After the Fall (Broken Angel #2) (3 page)

He slammed his hand against the rail. He knew perfectly well why. He wished he could forget all of it and just have a fresh start with Lash and Naomi. But he couldn’t.

Fighting against his memories of her, he gripped the railing so hard his knuckles went white. It had been easier before, when his sole focus was accomplishing a mission. Now, he struggled to push from his mind how he felt when he first saw her: long, dark hair falling forward draping her beautiful face as she hovered over a dying Deborah. It had been as if lightning hit his chest and restarted a heart that he hadn’t known had stopped. It had only been when Lash appeared obviously threatened by the way he looked at her that he’d been able to pull himself away and focus on the task at hand. Ever since then, he’d been shaking away growing feelings, feelings he’d had no idea where they came from until Raphael had told him—he was his son, and long ago he had been betrothed to Naomi.

“Are you ready?”

Jeremy whipped around at the sound of the voice. “Gabrielle. I thought I was alone.”

She stepped from out of the shadows. A breeze blew soft blonde waves around a stern face. “You’ve been in isolation for weeks. Have you prepared yourself for your new task?”

Jeremy was surprised by her tone. Was he dreaming that only a few weeks ago, it had been Gabrielle who suggested he leave to get some space from all that had happened between him and Lash? She had seemed so kind and patient.

He looked back up at the mountain and wondered if Lash was still angry with him, and as much as he tried not to, he thought of Naomi. “Couldn’t this be given to Lash? He’s better suited.”

“Michael was adamant that this assignment be overseen by you. Besides, you have your own assignment to attend to on Earth.” Her voice was firm as she eyed him carefully. She must have seen something on his face because her face softened. It was the same look she’d given him after his fight with Lash. “Did the time away not help you to prepare?”

“Gabrielle, can’t you make an exception? I’ve always done my duty, and I’ve never questioned you or Michael for any of the assignments you two have given me...even when you asked me to strike down my best friend.”

“It is because of your loyal service all these years that you have risen through the ranks to become an archangel,” she pointed out. “You know that with this role comes greater responsibility. If Lash had been as obedient as you...well, never mind that. He’s hopeless.”

“Why do you hate him?”

Gabrielle arched an eyebrow. “I am merely stating what is true. Have his past behaviors not proven that?”

Jeremy shook his head. He couldn’t understand the animosity she had towards Lash. He’d thought once Lash had finally proven himself that she’d be more lenient with him. He’d returned only to find that she was exactly the same as when he left.

“If you’re worried about Lash, I assure you, there won’t be any interference from him. I’ll see to that.”

“Worried? You could say that. When he finds out that I’m the one to be paired with the love his life on her first assignment, Hell—”

She glared at his choice of words.

“Uh, what I mean is”—he cleared his throat—“you know, he’s not the most reasonable of angels. And we did leave things hanging there after our fight.”

“I had suggested you take the time off in order to give you, and hopefully Lash, space to reflect on all that has transpired.” Gabrielle glanced up at the mountain and then back to Jeremy. “And maybe resolve any feelings that may be...lingering.”

Jeremy swallowed nervously at her innuendo. “I’m not sure what you mean.”

Her voice was low and soft as she spoke. “You do realize you have a reputation for being a great poker player. Your skills would be useful in this situation, don’t you think?”

He furrowed his brow. “I don’t understand.”

Gabrielle sighed. “Although I abhor the game, I am quite skilled at maintaining what you call a poker face. I would say I’ve been quite successful at it.”

Her face changed as if a mask was taken off, and the tough demeanor she was notorious for was replaced by a soft and vulnerable woman. “You have feelings for the girl. It was clear when you were by her bedside, waiting for her to awake. In fact, it was written all over your face the first time you saw her when you were on assignment with Deborah and Nathan.”

“You saw that?”

“Yes.” Her voice was soft.

“Why? Why were you watching over me?”

“Because I knew how you felt about her long ago when she was to become your wife. And I know feelings like that don’t disappear—even when memories are suppressed.”

He took a step forward and gripped her arm. “What do you know? Tell me.” He needed to know more. Maybe if he knew what happened in his past, he could get rid of his growing feelings.

She winced and looked down at his hand.

“Sorry.” He dropped his hand. He was going too far. He needed to get himself under control.

“It’s not my story to tell.” She rubbed the spot on her arm where he had grabbed her. “That is something Raphael wants to share with you, Lash, and Naomi. He is with Michael as we speak, seeking permission to disclose some of your past.”

“Will we get our memories back?”

“It’s unlikely. I’m sure Raphael has shared with you that the suppression of your memory is part of his punishment.”

Jeremy nodded. While he was waiting by Naomi’s side for her to wake up, Raphael had told with him why he and Lash couldn’t remember their past. “It seems like a long time to be punished.”

“It is not for you to decide how long a punishment should be,” she reprimanded. “But I agree. I believe this has continued because it is all tied together with what is happening now, including your current assignment. What Raphael did had a ripple effect not only for you, Lash, and Naomi, but ultimately with...” she paused as Jeremy stared at her with bated breath.

“Well, I must take my leave. I just wanted to tell you that your assignment will come soon, and I wanted to give you time to prepare yourself.”

Jeremy let out a breath, disappointed. She wasn’t giving away anything. Regardless, he had to figure out a way to get out of this assignment if he ever wanted to make things right with Lash.

“Is there any way I can appeal my assignment? Perhaps if I speak to Michael?”

“You could, but it will only anger him more. I have already spoken to him on your behalf. How do you think you were given permission to leave and place yourself in isolation?”

“You did that?”

“Yes. Why do you look so surprised? I’ve been known to do a nice thing or two from time to time,” she said with a twinkle in her green eyes.

He blinked with shock. She actually looked like she was teasing.

“Michael wanted you to be in charge of her instruction as well as pair with her on her first assignment. I convinced him to allow me to do the training.”

“Gabrielle, I don’t know how to thank you.” If only she could be this gracious with Lash, life would be so different for his brother. Although Lash would never admit it, all he ever wanted from her was respect.

“There you are. I have been searching for you, Jeremiel.” Raphael called from the direction of the gardens. An older replica of himself walked toward them with a large smile on his face. “Welcome back, my son.”

Jeremy swallowed thickly at those words. Raphael had always felt like a father to him. Although he’d always seemed to lavish his attention on Lash, Raphael managed to spend some of his time with him.

“Based on the smile on your face, I take it your meeting with Michael went well,” Gabrielle said.

“Yes. Yes, it did. He agreed it would benefit us all to divulge some information about our past in the hopes of strengthening our connections and promoting healing.” Raphael turned to Jeremy and slapped him on the shoulder. “Come, Jeremiel. We have much to share with your brother.”

Just before Jeremy turned, he caught Gabrielle looking at Raphael with such longing that he did a double take. Her green eyes narrowed, and her face shifted back into the old Gabrielle, and he wondered if he was imaging things.

She glanced up at the mountain and back at him, giving him a subtle smile. “Remember what I said, Jeremy. Play your game of poker.”

N
aomi placed the dishes in the sink and feverishly cleaned the kitchen, trying to erase the image of a dying Uri out of her mind. She didn’t want to think about the possibility of losing Lash like that.

“What are you doing?” Lash stood behind her, trailing a finger down her neck.

“Cleaning.” She swept the beans into a container and placed the bingo cards in a small box.

“I meant what I said.” He took the box from her hands and placed it back on the table.

Smoldering hazel eyes locked with hers and slowly drifted down to her mouth. He gently stroked a thumb across her lower lip and stared at it, mesmerized.

Her breath hitched, and she inhaled his delicious scent, making her forget about Uri, Rachel, Hell, and death. “What did you say?”

He leaned in closer, his lips hovering above hers, feather light as they brushed against hers, whispering, “You know.”

He lifted his head and gave her a sexy smirk that never failed to make her body seem like it was on fire. Long fingers wove through her hair. He lifted a thick wavy strand to his nose and inhaled. His chest rumbled with pleasure, making her weak in the knees.

Gently, he swept her hair to her other shoulder, keeping his eyes locked with hers. His fingers curled around the nape of her neck, and he pulled her to him.

She quivered as his tongue swirled around the shell of her ear, hot and wet. She let out a soft moan.

“Am I distracting you?” His voice was deep and sensuous.

“N-no.” She gasped as searing lips pressed against her neck and worked their way down. “You said...something about...activities?”

He lifted her hand and placed it on his chest. She could feel the searing heat of his toned body under his shirt. “Mm-hmm.” His chest rumbled, making her hand tingle.

Pressing his hand over hers, his eyes lit up teasingly. “You like the new and improved Lash?”

He guided her hand down his chest, and she delighted in the feel of his hardened muscles. “Yes,” she breathed as her fingers lined the crevices of his abs. “More than you know.”

“Show me.” His voice was rough with desire.

Twining fingers into his silky soft hair, she pulled him down to her. Feverish lips crashed down onto hers. Hot wet lips devoured her mouth; his chin scraped across hers with each plunge of his tongue, leaving her chin pink and raw. 

She tugged on his shirt, desperate to feel his skin and the warmth of his chest against hers. They separated for a moment as clothing was tossed on the floor. Then Lash reached down and lifted her up, and she wrapped her legs tightly around his waist.

She felt her back against the cool wall as Lash pressed himself against her. She moaned at the hardness of his touch, and she throbbed, wanting him, needing him. They could do this a thousand times, and it still wouldn’t be enough.

She clawed at his back as his lips swept down her throat and over the top of her full breasts. She tilted her head back, moaning and squeezing her legs tighter. Lash groaned.

She ran her tongue over his strong square jaw, relishing the scratchy feel of his stubble. He moaned again, and she gasped as he grew unbelievably harder under her.

Before she knew it, there was a loud clatter of table and chairs falling to the ground as Lash crashed out of the kitchen and into their bedroom, holding her tightly against him.

When he released her, she fell back into a cloud of softness. Lash stood over her, his eyes simmering with passion. “You’re so beautiful.”

Slowly, he lay down beside her, his fingers ghosting over her lips, down her neck and circling her breast. She moaned at his feather-light touch.

“Come here.” She pulled him to her.

His rock-hard body pressed against her chest as he kissed her deeply.

“Naomi, my Naomi,” he mumbled as he sucked on her neck, tasting her. “I love you.”

Her heart swelled with love for him. She’d never grow tired of hearing those words.

“You are mine. Forever,” he whispered.

A sudden nagging feeling swept through her as the word forever echoed in her mind. Then she saw an image of Rachel’s grief-stricken face.

“Wait, Lash,” she said, sitting up in bed. “I just thought of something.”

“I’ll clean the mess in the kitchen later.” He pulled her back down to him and in between his kisses said, “Less thinking, more doing.”

She sat back up again. Something about this was off. But what? She hadn’t had this strange feeling before. Why now? “Something’s wrong.”

He groaned and flipped over on his back. “What could be wrong? We’re alone; we’re together.”

“It’s not that.”

“What is it then?”

“Should we be together?”

He shot up, his face looking terrified. “Are you having doubts about us?”

“No, no! Not at all.” She immediately felt guilty for making him think that. “That’s not what I meant. You’re the only one for me. I can’t ever be without you.” She leaned over and kissed him deeply.

He sighed with relief. “What’s wrong then?”

“I just meant, should we be doing, you know, this?” Naomi pointed to his naked, his
gloriously
naked, body.

He pulled her to him and nuzzled her neck. “Umm, hum. Definitely.”

Naomi quivered as his hands stroked her breasts. She fell back into the bed. Yes, this was right. It felt so right. What was she thinking?

Her hands stroked his chest. He felt so good.

“God, Naomi. I want you so much.”

God!

“Wait, Lash,” she panted, trying to catch her breath. Slowly, memories of long afternoons in catechism classes and Welita’s lectures on chastity resurfaced. “I mean should we be together like this, since we’re not married?”

He pulled back and looked at her, stunned. “Married?”

She bit down on her lip, not sure how to broach the subject. It wasn’t like she was a prude or anything like that. Lash wasn’t her first. The thought of having sex before marriage never bothered her before, despite Welita’s and her father’s lectures about staying chaste. But things were different now. She was an archangel. Wasn’t she supposed to be a role model or something like that?