STORY EXCERPT

“What can I get for ya?” The cashier was young, maybe seventeen, with bright blue hair and an easy smile that put me slightly at ease.

“Uh…” I scanned the menu overhead, trying not to drool. “Brisket sandwich and a side of baked beans.”

“Great choice! You want a drink with that?”

Hell yeah.

“Just water,” I said quickly, keeping my budget in mind. The way my stomach twisted I wanted half the menu, but I wasn’t about to burn through what little cash I had left.

Being broke sucked.

“Coming right up!” The kid punched in the order, called it back to the kitchen, and handed me a receipt.

While I waited, I leaned against the counter, letting my gaze wander. A dad was lifting his daughter into the air, her giggles loud enough to carry over the din. An older man wiped sauce off his wife’s cheek, both of them smiling like the world couldn’t touch them.

My chest tightened. How long had it been since I’d felt anything close to that kind of peace? I forced myself to look away, clenching my jaw. Envy wasn’t useful, not when my own life was barely hanging together.

The tray slid onto the counter, and I grabbed it, finding a corner table tucked away from the crowd. It was ideal, out of sight but with a clear view of the room. I eased into the chair, my back to the wall, and finally let myself breathe.

As I took the first bite of brisket, tender and dripping with smoky goodness, it was like biting into heaven. The spices danced on my tongue, making me forget everything outside that flavor. Osiris, my past… All faded for just a heartbeat.

“God.” I took another bite. “This is incredible.”

Whoever had cooked this brisket was a rock star. I didn’t think I’d tasted anything this good in my entire life.

But as good as the food was, it couldn’t silence the whisper in the back of my mind. A feeling I couldn’t shake, like eyes on the back of my neck. I set the sandwich down, scanning the room. Nothing seemed out of place, just people enjoying their meals.

I exhaled, shaking my head. “Stop,” I murmured under my breath. “Just eat.”

But the knot in my chest tightened. I picked up the sandwich again, determined to ignore it. Just for tonight, I needed one good thing.

“Do you mind if I sit here? Every other seat is taken.”

The stranger’s deep voice had a soothing quality to it, like smooth jazz on a lazy morning. I slid my gaze up, my eyes landing on a stranger who seemed to take up more space than he should, even standing still. The scent of sandalwood and musk wafted from him, mingling with the aroma of the freshly cooked food on his tray.

Those dark eyes studied mine, and I felt completely stripped bare. Forcing myself to look away, my gaze slid over his black duster that hung loosely over broad shoulders, and when he shifted, the faint clink of metal hinted at something far less ordinary than a belt buckle. 

“Sure,” I managed, my voice quieter than I’d intended.

Holy shit. The faint curve of his lips threatened to tilt my world on its axis. He slid into the seat across from me then set his tray down. 

“Thanks.” He leaned back slightly. “Name’s Malachi.”

“Hungry.” My eyes widened. Why don’t you outright beg him for a handout. “I mean Dane!” Clearing my throat, I steadied my voice. “I’m Dane”

The barest hint of amusement danced across Malachi’s lips. He slid his tray toward the middle of the table. “If you’re still hungry, you’re welcome to anything you see.”

I forced my gaze not to slide over him.

“No.” I shook my head. “That’s your food.” I’d satisfied my craving for barbecue, and now I needed to keep moving.

Malachi kept studying me, his intense gaze making me want to squirm. I shifted uncomfortably, then glanced around the room.

That’s when I saw him.

A man sat alone in a booth, no food, no drink, just a quiet focus that felt like a blade pressed to the back of my neck. His dark hair fell neatly over one eye, and he was staring directly at me.

My chest tightened as that familiar tingle spread through me. There was something about the way he looked at me, calm and unwavering, that sent a chill crashing through my body.

A low, rumbling snarl yanked my attention back to Malachi. The guy was rising slowly, then he flicked his arm out.

My gaze darted around the room, and I realized with horror that Malachi had frozen everything. A woman sat mid-bite, her fork hovering inches from her lips. A kid’s laugh was stuck on her face, her eyes wide and bright but empty. Even the clatter of dishes and hum of chatter had vanished, replaced by a silence so intense it made my ears ring.

“What…?” My heart pounded as I stumbled back, nearly knocking my chair over. My gaze jumped between Malachi and the man in the booth.

ADULT EXCERPT

When he pulled back again, his eyes were glowing, a molten red that should’ve terrified me but only made me want him more. “You’re mine,” he said, his voice rough and raw and damn if I didn’t want to be.

“Yeah,” I said, my voice cracking, but I didn’t care. “Yours.”

The words felt like surrender, but for the first time in forever, it didn’t feel like losing.

Pivoting, he walked us across the room. I knew the moment we reached my bed, because he fell forward, taking me down with him. But his strong arms softened the landing, dragging my body farther up the bed until my head was resting on the pillows. 

His lips descended on mine before I could utter a word. I whimpered as I pulled at the snap of his waistband, desperate to feel the weight of his cock in my hand. 

Malachi’s breath was warm against my ear, his lips trailing down to press a kiss just below it. “You’re so eager,” he murmured, his voice thick with restrained hunger, vibrating low enough to make me shudder. His teeth grazed my earlobe before his tongue flicked out, leaving a cool, wet trail.

“I think you like it,” I shot back, my voice raspier than I expected. My fingers scrambled at the snap of his waistband, the leather resisting as I tugged at it.

How hard is it to unsnap some goddamn pants?

Malachi leaned back, just enough to watch me struggle, his mouth curving into a slow, predatory smile. “Go ahead. Work for it.”

The challenge made my hands move faster, pulling and yanking until his pants slipped low enough to reveal his hard cock, standing proud and thick, the tip glistening in the low light. My mouth went dry as I stared, my tongue darting out on instinct.

A sudden warmth brushed over me, and I realized every stitch of fabric was gone from my body. I tensed.

“Don’t.” His fingers gently touched my chin. 

I had been so caught up in the moment, I hadn’t thought about being naked in front of him, Osiris’s handiwork on full display. Jagged lines from deep cuts, puckered marks from burns. Osiris had left his cruelty etched into my skin.

“You’re beautiful, sweetheart.” Malachi lowered until his lips pressed against one of my nastier scars. His hand skimmed over my side, the pads of his fingers grazing a few more. 

“This isn’t beauty.” I looked away, but tender fingers brought my face back to his.

“This is a warrior.” His smile was gentle, matching the look in his eyes as he brushed the pad of his thumb over my cheek. “I would be proud to stand next to you in any battle.” 

My throat grew tight. He meant it. I could see the truth in his eyes. “I’m-I’m hideous.” 

“You’re amazing.” His lips touched mine, and I opened for him, his tongue sweeping in to steal my very breath. His hands kept skimming my body, touching every mark Osiris had left behind. 

When we broke apart, his wings unfurled, shadowing the bed. As he gazed down at me, his glowing red eyes devoured every inch of exposed skin with a look of pure hunger. 

My heart thudded as I swallowed, suddenly unsure if I was ready for this. But the way he was looking at me—as if I was the only thing in the world that mattered—made my resolve crumble. His body was a study in power, lean muscles rippling under his pale skin, and I wanted nothing more than to make him come undone.

Sliding down the bed, my hands brushed over the firm, sculpted muscles of his thighs. Malachi’s breath hitched as I wrapped a hand around his cock, the weight of his length heavy in my palm, the heat pulsing against my skin. I couldn’t stop my tongue from darting out to taste the pre-cum dotting the slit, the salty tang sparking across my taste buds.

He groaned, his wings twitching as his hands fisted in the sheets. “Dane…”

His voice sent a thrill through me, spurring me on. The desperate way he said my name could mess me up for life. Everything in me wanted him so damn badly. I just wish I could believe him when he said I was beautiful.

Osiris didn’t leave behind beauty. He left behind nightmares, something I desperately wanted to forget. 

Pushing aside those thoughts, I took Malachi’s cock into my mouth slowly, savoring the way his body tensed. My tongue teased the underside of his thick shaft, tracing the ridge before hollowing my cheeks and taking him deeper. His fingers tightened briefly in my hair, not to control but to hold, as though grounding himself in the moment.

“More, temptress,” he growled, the words torn from his throat.

I obeyed, sliding my hands up to grip his hips, pulling him closer as I worked his shaft deeper. The taste of him, the weight, the low sounds he made—all of it filled my senses, leaving me lightheaded with desire.