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R oman sat on the end of his bed, head in his hands as despair settled in like an unwanted disease. How could things have changed so fast in such a short amount of time? Only hours before, he’d had Charlotte wrapped in his arms, sated from their lovemaking here in this very bed. For the first time since the fall, he felt at peace for a small, magical moment. A feeling that was so foreign to him, he had almost forgotten what it was like to feel… happy.

While Charlotte had slept, her body entwined with his, her mesmerizing golden locks splayed over his chest. Her arm draped lazily across him, and the warmth of her body radiated through him. It had calmed him. The fresh memories of her moans, her scent, the way her body had moved against his, the way she had clung to him during their fiery sex rolled through his mind. He had realized that he was happy with Charlotte in his arms, in his bed, in his life. He could, for just one moment, imagine a life with her in it. Sure, it wasn’t a life he deserved. Hell, he didn’t even deserve someone as beautiful, kind-hearted, and gentle as Charlotte, but fuck it. Why couldn’t he have happiness? Hadn’t he suffered for long enough? Hadn’t he bared the weight of thousands of years of regret and pain for long enough?

But of course, it was all some sick, twisted trick. He was a fool to think he, Roman, an angel who had fallen from grace, a monster , deserved to be happy. It had taken just one look from her, that look of fear and betrayal, to bring his world crashing down.

Charlotte thought him a monster, just like the demons that had been torturing her and hunting her for however long she’d been suffering. He had lost her forever, and there was nothing he could do to make it right. Roman didn’t care if the angels were angry with him for keeping his demon side a secret. He could live with it. He could probably even live with the pain of having his own brother hate him, which, thankfully, wasn’t the case. But Charlotte was another story. He would never forget how she looked at him, the rejection, and how she had hidden behind Armaros in fear and fled the room.

Those memories would haunt him forever.

Roman had gone to follow her, to get on his knees and beg her to let him explain everything, but Maalik had stopped him. He’d talked Roman into giving Charlotte some space to come to terms with everything, and had brought Roman here, away from the other fallen, to talk some sense into him. He still couldn’t believe Maalik wasn’t angry with him. He cursed him out for keeping it a secret and not trusting him. But Maalik said he’d understood Roman’s fear of him and the others knowing, and that in the future, Roman should trust in how much they all loved each other. How they would all do anything to protect each other, no matter what had happened in the past or what was to happen in the future. Maalik reminded him how not for one second did Roman ever judge, mistrust, or change how he treated every one of them that had crawled out of Hell changed, altered into their own monsters. Just like him. They were a family, and family stuck together.

If Roman couldn’t have Charlotte in his life, he would damn well make sure she was going to be okay and that nothing would hurt her. Over his dead body would he let Lucifer, his lap dog, Tora, or any other slave he had working for him, get their hands on her. He needed to fix this for her. Needed to make amends for his lies and make sure she could at least live her life without being in fear that someone or something would kill her.

Yes, he could do this, he thought as he stood from the bed and ran his hands through his hair. He would make sure the world was safe for her so she could live the life she deserved. Without me .

I don’t know if I can let her go. Even the thought caused him to rub his chest as if in pain, his heart aching for the loss. He jerked as someone lightly knocked on the door.

“Roman, it’s me. Can I come in?” Charlotte’s soft voice asked.

Mine. His whole body came alive as he flew across the room, ripping the door open. Charlotte stood in the corridor, still wearing his sweatpants and jumper, the clothes swallowing her delicate frame. Her golden hair was now free from the messy bun she wore earlier, flowing over her shoulders and down her back in stunning waves. Her gray eyes found his.

“Charlotte, I—please come in,” he stammered, shocked she was even standing at his door. He didn’t think she would come looking for him. Roman honestly thought he would have to hunt her down and beg her to see him.

He watched as she shyly entered the room. She took a few steps and turned to face him. He raked his hungry gaze over every inch of her. Heaven. He knew now there was no hope of him ever letting her go. He would have to convince her to stay. To be with him.

“Charlotte, I’m sorry. I’m?—”

Charlotte held up her hand to silence him. “Roman, I need you to let me speak before I lose my nerve. Please?” she asked him quietly, her hands pulling at the bottom of the jumper nervously.

Roman nodded, hating that she felt nervous, that he was the reason for her discomfort.

She gave him a small nod in return, standing a little taller, like she was giving herself a little pep talk in her head. “Roman, I want to apologize for my reaction to your, ah, appearance earlier.”

He quickly shook his head, taking a few steps toward her. “Don’t apologize. It’s my?—”

Charlotte took a small step back. “Please let me finish.”

Roman stopped, his hands falling to his side. He hadn’t even realized he’d been reaching for her.

Let her speak her mind.

“I’m sorry for how I reacted. But I can’t lie. You scared me. Finding out you are part… demon terrified me. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been running from demons in my nightmares, and now, after everything that has happened the past week, I find out I have to run from them in my real life as well. You lied to me.” Her eyes teared up as she said the last part.

It tormented him to see her standing there like this, tears welling in her eyes because of him. He should never be the reason she cried. He wanted to rip the entire room apart; he was so angry with himself.

“I’m so sorry, Charlotte. You can’t even begin to understand how sorry I am,” he told her, slowly taking a step closer.

She didn’t back away from him this time, giving him a sliver of hope. “You can’t do that, Roman. You can’t lie to me. Ever.” She stared at him as if she were searching for something.

He shook his head, taking another step closer. He could almost touch her now. “Never. Never again, I promise you.”

She glanced down at her bare feet, still twisting the bottom of the jumper.

Roman couldn’t stand the distance between them. He couldn’t help himself as he took two more steps, closing the gap. Slowly, he lifted his hand, tucking a strand of her honey-colored hair behind her ear. She tilted her head, leaning into his palm, looking back up into his eyes. He could get lost in the storm of them, the color of rolling clouds on a rainy day.

“Charlotte, I love you. I never meant to hurt you. I vow on my life I will never lie to you again. Never hurt you again. I only want to protect you, to keep you safe. I know I’m not worthy of you, that you deserve a lot better than the likes of me, but if you will have me, I will spend eternity trying to be better. Trying to be someone who deserves to have you.”

Charlotte gave a small shake of her head. She took his hand from her cheek and placed it over her heart. “Don’t speak of yourself that way again. I’ve never met someone more worthy in my life. Maalik came and spoke to me. He told me bits and pieces of your past to help me understand you better. You’re not the monster I thought you were. You never were a monster. Could never be.”

I need to remind myself to thank my brother the next time I see him , Roman thought, forever indebted to Maalik for whatever he had told Charlotte.

“I love you, too, Roman,” she told him with a small smile. “As crazy as that sounds,” she added with a small laugh.

Roman could feel the smile covering his face. I love you, too. He couldn’t believe he had just heard her say those words. A few minutes ago, he believed he had lost her forever. Now, she was his. The last word echoed in his mind.

MINE, he thought possessively, once again raking his hungry gaze over her body. He pulled her to him, smashing her body hard up against his. His hands cupped her face, tilting her head so he could get a closer look at those captivating eyes and her plump, luscious lips. He trailed his thumb over her bottom lip as she leaned into him.

“No more lies, Roman,” she said, her voice full of wanting.

He shook his head. “No more lies.”

“You have to tell me everything,” she said as she ran her hands gently up his arms.

“Yes, everything,” he agreed, leaning in closer.

“Promise me,” she whispered, their faces close, her breath caressing his lips.

“I promise,” he rasped before he hungrily kissed her, his tongue searching for hers as she opened her mouth, moaning in pleasure.

He deepened the kiss, her tongue meeting his in a sensual dance. His hands ran over her body, holding her tightly against him. He was already hard for her, wanting to be inside her more than anything.

Charlotte leaned into him, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck. He growled as he cupped her plump ass, lifting her. She wound her legs around his waist, grinding against his cock, his eyes rolling back from the pleasure shooting through his body. He could feel his eyes glowing but could do nothing to stop it. His desire for her took control of every part of him.

His mind was spinning. He couldn’t believe she was here, that she loved him back. His kiss grew more desperate, like she’d run away from him at any moment. He carried her to the bed and gently lay her down. Pausing, he hovered over her, losing himself in her eyes. Roman didn’t miss her flinch ever so slightly as she realized his eyes were glowing. He quickly closed them, attempting to stop her from fearing him. He loathed his demon half in that moment. Would give anything to make it disappear.

The warmth of her hands slid up his back to his face, one hand resting on each of his cheeks, pulling him from his self-loathing thoughts.

“Roman, open your eyes.”

Anything for you, his mind answered as he obeyed. “I’m sorry. I can’t control it.”

Charlotte gave him a dazzling smile. She looked like an angel as she leaned up, gently kissing his lips. “Don’t ever be sorry. I love that your eyes burn for me.”

That was it. Roman took her mouth with his, groaning as he lost himself in the kiss. Their bodies tangled together as they both ground themselves against each other. He trailed kisses down her neck, her skin tasting like honey and heaven as his desire soared, burning deep inside him. His control was slipping, feeling his inner demon desperately attempting to dominate, his fangs pulsating with the urge to be unleashed. He kept looking at her neck as he ripped the jumper in half, throwing it across the room and freeing her luscious, round breasts. He growled like a wild beast as he threw himself on them, capturing one in his mouth and sucking hard on her nipple while his hand trailed down her stomach. Her moans of pleasure drove him crazy. He snuck another look at her neck, an overwhelming feeling of wanting to bite it falling over him.

Roman shook it off, settling for nipping at her breast. He quickly tore the sweatpants from her body, throwing them over his shoulder as Charlotte grinned up at him. He could feel his eyes burning with fire now as he descended onto her other breast, giving it the same attention, sucking and nipping. Charlotte writhed beneath him. He could smell her desire, her scent driving him crazy. His fangs descended—there was nothing he could do to stop them. He scrapped one gently over her nipple, and Charlotte bit her bottom lip as she moaned, watching him. His hand dove between her legs, his eyes closing in ecstasy as he felt how wet she was for him.

He pushed a finger inside her, then another. Charlotte thrashed her head from side to side, saying his name, pleading with him to bring her some release. He moved his fingers faster, in and out, as he kissed his way down her stomach, finally settling between her legs. She cried out in protest as he removed his hand, but she screamed his name when he slowly licked her.

Roman shivered as he tasted her.

It’s like nectar from the heavens , he thought as he slowly licked her again, relishing in her taste. In this moment, Roman knew that for the rest of his life, he would be ruined. He would never be sated; he would always long for her. I could do this forever , he thought as he fell into her.

His tongue dove into her, and his hands sought out her soft breasts while she screamed his name and thrashed under him. He was relentless. Roman couldn’t get enough of her as he sucked on her clit, showing it no mercy, his fingers finding their way back inside her.

Charlotte’s body jerked as her hands grabbed his head, her fingers pulling at his hair and holding his head down. He grinned as his mouth sucked, and his fangs nipped her clitoris, sending her over the edge. She fisted his hair, her thighs tightening around his head as she threw herself back, screaming his name. His eyes never left her, the image forever burned into his mind. There was nothing more erotic than watching her breasts rise and fall as she called his name over and over. Her head hung back, her hair flowing down over the bed, back arched, jutting her breasts to the ceiling.

I will never let you go. You’re mine , he thought as he licked and sucked every last moan from her body.

* * *

Charlotte collapsed back onto the bed, panting and looking up at the ceiling. She had never experienced anything like the explosion that had just taken place inside her. Roman devoured her like he was a hungry beast, and she loved every goddamn second of it. The image of his head between her legs, his eyes on fire as he looked up at her while he did the wickedest things to her with his mouth, had been the most erotic thing she had ever experienced in her life.

He will definitely be doing that again. She grinned to herself as she looked down.

Roman’s eyes were still burning with passion as he gave her a wicked smile in return. He moved slowly, crawling up her body, kissing and licking every inch of her. She caught a glimpse of his hard erection, instantly becoming wet for him all over again, her body vibrating with a need so powerful it overwhelmed her.

Charlotte couldn’t believe how much she cared for Roman, her desire for him was insatiable. The minute she’d walked into the room to speak with him, she had known she couldn’t live without him, could never hate him. And after what he’d just done to her, and—by the look on his face—what he was about to do to her, he was going to show her all over again how much he loved her too.

He made it to her breasts, stopping to kiss and nip at each one. “So beautiful,” he murmured, giving them both one last hard suck.

Her back arched as she delighted in the sensation it caused. She rubbed her wetness against him, and Roman hissed in a breath as she grabbed his face, pulling him roughly to her and kissing him.

He groaned as he positioned himself over her. Leaning down, his lips found hers. Charlotte lost herself in the kiss as he grazed her lips with his fangs, driving her mad with lust. She arched up, rubbing her center against him, moaning as his hardness grazed over her throbbing sheath.

“Please, Roman,” she begged between kisses.

He nipped at her lip, his burning eyes looking into hers, devouring her. There was no one else. The world fell away until it was just Charlotte and her fiery-eyed demon. “I love you,” he told her as he thrust into her.

A gasp escaped her lips, and her eyes locked on his. “I love you too,” she told him, winding her legs tightly around his waist and pulling him deeper inside her.

He kissed her again, ferociously, as if he wanted to eat her alive. “Don’t ever leave me again.” He began thrusting faster and harder. With every thrust, she crept closer to that pure ecstasy that only he could give her.

“Never,” she rasped as she kissed him back, giving it everything she had, knowing what she had planned, knowing she was lying to him.

She couldn’t be with him forever. She had to die—there was no other way. The thought of leaving him had her fighting back tears as he kissed her neck, his fangs grazing her skin. She arched her head back, wanting him to pierce her skin. She wanted his fangs deep in her neck. Charlotte could feel his need drawing him in. It must have something to do with his demon half, and she was willing to give him what he needed. If this might be the last time they were together, then she wanted all of him.

Charlotte pushed the thoughts away, bringing herself back to the moment. He was pumping faster, their bodies thrusting in unison, their kisses growing more desperate. She held on tighter, digging her nails into his back as he sucked harder on her neck with a growl.

“Bite me,” she pleaded, holding his head to her, moving her hips faster, matching his pace. Charlotte could feel the pleasure building, ready to explode.

Roman stopped, shocked, and she thrust her hips up, ripping a groan out of him.

“Don’t stop,” she demanded, raking her nails down his back.

He plowed back into her, faster than before, as they both gasped for air, so close to climax. Charlotte pulled his head harshly toward hers, smashing their lips together and kissing him like it was her last second on Earth. She pulled back, nipping at his ear.

“Bite me,” she whispered into his ear.

He lost himself then, growling loudly and never slowing his pace. He wrenched another toe-curling kiss from her, then his eyes locked on her neck a second before he leaned down and sunk his fangs deep into her flesh.

Charlotte instantly climaxed, screaming out his name, holding on as Roman completely lost himself, roaring against her neck and pumping in and out of her so fast that she exploded again and again. The feel of his fangs inside her felt so erotic, so intimate, like he’d branded her deep down to her soul. So deep that even in death, the mark would be seen, and everyone would know she was Roman’s.

She thought she might explode into a million stars as the pleasure became almost unbearable, ripping through every inch of her body. Charlotte didn’t think it possible, but as Roman finally came, he let go of her neck and roared her name to the ceiling, still pumping in and out of her, ripping one final orgasm from her trembling body, pushing her over the edge and into the heavens. How was this kind of soul-consuming pleasure even possible? she thought, stunned. Roman finally collapsed on top of her, gently kissing her neck as he gasped for breath.

He rolled onto his back, pulling her with him and tucking her in against his magnificent, muscled body. A sheen of sweat from their lovemaking made his body glisten in the light. They both lay together, wrapped tightly in each other’s embrace. Charlotte tried to catch her breath as she snuggled into his chest, his arms tightening around her.

“That was… amazing.” He kissed the top of her head.

Charlotte lifted her gaze to look at him, his eyes now back to that intense blue she loved so much. “I didn’t know it was like that… or could be like that.”

Her cheeks heated. He must think her so inexperienced.

Roman ran a thumb over her bottom lip, his eyes darkening with desire. “Neither did I, angel. That was a first for me, too.” He smiled, looking sated as he dragged her up his body, his hands getting lost in her hair as he drew her in for a smouldering kiss.

He pulled away, gazing into her eyes, his face becoming serious. “I love you, Charlotte. You are mine forever,” he told her with such devotion, such overwhelming love.

Guilt started creeping in again. “I love you too, Roman,” she answered, kissing him again, her desire for him flooding back anew.

If this might be the last time they were together, she was going to make the most of it. At that thought, Charlotte’s kiss grew more desperate. She tried to memorize the way his body felt and his masculine scent that drove her insane. Charlotte ran her hands over his chest, committing every inch of him to memory. She cupped his face, breaking the kiss and looking at him with teary eyes, a frown of concern darkening his face.

“Charlotte, what is it?”

She gave him a small smile. “Nothing,” she lied, loathing herself for it, especially after forcing him to promise he never would. “I’m just so happy.” Liar. She placed her forehead to his. “Roman, make love to me,” she whispered, running her hand down his chest, her fingers finding him already hard and wanting her as she wrapped them around him, slowly stroking.

Roman growled, moving so fast and flipping her over onto her back. She giggled as he licked and kissed her neck, admiring his bite, proud of the mark.

His hungry blue eyes found hers. “Anything for you, my love.” Giving her another smouldering look, eyes already glowing red, he fell upon her.