Page 65 of Devil’s Promise

“Pollyanna is a new one, but I like to think of her as Goldilocks,” I say, wanting to touch Promise’s skin, have my mouth on her.

“’Cause of the blonde hair?” Rock asks.

“And because she’s wolf food,” I answer back, turning toward the elevator.

Rock grunts softly. “Thank fuck you haven’t gone soft.”

I haven’t. I’m as hard as ever. And everyone is about to feel my edges.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Promise

I wake slowly, realizing I’m in the bed alone.

In the kitchen I hear the low murmur of male voices.

It’s so like yesterday that my stomach swoops. Today is my wedding day. I want to believe that today is different from yesterday.

The hope rises in my chest.

Then again, I thought that when I woke up the day before. In the middle of the night, Angel and I seem to have a connection that doesn’t hold up to the light of day.

Sighing, I push up, brushing my hair back from my face.

That’s when Angel appears in the doorway. “You’re awake.”

I nod. He comes into the room, sitting on the edge of the bed. Sweeping the covers down my spine he places a kiss on the small of my back. “Rock asked if you could cut his hair.”

I nod again, starting to get up, but Angel’s hand comes to my back, holding me down. “Take your time. We’ve got all day.”

I nod again. His lips come to my shoulder and then he nuzzles into the crook of my neck. My eyes close.

This doesn’t feel like yesterday. It’s quieter. Softer.

But I should be careful how much joy I let in.

I brush my hair back again, attempting to get the loose curls out of my face. Angel sweeps them up in his hand, kissing the back of my neck. “Wear your hair down today.”

I nod again. Why not?

He’s kissing down my spine, his lips dragging over my skin. I know his brothers are out in the other room. I heard them. Have they left?

I point to the kitchen, the question clear in my eyes.

“Back to not talking?”

I shrug. I couldn’t hold the words back after the dream. But again, in the light…I feel more exposed.

“Yes. Rock and Knox are out in the kitchen.”

I grab my phone from the nightstand, about to type a message, when I draw in a breath. Last night, I spoke for the first time in a year. It felt good to use my voice and it helped to let out some of the feelings.

Am I going to go back to being guarded, or am I going to trust Angel?

Setting down the phone again, I draw in a deep breath. “Are they staying all day?”

He smiles against my skin. “Yes. I want them to be with us just in case.”