They continued to eat, and Cass managed to rein in his lust enough to have a normal conversation with Kushiel, asking him a bit more about his work and the angels and demons he knew. Kushiel spoke with real affection when he talked about Michael and Ari, and he obviously knew Michael’s brother, Gabe, and his demon mate, Asmodeus, as well. He ended up filling in Cass on all the details of the archangel who had been plotting against soulmates. Cass knew some of the details—he was a bit of a seer himself, and Michael and Ari had hinted at some details, but they didn’t fully know his abilities and so were obviously circumspect in what they told him. He definitely hadn’t known Kushiel’s part in it all.
Cass hmm’d thoughtfully. “It seems clear that the order of things is changing about a bit, and obviously those in power want it to change, or else I doubt you would have been able to warn Michael and Ari.”
“Yes, I suppose so. I cannot fathom why they would be changing the very nature of existence, but it is not my place to question such things,” Kushiel answered.
“I don’t know. I think it’s your place to question whatever you think you need to, K. You have a unique perspective, after all. You’re selfless, and generous, and you have undoubtedly done more for souls in this universe than anyone else. You don’t just place people, youredeemthem. Your work is sacred,” Cass preached.
Kushiel blushed again, looking down. “It is not so much as that,” he murmured.
“Of course it is. You sell yourself short, K. You do amazing work.Youare amazing, and no one else could do what you do,” Cass defended.
“Well, I’m sure someone else could. No one else does, but I’m sure they could,” Kushiel mumbled.
“Then why don’t they? Surely there’s enough work that more angels could’ve done it. I know enough to know that almost everything has a department and a ton of people working on it. You’re special, Kushiel. You were given a higher purpose, and if there were more angels who could've done it, then I’m sure they would’ve,” Cass stated.
He could tell that Kushiel was uncomfortable with the compliments, but Cass would just keep building him up until he believed it. He also knew he was right. For whatever reason, Kushiel was the only one who could do this work, and he did it tirelessly and without asking anything in return.
They finished up the last of their meal in a peaceful silence. Cass knew he’d given Kushiel some things to think over, and the quiet was comfortable. When they were done Kushiel offered to wash dishes, and Cass gladly let him—it was his least favorite chore, but it seemed almost meditative for Kushiel, and whenthe dishes were all set aside to dry he blinked and looked around like he was hoping for more.
“Thank you, K,” Cass said, letting his hand run along Kushiel’s back as he walked behind him toward the cabinets to put the rest of the ingredients he’d left out away. He noticed Kushiel’s light shiver at the touch.
“Well, I think I’m gonna head up and get ready for bed,” Cass said, because otherwise he was definitely going to go too fast for Kushiel. The angel was becoming irresistible.
Who was he kidding—Kushiel had been irresistible from the start, but Cass was having a harder time controlling his impulses. If he stuck around much longer, he’d be taking their relationship in a very physical direction, and he just couldn’t tell if Kushiel was comfortable enough for that.
Slow. He could totally go slow. Even if it fucking killed him.
“Ok, Cass.” Kushiel dried his hands and smiled.
“Help yourself to anything—food, drink, television, a hot shower. Enjoy some pleasures of the mortal flesh,” Cass joked. Yeah, a little suggestive, and his voice was a little raspy on the last line, but Cass couldn’t help himself.
As if on cue, Kushiel blushed prettily, and Cass gave him a wink and headed for the stairs before he did something… Well, he didn’t think he would regret whatever he would do, but he didn’t want to move too fast.
He cursed his own good intentions.
Cass sighed as he reached his bedroom, and he stripped out of his clothes and headed into the bathroom. He was half hard just thinking about Kushiel’s pretty blush, his gray skin turning a beautiful mauve color.
Cass debated with himself—cold shower to cool off, or hot shower to take care of himself?
He thought of Kushiel’s smile, those dark, glossy wings, and he absent-mindedly gave himself a stroke. He thought ofKushiel’s hand on him instead and gave a groan, applying a little more pressure as he grew totally hard.
Well, he guessed it would be a hot shower.
He stopped long enough to start the hot water running, giving it some time to heat up before he stepped in, the room already filling with steam. He couldn’t help bringing his hand back to his dick, using a firm grip and squeezing as he reached the head, looking down at his bright red cock peeking out from his fist.
He groaned again and closed his eyes, picturing Kushiel, only in his imagination those floaty white pants his true form wore were tented with an erection, those dark gray nipples tight little peaks that Cass would love to lick and nibble on.
Cass heard a noise behind him and figured Kushiel had gone into his room, and he thought of the angel hearing him jerking off, and it made him harder. How pretty would Kushiel’s blush be if he knew that he was the reason Cass was so turned on?
He heard a soft gasp behind him, and his eyes shot open. He stopped stroking but kept his dick fisted in his hand as he looked over.
Kushiel was standing in the doorway that led from his room into the bathroom. Cass had forgotten to lock that door since he wasn’t used to company.
Or maybe he hadn’treallyforgotten to lock that door, because Kushiel was indeed blushing sexily, and his eyes were glued to Cass’s dick.
Cass couldn’t help it, he gave his cock another stroke, squeezing when he got to the head, and a little bead of precum formed on the tip. Kushiel groaned quietly, his eyes never leaving Cass’s dick. His own white pants were tented with arousal, and his nipples were indeed hard little peaks. Perhaps Cass’s imagination was more of a vision. He certainly wasn’t complaining though.
Fuck. So much for good intentions.
