Kim ended up likingUnforgiven, as Raze had known she would. He couldn’t explain how he knew; it was just there. It was as if she had a rhythm, a unique tempo that resonated perfectly inside him. And he’d likedGabriel, as she’d suspected he would.
Synergy, he thought, tightening his arms around her. He lay stretched out on her sofa, barefoot and comfortable. She was sprawled between his legs, her back to his chest, her arms crossed over his. Every breath he took smelled of her, that unique fragrance that was partly a soft floral perfume and mostly her natural essence.
He’d never experienced anything even remotely similar to this casual intimacy. Associations for him had always been necessities—he worked with his teams, fucked the willing, and relaxed alone. All of the Fallen had lost their souls when they’d lost their wings; one couldn’t exist without the other. But the rest of the Fallen had loved before they fell, and he’d wondered if perhaps the ability to know love was something he could’ve only learned when he’d been whole. Maybe he’d missed his chance.
Clearly, he’d been wrong to think that way. He’d never understood the sayingMy heart’s not in it. Why did your heartneed to be in anything? Do what you need to do. But now he knew. He’d enjoyed his work, sex, and solitude, but his heart had never been in any of it—until, perhaps, now.
Raze pressed a kiss to her temple, marveling at how drastically his life and outlook had changed in a mere day. “You know,” he murmured, “now we can say we’ve known each other days, as in plural.”
Her head moved on his chest as her gaze slid from the television to the digital clock on her cable box. “It feels like so much longer than that.”
She sat up despite his protests and shifted, moving to straddle him. He watched her, riveted by her elegant sensuality. She was way out of his league, but somehow, he was making her happy. She caught the pull of her zipper, which ran from cleavage to waist on the simple but pretty strappy emerald dress she wore.
“Ready for your surprise?” she asked with sparkling eyes.
“Hmm… A surprise.” He gripped her thighs beneath the hem and squeezed. “You’re all I need.”
“And I’m what you’ll get.” The dress parted, and she drew it over her head.
Jesus. He went hard all over. Her delicate breasts were cupped by scraps of green satin framed by black lace. The wisp covering the sweet flesh between her thighs was nothing more than a tease. The whole sparkled with crystals and contrasted beautifully with her creamy skin, dark hair, and peridot eyes. He lost his breath for a moment, along with his brain.
“A surprise,” he murmured. “And a gift. God, Kim. You shred me.”
Her greedy hands slid beneath his shirt, and her mouth sealed over his. She took him. And fisting her hair, he gave.
15
They spent Sunday morning being deliciously lazy, rolling around in bed and talking about their work. Raze could say little about what he did, but he told her he traveled a lot and occasionally worked in teams. He told her about Vash and Syre, Torque and Salem, smudging details as necessary to get the gist across. It was easier than he would have thought to talk so much. Kim made it easy by listening attentively and refraining from asking questions he couldn’t answer. In return, he strove to be as honest as possible under the circumstances. Eventually, he’d tell her everything—after he discussed it with Syre and Vashti.
Kim talked about her job as a medical laboratory scientist. He listened raptly, amazed that of all the people he could’ve found this depth of connection with, he’d found one who spent her days looking at blood. In her own way, she was as drawn to the vital substance as he was. What were the odds?
She was a trust fund baby, which allowed her to do what she loved for a living. Most of her friends were her coworkers, and Janelle had been her best friend since grade school. As he’d expected, Kim had been engaged once, shortly after graduatingfrom college. Still, she’d broken it off when she realized she wasn’t ready to settle down.
Shortly after ten, she went into the kitchen to grab breakfast, and he returned a call from Vashti that he’d missed while indulging in Kim.
“Vash.” He kept the video off and held the phone to his ear. “News?”
“The team of six I sent arrived this morning, and they’re already sweeping through what’s left of your list of known Grimm haunts. They have orders to gather what intel they can and pass it along to you. You’re primary, so stay available.”
“Of course.”
She snorted. “You could’ve been hunting last night.”
“Yes. And probably should’ve been. But it’s my time now, Vashti. After all these years, it’s finally my time. I’m not wasting it hunting down a crazy bitch who won’t be found until she’s ready.” He heard the doorbell ring and pulled on his jeans. “I rattled her cage yesterday. She’ll be crawling out soon because she wants to deal with this on her turf, and I’ve threatened to leave. I bet she makes a move by tomorrow, and I’ll be out today making myself as easy a target as possible.”
“I’ve emailed the cell numbers of your team. Touch bases with them and?—”
Raze killed the call when Kim entered the room with a dozen Black Beauty roses. There was laughter in her eyes and a mischievous smile on her lips.
“I guess this is a hint,” she teased. “I’m glad you approve of my oral skills since I certainly enjoy?—”
Shoving his phone into his jeans’ pocket, he brushed past her on his way to the front door. “Did those just arrive?”
“Yes. Raze, are you?—”
“Lock the door behind me. Don’t open it for anyone except me.” He was gone in a flash, taking the stairs at the end of thehall, his heart racing with a sick panic. He raced down the single flight of steps to the first floor and skidded into the apartment complex lobby in his bare feet. The lone elevator car was empty, and the doors sat open, but when he turned his head, he saw the logo on the back of the delivery person disappearing out the revolving glass door.
A female. Blond hair tucked up under her ball cap.
