Pure spring water spilled over smoothed rock. Each cascade ebbed and flowed toward the steamy crystal pool at the base of the mountain ridge. Fragrant evergreens protected the little clearing and stood watch over the two lovers. Lying on a meadowy carpet of wildflowers Meggie had never felt so happy, so alive. Pleasure exceeded her wildest imaginings. She lay on her back with her arms above her head, her fingers splayed to gently run over fragrant soft petals of pink and red.

A suggestion from her lover brought a low moan to her throat. Willingly, she waited for him to cover her aroused body with his own powerful frame. In heightened anticipation, she waited for him. Rippled thighs straddled her quivering hips. Sculpted hands came to rest on either side of her head. Ready to be pierced through with those slate shards, she opened her eyes, opened herself to love.

But it wasn’t her lover who leaned over Meggie with the offer of his kiss. It was the devil stealing her daydream away!

Meggie struggled to get the villainous weight off her. The fiend had her trapped in his vice-like, painful grip. Its evil laugh, like the blade of the sharpest knife, repeatedly cut through her fear-stricken body. A cold, claw-like hand smothered her mouth and throat. She couldn’t cry out for help. The other taloned fingers ripped at her bodice, exposing her flesh to the devil. Molten red embers pointed their fiery glare at her, glowing ever brighter at her alarm, at her panic.

Please. Oh please, God. Let me die! Let me be rid of this monster. Let him not touch me with his filth. She prayed for the sleep of death. She screamed for it.

Awakened from her nightmare by her own strangled cries, Meggie felt powerful arms cradle her trembling body. Terrified and confused, she dared not move. She stilled like the dead. Unable to see anything, she dared not speak. Although her intuition told her the strong hands cradling her now were not the claws of her night terror, she couldn’t calm.

If not the devil … then who?

She heard nothing but the sound of her heart thudding wildly in her chest, echoing from wall to wall, closing in around her. The room was dark, the tallow gone out. In her worst nightmares she’d always awakened alone. The sisters had never come in. No comforting arms had ever held her before.

Whose arms held her now?

Anxious and disoriented, still terrified, Meggie fought the bizarre, overwhelming urge to lean into the comfort of the unknown, tender grasp. But she didn’t dare. This could be evil trickery. In her own defense she began to mutter, “six feet under, six feet away, where to stay safe, the devil must stay!” She tried to get away now, but could not wrench free. Tears of desperation poured down her cheeks.

“Easy now.”

Meggie stilled instantly at the deep, reverberating tone. When she felt the warm vibration of the mysterious intruder’s lips against her forehead, the shock of his touch stunned her, yet drew her to him. The stranger’s words were as gentle as his touch. Whoever he was, he wasn’t going to hurt her. She knew it now. If he wasn’t the devil then who? An angel? Instinctively, she gave herself over to the heavenly embrace.

“Thank you, my angel, she whispered.” Of course it was crazy to believe an actual angel held her now, but believe it she did. She felt safe now. Who but an angel could make her feel safe?

Ethan cradled the distraught woman in his arms as if she were a child.

But she wasn’t.

He couldn't ignore her soft curves, her low whispers against his chest, or her clinging sweetness for much longer. Here she thought he was an angel--and he was thinking like a devil. If only she didn't feel so damn good all curled up and snuggled against him. Needing him. If felt good to be needed again. For longer than he cared to remember, he hadn't let any woman touch him like this and break down his guard against ... against exactly what was happening. He tightened his hold. He knew he wasn't the answer to anyone's prayer but it felt good to be the answer to Nutmeg's just now.

For long minutes Meggie and Ethan held onto each other like starved animals, giving and receiving the comfort they both sought.

Neither could get enough.

The first to stir, Meggie reluctantly pulled out of the angelic embrace. Unable to see in the darkness, yet no longer afraid, she reached for a tallow on the bedstead and quickly lit it. Now she cold see exactly who her angel was.

"You!" Meggie bolted from the bed.

"Yeah, me." Ethan stood now, too.