Nearly an hour had passed since Charlie and Kevin had made love. With tender strokes, whispered endearments, and dozing on and off in the golden morning light streaming through the window, they shared intimate moments, finally at peace in each other's arms.
After one lazy snooze, Charlie lifted her head from his chest and glanced at the clock on the nightstand. 10:17 a.m.
Her movements stirred him, and Kevin slowly opened his eyes, his mouth curving into a sleepy smile that made her heart flutter. "Hi."
A playful pout formed as she traced lazy circles on his chest with her fingertip. "I keep waking you."
"I wasn't asleep-asleep. Just resting my eyes." As he spoke, his fingers threaded through her soft blonde hair, slipping between the silken strands. "You took a lot out of me."
"I know." As she guided his hand between her slick and sticky thighs, a sly grin spread across her face, eyes shining with mischievous affection, and she whispered teasingly, making him shiver, "I can still feel it."
Kevin started to protest, "That's not what I mean—" but gave up in helpless surrender as a soft, warm blush spilled over his cheeks like watercolor on paper. "Okay, fine. That's exactly what I meant."
Charlie hummed in satisfaction, her tongue flicking across her lips sensually as she trapped his hand between her warm thighs. "I should go take a shower, shouldn't I? I'm quite the mess."
"I like you messy." Lust coated his voice, thick and sweet.
"Me, too. But I really should go…" She bit her lip and reluctantly released his hand from between her legs.
The playful pout returned as she started to move away, and before she could escape, his now-free hand slid up over her belly to cup her breast, his thumb and forefinger teasingly rolling her aroused nipple with deliberate precision.
Her breath caught. A low moan rumbled in her throat, vibrating against his chest. He wasn't going to make this easy, was he?
In response, she dropped her hand between his legs and brushed her fingers over his shaft. She felt him stir and swell beneath her teasing touch.
He moaned as she fondled him, his control slipping away as she took charge. "You'd better go, or there will be a round two." Kevin's voice carried the delicious threat of barely controlled desire.
She liked that idea immensely. Tossing the blanket off the side of the bed dramatically, she exposed their naked bodies to the morning light filtering through the window and let her gaze pour over his form like warm honey. Taking him in for the first time in warm light filling the room, she admired his sturdy, well-carved features. His defined chest, sculpted abs, and muscles were perfect in every way.
But there was one particular muscle that had her moistening her lips, giving her wicked ideas, and making her curious about how he would taste.
Deftly, she skimmed her hand down his body toward her prize, offering him a coy smile which he returned through breathless anticipation, his mouth slightly parted in invitation.
As she traced her fingers teasingly over his chest, she suddenly stopped. It suddenly dawned on her, and her breath caught, her playful expression shifting to one of wonder.
"Kevin," she whispered, her fingertips delicately mapping his chest and abs in reverent touches. "Look what my healing power did."
Bending his head to rest his chin against his upper chest, he saw what had captured her attention. His breath caught in his throat. He joined his fingers with hers, tracing his smooth, unblemished skin.
"What the hell…" He touched the spots on his body where he knew scars had marked him—from knives, bullets, and shrapnel—yet every hint of war's brutal touch was gone. His eyes met hers, which sparkled in wonder and joy. He managed a breathless "I don't believe it" before Charlie launched herself at him and sealed his mouth in fervent passion.
Then, she broke away from their embrace, her words spilling out rapidly, "I healed your scars, Kevin!"
His chest tightened, breath catching as emotions flooded through him. His scars, like his notebook, had served as permanent reminders of all the pain he had endured throughout his life—the lives he had taken and how close he had come to losing his own. When he looked at them in mirrors or caught glimpses in the shower, he told himself he deserved the punishment for his crimes and expected to carry that grief with him until the end of his days.
But now, she had not only saved his life but also given him the chance for a genuine new beginning with her. Because of her incredible gift, he had started to believe that maybe—just maybe—he didn't have to suffer through hell anymore.
The scars of his past had been stolen away by her power, and in their place, he had been given a clean slate. He knew no words could match how grateful he was to her, but he tried, his voice choking in raw emotion, "I…Charlie…you are amazing! I…"
She mapped his chest using wondering fingers, her eyes glistening with amazement, joy, and lustful desire all mingled together. When he spoke, she looked up at him, still planting tender, loving pecks along his upper body, blushing deeply, and sniffing back tears of pure joy. "Kevin…"
Both were at a loss for adequate words, so he did the next best thing and drew her into breathless communion, their mouths melding as one, losing themselves in a deep embrace.
Wrapping his arms around her body, he squeezed her tightly to him, as if afraid she would disappear like a beautiful dream at dawn's end. She felt his endless love in their shared breath and reciprocated in kind.
When their mouths parted reluctantly, she felt herself buzzing in sensation and her core pleading for another joining. She felt his arousal pressed against their bellies—eager to agree with her body's demands.
He cradled her ivory-white face, his fingers teasing along her delicate jawline, and she pressed her cheek into his palm, humming at the pleasure of the simple contact. He opened his mouth to offer her another loving compliment, but his face scrunched up comically before he could speak.
Her brow furrowed in confusion until he threw his hand over his mouth and expelled a long, jaw-popping yawn that seemed to echo in the quiet room.
Her mouth curved upward in amusement as she mirrored him by covering her own mouth, though it was more about trying to stifle a laugh—and failing miserably. Instead, the attempt caused her to snort delicately. Dropping face-down into the pillow next to his head, she shook in uncontrolled chortling, freed from the shackles of last night's horrors.
"Charlie!" he groaned, her musical laughter echoing directly in his ear. "It isn't that funny!"
"Yef it if!" Her muffled voice came from deep within the pillow as she shook her head into the downy softness.
He bit back a playful retort, rolled his eyes in fond exasperation, and let her have her moment of pure joy.
Turning so that her mouth was positioned against his ear, she teased gently in a calmer tone, "Someone was drained in more ways than one last night, hmm?"
"In the most delightful of ways." Another yawn followed his compliment, proving her point.
Her laughter rang out like wind chimes in a gentle breeze. "Then I'll let you rest. I should wash up, anyway."
"But…" His protest carried the petulance of a denied child.
Charlie hummed softly and scooted off him to stand gracefully beside the bed. She didn't mean to tease him—no, actually, she kind of enjoyed the power she held over him. She leaned in, pressing her mouth to his in one more breathless kiss, responding to his pouty expression.
"No buts, mister!" She turned around and offered him a playful glimpse of what awaited him later, "At least, not yet!"
"Now you're really teasing me." He continued his playful pouting, reaching out to grab her enticing curves before she could escape.
"My knight, you need to regain your strength." She winked before skipping toward the door, just out of reach. "Demons are pretty much insatiable."
Was she serious? What was he getting himself into, aside from her incredible body? He loved that her spirits were so high, and he laughed, blowing her a childish raspberry.
With theatrical flair, she blew one back at him and reached for the door handle.
"Are you going out like that?" His voice carried amused concern.
Looking down at her naked form, she suddenly remembered her state of undress. "Oh, yeah." With barely a flicker of power, her silver-white nightgown materialized around her supple, sexy body like morning mist taking shape around her curves. She spun lazily, "Better?"
"No." He grinned, "I prefer you naked, but I admit that even in that gown, you look absolutely beautiful," he murmured in genuine appreciation that made her cheeks flush.
She smiled with satisfaction. "Oh, well. You'll just have to wait a bit longer for another taste of this sexy and amazing bitch!" She winked again as she opened the door dramatically. "Now, I'm going to get that shower, then see if Cassie's awake. I want to learn more Taiji so I can control my emotions and powers better."
"Fine!" He folded his arms across his chest in mock defeat, then yawned yet again. "Okay, okay. You win. I'll get my shower later. Just go, already." He grabbed one of the fluffy pillows and shook it at her in feigned threat.
As she stepped out, triumph shone on her face, and she gently closed the door, hearing the pillow thump against it from the other side in a muffled sound. A soft chuckle bubbled up as she turned to head toward the bathroom when she noticed Cassie standing outside her own bedroom door.
"I just woke up," Cassie mumbled, her hand bracing against the doorframe. Her expression was confused, caught somewhere between sleep and waking worry. "And I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but…" She paused, her voice catching as she swallowed hard. "I could have sworn I heard Kevin laugh."
Her eyes searched Charlie's face desperately, hope and fear warring in equal measure. The question came out barely above a whisper, trembling with the weight of everything she'd endured through the night. "Is he—is he okay?"
A squeal of pure, unbridled joy burst from Charlie's throat as she ran down the hallway barefoot, her feet padding against the wooden floor, and embraced Cassie like a child on Christmas morning. "Oh, my God, Cassie! I healed both of us! When I used my power to heal myself, it flowed into him and healed him, too!"
"What?" She pushed back to stare at Charlie in disbelief. "He's okay? He's really okay!?"
Charlie nodded excitedly, but her smile faded as Cassie's expression crumpled along with her body, dropping to her knees on the hallway floor, sobbing in overwhelming relief.
Her breath caught, and Charlie lowered herself beside Cassie, wrapping her arms around her sister to provide steady support. A sudden, gut-wrenching shame struck Charlie, and upon realizing her thoughtless mistake, she stammered over her words. "Oh, my God. I'm so, so sorry! I was so happy when I healed him; I didn't think to come tell you first! I should have! I didn't think!"
"You bitch!" Cassie's voice squeaked out from between the folds of Charlie's silver-white nightgown as her head twisted from side to side and her fists punched her shoulders in a mix of frustration and joy. Her words tumbled chaotically over each other. "You made me suffer! You saved his life! You've made me so happy! I'm so angry with you!"
Taking her soft hits willingly, Charlie followed her lead, the corner of her mouth rising in shared humor despite the emotional intensity. "I'm so sorry I made you suffer! I'll always protect him; you can be as angry as you want with me! I deserve it!"
Finally, Cassie sat back on her heels and brushed her tousled hair out of her tear-brightened eyes, which sparkled at Charlie in renewed hope and something approaching reverence. "You may be the Princess of Hell, but you are truly an angel, Charlie. Your powers are absolutely incredible."
"And growing stronger!" An infectious, enthusiastic grin spread across her face. "Will you train me? Really train me properly? I want to learn so much more from you. Maybe my memories and past will return the more I train."
Sniffing back the last of her tears, Cassie nodded determinedly. "Of course I will." In a snarky tone that broke the emotional tension like a blade through silk, she added, "And hopefully one of your next gifts will be telepathy."
"Telepathy? Why?" Confused, Charlie cocked her head like a curious puppy, her blonde hair falling to one side.
"So the next time, you can let me know when you do shit like this!" Cassie quipped as she affectionately tapped Charlie's shoulder playfully once more.
In response, Charlie opened herself up and let her demon form seep forth like shadows bleeding into light. Her eyes pulsed a soft crimson that seemed to glow from within, and a wicked smile revealed razor-sharp teeth that shone menacingly in the hallway's dim lighting. Standing fluidly, Charlie Morningstar held a clawed hand out to Cassie and winked. "Then let's go find out what else I can do!"