Chapter 213 - Touch like heaven (1/2)

Jos couldn't control the slight tremble of her hand as she stroked it over the thick foliage of feathers. She followed the ridge to where it protruded from the thick rippling muscles of his upper back. She drew closer as she lifted onto her tip-toes to get a closer look at the place where the wing merged into tight, slightly tanned skin. ”Amazing...” She whispered.

Arei watched her from over his shoulder. His smile widened when her eyes moved from the wings to his muscled back, following their ridges lower. He forced himself not to react or move in the slightest, afraid he would frighten her.

Jos sucked in a harsh breath as her eyes landed on the hard, thick curve of his butt. She hadn't even realized that she had been trailing her fingers lightly along the path of her eyes until her fingers were gliding over one well-sculpted cheek. She quickly jerked her hand back and took several steps back. ”Sorry...” She whispered as heat crept up her neck.

Seeing her pull away from him, Arei extended one wing in the hopes of regaining her attention. He kept his back to her. ”You're perfectly alright. Here, maybe you'd like to see the rest of it?” He glanced back at her. The smile returned to his lips as the curiosity returned to her eyes, and she moved toward the wing. ”This is another form I try to avoid ever being seen in.”

Jos's surprised eyes shot up to meet his. ”Why? It's breathtaking!”

He let out a heavy sign. ”Last time someone saw it, they swore they'd seen Lucifer... others have mistaken me for a damned demon.” He rolled his eyes. ”You have white wings and humans try worshiping you, but you have black ones you're something evil.” He shrugged. ”I can only assume that's why your friend Raven keeps hers hidden.”

Jos nodded, her attention still studying his fully extended wing. ”Yeah, but she always went along with them.” Jos shrugged. ”Worked pretty well when she was a member of Isha's military. Seeing an armor-clad, weapon welding crazy woman with prismatic black wings is pretty daunting.”

He chuckled, ”I guess it would be.”

Jos made it to the very tip of the back of his wing. Her questioning eyes met his. ”Is it alright if I...” Her eyes moved away from his steady gaze. ”Um... you're still... covered... right?”

A smile spread across his full lips. ”Yes, Kitten. I'm still covered with the other wing. It's perfectly safe for you to come around to see the other side if you'd like.”

Jos swallowed hard as she nodded. ”If it's alright with you.”

His smile widened. ”Help yourself, Kitten.” She searched his eyes for several minutes before finally stepping nervously around the wing, not breaking eye contact with him until she was all the way around causing his smile to fade slightly. ”You never have to worry about me hurting you or trying to force you into something you're not willing to do.”

Jos's cheeks heated as she looked away. ”I'm practically feeling you up and ogling you. You have every right to want more... to expect more...”

He turned slightly as his hand moved out slowly toward her face. Her eyes met his as his hand brushed across her sharp jaw. ”You're wrong there, Kitten. I have no right to expect more from you simply because you find my current form interesting. Attraction and fascination alone don't warrant action.” He released her face. ”Come on. Let's get into the cabin and give me a few minutes to find some clothes since you lost mine,” He winked at her teasingly. ”And if you're still interested, you can pick up where we left off out here.” He lifted his arm and wrapped his wing back around his waist for her comfort before reaching out and taking her hand in his. He didn't release his grip until they made it onto the covered wrap-around porch. He reached overhead to the top of a beam directly over the door and retrieved a key.

Jos watched as he slid it into the lock and turned it. ”Isn't that dangerous leaving it there?”

Arei smiled back at her as he pushed the door open. ”I mean someone would have to be at least six foot four or taller to reach it.” He watched as her assessing eyes moved from the deck up to the beams. ”Ry and I built it so that we wouldn't have to worry about bumping our heads on the eves. He pointed to the low end of the porch. Back during the time, it was built, it wasn't uncommon for homes and businesses not to be able to accommodate our six-eight height.

Jos swallowed as her eyes instinctively moved to his body when he mentioned his height. She quickly turned away. ”Sorry...”

He shook his head as he reached out to take her hand again. ”You don't have to apologize. It's only natural to want to size up someone who just admitted to being over six-four. Come on inside so I can shut and lock the door behind us.” When she did as he asked, he quickly latched the locks and nodded toward the small but cozy seating area. ”Make yourself comfortable while I search the bedrooms.” He watched as she made her way over to the oversized sectional. His eyes followed hers to the clock on the mantel. It had only taken them forty minutes even with him taking his time. They would have to kill at least an hour here in order to give the wolves time to mend their fractured relationship. He forced his attention away from Jos and turned toward the bedrooms.

There were two right off the living room. One had a king-sized bed while the other had two doubles. A deep frown spread across his handsome face as he opened the last drawer of the second bedroom. To his misfortune, the only clothes that had been left behind were a nightgown and an incredibly small pair of boxer briefs. He cringed as he removed the underwear from the drawer and held them up. He tried to pull them up over his thighs, but the material had no more give left. He let out a long sigh as his eyes moved around the room before falling on the bed. ”Hum... guess it's better than just these.” He said to himself as he walked toward the bed and pulled the sheet off and began tying it around himself toga style. He glanced over at the mirror and laughed at his own ridiculous reflection. ”Has to be better than going out there n.a.k.e.d, I guess...” He mumbled before turning back toward the door.

Jos had pulled some of the old curtains back, letting in extra light. She was now fingering through dust-covered books lining one of the many shelves that lined the fireplace. ”Find anything of interest?” He asked as came up behind her.

Jos nodded not turning her focus away from the books. ”A few...” She pulled one off the shelf studying its aged cover. ”If it's alright, I would love to take this one back with us when we leave.”

”It's fine with me. I'm sure we can find you something around her to carry it in as well.” His voice carried a teasing smile as he added. ”So, you don't drip it as well.”

She turned on him in irritations, saying as she turned. ”I wouldn't have dropped your clothes had you not-” Her eyes widened as she took him in, and her words died off. ”hadn't plunged... down... sooo f...as..t...” Her eyes roamed over the thin white fabric.