a golden glow illuminated the deep shadows of the night-time forest. “As you wish. I will do everything in my power to make Alexandria love this new man and spend her life with him, having his baby and being his family.”
“You will know when your task is done,” Michael said, and began his ascent into the world of angels.
The forest grew darker, just like Lash’s soul. “Wait—who is the man I have to get her to love?”
“You’ll know,” Michael called down before he disappeared.
Anger squeezed its tight fist around Lash’s heart, sucking all happiness from his soul. His punishment was more severe than he could endure. Alexandria had given her soul, body and spirit to him as they’d made love. How the hell could he convince her to love another and get her to forgive her brother, all in a few days?
Alexandria had no idea where Lash had run off to. She pulled on her clothes, grabbed her keys and raced out of the door to find him. No way would she let him escape her hold.
The forest at the back of the parking lot glowed yellow. The tinkling sound of bells drew her to the area. The noise wasn’t loud, but under the breeze rustling through the trees the music played, crystal clear, unlike anything she’d ever heard before.
When she was twenty feet into the forest, the light faded and then died. Darkness surrounded her and she turned around, searching for a path back to the apartments. Why had she gone so far into the forest? The music had sounded heavenly and she’d wanted to find that amazing light source.
Trees rustled behind her. Something big moved towards her, raising the hair on her arms. She turned to run but her feet were swept out from under her. A twig snapped only a few feet away, but the dark trees hid the animal stalking her. Alexandria crawled to her knees, desperate for a way to escape. Closer the crunch of leaves came, making her heart thud frantically in her chest.
“Alexandria, is that you?”
She stopped moving, shocked to hear a human speak. The voice hadn’t been anyone she knew. At least, she’d thought the voice sounded foreign, but then he cleared his throat and coughed twice.
“It’s me, Lash.”
“Oh, my God. What are you doing out here? Did you see that light and hear that music? It was wonderful.”
“No.” Lash reached down and pulled her up next to him. “I didn’t hear anything. Maybe it was someone playing their car radio and I just missed it.”
“Why are you back here?”
“I saw you enter the forest and came after you.”
“But aren’t you coming from the wrong…?” She turned around, unsure which way the apartments were. It didn’t help that Lash’s hands were on her body, making her think of kissing him again.
Lash pulled her closer until her breasts pressed up against his chest. Her breath grew shallow as he ran his thumb over her lips.
“So beautiful.” His voice sounded sad.
Alexandria wished she could see his face and look into his eyes. He brushed his lips against hers, gently at first, then more demanding. The pull of his hands on her shirt shocked her since they were out in the woods, but she let her inhibitions go as he stripped off her skirt and underwear.
Lash carried her further into the forest and lay her down on a patch of soft grass, where the trees opened up and she could make out the stars and a sliver of the moon. He looked sad in the low light. She cupped his face and drew him close. Achingly slowly, her lips met his, softly at first but then she teased his lips with her tongue, begging for him to submit to her kiss.
Eyes wide open, they took the kiss deeper. The yearning in his soul made her heart squeeze as he demanded her tongue match his, stroke for stroke. He moaned as she slid her hand under his shirt and grazed his lower back with her hand.
The kiss broke off and pain twisted his face. Alexandria pushed him over so she was on top. She unbuttoned and unzipped his jeans, freeing his stiff cock for her
Learning to Kill: Stories