Promises After Dark (After Dark #3) (7 page)

The little girl frowned, unsure what her mother was talking about. “No, Mama! Anga, too! I hear-ed Anga say it, too.” Jillian’s face was so innocent and matter-of-fact as she gnawed on her pizza, and it was even harder to hold the laughter at bay. “She say’d it ayot!”

Becca laughed because she couldn’t help herself, and Angel was the one trying to stifle the laughter. “Angel will stop. Your mommy is right, Bean. Grown-ups say stuff they shouldn’t sometimes. But not sweet little girls, like you. Okay?”

The little head bobbed up and down. “Kay.”

“Good.”

Becca watched the interaction between her little girl and best friend. Angel would be an amazing mother someday, and it was a blessing she had finally found someone who was a mental and emotional match for her. Didn’t hurt that, physically, he was a god. Becca sighed ruefully. Maybe someday she would have someone she could love like that. She’d seen Alex’s brother, Cole, a few times when he was with Angel but only made small talk with him. He was attractive in a big way. They obviously had great genes, though he wasn’t as polished as Alex.

“I’m surprised you don’t have your pack of followers with you this morning,” Becca observed as her thoughts took her to the obvious. “How’d you manage that?”

“Alex was with me, so he called off the dogs.”

Becca’s face twisted and she frowned. “Yes, but he’s not with you
now
.”

At the same moment, Jillian squealed and wiggled off Angel’s lap to begin running from the table. “Zander! Zander!”

Angel’s eyes caught sight of Alex walking toward them, even bending to scoop up Jillian and tossing her gently in the air; he still oozed sex, muscles working under his clothes.

Jillian giggled and screamed in delight. “Momma and Anga are there!” She pointed in their direction, and Alex’s intense green gaze landed on Angel’s. She could see he was not happy with her, though he hid it well when he spoke to Jillian.

“I left him a note telling him where I’d be.”

“He’s gonna be hot. I mean… he
is
hot.” Becca’s eyes took in Alex’s messy hair shoved underneath a baseball cap and his unshaven jaw before roaming over the midnight blue fitted V-neck T-shirt and expensive jeans. His biceps and chest muscles flexed as he tossed Jillian again. “But he’s got to be pissed!”

“I’m sick of being tailed. I love Cole, but the others get on my nerves. I feel like I’m in jail.” She watched him with Jillian and something inside her chest clenched. He was so perfect. Every woman in the room from twenty to seventy-five was gazing at him as if they’d never seen a man before, and he was hers. A shiver of satisfaction shot down her spine at the thought.

She scooted over in the booth to make room, and Alex slid in next to her, settling Jillian on his lap, who turned in his arms and ran a little hand across his scruffy cheek. “You gots whiskies! Pops gots whiskies, too.”

“I do! Because I ran out of the apartment in a hurry.” He shot a hard glance in Angel’s direction, so she slid a hand onto his inside of his thigh and squeezed. He huffed, the corner of his mouth quirked, as she smiled at him sweetly, silently bribing him to lighten-up.

“I’m fine,” Angel murmured under her breath.

“It’s pokey!” Jillian stated, still touching Alex’s face.

“It is!” Angel agreed.

Becca decided she needed to give Alex and Angel some time alone. “Come on, sweets! Let’s go play some games.”

“Zander, can you p’yay with me?”

He kissed her cheek. “I’d love to, and I will in just a minute, sweetheart.”

“Kay. Are you hungy? We have pizza!”

“I see that!” Alex said indulgently. “Okay, I’ll have a piece then come play games with you.”

Angel’s forehead came down to touch Alex’s broad shoulder, and she squeezed his thigh again. Becca rose and lifted Jillian off of Alex’s lap, turning away with her toward the arcade portion of the restaurant.

Angel lifted her head and looked into Alex’s profile. His jaw was set, and she could see him fighting with himself as he reached for the disgusting pizza. She knew he wanted to yell and scream at her, but her hand on his thigh and the way she leaned into him softened him as she knew it would.

“Zander will you play with me?” Angel teased sweetly, echoing Jillian’s innocent question.

“Hmmph!” He grunted and tried to keep a straight face. There was nothing he wanted to do more than play with her and she knew it.

“Don’t be mad.”

He closed his eyes briefly then glanced in her direction. Steady, his eyes held hers. “We agreed no secrets.”

“What secret? I left a note.”

“You know I don’t want you out without—”

Angel interrupted with a sigh. “Yes! I
know
! But I’m so tired of it. Babe, come on. I can’t stand having someone follow me around all the time. I can’t pee! I can’t buy tampons! It’s out of hand, not to mention annoying.”

The muscle in his jaw worked as his teeth clenched. “It hasn’t been that long, and Swanson did make bail. He has to have some sort of resources. I don’t trust that he’ll leave you alone.”

“I know,” she answered gently.

“So don’t ask me to take risks with you!” His voice was low but with an undercurrent of anger.

“You’re very sweet to worry about me, but I’m perfectly safe. Can we compromise?”

“Why does everything have to be a fucking negotiation?” He grunted and lifted the pizza to his mouth. It was soggy and floppy. After one bite he grimaced and he threw it back on the plate.

“You aren’t the one under constant supervision! How about this? We go to the gym and I’ll show you I can take care of myself! I’ve been working on self-defense and fighting with Becs. If I kick your ass, you let me have some freedom. Deal?”

“Even if you can kick the shit out of someone one-on-one, it might be a group of them. Have you forgotten the last time?”

“No. I got away from two of them,” Angel pointed out. “So compromise?”

“Sure. When I’m not with you, Cole or one of the others is with you at all times. End of compromise.”

Angel cocked her head, an exasperated expression flashing on her features. “Ugh! You’re impossible. Okay, how about this? I’ll stay with you at the estate if you lighten up a little.”

“Angel. Enough. I want you to stay with me at the estate but not enough to take risks with you. You’ll stay with me because we can’t be away from each other, and that’s it.”

Angel huffed and pulled her hand off of his leg, but he moved quickly and grabbed it in his.

“Are you going to dispute it? It’s a fact.”

“No. It’s just—”

His fingers threaded through hers, and his eyes softened. “It’s
just
the way it is. Besides, Max misses you, and if you don’t mind, I’d like to fucking breathe.”

Her breath left, and she understood his frustration. He loved her. And, she loved him more than she loved total independence.

Alex continued as Angel paused. “I have to go out of town, and I know you won’t go with me, so I want you at the house. I may even have Cole stay there with you.”

“Even with the new security system?”

“Yes. Why take risks?”

“At some point, we have to have a normal life.”

“I agree. But it’s too soon. That bastard is out there.”

“Cole mentioned you’re having Swanson tailed, too.”

“I am. So?”

“So, in that case, I’ll ask Becca to stay with me. It would give me some time with Jillian, and she’d love Max.”

“She can stay, but I still want Cole there. The house is big enough. He won’t bother you.”

“He doesn’t bother me. In fact, he should get to know Becca. Don’t you think?”

“I don’t know. He’s more responsible, but she has the baby, and I wouldn’t want her to get involved with him until I’m certain he wouldn’t fuck her over. Jillian doesn’t need to get attached to someone who won’t stick around for the long haul. She already has one loser dad.”

“Bean will be okay. If not, I’ll kick Cole’s ass.” His thumb started rubbing the top of her hand and he was joking around. She knew he wasn’t angry any longer. He was so good. Her heart swelled with love for him. She could deal with his controlling, over-bearing ways. She knew it was only because he cared. He was so concerned for her, and for those she loved.

“Okay.” One thing was certain. Alexander Avery would make one stellar dad to some lucky kid someday. The knowledge flowed over Angel like a warm blanket of honey.

His hand was still laced with hers, and he used his other to touch her chin and nudge it up. “Okay,” he repeated her words then settled his mouth on hers for a warm, gentle kiss. He lifted his head then kissed her once more before pulling back. “My mother and father invited us out to dinner on Friday night. Will you come with me?”

“Will Ally and Cole be there?” Angel had to ask. Obviously, Cole and Ally knew the two of them were dating, so she assumed his parents would be curious.

“No. It’s just us.” He didn’t elaborate, but he wanted her to meet his parents, and it was important they have an opportunity to talk to her and get to know her. He knew they’d love her as much as he did. He wanted to meet her father, too, but wasn’t sure how to finagle that without sounding pushy or giving her clues about his intended proposal. He knew he wanted to do it right, though, and that meant meeting her father and getting his permission before he asked her to marry him.

“Wow. That sounds kind of official.”

“It kind of is.”

His finger traced the line of her face, both of them staring at each other. Angel’s sweet mouth split into a bright smile, and he was pleased the prospect made her happy and not reticent. “I can do official. Before the show, then?”

Alex grinned, happiness exploding inside his heart. “Right.”

“Okay.”

“Zander!” Jillian’s blonde head appeared at table level. “Come pway!”

“Okay!” Alex was sorry the moment with Angel was interrupted, but he adored Jillian. “I’m all yours.”

“Yay!” Jillian clapped as Alex stood.

He was about to let go of Angel’s hand and go off with Jillian but he stopped. “Why don’t you come play, too, Anga.” He smirked at her. “You’re so good at
playing
,” he insinuated with a wink. Angel laughed lightly, and blushed despite herself. Alex was always surprised at how often she left him stunned. She was so beautiful, and he loved her more than anything.

“Yeah, Anga! You come!” Jillian insisted.

Becca slid back into the booth, laughing. “Go practice, you two.”

Angel shot her a warning look.

“Yes, let’s practice,” Alex agreed, bending to lift Jillian with one arm while still holding Angel’s hand. “What should we play?” he asked the little girl.

4
Under Wraps

Alex was anxious about the coming evening. He’d spoken to his father about Angel more than his mother, but that was to be expected. He spent more time alone with his father over business lunches and at the office, and since his mom was constantly nagging him to settle down, he’d always done his best to avoid the subject with her. Alex had no doubt his father would be taken with Angel, as she was accomplished and beautiful, even though Charles would be decidedly pickier about his son’s choice than his mother would. And he might be shocked that Alex had gotten so serious so fast, given his past aversion to commitment. His mother, Cora, had never worked outside the home, but she was heavily into the charity scene, which would give her and Angel quite a lot to talk about. This was going to be good. Finally, his mother would get what she’d been after since he’d graduated college.

His father made reservations for 7 PM at Chicago Cut, which was an elegant steak house complete with white linen, candlelight, and crystal. It was one of Charles’ favorite places to take Cora; the food was delicious and consisted mostly of succulent steak and fresh seafood. There were private dining rooms, and Alex had no doubt one of those had been reserved. This was an important evening, and noise and distractions of others dining nearby would not be allowed to intrude.

He was anxious, but Alex sensed Angel was nervous. She’d taken the afternoon off to shop and had Cole deliver her to his apartment without protest, allowing the couple to get ready together. Alex could see her distorted image through the steamy glass on the shower door in his large bathroom, water rushing over him as he rinsed his hair. She was still wrapped in a towel, her hair in some obnoxiously large rollers the size of beer cans, and rubbing lotion scented like her perfume all over her legs. He loved that scent, mixed in with the smell of her body, which was already ingrained in his subconscious. He loved how, when she was excited and the pulse at the base of her throat throbbed, the heat released it all around him when he made love to her. His cock twitched at the direction of his thoughts, and he chuckled.

“What’s so funny?”

“Nothing. I just like having you here. I never thought I’d want to share a bathroom with all this girly shit, but it’s nice.” He smiled and turned to rinse off his body, away from her so maybe she wouldn’t see the reaction of his body at her mere presence. Not that he needed or wanted to hide it, necessarily, but they had reservations, and tonight was important. He didn’t want to be late by starting something he would need to finish. “Are you feeling okay about tonight?”

By now, Angel had placed an overnight bag on the vanity, flipped it open, withdrew a small, pale pink bag filled with her makeup, and was putting some sort of moisturizer on her face. She was beautiful, without a stitch of makeup on, but when she made herself up, she was stunning. He couldn’t wait for the first seconds of his father’s reaction.

Alex’s thoughts raced back to their first night together; the near backless dress that had given him a perpetual boner the entire evening and later. He groaned inwardly as his erection bloomed full and hard, throbbing and bobbing as if it had a mind of its own.
Fuck
, he mused. He shut off the water and grabbed the towel he’d hung over the top of the shower, waiting for his use.

“I’m a little bit on edge. I can’t decide if I’m anxious or excited.”

Alex stepped out of the shower, his hair dripping, water cascading down his muscled arms, broad shoulders and chest, and the towel hanging on and supported only by his dick. He grinned at her, and Angel’s brown eyes slid down his body. The corner of her mouth lifted, and her eyebrow cocked simultaneously.

“Looks like you’re the excited one.”

“Yeah, but we can’t,” he said regretfully, running the flat of his hand down her back, over the curve of her butt, stopping to squeeze playfully. “I was remembering our first night together. After Tru.” He bent to kiss her shoulder, lingering over the soft, scented skin; he ran the tip of his nose along its line. “Mmmm… you smell amazing.”

Angel watched them both in the mirror that was half-fogged over with steam; a shiver running through her and making goose bumps pop out on her arms. She couldn’t tear her eyes from the reflection.

He was so beautiful. Physically perfect with that gorgeous face, but also so loving and protective. She heard it in his voice, could see it in his green eyes as they smoldered over her, and felt it in his briefest touch. His lips moved up the curve of her shoulder to the cord of her neck, his hot breath mixing with the soft sucking of his open mouth, and a shiver skittered over the entire surface of her skin. She leaned into him slightly and closed her eyes. It felt right, being here with Alex. Her heart overflowed, and she wanted nothing more than to melt into him and disappear. “I love you,” she stated softly.

Alex’s gentle nuzzling stopped suddenly as he lifted his head to look at her, but the hand at her hip pulled her tightly against him. God, were more absolute words ever spoken? Angel was still facing the mirror, and Alex watched her profile. Her hand came up to cover his in a gentle squeeze.

“Yeah. This is it. Us, I mean.” There was no hesitation or question in his voice. He commanded this as he did everything else, except it didn’t sound or feel like it to Angel. It was a simple statement of the inevitability that was Alexander Avery. If she didn’t have a choice; it was because of God or fate or the revolving of the planets as much as it was Alex’s subtle demands.

This is it. Thud.
Angel’s heart banged against her chest with the strength of an atomic bomb. It was true. She knew it, too. She was going to grow old with this man. Her eyes burned and her throat ached. Alex’s hand wrapped around the back of her neck, his thumb rubbing beneath her ear as he used the hand at her hip to turn her fully into his embrace. His eyes burned, into hers, his hard cock pressing into her stomach; she couldn’t help herself, her body leaned into his, pushing against his erection as her arms slid up his arms and over his shoulders to hold him back.

His breath rushed over her lips, and his forehead touched hers as he waited for her response.

“Yes, it is.”

Alex’s heart swelled to the point of pain as a brilliant smile lit up his handsome face. He didn’t realize how much he needed to hear her admit she was his, would be his… always. It hurt, yet it was a relief; one he craved.

“Right, so don’t be anxious about tonight.” He smiled gently, pulling her into a tight hug, his hands sliding down, both hands moving up beneath the edge of her towel to cup her naked ass and squeeze. They were so close, his towel now discarded, and he wanted nothing more than to throw hers to the floor and take her right there. He wouldn’t, but he couldn’t resist a passionate kiss, his mouth claiming hers in hungry ardor.

“Oh, babe,” he groaned, finally pulling his mouth away. Angel sucked on his lower lip and nipped at it with her teeth, her breathing heavy. “I wish we had time. I’d lay you out and lick every inch of you.”

She let out a breathy sigh, her fingers digging into his back, her forehead coming to rest against the smooth skin of his neck. “I know. I wish I didn’t have to go to the station later, either.”

“I can call Darian,” Alex said softly, his voice a low, hungry growl. “We could go to the estate and stay the whole weekend alone together.” She was still wrapped in the arms of this glorious, naked man, and she never wanted to leave.

Angel wanted to kick herself for being so fucking
Angel.
“It’s too last minute to bail on him. I can’t. Dammit!”

“That’s another job you should re-think.” Alex reluctantly released her and retrieved his towel from the dark brown marble floor. Soon, it was covering his head and he was briskly rubbing his hair dry as he moved from the bathroom into the bedroom.

Angel frowned. “So, do you intend to lock me in the basement as your sex slave, then? Is that to be the only thing I’m good for?”

“No.” It came as a low rumble from the other room. “But it sounds good in theory, and I’d make it worth your while.”

Angel’s lips curved into a soft smile.
No doubt.
She resumed her makeup application and could hear Alex moving around, opening dresser drawers as he began to dress. It wasn’t long before he reappeared in dark dress slacks and a light yellow, Egyptian cotton button-down. The fabric had a soft, but very expensive sheen to it, and it was still unbuttoned over his magnificent chest. Angel couldn’t help letting her eyes soak him in while he went about shaving and putting a small amount of hair gel through his dark strands. He wasn’t wearing a belt, and the top button to his slacks was also open, leaving the thin trail of hair that moved south from his navel visible. He was so hot. She licked her lips then reached for a dark burgundy lip gloss and began to apply it to her full lips, trying to ignore the way her body was reacting, the scent of his cologne wafting around her in a delicious dance.

Alex was watching her in the mirror beside him as she applied it. Her face was perfectly made up, her hair now piled on top of her head in soft curls, some falling out in a deliberate mess that was absolutely irresistible. Her brown eyes were glowing out of a lush blanket of black lashes and smoky shadow. “You’re so gorgeous; you should be illegal.”

“Funny, I was thinking how completely fuckable you are.”

He glared at her with mock admonishment. “Don’t start with me.”

She smiled and turned into the bedroom to retrieve the dress bag hanging on the back of Alex’s closet door. “Who would you have me start with then?” she teased softly.

He chuckled and finished getting ready, letting Angel do the same. Never in his life would he have considered sharing his space, his home, his life, with anyone. Ever. But, damn, if this wasn’t fucking perfect.

*****

Alex was a lot of things as he stepped out of the car at the valet station at the restaurant, but the most prominent was proud. It was a classy, high-end establishment, and he exited his Audi, leaving the keys in the ignition, discretely handing a folded twenty-dollar bill to the uniformed attendant.

“Thank you, Mr. Avery,” was the quiet response as the man waited to enter the car while another attendant opened the door on Angel’s side. Alex watched how the young man’s eyes widened, a small smile and a look of awed admiration settled on his face. He was little more than a boy, but he was male; and Angel was too beautiful for words.

Alex was bathed in satisfaction when she shook her head silently and waited until he was able to move around the back of the vehicle; extending his own hand to help her out of the car. Something about the gesture made him feel like a fucking god. This woman, probably the most independent he’d ever known, chose him, not just to help her from the car, but as her partner, and it made him feel invincible.

The world moved in slow motion as her manicured hand came out and found its way into his; her long legs, sheathed in sheer black silk stockings, swung around; and those amazing black pumps, which sparkled softly in the low lights of the entrance, found their way onto the pavement as he helped her from the car. Electricity passed between them as their hands touched, his warmly closing around her more delicate one.

Angel was wrapped in an elegant black shawl that completely covered her wool cocktail dress to protect her from the cool fall air, but he’d seen the breathtaking dress that lay beneath. Those incredible legs and stunning face with her classic, delicate features, red lips, and sultry eyes as she looked at him; stopped his heart. She was elegant and perfect. And, she was his. Possessiveness It reverberated through every cell of his body and filled the air around them.

Everyone knew it. Restaurant employees and other guests stopped and stared at the stunning couple as they made their way inside, though they barely noticed anyone other than each other. Alex, imposing in his perfectly tailored, black Hugo Boss suit, light yellow shirt, and patterned tie in shades of pale yellow, charcoal, and black, curved an arm around his ravishing model-esque date as he led her through the heavy cherry doors, held open by yet another uniformed attendant. The couple was elegant and perfectly groomed, as if they were stepping out of the pages of a magazine. Even with Angel in five-inch stiletto pumps and her hair piled up, Alex was half a head taller. They were a perfect match and looked magnificent together.

“Good evening, sir. Madame.” The attendant nodded.

Angel smiled at the man as Alex answered, “Good evening.”

In the entry, Alex removed Angel’s shawl and handed it to the coat check girl with another generous tip before turning her toward the hostess stand with a hand gently guiding on the small of her back. Angel’s dress had a modest neckline in front and neat cap sleeves, but the fitted style echoed her curvy figure and stopped two inches above her knees. The back had a keyhole opening that was again modest but subtly sexy. She wore a single long strand of pearls and small matching earrings. Alex thought she couldn’t have picked anything better for meeting his parents. She looked the part of a socialite who would easily fit in with his family and their obligations. He shook his head in astonishment. Angel was so many and varied things. She could be easy and carefree, angry with eyes blazing, the accomplished psychologist, the soft, sexy and sometimes demanding lover, the gentle nurturer she turned into with Jillian, or the wild cat with the potty mouth who argued with him at every turn. He fucking loved every exquisite side of her.

As they waited for the hostess to end a phone call, his lingering grin was telling.

“What is it?” she questioned. Gazing up into his face with a smile.

“Nothing. I just think you’re pretty unbelievable.”

“Birds of a feather.”

Alex laughed out loud, his eyes alight with amusement. “Right. So, let’s nest.”

Angel rolled her eyes playfully, unable to hold back a small giggle. “Well, I walked right into that one.”

“This way, please.” When the hostess asked them to follow her in, Angel took in the opulence of the restaurant as they were ushered through the main dining room toward the back of the restaurant. She noticed the clinking of the fine china and crystal, the tuxedo-clad servers, the candles twinkling, and the dark wood lining the ceiling and up the walls in sections against the rich cream wallpaper. It was nothing less than she expected, but it paled in comparison to the elation she felt being at Alex’s side. Some discrete and other not so inhibited glances told her that other women found him attractive and were envious of the possessive hand at the small of her back which guided her between the tables. The smile tugging gently at her lips would not be denied. She knew the position she was in, and she was euphoric.