An Archangel's Promise Read Online Free Page B

other side of the dance floor. Gabriella knew the moment
Nolan caught sight of what she was seeing, knew then that it was real. That he
was real.
    Hunter.
    “What the fuck!” Nolan cursed.
    Gabriella started moving forward. Nolan tried pulling her
back, but nothing could keep her still. The need she felt coursing through her,
urging her to the man on the other side of the room, was just too strong,
powerful, and consuming. She barely acknowledged the throng of people
surrounding her as she made her way across the floor, her eyes transfixed on
her destination.
    Her destination being the tall, strong, and commanding form
of her childhood best friend. His dark, almost black, hair still fell into his
sapphire eyes, and his lips looked just as soft and supple as they had been the
last time she had seen him. When she stopped mere inches from him, Gabriella
held her breath, unable to believe Hunter really stood in front of her.
    The small quirk of his lips at her indecision answered her
question. Oh, this was her Hunter all right.
    Hunter’s hand came up to cup the back of her neck, drawing
her those few inches closer. Shocked at their sudden closeness, Gabriella only
had enough time to suck in a breath before his other arm came around her,
pulling her against his hard chest, his mouth taking hers in a kiss filled with
possession and a hunger that had her opening up for more.
    The kiss was fearless, robbing her of thought. Gabriella’s
body melted under his mastery, becoming pliant, molding into his as if they’d
done this a million times before. She felt a thrill run through her as the
familiarity of the man’s embrace drew her in deeper. This was her Hunter. Oh
God. Hunter’s hand roaming up and down her back created such delicious sparks
of electricity along her spine. She’d never felt so hungry, so needy.
    Pulling back, needing to breathe and to see his face,
Gabriella felt tears pool in her eyes. “You’re real.”
    Hunter smiled down at her, his eyes softening as his large
hands cupped her face. “Yeah, Gabby. It’s me.”
    How was it possible? Hunter was standing right in front of
her, kissing her. It was all so surreal. She caressed her fingers over his
tanned face, taking it all in. His features, once boyish, were different. They
were replaced with a strong jawline and an essence of confidence and maturity.
Gabriella noticed that his eyes, though still the same startling sapphire, now
held flecks of azure and shards of cobalt that made them seem fiercer somehow.
    Still the same, but so different as well.
    “I missed you.” The deep rumble of his voice made her weak
in the knees and dampen between her legs. It was such a strong reaction it
startled her out of her haze.
    He had been gone so long.
    Too long.
    What the hell was she doing?
    Wrenching herself out of his arms, Gabriella gazed up at
him, at the boy who had left her broken and alone. The longer she stared into
his eyes, the more furious she became with both him and herself. Why on earth
was she kissing him? And how dare he show up like this, acting like he had all
the right in the world to be there.
    Raising her hand, she delivered a blow straight across his
handsome face. Hunter had clearly not been expecting that reaction because he
staggered back, his shock evident as his eyes widened and his hand covered the
abused cheek.
    “What was that for?”
    “Really? You have no idea why I would want to slap you?” she
seethed. “You disappeared, Hunter. You left when you swore you never would. I
thought you were dead.”
    His face softened, which just served to irritate her more.
“I know my leaving like that must have hurt, but surely you can give me a
chance to explain.”
    Unbelievable. The bastard thought she actually had to give
him a chance. She didn’t owe him a fucking thing.
    “No, Hunter. I don’t have to give you a damn thing.”
Spinning on her heels, she headed for the doors leading to the stairway. Screw
waiting for the lift. The