Right, he got the picture. Not anymore, there wasn’t any video.
Sam brushed past them and headed down the steps. “You still haven’t said thanks.”
He was back on the force. Not wanted. Not hunted. He could stay in New Orleans with Marna. After he took her on those sightseeing trips she wanted. Things wouldn’t always be perfect, and he was sure he’d have to smooth over more shit at the precinct to make sure all suspicion was gone, but . . . “Thank you.”
“That’s a start.” Sam didn’t look back. “It’ll take more before we’re even.”
With that guy, there was always a price.
Sam headed down the sidewalk. Then he paused, and glanced back at Marna. “You still can’t kill, can you?”
She stared back at him, then shook her head. “Not with the Touch.”
His brow furrowed.
“It’s not like the Touch would have worked on another angel anyway,” Marna said, her shoulders lifting and falling in a small roll, “but believe me, I wanted to kill.”
Sam’s gaze had become hooded. That gaze swept over Marna once, twice, and seemed to measure her.
Then his eyes widened. He glanced back at Tanner, and for an instant, Tanner thought the guy had pity in his stare. Now why the hell would Sam pity him? All was supposed to be freakin’ sunshine now.
“Some aren’t meant for death,” Sam murmured. “Some are meant for something much different.” His head cocked as he studied Marna again. “You never should have been a death angel. We all knew you hated carrying the souls. Everybody knew, but you did your duty for so long.”
“Not anymore,” Marna told him, and her fingers tightened around Tanner’s. “Now I’m free.”
Did Sam shake his head a little? Tanner’s gut clenched. That Fallen knew something he wasn’t saying. Something that already had Tanner’s whole body locking up as if he was about to take a blow.
But Sam pointed at Tanner and said, “Stay close to her.” His gaze drifted back to Marna. “Guard what you want the most.” Then he turned away. “Oh . . . and, by the way, I made sure every damn supernatural in this city knows that angel blood is off the menu. Permanently.” The words floated to them on a breeze. “And I only had to kill a few paranormals to get the point across.”
Just a few?
“Don’t worry, cop, they all had it coming.” Sam was at the edge of the sidewalk. There one moment, gone the next. Vanished, as if he’d never been there.
Guard what you want the most.
Tanner pulled Marna close to him. She actually wanted him, loved him—scars, claws, beast, and all. She’d been willing to risk her life for him.
He’d guard her for as long as he had breath.
Tanner bent his head toward her and brushed his lips against hers. He didn’t care about the rest of the world then. Right then, she was the only thing that mattered.
Not his job. Not the fears from the past.
Nothing but her.
Her tongue slid against his.
Only her.
By the time they made it inside, he was so hard for her that he ached. Tanner slammed the door closed behind them and lifted Marna into his arms. He rushed up the stairs with her, kissing her, loving her taste.
Nothing had ever tasted as good as her. Nothing ever would.
Sunlight drifted through the window, lighting up the room and the bed. He put her down gently and choked back his lust. This time, he wanted to show her care and control. Wanted to show her how much she meant to him.
He stepped away from her. Stripped. His shirt hit the floor. His boots and jeans vanished into a corner. Naked, he went back to her.
She smiled and stole his breath. Since when did an angel look so familiar with sin?
Marna pulled off her shirt. Tossed it to join his. “I want you so much, Tanner.” Her voice was husky with desire.
She slid out of her jeans and underwear. So perfect. He swallowed and stood back, almost afraid to touch her. His hands were too big. His body too rough.
Then she crooked her finger at him. “Come and get me.”
Death didn’t matter. Life did. She mattered.
And he’d most definitely get her.
He pulled her to the edge of the bed. Knelt on the floor. Parted her thighs. And put his mouth on her. Her moans filled his ears and made his c**k twitch. Her flesh was so silken and pink, and she was slick with her arousal. Love her taste.
He felt her first orgasm against his tongue. Heard the gasp of his name. A good start.
He pushed his fingers inside of her. Rose up so that he could stare down at her face. Her skin was flushed, and her eyes sparkled. Her br**sts pointed toward him. Her ni**les were tight peaks that seemed to beg for his mouth.
Another taste.
He took her breast into his mouth. Sucked. Licked. Let her feel the edge of his teeth.
The second time she came, her sex clenched around his fingers.
Good, but he wanted more.
His c**k was heavy and hard when he positioned it between her legs. No protection, just flesh to flesh. His fingers twined with hers as he pushed her hands back against the mattress. Her hips arched up, and he leaned over the bed to better push his c**k into her core.
He kissed her when he thrust inside. Kissed her and loved the tight, slick feel of her sex around him. He drove into her, deep and steady, then withdrew. Again and again.
Then his thrusts became faster.
His control started to fracture. Marna could always break his control.
Her legs locked around his hips. Her tongue slipped over his lips.
His thrusts became harder.
Her hips arched against him, eager, and he pushed into her.
Deeper. Harder.
His mouth tore from hers, and he kissed his way down her neck. Down, on down, as she called out his name. When he came to that sweet spot where neck met shoulder, he licked her skin.
Panthers claimed their mates with a mark on this spot. He’d bitten her once, but this time—this time he knew what he was doing.
Forever.
His teeth scored her flesh. Her body stiffened beneath him, and, f**k, yes, she came around his cock.
Tanner exploded inside of her as his control shattered. He didn’t whisper her name. He roared it.
And he held on to her, thrusting deep as he climaxed into her body. The end hadn’t come for them. This . . . this was their beginning.
His heart drummed wildly in his ears. So fast. But he wasn’t sated. Not close. He wanted her again and again, and he’d have her.
But for now, he lifted his body off hers. He stared down into her eyes, and told her, “I love you.”