Chapter 23

Tayla cradled a warm mug between her palms, lifted it to her lips, and blew over the rim, out of habit rather than because the tea was too hot. Curled up on the couch in front of the dying fire, she folded her legs beside her, toes tucked under the chunky knitted throw.

Still a whole sixty-three minutes—not that she was counting—until Raven was due to pick her up.

Tea, a little yoga session, wine, nothing neutralized the jittering in the pit of her stomach, which filled her head with doubt about tonight's date. Wait! Date? Was it a date?

Ugh! I can’t think properly.

She had tossed and turned all night, recalling that kiss. The delicious taste of his lips, the feel of his smooth feathers, inhaling his intoxicating scent. For some reason, when Raven left her in the parking lot, she sensed he intended to put distance between them, and if she wanted to see him again, she needed to take control. Which prompted her twenty seconds of bravery to text him in the early hours of this morning. Which, of course, led to Raven calling rather than replying. Man, the sound of his deep sensual voice vibrating through the handset had erased all hope of sleep.

The whole day passed in a daze. With her thoughts focused on seeing Raven again, she couldn’t even remember what she did until the moment came to get ready.

She’d taken an embarrassing amount of time choosing her outfit, even though it was a stupid and pointless exercise. Considering the weather outside, she needed to cover whatever she wore with a goose down jacket and scarf, but she drew the line at a beanie. No need to look like a snowman.

She brushed her finger along the cover of an unopened book beside her. She’d given up trying to distract herself after having read the same line a hundred times.

Now there was nothing to do but wait. A whole fifty-nine more minutes.

Butterflies fluttered in her stomach as if trying to flee an enclosure. One minute, her heart pounded inside her chest and the next minute, she gagged at the nausea rising in her throat.

Attempting to calm her jittery stomach, she mentally listed all the things she knew concerning the situation she’d gotten herself into.

This wasn’t the first date she’d ever been on. Although it had been quite a while, she knew how things rolled. Plus, it wasn’t a blind date; she refused to participate in those. She knew Raven, knew him well enough to have already shared a hot, passionate, toe-curling kiss that left her weak at the knees.

And man, did she want him to kiss her like that again, cradle her head in his rough hands and take her mouth with his.

Great, now I’m thinking about that kiss again.

Ugh! She threw off the blanket and it landed in a heap on the floor. It wasn't a date, for goodness’ sake. His job was to protect her. He’d probably spend the evening searching for threats as she rambled on about random stuff, making a fool of herself…

Tayla jumped when a sharp knock thumped on the door.

She glanced at the clock in the kitchen; still forty-seven minutes until she expected Raven…so who was at the door?

Swallowing the lump in her throat, she rose from the couch, and tiptoed to the front door, wincing with each creak of the floorboards. She leaned toward the door and peeked through the security hole to see…

She breathed a heavy sigh.

Raven stood on the veranda, his back to the door.

He spun around as she swung it open.

Her breath caught. Oh man! The dark and dangerous black combination, teamed with his I-don’t-care hair and sensual dark blue eyes, caused a stir deep inside her belly.

“Hi.” She cleared her throat. “You're, ah, early.”

He shoved his hands in the pockets of his jeans. “Yeah, I know. I can come back if you’d prefer?”

“No,” she said quickly. “It's fine, I'm ready.” And have been for hours.

“Good. I thought we could get there early to watch the sunset.”

Watch the sunset with him? Oh, this guy was bad news. “I’d like that. I'll just grab my coat.”

Tayla dashed back inside, snatched her coat and the bottle of red from the table, and locked the front door on her way out.

Her heart raced so fast it tightened her chest, making it difficult to breathe.

Relax, Tayla, it's just dinner…with a drop-dead gorgeous angel.

Raven stood by his car, the engine running, holding the passenger door open for her. She climbed into the warmth of the Jeep and nestled the wine between her thighs.

When they hit the highway, Raven drove in the opposite direction from town.

She glanced across her shoulder to him. “Where are we going?”

He grinned at her. “It’s a surprise.”

Great. She didn’t like surprises, but for some strange reason the universe had sent her down this path, so she may as well try it out.

Settling back, she twisted slightly in her seat to face Raven, allowing the motion of the car to lull her body into a trancelike comfort. He glanced over and met her gaze. She internally swooned when he reached across and took her hand, lifted it to his lips, and kissed the back of her hand.

Cue belly stirring again.

She took advantage of the car ride, and his distraction of driving, to drown in his features. A light dusting of dark whiskers covered his chiseled jaw. He wore the same black military-style jacket with the collar turned up at the neck, which for her wouldn't block out the cold, let alone the wind chill. Underneath, a charcoal crew-neck tee stretched across his chest and he wore the same style black jeans she’d seen him in previously.

Forcing her gaze from him before she ventured into creepy territory—which, to be honest, was pretty damn hard to do—she looked out the windshield. Orange, pink, and red rays streamed through the thick bank of gum trees alongside the road. Wide, gloomy shadows loomed over the pavement, her mind constantly turned them into creepy shapes prepared to jump in front of the car. Dark ominous clouds brewed in the distance, gathering together to form a blanket over the deep blue sky, chasing away the remaining daylight.

Raven eased off the accelerator and turned onto an unmarked, unpaved road. When the Jeep halted at the end, she realized she’d been there before.

She smirked across her shoulder at Raven. “We’re not going to a restaurant after all?”

Raven put the Jeep in park and killed the engine. “It’s safe here. It’s harder to protect you in public places where a threat could come from any direction at any time. Plus…” He half shrugged. “I hate crowds.”

She smiled and hopped out of the car. Having Raven to herself for the evening sounded like an ideal date…dinner…whatever.

Raven once more guided her through the forest to the clearing, the same clearing he’d brought her to reveal his secret, which now felt like a lifetime ago.

Only tonight, he’d transformed the space into so much more.

Exiting the tree line, her breath hitched at the sight before her. A rectangular tartan rug lay in the center on a soft patch of grass, scattered with plush oversized cushions. A wicker picnic basket sat on one side and a folded fleece blanket on the other. Glass jelly jar lanterns hung from the limbs of trees that edged the clearing. Directly ahead, where the space opened at the cliff edge, a warm glow spilled over the top of the mountain.

She turned to find Raven holding back at the end of the path, his shoulder leaning against a tree trunk.

She motioned to the magnificent display in front of her. “This is beautiful. How did you…?”

He shrugged like it was no big deal. “I had a little help.”

Raven crossed to stand before her and took her hands in his. “I wanted to make up for having to leave so suddenly the other day. For ruining our…moment.”

She smiled up at him. “I happen to think our moment went quite well.”

He leaned in, as though he might kiss her. “As do I.”

Raven pulled back and led her to the rug. “Let’s see what surprises are in the basket.”

She slipped off her boots, grabbed a cushion and settled down on the blanket to ogle Raven as he plated cold meats and cheeses, and poured them each a glass of red. She accepted the plate and Raven relaxed on his side beside her, propping himself up on his forearm.

She fiddled with a piece of salami. “So, tell me more about you.”

“Like what?”

“I don't know. Maybe your likes and dislikes. Your family. What you do. Maybe, I don't know, if you, uh, have a girlfriend?”

Her cheeks burned. Did she seriously ask that?

The corner of Raven’s mouth lifted. “Was dinner code for a night of interrogation?”

“Sorry. Too much. Maybe start with one?”

She shoved the salami in her mouth to stop herself from talking.

He chuckled. “No, I don't have a girlfriend. A constant female companion has never fit in with my…work.”

Phew!

“And as for your other questions, autumn is my favorite season, watching the leaves change and fall, I hate crowds and that shit called techno music and I consider my family to be the two other Guardians I live with, well, no, now there’s four, plus Ellen.”

She mulled over his answer and didn’t miss the fact there was no mention of Blaine, even though he was Raven’s brother—store that question for later.

“Are your parents here also?” She grabbed a piece of bread from the plate and took a bite.

“Angels don't have parents, we’re created straight into adulthood. The closest thing we have to family in the mortal sense of the word are siblings, angels created at the exact same time using the same magic. And…you've already met my brother.”

“Blaine.”

Raven nodded. “Do you miss your parents?”

She nearly choked on the piece of bread. “How did you…? Oh, of course. There’s probably some manila folder with my entire life history in it.”

Raven chuckled. “Nah, EJ prefers digital files.”

“Of course, he does,” she grumbled.

She took a long sip of wine as the memories of her parents rose. “Yes, I miss them. Every single day.” She peered up at the first sparkle of a star appearing in the sky. “But, I was lucky you know; they were the best parents anyone could’ve wished for. We were so close. All they ever wanted was for me to follow my destiny.” She cleared her throat and glanced back at Raven. “And even though it sucks and still hurts, especially around Christmas, for them to die together while traveling overseas, doing something they loved, was probably the best way to go, I guess.”

Raven’s lips thinned, and she took a gulp of wine. That was a bit deep for a first date—dinner.

Tayla waved her hand in the air. “Enough about me, back to you. So, if you're born an adult, do you age?”

He smirked. “No. Although, I feel like I've aged since being on Earth.”

“How long ago were you created?”

“Does it matter?”

She bunched her brows. Maybe. “No.”

Raven took a sip of wine. “I wouldn’t even know. There’s no concept of time in the Heavens. Things just are, they simply exist, there’s no passing of day and night. Everything just is.” He inhaled deeply. “I’ve only been counting my years in the mortal realm, here on Earth.”

She swallowed the lump forming in her throat. “And how many years has that been?”

He frowned and peered inside his wine glass. “A few centuries.”

“What?” she squawked, knocking over her glass. “Ugh, I'm sorry.”

“Don't worry about it.” Raven chuckled.

He grabbed a hand towel from the basket and leaned over her to soak up the wasted red.

“Second time you’ve had to clean up after my clumsiness,” she grumbled.

Raven leaned closer. “Luckily, I’m prepared for any situation.”

Tayla laughed, but it abruptly cut off when she caught Raven’s earthy pine scent. Was he wearing cologne? Surely his body couldn't naturally smell that good.

Raven titled his head and smirked.

Whoops. Forgot about the whole mind-reading thing.

Raven tossed the soaked towel in the basket and poured her another glass.

“I'm having a hard time comprehending you're a few hundred years old.” She accepted the glass and took a sip. “You must’ve experienced some amazing things.”

He pursed his lips. “Yes and no. I've watched this world rapidly change, witnessed outstanding changes in technology I still baffle to understand, medical advances, and even the way society has evolved. Mortals have gradually become more aware of global issues, focusing on protecting the Earth and its inhabitants, but at the same time I've also seen so much destruction. Mortals destroy themselves time and time again, destroy their homes, villages, fall prey to a Fallen's temptation. After so long, it gets harder and harder to remember the good when there's been so much bad.”

She couldn't imagine how it would feel to have lived so long and experienced as much change.

She had so many questions rolling around in her head competing for airtime, but one in particular bugged her. “You keep telling me your job is to protect me from the Fallen, but how can they be so bad if they were once angels, like you? The only one I’ve encountered is Blaine, and really, he doesn’t seem that terrifying.”

His jaw clicked. “Never underestimate them, Tayla, they’re vile creatures. When they fall, they sever their spiritual connection to the Heavens and…lose their humanity, so to speak. They also undergo a physical transformation; the color of their wings change, plus they grow sharp black talons on the tips with enough poison to kill even an immortal under the right circumstances. And although they retain their ability to manipulate mortal thoughts, without their link to the Heavens they’re not bound by the truth, which can be a lethal combination for a mortal.”

Holy crap, Raven painted a grim picture of his own brother. “What do you mean by their wings change?”

“All angels have different-colored wings depending on their role in the Heavens, kinda like factions, each responsible for a different part in maintaining the balance. Archangels, the leaders of each group, have golden wings. Guardians, like me, have black. Azrael, the soul collectors, have silvery-grey wings and the list goes on.”

“What color do Fallen have?”

He inhaled deeply. “Crimson. The color of blood.”

Raven had given her much information to process. A whole immortal world existed in secret around her but still, she wanted to know more.

“So…do all angels have a spiritual connection to the Heavens, even if they’re here on Earth?”

He nodded. “Yeah, the spiritual connection is what mortals label as faith; faith in Fate to guide the way. It’s the light that burns bright in a soul, and required for a mortal to enter the Heavens when they die. For angels, the light not only prevents them from becoming a Fallen, but it also allows an angel to access magic from the environment around them while in the mortal realm, like the healing power of the sun, for instance.”

She grabbed a cracker and a slice of cheese, mulling over the new information in her head. She believed the universe sent her signs to follow. Were these signs of faith like Raven said? Would her own spiritual connection to the Heavens permit her entry when she finally kicked the bucket? Her parents had been strong believers in following fate and that each person walked a paved destiny. Did that mean because of their faith they were now in the Heavens and she would be able to reunite with them one day?

Wow, that was too much to process right now.

“Do you go back to the Heavens regularly?”

“No,” he said with bitterness in his tone.

She paused with the cracker at her lips. “Why?”

Raven looked away and stared toward the mountain in front of them.

She didn't want to pressure him into answering, especially if it was something he didn't want to talk about. She chewed the cheese and cracker, constantly reminding herself not to speak. In the end, it got the better of her. “It’s okay. You don’t have to…”

“I…can't go back,” he choked.

Her heart panged from the sadness in his voice. “Why?” she whispered.

He inhaled deeply and continued to stare at the mountain. “I made a deal, and I can't return until I fulfill my end of it.”

Wow, that must’ve been one heck of a deal, if centuries later he still hadn’t completed his part. Which was totally fine, it meant he was here…with her.

But for how long? Until I die of old age and he carries on living for the rest of eternity?

She twisted on the cushion to face him. “Do you miss it?”

He turned her way. “I used to.”

“What changed?”

Raven leaned forward and brushed his calloused knuckles down her jaw, lighting up her body like a Christmas tree.

“You,” he breathed.

Her breath caught. “But…don't you still want to go back?”

He slowly shook his head. “Now I’ve got a reason to stay.”

She held her breath as Raven leaned in, hovering inches from her. Her blood hummed with desire as he closed the distance and brushed his full lips against hers. Sparks ignited, and a rush of pleasure rushed over her, and she leaned in for more.

Raven cupped her face, tilting her head to the side, kissing her with so much passion, so much desperation, as though at any moment it could be ripped out from underneath them.

The pang in her heart deepened and spread throughout her chest. God, she’d fallen fast for this guy, so quickly she also feared the moment would end.

Her tongue entwined with Raven’s and he leaned in further, his free hand gripped her hip and eased her closer. Without breaking their kiss, she shuffled over and pressed the length of her body against his. Heat seared through her layers of clothing, boiling her veins.

Raven broke their kiss, and he eased his head back to gaze at her face. “I don't know what Fate’s plan is. She’ll probably curse me for this, too,” he breathed. “But I don't want to be without you. I don't think I can fight it any longer.”

Not knowing how to answer, she brushed his bottom lip with the pad of her finger. I’m not going anywhere.

Raven must’ve heard her thought because his gaze instantly heated, and he took her mouth again in a searing kiss. His hand wandered underneath her jacket…and sweater…and shirt, but his hand tangled in layers of fabric before he reached her aching breasts. In one swift moment, he effortlessly rolled her on top of him, so she straddled his hips.

A twig snapped to her right, but she ignored it.

Raven groaned and slid his palms under her shirt once more. “These layers have to—”

The sound of a rock tumbling down the cliff edge accosted her ears.

Raven rolled her off and shot to his feet faster than her eyes could register. She jumped up beside him. Her heart pounded inside her chest.

He turned to her and held a finger to his lips. “Stay here,” he whispered.

She held her breath. Frozen. As he crept into the forest.