Confessions After Dark

by Kahlen Aymes

  “Pffttt!” he whistled. “Down, Max.” The dog scrambled off of the bed but went to lie beside it on Angel’s side. Alex began to move away to discard his clothes. Unable to help herself, Angel held onto the hem of his shirt and pulled him back. This time it was her hand that reached out, moving along his jaw and pushing his hair back.

  “Angel,” he said throatily as he leaned down and took her mouth hungrily with his, arms pulling her easily up off the bed and fully into his embrace. He tasted good and she clung to him, her mouth open and responsive under his, her fingers sliding up his hard stomach and chest until they reached up his neck and into his hair. He groaned and kissed her harder, his mouth sucking on and then ghosting over hers.

  “I missed you,” she breathed against his lips, her chin rising, silently asking his to return.

  “I was so worried when I couldn’t reach you.” His forehead rested on hers before he placed one more open-mouthed kiss on her temple and Angel’s heart exploded.

  Alex moved away to shed the rest of his clothes, discarding the expensive garments carelessly on the floor before he slid in beside her, gathering her close and tangling his limbs with hers. “God, you feel good.” His hands roamed over her back and down the curve of her hip and his mouth found her shoulder in a series of kisses.

  “I didn’t expect you back tonight.”

  “I fully expected you to defy me and not be here.”

  “I should have. Then I’d have gotten my spanking.”

  Alex laughed and his chest rumbled beneath her check as he swatted her rump once. She smiled, her breath rushing warmly over his skin.

  “You sound so tired.”

  “Not too tired to touch you.”

  Angel curled closer into him, Alex’s arms tightened around her and his lips found her forehead. Her fingers played over the smooth skin on his chest. She felt safe in his arms despite the precarious position they were both in. Angel concentrated on the glorious feeling of his fingers threading in her hair and smoothing it down her back, in the rise and fall of his chest beneath her cheek, and the warmth of his body entwined with hers.

  “Angel, what’s wrong?” His deep voice broke into her thoughts.

  Her arm wound around his waist and she placed an open-mouthed kiss on his neck and then another.

  “Tell me,” he commanded. His voice was quiet but the tone demanded no less compliance.

  “Nothing.” The lie forced itself from her lips. “I know you’re tired, so I was trying to let you fall asleep.”

  “Has something happened?”

  “No.”

  “Angel.” He wasn’t asking, he was demanding an answer she didn’t want to give.

  “Can’t I just lie here and enjoy being with you?” She ran her tongue along his jaw, the stubble sharper than she expected, and her hand slid up his face and into the hair beside his ear.

  Without releasing her, Alex moved her up until her head was beside his on the pillow and he could look into her eyes. Despite the darkness, the glistening pools drew him in. His fingers traced over her skin, gently kneading.

  His expression was serious as he regarded her. “Yes, all I’ve thought about was having my hands on you, smelling your skin, tasting your mouth… making sure you’re safe.”

  Love flooded her heart and she closed her eyes, resting her forehead against his as her fingers clutched in the hair at the back of his head. Alex pulled her leg over his hip, his strong fingers reaching almost around her thigh.

  “I want you, Angel.” His mouth reached for hers. The kiss began tentatively but quickly became intense and passionate. Both of them were lost in the other: lips moving in perfect unison, breathing increasing, and bodies tightening. “Tell me you want me, too.”

  “You know I do,” she breathed against his mouth.

  “Say the words.” Her body’s response should have been enough for him; he’d never questioned his ability to make a woman pant and moan, but with Angel, he needed her words as much as he needed her body. He needed to know she was as addicted to him as he was to her.

  Alex pushed her shirt up until his hand closed around the firm mound of her breast, his thumb circling her nipple until they were both moaning between kisses. Heat pooled between her legs and she arched forward, longing to feel his hardness grinding against her.

  “I’m aching, Alex, please.”

  “Please, Angel. Say, you want me. Only me.”

  His fingers pushed the shirt up and over her head, his mouth closing around her breast while his right arm pulled her closer, finally letting her feel his arousal.

  “Mmmmm…. Uh…” she moaned.

  “Fuuuuck! The sounds you make go straight to my cock.” He resumed his exploration of her body with his mouth, moving slowly lower until she was writhing beneath him. He ran his nose along the lace at the top of her panties, inhaling her scent. “Mmmm…” he murmured as she arched up toward his mouth, urging him to end her suffering.

  His fingers hooked around the lace at her hip and began to drag it down, his hot mouth wild against every inch of skin that was revealed. “Say it, Angel. Just fucking admit it.”

  “Yes! Yes, I want you. Just you. Oh, God.” Her heart screamed. How was she going to leave him after she’d just admitted what she had?

  Her legs fought to be free of her panties as he flung them aside and settled between them, finally spreading them wide. Right or wrong, he wanted to own her and he proceeded to prove to her that she wanted it, too; his tongue and mouth laving and sucking in relentless pursuit of her pleasure. Soon Angel was clutching the sheet, as he pushed her body over the edge.

  “Uh… uhhhh…. Aleeeexxxx,” she moaned. “Uhhhh…. Mmmm…”

  His hand flattened on her abdomen as his mouth eased off slowly, gently teasing every last pulse from her orgasm.

  Angel’s heart ached even as her body shuddered in explosive ecstasy. She reached for him, pulling him up and wrapping her legs around him, urging him frantically inside her body. “I want you; I want to make you come hard.”

  “Wait, baby,” he said quietly as he found a condom and rolled it down his considerable length.

  “No. No waiting,” she almost cried. She loved this man, she knew it, and she was in agony knowing she had to end their relationship. She wanted this one last night in his arms, to memorize his voice, his breathing, his body as he claimed his ownership, and she wasn’t going to waste one second of it.

  They both groaned as he found her entrance and filled her. Holding her knee up, he moved inside her, each thrust longer and deeper, taking her slowly, savoring every inch of her as she clenched around him. “This is mine,” he said just before his mouth claimed hers and he lost himself in her body. “No one fucking touches you but me. Ever again.”

  4

  Sacrifice

  Alex rolled over in the bed, the cool sheets alerting him to Angel’s absence. His arm reached out, fingers fanning over the soft surface of the sheet, only to find it empty. He sat up with an unfamiliar feeling of panic. “Angel?”

  His eyes strained in the darkness, quickly glancing around the perimeter of the room. “Angel?” he called again, louder this time. Silence answered; it’s voice a black hole of nothingness. Alex quickly pushed back the covers and rose from the bed. The carpet beneath his feet was plush, but the air was a stark contrast to the warmth of the bed and goose bumps covered his skin. Despite the chill, he walked down the hall, oblivious to his nakedness, his only thought to find her.

  He glanced through the doorway of the smaller bedroom next to his and then walked quickly down the hall and descended the long staircase. The light of the moon filtered softly through the skylights in the kitchen and a few of the windows, casting an eerie blue glow that left twisted and over-sized shadows falling from the furniture. They stretched out on the floor as if in search of something just their beyond reach.

  The jingle of Max’s collar drew Alex’s attention and he turned toward the great room. The dog was on the couch with Angel
kneeling in front of him, her arms wrapped around his furry body and her words soft and soothing. Alex felt the coil of his muscles unwind as relief flooded through him.

  “Such a good boy. I’m so sorry.” Her low murmur throbbed with barely veiled emotion. “I’ll miss you, Max. So much. I love you.”

  Never had three words caused more longing in his heart as Alex slowed his pace and observed Angel comforting the dog. She’d thrown on his dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up above her elbows, and her firm legs were curled beneath her. Alex wanted to make his presence known, yet was content just to gaze at her. Something in her tone gave him pause, and he frowned as questions rolled through his mind.

  “You won’t need to miss him, baby. You’ll see him often,” he said softly, moving to her side.

  The hand cupping her head felt like heaven, any excuse to have him touch her was welcome. Her soft eyes looked up and glistened in the low light, beseeching Alex with some unspoken need. His breath caught at the picture she made: a mixture of sensual allure and sadness—her complexity mirroring his own.

  “We’ve become sort of close.” Her voice was thick and strained. “I mean…” she searched for words and laid her head against Max’s. The dog responded by throwing a paw over one of her arms. “He’s my buddy now. We’re sort of used to each other.”

  Alex settled on the floor next to her and reached a hand out, his knuckles brushing the petal softness of her cheek. “Lucky dog,” he murmured—his eyes more serious than his words and the slight smile that played on his lips. He studied her, searching for an understanding of her sadness.

  “He is. He has you.” Angel’s eyes were intense, never leaving the green depths of his.

  “You have me, too.”

  Angel’s heart seized. Those words should have been nirvana, but instead, they ripped through her like a knife. Her chin trembled slightly as her throat swelled and tears burned her eyes. God, help me keep it together, she prayed. It was going to hurt like hell, but she would do what she needed to do, no matter the consequences to herself, no matter if he never forgave her for her deception. Keeping him out of harm’s way was the most important thing.

  Angel was unsure if she just wanted more precious time with him or if she was unwilling or unable to win the fight should he choose to resist her decision. Alex would resist; she was sure. His relationships ended when he said they ended and not before. Who in their right mind could fucking leave him anyway? No matter the circumstances, the boundaries he put in place, or how small the scraps he threw, who was strong enough to walk away from Alexander Avery?

  Suddenly, she felt very sorry for the woman she spoke with on her program, empathy painting an all too vivid reality of what the prospect of losing this man felt like. Angel swallowed hard, trying to clear the pain from her throat.

  “No one has you, Alex,” she said simply, her hand coming up to wrap around his wrist while he continued to stroke her cheekbone, his touch feather-light and gentle. His tenderness tore at her heart. “Not completely.”

  Alex seemed oblivious to his nakedness, sitting with his legs stretched out in front of him and crossed at the ankles, leaning one elbow on the cushion of the sofa, facing her. His eyes bore into hers. “You have me more than anyone ever has,” he admitted. His hair was wild from sleep, and she yearned to wrap her fingers in the silky strands. There was no end to his sexual magnetism. Her heart was aching, and yet, she wanted him. Always wanting him.

  Alex reached up and ruffled Max’s furry mane. “Are you taking good care of Angel, boy?”

  Angel’s eyes were still trained on Alex’s face and following every movement. “Are you cold?”

  Alex smirked. “If you’re insinuating that my dick’s shriveled, save it. It is cold in here.”

  Angel couldn’t help the grin. “No. Sorry to disappoint you, but um… I wasn’t referring to your man banana,” she said cheekily. “Just because it’s all you think about, don’t assume everyone else is also preoccupied with it.”

  Alex burst out laughing, his brilliant green eyes crinkling at the corners. “Oh, really?”

  “Yeah. I mean, no!”

  “Man banana?”

  “Perhaps you prefer tube steak, pork sword, or my personal favorite; stinky pickle?” She bit her lip and tried not to giggle but gave up when Alex threw his head back and laughed uproariously.

  “Oh, my God! Angel!”

  “What?” she asked innocently with wide eyes and raised eyebrows. “I had a patient with a penis obsession last year! I’ve heard ’em all!” She fell over into Alex’s arms, giggling uncontrollably. A miracle considering the overwhelming sadness she’d felt only moments before.

  “I doubt I’ll ever be able to get it up again after that! I think I prefer man banana!” He chuckled, enjoying the way she felt in his arms—her warm breath on his neck, the soft curves beneath the expensive linen. She always smelled so good.

  “I have faith in your ability,” she murmured, sobering. Her hand traced his jaw softly.

  “You do, huh?” His lips found hers, softly, and he closed his eyes, inhaling her scent.

  Angel nodded and yawned, drawing her hand to cover her mouth. “Yes.”

  Even with Angel in his arms, Alex got easily to his feet. “Come on. Back to bed with you, young lady.”

  Angel laid her head on his shoulder and snuggled in, memorizing the feel of his arms around her and his firm chest, warm next to hers. The clink of Max’s collar followed them down the hall and the dog found a warm spot on the floor next to Alex’s bed.

  When Angel was tucked back in, Alex slid in behind her and gathered her back against his body. The heat radiating between them quickly warmed the covers and created a cozy cocoon around them both. The duvet was plush and fluffy, and Angel mused how everything that surrounded her was soft as silk, even Alex’s skin. His body was solid muscle, but she fit so perfectly to him: it was heaven. Angel’s fingers ran over the soft hair on his forearm that was wrapped around her and let her feet rest between his calves.

  Alex hugged her closer still. “Mmmm… this feels nice.” His lips found her shoulder in a gentle caress that ended in the soft bite of his teeth. “Go to sleep, baby.”

  They lay in the darkness, but Angel continued to stroke Alex’s arm, her fingers entwining with his when she reached them. “How am I different?” she wondered aloud, needing an answer that she might never have the chance to hear again.

  Alex’s eyes snapped open and he frowned. The hand holding hers tightened, and he kissed her shoulder again. “How aren’t you different, Angel?” he responded.

  “But… how?”

  He considered how to make his meaning clear; how best to communicate her significance. “Well, you’re amazingly gorgeous, and your body anticipates and reciprocates every move I make. I let you tongue-lash me and, the strange thing is, I like it. You give as good as you get.”

  “You don’t let me do anything. I do what I want.”

  “Exactly.” He laughed softly, his chest shaking gently against her back. “Soooo fucking sexy.”

  “So it’s about the sex?”

  “No.” He shook his head. “I mean, sure, it’s incredible, no question. My dick has never been happier, but it’s your wit and your intelligence that I adore, the many ways you affect me.”

  He ran a hand over the soft swell of her hip and down her thigh, only to retrace the movement. “Your body is irresistible and fits mine perfectly. It’s like you were made just for me.”

  She listened, her heart aching yet anxious for the comfort of his voice.

  “I miss you,” he said quietly after a moment’s pause, the realization a surprise, even to himself. “That’s the biggest thing.”

  “What?” she asked so softly he barely heard her.

  “I miss you.” He shrugged slightly, the admission leaving him vulnerable—which was new and uncomfortable. A position he avoided at all costs most of the time, but with Angel, he was driven to spill his guts. “I never missed
anyone before. In fact, I couldn’t wait to leave. But when we’re not together, I can’t wait to be with you, and when we are, I never want to leave.” He huffed in realization. “It’s ridiculous. You’re always on my mind, Angel. When I woke up earlier and you weren’t in bed, I panicked. It’s just stupid.”

  Tears filled her eyes as they slammed shut, then seeped from the corners to fall softly on her pillow as he echoed her feelings with his words. She brought his hand to her mouth and placed a series of butterfly kisses on his knuckles. She drew in a steadying breath. “No, it’s not stupid.”

  “I’ve been summoned for brunch with my family this Sunday. My mother won’t take no for an answer, and I’d like you to come with me. I think even Allison and Josh will be there.”

  Iron bands of emotion wound tightly around her chest making it difficult to breath, and she struggled to could keep the tears out of her voice. “What about your brother?”

  He knew that couldn’t happen right now, not if Cole was to be successful watching over her. The repercussion would bite him in the ass, he knew, but it was a price he was willing to pay to make sure she was safe. “No. No, he won’t be able to make it.”

  *****

  “Angel?” Elizabeth’s voice interrupted her attempt to concentrate on the report she was working on. Her heart was heavy and her mind wasn’t focused on work. “Mark Swanson is on line one. Do you want to take it?”

  Angel pushed the pause button on her handheld tape recorder and threw it carelessly on her desk. It landed with a dull thump.

  Shit, she thought. Her heart skipped a beat. Just the mention of that fucker’s name made her skin crawl. “What does he want?”

  “He didn’t say. Should I ask?”

  “No. I’ll talk to him.” She hesitated only briefly, her hand pushing the soft tendrils of hair behind her ear, before she picked up the phone. “Good morning, Mr. Swanson. What can I do for you?”

  A harsh laugh fell into her ear. “I’ve got a surprise for you, sexy doctor.”