She glanced down at her breasts. With the warmth of his hands gone, the nipples had reacted by turning tight and pebbly. How . . . interesting.
With a moan, he dragged his hands down his face. Just kill me now.
I mean you no harm.
Then cover yerself before my eyes explode.
She recalled how Adam and Eve had covered themselves in shame. Im so sorry. She dragged the sheet up to her chin. I didnt realize I was . . . offending you.
He made an odd noise, somewhere between a snort and a groan.
Im not accustomed to looking like this. We do occasionally take human form when we need to interact with mortals, but its merely an illusion. This body is different, though. It feels . . . real.
That it does, he muttered.
The pain is certainly real. She sighed. I fear I was given this body so I could fully experience pain.
He turned his head toward her. Yeve never had a body before?
No. She peeked underneath the sheet at the breasts hed found so offensive. They looked fairly normal to her.
Her eyes widened at the thatch of hair at the apex of her thighs. Good heavens! She clutched the sheet against her chest.
Shed never looked like that before.
He sat up. Whats wrong?
II appear to be more human than I thought.
His gaze drifted down to her lap, then slowly back up.
She realized, then, that he knew exactly what she was referring to. Her cheeks flooded with heat, a sudden and odd sensation, and she pressed a hand against her face. I believe Im running a fever.
His eyes twinkled with amusement. Tis called a blush, lass.
Oh. A dozen different emotions swirled inside her. Embarrassment, confusion, curiosity, pain, remorse, a terrifying fear that shed never make it back to heaven, another fear that she was venturing into a dangerous unknown world of human sensation and emotion, and in the midst of it all, she felt a overwhelming urge to touch this man. It had been so long since she could touch a human without causing death.
Youyou never told me your name, she whispered.
The amusement faded in his eyes. Im Connor. Connor Buchanan
You found me in the woods. You saved me.
He shrugged. Anyone would have He froze when she touched his cheek.
I remember hearing your voice. It was soft and lilting and gave me comfort. She brushed her fingers along his jaw, marveling over the prickle of his whiskers against her fingertips. Angels never needed to shave. When they assumed human form, their skin was always smooth and perfect.
Connor Buchanan, she whispered, and noted his throat moving as he swallowed. Its so amazing that I can touch you. Ive always found humans fascinating. So wild and imperfect. She smoothed a finger over a small scar close to his chin where no whiskers grew. And yet, so beautiful.
His jaw shifted beneath her hand, and she drew back, feeling her cheeks grow warm once again. Of course, I find all the Lords creations to be beautiful.
Really? His mouth curled up. Even a cockroach?
Her cheeks blazed hotter. Well, I must admit you look considerably better than a cockroach.
Such flattery. Be still my heart.
She smiled. He was teasing her, much like her friend Buniel enjoyed doing. Her smile withered as she wondered if shed ever see her best friend again. Or any of the Heavenly Host. Her predicament crashed down on her with a sudden onslaught of grief for the world shed lost. Her shoulders slumped. I dont belong here.