Crushed Seraphim by Debra Anastasia Page A

nineteen thirty-seven. I’m aging, but slowly. I could live forever in this limbo. Waiting for my grandfather to find us and end it all or waiting for something to make all this pain worth it.”
    Jason looked at the floor for a moment, then turned to face her. “How do you feel about me now, Emma? How did you like this little story?”
    Emma rubbed his back. “I hate this story. I can hear your hope dying in it, and that’s so sad. But now I understand why I’m here all the more.”
    Jason scoffed. “Why you were tossed from Heaven by a psycho? You see a plan in that?”
    She shook her head. “Jason, you were already going to be visited by a Christmas Angel. I just got — how do I say it? — nominated by Everett, that bastard.”
    She stood and pulled Jason into a hug. Instead of words, she offered her embrace. Emma tilted her head to look in his eyes and smiled, her cheeks gold-leafed with empathy and her own pain. “Let’s show each other we’re worth all the time in the world, Jason. Please.”
    She stood on her tiptoes to give him the sweetest kiss, asking for little and, he realized, willing to give everything.

Chapter 5
    Jason couldn’t help himself. Her taste was intoxicating. He nipped at her bottom lip, and she sighed.
    Are you sure? Because I want to give you pleasure, not add to your pain.
    Emma took her lips just a breath away so she could talk, so she could convince him. “Jason, my next stop’s Hell. These moments might be the final ones of my choosing. Delight me.”
    She tilted her face toward the endless, black faux-sky, offering him her neck.
    Instead of lusting for blood, his instinct was only to kiss. He trailed his lips from her jaw to her throat, nuzzling the hollow with restrained reverence. I’ll savor the way your skin feels forever .
    She lifted her hair, piling the blond curls on top of her head. The slope of her shoulders captivated him. The graceful curves of her breasts teased him — her nipples were so close to the edge of the fabric. His hands barely touched her waist, but he could feel her shaking.
    Are you scared?
    She lifted her face to his and outlined his lips with her tongue. Jason tried his best to say passive, but she pressed her breasts against his chest.
    “Do I feel scared? Give me what I want, half-breed.” She seemed almost angry.
    Their pretend hearts beat wildly and in time. The pounding filled Jason’s ears. Her desperate, massaging hands started at his chest. She boldly traced his stomach, pushing against the tuxedo’s fabric. He wanted her hot hands on him. She reached lower and grabbed a firm handful of him, and he moaned into her mouth.
    She pulled away and looked at him with sultry eyes. “You’ll say my name by the time I’m done with you.”
    God damn you.
    “He already has.” As she reached behind her to take off her gown, Jason smirked and imagined that her had zipper disappeared.
    Emma was puzzled as she felt for the zipper’s tag.
    If someone takes it off, it’ll be me.
    Emma clenched her fists and sighed impatiently. Jason skimmed her body lightly, ending with his hands on her face. He kissed her nose and her lips chastely.
    “What do I have to do to convince you to stop being a gentleman?” Emma’s voice was raw and soft.
    I’d like to see you try.
    The dare brought some fun back into her posture. Jason held his arms out, throwing down the gauntlet. She squinted at him and smiled. Jason felt a chill and found himself bare-chested. Emma had left him with just his tuxedo pants, his suspenders hanging at his sides.
    You think I turn myself on?
    Her giggle made his beating heart cry to be next to hers again. The thought of how warm she must be inside nearly melted him.
    “No, half-breed. But I figured…” She took the few steps necessary to close the distance between them. “I figured the feel of my skin…” She turned to press her back against him. “Against your skin…” She looked at him over her shoulder. “Might convince