Kahlen Aymes - Angel After Dark

“Obviously, he adores you as well. But, nevertheless, his saliva does not belong on the table. Or your face, for that matter.”

“Max, tell your daddy to relax and stop being so stodgy! Come on.” She gently pushed the dog down and then sat on the floor against the dishwasher. The floor was the same expensive marble that decorated the rest of the kitchen and felt like ice on her bare thighs. She couldn’t help but gasp.

Immediately, Max settled next to her with his head in her lap and one paw taking possession of her leg, his large brown eyes imploring up at Alex as her hand stroked his head repeatedly. “Satisfied?”

Alex’s eyebrows shot up in amused astonishment as he removed eggs, bacon, and a bowl of oranges from the large stainless steel refrigerator. “Traitor,” he retorted playfully.

“To whom are you speaking, Mr. Avery?” Angel laughed softly.

“Both of you.”

“You’re kidding.” Becca’s voice was deadpan, but the amusement behind the words was unmistakable.

“What?” Angel smirked. “It’s not a big deal.”

“Bullshit! You’re going to Lincoln Park Zoo with a gazillionaire-everybody-wants-him-playboy who probably doesn’t know the ass end of a giraffe from a lion’s. If that isn’t shocking enough, it’s obvious you like more about this guy than his dick.”

Angel couldn’t stop herself; laughter bubbled up and spilled over, causing Alex to glance her way. His hair had a deep sheen in the sunlight and his questioning look was met with a shrug and he shook his head. She couldn’t see his eyes behind his expensive sunglasses, but his lopsided grin turned into a full smile.

“We’ll discuss that later. Stop being so melodramatic,” Angel mumbled into her phone, biting her lip to stop another bout of hysterical giggling. The wind was whipping her hair into her face and she struggled to push it back. It was a beautiful day, the temperature cooled by the breeze coming off of Lake Michigan. Alex’s capable hands steered the sleek BMW convertible out of downtown after Angel had entered Becca’s address into the GPS.

“Does this mean I have to find another sitter? Jillian will be heartbroken.”

“Nope. We’re on our way to pick up my little Jillybean. I’ve missed her and I may not give her back.”

“Wha— Alex is going to babysit with you?”

“Don’t hyperventilate. There are stranger things.”

“I doubt that.”

“We’ll see you in about twenty minutes. Tell my baby I can’t wait to see her!”

Alex reached for Angel’s hand and pulled it to rest beneath his on his muscled thigh. “Everything okay? Does Becca think it’s a bad idea that I’m going along?”

“No. It’s fine. Although I wonder if it’s your bag? Wouldn’t you rather be with Darian or your brother?”

He glanced at her, his teeth flashing brightly in a wide smile. “What?” He scoffed. “Hairy, belligerent, alpha males versus soft, sexy, supple and irresistible. That’s a tough choice. Maybe I should reconsider?”

Angel smiled as Alex’s hand tightened around hers. He was so fucking sexy; she almost lost her breath looking at him, and scarier: she was starting to fall for the person wrapped inside all that masculinity. He could have any woman, and he usually did, so she was perplexed that he’d choose to spend time with someone as complicated as herself. There was no way this would end well, her mind argued. “Well, it will also be young, sticky, and giggly. Two-year olds are fun but sometimes a challenge.”

“I’ll take my chances. Do you think she’ll like me?”

“She’s a sweetie and she’s female, so the chances are better than average.”

“Stop. Your view of me is distorted. I’ve told you that I’m monogamous. Don’t you believe me, Angel?”

“Sure.” She shrugged and turned a little in her seat so she could study his profile, searching for some clue to what he was really feeling. If he was feeling anything other than lust. “But, I also know that you’re not married and never get tied down, so I don’t expect this to last. My eyes are open.”

Alex was vested more than she was aware. He wasn’t willing to admit it to her for fear she wouldn’t believe him, or worse, retreat from him. He didn’t stop to analyze the reasons. He enjoyed her company, both in bed and out of it, more than any woman he’d ever known and that was enough for now. “Close them, then. Do you enjoy being with me? Be honest, I can take it.” He grinned.

“Your head’s already big enough.”

“Why, thank you. I was hoping you’d think so,” he replied with a cheeky grin.

“Shut up!” Angel laughed.

“I’ll let you shut me up, later.” He smiled and pressed her hand further into his leg. Angel’s fingers closed around the muscle beneath the dark denim, provocatively. “Yes, later.”

When they pulled up outside Becca’s apartment building, Alex came around and opened Angel’s door, extending a hand to help her out.

Always the perfect gentleman, yet so hot behind closed doors , Angel mused. Her eyes took him in, casually dressed in dark jeans, Adidas, and a white T-shirt; he looked younger and more carefree than she usually saw him. His fingers closed around hers as they walked into the building.

“What?”

“Nothing. This will be fun.”

He pulled off his sunglasses and bent to place a soft kiss on the tanned skin of her shoulder, left bare by the strapless coral sundress she was wearing. “I like this dress. Did you wear it to torture me?”

“Always.”

He burst out laughing as Becca’s door opened and Jillian toddled out ahead of her mother.

“Anga!” she squealed, and Angel scooped her up instantly, planting a big kiss on her cherub cheek.

“Jillybean! How’s my girl? Hi, Becca.”

“Hey. Hello, Alex.” Becca stepped aside to allow them all to enter.

Chubby arms wrapped around Angel’s neck, and Jillian’s lower lip popped out in a pout and she frowned. She pointed at Alex.

“Who’s dat?”

Angel smiled down into her face. “Jillian, this is Alexander. He’s my friend, and he wanted to come with us to the zoo today. All right?”

She looked at Alex skeptically. “Are you nice?”

“Jillian!” Becca was horrified. “Sorry, Alex.”

“No problem.” Alex extended a hand toward the little girl, who took it hesitantly but pulled away quickly. “It’s nice to meet you, Jillian. That’s a very pretty bow you have in your hair.”

Her little hand reached up to touch the bright pink ribbon as she nodded. “Yes. Do you yike ice ceam? We aways have ice ceam.”

Alex laughed. “Yes! I love it! Chocolate is my favorite.”

“Me, too!” Jillian’s blonde curls bobbed as she nodded enthusiastically.

“Great! Maybe we’ll get a bunch of it, okay?”

“Yay!” Jillian was now beaming at Alex, and Angel felt sure that it wouldn’t be long before he’d have her in his arms. “Anga yikes ohnge.”

“Orange ice cream?”

“Surboot.”

“Oh! Orange sherbet. That’s yummy, too.”

“No. I yike choc-yut best.”

“Okay. You and I will have chocolate. Deal?”

“Yep.”

Becca rolled her eyes at Angel, both of them smiling.

“Another one bites the dust,” Becca said under her breath with a small laugh.

“He’s nice, Anga!”

“Oh, he’s nice, all right.” Angel flashed a bright smile, and Alex winked at her, his dimples deepening in a pleased grin.

Alex’s time with Angel and Jillian had been magical and eye opening, showing another side of her that was unexpected. His gaze fell on Angel and he’d studied her reactions with the toddler throughout the day as they meandered through the zoo’s various exhibits. He adored how she held Jillian, pointing out beautiful things, explaining and teaching about the animals and not just showing. Alex found his heart pounding on several occasions where he had to take a moment and regroup. She was so gentle and understanding, it was no wonder that the little girl worshiped her. Angel became more and more amazing the more time they spent together. The more he learned about her as the days passed, the more enthralled he became. It was exhilarating and, at the same time, daunting.