by Deb Julienne
Angel hadn’t spoken to her folks in close to eight years now. They were fine according to her sister, both healthy, her two younger sisters as well. No problems to speak of, but that’s all she knew. “I hope your mom makes a full and speedy recovery.”
“Thank you.”
“Well, that was fun,” Sabrina said.
“Yes, it was,” Angel said. “Not nearly as frightening as you led me to believe.
Jill let out a pathetic moan. “First time you ever bested us. What got into you?”
“You can thank Angel for that. Oh, before I forget to tell you, that book is fabulous,” Sabrina said.
“Wait, what book?” Jill sat up straight, and her expression perked up.
Sabrina picked up the black satin book and tossed it to Jill. “Trent is having so much fun with all my antics. He says I’m wearing him out and told me to ask you for an antidote so he can get some sleep.” Sabrina giggled. “I can’t thank you enough for lending it to me. When do I get the others?”
“I heard that,” Kat hollered from her room. “What other books?”
“There are two others by the same author. Mind-Blowing Sex and The Best Sex of Your Life. I’ve already placed an order for both.”
“I want a copy of each,” Kat yelled.
“Me, too,” said Jill.
“Make it three sets.” The lecherous grin on Sabrina’s face suggested Trent would be exhausted before she finished the books.
“Stop by the store. You can help me plan some of the additions I want to make. I already have plenty of How to Be a Sex Kitten in stock. The others will arrive in a month or so,” Angel said. “I’ll give you each a copy, with my compliments.”
Jill thumbed through the book and handed it back to her. “Whoa, this is great. Got any boyfriends on order for the shop?”
Angel tucked it into her purse. “No, unless you want the blow-up kind.”
She wondered how her evening with Travis would go and whether there was anything from the book she was brave enough to try.
“You know,” Sabrina said. “You should consider doing a weekly workshop at the store. Show your latest fashions, explain the latest products, and then have a book review. That way if people had questions you could have some one-on-one time. That would definitely help with sales.”
Kat stuck her head out her bedroom door. “Great idea.”
“No kidding. That’s one book club I wouldn’t mind joining,” Jill said.
“You’d come?” Angel was excited. Might not be a bad idea. If these three joined along with a few of her regular customers, it just might fund the expansion she’d been toying with.
“Absolutely! Count me in.” Sabrina clapped her hands.
“Me, too,” Jill said.
“I’m in,” Kat called.
“What the hell are you doing in there?” Jill asked.
Angel’s stomach growled. Before she could move to go eat one of the croissants the door burst open and Trent and Travis walked in.
Travis.
In the same room, in the flesh, a reminder of all she wanted.
Angel ran to Travis, threw herself into his arms, and hit him with the promised lip-lock. Her stomach swirled in a topsy-turvy muddled mess. Her hands flexed, begging to touch him.
Kat said, “Excuse me, you two. I don’t meant to stop the slobber session, but how’s this Angel? Is this what you had in mind?”
Trent’s laughter intruded on their frenzied kiss. “What the hell are you made up for? Halloween has already come and gone.”
Angel pulled away, swaying slightly, unwilling to release Travis. There stood Kat with an ugly brown wig, fifties horn-rimmed glasses, hideous polyester pants, and a shawl.
“I didn’t mean for you to turn grandma. Just toned down a bit,” Angel said.
“Kat, toned down. Not gonna happen,” Trent said.
Kat raised a fist. “Watch it, buster.”
“Hello to you too, my Angel,” Travis whispered. “I didn’t expect such a delightful welcome, but I approve.” Travis pulled her tightly against him.
The way his eyes raked over her body made her girlie parts—once thought to be dead—suddenly come alive, throbbing with need. “I missed you.”
“I missed you, too.” Travis nuzzled her neck then pulled back and frowned, his focus on the couch.
Kong lay in all his purple glory on the couch where he’d landed after Jill threw him to Kat.
Angel blushed to her roots.
Travis left her side and picked up Kong with two fingers, dangling it upside down.
The girls burst out laughing, but the men didn’t.
“What the hell went on in here?” Travis raised his brows. He shook his head and dropped Kong on the couch then came back to Angel’s side.
He hugged her. “You’ll tell me later, right?” Then he kissed her.
“Did we miss the invitation to a party? Why is the tequila out so early in the day?” Trent asked.
“We were giving Angel a proper welcome. She’s moving into Sabrina’s old room. Well, as soon as you take her off our hands.” Kat pointed at Sabrina.
Trent laughed. “God help us all if they corrupt Angel the way they did Sabrina.
Travis rubbed his neck. “At least living with those two wildcats will keep her safer than either the building or the neighborhood.”
“That’s what you think. You’ve got a bigger problem living up to her standards. After what we’ve learned today, I’ll be curious to find out if Travis has the cojones to be man enough for her.” Kat tossed her glasses on the coffee table.
“What did we miss, Trent? What are they talking about?” Travis asked.
“I’ll let you find out on your own.” Trent winked at Angel.
They believed she had much more firsthand knowledge about the products in her shop than she did. Good thing she enjoyed research. Knowledge was only a finger click away or, in this case, between the pages. She patted the book in her purse.
Trent kissed Sabrina. “So, are you all packed? I got your text.”
Roaring with laughter, Jill and Kat jabbed at each other.
“Save it, Romeo,” Kat said.
“Oops, sorry. We sort of lost track of time.” Sabrina hiccupped and covered her mouth. “With everyone helping it shouldn’t take long.”
“Let’s get at it. I’ve got plans for you.” Trent spied the dildo again, laughed, picked Sabrina up, and carried her shrieking and laughing into the back bedroom. The slamming door echoed down the hall.
“God, they’re disgusting,” Kat said.
“No, it’s cute,” Angel said.
Kat and Jill stared at her, still in Travis’ arms then Kat picked up Kong and tossed him to Jill.
“I forgot to tell you, I bought him as a gift for you so you won’t be lonely.”
“Bitch.”
“That’s my name. Get used to it.”
Jill hid Kong behind her back, but there was no way to hide her flaming cheeks or her embarrassment while Kat stared at Travis.
“What?” Travis said.
“Don’t just stand there like a moron—kiss her then get to work,” Kat ordered.
“Yes ma’am.” Travis embraced her tighter. “I never argue with my elders.”
“Jackass.” Kat whipped her wig off and fluffed her hair. “I’ll stick to ponytails. This wig is entirely too hot.” She disappeared back into her bedroom.
Jill put away the booze and cleaned up from their game.
“The past couple of weeks have passed excruciatingly slow, but I’m free now, I’m all yours.” Travis stroked Angel’s cheek.
The warmth of his touch made her long to be alone with him. “What about your job?”
“I have a few ideas. Trent said I can help out at the magazine until I find something permanent. Plus, I have access to anything I need for the family via email. It’s time for me and you, of course. How long do you think it will take to pack the rest of Sabrina’s things? I’m anxious to get you alone
.”
The longing in his eyes lulled her, making her as woozy as the alcohol. She nuzzled his lips. “Me, too.”
“I don’t know what brought it on, but God I’m a lucky man. If it’s something I’ve done, clue me in so I can keep doing it.”
“You can thank the girls. They helped me see things a little differently.”
“Did the tequila help influence your change of heart? If so, remind me to send them a case.”
Chapter 5
Travis was exhausted after spending the entire afternoon packing and moving boxes. There wasn’t much to move, but it had been like herding cats—no one cooperated. Then Kat went and opened her big mouth and offered to take everyone to dinner in celebration.
Angel let out a yawn during dinner.
He leaned over and asked, “Do you want a rain check on our date? We can go to my hotel and relax.”
“I think not.” She gave him a playful smirk.
“What’s the matter? Don’t you trust yourself alone with me?”
“That’s right.”
“You know I’m joking, right?” He wasn’t sure he trusted himself. He wanted to be alone with her, even if it was only to continue their silly game.
“Yes, I do. I’m not that dense.”
“She’s on to you, Trav.” Trent poked him.
“No kidding, except with Angel’s luck she’s about to learn he’s taking her back to the hotel to show her his spreadsheets. Bor-ing.” Kat covered her mouth in a fake yawn. “Can’t tell you how many times he’s put me to sleep during meetings.”
“Very funny. Those spreadsheets are important to business.”
“Right. Now if it was Trent, she’d be stuck looking at his collection of MAD Magazine.” Kat snorted.
“Tell me about it.” Sabrina eyed Travis. “I thought you were joking when you said he collected them. I’m trying to find a spot for them in the condo now.”
Travis was clueless. “Trent?”
“My mistake.” Sabrina blushed profusely. “I forgot. It’s something Trent teased me about while pretending to be you.”
Sabrina elbowed him in the ribs and laughed.
Trent gasped.
“Why do I get the impression I should have a long sit-down with my ‘little brother’ to find out what exactly he said and did as me?”
Angel laughed and covered her mouth.
He’d have to pump her later. Oh shit, the sexual innuendo caused him have to adjust his pants.
“Hush, Angel,” Sabrina said. “It’s none of his business.”
“Whoa, if my brother, posing as me, did something stupid and embarrassing, I need to know so I can redeem myself and kick his ass.” Travis hoped someone would fill him in, yet he’d most likely never find out.
“In that case, ask him about wearing Sabrina’s PMS sweats. Now that was funny.” Kat let out a laugh that sounded closer to a roar. “You should have seen the look on his face, standing in the living room, the ankles of Sabrina’s sweats up around his knees.”
“What the hell were you doing in Sabrina’s sweats?” Travis asked.
“Wait, wait. I have a perfectly understandable explanation.” Trent raised a hand. “I went to pick up Sabrina for a date. She left the door unlocked for me. I called out but she didn’t hear me. I didn’t want her think someone was prowling around the apartment. She didn’t answer, so I opened the door the bathroom and she was asleep in the tub. I wanted to be romantic and kiss her awake.”
Sabrina took over the story. “He had no idea the tub was so full, because I had a mountain of bubbles as well. When he kissed me, I startled and I grabbed him.”
“She pulled me into the tub on top of her.” Trent leaned over and kissed his wife. “You should have seen her spitting bubbles.”
“Back to the sweats,” Travis said.
“They were the only thing in Sabrina’s closet that fit,” Kat said. “I came home from school, and there’s Trent, Mister Millionaire Playboy, standing in my living room, no shirt, sweats up around his knees, trying to keep me from beating the crap out of him for not telling Sabrina he was pretending to be you. Sabrina walked in as I was telling him he was delusional for thinking Sabrina wouldn’t be mad when she found out.”
“So that’s what the conversation was about?” Sabrina asked.
Trent blushed. “Now, babe.” He held his hands up in mock surrender. “We’re past that now, right?”
“We may be past it, but that doesn’t mean I’ll let you off the hook—yet.” Sabrina leaned over, pretending to give Trent a kiss, and tickled him instead.
“What you did to him with the Blue-Haired Brigade was enough punishment for anyone,” Angel said.
“The who?” Travis asked.
“Are they as scary as they sound?” Jill asked.
“You have no idea,” Trent said. “Those women are pure evil.”
“If it wasn’t for those darling ladies, I wouldn’t be here with you now,” Sabrina said. “They’re the ones who said if you can stand up to their shenanigans, you’re worth saving.”
“Saving? I beg your pardon.” Trent wiped his mouth on his napkin.
“You heard me.”
Travis whispered into Angel’s ear, “You’ll tell me later, right?”
“We’ll see.” Angel was laughing and being lightheartedly playful to everyone. If he didn’t know better he’d swear they’d all been friends for years.
He loved the relaxed Angel. She was so different from the more anxious-minded version, yet equally as tantalizing as the woman he’d met at the wedding. He couldn’t pass up the chance to tease her. “You promise to protect me from them if I ever meet them?”
“Not a chance. You’re on your own.” Angel patted his hand.
“But—”
“But nothing. They’re a good judge of character. If you tempt their wrath, you deserve everything they toss at you.” Angel gave him a look of smug satisfaction.
“It’s time to leave. Clearly you’re all bad influences. You’re corrupting Angel.” Travis wanted to get her alone. He clasped her hand then helped her out of her chair.
“Don’t trust him, Angel,” Jill said.
“Yeah, he’s up to no good.” Kat gave them a conspiratorial wink.
“You guys hush.” Sabrina dunked her fingers in her water glass then flicked water at them. “Leave them alone. Go on, you two. Get out of here. I’ll keep a leash on these clowns while you escape.”
“Excuse me,” Kat and Jill said at the same time and with the same haughty tone.
Trent waved.
Sabrina winked.
Jill and Kat continued to bicker with Sabrina.
As they strolled out of the restaurant Angel said, “I wish I’d moved into the apartment already. I’d love nothing more than to go home and relax, but my sister and her boyfriend will be arguing about where they should go to get married. I’m not up to listening to them tonight.”
“Hey, why don’t you stay at the hotel with me? A completely innocent overnight stay. You’ll have a room to yourself. We could continue our game of twenty questions.”
“I’ll pass on the game, but if you’re sure I won’t be in your way, that would be nice.”
“Can I interest you in a late-night ice cream sundae? We’ll order room service on the balcony.”
“Oh, you hit on my one weakness. You got a deal.” Angel handed her car keys to him. Instantly, all her fears disappeared.
He took the scenic route back to the hotel, driving past the waterfront. “Have you ever been on the Delta King? Trent says they have a great dinner show. He suggested the murder mystery dinner.”
“Sounds fun.”
He parked her car in the underground parking garage and they entered through the back lobby of his hotel. At the elevator, he punched the up button.
Angel took in their surroundings.
For a moment, he was afraid she’d run. But as soon as the elevator doors opened she stepped in and waited for him to join her. T
hey rode to the top floor in silence. Once he let them into his suite, he headed to the phone to order dessert. “Did you want any wine or coffee to go with your ice cream?”
Angel wandered, moving fluidly around his room, looking at the art, the view, touching objects as she went. “Doesn’t matter. Surprise me,” she said over her shoulder as she admired a seascape hanging on the wall.
His suit jacket was tossed over a chair. She picked it up, breathed in the scent then shook it out and gently folded it over the back of the chair, smoothing the wrinkles from it.
He forgot to breathe. “With you who needs alcohol?”
“Oh boy, you’re at it again.” She moved to the sliding glass door and looked out over the city.
“I’m going to get into some comfortable clothes.”
She gasped. “I forgot. I don’t have anything to sleep in.”
“If you don’t mind wearing one of my shirts, I’ll be glad to loan you one.”
“That would be nice. Thank you.”
Travis disappeared into the bedroom and stripped. What was he doing? How was he going to handle the night if everything she did, everything she touched, made him want to toss her on the bed and get lost in loving her. He gave himself a stern lecture not to push and scare her off. After stowing his dirty clothes in the hotel laundry bag, he dressed in clean slacks, grabbed a shirt from his closet, returned to the main room, and handed her the shirt. “Here you go.”
Angel gawked at his bare chest.
He almost snorted when she shook her head.
“D-don’t you have a T-shirt or jersey? I’d hate to wrinkle your freshly pressed shirt.”
“No problem. I’m sure it won’t melt in the laundry.” Travis pressed a kiss to her lips.
Angel moaned.
He showed her around the hotel room then out on the balcony. From the twentieth floor, the wind whipped around them. They quickly walked the length of the balcony before heading back inside.
Angel stared at his puckered nipples and shivered.
He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her again to warm her up. He was on fire.
A knock at the door interrupted them.
“Must be our dessert. Why don’t you go get changed and I’ll set everything up?”
