Angel on Fire

by Jacquie Johnson

  “Good nap, babe?” He drove around the back of the faded, yellow building.

  “Hmmm.” Her face paled as she noticed the skimpily dressed woman leaning against a nearby car. “What are we doing here?”

  “Spending the night.” His tone was neutral as if staying at this kind of hotel was an ordinary occurrence.

  Angela shot him a dirty look. “Why here?”

  “Because it takes cash and doesn’t ask for ID. Since rooms can be rented by the hour, the turnover is high enough that we won’t be remembered. The clerk thinks we’re just another cheating couple.”

  “By the hour?” she squealed. “You mean? Yuck!” Grimacing, she shuddered involuntarily. “You want me to sleep on sheets that someone might have….”

  Chase threw back his head and released a bark of laughter. “I hate to break it to you, babe, but people have sex in hotels, even the Four Seasons.”

  “I know that, but they change the sheets at the Four Seasons. Somehow, I’m not sure that’s included here.” Angela glared at the dilapidated two-story structure before gathering her things while grumbling under her breath about roaches and filthy sheets. “You do know that I have a nice, clean apartment in DC, right?”

  “Yes,” he acknowledged, unlocking the battered door. “I’m sure the feds are watching your apartment. We’d be easy pickings if we showed up there at night while the streets are quiet.” After inspecting the room, Chase tossed the bags on the bed. “Why don’t you take a shower? I’m going to head out and pick up a few things. I’ll bring back something to eat, okay?”

  “Wait!” Angela grabbed his arm. “You’re leaving?” Her blue eyes widened with alarm. “Y-you’re leaving me here? Alone? Here?”

  Chase cupped her face in his hands and placed a soft kiss on her lips, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “Lock up behind me and take your gun into the bathroom when you shower.”

  “Fine,” she grumbled as he opened the door. She immediately slid the chain in place and leaned against the door.

  She grimaced in distaste when she stepped into the old, worn bathroom. The tub was gray instead of white and the linoleum floor was cracked. She sniffed the towels on the rack. Both were dry and smelled clean at least. After unwrapping the small, travel size bar of soap, she turned the handle, adjusted the water temperature, and prayed that hot water would flow. As soon as lukewarm water dribbled from the showerhead, she hopped over the ledge and immersed herself, scrubbing her body thoroughly before trying to tackle her hair with only a small bar of soap. All too soon, the water turned cold, and she rinsed as quickly as possible. Wrapping her hair in one small towel and her body in the other, she made her way into the main room and stopped short. Shit! What am I going to do for clothes? The ones I was wearing are dirty, and nothing’s worse than dirty panties. Grabbing her underwear, she used the bar of soap to wash them before hanging them over the shower curtain rod to dry.

  With a smile, she pondered the idea of greeting Chase wearing nothing more than a small, threadbare towel. It’s not a good idea, she reminded herself. But it sure would be fun, her subconscious argued. You know what they say about all work and no play. Come on, Angela. You really should take a walk on the wild side.

  Shaking off her impure thoughts, Angela considered wrapping herself in the bed sheet but quickly dismissed the idea. The banging and groaning from the room next door reminded her that the sheets might not be the cleanest choice. She chewed on a fingernail as she eyed Chase’s duffle bag. She unzipped the bag and withdrew a Glock, a Sig Sauer, bullets, several feet of rope, plastic fisticuffs, and two pair of handcuffs. What in the world is he prepared for? An enemy attack? Oh, right. That’s probably pretty accurate in his case. I wonder what he really does. And how much danger he’s in.

  At the very bottom of the bag, she located two clean t-shirts, one black and one army green, two pairs of boxers, a button down shirt, a pair of jeans and a pair of khaki pants along with several pairs of socks. She slipped on the green t-shirt while contemplating the boxers in her hand. Wearing his underwear was a little too personal. She tugged on the hem of the shirt making sure it covered her bottom. As long as I don’t bend over, she warned herself, I should be okay. A rap on the door interrupted her internal debate, and she stuffed the boxers back into the bag.

  “Angel, let me in,” Chase rasped.

  After checking the peep hole, Angela removed the chain and opened the door. A wide smile spread across Chase’s face as he noticed her attire.

  “You look good in my shirt, babe,” he noted, setting the bags down before pinning her against the foot of the bed between his legs. Nudging the too-wide shirt to the side, he pressed kisses along her collarbone. His other hand toyed with the hem of the shirt before sliding his hand up the outside of her thigh. “What’s under here?” he murmured against her skin.

  “Nothing,” she whimpered, rubbing her center against his thigh. His mouth descended upon hers, his tongue delving deep and tangling with hers as he devoured her. Moments later, he pulled back slightly, his palms still caressing her bare ass as he rained butterfly kisses across her rosy face. Panting heavily, she opened her eyes, gazing at him searchingly. He pulled her to him gently, just holding her for a moment, and it hit her that he was just as affected by the attraction as she was.

  “I brought food, babe,” he murmured against her curls. He dropped a final kiss on the top of her head before stepping away. While she stood staring at him in a lust induced stupor, he smiled, swatted her on the butt, and ordered, “Time to eat.” When she collapsed onto the bed, he chuckled and handed her a Styrofoam box. Her nose picked up the smell of fried foods and she grinned. “Hamburgers and fries?”

  “And chocolate shakes.” He passed her a large cup with a pink straw. “Figured you could use some happy food.”

  “Yum!” She sucked hard making a slurping sound with the straw. Digging through the bag Chase had set on the dresser, Angela removed several salt and ketchup packets. After creating a pool of ketchup, she doused her fries in salt.

  “Shit, Angel, do you always use that much salt?” Chase watched her devour her dinner.

  Her head bobbed up and down as she swallowed. “Only on fries.” As he watched her mouth suck on the straw, Chase shifted. Angela hid a smile, suspecting his mind had wandered. His eyes smoldered, and he stepped toward her. When she released the straw and lifted her head, he leaned down and removed a small amount of chocolate from the corner of her mouth with his thumb. Angela gasped, her eyes held captive by his dark green ones. Time seemed to stand still until she leaned forward and sucked his thumb into her mouth.

  Chase’s eyes darkened, and he yanked her against his chest, his lips devouring hers with bruising force as his tongue plunged inside her mouth. Angela tasted chocolate and salt and something uniquely Chase as her arms snaked around his neck and tangled in his hair. Without removing his mouth from hers, Chase pushed her back onto the bed before following her down. Her hands tangled in his hair as his mouth plundered hers. When he released her lips to trail kisses along her neck and collarbone, her hands slipped under his shirt to caress the taut muscles.

  “God, Angel,” he groaned, sliding a hand under the t-shirt she wore to stroke her warm, soft skin. His hand palmed her breast, kneading gently before his thumb brushed her nipple.

  “Chase! Oh, God,” she panted out just before his mouth crashed onto hers. Passion dulled their senses as hands stroked bare skin, lips played, teeth nibbled, and tongues dueled. Just as Chase yanked the t-shirt off Angela, a loud cry erupted from the room next door. “Oh, yeah! Fuck! That’s it, baby. Give it to me!” A man’s voice howled as the headboard crashed into the wall. Chase and Angela reacted as if cold water had been thrown on them.

  “Shit!” Chase threw his body on the other side of the bed as Angela froze, looking stricken. When she clasped a hand over her mouth, Chase grabbed her and hauled her toward his side of the bed, settling her against his side.

  “Sorry, babe,” he nuzzled her
curls. “I didn’t mean for things to get so out of hand.”

  Warily, she looked into his eyes. Chewing on her lower lip, she admitted, “I’m confused, Chase. I don’t know what you want from me.”

  Sighing, keeping one arm around her but laying the other across his eyes, Chase admitted, “I don’t know what I want from you either, Angela. I want you physically, but this is more than that. I’ve never lost control like that with another woman, especially not on a job. I’m supposed to be protecting you, not attacking you.”

  Angela pushed up onto her elbows and shoved his hand aside so she could see his eyes. “You didn’t attack me. I was willing and equal participant.”

  “That may be, babe, but it doesn’t make it right.” He stroked her curls tenderly. “I can’t afford to lose control like that. It could get you killed.” Kissing her once more, he reached for the t-shirt and helped tug it over her head. “I picked up some clean clothes for you. They’re in the plastic bag. You’re welcome to sleep in my shirt, but you should put some panties on.” He kissed the back of her hand and then released it. “I’m going to hit the shower. Don’t open the door.”

  Angela watched him walk away, feeling hurt and confused. When the shower started, she walked over to the plastic bags from the discount store. Chase had picked out a pair of jeans, a blue sapphire t-shirt, a short khaki skirt, and a turquoise button down blouse along with several pairs of panties and a bra. Another plastic sack contained a toothbrush, toothpaste, socks, body wash, shampoo, conditioner, and hair gel.

  As Chase stepped from the bathroom, Angela threw herself at him. “Thank you!” She planted a sloppy kiss on his lips.

  Shaking his wet hair, he splashed her. “What could be better than chocolate?”

  Angela licked her lips, eyeing his bare chest speckled with drops of water and the small, dingy white towel slung low on his hips. Chase caught her staring and pushed his shoulders back a little, giving his chest more definition. “What did I do to earn the kiss?” he teased. “I need to know for future reference.”

  “Oh!” Her eyes cleared slightly. “Hair products! Do you have any idea how hard it is to tame this mop with only a brush and a bar of soap?”

  His eyes laughing, he grabbed some clothes from his duffle and returned to the bathroom.

  “You shouldn’t feel the need to leave on my account,” Angela called after him. “I’m sure I’d enjoy the show.” Chase only groaned in response.

  Chapter 14

  With a mischievous glint in his eyes, Chase sauntered into the room, clad in boxers and a t-shirt, and tugged on one of Angela’s curls to capture her attention. When Angela looked up through her lashes, he leaned in and nuzzled her neck, enjoying her clean, sweet fragrance. “I could give you a show,” he whispered as he traced the shell of her ear with his tongue.

  When she shivered and pressed her body against his, he groaned. “You’re playing with fire, babe.”

  Chase expected her to pull back, but she surprised him by wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him passionately. When his hands drifted to her ass, she wrapped her legs around his waist, locking her ankles behind his back. Chase shifted his grip, bringing her even closer, and she instinctively rocked her lower body against his.

  When he felt her arousal against his thigh, his mind went blank, and all he could think about was plunging into her warm, wet heat. Chase groaned loudly and forced a hand between their bodies to massage her breast while ravaging her mouth. Angela fisted her hands in his hair as Chase turned, trapping her against the wall. He moved his thigh between her legs, and she whimpered in the back of her throat. When her body began trembling, Chase lightened his kiss and his touch before sliding her down his body and stepping away. He started to turn away, but she wrapped her arms around his waist from behind and rested her cheek against his back while they both fought for control. A few minutes later, he dropped onto the bed and pulled her in his lap before resting his chin on the top of her head.

  Angela tilted her head back, looking up at him with a pretty pout on her face. “Damn it, Chase! A girl could get a complex from all this pulling back!”

  “Think of it as prolonged foreplay,” he joked, his tone light even as his body urged him to throw her on the bed and take her, marking her as his. “I don’t want to take advantage of you, Angela.”

  “And even though I’ve made it clear I want you, you still think you’re taking advantage of me?” Her luminous blue eyes flashed disbelievingly.

  “I’m afraid so. You’re going through a lot of shit right now. Your father just died, and you’ve ended up in the middle of a mess somehow. It’s just not the right time, and I’m not the right kind of man.”

  “Wait a minute! What do you mean you’re not the right kind of man? Personally, I think you’re precisely the right man.” Angela poked him in the chest, a frown crossing her face.

  Chase sighed. “Stay quiet and I’ll tell you a story.” He scooted backward until he was leaning against the headboard and settled Angela between his legs so her back rested against his front. “I was raised by a single mom until I was six. When my mom died….”

  Angela whipped her head around to look at him. “I’m so sorry.” Tears sparkled in her eyes as she reached out to comfort him.

  Chase squeezed her shoulders to hush her. He didn’t need her sympathy. “Let me finish my story. Hopefully, when I’m done you’ll understand why we can’t be together.” Closing his eyes, he gathered his thoughts, trying to think of the best way to explain.

  “I lived with my mom and my mom’s parents until I was six. My mom never talked about my father. Until I went to school, I didn’t really think about him. I had a loving mother and two supportive grandparents.” He leaned his chin on Angela’s head, lightly massaging her shoulders as he spoke. The sense of peace he felt around her unnerved him. Depending on others only led to pain and disappointment in the end. “My mom told me about my father for the first time just before she died. She had cancer.” Chase paused as his last memory of his mother, lying in a cold, sterile hospital bed, flashed through his mind. She had suffered so much during those last few months. His grandparents weren’t wealthy and, since his mom couldn’t work, money had been in short supply. His mother died in the charity ward of the local hospital, attended by doctors who cared more about freeing a bed than her needs.

  “My grandparents raised me after Mom passed away. I’ve never met my father. I don’t know anything about him really. My mom didn’t really know the man who got her pregnant. His name was Jack, and he was a Special Forces soldier. They dated for three months while he was stationed at the local army base. Just before he left for an overseas assignment, he told my mom good-bye. He said relationships weren’t possible in his line of work, and he didn’t want her to wait for him. Even though he told her not to, she waited for him until the day she died. She found out she was pregnant a few weeks after he left. She got an address from the post commander’s office once she explained the situation and wrote him letter after letter but he never bothered to call or write back.”

  He dropped his head back against the headboard. “Two years after she died, my grandparents started receiving money from the military for my care. Sure, the money helped, but it didn’t make up for my father’s absence.” Chase dropped a quick kiss on the top of Angela’s head. He wanted to grab her and hold on tight. He loved the way she made him feel, but he knew how unfair his actions would be. If he let her into his life, she would suffer the way his mother had.

  “I hated him growing up, but now I understand what he did. Regular soldiers have a hard enough time having families. It’s just not possible for men like me to have a life outside of work.” He wrapped his arms around Angela, holding her against his chest. “I like you, Angel. I think you’re a great woman and will make someone a wonderful partner someday, but I can’t be that man. It’s just not fair to you.”

  After Chase’s revelation, they sat quietly, simply enjoying each other’s company until Ch
ase’s phone chirped. With an audible sigh, Chase slipped out from behind Angela and stood. Surprised at the unknown number notation, he opened the text message, grimacing as he read. Office compromised. Going dark. Keep A safe.

  “Shit!” Chase swore under his breath as he deleted the message. He tried to text Zach back but his cell replied that no such number existed.

  Chapter 15

  “What?” Angela sat up and swung her legs over the side of the bed. The blank look on his face worried her.

  Chase tossed his phone on top of his duffle before stalking toward the window and peering out through a crack in the threadbare drapes. He glanced over his shoulder and then flipped the lights off. “Get some sleep, Angel.”

  “Excuse me?” She stood and folded her arms across her chest, her breasts heaving as her face flushed with anger. “What’s going on, Chase?”