Page 26 of Guarded (Hopeless Blessed #3)

Jeremiah

I stayed on my knees until Noah slumped forward, his strong arms holding his weight. “Fuck…I can’t…Jem.”

I chuckled, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand as I stood. “That good, huh?”

It was another note for my list.

Noah likes being rimmed.

Noah gave a tinkling laugh that set my insides ablaze. “I’m not sure. I think we’ll need to do it again. Just to be sure.”

“Of course,” I said solemnly. My arms went around his waist as I nuzzled his neck. “You need a broad range of evidence on which to base your decision. Luckily for you, I’m just the demon for the job.”

Noah sighed as I peppered kisses along the side of his throat. “I am. Lucky, I mean.”

I blushed, glad he couldn’t see my face. “You’re the one literally bringing my dreams to life, but sure. You’re the lucky one.”

He hummed like he didn’t agree, but when he spoke, he didn’t address it. “How do you feel about moving to the shower?”

I let him go immediately and he turned to face me. “Sure. Sorry, I didn’t think about how uncomfortable you must be feeling.”

Making him come in his underwear had been hot at the time, but I didn’t imagine he was loving the stickiness now.

“It’s fine.” His hand rested on my pec as he smiled at me shyly. “But it’d be nice to get clean and then maybe…”

I latched on to that word. To the hunger in his eyes. “Maybe? Don’t stop there, Noah. I wanna hear every dirty thought you’ve got in that pretty head of yours.”

Noah likes sex but is self-conscious about it.

Sure, he smiled confidently, but I could see the nerves in that flush on his cheeks. In how his hand was shaking slightly against my chest. “I was thinking maybe I could show you how talented my mouth is?”

If confidence in this department was what he needed, then you could fucking bet I was going to make it happen. “Sweetheart, the day I say no to that is the day they drag me back down to Hell, kicking and screaming.”

A shadow passed over Noah’s face. “You know I’d never let that happen, right?”

I frowned, not understanding him. “What, me turning you down? That’s what I meant.”

“No, you being dragged back into Hell,” Noah said slowly. “I know you said it flippantly, but they say many a true word is spoken in jest.”

I blinked at him a few times. Why had I said that? Why hadn’t I gone for ‘the day I lose my immortality’ or something similar?

Because being trapped back in Hell is what you’re most afraid of .

Thanks to my nightmares, I knew that already. I swallowed, my throat suddenly tight. “It was just a joke.”

Noah hummed, cupping my face with both of his hands. “Regardless, I wouldn’t let that happen. Okay? If you were taken into Hell against your will, I’d destroy every circle until I got to you. You hear me?”

Noah’s words struck to my core, changing everything I’d ever thought I wanted until he was at the centre of it all. “Why? I could understand if we were bonded but?—”

“But nothing,” Noah said firmly. “Our bond doesn’t come into this. I wouldn’t let you be put back in that situation. It’s as simple as that. I know I can seem quite delicate at times, but trust me, I could do it if necessary.”

I believed him. I remembered that well of power I’d felt emanating from him the day we met. The never-ending depths of it. Did any of the Seraphim know the level of power Noah could wield?

That didn’t mean I’d want him to do it. Even with such power, the denizens of Hell were not to be trifled with. Lucifer would never release me if I was unfortunate enough to fall into his clutches again. Thankfully, I couldn’t see that happening.

“Besides,” he said lightly, releasing my face, “I can’t let anything bad happen to you now I know what you can do with that mouth of yours.”

He strode towards the door in the corner, looking back over his shoulder at me. “Come on. It’s time for you to learn what I can do with mine.”

I took a minute to myself before following Noah into the shower. I used every second to try and calm my demon. To remind him of all the reasons why we couldn’t go into that bathroom and give Noah our mark.

He’s not ready.

He doesn’t know you’re ready to stop travelling.

Everything is moving too fast.

Was it though? I’d thought that, but what we’d just done seemed to suggest the opposite.

Regardless, I wasn’t doing anything until Noah gave me clear and explicit consent. Marking your mate without their knowledge was borderline creepy at best. Noah was only just starting to trust me, and I wasn’t going to do anything to shit on that.

When I’d finally pulled myself together, I kicked off my jeans and underwear. My cock was a steel rod between my thighs. I’d been aching ever since I’d stepped into this room and seen Noah strewn across that chair.

It hadn’t occurred to me to get myself off earlier. I’d been completely focused on Noah and his pleasure. My own hadn’t come into the equation. But now Noah had shone a light on it and how he planned to take care of it, I couldn’t think of anything else.

Steam from the large walk-in shower hit me as I stepped into the bathroom.

I barely took in the rest of the room, aside from noting that all of it was generously proportioned and high end.

I was too busy drinking in the sight of my mate.

His back was to me, his long hair swaying as he rummaged through a cupboard for towels.

The arse I’d tongued so thoroughly was naked now, and I bit my lip at the sight of his high, peachy cheeks. Was it too soon to rim him again?

If I hadn’t already known Noah was the one for me, it would’ve been confirmed by the fact that he was still wearing his corset. I was willing to bet every pound in my new bank account that he’d left it on for me to remove.

I was going to drive him crazy while I did it.

He glanced back at me, his gaze immediately falling to my erection. He gave a small whimper. “Oh fuck, it’s even prettier in real life.”

I chuckled. “I’m glad you’re the person I gave my dick pic virginity to.”

Noah rolled his eyes with a laugh. “And there I was thinking you didn’t have any firsts left to give.”

His tone was teasing, with none of the censure from the previous times my promiscuity had come up.

As he turned his attention back to the cupboard, I thought over his words.

About all the firsts just waiting for Noah to accept them.

Ones I’d never expected to give away, and certainly not this soon after coming topside.

Every single one involved my heart.

While Noah was distracted sorting through countless fluffy towels, I popped over to the sink to wash out my mouth. He might have plans for us in the shower, but if those plans didn’t involve more kissing, I’d be showing him how well a demon could pout.

When I was done, Noah was nodding in satisfaction as he placed two giant towels on the side. “There.”

“Why those ones?” I asked curiously.

His cheeks turned pink. “These are the fancy ones.”

I looped my arm around his waist, pulling him in close. “I’m worthy of the fancy towels? I’m flattered.”

His delicate hands splayed over my naked chest. “You can expect emperor level treatment if you keep giving me orgasms like that.”

“I don’t need that.” I kissed the end of his nose. “ Knowing I’m giving you pleasure is good enough for me.” I spun him to face the mirror. Touching the satin ties at the bottom of his corset, I watched our reflection as I whispered in his ear, “Did you leave this for me to undo?”

“Maybe.” Noah batted his long eyelashes at me. “I guessed you’re the kind of male who likes to strip his men himself.”

I kissed his neck as I undid the first two eyelets. “Guessed, or hoped?”

“Prayed,” he admitted, his head falling back onto my shoulder. “Harder than I ever have in my life.”

“Well, I might not have divine power, but this is one prayer I’ll gladly answer.”

Noah’s breath hitched as I slowly unlaced the corset.

I didn’t rush. I caressed every inch of skin revealed before moving to the next set of eyelets.

My gaze stayed fixed on Noah in the mirror.

On how his chest was rising and falling.

How his cock was hard as rock again. How it twitched whenever my lips brushed his neck.

On the silky lilac hair that I wanted to wind around my fist while I fucked him.

Noah was beautiful. Whether he was in his battle armour, casual clothes, or lacy lingerie, that didn’t change.

I wanted to both throttle and thank the fool who’d fumbled this angel. His loss was my gain, and there was no fucking way I’d make the same mistake as him. Whoever he was. I was going to worship Noah the way he deserved.

Once the final tie was undone, I let the corset drop to the floor. We stayed like that for a moment, both of us staring at our naked reflections.

Noah’s nipples were a dusky pink against his pale skin. While he was slender, his sinewy muscles were impossible to miss, and there wasn’t a single hair on his chest. Unlike mine, which was covered. From how Noah was rubbing his back against it, I didn’t think he minded.

The tight vee of his obliques pointed south to where his erect cock awaited. Thank fuck for a supe refractory period. Noah and I had many, many fun nights awaiting us in future.

When we finally got there.

For the first time, I didn’t doubt that we would. Everything that had happened today and over the past few months suggested we were on the right path. The one that led to a happily ever after and a lifetime together.

It didn’t scare me anymore. How could it, when I’d be with Noah? I was starting to suspect I could weather anything if he was at my side. Even answering to a higher being again.

I’d thought not having any ties would finally give me the happiness I’d always craved, but that wasn’t true.

Happiness would come from being tied to the right person. My mate.

Noah.

My gaze met Noah’s in the reflection. I wasn’t sure what he read on my face, but he cleared his throat and carefully extricated himself. “Let’s get in the shower.”