“Did you have anyone else?” She bit her lip.
He tsked at her and gave her a look of disbelief. “Of course not. You really want to know?”
Emma nodded, eyes wide.
“I simply challenged Lucy for the position of Devil and refused to fight back. It was over in minutes.” One of his hands began to tremble.
He was right. She didn’t need that knowledge. Her imagination put her right back on Earth’s battlefield, picturing her love cut down. Minutes could feel like forever. She started to cry, the sadness a sudden punch.
He cuddled her to his chest, rubbing her back. “Hey, I’m here. I’m here, and I’m fine. Actually, I’m great. I’ve got my girl, a huge dick, and my girl. What more do I need?”
She laughed a little and understood more of where his overwhelming need to keep her safe came from. “A little modesty might serve you.” She pinched his nipple.
“Ouch! For fuck’s sake, that’s not even fair.” He got out of bed and went to a dresser drawer. “Hey, can I ask you something?”
Emma shrugged. “Of course.”
Jack opened a small box and pulled out what looked a Hell of a lot like an engagement ring.
He kneeled, naked at her side, and she sat up, covering herself with the sheet.
“No.” He pulled on the sheet so she was topless in front of him. “I’m proposing to your tits too.”
She gave him the middle finger. Jack trapped both her hands in one of his. He slid the ring on the pert nipple on her left breast.
“Left breast? Will you be mine forever?” Jack spoke to her chest.
Emma wiggled a shoulder while speaking in a high-pitched voice. “Sure, unless we have a kid. Then you’re shit out of luck for a few years.”
“That’s how your boob talks?” Jack’s smile was huge, his eyes dancing with laughter.
“It is now.” She wiggled the ring from her breast, and he caught it before it hit the ground. “You’re really screwing this up,” she said. “I think this might be the worst proposal in the history of the world.”
Jack pulled her to the edge of the bed until she straddled him. He slid himself inside her, and she sighed despite their joking mood.
Connected, he sobered up. “Okay, how’s this? I’ve been to Heaven and Hell. I’ve seen the whole world, but the only thing that makes me want to live is this: being inside you. Say yes, pretty child. I love you so much. You’re all I see.”
She nodded then, smiling while she held out her hand.
“That’s your right hand. Let’s do it on the other one, yes?” He slipped the beautiful diamond on her hand. It wasn’t the biggest, but it was crystal clear.
“I will be your wife, no matter how many lives we live,” she declared. She took his face in her hands and kissed him while he rocked her back and forth on his lap.
“Wait now, I just asked you about this one.” He held up his hands as if offended.
“All or nothing, Satan.” Emma kissed Jack hard and long.
When he finally came up for air, he answered easily. “All, pretty child. I want it all.”
The next time Emma kneeled before God with Jack at her side, she’d be able to tell Him her heart was pure, baptized in love.
Acknowledgments
I’d like to thank, as always, my gorgeous husband and children. Thank you for sharing me with the computing deadlines. I love you all so much. My parents and in-laws, you are fantastic role models and friends. My sister, you’re the best librarian in the world. To Omnific Publishing for taking dreams seriously. Elizabeth and Micha, you rock. Jessica Royer Ocken, I never want to put out a book without your genius. Carol Oates, thank you for making my books into visual art. Jack, Beckett, and I love you. The ladies at work, thanks for supporting me! My aunts and uncles, thanks for always being involved. I’m so lucky. Jo and Ted, I’m writing you into the next one! Karen, I adore you. Believe in impossible things. Shannon, let’s share a bed again. Nise, Patti, Alicia, Jillian: tat privileges! Thanks to Rhonda, Tamie, Elena, Ashley, Autumn, and all the great blog girls who let Jack in! Mad4hugh: I’m missing you.
About the Author
Debra Anastasia is busy, just like every other mom. There’s dinner, the dogs, the kids, and their homework. The laundry pile turns into a big, heaping monster. When the clothes finally make it into the washer, it gets unbalanced and puts on an elaborate show before it cuts out. This crazy job that never ends is her first love and her crowning achievement.
Her writing started a decent handful of years ago when along with the dogs, cat, kids, and husband, the voices of characters started whispering stories in Debra’s ear. Insomnia was the gateway for the plots that wouldn’t give up, wouldn’t let go. In the shower, a twist would take hold and—dripping and frenzied—she’d find somewhere, anywhere to write it down.
Debra grew up in New York and got a bachelor’s degree in political science at SUNY New Paltz. At the start of her marriage, she moved to southern Maryland with her husband. She still doesn’t trust crabs and all their legs, though everyone else in her family thinks they’re delicious. Her favorite hobbies include knitting, painting furniture and wall murals, and slapping clowns.
Crushed Seraphim and Poughkeepsie, Debra’s previous works through Omnific Publishing, are Kindle bestsellers. She is currently working on Return to Poughkeepsie. You can visit her website at www.DebraAnastasia.com and find her on Twitter @Debra_Anastasia.
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Table of Contents
Cover
title page
Copyright Information
Dedication
Part 1
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Part 2
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Part 3
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Acknowledgments
About the Author
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