Skin Walkers: Angel Lost by Susan Bliler

inner beasts who’d longed for their Angel’s touch for too long.  Monroe kissed her hard, pouring all his emotion into it, before he realized she wasn’t kissing him back.  No, she was fighting him.  Thrashing wildly and trying to break free, he heard the rending of material and a slight whimper before he pulled back to see she was crying and shoving at his chest.  Her dress had torn in her struggle, and that’s how they were found when Bodi stormed the Crow’s Nest.
    “MONROE!”  Anger flashed in his Sentry’s eyes as he quickly approached.  “Let her go!”
    Monroe’s eyes darkened, and he knew the look he gave Bodi was pure murder when Eden ceased her quiet sobbing and recoiled.  Looking down, he felt his gut twist with guilt and self-loathing. He was terrifying his Angel.
    “Eden.” His voice came out rougher than he’d expected.  “Please.  Please forgive my actions.  Know that I’d rip out my own heart before ever touching you in anger, or harming you in any way.”
    She looked to Bodi, and when she reached for the Sentry, Monroe felt his heart shatter.  Wordlessly, he handed her over.
    Bodi’s dark eyes lifted to Monroe’s. “Jesus, Monroe!  She needs time,” he implored.  “She’ll come back to you, I know it.”  With that he turned and exited the room, taking Monroe’s heart with him.  Eden’s terrified eyes peeked at him over Bodi’s shoulder as she was carried away.

Chapter 14
    Monroe watched Eden slowly enter the room.  By the grace of the Gods she was in their quarters.  Somehow, after the epic failure of their last meeting, Jenny talked her into meeting with him again after explaining that they’d been more than merely dating.  One condition, though.  This time, Bodi accompanied her into the room and stood at attention just inside the door with his arms crossed, his eyes fixed on the far wall.
    The majority of the main Estate house had been unaffected by the attack on StoneCrow.  Only the parking garage and east wing had taken damage, and for that he was grateful, but not nearly as grateful as for the fact that school hadn’t been in session.  Nothing had changed in their quarters, and he couldn’t tamp down the anticipation and hope that tore through him as he watched his Angel quietly step into the room.  Arms tucked up under her breasts as she rubbed her biceps, he could scent the apprehension rolling off her.
    “This,” he cleared his throat, “is our home.”  His eyes scanned the space as if taking it in for the first time and he wondered what she thought.  He couldn’t help but ask, “First impression?”
    She flashed a timid smile over her shoulder.  “It’s…nice.”
    “Nice?”
    “Expensive looking.”  She crept up to a table beside one of the large leather sofas and gently fingered the shade of the lamp sitting there.  “Did…did I decorate?”
    He eyed the room again.  “No.  It was like this when you came here.”
    She nodded, and he burned to know what she was thinking, but she didn’t speak.  Instead, she prowled the room quietly, touching items and looking around.  The deeper she got into the room, the more he could scent her nerves, and in turn his own grew more frayed. 
    Finally, she stopped prowling, standing near the wall furthest from the door.  Her eyes were on the sofa, but he knew she wasn’t seeing it as she blinked, appearing deep in contemplation.
    “Eden?”
    She blinked hard, lifting her eyes to him.  “How…how did we meet?”
    He crossed to the sofa and held out a hand to her.  “Come and sit.  We’ll talk.  I’ll tell you everything you want to know.”
    Eden walked to him, but ignored his hand as she carefully skirted him, sitting on the couch.
    Monroe masked his pain at her rejection.  “Can I get you something to drink?”
    She shrugged.  “I don’t… what do I usually drink?”
    His jaw tensed.  He hated every fucking second of having his Angel, but not having his Angel.  “You