“You’re not serious.”

“As a heart attack.” Angel balked at him but he persisted. “Please?”

“Oh, Jesus.” She rolled her eyes. “Okay.” She reopened the book and found her place.

Angel’s eyes flashed up to find Alex grinning at her, and he used his hand to motion for her to continue. “I’m gonna get you for this.”

“Oh, I’m counting on it.”

Angel giggled and continued until she’d finished the story despite feeling silly doing so.

Alex burst out laughing as she threw the book aside. “Shhhh… Satisfied, now?” she whispered urgently.

“Hardly. But you can remedy that shortly.”

“Hmmmm,” she said softly, as he reached for her hand and began rubbing soft circles over the top with his thumb. “Is the Beemer yours?”

“No, it’s a rental. Why?”

“I just wondered.” It wouldn’t do to have another vehicle vandalized. “Thank you for today and being so nice to Jillybean. The whole weekend has been really nice.”

“It’s not over yet.”

“Aren’t you tired?”

“No more tired than you are, and I told you I’m not making the trip. What do you have going on tomorrow?”

“I’m meeting Becca for breakfast to deliver Jillian and then regular clients and case work. Nothing special.”

“Will you put her to bed or do the two of you usually stay in the tent?”

“No, I put her in the crib I have in the spare room.”

“She’s incredible. Very sweet. I can see how much she loves you, Angel.”

“I love her, too. It’s almost like she’s my own child.”

“You’re her godmother?” When her eyes widened, he explained. “Becca told me at the karaoke bar that first night.”

“Yes.”

“Becca did well in choosing you. Do you need help putting her down?”

“I got it.” Angel was practiced in lifting the sleeping child without rousing her and Alex fell back onto the pillows when she crawled out with Jillian in her arms. It was surprisingly comfortable with all the layers of down and fabric underneath him; the pillows soft and scented like Angel. He closed his eyes against the flickering of candlelight on the roof of the tent, the walls composed of the furniture. Waiting for her return, he took out his phone to browse the messages and texts, two from his mother, one from Allison, and one from Whitney. He sighed, sorry that he’d hurt her, but not sorry he’d ended the relationship.

He didn’t feel like answering any of them and placed the phone underneath one of the pillows after turning it off. He’d blown off the family brunch today, no doubt what his mother and sister were calling for. Cole hadn’t mentioned it, so Alex assumed he’d skipped it also, but they never nagged his brother for missing it.

Lesson? Fuck off and no one expects dick from you.

However, Cole seemed to be taking his new responsibility seriously, which pleased Alex for two reasons: his brother was making progress, and his woman would be protected. My woman. He smiled at the thought, wondering if it were true.

“It sure as shit feels like it,” Alex mumbled under his breath.

“What?” Angel was climbing back in the tent and pulling the covers up to her neck.

“Nothing. Are you cold, baby?”

Pleasure flooded through her once more, and she smiled before pulling the covers tighter.

“A little,” she admitted. “I like it cool enough to have blankets, even in summer.”

“Come over here then. I’ll warm you up.”

His arms reached for her under the blanket, and again, their legs tangled, their breaths mingled, and their bodies hummed in anticipation. Alex’s fingers were warm against the down of her cheek, moving slowly along the bone before tangling in her hair. His mouth hovered and brushed softly over hers. She couldn’t help it, her chin lifted, silently asking him to repeat it. He did, again and again.

“Are you hoping I’ll tease your weasel, Zanda?” She laughed softly, mocking him in playful persiflage.

He growled in response, grasping her arms and pulling her closer. “I’ll show you my weasel, Angel.”

“Nah. That’s okay. I’ve seen it.”

They both burst out laughing, his fingers reaching for her ribs and anywhere he could tickle.

Angel screamed in delight, trying, unsuccessfully, to push his hands away.

“Shhhh! You’ll wake Jillian.” His touch turned from tickle to teasing, softly kneading the flesh of her back and up to her shoulder, down her arm. “Shhhh…”

His dick twitched and hardened as the laughter died and their eyes locked. He brushed her nose with his, his mouth seeking and finding hers, sucking her lower lip in and biting down softly with his teeth. “God, you taste so good, Angel. I’ve been dying for this all day.”

He kissed her deeply and she responded, opening to him fully, her arms sliding up and around his back, tugging at the hair on the back of his head to bring his mouth deeper into hers. Her heart swelled, the scent of his cologne and his body fueling her desire. She let out a low moan and his movements increased in urgency. Soon they were dry humping and grasping at each other’s clothes, Angel lifting his shirt until he pulled away and hunched his shoulders so she could remove it completely. He was hungry, his need for her never sated, his fingers found her supple breast under her shirt; cupping the tender flesh and pulling gently on the nipple until it elongated between his fingers. Heat rushed and pooled between her thighs, and she surged against him, seeking the hardness that would ease the ache. Her legs wrapped around his waist and he pulled them higher, pressing and grinding against her. They kissed and clawed, rolled, moaning and begging until finally they were both naked.

Alex pulled back and looked down at her, seeking to see the same struggle he was feeling in her face. He wanted to lose himself in her, but it went against everything he believed. She was so soft and sweet, so incredibly sexy—so beautiful. She took his breath away.

Settling his weight on her fully, he used both hands to cup her face, brushing his fingers along her temples and cheeks; emotions he never knew existed rushed over him in waves, his hips still grinding against hers, his dick slick in her wetness.

Angel stared into his face; the passion and something else she couldn’t describe threatened to choke her. She turned her face away, squeezing her eyes shut as a single tear seeped from each one.

“Uhhhhh!” She sucked in her breath. “Fuck me, Alex. Don’t be tender. I can’t bear it. Just fuck me.”

“This isn’t just fucking and you know it.” His nose traced the side of her face and then his mouth was trailing a series of soft, sucking kisses down the sensitive flesh of her neck to her shoulder and down to her breast. He laved first one nipple then the other, his hands moving lower, as his body lifted from hers. “It hasn’t been. Not even the first time.”

“I want it to be.” Her voice broke and still she didn’t look at him. He reached for his jeans, found his wallet and pulled out a condom. He’d wanted to taste her, every inch of her skin, as if making the sex last longer would keep their time together from ending. But, she said she wanted him to fuck her, and so he would give her what she wanted.

He sat back on his knees and rolled the condom over his length, slid his hands beneath her knees and leaned in until her knees were flung over his arms at the elbows. She was open and ready, wet… her chest heaving, yet she wouldn’t look at him. He found purchase and slammed into her over and over. He knew what it was about and part of him wanted this as much as she did. Mindless fucking, amazing orgasms, and no strings, but it wasn’t to be.

He let go of her knees and wrapped his arms around her. “No you don’t, Angel. Look at me. Give me your mouth.”

“Just come, Alex.” She bucked beneath him and he sank into her again.

His heart pounded from the frantic fucking, but also in some unfathomable pain. “No. I won’t come until you kiss me, goddamn it!”

She pulled away, scrambling back and flipped onto her stomach, hiking her ass in the air. “Please. I need you to come.”

He was stunned by the picture she made: her perfect ass in the air, calling to him, her sweet flesh visible, the candlelight casting her in shadow, yet her wetness glistening. He couldn’t resist and pushed into her again. “Sweet Christ!”

“Uh… yes, Alex. Harder.”

He thrust into her again and again, bent over her body; he kissed her shoulders, hands moving over her arms and her breasts. His cock was so hard it ached, but he still couldn’t come. “Angel, I can’t.”

He pulled out and fell back against the pillows.

She turned, her hair falling from the elastic and framing her face. Her mouth was swollen, open as she looked back at him. “Don’t you want me?”

“Fuck. How can you ask me that? Yes, I want you. But I want all of you.” His throat ached and his voice was tight.

Her eyes flashed and something that sounded like a sob burst from her chest as she scrambled around and straddled him. He moaned as her warmth engulfed him, his eyes never leaving her face as she sank down completely.

This is determination, not desire. This was not what he wanted.

She moved on him, her hands on his shoulders to steady herself, her inner walls squeezing and pulling on him as she worked him, trying to make his body betray him. Alex was motionless until he could take it no longer, her body milking a response from him, his release getting closer, but he didn’t want to let it happen. It felt empty and wouldn’t be enough. Not anymore.

“Ahhhh!” His hands gripped her hips and he lifted her off and away. “Stop! Not like this, Angel! What’s gotten into you?”

Her eyes were wild, glazed with intensity. He wasn’t sure if she even saw him, and her hands pushed him from her. “Not like what? Isn’t this how you like your women, Alex? Isn’t it all about sex?” Tears filled her eyes, until finally, two fat drops rolled down her cheeks. Her heart clenched; thinking about Alex with anyone else like this was gut-wrenching.

“No!” Instantly, Alex had her on her back, his hands gentle as he kissed the tears from her cheeks. She was shaking softly and then gasped as she pulled in a breath. “Not this way, babe. Not with you.”

He hitched her leg over his hip, his hand gripping her firm thigh and slid into her slowly, deeply; each and every thrust with purpose. He wanted to show her this meant more to him than sex: He cared deeply for Angel, and the realization shook him. His mouth moved to her nipples, over her shoulders, sucking on her neck, his fingers gently coaxing her clit until she was helpless and unable to stop her body’s response. He wrung it out of her, like only moments before she was trying to do to him—second by precious second—until she was finally clinging to him. Angel drew in a trembling breath, trying to hold back a sob that pushed against her chest. Letting it go would mean Alex would see how vulnerable she was and that would be the end of her. She turned her face into the curve of his neck and fought for control of her heart and body.

“Angel, shhh. Just kiss me. I need you to kiss me. Give in to this.”

“Why do you want to break me? Make me lose control? Lose myself?” Tears rained from her eyes as his mouth ghosted over hers, and she trembled, her tongue finally coming out to lick his top lip, her fingers clawing at his back and ass to bring him deeper into her body. He groaned when he knew he’d won, his body tightening as her hips began to move with his in the slow rhythm that he demanded. Deeper and deeper their bodies dug into the other, Angel finally kissing him back with all the passion they both felt, until finally they pushed over the edge of control together. His heart broke at her sorrow, trying to understand her conflict, yet he couldn’t stop.

“Alex! Uh… uh…” He felt her pulse around him, clenching around his length until he thought he’d die. It was ecstasy like he’d never known, and with three more strokes, he came hard, pouring his release deep inside her. They lay entwined, trembling, in the tent they’d built in her living room, the candlelight still flickering softly but waning in the darkness, unable and unwilling to separate.

“Oh, my God! Yes, Angel. That’s it.” He pushed her hair, wet with her tears, away from her face. “I don’t want you to lose yourself, honey. I’m trying to find you. To keep you with me.”

“I’m right here.” Tears laced her voice.

His heart filled with the need to let her to know he was completely committed; that she didn’t need to be afraid he’d leave her because he had no intention of desire to be apart from her. Alex pulled Angel closer and turned his head to kiss her temple softly, moving his mouth toward her ear. Alex’s breath caught in his throat, as he realized he was about to make the biggest admission of his life. “Baby… I’m right here, too,” he whispered. “I’m here, too.”