Death Knows My Name (Memory Keepers) (12 page)

Chapter 13

I heard Eric sit up as I lay there squeezing my eyes shut. What the hell had I done? I had let the excitement of seeing Eric standing in my apartment take over. I had a plan so we could be together and not cause him any problems and I blew it. I slept with this angel. Damn, that sounded odd to say, but that is what he was and it is what I did. He was the Angel of Death and as he told me only a few weeks before, he always walked on the side of our Lord. Had it really only been a few weeks ago that he had walked into my life? And, oh shit! I sat up, almost hitting him with my head, but he leaned back out of my way.

“We didn’t use a condom!” It was only a few weeks ago that we met. I didn’t know if he had any diseases. Hell, what if angels had something that could transfer to humans just for incompatibility purposes? I had royally screwed up on so many points in this situation. I had doomed Eric to fall from grace, number one, and now I was going to end up dying from some angel disease! Oh God, what if I was having a baby now?

“Calm down.”

Eric sounded way too relaxed.

“Are you serious right now? Calm down? We just had sex, okay, admittedly awesome sex, the greatest sex I have ever known, but it wasn’t great enough that I am willing to pay with my life for it. We were irresponsible. We could have spread STDs that we don’t even know if each other has. I could be pregnant. I am not ready to be a
mother
!” I paused. “What are you smiling about?” I barked at him.

He raised his eyebrow at me. “The greatest sex you have ever had? Really?” His small smile grew into a grin of immense satisfaction.

“You are kidding me right now, right?” I asked, baffled. I love Eric but I wanted to punch him.

“Once you calm down and listen, I can tell you that you have no reason to worry. I cannot catch or pass on any disease from a human. Even if I could, I wouldn’t have anything to pass on to you because I haven’t been with anyone but you. Secondly, although I could get you pregnant, it would have to be a conscious choice on both our parts, me being the highest of the celestials. When the time comes I will show you how it works.”

Wait a minute. Did he just—? Had he said he was a—?

“You were a virgin!” My mouth was hanging open. I’m sure it was attractive. Eric chuckled, a low, soft, and sexy sound. Duh, of course he was, or he would have already fallen, but, damn, I couldn’t tell. I was his first, his very first, and he had me seeing stars.

“I am very flattered you could not tell. I was nervous about that.” He reclined back on the bed and watched me through his eyelashes. Something low inside me soared as I forgot about the last issue that we hadn’t addressed yet.

I threw my leg over his body, straddling him. His hands rested on my hips. My hair cascaded forward to one side and was starting to curl from the sweat I had worked up from my explosive orgasms, the orgasms my body was already starting to crave again.

I looked down at him as I hovered above the part of him that I was about to slide down onto. I felt him hold his breath in anticipation. He had thoroughly rocked my world and now it was my turn. I was about to show him the sexual prowess that I had always bragged on. And I had every reason to brag—I was good.

“You had no reason to be nervous, Eric. You. Were. Wonderful,” I finished as I lowered myself down onto him.

He plunged deep into me to the hilt and I was riding him into ecstasy. The last thing I thought before passion blinded me and my body took over was
At least I can make it worth it
.

Eric’s moans of pleasure filled my ears and blocked everything else out.

I made it to work just in time, not because I woke up late because for the first time in a while I was actually up on time. I had even showered, and with that, my opinion of sex in the shower was changed. It wasn’t slippery and dangerous with a guy like Eric. He was strong and passionate. I smiled at the thought of the feel of his hands gripping my thighs as his tongue lavished me. It was an intoxicating feeling, his tongue and the running water. I sighed as if we were still in that shower.

I opened the lounge door and the bells jingled my arrival. A few heads turned in my direction, but none paid me much attention, except for Devon. His eyebrow rose in my direction. He knew. Was it the huge, dopey grin on my face that gave me away? I grinned wider. I just couldn’t help it.

I walked behind the counter, grabbing my apron from the hook as I passed. Devon was still staring as I tied the apron around my waist. The strings hugged my hips tight and I smiled at the memory of Eric’s arms around me last night. He had held me so tightly as we slept. I laid beside him listening to his deep and rhythmic breathing. I felt the rise and fall of his chest. After he fell asleep, I prayed. I prayed for forgiveness in what I had done to this man that I was supposed to love. I wanted to cry, but I feared that he would know it and wake up and I would have to explain the tears. I didn’t want to lie to him, so telling him that they were happy tears would have been out. I remembered the last thought that floated through my head before I fell asleep inside Eric’s embrace: I have never loved a man more.

Somewhere deep down, I knew that I should feel like I was betraying Dante, but I didn’t. I was a child when Dante and I had been lovers in love. I owed so many things to what we shared. He had helped me become the woman that I was today. That is exactly what I am, a woman. I was no longer that little girl, and the love I was sharing with Eric was the love between a woman and a man. And it was good.

The door jingled and I walked over to the counter to help the tall man. He had to be at least 6 foot 4. He had the blondest hair I have ever seen. Not that pale, washed out, almost ashen blond. It was golden. I almost had to squint my eyes to look at him. His hazel eyes were bright and fixed on mine.

“H-how . . .” I stopped so I could pull myself together. “How can I help you, sir?”

His eyes were transfixed on me. It was off putting. He was an angel. Had to be. Was I being paranoid?

“What do you recommend, Mayne?” He spoke as if we had been friends for years. His voice was as smooth as rich chocolate.

That doesn’t make him an angel, I scolded myself. I almost laughed. Wait.

“How do you know my name?” I asked. Something about him. He looked familiar.

He grinned and nodded toward my apron.

I giggled. How dumb could I be, like the guy just mysteriously knew my name? We did wear nametags. “Oh, duh. Sorry for being weird.”

“Long day?” he asked with concern.

He seemed genuine enough, even if he were an angel, which I am not sure he was, he definitely wasn’t one of Valience’s friends from the Swarm to destroy me.

“Try a long few weeks,” I responded as he nodded. Why was I rambling to him? “I would recommend the white chocolate mocha. It’s kind of my signature drink.”

He made a face. “No offense, but I think I will just stick to coffee. Plain.”

I grinned. My favorite type of customer. I filled up his large coffee and handed it over to him. He handed me a twenty-dollar bill.

“Keep the change. Hope your day gets better.” And he walked out the door and was gone.

I was still looking at the twenty in my hand that the man used to pay for a two-dollar cup of coffee with when Devon returned from cleaning the tables, bent down by where we kept the aprons, and picked something up that was lying on the ground.

“This must have fallen off when you were putting your apron on.” Devon handed me a business-card-sized piece of plastic.

I looked toward the door automatically after seeing what it was. Shit, so I wasn’t wearing it all this time. That means—? How did he know—? Holy hell! Who was that?

Chapter 14

I called Eric on my break.

“Hey, love, are you going to make it here for lunch?” he asked.

I grinned at the thought of Eric in my apartment. “No, I’d never make it there and back in time.”

“Want me to come up there? I can make it in time. Is Devon covering your lunch so the office is clear?”

I didn’t answer. I created a monster. A sex monster.

Eric continued, “What? You are the one who said the wall last night. I only wanted the bed for the first time. From now on any surface is fair game.”

I grinned. “Is that so?”

“It is.”

“Then get up here, I have something to talk to you about anyway.”

“Before or after?”

I shook my head and laughed. “After, Eric.”

The door jingled, and I looked up to see Eric strolling in through the door. I stood up and met him halfway. He bent his neck down and kissed me softly on the lips. I didn’t even care to check to see if any co-workers were looking. Eric’s hand found its way to my hip and rested comfortably there. I beamed lovingly at him as he lifted his kiss from me, his eyes smoldering as they bored into mine.

My body was on fire. Desire for him coursed through me, and I knew Eric knew it. On the table, on the floor, counter, hell, I didn’t care. My mind just screamed,
now, now, now!
I was now the sex monster. I wanted to make a beeline for Devon’s office, but would that be too obvious? I was sure it would be, even though customers could feel our desire.

Eric nudged me back toward the table I had vacated when he had walked in.

“Let’s go sit down.” He spoke softly so that no one who was trying to listen could overhear him because, as I’d suspected, the people around us were looking. We sat, I slid my coffee over to him, and he slid it back, shaking his head. Now I noticed his eyes were an amber color.

“Eric!” I said sharply, but still in a very hushed voice. “Do you have to go?”

He was sitting very still. “No. I am fine.”

“But your eyes? You can’t ignore it, not even for me. I don’t want—
Oh god
, last night. How were you able to spend the entire night with me without being called away?” I was feeling the panic rise up inside me. It was heavy on my stomach like the feeling you get right before you throw up. His hand reached out and grabbed mine, offering comfort.

“Calm down.” His eyes were back to being the pool of clear honey I was used to seeing on him. “I have it covered. No soul will be lost. I still feel the pull when it’s time for a soul to be called. I did not want to be disturbed last night so I had to call in a few favors from some old friends who are . . .” Eric trailed off to think of the right word and then continued. “Invested.”

“Invested in what?” I asked.

Eric didn’t answer. He was too busy looking around.

“What are you doing?”

“I thought I felt . . .” He continued to scan the area. “Someone. I must have been mistaken. So how are we getting to this office of Devon’s? If we don’t go soon, these customers are going to get more than they paid for when they bought their caffeine this morning because I am about to have you on this table.”

I headed back around the counter to the back as Eric walked out through the front door. But as I turned from closing the door to the office, Eric was already standing behind me. He put his hand on my waist and kept me from turning as his lips caressed the back of my neck. His other hand found one of my free hands and propped it on the wall so I could hold myself a little bit away from it. The hand on my waist wound around to the front of my jeans and undid them. He slid his hand down the front into the panties. He discovered the pool of wetness that was already there as his fingers slid against me and into me. His low growl pushed my arousal further and I moaned.

“Eric.”

He growled louder as I felt him undoing his pants behind me and he had me. He had me up against the wall, on Devon’s desk, on the chair. Let’s just say on every surface that I could be had on . . . I was had.

“You have no idea how much I love you, how long I have waited to feel like this. When all my peers were—” He brought my hand to his lips as if to kiss it but he stopped and moved it to his nose and inhaled deeply.

“Mayne.” His voice was heavy and hoarse. “What did you want to tell me? Did anyone come to see you?”

I sat up, lifting my head from his shoulder and turning it as much as I could to look behind me. We both sat on the desk’s chair. Actually, he sat on the chair. I sat on his lap reclining against him.

“Yes. How did you know? It was strange.”

He nodded, moving his head minutely. “Continue.”

“He was gorgeous. I thought he was an angel because of how bright he was. He was golden. That’s the only way I know to explain him and he knew my name! I thought it was the nametag I was wearing because when I asked him he said that as his excuse, but get this, babe, I wasn’t even wearing it! How is that for some crazy shit?”

“So he was here. I thought I felt him,” Eric said, almost more to himself than to me. He didn’t seem angry though. He wrapped his arms around me tightly. “I have to go, but don’t worry if he returns. He won’t hurt you.”

“Why would he hurt me? I was worried he was one of Valience’s Swarm but he seemed so genuine.”

“He isn’t Valience’s friend. He is one of my oldest friends. He won’t hurt you, especially if he has figured it out—but he is never genuine. Promise me you won’t go anywhere with him. As I said, he wouldn’t hurt you but you don’t want to live the life he would offer you.”

He kissed my cheek and then he was gone. I was sitting on the chair instead of his lap. His arms were no longer around me. I eyed the mess on the floor. Crap, I had to straighten up Devon’s desk.

The rest of my shift was uneventful, besides being tired from my lunchtime exertion. When I arrived back at my apartment, Big Jim again met me at the front door with his leash. I groaned but clipped it to his collar and jogged back down the steps. I let him go two blocks before I had enough and tugged on his leash, letting him know it was time to turn around.

He huffed, annoyed, but turned around all the same and we made our way back home. I was slower going back up the stairs, no jogging this time. Once I got in my apartment, I was
sort of relieved Eric wasn’t back yet. I know it sounded bad, but I was tired and I was afraid his libido was way too much for me tonight. I know, for shame. What kind of sex goddess was I?

I fell onto my old friend that had, as of late, been forgotten—my recliner. I sighed deeply.
Ahhh
. Big Jim was up on my lap where he figured he belonged and I shrugged. I reached for the remote to the DVD player and pressed ‘play’. Old times.

My annoying ringtone sounded.

My cell phone went off and I let out a groan. I was seriously starting to hate that damn ringtone. I dug in my pants pocket, cursing Eric for transferring the stupid ringtone when he replaced the phone he had crushed and destroyed. He probably thought it was funny.

“What?” Yes, my phone manners were at their best.

“Where the hell are you?” It was Devon, which made me really confused. I rubbed my eyes tiredly. I didn’t have plans with Devon tonight.

“Huh?” was my articulate response.

“I’m here at the bar looking at your sexy little friend as you and one of your boyfriends stand her up.”

“Devon, you have got to start making sense sometime soon. I am too tired for this.”

“Well, un-tired yourself and get to State of Mayne quickly. Your friend, the cute one, is sitting here and I’m plying her with alcohol. You and your lunch date,” he said, pausing before clarifying, “yesterday’s, not today’s thug, were supposed to meet her for drinks.”

He had referred to My State of Mine by its real name, the name Dante wanted to name it if I hadn’t put my foot down. I remember the night Dante and Devon had won it in a pool game fair and square. No hustle was needed. I was 16 years old. The memory floated through with barely a sting. I didn’t even flinch when Devon called it State of Mayne, as I would have done in the past.

I groaned. “I never planned to show up! She and Michael are supposed to be getting to know each other so they can get it on!” I hate when my plans don’t come together. I was pushing myself up as Big Jim gave a little halfhearted bark in protest.

“Michael didn’t show up, and I am getting to know her. Hey, does that mean I can get it on with her?”

“Don’t you touch her. I’m serious. I’m on my way and if you pull that sexy eye shit on her again I will tell you what happened on your desk today.”

“What the hell happened on my desk?”

I hung up the phone. After grabbing my coat and planting a kiss on top of Big Jim’s head, I was out the door and headed to the bar.

Just as I was walking over to the table, one of the waitresses was dropping off a shot glass of whiskey. From Devon, no doubt. Rolling my eyes, I picked up the glass and turned to find Devon. I raised the drink in cheers before I put it to my lips and downed it. I turned toward Tammy.

“You stay away from that boy, do you hear me?” I motioned in Devon’s direction using the empty glass. “Where is Michael?” I slid in the booth seat across from her.

“Well, aren’t you in a mood? He had an emergency gig and couldn’t make it. Where were you? With a guy?”

“Oh God, you have no idea how not funny that is. I’ve had so much sex in the last 24 hours. I think he’s a fiend. I’m so damn tired. This is the first time he has been out of me for more than a few hours. I was asleep.” Tammy looked at me horrified, or was it more like appalled?

“What?” I asked.

“You seriously have no concept of what’s appropriate to say to people do you? Where were you brought up, a frat house?”

I signaled for two more shots. “Foster homes. There is a difference, but not much.”

She cringed. “Oh gosh. I’m sorry.”

“You have to stop apologizing. Anyway, Michael was supposed to be here, not me. I was trying to give you two some space to get the fireworks going. He blew that!”

When the shots arrived, they were carried over by Devon. This boy just didn’t give up.

I huffed while scooting over. “Devon, sit your butt down.”

He grinned and slid in next to me, draping an arm loosely around my shoulders. “So, did she tell you about this thug she’s been hanging around with?”

“Nope, just that he’s a sex fiend and has barely let me up for air in the last 24 hours.” I answered for Tammy, and she blushed.

Devon winked at her, which caused her to blush even more.

I elbowed him in the side. “Knock it off, Devon.” It came out as a whine.

Someone caught my eye and I leaned past Devon to get a better look. I was having a hard time believing that I was seeing who I was seeing in a bar, let alone this bar!

Valience.

I gulped and picked up the nearest shot as he turned my way. He raised a brow at the glass of vodka in my hand. I knocked it back in defiance, the familiar sting warming my throat.

Devon followed my eyes to see who I was looking at. “How many guys do you need? These aren’t just regular guys either. Do they have to be creepy?”

“You’re one to talk. All your girls are skanky.” Devon had never been a one-woman man. He was devoted just long enough to get a woman to bed at the end of the night.

I met Devon’s unyielding stare. “Fine. He is just a friend of Eric’s, the guy I’m sleeping with.” I still wasn’t comfortable saying his name in front of anyone. “I asked him to do me a favor and look into something important for me. Now move. I have to go over and speak with him, unless.”

I turned to Tammy so she’d know that I hadn’t forgotten about her. “Do you think you could use your sexual goddess skills and loosen this guy up for me? He doesn’t really like me with his friend too much, but if he were to get with my friend . . .” I teased.

She threw her balled up napkin at me. “Girl, get on.” She drawled heavily.

I eyed Devon as he stood up. He had given her more to drink than I thought he had. “No more drinks for her. I’m serious.” I snatched the remaining shot from the table and downed it before pushing my way through the crowd to where Valience stood by the bar. He was surrounded by a lot of people yet everyone gave him a wide enough berth to feel safe.

Squeezing into the space beside Valience, I leaned against the bar facing outwards. He was eyeing me like I was some sort of new species under the microscope.

“What you got for me, V?” I smiled annoyingly at him just to get under his skin, since he hated me anyway.

“Don’t call me V. I just came by to tell you. I fail. I—” He paused as if it were causing him actual physical pain to say what he was saying. “I cannot do. It.”

My mouth dropped open. “What! Just like that? You aren’t even going to try?
Did
you even try?”

He discreetly grabbed my upper arm and pulled me closer in one hard yank. “Listen! I
can
not do it. Do you understand what I am saying?”

No. I did not understand. I, I thought that I had found the answer to be with Eric and now. I saw all the dreams I didn’t know I had dreamed in the last twenty-four hours crumble before me. I fought tears.

“I need a drink.” I turned around. “I thought you were some big bad death bringer, ‘Leader’ of the Swarm.” I barked laughter. “Puh-leaze. Just another overinflated male ego. You may go now.” I waved him off barely looking back at him, but what I did see was enough to freeze my blood if I still cared. My dreams had fallen apart right before my eyes even before they were fully realized.

“You need to watch who you wave off like a fly, little girl. I don’t care
who
you are.” His voice was like death itself.

I turned, realizing that I didn’t care what kind of a death wish I had, it wasn’t smart to turn my back on this angel.

“I believe the young woman said you may go now. So be a good boy and run along. Don’t overstay your welcome.” The voice was soft and very feminine, but Valience’s spine visibly straightened. “Go now, before you say too much.” This new woman’s words seemed to be saying something to him
underneath
the pleasant enough sounding words.