Jegudiel (Deadly Virtues 2)

“We’re going to find her.” Noa’s stern, determined voice injected fuel back into his body. He searched her expression. She meant it. His Noa meant every word she said. She moved closer, her lips just an inch from his. “We’ll find Cara. We will find her and bring her back to you.”

Diel’s stomach fell, and dread filled the space it once held. “What if she’s no longer alive?”

Noa’s chin lifted in defiance. “Then we’ll search the entire fucking underworld to find her.” Diel’s comatose heart beat then. One lethargic thump, followed by another, and each one was powered by Noa. Each inhale and exhale was because of the woman before him. “Do you trust me?” Noa asked, an echo of the question she had asked him earlier that day.

“Always.” Something shifted in Noa’s eyes, something settled in her soul as he spoke that word. Because it was true. He trusted her completely.

Noa pressed her forehead to Diel’s, followed by her lips pressing against his. He closed his eyes and lifted his hands to clasp the back of her head. He needed her close.

He just needed Noa.

Noa’s kiss deepened, her tongue slipping into his mouth to glide against his. Diel moaned as he felt her all around him. Her hands fell to the waistband of his jeans and pulled them open. Then she stood, and without breaking his stare, she removed her leather shirt and her bra.

The folly was cold; goosebumps ravished her skin. She moved her hands to the waist of her pants, pulling them down along with her underwear. Diel sucked in a quick breath at the sight of her. More beautiful than any statue of a saint the Brethren had made him pray to. But Diel would pray for her. Every fucking day of his life, he’d pray for this woman. He’d worship every move she ever made, her every word.

Noa stepped closer to him. Diel planted his hands on her thighs, then ran them up the sides of her body, callused fingers kissing her curves. He held her waist, then pulled her toward him. Diel closed his eyes as he laid his head against her stomach. Noa’s hands fell to his head and she cradled him close. The shame he still felt over Cara lessened some, the conviction of Noa’s promise helping to stanch the unhealed wound of that day—the day Cara was taken away from him. Noa would help him get her back. His brothers, the Coven … they would all help him get her back.

Diel looked up to find Noa’s eyes already waiting for him. They were filled with warmth. He knew that the affection in their depths was reflected in his own. His heart started to race, but the frantic, out-of-control feeling only guided him to confess, “I … I love you.”

Noa stilled. Her eyes widened and her lips parted as she released a sharp breath. Diel kissed her stomach—once, twice, tasting her skin.

When he looked back up, Noa’s eyes were glistening. “I …” She combed her fingers through his damp hair. “I love you too.” Her voice was quiet, but the sentiment was strong.

Peace. It was peace that washed over Diel in that moment. A peace he had never had before. A ceasefire to the constant war raging inside of him.

Silently, Noa lowered herself until she straddled his thighs. Her hands held his cheeks; his hands held hers. Connected. Unbreakable.

Noa sank down onto him, and he filled her completely. He never moved his gaze away from hers as she gently rocked her hips. Not rushed, not frantic. Just Noa and Diel sharing silence, sharing what their souls already knew—that they were bound. Their hearts were entwined, their souls woven.

They were meant to be.

Diel’s breathing stuttered as Noa rocked back and forth, and a blush coated her cheeks, her pupils dilating. The cold room quickly warmed as their bodies created heat, the sparks that had existed since they first collided bursting between them.

He rocked inside her, meeting her thrust for soft thrust. Noa’s head fell against his as their bodies glistened, as their breaths mingled and the telltale pressure of climax began chasing up his spine, his thighs. Light moans sailed from her mouth, and Diel kissed her, swallowing them down whole.

Their tongues dueled as she rocked against him, faster and faster, until she broke from his lips, her fingers clutching at his dark hair. Fire exploded through Diel’s body, pleasure engulfing him, the feel and scent of Noa everywhere around him. Noa moaned out his name, and her thighs locked around his waist to keep them joined, to keep him inside her where he should always be.

As they came down from the high of their pleasure, Noa laid a soft kiss on Diel’s cheek, then the other, his forehead, his nose, then finally his lips. “We’ll find her,” she said breathlessly. “I promise you. I swear it.”