Alex ran a hand down his face, his heart pushing blood all around his body, his cock full and aching. “Christ, Angel. Tonight was momentous. I’ve never felt so… completely connected this fast.” Or ever, he thought.

“It scares me.”

“Is that why you ran away?”

“I didn’t run away.”

“Didn’t you?”

“It’s like I told you. That wasn’t me.”

“Which part? The smart, snarky part that mind fucks me at every turn, or the soft, so sexy part that drives me insane with desire? When you came for me… I’ve never felt so powerful. It was incredible.”

“No, Alex. The part that drops her dress on the first date.” She groaned, so softly it made his dick twitch. “I’ve never done that before.”

“That makes it even better. You know, this isn’t how I operate either. I usually take it for what it is and don’t think twice about it once it’s over.”

“Yes, like you said that first night on the phone. I remember.”

“I’ve never been left wanting more before it even ends, until you. Will you give this a chance, Angel?”

“I’m not like Whitney. That could never be me”

He replied sarcastically, clearly annoyed. “Like Whitney? Are you even listening to what I’m saying? You’re nothing like her. I didn’t give her a second thought. But you? You’re all I fucking think about! Everything I never knew I wanted.”

Angel gasped. They were only words, but they were so powerful. Pulling her heart, making her body ache in ways she never knew possible. This man, whom she barely knew, moved her more than anyone ever had. “Please, stop.”

“Stop what? Being honest? I thought that’s what you wanted and I have been. Completely.”

“I want to believe that.”

His voice, soft and warm just seconds before, turned angry and exasperated. “Why can’t you? Haven’t I treated you with respect? Didn’t I ask to see you again? Can you trust your instincts instead of the brief synopsis you got from that plastic bitch?”

“I’m sorry, Alex,” Angel said softly, meaning it. Her heart was already aching over this man, and she didn’t want to hurt him or disrespect him. “I’m… With my profession, I see all this shit, and I know it’s not fair to project it on to you.” He sighed heavily and she heard some rustling in the background suggesting that he was pulling back the covers or moving underneath them. “I’ve had my own issues in the past, and I just… It’s hard to let myself be vulnerable, but that is definitely how I feel with you. How is that for honesty?”

“It’s good, and it means a lot to me you’d admit that, Angel. Really. But you have no reason to mistrust me, other than what Whitney said. So, if this gets screwed up, I’d prefer it was because of the two of us, and not someone from either of our pasts. Is that fair?” He was so sure of himself, like it was a done deal, but his voice was soft and persuasive.

It sounded logical enough. But, whoever or however it got screwed up, one thing she was already certain of; when it ended, it was going to hurt… if she let him get any closer to her. If she let herself get closer to him. But the scary part was that she wanted to get closer; so much closer. She wanted to lose herself in the fluttery feelings, the blazing passion, and in him.

When she didn’t speak, Alex bristled, his mind seizing in panic. It was important that she give him a chance to get to know her. For the first time in his life, he actually gave a shit, which definitely wasn’t his normal M.O.

“Look, I’ve had relationships that, for whatever reason, didn’t work. It doesn’t mean I’m a man-whore or disrespectful to the women involved. I’m always monogamous and safe.” He huffed and then changed his tone to one of amusement. “I mean, I don’t want my dick to fall off, for Christ’s sake! I’ve grown rather attached to it.”

Angel laughed softly. She had such a hard time keeping him out. Their sexy banter was fun for both of them.

“I was hoping it was starting to mean something to you, too,” he said, lowering his voice, the amused tone replaced by the sexy teasing.

“It’s growing on me, yes.”

“Mmmm,” he moaned softly and her body responded. “It’s just growing, period.”

Fuck, he was hot. “Mmmm… is right,” she agreed. “So, are you saying that you aren’t in this just for sex? You made no bones about that before, so…” Angel hesitated.

“I’m not sure what this is yet, Angel, but it’s very exciting, and I want to explore it further. That’s all I’m asking of you right now, other than that we be completely honest with each other. I want you. Physically, it’s insane, but intellectually, I find you’re on my level, and you’re funny as hell, which is extremely sexy.” He was laying it all on the line. “Where are you with it?”

“The sexual attraction is vicious. I feel torn. We could have a great time with no strings for a bit, but I worry about the consequences. I’m not someone who makes decisions without considering all the angles. One of us could get bloody on this.”

Angel was already feeling vulnerable. Maybe it was the wine that was allowing her to be freer with her words, but more likely it was how connected she felt to Alex, and it felt like he was pulling her through the fucking phone.

Alex sighed. “I know. I heard every word that you said during our first phone call and since. I get it. It’s a risk, but one I’m willing to take.”

“Coming from Mr. I-don’t-get-emotionally-involved, that’s no risk at all.”

“Neither one of us knows what will happen.” Alex struggled between his need to keep his hand close to the cuff and his desire to spill his fucking guts. It felt like there was no choice. “It feels different with you. If you said we could only talk on the phone for a month, I’d be okay with that. This isn’t just about sex. You’re in my head.” He closed his eyes. That was the biggest admission he’d ever made. It gave her all kinds of power, but there was nothing for it. It was what it was.

“Would you be able to keep from seeing other women in the interim?”

“Without question. It would just make it more explosive when we finally do come together.”

Her heart thumped and she smiled at his choice of words and the amusement in his tone.

When she didn’t answer, he strained to hear what she was doing on the other end of the line.

“Angel? Tell me what you’re thinking,” he demanded softly.

“I’m thinking that you’re dangerous, and I need to be careful.” I can’t let you melt me and turn me into a mindless pile of goo. “But, I do enjoy talking with you.”

“And being with me?” His voice was sultry bait, drawing her out.

She smiled and laughed softly, running a hand through her hair. “Would you believe me if I said no?”

“Not after tonight. No, I wouldn’t believe that.”

“Then why ask?”

“Because I want to hear you say it. I need to know that you are as fucked over this as I am.”

“I’d say I was pretty thoroughly fucked, yeah.”

He laughed softly. The sound so low and sexy, Angel clenched her thighs together in an attempt to stop the throbbing. “So when can I see you?” Alex asked.

“When do you want to?”

“Now. I’d come this minute if you’d let me.”

Angel’s pulse pounded in her ears. I wish, she thought. “I can’t. Becca and the baby are here.”

“Jesus, Angel!” Her response let him believe that if she were alone, nothing would prevent her from asking him over. Alex found himself wanting to wrap her up close to him all night. Something he never even contemplated before. He’d never wanted to be close to a woman but if he were honest: he was in just as much peril of getting hurt as she was. He brought his fingers to his nose and inhaled deeply. “I can still smell you on my fingers and on my skin. Mmm.”

Angel bit her lip and squeezed her thighs even tighter. “God, Alex…”

“He can’t help you like I can.”

He was turning her on and making her smile at the same time. “Stop. It’s starting to hurt.”

“Fuck, yeah, it does. I’m like steel right now, but it’s so good.”

“Yes.” Her heart skipped a beat.

Alex knew he’d have to do something about his problem, his hand moving below the sheet to close around his aching flesh. “So, can I call you tomorrow?”

“You mean today?”

“Whenever. Can I?”

“I have to work, so can you wait for a day or two? You distract me too much.”

His breath stopped and joy filled him even as his body screamed for release. “That’s a good thing. I’ll do my best to give you some time. But I will call.”

“Okay. Thank you again for this evening. It was…”

“Magical. I’ll talk to you soon, baby.”

Baby. Why the hell did that excite her so much? She struggled to keep the tremor out of her voice. “Goodnight, Alex.”

Angel shut off the phone and set it on the nightstand, knowing that she wouldn’t be giving this number to anyone. No one would be calling this phone but Alex. It was fucking sexy as hell to have the private connection with him; the one-on-one access. It was all kinds of hot.

Mind racing, body aching… sleep was slow to come.

* * *

Alex couldn’t sleep. His mind was reeling. Elation and something that he couldn’t categorize flooded through him.

Angel.

He was still amazed that she’d stood in the middle of his living room, almost naked and so tempting. Not that women hadn’t dropped their clothes without so much as a touch from him before, but for this one to be so open about what she wanted, threw him for a loop. Her motive wasn’t to use sex to weasel her way into his life; it was just simple wanting on both of their parts. He’d almost died. She was so sexy and surprising. He was even more amazed at himself for bringing her back to his apartment in the first place and then feeling anxious when she fled like the fires of hell were on her heels.