After Dark: The Complete Series

by Kahlen Aymes

  Angel’s breath left her chest when he pulled back. Alex couldn’t help placing two more small kisses on her mouth. His heart and body quickened. He could just kiss her forever and be happy, but he had something to do first.

  He took one step backward, went down on one knee, and took her left hand in his.

  Angel’s hand flew to her mouth, her own heart seizing in joy, and pain, and love. The moment was surreal, and she knew this was what the entire evening had been about. This was what all of the flowers and the empty restaurant were about, not his birthday. Was this really happening? She knew he loved her. He’d proven it over and over, but they’d only been together eight months, and he was who he was. Angel’s soul was overwhelmed and so full of him she couldn’t breathe, her chest and throat ached, and her eyes welled with tears.

  “Oh, my God.”

  Their eyes met and held.

  “I never thought this moment would come. I never believed I’d want to spend my life with one person, or that I could love someone at all, let alone this much. I never thought I’d want to have children, but I want it with you. It’s humbling to know that the perfect life I thought I had was a hollow existence. From the moment I saw you: I wanted you, from the moment I heard your voice, you intrigued me: and when I kissed you, I’d never been so consumed with desire. But more than all of that, I love you. I’ll be miserable for the rest of my life if you’re not with me for every breath I have left. Angeline Marie Hemming, will you marry me?”

  By now, Angel was shaking, and silent happy tears dripped from her eyes. He was amazing and more of a man than any she had ever known. She might as well have been flying, so much happiness engulfed her, yet it was as if her heart was breaking. She loved him so much it hurt. “Yes,” she said softly, nodding. “I love you, so much. So, yes, Alex.”

  He slid the ring on her finger, and she barely noticed more than it sparkled in the candlelight, and the white gold was cool against her skin. She didn’t look at it: her eyes were riveted on Alex.

  In an instant, he was on his feet, enfolding her in his arms and kissing her as if it were the last kiss they’d ever share. He lifted her up off the floor to bring their mouths level. Alex’s strong arms held Angel tight, her soft form melting into his harder one. Their mouths fed on each other; their tongues began an intimate dance that couldn’t be finished in their current location. He laughed softly against her mouth.

  When the kiss ended, Alex hugged Angel tight, and her arms wrapped around his shoulders, her hands holding his head. A deep, relieved breath filled his lungs and caused her full breasts to flatten against his chest.

  “Oh, babe,” he said and placed a smaller kiss on her mouth as he lowered Angel to the ground. “I’m the luckiest bastard on the planet. Thank you for saying yes.”

  “Like I could refuse.”

  He pulled back just enough to look at her. “You could have.”

  “I don’t think so.”

  His hands still on her hips, he twisted at the waist to look for Dustin. The young man flushed, discovered with Davis and Karen, watching the entire proposal. Alex smiled. They all had sappy looks on their faces but scrambled to compose themselves, embarrassed he’d caught them eavesdropping, and worried he’d be angry with them. Alex was too elated to be angry. He smiled brightly in their direction.

  “I’d like a bottle of the champagne and the cake to go, please.”

  “Right away, sir.” Davis, Karen, and Dustin said simultaneously, all three of them beaming.

  Five minutes later, Alex and Angel were back in the limousine and on their way to Alex’s apartment. There was palpable energy vibrating between them as Angel sat close to Alex, and his arm stretched across her lap to hold her opposite leg. They were as close as they could get, their hips and legs touching, Angel leaning into Alex. For the first time, Angel allowed herself to take a good look at the ring on her finger. The dark in the back of the car only allowed a limited view. She could see it was simple and good-sized, though not obnoxious. She sighed and laid her head on his broad shoulder.

  “Do you like your ring?”

  “It’s too dark to really look at it, but I’m sure it’s beautiful. Though, I don’t need a huge ring.” The fingers on her right hand ran over it, trying to feel the style. It was a solitaire and the band simple.

  “I knew you’d feel that way, and believe me, I reined it in.”

  She shook her head. “I’m sure,” she said wryly. “Though you reining it in is probably like buying a private island in the Bahamas for someone else.”

  “I did keep it reasonable. It’s very representative of you, but I wanted the world to know, you’re mine.”

  “I just want you to know,” she said softly, and his hand squeezed her thigh possessively. “Kiss me, Alex.”

  “Wait a few minutes and we’ll be home.”

  “I know you want to kiss me.”

  He smiled, this conversation reminiscent of a similar one the first night they were together. “Not until I can make love to you. Once I start, I’m not stopping all night.”

  “It’s that whole orgasm thing again.”

  Alex laughed as she read his mind. “Yes.”

  “We should call Darian, and thank him for throwing us together.”

  “He knows. He’ll be my best man, and we’ll make him sing karaoke at the reception.” The dimples in his handsome face made his smile all the more magnetic.

  “I don’t need a huge wedding, Alex. Something small with just our family and closest friends.”

  “I want to give you the best of everything. I want to give you the fairy tale. If anyone deserves it, it’s you.”

  “But, I don’t need any of the frou-frou stuff,” Angel said seriously. “I just want you.”

  “You have me.” Alex bent to kiss her mouth. “Always.”

  She wasn’t cold. The limo had been warm when they got in, but Angel snuggled closer. “I’m… sort of stunned. It’s so soon.”

  Alex leaned down and pressed his mouth into the hair above her temple. “I’ve been anxious for months, but knew you’d balk if it was too soon.”

  “Did the kidnapping motivate you?”

  He shook his head. “No. I purchased the ring before that.”

  Angel was content and euphoric, but she was also Angel, and she was ornery. She took the hand Alex was resting on her thigh and pushed it higher, over her bare hip and under her dress. “Did you forget about that? You were so serious during dinner.”

  Alex huffed with amusement, his hand squeezing her ass and his dick beginning to betray him. “I never forget that I want you. It’s a constant ache. Stop it. You’re being naughty.”

  “I can take care of that ache,” she whispered, pulling one hand up and sucking one of his fingers into her mouth.

  Instantly, his cock sprang to life, blood filling it in an instant, and he groaned. He pressed one of her hands into his erection that was pushing through the fine wool of his expensive slacks. Her fingers curled around his hard flesh, and she rubbed and pumped as best she could through the fabric.

  “Fuck, Angel, please,” he pleaded. His voice was low and velvet. “We’re pulling up to the curb. Now I have a raging hard-on.”

  “I like your raging hard-ons,” she teased.

  Alex said nothing as the car stopped, but he quickly buttoned his overcoat, shooting Angel a sardonic look that said “You’re gonna get it.”

  She smiled as his hand took hers, threading their fingers together. When the driver opened the door, Alex got out, pulling Angel behind him. He handed the driver a hundred-dollar bill.

  “Thank you.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Avery. Will you need me any more tonight?”

  “No, Darrell. Goodnight.”

  “Goodnight, sir. Dr. Hemming.”

  Alex motioned for Angel to precede him into the building but kept ahold of her hand. He swiped his fob in the elevator that would whisk them up to his penthouse then pressed Angel against the wall, unbuttoning his coa
t and pulling hers open.

  She watched him intently, and her tongue slid salaciously over her full lower lip. His eyes burned into hers.

  “Are you going to punish me for being naughty?” she teased, her voice a sensual caress, filled with invitation.

  He moved closer until she could feel his hot breath on her face. He reached down and flattened his hands on the outside of her thighs and slid her dress up, burying his face in her neck, tasting and ghosting, his teeth nipping softly at her silky skin. She was covered in goose bumps, her body started to tremble.

  “No.” His hand moved to the secret place she wanted him to touch, and she gasped. Her heat almost burned him as her body arched, and her legs opened slightly, to give him easier access. He parted her flesh slowly, still running those delicious nibbles very slowly up and down her neck.” She was hot and slick, with the perfect amount of wetness.

  “Huhhhh,” His breath rushed out in desire, uncaring that the elevator could open at any moment and someone might see them; consumed by the moment and the woman in front of him. He slowly pushed two fingers inside her, and she moaned his name, her eyes closing. He curled them upward and pressed the spot inside her he knew drove her crazy.

  Her legs trembled, and he was satisfied he’d put her in the same state she’d left him in.

  “Alex, God,” Angel groaned, gripping his shoulders to keep from falling. “Ungggg.”

  “Yes, I know,” he whispered urgently as he dragged his mouth over her jaw up to her mouth. “It feels so good, but it aches so fucking bad, doesn’t it.” His fingers rubbed back and forth inside her, not thrusting but pulsing against her G spot. His cock was twitching and throbbing in time with his pounding heartbeat. He was so turned on, he thought he’d burst. “I’m going to make that go on and on, Angel, for hours.”

  He kissed her, then his tongue ravaged the inside of her mouth, sucking her tongue deep into his mouth. He felt her fingers tug at his hair, and it only served to incite his desire more.

  The elevator dinged as the floors passed, and finally, the doors opened. Angel moaned in protest as Alex removed his fingers, but his other arm remained around her waist as he pulled her from the elevator and into his apartment.

  It didn’t take long before their coats were on the floor in the foyer, her purse and his keys clattering on the sparkling marble tile. One light on the small table in the entryway was the only light beyond the cityscape glowing in through the large windows of his great room.

  They were frenzied, hands on each other, the need between them raged, but Alex wanted to savor every touch. His mouth was on hers in a hungry kiss, both eager to get closer. They were wrapped up and clinging together; mouths gorging and indulgent, tongues laving, each sucking and nipping. Their kissing was always so electric; so amazing between them, it overwhelmed them both.

  Alex ripped his mouth from hers, both of them panting, and Angel’s hand gripped his head, trying to pull his mouth back to hers, her leg curled around his hip. Fuck, she was hotter than hell.

  “Angel, I want you.” His breath was heavy and hot, rushing in and out of his body. “So much.”

  “Then have me.”

  Alex wanted Angel to remember every second of this night. He wanted to remember every second, and he wouldn’t rush it or fuck her in the foyer. He would make slow love to her and wring every modicum of pleasure from her until she was begging him to let her come.

  He lifted her up, and automatically, her legs wrapped tightly around his waist, her dress was still pushed up enough to allow easy movement. His arms held her bare butt as he turned and walked with purpose up the stairs to his room.

  He pushed open the door and laid her on the bed. Angel didn’t want to let him go and reached up to kiss him. He gave in because he wanted to deny her nothing, but his fingers, soft on her jaw, he took control and slowed the kiss. When it broke, he took her hand and kissed the inside of her wrist with his open mouth, sucking slightly, his eyes burning into hers.

  “I want to go slow, babe.” Alex moved away to turn the stereo on. He’d planned for this, so the playlist of sexy songs had been compiled and began playing. The volume was low, but the Bose speakers flooded the room with sultry surround sound.

  He stood and shed his clothes in front of her. She watched him, trying not to push her dress down or hide her nakedness. He looked down at her as his jacket and tie fell to the floor, and he began to unbutton his shirt. His breath caught in his chest. She still had on her stiletto heels; the whisper thin stockings, darker than her alabaster skin, were edged in lace, showing below bare thighs and bare… She took note of where his eyes were focused, and she spread her legs for him. His cock screamed, getting harder, feeling like the skin would split. Her eyes were full of want and love, sparkling in the dim light filtering in from the balcony doors. He liked how the low light outlined her body, allowing him to see her body and her gorgeous face, her hair splayed out in a dark halo around her head. His sexy Angel.

  “Mmmm…” What a sensual picture she made.

  Alex pushed his shoes off, the toe of one on the heel of the other, uncaring if he ruined them. Angel’s eyes followed the movements of his hands as he unbuckled his belt and pushed his pants to the floor. His muscles were so magnificent. He was cut; his movements were lithe and beautiful. She couldn’t tear her eyes away.

  His shoulders were broad, his arms and thighs strong and defined, his abs tight and toned, the six-pack made sexier only by the trail of hair that led down the center and disappeared into the low waist of his boxer briefs. His erection was thick; full, and pushed to the side, barely contained inside his boxers, but he left them on.

  He came to her, and her hands reached for him. He took her hand and pulled her up, unzipping her dress to push it off her shoulders; he kissed one softly. She smelled amazing, and his eyes closed. As much as his dick was aching, his heart was aching more. He loved her beyond words.

  Angel’s black lace bra was low on her full breasts, the scalloped edge barely covered the nipples, and he brushed his fingers, ever so softly, over the top swells. “Mmm...” he moaned against the skin of her shoulder then her neck. His fingers ached to touch her and moved over the firm flesh, still covered in lace. He cupped both breasts, his thumbs teasing Angel’s already taut nipples. He could smell her desire, and it drove him mad.

  He sighed against her as her hands moved over his ass hen pushed into his briefs to squeeze the firm muscles there. “Angel… Jesus. It’s never enough.”

  Her dress was in a rumpled pool around her waist, but he left it there and gently pushed her back against the pillows. “I know,” she whispered. “I know, Alex.”

  Her fingers were light as they explored the hard curves and valleys of the muscles on his stomach, inching lower toward his cock, and they tightened beneath her ministrations. “Take these off,” she murmured.

  His hand grabbed her wrist, gently stopping her. “Don’t touch me yet, babe. I want to take our time.”

  He was sitting on his knees between her spread legs, out of Angel’s reach. Her hand rose toward him, at the same time Alex’s hands slid up her thighs, pressing them open further. One hand inched higher, as his other moved to pull down one cup of her bra to close around the firm mound. “Fuck, you are so beautiful.”

  He bent to take the nipple in his mouth, the gentle sucking and flicking of his tongue, combined with his thumb gently brushing in torturous teasing brushes over her clit, made Angel arch and writhe beneath him.

  He moved from one breast to the other, biting at her hard nipple through the black lace. “Alex,” she called. “Please.”

  She was still vibrating from their time in the limo, and he seemed intent on torturing her. He moved slowly, relishing her body and worshiping it. His mouth moved lower, and she was wishing he’d removed her dress, but he moved below it, and soon, she forgot everything. Her fingers fisted in the sheets, and her head fell back as he rained soft, sucking kisses over her stomach, between her hipbones, and lower, his
hand still inflicting the slow torture on her clit.

  Finally, she felt his hot breath lower and couldn’t help but raised her hips toward his mouth. The fact she was aching for his touch aroused Alex even more. He lay down on his stomach and laid one hand flat on her stomach between her navel and pubic mound, his other reached for her hand, threading through it and holding her tight. He started slow, blowing hot breath on her then using the tip of his tongue to move around her clitoris.

  It was delicious and so torturous. “Mmmmm,” she moaned and involuntarily arched again.

  Alex couldn’t take it. She tasted incredible, and her soft sighs and low moans were making him nuts. He pushed one, then two, fingers inside and started a slow pulse against her G-spot in time with the way his tongue pressed her clit. He couldn’t help himself; he sucked the silken flesh into his mouth again with the pulses. He was a skilled lover, and he knew it, yet no other woman’s pleasure had ever mattered more to him. He needed her pleasure like he needed his own.

  He could feel her clench around his fingers, feel her clit start to pulse under his tongue, and he’d be damned if he could stop. He wanted her to come hard, and she did. Her whole body jerked and shuddered. He milked her orgasm, lightening his pressure but not letting up, his eyes watching her head thrash on the pillow, her body arch. She cried out his name.

  “Alex, you have to stop.” She jerked again, the aftershocks still rocking through her, and her clit was so sensitive, his touch almost hurt. “Uhhhh, Alex.”

  He inhaled and moved, crawling up and over her body to kiss her deeply. His heart leapt in his chest when her arms went instantly around his back and shoulders, her fingers almost clawing into his skin, and her legs wrapped around his hips.

  She kissed his strong shoulder then his neck as he lay down beside her, his body still entwined with hers. They were facing each other, and Alex pushed her hair back and looked into her eyes.

  “I will give you that ten times a day.”