Desiring A Demon (Archangels) by Missy Jane Read Free Book Online Page B

pocket.”
    Mike snorted. “And if the damn thing rings when I’m trying to be quiet?”
    “Just turn the ringer off.”
    He sighed loudly again. “I can’t figure out how.”
    “I’ll look it over when I see you again. Any more activity on the police scanner?”
    “Not the kind we’re searching for. Just the usual depravity and violence. Sometimes I can’t believe the humans have lasted this long.”
    “Yeah. I feel ya.”
    “I’m hanging up now…I think. If not, you hang up.”
    Rafe burst into laughter again as the line went dead.

Chapter Four
    By the next morning , no evidence remained of the black smudges on the kitchen floor. Asta moved around the room she spent most of her day in, comfortable in her role as cook, while Rafe read a newspaper at the table. He sipped his coffee without a word, most likely waiting her out. His gaze burned into her back and she tried to ignore it because she had no idea how to explain what happened. But as usual, he won. She spun on her heel and set her hands on her hips as she glared at him. “What?”
    One thick brow went up as he set the paper down. “What, what?”
    “What are you staring at me for? And don’t say you weren’t, because I felt it.”
    He grinned. “Yeah? I stare at you all the time. You’re nice to look at.”
    She growled and went back to cleaning the breakfast dishes. “Whatever.”
    “I guess you feel better this morning?”
    “Yeah.”
    “Want to tell me what the hell happened last night?”
    “Want to tell me what your secret meeting with Mike was about?”
    He didn’t answer right away and she fought the urge to look at him. “It can hardly be considered a secret when you knew about it,” he finally replied.
    “Whatever.” It didn’t really bother her much. He met with his brothers while she stayed home all the time. At least Isadora hadn’t been there either, so it wasn’t like she was the only one excluded .
    He huffed out a breath and she nearly caved. She finished the last pan and set it in the dish rack before turning to face him again. “I’m fine, Rafe. It’s no biggie.”
    “It smelled like the darkest pit of hell when I walked in here last night. How is that no biggie?”
    All her blood seemed to drain to her feet , and she didn’t realize she was swaying until she felt him grab her arms.
    “Damn, you’re fast,” she said weakly .
    He moved her to sit in a chair and gently pushed her head down until it was between her knees. “Yeah, and you were about to drop like a ton of bricks. What the hell, Asta?”
    She shook her hanging head. “Fuck if I know… Did it really smell like that?”
    When she raised her head it was to see he’d squatted down to her eye level. “Yeah. Brimstone and sulfur are two scents that never really leave you once you’ve smelled them. Even though it’s been a while.”
    She dropped her head into her hands and tried not to sob. “Fuck.”
    “I know you didn’t summon a demon while I was gone, but I can’t think of what else could cause that scent.”
    She sat up slowly and when the room didn’t spin she released a pent-up breath. “No. No demon summoning or virgin sacrifices for me last night. I’m cutting back.”
    He smirked. “Good to know.”
    “I’m not sure what happened last night but it’s over.”
    He studied her a moment as if gauging her sincerity and finally straightened. “All right. Since you appear to be okay this morning I guess I’ll believe you. But you scared the hell out of me last night.” He placed the back of his hand against her brow and her pulse sped up. She bit back a groan at how good it felt to have him worry over her.
    “At least you’re not burning up anymore.”
    He turned away and the loss of his touch left her empty. She looked away to hide her expression in case he turned back around.
    “I have court this afternoon so I’ll be gone for a few hours. We can go out to dinner when I get back.”
    “Okay.”
    She felt his stare before