Page 3 of Deviled Eggs (One Handed Holidays: Crossed Swords Edition #4)

Micah

Awareness scrapes over my skin, the attention from the others dragging angry ditches over my arms and face. Harsher than they were earlier in the meeting, their opinions are a familiar sting. It’s something I’ve learned to ignore over time, but for reasons I don’t understand, right now my defenses are down.

Every condescending thought is a scratch against my consciousness.

The constant scrutiny that comes with my position can be a burden, but my skills and experience are what qualify me for this role. It isn’t my fault I’m their superior.

It’s who I was made to be.

Normally, I’m unbothered by what they think of me. For millennia, I’ve endured the curse of experiencing their opinions, whether I want them or not. Over time, it has become nothing more than background noise—a low thrum of energy that’s almost meditative.

But something about Xalreth feels different.

In our past interactions, he’s come across as mild, if disinterested. His attention has always been less severe than the others, but not anymore. The glare he tossed me before he walked out was more of a stab than a graze, like he’d jabbed a knife into my gut with that careless shrug.

And to have the nerve to walk away from me.

From me.

“We will continue this meeting at another time,” I seethe as I stare at the door. The demon slammed it closed so hard I’m pretty sure I caught the wind from it. “Be on the lookout for my summons.”

More attention brands into me, confusion and curiosity mixing with the annoyance, but I ignore it and charge after him. The door crashes against the wall with a bang as I barrel through, and I spot Xalreth’s giant frame nearing the end of the hallway where the exterior door waits. He doesn’t rush, though, even knowing I’m behind him. He fucking strolls , lazy and laid-back as my blood boils.

“You will stop right there,” I growl after him, and a condescending chuckle rolls over his shoulder.

“Will I?” His pace never changes as I move faster, despite the fact that I’m gaining on him by the second. He doesn’t spare a backward glance as he reaches the door and pushes through. Soft sunlight shines into the hallway, the haze of the Heavenly realm keeping it from ever becoming too bright, and I snarl again as I chase him outside.

“Do not walk away from me, demon .” I’m close now, only a few strides between us as he whirls to face me, and I snap my wings out to keep from barreling into him.

He’s enormous, even by demonic standards, although as an Archangel I have a height advantage over him. He tilts his chin up in challenge, and he doesn’t budge as his chest bumps into mine. Unnervingly solid black eyes stare at me, but I refuse to be the one to back down.

“I have a name.” His voice is calm as can be, so deep it rumbles and vibrates between us where we touch.

“I’m aware.”

“Use it.”

“ Excuse me?” We’re locked in this ridiculous standoff as I take a long breath to compose myself, catching his scent of smoke and amber. His eyes are the only part of him that moves, drifting over my face as though he’s searching for signs of my discomfort.

He inches even closer, his chest pressed against mine as he continues to stare me down. “If you want my attention, you will use my name.”

“And if I neither want nor care about your attention?”

“You’re the one who chased me, Micah. If you have nothing to say, then walk away.” Another smirk pulls onto his lips, and I realize he’s called my bluff.

Again .

Seconds pass as we stare at each other, and he seems content to stand there all day and test my patience. A few more calming breaths fight their way into my lungs before I grit my teeth. “Xalreth—”

“There it is.” His head tilts to one side as that smirk pulls deeper. “You do know how to listen, don’t you? Say it again, with less attitude this time.”

Another breath pushes from my nose, and I force as much calm into my tone as I can muster. “Xalreth—”

“Look at you, being such a good boy,” he murmurs, and something in my brain goes fuzzy, tingling at the words. My tongue darts out between my lips as I suck in a sharp inhale. His brows lift by a nearly indiscernible amount as he searches my face, and it’s as though I’m stripped naked for his inspection. “Oh, well now… this is fascinating, isn’t it?” I force a swallow, my tongue suddenly too thick for my mouth.

“Were you serious about your offer?” The words stumble a little as they work their way out, but I maintain most of my composure. I need to regain control of this conversation and steer it back to the matter at hand. This is strictly business.

“Well, I was,” he drawls, as composed as ever. “But now I’m thinking that if we are ever going to work together, you owe me an apology.”

“An apology?!”

“Yes, and a good one, at that. I expect an apology for the way you spoke to me. Just because you’re a big, important Archangel doesn’t mean you’re allowed to talk down to others.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. I’ll speak to you, and anyone else for that matter, any way I want.” Some of my sense returns as I pull away, and faster than I can even track, his hand grips my throat and holds me in place. Those black eyes peruse my face as I hold completely still, my heart thudding in my neck underneath his palm.

“Apologize.”

My tongue flicks out again, and he tracks the motion with open curiosity. “And if I don’t?”

A huffing laugh rolls from his mouth as he tightens his grip, just enough to make my breath wheeze as I draw it into my lungs. “I think you want to.”

“I assure you, I don’t,” I breathe. We both know I could get away from him with the blink of an eye.

So why am I allowing him to manhandle me like this?

He leans closer, his lips ghosting my skin as he puts them against my ear. “Good boys know when to apologize. You are a good boy, aren’t you Micah?” A sound leaves my throat that I’ve never made before, a low, soft whimper that makes him chuckle. “Maybe you should be on your knees for it.”

Another shiver rolls through my limbs, goosebumps lifting on my skin as his breath blows across the shell of my ear. He waits for a few seconds before he laughs again. “Go on, angel. Kneel for me. We both know you want to.”

“No, I don’t.”

“Come on,” he teases, playfully nipping at the hinge of my jaw. “You’d be so pretty at my feet, wouldn’t you?”

Tingling pleasure pulses through my limbs, a sparking heat building in my core as my cock hardens, pressing against my pants. Logic fights with pure, primal need as I imagine the way he could pin me down and cover me with his weight. I remember the way his cock flexed when we were inside, and the heat of his gaze as it slid over my body.

He sent those filthy thoughts my direction without even knowing I could feel them. They told me he wouldn’t be poised and proper like my usual partners. No, he’d be messy and passionate. He’d leave me raw and filthy.

Xalreth pulls me closer, slotting his leg between mine, and another of those pitiful sounds leaves me at the friction. A warm rush of pre-cum leaks inside my boxer briefs, and it’s like he knows how he’s affecting me as he smirks. “Go on,” he taunts, eyes never leaving mine. “Dirty those knees for me.”

I shouldn’t want this.

Shouldn’t be desperate for him to defile me.

Shouldn’t…

My body betrays me as my knee bends, a ragged exhale escaping my lips as I drop to the ground at his feet. Another of those pitiful whines slips free as I stare straight ahead at the outline of his hard cock pushing against his pants.

Breaths saw from my lungs as I tilt my head up to look at him, and he still has that maddening smirk on his face. He reaches down, stroking my lips with this thumb until I open for him. He slips between them and presses on my tongue. Spit pools inside my mouth as I wait, not moving a muscle.

“See? I knew you’d be pretty down there. What an obedient little angel.” His thumb pushes deeper until it makes me gag. “Go ahead, then.” He pulls it back, spreading the spit over my lips. “Apologize.”

My brain tells me I should be furious… tells me to get up and force him to the ground. Take back control of the situation, and let the dirt stain the knees of his pants as he looks up at me from his spot underneath me. Make him beg and grovel for my forgiveness.

But that isn’t what happens.

“I was disrespectful,” I hear myself say, and as his smile spreads, it feels right. Pleasing him makes my whole body go staticky as he rubs over my lips again, tugging them until they separate.

“That was a good start, but I think there’s more to be said, isn’t there?”

He waits with an iron will that tells he won’t move until he gets what he wants. My heart lodges in my throat, and my voice comes out husky. “It was rude of me to speak to you that way and I shouldn’t have done it.”

“Are you sorry?”

“Yes,” I whisper.

He lets out a happy hum, dirtying me further by wiping his slick thumb over my cheekbone. “That’s more like it. Now, you chased me out here for a reason, Micah. Did you have something to ask me?”

I force a swallow and nod. “Would you be willing to help me?”

“I could be convinced,” he murmurs, slipping his thumb between my lips again. “Suck.”

Obediently, I curl my tongue around his thumb and draw it deeper into my mouth, moaning as he thrusts it in and out. “You enjoy being told what to do, don’t you?” My eyes land on his, and I shudder as I nod.

I’ve never been in such a position before.

In the past, I have always been in control… always been the one to call the shots, to make the decisions. It’s what everyone expects of an Archangel. They want to be pinned down and tossed around—submit to my desires and surrender their free will.

But what about me?

What if I’m the one that wants to let go?

The notion of giving up all this precious control sends a rush of adrenaline through my brain, a warm buzz slithering under my skin.

“Who would’ve thought the mighty Micah gets off on submitting? Bet you’d love it if I replaced my thumb with my cock, wouldn’t you?” My pupils dilate as I reach down and palm my erection, and the friction makes my eyes roll up in my head.

He pulls away, leaving a strand of spit on my lip as he clicks his tongue at me. “Did I tell you to touch yourself?”

My hand falls limp at my side as I push out a shaky breath, staring up at him. “You really do know how to listen, after all.” He slips his thumb back into my mouth as relief floods my system, and I suck harder, fighting to keep my hands by my sides. He thrusts deeper, pressing on my tongue as I draw my cheeks hollow.

“So pretty,” he murmurs as his other hand brushes over my cheek. “Do you think you’ve earned my cock?” I nod as a line of spit leaks from the corner of my mouth, soaking my chin and dripping onto my shirt. “That excites you, doesn’t it? The thought of me fucking your face?”

A moan slips loose, louder this time, and I thrust my head forward until I gag on his thumb. “You’re a little slut, aren’t you?” My head bobs again in agreement, and he lets out a deep chuckle as he pulls his hand free, pinching my lower lip and tugging. “I want you to say it.”

“I… I…” My hesitation causes him to arch a brow, and he takes a half step back. “No, wait,” I beg, reaching for him when I remember I’m not supposed to touch. My hands fall to my sides as he stands there, smirking expectantly. “I-I want your cock,” I finally whisper, and he rewards me by closing that miniscule distance that had me desperate.

“Say it louder, and tell me what I want to hear.”

“I… I want your cock in my mouth. I’m a slut, and I want to… want to suck you.” My dick aches, throbbing in the restriction of my pants as I fight the urge to touch myself. My hips give an involuntary shift forward as my face burns.

“You want me to defile you, pretty angel?”

“Please?” I ask, lifting my eyes to his as my hips snap forward again.

“Now, that wasn’t so hard, was it? Is my little slut humping the air because he’s not allowed to touch?”

“Yes,” I grunt as I do it again, the seam of my pants offering the tiniest relief to this tightness that coils inside me. He grips his dick through his jeans, and I whine as he slides his palm along his length.

“Do you think you deserve this?”

“Please?” My gaze meets his as I thrust, moaning louder. “Please, Xalreth.”

“There it is. That’s what I was waiting for… my name sounds so pretty on your lips.” He unzips his pants and pulls his cock through the opening, and it’s the same dark gray as his skin, long and thick. After a few languid strokes, a bead of pre-cum builds in his slit, and it takes all of my self-control not to lick it away.

“What do you think you’ve earned, Micah? Have you earned a taste, or are you only allowed to watch?”

“Please let me taste,” I whine, my balls drawing tight as my cock grows its own pulse, and my hips are thrusting forward in a rhythm now.

“You’re a needy thing, aren’t you?” He swipes the clear bead with his thumb and offers it to me, and I moan as I suck on it, letting him coat my tongue. “That’s all you get, though.”

“No,” I plead, gripping his calves as I try to force him closer. He lets out a warning growl as I stare up his body, glaring at me even as he strokes himself. “Give me more… I need more.”

“You’re about to hump my leg like the fucking dog you are, aren’t you?”

“Yes,” I gasp as I scoot against him, and he doesn’t push me away as I straddle his leg. “Can I?”

“Fuck, you’re sweet,” he chuckles, brushing my hair from my face. “Go ahead, Micah. Take it.”

The moment my cock brushes his leg, I throw my head back in a moan and move my hips faster, thrusting against him. “Cock hungry little bitch, rutting me like you’re in heat.”

“I am,” I whine as my eyes close, the coiling pressure in my lower body building into sparks that crackle through my spine. The friction of my cock dragging along his leg has my breath blowing out in panting breaths. “Please, Xalreth, tell me.”

“Tell you what?” Another rush of pre-cum soaks into my boxer briefs as I watch him jerk himself, his eyes locked on mine as I rut against him.

“What I… what I am.”

Another low, satisfied rumble of a laugh leaves him as he moves his hand faster along his cock, a clear thread hanging from his slit. “You want to hear it, huh?”

“ Please. ”

He waits until I look at him before he reaches down with his free hand, carding his fingers through my hair and fisting as he holds my cheek against his thigh. “Take what you need, Micah. Show me what a good fucking boy you are.”

Desperate sounds spill from my throat, my mouth hanging open as a breath-stealing rush of pleasure causes wet warmth to flood into my pants. My cock pulses and my entire body trembles as I come, my release filling my boxer briefs until it slides down my thigh. Gasps and moans are the only sound aside from the creak of fabric, and I rub myself on him until I’m sensitive and raw. Even as it jolts my nerves and makes my teeth clench with overstimulation, I thrust against him.

Xalreth purrs above me, jerking himself at a faster pace now, his hips thrusting into his fist. “Show me the mess you made.”

I sit back on my feet and show him my cock, still hard and pushing against the dampness on my crotch. The wet path spreads, seeping along my thigh. “Greedy thing. That wasn’t enough to satisfy you, was it?”

“No,” I whimper, my hips rolling again as I watch him shuttling his fist along his cock. “Give me your cum, Xalreth,” I beg, nearly out of my mind as I drop onto my hands and knees, thrusting my hips.

“Thinking about me fucking you from behind, are you? Wanting to feel me stretch that tight hole open? God, I bet you make the best fucking noises.” My only answer is a moan as I tilt my face up towards him. “I love you on your knees for me,” he mutters, then grunts as the first stripe of cum shoots across my skin. Splashes paint my cheeks and forehead, and droplets wet my nose and lips. The warmth dripping down my face makes my body rebel, and I whine again as my cock kicks in my pants.

“Fuck, I’m coming again,” I gasp as the pulsing pleasure explodes through my body. Sheer bliss thuds through my muscles, compressing and releasing—wringing them out until it’s almost painful. Thick, white fluid seeps through the fabric of my pants, dripping to form a small puddle beneath me.

Xalreth takes a few deep breaths as his fingers drag over my face, rubbing his cum into my skin. Reality crashes through my lust-filled haze, and crippling embarrassment burns my body.

Anyone could have seen us here.

Anyone from the meeting could’ve stepped outside and watched as I defiled myself.

“You look so pretty painted in me,” he murmurs, and I jerk away as my cheeks burn. I sit on my haunches until I realize he can see the wetness on my pants, and I scramble to my feet, turning my back to him as I attempt to salvage a shred of my dignity.

“Micah?” God above, he actually sounds concerned, and I can’t handle it. A slow, mean smirk spreads across my face, a coldness in my eyes as I glance his way.

“That was sufficient to convince you, then?” The haughty edge to my tone makes him frown. “You’ll take the position?”

“Yes,” he says slowly, and I feel his attention on me now more than ever, raking over my limbs in a phantom touch so intense it should leave scars behind. “Micah, that was—”

“That was necessary to come to an agreement, and nothing more.”

His scoff is angry, disbelieving , as he takes a step closer, and I turn to face him with my chin held high. “Yeah?” He reaches up and swipes his fingers across my cheek, collecting his cum and smearing it over my lips as I snarl and push him back. “Do you drop to your knees for every deal you make? Come in your pants whenever you need to negotiate?” A furious laugh blows from his nose as he shakes his head. “Guess you are just a slut, after all.”

My palms slam into his shoulders as I shove him against the wall, pinning him there as I hover over him. “This never happened.”

“Don’t worry.” He has the audacity to wink at me as though he isn’t seconds away from being wiped from existence. “Secret’s safe with me. And speaking of… we need a safe word next time.”

“There will not be a next time,” I seethe, the words fighting through my clenched teeth.

“Yeah, okay. Keep telling yourself that.” He reaches between us and cups my cock through my soaked pants, giving it a squeeze as I force myself not to react. “Go home and choke yourself, then, and let me know if it feels as good as my hands around your neck.” He pushes me away and struts towards the door. Not even bothering to spare me a glance, he shouts back, “Call me when we need to discuss specifics.”

And with that, he disappears inside and I fall against the wall, trying to make sense of what happened.