Page 37 of Angels Don’t Date

I crossed my arms and turned, raising my nose in the air. “I don’t want to talk to you.”

“Sure you do. You can tell me all the ways I’m stupid. It sounds like you could go on for days, counting all the ways.” He batted his lashes at me, like we were joking.

I glowered at him. We were not joking. He didn’t care if I insulted him, or humiliated him, or sucked his blood. What would he mind? I couldn’t think of anything until I remembered the thing about angels having no desire.

I grabbed his head, gripping it tight like I might rip it off his neck and take it bowling.

He raised his eyebrows, mildly amused and then I pressed my lips hard to his, kissing him as thoroughly as possible. Of course, I’d only kissed a few people, none of them more than once, quick pecks that were absolutely forgettable. But he’d have no idea I was the worst kisser in the history of the world. He’d just be horrified and offended because I was messing with his purity or whatever and then…

He came to life against me, hand circling my waist and securing me to him. His head bent over me, lips caressing mine, breath mingling, tasting of spice cake. Did he make spice cake and not tell me about it?

His lips were so soft and sweet. Who cared about spice cake when I could taste him? I lost my mind after that. I kissed him because he was my breath, my life, my soul. And he tasted so, mind-meltingly good.

“Agh! Can’t you two get a room?” Rafe exclaimed, his squeal at the beginning and low growl at the end breaking through the happy haze.

I threw myself away from Richard, heart beating too fast, breath coming in gasps and starts while my lips burned. He smiled at me, relaxed, comfortable with this entire situation, including the witness who pushed past us to go to the blender and mix his elixir.

I pointed at Richard, opened my mouth to say something, then turned and hurried out before I started throwing things. Did nothing faze him? And how long was I going to feel like this, all soft and warm and aching? Romantic. That’s how I was feeling. But that was the stupidest thing in the world. He was SunRae, my best friend, but he was also painfully stupid, and he’d need my help finding his purpose because he was too busy being distracted from the pain of being an angel on earth. Kissing me must fall on the spectrum of crazy things he did to distract from the boredom. I should have realized it wouldn’t bother him. Nothing did. Did I have to actually die for him to realize his mistake? What else was there?

The Commander was my only hope. He’d break this life binding, and penalize Richard in some way that he hated, maybe keeping him from fighting in the wars. He’d be forced to spend his life on the sidelines baking animal cakes. That would serve him right. I hoped he died of boredom.

I called Sultry as I walked.

“Hello, Katriana. Is something wrong?”

“You have access to the Scholar’s files, right? Doesn’t he have Ruby Blood’s phone number since that time she came to the lab for blood?”

She was quiet for a minute. “What do you want an assassin for? I saw the live broadcast of the show. I don’t think she could kill the angel, so you’d just be throwing away good money.”

I bristled at the mention of the most annoying angel in the world who was so stupidly suicidal. “I want a consultation. She’s so good at assassination, so she’s probably great at seeing them coming. I’m getting so sick of it.”

She sounded relieved. “That’s a great idea. I’ll text the number to you as soon as I have it. How are you doing with this competition? You looked slightly on edge tonight.”

I snorted. “I’m fine. Just living my best pastel princess life.”

“I was surprised that you gave a rose to the incubus. Be careful with him.”

“It’s just because Richard stole his pants. He’s such an idiot.”

“The angel stole the incubus’ pants? I see. Did he steal the fairies pants this week? His outfit was kind of…”

“I don’t think the fairy’s pants would fit him. He’s got strong legs from walking around in full body armor. The fairy has toothpick legs.”

“Agreed, the angel is very nicely muscular.”

“I didn’t say that! I said he’s an idiot who walks around in armor. Anyway, as soon as you get that number I’d appreciate it. Bye!” I hung up before I could start screaming. I hurried to my cottage to change out of my dress before something terrible happened to it. I took a bunch of photos and did a few fit posts. One point two million followers? Five thousand messages? And one from SunRae.

It was a few pictures of me with Pearly White at the bottom of the stairs. I looked very pastel princess to Pearly’s slicked-back shark. I looked weak and vulnerable. Is that how Richard saw me, looking down on me and thinking how weak I was? I should have ripped off his head and gone bowling with it. I never should have kissed him because…

I threw myself across my bed as dramatic as Fellicci and let myself remember the press of Richard’s lips, the warmth of his hand on my back, his chest against mine. So strong, so alive, and seeming so very hungry for me.

My cheeks heated as I ached in the weirdest way. It was only a kiss, but it burned like heavenly fire all the way to my soul. It was probably the binding messing with us. Stupid Angel.

My phone buzzed with a text. I rolled over and grabbed it, wanting it to be Richard.

It was a phone number from Sultry. Right. I needed to cut this binding out of me before I got my bestie killed. That was more important than getting all stupid about some meaningless revenge kiss.

I called the number before I could rethink.