Page 53 of Far From Center
“I love you.” It just came out, spontaneous and ringing with the emotion and truth behind the words. And if that wasn’t bad enough, she was unable to keep herself from lifting her face and kissing him.
She held back enough to stop a full-out, tongue-against-tongue passionate kiss, but it was far from chaste. And instead of pulling away, revolted that someone who had blood on her mouth was kissing him, Gabe wrapped his arms around her, gently kissing her back. His lips were soft, affectionate, and hinted at a barely restrained passion. He still wanted her. He was becoming more an angel by the hour, but he still wanted her. When she pulled away, his lips clung to hers, his eyes shining silver.
“I’m sorry. I’m covered in Snip’s blood–”
“There’s nothing to be sorry for.” His hands caressed her shoulders, skimming down her arms. His silvery gray eyes met hers, and she saw something in their depths that took her breath away. Maybe angels didn’t have the same exact same emotions that humans did, but he clearly continued to care for her, to love her even as his humanity faded away. It was such a relief.
“Thank you. Thank you for caring enough about Snip, about a Low demon, to heal him.”
“I wish I could do more,” he said, his eyes intent on her face. “And I didn’t do it for him, I did it for you. I can’t stand to see you cry. Your emotional pain felt like someone stabbing me. I needed you not to cry. I needed you not to be sad. I’ve got no idea how I managed to heal him when I still feel like a human inside, but I’m glad that enough of my angel-self returned to help your friend.”
“I’m still missing my fingers and toes,” Snip complained.
“Oh shut up and be grateful, you stupid Low.” Terrelle kicked his foot, the one with all the toes. “It’s better than dead, isn’t it?”
The Low smiled up at Gabriel. “Yes, it’s better than dead. Let’s go back to the hotel, because now that I’m not dead and I have a tongue, I have things to tell you.”
Terrelle helped him up and covered the Low’s lower half with her swimsuit wrap. And as they walked down the sand toward the hotel, Nyalla could have sworn she heard Gabriel speak, his words barely there before the wind carried them away.
She could have sworn he said “I love you, too.”
