Angel closed her eyes. She had to move, to get some distance, and protect her heart. Knowing what he could bring her body to, stole her breath, but she had to think. Think, Angel!
“Becca is coming. I mean, we always work out on Saturday.”
Alex pulled back to look into her face, a small smile playing on his beautiful mouth. Angel’s eyes were transfixed on his, her heart thrumming in her ears. “I’ll work you out, better than Becca can, baby.” His hips moved against hers, teasing as his eyes danced mischievously.
“No, Alex. I’d love to, but she’ll be mad at me. She’s coming all the way into town from Schaumburg.”
Alex could see the panic in her face, and for the first time in his life, he gave a shit. He wanted to know what was behind it.
He rolled to her side and propped his head on his elbow. “What’s bugging you? Becca isn’t the issue.”
“Yes, she is. We promised each other that we wouldn’t change our routine because of a guy. And I’m sure you have things to do, too.” She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, still lying on her back. “Don’t you?”
Alex searched her expression. “I was supposed to meet my brother, but he’s never on time. It annoys the shit out of me.” He reached for the Rolex he’d placed on the side table. 11:45 AM! He sat up and ran a hand through his beautiful mess of hair, made messier by Angel during their sex play. “I do need to get going.” The woman still in repose, where he’d left her, was hard to leave. The sheet was draped over her and he could see every nuance of her body through it. “Damn if I want to, though. Angel… this is…”
“We don’t have to define this, Alex.”
“Maybe I want to.”
“Well, I don’t. I thought you just wanted to have fun, no strings.”
His brow furrowed. “I told you that I don’t have sex with multiple women. I’d prefer that you weren’t fucking around either.”
“But… that’s a string.” She bit her lower lip and Alex had the urge to pull it free with his thumb.
“Are you sleeping with anyone else?”
“Not since we’ve been—”
He interrupted shortly. “Good. Keep it that way. I’ll make sure you’re satisfied.” He winked.
Angel flushed, rolling her eyes. No doubt. “It isn’t that; it’s getting involved.”
“Well, it feels involved. I stayed over, which doesn’t happen. It felt good so let’s just go with it. We’ll each have our lives, but no other lovers. We tell each other in advance if that becomes an issue. Okay?”
Angel knew there was no way in hell she’d want to be with anyone else. Not when he wanted her. He was as close to God-like perfection as she’d ever seen, and Whitney’s description of him fell incredibly short.
“Yeah.”
Could she take that conversation? “Angel, I want to have sex with someone else…” She didn’t want to think about it.
“Don’t worry so much.”
Angel watched him as he rose and walked to the other side of the bed to find his clothes, admiring every incredible inch of his amazing physique. She rolled over and gathered the sheet closer. “So you’d have me believe that no other woman has seen that ass in the light of day?”
He chuckled as he pulled on his jeans. “Not since college.”
“Pity. It’s a fine ass.” She smirked and licked her lips suggestively.
Alex laughed. “Not as fine as this one.” He slapped her on the rear and she squealed, giggling as he pulled the sheet from her, leaving her naked and sprawled on the bed, eyes wide and staring.
Alex undid his jeans he’d just donned and then pulled her, laughing, by her ankles toward him. “I don’t think I’m leaving just yet.”
Becca sat at Angel’s kitchen bar scowling as she watched her friend pour orange juice into two glasses.
“Sure you don’t want some?” Angel asked.
“Yeah. I want to be at the gym,” she retorted.
Angel’s expression was indulgent. “We’re going. Just a few more minutes. He’ll be out of the shower.”
“I can’t believe this, Angel. You said you weren’t going to see him again.”
Angel shrugged. Her black hoodie was zipped up part way over a white tank and black yoga pants, her hair in a messy bun that had tendrils falling all around, her body still feeling the effects of Alex’s possession only minutes earlier. Becca was dressed for the gym, also, but less fashionably than her friend. “I can’t help it.”
Becca’s eyes widened as she bit down on a banana. “What?” she spoke with her mouth full. “You never fall prey to gorgeous.”
Angel shrugged again. “Alex is… sort if inescapable, Becca. He met me after the show. He was exhausted, just back from overseas, yet he waited for me. I’m beginning to think my opinion of him was all wrong.”
Becca finished the banana and threw the peel in the trash under the sink. “Wow. You’ve known him, what, 2 or 3 weeks? Maybe there’s hope for you yet.”
“I’m still cautious, but,” she shrugged, “I enjoy being with him. I realize the risks, and my head fights with me over it, but damn if I can resist.”
“Must be talented between the sheets. Doesn’t help your resolve; he’s gorgeous.”
“Yes. That. I seriously cannot help myself,” Angel agreed pointedly. The girls were giggling just as Alex walked causally down the hall.
Freshly showered, and wearing the same clothes from the night before, Alex’s hair was damp, the strands darker and falling boyishly over his forehead. He impatiently pushed it back with his right hand. A smirk lifted his lips as he entered the kitchen. Angel nodded toward the juice waiting for him on the counter and he picked it up. “Hello, Becca.”
“Alex.”
He walked around Becca toward Angel, leaning down to place a short kiss on her mouth as her hand came to rest on the solid wall of his chest. Angel blushed at his easy display of affection in front of her best friend.
Becca’s eyebrows raised and she pursed her lips, nodding to Angel behind Alex’s back. “Hot!” she mouthed.
“Do you want something to eat?” Angel asked Alex.
He rubbed her upper arms with his hands. “I just spoke to my brother. We’re meeting for lunch, so I’m good. I have to run, but I’ll call you later?”
She smiled. “Dead phone. No charger, remember?”
Alex laughed. “Oh, right. I’ll remedy that soon. Call me, so I’ll have your personal number.”
“I like the other phone.” Angel stopped herself before she revealed too much. That private line between them was super sexy.
Alex’s eyes narrowed but he smiled, understanding. Satisfaction filled his expression. “I do, too. But, just this once.” He touched her chin with his fingers and his thumb brushed Angel’s jaw. Becca bit her lip and looked away. The gesture seemed very intimate. “Walk me to the door?”
He took her hand and she followed slightly behind him. “I’d like to see you tonight. Are you free?”
Angel’s brow dropped, disappointment filling her. She’d made plans to meet Kenneth to discuss the next steps in the Swanson case. “Um, I have a work meeting. Actually, it’s just a casual thing, but I have to go.”
“Will it take all evening?”
“No, I’m meeting him at six for drinks. So I should be free by eight or so.” Inwardly cringing, she wondered how she’d get away from Kenneth that fast. He’d want to pick up where they left off, and she’d be left with no choice but to tell him she was seeing someone else. Ugh.
“Him?” Alex’s brow raised and a soft smile lifted the corners of his mouth.
“Uh huh. The district attorney, Kenneth Gant.”