Total pages in book: 43
Estimated words: 40972 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 205(@200wpm)___ 164(@250wpm)___ 137(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 40972 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 205(@200wpm)___ 164(@250wpm)___ 137(@300wpm)
Julien’s hand paused where it had still been stroking one wing. “I am so sorry.”
The urge to tell him how it still gave him nightmares burned on his tongue, but he held the words back. “At the time, I was devastated as they wanted. They didn’t believe anyone born of two species should be able to fly. I still have some use of my wings; I just now have to take planes to travel long distances. Or warp.”
“Warp? What does that mean? You can do that?”
He shook his head. “I can’t, no, but Xavier employs some wizards with the ability to take us through space to different locations. It’s fucking handy.”
“There’s so much I don’t know,” Julien murmured as he dropped his hand back into his lap. “Do you have other powers?”
“I can move things with my mind.” As he said it, he deliberately moved the candlestick he’d moved that first day. He couldn’t help but grin at Julien, who looked plenty impressed. “I can also understand all languages even if I’ve never heard them spoken before. Mostly, I’m just very strong and can fight from the air, which gives me a distinct advantage in a lot of fights.”
“Did you ever retaliate? Against the angels who did that to you?”
“No. At the time, I wasn’t in a good place. Losing the ability to fly nearly destroyed me. But as I said, I learned to deal with it. You could consider that another of my charms—the ability to accept reality.”
“Far as I’m concerned, you have many charms.” Julien’s gaze was roaming his bare chest. He reached out and ran the back of his fingers down the center between Emory’s pecs. “You’re really quite beautiful.”
Emory caught his breath because there was so much…reverence in Julien’s voice. Again, he was struck by the certainty that this man was supposed to mean more to him. Supposed to mean everything. He started to pull away, but Julien did first, getting to his feet. He stared down at Emory for a long time before he shocked Emory by leaning down for another of those soft, tender kisses. “I’ve got to get some sleep,” he whispered against Emory’s lips. “Thank you for tonight.”
“For what?
“For sharing your past with me. For showing me that there’s more to life than my work.” He kissed him again, and Emory couldn’t help but kiss back.
Then, he couldn’t stop his grin when Julien casually moved the candlestick back to its place before going up to bed.
Chapter Thirteen
Julien
Early the next morning, Julien’s assistant came into his office without warning and shut the door behind her. “Mr. Davenport, something is going on I think you should know about.”
“What is it?”
“A meeting was called with the board of directors. It’s happening right now. I would have warned you, but I didn’t hear about it until just now.”
Julien stood, his gut tightening in anger. “You’re saying they are meeting without me? Right this moment?”
She nodded and bit her lip. “Apparently, William called an emergency meeting.”
Julien knew exactly where they’d be meeting, so he looked at Emory, whose features had tightened in concern. “I’d like you to come with me.”
“Of course.”
He strode from the office. This had to be some kind of move against him, and knowing it was coming from William actually… Well, it hurt. They weren’t exactly friends, but William had always been someone he trusted. Until recently anyway. There were others on the board who’d love nothing more than to see him ousted.
He got onto the elevator, Emory by his side, and it didn’t escape his notice that he was getting a feeling of strength just by having the angel with him. Emory had nothing to do with the company, but his presence alone bolstered Julien’s sense of not being completely alone. The night before had been special to him, sitting and talking in the dark more than any of the rest—though that had been pretty damned spectacular.
But now, all those warm feelings he’d had all morning were gone.
He stepped out onto the second floor and walked to the last conference room. He paused outside the door and looked at Emory. “You are welcome to come in there with me or wait out here. If this meeting is concerning me, they won’t allow me to stay anyway.”
“I’ll go with you.”
Julien gave him a clipped nod and opened the door. The first thing he saw was a video playing of him in the parking garage being attacked. Only, the penumbra wasn’t visible on the screen, so he looked completely insane, swinging his arms around.
All heads turned his direction, but he only had eyes for William, who was standing next to the wide screen. He was happy to see William paled and couldn’t meet his eyes.
“Julien, you need to recuse yourself,” William said.
“The subject of this meeting is obviously me, so I should be here.” He stepped farther into the room, making sure to meet the eyes of each of his board of directors. “Let me guess. William has called for a vote of no confidence.” He didn’t make it a question.