“What happened? If you don’t mind my asking?”
“Yeah… that guy. The voice. Remember?”
Christina sat down slowly on the other side of the desk as her eyes widened. “Oh, shit. It was like warm honey. I wanted to take a bath in it; he sounded so damn good.”
“That’s the one.” Angel nodded. “I was out for my best friend’s birthday and Darain, that bastard, showed up on some bullshit pretense of talking to me about the show, with this guy in tow.”
“Holy crap.” The younger girl’s face lit up in obvious interest. “What’s he like? Does the voice match? I mean, is he as beautiful as his voice?” She leaned on her fisted hand toward Angel over the desk and the series of questions tumbled from her eager lips. “Um… maybe I don’t want to know? It will ruin a fantastic fantasy if he’s a schlep.”
“Ugh. Not you, too,” Angel lamented.
When Christina didn’t respond but only stared at Angel with rapt interest, she pushed her hair off her face and kept talking. “Oh, you know… able to leap tall buildings in a single bound.” Angel smiled and was rewarded with a small chuckle from her companion. “Hell yes, it all fits. Unfortunately. He’s…” she shook her head, “gorgeous, confident, and extremely intelligent, sexy as hell… man candy personified. Just the type of guy that can fuck up a woman’s life in a gargantuan way and make her think he’s Santa Claus in the process. He’s a taker, and from what I can gather, he thinks he can have anything he wants, whenever he wants it. I’m sure he leaves a trail of women crying in his wake.”
“You obviously talked to him then.”
“Chris, I deal with relationship bullshit every day. We talked a little, but nothing that meant anything. My observations are simply that. Nothing more.”
“Did move you in any way?” Christina and Angel weren’t friends, per se, but she’d gotten to understand Angel’s controlled demeanor. She’d expect Angel to kick the shit out of any man whose attentions she didn’t want, and she knew she could do it, hypothetically speaking. Angel was the female version of the man she’d just described, and Christina had seen the way Darian drooled over her when she wasn’t looking… however, Angel was completely indifferent.
“I’m human. He’s hot, and after I got over being pissed, he was sort of disarming. There’s no getting around it, and as my friend, Becca, so aptly points out to me constantly… “ Angel paused, her eyes widening for emphasis and she smiled. “I do have a vagina. Good thing I have a brain to go along with it. His relationships are purely physical but at least he’s honest about it. If he lied and made promises, now that would be unforgivable.”
Christina burst out laughing. “Yes, my vagina is talking to me about him just from your description! But, I thought Darian, I mean—” she stopped.
“Darian, what?”
“I thought he was into you, so why would he introduce you to Superman?”
“Eh… no, he’s not. Besides, he’s my boss.” Angel shook her head. “I like him, but I don’t want to date him.”
“What about his friend?”
“I’d be lying if I didn’t say I find him more than a little tempting.” Given how silly she already felt she sounded, Angel didn’t feel the need to fill Christina in on their earlier encounter. “I’d literally have to be dead not to notice. He’s quite disarming and he knows it. It’s not even a matter of opinion; every woman there was practically touching themselves, from just looking at him. But, he’s not dating material. He’s not someone you mess around with if you want to come out unscathed. I’m not one of those girls. I hope he got that message tonight.”
“What do you mean ‘those girls’?”
“You know, the kind he’s used to. The mewling, needy, ‘I’ll do anything, just please don’t leave me, baby,’ kind.”
“Yeah. I get that about you. You’re more the, ‘don’t let the door hit you in the ass on your way out,’ type.”
Angel flashed a big smile and nodded. “Am I that bad? We can talk more about it later. I have to start the show.”
“Okay. Alex Avery, huh?” Angel nodded again and cued up the first song of her set. “Google, here I come.”
Angel smiled and shook her head as she settled the headphones in place. “If Darian calls, tell him to fuck off.”
“All righty, then,” Christina spouted happily, as she flounced out of the booth to her position behind the glass partition with the phone.
“This is Dr. Angeline Hemming and this is After Dark on KKIS FM. I’m waiting… so give me a call at 800-555-6900 and let’s talk.”
As the song started to play, Angel couldn’t help but wonder if Alex was listening. Part of her wished he was, but she wasn’t conceited to think a man like him would take the time. Tonight had been a fun bit of interaction, but that’s as far as it would go. She’d made it clear it wouldn’t go any further, and he wasn’t the type of guy that wasted effort or resources on a dead end.
As the song played, Christina pressed on the intercom. “What if the voice calls? Do you want to talk to him?”
Angel made a rueful face. “He won’t,” she said, matter-of-factly.
“Are you sure?” Christina paused, with a soft laugh and Angel’s head snapped up. “Line two.”
Angel’s stomach lurched, and she could feel her cheeks start to burn as a flush infused the skin of her face and neck. This was unexpected, and she hesitated and then sat up and picked up the phone, pushing the correct line. “This is Dr. Hemming.”
* * *
“Angel, I thought we were at least on a first name basis now.”
“Hardly, Mr. Avery. What is it you need?”
“Well, that’s a loaded question if I ever heard one.”
“That isn’t what I meant, and you know it. I’m working. I don’t have time for this.”
“I only called to apologize. Darian shouldn’t have launched us on each other like that. He didn’t even tell me that you’d be there until I saw you in front of me. And, what a sight you were. You’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. Again.”
Angel flushed but remained silent, processing everything, until Alex continued. “I’d like to make it up to you. Have dinner with me tomorrow night.” It sounded more like a command than a request, no doubt because he wasn’t used to anything other than blatant adoration from his female friends.
“I appreciate your apology, but, thank you, no.”
“Why not? Are you afraid you might like me?”
“I have my own reasons, and I don’t intend to share them with you.” She already liked him. That was the red flag.
“Angel, don’t be difficult. I really want to see you again.”
“How inconvenient for you, since what you want doesn’t really concern me.” She bit her lip, trying to hold in her amusement. Why did she enjoy this so damn much?
He laughed. “Are you sure about that?”
“Very.”
“You’re such a bad liar, Angel; a trait I find extremely attractive. Your face is very expressive. So is your voice. And I’m very happy to pick up the challenge you’re throwing down. It will be my pleasure to make what I want become of major concern to you.”
“Do you have a genie in a bottle or some magic potion that I should know about? No? Then go away. I have to work.” She was smiling so hard her face hurt. This was so damn fun.
“You know I won’t give up. All I’m asking for is to share a meal with you. I always, always get what I want.” His voice was husky, and Angel swallowed hard.
“Men like you never ask for anything. You just expect it to be served up on a silver platter. It’s utterly repulsive. I’m not the airhead-type so you’re barking up the wrong tree entirely,” she quipped.
“Don’t assume things about me, please. I know what type you are and what type you aren’t… That’s why you intrigue me so much. I want to talk to you.”
“Wow. How original. Hey, baby, I want to get into your pants… uh, I mean your mind. That’s just brilliant. I
don’t hear an ulterior motive in there at all!”
Alex couldn’t help a chuckle. “Why are you always busting my chops? I’m a man, you’re a woman, and I want to know more. What’s the damn mystery? Yes, I’m attracted to you. Extremely. And, I’ve thought about you several times since the home improvement store. At least I have the balls to admit it.” He was laughing his ass off, and she couldn’t help but smile in response.
“Believe me, there’s no mystery. I have a feeling that you wouldn’t be so interested if I had any sort of balls. Look, I have to go. Chris has a caller on hold for me and the song has 15 seconds left.”
“Okay, since you said my name in your silky, little voice, I’ll let you go for now, but you will hear from me again. Just because I know what I want and how to get it, doesn’t necessarily classify me as a player. I would have thought your psychology background would have made you a little more open-minded to the possibilities. And, Angel, I’m listening tonight.”
With that, the line went dead and left Angel scrambling with her computer to start a commercial break before she took her first caller. As the night wore on and she spoke to her callers, both men and women, about their problems, it was always in the back of her mind that Alex was somewhere listening to every word. It excited her more than she wanted to admit; but, to give her credit, she kept her wits about her.
It didn’t help when Christina came in during the first set of spots with her eyes flashing and a flush on her cheeks. “Holy crap! Angel!”
Angel huffed in understanding. “Ah,” she said calmly as she wrote notes on one of the emails she planned to address when she went back on air. She smiled and shook her head slightly as she scribbled roughly on the paper. “Google did its work, I guess?”
The younger girl rushed into the room and sat down at the desk across from Angel. “You know I never cuss but… Are you fucking kidding me? This man is like… Gah! He’s so hot! Is his hair really like this? And he’s a big corporate dude? Oh, my God! Delish!”
Angel cringed at the slang term, so indicative of someone so young, but hardly a good description of Alex Avery. Smooth operator. Now that was more like it. -
She looked up and met Christina’s stare. “You need to keep your eyes open, girl. He’s too beautiful and he knows it. You heard him. He admitted that he avoids emotional commitments. He’s dangerous.”
“Angel!” Chris exclaimed in exasperation, gazing down at a picture she’d printed out of the man in question. Angel couldn’t help but glance at it. It was a cover shot from Forbes for Christ’s sake. He was in an impressive office, sitting on the edge of his desk, with one arm resting on one knee, in a dark blue suit, light yellow shirt, and striped tie. “Even if he only wanted sex, who could say no? He’s so dang sexy. Just look at him!” She held out the picture.
Angel stood up and crossed her arms across her chest. “Believe me, Chris. I’ve seen him.” Up close and personal, she thought as a shiver ran through her. “Do me a favor… just don’t start licking the ink off the page, will you?” she scoffed. “Medical insurance doesn’t cover stupidity.”
Christina shook her head in response. Angel was impossible.
“What did he say on the phone?”
“He asked me to dinner tomorrow night.”
Chris’s eyes widened. “You have to go!”
She ran her hand through her hair. “That’s just it; I don’t.”
“You’re insane. Absolutely bonkers! What could be the harm in a dinner?”
Angel let out her breath in exasparation. “I don’t need to get tangled up with Alex Avery.”
“Not even between the sheets? God! I wish I were you. I wouldn’t tell him no, that’s for sure.” She did an anxious little jig, turning in a tight circle.
Angel’s heart thudded heavily. Well, maybe between the sheets would be fun. God knew sex with Kenneth had become mundane. Despite her thoughts, Angel admonished Christina’s tendency to careless behavior. “You, little girl, need to make wiser decisions.”
“Come on, Angel. I hear you every week! I know you’re not a prude, and I know you’re not against having sex for sex sake.”
“If you’re an adult and you can protect yourself; physically and emotionally, Chris, then, sure.”
“Okay, so… find out more about him.”
“We have to get back to work. The phones are lit up like Christmas trees.”
When Christina was firmly ensconced at her post, Angel replaced the headphones on her head and took a sip of her water as she watched the last ten seconds of the commercial tick off on her computer screen.
* * *
Alex sat on the leather couch in his great room with his Golden Retriever, Max, sprawled out across his lap. The dog was eighty pounds, but he was a huge baby and Alex adored him. They were inseparable when he was in town. He even took him to the office on occasion. Mrs. Dane refused to walk him, saying, in no uncertain terms, that she was no pooper-scooper and he didn’t pay her enough to be one. Alex liked her immensely and so allowed the tirade. He’d good-naturedly offered her a raise if she’d do it.
“Pfft. You can’t afford me. If that dog’s shit were made of gold, I wouldn’t touch it. Are we clear?” The next day, she’d called a dog walking service to be on retainer and that was that.
It was dark in his house, and he’d discarded his tie, belt, and jacket. His shirt was unbuttoned and left hanging open over his bare chest. His father would chastise him for not wearing an undershirt, but the Chicago summer had been so fucking sweltering.
He was still reeling that Angeline Hemming was the sexy little thing from all those months ago; the soft little girl who invaded his thoughts so much he no longer found the plasticity of Whitney exciting.
Alex listened to Angeline as he threaded his hands through Max’s luxurious coat over and over again. He leaned his head back on the couch, letting her voice wash over him. He wanted to hear her words, but since they weren’t for him, he was more into the sound of them than the content. What is it about this woman? He closed his eyes and let out his breath in a long sigh. Everything.
Darian wanted the two of them to go out downtown, and Alex was certain that, if they did, he could be fucking some willing woman instead of spending the evening alone with Max and Angel’s dulcet tones. He was somewhat pissed at his obvious weakness. Could he be that gone over her already, even though he knew nothing about her? Just the sight of her, the sound of her voice, her scent… was more than enough to affect him in painful ways.
His mind wandered to the contents of the file folder sitting on leather upholstery in the backseat of his Audi. Probably everything he wanted or needed to know about her was in there, but damn if he didn’t find himself resisting it. From what he’d seen and heard, she was utterly incredible, and he wasn’t worried that he’d find anything remotely untoward within the reports. More than that, he wanted to get to know her, really know her, not read a cold dossier. Suddenly, to do it the right way seemed important to Alex. If things evolved as he hoped, she’d be angry, and it would no doubt ruin any real chance he had of getting close to her.
He shook his head in amazement. In a matter of a few short hours, the contents of the investigation didn’t mean a goddamn thing. Physically, she drove him crazy. It was a blatant, tangible thing between them. He knew she felt it, and it excited him enough to make him shake. His cock hardened just remembering the urge he had to place his mouth on the pulse of her neck and touch her hair as he helped her with her jacket right before she walked out of the bar. Uncharacteristically, he’d been helpless to do anything other than watch her leave and feeling out of control in any situation was disconcerting. When she was singing that sexy song, he felt like it was only to him—because it was.
“Fuck,” he said into the large room and shifted uncomfortably. Max whined in protest at Alex’s movement. “Oh, Max. I’m so seriously screwed.”
“Welcome back, this is Angel After Dark… and I’m here for you. What’s your name?”
“Joanie.”
“Hey, Joanie. What can I help you with?”
The caller was crying softly, but as Angel waited for her to answer, he swore he could hear her breathe.
“My… my husband just left me. He’s screwing his secretary. Oh, God, it hurts so much! I mean, what about my children? They’re so young.”
“Oh, Joanie, I’m so sorry, honey.” Angel’s voice was sympathetic and sad. “So sorry.”
“Everyone is giving me all the bullshit clichés. You know, ‘you’re better off without him, you have a choice to feel better, just move on,’ and I can’t take more of that. Please don’t say that to me.”
Alex listened intently and reached for his beer, waiting for Angeline’s answer.
“Joanie, people are just trying to help you, and they think, by making less of it than what it is, you will begin to see it that way and it will become less painful. They’re hurting because you’re hurting, and truthfully, there is nothing they can say or do to take this away. This may be a cliché, but it’s true; you will begin to feel better, but it will take time. I won’t belittle your pain by telling you it will happen overnight, because it won’t.”
The caller sobbed harder, and Angel waited for it to lessen a bit before she continued.
“I am not a believer in that bullshit about feeling better being a choice. That’s impossible. Things happen in people’s lives because of choices other people make. Choices you had no control over. He made the choice and now you and your children are left to deal with it. I don’t believe you can just choose to feel better, and it pisses me off when people spew that crap. The best thing I can tell you is that the choices you do have are how you take care of yourself and your children. You have choices about how you react to his choices. Focus on doing what is best for you, and, eventually, you will feel better. And, remember, the children had no choice in this either, and I know you’ll put their needs first. Whatever he did, he’s still their father.”
After Dark: The Complete Series Page 13