Demon Fire (The Angel Fire Book 3), Marie Johnston [books suggested by bill gates TXT] 📗

hanging open, and he always turned away by the time she was done.

Bryant continued to come visit. He’d told Leo about the developing plans regarding the fallen. She’d been afraid her mate would retreat again. But as before, he’d ignored it, like he’d ignored the rest of the daily news Bryant brought with him.

Two weeks ago, Bryant had stopped with one foot out the door and said, “I think he actually sounded sarcastic at one point when I mentioned the senate. Whatever you’re doing, double down.”

Her sleeping robe had been replaced with a white lacy number that she’d worn the first years they were married. He’d been in the bathroom the first night she’d worn it, and he’d refused to roll back to bed in his wheelchair when she was in the room. She’d tried to stubbornly wait him out the other night, but she’d fallen asleep and he’d slept in the bathroom in his wheelchair.

Stubborn male.

She’d quit sitting with him all day long. He needed time to process his feelings and the information Bryant gave him, and she needed him to see that she wasn’t with him out of obligation.

And she didn’t stitch anymore. She’d never work with needle and thread again. She’d gotten a phone and learned how the other angels powered their electronics and used their services.

So many apps. All the main movie apps were on the phone. Romantic comedies. Stand-up. Cat videos. She’d maneuvered her chair around so Leo could watch too. He hadn’t turned away from her, and yes, she might’ve played dirty to keep him from flipping to his other side while she was there.

She laughed. She enjoyed herself, and more importantly, she enjoyed herself around Leo again.

Now night had fallen and it was just the two of them in bed. She lay in bed, her wings tangled in Leo’s. He’d tried to tuck his close to his body, but she’d wormed her way in until her feathers were thrust all through his. He hadn’t retreated from her again.

She looked over her shoulder. His shaggy hair was splayed across the pillow, but it was apparent he’d shaved.

Had he done it for her? The thought that he was thinking about her made her restless. When she was restless, she started to worry again. How quickly her body had gotten used to orgasms as stress relief. No matter how much lighter the manor was, how much better she felt taking care of herself, she worried about her mate. She worried her efforts would be for nothing.

She had to level up.

Maybe it was time to satisfy her body in the bed she and Leo had made love in. Maybe it was time to be next to him while she did it.

She hugged her wings to herself and rolled onto her back. If she was doing this, she wasn’t going to have her back to him.

She reached out her arms and legs in a languid stretch, then widened her legs until the knee closest to Leo bumped his hip. Their feathers slid against each other. He twitched.

They hadn’t touched intimately beyond their wings since the incident.

She slid her hand down her belly. It could be her mate’s presence, his soap-fresh scent, but she was wetter than she’d ever been.

Leo’s wings flicked. She turned her head and found him looking over his shoulder.

“For fuck’s sake, Millie, are you doing that right here?”

She circled her nub and her eyes went half-lidded. “I’d rather you do it.”

He swallowed hard, his gaze traveling down her body to where she touched herself. “You don’t want me.”

“Remember our sync night?” She undulated her hips and buried her free hand in his feathers. “Remember how slow you went?” His nod was jerky. “I was so mad at you. You’d made me wait for months, thinking you weren’t interested, and then you made me hold out until I thought I’d explode.”

“You’d been waiting for months?”

“Leo, you could’ve taken everything you wanted as soon as we met.”

His brows dropped. “But we were only paired because I was injured.”

“We were paired because we’re good together. You and me, Leo.”

“Millie . . .”

“I’ve missed you,” she said and groaned. Hearing his voice next to her while she was doing this sent electricity dancing along her nerve endings.

“I’m not the same.” He almost turned away, but she tightened her grip in his feathers and yanked on his wings.

“I don’t want the same, I want you.” She kicked her hips up and pressed her upper back into the mattress.

“I want you too.” The confession was ragged, like it was torn out of him.

“Get on your back,” she ordered.

He tried to turn away again, but she tugged on his wing, and to her surprise, he rolled with it until his wings were pinned under him. His hands covered the mound at his hips, the erection that strained against the bedding.

She immediately snuggled close to him, her hand still on her sex. “Do you want me to keep going?”

“I want . . .” His mouth worked and anxiety clouded his eyes.

“I want you inside me.” She leaned into him until her lips brushed his ear. “I can do this myself, or we can uncover you down to your waist, but, Leo—one of these nights I’m touching you. All. Over.”

His throat pumped up and down as he worked over his decision. She continued stroking herself, her hips swiveling, and she let her passion show on her face. If she stopped, he stopped.

He had to be the one to make the first move. She wasn’t forcing herself on him.

“I’m so wet,” she whispered. She could encourage him though.

He shoved the blankets down to his waist, paused, his gaze dipping to her hand and her hips, then he pushed them down farther, just until his cock sprang free.

She sucked in a breath, desire flooding her core with heat. “Your erection has always been magnificent.”

He fisted it, gave it a pump, and winced. “It’s sensitive.” His voice was ragged.

No, he wasn’t ready for her to climb on yet. But this moment was further