Voluptuous Vindication (20 page)

“So you don't have any idea what her assignment might be?” Ian asked, as he shook his head in disbelief. “Really, Arch? Really? I find that hard to believe, especially coming from someone with your gifts. We all know you're,” he put his hands up, making quote symbols before continuing, “special.”

Arch narrowed his eyes at him in a glare. “I've told you what I can. We just have to wait and see.”

Sara sighed. “It's not the assignment I'm so worried about. It's what happens after that. Have you ever known an angel to face judgment? I've heard of them, but my memory about matters like that is just fuzzy.”

Ian pulled his hand away from hers, leaning forward to rest his elbows on his knees and rub his face. There was that to consider as well. It didn't seem fair that she was going to have to stand alone and face the consequences when he had participated in the very act that had brought her it. He'd more than participated, he'd set out to seduce her, certain he'd be successful.

His voice was raspy when he asked, “What's going to happen to her, Arch?”

Arch's strong chin tightened as he grimaced. “I honestly don't know what will happen.” His eyes shifted to Sara. “I've known angels to be thrown out of the heavenly gates, so to speak. They were stripped of their immortality and memories and sent to live here on earth.”

“What's wrong with that?” Ian asked, his thoughts hopeful. Maybe it didn't have to be the end when it came to Sara. Should she be sent back, they could just pick up where they left off. “In fact, there are a lot worse fates than being human.”

Sara shook her head in denial. “You don't understand, Ian,” she said firmly, her face pale. “To an angel, this is a death sentence.”

“Literally,” Arch interjected. “You know how bad the last few weeks have been? Imagine that permanently. Sure, Sara wouldn't be an angel anymore, but do you really think demons are going to care? It's like throwing a steak down to a pack of hungry wolves. The demons would have a field day with her, and she wouldn't even know why they were after her.”

Ian came to his feet, completely furious. “This is bullshit, Arch. How could you let something like this happen? This is unacceptable. If she's sent back, I want to know. I'll be damned if I let her die just because I bedded her.”

“How could I let something like this happen?” Arch repeated softly, his blue eyes glowing. He was angered, but Ian couldn't care less. He'd spent six hundred years never backing down, it wasn't likely he would start now. “What part of my orders included seducing an ancient, virginal angel? You look to blame others for your actions,
but there is nobody to blame but yourself.
”

“I didn't know she couldn't have sex,” Ian hissed back, shoving a hand through his hair.

“Then it looks like you two have a major communication problem,” Arch hissed back, shooting Sara a disapproving look. “Both of you made your decisions when it came to this, decisions with life-altering results. Now you have to live with the consequences of your actions. Only time will tell whether those consequences will be worth it to you or not.”

Arch looked at his expensive watch. “Oh, look, it's ten o'clock.” His attempt at casualness fell short. Arch had been waiting for this moment, likely anticipating it with joy. He picked up the remote with relish, his expression amused. He was going to love every moment of their predicament.

Ian all but whimpered as Arch pointed it toward the flat-screen television. Sweat popped out on his forehead, and he literally felt nauseated. Personally, he couldn't care less if someone saw him in the heat of the moment. After all, he was a male and more than a little proud of his body... And his prowess.

Sara was a completely different story. She was prim and proper, sexually inexperienced. She wouldn't take this well. He narrowed his eyes at Arch as he growled, “Anyone ever tell you that you have a really sick sense of humor?”

Sara groaned out loud as Arch turned the television on. “No, they are usually to busy enjoying the same thing I am.”

Ian cursed the power company. They would pick that night to actually deliver it consistently. The television flared to life, revealing the breaking news screen.

Two newscasters stared into the camera, their eyes excited. “Earlier this evening, a tip came in reporting a high-speed chase through Las Vegas. Luckily, our camera crew was already in the air, and they were able to arrive at the scene within moments. What they found was something very unexpected.”

“Yes, Susan, that's one way of putting it,” the male reporter jumped in, raising his eyebrows. “Nobody is quite sure what to make of it. Why was this SUV driving so erratically, and why was an unidentified helicopter traveling overhead? That's the question our reporters had, or they did until they saw this footage. Now our local police force is searching for the identity of the people involved, and they hope you can help.”

The screen changed, his SUV clearly identifiable underneath the spotlight. Luckily, his custom license plate was covered with dirty ice and mud. The camera zoomed in, perfectly angled in the direction of the driver's side door. The top of Sara's head was visible, although his shaft had been censored.

“I think I'm going to pass out,” Sara choked out, her voice horrified.

Arch laughed, the sound loud and boisterous. He was the only one. Ian sat frozen, his eyes never leaving Sara's face as he watched his sex life go down the drain.

Finally, he moved, grabbing the remote out of Arch's lax grasp and turning the television off. Arch was still laughing, tears running down his face as he rocked back and forth in the chair. “That's enough of that, Arch,” he bit out, disgruntled. “It's not that damned funny.”

Arch got up slowly, nearly falling back in the chair with laughter when he saw Ian's face. “It's not often you do something on such a grand scale, Ian, but when you do, it's a good one.” His voice quivered as he struggled to control himself, wiping away his tears of laughter. “God, I hope the Endurers received the mass text message I sent out earlier and made sure to record it.”

“
You sent out a mass text message
?” Ian roared in disbelief. His cellphone rang. Glaring at Arch, he yanked it out to check the caller id. It was Shayne, another Endurer in Las Vegas.

“Well, it has been fun, but it's time for me to call it a night,” Arch said, grinning. “Something tells me you're going to be pretty busy tonight... On the phone.”

He nodded at Sara, his luminous skin glowing. “I'll be in touch with you two in the next day or so. In the meantime, try to stay off the news.” The room lit up with a bluish light as Arch disappeared.

Ian rolled his eyes before staring at Sara. She'd went immobile again, her face ashen. One of these days, Arch was really going to get it. Turning away, he answered the phone.

“Ian,” Shayne said, his voice amused. “Anna and I just saw you on the news. Looks like you're back, and might I add, with a hell of an entrance. So who was the woman, or have you already forgotten her name?”

Ian exhaled slowly, stepping out into the hallway to give Sara some time alone. The phone beeped, signaling another call as Ian grimaced. Arch hadn't been kidding. It was going to be a busy night.

* * * * *

Sara slipped stealthily from the bed, or so she thought. Ian was awake when her feet hit the floor, but he remained silent as she slowly started to the bathroom. He frowned as he noticed the paleness of her skin and the sluggishness of her movements.

“Are you not well?” He asked, sitting up in the bed. He was naked beneath the sheet across his legs, his voice alert. “Do you need to see a doctor?”

Sara stopped, turning back to face him. She hadn't felt well the evening before, having went to bed early. Her eyes were tired, a light bruising underneath each one.

He stood up, walking over to take her shoulders gently for a better look. “Talk to me. You look like you haven't slept at all, but I know you did. We have doctors here in Las Vegas on payroll. Say the word, and I'll get one over.”

Sara sighed, leaning her cheek against his chest. “I'm fine, Ian. I just think the last few weeks have caught up with me. I'm sure I'll feel better in a bit.”

“It was too much for you,” Ian growled out, thinking about how much had happened. “I should have made you rest more, especially with your body healing from the illness you already had. Do what you need to do, but then it's back to bed for you,” he decided, his voice firm.

“Promises, promises,” she retorted in a droll tone. Sara was teasing him, attempting to take the attention off of her. Ian had learned her well over the last few weeks, but he wasn't going to let her get away with it now. Not when her health was at risk.

He stood up straight and crossed his arms, staring down at her as he said, “Nice try but I mean it, Sara. You need rest.”

“What I need,” she shot back, her voice aggravated, “is to get out of the house. We've been here for almost three full days, and I want fresh air.”

Ian grinned, amused at the irritated tone of her voice. She had to have a mean case of cabin fever to sound like that. He sighed, making the sound as disappointed as possible. “I guess I couldn't have kept you in bed forever.”

She rolled her eyes, although they were lit up with pleasure at his teasing. “Look on the bright side, Ian. I'll likely return invigorated and very eager to go back to bed.” She broke away from him, turning back to the bathroom. “You know, people have got it all wrong. Why use the bed for rest, when there are so many more pleasurable things that can be done in it.”

“Hey,” he growled as he watched her walk into the bathroom. “Just remember, it's only pleasurable when I'm in it with you. I don't want you getting any ideas about trying it out with anyone else.”

She laughed as she prepared to shut the door. “Don't tempt me.”

Ian made as if he were going to rush the door as she slammed it. Sara giggled softly. Ian smiled, enjoying their bantering. When he'd met her that night on the train, he would have never imagined she'd be so amusing. Had fate, and Arch, not forced him to stick around, he would have walked away without ever realizing what he was leaving behind.

He walked over to his bag, selecting the clothing he wanted to wear for the day. In the past, he would have wined and dined a woman he desired. Ian grimaced as he dressed. Now, it was just keeping her alive.

His thoughts moved to another necessary demand as he walked to the freezer. Endurers had voracious appetites, both in and out of bed. It really was a pity that the best restaurants were gone, especially the buffets. An Endurer always got their money's worth at one of those.

Heating up a couple of frozen breakfast sandwiches, he prepared a plate for the two of them. It was amazing how domesticated he'd become. In the past, the morning after would have included a call to room service. His mind would have already moved on from whatever woman that had graced his bed, his thoughts would have been on the day ahead of him... And the easiest way to send her on her way.

It didn't apply to the woman fixing to rejoin him, though. Sara wasn't like the others. She wasn't the type of woman to have a one-night stand. Room service and a casual goodbye would be wrong for someone like her. It just wasn't happening. 

She made her way to him, fully dressed in a practical skirt and blouse. “I'm feeling better already,” she told him, her blue eyes sparkling as she stared at him. She looked refreshed and pretty, her updo neat and tidy. “So, what adventure awaits us today?”

Laying the plates on the table, he pulled her to him and growled in her ear, “Adventure, huh? Why we don't need to leave the apartment for that. Let's eat our breakfast, and I'll show you the adventure waiting for you in bed.”

Sara visibly trembled from the sensual shudder that passed through her. “You make that so tempting,” she replied, her voice serious. After a moment of silence she added, “I do need to get some fresh air, though.”

He groaned, packing as much despair as possible into it. Sara smiled in amusement. “Geez, Ian, would you like a little food and fresh air with your sex? You're insatiable. Left up to you, we would spend twenty-three hours a day in some type of sex.”