by Kahlen Aymes
*****
Alex’s heart raced. It was pouring rain and very dark. He couldn’t see much, save for brief seconds when lightning lit up the night sky, followed by the loud crack of thunder.
“Angel!” he called. “Angel!”
She screamed in the distance, and his heart constricted with panic as he broke into a run toward the sound of her voice. His ears strained to hear her, but all he could hear was the rain, thunder, and the slap of his feet on the wet pavement. Alex stopped, panting; his head snapped around and he turned, searching for some clue to which direction he’d find her when her scream split the air.
“Ahhhgggggg! Stop! Please, stop!” she begged. She was sobbing and her voice broke. “No! Please let me go!”
“Shut up, you little bitch! I will kill you and then fuck you, but either way, I’m going to fuck you!”
The expletive was followed by another scream, scuffling and the sound of someone falling against the pavement.
Alex started running, taking a right down an alley between two old brick buildings. As he came closer, he could hear a man grunting and Angel choking. He felt like he was drowning; unable to catch his breath, his lungs were ready to explode.
The alley seemed to stretch on forever, then finally, he saw them. Angel’s arms were clawing at her assailant but she could only reach his chest, her hips bucking underneath his heavy weight as she tried to fight the man off. One arm was straight, his hand wrapped around her throat, while he sat on her hips to hold her down. His free hand ripped at her blouse.
Alex was paralyzed, his lungs unable to function as he begged his legs to move.
“Angel!” he croaked. He wanted to save her, he wanted to kill that piece of shit bastard, and he wanted to die himself. “No! Get away from her!” Her arms dropped to her sides, and she stopped struggling as she lost consciousness, but the man continued ripping open her blouse and pushing up her skirt. “Aaannnggeeellll!” Alex screamed in agony.
Alex’s hands flailed in front of him, searching in the dark; they pushed across the sheets. The bed was empty, and he rolled over onto his back and sat up. “Stop!” He was panting heavily, his heart hammering, as if he’d run five miles in a full sprint. “Angel?” he gasped.
Angel suddenly appeared as a shadowy figure in the bathroom doorway, quickly walking to the edge of the bed. “What is it? Are you okay?”
Alex’s hand wiped at the perspiration on his forehead as his chest rose and fell. He pulled up his knees beneath the covers and leaned both arms on them before dropping his head between them. He felt sick with panic at what he’d dreamed. It could happen; it almost did. “I can’t fucking breathe.”
Confusion wrinkled Angel’s brow, and her hand reached for his shoulder, worried at his words and the anxiety in his voice. “Alex, what is it?”
“Where were you?” he asked.
“Just in the bathroom.” Her hand moved in the direction she’d just come from. “I was only gone for a minute.”
He sighed again and nodded, still seeming a little disoriented.
“What’s the matter?” she asked again, her voice wary. She began to knead the muscles beneath her fingers. “You’re scaring me.”
Alex moved to the edge of the bed, reaching for her arm and pulling her close. He buried his face in the side of her neck and the curtain of her silky hair fell around his face, her scent assaulting his nostrils. His arms wound tightly around her body to reassure himself that she was safe.
Angel wound her arms around his shoulders and head as she kissed the side of his face in a series of light kisses, and she could feel his heart beating frantically, pounding against her ribcage. “What is it, sweetie?” Her heart filling with a mixture of love and pain, she ached for him.
“Four hours ago you hated me; now you’re calling me sweetie?”
“Well, four hours ago you were yelling at me, but, you know I don’t hate you,” she said against his temple. Her fingers threaded through his hair and curled, moving over his scalp in a calming motion.
“I was yelling out of frustration. I’m sick of you denying what’s between us. I just wanted you to admit it.” He lied, unwilling to scare her with the implications of his dream.
Angel closed her eyes as tears pricked at the backs of her eyes. “I didn’t want to accept it.”
“Why?”
“I told you earlier. Let’s not rehash it, or you’ll only yell again.” She tried to tease him, but it didn’t quite make it into her tone.
“Hmmph.” Alex made his best attempt at a laugh he didn’t feel.
“Stop trying to change the subject. Was it a bad dream?”
“It doesn’t matter.” He pulled back and searched her face, using both hands to brush her hair back, his green eyes glistening black.
“Tell me.”
Alex shook his head. “We both don’t need nightmares. Come back to bed.”
They stared at each other, both of them unable to stop touching the other. Finally, she nodded and he scooted back, holding open the covers. They were both naked; even though they’d intended to sleep, somehow their clothes ended up lost somewhere between their passion, the tangled sheets, and the floor.
Angel slid in next to Alex, and he pulled her back against him, one arm sliding under her head and the other wrapped firmly around her as their bodies spooned together. He drew in a deep breath and pressed his lips to her shoulder, finally relaxing when she threaded her hand through his.
“Jesus, it feels so good to be with you like this.”
“Mmmm… I was thinking the same thing.”
“I think you should move in.” The unexpected words left Alex as stunned as they did Angel.
“Wh… What?” Incredulity laced her voice. She laughed nervously before finally finding her words. “Are you insane? What’d you do with Alex?”
“This isn’t a joke, Angel. I want you with me.”
“How’d we go from ‘I don’t want to see you at all to living together?” She let him hold her, enjoying the contentment that washed over her at being so openly possessed by him. It was an amazing feeling. Too amazing.
“The same way I went from dickhead to sweetie, I suppose.”
Angel smiled and shook her head.
“You don’t have to do that. I’ll let Cole and his band of merry men tail me without protest.”
“You’re right; you will. But I still want you to move in. It’s not just about keeping you safe.”
“It’s most of it.”
“I’m not saying that I don’t want to protect you; I do.” Mostly, so I don’t lose my fucking mind, he thought. “But, there’s more to it, and you know it.”
Angel’s heart constricted, knowing it would only add to the pain if he decided he didn’t want her. “Can’t we leave things as they are? I’ll let you take me out, blah, blah, blah, but only after Swanson is out of the picture. Before that, I want to keep it behind closed doors.”
“What? Am I mentally challenged now?” he murmured in disgust. “I know you want to keep me at arm’s length, so stop trying to pass it off as something else.”
“Apparently, I suck at it.” Her arm pressed down on his.
“Babe, I don’t want to keep it quiet. I want a normal relationship.”
Angel froze. “Normal for me or normal for you?”
“For you.” Her eyes shot to his, and he frowned at the doubt he found there. “Are you ever going to believe me? Give me a chance to prove it to you.”
Angel nodded, seeing his sincerity and allowing herself to give in to the hope in her heart. “You don’t have to club me over the head and drag me off to your cave to have a relationship with me.”
“Whatever.”
“Where I come from, ‘whatever’ translates to fuck off.”
He laughed. “Every instinct tells me to do whatever I have to do to protect you, and it would be easier if you’d cooperate. Mark Swanson would know you’re not as vulnerable if you’re with me.” He spoke against her shoul
der, his warm breath rushing over her skin. Alex enjoyed the closeness and the feeling of release from the worry. She was here, and he knew she was safe. “But, more than that, I just want us together.”
Angel’s heart thrummed and swelled. “Alex, I need to make him do something criminal. It’s the only way I’ll have any peace. Making myself unavailable won’t accomplish it.”
He sighed again, but said nothing as her fingers traced the soft hair on his arm. He enjoyed her touch too much, and though the thought crossed his mind the morning after she’d come to his apartment, now he knew it. He was in love. There was no other explanation for the desperateness, the elation, the worry, or the insatiable desire he felt for her. He couldn’t wait to see her, to get his arms around her, to talk to her, to please her.
“I want to see you. I really do.” Alex’s arms tightened, and he kissed her shoulder and then the side of her neck, sending shivers through her whole body. “But, I have to put this guy away. Please help me.”
“I will if you move in.”
“I’ll move in after it’s done. Doesn’t that make more sense? It will drag on too long if I make it too difficult for him. I just want it over.”
“Angel, you’re asking me to risk your safety. That’s impossible.”
“I’ll be careful. I’ll have Cole’s team… and you.”
The seconds felt like hours as she waited for his answer. Alex waged an internal struggle, the protectiveness he felt battled with his need to have the threats behind them so they could concentrate on each other.
“Okay, we’ll make a plan. But what I say goes. No arguments.”
*****
“Mr. Avery?” Mrs. Dane’s voice broke into Alex’s thoughts as he worked to reconcile the coming year’s budget of one of the Avery properties. He had ten more to get through. Even having the CFOs submitting them in rounds, this time of year was always hectic. It didn’t help that his head wasn’t in the game. “The travel arrangements have been made.”
“What about the meeting?” His hand ran over his face and then began tugging his tie loose. It was close to six and Mrs. Dane would be leaving soon.
“Yes, sir.”
“Good. Have a good night. I’ll see you in a few days.”
“You, too.”
The week had dragged. After last weekend when he and Angel had been locked away in his apartment, spending most of the time making love, watching movies, and cooking late at night by candlelight, he hadn’t been alone with her at all since. Every second of it had been glorious and flew away at the speed of light. He especially loved playing Rachmaninoff on his Fazioli piano at her prodding, enjoying that she’d wanted to hear him play, since it was something he loved so much. The piano was one of his most prized possessions, and he found it even more beautiful with Angel draped across the mahogany, her dark eyes shimmering with the candle’s reflection as he played for her. His grandfather had it handmade in Italy as a reward after he’d been accepted to Julliard. It was during that time, as he played on autopilot, that they had conceived their plan. He still wasn’t certain it would work and part of him prayed it wouldn’t.
Alex’s heart fell as he threw the report on his desk and pushed away from it. They’d agreed to compromise. Angel wouldn’t move in until after Swanson was caged, but they were spending a lot of time together. The best part of his day came when they were together. Every minute he spent with her, he fell more deeply in love. It was a course he never expected his life to take, but he found himself seriously thinking about the future, introducing her to his family and meeting her father. He huffed. His mother would do fucking cartwheels.
Their plan meant they would be seen out together often, making it obvious they were a couple. That was the easy part. Surely, that bastard would know that if he went after one or the other, he’d injure them both, and that was tantamount to making it work.
Alex made his way out of his office, carrying his suit jacket over his arm and his briefcase in the other hand. The pounding in his head echoed his footsteps as he made his way into the elevator and then into the dark garage. Angel wouldn’t tell him what her plans were for the early part of her evening, only admitting that it was a surprise. Not knowing where she was worried him more than it pissed him off, but she assured him that she’d keep Cole in the loop. He sighed as he got in his car and drove into busy, Friday evening traffic.
“Fucking traitor,” Alex muttered. How Angel had converted Cole from loyal employee, never mind brother, to keeping her secrets, he’d never know.
So, absent Angel meant he could go see Max at his parent’s estate, call Darian, or maybe Allison and Josh would meet him for dinner downtown. He pulled out his phone and dialed his sister’s number.
“Hey, Alex.” Allison answered.
“What are you and Josh doing tonight? I thought we might get a bite to eat.”
“I can’t tonight, but Josh is at loose ends. I’m sure he’d love to.”
“What are you doing?”
“Nothing special. Girl time. How are things going with Angel?”
“We’re… really good.” The grin that settled on his face wasn’t surprising.
“Hmmm,” Allison mused. “Methinks the boy has finally met his match.”
“I agree.”
“Really?”
Her incredulous tone made Alex grimace. “Don’t sound so surprised. I’m not made of stone.”
“I was beginning to wonder if anyone would ever get through to you. I’m glad to see things have changed.”
“Have you talked to her about me?”
“Not about you. She helped me secure the talent for the benefit, so of course, we’ve had contact.”
“But, recently? Have you told her you’re my sister?”
“Not yet, but I think one of us should.”
“I know. I don’t want her to think the benefit was all a setup, but I’m not sure how to bring it up.”
“It was just a coincidence. I’d talked to her before I knew you were seeing her.”
“Yes, well…” Alex didn’t feel up to explaining the entire situation, but he was concerned Angel would automatically assume the worst, given the secrets they’d already kept from each other.
“It’s the truth, so she’ll believe it,” Allison said simply.
“We’ll see.”
“What has Angel told you about the benefit?”
“Not a lot, but I had Mrs. Dane acquire tickets for us, so I hope she’ll attend with me. I have to support my little sister’s causes, you know.”
“Uh huh,” a wariness crept into Allison’s voice. “What’s Angel doing tonight? You didn’t mention her joining you for dinner.”
“She has the radio show later but something to do first. She said it was a surprise.”
A small giggle escaped Allison.
“Why is that funny?” Alex asked, but Allison ignored him.
“Call Josh if you’re lonely. And, what about Cole? It could be fun for all of you to get together.”
“Cole’s working, but, sure, I’ll call Josh. Maybe Darian.”
“Alex, I’m late, so I gotta go. See ya later. Love you.”
“You, too.”
*****
It was dark in her apartment and Alex lay on Angel’s bed, enjoying the fact that her scent permeated the air around him as her voice filled the room as she counseled her callers. He was showered and was lying back against her pillows, a fluffy white towel wrapped around the defined muscles of his waist.
“My husband said he doesn’t love me anymore,” the woman whined.
“Why would you want to be with someone who says he doesn’t love you? You need to take more pride in yourself.”
“But, I love him!”
“Ugh! Sally, you need to love yourself. How can you expect to command respect when you don’t have any for yourself?” Alex could hear the undertones of Angel’s chagrin at the woman’s lack of balls. His lips curved up in a smile, anxious for when she’d finally be hom
e and in his arms.
Cole had the night off and Bancroft would be following her home. Despite Angel’s pleas to leave her vulnerable, Alex refused to do so unless it was contrived, designed to support the illusion, but never for real. His chest tightened. This next week would be the test and he was worried sick.
12
Cat and Mouse
Alex gazed down at the woman lounging on the bed. She was so fucking sexy; it was all he could do to finish dressing. Her bare legs were tangled in the sheet, the top of it leaving the swell of her breasts open to his view, but it was her face that drew him in the most. Her hair was tousled, her lips parted and swollen, her dark eyes soft and beseeching. His lovemaking had certainly left a stamp on her, just as he’d wanted it to do.
“Angel, don’t look at me like that,” he murmured. “I’ll never leave.”
Angel bit her lip as she watched him button his cuffs, turn the collar of his deep merlot-colored shirt up, and slide the striped tie around his neck.
“I don’t want you to go,” she said with a small shrug and soft smile. It was a simple statement but loaded with meaning.
His hands stopped what they were doing as he studied her face. “You want to catch this bastard, don’t you?”
She sat up, letting the sheet completely fall to her waist. “Right now, it doesn’t seem as important.” Her heart tightened. Alex was meeting with Mark Swanson to put their plan into play.
He sat down on the edge of the bed next to her, his warm hand cupping her satin-soft cheek, as he tried to ignore all of the creamy skin and luscious curves open to his view. “It will be important to you tomorrow. You talked me into this, so let’s just get it over with, shall we?”
Angel wasn’t meeting his eyes in her effort not to show too much emotion, but she swallowed hard as she nodded in his palm. Shimmering brown eyes finally lifted to meet intense green ones.
“Hey,” Alex murmured. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”
