I unclasped my hands off his neck and dropped them, accidentally touching his chest. Fuck. The way his body was toned was surreal, but what surprised me was how frantic his heart was. My lashes fluttered, and I dropped my hands. “This is… Put me down.”
“No.”
Now that my hands were off his angelic fuckery, I found a little bit of my sass. “Put me down, you arrogant son of a—”
His breath silenced me as it mingled with mine, and the warmth of his lips pressed against my mouth. What in the actual fuck?
Mega brain freeze.
My eyes shut in shock as I tried to understand what was happening. I was above a fucking cloud, in the arms of an angel—no, an archangel—and he was kissing me.
Fuck, piss and shit.
Opening my eyes wide, I pushed him off me as hard as I could. He drew back, his jaw hanging low, his eyes wouldn’t meet me at first, but when they did, with all my strength, I slapped him.
His head barely turned, but shock was etched all over his face, and I bet on mine, too. Oh my God. I slapped an angel.
Before I let the feeling overwhelm me, I scowled, reminding myself of what he just did. An asshole angel. “Fuck it! And fuck you!”
His fingers wiped his mouth. “I surely deserved that.”
“Damn right you did. I’m married, you asshole.”
“No, you are not. You are in a forbidden relationship with four creatures. But it is a commitment, nonetheless.” He swallowed. “Even if it was not, even if you were not committed to any mate, I should have never…”
“How could you? You’re an angel for crying out loud.”
“Well, like your favorite mate, you have the power to corrupt. Perhaps I should have just let you fall and taken your soul. If I stay with you any minute longer, the next thing I know you will drag me to Hell with you and burn my wings!”
I gaped at him for a moment. Then I set a hand on my hip, and the other snapping my index finger in the air. “Excuse you? So it’smyfaultyoukissedme?”
“No.” His tongue licked his lips, as if he was reminding himself of his shame…or my taste. “No, it is not. That is all my doing. I allowed myself to a moment of corruption. It is a sin for which I shall have to atone. Please accept my sincere apology. I hope you will have the kindness to forgive me.”
My eyes rolled. “Shit.”
“I am asking for your forgiveness, and you are talking about faeces?”
“C’mon, Zava, you know what I mean.”
“I do not, but it is crucial for me to receive your forgiveness, Belle.”
“Shit, you make me feel so bad right now, and I shouldn’t. You’re the asshole here.”
“You absolutely should not feel bad, not for this. Why do you feel that way?”
“Because…you might be an asshole but not a liar. Kissing me was your fault, but you’ve just said I have the power to corrupt like Damien. Am I really that evil? Like I’ve just made an angel sin. Is my energy that dark? Am I really that cursed?” I blew out a frustrated, foggy breath. “Is that why the devil chose me of all people to be his queen…or rather pawn? Is that why Heaven hates me so much they won’t give me a child?” My voice cracked into a sob.
“No soul is born evil, Belle.” That was all he volunteered.
“Maybe Rena’s wasn’t, even though her bloodline was cursed, but mine was reborn by the devil, many times.”
“We can all turn into sinners if we choose to be. Even angels.”
His voice was hoarse with guilt. It tugged at the tiny portion of goodness in me. “If it’s any consolation, you’re a very good kisser.”For fuck’s sake? Brain, ovaries, tongue that could still feel his sweet angelic taste inside my scorched mouth, shut the fuck up.
“Why would you give me a compliment after what I’ve done?”
“Well, if I have the power to corrupt, you somehow have the power to silence the demon, and thus, the darkness.” I shrugged. “You’re an angel. I don’t want to make an angel feel bad. Enough what I’ve done already, corrupting you…slapping you.”
