20 GUILTY PLEASURES
GUILTY PLEASURES
I T TOOK ALL OF R AUM’S SELF-CONTROL NOT TO GIVE IN TO his urges in the shower. He wasn’t entirely sure why he held back. He told himself it was because he wanted to build up the tension so when it finally happened, it would be next-level epic.
But he already knew it would be next-level epic, no matter when they did it. Sunshine was game—she’d said yes immediately—so why wait?
Was it because she was a virgin, and he didn’t want to sully her perfect angelic form with his demonic seed? Because he felt like a dirty bastard not fit to lick her foot, let alone thrust into her perfect, gorgeous body?
Yeah, he was pretty sure that was it.
Even now, the guilt nagged at him. He’d gripped her hair and fucked her mouth. He’d come all over her chest—the chest of an angel . Most humans would go their entire lives without even glimpsing an angel, and he had just jerked off between the tits of one.
But not just any one. Sunshine.
He didn’t give a fuck about any of the others. In fact, he’d happily jerk off on all their faces, but he doubted he’d be able to get it up once he looked at them.
Sunshine was different, and he supposed that was why he felt guilty.
Because he was definitely corrupting her.
After she dressed and realized he didn’t have any clean clothes to wear, she flashed away and returned shortly after with a pair of sweats, a T-shirt, and a hoodie for him, all brand new. When he asked her where she’d gotten them, she’d huffed and told him not to worry about it.
In other words, she’d shoplifted them.
Was it bad that he found that hot? That he liked the idea of his perfect angel being bad for him? Probably. Definitely.
After putting on his contraband clothing, she flashed them into a hidden corner outside of the animal shelter. She took his hand when they started to walk toward the front entrance, and he glanced at her in surprise. Her gaze dipped away, and she dropped his hand like she was embarrassed.
He grabbed hers again and tugged on her arm to keep her by his side. If she wanted to hold hands, they would damn well hold hands. She didn’t look at him again, but he could tell she was smiling.
They stepped inside the shelter building where Chloé was at the front desk as usual, bent over some paperwork.
“Hey,” he said, not because he cared about greetings, but because the one time he’d walked by without announcing himself, she’d screamed like an axe murderer had jump scared her.
It was obvious Chloé sensed something wasn’t quite right about him. It was smart to be afraid of a demon, so he didn’t go to great lengths to put her at ease. And frankly, he just didn’t care.
Today, she glanced up at the sound of his voice, and when she saw Sunshine, her mouth dropped open. Her eyes went as round as saucers, and she looked like she’d seen a ghost. Or an angel.
He could relate. He’d had a similar reaction the first time he’d seen Sunshine too.
“This is Sunshine,” he told Chloé.
“Hello.” Sunshine lifted a hand and smiled.
Chloé didn’t wave back. She continued to stare open-mouthed. Raum gave up and tugged Sunshine through the lobby toward the entrance to the kennels.
“Is she all right?” Sunshine whispered as he opened the door.
He started to reply, but a cacophony of barking assailed their ears as they stepped from the hall into the echoey room. Apparently, the dogs were worked up today.
“My goodness!” Sunshine cried, releasing his hand to cover her ears. “These poor creatures.” She went to the first cage and held out a hand to the dog within. It immediately quieted.
She went to the next cage and the next, calming each animal. Exactly as Raum did. He followed, watching in disbelief.
In just a couple minutes, all the dogs were silent.
“There.” She turned to him with a smile. “Poor things were in such distress.”
He stared. “How … ?”
She shrugged. “Most angels have the ability to communicate with animals. It’s a skill that comes naturally.”
“But you—I—” He broke off, not even sure what he wanted to ask. How do I do it? He’d never heard of anyone with the same ability as him, and now Sunshine had it? And claimed it was normal for angels?
But that couldn’t have anything to do with him. He wasn’t remotely angelic. He may have lost three centuries of memory, but he still had plenty of memories before that of being one hundred percent demonic. He cringed when he thought about some of the shit he’d done back in his day.
So how had he gotten the ability? The dream he’d been studiously ignoring prickled at the edges of his mind.
“Sunshine, did we …” He trailed off.
What was he going to ask? If she’d known him in the past and just forgotten to mention it?
If they had some fucked-up romantic history?
If she’d somehow gifted him with the angelic power to communicate with animals?
It sounded ridiculous in his own mind, and he couldn’t force himself to verbalize it.
Sunshine frowned and opened her mouth, but at that moment, Caro appeared at the end of the row. “Figured you were here when the dogs went quiet.”
Raum and Sunshine were still staring at each other, but he forced his gaze away to greet Caro with a nod. He wasn’t going to explain that he wasn’t the one who’d quieted the animals.
“You brought a … friend.” Caro’s eyes bugged when Sunshine turned around.
“Greetings,” she said with that radiant smile.
“Wow.” Caro’s eyes flicked between them.
“This is Sunshine,” Raum said.
“I—Yes, hello, nice to meet you, Sunshine. I’m Caro.”
“Are you the owner of this establishment?” Sunshine asked.
“In a manner of speaking, yes.”
“Your work is very honorable. In my … job, we watch over others with similar professions. You’re important to the upliftment of all humankind.”
Caro’s eyes were wider than the frames of her glasses. She opened and closed her mouth but didn’t manage to make a sound.
Raum cleared his throat. “When is Tiny’s foster family coming?”
Caro managed to drag her gaze away from Sunshine but kept glancing back. Probably expecting angel wings to burst from her back. Raum was used to being the freak show around here, and while he didn’t mind passing on the spotlight for once, there was a limit to what these poor humans could handle.
“Actually,” Caro finally said, “they came by yesterday. We had a look at him in the kennel, and I wasn’t planning on taking him out without you here, but …
” She shook her head. “He was so calm. He didn’t even bark or jump up.
So I took a risk and we took him outside.
He was an angel. I don’t know what you did to that dog, but it’s like he’s a completely different animal.
The couple loved him. Honestly, I think they’re considering adoption. ”
Raum looked around. “So, he’s gone?”
She nodded. “I’m sorry. I wanted to wait until you came in, but they said they’d come by with him in a few days to check in. I figured I’d make sure you were around then so you could say goodbye.”
“It’s fine.”
“No, I want you to be there. You worked so hard with him. Part of what makes this job bearable is seeing the results of your hard work. I’ll let you know when they’re coming, and you make sure you’re here, got it?”
Raum shrugged. Sunshine was beaming at him.
“How’s Luna?” he asked to change the subject.
Caro’s lips pursed briefly. “The same. She’s still reluctant to eat—she doesn’t trust us yet. Maybe you could sit with her a bit today if you have time?” She looked at Sunshine. “Have you worked with animals before?”
“No, but I would like to.”
“She’s good,” Raum said, and he wasn’t kidding about that. Half the dogs were sleeping now.
“Well, it seems like she’s a great … friend for you, then.” Caro looked between them, shaking her head, and mumbled, “Talk about your power couples.”
“What is a power couple?” Sunshine asked, oblivious.
“Oh, um, just a couple who are both impressive on their own and then even more so when they’re together.”
“Oh.” Sunshine’s eyes widened as she glanced at Raum.
Awkward silence reigned.
“Anyway!” Caro forced a smile and pushed a lock of hair from her face.
“I’ll leave you to it. I’ve got mountains of paperwork to do.
” She focused on Raum. “You can take as much time off as you need, by the way. Come in when you can, but don’t force it.
I’ll take you however I can get you. Just make sure you clock in when you’re here so I can pay you. ”
He said nothing. He didn’t need or want her money.
Her eyes narrowed. “I mean it. Clock in or I’ll pay you a full forty-hour week, and the shelter’s already struggling so much, I don’t know how we’ll ever afford it.” She smiled mischievously.
He shot her a look. “Fine. I’ll clock in.”
“Good man.”
“Can I borrow your keys? Forgot mine.”
She patted around her pockets. “Here. And take some dog treats.” She shoved everything into his hands. “I’ll be in my office if you need anything. It was nice to meet you, Sunshine.” Waving over her shoulder, she disappeared through the door at the end of the row.
“What a lovely human!” Sunshine exclaimed once Caro had gone. “Do you think many humans are as generous as she is?”
“Shouldn’t you know? You’re a guardian angel. Your whole job is working with humans.”
“I rarely interact with them. Most of the time I remain invisible and pop in to my various assignments every week or so to make sure there’s no demonic interference. Otherwise, humans have free will, and there’s not much I can do to help them.” She sighed. “Those are the rules.”
He frowned. “So guardian angels only guard against demons?”
“Demons and other supernatural beings that exist outside of the rules. I’ve often wished I could interact with the humans and offer guidance when I see them going astray, but I’m not allowed to reveal myself. Angels can choose whether to make themselves visible to humans, you see.”
“That sucks you can’t help directly.”