Promises After Dark (After Dark #3) (36 page)

He stood and shed his clothes in front of her. She watched him, trying not to push her dress down or hide her nakedness. He looked down at her as his jacket and tie fell to the floor, and he began to unbutton his shirt. His breath caught in his chest. She still had on her stiletto heels; the whisper thin stockings, darker than her alabaster skin, were edged in lace, showing below bare thighs and bare… She took note of where his eyes were focused, and she spread her legs for him. His cock screamed, getting harder, feeling like the skin would split. Her eyes were full of want and love, sparkling in the dim light filtering in from the balcony doors. He liked how the low light outlined her body, allowing him to see her body and her gorgeous face, her hair splayed out in a dark halo around her head.
His
sexy Angel.

“Mmmm…” What a sensual picture she made.

Alex pushed his shoes off, the toe of one on the heel of the other, uncaring if he ruined them. Angel’s eyes followed the movements of his hands as he unbuckled his belt and pushed his pants to the floor. His muscles were so magnificent. He was cut; his movements were lithe and beautiful. She couldn’t tear her eyes away.

His shoulders were broad, his arms and thighs strong and defined, his abs tight and toned, the six-pack made sexier only by the trail of hair that led down the center and disappeared into the low waist of his boxer briefs. His erection was thick; full, and pushed to the side, barely contained inside his boxers, but he left them on.

He came to her, and her hands reached for him. He took her hand and pulled her up, unzipping her dress to push it off her shoulders; he kissed one softly. She smelled amazing, and his eyes closed. As much as his dick was aching, his heart was aching more. He loved her beyond words.

Angel’s black lace bra was low on her full breasts, the scalloped edge barely covered the nipples, and he brushed his fingers, ever so softly, over the top swells. “Mmm…” he moaned against the skin of her shoulder then her neck. His fingers ached to touch her and moved over the firm flesh, still covered in lace. He cupped both breasts, his thumbs teasing Angel’s already taut nipples. He could smell her desire, and it drove him mad.

He sighed against her as her hands moved over his ass hen pushed into his briefs to squeeze the firm muscles there. “Angel… Jesus. It’s never enough.”

Her dress was in a rumpled pool around her waist, but he left it there and gently pushed her back against the pillows. “I know,” she whispered. “I know, Alex.”

Her fingers were light as they explored the hard curves and valleys of the muscles on his stomach, inching lower toward his cock, and they tightened beneath her ministrations. “Take these off,” she murmured.

His hand grabbed her wrist, gently stopping her. “Don’t touch me yet, babe. I want to take our time.”

He was sitting on his knees between her spread legs, out of Angel’s reach. Her hand rose toward him, at the same time Alex’s hands slid up her thighs, pressing them open further. One hand inched higher, as his other moved to pull down one cup of her bra to close around the firm mound. “Fuck, you are so beautiful.”

He bent to take the nipple in his mouth, the gentle sucking and flicking of his tongue, combined with his thumb gently brushing in torturous teasing brushes over her clit, made Angel arch and writhe beneath him.

He moved from one breast to the other, biting at her hard nipple through the black lace. “Alex,” she called. “Please.”

She was still vibrating from their time in the limo, and he seemed intent on torturing her. He moved slowly, relishing her body and worshiping it. His mouth moved lower, and she was wishing he’d removed her dress, but he moved below it, and soon, she forgot everything. Her fingers fisted in the sheets, and her head fell back as he rained soft, sucking kisses over her stomach, between her hipbones, and lower, his hand still inflicting the slow torture on her clit.

Finally, she felt his hot breath lower and couldn’t help but raised her hips toward his mouth. The fact she was aching for his touch aroused Alex even more. He lay down on his stomach and laid one hand flat on her stomach between her navel and pubic mound, his other reached for her hand, threading through it and holding her tight. He started slow, blowing hot breath on her then using the tip of his tongue to move around her clitoris.

It was delicious and so torturous. “Mmmmm,” she moaned and involuntarily arched again.

Alex couldn’t take it. She tasted amazing, and her soft sighs and low moans were making him nuts. He pushed one, then two, fingers inside and started a slow pulse against her G-spot in time with the way his tongue pressed her clit. He couldn’t help himself; he sucked the silken flesh into his mouth again with the pulses. He was a skilled lover, and he knew it, yet no other woman’s pleasure had ever mattered more to him. He needed her pleasure like he needed his own.

He could feel her clench around his fingers, feel her clit start to pulse under his tongue, and he’d be damned if he could stop. He wanted her to come hard, and she did. Her whole body jerked and shuddered. He milked her orgasm, lightening his pressure but not letting up, his eyes watching her head thrash on the pillow, her body arch. She cried out his name.

“Alex, you have to stop.” She jerked again, the aftershocks still rocking through her, and her clit was so sensitive, his touch almost hurt. “Uhhhh, Alex.”

He inhaled and moved, crawling up and over her body to kiss her deeply. His heart leapt in his chest when her arms went instantly around his back and shoulders, her fingers almost clawing into his skin, and her legs wrapped around his hips.

She kissed his strong shoulder then his neck as he lay down beside her, his body still entwined with hers. They were facing each other, and Alex pushed her hair back and looked into her eyes.

“I will give you that ten times a day.”

“Oh, Alex.” Angel reached up to cup his face with her small hand. “You’re so good to me. How could I ever doubt you?”

He covered the hand on his face with his, then turned and kissed her palm.

“I wasn’t always like this. To be fair, when we met, this wasn’t me. You changed me.”

“You were always good.”

He pulled Angel closer, wanting to kiss her. He was still rock hard, and he couldn’t help pressing his hard flesh into her soft stomach.

“You make me better.”

Angel pressed on his shoulder, silently communicating that she wanted him on his back. “Help me out of this,” she requested softly.

She raised her arms, and Alex pushed the dress up and over her head until she was free of it. He dropped it softly to the carpet on the side of the bed, both hands coming to her hips, his thumbs rubbing over them. Angel reached behind her, unhooked her bra, and soon, the black lace joined the dress.

“Will you leave on the stockings and the shoes?” Alex questioned, a small smile gracing his sensuous mouth.

“I’ll give you anything you want.”

“I just want you,” he said, repeating the words she said in the cab. The heat in his gaze intensified as his eyes roamed her body. His hands moved up to cup her full, high breasts, their round shape and rosy nipples so perfect. In his eyes, she was perfect.

Angel’s features were soft with satisfaction and love, and her hand closed around his flesh, pulling and twisting his cock firmly. Alex closed his eyes and bit his lower lip.

She licked her palm to lubricate it and make the sensations more incredible for him. He moaned and began to breathe in shallow pants as she worked him. His eyes flew open and trained on her face. There was a drop of clear pre-cum leaking from the head of his penis, and she rubbed it around with her thumb. He bucked his hips underneath her, and she eased off on her touch.

“Angel?” he questioned. “Are you still sensitive?”

She shook her head and bent to take him in her mouth. He was long and wide, and it made it difficult to go as deep as she wanted, so she wrapped her hand around the base and moved it in time with her mouth, using her lips to cover her teeth.

“Uhhh, babe. That feels amazing,” he groaned. Her hair hid her from him, and he pulled it back and up with both hands so he could see what she was doing to him. His stomach muscles tensed as his orgasm built. If he let himself, he would explode in her mouth at any moment. Angel’s other hand wrapped around his scrotum, and she used the ring made by her index finger and thumb to pull it down and away from his body. Though he still felt ready to come, whatever she’d done gave him more control, and it could continue to build. She pressed on the hard flesh behind his balls with two fingers, and he gasped. It was the most incredible feeling he’d ever had; it was building beyond the point of where he’d normally come.

She pulled her mouth off to speak. “I want you to tell me if you’re going to come, Alex. Don’t come, but don’t stop me until you are almost there.”

“Fuck. Angel,” he groaned when she started again. It was so intense; it almost hurt when he got closer and closer. A couple of minutes later, he couldn’t take it another second.

“Babe. You gotta stop.”

She kept a hand around him but sat up, wiping her mouth with her other hand.

“That was incredible.”

“I’m not done.” Angel lifted her body and guided him into her body, sinking slowly down until he was sheathed inside her. “Uhhh,” she breathed.

Alex’s eyes darkened. Her body was hot and tight around him, and Angel used inner muscles to hug him tighter as her hips began a slow rocking. She was so good to him. His cock was super sensitive, and her body seemed even tighter and hotter than she normally was: the sensations were incredible.

Alex knew he’d come without much more stimulation, but he wanted Angel to come with him, and he reached out to touch her, massaging between her legs and feeling his own body moving into hers.

Angel’s head fell back as she rode him, her hips rocking and his beginning to rise to meet her.

“Kiss me, Angel,” Alex commanded.

She fell forward, her mouth latching on to his as their pace increased. He was still touching her, but his other hand wound in her hair, and his tongue plundered inside the warm recesses of her mouth. His orgasm built and built, and despite his hardest efforts to stop himself from coming, he exploded inside her. “Fuuuuuck,” he grunted, his body tingling and jerking violently, coming harder than he ever had in his life. He was shaking with the force of it, blood sending a hot flush beneath the skin of his face and chest.

He flipped Angel onto her back and pumped into her hard, increasing the pace of his fingers on her clit. She bit into the flesh of his bicep, but he didn’t feel it. He eyes never left her face as he felt her begin to come. She didn’t utter a sound as she fell over the edge. Alex finally stilled, physically exhausted, against her. He kissed the side of her face and traced her cheekbone with his thumb. Both of them were spent and breathing hard, covered in a fine veil of perspiration.

“I love you, Angel.”

She hugged him tight. She could give some smartass response, but all she wanted to do was hold him and never let go. She turned her face into him. “I love you, too. So much.”

Alex slid out of her but stayed above her, staring down into her face, a look of wonder on his face. “That was too damn incredible. Can it be my birthday every day?” A sly grin lifted one side of his mouth.

Angel smiled softly, a finger running down his face. He was the most handsome, beautiful man she’d ever seen, and it was hard to believe someone so incredible would want her and love her with the same ferocity she felt for him; yet, he did.

“Yes,” she murmured softly.

“What was that?” he repeated, a gentle tease and smile in his voice. Alex softly nuzzled Angel’s nose with his, tracing it with the tip.

“Mmmm,” Angel protested with a soft poke to his ribs.

“Yes to moving in, yes to perpetual birthdays, yes to making love, and yes to marrying me, all in one day.” His mouth began to play with hers, his heart so full it hurt.

How could she resist this man? He owned her—heart, body and soul—but she was a more than willing prisoner. “Okay, yes; to all of the above,” she said seriously, the tip of her finger touching his lower lip.

“I don’t think I’ve ever heard a more beautiful word,” Alex said as he bent to claim her mouth in another passionate kiss.

Epilogue

“We should go in here,” Becca said, stopping in front of a bridal shop on East Oak Street.

Angel should have been suspicious when Becca asked her to meet for drinks on Rush Street. She rarely came out to the downtown bar scene, and it was late Friday afternoon, and Becca suggested she come and hang out with Angel during her show. She’d never been in the studio when Angel was on air, so she thought it would be fun. Jillian was spending the weekend with her parents. Since Alex was traveling, Angel had agreed.

“Are you and Cole that serious already?” Angel shot her friend a mocking glance.

Becca rolled her eyes. She and Cole had been spending time together since they’d been back in Chicago, and he had fully recovered, but she knew Angel was teasing. “No. You’re the one engaged, bitch,” she shot back.

“So?” It was an early spring day, and it was beautiful outside. “We haven’t even set a date.”

Becca tugged on her arm. “So… you should at least look, Angel. You can’t keep a man like Alex waiting forever.”

“It’s been four months since we got engaged, Becs. We’ve only known each other a year. Lay off.”

Becca knew how long it had been, and she also knew Alex wanted to get married in the not-too-distant future. “I know, Angel, but what’s the harm in looking? It could be fun. If I were engaged, I’d be buying every bridal magazine I could get my hands on! Aren’t you anxious to marry Alex?”

“We’re together, and we love each other. We don’t need a piece of paper to be committed to each other. It won’t change a thing.” Becca tugged Angel closer to the entrance of the upscale exclusive shop. “Look. It says ‘by appointment’ only. Better luck next time, Becs.”

Angel started moving back out the door, but Becca stopped her. “Well, maybe we have an appointment.”

“What?”

Becca shrugged. She was dressed in designer jeans, tall black boots, and a leather jacket over a heavy cowl neck sweater, her blonde hair done up in a messy bun. The cool air had kissed both of the girls’ faces with a healthy flush. “We have an appointment.” Her head cocked to one side then the other, then she looked heavenward. “I made you an appointment.”

“Presumptuous much?” Angel asked, astonished, still decked out in a classic black wool pencil skirt and fitted suit jacket, her favorite chartreuse blouse, and her black Prada pumps. She’d just left her office before meeting Becca.

“What are best friends for?”

“For overstepping their boundaries, apparently.” Angel looked aghast.

“Look, Angel, last week, when we all went bowling, I watched Alex when I asked you about your wedding. He’s anxious. He wants to get married. Why would you keep a man like that waiting?”

Angel paused and considered her friend’s words.

“You love the guy. So what’s the hold-up?”

“We don’t want a huge wedding. This stuff is just a waste of money.”

“Oh, my God. Shut up, and get your ass in here, pronto!” Becca insisted, opening the door and pointing inside. “Now.” She cocked an eyebrow at Angel.

Angel stood planted in place. Becca nodded into the store, more exaggerated than before.

She wasn’t sure why she hesitated, other than it seemed weird when she and Alex hadn’t set a date. Allison and Cora had asked to take her bridal gown shopping just the week before, but she’d brushed off the invitation with an excuse about work.

“Angel, get your little ass in this store, already! It’ll be fun. We’ve got a couple hours to kill.”

Secretly, she wanted to look at gowns, but it went against her convictions that the wedding was about the love not the outward symbolism. More often than not, too much money went into pomp and circumstance when the real focus should be on the person you’re marrying. She’d seen women get married purely for the wedding then live to regret it. Her heart was one hundred percent invested, though, and more than the dress, she was more interested in stunning Alex. That was what her wedding daydreams were about.

“This place looks too pricey. My dad will want to buy the gown, and he can’t afford it here.”

“Let’s just look. What could it hurt?”

Angel chewed her lower lip before nodding. “Okay.”

“Okay! Yay!” Becca’s face lit up like the Fourth of July. She ushered Angel through the double doors.

A very chic, middle-aged woman, her dark hair pulled back in a sleek chignon, greeted them. She was wearing a simple cream-colored dress that was tailored to fit her like a glove. “Good afternoon, ladies. I’m Sonya. Which one of you is Angel?” she asked. Her voice, the way she looked and walked, it was all beyond expensive.

The boutique had a few dresses in the windows and others on six headless mannequins around the entrance; the styles starkly different from each other.

“I’m Angel,” she answered. “This is my
ex
-best friend Becca.” She shot Becca a wry look and offered her hand to the woman.

The woman reached out and shook her hand, “Sorry?” she asked quizzically.

“Oh, don’t mind her. She doesn’t think she wants a wedding gown,” Becca answered. “She thinks she’s being coerced.”

The woman’s thin eyebrows shot up, and her fine features took on a shocked expression. “What? Every woman dreams of her wedding dress from the time she’s a young girl!” she said incredulously. “Didn’t you ever play dress-up in your mother’s wedding dress?”

Becca’s eyes visibly widened.

“Um…” Angel prickled. “My father burned it in an old oil barrel on a friend’s farm when I was barely two years old.” Her answer was abrupt and very, very honest. She looked the woman straight in the face without flinching. The same couldn’t be said of Sonya. If she was shocked before, she was more so now. “Along with everything else she left behind when she took off.”

The woman looked taken aback and apologetic. “I’m so sorry, Angel. I didn’t know.”

Angel shrugged, running her hands down the sheer sleeve of one of the gowns, admiring the intricate pattern of the lace. “You couldn’t know. I’m sorry if I was short with you.”

The moment was awkward, but Sonya had the two women follow her into a smaller room with mirrors on all three walls and a platform in the center. There were three dressing rooms on one side; the décor was a combination of blush, cream, and white. It was all very soft and subtly elegant. In the middle dressing room, they sat down on some upholstered, blush pink chairs around a small glass-topped table.

“Well,” Sonya cleared her throat lightly. “Do you have a style in mind? Your figure is quite stunning. You can get away with wearing any type of gown you want.”

“I have no clue, to be honest. I would imagine my fiancé would enjoy something somewhat fitted.”

“What type of wedding are you having?”

“We haven’t set a date or picked a venue. Maybe this is premature,” Angel hedged. “Doesn’t the dress usually come after all of that stuff is figured out?”

“Well, sometimes, but at other times, the venue and time of day the wedding is held is predicated by what gown is chosen.”

“Expensive works,” Becca piped up. “Her fiancé is Alexander Avery; perhaps you’ve heard of him? His family will expect something extravagant.”

Angel was horrified and wanted to kick her friend under the table, except the clear glass tabletop wouldn’t hide her action. “Becca!” she admonished instead.

“What?” Becca was nonplussed. “I didn’t fuck up his name, did I?” She grinned.

Angel wanted to die of embarrassment, but the consultant just laughed. She felt her face flush.

Sonya reached out, patted Angel’s hand with hers, and smiled. “Should we shop through the racks, or do you just want me to pull a few gowns for you to try on?”

“Um,” Angel looked around the store. There were many, many beautiful dresses. “We can try a few that you choose.” It wouldn’t matter anyway since nothing would be purchased today.

“Excellent! I’ll be right back. Do you have a color preference? White, ivory, champagne?”

Angel shook her head. She hadn’t thought about it enough to get as far as color choice. “Whatever you feel would be best is fine.” She smiled pensively, looking up at Sonya, who was smiling brightly.

“Don’t worry, honey. I’ll pick some beautiful gowns. Be right back.”

Becca was flipping through one of the bridal magazines sitting on the table, and she glanced up at Angel. “What do you think of this one?” She shoved the open magazine toward Angel. The picture was of a woman on a chaise lounge, her extravagant gown pulled out behind her. It was a full and beautiful ball gown covered in tulle.

It was pretty, but not really Angel’s taste. “She looks like a giant marshmallow.”

Becca was exasperated. “Ugh! Angel. You are such a buzzkill.”

“I think it’s too soon, Becca. Alex and I haven’t talked much about the wedding. We have time. Beyond that, I think I should invite Cora and Allison when I shop for a dress, don’t you?”

Becca perked up. “We can call them.”

“We’re already here; there isn’t time for them to get here.”

Sonya came back into the room carrying three dress bags and hung them on the high hooks. “These are all sheathes or trumpet style so we won’t need crinoline, but do you want a strapless bra?” she asked, looking up at Angel. She was bent over and unzipping the first bag.

This wasn’t “official” in Angel’s mind, so she dismissed the suggestion. “I think I’m fine just tucking my straps in, if necessary.”

Sonya had Angel in and out of a dozen dresses within the hour, and Becca was playing with her phone, other than to look up each time Angel had on a new dress to give her opinion.

Angel tried a couple of ball gowns, but her original instinct about the fitted gowns seemed spot on. She was standing on the platform in the larger room lined with mirrors, looking at every detail of the gown. “I like this style, but I’m not sure.” She studied herself in the mirror. It was a sweetheart neckline with cap sleeves, silk satin, and flared beneath the knees with silk chiffon ruffles. “I like the shape.”

“Knock, knock!” Ally’s happy voice broke in. Angel glanced in the direction of the door, and a smile split her face as Ally and Cora appeared.

Angel’s lips formed a stunning smile. “Hey! Did Becca call you?” she asked in surprise, bending at the waist to reach down and hug each of them from her perch on the platform.

“Yes, and I’m so glad she did!” Cora returned. “Oh, Angel! You’re going to be such a beautiful bride.”

“Do you like this one? It’s a little plain, don’t you think?” Allison asked. Angel nodded.

“A little. I don’t care for the sleeves.”

Ally wrinkled her nose as she gave the gown another once-over. “I agree.”

The two women sat down on a plush sofa behind the platform after they greeted Becca when Sonya returned with three more gowns. “Who’s this?”

“This is Cora and Allison, my future mother and sister-in-law.” Angel introduced them, feeling a bit of pleasure rush through her at being able to address them as such.

“Wonderful! I think we are getting closer! Are you ready, Angel?” She asked after she’d deposited the new dresses inside the dressing room.

Allison, Becca, and Cora were supportive of Angel’s likes and dislikes but honest if they felt a particular gown wasn’t right.

“Angel, I’d like to look in the couture designs,” Cora mentioned, pointing to a room to the left.

Angel shook her head. “Um, my dad will want to purchase the dress, and I don’t want it to be too extravagant.”

“Nonsense. You’re never too extravagant on your wedding gown. I never expected Alexander to get married, so we’re going to knock his socks off. Charles and I will help with the gown.”

“But—” Angel began, but Cora waved her objection away.

“Sonya, please.” Cora’s voice was quiet but commanding as she instructed the consultant. “The most beautiful you have, please. Designer or not, just bring out the most beautiful in the store.”

Sonya went into the dressing room and returned carrying out five of the rejected dresses. “Yes, ma’am,” she said, disappearing out of the room.

Angel stood there, grateful that Cora wanted to help and was willing to pay for the dress, but cash wasn’t the issue. She could pay for it herself, but she knew her dad would want to give that to her.

“Cora, Alex and I have discussed it, and the important thing is just getting married. All the other stuff doesn’t matter.”

Cora’s elbow was leaning on the back of the small sofa, and her right knee curled beneath her. She looked young and vibrant, a fresh pink hue kissed her skin. “Nonsense. Alex told me he wants only the best for you, darling.”

Angel sighed. “But the best isn’t always the most expensive.”

“Let’s just see a few, shall we?” Her request sounded indulgent, but Angel knew the consultant would bend to the purse strings and acquiesce.

“He’s the best for me.” She sounded cheesy even to herself. Becca reiterated with gusto.

Becca reiterated with gusto and made an over-exaggerated gagging motion, as if she were about to puke. “Excuse me while I vomit.”

Angel’s eyes widened, and she shot her a warning look.

“Alex would want you to have only the best, Angel,” Ally interjected.

“Does he always get what he wants?” She and Alex had discussed it, and while she knew his position on giving her the “fairy tale”, he understood that it wasn’t the wedding that mattered to her. She didn’t know how she got here. Becca and she were going to have dinner and drinks, and instead, she was defending her views on not going overboard on the wedding.

Allison huffed in amusement. “Now that you mention it, yes, and it’s maddening.”

Becca laughed. “Angel, just try some on. And, remember, less is more. He died when he saw you in that backless dress, remember?”

“When was that?” Ally asked.

“Their first date. You should have seen Alex’s jaw drop. It was the only time I’ve ever seen him speechless.”

“’Less is more means something else in this case, Becca.”

“Why can’t it be both?” she asked, rolling her eyes. “Angel, live a little.”

“All humor aside, Angel. Alex loves you; he’ll only get married once, and so will you. That said; let’s knock him on his ass, shall we?” Ally’s eyes danced with mischief as she grinned. “There are so few occasions where I get to witness him stumbling and stuttering, so give a girl a break.” She smiled brightly.