Eve rose and padded to the window. Moving the curtains aside, she peered into the quiet streets. Her voice low, she told the archangel her problem. When she came to an end, he said, “I understand. It is a delicate situation.”
“Can you help me?”
“I cannot, but maybe the oracle can. But she’s only there for the next day. Don’t waste time. Take Reynner and go see her.”
Eve winced. “I can’t. He er- doesn't want me involved in this.”
The archangel deliberated a long, silent moment. “I see... So it’s on you then to talk to her.” He paused, and for the tiniest moment, Eve thought she’d heard deeper concern in his voice. Worry for her, not Reynner. “I would go with you, Eve. But things are tense right now and I’m needed here.”
“I understand. I can do this alone.”
“Be careful.”
“I will.”
Michael recited the address then ended the call. Eve didn’t bother to write it down. She knew the place. After all, she’d gone there once, when she’d wanted to get rid of her own curse.
Eve set the cell phone on her dresser, just as the door opened and Reynner walked inside. Guiltily, she rubbed her hands down her shorts.
“Why aren’t you asleep?”
“I've tried, I can't.” Her gaze widened when he started to unbutton his shirt.
“You didn’t think I would share the bed with Aerén now, did you?” He shrugged off the shirt and tossed it onto the armchair.
No, she wasn’t thinking at all as joy swept through her.
“This way, we both can rest,” he said as he sat on the bed and toed off his boots. They landed with a thud on the floor. His brow rose when she remained rooted near the window.
“You plan to stay there all night?” he asked. Rising to his feet, he unbuckled his belt, unzipped and got rid of his leathers.
Dressed, Reynner was gorgeous, but naked, he took her breath away faced with all those lickable golden muscles. Her gaze drifted down to his semi-erect sex and her body melted for him. She wanted to touch him—wanted him to touch her again. Then she met his tender gaze and her chest constricted at the absolute love she saw there.
He loved her.
Reynner held out his hand. Eve was so grateful her wobbly knees carried her across to him and that she didn't collapse into a messy puddle of happiness on the floor.
With an inch separating his nakedness from her, he slid his hands up her body. And in a slow, sensual caress, he pulled off her tank top and tossed it aside. “I don’t want anything between us.”
She couldn’t speak, her nerves stretched too taut. Her nipples pebbled at the heated look in his indigo eyes. But he didn't act on his desires, just hooked his fingers in the elastic waist of her sleep shorts and panties, and made quick work of removing them.
Eve slid to the middle of her bed, and he followed, settling her against him. He pulled the covers to their waist. Eve rolled her eyes as she tugged for more coverage.
“Are you cold?”
She glanced at him. His teasing smile was outright sinful. She scrunched her face, her shyness fading. Then she recalled last night, his nightmares. Anxiety took hold. “Will you sleep?”
“With you near me, it’s doubtful,” he said, his tone wry. “Don’t worry about me, Eve, I’ll be okay.”
No matter. She’d brought him back last night; she’d do so again.
Eve rested her head on his chest and slid her arm over him, just below the cursed star, reminding her of what she had to do. When Reynner pressed his lips to her forehead, she closed her eyes, and for now, savored being in the arms of the man she loved.
***
After a quick shower the following morning, Eve changed and ran a comb through her damp hair. Taking her charm bracelet from the draw, she fastened it around her wrist, her troubled mind on Reynner. It worried her that he hadn't slept at all last night.
As she gathered up their scattered clothes, and his pants that had fallen to the floor, a gleam near it caught her attention. She picked up the tiny, gold half-circle.
