Dark Angel (Casteel 2)

hesitating before his closed blue door, wishing I had

the nerve to knock, or to open the door and go in. Or

the will to turn around and go back where I belonged.

I bowed my head until my forehead pressed against

the wood, then closed my eyes, beginning to softly cry

as all the strength went out of my body and I sagged

limply. At that moment the door opened, causing me

to fall forward. Directly into Troy's arms.

He didn't say a word as he caught me, then

swung me up into his arms and carried me into his

bedroom.

Light from the moon fell across his face as he

lowered his head to mine, and this time his lips were

more demanding. His kisses, his hands put me on fire,

so it happened between us so naturally and beautifully, I didn't feel any of the guilt and shame that Cal

Dennison's lovemaking had caused. We came together

as if we had to, or die, and when it was over, I lay in

the circle of his arms quivering with the fading

spasms of the first orgasm of my life.

When we wakened it was dawn, and through

his open windows the morning wind blew damp and

cold.

The sweet morning chirpings of the sleepy birds

brought tears to my eyes, before I sat up to reach for

the blanket folded on the foot of the bed. Quickly

Troy's arms pulled me back. Tenderly he plied small

kisses over my face as his free hand stroked my hair

before he cradled me against him. "Last night I lay

here on my bed thinking about you."

"I had a hard time falling asleep . . ."