Psyche & Eresto Pt. 01 Ch. 02

Psyche & Eresto Part 1: Second Life

Chapter 2: Second Life

"Is this real?" Kim asked, her mouth agape.

"It's as real as can be," Eresto claimed. "And there's more to see. There are people to meet, too."

"But how is this possible?"

Kim was standing at the bathroom window, water dripping off her to the floor. As she stood at the window, she gaped at the details of the landscape outside. Her mind raced trying to come up with possibilities of what had happened and where she was. "Wake up, Kim!" She thought. "I'm not dreaming. And I'm sober. What is this?"

Kim leaned back against Eresto, her head against his chest as she looked out the window in disbelief. "This is incredible," was all she could say.

Below the window there was a series of paths leading to a forest, which stretched off into the distance. But it didn't look like any forest she had ever seen before. The canopies were of varied colors: red, blue, green, yellow and others. They stood in stark contrast to the sky, which was colored as a pastel yellow sky that didn't look natural or at all possible. She had never seen anything like it.

"I know you have questions," Eresto said softly in her ear, "but if you trust me, there are explanations coming."

Kim felt a pin prick in the back of her mind when he said the word "trust," and she needed answers. She couldn't wait. She turned around to face him, arms around his neck as she looked up into his blue eyes. She sensed something she hadn't before: he had a power and a presence to him. He seemed to glow, and suddenly it appeared to her that he looked like more than a man.

"Who are you, really?" She asked.

"I'm a watcher," Eresto smiled. "I and angels like me watch over the Earth, mostly over humanity. This is where we live, or at least those of my order. It's called the First Step."

Kim turned to look up at him, her hand on his hip. "You told me that you work in a museum," she smirked. "And you told me you were a bad liar."

Eresto shifted uncomfortably. "Well," he sighed, "if I had told you that I was an muse who inspires art and desire, would you have agreed to come with me to my heavenly home?"

Kim laughed. "Definitely not."

"There are things that you can't be told about," he said, glancing out the window. "You have to see them for yourself."

"Fine," she admitted. "But then, where are we? And what happened to my apartment?"

"If we're going to talk about these things, we should probably get dressed." Eresto said.

Kim sighed and pressed her cheek against his hard chest for a moment. "I suppose."

Kim had hardly ever gotten dressed so fast before in her life, wanting to get answers to her questions. Eresto requested that she wear a red dress for her first time out on "the grounds," as he referred to them. She decided to agree to avoid argument because she wanted to have answers quickly before walking anywhere with Eresto. When she had put the dress on and tied the sash, she realized she looked beautiful.

Eresto had put on an outfit of red and white, with white shirt and pants and a red vest. Kim noticed he looked great with it on, and that it looked something like a uniform. He put his hand through his hair, moving it out of his face. His long wavy locks had fallen into his face. Kim suppressed a chuckle at how cute he looked trying to straighten out his hair, almost like an awkward teenager.

"Okay, hot stuff," she said with hands on her hips. "Where's my apartment?"

"Easy," he looked up and smiled as he buttoned the top buttons of his shirt. "It's right back through the door we came in earlier." He pointed behind her, and there it was. It looked exactly like the front door of her apartment, and she was confused.

"Just through there?" She asked.

"That's all it takes to go back," Eresto answered. "But before you test it out, would you go for a walk outside with me?"

"Yeah," she wanted to get a closer look at what she had seen from the window. "Let's go outside." She took his hand.

Eresto led her out of the suite. They were in a hallway that eerily resembled a hotel, but very functional and without decoration or much character. The white walls almost shined, similarly to the suite they were in. It was amazing how bright everything was here with no noticable light source.

"This is crazy," she thought as they walked toward a staircase leading down towards the ground level. "Not an hour ago we were walking outside, on a street and in a completley different building."

They walked down the stairs that led to a large open area. Eresto was explaining that there were a number of palaces like this one, where angels like him lived and could travel to earth and elsewhere. He spoke very enthusiastically, like he might tell her everything about the angel way of life in an hour. She listened but couldn't really understand or care about some of the specifics of what he was explaining. Mostly she wanted to go outside and see if the landscape she saw from the window was real.

As he was enthusiastically giving a history of the palace, Angelhome, Kim decided she had to do something. "It's like an angel barracks, isn't it?" She interrupted.

"Barracks?" Eresto asked.

"It's what army soldiers live in on earth. This palace is like that." She said. "Very functional, not very well decorated, a place to live while serving duty."

Eresto laughed. "Exactly," he said.

"That chandelier is absolutely beautiful," Kim was looking to the ceiling of what appeared to be a large entryway to the palace. Anchored by a gilt bronze corona, the single tiered chandelier had beautifully carved arms and a rich interplay of metal and crystal that shone. She craned her neck and swooned for a moment before noticing that it had no candles and seemed to be for decoration only. Like everything here, it seemed to give off its own light.

"What do you think so far?" He asked as they approached the bottom of the stair.

"Incredible," she answered, looking down from the ceiling. "I can't wait to go for a walk outside."

Kim noticed near the bottom of the stair a handful of people were gathered. Eresto stirred and seemed happy to see them. There was a woman clad in a beautiful blue dress not unlike the one Kim was wearing, along with three figures that were wearing uniforms similar to Eresto's. They looked up at the pair coming down the stairs, and Kim felt self-conscious as all eyes seemed to be on her.

"Look at this! A vision of red and white, two together as one." The woman angel said. She was tall and slender and wore the red vest and white shirt and pants that seemed to be the angel uniform. Her long blond hair flowed down over her shoulders and nearly reached her chest.

"Welcome, mortal," one of the males smiled at her. "Eresto, can we have an introduction?"

"Of course, Lord Corran," Eresto said as they arrived at the bottom of the staircase. "This is Psyche, my Lover. She crossed over just a little while ago." Kim wrapped her arm around his and leaned against him slightly, feeling uneasy with all the eyes on her.

Kim looked at the woman in blue. Though she was somewhat tall for a woman, the angels looked large in comparison. She was on the arm of one of the male angels. She had long dark hair like Kim's that flowed down her back, with darker skin and looked like a Latina. She smiled up at Kim as she leaned against her angel.

"We were hoping to see you two soon," said the female angel. She turned to Kim and held out her hand in greeting. "I am Abeldine, Mistress of this Palace and commander of our order who live here. I bid you welcome to our home and yours, if you'll have it, for as long as you wish to stay."

Kim took Abeldine's hand. Her grip was firm and she seemed strong. She had a masterful presence and demeanor, and Kim was unsure if she should bow or kneel. She found herself bowing her head slightly and bending her knee awkwardly. "Good day to you, Mistress," was all she could think to say.

"And I am Corran, keeper of this Palace," said the male who had requested the introduction. "I trust your stay has been pleasant so far. If ever there is anything I can provide to help you, just let me know." He bowed to her and then held out his hand in greeting.

"Thank you, Sir," Kim replied, taking his hand and smiling tentatively. His grip was firm and his touch gave a warm and caring feel that she had noticed from Eresto when they had first met. "Thank you for your hospitality." She withdrew her hand shyly, feeling a bit small and weak. She was in awe of the presence of these beings.

"As I tell all mortals that come here," Abeldine spoke authoritatively, "if there are comforts from your earth home that you wish to bring here, you may. There is a door leading back to your world and you may use it at any time, whether to leave or to retrieve belongings you wish to have with you here. Your life back on earth is still there, and you will not be here against your will."

"Thank you, Mistress," Kim replied, still unsure what to make of everything.

"Lord Corran and I have business to attend to," Abeldine declared, stepping away. The two angel commanders walked away, leaving Kim and Eresto with the other pair.

The angel with the woman in blue spoke. "Eresto, good to see you!" He exclaimed in a boisterous and deep voice. He seemed practically a giant, a head taller than Eresto, and as wide as two people. The woman with him was quite a bit taller than Kim but still seemed small in comparison.

"Balthus!" Eresto called out. He let go Kim's hand and embraced the other angel.

"Hey, Eresto," said the woman warmly as Eresto stepped back and took Kim's hand again. "Aren't you just glowing today."

"Thank you, Cassandra," Eresto said happily. "And yes, I am fine today thank you."

"I'll bet," the woman looked at Kim again. "Hi hun, welcome to Angelhome!"

Eresto cleared his throat. "Psyche, this is Balthus and his Lover, Cassandra. Balthus and I have been comrades for..." He stopped to consider.

"Eons," Balthus interjected and greeted Kim enthusiastically. "The warmest welcome to our home. Any companion of Eresto is a friend of mine." He would've been scary if he didn't seem so friendly and personable.

Seeing Balthus and Cassandra side by side, Kim was struck by the difference between angel and human. Cassandra was tall for a woman, but Balthus towered over her. He looked very strong, and a bit intimidating if not for his friendly demeanor. Kim also noticed that he had a glow to him, similar to Eresto, which made him seem like more than human.

"Thank you," Kim said shyly. She looked at Cassandra. "This is all pretty incredible."

"She just arrived a short while ago." Eresto put his arm around Kim's hip and pulled her closer. "We were going to go for a walk in the forest outside."

"Some fresh air might be good. I'm sure her head is spinning," said the woman in blue as she leaned against Balthus' arm. "Welcome to Oz, Dorothy." Kim chuckled to herself as she had been thinking the same thing a short time earlier.

Balthus turned back to Eresto. "Brother, there is something we should discuss. Can we speak now for a moment so I can leave you two alone?"

"Of course," Eresto answered.

Kim watched Eresto as he let go of her and walked away with his kinsman. Turning back to Balthus' Lover, Kim found that Cassandra was eyeing her critically. Looking down on Kim, with her hands on her hips, Kim could tell Cassandra had a fuller figure in her hips and chest.

"Well, well, fresh meat." Cassandra said. "And Eresto is taken. That's new and unexpected. He seems to have good taste, too. Did you just come here for the first time, then?"

"A little while ago," Kim answered, feeling a little self-conscious under Cassandra's scrutiny. "We've been getting to know each other a bit."

"Yeah, I know. You've been fucking like rabbits," Cassandra rolled her eyes. "But the question is, can a cute little body like that satisfy a divinity like Eresto?" She scratched her chin and narrowed her eyes. "Hmmm..."

"He hasn't complained yet," Kim responded defiantly. "Good things come in small packages."

Cassandra laughed. "Ha! Yeah, I bet," she said. "And you do look stunning in that dress. I was just teasing ya, babe. It's how we do things around here." She smiled and backed up to bow slightly to Kim. "I am Cassandra, at your service if you're at mine." She said.

"Kim," she thought she should use her real name with another human, "but I'm about ready to abandon that name after spending time with Eresto. He is my dream."

"That's the spirit, Kim!" Cassandra smiled and gave her a playful tap on the arm. "Just give in to it, babe. Play the role. The life here is a dream come true, or as we mortals like to call it, the Second Life. Home still awaits in First Life, though I don't know if I'll ever want to go back. There's just too much fun and intrigue, here."

"How long have you been here?" Kim asked.

"I lost count of the days long ago," Cassandra answered, "but it's been years for sure. How long exactly? Who knows."

"Don't you miss home? And does anyone there know what's happened to you?"

Cassandra looked at her critically. "I do miss my friends and family sometimes... but I see you and Eresto have some things to talk about still. Time works differently here, and a lot of other things, too. You'll understand that more the longer you stay. As for your First Life back home, there's something that I call the Great Pause Button that affects it while you're here."

"The Great Pause Button?" Kim couldn't help but laugh. "What are you saying, that I'm not late for dinner with my friend?"

"That's right," Cassandra chuckled. "You'll get used to it. And you let me know if you have any questions. I'm sure we'll see eachother around. I could stop by your place for a chat." She came closer and adjusted the top of Kim's dress. "Perfect," she said.

"Oh thanks, I thought it felt like it wasn't on quite right." Kim looked down at her dress and admired it.

"No problem at all," replied Cassandra, quietly, "and let me know if you want help taking it off, sometime."

Kim looked up at Cassandra, who winked at her playfully. She could feel herself blushing. "Oh, I, uh..."

"There's a lot to get used to, here," Cassandra interrupted, changing the subject and raising her voice as the angels returned from their conversation. "None of it bad, but there are a lot of differences between your life here and back there." She stepped away and grasped Balthus' arm lightly. She smiled once more at Kim before turning to her Lover. "Balthus, my Love, maybe we should head upstairs for a bit before you have to leave later."

"That sounds like a good idea," Balthus replied enthusiastically.

Eresto took Kim's hand and she smiled at him. As they walked away, Kim squeezed Eresto's hand as though she was hanging on for dear life. The conversation she had just had was stinging her mind. Was Cassandra coming on to her?

The palace entry chamber gave way to a large entryway that led to the outside. The couple walked out of the palace and into the cool air outside. The sky was a bright yellow, over the multicolored landscape. Outside was a courtyard of cobblestone road with a fountain in the middle. Hedges stood before a lawn of deep, perhaps unnatural green, and the roadway led to a path that wandered away from the palace and led to the forest. Kim looked at the trees with canopies of various colors, filled with wonder. It was like a picture out of an art museum that she was walking into.

As they walked around the fountain, Kim saw that its centerpiece was a large sculpture. It appeared to be several marble plates on top of one another in the form of a stairway, with a large globe of silver at the top. The water of the fountain flowed out of the globe and fell down the staircase into a pool of clear water. "So beautiful," Kim said quietly to herself.

"There's so much to see," she said aloud. "I feel like a little girl at the amusement park for the first time." She pointed ahead to the forest. "Can we walk through the forest?"

"Yes, we'll go for a walk through the forest," Eresto said. "I often go for a stroll like this at this time of day anyway." He pulled her closer and they walked arm in arm.

The cobblestone road gave way to a path over soft ground through the trees. They walked for a while and Kim admired the trees around them. Most of them seemed to bear fruit, which Eresto said was what the angels mostly ate. It was fine for the mortal women there as well, but there was also food from Earth in the palace.

Eresto was explaining some of the different fruits very excitedly when Kim stopped him. "So which one is your favorite?"

"Over here."

As Eresto led her toward a tree at the side of the path, Kim noticed that its fruit resembled a blue apple. "This is my favorite fruit in the orchard," Eresto said, plucking an apple from the tree. "I've spent countless hours sitting among these trees contemplating. It can be a very relaxing way to spend the evening after performing my duties on Earth." He held out the apple for Kim.

Kim leaned in and looked into his eyes as she took a bite of the apple. It had a sweet taste to it, somewhere between an apple and a peach, though it was not very juicy. She felt invigorated, and took it from him to take a few more bites from it. She was hungry.

They sat under the tree side by side, and Kim leaned her head against his shoulder. Looking out and staring off into space, Kim tried to imagine this beautiful man being here alone and single as Cassandra had said.

Kim ran her hand up the trunk and the smooth surface of the bark didn't feel or look like any tree trunk she had ever seen at home. "Holy shit, Kim," she thought to herself. "It's really real. And it's really not like any tree on Earth."

"The forest is very beautiful," Kim said aloud, "like a work of art itself. Do you usually sit here or walk alone?"

"Yes, the solitude can be comforting after performing my duties. Also I can sit and eat."

"You're so kind and sweet and beautiful," Kim said. "How long have you been without a lover here?"

"It's been some time. I don't know, maybe an age?" Eresto shifted a bit and she could tell he was uncomfortable. "Let's not talk about that. Let's enjoy our time together for now. Tomorrow I'll go back to Earth for my duties and be there much of the day."

Kim thought suddenly of work, and of what Cassandra had said to her. "Cassandra said that time works differently here," Kim recalled. "She said I should ask you about it."

Eresto seemed in thought for a moment, and then perked up as though he had just remembered something. "Oh, yes!" He said. "You should know that time passes differently here than on earth. Back in your home, through the door that we came here by, it is the same time as when we left. If and when you go back through that door, time will not have passed at all. And it will be that way regardless of how long you stay."

"Wait, how?" Kim lifted her head from his shoulder, flabbergasted.

"That's complicated," he answered. "I don't really know, myself. It's just the way things are and always have been."

"Holy shit!" Kim exclaimed. "No wonder Cassandra loves this place so much. And I think I know what she meant when she mentioned the Great Pause Button."

Eresto laughed. "That's a good name for it from your point of view, I suppose."

"She calls this place Second Life," Kim said.

"That's the name I usually hear from the women," Eresto said. "The palace itself is called Angelhome. This place where we live is actually a step on a Stairway that extends upward into the cosmos." He looked up as though he were searching the yellow sky for something. "You can see it at night in the dark."

"You called this the First Step," she noted, her head settling back on his shoulder. "Is it the first step in this Stairway?"

"Exactly," Eresto said. "It's the first step at the bottom of the Stairway, the closest to Earth. We live here so we can watch over humanity."

"So what's at the top of this stairway?"

"The Throne," Eresto answered as he examined a sprig from the tree.

Eresto had answered with a sort of finality in his voice, as though there was no further explanation, or at least Kim felt like she shouldn't ask. Hearing him talk about his world and grand things like a cosmic stairway, or talk about Earth like it was a place to spend a day, made her feel small.

Sitting next to him, she lifted her head and turned to look at him. He had taken a sprig from the tree and was looking at it, tracing the veins of a leaf with his finger. He had an innocent and pure way about him, like the things in the world might still be wondrous to him even if he had seen them every day for years. He seemed so genuine and caring, and the thought of him navigating a strange world like this alone made her heart ache.

Kim watched him silently. "If time back home isn't moving, and I can go back to it whenever I wish, then there's no way I'm leaving." She thought to herself. "He's so beautiful and seems to really care for me. He would just be alone again if I left." She furrowed her brow. "There has to be some catch. This is all too good to be true."

Eresto seemed to be very taken by the leaf of his favorite tree. Kim reached gently to his hand and took it from him. He watched as she pinned the stem behind her ear. Looking into his eyes, she could see his adoration as he leaned in closer. Eresto kissed her lips, his hand on her shoulder. She placed her hand on his thigh and they sat there for a while before stirring.

A bit later they were once again walking the path. Despite her unease, she felt beautiful walking hand in hand with her Lover. He was strong and tall beside her, and the red and white angel uniform looked great on him. "There's definitely something about a man in uniform," she thought. For her part, she also felt beautiful in the red dress. It flattered what cleavage she had to show on her B-cup chest without looking trashy. It hugged her hips and showed off her curves, but didn't hinder her legs from moving easily. And it was light as air. Her hair was down, flowing to her shoulders, and she felt like a model. Clinging to Eresto's arm and feeling his strength there, she suddenly realized that she might walk down this path with him every day if she chose to.

He seemed to be leading her somewhere. Soon she realized he was walking with a purpose, as if to a destination. As they were silent she decided to ask one of the many questions roaming around in her head. "So, is there a Heaven?"

"I'm not sure any of us really know that. If it exists then it's for your kind, not mine." Eresto replied.

She considered for a moment. "If I died, I would never see you again?"

"Yes, that's true," Eresto said. He turned to her. "You weren't planning on dying were you?"

Kim laughed out loud. "No," she said, "I was just contemplating the meaning of everything here. I still don't understand anything, really."

"You'll learn," Eresto answered. "The women who come here and stay always do."

"Are there many other women here, then?" Kim asked as they walked.

"Some," he answered. "I mean, could you resist?"

She laughed. "No," she bit her lip and dared persist on the biggest question in her mind. "But why were you single for so long?"

"Up here is where I go to Earth to live my purpose," he seemed to not hear the question.

They were approaching a clearing in the forest, and Kim could hear a low roaring sound. A crystal clear pool of water sat before a wall of stone. Water poured over the stone in a waterfall that fell into the pool. Mist and foam sat at the base.

"If you were to go into the waterfall, you would get wet," Eresto said. "But if I go, I'm in Massachusetts."

"Aha," Kim observed. She let go of him as he approached the side of the pool. She stopped, looking at him critically and crossing her arms. He turned around, a mystified look on his face.

"What is it?" He asked.

"Ok, handsome," she demanded. "Let's see them."

"See what?"

"Wings," she said. "I have to see angel wings."

Eresto laughed. "I should have expected this," he said. "I suppose you were going to ask."

"Oh I've wanted to see since you said the word 'angel,' my dear." She said. "Let's see them."

Eresto lowered his head and closed his eyes, his arms at his side. Suddenly, from thin air, two outlines appeared behind him. As if made of pure light, two weightless wings formed from the outlines and shined golden in the sunlight. He looked back at her proudly.

"No feathers?" Kim was surprised, both to see wings and to see what they looked like.

"Oh Heavens, no," Eresto complained. "That would be awful. You mortals have that all wrong, by the way. Would you want to make love to me with these in the way, if they were made of feathers?"

The wings were large and Kim laughed. "Probably not," she said.

He looked over his shoulders, admiring the wings. "I haven't used these in some time," he said.

"You don't use them on Earth?"

"No," Eresto said as he shook a bit and watched the light quiver. "These wings are useless on Earth. But here, they let me fly." He turned back to her. "We use them to traverse the Stairway. Our superiors are on the Second Step, and it's a long way." He relaxed his body and breathed out, and the wings faded from sight.

"Impressive," Kim approached Eresto, throwing her arms around his neck as she looked up into his eyes. There was a depth, a knowledge, a wisdom that she felt she probably couldn't fathom. Though she felt small and ignorant, she had questions that needed answering. "You didn't answer my question just now," she said. "You're so loving and beautiful. Why were you single for so long?"

Eresto put his hands around her waist and seemed to be measuring his words. "I had someone long ago. It didn't end well, and I lost her. I'll tell you the story sometime, but I think for now we should spend time together. It was a long time ago."

Kim didn't sense anything off-putting in Eresto's response, and she decided to let it go for now. But it was clear that he had had a heartbreaking separation and was still affected by it. They continued their walk through the forest, hand in hand. Eresto seemed to have a story or memory about every tree, every turn in the path. Sometimes he had trouble remembering, and Kim wondered how long he had been here and wandering through this forest. He spoke of places he had been, whether on Earth or other places far off where his kin lived.

Before long the sky began to slowly darken. Eresto was explaining how he and Balthus have been serving side-by-side for so long that he couldn't remember the beginning. "It's amazing how time passes and stretches backwards to infinity," he said. It was her reminder that, though he was accessible and handsome and a great lover too, there were other things inside him that she couldn't see that stretched out further than her mortal mind could imagine. She realized that this was what she saw when she looked into his eyes and saw a depth and beauty hidden there. It was one of the things that drew her to him from the start.

Walking the trail, beneath the darkening sky and between the many-colored trees, Kim felt a bit more at ease. Seeing a bit of this place, and knowing that Eresto was here to be with her, took a load off her mind. As they walked together she scanned the trees around her. The pastel colors of the flora and landscape were beginning to fade into the dusk.

In the darkening hour Eresto was still talking, and though she listened Kim found herself wondering about his previous lover. "It seems like it pains him," she thought to herself. "We can talk about it another time... at least I know he doesn't have anyone else now." She suddenly realized that she was very glad to be here. She held Eresto's arm tightly as they walked, hugging it.

"Everything is so different, here," Kim said as she squeezed his hand affectionately. "I feel like I'm a little kid, brought into a world where I have to learn everything again."

"You can always ask me. You'll meet some of the other mortal women here who can probably relate to that sort of thing better. You can always ask them questions, too."

"Oh, I'll ask Cassandra. She was interested in me." Kim spoke with a bit of urgency, trying to nudge him. He appeared to be clueless so she spelled it out a bit more. "She told me she would stop by our place looking for me."

"Ah," Eresto replied. "Well, she's tried to bed me for a while. I've never been terribly interested. For one thing, she is Balthus' lover, and I don't want him to feel threatened. That and... well, I had started watching you on Earth and I knew what I wanted."

"Oh, you big sweetie," she pulled herself closer to him, pressing against his arm as they walked. "But I meant I think she wants to get in bed with me."

"Oh," Eresto seemed a bit surprised, and considered it. "Well if it happens, it happens, I suppose."

"Wait, you don't mind?" Kim's jaw dropped.

"Uhhh," Eresto was thinking. "Well, are you going to leave me and run off back to Earth with her?"

"No."

"Do you think you could love her over me?"

"Fuck no."

He considered it for a moment, like he might be missing something and he was trying to think of it. He shrugged as he looked at her. "I don't know... okay. If it's something you want."

Kim was a bit confused, both by what to make of Cassandra and by Eresto's reaction. "I guess everything really is different here," she thought. She had to change the subject.

"Is it starting to be dusk? The trees look beautiful in this light."

"Yes, it will be evening soon." Eresto replied. "I love evening walks among the trees."

Walking with Eresto, clinging to his arm in the darkening forest, Kim realized suddenly that she was very glad to be here. She held his arm in both of hers, hugging it. He stopped and looked down to her as she turned toward him and slid her arm over his shoulder and around his neck. Looking up into those entrancing blue eyes, she felt incredible desire. But she also felt love gnawing at her heart trying to consume it.

Eresto seemed to realize that the time for talking was over, and leaning in he kissed her lips softly. They stood there, in the mild air, alone, in a moment that seemed to stretch on forever. Kim found she no longer cared where she was or what time it was or what dinner she was actually not late for back home. She cared about kissing him. She cared about the fact that she had been wanting something, and now she had found it. She knew she wanted to stay with him.

Kim broke the kiss and looked up at him. "Maybe we should go back for a while."

Eresto led her back in the direction of the palace. Its silver exterior shone in what little dusk light was still left. Going back up to their suite, the couple passed by a few of the other residents of Angelhome. Kim heard Eresto greeting them but did not pay attention herself. Staring at the ground, her mind was consumed with thoughts about her feelings for him and what she would do.

When they had arrived back at their suite and Eresto had closed the door, Kim threw her arms around his neck and pulled him down to kiss her. Pressing him against the door, she leaned against him and felt her body against his.

Kim broke the kiss and looked up at him. "You're so beautiful and sweet and sexy, I want to stay with you."

He smiled. "I'm so glad," he said.

"There are some things I want to get in my apartment. Maybe you should come with me."

Eresto seemed a bit uneasy. "I'm not sure... but I can wait for you."

She turned her head to the side. "Why won't you come back with me?" She asked. "My bed awaits, it's humble but we would fit in it fine."

"I'm sorry, Psyche," Eresto said gently. "I can't do that. It's just the rules of this place. Our love is for this side of your door, only."

"Well, I really do need to get some things. I'll be right back." She spoke affectionately, but was disappointed.

Opening the door to her apartment and walking in, she was shocked to find that her place was lit up as if it were midday. Suddenly she remembered what she had been told. "Could it really be?" She asked herself. "Has time really not passed here?" She opened her laptop computer for a moment and checked the date and time. "Oh wow, that's so weird. Get a grip, Kim." She scolded herself. She felt her heart racing but tried to keep her head about her.

Kim grabbed some comfortable Summer clothes, a few choice books and some items from the bathroom. When she went back through through door to Angelhome and closed it behind her, Eresto was fixing the bed which they had messed up earlier.

She put her items on the floor and walked toward Eresto silently as he bent over the bed. "Hey, handsome," she called to him. "Make sure the sheets are pulled back. We wouldn't want to get the bedding messy again."

Eresto turned around, a look of surprise on his face. Slowly Kim undid the sash of her red dress. Feeling it loosen around her, she pushed it down off her shoulders and chest. As it fell to the floor she stepped out of it, standing naked before him.

"Do you see anything you want, Eresto?"

Eresto smiled with intent and reached suddenly to grab her in his arms. She yelped with surprise and threw her arms around his neck as he lifted her over the bed and lied her on her back.

Kim settled into the bed, lying down and making sure the coverings were pulled back. She licked her lips as Eresto quickly removed his angel uniform. His pants and shirt were discarded. He slid into the bed. He leaned over her, kissing her. His hand slid down between her legs and his fingertips were on the inside of her leg.

Kim put her arm on his shoulder and welcomed his tongue into her mouth as his fingertips played at her labia and dig slowly into her pussy. She moaned softly and broke the kiss to whisper to him. "I'm yours, Eresto. Take me."

Eresto kissed her neck passionately as her pussy moistened and opened under his touch. He worked her until she was ready, and she moaned softly thinking to herself how much she wanted to please him.

As Eresto climbed on top of her, Kim put her arms around his chest and rubbed held back. As he entered her and pressed deep into her, she looked up into his eyes. She saw desire and want, and she reveled in it. She draped a leg around him, trying to pull him closer and deeper.

Eresto looked down into her eyes, returning her gaze, as he moved slowly in and out. "You feel so good, Lover." His words spurned her to move her hips under him as she could, wanting to bring him more pleasure with her sex.

"Take what you want from me, Eresto," Kim whispered up to him as she held his gaze. "And give me your cum. I want all of it."

He moved faster as though he was spurned on by her words, his hips slapping lightly against her. Before long, he was pushing his thighs into her and arching back as he came inside her. She held his shoulders, cradling him tenderly as he released.

Eresto collapsed on top of her, his weight pressing down on her. She stroked his back. She hadn't gotten to the height of pleasure, but she loved the feel of him inside her and she got what she really wanted: to please her mate. She kissed his exhausted cheek, and he kissed her neck.

"Did that feel good, Eresto?" She whispered as she held him close.

"Yes," he whispered, his hot breath on her neck. "That felt great, and you are beautiful and sexy. Everything I could want in a woman."

"Maybe I should stay with you for now," Kim said.

He stroked her hair lightly. "Yes," he replied. "You should stay with me."

Kim let his words sink in and she thought for a moment. "I will. There's nothing back on Earth I would rather have than you."

They lied there together. No words were spoken, but Kim felt spent. It had been a long day, and she thought of how far she had come just since the morning. A day ago she had been fretting over love and romance, and now she was sleeping in the arms of a man unlike any she had ever known. Thinking of the events of the day, she drifted off to sleep.