How to Seduce an Angel in 10 Days (4 page)

“It smells like burned eggs and a baby shit muddin’ rally. What have you been doing?” Falcon Cherrywood demanded as he tripped when he tried to step up onto the porch. He’d clearly forgotten his wings were attached as they caught on both sides of the door and sent him sprawling in the yard.

“I don’t know, Cupid. You’re the one wearing a diaper,” she called out.

Falcon dragged himself to his feet, his hair mussed with bits of grass sticking out here and there. “Poke fun at the diaper once more, wench, and I’ll zap you in love with a closet gnome.”

“That’s not a very angelic attitude.” Tally snorted.

“Yeah, well, I’m hoping to be reassigned to a different case.”

“You?” Tally snorted again and feared she was turning into something porcine with all the snorting. “I’d say I got the shortest end of that wand, wouldn’t you?”

He had the grace to look contrite as he tucked his wings and finally made it up onto the porch. “Tally, I can’t tell you how sorry I am about what happened.”

“Because you passed out in my witchy bits or because your brother proclaimed to the whole of warlockian society that he thought they were trying to eat you?”

“Tristan told me what happened and—”

“
He
knows?” Tristan was her ex-boyfriend and he’d hurt her very badly. Probably not as badly as she’d hurt him when she killed him, but he’d taken the job as Death afterward, so it had all worked out. But Tally didn’t want him to know anything about her humiliation, especially where Falcon was concerned. She sighed heavily.

“All I can say is I’m sorry. I can’t undo it. I know that’s not good enough, which is why I think it’s best if I ask to be reassigned.”

“Ethelred thought so, too.” She inhaled deeply, trying to relax and that cotton candy scent filled her awareness.

“The demon was already here?” Falcon narrowed his eyes.

Tally didn’t answer him; all she could think about was that delicious smell. “That smells so good. Is that you?”

“Is what me?”

“You smell like cotton candy.” Tally was entranced. Those pink wings were calling to her. She had to touch them. Tally reached out unsure fingers and skimmed down the arch of his wing. “Does that come with Cupidity?”

They even felt like cotton candy, so soft and fey. She looked to see if her fingers were covered in glitter, but they weren’t. Perhaps it was more like diamond dust, a pretty armor.. . . Tally touched again and Falcon grabbed her wrist.

“That’s not a good idea,” Falcon said through clenched teeth.

“Why not? They’re so pretty.” She was vaguely aware she sounded like a love-struck groupie.

If she’d been in her right mind, she’d have checked her backside for an errant lust arrow, especially after the way he’d left her at the wedding reception, but she couldn’t help herself. She smoothed her cheek over the downy wing. Suddenly, her face was wrenched away by a fist tangled in her mass of blond curls and Falcon’s mouth was hot and demanding on hers.

She wondered if he knew he
tasted
like cotton candy, too. Her fingers stroked his wings and gloried in their softness.

Touching him and being touched by him felt so good.

But it was wrong.

He was her parole officer now, and frankly, she deserved better. After the humiliation she’d endured, he thought he could just grab her and kiss her because she’d touched his wings? He’d said he was sorry, but if he was really sorry, he’d have actions to back him up. Or he would have at least apologized first thing rather than talking about how her porch smelled like shit and he wanted to be reassigned.

Yes, she was desperate, and yes, Falcon was her most secret desire, but she deserved better than this. Not because he didn’t want a relationship, but because he obviously didn’t respect her.

That idea was an epiphany. The truth of it was cymbals smacking together with her head in between them.

Tally decided that Falcon deserved the same understanding, the same awareness. Her two open palms were nothing like cymbals, but they’d have to do.

CHAPTER FOUR

Enter the Fist

D
rusilla Tallow was a small witch, with even smaller hands.

And yet, when they connected simultaneously with the sides of his head, they rattled the feeling out of his face.

“What was that for?” he demanded.

She stood there, her little fists clenched at her sides, her luscious mouth set in a hard line, and a flush creeping up the slender column of her throat. Her chest heaved with her emotion, causing her cleavage to jiggle in the most attractive way. He considered kissing her again. It would be completely worth another slap. Especially if he could get her to touch his wings again.

What was wrong with him?

Besides being a bastard?
he answered himself.

He’d already hurt her and all he could do was think about was his dick. And his wings. But he’d never felt anything like that: The pleasure had been a vibration that echoed through his whole body, not just his cock.

Then he decided that maybe his wings weren’t pink, they were flesh-colored.

Like his cock.

He would have laughed, if not for the missile of her hand flying through the air at his face yet again. Falcon grabbed her wrist before she could connect with his cheek. “If you strike me again, I’m going to take you over my knee like a little witchling.”

Falcon knew it was a lie as soon as the words were out of his mouth. If he ever had his hands on her ass, it wouldn’t be for any sort of correction.

“Did you hear anything I just said?” Tally asked.

She’d been talking? “Of course, I did.”

“Then why were you staring at my tits?”

“Because they’re magnificent.” He was glad he still had hold of her wrist, and grabbed for the other one just as it launched itself from her side like a rocket into space.

The flush crept up to her cheeks. “Let me go.”

“Stop trying to hit me.”

“Stop being a bastard,” she hissed.

“Fair enough.” He couldn’t really argue with that one. “Look, Tally, I know you’re pissed at me, and I deserve it, but I don’t have dental coverage yet. I’d like to keep my teeth.”

She laughed, and then scowled halfheartedly. “Don’t make me laugh. I’m angry.”

“I know.” He released her wrists and drew her against him slowly. Falcon felt like even more of a bastard when she relaxed into his embrace with perfect trust. He never should have crossed that line into his fantasies with her. But she felt so good in his arms. The way she clung to him made him feel like he could conquer the world.

Only, that was the problem. She trusted him to conquer the world, to be the hero, and that just wasn’t in his DNA.

He released her reluctantly, at a loss for what to say, and struggled to keep his eyes on her face rather than her magnificent breasts, but it was a losing battle. So he surrendered.

“Falcon, do you know why I was an—” She broke off with a huff. “For fuck’s sake, really?”

“I was listening!” he swore. “I heard every word you said.”

Tally sighed again and did something completely unexpected. She pulled up her shirt and bared her breasts. They bounced with her movement, entrancing him further. Her nipples tightened and puckered, begging for his mouth.

Falcon froze. Merlin’s teeth, what was she trying to do to him? “Tally, if you’re going to slap me for kissing you, what do you expect me to do with this?”

“Well, you can’t look at my face when I’m talking to you, so there. Look your fill and then maybe we can have a conversation.”

“We had
this
conversation. I always look and I always hear what you’re saying. Swear to Merlin.”

“Fine. What did I say?”

“How do you expect me to remember now with your rack in my face? The other parts of my brain have shut down.”

“Well, if you were listening . . .” she singsonged.

Fuck. What had she been saying? Right. “You wanted to know if I knew why you were angry.”

She dropped her shirt. “You really were listening.” Her mouth made a little “o” of surprise. On second thought, looking at her mouth and imagining all the things he could do with it—to it—was almost as much fun as her breasts.
Almost.

“I said as much, didn’t I? I’ve never lied to you, Tally. I may not be the most honorable warlock, but I’m honest.”

“So you really have been scoping out my breasts every time we’ve talked?”

“We’ve been down that path and you’ve changed your mind about revisiting it, so let’s talk about something else, okay?” His cock couldn’t take any more, not after her wing stroking and tit flashing. He readjusted his toga.

“Okay, then answer my other question. Do you know why you pissed me off?”

“I would assume because I passed out in your sweetmeats.”

She rolled her eyes. “No, I’m not actually mad about that.”

Women’s reasoning boggled his brain. He’d never understand them. Which was another reason why it was a stupid idea to make him Cupid. “So what
are
you mad about?”

Tally flashed him a thousand-watt smile. “I’m glad you asked. See, you were confused about the part where you thought I didn’t want to revisit that path. I want to revisit it plenty, but I deserve your respect.”

“Of course, I respect you, Tally.” If his cock got any harder, it was going to explode. “Why did you think I didn’t?” Aside from the part where he got hammered and passed out in her snatch. He understood that didn’t convey the best message.

“Shoving your tongue down my throat just because I touched your wings. Not looking at my face when you talk to me. Not listening to what I have to say.”

“But we resolved all that.”

“Right. Now there’s just the part where you’re my parole officer.” She pursed her lips.

“Honestly, I know I’m not your best shot at this redemption thing.” He couldn’t believe he was going to say what he uttered next. “But there’s no one who wants you to succeed more than I do.”

It was true. He cared about Tally, and he wanted her to be happy. She’d be just a job to another angel. For him, it was something more. Of course, he’d have to keep his dick to himself. His eyes wandered down toward her breasts again. He’d be doing a lot of things to his dick by himself if he kept this up, but her well-being and redemption were worth more to him than a one-off. Or even a several-off, but it was still something that would come to an end and not worth her soul.

“So you’re not going to put in for a new assignment?” She looked so vulnerable and in need of that protection he’d promised her would always be there.

“Whatever you want, Tally. If you want me to see this through with you, I will. If you want someone else, I’ll go put in for a transfer right now.”

She wrapped her arms around his waist and tucked her head against his chest. “You, Falcon. I want you. I’m so scared. I don’t want to go to Hell.”

“You won’t. I won’t let you.” Falcon knew better than to make promises he couldn’t keep, but this one had fallen out of his mouth like old bubblegum. “I swear on my magick.” And yet another bomb. Maybe he could have the Powers That Be sew his mouth shut?

“Don’t do that!” she gasped, a look of horror blooming on her face. “What if I fail?”

“You won’t fail.” Fuck. His mouth just kept moving and shit just kept falling out of it. “I’ll be here.”

“All the time?”

“Yeah. There are some conditions to your parole. You’ll be without magick in the mortal realm. I’m not leaving you to fend for yourself.”

“Wait, what? Without magick?” Her eyebrows shot up into her hairline, as if they were scurrying away from the knowledge. “I can’t live without my . . . no.” She kept shaking her head.

“Ethelred didn’t tell you that part?” He had a feeling he should have asked her what the demon had told her.

Tally stumbled backwards, clutching at her chest. Her skin went ashen; her lovely blue eyes bulged like overweight koi crammed into brandy snifters. She shook her head, her mouth open, and again he couldn’t help comparing her to a fish. This time. a gasping large-mouthed bass out of water.

“Tally?” he ventured.

She swayed for a moment before she collapsed.

Falcon was rooted to the spot, unsure of what to do. He knew he should have tried to catch her, but the time for that had passed. Now what?

The stench of burned eggs filled his nose as Ethelred materialized next to him. “I was holding off on that last bit. Thought it might be a bit too much for her to handle. Seems I was correct.”

“Have you been here the whole time?”

Ethelred arched a brow and smirked. “Oh, did I hear all of your courtly protestations and vows of sainthood in shining armor? Why yes, yes, I did.” Falcon growled, but before he could make any threats
or
promises, Ethelred spoke again. “Don’t you think it’s rather unchivalrous to leave the lady fair unconscious on the porch? She might have stopped breathing. Then where will we be?”

Falcon lurched into action, crashing down next to Tally. She was breathing, thank Merlin. He hauled her up into his arms and stood with his precious bundle close to his chest.

“Why don’t you kiss her? True love and all that rot to bring her ’round.”

“Why don’t you fuck right off?”

“Should I really answer that?”

“Heaven gets the first bite of the apple. You have no reason to be here.”

“Yes, and how ironic is that? It was our apple to start with.” Ethelred laughed. “Don’t forget to tuck your wings,” he added helpfully as Falcon was about to step through the front door of Tally’s house. He grumbled as he tucked them close against his body and took Tally to her room, where he deposited her gently on the bed.

“I think she needs CPR.” Ethelred followed behind him.

“Why? She’s breathing.”

“Well, maybe. But don’t you want an excuse to put your lips on hers? To put your hands on—”

“Are you trying to make me into a sex offender? She’s passed out, for Merlin’s sake.” Ethelred shrugged, still wearing that same smug look. “Look, Tally’s who you’re supposed to corrupt, not me.”

“And what would you actually know about Hell’s agenda, Diapered One?”

Falcon narrowed his eyes. “I know there are rules, and you’re breaking them.”

“Really? That’s all the ammo you’ve got? And you wonder why women always go for the bad boys. We’re much more fun.” Ethelred gave him a measured look. “She propositioned me, you know.” The joy he took in those words was as blatant as a little girl’s with a new doll.

Without thinking, Falcon drew an arrow and jammed it into the demon’s leg. “And you’ll fall in love with her if she propositions you again or you
think
about seducing her. Or anyone else you try these tricks on. I won’t let you hurt her.”

Ethelred looked up at him, his stone features betraying nothing as the red, glittery arrow dissolved to black ash and was absorbed by his skin. “I was mistaken. Love is always an asshole. You may get the girl yet.” Ethelred laughed bitterly.

“I don’t want the girl. I—”

“That much is obvious. You didn’t have to skywrite it,” Tally snarled as she sat up.

Ethelred grinned again, the expression bubbling into a laugh. “And that’s my cue.”

“Your cue was an hour ago,” Falcon growled.

“You better get used to me, Candy Wings. We’re all going house hunting tomorrow. You know part of Tally’s sentence is living in the mortal world. So we’re all going to be really close.” Ethelred smirked. “Together. In the same house. So, do you want a two-bedroom or a three? She can pick which—” Ethelred snapped his mouth shut. He’d obviously been about to make an allusion to sleeping with Tally. “Oh, Cupid, you are a tricky bastard, aren’t you?”

Falcon smiled slyly. “Don’t forget it, Rotten Eggs.”

Ethelred appraised him coolly. “You can be sure I won’t.” He disappeared in a puff of smoke.

“What was that about? Moving in together?” Tally’s voice reached a pitch that Falcon was sure could shatter glass. “Are you two assholes trying to kill me?”