“What are you looking at? It’s a pajama party.”

“I was just thinking that you look different every time I see you.”

“Is that bad? I know, I look—”

“Amazing. That’s how you look.” His eyes perused her body, caressing her curves, and his perfect mouth lifted only slightly on one side. As always, it made her burn from head to toe. She could feel her skin physically flush. “Every time, no matter how you’re dressed, make-up or no make-up; it doesn’t matter.”

Heat infused her face, the pleasure she felt at his words surprising her. “Thank you.”

Alex had taken the comforter and extra blankets from Angel’s bed and piled them on the floor inside the tent. Jillian scrambled in after Alex set her down and curled up on the pillows. Despite the heat of the Chicago summer, the apartment was cool, and she snuggled into the vast pile of down and fluff.

“Come on, Anga! Zanda!”

Angel and Alex laughed as he motioned for her to precede him. “You just wanna look at my ass,” she whispered as she passed in front of him.

“So? You just wanna look at mine,” Alex teased in return.

“I don’t deny it,” she said with a small shrug and a devilish smirk. Alex couldn’t help the pleased chuckle that escaped him.

Angel settled Jillian in-between herself and Alex, tucking the covers around her. She turned onto her side facing both Jillian and Alex. His head was propped up against the edge of one of the sofas as he leaned on the pillows.

“Did you have a nice day, today, baby?”

Jillian smiled and nodded with a yawn.

“We should thank Alexander for coming along. It’s been very nice to have him with us, hasn’t it?”

Angel’s wide brown eyes met his, the soft glow of candlelight filtering in through the blankets casting his features into half-shadow. His face softened and Angel had an almost undeniable urge to reach out and trace his strong jaw, the indelible cleft in his chin, to push the thick lock of hair back from his forehead. As if reading her mind, his hand reached up and pushed it away.

“Tank you, Zanda.”

Angel bit her lip to stop the laughter that welled in her chest. Zanda.

“You’re welcome, darling. I have a dog, named Max, who would love to meet you. Maybe we can take him to the park next time. Would you like to do that?”

She nodded and yawned again. Angel opened a tattered book and began to read as Alex looked on.

“Never tease a weasel,” she began, reading the well-worn children’s story lovingly to the little girl.

Alex couldn’t take his eyes off of Angel as she read, mesmerized as usual by her voice and expression, his heart tightened at the tenderness she lavished on the baby.

“Why don’t we tease, baby?” She touched the end of Jillian’s nose with her index finger.

“Teasing isn’t nice,” Jillian quipped sleepily, her eyes half-closed. She blinked, trying to hold them open.

“No, it’s not nice, is it?”

“I have a feeling you’ve read this to her before,” Alex murmured, and Angel nodded as she continued to read, stopping only when Jillian was obviously out.

“Keep going. I want to hear the end.”

“You’re not serious.”

“As a heart attack.” Angel balked at him but he persisted. “Please?”

“Oh, Jesus.” She rolled her eyes. “Okay.” She reopened the book and found her place.

Angel’s eyes flashed up to find Alex grinning at her, and he used his hand to motion for her to continue. “I’m gonna get you for this.”

“Oh, I’m counting on it.”

Angel giggled and continued until she’d finished the story despite feeling silly doing so.

Alex burst out laughing as she threw the book aside. “Shhhh… Satisfied, now?” she whispered urgently.

“Hardly. But you can remedy that shortly.”

“Hmmmm,” she said softly, as he reached for her hand and began rubbing soft circles over the top with his thumb. “Is the Beemer yours?”

“No, it’s a rental. Why?”

“I just wondered.” It wouldn’t do to have another vehicle vandalized. “Thank you for today and being so nice to Jillybean. The whole weekend has been really nice.”

“It’s not over yet.”

“Aren’t you tired?”

“No more tired than you are, and I told you I’m not making the trip. What do you have going on tomorrow?”

“I’m meeting Becca for breakfast to deliver Jillian and then regular clients and case work. Nothing special.”

“Will you put her to bed or do the two of you usually stay in the tent?”

“No, I put her in the crib I have in the spare room.”

“She’s incredible. Very sweet. I can see how much she loves you, Angel.”

“I love her, too. It’s almost like she’s my own child.”

“You’re her godmother?” When her eyes widened, he explained. “Becca told me at the karaoke bar that first night.”

“Yes.”

“Becca did well in choosing you. Do you need help putting her down?”

“I got it.” Angel was practiced in lifting the sleeping child without rousing her and Alex fell back onto the pillows when she crawled out with Jillian in her arms. It was surprisingly comfortable with all the layers of down and fabric underneath him; the pillows soft and scented like Angel. He closed his eyes against the flickering of candlelight on the roof of the tent, the walls composed of the furniture. Waiting for her return, he took out his phone to browse the messages and texts, two from his mother, one from Allison, and one from Whitney. He sighed, sorry that he’d hurt her, but not sorry he’d ended the relationship.

He didn’t feel like answering any of them and placed the phone underneath one of the pillows after turning it off. He’d blown off the family brunch today, no doubt what his mother and sister were calling for. Cole hadn’t mentioned it, so Alex assumed he’d skipped it also, but they never nagged his brother for missing it.

Lesson? Fuck off and no one expects dick from you.

However, Cole seemed to be taking his new responsibility seriously, which pleased Alex for two reasons: his brother was making progress, and his woman would be protected. My woman. He smiled at the thought, wondering if it were true.

“It sure as shit feels like it,” Alex mumbled under his breath.

“What?” Angel was climbing back in the tent and pulling the covers up to her neck.

“Nothing. Are you cold, baby?”

Pleasure flooded through her once more, and she smiled before pulling the covers tighter.

“A little,” she admitted. “I like it cool enough to have blankets, even in summer.”

“Come over here then. I’ll warm you up.”

His arms reached for her under the blanket, and again, their legs tangled, their breaths mingled, and their bodies hummed in anticipation. Alex’s fingers were warm against the down of her cheek, moving slowly along the bone before tangling in her hair. His mouth hovered and brushed softly over hers. She couldn’t help it, her chin lifted, silently asking him to repeat it. He did, again and again.

“Are you hoping I’ll tease your weasel, Zanda?” She laughed softly, mocking him in playful persiflage.

He growled in response, grasping her arms and pulling her closer. “I’ll show you my weasel, Angel.”

“Nah. That’s okay. I’ve seen it.”

They both burst out laughing, his fingers reaching for her ribs and anywhere he could tickle.

Angel screamed in delight, trying, unsuccessfully, to push his hands away.

“Shhhh! You’ll wake Jillian.” His touch turned from tickle to teasing, softly kneading the flesh of her back and up to her shoulder, down her arm. “Shhhh…”

His dick twitched and hardened as the laughter died and their eyes locked. He brushed her nose with his, his mouth seeking and finding hers, sucking her lower lip in and biting down softly with his teeth. “God, you taste so good, Angel. I’ve been dying for this all day.”

He kissed her deeply and she responded, opening to him fully, her arms sliding up and around his back, tugging at the hair on the back of his head to bring his mouth deeper into hers. Her heart swelled, the scent of his cologne and his body fueling her desire. She let out a low moan and his movements increased in urgency. Soon they were dry humping and grasping at each other’s clothes, Angel lifting his shirt until he pulled away and hunched his shoulders so she could remove it completely. He was hungry, his need for her never sated, his fingers found her supple breast under her shirt; cupping the tender flesh and pulling gently on the nipple until it elongated between his fingers. Heat rushed and pooled between her thighs, and she surged against him, seeking the hardness that would ease the ache. Her legs wrapped around his waist and he pulled them higher, pressing and grinding against her. They kissed and clawed, rolled, moaning and begging until finally they were both naked.

Alex pulled back and looked down at her, seeking to see the same struggle he was feeling in her face. He wanted to lose himself in her, but it went against everything he believed. She was so soft and sweet, so incredibly sexy—so beautiful. She took his breath away.

Settling his weight on her fully, he used both hands to cup her face, brushing his fingers along her temples and cheeks; emotions he never knew existed rushed over him in waves, his hips still grinding against hers, his dick slick in her wetness.

Angel stared into his face; the passion and something else she couldn’t describe threatened to choke her. She turned her face away, squeezing her eyes shut as a single tear seeped from each one.

“Uhhhhh!” She sucked in her breath. “Fuck me, Alex. Don’t be tender. I can’t bear it. Just fuck me.”