“Again, the comedian. I’m serious,” Alex growled. “If the GM needs to talk to me about it, then give him my number. I can’t just transfer funds from Avery to KISS for legal reasons, so work out some type of sponsorship of an event or something.”

“Jesus, Alex. Did you lie awake all night thinking up this shit?”

“Hardly. Will you just do it?”

A flash of white in his peripheral vision made Alex turn to find Angel coming into the room wearing the white dress shirt he’d left hanging on the bathroom door. Her long legs were tanned and toned, and she was pushing her cascading hair off of her face with both hands. His body twitched at the sight before him. “I gotta go. Let me know.”

“It won’t be today. It’s the weekend, relax.”

“We’ll see.” It was his only answer before he shut off the phone and tossed it carelessly on the marble countertop.

Angel’s eyes raked over the delicious picture he made, leaning up against the counter with his feet crossed in front of him. He was dressed only in dark designer jeans, the top button left open made her lick her lips as it hinted of the pleasure still fresh in her mind. Despite her resolve, it was impossible to resist his potent allure. He was strong and sexy, the muscles playing beneath the smooth skin of his chest and shoulders, the abs toned and defined. Remembering how her fingers had skimmed over his hard body the night before, she had to shake herself to keep from staring, biting her lip involuntarily.

“Good morning, Sleeping Beauty.” He smirked, taking her in his arms when she was within reach. Her hands curled around his forearms, and her head tilted back so she could look into his eyes. Alex didn’t miss the opportunity and soon his mouth was tasting and teasing hers. “How’d you sleep?” he whispered, as he ran soft kisses from her chin up to her cheekbone and then her temple.

Angel’s eyes closed as his hot breath rushed over her skin. “When we finally slept, like a rock.”

Alex laughed softly. “Mmmm, it felt so good.”

“Yes. I didn’t want to get up.”

His fingers rubbed soft circles on the skin of her lower back through the fine cotton of his shirt, every touch reinforcing the strong connection that neither was ready to relinquish.

“I wanna get up…” he teased, pulling her against his body as her hands slid up his arms and over the smooth skin of his shoulders.

“You’re good at it. The sex is incredible.” Angel stiffened and pulled away, but Alex wasn’t ready to let her go and pulled her back to him. “No denying your mad skills.”

“Mmm, yes, it’s indescribable, but I’m not just talking about that. I like you here. I find it unexpected.” He coaxed another soft kiss or two from her mouth before releasing her and removing two coffee cups from the cupboard. He held one up and pointed to it with his index finger. “Coffee?”

“Yes, thank you, Alex.” She loved the way his eyes caressed her body, their touch almost tangible in intensity, setting her skin on fire everywhere they touched, but she struggled against the ease of being here, in this unfamiliar house with an almost unfamiliar man. Despite the passionate hours they spent together, she knew she shouldn’t let herself get closer emotionally. The problem was, physically, she was closer to Alex than any man she’d ever known, which she knew spelled trouble for her heart, if it wasn’t already too late. “Um, sorry, I borrowed your shirt.”

“It looks good on you.” He stopped, his unwilling admission, though unspoken, left hanging between them. “But, my shoulders are cold.” A half-smile settled on his handsome face as he tugged playfully at the front of it, his eyes dancing as emerald met chocolate. “Maybe you should give it back.”

She pushed his hands away with a soft chuckle. “Not a chance. Suck it up, Avery.”

Alex laughed out loud. “What’d you want to do today?” he asked casually, his green eyes daring her to resist spending the day with him.

Truthfully, it felt completely natural to let the events of the evening spill over into the day, but Angel knew she shouldn’t let that happen… for a multitude of reasons.

“I promised Becca that I’d take Jillian for the afternoon and evening. She has a date and her parents are out of town. I thought I’d get some much needed work done after she’s in bed.”

Alex’s brow creased as he pulled a chair out from the Indian marble table so that Angel could sit down, and then took the seat next to her. Everything about his home oozed luxury and expense; right down to the bone china coffee cups. He looked like a dark god surrounded by gleaming treasures that would mean so much to most anyone. Yet, to Alex, the sophistication and quiet elegance were inconsequential and expected.

“At your place?” he questioned, still frowning. The thought of Angel left alone with the little girl left him searching for a plausible reason to prevent it.

A little wrinkle appeared above her nose as her mouth twisted wryly. “Duh. Yes. I can’t be your sex slave tonight, baby. Sorry.” The corners of her rosy mouth lifted in a sly smile and Alex laughed out loud.

“Damn! Guess I’ll just have to see what I have locked up downstairs. Maybe I’ll have to come over there and be yours.”

Angel admired the dimples, made deeper by his teasing grin. “Hmmph!” she snorted and rolled her eyes.

“I’d hoped to keep you in bed a little longer this morning, but Max wouldn’t have it.”

“Probably for the best. I’m surprised you can even walk today. I thought I drained you dry. It will be good to have a night free of me; regain your strength and catch up on sleep. We both have to work tomorrow.” She peered coyly at him over the rim of her cup as she sipped her coffee, trying her hardest not to giggle.

Alex flashed a brilliant smile and reached for her hand, drawing her forward in her chair until his lips could graze the inside of her wrist. He felt her tremble beneath his mouth and met her eyes again, the intensity of his gaze was like fire licking along her nerves. “No, really; last night was reeeaaaally incredible.”

“I—” she began as she struggled with the words, her heart beating at a frantic pace. “I’m…” Scared. Terrified I’ll get hurt. Terrified I’ll fall in love. Terrified you’ll break my heart.

“Speechless?” he asked seriously.

Angel couldn’t help but nod as she tore her eyes from his and glanced down toward her cup. “It would appear so.”

They shared a moment of sober understanding before he finally dropped her hand and got up from the table. He bent and kissed her forehead gently, fingers tracing the back of her head. Angel flushed at his tenderness, marveling at the sharp contrast between the demanding and passionate lover and this gentle, tender man before her. Max barked at the door effectively breaking their bubble.

“Are you hungry? I’m absolutely famished,” he said as the dog ran into the kitchen and landed the entire front half of his body on her lap, wagging his tail furiously as she hugged him to her.

“Good morning, Maxy Max! Such a beautiful boy!”

“Max, down!” Alex ordered sharply.

“Alex, it’s okay. I adore him.” Angel placed a kiss on the dog’s head and hugged him tighter, enjoying the way her face sank into his silken fur. “Don’t I? Yes, I love you!” Max proceeded to lap kisses on her chin and cheeks while she laughed in delight.

“Obviously, he adores you as well. But, nevertheless, his saliva does not belong on the table. Or your face, for that matter.”

“Max, tell your daddy to relax and stop being so stodgy! Come on.” She gently pushed the dog down and then sat on the floor against the dishwasher. The floor was the same expensive marble that decorated the rest of the kitchen and felt like ice on her bare thighs. She couldn’t help but gasp.

Immediately, Max settled next to her with his head in her lap and one paw taking possession of her leg, his large brown eyes imploring up at Alex as her hand stroked his head repeatedly. “Satisfied?”

Alex’s eyebrows shot up in amused astonishment as he removed eggs, bacon, and a bowl of oranges from the large stainless steel refrigerator. “Traitor,” he retorted playfully.

“To whom are you speaking, Mr. Avery?” Angel laughed softly.

“Both of you.”

* * *

“You’re kidding.” Becca’s voice was deadpan, but the amusement behind the words was unmistakable.

“What?” Angel smirked. “It’s not a big deal.”

“Bullshit! You’re going to Lincoln Park Zoo with a gazillionaire-everybody-wants-him-playboy who probably doesn’t know the ass end of a giraffe from a lion’s. If that isn’t shocking enough, it’s obvious you like more about this guy than his dick.”

Angel couldn’t stop herself; laughter bubbled up and spilled over, causing Alex to glance her way. His hair had a deep sheen in the sunlight and his questioning look was met with a shrug and he shook his head. She couldn’t see his eyes behind his expensive sunglasses, but his lopsided grin turned into a full smile.

“We’ll discuss that later. Stop being so melodramatic,” Angel mumbled into her phone, biting her lip to stop another bout of hysterical giggling. The wind was whipping her hair into her face and she struggled to push it back. It was a beautiful day, the temperature cooled by the breeze coming off of Lake Michigan. Alex’s capable hands steered the sleek BMW convertible out of downtown after Angel had entered Becca’s address into the GPS.

“Does this mean I have to find another sitter? Jillian will be heartbroken.”

“Nope. We’re on our way to pick up my little Jillybean. I’ve missed her and I may not give her back.”

“Wha—Alex is going to babysit with you?”

“Don’t hyperventilate. There are stranger things.”

“I doubt that.”

“We’ll see you in about twenty minutes. Tell my baby I can’t wait to see her!”

Alex reached for Angel’s hand and pulled it to rest beneath his on his muscled thigh. “Everything okay? Does Becca think it’s a bad idea that I’m going along?”

“No. It’s fine. Although I wonder if it’s your bag? Wouldn’t you rather be with Darian or your brother?”

He glanced at her, his teeth flashing brightly in a wide smile. “What?” He scoffed. “Hairy, belligerent, alpha males versus soft, sexy, supple and irresistible. That’s a tough choice. Maybe I should reconsider?”

Angel smiled as Alex’s hand tightened around hers. He was so fucking sexy; she almost lost her breath looking at him, and scarier: she was starting to fall for the person wrapped inside all that masculinity. He could have any woman, and he usually did, so she was perplexed that he’d choose to spend time with someone as complicated as herself. There was no way this would end well, her mind argued. “Well, it will also be young, sticky, and giggly. Two-year olds are fun but sometimes a challenge.”

“I’ll take my chances. Do you think she’ll like me?”

“She’s a sweetie and she’s female, so the chances are better than average.”

“Stop. Your view of me is distorted. I’ve told you that I’m monogamous. Don’t you believe me, Angel?”

“Sure.” She shrugged and turned a little in her seat so she could study his profile, searching for some clue to what he was really feeling. If he was feeling anything other than lust. “But, I also know that you’re not married and never get tied down, so I don’t expect this to last. My eyes are open.”

Alex was vested more than she was aware. He wasn’t willing to admit it to her for fear she wouldn’t believe him, or worse, retreat from him. He didn’t stop to analyze the reasons. He enjoyed her company, both in bed and out of it, more than any woman he’d ever known and that was enough for now. “Close them, then. Do you enjoy being with me? Be honest, I can take it.” He grinned.

“Your head’s already big enough.”

“Why, thank you. I was hoping you’d think so,” he replied with a cheeky grin.

“Shut up!” Angel laughed.

“I’ll let you shut me up, later.” He smiled and pressed her hand further into his leg. Angel’s fingers closed around the muscle beneath the dark denim, provocatively. “Yes, later.”

When they pulled up outside Becca’s apartment building, Alex came around and opened Angel’s door, extending a hand to help her out.

Always the perfect gentleman, yet so hot behind closed doors, Angel mused. Her eyes took him in, casually dressed in dark jeans, Adidas, and a white T-shirt; he looked younger and more carefree than she usually saw him. His fingers closed around hers as they walked into the building.