Chapter Eleven
Archer placed a hand on his belly, not sure if the slight swell was his imagination or from wishful thinking. A week had passed since the fear of losing Ezekiel had almost consumed him. When Ezekiel had retuned from his showdown with Lysander and his cohorts, he’d launched into a tirade at his mate. After several minutes of yelling and warning Ezekiel never to do anything so stupid again, he’d collapsed into his arms, kissing him until they were both breathless.
If that didn’t prove to him that he loved the infuriating gargoyle, he didn‘t know what would. Judging from the bemused crowd of Slayers who witnessed the dramatic display, he figured his feelings were also obvious to them.
Speaking of Ezekiel…
Archer was propped against the pillows in the guest room bed, waiting for his mate to return from a meeting with Archangel Michael and several of the top Slayers involved in the most recent battle. He’d been a little queasy earlier, so he’d told Ezekiel he’d meet him back in their room. But now that he was feeling better, he was back to being horny.
He tapped his fingers on the blanket, his legendary impatience beginning to take over. Ezekiel had also promised to discuss with Michael when they’d be going back to the lair beneath the San Gabriel Mission near L.A. That was Ezekiel’s home base, and while leaving Boston made him a bit sad, it had never truly been his home. The beautiful city was merely where he’d ended up after being bounced around the state throughout his younger years.
The latch to the bedroom clicked and he was hit with the now familiar rush of excitement whenever Ezekiel was near.
As soon as Ezekiel’s gaze landed on him, he broke inot a wide smile. “You look better, my love.”
“Lots.”
He patted the bed. “Join me?”
Ezekiel chuckled. “My, my. Aren’t we anxious.”
“You know I can’t get enough of you, gorgeous.”
“Such a flatterer.”
Ezekiel grinned as he began removing his shirt. “By the way, Amir and Dante will be arriving later. Amir’s excited to meet you.”
“Oh?”
Archer picked at the blanket.
Ezekiel sat on the bed next to him, leaning in to place a quick kiss on his lips. “Still don’t believe it’s possible for you to be pregnant?”
He sighed. “I don’t know. As you said before, after all I’ve witnessed, why should that be so hard to accept?”
He shrugged. “I hate to admit it, but part of me is afraid to get my hopes up.”
Ezekiel’s expression softened as he cupped Archer's cheek. "I understand, love. It's a massive change. But since Amir has been through this, experienced his own doubts because he never knew he was Naphilim - he can answer any questions you might have.”
“I appreciate that. I do have about a million questions.”
He paused, biting his lip. “Are you going to deliver our baby?”
Ezekiel’s eyes brightened. “I wouldn’t let anyone else near you.”
He winked. “Plus, I’m the only one who’s qualified for the job.”
Archer frowned. “Hey, what about me? I thought I was your healer partner now.”
Ezekiel tsked as he laced their fingers together. “Of course. But I’m not planning on your delivering our child alone.”
“Fair enough.”
He decided he’d rather not think about pushing a baby out of his body, so he changed the subject. “Did Michael say when we can head back to L.A.?”
Ezekiel nodded. “As a matter of fact, he did. We've been cleared to return home in two days.”
“Cool. What about everything else?”
Ezekiel rose frm the bed and started removing his pants. “What everything else?”
Archer still had so many questions. While he understood how difficult it was to reconstruct his history because the records pertaining to his birth were wither lost or destroyed, he figured an Archangel might at least be able to come up with something.
“Who my real family was? And why Colin gave me the key to the security deposit box?”
Ezekiel paused in the act of removing his pants, his expression turning serious. “I'm afraid Michael didn't have much new information about your family. “As for Colin,”
Ezekiel continued, “it seems he was part of a secret society tasked with protecting Nephilim children. He likely knew of your heritage and was trying to keep you safe by hiding information about your true identity.”
“But why give me the key now?”
Archer drew his eyebrows together. “Why wait until now?”
Ezzekiel finished removing his pants then sat back on the bed. “From what Michael could gather, Colin likely wanted to protect you from the shadow creatures for as long as possible. Giving you that information too early could have put you at risk before you were ready to defend yourself.”
Archer nodded. “Maybe once he realized his time was running out, he gave it to his attorney with that letter.”
“That as well.”
Ezekiel lifted the covers and scooted in beside him. “But I’m so grateful I was there to protect you.”
“Yeah. Pretty amazing coincidence.”
Ezekiel gasped. “Really? What will it take for you to believe in destiny? That there are no accidents?
Archer shoulder-bumped him. “I’m messing with you.”
He laughed. “Had you going though, didn’t I?”
Ezekiel growled, giving him a playful jostle. “I have a good idea how to get you going.”
Archer hissed as Ezekiel wrapped his fingers around Archer’s half-hard cock. “Yeah. That’ll do it all right.”
Right as they moved in for a kiss, a loud banging sounded at the bedroom door. Archer tensed as Ezekiel leapt from the bed. Was the lair under attack, or a Slayer calling for help?
Ezekiel rushed to the door, opening it a crack while concealing his nudity behind the rest of the barrier. “What is it?”
Archer curled his fingers in the blanket. He’d assumed that since Ezekiel was mated and they were the only healers, that Ezekiel would be exempt from battles. At least that’s what Michael had claimed. It turned out that he and Ezekiel had been brought together before the kill quota was met. Between the risk of the amulet being stolen and the need for more than one healer, the Divine Spark had allowed a concession.
A laugh sounded and a throaty voice Archer didn’t recognize answered, “Is this a bad time?”
“Dammit, Dante,”
Ezekiel growled.
Dante snorted. “I’ve been waiting for the perfect moment to do that.”
“You’re ridiculous. Is there anything you actually need, or are you just fucking around?”
Dante laughed. “I needed to get back at you and my guess is that you’re the one who’s fucking around.”
Ezekiel groaned. “Fine. You got me. Now will you please leave?”
“Ooh, you’re saying please to me? The world has definitely turned on its axis.”
“Bye.”
Ezekiel started closing the door and Dante called out, “Archer! Amir’s looking forward to meeting you later!”
Archer didn’t have a chance to respond before Ezekiel shut the door all the way.
“What was that all about?”
Archer chuckled.
Ezekiel sighed, climbing back under the covers then yanking Archer to his side. “Nothing important. Just something that happened when he and Amir were first together. I’ll fill you in later.”
“Why don’t you fill me instead?”
Ezekiel ran his hand slowly up Archer’s frame, stopping to tease one of his hardening nipples. “With extreme pleasure, dearest.”
Ezekiel rolled him onto his back and covered Archer's body with his own, pressing him into the mattress. Their lips met in a deep kiss, a clash of tongues while Ezekiel’s hands roamed over Archer’s skin, igniting sparks of pleasure everywhere they touched.
Archer moaned into the kiss, arching up to press himself more fully against his mate's muscular form. He wrapped his legs around Ezekiel's waist, grinding their hips together. The friction sent jolts of electricity through his body.
“Ezekiel,”
Archer gasped as they broke apart for air. “I never dared to wish I could have someone so perfect. I love you.”
The hint of an amber glow lit Ezekiel’s eyes. “I love you, my heart. Always and forever.”
Archer smiled, a contentment he’d never known possible washing over him. “Forever. That works.”
When Ezekiel entered him, he gasped at the exquisite fullness. Their bodies moved together in perfect rhythm, as if they'd been made for each other. Ezekiel set a slow, sensual pace, and Archer savored every moment of their connection.
Their fucking intensified, their bodies moving faster and harder, a fine sheen of sweat building between them. Archer chased his orgasm, the familiar tension coiling in his core, his release building with each powerful thrust. He cried out as he came, his body clenching around Ezekiel. Ezekiel froze, his own release pulsing deep inside Archer as they shared in their climax together.
Archer and Ezekiel lay tangled together, basking in the afterglow of their lovemaking. Ezekiel trailed his fingers lazily along Archer's spine, savoring the closeness.
“You know, I’m honestly looking to our new life together in L.A.,”
Archer murmured, nuzzling against Ezekiel's chest.
Ezekiel pressed a kiss to Archer’s forehead. “Me too, dearest. Though I hope you know our lives will never be completely normal.”
Archer chuckled. "What, you mean most couples don’t have to worry about demon attacks and stolen holy relics?”
“I'm afraid not,”
Ezekiel replied with mock seriousness. “We're special that way.”
“Yes we are.”
Archer tilted his head up for a kiss.
As he drifted off to sleep, thoughts of babies and a future filled with love and adventure swirled through hiis mind. He knew their life together would never be simple or ordinary, but he wouldn't have it any other way. With Ezekiel by his side, he felt ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
He finally had a family of his own.
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Thank you for reading sunshine Ezekiel and grumpy Archer’s romance.