Dark Angel (Casteel 2)

streams of water slipping through the holes in the

roof, while the thunder crashed and the lightning

crackled, we lay wrapped in each other's arms without

speaking, our hands caressing, our lips meeting from

time to time, and it was sweeter than anything I'd

known before.

He could have claimed me then and there, and I

wouldn't have resisted, but he held back, making my

love for him grow even more.

The rain lasted for an hour. Then he put me on

his horse, and slowly we rode toward that huge house

whose chimneys and towers we could see over the

treetops. On the steps before the side door, he drew

me into his arms again. "Isn't it odd, Heavenly, how

you came into my life when I didn't need or want you,

and now I can't imagine life without you."

"Then don't. I love you, Troy. Don't try to put

me out of your life just because you think I'm too

young. I'm not too young. Nobody my age in the hills

is considered young."

"Those hills of yours are awe-inspiring, but I

can't marry, not you, not anyone."

What he said made my heart hurt.

"Then you don't love me?"

"I didn't say that."

"You don't have to marry me if you don't want

to. Just love me long enough to make me feel good

about myself." Quickly I rose on my toes to press my

lips on his, as my fingers curled into his damp hair. His arms tightened about me while I thought of

all the women who must have filled his arms before.