excruciating pain in my chest fade away.
His lips were warm, plush, and familiar. Curled against him in the protective shield of his soft wings, I inhaled his scent and fuckingmelted.
All the tension and fear that had been assaulting me had no place here in this safe space Gabe had created for us.
Raz couldn’t see me because Gabriel wouldn’t let him.
For the first time in my life, I didn’t feel like I needed to stand against the seraphim alone. Gabe would protect me, and for some reason, it didn’t make me feel weak to rely on someone else.
I allowed my hands to slide up his chest and curl around his neck, my fingers sinking into his thick, glossy hair. The rumbly groan he let out as I massaged his scalp sent tingles down my spine.
I felt myself grow hard, and I winced.
I was still fully exposed, and I hadn’t been aroused without something to protect me from judgment since I had escaped Raziel.
Gabe immediately noticed my discomfort, and he broke the kiss, causing me to whimper.
He cupped my face and leaned his forehead against mine, making soothing sounds as he gently stroked each side of my jaw with his thumbs.
“It’s just me. It’s okay. You’re beautiful, baby. I’m not going to hurt you.”
I swallowed thickly, unable to keep my body from trembling in his arms.
“It would serve me right. I’ve hurt you so much.”
Gabe shook his head, dropping tiny kisses on my face.
He kissed my mouth.
My nose.
My cheeks.
Each eyelid.
It was so tender and gentle. No one had ever been soft with me like this before, and I didn’t know what to do with it.
“You were just scared. We’re past that now.”
“The other night, with that witch… Gabriel, I’m sorry.”
