Chapter 5 Malachi
Chapter five
Malachi
Greer is… sexy. That’s the best word I can think of to describe her. Did I mention her eyes are otherworldly? Remi did not tell us that little tidbit. I’ve seen partial heterochromia before, but it’s not often. They’re stunning, just like her banging body that’s voluptuous and bitable.
She’s taller than average for a human woman, with round, ample hips, a belly, and heavy tits I’d love to squeeze in my palms. She has soft-looking fiery red hair that matches what seems to be a fiery personality.
I heard her come in and saw the way she blew off Nick’s wave. He’s a good Nephilim, not even fifty years old yet. I like having him in the bar when our guests come into town so they feel welcome, but Greer couldn’t have cared less.
“Do you have a menu?” she asks.
Her voice is like smokey velvet. It reminds me of the way a woman sounds after she’s been fucked within an inch of her life.
Not that I’ve heard that sound in a long time.
My sexual escapades have stayed within the bounds of Remi and Sam for a long time.
Which makes sense, considering I see them day in and day out and we have a connection that goes beyond our work.
But for this human woman, I could make an exception. Too bad she’s our job and not someone to have a fun night or weekend with. I’d bet she’d sate the endless hunger I’ve been feeling the last twenty-four hours.
Regardless, I’m going to enjoy the hell out of her and her Scrooge-ish attitude. I’ll also enjoy watching her evolution during the nights she spends with us.
I tap the side of my head, the corner of my lips tipping up in a smile. “All in here.”
“That’s not helpful,” she deadpans.
Oh, yeah, I’m definitely going to enjoy my time with her. “It will be,” I say, “once I tell you what we have.”
She taps her long red fingernails that match the color of her lipstick on the bar top, eyeing me up and down.
I can feel that she’s attracted to me, but that’s not new.
Most people are attracted to Nephilim because of our angelic nature and the good looks we’ve been blessed with.
Our kind and the welcoming auras we possess also tend to draw people in—well, most of our auras.
Sam’s—even Remi’s—is a bit intense. It’s another reason I’m usually the first one to welcome people who find their way here.
Speaking of auras…
Remi wasn’t kidding when he said hers is gray. I can’t see them as well as he and Sam can—the grace I’ve been given allows me to feel auras more than see a bright visual. But Greer’s is powerful in its nothingness. The bleakness of it radiates from her like a beacon.
Even though we’ve just met, it’s easy to understand why the magic of Elysian Pines brought her here. There’s something that Greer, aka Ms. Scrooge, needs to see and understand. Because whatever path she’s on now isn’t a good one.
“Let me guess.” She sits up straighter in the stool, her chest pushing forward. She’s in a well-tailored suit that’s black with a peek of succulent cleavage at the top. “You have burgers, burgers, and more burgers.”
I chuckle. “We do have a burger. But we also have a chicken Caesar salad, fries, chicken tenders, fish tacos—”
“Fish tacos? We’re not even close to the ocean, and it’s the dead of winter.”
“What, you can’t eat fish in winter?”
She blinks at me. “You can, but I don’t like to eat fish unless it’s fresh and wild caught.”
I nod, my cheek twitching as I try not to laugh. “Then don’t eat the fish.”
“Is that all you have?”
I smirk, the desire to call her a princess on the tip of my tongue. “No, we don’t have only fish tacos. I told you what else we have.”
She sighs, clearly annoyed that I’m being smart with her. “Fine, chicken Caesar salad and french fries please.”
“Garlic parm, truffle, or regular?”
“What?”
“The fries. We have three kinds.”
“A retro bar has truffle fries?” she asks, blinking.
I lean on the bar top, and I don’t miss the way her gaze travels to my hands. When I flex them, I feel the energy of her attraction pulse out. She’s a hands girl. I note that, even if I’ll never get to use them on her body.
I clear my throat, and she looks back up at me with a sweet flush on her round cheeks. “I said I had them, didn’t I?”
She clenches her jaw. “Truffle, then.”
I tap on the bar top, and the sound makes her sit up a bit straighter. “Coming right up. Would you like an espresso martini?”
Her eyes narrow. “How did you know that’s what I drink?”
Greer looks like an espresso martini kind of gal.
I may not be completely human nor live in a normal town, but I’ve been around a long time.
I also have a phone and a social media account or two, and I watch movies like anyone else.
When you don’t require a normal amount of sleep, you have to find something to do.
Moreover, she’s not the first person to come through here and order chicken Caesar salad, fries, and an espresso martini.
“Just a guess. Would you like one?” I ask.
Greer studies me carefully. In a way, her gaze reminds me of Sam’s. It’s intense, and there’s something simmering in the multicolored depth of her eyes that says there are layers to her. Layers Remi, Sam, and I will work on peeling back.
“That would be great, thanks.”
I smile softly at her, and for a brief second, I watch the corner of her lips flutter before she stops a full smile from forming.
“No problem. My name is Kai, by the way.” I hold out my hand, and she stares at it. “I promise it’s clean.”
She cocks an eyebrow at me. “Do you usually introduce yourself to your patrons?”
I keep my hand where it is, hoping she’ll reach out and accept it. “Yes, it’s part of the small-town charm.”
Her harsh features soften a tiny bit, and she shifts on the stool, her hand finally reaching out to take mine. “I’m Greer.”
Our palms connect, and I have to do everything in my power not to react. The hair on the back of my arm rises, and the hunger in my gut that had been manageable for the time being flares to life. It only strengthens when a small sound akin to a whimper escapes her red lips.
Without thinking, I squeeze her hand, my larger one gripping the soft skin. “It’s nice to meet you, Greer.”
Her body remains frozen, and her eyes don’t blink.
The warmth of her palm seeps into my skin as blood from my brain rushes south.
I can’t say a simple touch like this has inspired such a reaction in me before.
At least, not from a job, only from Sam and Remi.
And even then, this feels…different somehow.
Like gasoline being added to a dimming fire, making the flame roar to life.
Greer grips my hand back, and my eyes drift to her mouth.
She traps her plump lower lip between her white teeth and softly bites down.
I may be part angel, but the thoughts running through my mind are anything but angelic.
What I wouldn’t give to see those red lips wrapped around the head of my cock.
To see the stains she’d leave behind on my taut skin.
I clear my throat and release her hand, taking a step away from the bar.
Fuck, what am I thinking? This woman came to Elysian Pines for help, not for me to fantasize about her giving me a blowjob.
Though, by the way Greer is looking at me and the feeling of arousal pulsing in the air, I’d say she’d be down to get on her knees for me.
“Kai.”
My unfocused gaze becomes clear. I turn my head toward Sam, where he sits further down the bar. His intense focus is on me, and he’s pissed. He knows my tells and no doubt felt my attraction to her through my aura and our bond as guardians and lovers.
We’ve never slept with our jobs; we guide them so they learn the lessons they’re meant to learn while they’re here and that’s it.
It’s not that there are rules against it, it always just felt unspoken.
We didn’t want anything to get in the way of their time here or any healing or change that could take place within them.
I’ve also never wanted to, at least not as much as I do right now.
Sam lifts his empty whiskey glass. “I’d like another drink.”
“I’ll be back with your food and drink soon, Greer.”
Her eyes flutter and focus as if she’d been in a trance. She shifts in her seat again and nods. “Thanks.”
After a once-over of her sinful form, I head to Sam.
His dark eyes follow me, his earlier unsteadiness gone.
In its place is the brooding being I know and love, though the word “love” has always felt too trivial for explaining what I share with him and Remi.
It’s deeper than that. A bond that only we can understand.
“The same?” I ask, playing my bartender role. A quick glance at Greer tells me she’s not watching. She’s pulled out her cell phone and is frowning at it.
Sam’s fingers dig into my hand on the bar, his nails pushing into my skin. I meet his eyes and hard features. If anyone but me was looking at him right now, they’d run for the hills. He’s a scary motherfucker when he wants to be.
“Two fingers this time,” Sam responds.
He’s talking about the amount of whiskey he wants, but I’m going to pretend that he isn’t. A light smile overtakes my lips.
“You know what I always say: Two fingers are better than one.”
Sam remains unamused, but what did he expect? I’m the funniest out of the three of us. Remi can be, but he’s more serious than me. It comes with being the leader of our Nephilim guardianship and the town.
“Actually…” I lean in so my face is closer to his. “I think three fingers is even better.”
Sam’s fingernails burrow into my hand until they nearly break the skin. I chuckle and use my free hand to take the whiskey that’s on the bar beside me and fill his glass. His eyes don’t leave mine, and I know he’s about to speak to me before his voice enters my mind.
What are you doing, Malachi?
Oh boy, I got the full name. Pouring you a drink, what does it look like I’m doing?
Do you need me to remind you that you have a job to do?
Then why did you pull me away from Greer?
You know why.
Sam relays a vision in my mind from his perspective, another perk of our Nephilim grace. Me and Greer shaking hands, clear attraction in our body language.
I smirk. Jealous?
He grinds his teeth, eyes darkening with annoyance.
We don’t cross that line with the humans who come here in need.
I know that. But there’s something about Greer that makes me wonder why.
Yes, it could get messy if anyone gets attached—humans who come here don’t stay.
They come for a reason. But after seeing that vision he sent me, it’s obvious that Greer would be interested.
I do agree helping to de-Scroogify her comes first, but what if—
Do your part, Kai. We have three nights to show her the past, present, and future, then she’ll leave on Christmas whether you want her to or not. There’s no time to delay.
Or play, I add with a touch of annoyance.
I know he’s right. There are different types of humans who come here needing our help.
Some may only need a place to stay for the night or a friend, but those like Greer, special cases, they’re always given three nights.
It’s how the town’s magic works. And after she sees what she needs to see, she’ll decide what to do with the information.
But no matter what, she’ll leave and eventually forget this place and us.
Sam exhales at the same time I sense us being watched. My gaze slips from him to Greer. Her eyes are wide and dilated, nostrils flared a bit. But she’s not looking directly at us; she’s looking at our hands.
I pull out from under Sam’s grip, which causes her attention to shift to my face. Her pale skin flushes at being caught looking, but there’s no mistaking her arousal and curiosity.
Thoughts of having a little fun with her get stronger.
I can still do my job if we do. It’s not every day someone comes along that’s interested in both Sam and me.
Moreover, if she’s aroused by Sam and I only touching, I bet she’ll be aroused by Remi, too.
That beautiful being is hard not to be aroused by.
Ideas of the three of us—the four of us—of Greer letting loose between us, those red lips leaving marks all over our skin, infiltrate my mind like a stunning vision. It’s a vision that’s so real, it feels like a message. A message that is telling me to listen.
My gut flips, and the hunger inside me swells. Does our magical town want more for Greer than the usual help we offer? Could she have been sent to us for an entirely different reason? All I know is I plan to find out. Sam can be mad if he wants to.