Promises After Dark (After Dark #3) (35 page)

Angel paused, considering her words carefully. “Alex,” she began. “You know how much my work means to me.”

He nodded and pushed his plate forward on the table. “I do, but I also know how much
you
mean to
me
.”

His face showed heavy concern, and his brow was low over his amazing eyes. “Psychopaths like Mark Swanson don’t happen every day.”

“I realize that. Once was enough for me.” His voice took on a harder tone.

Her heart fell. Was he saying he wouldn’t be with her if she didn’t change careers? “It’s what I do. I help a lot of people.”

“So, then, don’t take the bad cases.”

Angel shook her head in frustration, her brow crinkling. “How do I know which ones those are, exactly? Figuring out who is guilty, who are the nutcases, and who are homicidal is my part in it.”

“I get it, Angel; I’m not a moron.” Alex expected her pushback, and though part of him didn’t want to discuss this during this dinner, it had to be settled. “But I have a vested interest in the outcome.”

“Maybe you should have fucked me in the limo; it may be your only opportunity tonight,” she said angrily.

Alex sighed heavily and downed his almost-full glass of champagne.

“Would you leave Avery and teach piano lessons if I asked?” Angel asked quietly, her eyes sad.

“No, but my job doesn’t threaten my life.”

“Will you leave me if I refuse? The truth, Alex.” Her voice was tight and tears glazed over her dark brown eyes. He didn’t want this evening to turn out like this, but this was important to him, to their relationship, and to the future of their family, were they to have one.

He looked at her steadily, a certain sadness falling over his handsome features. He shook his head. “Nothing will make me leave you.”

Relief flooded over Angel, though she was hurt that he was even suggesting such a thing. She sucked in a shaky breath.

Alex didn’t know if he should continue or not, but this was more important than any discussion they’d had to date. The gravity of it had weighed on him since their return from Joplin.

He signaled for Dustin. There was low music playing in the restaurant, and even though it was empty, he wanted to go into the lounge. It was more intimate, and he’d be able to sit closer to her and get his arms around her.

“We’d like dessert in the lounge, please. And please bring the champagne.”

Alex pushed back from the table and stood: soon standing beside Angel’s chair, he held out his hand and waited, watching the conflict pass over her features. He was sorry he’d even brought it up, but it was done, and it had to be dealt with.

She looked up at him with liquid eyes. Such beautiful eyes in such a stunning face.

“Please come with me,” he requested softly.

She put her hand in his and stood. He bent to kiss her temple, inhaling the intoxicating smell of her perfume as his hand threaded through hers.

They followed Dustin into the lounge, which was filled with more candles and lilies. He lifted her hand and kissed the back of it, and she leaned into him.

Angel struggled with her convictions when faced with Alex’s concern. She understood; he had a valid argument. She could stomp her feet all day long, pout and scream that he knew her career choice before they got in so deep, but everything had happened so fast, and it wouldn’t change his perspective. Her mind was logical, and emotions aside, she knew how hard it was for Alex. He had solid control of everything in his life, yet he felt helpless. He’d been reduced to consorting with the Chicago mafia and spending millions because she wasn’t open with him, and yet, here he was in front of her, loving her, asking her not to risk her life. He hadn’t walked away, and that was huge. It was proof he loved her, proof he had changed at a base level. True, it was professional ethics to keep her cases secret, but was it more important than making this man happy? No. Nothing was more important than Alex. She had also changed.

He motioned for her to precede him into the same curved booth they’d shared the first time he’d touched his mouth to hers. Once she was seated, he joined her, his left arm curving around her hips and pulling her close, his right hand closing over hers and pulling it onto his thigh.

Dustin refilled the champagne flutes discretely, and withdrew, while Alex gaze held Angel’s gaze.

“I get it, okay?” Alex said. His voice was low and intense, that beautiful voice which groaned her name when he came inside her. Her heart lurched. “I know your job is important to you, and I’m not going to be the asshole who asks you to stay at home and be the little woman. That isn’t you. But this whole situation with Swanson scared the shit out of me and put it all in a different perspective. I have a shitload of money, and yes, women have been like a revolving door in my life, but I don’t want that anymore. I want you. Nothing else.”

“Alex,” Angel’s eyes closed, and a tear fell. His words were honest, sincere, and on the verge of profound. She felt each one as if it reached inside her chest and squeezed her heart.

“Don’t put me through that. I can do anything. I can take anything on, but I can’t lose you. I’ll suffer it if it’s the only way I can have you, but I’d rather not. I’d rather just enjoy every second with you.”

Angel swallowed at the tightness in her throat. She wanted to speak, but it was difficult.

“I’m not asking you to stop counseling people, but I just don’t want you working with these dirty lowlifes anymore. I love you, and I don’t want to lose you.” Her eyes filled up, and first one, then another fat tear tumbled down her face. “Even when you’re crying, you’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. Even when you’re busting my balls and we’re fighting like cats and dogs, there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”

Angel put a hand to his mouth to stop his words. “Stop. You don’t have to say any more. My job means a lot to me, but you mean more.” Her voice trembled; her shaking hand traced his jaw. “I love you, Alex.”

20
With Every Breath

Alex kissed her soundly on the mouth, his hand going to the back of her head to hold it. He sighed in relief. He backed out of the booth and pulled her with him. There was soft music playing, and Angel wondered why.

“Do you want to dance?” she asked.

Alex shook his head. “No.” He stood facing her, both of his hands holding hers. “I mean, yes. Any excuse to hold, you, but in a few minutes.”

“I love you, Angel. Those words were hard for me to say before I met you, now they fill me up, and I want to shout them out. You make me very happy. You’re all I could want. Almost.”

“Almost?” She frowned a little bit. He was acting very strange.

“Yes, almost.”

“Alex, what’s wrong?”

“Not a thing. Everything is amazing. Thank you for saying I’m the most important thing in your life, because that’s what you are to me.” Alex drew in a deep breath, filling his lungs to capacity. This was a moment he never thought he’d be facing, but here it was, and it was the most important of his life so far.

“Angel.” He looked down at their hands and rubbed his thumb over her empty ring finger.

“What is it, Alex? Whatever it is, just say it.”

He looked up into her eyes. “I didn’t believe in love until you. You are surprising, and brilliant, beautiful, and just everything to me. To say I love you is not enough. Seriously, I can’t breathe, I love you so much. My life was good before you, but now it’s brilliant. I don’t ever want to be without you.”

His heart was thundering in his chest, and he took her left hand and placed it over it, leaning his forehead against hers. “Feel that? That’s what you do to me.”

Her fingers curled into the fine Egyptian cotton of his shirt as the gravity of what was happening registered in her head and heart. Alex erreached into his pocket for the ring box and opened it.

Her chin lifted, his words making her heart pound. She wanted his mouth on hers, to be closer than close. He gave her what she wanted; it was what he wanted, too, but the kiss was gentle and deep, his tongue moving with hers in a gentle ebb and flow, giving and taking. It was perfection.

Angel’s breath left her chest when he pulled back. Alex couldn’t help placing two more small kisses on her mouth. His heart and body quickened. He could just kiss her forever and be happy, but he had something to do first.

He took one step backward, went down on one knee, and took her left hand in his.

Angel’s hand flew to her mouth, her own heart seizing in joy, and pain, and love. The moment was surreal, and she knew this was what the entire evening had been about. This was what all of the flowers and the empty restaurant were about, not his birthday. Was this really happening? She knew he loved her. He’d proven it over and over, but they’d only been together eight months, and he was who he was. Angel’s soul was overwhelmed and so full of him she couldn’t breathe, her chest and throat ached, and her eyes welled with tears.

“Oh my God.”

Their eyes met and held.

“I never thought this moment would come. I never believed I’d want to spend my life with one person, or that I could love someone at all, let alone this much. I never thought I’d want to have children, but I want it with you. It’s humbling to know that the perfect life I thought I had was a hollow existence. From the moment I saw you: I wanted you, from the moment I heard your voice, you intrigued me: and when I kissed you, I’d never been so consumed with desire. But more than all of that, I love you. I’ll be miserable for the rest of my life if you’re not with me for every breath I have left. Angeline Marie Hemming, will you marry me?”

By now, Angel was shaking, and silent happy tears dripped from her eyes. He was amazing and more of a man than any she had ever known. She might as well have been flying, so much happiness engulfed her, yet it was as if her heart was breaking. She loved him so much it hurt. “Yes,” she said softly, nodding. “I love you, so much. So, yes, Alex.”

He slid the ring on her finger, and she barely noticed more than it sparkled in the candlelight, and the white gold was cool against her skin. She didn’t look at it: her eyes were riveted on Alex.

In an instant, he was on his feet, enfolding her in his arms and kissing her as if it were the last kiss they’d ever share. He lifted her up off the floor to bring their mouths level. Alex’s strong arms held Angel tight, her soft form melting into his harder one. Their mouths fed on each other; their tongues began an intimate dance that couldn’t be finished in their current location. He laughed softly against her mouth.

When the kiss ended, Alex hugged Angel tight, and her arms wrapped around his shoulders, her hands holding his head. A deep, relieved breath filled his lungs and caused her full breasts to flatten against his chest.

“Oh, babe,” he said and placed a smaller kiss on her mouth as he lowered Angel to the ground. “I’m the luckiest bastard on the planet. Thank you for saying yes.”

“Like I could refuse.”

He pulled back just enough to look at her. “You could have.”

“I don’t think so.”

His hands still on her hips, he twisted at the waist to look for Dustin. The young man flushed, discovered with Davis and Karen, watching the entire proposal. Alex smiled. They all had sappy looks on their faces but scrambled to compose themselves, embarrassed he’d caught them eavesdropping, and worried he’d be angry with them. Alex was too elated to be angry. He smiled brightly in their direction.

“I’d like a bottle of the champagne and the cake to go, please.”

“Right away, sir.” Davis, Karen, and Dustin said simultaneously, all three of them beaming.

Five minutes later, Alex and Angel were back in the limousine and on their way to Alex’s apartment. There was palpable energy vibrating between them as Angel sat close to Alex, and his arm stretched across her lap to hold her opposite leg. They were as close as they could get, their hips and legs touching, Angel leaning into Alex. For the first time, Angel allowed herself to take a good look at the ring on her finger. The dark in the back of the car only allowed a limited view. She could see it was simple and good-sized, though not obnoxious. She sighed and laid her head on his broad shoulder.

“Do you like your ring?”

“It’s too dark to really look at it, but I’m sure it’s beautiful. Though, I don’t need a huge ring.” The fingers on her right hand ran over it, trying to feel the style. It was a solitaire and the band simple.

“I knew you’d feel that way, and believe me, I reined it in.”

She shook her head. “I’m sure,” she said wryly. “Though you reining it in is probably like buying a private island in the Bahamas for someone else.”

“I did keep it reasonable. It’s very representative of you, but I wanted the world to know, you’re mine.”

“I just want
you
to know,” she said softly, and his hand squeezed her thigh possessively. “Kiss me, Alex.”

“Wait a few minutes and we’ll be home.”

“I know you want to kiss me.”

He smiled, this conversation reminiscent of a similar one the first night they were together. “Not until I can make love to you. Once I start, I’m not stopping all night.”

“It’s that whole orgasm thing again.”

Alex laughed as she read his mind. “Yes.”

“We should call Darian, and thank him for throwing us together.”

“He knows. He’ll be my best man, and we’ll make him sing karaoke at the reception.” The dimples in his handsome face made his smile all the more magnetic.

“I don’t need a huge wedding, Alex. Something small with just our family and closest friends.”

“I want to give you the best of everything. I want to give you the fairy tale. If anyone deserves it, it’s you.”

“But, I don’t need any of the frou-frou stuff,” Angel said seriously. “I just want you.”

“You have me.” Alex bent to kiss her mouth. “Always.”

She wasn’t cold. The limo had been warm when they got in, but Angel snuggled closer. “I’m… sort of stunned. It’s so soon.”

Alex leaned down and pressed his mouth into the hair above her temple. “I’ve been anxious for months but knew you’d balk if it was too soon.”

“Did the kidnapping motivate you?”

He shook his head. “No. I purchased the ring before that.”

Angel was content and euphoric, but she was also Angel, and she was ornery. She took the hand Alex was resting on her thigh and pushed it higher, over her bare hip and under her dress. “Did you forget about that? You were so serious during dinner.”

Alex huffed with amusement, his hand squeezing her ass and his dick beginning to betray him. “I never forget that I want you. It’s a constant ache. Stop it. You’re being naughty.”

“I can take care of that ache,” she whispered, pulling one hand up and sucking one of his fingers into her mouth.

Instantly, his cock sprang to life, blood filling it in an instant, and he groaned. He pressed one of her hands into his erection that was pushing through the fine wool of his expensive slacks. Her fingers curled around his hard flesh, and she rubbed and pumped as best she could through the fabric.

“Fuck, Angel, please,” he pleaded. His voice was low and velvet. “We’re pulling up to the curb. Now I have a raging hard-on.”

“I like your raging hard-ons,” she teased.

Alex said nothing as the car stopped, but he quickly buttoned his overcoat, shooting Angel a sardonic look that said “You’re gonna get it.”

She smiled as his hand took hers, threading their fingers together. When the driver opened the door, Alex got out, pulling Angel behind him. He handed the driver a hundred-dollar bill.

“Thank you.”

“Thank you, Mr. Avery. Will you need me any more tonight?”

“No, Darrell. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight, sir. Dr. Hemming.”

Alex motioned for Angel to precede him into the building but kept ahold of her hand. He swiped his fob in the elevator that would whisk them up to his penthouse then pressed Angel against the wall, unbuttoning his coat and pulling hers open.

She watched him intently, and her tongue slid salaciously over her full lower lip. His eyes burned into hers.

“Are you going to punish me for being naughty?” she teased, her voice a sensual caress, filled with invitation.

He moved closer until she could feel his hot breath on her face. He reached down and flattened his hands on the outside of her thighs and slid her dress up, burying his face in her neck, tasting and ghosting, his teeth nipping softly at her silky skin. She was covered in goose bumps, her body started to tremble.

“No.” His hand moved to the secret place she wanted him to touch, and she gasped. Her heat almost burned him as her body arched, and her legs opened slightly, to give him easier access. He parted her flesh slowly, still running those delicious nibbles very slowly up and down her neck. She was hot and slick, with the perfect amount of wetness.

“Huhhhh,” His breath rushed out in desire, uncaring that the elevator could open at any moment and someone might see them; consumed by the moment and the woman in front of him. He slowly pushed two fingers inside her, and she moaned his name, her eyes closing. He curled them upward and pressed the spot inside her he knew drove her crazy.

Her legs trembled, and he was satisfied he’d put her in the same state she’d left him in.

“Alex, God,” Angel groaned, gripping his shoulders to keep from falling. “Ungggg.”

“Yes, I know,” he whispered urgently as he dragged his mouth over her jaw up to her mouth. “It feels so good, but it aches so fucking bad, doesn’t it.” His fingers rubbed back and forth inside her, not thrusting but pulsing against her G spot. His cock was twitching and throbbing in time with his pounding heartbeat. He was so turned on, he thought he’d burst. “I’m going to make that go on and on, Angel, for hours.”

He kissed her, then his tongue ravaged the inside of her mouth, sucking her tongue deep into his mouth. He felt her fingers tug at his hair, and it only served to incite his desire more.

The elevator dinged as the floors passed, and finally, the doors opened. Angel moaned in protest as Alex removed his fingers, but his other arm remained around her waist as he pulled her from the elevator and into his apartment.

It didn’t take long before their coats were on the floor in the foyer, her purse and his keys clattering on the sparkling marble tile. One light on the small table in the entryway was the only light beyond the cityscape glowing in through the large windows of his great room.

They were frenzied, hands on each other, the need between them raged, but Alex wanted to savor every touch. His mouth was on hers in a hungry kiss, both eager to get closer. They were wrapped up and clinging together; mouths gorging and indulgent, tongues laving, each sucking and nipping. Their kissing was always so electric; so amazing between them, it overwhelmed them both.

Alex ripped his mouth from hers, both of them panting, and Angel’s hand gripped his head, trying to pull his mouth back to hers, her leg curled around his hip. Fuck, she was hotter than hell.

“Angel, I want you.” His breath was heavy and hot, rushing in and out of his body. “So much.”

“Then have me.”

Alex wanted Angel to remember every second of this night.
He
wanted to remember every second, and he wouldn’t rush it or fuck her in the foyer. He would make slow love to her and wring every modicum of pleasure from her until she was begging him to let her come.

He lifted her up, and automatically, her legs wrapped tightly around his waist, her dress was still pushed up enough to allow easy movement. His arms held her bare butt as he turned and walked with purpose up the stairs to his room.

He pushed open the door and laid her on the bed. Angel didn’t want to let him go and reached up to kiss him. He gave in because he wanted to deny her nothing, but his fingers, soft on her jaw, he took control and slowed the kiss. When it broke, he took her hand and kissed the inside of her wrist with his open mouth, sucking slightly, his eyes burning into hers.

“I want to go slow, babe.” Alex moved away to turn the stereo on. He’d planned for this, so the playlist of sexy songs had been compiled and began playing. The volume was low, but the Bose speakers flooded the room with sultry surround sound.