Asmodeus had lost himself in Brianna's innocence. When he had seen her tears amidst her confused question as to his treatment, he could not stop himself from claiming her. He wanted her. Had always wanted her.
Her body was pliant against his. When she wrapped an arm around his back, pulling their bodies closer, he nearly lifted her dress to take her. Somewhere in the recesses of his mind he realized now was not the time or place.
He broke the kiss and stepped back, putting much-needed distance between him and the one thing that was forbidden to beings such as himself. Brianna leaned against the car, her hair disheveled, her lips full and parted. The door to the house opened. Raum came forward and stood on his porch.
"What do you want me to do with Kelly?"
Asmodeus looked back at Brianna. His only thoughts revolved around finding a place they could continue their passion in private. With sheer determination he forced those thoughts away. Brianna was the one thing he could never have.
"Keep her for now. Guard her. We must find out who she keeps referring to. I'll be in touch."
Raum nodded and went back in his house.
Brianna put a hand on his chest. "Asmodeus, there's something I need to tell you."
A shadow crossed in front of the house. He stepped away from Brianna, scouring the surroundings. A dark presence had manifested itself, though he couldn't locate where it had gone.
"Asmodeus—"
"Quiet."
She did as he asked. He no longer sensed a shadow, nor saw anything that would give him suspicion. The shadow could have been anything.
"What is it?"
So much for her being quiet. "Nothing."
He moved to open the door for her. Without a word she slid in the car. He walked around the car, taking one last look around. Nothing but the sound of the ocean and the light from the moon surrounded them. He sat in the driver's seat, dismissing the shadow that was more than likely brought on by his contradictory emotions. He couldn't let Brianna become a disruption. There were things he needed to do, leads he must investigate.
"Where are we going?" she asked.
More than anything he wanted to say somewhere they wouldn't be interrupted, somewhere he could feel the heat of her body and taste the sweetness of her skin.
Now that he had regained his senses, he realized he needed to separate himself from her. She was growing on him. Her tears had affected him, as had her heartfelt question. She might need his protection, and he would provide it. But she also needed protection from him, and he would give it.
Chapter Fourteen
Asmodeus had a special talent for teasing her. Once again she had opened herself up to him, and once again he had denied her. At least there was an upside to his current dismissal; she wasn't in handcuffs this time around.
With the car window rolled down she relished the cool breeze as it ruffled her hair. Clouds were moving in, and the clean, damp smell in the air promised rain. Asmodeus handled the car with an expertise even she lacked. She chalked it up to men and their toys. An ancient such as him shouldn't look so at ease in the driver's seat of a Saab, but he looked as though he were born to take to the streets with such a sweet ride.
She needed to tell him about her mission and the time frame allotted to her. It now seemed like the right thing to do. She wasn't exactly sure how she would go about it, but it needed to be said. If the angels came, so be it. The angels were now checking up on her, which had her wondering what they would do next. What did they know? Could they read her thoughts? If they could, they knew she no longer considered carrying out their mission.
"Asmodeus, I need to tell you—"
"I understand, Brianna. I'm going to take you to Naberius's and leave you under his protection. I'm going back to Raum's."
"But—"
"Naberius will take good care of you."
What the hell was he talking about? "Why can't I stay with you?" She felt him pulling away, just as he did at the beach when she admitted she had feelings for him.
"This is the best way."
"For you," she said, unable to keep the hurt from her voice. As if she didn't have enough to think about. Why was she letting this bother her so much when she had much bigger problems to face?
"This has nothing to do with me." He stopped at a red light and ran a hand through his hair. "No, it has everything to do with me. You're safer at Naberius's house. He can protect you just as well as I can."
She was finished arguing with him. He obviously knew what was best in any given situation. To hell with this. She would get to Naberius's, wait until Asmodeus was gone, then she would leave. She'd go back to her shop in the morning and live the rest of her five days in quiet denial.