Willow

I’ve spent the last five nights under Devin’s watchful gaze. Five nights of pure torture because he’ll barely look at me, let alone touch me. Our days are spent safely tucked away in his bed, but even there, he refuses contact, remains fully clothed, and flinches if I brush his body with mine before we both lose our battles with the day.

My Watcher has been pushing for control, trying to catch me at a weak moment so I’ll let my guard down. Whispering fills my head, making my body heat with need every time Devin is in the room. And he knows it. He may not want to touch me, but he spends a good amount of his time thinking of ways to torment me by displaying his delicious body every chance he gets.

The object of my frustration waltzes into the room as though we haven’t been denying our need to touch for the better part of a week. He looks like a fucking dream, his hair tousled and damp from a shower, water droplets still standing on the bare skin of his chest, and an obvious bulge straining at the thin fabric of the towel wrapped around his waist.

“Do you really have to walk around like that?” I try for disgust, but I’m pretty sure my words come out more needy than anything.

He ignores me, instead choosing to run a hand through his long locks, flexing his well-muscled chest. I don’t know how much more captivity I can take. I’m hungry, and my Watcher is too. If Devin keeps this up, I’ll attack him. Piercing blue eyes find mine as he stops in front of me, and for a second, I think he’s going to give in and touch me. A heavy sigh escapes him as he tears his gaze from me and walks into the bedroom, dropping the towel and giving me a full view of his toned ass before the door shuts.

I’m on my feet, reaching for the doorknob and ready to pounce in an instant. If he’s going to tease me, I’m going to make him suffer as well. Striding inside, I brush past his naked form without sparing him a glance. Two can play this game. I strip … slowly. Starting with the oversized shirt I borrowed from him.

“What are you doing?” My nipples tighten at the hunger in his voice.

Looking at him over my shoulder, I let the T-shirt fall to the floor and slide my pants over my hips and down my legs. My bare breasts sway with every move I make. His gaze is locked on them, sending a rush of excitement through me. Ready to deal the killing blow, I turn to the side, giving him a view of my profile as I reach up and remove the clip that was keeping my long hair up. The waves of red I know he loves to feel brush his body tumble down. Arching my back, I shake out my hair and run my fingers through the strands.

Devin lets out a pained noise, but I refuse to look his way again. If I see the love and hurt in his eyes, I’ll lose the battle and tell him how I feel.

He clears his throat. “Willow?”

Steeling myself, I start past him. “I’m taking a shower. Then … I’m going to find someone to feed on.”

A disapproving noise rumbles in his chest. “I told you, you’ll feed from me.”

“I don’t want to feed from you. I’m tired of this. Unlike you, I can fuck and feed from whoever I want.”

I swear, I can hear his teeth grinding.

“No. You can’t. You might have to feed from humans now that we’re both vampires, but you and I both know you won’t get wet for anyone but me.”

“How do we know that? I think I might need to test the theory.” Flipping my hair over my shoulders, I make my way toward the bathroom. I don’t need a shower, but I do need to get away from him.

Take him. He wants you.

I shake my head, working to put up the block I know will keep my Watcher at bay. If I let it feed, I’ll lose control of my body. A hand grips my arm, sending waves of desire through me. He’s touching me. It seems insignificant, but to feel Devin’s skin on mine after so many days of no contact is the same as if he’d pressed his lips against me. The fact that I’m completely nude and he’s tenting the front of a pair of sweatpants doesn’t help contain my arousal.

“You’re not fucking anyone other than me, Willow. Ever.”

And then the anger takes hold, pushing my lust to the side. He’s right. I’m bound to him, my heart, my body, and my fucking soul. He’s claimed me without even giving me a choice.

“And that’s why I hate you. Get your fucking hands off me.”

Shock flashes across his face, and he releases my arm, taking a step back before letting his arrogant mask slip back into place. “Well, you’re stuck with me. So get used to it. I’m not capable of letting you go, and I seriously doubt you’ll be able to make yourself wet for anyone else.”

Storming back to the bedroom, I rifle through the clothes Devin brought for me from home, and select a nearly see-through top and tight jeans. I opt to go braless just to piss Devin off, and as I walk with a determined step through the house, I feel his gaze on me. Tension sizzles between us. Like two magnets, we’re pulled toward each other, even though we’ve both been resisting.

“You can’t be serious.”

“What?” I ask with feigned innocence. I know exactly what he’s talking about. Straightening my posture, I press my breasts forward just a little more and see the flare of need in his eyes.

“You look like a whore.”

I shake my head, tutting. “Slut shaming won’t get you very far.”

“It’s not slut shaming if it’s the truth. I can see your nipples.” He crosses the room, a feral look on his face. His penetrating stare hits me straight through the heart. “They’re hard as bullets.”

“Don’t flatter yourself. I’m cold.”

My Watcher is knocking at the door in my head, begging me to feed.

“You’re a vampire. You don’t get cold. Try again.” His hand snakes around my waist.

I’m so tired of this. I do want him. I want him so badly, my body aches. He’s not going to let me go, and truthfully, I don’t want him to.

“Oh, just fucking kiss me already.” I sigh, giving up. I can’t take it anymore. I need him. I want his touch, his kiss, his cock.

With his lips crashing against mine, shivers break over me as he groans into my mouth. He kisses me like he’s never going to see me again. Without a second thought, I run my hand down the planes of his abdomen and under his pants, stroking the velvety skin while marveling at how hard he is.

“Fuck, Willow. I want you so badly.”

“Then have me. I’m yours.”

“You’re not. That’s the whole point.” He’s gone in the blink of an eye, across the room and running his hands through his hair.

A sense of wrongness fills me as my body cries out for his. My heart aches as I see the trembling of his shoulders and arms. He’s trying to hold it together, and I’m the one causing him this pain. I want to go to him, but he stiffens and shakes his head the moment I start to move.

“Gabriel. I need you.”

What is he doing, calling in reinforcements? This is a private fucking moment. I cross my arms over my chest in an effort to hide my rock-hard nipples. If I’m going to meet the messenger of God, I don’t really want to be nipping. The air shifts, and a man appears from out of nowhere. His gaze burns into mine from where he stands. Platinum irises catch the light and shine. I can feel my Watcher stir and react. It’s afraid.

“Devin. What do you want now?” He’s annoyed. Good. I’m glad I’m not the only one.

Devin gestures in my direction. “Fix her.”

“Um, excuse me?” Devin just keeps pissing me off.

“I can’t change her back.” Gabriel doesn’t even acknowledge me.

“You changed Galen,” Devin insists.

They continue to talk over me, like I’m not even here. Gabriel shakes his head. “Galen was dying. Do you know how much energy it took for me to restore him? I needed days to recover. I can’t do that again. Not when we’re so close to the final battle.”

“How close?”

“Lucifer is becoming bolder every day. It’s only a matter of months.”

“Can’t you at least cast out her Watcher? Keep her safe from all this?” The desperation in Devin’s voice nearly makes me cry.

The beautiful angel strides to me. Taking my face in his hands, he drops his lips to mine. Devin growls behind him. But I can feel Gabriel searching for my Watcher. He breaks the kiss and steps back.

“Armaros won’t leave willingly. I could cast him out, but she would die.” He turns his silver eyes on me again. “Is that what you want?”

“No!” Devin’s voice fills the room before I can answer. “Don’t even fucking think about it.”

“They’ll use her against us, Devin. She is your weakness, and they know it. Why do you think Lucifer went after her in the first place? You’re destined. He knows it. He knew you’d turn her. That you’d do anything to save her.”

“There must be something you can do,” he rasps.

“I’m sorry.” Turning back to me, Gabriel puts a hand on my head. “Close your eyes, Willow. This will only hurt for a moment.”

Fear grips my chest, but I know I’m doing the right thing.

“Gabriel, no! You can’t take her from me!” Devin screams as he comes between us, shoving the angel’s hand off me. “Please. I’ll let her go. I won’t fight anymore as long as I know she’s safe.”

Gabriel shoots him an angry glare. “You chose to do this to her. Your selfishness ruined her. She’ll never be safe again.”

He shoves Devin so hard, the wall cracks as he slams into the plaster. Gabriel’s hand rests on my head again, and I close my eyes, ready to accept my fate.

“Bind her Watcher! For fuck’s sake, give her a chance. You said only an archangel can bind one of the fallen. Bind Armaros.”

Heaving a sigh, Gabriel takes his hand away and clasps my shoulders. “Do you understand what he’s asking of me?”

Honestly, I’ve got no fucking clue what they’re talking about. “Not really.”

“I can do this. I can bind Armaros, but there is a chance you won’t survive. If you do, my brother will live on inside you. Your consciousness will be his eternal prison.”

Devin stiffens but doesn’t speak.

“Will I still have to feed him?”

Shaking his head, Gabriel smirks. “As much as I’m sure you’d find that enjoyable, no. A Watcher who is dormant has no need to feed.” Cocking an eyebrow, he chuckles before adding, “But, you’ll still have … desire.”

“Will he ever wake?”

“Unlikely. Unless his soul mate is walking this Earth. But, bound, he wouldn’t be able to find her anyway.” He purses his lips. “Actually, this is a fitting punishment. Much more fitting than purgatory.”

Nodding, I flick my glance at Devin, who is standing with an anguished expression on his face. It hurts too much for me to bear. I close my eyes again. “Okay.”

Gabriel’s lips are inches from mine as he whispers, “This will hurt.” Then he kisses me again, and indescribable pain slices through my entire being.

* * *

Devin

Willow has been unconscious for hours since Gabriel bound her Watcher. He left with a sigh of frustration, and a warning for me to remember my promise. As if I could forget. I can’t stay. Now that she’s been saved from the fallen, I have to give up my fight to stay with her. Running my fingers through her beautiful hair, I feel my heart heavy with love. I’ve done all I can to make up for my betrayal. Hopefully, she can see past it and grant me the last few months we have together.

She shifts her head from where it rests on my lap, making my chest tighten with worry. Is she going to leave me again? Crush me and throw me away like I deserve?

A soft hum escapes her lips, but her eyes remain closed. “Devin.” My name is a breathy sigh. She’s coming back, but she’s not quite here yet. “I’m sorry.” A tear slips down her cheek, causing me to instinctively wipe it away with the pad of my thumb.

“It’s okay, Angel. You don’t have to apologize for a damn thing.”

Then she opens those startling green eyes and stares at me before whispering, “I don’t hate you. I love you.”

My breath catches in my throat. I can’t move. Frozen in place by the weight of her words and the gravity of our situation. Star-fucking-crossed.

Throat burning, I swallow—hard. “I love you, Willow. I’m sorry for everything.”

Slowly, she sits up but doesn’t scoot away from me. Her hand links with mine. “Thank you for fighting for me. I wasn’t ready to die.”

Just the mention of her dying has panic clutching at my chest. “I’ll do everything in my power to keep you safe.”

“And I’ll do the same for you.”

Cupping the back of her neck, I pull her face to mine until our foreheads touch. “You know this is going to end badly?”

“I do. But, I don’t think I could spend another second without you. I’d rather my life be made up of a collection of nights with you than years having never known you.”

“Oh, thank fuck. I mean, I enjoy the hate sex as much as the next man, but I really wanted to spend the rest of my time making slow love to you.”

“Not too slow I hope.” A hint of a smile turns up her mouth. “Sometimes fast and furious is necessary.”

Shaking my head, I tangle my fingers in her hair. “Never fast. Wild, passionate, fucking frenzied, definitely, but fast would be a crime.”

She nods and leans in, pressing her lips to mine in a soft, tender kiss. We’ve never shared a kiss like this one. Behind it is love, deep and powerful, and it scares the ever-loving shit out of me. I’ve got so much more to lose now.