When Angels Fall (Fallen Angels) (32 page)

H e put his fingers to her lips, because he knew it then. His heart was pounding and he knew she felt the same way. He pulled her to him, searching her eyes to make sure. He kissed her softly and put her hand on his chest. “Just say what’s in your heart,” he whispered in between their kisses.

She pulled away from him and he could see the tears forming in her eyes. “I can’t say it, Nicholas. I want to, but I’m so scared.”

Gently, he wiped the tears from her eyes. “Nothing is going to happen. You won’t lose me.” He moved the hair out of her face and ran his thumb over her soft lips. “I’m scared, too, but as long as you’re with me, I know that whatever happens, I’ll be all right. I’ve never felt like this about anyone before. Chloe, I love you.”

She closed her eyes, as if taking in everything he’d just said to her.

When she didn’t respond, he sat up, and then his lips were at her cheek, as if to kiss away her tears.

 
Her hands slid down his side and she lifted off the sweatshirt he was wearing. Softly, she kissed his chest, her arms going around his back and letting the nails glide smoothly down his back.

He grabbed her face and kissed her hungrily, wanting to take her then and there, but fighting with himself to stay in control. He laid her back on the blanket and then slowly removed the pajama bottoms she wore. The way she trembled at his touch excited him even more. He unbuttoned her shirt until her soft breasts hit the air, making her nipples hard in the coolness of the room. He felt her hands on his shoulders then through his hair as his lips dared to brush past her nipple. A soft sigh escaped her lips and he felt her leg wrap around his. He kissed up to her chin, along her jaw, to her ear. “Tell me you love me.”

The warmth of his breath gave her visible trembles, as he spoke.

He needed to hear her say it, to overcome her fear and tell him how she felt.

She ran her fingers through his hair as his lips burned at her neck. She held on to him tightly, almost clinging to him. “I do love you, Nicholas,” she whispered softly. When his lips returned to hers, she kissed him with renewed urgency. She pushed him back, and then ran her hand down his chest. “Show me how to please you,” she whispered into his ear.

He grabbed her face and kissed her hard. Just the mere suggestion of those words almost sent him over the edge. This was the girl he knew. There was no outside influence now; it was just them. While she kissed him, he took her hand and glided it down his chest, the softness of her fingertips adding to the tingling excitement his body felt for her. Her hand cupped him and he groaned at her touch.

 
She rubbed him gently, as if she was enjoying the hardness she’d given him.

He loved her innocence, how she explored his body and looked to him for instruction. He felt the warmth of her mouth on his chest, soft, light kisses, and all the while, her hand moved up to his stomach. Nick sucked in hard as her warm hand touched him.

“Like this?” she asked softly.

He couldn’t answer; his body was in ecstasy to her touch. His breath grew heavy with each soft stroke she made; all the while, her lips toyed with his nipple. It was too much for him to take. He grabbed her hand and pushed her back, feverishly spreading her legs and rubbing his hard, throbbing sex against hers. He kissed her hard as his body went onto spasms of bliss.

He was panting as she held him to her breasts, trying to calm the ecstasy his body was in. He touched her face and looked into her eyes. “Show me what you like. Show me how you touch yourself,” he all but begged her, wanting to give her the bliss that she‘d just given him.

She gazed into his eyes. “I never have.”

Nick kissed her lightly. He let his fingers glide past her lips. He would find what she liked, and not use anything he’d done with Kelly. He took her hand and kissed each finger. He could feel her tense up as his fingertips brushed past her breasts. “Relax, Chloe. Trust me. I would never do anything to hurt you. Just close your eyes and let yourself go,” he whispered and let his fingers glide over her body.

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Chloe closed her eyes. Her body was coming alive to his actions. His touch was like magic, light and tantalizing as his fingers caressed between her breasts down to her stomach. He was playing with her, toying with her passion.

Pressing his finger down, he slid it slowly over her tender skin.

She gasped. Every part of her body was on fire, and when he kissed her, she felt his hand slid into her panties and touch her moist sex. Her chest was heaving as his fingers played with her, causing her body to throb. She couldn’t explain the feeling. She just knew she didn’t want him to stop. She whispered his name as the sensation built. He, in turn, professed his love for her and encouraged her to let go, to let it happen. Her back arched slightly and the wave of ecstasy washed over her, taking her to a place and a feeling she’d only heard of.

Chloe kissed him softly and bit his bottom lip.

At her reaction to his touch, Nick kissed her hard and his body reacted again with a hard spasm.

She covered his face with soft kisses and ran her fingers through his hair.

He looked into her eyes. “I love you, my beautiful Angel.”

 
Chloe nestled into his arms. He was with her and she was safe. She rested her hand on his chest as his breathing evened out. She kissed him good night, and then felt him squeeze her tightly, and unafraid, she whispered, “I love you.”

Chapter Nine

Christmas Eve was always busy at the Allen house. This year was no exception. There was church, and this year, Max was in the Christmas pageant, and then there was a night filled with family traditions, which, every year, their mother fought to keep going as they got older.

So, after coming in after church, the boys sat around the living room, waiting for her speech that was going to come whether they liked it or not. Max sat by the tree with his legs crossed, waiting somewhat patiently.

“Maxwell, what are you doing?” Kevin seemed to notice him sitting there.

“Waiting for Mommy. She said we are going to get to open a present soon,” he answered in his childish way.

“Max, Buddy, it is the same thing every year. You know what it is already,” Nick reminded him. He was the only one who still believed in Santa and all the stuff their mother did for Christmas Eve.

“Let the kid dream. Max, don’t listen to them. Maybe she will give you that race track,” Mark encouraged him and messed up his hair.

“No, she won’t. Santa is bringing that to me!” Max defended.

“Present time!” their mother announced as she came into the room, baring gift bags for each of them.

“Gee, Mommy, whatever could it be?” Kevin said sarcastically, crumpling up the tissue paper and throwing it at Nick.

“I really hope it’s those really neat new Christmas pajamas and we will all match,” Nick added, throwing the paper back at Kevin.

“Oh, and a new ornament we get to put on the tree?” Mark added.

 
Nick and Kevin snickered.

“You three are such spoiled children. I heard from a very good source you are getting a huge lump of coal for Christmas,” Mrs. Allen informed them, handing them each a bag.

Max’s mouth hung open. “Mommy, no! Tell Santa they didn’t mean it. Guys, tell her you’re sorry now!” Max stood up for them.

“You three are horrible. Max, they didn’t mean it. They’re just being silly,” Chloe put in.

Max came over and sat with her.

“I always knew I liked her.” Gina smiled at Chloe as she held max in her lap. “Boys, what do you have to say to your little brother?” their mother scolded the three older boys.

“Max, we’re only teasing Mommy,” Nick was the first to speak up.

“I’m not. I love the night before Christmas presents,” Mark said, trying not to laugh.

“Suck up,” Kevin said under a cough.

Chloe sat and took it all in. It was nice to see how a real family acted for a change. All she could do was sit and laugh with them as they teased each other. To her surprise, Mrs. Allen handed her a gift bag, and then went and sat on the couch and waited for them to settle down.

“Ahh, not so funny now that she added you into this, is it?” Kevin teased her.

“She’s part of the family this year, so we are going to include her in our silly tradition. Is that okay, Chloe?” Gina asked.

“Yeah, it’s fine. I’m with Max on this one. I’m excited,” Chloe said and winked at Max.

“You have no clue what you’re in for tonight,” Kevin said and laughed.

“Kevin, don’t spoil the surprise. Let her see firsthand for herself. Chloe, just remember this as you open that present and deal with what she makes us do,” Nick winked at Chloe.

“Stop trying to scare her. Chloe, go sit with my ungrateful children with the exception of my favorite Maxwell,” Mrs. Allen instructed.

Chloe went and sat with Max and stuck her tongue out at Nick.

He smiled and shook his head.

“What?” She knew what he was thinking and blushed.

“Ah, never mind,” Nick replied.

 
Kevin smacked him lightly on the head. “You were going to tell her what to do with it, weren’t you?”

“Nicholas Robert, there are children in the room!” Mark scolded him.

“Yeah, but I didn’t think Kevin would catch on.” Nick laughed as Kevin hit him again.

“Oh, good Lord, enough! Just open your presents!” Their mother yelled, wanting to get things moving.

“What? I didn’t say anything!” Nick played innocent.

“Okay, stop, Mom is getting mad.” Mark kept a straight face.

“Boys, your mother would like to continue. Can you knock it off for five minutes?” their father broke in finally. They agreed and opened the presents she’d given them.

As was predicted, it was the traditional matching pj’s and ornaments for the tree.

“Really, are we ever going to outgrow this one?” Kevin asked as he stuffed the pajamas back into the bag.

“No. When you’re married with children of your own, your family will get the same gift and you all will match,” his mother teased.

“Wow, flannel red reindeer pj’s. Gee, Mom, where did you find these?” Nick rolled his eyes.

“It’s my secret,” Mrs. Allen replied and winked at them.

“Wait, how come Chloe got snowflakes?” Kevin protested, seeing her white pj’s with glittery snowflakes.

“She’s a girl. Did you want glitter pj’s?” Mark cocked a brow at Kevin.

“No, but we have to match, she doesn’t,” Kevin pointed out.

“Kevin, if you really want them, I’ll let you borrow them,” Chloe teased and handed him her bag.

“She has this really great pink lip gloss, too. Do you want that?” Nick asked.

“No, it looks so much better on you.” Kevin threw a pillow at him.

Chloe was laughing when she found another gift in the bag. She opened it to find an unmarked DVD. “What’s this?” She stared at the box.

“That was something I found when we cleaned out your mother’s room. I had it made into a DVD for you. It was marked with
Christmas Eve, Chloe, age three
. After the craziness of this particular tradition, the boys get changed and we watch old videos of Christmases past. If you’re okay with it, we can watch yours first.” Gina informed her while looking unsure of Chloe’s reaction.