What she wouldn’t give to run her fingers slowly through those silky strands. Teresa could almost feel his hair against her fingertips. He’d kissed her and nuzzled her throat before saying goodbye. Talk about sensory overload. Who knew such an unassuming spot could be that sensitive to his touch? Tingles raced up and down her spine at the memory of his lips behind her ear.
She found Grace in Jack’s bedroom sorting through lists. Teresa plopped down on the end of the bed then hopped up and sat in the upright chair standing by Grace’s dresser. Grace grinned and rolled her eyes, not even asking, knowing what Teresa was thinking. That was the bed that Grace shared with her men, and Teresa shouldn’t be sitting on it.
Sheesh! Where had her parents gotten all the ideas they raised her with? She huffed rebelliously and bounced right back out of the chair and came and perched next to Grace on the edge of the bed. Grace looked over at her, a surprised smirk on her face.
“Wow. Angel must be a good influence on you. He’s really into you, you know that?”
“Huh?”
“Did you hear what he said? He would ‘look forward to seeing you come down the aisle’?”
“He said that to me out on the porch earlier, too.”
“He said that twice? What’s on his mind, I wonder?” Grace said knowingly, looking at Teresa. “Are you going to let him teach you to dance, risk-taker?”
“He said he would. I hope I don’t step all over his toes.”
“Oh, don’t worry, Teresa. You have a natural, graceful way of moving. I don’t think you’ll have any trouble at all. You really like Angel, don’t you?”
Teresa sighed and smiled, shivering delightedly at the memory of his lips brushing beneath her ear. “Yes, Grace. I do.”
“Does he still make you nervous?”
“Like a long-tailed cat in a rocking-chair factory, but it was better today than it was on our date. Maybe I’m getting used to him?”
“Maybe. He deserves someone sweet like you.”
* * * *
Angel stood at the back of the church greeting other guests he knew, waiting to take his seat until the last minute. He greeted Evan and Wesley Garner and Rosemary Piper, whom he knew from Cheaver’s Western Store. She was her Uncle Randy’s right hand running the big operation. He finally seated himself on the end of a row, next to the aisle. He wanted to have a clear view of Teresa as she came down the aisle.
Movement could be seen through the stained-glass windows on either side of the closed wooden doors. The music changed tempo, and the musicians began to play a slightly different melody. Sunlight streamed through as the doors were swung open again. Everyone turned in their seats expectantly, him included. Haloed by bright sunlight, Teresa stepped into the doorway.
Angel’s heart pounded in his chest. He wondered if it could be heard by anyone else, it was so loud in his ears. She blushed, but her were not downcast. She moved forward, and he was glad he’d chosen to wear a sport coat over his dress shirt. It would serve to cover the swelling erection he had when it was time to stand for the bride.
Holding her head high, she took measured, unhurried steps forward. She scanned the crowd until she found him, he noticed, and then her eyes stayed on him until she came abreast of him. He took it as a good sign that she did not avert them, hoping it meant she was growing more comfortable near him.
The silky fabric of her dress caught the fading rays of sunlight as she moved, framing and accentuating the curves of her hips and thighs. The bodice of the dress framed her lush breasts in a way that was pure torture for his hardening cock. His hands and cock twitched as he wished he could touch them.
* * * *
Teresa’s heart pounded as she moved through the doorway. She took deep, calming breaths and proceeded slowly down the aisle. She sighed in relief when she found Angel on the end of a row about two-thirds of the way down the center aisle. His golden-brown gaze felt like a caress, and he smiled when their eyes met. Her cheeks tingled in response to the subtle heat in his gaze. The aisle was not very wide, and if she wanted to, she could’ve touched him as she passed. Teresa kept her hands on her bouquet and proceeded forward, wondering if she’d actually felt his body heat or if it had merely been a trick of her mind.
Moving forward to the head of the aisle, she felt a shiver run from her shoulders, down her spine, over her derrière, and down the backs of her legs and knew he was still gazing at her. She reveled in the sensation, for the first time proud of what a man thought of the way she looked. She wasn’t all that surprised as the surging current of desire she now associated with Angel’s nearness ran through her core. She climbed the shallow steps and walked to the designated spot and turned to face the congregation and the open doors at the back of the church as Grace’s irrepressible sister, Charity, made her way down the aisle next.
Across the altar, Grace’s official husband-to-be smiled kindly at her. Jack understood how big a deal it was for her to be standing before people like this. Even under such benign scrutiny, it was a stretch for her. Charity made her way up the steps, giving her a sneaky thumbs-up and a wink before she also turned to face the congregation. The volume of the processional increased slightly, and the wedding guests stood as Charity’s husband, Justin, led Grace in her gorgeous gown to the doorway.
She glanced at Grace’s men, tears coming to her own eyes at the sight of the undisguised adoration on their faces. She was not surprised when Jack quickly reached up a hand to wipe away a stray tear. Grace was so beautiful she should bring tears to their eyes. Teresa wiped her own tears, watching Grace’s radiant face as she moved down the aisle on Justin’s arm.
Teresa looked out on the congregation and caught the smile Angel directed to her. She smiled back and sent a prayer heavenward that someday she would have love like Grace had for her men and she would no longer let fear rule her life.
After the ceremony, all the well-wishers crowded forward to congratulate Grace and Jack. Teresa was standing with Charity when she felt a warm hand slide around her waist. She knew immediately who it was.
Leaning into her a little, Angel whispered, “Jack asked me to shoot video of the binding ceremony. May I give you a lift over to the mansion?” He took advantage of the opportunity to nuzzle her neck a little with his nose, and she heard him inhale. She didn’t realize she’d closed her eyes until she opened them and caught Grace and Charity grinning at her.
“I—um. I don’t know. Grace, do you need me for anything? Should I go on over?” She wanted to kick herself. He was a man, she was a grown woman, and she had nothing to be ashamed of if they were attracted to each other.
“It would be a good idea for everyone participating to get over there quickly, so the other guests don’t have to wait very long for us. Why don’t you go ahead with Angel?” Grace whispered to her.
Teresa let Angel lead her by the hand back up the aisle of the church. Once outside, he turned to look at her as they walked. “Sorry if I embarrassed you back there. You’re gorgeous in your gown, and I couldn’t resist temptation. I like your hair like that.” He fingered a chunky ringlet that fell to her shoulder. Her hair was rolled and finger-styled then pinned up artfully on her head. She wore roses in her hair at the crown that matched the deep red roses of her bouquet.
“You’re looking handsome yourself. Thank you for offering me a ride.” She smiled up at him.
He drove them to the Victorian mansion and helped her carefully up the back stairs that led straight to the second story. The other specially invited guests arrived, and soon Grace and her men came up the stairs.
Teresa allowed the tears to flow during this much more intimate ceremony, especially when Jack, Ethan, and Adam knelt in turn to pledge themselves to her and Ethan and Adam received the rings. Without drawing any attention to her, Angel pressed his clean white handkerchief into Teresa’s hand. She smiled at him gratefully and blotted her cheeks.
Later, during the reception, Grace surprised Teresa with a live floral bouquet. “I wanted
you to have this but knew you’d never do battle for it like some of these gals would.” Grace hugged her then turned Teresa in Angel’s direction and whispered, “Seize the day, baby!” She pushed her in Angel’s direction.
Her responsibilities as a bridesmaid were finished, and Grace was releasing her to Angel, that much was clear. Angel smiled broadly when he saw her headed his way, her nose in the bouquet Grace gave her.
“What have you got there, beautiful?” he asked, smirking.
“Grace tells me I won the bouquet toss. Isn’t it lovely?” she replied.
He dipped his nose to it and nodded, but his eyes stayed on her. “Let’s put it with your purse and my coat at the table, and then I’ll make good on those dance lessons.”
He led her to the dimmest corner of the dance floor, and without making a big show of it, taught her to two-step and waltz. She took right to it and laughed softly as he spun her into his arms, and they set off around the dance floor with everyone else. He was a graceful dancer and led well, never stepping on her toes even once.
“I heard on the news last night there’s going to be a meteor shower visible next weekend. Would you like to drive out away from the lights and watch it with me?”
“That sounds wonderful, Angel. Should I pack us a picnic supper?”
“If you’d like. Make sure to bring a jacket, in case it’s windy.” He caressed her back as he danced with her, and the warmth of his hands was like a brand through the fabric of her dress.
“I’ll look forward to doing that with you.” She could feel the powerful muscles of his shoulder under her hand as they continued around the dance floor together. A slow dance began to play, and the lights on the dance floor dimmed a little bit. He wrapped his arm further around her waist, and his masculine scent invaded her nostrils as she rested her cheek against his chest.
“Teresa. I wanted you to know something. You never asked but I—I just wanted you to know.”
“Yes, Angel?” She looked up at him in concern. He suddenly seemed unsure of himself, which she’d never seen since meeting him.
“You are the only woman I’m dating. The only one I want to date. I’m hope that pleases you and that you feel the same way.”
The tables had turned because Teresa felt confident in her next words as she beamed up at him.
“Angel Martinez, are you asking me to be your girlfriend?”
“Yes, that was my amazingly clumsy attempt at asking you to be my girlfriend,” he said with a laugh. “So will you?” he asked, his easy smile made her knees want to melt.
“I would love to be your girlfriend.”
Chapter Four
Late August
Angel checked his watch as he climbed down from his truck. He was right on time as he walked into Stigall’s Department Store. He wandered around until he found her kneeling on the floor in the baby department, restocking a shelf. She was busy sorting packages and didn’t hear him sneak up behind her and squat down.
He placed his hands over her eyes and whispered, “Guess who, beautiful?”
She giggled playfully. “Um, Gerard Butler?” At his growl, she giggled again. “John Cusack? Chris O’Donnell? Or, could it be? The man of my dreams? My Angel?” she teased, putting her soft fingertips up to his hands as he kissed the top of her head. She looked up at him and smiled happily as he offered her his hand. She tucked the last package into the display and allowed him to lift her to her feet.
“I’m here to take you out to lunch for your birthday, unless you’re already expecting Mr. Butler,” he teased.
In the last few weeks, the more time they spent together, the more comfortable she became around him, gradually revealing her quick wit and sense of humor. The change he liked best, however, was that she no longer averted her gaze from his as a matter of habit.
Nonchalantly, she waved her hand and said, “Oh, no. Gerard called, he even begged, but I told him he was too late. I’m already taken.”
“Yes, you are. I’ve brought a surprise for you. It’s out in the truck. Can you get away for lunch now?”
“Yes, let me get my purse and let Margie know I’m leaving. I’ll be right back.”
He nuzzled her cheek before kissing it. It made her blush, which he loved about her. She disappeared through the stockroom doors, and he slowly made his way to the front of the store.
“Well, if it isn’t Angel Martinez,” he heard a seductive voice say as a woman moved up beside him.
He looked down at her in surprise as she reached up and slid a hand down his arm. Chills went up his spine as he recognized Patricia’s best friend, Clarissa. He didn’t want to be rude to her but backed away several inches. It didn’t seem to deter her because she closed the distance between them again.
He kept his tone carefully neutral. “Hello, Clarissa. How are you?”
“Fine, busy with work. I heard about Patricia. Have you talked to her?” she asked, showing either her utter ignorance or stupidity, or both.
“No, Clarissa, not since she shot me,” he replied flatly, arching an eyebrow.
“Oh, well, no. I guess you wouldn’t have, would you?” She rolled her eyes before looking him up and down like a juicy steak she wanted to sink her teeth into. “So, I see you’re all better.”
“Yes, I’ve made a full recovery, thank you.”
“I was wondering if you were dating anyone. Maybe you’d like to go out. I always had a thing for you.”
Just what I always wanted. To go out with my psycho ex-girlfriend’s ultrapromiscuous best friend. ”As a matter of fact, I am dating someone.”
Her smile widened, and the look in her eyes was calculating. Her tongue flicked out and licked her lip. “Oh? Well maybe we could get together sometime, you know? Have a good time?” The seductive way she said it made his gut clench. He frowned darkly at what this young woman suggested and how Teresa would react to the idea. He suppressed a growl as he looked up and saw Teresa approaching. She was close enough by now that if she was listening, she would be able to hear what Clarissa was proposing. The look in Teresa’s sweet eyes indicated she heard but didn’t understand. Her delicate eyebrows were knit together in dismay as she slid her little hand into his.
“No, Clarissa. What you and Patricia called fun was not something I ever participated in with her or condoned. You have the wrong idea if you think that’s something I would want to be involved in. Take care.” He led Teresa from the young woman, who blushed angrily as Teresa looked her in the eye. Angel wrapped his arm around her shoulders, and they walked out into the humid August sunshine.
“That was interesting,” Teresa ventured carefully.
“That’s an understatement. That was a friend of Patricia’s. They used to run around together, before…you know.” He decided to say as little as possible about Clarissa. If Teresa didn’t understand the gist of what Clarissa was offering, he wanted to keep it that way.
Patricia had made many assumptions based on what she knew of his upbringing and had pestered him endlessly about a threesome with Ethan. Her fixation with the notion had taken an obsessive turn when Grace had come into Ethan’s life. She completely rejected the idea that there was an intrinsic difference between what Ethan had with Grace, Jack, and Adam and what she wanted from Angel and Ethan. In her mind there was no difference, and he could never persuade her otherwise. Her quest had not ended successfully.
“Yeah.” She smiled up at him and patted his hand on her upper arm, and, bless her heart, she changed the subject. “So, what did you bring me?”
“It’s a surprise. You’ll see it in a minute.” He helped her into the truck before he climbed in. “I’m taking you for a nice lunch at O’Reilley’s. Is that all right?”
“That sounds wonderful.”
He drove them over to the restaurant and parked in the shade of an oak tree. He reached in the glove box and pulled out a square box. Smiling at the surprise in her eyes, he handed the box to her.
“Open it. Tell me what you think.�
� The suspense was killing him. She opened the hinged box and gasped in surprise. He smiled with pleasure.
She removed the large locket from its box. It was sterling silver on a pretty silver chain. The front of the locket was an intricate scrollwork design, and embedded in the center was a vibrant, oval-cut peridot, her birthstone.
“Peridot? How did you find this?”
“I didn’t. Clay made it for you.”
“Mr. Cook made this for me?”
“Yes, I had him make it for you, beautiful. Happy birthday.”
“Thank you, Angel. It’s lovely.” She handed it to him, and he unclasped the chain and put it around her neck. She lifted it and looked at it. He pushed the catch on the side and showed her the interior of the locket.
“I’m glad you like it, Teresa. It looks beautiful on you.” He sighed with satisfaction when she impulsively threw her arms around him.
Unbuckling her seatbelt, Teresa wrapped her arms around his shoulders. She brushed her lips against his, and he pulled her more closely to him. His hand held the back of her head, bracing her for his gentle assault. He could’ve stayed with her like that for the whole hour, her full breasts pressed to his chest, but then he heard her stomach growl. Their kiss parted with a chuckle from them both.
“Let’s get you fed, beautiful. I don’t want you starving.”
“Not much danger of that. My fat stores will sustain me through a few skipped meals.”
“Hmmm. I like you exactly as you are, so don’t waste away on my account.” His gaze roamed over her curvaceous form before climbing out of the driver side door.
“Sweet talker,” she whispered shakily to him as he opened the truck door and lifted her down on account of her dress. They walked hand in hand through the parking lot.
“Just telling the truth.”
“Thank you, Angel. I appreciate that.”
“Should I tell you what I have planned for tonight? Or should I surprise you?”
The Divine Creek Ranch Collection, Volume 1 [Book 1 - Divine Grace, Book 2 - Her Gentle Giant, Book 3 - Heavenly Angel] (Siren Everlasting Collection) Page 121