Heavenly Lover (21 page)

Chapter 26

Claire stood in the back of the children’s section of the library and watched Daniel read the story about a family of jungle animals to a rapt audience of young grade-schoolers. Daniel had received the news two days before that a children’s book he illustrated was shipping out and the author needed help with the book tour. He’d been given a list of arranged readings in libraries and bookstores in the area.

Now, at his first scheduled read, he’d already captivated his audience. The most expressive part of him, his hands, moved across the smooth surface of the pages, sometimes waving in the air around his head, and his eyes would widen and generate giggles or “ahs” from his enchanted young audience. He brings magic to everything he touches, Claire thought.

Even me, an angel.

Daniel’s black hair kept falling into his eyes, framing the warm face of the handsome man she could watch for centuries. He had the children cheering at the parts where the hunters were scared out of the forest and the animals threw a big celebration.

“And so, Prissy Penguin shouted, ‘ice cream! Let’s all have ice cream to celebrate!’” Daniel looked at the audience.

“Who likes chocolate ice cream?” Immediately little waving hands went up. Daniel’s eyes danced as he gave them a broad smile, “Me too. Chocolate is my very favorite. I like it with sprinkles or M&Ms.”

Several others immediately agreed.

“How about whipped cream? Who likes that?” Daniel asked. The kids cheered as he laughed and looked at Claire, who caught a naughty twinkle in his eyes. She waved her eyebrows up and down, as if in agreement.

“Is he yours?” One of the mothers leaned in, asking Claire. She thought a moment before answering.

“No, but I am his, for sure.”

Nodding and flashing a smile, the woman moved away quietly.

The mayhem Daniel was causing reminded Claire of the Playhouse performances of Peter Pan, where the audience of young cherubs was asked to clap loudly so Tinkerbelle would be saved. For, like any true angel, the love of the people she cared about would save her and bring energy back to her life.

Everyone laughed when he came to the part where the penguins’ ice cream making venture failed miserably and they covered themselves with the sweet mixture instead. The whole jungle got to enjoy milkshakes they drank from cups made of exotic flower bowls. Claire wondered whether it was the author or Daniel who came up with the idea that penguins lived in the rain forest and that bright pink hippos could dance.

Bringing out an easel and his pastel crayons, he demonstrated how to draw. Several lucky participants got to leave the bookstore with hand-signed original sketches that she figured would be worth something some day, even if wrinkled or folded and stuffed into backpacks.

Afterward, Daniel signed books for his little audience and some of their appreciative mothers. Claire noted how many of them took a special interest in the dark good looks of this young passionate artist.

Who wouldn’t? He’s handsome, he loves children. He has talent. He makes me feel wonderful all over.

Claire could hardly contain herself when his signings were done, she was so desperate to be alone with him. They stayed in a Victorian bed and breakfast the first night, where Claire tried to keep him up until sunrise. They wandered around shops in the quaint town the next day, Daniel yawning. She smiled at the thought that her appetite for him was wearing him out.

They sat in the square and watched people. Claire was fascinated especially with the children. She bent on her haunches to speak to a blond-haired toddler who had come over. The youngster’s mother and father were watching at a short distance. The toddler had a green balloon tied to her wrist, and her fingers and mouth were smeared with some shiny candy substance. Claire’s palms went to her warm pink cheeks. Touching the face of this cherub, who was a miracle in every respect, she wished this little girl a long life and the chance to have children of her own.

“You have heard of cherubs in Heaven, Daniel?” Claire said as she watched the family of three walk away.

“They were children here? Oh, how sad.”

“No, they have a very special life in Heaven. If only their parents knew.” She smiled and waved to the toddler who kept turning around to look at her with big blue eyes, the green balloon bobbing in the carefree afternoon sun. “They get to eat all the candy they want, and they never get sick, and they never grow into teenagers!”

Daniel smiled, and nodded. “Of course. Life is perfect there, right?”

“Almost.” Claire sighed and leaned her head into Daniel. He brought his arm around, gripping her shoulder and kissed the top of her head. She thought about the little ones who were in Heaven, called to serve in the guardianship, and vowed, if she made it back to Heaven, to be kinder to them. And for the first time she understood the loss these little bright beings caused their earthly parents, and was glad the cherubs would never know it. At last Claire knew the meaning of the word loss.

Although it was an idyllic three days during the book tour, it was also bittersweet for Claire. After all, she was living a life that was impossible to have. And the thought occurred to her on more than one occasion that perhaps she was taking him away from a life he should be living.

“Daniel, have you ever thought about what kind of a woman you would take as a life partner, marry?”

“That’s not something you ask a man. For being so smart, that is a pretty dumb question.”

“But surely you’ve envisioned the perfect woman?”

“Oh, well, let’s see. Blond, short hair, blue eyes. Insatiable in bed. Oh, and I think she should know how to fly, perhaps even disappear.”

Claire chuckled. “But did it ever occur to you that I am taking the place of a human woman who could give you children?”

“I don’t think about that. I have you, don’t I?” he told her.

“But I can’t give you a life. I can’t be a true partner to you. We live in two worlds.”

“But not today. I have you today, Claire.”

Looking at his warm brown eyes, Claire could see a life with this man. She could almost believe that just the force of their love for each other might somehow bridge the gap. Like some miracle could happen—like the Brownings and their undying love for each other—against all odds.

Stores with elaborate Christmas displays, complete with angels, shepherds and twinkling stars, created a festive mood. At one point Daniel turned around and couldn’t find Claire anywhere. He went outside in the rain to look up and down the sidewalk. As he glanced up at the window display, he saw Claire, posing with the angels, hands pressed together, looking up at the heavens.

She saw his smile out of the corner of her eyes, as he seemed to take pleasure in the odd looks he got from passersby. A couple stopped to examine what he was looking at through the glass window. “My own personal angel, there,” he told them before they walked off, shaking their heads.

Daniel took Claire wine tasting in the Dry Creek Valley. She loved watching him sniffing, swirling and tasting wine. She swizzled the wine as well, but much preferred to watch him do it instead. She loved the warm taste of his lips afterwards. She watched as he swallowed the liquid mixture, and was drawn to kiss his neck, and the top of his shirt where the dusting of black hair hid just above the first button. She loved watching everything Daniel did.

Being at a winery with him recalled his dream of the escapades with Audray. She wondered if he desired her with any of the same degree of intensity. Almost as if he read her mind, he pulled her into a dark corner and urgently pressed her against the musty smell of the massive oak aging barrels.

“It smells so old, so ancient,” she whispered. Her voice echoed like in some of the cathedrals she had been in.

“And you smell fresh. You always smell fresh to me.”

He put his finger up to his lips to ask her to be very quiet. His hands moved over her top, and then under it. She could not get enough of the feel of him on her flesh. She gasped, following his lead, bringing her hands up and under his shirt and pulling it up so she could press herself against the warmth of his packed chest.

She felt her body heat rise, and the space between her thighs called out in need. She undid his jeans and released his erection to the pleasure of her hand. He had her pants off in mere seconds and, after slipping off her yellow clogs, wrapped her legs around his waist and raised her sex onto his stiff rod. They had to be quick, and their urgency brought her to climax in ripples.

It was never enough. Even as he gasped and grabbed her buttocks, when he whispered her name in a groan, when he shot his seed inside her, it wasn’t enough.

She never wanted to be separated from him after they made love, though she enjoyed their time afterwards. He always whispered to her in Portuguese, the words soft, sensual, and mysterious, making her body tingle as he charmed her in every way possible.

They rejoined the tour. A few heads turned. Claire was sure the tour director had seen them sneak off and knew it wasn’t the first time such a thing had occurred. She remained as entwined as she could be with Daniel, walking behind him sometimes, with her face against his back, fronts of her thighs against the backs of his, arms wrapped around his waist.

“I can feel you inside me still,” she whispered to his ear. “Do we have a fireplace in our room?”

“I will keep you warm, Angel.”

“But I want to see you naked by the fire,” she softly pleaded.

He grinned. “Then I’ll look for a fireplace at the next stop.”

And they had to go to three different inns before they found one with a bridal suite that had a double Jacuzzi tub and a huge four-poster bed by a roaring fireplace. They had to sleep with the doors open, but they were able to see the stars in the night sky under the golden glow of the crackling heat. She wrapped herself up in his arms as she daydreamed of a life that was only possible in her mind. The heat of Daniel’s body covered hers as he slept peacefully, holding her with one arm around her waist, as if he needed just to make sure she wasn’t going to leave.

She wouldn’t be able to leave, not of her own accord. And every time the thought appeared, reminding her these days would end, she successfully pushed them aside, choosing to live and bask in the glow of the love they shared this minute, this day, these glorious nights. This love affair had become something she grabbed while it was hers for the taking.

Chapter 27

Daniel and Claire pulled into Daniel’s driveway to find Josh’s Jeep parked in front.

“Remember what I told you, Daniel?”

“Don’t worry.”

“You think he’s inside the house?” Claire asked as she picked up one of their bags from the trunk.

Daniel pointed to the attic window. Josh’s face was framed there; he waved.

Tension strained Claire’s chest, anger at the invasion of her space. “He’s up to something,” she said with a knot at the pit of her stomach.

“Knowing Josh, he can’t wait to tell us.” Daniel scowled. He dragged the bags up the steps, then unlocked the front door and disarmed the alarm.

Josh appeared at the top of the steps. “Bravo,” he said as he clapped with exaggerated arm movements. “The lovers return.”

“How does this concern you, Josh?” Daniel gritted out.

“No doubt she has told you a few stories about me.” Josh paused, looking up to the ceiling, as if looking for inspiration from the Heavens, then looked back at Daniel and Claire, a nasty grin on his face. “In fact, I don’t think she knows the half of it. You have a naïve one there, Daniel.”

Claire stood behind Daniel, who stayed on the ground floor. Josh slipped over the balcony and effortlessly floated down to the ground floor in front of them.

“She can’t do that unless she disappears,” he said in a conspiratorial tone to Daniel. “I much prefer my powers as a dark.” He walked around Daniel to face Claire, who grabbed Daniel’s arm for support.

“You look lovely, my dear, as usual.” Josh bowed slowly, and then just as slowly rose to his full height. “I’ve just spent a few minutes in your quarters, my lovely. Does Father know about all those spicy books, hmmm?” He smiled, his dark eyes flashing with an energy spark. Claire knew he loved watching her squirm.

“Leave, Josh. There’s nothing for you here.” Daniel did not smile and his voice had an edge of confrontation to it.

“Sorry to be a nag, kiddies, but He won’t let you have this little idyllic lifestyle for long. In fact, I suspect the order is on its way down here now. I’d be willing to bet she is about to be cast over anyway.” He smiled and stepped closer to Daniel. “And then she becomes mine. Forever.”

Daniel was going to fly after Josh, but the dark angel was quicker and shot himself through the door and in an instant was in his car, driving away. Daniel was left standing in the living room, chest heaving. Claire could sense he was having difficulty controlling his anger.

“Bastard,” he said. Claire grabbed his arm and pulled him back. He turned to her. “Is this the way it works?”

“I don’t really know the way it works, Daniel. All I can say is we both know we’re violating the rules here. I’ve never met another angel who has done what we have.”

He wrapped his arms around her, kissing the top of her head. “We’ll find a way. Somehow we’ll find a way.”

Chapter 28

“You warm the dead, my dear.” Josh told Audray. She appeared to take it as a compliment. Her oversized satchel sat on the bench next to her. The bistro was buzzing with a Friday night crowd. She sighed and worked her fingers through her golden hair, fluffing it.

“What’s up?” Her green eyes sparkled. Josh preferred thinking this was a result of his effect on her.

A waiter asked what they wanted to drink.

“Absinthe,” she said.

Josh straightened, his eyes grew wide. “You continue to surprise me, my lovely.” He glanced at the waiter. “Mine as well.”

Audray was grinning, mouth full of perfect white teeth. “We watched Dracula last night. Absinthe just looked like something I’d like to try.”

“I love it when you cleave to the dark side.”

“Yes. I know.” Her forefinger rimmed the top of the candle flute. “You want to tell me why I’m here?”

“Why not think I just wanted the pleasure of your company?” He smiled and cocked his head.

“Because I’m not a redhead and I’m not that stupid.”

Sitting back with a palm over his heart, he replied, “So delicious. So deadly.”

Audray looked pleased with herself. “You have someone new you want me to meet?”

“Are you tired of the surgeon?”

Audray leaned forward, bringing her face closer. He did the same. “I’ve explored every inch of his body, and kissed most of it. Next time introduce me to someone who’s had laser hair removal, okay?” She batted her eyes.

They both laughed.

Josh sighed, wiping away tears. “Ah, love. I do wish you were my type. Ever thought about us? Together?”

“Are you asking for an honest answer?”

“Not really.”

“Didn’t think so.”

The waiter delivered their absinthe. Josh balanced the ornate spoons on top of the shallow glasses filled with the green liquor. He placed one sugar cube on each spoon, and then poured water over the top, dissolving the sugar into the liquid. The ancient ritual was important to him. He removed the spoons and handed her the concoction.

“To new things, and a dark future,” Josh toasted as they touched glass to glass.

Audray sipped the green liquid, squeezing her eyes and mouth tight. “Ew.”

“Acquired taste.” Josh added, “Haven’t had it in years. It’s rather nice, better the second time. Have another go at it but finish it this time.”

Audray tossed it back and shook her head. She gasped, her voice raspy, “One more thing I’ll cross off my list.”

“List?”

“Things to do before I die.” She could hardly get the words out.

Josh tapped his fingers and mused. He was feeling joy, an odd emotion for him. The lively background conversations of the place felt like the happy chirping of little birds. “What do you know about me?” He watched her carefully.

“Know about you or suspect about you?”

“Either one. Take your pick.”

“I know that I don’t want to know.”

“Meaning?”

“Things have a way of working out in a certain manner around you.” She squinted as she said this.

“In a good way or…”

“In a good way for me. Not so much for other people. People like—”

“Daniel.” Josh was nodding his head. “You feel a little bad about that one?”

“I’d have felt horrible if he really killed himself. Glad you stopped him.”

Josh continued nodding. He was glad she had no idea the Guardian was involved. “Why?”

“You don’t understand how it would be bad for him to die? Over me?” Audray gave a smirk. “Holy cow, Josh, you can’t be that cold. Don’t you care a thing for him?”

“Well, I thought with your appetites you were perhaps a bit too much for him. It wasn’t going to work out anyway. You didn’t cause it, you know.”

“Yes, I did. I am solely responsible for his suicide attempt.”

Josh grabbed her hand in both of his and kissed her fingers. “I need to explain something to you, Love. I don’t want you to leave right now, Okay? Just stay with me a bit. Can you do this, Audray?” His breath coated her face and he saw her eyes became half lidded.

“Sure.”

Josh wondered if the absinthe also had some supernatural effect on her. Her eyes turned deeper green, and dark.

“I’ve never met a woman who had such natural proclivities towards the part of the universe I inhabit. I know this sounds a bit crazy, but I feel like you are my sister, my ally. Audray, would it surprise you if I told you I’m not human?”

She was silent. He thought he saw her take in a quick sharp breath. Her eyes widened. Josh saw a combination of fear and pure excitement. She swallowed.

“So this goes back to the question of what I know . . . or suspect about you?”

Josh was completely still. He let her take it all in.
She’ll get there. Just give her a little time.

“So what you’re saying is, you’re something else other than human? What exactly would that be?” She swallowed again and looked up at him.

Josh could see she was trying to be brave. It thrilled him. “Guess.” He was still holding her hand, stroking the backs of her fingers. She retracted her hand.

“I killed my imagination years ago, Josh. I’m a very literal person. Suppose you tell me.”

“Yes. I know about that.” When Audray gave him a quick look of surprise, he continued, “Oh yes, I know all about Bakersfield. I do my homework. I have sources you wouldn’t believe.”

Josh knew that Audray had a past she had successfully covered up, and was fairly sure he was the only person on the planet, save her mother and one other, that knew she had been raped at sixteen by one of her mother’s boyfriends. The day after the incident Audray had hitchhiked to LA with a trucker and closed the door on that chapter of her life forever. Josh knew as well that she had a burning desire to get even with the man who had meted out this violence: Burt.

Revenge in a woman this talented is indeed a beautiful thing.

He could see she was getting nervous. “Just listen to me a bit more, Audray, and then I’m going to make you a proposition this one time and this one time only. You don’t even have to tell me your decision tonight. You can take a day or two.”

The waiter stopped by. Josh ordered two more absinthes.

“Do I have the option to say no? I mean, really no?”

“Absolutely. But I won’t ask you again.”

“But it will cost me either way, right?”

“You’re safe with me. I’ll not let any harm come to you. If you say no, nothing changes, really.” He hesitated, then added, “Scout’s honor.” He held up his palm.

“Oh, that’s just wrong. You should be ashamed of yourself.”

Josh smiled and shook his head.

“You have a wonderful future with your surgeon. Well, I have another kind of surgery in mind, one of a more permanent nature. What if I were to offer you the chance to be young and look like you do now for the rest of your life? No surgeries, no boring workouts. Young forever. Making love forever in that gorgeous body of yours?”

“How could you do that?”

“Let’s not talk about
how
it is done. Let’s talk about
if
we can do it. If I could offer you that, would you take it?”

“What would it cost?”

“The cost is minimal, but free in terms of dollars and cents. We’ll discuss it. Would this be something you would want to do? Be young forever? Twenty-five years old and gorgeous forever? Unlimited sex. No sickness. No sagging. No surgeries to make you look like a freak at sixty. No breast cancer, cholesterol problems, hypertension, stroke . . . no diapers when you’re eighty-five. Any of this attractive to you, hmm?”

The waiter delivered their second round of absinthe. Again, Josh slowly poured water over the sugar cubes. Audray slipped in a second cube before he finished pouring. He gestured to her to drink up. Audray reached for her glass, downing it in one gulp. She didn’t flinch this time.

Josh could see Audray was thinking about all of it, mulling over the pictures he painted. Her eyes fluttered to the sides and slightly upward, occasionally revealing a tiny line or two at the bridge of her nose. He was getting aroused watching her struggle to make sense of it. He breathed long, slow and deep, giving her a little help. He could smell her fear. He felt victory close at hand.

“God, you’re beautiful.” He meant it.

“Knowing you, there’s a catch.”

“Yes. One teeny tiny one.” He held up his thumb and forefinger showing just how small.

“And that would be?”

“You have to kill yourself.”

There, I’ve said it.
He watched her. The fact that she didn’t jump or throw up heartened him. He took it as a good sign—evidence of a good presentation. He expected she would have more questions, but was surprised with her next statement.

“I hate pain. It would have to be without pain.”

“Of course. This can be arranged.”

“Okay.”

“Okay I’ll think about it, or okay I’ll do it?” Josh couldn’t believe his luck, if he could have such a thing.

“I’ll think about it. You said I could have a day or two.”

“Quite right. You have up to two days, unless you are sure right now. Could you see yourself being young and living young forever?”

“Of course I could. I’m not a fool.”

It thrilled him she was getting excited about the possibilities. He watched her flashing green eyes light up with an almost devilish fire he hoped would continue once her eyes turned dark. She was in a heightened state of alertness, checking out everything and everyone around her, smiling at walls, backs of diners and glasses of water. He could watch her beautiful face for hours, he decided. “Audray, you are a natural.”

“Yeah, a natural. At being a dead person who will live forever. Do I have to drink blood or something?”

“If you like. It can be arranged.”

“No thanks. What questions should I be asking? What kind of a being will I become? Same as you? I noticed you never told me exactly what that was. Will I howl at the moon, turn green every third Thursday? There has to be something I will be surprised at, or wished I knew.”

“You’ll wish you had done it before. And no, you will not turn green or howl at the moon.”

“That’s it? You promise?”

“Contrary to what you might think, I am telling you one hundred percent the truth. I never lie. You’ll become a dark angel, just like me. You will go through a transformation, and shortly come back here to the human world, to work and play here. Forever.”

“Dark angel. Not a vampire, not a ghost.”

“Exactly.”

“Besides killing myself, what else do I have to do?”

“Nothing you wouldn’t love to do, my dear.”

“That’s a non-answer, Josh. Do I have to do you?”

“You act like that would be a horrible thing.”

“If I can drink absinthe and bed Neal without itching, I could probably do it. But I would prefer not to.”

“Done. Not a requirement. Do you want it in writing?”

“In blood.” She smiled. Her excitement touched him. Josh loved the lively banter back and forth between them. She was better at it than he was.

“I do have a surprise for you. I was going to wait until the deed was done. Give it to you as a present.”

“I want my surprise now.”

“Of course. I should have expected.” Josh smiled as he motioned for her hand again, which she gave. He pressed her palm with a long sensual kiss, his hot breath on her white flesh. He savored the fragile humanness of her. He tasted the salt of her skin and the delicate jasmine scent of her hand cream.

“I give you a toy, to do with whatever you like.”

“A toy?”

“I give you Burt.”