“We can’t trust those two.” Jade paced back and forth near the lone window in the room. “After what she did to you—no way can we trust them.”

He’d barely managed to chain back his rage as he talked to the witch. “We can use them.” That was the plan. No trust. He didn’t trust anyone.

Except—

“They’re using us. That witch will get a big payout when she turns us over to Brandt.” She rubbed her arms. “But I guess when you’re stuck between hell and a hard place, you don’t really get to choose your allies, do you?”

No.

She dropped her hands. Stared at him. “You can take Brandt out.” Not a question. “I’ve seen what you can do with my own eyes. I know how strong you are.”

He stalked toward her. Slowly. She didn’t back away, not even when he lifted his hand and cupped her cheek. “I can kill him as easily as I can kiss you.”

Her breath whispered out. “An angel assassin. Az, you’re the last thing I expected to find in that dirty alley.”

And she was the last thing he’d ever expected.

Her fingers rose and curled around his hand. “Kiss me.”

His heart beat faster.

“This is the end right?” Her words tumbled out. “In a few hours, we have our big standoff. We use our secret weapon—you—and take out the bad guy.”

That was the plan. It wasn’t about trusting the cop and the witch. It was about using them in order to get an up-close audience with the panther shifter he’d be sending to hell.

“I’m protected,” Jade told him. “There’s no risk of pregnancy or—or, um—” She broke off, flushing a bit.

Az lifted a brow. “I have no diseases or illnesses. Angels can’t get them.”

Her breath sighed out. “Good to . . . know.” Yes, it was.

“Kiss me,” Jade told him again. “I don’t want to spend the next few hours worrying and being afraid of what will come with dawn.”

He wanted her mouth. More, he wanted her.

Jade brought her body closer to his. “I’m your temptation, right?”

He hadn’t meant—

“Then let me tempt you.” She was. “After dawn, after we face what’s coming, we’ll go our separate ways.”

Redemption.

“But let’s be together now.” She stood on her toes and her lips brushed over the line of his jaw. “I need this. I need to be with you.”

She knew the power he held, but Jade wasn’t afraid. He didn’t think she’d ever been afraid of him. Not his touch. Not the fire he controlled.

Should she fear the lust he felt for her? Because it could rage out of control.

Az caught her hands. “I’m not like other men.”

Her gaze held his. “Good.”

She didn’t understand. “I’m not . . . safe.”

She stared back at him. The desire he saw in her stare made his c**k harden even more.

He tried to warn her. “If I lose control, it could be dangerous for you.”

But she just laughed. “You’re an angel, you can’t—”

Jade didn’t understand, and the lust rising in him would soon push him too far. “I’m Fallen.”

She kissed him. On her toes, so she could better reach him, but Az still lowered his head and her mouth pressed against his. Sweet, soft lips. Stroking tongue.

Her hand snaked down between their bodies. Found the snap of his jeans. Unhooked it. The hiss of his zipper filled his ears even as her fingers slipped inside and curled around his cock.

Yes.

She licked his lips and her stroking fist pumped his aroused flesh.

“Tonight,” Jade’s whisper was against his lips, “it’s just us. Give me this much.”

Right then, he would’ve given her anything.

He took over the kiss. Thrust his tongue into her mouth. Tasted her. Savored, and loved the light flavor of her.

This time, he wouldn’t stop. He’d take the pleasures humans felt. He’d take her.

One night.

Didn’t he deserve that much?

Her hand lifted from his straining flesh, and he immediately missed her touch. Az hooked his hands under her hips and picked her up. Jade gasped against his mouth. He liked that little sound. He spun around, and pressed her against the nearest wall.

Her legs wrapped around his hips. His c**k strained toward her. Pleasure.

Though the lust pounded at him, Az knew that he had to make the sex good for her. She’d need the pleasure, too.