Darian’s eyebrows shot up in shocked surprise at her response while Alex burst out laughing.

“What about you, Angeline? Answer my question. I dare you.” His voice was teasing, sexy, and totally sucking her in. She never could resist a challenge, and she could tell this man was a panty dropping, sexual predator that could leave a trail of panting women behind him. If she was honest, her body was reacting to his words and his voice alone.

“Can you have sex for the pure animal release of it? Just for the pleasure of it? Lots and lots of pleasure, Angeline.” His voice purred through her headset and a thin veil of perspiration broke out on the surface of her skin in response. She was becoming sexually aroused at his taunting, and it unsettled her. “Have you ever been attracted purely on a physical level?”

She felt her skin prickle at his words, and she wanted desperately to yank the damn headphones off and run her hand through her long hair. How in the hell did he just take control of the conversation and turn it back on her? He was so fucking full of himself!

“Alex,” she said his name softly and with purpose. “If you want me to answer, you’ll have to answer me first. So, how badly do you, um… want me to answer?”

“Go on with your question.” He wanted her answer enough to answer first.

She smiled slyly, satisfaction overtaking her expression. “Do you go through life without any real connections? Other than your bank account and your professional life, do you have anything real? Has anyone ever touched you on a deeper level? Motivated you to really want? Want so much with your heart and body that it left you literally aching if you couldn’t be with her?” she oozed slowly, her voice throbbing on purpose.

Fucking men! she thought. Especially one that was so full of sexuality and a very pompous point of view. Use that to get your dick hard, you bastard!

Darian and Christina both watched her in absolute silence until, finally, Darian loosened his tie and tugged at the collar of his shirt, releasing two of the buttons and running a hand over the back of his neck.

Alex cleared his throat.

That’s right, baby, come to Mama. The corners of Angel’s full lips lifted in amusement at his hesitation. Sucker!

“No. That kind of feeling doesn’t exist for me, and I wouldn’t want that kind of emotional slavery even if it did. I like my life the way it is.” His voice was melting around her and she smiled. “Your turn to answer my question, Angel.”

Clearing her voice of all the sexual teasing she’d just used, she didn’t hesitate. “Yes. Of course I can,” she said flippantly. “I’m a grown woman. I take full responsibility for my life both in and out of the bedroom, but I have rules just like you do.”

“Mmmm, it appears we’re on the same page,” he said softly. The suggestion in his voice was clear, and Christina’s mouth fell open as she listened intently.

Angel laughed softly, the sound smooth and warm. “Not exactly. You deny deeper feelings exist, and I acknowledge the possibility of them but know my boundaries in situations like you describe. I don’t think it’s healthy to stay in a purely sexual relationship for any length of time. Someone eventually gets hurt. So while you live in denial of real love, I just… control my outcomes.”

“As do I. I set my boundaries well in advance and communicate them clearly. Are you inferring it’s better to screw a bunch of different people than to be monogamous? I find that hard to believe.”

She huffed in agitation. “Don’t put words in my mouth! All I am saying is that being monogamous is dangerous if you want to remain detached. Personally, I don’t think that’s even possible. I hope that someday you meet someone who changes your perspective.” And knocks you on your arrogant ass.

“My pers—”

She interrupted, disconnecting the call to make a point. She smiled to herself, knowing that being cut off would infuriate this man. It unsettled her that she found herself wondering about him more than a little, and she actually wanted to know what he’d say. He seemed dangerous; very, very sexy, and truthfully, that was the most fun she’d had on a call since she started this damn gig. She glanced at the clock, knowing she had to get on to the next set of spots, but hoped he was still listening.

“Thank you for your call, Alex. Someday you’ll meet a woman who controls her own orgasms. Not all of us are at the mercy of men, you know. Have fun… banging your chest or whatever it is you… bang.”

A bright smile split across her beautiful face, leaving Darian breathless and stunned. Thankfully, Christina was out of the studio because she was laughing so hard the tears were rolling down her face.

“This is Angel After Dark on Kiss FM, and I’ll be right back.” Angel pushed her headphones off, looking pointedly at Darian. “Did you put him up to that? That was your friend, wasn’t it?”

He quickly shook his head. “Nope. I didn’t do anything. Don’t look at me!”

Angel’s eyebrows shot up. Yeah, right, she thought. “Why don’t I believe you?”

“What did you think of him, Angel? Uh, I mean, of his situation?”

“I’m trying not to,” she said wryly and shook her head, getting up to stretch. “He’s so full of his own sexual power. I mean… Shit! He’s obviously been a bad, bad boy and needs a serious lesson.”

Darian’s eyebrows shot up in surprise, but he didn’t say anything, just let out a low whistle. Angel smirked but ignored it. “Aren’t you supposed to be out of here? Really, you don’t have to come in here every week.” Darian’s eyes followed her movements and flashed over her stomach and the small strip of skin that was peeking out between her jeans and her T-shirt as she moved.

“I know. I just want to make sure you have it down before I leave you to your own devices.”

“My own devices? I’ve been left to my own damn devices practically my entire life. You don’t need to worry about me. I can handle things.”

Darian’s phone rang, and reluctantly, he picked it up from the table.

“Yes? Uh, yeah. No. No!” His eyes roamed over Angel, who was standing there with her right hand on her hip, looking at him pointedly. “Um, Angel, he’s pissed that you cut him off and wants to finish the conversation.”

“It is finished,” she scoffed with a short laugh. Poor baby, not used to someone else controlling anything. Hilarious.

“He asked if he can call you,” Darian said hesitantly, already knowing the answer, and her eyes widened.

“Not interested,” Angel said carelessly and picked up a stack of promos from the desk to glance through them. “Not at all.” But, she was interested, and she found herself hoping his face and body would live up to that sexy voice. Men like him were dangerous to women like her who had a strong need to be in control. She was smart about steering clear of anything that would make her lose even one shred of her carefully constructed world.

Darian’s mouth fell open in astonishment. “Uh, Alex, she’s not here right now. She went to the bathroom. Okay, sure. Completely, Alex. Later.” He closed his phone without saying another word to the beautiful woman sitting in front of him.

Angel looked up and wrinkled her nose at her boss. “Chicken-shit,” she admonished with a grin.

“Angel, he, uh,” he began.

“Yeah. I know.” She shrugged slightly. “I’m sure his hard-on is all about the challenge he’s feeling right now. He wanted the last word. He’s used to getting what he wants, but now there’s something he can’t have, and he’s left holding his dick in his hand. Naturally, he’s uncomfortable.”

“There’s a better chance he’s pissed.”

“So? Maybe you should introduce the word ‘unattainable’ to your boy’s vocab, yeah?” She sat back down and adjusted the damn headphones. She still had half an hour to go. “Now, get the hell out of here! You’re bothering me.”

* * *

Alex was left sitting on the edge of his bed looking at his now silent phone, stunned that she’d cut him off. He had to admit that he was more than a little aroused by her words and her sassy wit. Damn, he wanted to know what she looked like! As if on cue, his phone vibrated with a message from Darian. It was a photo message, and Alex held his breath as he opened it, somehow sure he was about to get knocked on his reluctant ass.

His thumb ran over the screen as the photo loaded, and his breath caught in his throat. It was a picture of a woman with long dark hair, flowing in thick waves nearly to her waist. She was wearing ratty jeans, the kind that cost hundreds of dollars because the holes were in all the right places, and a small white T-shirt that clung enticingly to her body. She was stretching, her arms extended over her head, and her hands laced together. He couldn’t see her features, only the side curve of her face and chin. She was angled away from Darian’s camera, but the photo was sufficient to give Alex a glimpse of the line of her body, the soft curve of her hip, the narrowness of her waist, laid bare as her shirt lifted with her movement, and the full side curve of one breast. “Shit, what about her face?”

He wanted to plunge his fingers into the holes in those jeans, to feel the warmth of her skin that was teasing him under that shirt, and to kiss that smartass mouth. Alex’s mouth went dry as blood engorged his body to the point of pain, and he licked his lips. He wanted her, and he made up his mind that he would have her.

Alex’s breathing quickened as he contemplated this mysterious woman with her biting intellect that was in such contrast to her soft appearance. He dialed Darian’s number impatiently. “Uh, yeah?” his friend answered.