Promises After Dark (After Dark #3) (34 page)

Alex ignored the champagne and unbuttoned his coat, pulling Angel closer, his hand sliding up her thigh, his fingers squeezing her firm flesh beneath the whisper soft silk in gentle massaging motion.

“Mmm,” Angel moaned as his mouth took hers, her body quickening as his hand slid beneath the hem of her dress.

“You’re so beautiful,” he said softly. “I’m the luckiest man alive.” He meant every word. He loved her beyond reasoning, and he wanted her to the point of pain. After months together, he was just as hungry for her as he was on that first night together.

Angel squirmed under his probing touch, his fingers inching higher as he kissed her more deeply. She ripped at the belt of her coat, wanting to be closer. The thigh high-stockings she wore only fueled his desire more. She knew how to turn him on more than anyone he’d ever been with, but if she did nothing, if she wore a burlap sack, he’d be just as hungry.

When his fingers reached the place he was seeking, he didn’t find soft silk or lace as he was expected, but her bare flesh, newly waxed and perfectly smooth. His cock was already huge and aching against the confines of his slacks, but blood pushed in almost to the point of pain.

“Jesus Christ,” he groaned into her mouth. She was damp with desire, slippery smooth and his mind was filled with tasting her, bringing her to orgasm with his mouth, and then pushing his cock into her tight body over and over.

“Surprise,” Angel whispered, her hands wild in the hair at his nape. She scooted down on the seat, more fully beneath him, and her hips arched up. “Happy birthday.”

“I want—” the words ground out as he buried his face beneath the curtain of her hair, and his hips pushed his hardness into the soft flesh. His hand still between them, his fingers parted her flesh, and Angel gasped when he began a slow, soft circle on her clit.

“Uhhhh, I want, too. I want you inside me.”

He wanted to take her right there. Her hands made short work of his buckle and zipper, freeing his pulsing cock. She was frantic beneath him, her hand around him urging him forward toward her body. Alex gave in to the hedonistic urge to let her slide the head along her folds, pressing forward when it came in contact with her clit. He knew it drove her nuts, and all was fair in their war of love. His breath rushed out at the pleasure of her hot flesh trying to suck him in.

“Oh, Angel. God,” he panted. “Fuck, I wish we were having dinner in Denver.”

She took his lower lip between her teeth and pulled gently. She couldn’t help but smile as her mouth played with his. He seemed to be resisting.

“Fuck!” he grunted out as her hips surged again. He pulled back a little.

“Baby, there is not a thing on God’s green earth I want more than you. But I made reservations at Tru, and we’re almost there.”

“Ugh…” Angel bemoaned the reality of it as the limo stopped. “Just a taste, please, Alex. Push inside. Please.” It sounded like a plea. Her body was aching and open, needy and pulsing.

Alex’s weight crashed down on her and pushed her fully back into the leather seats, his elbows coming to rest beside her head, his forearms under her shoulders, and his hands holding her head. He stared into her lust-filled eyes and knew his were equally dilated and hungry. She was so goddamned sexy. The sexiest thing he’d ever seen.

He would give her what she wanted, knowing it would leave them both aching and on fire during the meal. Even if he was capable of denying her, he didn’t want to, but with everything the evening promised, it would make them even more sexually charged.

His hips moved, and the broad, round head of his cock slipped and slid against her wet lips. She was smooth as silk, and he slipped inside her without the aid of his hand or hers. Her fingers fisted in his hair, and her back arched, helping him slide deep inside her body.

“Uhhhh,” Alex groaned as her hot tightness encompassed his length. His cock was pulsing, and she squeezed and clamped down around him in a series of intimate pulls. “Angel,” he said softly before his mouth took hers passionately, and he pulled out, only to thrust in again, then again, then again.

It was starting to build fast, and he knew he’d come easily. She was just too fucking hot. He pulled out almost all the way and she whimpered in protest. He pushed in again, his stomach clenched. It felt so fucking amazing. Three more long, slow, thrusts and he was on the verge of coming.

“Babe, I gotta stop,” he whispered breathlessly, burying his face into her neck. He pulled out. “I gotta stop.”

“Uhhhh,” Angel moaned. “Uhhhhhhhh.”

Her body was jerking beneath him, and his arms pulled her tight. He kissed the side of her face then her temple.

“Jesus, Angel. You are so. Fucking. Hot! You’re going to kill me!” His breath was coming out in heavy pants. “So amazing. I could die inside you and be happy about it.”

He separated from her and pulled her into a sitting position.

“Mr. Avery, we’ve arrived at the destination.”

Alex sat back and straightened his clothes, doubting he’d be able to achieve the polished perfection he’d done in his office. He pushed a button on the door. “Yes. Give us five minutes.”

Angel pulled her dress down and took a compact out of her clutch. Her chest was heaving, and her hair was a little messy. She played with it and reapplied her dark red lipstick.

Alex ran his hands through both sides of his hair.

“Do I look fucked?” she asked.

Alex smiled, the corners of his lips just barely lifted. “You’re fucking beautiful.”

“So are you. You are the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen.”

His smile widened. He didn’t need compliments. He oozed confidence about everything in his life, but praise from Angel filled him with pride. She was so spectacular in so many ways; he felt his heart swell and his chest puff with pride.

He decided to leave his coat in the limo and pulled on the cuffs of his shirt, underneath the jacket of his suit, then reached out to caress her chin. “Thank you, sweetheart.” He wanted to tell her how much he loved her, but that would come in an hour or so when he presented her with the ring in his pocket. “Are you ready?”

She nodded. Angel’s gloves had ended up on the floor in front of her, and Alex bent to retrieve them but left them on top of his coat.

The door to the limo opened, Alex stepped out, offering Angel his hand, and she joined him. The restaurant had fewer people in front of it than it had the first time they’d come here. Alex whisked Angel inside, and soon her coat was securely checked.

“Good eveningn Mr. Avery.” The hostess, Karen, was the same one Angel remembered. “Dr. Hemming.” She greeted them both with a smile.

“Hello, Karen,” Alex answered.

“Everything is ready, sir.”

Alex offered Angel his elbow, and the beautiful couple followed Karen into the restaurant. There wasn’t anyone else dining. It was completely deserted. Angel’s breath caught. Everywhere she looked—on all of the tables, on the bar—were large bouquets purple Canna Lilies, she now adored. “Alex,” she breathed out. Candles were flickering everywhere and were the only light in the room. The effect was breathtakingly romantic.

“Do you like it?” He leaned in and kissed her on the temple.

“It’s amazing. But it’s your birthday. I mean—” she stopped, and shook her head, her eyes darting to his.

“Yes, I know. But giving you pleasure is the best gift I can have.”

Her mouth closed and love filled her expression, and she shook her head again, this time in wonder of him. The opulent dark wood, sheer white curtains, and dark lavender velvet that covered the seats on the chairs were an amazing compliment to the vast array of the lilies, which were the stars of the rooms.

Angel squeezed his arm which rested beneath her hand, and his free one came up to cover hers. “This is unbelievable. Did you buy this restaurant, too?”

“Only for tonight. Do you
want
me to buy it?” He grinned, and she smiled back. “I can.”

“Only you would ask me that, Alex. I love you,” she said simply.

Karen stopped by a table. “Here you are.” She smiled knowingly. “Davis will be with you momentarily.”

“Thank you, Karen.”

Usually the waiter would be there immediately to pull out the lady’s chair, but Alex chose to do it himself. When Angel moved in front of him to sit down, he bent to her ear. “I know,” he whispered brashly. His confidence was oozing, and Angel rolled her eyes and laughed softly as he took his seat across from her. The table was small, and he sat back, his fingers tented, and stared at her.

His deep green eyes sparkled, intense and burning, and locked onto hers.

The sommelier appeared as if by magic. His face was lit up like a Christmas tree, and he was carrying two crystal champagne flutes in one hand, his full head of snow-white hair as amazing as Angel remembered. He picked up the white linen napkin in front of Angel, unfurled it, and laid it gently in her lap. “Good evening, sir, madam!” he said enthusiastically.

His tuxedo was perfection. “Good evening, Davis,” Angel murmured.

Pleasure flooded the man’s features because she remembered his name. “It’s a pleasure to see you again, Angeline.”

“Thank you; you also.”

Davis turned to Alex, who was still watching Angel. “Mr. Avery, the champagne is chilled to the perfect temperature. The 1995 Charles Heidsieck ‘Blanc des Millénaires’ is a wonderful vintage. Excellent choice. I couldn’t recommend better.” There were wine glasses and water goblets on the table above the silverware on the right of each plate. Davis deftly replaced the win glasses with the flutes.

Angel’s lips lifted in a lopsided smile, her lips closed, and a dimple appeared in one cheek. Her heart was starting to thrum as Alex studied her. Even when others spoke to him, his eyes never left her. Her skin flushed as warmly as it had during the frantic session in the limo.

“I’ll bring it right out. Would you like a few minutes, or would you like Dustin to bring the menus right away?” he asked.

“A few minutes, please, Davis.” Alex’s elbows rested on the chair arms, and his tented hands were close to his mouth; still, his eyes were trained on Angel.

“Very good, sir.”

It wasn’t lost on Angel that the sommelier and the waiter were the same they’d had on their first date.

“I’m sorry I didn’t wear the half-naked dress,” Angel murmured.

“This one is beautiful, too. You made up for the half-naked back by the lack of panties.” His voice was low and intense, his body swelling at the thought.

Her mouth curved into a sly smile. “What do you get a man who has everything?”

“You could agree to move in with me.”

Angel swallowed. She’d already decided to make that his gift, and it was amazing how in-sync they were. The truth was, she’d already decided to tell him she was ready to take that plunge, and she planned on telling him tonight.

“I could,” she nodded.

Davis appeared and poured some champagne into Alex’s glass. He took it and inhaled. It was nutty and lemony, fragrant and almost mouthwatering. He took a sip, and the flavor almost exploded in his mouth. It tasted buttery and utterly fantastic. “Excellent, Davis.” Soon both glasses were filled, and they were inconspicuously alone once more.

“I can’t believe you’ve done this. It’s so expensive.”

“Don’t worry. Though the champagne is excellent, it’s not as extravagant.”

Angle picked her glass and took a sip. Her eyebrow went up. “It’s lovely.”

“Isn’t it?” She knew he wasn’t talking about the champagne, and she blushed.

“I’m talking about having this restaurant deserted. How did you manage it?”

“Easy. All I had to do was cover the receipts.”

“Do you always get what you want?” Her eyes challenged, and her words teased.

“Why do you ask questions when you know the answer?” He was nonplussed and undeterred from the original conversation.

“So… you
could
,” Alex prompted Angel to continue.

“Uh huh,” Angel said offhandedly, taking another sip of the champagne. She could see him sit up a little straighter in his chair. It would be fun to taunt him, she resisted. It was his birthday, after all. “I decided it doesn’t really make sense to have two apartments in the city.”

“And?”

“And, I miss you. I don’t sleep well without you. I like having you close.”

Alex took a breath and smiled brightly. He wanted to kiss her but reached out and took her hand instead. His fingers closed around hers. “Finally.” He squeezed her hand, and rubbed his hand over it.

Dustin came to the table, happy to see them. “Hello, and good evening.” He opened a menu, and placed it in front of Angel, then repeated the action with Alex, then left them to peruse the menus.

“What about a variety, baby?” Alex asked. “So much of it looks very good.”

“It’s your birthday, so, of course, it’s your choice. Anything but caviar.”

He smiled. He’d never acquired a taste for the cold, salty fish eggs himself. “Careful what you promise. Is everything my choice tonight?”

“Pretty much.” She smiled back. She loved him so much. Giving him the moon wouldn’t be out of the question.

They decided on a tasting menu that include things like a crab and turnip appetizer, heirloom beet salad, prime beef rib eye on potato confit, seared foie gras, roasted duck breast, halibut glazed in truffle jus, mint and grape consommé, followed by the amazing bitter almond cake with the sweet milk chocolate ganache.

During the delicious meal, Dustin brought each course and cleared without much conversation Davis appeared to refill their champagne glasses and bring another bottle when the first was gone. Everything tasted amazing.

“Angel, I wanted to talk to you about something.”

“Beyond moving in?” She was intrigued as she reached for her champagne. Angel was feeling a little woozy from two and a half.

“Yes. Since it’s my birthday, I hope you’ll indulge me.” Alex set his fork down on his plate.

“What is it?” She was wary, and it must be important for him to play the birthday card.

“I want to discuss your position with the D.A.’s office.” Angel’s head snapped up, and her mouth opened to protest, but Alex held his hand up to stop her. “After all of the shit we went through, I’d hoped you might want to choose a less dangerous career path.”