Page 38 of Shifting Hearts

FIVE

Seraphina

T he office buzzed with tension. The angel chastised herself for letting her boss touch and speak to her with such depravity again. Falling for his allure would cause her to fall like her sister.

Was pleasure worth eternal damnation? Seraphina’s soulmate was the only one worthy of her virginity, not a soulless, lustful creature like Jas Conrad.

The knowledge of the thirty-six-year-old tavern owner’s history was revealed to her as she prepared for her assignment—she was intimately familiar with his depraved sexual appetite and refused to be his conquest.

The only bit of knowledge she was blocked from was the night he transformed. Fixed points of history steeped in evil became shrouded in darkness. Only he could share this moment with her. Angels like Brock would dispatch divine justice over those vile enough to sire evil.

“Come on, sweetheart,” Bobbie cajoled. “Give us a twirl.”

Seraphina’s breath caught in her throat as she caught her reflection.

She blinked a few times, searching for herself in the image of the mature woman staring back at her.

The sparkly, silver wrap dress was low cut with a ruched waistline, emphasizing her figure.

A hint of milky skin poked through the thigh-high slit.

Her hair was loose, flowing over her shoulders and the woman who applied her makeup chose colors that made the green flecks in her eyes pop.

The sweet country girl who stepped off the train just days before had already disappeared.

Did she blame Jas Conrad or herself for this result?

She pulled out her phone and snapped a picture of her reflection and texted it to Mara. She was able to quickly get up to speed on modern technology as it would help her fulfill her assignment.

M:

WOW! Showstopper. What’s the occasion?

S:

The boss wants me to accompany him to an event.

M:

A date?

S:

What? NO! This is my assignment, Mara.

The hole in her heart grew larger, filling her with dread as her phone pinged with a message from her brother.

B:

Be careful. I don’t like the idea of you spending time alone with him.

If only Brock knew everything that transpired between them at the office. She was thankful that her siblings cared enough to watch out for her. However, the angel of vengeance wasn’t necessary here. She was determined to perform her duties with dignity and leave Jas Conrad behind.

He was right, he had cognitive and celestial powers that were unmatched. He had to trust her to know when to ask for help if and when she needed it.

She wound her hair around her finger as she turned back toward the mirror.

There was no narcissism in the act, but Jas’s words about vanity scared her.

Of course a soulless creature would tempt her to sin.

Yet, she loved watching the way the fabric shimmered in the light.

It wasn’t reasonable for her to interpret her father’s words.

But maybe, just this once, she could admire herself without the sin.

Though he’d referred to her as beautiful, his opinion couldn’t be trusted as his goal was to corrupt her innocence. She had to keep her wits about her and not succumb to his temptation.

A knot formed in her stomach thinking back to the woman writhing on his desk. Surely it wasn’t envy seeping through her cracked edges as that was a mortal sin.

Seraphina exhaled noisily conveying her exhaustion.

Who knew being sociable and trying on clothes all day would become tiresome.

A whole rack in Jas’s closet belonged to her now.

It was extravagant and unnecessary. He wanted to dress her up for his amusement, not because she needed it.

They took away the outfit she’d chosen that morning.

“What’s wrong, angel?” Jas asked.

“Nothing,” she replied. It wouldn’t do well for her boss to know the emotional turmoil within her as it was her burden to carry.

Jas glanced down at his phone as it beeped with a notification.

“The car is here.”

“I’m not ready,” she responded as she twirled her hair again.

He watched her for a moment. “You look beautiful.”

The traitorous organ in her chest fluttered at the compliment.

“Do you really think so?” she asked, unsure she actually wanted to know the answer.

“Don’t fish for compliments.”

His gaze shamelessly lingered on her breasts, causing the air between them to become charged once more. Though the man wore an expensive Italian suit with his hair slicked back, and his beard oiled, he was still the tavern owner from her vision.

“We don't want to be late for our reservation.”

Jas was silent, but he stood too close, igniting her nerve endings. Her body screamed for his touch, wanting to obey as she silently begged for more. Her focus remained on the floors that passed by painfully slow. It became harder to breathe with each passing second. She needed fresh air.

Somewhere between the second and third floor, Jas pushed a button, causing the elevator to come to an abrupt halt. He turned toward her and had her back against the wall before she could blink.

“I lied.”

Her heart threatened to pound out of her chest as he opened his mouth while his fangs descended. He growled into her neck, “Keep teasing me with that body and I’ll fuck you right here.”

“I thought you said we’re late.” Her voice quivered at his words. “I won’t be seduced by you, demon.”

He chuckled darkly against her skin. “Believe me, you’re the one wielding the power, angel.”

He pulled himself away and pushed the button, causing the elevator to whine as it started moving again. She rushed out the moment the doors opened.

The fresh evening air did little to cool her fevered skin. She frowned as she blinked up at the night sky, noticing how the city lights obscured the stars.

“What’s wrong,” Jas asked.

“I can’t see the stars. The country offers fresh air and wide open spaces,” she replied.

A man cleared his throat behind her, cutting off Jas’s response. The angel lowered her gaze to the curb, as a man in a black suit opened the rear passenger door of a car.

“Good evening, Mr. Conrad.” He bowed his head to the man in respect and gestured toward Seraphina. “Ma’am.”

She scooted across the dark leather followed closely by Jas. Despite the roominess, he pressed his thigh against hers, as the driver climbed into his seat.

The silence clawed at her as the car deftly maneuvered through city traffic.

The emotions Jas evoked made her skin blaze, while simultaneously dousing her with ice.

Her head spun as the driver made a sharp turn, causing her to practically tumble into her boss’s lap.

As her hands came to rest on his broad chest, she felt his heart beating beneath the expensive fabric.

The act conjured a vision.

The afternoon breeze tousled her hair as she joined in the fun.

The kids were no longer being chased by their father, they were the predators.

His size made him faster, but he allowed them to catch him.

He feigned breathlessness, which caused them to shriek gleefully.

The dog barked excitedly as he escaped their tiny hands and ran away once more.

He turned his head and winked mischievously.

She blinked back tears as she returned to herself.

She recoiled from Jas’s touch and crossed her arms in a feeble attempt to shield herself from the startling realization she’d known from their first encounter.

Her heart tore wide open as she stared at the boorish man.

She wanted to tear her hair out and scream to the Heavens.

This assignment just became unbearable. She couldn’t quit or walk away. She had to save him.