Roman

~ Look for these titles from Selena Illyria ~

Now Available: Dragons at Midnight

Roman Fallen Lovers Book 1

Selena Illyria

Copyright Warning EBooks are not transferable. They cannot be sold, shared, or given away. The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is a crime punishable by law. No part of this book may be scanned, uploaded to or downloaded from file sharing sites, or distributed in any other way via the Internet or any other means, electronic or print, without the publisher’s permission. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000 (http://www.fbi.gov/ipr/). This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are fictitious or have been used fictitiously, and are not to be construed as real in any way. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales, or organizations is entirely coincidental. Published By: Etopia Press P.O. Box 66 Medford, OR 97501 http://www.etopia-press.net Roman Copyright © 2010 by Selena Illyria ISBN: 978-1-936751-09-9 Edited by Georgia Woods Cover by Amanda Kelsey All Rights Are Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. First Etopia Press electronic publication: December 2010

~ Dedication ~ To Leslie, Celia, Ro, Heidi, Jude, Shar, Nik and Di.

Chapter One Introduction Tristina Deveroux smiled despite the ache in her cheeks. Her hand had cramped long ago due to all the books she’d signed. Her head pounded from the bright lights overhead glaring down at her. She didn’t complain, not out loud. Instead, she just kept smiling and autographing the books until the very last reader left. Once the last person had trailed away, she sighed in relief and slumped in her seat. Tris ignored the soreness in her lower back from hours of sitting up straight. “I swear, I think my ass fell asleep three hours ago.” She glanced up at her best friend and agent, Chelley. Chelley grinned. “It’s worth it. Admit it, all those people, the compliments about your latest book. It really boosted your ego after the last one didn’t do as well as you expected.” Tris thought about it. “Yeah, it really helped.” She smiled when her thoughts turned toward the night’s plans. “Sooo, after a quick change and some dinner with Jaime, it’s off for another wild night of... What’s she got us doing tonight?” Chelley reached into her cavernous tote bag and rummaged around. “Ah ha! Found it.”

“I swear they could find Jimmy Hoffa in that satchel of yours.” Tris chuckled. Chell rolled her eyes. “Very funny. Don’t complain. One day you may need something from the Satchel of Fabulousness.” She patted the leather before flipping open the day planner. “Let me see here...” She paused and looked around before leaning forward. “She’s got us on a shifter hunt. I can’t wait. Got my gear and everything. I’m going to look pretty damn cute. So is this jaunt research? I know you want to do another series after this one is over. Will Jaime be helping you? I did some research on the Paranormal Pact of 1520. Some pretty interesting stuff.” “I know. That is why we’re going out with Jaime. Hopefully, we’ll learn more about the paranormal world. Thank goodness she didn’t wipe my memory.” Tris grinned. “Yeah, it’s good to have a paranormal hunter on our side who isn’t going to kick us out just because we’re mortal and shouldn’t know about this stuff. Well, you’re mortal. I’m half-angel.” Chelley tossed her long, dark brown hair over her shoulder. Her eyes glittered with a teasing spark. “Yes, yes, you’re special. Anyway, before we go we should visit Rio. He’s just opened a new vampire club on the outskirts of Glasgow. Should be interesting.” Chelley’s phone buzzed, and she cursed, “Damn, I’m sorry.”

Tris began to pack up her things. “Well, ladies, are we ready for a night on the town filled with drinking and dancing with yours truly?” a male voice asked. Despite her fatigue and the pain in her cheeks, Tris grinned up at her friend Aiden, a Fallen Angel. He stood six foot six with long, strawberry blond hair, which he’d pulled back in a low ponytail. His blueberry blue eyes sparkled with mischief and excitement. Tris stood up and rushed around the table to give him a big hug. “Hey, you. As much I would love to have a night on the town with you, we’ve got plans.” She nodded toward Chelley, who had her back to them as she spoke into her cell phone, and watched Aiden look over at her friend. His eyes darkened. He licked his lips. She had to hold back a giggle. Instead, she poked him. He looked back at her. “What?” “Staring is not polite.” His cheeks flushed a bright red, and he looked away. She hugged him again. “Ask her out.” “No, she won’t go out with me.” “You never know unless you ask,” Tris pointed out. He shook his head. “I’m going to go before I embarrass myself. See you later, love. Don’t leave for America without saying good-bye, okay?” “Wouldn’t dream of it.” He bent and kissed her on the cheek before wandering off. Tris sighed and shook her head.

Chelley ended her call and glanced at Tris. “Where’s Aiden? I thought I heard him?” “He left.” “Man, I wanted to see him. I have a question for him, but I guess we can catch up later or something. Are you ready?” Chelley stooped down and grabbed her briefcase. Tris picked up the box of leftover books and snagged her bag before they left the bookstore. *** A few hours after a quick shower and bite to eat, the women found themselves crouched down in the bushes with Jaime watching for the cat shifter they were told about. It wasn’t until four in the morning when their quarry showed up. Jaime sprang into action, in a whirlwind of fists and kicks and the occasional slash of a dagger, while Tris and Chelley stood back waiting for the fight to end. The sleek half man, half black cat shifter swung at her with clawed hands and feet, using his tail like a whip to get a few shots in here and there. As Tris watched, she absorbed the action, storing it away for a future scene in a book. Part of her was sorry that she couldn’t help, but mortals were not allowed to get involved in this type of conflict. To allow such a thing would violate the Pact. Within a span of ten minutes, the fight was over. Jaime managed to get in a gut punch before using a

high knee to the jaw to knock him out. She injected him with a tranquilizer, then tied him up. “That’s it? I was all ready to throw down and get involved.” Chelley pouted. “And break a nail? Please. You wouldn’t ruin your manicure.” Tris rolled her eyes. “I could have beaten it with my shoe. How’s that?” Her lips twitched, as if she was trying to keep from laughing. Tris shook her head. “And break a heel? Those are Christian Louboutin boots. You would rather throw yourself in pig slop and listen to Britney Spears non-stop for a week than ruin your shoes.” Tris fought against the chuckle that wanted to come out as she watched Chelley shudder. “We’re done here. I’ve called the pick-up team with the GPS coordinates. They’re on their way. So, want to go for breakfast? I think there’s a McDonald’s open near here.” Jaime looked around before she began walking toward the path they had come in on. Tris saw Chelley shrug as they followed their hunter friend. “Sure, Chelly is willing to slum it with us instead of going back and ordering room service.” “Hey, I like fast food. Just not all the time. I have to watch my figure.” Chelley tossed her head. Jamie and Tris laughed as they made their way to the car. “Fast food it is. Come on, Tris. I have a great story for you about a new vampire club that’s just opened up in London.” Jaime opened the door for each woman before getting in herself.

After a quick breakfast, they headed back to the hotel. Jaime began yawning, which led to Tris and Chelley yawning too. Jamie crashed on Tris’ couch in the sitting area while Chelley went to her own room. Tris didn’t fall asleep immediately. Instead, she picked up a book she’d started reading. But it didn’t take long before fatigue finally set in. *** Tris moaned as she tried to tug her arms down from over her head but couldn’t. Soft and smooth, the slip of leather pressed against her wrists. She felt the weight of silk over her eyes. “Hello?” she called out. Silence was her only greeting. A cool breeze brushed over her skin and let her know she was naked. Goose bumps broke out over her flesh as she shivered. “Comfortable?” The gruff baritone voice sent fingers of heat rushing up her spine. Her body tightened, and her pussy tingled with awareness. Her heartbeat picked up pace. She wasn’t afraid. Instead, she felt anticipation. Arousal threaded through her veins. This person was familiar to her. He had visited her dreams before. She relaxed onto the surface she was on and waited for the pleasurable torment to begin. Tris knew he would tease her, bringing her to the edge over and over again before giving her release.

“Yes.” He chuckled. “You can’t wait for me to touch you, can you?” “Please. I want your hands on me.” She arched her back and thrust her breasts up. Her breasts felt full and heavy. She ached to have his fingers on her nipples. Tris wanted the sweet pain of him pinching the nubs. She squirmed. Her sex became damp at the thought of his teeth scraping the sensitive tips. “Please, touch me, kiss me, fuck me.” Her stomach tightened with need. Her pussy constricted. She wanted him fucking her. Hard. She writhed on the soft, plush surface she was on. “Soon,” he vowed. Tris moaned when his callused hands moved up her legs. He spread her limbs wide. She felt a cool breeze on the hot, damp lips of her sex. “So beautiful. I never tire of seeing your gorgeous, naked body.” The awe in his voice made her feel beautiful and wanted. Heat washed over her body as yearning twisted in her gut. She moaned at the soft caress of his lips on her ankle. He kissed his way up the inside of her leg. He paused to tickle her inner thigh with his tongue before continuing his journey. She cried out at the soft touch of his tongue on one of the petals of her pussy. He licked his way up one side of her sex before moving to the other. He nibbled and sucked the lips of her pussy. She squirmed against his lips and tugged on her bindings. Tris wanted to bury her hands in his hair, feel the texture against her palms, and take hold of handfuls.

She wanted to urge his head forward. “Please. Eat me.” In response, he parted her pussy lips and exposed the tight bud of her clit. He flicked the bud with the tip of his tongue before taking it between his teeth and sucking it into his mouth. She cried out. Her hips bucked. Her hands curled around the leather straps of her bindings. He sucked hard on the nub. Occasionally he would scrape his teeth over the sensitive head of her clit. She moaned as bolts of pleasure shot through her. Sweat beaded her flesh and slipped over her skin like tiny silken ribbons. She writhed on the plush covers, her feet pressed flat into the cushy surface. Her toes curled in pleasure. He bit her clit gently. Fire washed over her; her pussy clenched and her limbs shook as an orgasm pulled her under. As she came down, her body shaking as small tremors broke out, she tried to understand what had happened. Never in her life had she come that fast before and with what little he’d done. “There’s more where that came from.” His voice was a low growl against her ear. She jumped at how close he was. She hadn’t even felt him move toward her. He nipped her ear and tugged gently on her lobe before releasing the sensitive flesh. “Much more.” Kissing his way down from her neck, he peppered her chest with light touches before circling her nipple with his tongue. With gentle touches and flicks against the tightened peak, he teased her before tugging it into his mouth. He sucked hard. She

moaned and arched her back as pleasure rushed through her. Her cunt clenched. Her juices leaked out of her core, slipping over the tightened bud of her anus. Releasing her nipple with a soft pop, he transferred his attention to the other. She squirmed underneath him. Tris wished she could feel his body against hers. She needed the hard, hot weight of him pressing her down. She wanted the length of his cock sliding over her stomach before slipping into her aching channel. Her body felt so tight. She was on fire, drowning in pleasure as electricity shot straight to her clit with each tug of his lips. Releasing her nipple, her lover kissed his way down her stomach. He paused to swirl his tongue in her navel before continuing his path. Each touch, every caress inflamed her arousal. The heat of his body hung above her. She wanted him moving against her but knew if she asked he would only laugh. He placed small kisses on her bare mound before tracing the thick petals of her pussy. He parted her nether lips and sucked her clit into his mouth. He nibbled the sensitive head of her clit before releasing it to move downward. He rimmed her sopping entrance before slipping his tongue inside. Her inner muscles clamped down. With leisurely movements, her mystery lover withdrew and thrust his tongue a few times before removing it entirely. “Mmm, you taste so good, and you’re so wet for me. I can’t wait to fuck you. You want my cock inside

of you, don’t you? You’re so tight, just for me. Do you want me to fuck you?” “Yes,” she hissed. “Please fuck me.” Silence fell between them. There was a rustling sound before she felt his body’s heat over her again. The wide head of his cock pressed against her entrance. She held her breath, waiting for him to enter her. Time seemed to slow to a crawl. The seconds ticked by. Flushed skin began to cool; sweat slipped over the heated surface of her flesh. Restless, she tried to move down, trying to impale herself on his cock. She felt the pressure move away as he admonished her. “Nuh uh, uh, no, not yet. I say when.” “Please. I need you,” she pleaded. Her hands clenched and unclenched around the leather straps. “Since you said the magic word, my beloved, yes, I will fuck you.” She inhaled sharply as he thrust into her. He stretched her walls to the point of pain. Her vaginal muscles clenched around his thick cock. Pleasure and pain clashed and mingled until satisfaction reigned supreme. She moaned. More, she needed more. He paused before slipping out of her sopping cunt, then slamming back into her. Sparks of pain mixed with pleasure as his cock hit her cervix. She cried out, and he paused. Tris growled in frustration, “Don’t stop. Fuck me.” He chuckled and withdrew, thrusting into her again. He began to pound her pussy. With each thrust, her breasts jiggled. He fucked her hard. Her

orgasm spiralled higher and higher. It curled tighter and tighter in the pit of her stomach. She writhed, and her vaginal walls clenched around his cock. Her limbs began to tremble as fire washed over her. Tris cried out as she came. Her hands held tightly to the leather straps. Her nails dug into the palms of her hands, biting into the flesh. “Oh, no, I’m not done yet,” he growled. He took her lips in a possessive kiss as he pistoned his hips, thrusting into her faster, fucking her through her climax. She came again. His mouth swallowed her cry. He paused, pulled back, and his breath fanned her lips. “Wrap your legs around my waist.” It wasn’t a request; it was a command. She did what he asked, angling her hips upward. He withdrew and thrust forward before withdrawing again. Her walls constricted around his cock, trying to draw him back inside of her. He pushed forward. From this angle, it felt like he was going deeper inside of her. Pleasure washed over her. He took his time as another orgasm began. Her stomach muscles contracted. She arched her back. Her nipples scraped against his sweat-slickened chest, setting off sparks of desire. Tris moved with him, rocking her hips against his. He increased his pace, thrusting deeper, moving faster. “Fuck me,” she urged. “Harder, fuck me harder.” Her hands ached as she tightened her hold on the leather straps. This orgasm washed over her. Her vaginal walls quivered around his cock before

clamping down. Her body shook. He moved faster, fucking her hard before he paused above her. He buried his head in the crook of her neck as his cock twitched inside of her. He came on a muffled cry, his seed coating her inner walls. His warm, moist breath tickled her neck. “We rest and then start over again.” Her bindings loosened. Her arms fell down. Gritting her teeth at the pain, she brought her limbs down before wrapping them around him. She stroked his slick back. She savoured the warm afterglow. There was no other place she wanted to be in that moment. She cried out as pain burst on her ass and in her lower back. “What? Are we under attack? Where’s the threat?” Jaime yelled as she rushed into the room, gun in one hand, knife in the other. Tris opened her eyes and groaned, blinking rapidly as she adjusted to the bright light. “Huh? What?” She was shocked at how hoarse her voice sounded. “You cried out. Thought you were under attack.” Jaime crinkled her nose. “Oooh, never mind, I get it.” She chuckled. “That must be some dream. Please resume. I’m going back to bed.” Jamie trudged out of the room, leaving Tris to groan at her sore backside. She crawled back into bed. Exhaustion made its presence known in pangs, especially in her arms. Her pussy was sore, and her panties were soaked. “Damn it, what the hell happened?”

She didn’t get back to sleep. Instead she took a shower and spent most of her afternoon in the hotel’s Laundromat before packing up in preparation to go home. She had dinner with Aiden before she left. Chelley hadn’t joined them. She had wanted to get in some last-minute shopping. *** When Tris got home, it took her a week to get back into her normal routine, but the nightly dreams haunted her waking hours. She tried to get back into the book she had worked on before the signing but found it difficult. Frustration was eating at her nerves. Every time she booted up the computer, she broke out in a sweat. She worried that the words wouldn’t come. Even doing a hundred words was a chore. She found herself letting out a small scream as she deleted over a thousand words. “It’s stalled, and I’m tired. I can’t do this. It’s not coming. Nothing is happening.” Tris sighed. She took a sip of coffee as Chelley puttered around Tris’ kitchen. “You look it. You need a vacation, hon,” Chelley said as she poured herself a mug of java. “I can’t. I have to finish this book.” Tris turned away and went to her study. “Look, I’ll check around, see if I can buy you some time, but you need some rest. You look

exhausted. Maybe you need to get laid,” Chelley threw out. Tris rolled her eyes and sat down at her desk. For a moment she stared at the empty monitor. “Sometimes I think you’re a nymphomaniac.” Chelley laughed. “Not my fault I have a high sex drive. I don’t know how you do it. All that writing about sex will definitely do something to your mind. I just marvel at your control.” “There’s no one around here I want to date,” Tris murmured as she pushed the power button. The soft whoosh of the fan and beeps of the computer sounded as the machine booted up. “See, there’s your problem. You look at it as dating, not some quick fuck to satisfy an itch. You used to be able to do that.” “‘Used to’ being the key phrase.” Tris was tired of the subject. “Well, try. We’ll go clubbing soon, see what happens. Maybe we’ll find you a guy.” Chelley perked up. Tris could see the wheels in her best friend’s mind working overtime. “Don’t try and set me up, okay? I don’t want to go that route.” “You ruin my fun. I have to go but I’ll pull some strings and get back to you. Later, hon.” Chelley drank the last of her coffee before running off to do some errands. For a second, Tris thought about taking up her best friend’s suggestion of finding someone to scratch the itch. She was hornier than she’d ever been. The

weekend after she had gotten back from Scotland, she’d tried and failed to find someone to take home and have a mindless, no strings attached fuck with. No such luck. Once she’d found a decent guy she was attracted to, she’d tell him what she did for a living, and suddenly he thought he was paperback stud material. Which, one month later, left her horny, irritated, and still having the erotic dreams. Tris sighed. She just wanted everything to go back to the way it was. As she pulled up her Word document, she waded back into the story that she feared would never end.

Chapter Two Angel Revealed Darkness surrounded Tristina. Pleasure rippled over her like silken caresses. With a moan, she arched her back, and sweat slid over her flesh. Her hips bucked as her lover’s tongue slid up one side of her sex then down the other. Desire rose like the tide. Combined with her lost sight, everything seemed too intense. Her hands wrapped around the silk rope that bound her to the bed. Mouth open, she let out a soft groan. Her orgasm curled tighter. She could feel her release on the horizon. “Please.” Her voice was so soft and rough, she barely understood herself. Fire flowed through her veins as she climbed higher and higher. Every part of her was taut, her body being pushed to the limits by her mysterious tormentor, binder, lover. His fingers dug into the plump flesh of her hips. Sharp sparks of pain mixed with pleasure were set off. Her breath came out in harsh pants. Anticipation sung through her body as she felt him part her pussy lips. Warm, humid air brushed over her engorged clit, causing her to cry out. Shards of electricity burst through her at the first flick of his tongue. Her cunt clenched. Her juices trickled down, slipping past her anus. She bit down on her bottom lip to keep from crying out as his teeth scraped the sensitive head of

her clit. Her body jerked in reaction. Her hands tightened on her bindings. “Please, please, please.” Over and over again, that one word fell from her lips. Again, he flicked her clit before sucking the pearl into his mouth. She cried out as fingers thrust into her dripping channel. Her pussy clamped down on the invading digits. Slowly, he finger fucked her while flicking and sucking her clit. She tried to ride his fingers and lips. Tristina ground her hips in the ancient dance couples had done for centuries. Pleasure curled tightly inside of her, pushing her closer to the cliff’s edge. “Please fuck me,” she begged in a husky whisper. Her mysterious lover released her clit with a soft pop but continued to pump his fingers in and out of her sopping cunt. “Is that what you want, Tris? Is that what you need?” The deep, gruff, baritone voice caused a shiver to race up her spine. His tone stoked the fire within her to burn higher and hotter. That voice alone haunted her waking hours, running around her head, inspiring her most feverish desires and sex scenes, sparking her imagination to play out the most decadent and erotic scenarios, all with him as the star. In all her dreams, never had she seen him, but only he could take her to the highest heights of pleasure. Her body was a slave to him; it responded to his command. Only he could give her release. He scared her, thrilled her, haunted her, all this without

knowing his name. Her dream lover, seducer, master. She begged, “Please.” “My Tris, tell me that you want me to fuck you until you can’t walk. Tell me that you need me as much as I need you. Say it,” he commanded. His fingers moved faster, pounding her pussy harder. She clenched her vaginal muscles around the digits, trying to capture them, hold them within her. She cried out when she felt him nip her clit. Her cunt rippled around his fingers. So close. “You are mine, Tris. Your body belongs to me. Now tell me what I need to hear.” His growled-out command rushed through her. Tristina’s vaginal walls fluttered around his fingers. He slowed the pace. “I see. You don’t want to come, do you, Tris? Perhaps this is not what you want. Perhaps you don’t want me anymore. Is that it? I can’t satisfy you anymore, now that you have found another? One in your waking hours? Hmmm… Is that it?” Cruelly, he pulled his fingers out of her needy cunt. She fought back a sob. “No, there is no one else. Please, please fuck me. Only you can make me come.” She waited for him to say something, do anything. The silence seemed to stretch out until it was a thin, fraying thread that was about to snap. Just when she thought that he wouldn’t answer, he responded. The bed began to move, and his heat bore down on her, enveloping her. “Yes, Tris, that’s right. No one else

can do what I do to you. No one else can make you come like I can. You belong to me, Tris.” His soft, dry lips brushed against hers, and his breath fanned her face. “This time I spend with you means so much to me. You are a small light in my existence. You have no idea how I long for night to come so that I may be with you again.” The callused tips of his fingers caressed her face. She turned toward his touch. “I long for this time with you too. You haunt me even in my waking hours.” He chuckled. The sound caused a ripple of pleasure to move through her. “You are so beautiful. You haunt me as well. I wish I could be with you in waking times,” he whispered gently. “I wish you could too. I want to touch you.” She turned her face away, scared that he might say no. No matter how many times they had been together, in all the ways he had taken her, never had she been allowed to touch or see him. “If you touch me, I will lose control.” His fingers slipped under her chin. He turned her face toward him. Tris cursed the blindfold keeping her from seeing his face. “Would that be so bad?” She wanted him to lose control, be as wild and needy as she was. “In the beginning, you were so gentle with me, so careful. Now I want you to feel as I do. I need you. I need to be with you, feel you, and have you need me, be as I am.”

She felt so naked and vulnerable but continued on. “I’ve never had this before. I was always so careful. Relationships, life, everything in my world was carefully controlled, a place for everything and everything in its place. You show up one night and fuck that all up. My writing is better but I can’t do things the way I used to. I used to be able to fuck a guy and throw him away. I didn’t want a relationship—too messy, too painful. You arrive and now… Now, I can’t imagine my life without you, without seeing you in my dreams.” She stopped talking, not sure what else to say. No one, not even Chelley, had seen her like this, heard these things. “Oh, my beautiful one.” His body moved over hers. She savoured the press of his hard, hot flesh against hers. She arched her back, pressing her aching breasts against the wall of his chest, and moaned. It wasn’t enough. The rope around her wrists fell away. Not wasting a second, she ran her hands over his chest. It was like touching hot suede; his flesh was so soft and yet firm. One hand trailed down, fingertips running over the defined ridges of his abdomen. She reached up and ripped off her blindfold and gasped. Tristina’s mouth went dry, her eyes wide. Her heart skipped a beat as she took in the face that she had longed to see for so long. The revelation left her speechless. Her emotions roiled inside of her, colliding against one another. She felt great affection,

a deep connection, safety, and so much more. It was difficult to understand everything she was feeling. His skin was lightly tanned. Her lover was ruggedly handsome, his face was chiselled, as if carved by the hand of an artist, high cheeks, lips that were not too full but not too thin. His eyes were the color of the sky on a clear day. His hair was mahogany brown with strands of red and gold shot through. She trailed just her fingertips over his cheek. “You’re so beautiful, I don’t have the proper words to express what I’m feeling. I’m overwhelmed.” “As are you.” He lowered his face and brushed his lips over hers, once, twice, three times. Bringing up her other hand, she held his head still as she took control of the kiss. He growled, lowering his body until she was pressed into the mattress. His hips rose and, reaching between them, he positioned his cock at her entrance. Moaning, she tilted her pelvis upward. He thrust forward. The thick head of his cock sank into her pussy, stretching her walls. She clenched her vaginal muscles around his cockhead. Withdrawing and pushing forward, his cock stretched her like no other ever had. She moaned, wrapping her arms around him. Her inner walls contracted around his cock. Tris pulled her face away and looked into his eyes, “Please, no teasing. I need all of you inside of me.” Giving her a wicked smile, he withdrew, this time slamming into her hard. She moaned as pleasure rushed through her. The pressure began to build as tingles of sensation rushed up and down her spine.

She curled her toes as the arousal burned through her veins. He rocked his hips back and forth. Tris groaned as she met his thrusts with ones of her own. She stared into his eyes as he fucked her. Increasing the pace, he thrust into her harder and faster, his cockhead hitting her cervix with each stroke. Sparks of pleasure and pain mingled, setting her on fire. Her orgasm curled and twisted within. Closer and closer she edged toward the cliff. The intensity built until it was almost painful. The tingling at the base of her spine signalled her orgasm approaching. Her limbs shook as her inner walls rippled around his cock. She cried out, head thrown back, nails raking his shoulders. She felt his cock twitch inside of her. He stilled above her before letting out a guttural cry, coming deep in her vagina. She focused her gaze on his face, watching his visage contort as he came. The room grew brighter. In awe, Tristina observed wings growing out of his back. Large wings, covered in black and silver feathers. He began to glow with an unearthly light. He looked down. Their eyes met. She came again as he began to pound into her harder and harder. The wings flapped slowly as he continued to fuck her. Her lover came again. When it was all over, he kissed her softly. When he pulled away, the room began to dim. A sadness weighed in his eyes. “I’ll miss you.”

The room rippled, her vision becoming hazy. She cursed. “No, don’t go yet. Please, don’t go.” Tears slipped down her cheeks as a loud, blaring sound came out of the distance. Tristina awoke with a start. Her body hurt. Groaning, she rolled over and winced. She could barely keep her eyes open, she was so exhausted. Like all the other nights since the dreams began, she’d felt as if she’d just had sex. Her juices coated her inner thighs, sweat was cooling on her skin—even the air smelled of sex. She buried her head in her pillow and let out a soft scream. When it was all over, she mumbled into the pillow, “This can’t go on.” Reluctantly she got out of bed and showered. As Tris prepared breakfast, her thoughts drifted toward the dream. For the first time in months, she had seen his face. Her body trembled as she remembered the blue of his eyes, his carved face, the lips that had been kissing her for so long. Her pussy tingled with awareness. She groaned, willing the arousal to stop. He felt so familiar and yet was a stranger to her. At first she thought she had been going crazy; now she just accepted her dream lover as a figment of her sexstarved imagination. “All that writing sex will definitely do something to your mind,” Chelley had said. “Well, Chell, you’re right, it has,” Tris muttered to herself. In the beginning, the highly erotic dreams had fuelled her writing. Then the frustration set in. After that, envy arrived. Her characters had the most

exciting lives. She, on the other hand, had fallen into a rut. She lived alone, in a small town, where she was known as the smut writer. Her only prospects were guys who hoped to get a mention in her books, like it was some sort of badge of honor, who mostly ended up being the jackasses who had hurt the heroine in the past. Or men who were disgusted by her or thought she was a slut. The dreams coupled with writing the sex scenes had left her horny and in need of someone to satisfy her, but unfortunately it seemed as if nothing could make the need go away. Never in her life had she thought she could be turned on by being tied down, blindfolded, and fucked within an inch of her life. Her only relief was her trusty vibrator. In the dreams, he used a myriad of sex toys from anal plugs to silver bullets. Her legs shook just remembering the ways he took her, with the toys and without. Closing her eyes, she drew in a deep breath and blew it out. “I’m losing my mind. He doesn’t exist. No man like that could possibly exist.” Disappointment set in, making the room seem too big. A chill hung in the air now. The shrill ring of her phone jarred her from her thoughts. Reaching over, she picked up the cordless receiver and hit talk. “What?” “Is that how you answer your phone in the morning? What if I were the president or something?”

“Morning, Chell. What’s up?” Tris grabbed her toast, carefully smearing each slice with peanut butter and strawberry jam. “I’ve booked you for a writer’s vacation. Guess where.” “The moon?” Tris responded putting one slice on top of the other before taking a bite. “You are not funny. I booked you a nice little cabin in Scotland.” “Uh, I’m in deadline hell. I’ve got the final round of edits to get through. I can’t possibly do this.” “And why not?” Chelley asked indignantly. “’Cause I’ll want to shop, sightsee, check in with friends. Too much to do. I’ll get frazzled.” “Tough. I signed you up already. It will be fun. You’ll be all alone with the Scottish countryside for inspiration. You can edit and write.” “That’s not a vacation,” Tris pointed out. “That’s why I said a writer’s vacation. Don’t you pay attention? Those dreams you’ve been telling me about have been driving you crazy. Getting out of town with a change of scenery might help you in more ways than one.” “Okay, fine. When do I leave?” Tris took another bite of her sandwich. “In a few weeks. You know what to pack. I’ll meet you at your place. I’m emailing you the details right now. Let me know if you don’t get them. Email has been screwing up lately.”

Tris rolled her eyes. “When is it ever running smoothly? Okay, I’ll try to get as much done as possible and pack. Talk to you later.” “That’s what I like to hear. Also, as your best friend it is my job to get you laid while we’re there.” “Chellllll,” Tris whined. “No complaining. You’re getting laid even if I have to get you drunk to do it. We’re going to find you a man even if it kills me.” Tris groaned. “I’m not going to enjoy this trip, am I?” “Of course you are, because I’m your best friend and agent, and I’ll make you have fun.” “God, you sound so sure of yourself.” “That’s ’cause I am, so pack some lube, get some jumbo sized condoms and make sure you bring some of my sex toys with you.” “Excuse me? What the hell are you talking about? If you’re trying to get me laid, why do I need all that stuff?” “If you think I’m going through security with all that crap, you’re sadly mistaken. Someone needs to be my sex toy mule.” “Bitch.” “Thank you. I’ll drop by later to make sure you packed the right toys.” “I should disown you.” “Too late. I’m too damn cute to be disowned. You’re stuck with me. Toodles.” Chelley hung up and Tris bowed her head. “I need to buy myself a new best friend.”

Tris trudged out of the kitchen to go pack. *** Roman groaned. His hand stroked his cock faster and faster. In his mind’s eye he was sunk balls deep inside Tris, fucking her hard. He could still see her face, the way she looked as she came. He groaned. “Tristina.” His balls drew closer to his body, fingers of fire trailing up his spine as his cock jerked in his hand. His hips moved faster and faster, fucking his hand. Sweat slipped over his skin, and his heart was beating so fast, he swore that it would burst out of his chest. He came on a roar, pain rippling over his back as his wings came forth. He continued to thrust while his semen slipped over his hand, down his balls and thighs. As the pleasure ebbed away, he began to calm down. Roman swore and sat up, feeling slightly lightheaded. “I can’t keep doing this. Dreaming of her is driving me mad.” He got out of bed and showered. He got dressed, his mind going a mile a minute. “I need to free myself of this obsession.” His gaze fell on his bedside table, Tristina Deveroux’s latest book, an erotic romance fantasy called Winged Seduction. The heroine fell in love with a winged man from mythology. He hadn’t thought of buying the book until he saw Tristina’s picture on the back. She had flawless mocha skin. Her heart-shaped

face was framed by long, straight, dark brown hair, bangs brushing the tops of her eyelashes. Her dark brown eyes sparkled with mischief, her long, straight nose slightly flared at the nostrils. Her full lips were curled into a seductive smile. His cock had jerked, and he knew he had to have the book. He read the story from beginning to end, eating up every word. After that, he bought all her books. He even went to one of her book signings, but stayed in the shadows watching her. She attracted him in a way no one had, not even Catatonia, his reason for becoming one of the Fallen.

Chapter Three An Angel Falling Roman blew out a breath as he remembered the day he fell. Catatonia’s long black hair trailed after her like streamers of ink. Her curvaceous figure was encased in a simple white toga. Her bare feet made soft slapping sounds as she ran ahead of him. Roman chased her, knowing he should be on duty, but he couldn’t deny Catatonia anything. He pushed himself to run faster. For whatever reason, he could not catch her. He saw his chance when she ran into an empty room. Bright light filled the empty space. White marble walls gleamed in the sun as doves cooed from the open windows. Tranquillity washed over him as the scent of incense surrounded him. He looked all around. “This is new.” “Yes, I found this when I went out for a walk this morning. It is beautiful, isn’t it? Come look here, out of this window.” He walked over and looked out at the landscape. The garden was awash with color. Flowers of all shades swayed in a gentle breeze as birds chirped in the trees. Animals played among the flora. “This is beautiful. I have never seen the gardens from this angle.”

He turned toward Catatonia, who smiled up at him. She rose up on tiptoe and pressed her lips to his. He sighed as she pulled back. “Roman, if I were to fall, would you fall with me?” “Become mortal with you? Of course. I love you.” She grinned up at him. “The change will be difficult.” “But as long as you are by my side I can accomplish anything. Besides, we were mortal once.” “I so miss life as a mortal. Heaven is grand but being a mortal...so much to see and experience. Mortals are such interesting creatures. I wish to be one once more, to be like that again.” She looked at him wistfully. His heart skipped a beat. Feeling the rush of love, his words came out in a rush, “I miss it too. Sometimes...sometimes I wish I had never died. I wish to grow old and watch the world pass by as a mortal.” Catatonia’s eyes widened. “Then let us do it. Let us become mortal again.” Happiness washed over him. To be mortal, live out life and see all there is to see. I would love that. I died too young. Roman felt a sense of sadness, loss at having missed so much, family and friends left behind to grieve for him, things he had only witnessed from afar. He could travel to the mortal world but not interact. He was not one of the guardian angels. I would love to see the world as it is now. Be around people, live all over again. Her proposal held sway over him. He could see no downside whatsoever.

“Yes, let us fall. I would love to live life over again.” He clasped her hands in his and smiled down at her. She smiled back at him, a wicked glint in her eye. “Come then, let us go to the elder and tell him what we have decided. We can live our lives out as mortals together. It will be wonderful.” His gut told him something was wrong, but the lure of humanity overrode his instincts. They rushed through the massive temple complex in search of the elder in charge of becoming mortal once again. Someone called out to him but he could not respond. With a strength he hadn’t known she possessed, Catatonia pulled him down the hall. They rushed around the corner and found themselves at a large set of metal doors, the word FALLEN printed in large, capital letters. “Come, my love. Our humanity awaits us.” She pushed open the doors and they walked into a candlelit room. A wizened old man sat before a large scroll, his feather pen scribbling across the parchment. He looked up. Coal black eyes looked at them over the lenses of small glasses. “Yes?” “We wish to fall,” Catatonia said. She reached out and took Roman’s hand, giving it a squeeze. “Do you agree to this? There is no going back once you’ve fallen. You do understand what you are about to undertake, don’t you?” He gave both of them a hard look. Doubts began to slip into Roman’s mind. It had been ages since he had spent time on the mortal plane. Worries that things had changed so much that he wouldn’t be able

to adjust began to flow freely around his head. He opened his mouth to suggest to Catatonia that they think a bit more when she spoke. “You love me, do you not? You wish to spend a mortal lifetime with me?” His heart melted as she looked up at him with large, green eyes brimming with emotion. “Yes, I do love you and would be honored to spend a mortal lifetime with you.” He squeezed her hand. She beamed up at him. Catatonia turned toward the old man, “It is just as I said. Do we have a deal?” Roman raised an eyebrow. “He has agreed to fall, now give me the payment you promised.” Roman opened his mouth to ask what the old man was talking about when Catatonia pulled him down to her, then she kissed him soundly on the lips. In an instant, his whole body went numb. She slipped her hand into the neck of his tunic and pulled out his key to the gates of heaven. With a harsh yank, she pulled it off his neck. He would have cried out from the pain but could not utter a word. He watched helplessly as she handed the key over to the old man. “Good, good, this is the third one you’ve managed to convince to fall this week.” With a wave of his hand a large portal opened. The old man pushed back his chair and stood up. He walked around the large table toward Roman. He tried to move, but his body refused to cooperate. He watched helplessly as the old man de-aged before his

very eyes. Wrinkles began to fade, leaving his skin smooth and supple. His height grew as he straightened his back. “Enjoy your falling. I wish you luck, angel. I will be sure to take care of Catatonia and heaven for you. Oh how foolish these young angels are nowadays. The keys of heaven are now just handed out to anyone.” The old man shoved Roman’s still form, and he flew through the air. He was sucked into the swirling vortex. Darkness rose before his eyes, and his mind became fuzzy. Sleep tugged at him, and he tried to fight it but lost. Unconsciousness took him. When he awoke, he was on a beach, the sun was setting, and a large man stood over him. “Welcome to the mortal plane and Scotland. I suppose she got you too. Come. We must talk. There is much to discuss.” Once Roman had risen to his feet, he was led to a large house. There he found those like him, tricked into falling by Catatonia. The plan was to cause those who were still attached to mortality to be tricked into falling. They became like the Fallen Angels, only they had no sins or vices to blame for their downfall, just themselves. Roman was astounded and angered. He was told there was no way to get back into heaven. Catatonia and her accomplice had made it seem as if they had all fallen willingly, not been tricked. For a few days Roman was numb and in disbelief. Then anger and a sense of betrayal set in. This was the second time that a woman had betrayed him. The first had been his wife with a man he had called a friend. He had been

let down one time too many. His faith in love was shattered. Distraught, he closed himself to everyone, even his fellow Fallen. *** Roman dragged in a deep breath and came back to the present. Emotions swirled within him. His sadness weighed him down like a cloak of iron. His existence had been a lonely one, filled with anger and betrayal. The scars on his heart were what kept him alive. The pain was too much to bear, but to kill himself would not help him heal. He would have been stuck in a living hell, wallowing in anger and agony. The day he discovered Tristina, he had decided to go to town on a whim. The house had begun to feel claustrophobic. He had needed new scenery. Walking down the aisles casually, he’d done a double take when he saw the book. Something about the cover called to him. Perhaps it was the man with black feathers on the cover who looked a bit like him, or maybe it was the title Winged Seduction. He wasn’t sure. All he knew was that after seeing her picture on the back he had to have the book. He remembered going to a book signing. Roman stood just out of sight. He watched her smile, shake people’s hands, talk to them. There was a warmth that exuded from her and touched him. There also seemed to be a wall that surrounded her. She seemed

to be keeping people at arm’s length despite her warm demeanor. He was intrigued by that. The first time he entered her dreams, he watched one play out like a film. The next time he interacted with her it became sexual. He couldn’t hide his desire for her. She became an addiction. Each visitation only increased the intoxication. Daylight became a curse because in her arms he felt alive; the pain and loneliness no longer mattered. She was healing him in a way he never thought possible. Her confession last night told him they were kindred. He didn’t know why she kept people away. He just knew one thing—she would understand him. Breathing in deeply, he then let it out slowly. She can take my pain away. Roman knew he couldn’t keep his feelings inside. He needed to get them all out before his memories and emotions swallowed him whole. Leaving his bedroom, he headed for his study. He sat down at his desk and took out a piece of paper and pen. He began to write, letting the words pour out of him, not holding back. An hour later, he found himself with three pages. After reading it through, he realized that he had written a letter, asking her to come to him. Roman pushed back his chair, stood up, and began to pace. Thoughts raced around his head as he tried to figure out what to do next. Looking around the study, he took in the bookshelves filled with books he had never read, couches he had never sat in, a fireplace he had never used. The house was a museum, filled with pieces of art he couldn’t

appreciate and rooms that were filled with furniture he never used. His bedroom, gardens, bathroom, and kitchen were all that he needed. The mansion in the mountains was his fortress against the world. It was hard to reach his place of solitude. Very rarely did someone come to visit him. They were usually one of his fallen brethren. He couldn’t care less what they thought. All that mattered was that they left him alone. Now his loneliness was threatening to overcome him. The only bright spot was his dreams with Tristina. I need her to live. In a moment of madness, egged on by his need for more of Tristina’s brightness, he addressed an envelope and folded the letter, slipping the heavy stationery into it. He placed several stamps on the envelope and called a servant to post it for him. Day turned to night. He prepared for his dream visit to Tristina. He undressed and climbed into bed; closing his eyes, he began to breathe deeply, focusing on the beating of his heart, Tristina’s name rolling around his head. Sleep slipped over him slowly as his dream world built around him. He found himself in a world of shelves filled with bottles and jars of oil. Frosted glass sconces hung on the walls. A large fireplace stood empty. Feathers of all shapes and sizes covered the walls. A blindfold sat on a small nightstand near a circular bed. I won’t need that. Walking around his new surroundings, he began to formulate a plan for their encounter. He would

start off by pampering her with a massage, which would start at her scalp and move down. He wanted her completely relaxed. Once that was achieved, the seduction would begin. He selected his oils carefully, choosing only the ones that were edible. Next he lit all the candles, then the fireplace. Stepping back, he looked around and admired his work. “What is this place?” Tristina’s soft voice caused his heart to contract. His breath caught in his throat, and his cock hardened. He turned around to find her wearing nothing but a sheer, white, baby doll gown. He drank in her appearance, admiring the way the diaphanous material stretched across her heavy breasts. The dark brown shadows of her nipples pressed against the fabric, beckoning him. He wanted to take her breasts in his hands, massage them, and lap at her nipples until they became hardened points. He watched as she looked down at her clothing. Her hands rose and slid over her curves. Roman followed the action hungrily. She was a petite woman with curves; her breasts were heavy and full. She had perfectly rounded hips, and ass. He loved every inch of her, knew every curve and dip of her body. Tristina was perfect. His cock twitched as he watched her walk around the room; the lingerie stopped just below her ass. The confection gave him just a glimpse at the bare cheeks beneath the material. He wanted to rip off that bit of froth. The phantom taste of her juices rolled over his tongue, increasing his hunger to bury his head

between her thighs and taste her, lap at her cream until she came. Swallowing, he clenched his fists, resisting the urge to rush over to her, pick her up, and throw her down on the bed. Licking his lips, he finally responded to her question. “This is for you. I created this world for you, for us.” “This feels so real, the warmth of the room, the candles, and the fireplace. I can smell the wood burning, the scent of the candles.” She shook her head. “This is a dream, right?” She turned toward him, her dark brown eyes looking him over. Her gaze stopped at his groin. He had decided in the dream world to wear pajama bottoms as opposed to his usual nudity. He wanted some sort of barrier between them. If he had been naked, he wouldn’t have taken the time to make this encounter all about her pleasure. Sex would come later, but right now was all about her. Roman didn’t bother to cover his erection with his hands. He nodded. “It is a dream.” “Then why is it when I wake, I feel as if we’ve had sex?” Her forehead scrunched up in question. He found that action absolutely adorable. “The only explanation I have is that our connection runs beyond this dream world.” He hoped that their connection was stronger than their dream encounters. One day, he hoped to go to her, introduce himself and seduce her in reality. “So, you’re real?” “Yes, very.”

“The wings...” Her voice trailed off. She began to wander around the room. “They are real.” “Oookay.” Roman watched her pick up a jar of scented oil and shake it, watching the liquid swirl. He didn’t mind her disbelief. He preferred not to talk about his wings or his past, not when there were other things he wanted to do. “Enough talking. Please get on the bed and lie on your stomach. Tonight is about you.” “About me?” She put the jar down and turned toward him, eyebrow raised. “Yes, tonight I’m going to pamper you.” Gesturing toward the bed, he waited for her to do as he asked. She hesitated for a moment before following his request. She climbed on the mattress, exposing her bare sex and ass to his eyes. He groaned. Her nether lips beckoned to him. Roman wanted her to get on all fours while he ate her out from that angle. Afterward, he would fuck her, long and hard. This was going to be a long night. Reluctantly, he walked toward the bed and climbed on. Making his way around her, he grabbed one of the jars he had selected, then made his way to the foot of the bed. Taking hold of her ankles, he spread her legs wide, avoiding the sight of her sex. Roman ran his hands up her legs slowly, savoring the touch of her silken flesh against his palms. He grabbed the jar, uncorked the top, and poured a small bit of oil into the palm of his hand, then stopped the bottle, placing

it gently on the bed. He warmed the oil by rubbing his hands together, releasing the soft scent of jasmine into the air. With a deep breath he took hold of one of her legs and began the massage. He worked his way up, taking his time. He did the same thing with the other leg. Pausing between her legs, Roman stared down at the baby doll, trying to decide whether to rip the lingerie off her or not. She made the decision for him. Tris reached down, took hold of the material, and pulled it upward and over her head, throwing it over the side of the bed. “Continue, please.” “Thank you.” Pouring more oil into the palm of one hand, he rubbed and nudged her legs farther apart. Placing his hands on the cheeks of her ass, he began to massage the rounded mounds. “So perfect.” “Thank you. Sometimes I think it’s too big,” she murmured, voice slightly muffled by the covers. Roman gave her a hard swat on one cheek. “It’s perfect, just like the rest of you.” She let out a short laugh, “You’re too kind. My boobs are too big, as are my hips, and I could use a flatter stomach.” He slapped her other cheek hard. “Don’t put yourself down in my presence. If I say you’re perfect, you are.” “You’re just saying that because you want sex.” With a laugh he squeezed her cheeks. “That too. You are perfect. Your body is so beautiful. I love every inch of you.”

Slipping one finger between the cheeks of her ass, he ran just the tip of his digit over the puckered opening of her anus. “I love fucking you. Your pussy and ass are so tight, squeezing my cock perfectly. You taste so damn good, so addictive. I want to eat you so badly right now. But I want you to feel pleasure, first with my hands, then my mouth, and last my cock.” She moaned as the tip of his finger sunk into her dark passage, slipping past the first ring. Her muscles contracted around the invading digit. Roman groaned aloud, wanting his cock to be surrounded by that tightness as he fucked her. Withdrawing his finger, he took in a deep breath and continued the massage. His hands moved upward, adding extra pressure as he worked her back. She moaned softly. He ran his thumbs down the sides of her spine, then up again before massaging the back of her neck. “Mmmm, that feels so good.” “I’m glad you’re enjoying this.” His hands slipped over her shoulders, squeezing the muscles, before moving down to her hands. “If you weren’t doing that, what would you be doing to me?” She shifted underneath him. He watched her tuck her arm under her body. “Would you be fucking me? Taking me nice and slow?” Her legs moved wider apart and he swore. “Or would it be fast and hard?” Small vibrations in the bed told him she was touching herself. “I would start off nice and slow, my cock sinking into your tight, wet pussy. I just know you’re wet for

me now, aren’t you? You’re touching yourself, while I’m right here and can’t do anything. As much as I want to fuck you right now, I can’t.” He gritted his teeth, reminding himself silently that this was all about her pleasure, and that he would get off later. “Why not? What if I wanted you to fuck me? What if I wanted your cock inside of me, fucking me hard? What if I wanted you to fuck my ass right now, while I touch myself? Would you do that? Would you fuck me if I asked you to?” He groaned. “If you asked me, yes, because it’s what you want. My pleasure means nothing tonight.” “Then fuck me. Use your cock to fuck my ass. I need you inside of me.” He let out a moan of frustration. “This wasn’t what was supposed to happen. I should have tied you down.” The scent of her arousal floated up to him. He closed his eyes, breathing it in deeply. “I’m so wet for you. I need you so much. Later you can finish this. I need you right now. Fuck me now,” she ordered. His cock twitched in response. Grabbing the jar, he got off the bed. He put the bottle away before shoving his pajama pants down. He looked back up at the bed. Tris gazed at him from over her shoulder. Her brown eyes were darkened, and banked fire sparkled behind a cage of black lashes. Reaching down, he took hold of his cock, the liquid desire already trickling from the tip of his thick shaft. His bulbous cockhead was flushed red with need.

Roman stroked himself slowly as he walked toward the bed, rubbing the slick oil along his hardened cock. “Look at me. See this. This is what you do to me. I can barely contain myself. I need you so badly.” Climbing onto the bed, he covered her body with his, his cock resting on the cleft of her ass. He began to grind his hips as he placed kisses across her shoulder blades. “Is this what you want up your ass, fucking you?” He pumped his hips, mimicking what they both wanted. Needed. The wet tip of his cock smeared across the hot, soft flesh of her ass. Moaning, she pressed her bottom against his groin. His cock sank between the rounded mounds. She clenched the cheeks of her ass, holding his shaft tightly between them. He groaned, increasing the pace. “Fuck, Tris.” “Please fuck me,” she pleaded. He slipped his cock from between her ass cheeks and pushed himself up, balancing on his hands. Taking hold of his shaft, he stroked just his cockhead over the slick lips of her sex. Her hand brushed against his as she continued to work her clit. “Do you want me in your ass, Tris, or should I really be fucking your sweet pussy? Hmm?” Roman positioned himself at her entrance, sinking just the head of him into her slick heat. Her inner walls clenched around him. They both groaned. “Tell me what you want, Tris, what you need, and I’ll give it to you. I’ll give you anything you want. Everything I have is yours.”

He kissed his way up the column of her neck, pausing to take her earlobe between his teeth, tugging gently. He released it to murmur, “Tell me, Tris. I am yours to command. Do you want me to fuck your ass or your pussy? Which will it be?” She let out a frustrated sound. “Fuck me. Just fuck me.” He thrust his hips forward, sinking into her another inch. Her cunt contracted around him. He withdrew, only leaving just his cockhead inside of her. “Tell me which to fuck.” He kissed and nibbled a path down her neck. “Fuck my pussy. Please, I need you.” “As you command.” He paused and withdrew from her completely, causing her to shriek. “Calm down.” He rose and crawled to the foot of the bed. “Roll over onto your back.” She did as he asked, grumbling. “Never stop, understand? Don’t you ever stop fucking me until we’ve both come. I want no interruptions.” He chuckled. “I promise no interruptions.” Roman reached out and took hold of her hips, pulling her up until her ass rested on his lap. He then positioned his cock at her entrance, rose up onto his knees, taking her with him, and pushed forward. They both groaned as her pussy clenched around him. He withdrew only to slam into her again. Tristina reached up and began massaging her breasts, tugging and rolling her nipples.

Releasing one of her hips, he ran just his thumb over her slit before pushing it between her thick pussy lips. He found her clit. Unhurried, he circled the head of the bud before increasing the pace. She moaned, her vaginal walls squeezing his cock. The movement of his thumb matched the pace of his hips as he fucked her; faster and faster he thrust. The slick sounds of their lovemaking mingled with the crackling of the fire. “You belong to me. Mine, every last inch of you is mine.” He withdrew and slammed into her, hitting her cervix. She cried out, back arching. Sweat dotted her skin, and her breasts jiggled with each thrust. Her mocha skin was bathed in golden light. Never had he seen something as beautiful as she. He fucked her harder, fingers digging into her hips. “My name is Roman.” She repeated after him, “Roman.” His name sounded so sweet on her lips. He rubbed her clit harder before pressing the nub down. “I want you to come. I want you to come screaming my name. I want to watch you shatter with my name on your lips.” “Roman,” she moaned. “God, my name sounds beautiful when you say it.” “Fuck me, fuck me harder, Roman.” She arched her back, rolling and tugging her nipples. He slammed into her; holding her clit down, he pumped his hips harder. “So close,” she moaned.

Sweat slipped down his face. Faster and faster he fucked her until he felt her cunt contract; her vaginal walls rippled around him, and her limbs began to shake as she came. “Roman!” she cried out. That was all it took. He lost all control, fucking her through her orgasm until the base of his spine tingled, fire washed over him, and his balls pulled closer to his body as his cock twitched. He came, spurting his seed deep inside of her. He didn’t stop pumping his hips until his balls were empty. Lowering her hips to the bed he joined her, covering her body with his. Roman kissed her lips, taking his time. “I wish our time together was in reality, not a dream world.” He brushed her bangs off her face and watched sadness creep into her eyes. His heart ached with loneliness as that statement brought him back to reality. *** Roman awoke with a start, cursing aloud. His heart beat a tattoo against his chest. Tonight she had said his name, cried it out in passion, and yet it wasn’t enough. He needed to hear it in the flesh. Hear her call out for him in her need. Tears slipped over his cheeks. He dashed them away angrily. His thoughts turned to the letter; part of him hoped she would come. When morning came he found himself staring out the window. Anger welled

up inside of him. Clenching his fists, he shook his head. Regret rose up within him over sending the letter to Tris. As much as he wanted to be with her, there were still many things he needed to work out within himself. He began to pace as his thoughts swirled together. He took a good look at his surroundings. To him the place looked like a museum, filled with things that had been given to him by other Fallen Ones to help decorate his home. None of it was his taste. He didn’t even know what his taste in furnishings was. After so much time alone, he didn’t know himself. He had wallowed in anger and loneliness for so long he had lost who he was. Roman knew he didn’t want to expose Tris to that. He felt she deserved someone better, someone with life in him. With a heavy heart, he reached a decision. He had to cut off all communication with her. As much as it would hurt them both, it was for the best. How could she move on from him if they continued to meet in the dream world? That night he went to sleep and went back to her one last time. *** Roman waited in the dream world for her. Instead of a scene of seduction, he had created a room similar to that of his library. Dark maple shelves lined with books, a large fireplace. One overstuffed sofa made up the furniture in the space. A roaring fire in

the hearth provided the only light in the room. He stood at a window looking out over the dreary, rain soaked landscape. The sky was overcast in this world with thunder rumbling in the distance. The gardens were overrun with weeds. There were no flowers in bloom to add color and softness. Sadness threatened to overwhelm him. He swallowed the lump in his throat as he pushed his emotions aside. He was determined to set her free. She was not going to be swept up in his turmoil. A look around the room showed a dark and foreboding space. There was a slight sense of claustrophobia to the room with all the dark nooks and corners. “Roman?” Her voice sounded hesitant, edged with fear. His heart constricted at the sound as guilt rose up at the setting he had created. Stepping away from the window, he went to her. She was near the door. Taking her hand, he led her farther into the room. Her hand felt cold; there was a slight tremor that made him hesitate, but he continued their encounter. She needed to be set free. That was what he was going to do, even though his heart was splintering into small pieces. Determined to get this over with, he gestured for her to sit down. “We need to talk,” he said simply. “About what?” She crossed her legs and leaned back. Despite the nonchalance in her voice and relaxed posture, she was nervous. Roman got down on his knees before her and took her hands. He gazed up into her eyes and saw worry in their brown depths.

Reaching up, he caressed her face. “We have to stop this.” Concern flitted across her face. “What do you mean?” “I’m sorry, but we can’t continue to meet in the dream world.” “Why?” “It isn’t fair to you to continue this. I can’t give you what you need, what you deserve. You should be with a man who can wake up beside you, not fade away when you wake up. Tris, you are a very special woman. I can’t give you this. There is so much I can’t give you. I want to be with you, but I can’t.” She pulled her hand out of his and moved away from his touch. He felt as if he’d been slapped in the face. “What if this is what I want? You decided to end this, and I’m just supposed to accept it? You think you know what’s best for me, do you?” she accused. “No, I know what you deserve. No woman as beautiful and vibrant as you should live her life in dreams. It’s not fair to you. You should live, be with someone who can be with you.” “Do I get a say in this?” She stood up, and he nearly fell back because of her sudden movement. Tris moved around the couch. “No, you don’t,” he said softly. “This is unfair.” “I know, but you have no choice.” “Why?” She folded her arms, glaring at him.

“Because this isn’t the type of relationship you should be in. There’s so much you should know, and I can’t tell you.” “No. You won’t tell me.” Roman was torn between revealing his past pain and ending the dream right there. “You’re right, my beautiful Tris, I won’t, and I am sorry for that. Goodbye. Please be happy.” She let out a sound of protest. He didn’t listen. Instead he pulled out of the dream world and woke up. Tears stained his face as he opened his eyes in darkness. The sounds of rain pounding against the window and thunder rumbling overhead were his greeting to a new day. “I am so sorry, Tris. One day you’ll understand.” *** Tris awoke angry and confused. Tears stung her eyes. Her heart beat out of control. She didn’t understand what had just happened. All she knew was that he had ended things. She let out a shriek of frustration. She wanted answers. It may have been a dream, but the emotions she felt were very much real. The thought of not having him to turn to when she went to bed at night after a long day made her feel very much alone. She wanted to call Chelley to discuss what had just happened, but she wasn’t sure what to say. It had been awkward enough to deal with the after-effects

on her own; she didn’t need her best friend telling her that maybe it was time to see a shrink. Sighing, she punched a pillow. “This is ridiculous. It’s like I’ve been dumped, and I don’t know why.” She let out a growl of frustration and pushed back the covers. “It was dream. So what if I told him things I hadn’t even told Chelley. It doesn’t matter. They were just dreams.” She marched off to the bathroom. While in the shower, she continued to tell herself that what she experienced were just dreams. She ignored that it was four in the morning and went about her morning routine. When she finally settled down to write for the day, she still couldn’t convince herself that what she had gone through hadn’t been real. Everything she had experienced had felt real enough to her. She sat in front of the computer. The cursor blinked back at her. Tris felt the tears start to fall. There seemed to be a piece of her missing, and she didn’t know how to get it back. Chelley found her slumped over her desk, head in her hands, crying. “Oh, hon, what’s wrong? What happened? Did a troll try and flame you again? I could get Jaime to track him down. She’s really good with tech and will give an ass-beating the likes of which he or she’s never known. Tris, come on, tell me what’s wrong.” Chelley’s words only made her cry harder. There was no way Jamie could track him down. He was just a dream, a figment of her overactive, lonely mind. For a half an hour, Chelley just held her as she cried. She couldn’t bring herself to say the words out loud. To

even whisper that it was over would cause the pain to triple. Instead Tris told Chelley she was suffering from PMS. Exhausted, unable to cry anymore, she lifted her head and sniffled. Her head felt swathed in cotton. It felt too heavy for her neck to hold up. A dull ache started to throb between her eyes. “Oh, that explains it. It’s a good thing we’re leaving for the retreat in a week. You really need some R&R and to get out of this house. A change of scenery will do you some good, and Scotland has some great junk food. Deep fried candy bars, anyone?” Tris let out a shaky laugh even though she felt no mirth. “Come on, let’s get you to bed. No writing for you today.” Reluctantly, she let Chelley turn off the computer and lead her to the bedroom where she fell onto the mattress and curled up in a little ball. The covers were pulled over her and, physically drained and emotionally fatigued, she soon fell into a dreamless sleep. *** Roman felt her pain and exhaustion as if it were his own. His heart hurt at the ache he had caused her. Guilt caused him to spiral into a deep depression. For the next few days he sat alone in his library, neither sleeping nor eating as he wallowed in his grief. If it

hadn’t been for some of his fallen brothers coming to check on him, he would have just allowed himself to waste away. He was forced to eat and made to rest with the Fallen Angels taking turns watching over him and monitoring his health. By the end of a week he was at full strength but his heart was still broken. He missed Tris terribly.

Chapter Four Arrival Tris turned the letter this way and that. It was postmarked from Scotland. Probably a fan letter. I’ll read it on the plane. She threw it in her purse, grabbed the handle of her suitcase, and pulled it up to the door. It was time. She was leaving for Scotland today. She was excited about the trip. It was a much-needed distraction from the loss of her dream lover. Roman. His name rolled around her head. Her body flushed with heat, pussy tingling, panties becoming damp. Her breasts became full and heavy, her nipples tightening. She missed him despite the pain he had caused her. Whenever her mind drifted to him, her heart contracted. She shook her head and muttered, “I’m going crazy. I actually miss him.” Taking a deep breath, she opened the door and dragged her luggage outside. Chelley stood next to the van that would be taking them to the airport. After everything was loaded, both women were buckled in and on their way to the airport. Tris fell deep into thought. Once Roman had disappeared from her dreams, she noticed that her life had become a routine, a safe, reliable, cyclic movement of hours and days. She wrote, did signings occasionally, and hung with her best friend. In the past, if she had found someone she liked enough to have sex with, she went for it, no guilt, no need for a relationship.

With Roman, life had taken on a new spice, a new sensation that felt good. Something she hadn’t experienced in a long time. He made her feel beautiful, loved, cherished. He managed to do something that not even her best friend Chelley had done—make the loneliness go away. Roman made her want to share her day with him, cuddle with him at night. Make love with him for real. She wanted to run her hands through his hair, touch his wings to see if they were real, feel him skin to skin. Tris looked over at Chelley and shook her head. The mission to get her laid in Scotland would fail. She didn’t want anyone but Roman. A part of her had shifted inside. Being with Roman had changed her in some way. She felt different. Less alone. She had seen in him what she experienced every day. The thought that perhaps there was someone out there who could take away the pain of loneliness and restore her faith in love a little was very provocative. A lot of the dreams had to do with sex, but there were moments, tiny pieces of time, where she let her guard down. She had trusted Roman. No one else could have tied her down without her struggling. No one else could have blindfolded her. She wouldn’t have just accepted it. From the very beginning she had trusted him. It may have been a dream, but everything felt so real. Now the dream encounters had ended, leaving her alone and unsure of what to do. She wanted to be with Roman, explore her attraction to him. If only I could find him. Letting out a sigh, she tuned in to what Chelley was saying about

all her plans for the U.K. vacation. By the time they got to the airport, checked everything, and boarded the plane, Tris was worn out. As soon as she sank into her plush seat, sleep took her. Part of her hoped that Roman would be there, that he had changed his mind. Unfortunately, Tristina awoke three hours later, no dreams, no Roman, and still tired. By the time they reached Glasgow airport, she just wanted to turn around and go back home. Without Roman, the vacation seemed useless. Prior to going to the cabin, they had to stop at a hotel for the night. She wandered into her room, dropped her purse, left her bags at the door, and went straight to bed. She was emotionally exhausted. Not even her parents’ divorce or the betrayal of many of her ex-lovers had left her so drained. Her heart ached for Roman. Her emotions were locked up so tightly she could barely breathe past them. She was going numb. It was as if part of her was lost without Roman. Tris stripped down to her underwear and crawled under the covers. She was just about to go to sleep when she remembered the letter. Rolling off the mattress, she retrieved her bag and rummaged around in it until she found the letter from Scotland. For some reason she felt the need to read it now that she was in the country. Her hands shook as she ripped open the seam and began to read the contents. Her heart nearly stopped at what she read. She read through the letter twice. Her hands shook. Sweat beaded on her brow. Her body became enflamed as

her mind turned into a jumble of thoughts that made no sense. She picked up the envelope and read the return address. Tris shook her head and read the letter again. A mad thought entered her mind: “I want to meet this man.” Going with that crazy thought, she grabbed her jacket, packed a small bag, and left a note for Chelley telling her she had a quick trip to make before they took off for the cabin. She called Aiden on the way to the lobby. “Aidan, this is Tris. I know it’s the middle of the night, but it’s an emergency. I need your help. Can you come to the hotel? I need to talk to you.” She hung up when he agreed to come see her. “This is madness,” she muttered to herself, but she felt compelled to see this man called Roman. “I’m going crazy. I see the name Roman, and I take off.” She shook her head but kept going until she reached the sitting area of the lobby. As she waited for Aiden, her mind picked over everything she’d gone through with him. Deep in her soul, she felt that this was her Roman, and he needed her. “Tris?” Aiden looked dishevelled, red hair a mess and pillow creases on his face. He was wearing a Tshirt, pajama bottoms, and flip-flops. “I’m so sorry. I know this is mad and a horrible hour, but I really need to get to this address. It’s important.” She showed him the envelope. He took it and read the address. Seconds ticked by before he answered, “If it’s important, then no problem. Where’s Chell? Thought she would be coming with you.”

Tris laughed and shook her head. “She’s in her room planning some mad scheme to paint the town red and have as many orgasms as humanly possible.” He raised an eyebrow but said nothing. “You look exhausted. How about this—you go back to your room and sleep, and we leave in the morning?” For a moment she debated on whether to allow this delay. Sleep tugged at her eyelids. Jet lag set in. “Fine. Yeah, I am a bit tired. But we leave first thing, right?” “First thing, love. I promise.” She nodded and headed back to her room. *** Aiden examined the address on the envelope that Tris had given him. He hadn’t given it back, and she hadn’t asked for it, much to his relief. After leaving the hotel, he went home. His mind worked over the problem at hand as his brain turned the address over and over. It was to Roman’s home. “There’s no way this is a mistake.” Once at his flat, he called the leader of their small band of Fallen Angels. “We’ve got a problem. There’s a woman here to see Roman. Should I bring her up? He’s not exactly sociable now, is he? It’s Tris. You met her a few years ago. Looks like Roman’s handwriting, and it’s his address all right. Okay, I’ll bring her up, but if he

hurts her, he’ll have to deal with me. Yeah, yeah, I’ll be careful. See you at poker next week. Bye.” He hung up and stared at the envelope. “Roman, what the hell have you done?” *** Roman paced his bedroom. He had resisted the urge to go to Tris, be with her in the dream world for a few weeks. He missed her so much, it hurt. Unable to stay away any longer, he made the decision to go to her one more time. Undressing, he crawled into bed, blew out a breath. He was about to close his eyes only to have doubts slip into his mind. “Bad enough I sent her a letter. She probably received it and thinks I’m some sort of stalker. I can’t go to her, not after what I did. Besides, what would that do but cause more pain?” Throwing back the covers, he began to pace. His mind worked overtime, frustrated that nothing was coming to him. He went to his computer in an effort to distract himself with some mindless web surfing. After an hour he was on her website. With a growl of frustration, he shut down his laptop. He didn’t want to sink back into the depression he had just come out of. He was just about to get some sleep when the doorbell rang. He pulled on his robe and went downstairs. Not bothering with the peephole, he unlocked and opened the door. His heart stopped. His breath caught. There, standing before him, rain-

soaked and looking exhausted, was Tristina. Behind her stood Aiden, one of his fallen brethren. “Tristina?” Roman asked in disbelief. Her eyes widened. Tris’ mouth dropped open. “Oh shit, you’re actually real.” He watched in horror as her legs shook, her eyelids fluttered, and then she sank to the ground in a faint.

Chapter Five Revelation Tristina awoke with a start, heart pounding against her ribcage. The last thing she remembered was Aiden driving her up to the address she had given him, ringing the bell, and the door opening to reveal Roman. Sitting up, she looked around. In the distance she could hear rain hitting the window and the rumble of thunder. The room was faintly lit with a lamp. A fire crackled in the hearth. In the dim glow, the room seemed cozy and comfortable. “It’s all right. You’re fine. Aiden returned to town before the storm became too bad. He’ll return tomorrow morning for you, if that is your wish.” The deep baritone of Roman’s voice rumbled out of a darkened corner of the room. She watched as he came into her line of sight. Her breath caught. Tris’ body felt like liquid. “Are you real?” Her voice came out a breathy whisper. Her eyes took him in, dressed from head to toe in black. His face and hair were bathed in golden light. He looked unearthly beautiful. His hands were stuffed in his pockets, his bright blue eyes burning her with his gaze. She swallowed. “You knew who I was. When you opened the door, you knew my name,” she whispered. He nodded. “I am real. What we shared in those dreams was real as well.”

“I didn’t imagine those dreams, what we did, everything we did. I’m not on drugs unless you count caffeine, and I’m perfectly sane, on my sane days. So how the hell did we share dreams?” She was proud of herself for sounding so reasonable, even though the circumstances were completely outrageous. Her head hurt from trying to understand it all. “Are you willing to open your mind, think outside the realm of what is considered logical?” His eyes continued to bore into her, making her rock from side to side with discomfort. “I can try.” “That’s good enough for now.” He sighed, came forward, and sat down on a nearby wooden chair. He brushed back his hair. She watched in fascination as the red and gold highlights caught the light before sliding behind his shoulder. Despite the pain he had caused her, she had the strongest urge to touch him, run her hands through his hair. Looking at his face, she wanted to run her fingertips along the contours of his cheeks, his lips. She had missed him so much. The yearning she felt for him returned full force. She sat on her hands to keep herself from reaching out and touching him. “In life I was a soldier. I was good at that. I had family, friends, and a wife.” “Wait, you’re a vampire? What the hell? This is far too cliché! I want another paranormal creature. I refuse to do the blood-sharing thing. It’s bad enough when I cut myself shaving, and horrible if I have to give someone else my blood. I need that red stuff,

thank-you-very-much.” She narrowed her eyes and stared at him. Roman blinked before he threw his head back and laughed, long and loud. His whole body shook. The sound made her smile. Warmth seemed to seep into every pore until she was engulfed in heat. “Oh, that is funny. I am not a vampire, I promise you, and I’ll only bite you if you ask.” “You never asked to bite me. You just did it anyway,” she pointed out. “True.” He gave her a wicked smile. “And you didn’t complain.” Her pussy became heavy, tingling with need. She shifted in her seat. Her stomach tightened. Her nipples became hardened peaks. “Anyway, if you’re not a vampire and I’m not delusional, are you a wolfie? ’Cause as much as I like animals, I refuse to have to deal with a bloodthirsty big bad wolf. Bad enough I have to deal with my family at Thanksgiving. I don’t need that kind of drama in my life.” He chuckled. Her cunt clenched on air. “Stop that.” “What?” He raised a thick, dark brown eyebrow, although his lips were trying to hold back a smile. “Are you a wizard, sorcerer, warlock, whoever the hell does the magic stuff?” “No, I am not one of them.” “So then, what the hell are you?” “I am a Fallen Angel.” “You got kicked out of heaven?”

“Tricked, but yes, in a way, I got kicked out of heaven.” “Interesting. Have you taken any wacky pills today?” “No, I am not on any medication whatsoever.” “Oookay.” She thought it over, then she remembered. “The wings. Where are the wings?” “You wish to see them?” “Yes, if you are what you say you are.” “You’re quite calm despite all this.” Tristina shrugged. “Shit happens, and I know far too much about the paranormal world as it is, anyway.” He raised an eyebrow, and she held up a hand. “I’m not going to explain it to you now. Just strip and show me the wings, buddy.” He gave her another wicked smile that made her melt. He took off his shirt, showing an expanse of lightly tanned muscle. He had an athletic body, not an ounce of fat on him as far as she could see. Licking her lips again, she curled her hands into fists as she tried to resist the urge she had to touch him, run her hands over the exposed skin. “God, you’re beautiful.” “Thank you, as are you.” He dropped the shirt to the ground and reached for his belt. “Wait, what are you doing?” “You told me strip.” “And you just do as I say?” His lips curled into a smile. “Oh yes, within reason, of course. And besides, these pants are far too confining.”

She dropped her gaze to his groin and swallowed at the large bulge she saw. Tristina shifted again in her seat. Her sex throbbed with need. It had been so long since she’d felt him inside her, stretching her deliciously. With great effort she ignored the need that was thrumming through her veins. As much as she wanted to see what was in his pants, she had to behave. “Don’t take off your pants, just show me the wings.” His head tilted to one side, a quizzical look on his face. “I want to see proof of who you are. We still have a lot of talking to do before I let you anywhere near me.” His hands dropped away from his belt. Emotions flitted across his face too fast for her to read. He instead closed his eyes. Roman started to glow softly. A golden light illuminated the dark corners of the room as the radiance became brighter and brighter. The wings didn’t burst forth. Instead they seemed to unfold from his back until they were fully extended. They were beautiful, covered in glossy black feathers. She crawled off the bed and walked toward him. Her feet padded over the soft yet thin rugs covering the floor as she made her way around him. Once in back of him, she ran her finger down where his spine was supposed to be. He shivered slightly. She did it again. He had the same reaction. Tris ran her hands over one of the wings. The feathers were as smooth as silk and as soft as the gentlest of

breezes. They tickled her palm. She had to resist the urge to giggle at the feeling. The wings took up the whole of his back. They started off wide before tapering off to small tips at the ends. She estimated his wingspan to be at least eleven feet. “Can you fly with these things?” she asked, curious to know what he could do with them. “Yes, although I haven’t done that in a long time.” “How much can you carry while flying?” She would love to go flying with him one day. That was, of course, if he could give her a good explanation as to why he had decided to end their dream encounters. Anger and sadness swirled in the pit of her stomach as she remembered the pain he’d caused. “I can most certainly carry you.” “Interesting. Do you know any other Fallen Ones?” She wasn’t going to ask if he knew Aiden. She didn’t want to expose her full knowledge of Fallen Angels just yet. If he didn’t and wanted to meet others, she could try and set that up. She knew they were a secretive lot, that they didn’t just let outsiders into their inner circle. It had taken her a few years and a lot of persistence in order to get them to talk to her, and a few more years before they opened to her. She wasn’t going to expose them just because she had found another of their kind. Tris stood up on tiptoe and ran her fingertips along the edges of his wings. They were hard and rounded, but the feathers found there were smaller, smoother, and softer. She walked around him and

stroked the underside of the wings. These feathers were finer, and as soft as cotton. She giggled as her hand ran over them. “Yes, I do know other Fallen Ones. Your friend Aiden, for one.” “So you know Aiden, and the others. Why haven’t I met you before?” “I chose to live my life away from the group.” “You said you were tricked into falling. Explain.” She walked toward the edge of the bed and hopped up. Her gaze took him in. He was just as gorgeous in his mortal form as he was in his fallen appearance. He took a deep breath. Roman seemed conflicted before he started his story. He remained standing as he began his tale. From beginning to end he stood before her, exposing his most vulnerable side to her. Her heart ached with him as she listened to him pour out his heart and past to her. By the end, there were tears in her eyes, but her anger at him remained. Tris slid off the bed and stood before him. She looked up into his eyes and cleared her throat. “I understand loneliness. I understand anger, but what I don’t understand is if you wanted to be with me, why the hell didn’t you seek me out? I didn’t want what we had to end.” She crossed her arms over her chest and waited for an answer. “I didn’t think you should have been with me. I’m still so full of anger and pain—”

She cut him off. “You’re not the only one with baggage, here. I told you things about myself that not even my best friend has ever heard. I exposed myself to you. Did that matter at all?” He reached out. She took a step back. Tris was still within reach, but he seemed to understand the action. “It did matter. It mattered a lot.” “It hurt me what you did. I had no idea what was happening. Everything was fine, and then suddenly you ended it with no word as to why. That hurt me. I had no way of contacting you to find out what was going on. You just dumped me.” “I felt as if I was ripping out my heart when I did that. I felt at the time that you deserved so much more than what I had to offer. I felt you deserved to be with someone who wasn’t so weighed down as I was. At the time, I thought all I could give you was those dream encounters, that I couldn’t give you a real relationship. I wanted to be able to give you all, but felt I couldn’t. I set you free.” “Yeah, and it hurt. You didn’t even give me a chance to tell you how I felt.” “I’m sorry.” Sadness weighed in his tone. The sound echoed in her heart. She sat down and gazed at her lap. “I know what it’s like to be betrayed. To have the people you thought you could trust stab you in the back over and over and over again. My parents…” Tris paused as she ripped open the wounds of her past. With a deep breath, she continued softly. “My

parents went through a terrible divorce. They kept hurting each other. It was painful to watch. To see two people who you love in so much pain and not be able to do anything… There were nights when I would hear my mom sobbing. I’d go in to check on her, and she’d just push me away. I wanted to make it stop. Make them see it was not good for them. I’d scream, act out. In the end they’d blame each other for my behavior and continue the cycle of pain. I’d see my dad, exhausted, broken, and hurting. This was the man who would kiss my boo-boos and send me on my way. He’d take me to the park. I’d ride on his shoulders, and he’d always get me a balloon or cotton candy. He’d say, “Shhh, don’t tell your mama.” Tris had to stop as the ache in her chest grew. “He was so alone in the end, and Mom ended up never remarrying. She said she couldn’t believe in love anymore. They’d broken each other too much for anyone else.” Tris shook her head. “I tried so hard not to be like that, to keep myself open for love.” She swallowed. He reached out and put a hand on her knee. Tris shook her head again. “Don’t. I’m okay. It’s just...I had always picked the wrong guy, but then the dreams started. I’d never met anyone like you. You made me feel safe, beautiful, wanted, adored.” Tears streamed down her cheeks, but she refused to wipe them away. She looked at him. “You took it all away in a snap. No explanation, nothing. That hurt me worse than my parents, worse than past

boyfriends’ betrayals, because you didn’t even tell me why. Now I understand my parents, why things happened. I can look back at my past love life and see the lessons I took from my parents and ex-lovers. It was those dreams, being with you, that made me think that I was truly healing, moving on. I was less lonely because of you. Why did you do that to me?” She turned away, moving her body around until she was facing the headboard. Tris felt the heat of his body against her back before the strength of his arms enveloped her. His wings closed around them, cocooning them in darkness. Her body shuddered as she sobbed openly at his gesture. His voice was near her ear. Roman’s warm, moist breath caressed the sensitive shell of her ear as he whispered soft words of praise and comfort. “I’m so sorry, my beautiful Tris. I’m so very sorry. I wish I could have protected you. I wish I could have kept you from harm. You are such a beautiful soul. I wish it had been you I had fallen for.” He buried his face in her neck and rocked her. It took awhile before the tears stopped falling. She felt drained. Tris yawned. “You need to sleep. You’ve just bared a large part of your burden to me. Rest now, my beloved Tris. Just rest and know I’ll be here when you wake up.” His arms dropped from around her, and his warmth began to recede from her back. Opening her eyes, she saw the golden glow of the fire reflected on the walls. She turned around to find the wings gone.

Another yawn came, followed by another. He gave her a soft smile. “We’ll talk more when I’m awake,” she declared before she crawled to the head of the bed and got back under the covers. Tris could see he was drained, as well. She opened her mouth and blurted out, “Will you sleep with me?” She didn’t want to be alone in that moment. Regardless of how angry he had made her, she couldn’t fathom not having him holding her. Tris cleared her throat. “I mean—” He held up a hand. “I know what you meant and no, as much as I would like to, there are things I need to do first. I will be here when you awaken.” He walked over to her side of the bed, leaned down, and gave her a kiss before leaving the room. She was disappointed, but too tired to think about it. Sleep took her as the sounds of the storm raged full force outside. *** Roman felt guilt weigh heavy on his shoulders when he thought about what Tris had been through, but also how he had contributed to her pain. His plan of leaving her alone to find someone else fell away. Now he was determined to love and protect her with everything he had. All he had to do was convince her to give him another chance.

As he made his way to his library, a plan began to form. He was going to find out how long she would be staying in Scotland and convince her to spend every moment with him. He was going to romance her and show her that by his side was where she belonged. He made a few phone calls, one to the head of his group to update them on the situation with Tris. He then called Aiden to assure him Tris was fine, and he would take care of her. After that he called his staff and checked to see when they would be coming in. He wanted the house to be spotless for her. There were several rooms that needed to be opened up, aired, and cleaned. His fortress in the mountains didn’t seem so claustrophobic anymore. He had a new outlook on his surroundings. For Tris, he would make this a palace worthy of her. With her he could see a new start, one where he could actually be in love with someone and have the emotion reciprocated. After a few hours he returned to Tris’ room. As he watched her sleep, Roman couldn’t resist the need to hold her once more. To make sure that this was indeed reality. He took off his shoes and crawled into bed with her. Roman wrapped his arms around her and hugged her body to him. His cock hardened and pressed against his fly. He ignored it. Instead he chose to savor the time with her. He studied her face. Her features were relaxed, and all the stress had faded away to reveal a woman now at peace. He

kissed her cheek, but couldn’t stop there. He traced a path with his lips down her neck, pausing at the hollow under her ear to inhale deeply of her light, floral perfume before continuing downward. She shifted in her sleep to face him. Her eyes opened, and she gave him a sleepy smile. “You’re still here.” “I told you I would be.” He bent his head and kissed her hard. She moaned and kissed him back. Her lips moved underneath his, opening slightly to let her tongue trace the seam of his mouth. He groaned and allowed her to take control. She shoved the covers down and wrapped her arms around him before pulling her head away to look at him. “Make love to me Roman, for real. Be with me.”

Chapter Six Together Tris wanted to feel anything other than the sadness that was swirling within her. Just the weight of Roman’s body behind her, holding her, helped soothe away some of the pain. She wanted to lose herself in the press of flesh, be safe in his arms again. A look at Roman and old feelings began to stir. She watched him scramble off the bed and admired the play of his muscles sliding under the skin as he moved. “Hurry up. You haven’t been with me in quite a while. I want to make sure this isn’t a dream.” She didn’t mention what she was really going through, why she needed to be with him again. He laughed. It was a beautiful, musical sound that gave her the sensation of being light and giddy. “I can assure you, dear Tris, that this isn’t a dream, and I will be more than happy to show you over and over again.” He undid his belt and slid the leather slowly out of the loops. “You’re moving too slow.” She couldn’t continue to sit on her hands, so she sat up and whipped off her shirt. Tris glanced over at him to gauge his reaction. In the dream world, he hadn’t been able to get enough of her, but his was reality. She wasn’t sure how things would work in the here and now.

Tris watched him carefully. His hands had stopped moving, his gaze roamed her body. The heat that blazed in his eyes seemed to increase. “So beautiful,” he murmured. Satisfied, she grinned and rose up on her knees, crawling to the end of the bed. “I’ll take off the rest if you do the same.” She laughed when his fingers flew to undo his fly. He shoved his pants down and stepped out of them. Roman straightened, standing proudly nude before her. Tris licked her lips as she took in every ridge, hollow, and curve of his body. She’d seen it before in the dream world, but viewing him now in reality was like seeing him for the first time. Her gaze followed the thin line of hair that started just below his navel to join a lush, dark patch of curls. His cock rose proudly, curving upward. The thick crown flushed red, a single pearlescent drop forming at the slit of his cockhead. She wanted to taste him, lap up the single pearl before taking his shaft into her mouth. He strode forward and stopped before her. As if reading her mind, Roman slipped a single finger under her chin, tilted her head up, and said, “Not yet. Right now we make love.” The time for teasing and words was over. She scrambled off the bed and finished undressing. Standing before him naked and trembling, she waited for him to do something, anything. He began to circle her slowly. Each pass brought him closer and closer to her. The tension arced and tightened between

them. She found it difficult to breathe. Her heartbeat raced as heat flashed along her skin. He stopped before her, and the heat of his body pressed against her. She gazed up at him, trying to determine what his next move would be. Her body tightened as anticipation danced up her spine. She clenched her hands into fists and waited. Her nails dug into her palms as he drew out the silence between them. The crackle of the fire and the howl of the storm outside filled the space. She licked her lips and opened her mouth to speak, only for him to beat her to the punch. “Get back on the bed and lie down.” His command was like a soft caress that caused goose bumps to rise on her skin. The roughness edging his tone made her shiver. Without a word, she turned and climbed up on the bed, crawling toward the headboard. Once Tris reached the mountain of pillows, she lay down and waited for him to join her. She didn’t have to wait long. He climbed up on the bed, moving toward her. His muscles rippled with each movement. He crawled up her body, dipping his head to blaze a trail with soft kisses that started from her stomach to her lips. She wrapped her arms around him, running her hands over his back. The skin felt hot, almost burning her palms, but she didn’t stop stroking him. Tristina slid her hands over his buttocks, squeezing the firm mounds, digging her nails into the hard flesh. Roman groaned above her. She arched her hips toward him, grinding against him, his cock sliding over her stomach.

Her pussy clenched with need. She lowered her hips back to the mattress and wrapped one leg around his waist, trying to push him down to her. She wanted the press of his skin against hers, the crush of his body pushing her into the mattress. He balanced above her. His hair hung down, almost blocking out the rest of the room, and his eyes glowed with an unearthly light. “No more dreams. You’re mine now,” he whispered as he lowered his face to hers until their lips were mere inches away. “All yours. Please, Roman, fuck me.” This is not a dream, she told herself. This is not a dream. Her thoughts scattered when he closed the distance between their lips and kissed her. Roman shifted his weight, causing the bed to dip just a little more to one side as he reached between them and positioned himself at her dripping entrance. With great care, he pushed his hips forward, sinking inside of her inch by inch until he was halfway seated in her tight channel. She moaned, clenching her walls around him, trying to draw more of him inside of her. Tris tilted her hips up toward him and wrapped her legs around his waist. She ached to have more of him inside of her, to satisfy the growing need that clawed at her stomach. Roman’s mouth left hers as he began to trace a path of soft kisses down her neck. “Please, Roman, don’t tease me. Fuck me.” He withdrew and slammed into her over and over again. The pressure built as the fire was stoked high with each thrust. They rocked against each other,

their damp skin gliding against each other as the passion burned between them. Her nipples raked along his chest, sending skitters of electricity straight to her clit. Tris groaned, needing more stimulation. She slipped a hand between them to delve between her pussy lips. Finding her clit, she began to rub the hardened nub, taking her time. Pleasure coiled inside her. Tristina’s orgasm grew. The heat between them built, the fire becoming an inferno. Her lips parted on a cry. He brought his head down, taking her mouth in a possessive cry as his hips pistoned faster and faster, pounding her pussy harder and harder. Tristina rubbed her clit faster, pausing to pinch the aching bud. Her orgasm broke over her in a wash of heat. Her cry was swallowed by a kiss. His teeth nipped and scraped her bottom lip as he withdrew and slammed into her. He fucked her through her orgasm. Small tremors broke out over her body only to double as she came again, limbs shaking, pussy clenching around his cock. The nails of her free hand raked his back as she continued to work her clit, rubbing and pinching the tightened nub and sending aftershocks through her body. He paused above her, his cock twitching and expanding within her aching cunt. Roman came on a roar, his warm seed coating the walls of her vagina. Their mingled juices trickled out of her pussy, slipping over her thighs and ass. He wrapped her up in his arms and rolled them until she was on top.

Reaching up, he brushed a damp curl away from her face. “I’m sorry for all the pain I’ve caused you. I want you to be with me,” he whispered. His voice grew louder with his next sentence. “With you I’m safe, wanted, needed. You have helped rebuild me from the pain I’d suffered long ago. You are helping to heal me. I hope to help you heal as well. I am so sorry for your pain, Tris. If I could, I would take it all away.” She shook her head as she threaded her fingers into his hair. “No, even if you could, I wouldn’t want you to. Those past pains helped me become who I am. It’s ironic, really. I closed myself to the option of love because of all that pain, and yet I ended up writing erotic romance.” She chuckled. His head moved, silken hair caressing her skin. “So you don’t regret anything?” “No, not a damn thing. Who knows what would or wouldn’t have happened if I’d had a happy childhood? We may never have found each other.” “That’s true. So what do you want to do now?” She sighed and rested her head on his shoulder. “I want to get some sleep, and then I’ll call Aiden and ask him to get Chelley to send the rest of my things. If it’s all right with you, I’d like to stay here and see where this takes my writing.” Tris didn’t mention that she also didn’t want to leave his side. Now that she’d found him, she wanted to get to know her lover.

“Why would I object? I get to watch you create and have you in my bed every night. Stay for as long as you like.” Something flashed in his eyes, but she didn’t ask. Her emotional state had settled somewhat. Right now she wanted to concentrate on her writing and getting to know him. “Good, but I won’t be staying in your bed every night. Sometimes I write long into the wee hours of the morning.” “Then I’ll stay up with you.” “Obsessive, aren’t we?” She laughed. “Now that I have you here with me, I want to know you.” “I know how you feel. I don’t want to wake up and find this is another dream. I need time to adjust. I mean, hello. I’ve been sleeping with a Fallen Angel. Who does that, well, in reality, not a TV show or movie?” His face grew serious. “You mentioned before that you knew about the paranormal world. How do you know about such things?” “If I say research would you believe me?” She prayed he would, but doubted it. Tris didn’t want to give away too much of what she knew. He pinched one of her nipples. She moaned. Her pussy contracted. “No. Explain.” “Evil man, you’re not going to go any further until I explain, are you?”

“No. Explain, please.” He brushed a kiss on her neck and settled his head back on the pillow, one fingertip circling her nipple leisurely. She sighed and stroked a hand through his damp hair. “I have a few friends who aren’t normal. Let’s see, there’s the werewolf hunter. She’s got major issues. A vampire club owner—and I honestly have no idea why vampires own clubs, but whatever—and a half demon bounty hunter who’s got major mommy issues. You know about the Fallen Ones I’ve met. My best friend Chelley is the daughter of one—well, a Fallen One and a human. She’s for the most part human, but she does have some abilities. We don’t talk about it. She’s still dealing with things. So there you have it, my experience in the paranormal world.” “I see. You’ve lived an interesting life.” She grinned. “Thank you. Now, since I don’t have my laptop with me, let’s say we get back to the fun?” Tristina didn’t want to concentrate on the confusion rolling around her head, and instead she slid down until they were face to face. Leaning her head forward, she placed a gentle kiss on his lips. He rolled on top of her, hair blocking out the light of the room. They made love slowly, the passion building until it reached fever pitch. Her orgasm rushed over her, dragging her under as she cried out her release. He soon followed her, crying out her name as he came. Panting, he moved to her side and pulled her to him, placing a gentle kiss on the top of her head. “Now we rest.”

They fell asleep, the rain pounding against the window, lightning and thunder rumbling overhead, but it wasn’t long before Roman awakened. A glance at his side showed Tris was still asleep. When she woke up he wanted to have food waiting for her. He himself was hungry. Reluctantly he left her side to put together a tray of food. For the first time in a long time he felt a sense of peace. The ache in his heart no longer pained him. His loneliness was ebbing away. He felt as if he could actually live again, maybe even love again. He just hoped she would be open to the possibility of love just as he was. “Perhaps it’s time that I did see how the world has changed,” he said to himself.

Chapter Seven Vacation For the next few weeks, Tristina worked on her new book and got to know Roman. Never in her life had she felt such a burst of creativity. Every couple of days, she would go down to see Chelley in the cabin that she was supposed to have spent her vacation in. She and Roman travelled into town at least twice a week to explore or stay overnight, taking in a movie or just having dinner. The last week of the month found her in a small café talking to Chelley and Aiden, who had tagged along. “I don’t want to leave. Roman and I are just getting to know each other, and the more I find out about him, the more painful it is to think of parting. Plus, this town is amazing. So perfect and cozy. How can I go now?” She took a sip of her cappuccino. “Well, I have to admit I thought I would be having a horrible time without you buuut… I actually like it here. Aiden’s been showing me around. We could stay here another month, at least. As long as you get the edits done and the publisher is happy, we’re golden. You know what, I hear Jayci BurnsJackson is in the U.K. She’s got a new release out, so how about I pull some strings and set up a book tour, maybe after next month? How’re your deadlines for those ebooks coming?” Tris thought for a second. “I’m halfway through one and plotting out the other so I’m pretty good, and

besides those aren’t due for another three months. I have time. I’ve got ten thousand words to write for the one I’m working on now and five thousand for the other.” “Good, good, okay. I’ll get in touch with Jayci’s people and see what they say. As long as you don’t need more time on those two books, all is good.” Chelley pushed back her chair and stood up. “Where are you going?” “I may have found a sex toy shop somewhere, and Aiden is going to show me where all the good shopping is.” She turned toward Aiden. “Come on, big guy, let’s go. You’re my mule today.” Aiden didn’t look the least bit offended. He actually grinned. Chelley grabbed his hand and tried to drag him off, but Tris spoke up and stopped them. “Aiden, hold up. I need to talk to you a second.” Chelley looked annoyed. “Don’t take too much of my mule’s time. I’ve still got shoe shopping to do, and he promised to take me to the pub today.” Chelley wandered off and, Tris laughed. “You okay with being Chelley’s mule today?” Aiden nodded. “I’d be her anything if she would let me take her out on a date.” “Pretty desperate, aren’t you?” “I’m gagging for a shag, Tris, and Chell is the only one I want in my bed. She’s driving me mad, but I don’t mind. I just wish she’d look my way, you know?” She reached up and patted her friend’s hand. “She will. Just tell her you’re interested.”

“And have her shoot me down? No, I’ll let her come to me with the old Aiden charm.” He grinned at her. All she could do was shake her head. “By the time she finally gives in, it will be the second Ice Age. Tell her now.” “I’ll see. Enough about Chell. What about you and Roman? Is he treating you right?” “Yup, very well, like a queen. He would have come down here with me if he hadn’t had some business to take care of.” “Good, good. We were worried about him a while back. When he decided to cut things off with you, he went off the deep end. We managed to get him back to health, but ever since you came, he’s been really happy. We should thank you. We’ve been worried about him for a long time.” “He told me a bit about that. Uh oh, looks like your queen is getting impatient. Better go to her. We’ll talk later. “ “Later, Tris.” He bent down and kissed her on the cheek before turning toward Chelley and squaring his shoulders. “You’re not doing battle with her, you’re just going shopping.” Tris laughed. “Says you. You didn’t tell me that woman was part robot.” He sighed and took off after Chell, who was standing a few feet away, arms crossed, foot tapping out of impatience. Tristina shook her head. Aiden was going to have to stop chasing after Chell. He wasn’t making any progress being her lapdog. She knew Aiden was no one’s lap dog unless he wanted

to be. She just hoped Chelley would see what she was missing before Aiden moved on to someone else. Finishing up her coffee, she paid and left a tip before doing a little shopping of her own. By the time she got back to the mansion, the sun was setting on the horizon. She found Roman in the kitchen cooking, which surprised her. “Hey, you, what are you doing? Trying to burn the place down?” She stood on tiptoe, and he bent down to accept a kiss on the cheek. “I can cook, you know. I just don’t do it too often. How was town?” “Good. If Chelley can work it, I can stay here for another month and go on a book tour of the U.K. with an uber big name in the romance industry.” She sat down at the table and watched him move around the kitchen. Her eyes ate up the way his jeans hugged his muscular ass. She was itching to give him a pinch to see what he would do. Instead she behaved herself. “That’s great, sweetheart. Maybe I can come along, if you don’t mind?” “And have Chelley commandeer you as another mule? Bad enough she’s got Aiden doing it. No, you get to be my something else if I do get to do this tour. How about the manager of my pleasure? Sound good?” “What does this manager of your pleasure do?” He began cutting up some apples. She stood up, walked over to him, and stole a slice.

“Hey!” He turned around and grabbed her hand, pulling her against him. “No filching food. I’m not done yet. What if I had needed that?” “You can punish me later. Now, what your job entails…let’s see.” She pulled her hand out of his grasp and trailed her fingers over his taut buttocks, squeezing the globes before running her hands up his back. “You would have to fuck me until we both couldn’t move, fan me when I become overheated, fetch me water when I’m thirsty, and obey my every whim, no matter how silly or crazy it may sound. What do you think? Want the job?” She pressed her body against his back, sliding her fingers around to his front and running her hands over his chest and stomach before taking hold of the bulge in his jeans. “What if I say no?” He tilted his head back and let out a soft groan. She released his denim-covered erection and stepped away from him. “Well then, I’ll have to find someone else.” Tris counted to three before she took off running out of the kitchen. Just before she turned to rush up the stairs, she heard him swear loudly followed by heavy footsteps coming after her. Giggling, she rushed into the bedroom and undressed. He rushed into the room, panting softly. “Minx, you will pay for that.” He undressed and joined her on the bed, covering her body with his. He didn’t waste time with kisses or caresses to inflame her passion. Taking one of her

legs, he lifted it up, balancing the limb against his chest. He began to lower himself until her leg was at an angle closer to her body. She was very thankful that she did yoga or she would have been hurting. Roman reached down, positioned his cock at her entrance and thrust forward. She moaned. It felt as if he was deeper inside of her this time. Tristina clenched her inner walls around him, causing them both to moan. He picked up the pace, fucking her faster and harder. He bent his head and flicked her nipple, scraping his teeth over the sensitive peak before sucking it into his mouth. Arching her back, she groaned, burying her hands in his hair, urging him closer. “Roman.” He released her nipple with a soft pop. His words were spoken in a growl that caused a shiver to race down her spine as the fire burning within her blazed even higher. “There will be no one else, no one but me in your bed bringing you pleasure.” “No one but you, Roman. Now fuck me, brand me as yours.” He withdrew until just his cockhead was inside of her, then slammed into her, hitting her cervix. He bent his head down, taking her other nipple into his mouth, sucking it with harsh tugs. She cried out as he pounded her pussy. Tris wrapped her free leg around his waist, trying to draw him closer to her. Slipping one hand out of his hair, she trailed her fingers tips down his back to take hold of one of his ass cheeks, squeezing the hard mound. Releasing her nipple, he kissed his way up her neck.

“You are home to me,” he murmured. He slowed his pace and brought his head up, those beautiful blue eyes sparkling with tears. “You’ve helped me begin to heal.” She didn’t know what to say back. So she said nothing. He withdrew and thrust forward, picking up the pace. Her climax built, spiralling higher and higher, coiling tightly within her until it burst. She cried out Roman’s name as she came, pussy clenching around his cock, body shaking. He thrust harder, his hips moving faster until he too found his climax, his seed coating the walls of her vagina. He continued to thrust until the tingle stopped. Breathing harshly, he looked down at her, and she smiled up at him. He lowered his head and placed a gentle kiss on her lips. “It’s all right. You don’t have to say anything back. Now, how about a quick shower, and then we go back and finish cooking dinner? I’m hungry, and there are a few people I’ve invited that I’d like you to meet.” She was relieved to hear there was no pressure, and yet she felt it. How could someone love another person whom they’ve only known for a month? The question caused her gut to twist. She worried that, although this time was fun, when it came time to leave, she wouldn’t be able to give him what he wanted: love. Instead she focused on the coming guests. “Do I have to get dressed up?” “No, casual is fine.” “Okay, how about we shower together and save some water?”

He laughed and rolled off her. “Race you.” They bathed quickly, managing to avoid having sex in the shower, but just barely. “Tris, sit down. We have a lot to discuss.” Roman pulled out a chair at the dinner table and gestured for her to take a seat. The guests, as it turned out, were some of the Fallen Ones she had met before, Aiden among them. They told her their stories while they ate dinner. What she heard that night broke her heart, made her cry and get angry. By the time dinner was over, she wanted to do something to help them. “Isn’t there anything we can do to help? Stop this somehow?” Roman caressed her face. “I’m sorry, but no. As much as it pains me, none of us can get retribution. They probably don’t even know we’re gone. Believe it or not, we’re actually happy where we are now. Despite the hurt and pain, it is better now to know what we do than to go through the whole process again. Catatonia did us a favor when she tricked us into falling. She freed us to live the life we had always wanted but never had the opportunity to carry out when we were alive. Don’t waste too much time thinking on it. We are happy. I am happy.” Despite the sincerity on his face, she couldn’t stop the anger that boiled inside of her. By the time the angels left, she had formulated a plan of what to do, but she would need Chelley’s help. Tris left Roman to call Chelley on the pretense of discussing the possible tour. She wandered out of the room and dialed her

friend’s number. “Chell, what’s the word on the tour?” “It’s a go. We’ve got liftoff, a touchdown, gooooaaalllll.” Chelley giggled, then hiccupped. “Um, no more drinking for you.” “Awww, come on. I’m just having some fun here with my new friends at the pub. Besides, this is a celebration. We get to stay in this lovely country for a few more months, whooohooo!” Tris heard cheers and shook her head. “Chell, I need you sober for a second. I want to talk to your father.” “Why?” Chelley sounded sober, much to her delight. “I just need to talk to him. It’s important, okay?” “Tris, talking to my father isn’t exactly a great thing. He’s helpful when he wants to be, but he’s mostly a loner. Not exactly like friendly Aiden. Why do you want to talk to him? What are you up to?” Tris sighed. “I want to talk to the person responsible for Roman and the other angels’ fall.” “Tris, that’s dangerous. Not all angels are the cute, cherubic creatures that art makes them out to be. Some of them are complete assholes, and with others it’s like talking to a brick wall. Sweetie, I don’t want you to get hurt over this, ’cause you could be.” “I want to help in some way. I just want to do something for them. They’ve been wronged.” “It’s not your fight. Did they ask you to interfere on their behalf?” “No.”

“There you go. Don’t poke around in old wounds, or you could get hurt.” Tris let out a frustrated breath. “Please, Chelley. I just want to talk to him.” The dull sounds of a football game and cheering pub-goers were all that she heard. For a second, she thought Chelley wouldn’t answer her.” “Fine, I’ll talk to him if you’re really determined, but if he can get a meeting, don’t go alone, understand?” “I’ll be careful, I promise.” “You better be.” Chelley hung up, leaving Tris feeling guilty for asking such a favor. In an hour her friend called her back to let her know the meeting was a go. It would be in town, at a small cafe they were both familiar with. “Thank you.” “You better be careful.” “I will.” *** “I cannot get them passage back into heaven, but perhaps I can arrange a meeting between the one that caused them to fall and yourself. I highly doubt that they would appreciate your interfering on their behalf, no matter how good intentioned,” Michael murmured as he rose. “I understand. Thank you.” Tris felt a sense of joy at having made some progress.

“I shall be in touch.” The angel left the table with a nod toward Chelley before he disappeared into the crowd. Tris shot a look over at Chelley, who had been sitting at a table nearby. Her best friend got up and sat down at her table. “Are you sure about this? You’re playing with fire here. Fallen Angels come in two forms. There are those who want to be here, and those who are pissed off and don’t care where they land. Did you at least talk to Aiden before doing this? I highly doubt he’d like it if you stuck your nose where he felt it didn’t belong.” “I know, but I want to do something.” The pain Catatonia had caused needed to be dealt with. The angel had to understand what she had done, despite how things had turned out. “Look, my dad, he’s a good guy. Mom never wanted him around and that was...okay, I guess. It’s just you have to be careful.” “Roman’s not going to hurt me.” “I know. I see the way he treats you, looks at you, holds you. He loves you a lot, but like I said, be careful.” “I will be. I promise. Wow, you notice a lot.” She didn’t respond to the love comment. Tris wasn’t sure how. Her feelings were still muddled on that subject. “I may be self-absorbed at times but I’m not completely dense. I do notice things outside of my world sometimes. Okay, enough of this depressing talking. Let’s get dessert.”

Tris was tempted to ask if she noticed how Aiden felt about her, but bit her tongue. She had to remind herself to not interfere there. Instead she changed the topic to something pleasant and fun. The two women spent the rest of the day eating and talking. A week went by before Chelley’s father contacted her, telling her a meeting had been arranged on the edge of town. Tris worried that she wouldn’t be able to lie to Roman about where she was going or what she would be doing there. When the day came, she left the mansion without telling Roman anything and hoped for the best. On the way to the meeting, Tris thought up all sorts of scenarios, but the one thing she kept coming back to was that Catatonia wouldn’t understand. As she tried to picture her, Tris felt she’d be of unearthly beauty and curvy, that she’d be perfect. When she reached the meeting point Tris found Catatonia to be exactly as she’d pictured her: tall, curvy, and extraordinarily beautiful with symmetrical features and full, pouty lips. Sitting down across from the woman, she didn’t feel the anger of envy she’d expected, but instead she actually felt sorry for Catatonia. There was an air of loneliness that hung around the woman. She couldn’t help but wonder if, during the seduction and trickery, Catatonia had ever regretted her actions, questioned her motives? Had she ever fallen in love with one of her many victims? Tris pushed her questions aside to focus on the task at hand, trying to get some measure of retribution for Roman and Fallen Angels.

“Thank you for meeting with me. I won’t take up much of your time. I want to discus Roman and some of the angels you tricked into falling. I know that you thought what you were doing was helpful, but you hurt a lot of people. They may be healing, but that still doesn’t make what you did right. They deserve at least something for the trouble you’ve put them through. Not much, but anything that can at least show them that you are sorry.” “Why should I be sorry? I did what was best,” the woman answered. Her voice was like a chorus of birds chirping and sunlight breaking through the clouds after a rainy day. Tris felt her body warm. A sense of relaxation came over her. She had to shake her head to clear the fog that was threatening to set in and derail the meeting. “Yes, you did what you thought was best, but you hurt people. Does that seem right?” She prayed that Catatonia would say something that wouldn’t make Tris want to shake her. Unfortunately, she did. “As I said, I did what was best. No harm came to them, and they are happy, as you pointed out. Everything is fine.” Her voice was less mesmerizing, much to Tris’ relief. “Yes, now it’s fine, but you still caused a lot of pain. Can’t you see the error of your ways here? Was it worth betraying people who trusted you?” “They couldn’t have fallen if I had chosen another way,” Catatonia said simply.

“There had to be another way. Why didn’t you just give them a choice? You didn’t have to trick them.” Catatonia paused, and Tris preened. Ha! I got her on that one. Her satisfaction didn’t last long. “They remained as lusty in the afterlife as before they entered heaven. They did not deserve the job they were given. What I did, I did for the sanctity of the Holy place. I used the only way I could to get through to them.” “But they didn’t deserve that. A lot of those men were good people.” “Do you know that for sure? Have you spoken to all of them?” “They got into heaven, didn’t they? They must have done something right.” Tris leaned back, waiting for Catatonia to counter that. “Perhaps, but they still had their faults. Therefore they did not deserve the honor that was bestowed upon them.” “You’re missing the point. You deceived them, and then betrayed them. How can that be right? Are you not portraying the traits of a sinner?” Catatonia blinked and paused. Tris waited, hoping she was finally getting through to the woman. “I do what I do for the greater good. Whatever tactics I use are approved by those who gave me this responsibility.” “You’re still doing this? What the hell is wrong with you?”

“Please refrain from using such language in my presence.” Tris gritted her teeth. Sadly, she realized she wasn’t going to get anywhere. Catatonia wasn’t going to budge and admit the wrong she had committed. Tris sighed heavily. “I see this meeting was pointless for the both of us. I’m sorry to have wasted your time. I will say this. I feel terrible for the Fallen that you have tricked. I just hope one day you’ll come to understand how they felt when you betrayed them. Goodbye.” “I shall think on what you said. But there are no promises. I must ask, why are you doing this? Whom do you fight for?” Tris paused. “His name is Roman. He was a soldier in life. He was a good man, who was betrayed by love twice, once by his wife, and the other by you. You took his key to heaven before pushing him into the mortal realm. I fight for him and those of the Fallen I call my friends.” “I see.” Tris shrugged. She said nothing more; there wasn’t anything to say. The meeting was over, and for that she was glad. Exhaustion weighed heavily on her shoulders as she left the garden. Chelley’s father had warned her that the meeting would be pointless, and she just wished she had listened. On the way back to the mansion, she ruminated over her meeting with Catatonia. Despite the disappointment at not having accomplished what she had set out do, she did feel bad for the angel. The

woman was so out of touch and seemed so distant. She didn’t carry an air of superiority, just a sense of deliberate ignorance. She refused to admit, regardless of the evidence presented to her, that what she had done was wrong. Add that to the loneliness that Tris had sensed about her, and the woman was definitely all alone with no one to love. That made Tris appreciate what she had found with Roman and that she had friends like Chelley, Aiden, Jamie, and all the others she had met. Pulling up to the front door of the mansion, she looked up at the massive structure and felt a sense of home. She entered the house and found Roman in the kitchen making tea. He glanced up, his face expressionless. Tris knew something was wrong by the hard look in his eye. “You’re home. Did you enjoy town?” She opened her mouth to lie, and yet it wouldn’t come out. Tris tried again. Nothing. “Can’t lie, can you? One of my fallen brothers called to say he saw you speaking to Catatonia.” He sat down at the dinner table. Her heart hammered in her chest. Heat crept up her neck and cheeks. She stood at the entrance of the kitchen frozen to the spot. Without looking at her, he began to talk. “We asked you not to. We are happy with our lives. I am happy with my life. If I hadn’t fallen, I wouldn’t have found you. Would have lived my life without ever knowing what it was to be at peace. I loved you!”

He finally turned to look at her. The pain and anger in his eyes lashed out at her. She felt the sting on her cheek and turned her face away. His confession sunk into her muddled mind and she sucked in a breath. He loves me. Oh. My. God. He loves me. She opened her mouth to respond but the words wouldn’t come out. The shock was replaced by fear. Dark storm clouds hung in his blue eyes that made them seem almost black. She swallowed hard. “Roman—” He cut her off. “We asked you not to interfere, and you betrayed our trust. How could you do that to us? How could you do that to me?” Accusation in his gaze pinned her in her place. She found herself fidgeting with the hem of her jacket as she stared back at him. “You know my history of betrayal. It may not have been with another man or even you lying to me, but you went behind my back, you went behind all our backs, and told Catatonia. I could have lived another lifetime without having that bitch know how painful her betrayal was to me,” he growled. “Roman,” she started. “Don’t. Please, don’t open your mouth and tell me how sorry you are, or make up some lie to try and appease me. I don’t want to hear it. I’ve packed your things. They’re loaded in the car. Please don’t contact me ever again.” He pushed back the chair, stood up, and left the room without a backward glance at her. The world around her grew cold. Her chest ached. She found it hard to breathe. Numbness crept

over her skin as she tried to understand what had just happened. “Tris?” She turned around to find Aiden looking at her, sadness on his face. He nodded his head toward the kitchen door. “Come on, let’s go.” “But—” “Tris, come on. He’s pissed enough as it is and hurting. Don’t make it worse by staying. Please.” In that moment, she didn’t want to go. Tris wanted to run up those stairs and plead that he hear her out. She almost did, but knew it would do no good. With a sigh, she turned to leave, but paused at the back door of the kitchen. “I love you too, Roman,” she whispered, and she meant it. In that small moment, she knew all the time she’d spent with him had led to her falling in love without realizing it. Roman had her heart. She knew she would never find anyone like him. It was all over. She’d done the one thing that he couldn’t forgive. Tris had betrayed him too. A week later... Roman sat in his darkened study and watched the rain fall. It hadn’t stopped raining since Tris left. It was like the rain reflected the state of his heart. It was fit to bursting with the emotions. Thunder rumbled overhead, and a crack of lightning lit up the steel gray sky. He took another drink of Scotch and let the alcohol burn down the back of his throat. Exhaustion

tugged at his body. He wasn’t sure what time it was, but he knew it was well past midnight somewhere. “Will you continue to sit in the dark and wallow over your lost love?” He jumped out of his chair and whirled around. Catatonia stood in the middle of his study. Her soft, unearthly glow lit up part of the study while leaving the rest in darkness. He took her in and felt nothing. Roman couldn’t understand what he’d seen in her. There was no pull, and her beauty held no sway over him. He sighed. “I’m too tired for this.” “She risked her life to see me. I might not have been so kind.” He snorted in disbelief. “As if you would harm a mortal.” “Those I work with wouldn’t be so pleased to have a mortal intervene in our affairs. Besides that, the wind has ears. One never knows who is listening.” “So why are you here, Catatonia? Why did you come? Are you here to torment me?” Roman sneered as he poured himself more Scotch before resuming his seat by the window. “I have spoken to your fallen peers. I have thought of my decisions and heard their stories. I have to say I am sorry for the part I played. I had no right to seduce you all. I should have asked, let you decide rather than tricking you. It was wrong of me. I can see that now.” “Because you spoke to a few fallen brothers?” He shook his head in disbelief.

“No, because I saw the damage I had inflicted firsthand. Some are not so accepting of their circumstances. They had cruel lives before death. Heaven was to be their respite from their torment. Your friend Aiden lived a harsh life before death. To make him fall in love with me when he had no love before was cruel and unforgivable. I feel shame for that. And now I have cost you another love.” Her voice was the mournful sound of heartbreak and regret. He felt the weight of it and sighed heavily. “Cata—” “Don’t, please. I know what you’re going to say, and you’re wrong. What she did, it was out of love. Yes, she went behind your back, but she felt your pain as if it was her own. That I saw clear as day. Tristina wanted to give you more salve for your wound. It just didn’t work the way she wanted it to, as it cost her her love. Roman, she does love you. Otherwise, why risk your wrath to help the healing process and give you what she felt was your due?” Roman shook his head and refused to listen to Catatonia’s logic. “Roman, search your heart. You know she did this out of love, whereas your wife betrayed you out of spite, and I was being inconsiderate and selfish. Ask yourself, can you truly live without the woman who did what even time couldn’t—heal your heart?” He closed his eyes and knew the answer even before he uttered it aloud. “No, I can’t.”

“Then go to her. Find her.” For a moment, bright light flooded the room before all went dim again. Roman sat alone for a moment longer before breaking the silence. “I may be a Fallen Angel, but I’m not a fucking GPS device. I can’t track her wherever she goes. I don’t even know where to look.” The doorbell rang. With reluctance, he rose and went to answer it. Aiden stood on the step looking soaked to the bone. “Look, I know it’s not my place, and you might bite my head off, but here.” He shoved a piece of paper in his hand. “It’s Tris’ tour schedule. You both need each other. She’s miserable without you. We’ve all forgiven her. We just hope you can too.” Aiden turned and disappeared into the pouring rain.

Chapter Eight Reconciliation Tristina continued to sign books and smile even though her heart wasn’t in it. Her cheeks and hands hurt. Her heart ached with each person who came up to her with their significant other in tow. Every happy couple pushed her closer to bursting into tears. It had been a week since Roman had asked her to leave. Each day that went by, it was harder to get out of bed. Not even meeting her readers helped soothe the pain. It felt like a part of her was missing. Nothing she could do would help. Chelley had tried to drag her out clubbing, which only resulted in her drowning her sorrows in one glass of Bailey’s after another until she started crying. Aiden was called to help Chelley get Tris back to the hotel. Nothing made the pain go away. She’d thought of calling off the tour, heading home, and hiding in her bed until the pain passed. Chelley refused to let her quit, and Aiden backed her up. “Hey, you can’t cut in line, buddy,” someone called out. Tris looked up. She opened her mouth, ready to tell the person to show some manners and to go to the end of line. Her thoughts stopped, and her heart skipped a beat. All the air left her lungs. “Tristina, I’m sorry. Can we start over?” Roman gazed down at her, blue eyes glittering with tears.

Tears blurred her vision as she hopped up from her seat, rushed around the table, and threw herself into his open arms. There were gasps and murmurs, but she didn’t care. Emotion exploded in her chest, and she was left feeling overwhelmed and speechless. She slid a hand into his hair and pulled his head down, needing to know if this was real and not some fantasy brought on by grief. Relief rushed over her like a wave, and she sighed against his mouth. She pulled her head back and scrambled out of his arms before slapping him in the shoulder. “What took you so long?” He threw back his head and laughed. “I had to be reminded that what you did, you did out of love over and over and over again by many of my fellow Fallen. Can we start over?” “No, we can’t start over.” She watched his face fall, and she shook her head. Tris reached up and caressed his cheek. “I love you, Roman, and I wouldn’t trade any of what we went through to start over.” He gave her a crooked smile. “I should have known. I love you too, Tristina, and I’ve missed you so much.” “Uh, guys, make up later, book signing now.” Chelley grabbed Roman’s arm and led him around the table to stand behind her chair. She pointed at Tris. “You sit.” “I’m not a dog, Chell.” “And I’m not made of patience. The store is closing in an hour.”

Tris smiled before reclaiming her seat behind the table. The rest of the evening went much better with Roman by her side. When they made it back to her hotel room, they ordered room service and settled down on the couch. He explained how Catatonia visited him at his home and spoke up for her, and then how the other Fallen spoke to him about taking her back. That they weren’t angry at her for what she did. Then Aiden came to his home soon after and delivered Tris’ tour schedule before taking off. “I’m glad that they did. It hurt not being with you.” She snuggled next to him. Roman placed his arm around her. “My heart ached for you. Next time, my love, if you truly wish to help, if you really want do something like what you did with Catatonia, state your case with me or the group. Catatonia’s moods are mercurial. You never know what you’re going to get even on the best of days. Your life was in danger, and none of us, neither I nor Aiden nor your friend Jaime, could have helped you.” He reached up and caressed her face. “I don’t want to lose you.” “And you won’t. Um, does this mean no creature hunting?” He laughed. “As long as you don’t do it alone and come back to me in one piece, all is fine.” “Good. So what do you have planned for the rest of the evening?” “Making love, a break, and then more sex before sleep.” “So more of the usual, I see.”

He laughed. “Yes, I’ve missed you.” “I’ve missed you too, and I’m so glad we found each other.” “Me too.” He kissed her gently as they cuddled on the couch. Life for Tristina couldn’t have gotten better. She had finally found someone who loved her no matter what.

~ End ~

~ About the Author ~ Interracial author Selena Illyria was born with an overactive imagination. With great curiosity and a love of writing, she'd love to explore the many genres out there, from paranormal to sci-fi to cyberpunk and beyond. Are you willing, dear reader, to step into her worlds? If you are, feel free to poke around. Mind the pixies. They can be very… um... excited by newcomers *wink.* You can email her at [email protected] Visit her website at: www.selenaillyria.com http://www.facebook.com/selenaillyria http://www.facebook.com/pages/SelenaIllyria/100175079107?ref=nf www.twitter.com/selena_illyria www.myspace.com/selenaillyria http://groups.google.com/group/selena-illyria-andshara-coopers-seductive-secrets

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Dragons at Midnight © 2011 Selena Illyria

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