by Cathryn Fox
She grinned, liking that she could make this guy as crazy as he did her.
“Harder,” she said, pushing back to meet each delicious jerk of his hips, pleasure gripping every inch of her.
“Jesus,” he murmured and angled his body for deeper thrusts, the depth of penetration increasing the tension in her body. Her legs quivered and her sex fluttered as he moved urgently against her.
“Yes,” she cried out. “Just like that.”
One hand slid up her back and gripped her shoulder for leverage. With her palms splayed on the wall, basic elemental need took over as their bodies rocked together, her cowboy fucking her harder than she’d ever been fucked before. She reveled in it. Needed it. Wanted more of it.
“Fuck, Angel, I’m right there.”
“Me too,” she squeaked.
He pulled out, then slammed back into her, and her body responded with a hot flow of relief. She cried out, her fingers curling, her long nails digging into the wall.
“Fuck me,” he said. He stilled, his cock pulsing inside her as his fingers gripped her shoulder hard enough to leave a bruise. He leaned over her, his breath hot on her back. They stayed that way for a minute, both trying to catch their breath.
“You okay, Angel?” he asked, breaking the quiet. He pulled his cock out of her, and slipped a hand between her legs to lightly pet her sex. “I didn’t hurt you, did I?”
She forced her brain to work. “No, but if you keep touching me like that, I’m going to start hurting again.”
He laughed, and continued to stroke her gently, soothing her sore muscles. “I hope I wasn’t too rough.”
“Rough. Heck, the last carousal horse I rode was rougher than that,” she teased, loving the way he’d taken her. His soft chuckle curled around her, seeping under her skin and filling her with warmth.
He touched her hair, a gentle caress. “Seriously, Angel. I’d hate myself if I hurt you.”
“You didn’t,” she assured him. “It was…perfect.” Truthfully, sex had never been so perfect. She thought one night with him would help her face her twenty-sixth year alone. Now she was afraid this hard yet sensitive cowboy had forever ruined her for any other man.
Never having been so sexually satisfied, her body went limp and she tried to straighten up, but her legs wobbled. She reached for the wall to brace herself, but Mr. Hot Cowboy was there, catching her before she did an undignified face plant. His strong arms slipped around her waist, anchoring her to him.
“It’s okay, Angel,” he whispered, his voice full of tender concern. After he’d taken her so hard and rough, she hadn’t expected such tenderness from him. It did the weirdest things to her insides. His lips brushed her neck. “I’ve got you.”
Again that voice…so familiar. Her body relaxed into his sturdy grip and the deeply intimate way he was holding her. She closed her hand over his arm, and his hewn muscles flexed beneath her fingers. His skin was hot and damp with exertion, and she fought the urge to turn around and see his face. This was nothing more than a one-night stand, and she was better off not knowing who he was.
He released her hands, walked her backward, and set her in the chair he’d roped her to earlier. From behind he pulled her hair from her neck, dropped a soft kiss near her ear and whispered, “Wait here. I’ll be right back to clean you up.”
Her heart missed a beat. Hot, strong, and sensitive. Damn she really could get used to this. Rustling sounds reached her ears as he pulled on his clothes. He stepped away, and a moment later the music shut off, followed by the bathroom door creaking open. Angie drew a deep breath and let it out slowly, trying to get blood back into her extremities.
She climbed to her feet and forced her wobbly legs to take her to the door. Tomorrow she’d come back and gather her presents. Tonight…well, tonight she was his angel and he was her cowboy. It was best not to hang around and ruin this awesome fantasy with reality.
Chapter Two
Standing in front of the bathroom mirror in his cousin’s apartment in the Village, Dylan ran the razor over his chin, his mind going back to last night—to his angel. The corner of his mouth turned up, and there was nothing he could do to wipe the goofy grin from his face. She was beautiful, smart, and funny. Talk about the perfect trifecta. Too bad she was leaving for Texas.
Even though he wasn’t really into brief affairs, while he was in town for the next week he wouldn’t mind having a few more nights like the last one. Shame she’d run off so fast. He’d thought about going after her when he came back from the bathroom and found her gone. But then he thought better of it. Even if she wasn’t headed to his home state, he now lived in L.A., and they were different people who lived different lives.
He set his razor down and ran his hand over his jaw, taking a moment to reminisce about the way her hands had seductively roamed over his body. To think, he wasn’t even going to go to the hotel. He’d arrived in town late last night, and all he’d wanted to do was hang with his cousin Chase and get out of the spotlight for a few hours. But Chase, a Broadway performer who got his kink and kicks from dancing incognito at private events, had left him a note with other ideas for him.
Chase had double booked gigs and in the note begged Dylan to take his place—to dance at some veterinarian’s going away party. His first reaction was no. Sure he’d shaken his junk in the past, to make money when he was a struggling actor on the set of Rookie Nights, a television series shot in New York, but now he was one of Hollywood’s leading male actors.
But then Chase had phoned him and pushed hard. He owed his cousin, and he didn’t want to disappoint the girl. He was kind of a sucker like that, and Chase damn well knew it. He hadn’t planned on sleeping with her, but he was damn glad he had. Sure the world thought he was a hound—a take it where he could get it kind of guy—but truthfully, he was just a small town boy with virtues. But it had been so goddam long since he’d been laid, he couldn’t help himself.
Ever since his ex Suzanna left him for one of his producers, his every move was scrutinized by the paparazzi. Last night was a great way to have some fun without becoming tabloid fodder. It had been a long time since he’d gone undercover and done something risky. Damn it was exciting. The best adrenaline rush he’d had in a while.
His cock thickened from thinking about it. Down boy. Shit, he’d pretty much been sporting an erection all morning. He needed to get himself under control. He’d promised his good buddy Cameron Phillips that he’d do a cameo on his show Devious Women, and the last thing he wanted was to be walking around the set with a damn hard-on.
He opened the bathroom door and made his way to the kitchen. The smell of dark roasted coffee reached his nostrils as he rounded the corner to find his cousin filling two big mugs. Dylan plunked himself down on the stool opposite Chase, and drummed his fingers on the marble island to gain his cousin’s attention.
Chase spun around, a grin on his face as he slid a mug of java across the countertop. “Well,” he said.
Dylan took a much-needed drink. Damned if Chase didn’t make the best damn cup of coffee around. “Well what?” he asked over the rim of the cup.
“Don’t you have something to say to me?”
“You mean like fuck off?”
Chase laughed. “More like thank you. That shit eating grin on your face tells me you got laid, bro.” He brushed his hair from his forehead and drove his thumb into his chest. “All thanks to this guy.”
“You seriously have to give this shit up, Chase,” he said redirecting the conversation. “One of these days someone is going to find out it’s you.”
“So this veterinarian,” he began, refusing to let it go.
Dylan held his hand up to cut him off. “I’m not talking about it.”
“She was sweet, huh?”
Oh yeah, she was sweet. His muscles clenched, as he thought about the way she’d offered herself up so nicely to him. He scrubbed his palm over his chin, wishing he could lower his head between her thighs and taste her again.<
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“Fuck,” Chase said, dragging him back.
His gaze jerked to Chase’s. “What?”
Chase reached across the counter and put his hand on Dylan’s shoulder. He squeezed, and Dylan’s muscles bunched. “Why so tight? Sex is supposed to relax you, and you’re all tied up in knots.”
His mind skipped back to the lasso, and the way he’d tied up his angel. His cock tented his pants, clamoring for a little more of that action.
O-kay…
On that note, he pushed from the counter and checked his watch. “I gotta run.”
Chase took a sip of coffee. “You headed to the set?”
“Yeah. I promised Cameron I’d do that cameo.”
“Sounds boring if you ask me.”
Dylan shook his head. “Not everything I do has to be high stakes, you know.”
“Adrenaline and excitement. I live off it,” Chase said, flashing perfect white teeth. “You could use a little more of it yourself, which is why tonight I’m taking you to Sanctuary.”
“I’m not going—”
“But you owe me.”
“Not after last night I don’t.”
Chase wagged an eyebrow. “It’s because of last night that you do, bro.”
“Fuck, Chase.” Dylan knew all about Sanctuary. A private, members only club where kinky was the norm. He wasn’t into kink. Well, he wasn’t until last night.
Chase crossed the counter, a lopsided grin on his mouth. “Bro, you have to trust me on these things. You did last night and look how that all worked out. There will be plenty more like your little veterinarian at Sanctuary.”
Dylan doubted that. There’d likely be a second coming of Christ before he met another angel like the one he’d lost himself in last night. “I’ll think about it,” he said, even though he had no intention of going to any kinky club.
He adjusted his cock inside his unforgiving jeans and made his way to the elevator. A little over half an hour later, he showed his ID at the studio gate and pulled into the lot where Devious Women was filmed. It had been a while since he’d seen Cameron, a guy Chase had introduced him to shortly after moving to New York, and he was looking forward to catching up. He probably should have at least watched an episode of the show, especially after agreeing to the cameo. He honestly had no idea what he was getting into, but this was Cameron and they were friends.
The receptionist greeted him with a big smile and offered him coffee as she ushered him to the boardroom, where Monday morning’s read through was taking place. He pushed open the glass door and a hush went around the room. Cameron stood when he saw him.
“Dylan,” he said, crossing the room to give him a hug. He turned to the actors and actresses all seated around the large table. “Surprise!”
“You didn’t tell them?” he asked as everyone stared at him, their mouths practically hitting the table.
“Nope,” he said laughing. “I wanted it to be a surprise. Plus, if it leaked, the parking lot would be swarming with media.”
He nodded in agreement, thankful for his friend’s insight. “Thanks for that.”
“Everyone, this is my good friend Dylan.”
Dylan nodded, taking in each set of eyes as they blatantly stared at him. He shifted, a little uncomfortable under their scrutiny. Christ, he still couldn’t get used to the way people put him on a pedestal, even chasing him down in the streets. He was just a small town Texas boy who wanted to be an actor. Cameron did the introductions, and Dylan walked around the table to shake everyone’s hands.
When he finished Cameron said, “Why don’t we all take a break, and I’ll get Dylan up to speed.” Excited chatter could be heard as everyone left the room, casting last glances at Dylan before they rushed away. “Let’s head to my office and get you a script. Your cameo will be brief, just a one-night stand love interest for Lauren Lipton, played by Angie Stanton.”
Angie.
Hearing that name once again had his thoughts careening back to last night, and he angled his body to hide his erection. What was it about the little veterinarian that had gotten under his skin…and into his head? He couldn’t seem to stop thinking about her.
“I’ll get Cindy to bring us some coffee.” Cameron waved toward the conference room door.
Dylan turned to go, but crashed into some harried women rushing into the boardroom. The stack of papers she was carrying fell to the floor in a whoosh, and a mumbled curse caught in her throat as she dropped to her knees to gather them up.
He sank to the ground to help. “Here let me.” They both reached for the stack of sheets at the same time. As soon as their hands touched, her head jerked up with a start. A pair of gorgeous brown eyes met his and then dimmed, the woman’s mouth forming a surprised little O, but no words came.
Holy. Fuck.
“Angel,” he whispered, his heart thundering as his gaze moved over her face.
“I…you’re…I.” A warm flush crept up her neck, and before he could think better of it, he cupped her face and ran his thumb over her pink cheek. She jerked back like he’d just slapped her.
The movement snapped him back to reality, and he shook his head. What was his sexy little angel doing here at the studio? He thought she’d be on her way to Texas by now. His glance moved over her. He sort of expected to see her in a white coat, not a sheer, cream-colored blouse and a blue skirt that showcased sexy curves and a hot body he’d had the pleasure of touching. Was Cameron consulting with a veterinarian for the show? Was that why she was here? He had no idea. All he knew was that the gods were smiling down on him. Maybe he did something right in a past life.
“…a one-night stand love interest for Lauren Lipton, played by Angie Stanton”.
Hold it! His brain stalled, then raced to catch up.
Angie…actress Angie Stanton was his…Angel?
What the hell was going on? He went back on his heels as she jumped to her feet, the position putting his mouth inches from where he so desperately wanted it again.
She ran a shaky hand through her long blonde hair, and he watched her carefully, tracking her every move. “What…I…you’re Dylan Brooks…” Eyes wide, like she’d seen a ghost, her glance went from Dylan to Cameron, back to Dylan again.
“That’s right.” He climbed to his feet and stepped close. As his body crowded hers, he dipped his head and held his hand out for a formal introduction this time. “And you are?”
She slipped her hand into his, and enough electricity to light up the entire set arced between them. “I’m Angel…uh, I mean Angela. Angie Stanton.”
Cameron cleared his throat, and they looked at him. “Well, at least there’s chemistry. That will bring the scene to life and draw in the audience.” He checked his watch. “You’re running a bit behind this morning, Angie.”
“Yeah, sorry about that. I…uh…”
Coming to her rescue, Dylan gave her a grin and said, “No worries. Sometimes we get tied up and lose track of time. Happens to the best of us.”
A sound caught in her throat and she stumbled backward, and that’s when he realized his choice of words. Tied up. Shit, he hadn’t meant to fluster her. She gripped the open glass door and squeezed. He couldn’t tell whether she wanted to shut it behind her and stay, or run through it and get as far away from him as possible.
Dylan planted his feet, trying to wrap his brain around this unexpected turn of events. His angel was an actress on the nightly soap opera Devious Women? Then why were her friends throwing her a going away party? He wanted to ask but needed to get her alone first. From the nervous way she kept rubbing her thumb and index finger together, and the glances she kept darting to Cameron, he understood she didn’t want her boss to know. She had nothing to worry about. He didn’t kiss and tell.
Cameron held his arm out and gestured toward the hall. “After you,” he said to Angie. Angie made a move to go, but Dylan cupped her elbow to stop her, not wanting to let her out of his sight. She’d run out on him once, and he’d be damned if
he’d let her do it again. Cameron gave them an odd look, but turned his attention to his ringing cell phone.
He pulled it from his pocket and checked the number. “Dammit. Angie, I have to take this. Can you show Dylan to his dressing room?”
She blinked rapidly, and Dylan couldn’t help but wonder what happened to the bold, naughty girl with a smart mouth and witty comebacks.
“What?” she asked.
“Take him to his dressing room.” He put the phone to his ear and turned to Dylan. “I’ll catch up with you later. And don’t worry. You’re in good hands. Angie will make sure you have everything you need.”
Cameron disappeared, leaving him alone with his angel. Dylan reached past her shoulder, grabbed the door, and closed it. “Is that true?” he asked, looking for his playful angel from last night.
“Is what true?”
“You’ll give me everything I need.” Her face turned scarlet, and she lifted the stack of papers in her hand to hide behind them. “Hey,” he whispered, pulling her hands away. “Don’t be embarrassed, okay? Not with me.”
“Last night,” she croaked out. “It was…you?” she asked, like she still wasn’t one hundred percent sure.
He lowered his voice and cupped her chin. “Yeah, Angel. It was me.”
“I can’t believe this,” she said, her voice trembling slightly as she rubbed her fingers together harder. “I can’t believe I…you…”
Her body trembled and it looked like she was about to collapse, so he pulled her to him. She quaked as their groins collided. “I’m finding it a little hard to believe myself.”
He walked backward, dragging her with him. Three steps took him to the long table, and he pulled a chair out. “Sit,” he commanded in a soft voice.
She sat and he dropped into the chair next to her. He grabbed the arms on her seat and spun her until she faced him. My God, it was cliché, but she took his breath away. Seeing her all revved up and bold last night was one thing, but seeing this shy, flustered—genuine—side was another. It brought out the protector in him and made him want to take her into his arms and tell her everything was going to be okay.
