“Just fucking admit it, for crying out loud,” she muttered under her breath, pushing the button that would connect her to her motivation. He answered on the second ring.

“Alex Avery.”

The din in the bar was loud and she could barely hear him. “Hey,” she spoke loudly and he laughed.

“Hi! Where are you?”

“Downtown at Patty’s. It’s so loud in here!”

“Why didn’t you call earlier? Trying to torture me?”

Angel flushed with pleasure. “Not exactly.”

“Oh?” His voice was amused. “Only sort of?”

“No, but I have been resisting.”

“Knowing it’s a struggle is a step in the right direction,” he said, chuckling. “Although I still don’t get your reluctance. It feels good, doesn’t it?”

She hesitated and bit her lip. To admit it would give him power. “Too good.”

“Wow! That was easy. I expected more of a fight.”

Angel could practically hear him smile. “I find I don’t want to fight tonight.”

“Mmmm, me either. When will you be done?”

“Um, an hour or two? Kenneth’s late.”

“Angel, are you alone at that bar?” His tone took on a harder edge.

“Yeah, but he should be here any minute.”

“I’ll be there shortly.”

Angel gasped as his tone hardened. Alex interrupting her meeting with Kenneth was not something she was looking forward to. She didn’t want to answer questions from either one. “That’s not necessary, Alex.”

“He shouldn’t leave you alone there. It’s fucking inconsiderate to let you be unprotected.”

Angel flushed, suppressing a bubble of laughter that boiled up in her chest. Unprotected? That’s hilarious!

“I’m fine. Honestly. Don’t worry, I won’t fall prey to anyone that will distract me from my final destination tonight.” She was smiling so wide her face hurt, and the man that was checking her out began to make his way toward her, thinking it an invitation. She jumped down from the bar stool and turned her back on him. “I’ll call you when I’m done.”

A tap on her shoulder made her turn around.

“Excuse me, what’s a beautiful woman like you doing here all alone?” The man was tall and dark. He looked Italian or Greek and was dressed casually but put together well; clean cut and expensive.

She put up a finger to hold him off for a moment so she could finish her call.

“Um, hey, I need to run.”

“I’m coming. Now.”

Before she could answer, the phone went dead and she scowled. Fuck! she thought: as her eyes lifted to the man in front of her.

“I’m actually meeting someone, but I appreciate the offer,” she responded with a smile as Kenneth finally walked up to her and slid an arm around her waist, bending to place a kiss on her cheek. “Here he is now.”

“Sorry I’m late, Angel.” He sounded out of breath. “I had to park six blocks away.”

The other man smiled in regret and moved away. “You’re a lucky man.”

Kenneth smiled. “I am. Thank you.”

Angel bristled and moved out of his embrace. The comment made her aware that Kenneth’s perceptions weren’t clear. She picked up her wine glass as Kenneth took the stool she’d been saving with her purse. “Want another?” he asked, motioning for the bartender to order a drink.

“Please.” She’d need it if Alex showed up. It felt ridiculous to worry over the reaction of a man she barely knew. He had no right to get all hot and bothered, and she had no right to get excited by the prospect of his protectiveness. Inside, she thrilled at it but wasn’t looking forward to introducing the two men. Silently, she vowed to hurry and get Kenneth out of there before Alex made an appearance.

“Listen, Kenneth, about the Swanson case. The tests are rescheduled. Thanks for getting the court date moved back.”

“I still don’t like it. We should just get it over with and move on.”

“Mark Swanson deserves to be behind bars. If this case isn’t enough, we’ll create another one. Sometimes, the system sucks.”

“Angel, you know we can’t manufacture evidence. It’s called entrapment. He’d walk for sure then.” He popped some of the pretzels sitting in a bowl on the bar into his mouth. “We’d both lose our licenses.”

“That’s not what I mean! I’ll push him just enough to piss him off. He’ll either crack on the tests the second time around or he’ll do something stupid.” Her eyebrow rose and she smiled. “It isn’t entrapment. It’s more like capitalizing on someone else’s mistake.”

Kenneth shook his head and put his fingers in his ears. “No! I’m not hearing this.”

“What choice do I have? I have to push his buttons and get a reaction out of him. Bringing him up on another set of charges will help, won’t it?”

“Sure, but I’m not willing to risk you getting hurt. This isn’t a game, Angel. We shouldn’t even be discussing this.”

Angel was exasperated by his blasé attitude. “Fine, we won’t discuss it then. But, I will do it, Kenneth.”

He stopped and looked at her, knowing he wouldn’t win. He never did. She left him helpless and he liked it. She was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen, and tonight, even more than usual. “You look gorgeous. I’m honored.”

Don’t be, her mind shouted.

“Should we go somewhere for dinner?” Kenneth’s fingers ran lightly down her arm. “What would you like?”

“Um, actually, I can’t tonight.”

“Angel, we haven’t seen each other for so long. I miss you. I thought tonight we could—”

She inwardly cringed at the hurt expression on his face. “Kenneth, I know what you thought, and I’m sorry, but we both know this isn’t going anywhere.”

“It could if you’d let it.”

She shook her head, her eyes imploring him not to make it more than it was. “We’ve had a lot of fun but if it was going to be more, then it would be by now.” Her fingers touched his cheek lightly in an effort to soften the words that were coming. “You know things have been falling off for a while now.”

His expression was hurt when he withdrew his hand, as if touching her burned him. “Angel, where is this coming from?”

“We haven’t been together in over six weeks. We haven’t even gone out to dinner.”

“That’s because you’re such a workaholic.” He looked away, avoiding her eyes. “I’ve tried.”

“I know. It’s my fault.” Angel reached for his hand. She felt like an asshole for hurting him. “Besides, I shouldn’t be dating the D.A.; not when we work on such important cases together.”

Kenneth frowned, his blue eyes icy. “That’s bullshit. Just tell me the truth. I deserve that at least.”

She nodded. “You’re right. The truth is I didn’t want to hurt you. I care about you, but I can’t pretend I have feelings that aren’t there. I’m sorry.”

“Are you seeing someone else?”

Angel bit her lip. “Only just recently.”

“I see. Who is it? How did you meet?”

“Kenneth, please. None of that matters. We both know that we used each other. We had fun, we had good sex when we both needed it, but that’s all it was. Be honest!”

“Still, if it weren’t for this other guy—”

“If it weren’t for him then nothing! We’d have nothing more than what we’ve had. I’ve been thinking about it for a few months, since before he was in the picture. Would you want me to lie and just go through the motions?”

Color flooded his face as her words sank in and his eyes bore into hers, finally. He shook his head and promptly changed the subject.

“I still don’t want you to mess with Swanson. Let us do our job in the D.A.’s office and stay out of it, Angel. If you don’t mind, I’m gonna take off.”

Wow. Either he was very hurt or he’d seen the relationship as she had—comfortable and convenient. Angel was stunned. It was like turning the last page of a novel that you enjoyed but weren’t dying for the sequel. It was over. No big deal.

“Yeah. So, I’ll call you after I get the second set of tests completed next week.”

Kenneth loosened his tie as he stood, leaning down to give her a lame attempt at a hug. “Be careful with that bastard, Angel. Just do the tests and leave it at that. Don’t take unnecessary risks to incriminate him. I mean it.” His free hand moved up to hold the back of her head as she kissed his cheek. “I still don’t want anything to happen to you, even if you don’t want to be with me.”

Angel hugged him back, choosing to ignore the last part of his comment. “Thank you for worrying about me. I’ll be careful.”

* * *

Blood rushed in Alex’s ears as he watched the blond man wrap his arms around the woman he now considered his possession, the heat from within causing a thin film of perspiration to break out on his forehead and his heart to race painfully.

What the fuck was happening to him?

Patty’s was loud, and he was unable to hear the conversation above the din, but Angel looked far from uncomfortable. She kissed his cheek before the man bent to speak into her ear while he threaded his fingers through her dark hair. She was beautiful. Her slender curves accented by the tight designer jeans, legs made longer by her animal-print pumps, full breasts being pressed to the other man’s chest. It was too fucking much.

The room exploded around them as Kenneth Gant’s hand slid down her back over the top of the sheer lace, over her skin. Alex ran a hand through his thick hair as he stopped dead in his tracks, unsure if he should turn around or stake his claim. The latter won as he resumed his beeline toward them.

“Good evening,” he stated coldly as he waited for them to acknowledge him. Angel pulled back from the embrace immediately at the sound of his voice and turned. She looked like a deer in headlights, but Alex soon turned his attention to the other man. Sliding his left arm possessively around Angel’s waist and pulling her close to his side, at the same time he extended his right hand. “I’m Alex Avery.” Kenneth’s mouth opened and then closed without uttering a sound. Alex was Alex. Outwardly confident, commanding, intimidating, even casually dressed in dark jeans and a crisp white V-necked T-shirt that showed a hint of the dark hair on his chest. He relaxed only slightly when Angel’s arm moved around him to return his embrace. “And, you are?”

“I’m Kenneth Gant. District Attorney,” Kenneth said, finally taking Alex’s proffered hand.

How gratifying for you, Alex thought.

“Yes, Angel mentioned that,” he returned, his eyes narrowing, sizing up the other man. “Sorry I’m late, honey.” He turned to capture her open mouth with his, daring her to deny him as he pulled her lower lip between his and then placed another small kiss on the corner. “Are you finished with your business?” he asked against her mouth, carefully pounding the last nail in Kenneth’s coffin. He wanted it clear that his own reasons for being with Angel were oh-so-personal. “I wanna play.”

Alex was pissing her off. He knew it and he didn’t care. He couldn’t help it, even if he’d wanted to; the lack of control was infuriating. He should be cool and calm, not giving a shit one way or the other. But, that wasn’t happening in this instance.

She scowled at him and stiffened in his arms, defiance jutting out her chin. His own arm tightened as he silently dared her to say she didn’t want to convey the same goddamned message to everyone in that bar. We are together. End of fucking story.

After a little more uncomfortable small talk, Kenneth left the two of them alone, and Angel plopped down on the stool and crossed her arms. “What the hell was that? Why didn’t you just pee on me?”

Alex’s lip twitched, but this voice was still hard. “Don’t tempt me. We’ll discuss this in the car.” He pulled out his phone and hit a speed-dial. “We’re ready. Be in front in five.” Long fingers wrapped around her forearm and slid down to her hand. “Come on. We’re leaving.”

“No.” She jerked her hand free of his, her eyes defiant.

“What did you say?” Green fire burned over her face, his expression blasé.

Fuck him! How dare he think he could order her around? “I said. N. O. Is English your second language?”

Alex’s temper was boiling, and the muscle in his jaw twitched impatiently. “Hilarious. Let’s go.”

“You didn’t have to be such a jealous prick to him, Alex! He’s a nice guy. We were talking about the case!”

Anger constricted his chest and heat flamed under his skin. Did she just call me jealous? What the hell do I have to be jealous of?

“Yes, I saw you talking. Now, let’s go! I’m not getting into this here.”