Read Online Crushed Seraphim by Debra Anastasia - Free Book Online Page B

sky were littered with stars, and in the center was a huge, four-poster bed covered in silks and velvet. Music fell around them, a piano picking out emotions and setting them free like butterflies to soar.
    Jason smiled as she gasped. Red rose petals fell like autumn leaves around them. The moment the petals touched the ground they faded away.
    The knot in her belt slowly unraveled until the ends hung separately. Emma started to giggle and held out her arms. He took charge of her jacket like a magical gentleman. The bottom button pushed itself through the hole that had held it captive. She stopped giggling as his mind moved to the next button. Each one was set free in an achingly slow process. The material slid off her arms and soon she was before him in her strapless gown again. She winked at him and blinked like a genie granting a wish. His casual clothes transformed into a finely tailored tuxedo. He stopped mid-stride.
    Two can play at this game here?
    She held a hand out and caught a rose petal.
    She put it to her face and sampled the fragrance. “Heavenly, and I should know.”
    Jason licked his lips and held out both hands — one filled with a bottle of champagne, the other held two crystal glasses.
    Would you care for a drink?
    She nodded, thrilled that he was embracing the pause. The world might be about to crumble around them, and he was dreaming up alcohol. He handed her a glass and kept his eyes on her lips as he filled it. When he was done, she reached for the bottle and filled his glass.
    Jason held his crystal up for a toast. “To never waking from this dream.”
    Emma touched her glass to his, the clink echoing off the night sky that was their backdrop.
    She looked pleased and added, “To using this break in the spirit it was intended.”
    They swallowed the bubbling liquid, and Jason turned down the music and conjured up a large, red couch. The pillows were huge and inviting.
    Have a seat. As much as I would relish ravishing you on that bed…
    They both looked at it, the testament to his lust that it was.
    …I can’t take you. Your pain’s too much.
    She blinked hard, the emotion he’d brought to the surface punching her in the now-beating heart. Jason disappeared the glasses and bottle, and they both sat.
    “Tell me why Everett seems so fixated on you.” Jason reached out for her hand.
    Emma let him comfort her with the simple gesture.
    “I’m here for you, not the other way around.” She leaned back into the couch.
    Things change.
    She sighed and tilted her head to look at the fake stars.
    “Everett was my fiancé a long, long time ago. He didn’t take kindly to his property being with another man,” Emma said.
    Jason squeezed her hand gently and tried to quiet the jealousy in his mind so she could think. He hadn’t expected such deception from a woman who’d become an angel.
    “You judge me so quickly?” She pulled her hand from his. “You and Everett should have a chat. You might be good friends.”
    She was angry. More than that, she was hurt — his opinion of her must mean more than she was letting on.
    I don’t want to insult you, but wouldn’t it be better to stay true to the man whose wedding proposal you’d accepted?
    “Men. You’re all just suckers for putting your stamp on something. Peeing on your trees. You know what I say to that, half-breed? Up yours and your sanctimonious, self-serving bullshit. Hot damn. I even wanted to kiss you.” She paced on the stars, stomping through the black sky.
    I’m just saying I can understand why Everett was angry — not that I agree with his actions at all.
    She was furious. “Where the hell’s my jacket? I’m leaving you and your throbbing bachelor pad. Take your flower petals and stick them up your ass.”
    Jason rose from the couch and stepped bravely toward the vexed seraph.
    I don’t want you to leave. Please. I want to know what happened so maybe it can help us save God. You do want to save God, right? This isn’t all