Into Temptation (A More Than Men Novella) (6 page)

All she could see were the powerful muscles in Brone’s back. She had heard the soft rustling of his wings enough to recognize it now, although she couldn’t see them. Placing her palm flat against his back where she knew the spine would be, Evie stroked.

His response was immediate and the shudder that racked his body difficult to miss. A surprised chuckle, full of temptation and mischief, floated from the other side of the wall of flesh.

“Interesting and enlightening.”

“It’s fine,” she whispered even as she shifted so that she could peer around the edge of Brone’s arm.

Lucifer wasn’t what she’d expected, although after meeting Brone, she wasn’t sure why. Instead of burning red eyes, black, scaly skin and a forked tongue, he was gorgeous. Breathtaking. His skin appeared sun kissed. Golden hair shimmered at the crown of his head. Blue eyes as clear as a summer sky glittered jovially at her. His mouth was perfectly sculpted, along with every other visible part of his body.

And still, there was something about him that was wrong. Maybe it was the way he watched her, his head cocked to the side as if he was studying her every move, not because he was curious but so that he could exploit it. There was a ruthlessness about him, a dangerous temptation to the beauty.

It would be easy to be blinded and drawn in by this man. Evie suddenly understood just how he’d convinced so many to follow him in his uprising.

“Hello, Evangeline. It is a pleasure to meet you.”

“I don’t think I can say the same.”

His warm chuckle rippled through the air, settling across her shoulders and melting down her body. Brone growled a warning deep in his throat.

“Settle, my friend. I meant no harm. I enjoy her refreshing honesty. Most of my subjects are too scared to tell me the truth.”

“Perhaps if you didn’t torture them…” Evie let her voice trail to silence.

“But what would be fun in that, my dear? I enjoy their suffering. I need it. We all have weaknesses, and that is mine. What is yours?”

Brone’s fingers dug painfully into her skin. “Why would I tell you that? You’ll just use it against me.”

“Oh, I know and already have. I was just wondering if you were aware of what it was. Your faithful watchdog has certainly figured it out, although it wasn’t that difficult. Your desire to protect those you care for will be your downfall.”

Lucifer cut his eyes to her, gauging her reaction to his words. The moment his gaze touched her, she wanted to run, but she refused to leave. This being had exiled Brone to an existence of pure loneliness. She wouldn’t leave him now.

So she shrugged. “Better to fall because I care too much than because I’m selfish or jealous or petty.”

“Spoken like a true servant of God.”

“I’m no one’s servant.”

“Oh, but you are, which is precisely why I wanted you so desperately.” His hard gaze landed on Brone’s face. “A nice feather in my cap, hmmm? But your champion here has managed to thwart me, at least in this attempt. That doesn’t prevent me from providing another offer that you’ll find difficult to ignore.”

Brone surged forward, his wide hands open and ready to strangle Lucifer’s throat. “No, it’s over.” But he never made it close to the ruler of Hell. Brone’s hands fell short, hanging uselessly by his sides as his body froze.

His muscles stiffened and strained, but he couldn’t move.

“It is far from over, and you no longer have a place at the negotiations.” Dismissing him, Lucifer transferred his entire attention to Evie.

Nasty foreboding snaked down her spine, but Evie pushed the response away. She had to keep her wits about her and navigate the minefields Lucifer was about to lay before her. She’d been party to a number of negotiations with some of the most heinous criminals.

Nothing could prepare her for this.

“I would like to offer you a new contract.”

“My daughter is safe. Brone promised me.”

Pale, perfect lips quirked up at the corner. “And so she is. Megan is not the soul in danger here.”

Slowly Evie licked her lips, afraid to voice the question clamoring to escape. And afraid not to. “Who?”

Lucifer’s eyebrows arrowed into a frown, the kind of pitying expression people always gave when delivering difficult news. News they didn’t want to convey but did anyway because they had to. Evie hardly believed the smarmy, false expression of guilt. He was enjoying this. Immensely.

“His.” His long arm shot out, a finger pointing straight at Brone.

“I’m certain he’s told you about his punishment, the loneliness and deprivation. The madness that threatened every single day. Did he tell you about his strength in keeping it at bay? How he refused to succumb, mostly because he knew it’s what I wanted. How long do you think it would take this time for my punishment to deliver the intended results?”

Lucifer walked past Brone’s frozen body, his hand trailing softly across the strong shoulders. Evie’s body coiled to strike before she’d even acknowledged the need to defend him, but something stopped her. Maybe it was the expectant smirk on Lucifer’s face. She wouldn’t give him what he wanted. Not yet. Not until she learned the price.

Burying her emotions deep inside, she tried to find a place where she could view what was happening logically and dispassionately. It was difficult. The thought of Brone suffering…

“These moments returned to the fold should do the trick. The taste of what he’s been missing will only increase the sharpness of the cut when it’s all lost again.”

Standing behind Brone, Lucifer trailed a finger across his frozen lips. “How passionate and sensual our friend is. He’s always been this way, reveling in the pleasures of the body and mind. How difficult it has been to watch him suffer at their loss.”

He bestowed a benevolent smile on her, something he’d probably intended to resemble an innocent and harmless grandfather but came off more like a slickly devious used-car salesman. “Would you like to save him from this fate, Evangeline Carr? Would you like to prove your love for this being? Your loyalty, trust and faith.”

Evie licked her lips. It was tempting to say yes, but she was negotiating with the devil and knew better than to lay all her cards on the table just yet.

“He lied to me. Why should I trust him — or you?”

“He didn’t lie to you. He protected you — and your daughter. Are you willing to do any less?”

Evie shook her head. Brone grunted, forcing a jagged sound through his frozen lips. She stared at his eyes, deep, dark and painfully blue. Silently he begged her. She knew what he was asking. The moment he’d broken the contract, he must have known what his fate would be. And he’d done it anyway. Lucifer was right; he’d protected her and Megan.

And would she repay that sacrifice by falling straight into the hands of the man he’d been trying to thwart?

A single tear slipped over her lashes and trailed silently down her cheek. Brone’s eyes shut and stayed that way for several seconds, as if he prayed, before opening again. Relief filled his eyes. Relief and acceptance.

They were the hardest words she’d ever had to say, but somehow Evie found the strength to push them through her throat. “No, I will not save him.”

“You would let him suffer?”

“No, I will honor his sacrifice. I will tell my daughter every day about the amazing creature who gave up everything to save us both. I will pray that one day we’ll find a way through the barriers placed between us. I will have faith and live on hope. And as long as I’m alive, I will love him the best way I know how.”

“Even if that means you will never see him again?”

“Especially if I will never see him again.” With deliberate steps, and no longer afraid of the man that stood silently by and watched, Evie closed the space between them. Pressing her lips to Brone’s, she reveled in the flash of heat and warmth that suffused her body when they touched.

He couldn’t respond, but that didn’t matter. This kiss was a connection of the soul, not of the body. He didn’t need to move for that; all he had to do was accept what she was giving him, just as she’d accepted what he’d given to her.

It wasn’t until she stepped back that she realized the flash of heat wasn’t entirely due to Brone.

Another man had joined the party. This one was bathed in radiant light as if the sun itself streamed down across him wherever he went. He snapped his fingers, and Brone collapsed into a heap on the floor.

A loud sound split the air, something akin to thunder but so much louder. The echo of it rumbled painfully through her chest. No, wait, that wasn’t sound. The walls around them rippled, wood groaning in protest. The floor buckled, and dust rained down across them all. Surely to God the building was going to crumble and bury them all.

“You cannot do that,” Lucifer screamed, his voice booming through the chamber.

“He is no longer yours to command. He has requested forgiveness, and I have granted it. Brone is one of my chosen now and will return with me. There is nothing left for you here, Lucifer. Leave.”

Lucifer howled, the sound full of frustration and rage. It scraped across her eardrums, making her cringe and cover. A loud
pop
rocked the room. She could feel the wave of power as it pushed out and then sucked back in. A blinding flash of light followed. Her eyes screwed tight, a reflex to protect herself.

When she opened them again, she was alone. And it was her turn to scream. “Wait.” The single word reverberated around her. The next fell out of numb lips on a whisper as she collapsed to the floor. “I didn’t get to say good-bye.”

Chapter Eight

Evie wasn’t certain how long she stayed there, a crumpled mess sprawled across the dirty floor. It didn’t matter. He was gone. She’d never see him again.

Her one consolation was knowing he wasn’t headed for a millennium of deprivation. His torture was over. But in the quiet of her mind, she acknowledged the thought was small comfort because hers was only beginning.

What finally broke through was the slam and rush of someone else coming into the courtroom. She stirred, realizing she needed to go home if she was going to have an emotional breakdown. Somehow she was going to have to find a way to go on with her life, and she really needed to have a job waiting for her when she did.

Evie found the strength to shove herself up off the floor.

“There you are. I’ve been looking everywhere for you.” Another prosecutor raced across the courtroom toward her.

“Are you okay?” he asked, reaching for her elbow to steady her. Jackson had always been a nice guy, if a little too eager at times.

“I’m fine,” she lied. Because telling him the truth — that she’d just met Lucifer, God and lost the love of her life, who just happened to be a formerly fallen angel — wasn’t going to help.

“Did you hear what happened?” Jackson’s eyes glimmered with glee, and he bounced happily on the balls of his feet. Why did he suddenly remind her of a spaniel?

“No,” she answered, leaning down to gather the papers that had fallen to the floor when she had.

“Monroe Stilton dropped dead on the courthouse steps.”

She stilled, bent double, and stared at the floor for several seconds before straightening. “What?”

“Monroe Stilton. He dropped dead. They’re saying most likely a massive coronary. Gone before his body even hit the steps. The paramedics tried to revive him, but I don’t think they tried very hard. Not that anyone would blame them. The man was vile.”

When, when, when? It was the only thought that pulsed through her brain. She had no idea why it was so important, but it was. “When? When did he die?”

“About thirty minutes ago. Right after they released him from custody. It’s been a media circus, and we’ve been trying to find you to tell you. I should have known you’d be in here wallowing in the loss. This one wasn’t your fault, Evie. It was a shit case, and everyone knew it. There was no way you could have won.”

But she had. For the second time in a very few minutes, her legs failed her. But this time instead of hitting the floor, the back of her legs collided with the edge of one of the observation benches, and she sank bonelessly into it.

He’d done this. She had no idea how, but this is what Brone had meant when he’d promised her Megan would be fine. Monroe would never hurt her, hopefully because he was roasting in Hell.

And she’d never be able to thank him.

He’d never thought to see this place again. It had always been beautiful, peaceful, but now it was more so. Maybe because he’d missed it but hadn’t let himself acknowledge the loss. Because he’d never expected to be back.

The empty chamber echoed around him. In the distance someone sang, the sound clear and crisp. Someone was always singing here. He’d missed that, too.

Brone drank everything in, letting the calm and peace soak into his skin. But not even this place could take away the pain. It hurt, knowing he was here and she wasn’t. It shouldn’t. Heaven was the ultimate goal, the oasis. But for him it was just as much of a torture as Lucifer’s deprivation had been.

Because she wasn’t there.

“You are unhappy here.”

It wasn’t a question but a statement. The Creator knew everything, he didn’t have to ask, but Brone still felt the need to answer. He didn’t wish God to think him unappreciative of the unbelievable gift he’d been given.

“I am not unhappy. I am—” He searched for the right word. Disappointed. Grieving. Upset. They all made it sound like he wished to be somewhere else. But he shouldn’t, and he realized that. He also couldn’t lie to God, not even if he’d wanted to. “Sad.”

“You do not have to stay.”

“But I do not want to go. I will not go back.” Brone’s resolve hardened. He’d given up paradise once; he would not make the same mistake twice.

“There is a choice between Heaven and Hell, Brone. There are sacrifices, as there always are, but you are free to make them. I would no more cage you here than I wanted you caged there.”

“But…”

“You will lose your immortality, become a man just like many others. You will be tempted and tested. You will feel pain and sorrow. You will one day lose the woman you would sacrifice all for. But you would also be content and happy in the years that you will share together. You will have children and grandchildren and as long a life as I can provide.”

Free will. He could leave, just as he’d done once before. Brone’s heart hammered with the possibility, but guilt kept him from taking the leap. He’d made the wrong choice once, and he was so afraid this was another test. And that he’d fail.

As if sensing the conflict roiling inside him, a steadying weight settled against his shoulder.

“You must make this decision for yourself, Brone. But know that if you leave us, I will be nothing but hopeful and happy for you. Either path is correct. The question is, which is the one you prefer?”

Just as suddenly as it had appeared, the warming glow of his light vanished and Brone was alone once more. Faced with a decision that should have been easy to make.

He wanted to be with Evie, had been willing to sacrifice everything for her once before. So what had changed?

The true answer was nothing. Given the chance, he would do it all again. For one more moment in time with her, he would gladly have endured millennia more of isolation. But that wasn’t the choice he had to make.

Immortality would stretch hollowly forever without her to share it. He’d much rather have fifty years with her than eternity without.

The moment the decision flashed through his mind, he was falling. Arms and legs flailed into nothingness. His stomach lurched, and a tearing pain seared across his back. His body bowed, and he fought the sensation. He remembered it from the first time and for a moment panicked, trying to battle the pull and find a way back up to what he’d lost. Again. And then the sliver of Evie’s eyes tempted him and he relaxed, melting into the knowledge that she would be there, waiting for him.

Evie had lost track of time. Maybe it had been days since he’d left and maybe it had been weeks. All she knew was that the pain wasn’t getting any easier to bear.

Megan was home, and her bright, smiling face helped. She gave Evie a reason to move forward. Her hugs and kisses began to heal the unseen wounds, if not completely, then at least a little.

It was Wednesday…or maybe it was Thursday. She’d taken several days off work, needing to let go of all her other responsibilities at least for a little while. After the Monroe case, her boss hadn’t hesitated to let her have the time.

Today she’d brought Megan to the park close to their apartment. It was a sticky July day, but Megan didn’t care. Her dark hair hung in damp strands down her back, and several curls clung to her pert, heart-shaped face. And still she ran, a sparkle in her eyes and laughter on her lips. Every few minutes she would run up to Evie’s spot on the bench and fling her arms around her mother.

Despite Evie’s efforts not to let it show, Megan could sense her sadness and had been trying to kiss and hug her back to happiness.

Megan was chattering about what they were going to have for dinner when something off to the side caught Evie’s attention. She turned in a cursory motion, expecting it to be some child or dog bounding into the park.

But what stared back at her sent her heart careening around her chest. Could he be real?

“Mommy?” Megan’s little voice pulled her back. Round green eyes stared at her, hesitant and concerned.

Evie realized she was no longer sitting on the bench, but was halfway down the path toward him, Megan’s hand gripped tight in hers. Had she been dragging her daughter behind her? What was wrong with her?

But the need to answer that question disappeared the moment Brone’s arms snatched her around the waist and crushed her to him.

It really was him.

“How?” she breathed out before his mouth fused to hers.

The kiss was full of all the longing she’d been fighting since he left, but it didn’t last long. Not with Megan’s hand tugging heavily against hers.

“Mommy, who is this man? Why are you kissing him?”

Brone pulled back, laughter and happiness swirling deep in his eyes. She’d been so overwhelmed at seeing him that she hadn’t noticed the changes until that moment. His eyes were different, still dark blue, but less…powerful. His body wasn’t as hard. Oh, it was plenty toned and fit, but it lacked the sharp edge of perfection he’d had before. And when she ran her hands along the raised edge of his spine, the almost imperceptible ridge of his wings was gone.

Yanking out of his grip, Evie stumbled backward. “Oh my God, what have you done?”

“Exactly what I wanted.”

“Your wi—” Her voice trailed off, and she cut her eyes to Megan, who was standing between the two adults and hanging on their every word. “They’re gone. Why?”

Wrapping his arms around her, he pulled her close until his mouth was nestled next to her ear. “You were willing to give up your soul for me. Do you think I’d be unwilling to make a similar sacrifice? I’ve already spent an eternity without you, Evangeline Carr. I wasn’t willing to spend another. Heaven without you would have been just as desolate as every one of those solitary centuries. I’m here for as long as you’ll have me.”

Tears of joy, sweeter because they were so unexpected, washed her eyes. “Forever. And again.”

Continue reading for an excerpt of

The Walking Sexy