by Kahlen Aymes
Immediately, Max settled next to her with his head in her lap and one paw taking possession of her leg, his large brown eyes imploring up at Alex as her hand stroked his head repeatedly. “Satisfied?”
Alex’s eyebrows shot up in amused astonishment as he removed eggs, bacon, and a bowl of oranges from the large stainless steel refrigerator. “Traitor,” he retorted playfully.
“To whom are you speaking, Mr. Avery?” Angel laughed softly.
“Both of you.”
* * *
“You’re kidding.” Becca’s voice was deadpan, but the amusement behind the words was unmistakable.
“What?” Angel smirked. “It’s not a big deal.”
“Bullshit! You’re going to Lincoln Park Zoo with a gazillionaire-everybody-wants-him-playboy who probably doesn’t know the ass end of a giraffe from a lion’s. If that isn’t shocking enough, it’s obvious you like more about this guy than his dick.”
Angel couldn’t stop herself; laughter bubbled up and spilled over, causing Alex to glance her way. His hair had a deep sheen in the sunlight and his questioning look was met with a shrug and he shook his head. She couldn’t see his eyes behind his expensive sunglasses, but his lopsided grin turned into a full smile.
“We’ll discuss that later. Stop being so melodramatic,” Angel mumbled into her phone, biting her lip to stop another bout of hysterical giggling. The wind was whipping her hair into her face and she struggled to push it back. It was a beautiful day, the temperature cooled by the breeze coming off of Lake Michigan. Alex’s capable hands steered the sleek BMW convertible out of downtown after Angel had entered Becca’s address into the GPS.
“Does this mean I have to find another sitter? Jillian will be heartbroken.”
“Nope. We’re on our way to pick up my little Jillybean. I’ve missed her and I may not give her back.”
“Wha—Alex is going to babysit with you?”
“Don’t hyperventilate. There are stranger things.”
“I doubt that.”
“We’ll see you in about twenty minutes. Tell my baby I can’t wait to see her!”
Alex reached for Angel’s hand and pulled it to rest beneath his on his muscled thigh. “Everything okay? Does Becca think it’s a bad idea that I’m going along?”
“No. It’s fine. Although, I wonder if it’s your bag? Wouldn’t you rather be with Darian or your brother?”
He glanced at her, his teeth flashing brightly in a wide smile. “What?” He scoffed. “Hairy, belligerent, alpha males versus soft, sexy, supple and irresistible. That’s a tough choice. Maybe I should reconsider?”
Angel smiled as Alex’s hand tightened around hers. He was so fucking sexy; she almost lost her breath looking at him, and scarier: he was starting to fall for the person wrapped inside all that masculinity. He could have any woman, and he usually did, so she was perplexed that he’d choose to spend time with someone as complicated as herself. There was no way this would end well, her mind argued. “Well, it will also be young, sticky, and giggly. Two-year olds are fun but sometimes a challenge.”
“I’ll take my chances. Do you think she’ll like me?”
“She’s a sweetie and she’s female, so the chances are better than average.”
“Stop. Your view of me is distorted. I’ve told you that I’m monogamous. Don’t you believe me, Angel?”
“Sure.” She shrugged and turned a little in her seat so she could study his profile, searching for some clue to what he was really feeling. If he was feeling anything other than lust. “But, I also know that you’re not married and never get tied down, so I don’t expect this to last. My eyes are open.”
Alex was vested more than she was aware. He wasn’t willing to admit it to her for fear she wouldn’t believe him, or worse, retreat from him. He didn’t stop to analyze the reasons. He enjoyed her company, both in bed and out of it, more than any woman he’d ever known and that was enough for now. “Close them, then. Do you enjoy being with me? Be honest, I can take it.” He grinned.
“Your head’s already big enough.”
“Why, thank you. I was hoping you’d think so,” he replied with a cheeky grin.
“Shut up!” Angel laughed.
“I’ll let you shut me up, later.” He smiled and pressed her hand further into his leg. Angel’s fingers closed around the muscle beneath the dark denim, provocatively. “Yes, later.”
When they pulled up outside Becca’s apartment building, Alex came around and opened Angel’s door, extending a hand to help her out.
Always the perfect gentleman, yet so hot behind closed doors, Angel mused. Her eyes took him in, casually dressed in dark jeans, Adidas, and a white T-shirt; he looked younger and more carefree than she usually saw him. His fingers closed around hers as they walked into the building.
“What?”
“Nothing. This will be fun.”
He pulled off his sunglasses and bent to place a soft kiss on the tanned skin of her shoulder, left bare by the strapless coral sundress she was wearing. “I like this dress. Did you wear it to torture me?”
“Always.”
He burst out laughing as Becca’s door opened and Jillian toddled out ahead of her mother.
“Anga!” she squealed, and Angel scooped her up instantly, planting a big kiss on her cherub cheek.
“Jillybean! How’s my girl? Hi, Becca.”
“Hey. Hello, Alex.” Becca stepped aside to allow them all to enter.
Chubby arms wrapped around Angel’s neck, and Jillian’s lower lip popped out in a pout and she frowned. She pointed at Alex.
“Who’s dat?”
Angel smiled down into her face. “Jillian, this is Alexander. He’s my friend, and he wanted to come with us to the zoo today. All right?”
She looked at Alex skeptically. “Are you nice?”
“Jillian!” Becca was horrified. “Sorry, Alex.”
“No problem.” Alex extended a hand toward the little girl, who took it hesitantly but pulled away quickly. “It’s nice to meet you, Jillian. That’s a very pretty bow you have in your hair.”
Her little hand reached up to touch the bright pink ribbon as she nodded. “Yes. Do you yike ice ceam? We aways have ice ceam.”
Alex laughed. “Yes! I love it! Chocolate is my favorite.”
“Me, too!” Jillian’s blonde curls bobbed as she nodded enthusiastically.
“Great! Maybe we’ll get a bunch of it, okay?”
“Yay!” Jillian was now beaming at Alex, and Angel felt sure that it wouldn’t be long before he’d have her in his arms. “Anga yikes ohnge.”
“Orange ice cream?”
“Surboot.”
“Oh! Orange sherbet. That’s yummy, too.”
“No. I yike choc-yut best.”
“Okay. You and I will have chocolate. Deal?”
“Yep.”
Becca rolled her eyes at Angel, both of them smiling.
“Another one bites the dust,” Becca said under her breath with a small laugh.
“He’s nice, Anga!”
“Oh, he’s nice, all right.” Angel flashed a bright smile, and Alex winked at her, his dimples deepening in a pleased grin.
* * *
Alex’s time with Angel and Jillian had been magical and eye opening, showing another side of her that was unexpected. His gaze fell on Angel and he’d studied her reactions with the toddler throughout the day as they meandered through the zoo’s various exhibits. He adored how she held Jillian, pointing out beautiful things, explaining and teaching about the animals and not just showing. Alex found his heart pounding on several occasions where he had to take a moment and regroup. She was so gentle and understanding, it was no wonder that the little girl worshiped her. Angel became more and more amazing the more time they spent together. The more he learned about her as the days passed, the more enthralled he became. It was exhilarating and, at the same time, daunting.
They’d come back to Angel’s apartment at the end of the day and A
ngel made dinner of chicken fingers, French fries and applesauce. She apologized profusely to Alex for the unsophisticated fare, but he laughed it off.
“Thank you, Angel. This is delicious, isn’t it?” he asked as Jillian, now fully ensconced on his lap, lifted one of her pieces of chicken to share with him. He took a bite with relish, the two of them happily munching away as Angel watched in amazement.
“You’re wonderful with her.” It occurred to her they’d never talked about kids. Maybe he was a father. “Do you have children?” She wondered if he had some hidden past that he didn’t discuss.
“No.” Alex smiled at her. He picked up his glass and took a swallow of ice water.
“That’s pretty incredible. It comes so natural to you; you must have experience. Nieces or nephews?”
His expression was wry. “Allison has only been married a few months, and Cole, well, I’m praying he doesn’t get some floozy knocked up. That’s all we’d need. I’ve encouraged him to get clipped, but he refuses.”
Angel knew he was teasing and she laughed, reaching out to stroke Jillian’s silky head. The two days had been heaven, but it was Sunday night and reality loomed.
“Are you out of the country this week?”
“I’m supposed to go to Athens. Why?” His curiosity was piqued, and his heart quickened that she’d ask.
“Oh, no reason.”
“Something’s come up here that needs my attention, so I’m thinking of putting off the trip. Unless... Angel, do you want to come with me?” His voice was soft and seductive, and she started in surprise. Alex had finished but Jillian was still eating, licking the ketchup off the end of a fry, only to dip it in again. “It’s only a book audit of one of our properties, so I should have a lot of free time. I can’t think of a better way to enjoy the city than with you. There’s so much history, and the Mediterranean is beautiful and really breathtaking at night.”
“I have a lot of work to do. It sounds amazing, though.” Her heart pounded in her chest. A whole weekend together, talks of trips, getting gooey over seeing him with Jillian; it was all overwhelming and unexpected. It completely contradicted her mental image, and he was scaring the shit out of her.
“Like I said, I can put it off. I’d love to take you with me.” And get you away from that bastard and his goons, he thought.
“I’d love to go.”
“Would you?” His eyes searched hers until Jillian lifted a ketchup-coated piece of meat and shoved it toward his face, completely missing his mouth and landing on his stubble-covered cheek. “Ugh,” he said but laughter filled his green eyes.
Jillian was not put off and continued to make another jab at it, this time landing in Alex’s mouth though, with his assistance. His face grimaced at the combination of the condiment and meat, but he chewed good-naturedly anyway. “Yum. Thank you, sweetheart.”
Angel passed him a napkin and lifted Jillian off of his lap. “Come on, pumpkin! Time to get ready for bed.”
“Let’s make duh tent!”
“What? It’s late, sweetie. We’ll do it another time.”
“Tent, Anga!” Jillian touched Angel’s cheek with her little hand and her blue eyes looked up imploringly. “Wit Zanda!”
“Oh, honey…” Angel began.
Alex interrupted her as he stood to start removing the plates to the sink across the kitchen. “Is it a game?”
“When Jilly stays over, and Becca isn’t here, we usually make a tent in the living room and sleep in there. At least, until she falls asleep.” Her expression was full of apology. Sorry, she mouthed with a cringe.
Alex turned back toward the two girls and smiled, rubbing his hands together. “Sounds fun. Let’s do it!”
“Yippee!” Jillian shrieked and wiggled in Angel’s arms until she was set on her feet.
“Oh, no, miss. You’re a mess.” She was covered in remnants of the day. Cherry snow cone and chocolate ice cream stained the front of her flowered top and dripped down to the top of her yellow shorts and dirt had collected on the surface of it. Her face was filthy, despite Angel’s repeated attempts to clean her up. “Into the bath with you first.” Angel pointed down the hall and blonde curls bounced as she ran toward the bathroom.
“’Kay,” she said, disappearing around the corner.
“Alex, I’m sorry.”
“I’m not. What should I do?”
“There are blankets and pillows in my closet, and I usually just push the two chairs closer to the couch and then drape the blankets between them. I’ll get them for you, if you want to start?” At his nod, Angel continued. “She falls asleep fast, don’t worry.”
By the time Alex had constructed a makeshift tent and went around lighting a couple of the candles Angel had around her living room, his phone rang.
“Yeah?”
“Alex, one of Swanson’s goons rented an empty apartment in Angel’s building but doesn’t move in until Wednesday. I just found out from Bancroft.”
“Oh, fuck!” Alex’s mind raced. How in the hell would he get her out of here? “Uh, did you get the specs that I requested on the building?”
“Yeah.”
“Okay, are there any other vacant apartments?”
“Just one, but it’s not on her floor.”
“Come and see me at my office in the morning. If you get there before me, ask Mrs. Dane to give you what you need and then rent that apartment. And, Cole; good job.”
“Too bad you can’t tell Dad. Man, this chick must be something.”
“Yes, she is.” As he hung up the phone, Jillian came running out of Angel’s room, all pink and freshly scrubbed.
Angel followed behind her, taking in the low lights and the soft glow of candlelight that shimmered all around the room. She cocked her head and sent Alex a questioning glance, but he only smiled in return. She’d changed from her dress into some grey sweatshorts and a white T-shirt, looking like she had just emerged from a bath as well. Her hair was piled in a knot atop her head, held in place by what looked like a white piece of fabric. She had on her Prada glasses, which were a dark green metal in a rectangular shape. Angel seemed younger without make-up, but still luminous. Alex stared until Jillian tugged at the leg of his jeans and he bent to lift her up. The little one smelled of baby powder and freshness. Alex inhaled deeply, enjoying her baby scent as she hugged his neck, her wet hair brushing against his chin.
“What are you looking at? It’s a pajama party.”
“I was just thinking that you look different every time I see you.”
“Is that bad? I know, I look—”
“Amazing. That’s how you look.” His eyes perused her body, caressing her curves, and his perfect mouth lifted only slightly on one side. As always, it made her burn from head to toe. She could feel her skin physically flush. “Every time, no matter how you’re dressed, make-up or no make-up; it doesn’t matter.”
Heat infused her face, the pleasure she felt at his words surprising her. “Thank you.”
Alex had taken the comforter and extra blankets from Angel’s bed and piled them on the floor inside the tent. Jillian scrambled in after Alex set her down and curled up on the pillows. Despite the heat of the Chicago summer, the apartment was cool, and she snuggled into the vast pile of down and fluff.
“Come on, Anga! Zanda!”
Angel and Alex laughed as he motioned for her to precede him. “You just wanna look at my ass,” she whispered as she passed in front of him.
“So? You just wanna look at mine,” Alex teased in return.
“I don’t deny it,” she said with a small shrug and a devilish smirk. Alex couldn’t help the pleased chuckle that escaped him.
Angel settled Jillian in-between herself and Alex, tucking the covers around her. She turned onto her side facing both Jillian and Alex. His head was propped up against the edge of one of the sofas as he leaned on the pillows.
“Did you have a nice day, today, baby?”
Jillian smiled and nodded with a yawn.
“We should thank Alex for coming along. It’s been very nice to have him with us, hasn’t it?”
Angel’s wide brown eyes met his, the soft glow of candlelight filtering in through the blankets casting his features into half-shadow. His face softened and Angel had an almost undeniable urge to reach out and trace his strong jaw, the indelible cleft in his chin, to push the thick lock of hair back from his forehead. As if reading her mind, his hand reached up and pushed it away.
“Tank you, Zanda.”
Angel bit her lip to stop the laughter that welled in her chest. Zanda.
“You’re welcome, darling. I have a dog named Max, who would love to meet you. Maybe we can take him to the park next time. Would you like to do that?”
She nodded and yawned again. Angel opened a tattered book and began to read as Alex looked on.
“Never tease a weasel,” she began, reading the well-worn children’s story lovingly to the little girl.
Alex couldn’t take his eyes off of Angel as she read, mesmerized as usual by her voice and expression, his heart tightened at the tenderness she lavished on the baby.
“Why don’t we tease, baby?” She touched the end of Jillian’s nose with her index finger.
“Teasing isn’t nice,” Jillian quipped sleepily, her eyes half-closed. She blinked, trying to hold them open.
“No, it’s not nice, is it?”
“I have a feeling you’ve read this to her before,” Alex murmured, and Angel nodded as she continued to read, stopping only when Jillian was obviously out.
“Keep going. I want to hear the end.”
“You’re not serious.”
“As a heart attack.” Angel balked at him but he persisted. “Please?”
“Oh, Jesus.” She rolled her eyes. “Okay.” She reopened the book and found her place.
Angel’s eyes flashed up to find Alex grinning at her, and he used his hand to motion for her to continue. “I’m gonna get you for this.”
