Chapter 11

‘Jacob,’ came a voice, followed by another light rap at the door.

Jacob winced and turned his head.

‘Jacob.’

With some difficulty, Jacob opened his eyes at the low creak of a door opening, squinting against the growing morning light. There was a figure, but it was indistinct as his eyes slowly adjusted.

‘Ezekiel,’ Jacob whispered. ‘What are you doing here?’ He looked down at Kaitlyn. She was warm and motionless in his arms, her breathing long and deep. She’d had another difficult dream during the night, he knew. She’d tossed and turned and cried in his arms. But it hadn’t lasted long and once she’d settled, she’d fallen into a long, peaceful sleep. ‘Don’t wake her,’ Jacob warned him.

‘Since you don’t want to leave her side, I thought I’d speak to you without her listening.’ Ezekiel studied them with his bright, amber eyes. ‘How are you both?’

‘We are well. Kaitlyn seems to be improving. She’s sleeping better. She seems happier.’ Jacob curled his wing more tightly over her. ‘My plan seems to be working.’

’Good. And how are ?’

‘Without regret.’

‘Is that the truth?’

‘It is the truth,’ Jacob replied sharply.

The angel’s forehead puckered. ‘I am sorry. It is strange not feeling you anymore. You are my brother and I just want to make sure.’

‘Be certain.’ Jacob brushed away the hair from Kaitlyn’s cheek. He smiled as she murmured in her sleep.

Ezekiel quietly cleared his throat. ‘I just wanted to tell you that we’ve met with this Father Randolph and his companions.’

Jacob raised his eyebrows. ‘And?’

‘They say they can keep her safe through ritual and consistent blessings. According to them, we could stay here for as long as we need.’

’And what do think?’

‘Their rituals could work. They are powerful and I feel God’s presence.’

Jacob waited.

‘It is my duty to see the good in mankind,’ the angel continued.

Jacob huffed. ‘I don’t trust them either.’

‘It’s not that I don’t trust them, Jacob. It’s just that I’m being cautious. To stay in one place is dangerous. Not just for us but for all those who live here.’ He looked at Kaitlyn. ‘We should not stay.’

‘I agree.’

‘She will not like it. I sense her happiness.’

‘She’ll understand.’ Mumbling something, Kaitlyn stirred against him, her breath warm against his throat. ‘You’d better leave.’ She started to roll over and Jacob was careful to shield her nudity with his wing as she did. Jacob felt an unexpected stab of anger that Ezekiel should intrude on such a private moment.

‘As much as she loves you,’ Jacob said curtly, ‘I don’t think she’d appreciate you being here.’

Ezekiel raised his eyebrows. With a nod, he turned and left the room, shutting the door softly behind him.

Kaitlyn yawned. Jacob curled his body around her, his pelvis pressed up against her backside. He brushed his fingers gently through her pubic hair, then reached up to stroke her nipple. He felt her smile.

‘You awake?’ Jacob whispered, kissing her on the ear.

‘Mmm … mmmm.’

‘Have a good sleep?’

She yawned loudly.

‘Has he been leaving you alone?’

He arched his wing over her head, shielding her face from the bright morning sun as she rolled onto her back.

Kaitlyn’s eyes cracked open. ‘More and more. He’s getting desperate. He’s losing.’ She rubbed at her face.

He kissed her bare shoulder. ‘Good. I’m glad.’

She stroked his arm, dark eyes locked onto his. ‘And it’s all thanks to you.’

’All thanks to ’ he corrected.

Her lips were so sweet. Her breath was warm. He slid his tongue into her mouth and they kissed for several long passionate moments.

Finally, they pulled away.

‘Strange how little it takes,’ Jacob said, growing hot in the face as he felt himself tighten down below.

Two pink spots blossomed in Kaitlyn’s cheeks as she looked down between them. She burst into laughter as Jacob rolled her onto her back and began kissing her ravenously down the neck. His mouth was all over her breasts. He couldn’t stop kissing her nipples, sucking on them, gnawing on them, loving how they felt between his lips. Kaitlyn clawed her fingers through his hair.

She squirmed against him—and he loved that too. Her long, womanly body. Every curve, every arch, every swell made him tingle, made him burn. It made him ache so hard in his testicles it was almost too much.

He moved his mouth to her neck, his throbbing shaft pressing up against her inner thigh. The need to be inside her, to feel her warmth, to be as close as he could with her, almost overcame him. She gasped as he pushed inside her. She was so slippery, so cosy, so perfect. Jacob silenced her cry with his lips as he buried himself all the way.

They were quiet and rhythmic, the room filled with the sound of their panting and kissing. The sunlight was pouring inside, blazing against her hair and his wings.

Kaitlyn arched her neck as her eyes widened. Jacob sucked in a breath as he emptied himself into her. Gently, he rocked, feeling her pleasure, feeling his own pleasure. Jacob kissed her on the mouth, then buried his face into her neck.

‘Jacob.’ She touched his shoulder.

He looked at her lazily, then frowned at the fear in her face. ‘What’s wrong?’

‘I think there’s someone outside.’

Jacob whipped his head around. A muscle tightened in his chest at the sight of a shadow moving beneath the door. ‘Who’s there?’ he called.

He got up. Kaitlyn grabbed his wrist. ‘Just leave it.’

‘It could be an enemy.’

He rushed to the door and yanked it open. The room beyond was empty.

He turned back to Kaitlyn. She was sitting up in bed, her breasts exposed, her brown nipples hidden beneath her long, dark hair. She was gripping her elbows nervously.

Jacob closed the door with a frown.