Page 109 of Greed

I stared at the massive bowl of fresh peaches on the table and took a deep breath as I closed my eyes. It didn’t quite do her scent justice, but I could almost pretend she was here with me. Laying my head back on the leather, I did what was becoming a habit. I played over every moment we shared. My finger ran across my lip as I remembered our last kiss.

A soft knock sounded at the door, and I sat up, wiping away the tears. “May I enter,” Shilo asked.

“I told you I’m not hungry right now.”

“I know.”

Sighing loudly over the interruption, I answered, “yes, come on in.” I stood and made my way to the bar area to refresh my drink. “I’m not sure why you’re so insistent that I eat Shilo.”

“Because he loves you.” I froze with the decanter in hand. My heart picked up its pace and beat wildly in my ears. Her scent invaded my nose as I slowly turned around. I blinked, the decanter and glass dropping to the ground. She covered her mouth and winced as the crystal smashed into a million little pieces.

“Oh shoot, I’m sorry I should’ve called first or had Shilo make sure you were sitting.”

“It’s really you. You’re here?”

The smile that could light up any room spread across her face. I’d missed that smile. No, I’d missed her. I rushed across the room, scared that she would disappear again if I didn’t grab her. Her body was warm and perfect as I wrapped her up and spun her around. She squealed and kissed me hard, our tongues entwining as our kiss said what words couldn’t.

“How is this possible? How are you here?” I peppered her face with an assault of kisses and wrapped her up in a hug, scared to let her go. “I’m not going crazy, am I?”

She laughed hard. “No, you’re not going crazy. I am really here.”

“Then how? I don’t understand how this is happening.”

“Well, if you let go of me for a moment, I’ll show you.” She looked up at me and gave me a sly smirk before stepping back. Unable to help myself, I licked my lips as her fingers worked at undoing the blouse she wore. It dropped to the floor, and I groaned at the sight of her body and the adorable lace bra she was wearing.

“If I’m dreaming, never wake me up,” he mumbled.

“You’re not dreaming, silly.” Her body shimmered, the soft white and golden light emanating and casting shadows across the room. I gasped as delicate white wings rose behind her and slowly spread out wide. My eyes stared at the white wings and swallowed hard.

“You were made an angel? A human-made angel?” She nodded, and a tear rolled down my cheek. “You deserve it, you always were one anyway, my little bird, and now you have your own wings. How often can you visit?”

Her smile turned into a sexy smirk as she undid her bra and held it out, dropping it to the ground. I stopped breathing, my mind going blank, my eyes glued to the rise and fall of her chest. “What if I told you that I was made into a guardian angel and was to stay here on Earth?”

“Really?” Hope burst inside my chest as I took in her smiling face. “Who’s the lucky person?”

She lifted her arm and pointed it at me.

“Me?” She nodded. “Father made you my guardian angel?”

“It was Michael’s idea, actually. Apparently, you’ve redeemed yourself enough to deserve a little happiness. Besides, he said I was a positive influence on you. You should know that Michael got down on his knee as he asked for this favor. He said you had the chance to kill him, and you didn’t. No secrets this time between us.” She smiled.

“No secrets and no running.”

“Oh, and in case you want to know, Raphael was super pissed and has been banned from coming to Earth until Father forgives him.” She laughed, and the sound was infectious, making me laugh along with her.

With a yell, I grabbed her around the waist and lifted her over my shoulder. “Oh, my little bird, we have so much time to make up for,” I said as I ran for the bedroom, she laughed and smacked my ass.

I ignored the laughter and cheering spectators in the living room as we ran past, slamming the door in my wake. Sitting her down on her feet, I leaned in until my lips found hers and didn’t stop until we were both breathless. In the span of one heartbeat and the next, my soul mended back together like she was the needle and thread I’d needed, and I was never letting her go again.

“I love you more than words can say, Minetta Johnson.”

“I love you more than words can say, Riker Rhodes. Now ravage me already.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Five Years Later

Minetta ran around the large yard of her family farm chasing their four-year-old, Maximus, while Riker rocked the newest addition, Aliyah, in his arms. Max was the spitting image of her with his large blue eyes and midnight black hair, while their sweet little Aliyah was definitely daddy’s little girl with his unique amber eyes and blonde hair that verged on gold. There was no way to tell if the children would grow up immortal and have abilities or remain human since they were born on Earth. Either way, they were happy, they were a family, and the kids got to experience the same loving childhood she had.