Lightning flashed. Bare inches separated their flesh. Don’t touch. “You’re not dying.”

Her laugh doubted him. “Then why do I have an Angel of Death after me?”

“I’m not—”

Her fingers pressed against his chest. His heart raced even faster. “Not you. The other one. Bastion.”

“You weren’t meant to see him.” Had it not been for Az’s blood, she never would’ve known about Bastion.

Her eyes seemed so deep as she stared up at him. “What did you do?”

Brandt had killed to keep her. And Az . . . he’d been ready to fight Death for her. His jaw clenched. “You shouldn’t touch me.”

Her hand pressed harder. “I don’t think I’m supposed to be here, am I?”

Thunder rumbled.

“If an Angel of Death is pissed and on my trail . . .” She exhaled softly. “I’m guessing that means I should be dead.”

No.

“It wasn’t your time,” he said. I made sure of it.

Her gaze searched his. “I don’t want anyone else to die for me. I can’t stand there again and watch—”

He broke. The cabin shook as the wind howled around them. Thunder rumbled so loudly it sounded like a drum. Az grabbed her. Lifted her up against him. “And I will be damned if I watch you die before me.”

His lips crashed onto her. Control, control—a frantic shout in his head, but a shout he couldn’t heed. His body was burning with need and lust and rage and . . . fear.

Fear, the darkest of all emotions.

Won’t lose her. Can’t.

She was the only thing he’d ever wanted more than heaven.

Jade didn’t push against him. Her hands curled around his shoulders, and she opened her mouth wider for him.

Her taste just fueled his frenzy. A wave of his hand had her clothes falling off her body and dropping to the floor. Two steps, and he had her on the bed. Her hand went to his cock, to the aroused flesh that strained toward her, but this time, he needed more than just the wild rush of release.

He needed everything.

Az’s hands wrapped around her thighs. Such smooth, supple skin. He parted her legs. Stared down at her pretty, pink sex.

Knew he had to take a taste.

His fingers stroked her first. Sliding lightly over the soft flesh, he found her wet and hot. A push of his index finger showed just how perfectly tight she was inside.

Take.

But first, he’d taste.

When he put his mouth on her, Jade’s hips arched up against him. His tongue swept over her. Sweeter than strawberries. So much better. He licked. He kissed.

His fingers pushed into her even as his tongue stroked over her clit. Jade’s fingers fisted in his hair, and she jerked when she came against his mouth.

The first time.

Because he wasn’t done. Az was just getting started. His hands locked under her hips, and he forced her sex even closer to him. He held her, kept her trapped just where he wanted her, and he tasted every inch of Jade’s sweet core.

Her breath panted, her body trembled, and she cried out his name as the climax hit her again.

He could taste the pleasure on his tongue.

His c**k ached. The heavy flesh felt so big and swollen that he knew he’d come any moment. Az rose up. Licked his lips, and tasted her again.

Lightning flashed.

The rain beat down outside. A hard, driving rain that washed everything away.

Everything . . .

He positioned his c**k at the entrance of her body. Kissed her as he thrust deep.

The rain fell.

Her legs wrapped around his. Held tight. His thrusts grew harder. Rougher.

The thunder was so loud it drowned out the squeaks of the old bedsprings. Az kissed his way down Jade’s neck. His teeth scored her flesh.

Her sex gripped him so tightly. Every move sent pleasure spiking through his body. Faster. Harder.

Her ni**les were taut peaks against him. Perfect for his mouth. He tasted her there. Thrust harder.

She met him with her body and held on to him as fiercely as she could. Her right hand grabbed the sheet on the bed. Clenched it as she tossed back her head and squeezed her eyes shut.

More pleasure. More heat.

Temptation.

“Jade.”

Her eyes flew open. Bright. Wild. Lost.

Did his look the same?

Her hand rose. Stroked over his shoulder and onto his upper back. Her caressing fingers traced the outline of his wings.

“So beautiful,” she whispered. “My angel . . .”

Not an angel. Didn’t she see? Couldn’t she feel the darkness?