Angel's Blade (6 page)

Nathaniel frowned, an inkling of
what was going on floating through his mind.
Except, that’s impossible,
he thought, afraid to hope. He spoke anyway. “You felt like something was
wrong. Out of place. Unnatural.” He licked his lips, suddenly nervous. “Didn’t
you?”

Zeke stared at him. “Yes.”

Nathaniel stared back, unwilling to
back down.

Finally, Zeke continued. “I came to
get you. The feeling went away when I stood in front of your door.”

“That doesn’t make any sense.”
Nathaniel didn’t want to mention the way he’d felt when he woke up. He wasn’t
sure he believed in coincidences, but it sure as hell was a better explanation
than anything else. He certainly didn’t believe in miracles.

Zeke stood up and began to pace. “You
think I don’t know that?” he asked angrily. “I’ve spent the last ten years of
my life traveling the world, learning. Trying to forget that I lost my family.”
He stopped and glared at Nathaniel. “I’m not prone to daydreaming, not anymore.
I take things at face value.” He ran a hand over his face. “This, this
feeling,
”
He spat the word out. “It makes no sense.”

Nathaniel stood up. He didn’t know
what to say, but he didn’t like the way Zeke was standing, as if he was going
to punch something. “It’s gone now,” he offered. “The feeling is gone, right?”

“Sure, it’s gone. But tell me, why
do I feel the almost unbearable urge to do this, instead?” Zeke asked, his
voice thick with some emotion Nathaniel couldn’t interpret. And then he took two
quick steps to the bed, cupped Nathaniel’s face, and kissed him.

Nathaniel froze, stunned. His only
coherent thought was,
His lips are so soft.

Chapter Four

Zeke kissed Nathaniel, shocked at
what he was doing. Shocked that Nathaniel didn’t rear back and hit him in the
face. He thought it would be strange, kissing another man, but instead it felt
familiar. Like he’d been missing something all his life until this moment. Nathaniel
tasted warm and surprised, so Zeke opened his mouth and let himself sink in,
the way his instincts wanted him to. Nathaniel didn’t kiss him back, but he
didn’t protest either. Zeke kissed him deeply, then gently moved away,
trembling.
God, what have I done?

“Whoa,” Nathaniel said, voice
shaky. He put a hand up to his mouth. His lips were red and wet.

Zeke stared, heart hammering in his
chest. Whoa, indeed. “I’m sorry,” he rasped, voice harsh. He couldn’t look
away. Nathaniel was so damn beautiful, especially in the firelight.

Nathaniel laughed.
Laughed.

Zeke swallowed, feeling lightheaded.

“Um, I’m not exactly upset here, in
case you didn’t notice,” Nathaniel said.

Zeke didn’t know where to put his
hands. He tried to take a shaky step back, but his body wouldn’t cooperate.
Nathaniel reached out, grabbing his arms and pulling him in roughly. Zeke
gasped as the smaller man’s hard-on pressed into his thigh. Jesus. “What’s
happening to us?” he asked. “I’ve never felt like this about another man
before.”

Nathaniel shook his head. “I don’t
know.” He leaned in and rested his forehead on Zeke’s shoulder. “And I really
wish I did. You’re hot, and I like you a lot, but I make it a habit to leave
straight guys alone.”

“I don’t feel straight right now. I
feel all twisted up.” Zeke put a tentative hand on Nathaniel’s neck. Something
prickled under his fingers, like static. He looked down just in time to see
marks sliding under Nathaniel’s lovely caramel skin, like ink that couldn’t
decide where to settle. He pushed him away, breathing hard, but didn’t lift his
hand. The marks moved like magic beneath his touch.

Nathaniel’s fingers tightened on
his biceps and he swayed. “God, what’s happening?” He sounded drunk.

Suddenly, Zeke knew. “Jesus,” he
said, stunned. “We’re bonding.” This was even more shocking than finding
himself attracted to a member of the same sex.

Nathaniel shook his head. “No, no,
that’s impossible. I’m only half-angel. I can’t fly. I can’t do anything. My
genetics are too mixed up.”

Zeke stared at Nathaniel’s
shoulder. The ink was darkening to a slate-grey as it came to the surface of
his skin. The lines moved like a blooming flower, full of potential and beauty.

“Nathaniel, look,” he managed to
say, sliding his hand down the smaller angel’s arms and lifting them.

Nathaniel had his eyes closed. “I
feel really fucking weird,” he said.

“Open your eyes,” Zeke told him. He
was hard and flushed and so fucking aroused he could barely think, but he knew
one thing. Nathaniel had to open his eyes to understand what was going on. The
marks moved under his hands like electric wire, zapping him with energy before
settling into the familiar angelic pattern. Nathaniel swayed as if he’d been
drinking and Zeke tightened his hold. “Open your eyes, Nathaniel.” He shook him
a little.

Nathaniel’s eyes snapped open. When
his eyes fell onto their clasped arms, he went perfectly, utterly still.

Zeke had never seen a more
beautiful man in his entire life. He’d never, ever been attracted to a man
before. He’d never wanted another person more badly, and the thought scared him
so much he let go. The motion shocked Nathaniel into looking up. In his face,
Zeke saw shock and worry, but then his expression softened into compassion. In
the midst of receiving angelic legacy marks, Nathaniel was cognizant enough to
see Zeke’s consternation and understand. That strength of character is what
finally broke him. Tears welled up. For the first time in a decade Zeke let
them fall.

****

Nathaniel had never truly
understood what his father meant when he’d talked about being touched by God,
but he did now. It was like being struck with electricity. Like shoving your
hands into a fire and pulling them out unharmed. It felt like falling from a
great height, but never hitting the ground. He stared at his arms, held so
tight within Zeke’s grasp. The sparks of energy he’d felt had settled into
legacy marks. He didn’t believe it. He didn’t trust it. When Zeke suddenly let
go, he looked up, wanting to ask what the hell was happening to him. What he
saw in Zeke’s face stilled his tongue.

The other angel had tears in his
eyes and he looked more wrecked than Nathaniel felt.

“Don’t cry,” he whispered, reaching
up to touch a finger to Zeke’s cheek. “Everything’s all right.”

Zeke blinked and the tears ran down
his face. “I lost my faith,” he said, his voice like rocks falling down a
slope.

Nathaniel knew exactly how he felt.
“I never really had faith,” he murmured, moving in until his entire body
pressed up against Zeke. It felt better to hold onto someone right now. “So, I
know what you mean. It’s okay.”

Zeke shook his head violently. “No,
it’s not. I’ve been wandering so long—”

Nathaniel stopped his words with
his mouth. Zeke groaned into the kiss, hands coming back onto Nathaniel’s
biceps. Nathaniel gripped his waist, trying to get closer. The heat between
them felt like nothing he’d ever experienced before. The marks on his arms
shocked him, sure, and he was eager to find out if they were true legacy marks,
but this attraction to Zeke felt even more primal. “God, Zeke, don’t let go,”
he muttered. He needed Zeke like he needed air.

Zeke panted, mouth moving down his
jaw. “I don’t know what to do. I’ve never done this before.”

“I’ll show you,” Nathaniel
murmured, backing him toward the bed. He pushed aside his misgivings, focusing
on the burning need in his body. Were they bonding? He didn’t know. He wasn’t
sure he cared. He just knew that he had to have this angel. He had to convince
Zeke that loving another man was just as beautiful as loving a woman. It didn’t
have to mean anything. It would be just sex. When Zeke’s legs hit the mattress,
he tumbled down. Nathaniel went to his knees between Zeke’s thighs.

“God, Nathaniel, what are you
doing?” Zeke asked, eyes going wide. His hands gripped Nathaniel’s forearms,
distorting the newly formed marks.

Nathaniel smiled up at Zeke,
shoving aside his doubts. He knew Zeke might freak out later, but right now,
all his instincts told him to keep going. “I’m going to suck you,” he said,
voice low with promise. His cock throbbed with agreement, pushing out against
his soft sweatpants. He licked his lips, already imagining the weight of Zeke
on his tongue.

Zeke shuddered and let go.
Nathaniel moved his hands up, unbuttoning his jeans carefully. When he eased
the zipper down over Zeke’s erection, the larger angel shivered. He wasn’t
wearing any underwear and his cock sprang out, thick and hot.

“Gorgeous,” Nathaniel murmured,
taking him in hand.

Zeke groaned. “God, Nathaniel.”

“I’m not God,” he said, then
lowered his head. The taste of Zeke burst over his tongue, sweet and musky. He
licked around the crown, then slipped him inside, sucking firmly. Zeke trembled
and Nathaniel slid his hand down his pants, rolling Zeke’s balls over his palm.

“Jesus,” Zeke cried, bowing over
Nathaniel, hands flying out.

Nathaniel grabbed them and put them
on his head. He lifted his head briefly. “You can clench my hair. I don’t mind,”
he said, looking up. Zeke’s face was tight with arousal and desperation. When he
wove his fingers into his hair, Nathaniel smiled and sank back down, determined
to drive Zeke out of his mind.

“Fuck,” Zeke muttered, fingers
tightening just to the edge of pain.

Nathaniel palmed himself with his
free hand, cock aching. He slid his fingers back behind Zeke’s balls and
pressed gently. Zeke’s hip lifted as he began to thrust, unable to help
himself.

“Yeah, that’s it,” Nathaniel said
as he came up for air. He blew on the cock next to his cheek, enjoying the way
it bobbed.

Zeke groaned. “Please, Nathaniel.
God, don’t stop.”

Nathaniel slid his fingers back
further, teasing Zeke’s hole.

Zeke froze, eyes going wide. “Stop.”

Nathaniel stilled his finger, but
didn’t move away. “I won’t do anything to hurt you, I promise.”

Zeke swallowed. “I know.”

Nathaniel fluttered his finger,
pleased when Zeke’s cock swelled against his lips. “You like it.” He fluttered
his finger again. “Do you still want me to stop?”

Zeke closed his eyes, panting. “No.
God, how can that feel so good?”

Nathaniel sucked Zeke’s cock back
into his mouth, moving his finger in time with his tongue. Zeke moaned, low and
frustrated.

“More,” he begged. “Please, I need
more.”

Nathaniel began to suck, then he
gently eased his finger into Zeke.

“Fuck,” Zeke exclaimed, back
arching, and then he was climaxing.

Nathaniel sucked strongly, taking
him deep. He swallowed, once, twice, then again, knowing that the motion of his
throat would feel incredible for Zeke. Even so, he couldn’t swallow all of Zeke’s
spunk. It spilled out of his mouth and down his chin. When the dick on his
tongue finally softened a little, he moved back. He eased his finger out and
pressed harder on his own cock. He needed to cum, so bad.

“Fuck,” Zeke repeated, then hauled
Nathaniel up, kissing him deeply.

Nathaniel groaned into Zeke’s mouth
as he caught himself on the mattress. His erection was right up against Zeke’s
thigh. All it would take was a little rubbing…

“Oh no you don’t,” Zeke said,
flipping him onto his back.

“Shit,” Nathaniel breathed as Zeke
stripped off his sweats. For a guy who’d never done anything with another man,
he seemed pretty sure what he wanted.

“Don’t move,” Zeke said, his voice
low and thick.

Nathaniel fisted the blankets,
trying to obey. His cock was so hard it hurt. The tip was shiny with his arousal.
Zeke stood up and pushed his jeans down and off, kicking them away. His cock
lay against his thigh, wet and only half-hard now.

“What are you going to do?”
Nathaniel asked. He tightened his buttocks, trying to keep still, but he wanted
Zeke so bad.

Zeke took a deep breath, looking
right into Nathaniel’s eyes. He took himself in hand, running his thumb over
the tip of his own prick.

Nathaniel stared, mesmerized. He’d
sucked that cock. He knew exactly what it tasted like. Felt like.

“What do you want, Nathaniel?” Zeke
asked, hand still moving.

While Nathaniel watched, Zeke’s
cock thickened, becoming erect again.

Nathaniel moaned, hands twitching.
He had to touch himself. He let go of the covers, but as soon as he slid his
palm over his hip, Zeke was there, pinning his forearm down with his knee.

“Zeke, touch me,” Nathaniel begged,
breathing harshly. “Please.”

Zeke didn’t speak. He just kept
jacking himself, as if Nathaniel hadn’t spoken.

Nathaniel watched his hand go up,
down, up again. Zeke’s shaft was dark red, wet, and larger than he remembered.