Angel's Shield by Erin M. Leaf Page A

he
whispered.
    Haniel took a long time to answer. “I think we have a gift, like
Raphael’s healing or Suriel’s sorcery.” He shifted his weight, moving closer.
His warmth soothed Jeremiel. “Did you see her wings?” he whispered softly.
    “Did you see mine?” Jeremiel asked. He could scarcely believe what
had happened. His ordinary brown wings had become multicolored, just like
Charmeine’s. “Everything’s different now.”
    “I bet if I could shift, my wings would look like yours and hers,
too.” Haniel tightened his hold. “I miss it.”
    Jeremiel closed his eyes as the familiar pain rose up in him. It
broke his heart to see Haniel hurting, but there was nothing he could do. At
least they were alive and together. “I know,” he murmured, knowing that it didn’t
help.
    ****
    The next morning dawned earlier than Jeremiel wanted. He groaned,
rolling over. He was exhausted; he could feel it in his bones. He just wanted
to rest some more, but when a soft barrier stopped his fidgeting, he opened his
eyes to find Charmeine smiling at him. He leaned up on his elbow, relieved to
see her looking so aware. “You’re awake. Thank God.”
    She raised her eyebrows. “You were worried?”
    He touched her forehead. No fever. Her eyes were clear. “Yeah.”
His voice was hoarse.
    “I’m fine,” she said, opening her arms. “See?” Her curls slid over
her shoulders.
    He stared at her. Hell, he couldn’t help but look. Even
sleep-mussed she was spectacular. The thin tank top she wore did nothing to
disguise her nipples. Her wings had ripped out the back and it sagged so low he
could see the mounds of her breasts. She’d look less provocative if she were
nude. His cock twitched.
    “I see you. I definitely see you,” he said, arousal spiraling through him. He wanted to touch her, but
he was afraid she’d turn into a dream. He’d tossed and turned all night,
worrying.
    Her smile faded. “I’m okay, Jeremiel. Really. See?” She touched
his arm and drew his hand to her breast, of all places. “I’m fine.”
    He swallowed, eyes flicking past her. Haniel had woken and was
watching him, face solemn in the morning light. God, he was such a goner, on
both of them. He let his fingers drift across Charmeine’s nipple, enjoying her
slight gasp. Haniel’s eyes darkened. “You like that.” His hand stilled. He
wasn’t sure which one of them he was teasing.
    Charmeine nodded. “Don’t stop.” Haniel’s luminous hazel eyes urged
him to do more.
    Jeremiel licked his lips and leaned in. She stretched up to meet
him, and suddenly they were kissing. She tasted like morning and light and
home. She made a little sound and he gathered her up into his arms, holding
tightly. He poured all his worry and fear into the kiss—he couldn’t help it.
She took all his pain into her body and gentled it, then turned the tables,
kissing him roughly, hands in his hair.
    “I’m fine,” she growled.
    He smiled tightly, not resisting her hold. Haniel sat up and
kissed the back of her neck. Her fingers opened.
    “We know,” Haniel murmured, nibbling down her shoulder. He moved
in closer, kissing under her ear, then he turned her head and kissed her
swollen lips. “You are so damn fine,” he murmured.
    Jeremiel watched, knowing that his best friend could taste him on
her.
    “I want to fuck you, is that okay?” Haniel asked.
    She moaned sexily, her breath catching. Jeremiel took that for
agreement and eased her down onto the pile of blankets. He made short work of
her sweat pants. Haniel already had his clothes off. When Jeremiel scooted down
and kissed her mound, she arched her back and he smiled. “You’re going to like
this.” He bent his head down and licked her clit, loving the sounds she made.
He knew he was being selfish, making Haniel wait, but he’d worried so much
about her that he couldn’t help it. He wanted to make her scream with pleasure,
just to prove she was truly alive and well.
    “Jesus, that’s