Desiring A Demon (Archangels) (16 page)

“But, Rafe—”

“But nothing. You can’t talk me out of it. I love you. I want you. You’re stuck with me. You may as well get used to it.”

He picked up his beer and took a drink as if that settled everything and
,
for a moment
,
Asta remained silent. She thought over everything he said and realized it did settle everything. He appeared to hold no doubt about their relationship, so why should she?

Rafe joined a conversation with his brothers and Asta leaned into his warmth. He held her as close to his side as their chairs allowed and didn’t hide his feelings for her. Everyone talked and laughed, ate and drank, and the evening passed quickly. For the first time in her life she truly felt like part of a family.

As they prepared to leave the restaurant, Isadora pulled her aside. “It’s going to be different now, you’ll see. Things will be so much better. It won’t be like any other relationship you’ve ever had. These men…these
angels
…they’re so protective and caring of those they love. Sometimes it’s almost overwhelming.”

“But it’s worth it?” Asta asked, though she was pretty sure she already knew the answer.

“Oh yes. Every second, every heartbeat of time.” Her gaze turned to find Zerach arguing with his brothers over who got to pay the check. “I can’t imagine my life without him…without all of them
,
actually.” She faced Asta again and smiled. “And without you
,
too. You’re going to be my sister-in-law now, you know.”

The love in her gaze nearly crippled Asta, who barely contained her tears as she nodded. Isadora laughed and pulled her into a hug. “You think you’re emotional now, honey, just wait ’til you get pregnant.”

“Oh, God.”

They both laughed over that as the men approached.

That night as Asta rested in Rafe’s arms
,
sated and happier than ever before in her entire life, she looked at him and smiled. “After you
fall
I can get pregnant.”

The look of surprise on his face held the hint of a smile. “Yes, you can… You want to?”

“Yes. I want to be as normal as possible. A normal wife, with a normal household, and normal children.”

“You didn’t include a normal husband.”

She laughed. “I don’t think that’s possible with your family.”

He grinned. “You’re probably right. And that’s okay?”

“Oh yes, my Raphael. Very much okay because I love you.”

“I love you, too, my little demon.”

She gasped. “Not anymore.”

“I have a feeling you’ll still find ways to give me hell.”

She bit her lip to hide her grin. “Yeah, well…maybe.”

Rafe shrugged and rolled her under him, then kissed her breathless for the rest of the night.

…

A few days later the ceremony was complete
,
and Rafe became Asta’s fallen angel. They had a small wedding at Mike’s house as Zerach and Isadora had, surrounded by his brothers and the Kehath clan. Everything was as close to perfect as he could make it, and still uneasiness tried to creep in on Rafe’s happiness.

He stood watching the guests mingle when Asta walked up beside him and leaned her head on his shoulder.

“Hey, beautiful,” he said. “Are you tired?”

She shook her head. “No, I’m fine. What about you? What’s wrong?”

“I don’t know.”

“Is it Gabe? I’m sorry we couldn’t find him to send him an invitation.”

He pulled her into his arms. “No
,
that’s not it, even though I do wish he was here. I guess I’m still on edge after everything.”

“Hey, I’m not going anywhere. Never again if I can help it.”

“Never again,” he agreed and tightened his grip.

She smiled up. “We’re surrounded by angels. Even if you can’t fly, you still have your strength. And I’m not about to let anyone mess with either of us. We’re going to be okay.”

“Yeah. You’re right.” He kissed her. “So I guess Zerach has a hang-gliding partner now.”

She laughed. “Yeah, looks like it. You don’t mind?”

“Not at all. You’re more than worth giving up my wings, baby. True
,
I never imagined I’d be desiring a demon. But you are worth every sacrifice, worth every change I’ve had to endure.”

“I feel the same, my love.” She looked around at the assembled guests. “So, who do you think will be next?”

“Next?”

“To
fall
? I think we need to make a profile for Mike on one of the online dating services.”

He threw his head back and laughed until it hurt.

“What?” she asked innocently. “I’m just trying to help.”

“Oh, yeah. I can imagine the profile you’d work up.”

The mischievous glint in her eyes made him laugh all over again and he realized she might still have a little demon in her.

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Acknowledgments

No book is ever complete without the very hard work of the editing team. Thank you to my Beta reader Sandy and my editor Robin for your continued patience.

About the Author

Missy Jane
is a dedicated mother and wife who likes to get lost in her own head and frolic with the kinds of heroes we only dream of: paranormal men. She lives in Texas and tries to remember to stop reading long enough to actually write. You can find out more about her at
www.authormissyjane.com
, where you can also find her links to most of the usual social networking sites.

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