Divinity by Michelle L. Johnson Page A

to walk.”
    “I love you, Julia,” he said, wrapping an arm around her and pulling her tight into his side. “Always have. Always will.”
    Julia sighed, tracing a finger along his chest. “I suppose we should have a shower.”
    Alex propped himself up on one elbow, a broad grin spreading across his face. “A shower, huh?”
    “Join me?”
    “I wouldn’t miss it.”

    Steam filled the bathroom, and the scent of Julia’s plumeria body wash saturated the air. With a large sea sponge, Alex rinsed the suds from her back, then turned her around to face him.
    “I have a place I want to show you,” Julia said, pressing her chest against his. “My secret hideaway.”
    Deep within Alex’s eyes, a flicker of recognition shone. He raised one hand to her smooth, wet hair and stroked it. “Then show me. I want to know all your secrets.”
    Startled, she took a half-step back, holding onto his arms for balance. “Really?”
    “Why not?” His smile put Julia at ease. “Where is it?”
    “There’s a place just south of Baltimore I used to go to.” Julia took the sponge from Alex and turned him around. She drizzled body wash onto it, then made tiny circles all over his back, massaging as she washed him. “It’s a pond, just off the highway, hidden in the woods. There’s a path of stones leading out to a large boulder in the center. When I lived with my parents, I used to go hide there.”
    She rinsed and wrung out the sponge until the water ran clear, then filled it with clean water. She squeezed it out over Alex’s back, washing away the suds. As she spoke of her childhood hideaway, the muscles in Alex’s back tightened.
    “Sorry, I didn’t mean to tickle you. So, will you go there with me?”
    Julia thought being in that place with Alex would give her the courage to tell him about the Archangels. She could show him the spot Michael had taken her to, and somehow use it as a segue to get to the truth. She longed to escape the burden of her untold story.
    Alex turned, took the sponge out of Julia’s hand, and set it on the edge of the tub. He pulled her to him, pressing himself against her, and looked into the depths of her eyes. “I would go anywhere with you.”
    Julia smiled and kissed him softly. “Now?”
    “No,” he said, his groin pushing into her. “Tomorrow. I have plans for you tonight.”
    He shut off the water, stepped out of the tub, and took her by the hand back to the bedroom.

    “Well, this is awkward,” Michael said with a raised eyebrow.
    Gabriel stood amidst the clouds, looking through the opening at his feet where he could see Julia’s bedroom—and everything transpiring within. He glanced up at Michael and grimaced.
    “Indeed.”
    Gabriel stepped back, closing the viewing hole in the clouds, and shot Michael a suspicious look. Michael’s humor shone in his eyes until Gabriel’s harsh gaze wiped it away.
    “I think she has had enough testing,” Gabriel said heavily. “There must be a way to change the course.”
    “It isn’t a test, Gabriel. It is a fork in his path. There is still the matter of choice. She could decide not to go there. It’s not likely, but it’s possible.”
    “What about him?” The set of Gabriel’s jaw radiated his frustration. “Theirs is a palpable love, as it always has been. Could we not influence his choices? We have done it before.”
    “And if we do, Brother? What happens to her? Have you become able see the infinite outcomes if we interfere?” Michael’s wings began to spread open, making it seem like he was raising his voice as he spoke.
    Gabriel stood, undaunted but silent.
    “No,” Michael continued. “He joined her to save her. He has done it once, pulling her from despair. We must let him do so again. She is stronger than you think.” Michael stopped and examined Gabriel intently. “Interesting.”
    “What?”
    “You. So protective. It’s almost…human…” Michael waved a hand, dismissing his own thought.
    “Funny, Michael.