Independence: #2 Angel

by Karen Nichols

  “I’m going to change clothes,” Colin told her. “I’ll be right back.” He waited for her to nod before disappearing down the hall.

  For a minute there, Angel was pretty sure her knees were going to give out on her. Her hands tightened on the edge of the counter and she closed her eyes. Focus, she ordered. She had never been to a man’s house before. But nothing about being around Colin had a matching spot in her memories. It was all new and open territory.

  “Dating,” she whispered to herself. “You’re dating a lawyer, who gardens, works out and likes sex…with you.”

  And she was terrified of screwing things up. Of letting them mess with her head so she couldn’t think straight. Or that she’d run to keep him from their retaliation. And she knew without a doubt, they would retaliate.

  She hitched herself onto the backless stool, her elbows on the counter as she stared into the lights dotting the night. The backside of the house was made up of a panel of long windows. There was nothing out there but a flat stretch of beach. No neighbors on this side at all. She rose and walked to the patio doors, working the lock and pushing one aside.

  Then there was that scent. Mixed with a soft mist of rain and fall. Angel took in a very deep breath and was about to step onto the patio.

  “Don’t go out there,” Colin came up behind her, still pulling a deep gold tee shirt over his head. “Not in the dark. And not until you’re familiar with the area. The patio is solid but once you leave it, the sand stretches to the beach in an uneven, steep hill.”

  “It’s beautiful, Colin. Even in the dark,” she stepped onto the flat, dark stones and waited while her eyes adjusted. A chill sent a shiver down her body that was halted when a pair of warm arms circled her from behind. “I…I have to confess something.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  “That sounds ominous.” But he chuckled when her elbow jabbed at his ribs. “I can’t picture anything you have to confess as being that dire, Angel, but I’m listening.”

  “I’m not sure I know how to be normal with you. Like…this might feel like a normal date kind of thing…” Her stomach was doing flip-flops that seemed to settle slightly when his arms tightened and his mouth moved next to her ear.

  “You mean…shock…people who practice BDSM also live normal lives?”

  “You’re awful.” She tried jabbing him again but was wrapped too tightly against him.

  “I can be and sometimes, I’m even sorry. I’ve met people…women…who are compatible with my needs in the bedroom and drive me nuts outside it,” he admitted thoughtfully. “I’ve met others where I mesh in values and other areas, but that I knew instinctively would never, ever be able to satisfy me in bed. It’s a fine line, I think…and I think we’ve found it. At least, that’s what I believe…”

  “And that’s what we’re exploring,” Angel finished the thought for him.

  “It doesn’t seem to bother you.”

  Angel laughed softly. “Would it matter to you if I did? I don’t know how two people get lucky enough to trip into one another. I never really thought about it,” she continued to stare into the lights that dotted the world around her in the darkness. “I know I spent a lot of energy keeping people away. I…I don’t know if it was wrong or right, it just was what seemed best at the time. For me, but mostly for them. People who get around me, end up dragged into this mess with my family. I don’t like that.”

  Colin heard something unspoken in her voice.

  “Let’s go inside before you turn into a popsicle,” he stepped back. With his palm on her hip, he guided her into the house, latching the door firmly behind him.

  “I can’t stay, Colin,” she said without looking at him. She almost made it to the kitchen before he crossed in front of her. “No. I can’t. I open the shop at six. I usually stumble into the shower at five-thirty and leave for the shop just in time to start coffee and get things out of the fridge before they’re at my door.”

  “I’ll make sure you leave on time. We’re not that much further from your shop than your apartment is, just a different direction.”

  “And I’m wearing the only clothing I have.”

  “I don’t think this is about spending the night, Angel,” Colin ignored the food and moved forward, boxing her against a corner of the counters. “Is this about your step-mother visiting today? What did she say that has you hiding again?”

  “I am not hiding,” she answered firmly, though she wouldn’t look up past the rounded neckline of his t-shirt. “I have to…I can’t let people into my life until I get this…get them…to leave me alone.”

  “I see.”

  “I know you don’t,” she said softly. “You’re stubborn and think you can take on the world for me.”

  “Hmm…that, I do. I want you to meet with the judge tomorrow about the restraining orders,” he responded, not surprised when her gaze finally shot up to meet his. “Who’s your manager?”

  “I…well…me? I suppose sometimes…”

  “You need a manger. Someone who can handle things when you take a day off. Who does that when…” Colin knew the answer without hearing it. “You have never taken time off. No vacations?” She shook her head slowly, wincing slightly. “Then it’s time to appoint one.”

  “I’ve been thinking about it. I could make Carla full time and even send her to a few classes at the community college. The Resort has a new selection of courses to help with training people who want to learn and advance,” Angel chewed on the inside of her lip for a few seconds.

  “You can afford it?” His hands moved to her shoulders; thumbs gently massaging forward and back. “Finances are too intimate to discuss?”

  “There are times I find you extremely annoying.”

  “Do tell. When you start visiting with a guy and he stays at your place now and then…it might even be time to think about a more convenient way to live,” Colin was prepared for the shocked look and laughed.

  Chapter Nineteen

  “Have you not listened to a thing I’ve been saying?” She stared at him, a mixture of stunned disbelief and a tiny bit of trepidation.

  “I’m choosing to be positive that we will beat them at this, Angel. But it takes two,” he replied, carefully keeping his tone level. “You have to want to explore this thing with me as much as I want it.”

  “I’m afraid of them hurting you, Colin. I know you guys seem to have this…this I’m impervious to everything attitude…but that doesn’t mean you are. I’ve lived with their behavior. I know what they’re capable of,” her voice had fallen to a hushed, pain filled whisper. “I know how they go out of their way to ruin people. Just for the image they project in their…their church.”

  “I don’t accept defeat easily, Angel. I especially don’t tolerate bullies. We have the law on our side and I know how to use it,” he deliberately fell silent, letting his words sink in. “Now…what did your step-mother want today? Should her name go on the restraining order?”

  Angel heaved a big sigh. “Patsy thinks so…and so does Bailey. And she wanted…she said…”

  “You’re afraid of how I’ll react?” He watched pearly teeth nibble on her lower lip as she nodded. “Are you afraid of my temper?” Relief filled him when she looked appalled, gorgeous eyes wide and a little shocked.

  “Of course not. I know you’d never hurt me or even think I was…was encouraging this idiot idea of my father’s.”

  “And that idiot idea would be?” He prompted.

  “Elizabeth wanted to know what type of wedding I wanted,” she pushed the words out so they almost ran together in a long string. “Because, according to her, a woman’s wedding day is special and she wanted to help me plan things.”

  “And I’m taking a wild guess that I’m not the groom.”

  “Earl Leonard,” she replied, unaware that she was holding her breath.

  “Is that all she talked about?” Colin let his hands stroke down her arms, taking her hands in his and lifting the palms to his lips. �
�Talk to me, Angel.”

  “She implied that one of the reasons they keep invading my life…is because his contributions increase when he puts forth the persona of a distraught father, concerned for his daughter.”

  “Ahh…now that doesn’t surprise me. The long suffering reverend…I’ve seen the scars on your back, Angel. Is he the cause?” His brain was working, his memory playing back the inside of the café and the security measures she had in place.

  “You know he is. What you do…what we…do…doesn’t break the skin or hurt the way…it’s not something I ever thought I’d say, but it’s a good hurt. An erotic part of me I don’t really understand.” She offered no resistance when he gently pulled her into his arms, one hand up and stroking down over her head. “He uses a thin reed…I’m not sure what it is…it hurts so much…if I try not to cry, he hits harder. If I’m noisy, it’s over faster.”

  “He won’t hit you again, Angel. I’ll go with you in the morning to the shop. You can feed me. Then I want you to come with me to the appointment I have with the judge. It’s a fairly open appointment, since she’s a friend. But she’d like to talk to you about the restraining order I’m filing,” Colin wasn’t sure of her reaction, but relaxed when her arms circled him and she held on. “Together, Angel.”

  “Bailey squealed, didn’t she?” Angel asked without looking up, the gentle rumble of his chest her answer. “I thought she might. She doesn’t hide her emotions very well. At least not from Gabe.”

  “Why should she? She’s worried about you and…and she knows sometimes it takes more than just yourself to solve a problem.”

  “Is that part of the…the dom thing…squeezing answers out of us?”

  “I save the squeezing for special occasions,” he teased, his mouth tilted at the corner.

  “So how’d you luck out and get a place so close to the beach?”

  “Smart grandparents. They left me the lot when they moved to Florida five years ago. I paid for the houseboat they’re enjoying,” he told her, the memories making him smile. “I divided the lot and sold the house on the south side. Then…little by little, I built this one. It’s far from perfect, but it’s what I was after.”

  “Can you get to the water from here?”

  “In broad daylight, yes, if you’re careful. Never at night. Not until I finish the railings around the stairs. They tend to get covered over with sand from the winds, so I’m putting up some sturdy rails. The incline is steep and only a mountain goat would be able to navigate it.”

  “It’s nice here. I love the smells and sounds.”

  “Then you’re spending the night,” he said, not really a question and yet, not really a demanding statement.

  Angel wiggled a little and peeked through her lashes at him. “I think part of you has lost interest in dinner.”

  “It’s early. We can have a midnight snack,” he told her, his mouth down and over hers. His tongue speared between her lips while she was still busily processing his answer. But it didn’t take long for her to feel the heat and thrill race through her. It never seemed to matter where they were. Her body was keenly attuned to his and responded with a passion that had her ready for him. And hungry for what he could do with her.

  That was always a sense of trepidation and wonder to her. Losing herself in his kiss was only the beginning.

  “I won’t be giving up, Angel. Not unless I hear and believe the words come from your lips that this…us…isn’t as vital to you as it is to me,” Colin spoke his promise against her mouth before nipping lightly and trailing his kiss along her jaw. “I think I should show you the bedroom.” He met the dark eyes that opened slowly. “I thought about just taking you right here in the kitchen…” he laughed at the sudden panic in her eyes. “Yeah…a cook…sacred ground kind of thing…but I am all about breaking the rules with you…” he teased, loosening his hold just enough for her to duck beneath his arm and almost run out of the kitchen.

  “Not in the kitchen. I’d have to scrub and scrub…” Angel laughed when he stalked forward, one hand up and a finger crooked at her. Her chin went up and she deliberately took a step back. “And I’d never be able to focus because I’d be thinking of…” she stopped and watched his eyes crinkle in laughter. “How do you do it?”

  Colin had to admit to being at a loss for an answer because he wasn’t sure where she had gone with the question.

  “Do what, Angel?”

  “Slip between…this teasing side of you…sometimes it’s in the Dom side, but mostly it’s not,” she admitted with a tone edged with a little tremor.

  “I don’t know. I suppose the same way I slip from either of those to a competent, fire-breathing prosecutor in the courtroom,” he winked at her laugh. “Latest press release about the last case I was involved in. The other side wasn’t happy with me or the outcome.”

  “You won.”

  “The people won. I just did the work to put away someone deserving of far more than he received,” Colin felt the edge of anger that generally accompanied a rape and murder case. But he wasn’t about to bring that into their conversation. Not now. In time, though, he didn’t doubt they’d sit and discuss that and more. He hoped. He stood less than a foot from her but for the first time in his life he could feel the sadness pouring from her. For him.

  “It hurts you,” she said quietly. She continued when the look on his face must have betrayed his confusion. “I’ve seen enough crime shows, Colin. I know the photos you have to review and study and present. I know the…the sadness and impotence that you must feel because it all comes to you after the fact and there’s nothing you can do but seek what has to appear as a very weak retribution. You care and it shows on your face sometimes when you think no one is watching.”

  “That’s very insightful, Miss Morehouse.” Somehow he managed to keep his voice level, her observations striking straight into the bulls-eye.

  “You don’t like to admit it, any more than I enjoy admitting the annoyance of my family members,” she offered up a wan smile, one hand rising from her side and pressing flat against his heart. “I have early mornings.”

  “Suggesting I get this show on the road?” The corner of his mouth lifted slightly.

  “I’m sure suggesting such a thing would mean I was topping from the bottom,” she returned with a cheeky grin that sent a jolt straight to his cock. Seeing her relaxed, teasing and playing had an effect on him beyond what he thought possible. “And that…would surely get me into trouble with my…with my Dom, now wouldn’t it?”

  “Your Dom is an incredibly fortunate man.” He closed the distance between them, his hands on her middle. His eyes darkened the longer he stared into hers. He knew the instant the tsunami of arousal shot through him because her eyes widened and she seemed to know immediately he was slipping effortlessly into Dom mode. “Take off your clothing. Leave it on the sofa.” He stepped back, releasing her and leaning his elbows against the solid counter behind him. The advantages of being in charge and getting to watch the show. “And we aren’t in that much of a hurry, pet.”

  Angel didn’t pause; didn’t hesitate. Her hands rose, crossed over her body and pulled the t-shirt free. She dropped it to the sofa without looking. She bent in half, her hands tugging the laces from the low boots she wore before she toed them from her feet. When she straightened, she met his gaze and opened the snap on her jeans. They slid down her legs with a little help and were left on the back of the sofa.

  Panties, bra and socks followed until she stood patiently, her hands automatically clasped before her. She met his stare and didn’t move when he straightened and walked behind her. She heard tapping but resisted looking over her shoulder. Then she heard the soft sound of air and knew he’d turned the heater up for her.

  A shiver raced through her. She could feel him behind her without him raising a hand or touching her with even a finger. She closed her eyes and felt his body heat seeping into her pores.

  “Down this hall, Angel,” Colin turned he
r carefully, his hands on her shoulders. “Up the stairs at the end. Kneel on the bed and wait for me. I’m checking the locks and alarm. I’ll bring up a bottle of water for us.”

  “Yes, sir,” she answered and forced her feet to move over the long, narrow red and blue throw rug that covered the hardwood floors.

  The fire in his eyes remained in her vision as she walked. She’d felt the slight shift in them both. Her willingness to submit to that fire fascinated and excited her. The memory of the night before sent a hot jolt through her that made her groan softly. She felt her breasts tighten, the nipples erect and pulsing with need.

  One hand rose to stroke along the smooth, wide banister that led up in a gentle curve to the right. She’d questioned the sanity of coming to his home. Somehow it was different than her cozy apartment. Somehow, it was private. It was…special.

  This wasn’t the neutral ground of the club. There had been nothing personal at all about spending time in the bedroom there. This seemed to take their friendship to a different level. A new place. An uncertain place she’d never been before. Her free hand went flat against her stomach to calm the butterflies swirling there as she climbed the stairs.

  There was no light in the large, open loft other than a dim shadow cast from the floor below. The right side opened to a large, generous room below with a large stone fireplace and big, cushiony furniture. The bedroom was warm and colored the same way, in shades of brown, gold and deep crimson. Like his cuffs, she thought instantly, turning from the waist high railing and going straight to the bed.

  Angel climbed onto the large bed and perched in the middle, kneeling the way she’d been taught, with her palms up and opened. Shoulders were back, her head high as she gazed around the room. To the left was the walk-in closet, another open archway beside it that she guessed led to the bathroom. Remembering his instructions, she bounced hastily to the floor and went to pee, taking in the countertop in deep red with gold colored streaks through it.

  She was drying her hands and taking in the rest of the very large bathroom. Something in the back of her mind called it a five piece bathroom set. She ran her fingers along the thick glass of the large angled shower stall, her head tipped back to glance at the double gleaming showerheads and the built in ceramic bench along one side. To the side of that was a very nice, deep bathtub with openings she guessed were jets.