Angel's Shield by Erin M. Leaf Read Free Book Online Page B

know.”
    “I know. But you’re a pretty woman and I like opening the door for
you.” He made a little bow, pleased when she blushed and laughed.
    “Stop flirting and bring me my food,” Jeremiel called.
    Haniel gave him the finger, making Charmeine laugh again. “You’re
lazy,” he told his best friend.
    Jeremiel slouched against the porch railing indolently, foot
hanging off the steps. “So what if I am?”
    Haniel smacked him on his head. “Get up and help me with the
groceries.”
    Charmeine skirted past them. “I’ve gotta change before I melt.”
    Haniel watched her walk inside, imagining her without her uniform.
He bet she wore lacy little underthings.
    “Get your mind out of the gutter,” Jeremiel said, poking him in
the thigh.
    He shifted his eyes to his best friend. Jeremiel wore a tight red
t-shirt and shorts. He was barefoot. He remembered what it had been like to rut
against that body and swallowed. What was going on with him?
    “Oh Jesus,” Jeremiel whispered, standing up. “Stop it. Stop
looking at me like that.”
    “I can’t help it,” Haniel said quietly. “We’ve been sleeping in
the same bed for a week. I wake up smelling like you. And then there’s
Charmeine. I think I’m going crazy.”
    “Just shut up,” Jeremiel ordered, grabbing the bag of oranges from
him. “Stop thinking about it.”
    Haniel snorted, beyond frustrated. Jeremiel hadn’t let him touch
him since the one time at the beginning of the week and Haniel’s craving for
skin was almost unbearable. Maybe it was because he couldn’t shift anymore.
Jeremiel had taken to flying half the night, alone, leaving him behind to watch
over Charmeine. He drew a deep breath. “You’re my mate. So is Charmeine. This
isn’t going to go away. Even if you never touch me again.”
    Jeremiel glared at him and went into the house without another
word.
    ****
    Mate? Charmeine mouthed to herself. She’d been standing near her open window to get
some breeze on her overheated skin, stripping off her uniform, when she heard
the men talking. What did Haniel mean, I’m his mate? She kicked off her
skirt and walked to her dresser, unbuttoning her blouse. She stared at her
reflection in the mirror. Brown eyes, messy hair. Sweaty and flushed. Bah. She
didn’t look like anyone’s version of an attractive woman.
    She stripped off her blouse, then headed for the bathroom,
wrapping a towel around herself to preserve her modesty. It was too hot for a
robe and she just wanted to get cool. She snuck into the bathroom and showered
quickly, her brain racing over the same thoughts over and over. She pulled on
clean underwear. Was Jeremiel an angel? Did she care? What did Haniel mean? She
was still chewing over the idea of being someone’s mate when she collided with
Jeremiel in the hall. She squeaked.
    “Easy.” Jeremiel grabbed her arms as she grabbed the towel,
keeping it from sliding down.
    Dear God, please let the earth swallow me up, she thought, mortified at being
caught in a towel, almost naked.
    “You okay?” he asked.
    She chewed on her lip. He was flushed, probably from the argument
he’d had with Haniel. “Uh,” she said, staring at him. His blue eyes mesmerized
her.
    “Sorry, I didn’t mean to run into you,” he said, letting go.
    She shivered at the loss of his hands. Was it her imagination or
did he look nervous, suddenly. “It’s okay.” She tried to go past him, but he
didn’t budge. He was big enough to block the hall and he stood there, staring
at her. “What?” she finally asked, defensive.
    He shook his head. “Shit.”
    What the hell? Charmeine had no idea why he was upset. This couldn’t
still be from the argument? She watched him look at her, his intense blue eyes
traveling down her body. She clutched at her towel, willing herself not to
blush. No such luck, she thought as his gaze burned holes in her
composure. Well, what was left of her mostly non-existent composure. Being so
close to him felt like