Angel’s Promise by Aleatha Romig
Epilogue - Chapter Two
A few days later
Emma
Standing at the window of my suite, I lifted my long hair from my neck and stared down at the courtyard. It was a beautiful time of night as stars peppered the sky and the Ramses family crest glistened in the color-changing lights from the fountain. While the days remained steamy as only Louisiana weather can, I mostly enjoyed the open windows in the evenings. Even the warmth radiating in the night air was getting more comfortable. Maybe it was Jezebel’s influence though I was quite certain that banning all air conditioning would never be on my agenda.
I turned as footsteps echoed from Rett’s suite.
With my hands on the window’s ledge, a smile curled my lips and lifted my cheeks as I waited for Rett to enter. I don’t recall dreaming about marriage or predicting what it would entail, but as my husband’s dark stare met mine and my body reacted, I believed that our marriage was something special.
We were two people who knew nothing about one another—okay, Rett had researched me—and yet despite our lack of knowledge and completely diverse childhoods and life choices, fate intervened. Our union didn’t simply happen. No, fate demanded it. The spirits and the people of New Orleans approved.
As he came closer, I remembered seeing him the first night in the crowded courtyard. Even without knowing him, I felt his stare, a pull from across the crowded space. He’d been leaning against the stone archway. His white shirt strained at the seams beneath his broad shoulders. His sleeves were rolled to his elbows and his hair was combed back in soft waves.
That night as now, Everett Ramses radiated power. Crowds parted as he walked.
And yet as I’d mused when with my brother, Rett didn’t need to say a word or prove his significance. His confidence was innate, his power resounded in his voice, and his sincerity manifested in his concern, not only for me but for New Orleans.
“I thought you said you’d be late,” I said with a grin.
Flames of desire flickered in his gaze as he scanned me from my blonde hair to my toes. After over a year, I couldn’t understand how Rett was still capable of melting my insides with only a look or a phrase.
“Are you ready for me?”
It was one of his favorite questions. Mine too.
I could answer, but there was no doubt that he knew.
My nipples hardened, noticeable beneath my satin camisole. And if I were to be asked, the satin shorts would probably show the telltale sign of my need.
His strong hands came to my waist. As if I weighed nothing, Rett lifted me to the window sill with a grin, spread my knees, and stepped between my legs. “Are you going to make me wait for your answer?” He tried to sound stern. “You should know, I don’t like to wait.”
“My answer is the same as it was yesterday and will be tomorrow.” I framed his cheeks with my palms. His day-long beard growth ignited a flicker within me that was already poised to start a raging blaze as I imagined that roughness on my sensitive skin.
His strong lips met mine, taking what was his as I willingly gave in return. Our tongues found one another’s and his fingers splayed on my lower back, pulling me to him. My breasts flattened against his solid chest. When he leaned away, Rett answered my earlier question. “I cut one meeting short and canceled the other.”
I lifted his chin, returning his gaze from my breasts to my eyes. “Any reason?”
“I couldn’t stand the idea of you up here all alone.”
“My hero.”
“No, Emma. I’m no hero. My motivation wasn’t as chivalrous as I made it sound.”
“Then what could your motivation possibly be?”
Scooping me from the window sill, Rett carried me to my bed and laid me on sheets where I’d pulled back the covers. “Take off your clothes.”
There was no hesitation as I pulled the camisole over my head and lowered the shorts. Not to be outdone, Rett’s shirt, belt, pants, socks, and shoes were scattered over the floor. I stared as each muscle within him was defined as he moved, from his powerful thighs, to his tight abs and his broad shoulders. I found myself obsessed with everything about him.
Like a predator stalking its prey, Rett came closer. A tug of my ankles and my ass was on the edge of the mattress. “Lift your feet to the bed and spread your legs.”
There was a quality in his demand, a tone and timbre that set me on edge. I could try to hold out, to not be affected, but each time I failed miserably.
One of his large hands came to my stomach, pushing me back.
“Lift your arms.”
As I obeyed, two fingers plunged inside me. My back arched as I sucked in a breath.
“I love how wet you are.”
Closing my eyes, I became lost in his touch, his rhythm, and his skill. Bending over me, he coated my flesh in kisses and nips. His plan was to attack on multiple fronts. My mind was scattered as I tried to keep up.
First, each nipple was adored and then his thumb found my clit. Somehow Rett understood my body more than I as he’d work me to the edge of ecstasy only to pull me back.
Each time I felt so close, so ready, only to have him tease me more.
Reaching for his cheeks, I pulled his lips to mine. Once the kiss ended, I asked, “Did you cut your meeting short to drive me insane?”
Rett’s lips curled as his stare glistened. “Is that what I’m doing?”
“You know you are.”
He lifted his chin toward the headboard and followed me onto the bed. “On your hands and knees, beautiful.”
The suite filled with my sounds of pleasure as he held onto my hips and thrust deep inside. My body contracted around him as he filled me completely. The friction consumed my thoughts as his rhythm and speed increased. Faster and faster. I was aboard a high-speed locomotive and there was no way to stop, no brakes, or even the ability to slow.
I called out his name as every muscle tightened and every nerve synapsed. Like electrical wires in an ice storm, explosion after explosion detonated. I fought to maintain my position but the orgasm was too intense. Maybe it was because he’d denied me as my need grew or it was simply the man I’d married.
Rett pulled out, rolled me to my back, and we joined again as one.
His handsome face was before me as his muscles strained and he continued his drive. My second release was near as his lips opened and he found his own. Before Rett, I’d never known the stunning beauty and connection that occurred when watching a man come apart. The way his features contorted and his body tensed was raw and primitive and absolutely breathtaking.
My release came, quivering my muscles and holding him tight, not wanting our connection to end. Rett’s lips met mine before he rolled and we were no longer one.
I rolled too, until we were face-to-face.
His molten stare was all I could see. “I’m glad you cut your meetings short.”
He teased a stray strand of my hair away from my face before kissing my nose. “You were quiet at dinner. I couldn’t stop thinking about it.”
A smile lifted my cheeks. “Are you saying I talk a lot?”
“No, I’m saying you didn’t talk. I know that look of yours. You’re thinking or overthinking. What’s happening behind those beautiful eyes?”
I shook my head, not willing to spoil our moment.
Rett lifted my chin. “I could demand you tell me.”
“I’m not scared of you, Everett Ramses.”
After a kiss to my hair, he sat up against the headboard. “Good.”
I scooted until my head rested upon his wide chest. The tapping of his heart sounded a soft drum against my ear, giving me courage. Taking a breath, I spoke, “Miss Guidry said something the other day that has me thinking.”
He laid his head back. “Oh God. I wish I hadn’t mentioned it.”
Grinning, I looked up. “No, you’re getting more observant. That’s a good thing.”
Rett placed a finger under my chin. “I’m almost afraid to ask, but what did she say?”
“Your mom is ready to go.”
From Rett’s expression, that wasn’t what he expected. “Go? On a trip? Is that a thing?”
I shook my head. “Edmée explained that spirits stay in this realm when they can’t or don’t want to cross over. Your mom didn’t want to leave you, but now she believes you’re in good hands.”
Lifting one of my hands, Rett kissed the tips of my fingers and grinned. “I like being in your hands.”
“Edmée said that spirits freely cross over when they believe their work here is done.”
“So my mother thinks her work is done.”
“Kind of,” I said, hedging whether I would continue.
“Now you have me curious.”
“She is concerned about your age and would like to see a grandchild.”
Rett’s eyes opened wide. “I’m old, am I? And a grandchild? She would. Or is it Miss Guidry or you?”
“It’s not me,” I answered too fast. “I mean, maybe one day.” I turned away. “This sounds selfish.”
“Emma, look at me.”
I turned back.
“Talk to me.”
“I want children someday, but right now, I want to be us. I’m excited about the book, and the construction at the library is progressing. My mother recently told me about a homeless shelter and food distribution center in the Lower Ninth that needs help...” I sat up. “I’m sorry if I’m not what you want.”
“You are every fucking thing I want. Don’t apologize for being the queen New Orleans loves.” Rett wrapped his arms around me and pulled me closer until our lips touched. When we separated, he was smiling. “I love you. I never thought that would happen. I didn’t know I was capable of feeling it, much less saying it. But fuck, you’re...” He inhaled as his chest inflated. “I want time for us too, Emma. And I’m relatively certain that while I am older than you, I’m not too old to father a child. Besides, my mother knows I’ve always been a bit stubborn. Children can be on our schedule. She can go or she can stay. I hope she stays.”
“You do? You believe Miss Guidry?”
“I believe Miss Guidry believes my mother is here.”
I nodded. “You don’t think waiting is selfish?”
“No, Emma. I asked you to marry me, to be beside me, to rule New Orleans with me, and to be the queen you were born to be. I didn’t marry you for children.” He shrugged. “Maybe one day.” His grin grew.
“What are you thinking?”
“I was thinking about a little you. After all, you look so much like Jezebel; our daughter could be another carbon copy.”
“How about a little you?” I asked.
“Oh, then my mother will definitely leave. She went through that once.” He exhaled. “I guess that I’m not against children, but I want some time too. I mean, how can you be ready for me anytime, anyplace if your attention is divided?”
“But someday?” I asked, surprised I was pushing this.
Rett nodded. “When you’re ready and I’m ready. Our schedule, not my mother’s.” He kissed my nose. “As long as I have you, I’m content. Are you?”
“More than I ever imagined.”
“Are you sure, angel?” he asked.
“I promise.”
And They Lived Happily Ever After
Thank you for reading Everett and Emma’s story. For a glimpse into the honeymoon Rett promised Emma, click this link: Honeymoon Extra, sign up for Aleatha’s newsletter (you can unsubscribe in the future), stay informed, and enjoy one more peek into the world of the Devil’s Series.
KYLE’S STORY
What happened to Kyle? You’ll want to find out in a brand-new full-length stand-alone novel
KINGDOM COME.
Kingdom Come is Kyle’s story post Angel’s Promise, does not include Everett and Emma or change their story, and may be read as a stand-alone. You don’t want to miss Kyle’s story.
If you enjoyed Rett and Emma and you like sexy alphas and strong, smart heroines, be sure to pre-order Aleatha’s upcoming dark and dangerous and oh, so steamy story RED SIN. Donavan and Julia will be here soon.
* * *
If you’re looking for more of Aleatha’s signature stories, alphas you love, and heroines you’ll admire, check out these already released series:
Web of Sin trilogy
SECRETS- free
LIES
PROMISES
Tangled Web trilogy
TWISTED
OBSESSED
BOUND
Web of Desire trilogy
SPARK
FLAME
ASHES
Dangerous Web trilogy
Prequel: “Danger’s First Kiss” – free
DUSK
DARK
DAWN
Infidelity Series (Not about cheating)
BETRAYAL- free
CUNNING
DECEPTION
ENTRAPMENT
FIDELITY
Consequences Series
CONSEQUENCES- free
TRUTH
CONVICTED
REVEALED
BEYOND THE CONSEQUENCES
RIPPLES
Light Duet
INTO THE LIGHT
AWAY FROM THE DARK
For a complete list of all of Aleatha’s books, please go to BOOKS BY NY TIMES AUTHOR -ALEATHA ROMIG in the back of this book.
