Peace (12 page)

He’d discovered that the more chaos there was going on, the more the Quad turned their back, as though they were gaining something—possibly power—from the trouble. He’d never been able to find out exactly what it was they got from not stopping the overwhelming chaos.

Day understood there had to be some bad to equal out the good. Nature craved balance and where there’s an extreme, something drastic had to happen to even it out. Yet as the centuries have past, he’d watched as the mortal realm was tipped further into destruction. He knew most mortals blamed him for all of it, saying he delighted in their trouble and pain. They believed he was the cause, and that annoyed him.

Maybe when he’d first fallen, he’d messed around with their lives, but he’d grown bored soon enough. Now he stayed out of mortal affairs, feeling they were doing a great job fucking things up all on their own. He chose to just go about his business, building a life he could enjoy.

“I’m not going to thank them for that, Lam. I can’t when I didn’t do anything wrong except question their actions. For that, I got my wings taken from me and banished from the heavenly realm. Doesn’t that seem rather extreme for what I did?” He tapped his finger against Lam’s shoulder then smiled when their clothes disappeared.

Lam gasped as Day tugged on his hand to bring them skin to skin. His blue eyes sparkled and he inquired, “Are we done talking about it?”

“Yes. I’m far more interested in you and what you do to me.”

He spread his thighs, letting Lam settle between them. After reaching down, he grabbed two handfuls of Lam’s ass before rocking their groins together. He smiled at the slight hitch in Lam’s breathing when he did that.

“Do you want to fuck me?”

Lam’s eyes widened—he seemed a little surprised at the offer. It wasn’t one Day made very often, simply because he liked being in charge more than he liked getting fucked. But there were times when he wanted to feel Lam inside him, connecting them in the most intimate way possible.

“Yes,” Lam said as he reached down to slide his fingers over Day’s cock then rub Day’s balls.

Day caught his knees, drawing them back to his chest and giving Lam better access to his ass. Lam teased his opening for a second then moved away.

“Where are you going?” Day glared at Lam, who smirked.

“A little impatient, aren’t you?” Lam rolled to the side of the bed where he began digging into the nightstand. “Where did you put the lube?”

“Seriously? That’s what you’re looking for?” Day snapped his fingers and a bottle appeared on the sheets next to him. “There. Are you happy? You don’t need to use it though.”

Lam popped open the top before squirting some onto his fingers. “I’m not going to hurt you, Day. Not even if it means taking a few extra seconds to stretch you before I make love to you.”

Day bit back his rather demanding response. It wouldn’t do any good to tell Lam he didn’t mind the burn from being taken without lube—or being stretched. He’d never been able to convince Lam that he wouldn’t do any damage to Day if he just took him. Lam truly didn’t want to cause Day even a second of pain.

“Whatever makes you happy,” he ground out between clenched teeth.

Snorting, Lam caressed Day’s hole then pressed the tip of one finger in. Day let his head drop back on the pillows and sighed as Lam started to work him open. He wanted to beg Lam to go faster, but the thought disappeared when Lam wrapped his lips around Day’s length before sucking him down.

“Holy fuck!” Day thrust his hips up and Lam gagged. Patting Lam’s head, Day apologized. “I’m sorry. You surprised me, is all.”

Lam hummed and the vibration trembled through Day’s nerve endings. His eyes crossed when Lam shoved two fingers in and took Day to the back of his throat. Sensation swirled around him as he was teased and touched from two different places. Soon he was at the edge and he didn’t want to go over without Lam.

“Lam, please,” he pleaded. “I want you inside me before I come.”

He watched through half-closed eyes as Lam reared back on his knees before snatching the lube from where he’d dropped it. Lam coated his shaft then positioned himself at Day’s hole. Their gazes met and stayed while Lam breeched Day.

The only sound in the room was their harsh breathing, until Lam was as buried as far as he could be inside Day.

“Are you all right?” Lam caressed Day’s hip.

Day exhaled sharply and nodded. “I’m fine.”

Taking a deep breath, Lam began stroking in and out, nailing Day’s gland every time. Their bodies undulated together as though they’d been created for moments just like this one.

Sweat dripped from Lam’s chin to trickle down Day’s chest. Day twisted his fingers in the sheets under him while arching his back to meet each of Lam’s thrusts. The air in his lungs caught while his heart raced, warning him his climax was close.

The low moan issuing from his throat caused Lam to speed up. Soon the noise of skin against skin filled their ears, along with their gasps and groans. Day’s climax rocketed through him like an electric shock and his cum covered his stomach in pearly strings. Lam rode him through the aftershocks then grasped Day’s hips hard enough to bruise.

Day braced his hands against the headboard as Lam pistoned in and out of him, hard and fast. It wasn’t long before Lam lost his smooth rhythm and his own orgasm hit him. Hot, wet heat flooded Day.

Lam threw his head back and shouted Day’s name before collapsing on him. Day grimaced at the stickiness between them, but didn’t complain. He wrapped his arms around Lam then buried his face in Lam’s sweat soaked curls.

A few minutes later, Lam murmured, “We should probably clean up or we’ll end up stuck together.”

“I don’t mind if you don’t,” Day joked. He shifted, and Lam moved to his side.

“It’ll get itchy once it dries,” Lam pointed out as he climbed from the bed. He held out his hand. “Come on. Let’s take a shower then get something to eat. I’m starving.”

Day let Lam pull him up. He swung his arm over Lam’s shoulder as they wandered toward the bathroom. “Yes, sir. I’m guessing you want me to cook.”

Lam traced a circle around one of Day’s nipples, causing it to harden. “Well, I certainly don’t know how to make anything. How about this? You can give me lessons. It’ll be fun.”

“All right.” He wasn’t entirely convinced it would be, but he was willing to give it a try. He’d consider anything fun as long as it meant he could spend time with Lam.

Chapter Twelve

“I have to leave for a little bit,” Day called from his study as Lam walked past.

After turning around to go back, Lam leaned against the doorframe. “All right. Anything I can help with?”

Day shook his head. “No. Something came up with one of my companies and with Paisley on vacation, I have to deal with it myself.”

“Maybe you should hire another personal assistant. That way you’ll always have one around when the other’s on vacation.” Lam chuckled at the annoyed look Day had shot him. “What? It’s a logical suggestion.”

“I can barely stand Paisley around me all the time. I can’t imagine how I’d react having two people hanging around.” Day stuffed his cell phone in his pocket before stalking over to Lam. He crushed their lips together.

Lam’s head was spinning by the time Day broke the kiss. He placed his hand on Day’s chest while he got his bearings back. “How long will you be gone?”

“Shouldn’t take me more than a couple of hours to sort out. Thank goodness, I don’t have to worry about traveling the conventional way.” Day slid on his suit coat.

Not thinking, Lam tugged and shifted the fabric until it hung just right on Day’s wide shoulders. “Good. I think I’m not going to like it when you go away for business.” He mock pouted.

Day rubbed his thumb over Lam’s bottom lip. “Next time you can go with me and we’ll spend some time sight-seeing in whatever country I need to go to.”

Lam licked the pad of Day’s thumb and grinned at Day’s sharp inhale. “It’s a plan. Now get out of here, so you can get back faster.”

Within a moment, Day was gone and Lam was truly alone for the first time since he’d been banished. He stood, adjusting to the emptiness in the house. When Day was there, even if they weren’t in the same room, Lam could sense Day. While there was the lingering scent of Day’s cologne, his physical presence was absent.

“What should I do?” he wondered aloud in the silence. He strolled back to the kitchen where he brewed himself a cup of tea.

He stared out of the window and saw Superior sparkling in the early morning sunshine. He had a sudden yearning to walk along the shore, listen to the waves dancing on the sand and contemplate his circumstances.

After putting on his boots and a light jacket, he grabbed his tea before heading out to the lake. The soft swish of water over rock soothed Lam as he found a large boulder to sit on. There were no other humans out, though he saw birds dive at the surface and race along the edge of the water.

“It’s strange,” he muttered. “I don’t miss being an angel.”

Lam thought about it and realized it was the truth. After the one bout of tears, he hadn’t cried again. He didn’t miss his wings or the heavenly realm. While he did miss the few friends he’d had, he had no qualms about any of his actions that led to his banishment. He didn’t even feel any bitterness toward the Quad for their treatment of him.

The punishment fit the crime. He’d broken the rules by fraternizing with Day, and he’d known what the consequences would be if they caught him. He’d never lament anything to do with Day. He loved the fallen angel.

Lam would find something to do now that he was mortal. Day would probably have some suggestions. He’d start living his life and as long as Day stayed by his side, Lam would love the mortal life he’d been given.

The tumble of a rock beside him was the only warning he received before darkness descended and he lost consciousness.

* * * *

After opening his eyes, Lam glanced around at his cell then shuffled over to the door.

“Where the hell am I?” he yelled, not knowing if anyone was around.

“Stop yelling.” A voice came from the other side of corridor. “There’s no one but us down here. Yelling doesn’t help anyone.”

“Who are you?” Lam winced at the pain radiating from his head. “Do you know what happened?”

A derisive snort drifted over to him. “My name is Seth, and how the hell should I know how you got here? I’ve been in this cell for at least a week or so. I think. I’ve lost track of time. Could’ve been months.”

Lam wanted to roll his eyes, but figured it would hurt too much. “Seth, are you an angel? Mortal? Some being I’ve never heard of?”

“I’m a Watcher,” Seth replied.

“A Watcher? What exactly is that?” Lam rested his forehead against the cool metal bars in the opening of the door and swallowed the nausea causing his stomach to roll.

“I’m not entirely sure what we are. As far as I know, we’ve been around since the birth of the world. We’re not angels, but we aren’t mortals either. We exist to watch things—good and bad.” Seth grunted as though he were shifting something heavy and his voice grew closer.

Lam frowned. “That doesn’t make sense. I’ve never heard of you.”

Seth snorted again. “Of course you haven’t heard of us. We aren’t supposed to be seen, man. Who are you?”

“I’m Lam. I used to be a messenger angel.” He closed his eyes. “Then I was banished and turned mortal.”

“Oh right. You’re the one they punished for hanging out with Daystar. Very impressive work. I thought you had to be someone important because a contingent of warrior angels dragged your ass down here,” Seth said.

Turning so his back pressed against the door, Lam stared across his cell at the stone wall. “The last thing I remember, I was sitting on a rock looking out over Lake Superior, thinking how happy I was with my life. Then everything went dark. I woke up here. I don’t understand. They tossed me out of the heavenly realm. I was content staying mortal and learning how to deal with all that. Why kidnap and bring me back here?”

Seth’s laugh was rough as though he hadn’t used it much. “Are you serious? You might be mortal, but you’re the lover of the most powerful creature on Earth. Hell, I wouldn’t be surprised if Daystar is more powerful than the Quad. More than likely, they took you to use as leverage against Daystar.”

“Why? I still don’t understand. Day was never interested in doing anything against them. Once we found each other after my banishment, he was content to live our lives without involving anyone else. They had nothing to worry about.” Lam shook his head.

“Unfortunately, the Quad excels in paranoia and they’re not willing to believe someone like Daystar isn’t interested in all the power they had. I mean, most people would want it.”

Lam could almost hear the shrug in Seth’s voice. Then a thought hit him. “Do you know a woman named Paisley?”

Seth inhaled sharply. “Yeah, I know her. Why? Did something happen to her?”

“Is she a Watcher like you?”

“She’s my sister,” Seth informed him.

Turning around again, Lam spotted Seth peering at him from the other side of the hallway. Bright green eyes stared back. Seth’s cell was pretty much the only thing Lam could see. The outside looked just like Lam’s door. The walls were stone and the air surrounding them was damp as though they were underground. Lam shivered as a chilly breeze drifted over him. He frowned. Where did that come from?

“Did something happen to her? I haven’t heard from her in a while.” Seth scowled.

“As far as I know, she’s fine. She’s been working as Day’s personal assistant for years and he gave her some time off about a week or so ago. I’m not sure where she went. Just that she was going somewhere with her husband.” Lam tried to remember what Day had told him.

Seth looked surprised. “Husband? Paisley wasn’t married. And Daystar? You mean she was keeping an eye on the fallen angel? What the fuck was she thinking?”

Lam blinked. “How do you decide who to watch? Do you report to someone?”

“We’re not supposed to talk about it.” Seth coughed then said, “Though I can guess Paisley thought it might be a good idea to know what Daystar was planning, in case he wanted to take over the world.”