His Devious Angel

by Mimi Barbour

  Liam approached the Lincoln with care, making sure to hold the gun where it would be visible to the car’s inhabitant. Since the fellow seemed to be crouched on the floor, face hidden in his hands, Liam wasn’t too concerned, but his training had taught him to always be prepared.

  He opened the door and a blabbering fool looked up, face pasty white as if he’d seen a ghost. Since Johnny-angel relaxed in the back seat, grinning from ear to ear, Liam caught on pretty fast to what the blathering about “doors that wouldn’t open” and “disappearing pirates” could mean.

  “I’m shocked you bothered to show up. I know how much you dislike confrontation.” Liam couldn’t resist a little dig.

  “Wouldn’t have missed it for the world, mate. I guess you’ve got things under control now. Cheerio!” Liam shook his head at John-boy’s cavalier attitude and annoying disappearing act. Just his luck to get an angel with attitude.

  Sanders’ subsequent wail at the angel’s lingering moronic chuckle made Liam crack up. He hadn’t had so much fun in a long time.

  He helped the shivering mess out of the car, and from the odor emitted around the dude’s backside, it looked as if someone recently had the shit scared outta them, literally.

  Approaching sirens screamed in the distance. The racket increasing to headache level as three police cars swerved into the yard, creating a small dust storm.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Sadie brushed her hair until the pain in her mistreated scalp made her stop, then lightly perfumed her body with her favorite flowery scent. She’d changed her nightwear twice and finally ended up putting on the first she’d chosen—a short-shorts and cami ensemble in turquoise silk—another of her mom’s risqué gifts she’d never worn. Good thing she kept extra clothes at the cabin or she’d have been forced to wear what she’d packed—her favorite hockey t-shirt and the old pair of grey shorts that had seen better days.

  The mirror, her old friend, drew her as usual, and a stranger stared back. Tousled blonde curls rioted around her face, and the greeny-blue color of her pajamas made her normally green eyes flash the same tones. She looked nice. You could say beautiful, but she wouldn’t go that far.

  Angling her head different ways, she decided “this look” wasn’t her normal style, but tonight did call for sexy, didn’t it? After all, she’d invited a man to her room and fully expected to make mad passionate love with him before the night ended. Please, Lord! At least she could look nice. Puffing her hair one more time, she stepped away.

  Okay. Do I wait here on the chair and pretend I’m reading? She groaned a silent no. That’s so dorky. Right! She ran to the bed and arranged herself against the headboard. Then she smothered a whimper and bolted, knowing she’d never let him see her acting like such an idiot.

  He’ll expect me to be in bed, won’t he? So I’ll just go to bed and leave a light on so he can see where to go when he comes into the room. Great! She turned on the lamp and got into bed. Then she surveyed the room, and the mirror next to her caught her frantic glance.

  No, noooo… In this light, her blonde hair, a golden cloud around her pale face, made her look like a very young girl. Not the image she wanted for tonight. She gathered it, trying to pull it back behind her ears, but all the different lengths wouldn’t co-operate.

  She wavered. For heaven’s sake, relax. You hair looks fine. Now what? It dawned on her that with the light turned up so high, he’d see her nervousness, not the image she hoped to present.

  She ran to her bathroom, flipped the switch, and closed the door to within an inch, so just enough light would illuminate her in the bed. Then she turned off the lamp and huddled under the covers.

  Soon noise from the door opening and closing could be heard. She stiffened as if a gun had been shoved in her back. A dark figure approached the bed and leaned in to lift the covers. “Hi!” His velvet voice alone caused her body to vibrate and flood.

  She shifted to give him room and lifted her head for his arm to surround her. Heart thudding, she needed to break the silence.

  “I thought those women would never stop rehashing the night.” Sadie sighed and cautiously cuddled up next to him.

  “To be expected, I guess. Tonight wasn’t the kind of evening most folks are used to. Can’t blame them for their excitement. But I did hope all the celebratory wine we toasted with would do the trick and help them wind down.”

  “You don’t know my family.” She knew her voice reflected some of her pride, but since it was a new sensation directed at her loved ones, it sounded less than what she truly felt.

  “I can’t believe how many glasses they guzzled and could still talk and walk without slurring or dropping.” He shifted around, his pajama-clad legs entwining with hers while his arms scooped her closer, fitting her to his frame. “You slept in this bed when? In grade school?”

  “Quit whining! This is cozy.”

  “Sure. It’s not your arse sticking out the side.” His teasing mock-grumble made the joy in her swell, then burst. Giggles erupted, and since she’d never been prone to giggles, an abundance had been stored. Once loose, they wouldn’t stop.

  His kisses did the trick. She found it pretty hard to laugh with a tongue in her mouth. Soon consciousness meant taking a breath, and she gently shoved on his chest to push him away.

  Since he’d maneuvered himself to be partially on top of her, he didn’t go very far. With the small amount of light reflecting his hungry passion, confusion struck, and then shyness.

  Babbling, she said, “What a night. Could you believe the hullaballoo? I swear Mrs. Brill sobbed like a baby when I phoned to say we’d found Giorgio. Seems the reward had been upped to ten thousand dollars, and she insisted she’d be writing us a check for every penny. I told her we’d be happy to donate it to the SPCA. Now that they have so many puppies, they’ll need to find good homes.”

  Blah, blah—it was like a geyser had attached itself to her mouth. First she looked over his shoulder and then above his head.

  Being a good guy and obviously sensing her discomfort, Liam placed his elbow near her face, balanced his head on his fist, and his teasing grin said it all. He’d go along—for now.

  “Good idea. I need to get one of those pups for my dad. He put his order in earlier today. Figures, now he has a family to look after again and another little boy to love, he’s decided the house needs a pet.”

  Even though they’d never met, Sadie liked Liam’s father instantly. From the little Liam had shared with her, she’d sensed they had issues, and she hoped those would soon be resolved. Now that she felt so differently about her own goofy relatives, she was ready to open her heart to his also. “He sounds like a sweetheart.”

  “Yeah, I’ve just begun to realize he’s pretty wonderful. You do know the old saying, don’t you? Like father, like son.”

  Compliments flooded into her head, but stayed there. Her tongue felt as if someone had ripped it down the centre and tied a lover’s knot with the two ends. Frustrated, she knew she was nuts about the guy and needed to tell him. Or, at the very least, show him.

  Taking her time, she lifted her arms to encircle his naked back, then rubbed her hands over the muscles. Overcoming her reserve, she opened herself. “Don’t laugh! But I just knew you’d come and save me at that place tonight.”

  “How could you know that? It was pure good luck that we found out the information about the farmhouse in time.” His fingers stroked her cheeks and then her lips.

  “At first when they tied me in the chair, I was petrified. I couldn’t move, and I thought the worst. But I saw your face, and your voice whispered for me to be strong and not afraid. It was the strangest experience.” The shudder she couldn’t hold back endorsed her words. “Then a hook suddenly appeared on the wall close to me. I could have sworn it wasn’t there when I first checked my surroundings.” She felt Liam stiffen, and she groaned. “It gets even crazier. The ropes around my arms mysteriously loosened.” He started to back away and she added. “You think
I’m crazy?”

  “No! I’m just so happy it all worked out the way it did. That you got away. I don’t think I could have stood it if they’d hurt you.”

  Sadie heard the truth in his voice. The harsh tone said it all. She looked into eyes that gleamed and noticed the extra shine of emotions he couldn’t hide.

  That did it. Reaching up, she kissed him like she’d never kissed anyone before. With her heart and soul urging her on, she worked magic.

  Chapter Thirty

  Liam had never been kissed in quite this way. Never trembled like a shock victim before, either. Sadie’s lips connected to sanctuaries in his body that were secret, safe places. But they opened to her—her spirit and her love—with a welcoming reciprocal emotion, then closed back down with her safe inside.

  Forever, she’d be his. And he accepted it without any doubts. This woman belonged with him, and from now on he’d cherish her with every breath he took.

  Soon he stopped thinking about anything but giving her pleasure. His tongue searched for hers, and he twisted first one way and then the other in order to taste her better. He swore he could hear her heart beating and, lowering his mouth, he sucked and nibbled on the pulse working overtime in her neck.

  No other woman’s sighs and moans had ever turned him on like Sadie’s did. Losing control, he ground his lower body into hers and then growled with satisfaction when she wrapped her legs around his hips and played tit for tat.

  The constricting blankets had to go. He whipped them off at the same time as he moved her on top of him so he’d be free to help her undress. He reached for the bottom of her silky top, but before he lifted it, he searched her gaze. A smile flashed to express his commitment to the step they were taking.

  Her answering smile, identical to his, melted everything hard inside of him. Except for one area that just grew bigger, if that was even possible. His need for another scorching kiss took precedence before they moved on but soon her clothes again got in the way of searching hands.

  Panting and moaning, she helped him by wiggling this way and that, movements his lower body appreciated. Once uncovered, her full, beautifully formed breasts sat high and firm, the pink tips hard and mesmerizing. They drew him, and she seemed to sense his need. Leaning over him, she let him have full access and then cradled his head while he made love to her chest.

  The hungry woman cooed in his ear, and that encouraged more fondling. Soon intense desires demanded he get on with it. Gently he rolled them both to their sides and slid her shorts from her tiny waist and over her hips. He ditched his bottoms while she made friends with the nubs on his chest.

  God, she could use that tongue! His body had never swelled to this extent, and the passionate painful intensity made him grit his teeth. Of their own accord, his fingers found her wetness, and he played with her, enjoying her reactions. Never had a woman undulated in quite this way, and his barely-held control slipped further.

  Nerve ends screamed for satisfaction. Enough play time. Dazed, he lifted himself and slid her under so she’d be on the bottom. Immediately she accommodated him by straddling his hips and, once again, opening herself to him completely.

  He smelled her woman’s scent and lost all control. Her entrance beckoned and he penetrated…but slowly—the tightness spoke for itself. She hadn’t been with anyone in a very long time, if ever.

  With tender ministrations, the wet passage soon opened to his sensitized body. He glided in and out—slowly at first, and then faster. Until with hips pumping, he began to move with a rhythm that she copied.

  Shuddering—her moans increasing—he came to realize the wild spasms gripping him meant she’d reached her goal. Now, he could surrender. The last push impaled him inside her deeply, intimately. He was home.

  Like aftershocks, tremors from inside Sadie continued, and the sensitized tip of his penis reacted. Waves of pleasure continued to flow. I’ve reached paradise! It was all he thought as his body floated back to earth.

  Strength deserted him. Muscles refused to function. Forced to, he dropped his weight on the slight, sweaty, heavy-breathing girl under him. Right now, a baby could take him in arm wrestling.

  Her soft mews of satisfaction gave him the utmost pleasure. And so did her arms that squeezed him hard. He’d just been to heaven with this angel. And if he had anything to do with it, he’d be returning there very soon.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  He didn’t have the heart to wake her. Curled up in his arms, she slept the sleep of the innocent, her silky hair spread over his chest. Probably the hair tickling is what woke him up.

  Carefully he swept the silky mass back from her face and happened to catch the illuminated numbers on his watch. Oh-oh. Mustn’t be caught here in her bed.

  Moving slowly, he loosened her grasp and shifted himself to the side, where he could slide out from under her warm, clinging body. He’d give a million dollars to stay in the cocoon with her, but he cared too much about her vulnerable nature. As cool as her family were, he sensed that Sadie new-found understanding of them still needed time to flourish.

  If he had his way, and he fully intended to, they’d soon have a license that gave him rights to her bed. Then, no matter where they slept, he’d never have to leave her again.

  His pajama bottoms were on the floor, and he slipped into them without making a sound. He turned to leave, but couldn’t. Her essence drew him and he let it. Standing near her side, he loved her a little more with every beat of his heart.

  A ping, one he was beginning to recognize, sounded the arrival of his mystical friend.

  “She’s quite something—”

  “Shush, you’ll wake her.”

  “Aye, lover boy, we’re not talking out loud. Remember?” Johnny-angel’s teasing grin forced Liam to look away.

  “Sorry. It’s become so normal to converse with you like this; I forget no one else can hear us.”

  “I’ve just popped in to say—so long, it’s been nice to know ya.”

  Shock hit him, big time. “You can’t just leave. What if I need you again?”

  “I would venture to guess that your life is on an upswing” The angel’s tone lost it’s teasing. “My dear fellow, you will be fine from here on out. Once I leave this room, you’ll forget I ever existed. We can’t have folks running around claiming to see angels, now, can we?”

  Sadness struck, but sense prevailed. Liam knew what the angel said made sense. Still, he hated the idea of letting go.

  “You still have a problem?” The rascal stood with his legs apart and his arms folded. The sleeves of his blousy white shirt draped over the belted narrow waist. For some reason Liam couldn’t figure out, the lace on the cuffs didn’t seem at all effeminate.

  Taking a minute, Liam thought about what his angel had said, and finally he answered. “You know you’re right. Now that I’ve found my future wife, I’m good.” He looked over at Sadie, and if a heart could flip, his just performed multiple somersaults. “And I don’t think I’ll be having any more sleepless nights after talking things over with my Dad. He straightened me out. And if the nightmares come back, I’ll just go and rehash with him again. I’ve gotta tell you, it feels pretty damn good to know he understands.”

  “That’ll work both ways. You know that, don’t you?”

  A few seconds passed as Liam absorbed the full meaning. “Message received, loud and clear.” He understood one thing clearly. Who but an angel can make a person commit to not acting like a self-centered jackass?

  “And the future? Your intentions? Will our little Sadie need to suffer a long-distance relationship?” Censure could barely be heard, but Liam picked it up.

  “No. The thought of leaving her now that we’ve found each other aren’t in the picture. I’m thinking the army has seen enough of this soldier. My plans are to stay in DC and get my law degree—specialize in immigration law.”

  When he smiled, the Johnny Depp lookalike was the perfect replica of the handsome actor. Seeming to float, he m
oved over to stand beside Sadie and a visible glow resonated softly around his still figure.

  Not wanting to let go, Liam insisted. “But you’re still my guardian angel. You’ll come again in case I need you, right?”

  “Probably not, mate. Since I never was your angel…”

  Ping!

  …I’m Sadie’s.

  More Great reads from Mimi Barbour

  If you like this second book in the Angels with Attitudes series,

  then you might like to check out the first book My Cheeky Angel.

  From a lonely tomboy to a hotshot businesswoman, baggy jeans to suits and stilettos,

  we unravel the story of Annie and her path to finding not only herself but true love.

  She’s Me

  The 1st book of The Vicarage Bench Series.

  If you love time travel tales - this romance will take you from 2006 back to 1963 but with a twist.

  It’s true that the gorgeous model goes back in time, but she invades the body of a chubby librarian,

  and they both have to unravel the magic in order to find their true love.

  Kudos for Mimi Barbour

  “She's Me”

  “She's Me is a delightfully deep read.”

  ~Kimber, Fallen Angel Reviews (4 Angels)

  “He's Her”

  “Quirky and sparky and Ms. Barbour gets the mix

  right....A great little story. Recommended.”

  ~V. Scurfield, WRDF (Fantastic, Stays on Shelf)

  “We're One”

  “You definitely need to pick up WE'RE ONE and all

  the other stories in this series. You will not be