Ablaze (14 page)

The hell? Why was she thinking about leaving
while he was still inside her? After last night, he thought she was enjoying
her time, his company. Angel wasn't looking for a relationship. He didn't want
it either. But what was up with the invisible punch in the gut when she
mentioned North Carolina? He should be happy when this whole month was over. He
could go back to his routine.

Then why the hell does the thought of her
leaving feel like I'm letting go of something good?
He's infatuated, not in love. Right?
Fuck!

"You're frowning."

Dylan leaned back and used his arms to
support his upper body. "Because you puzzle me."

"I do?" Angel combed back his
hair, her fingers raking his scalp gently.

"I've never met anyone like you."

"That's what you told me yesterday.
Tell me again what sets me apart from the herd."

"You made me lose my head. And if you
don't get off my lap now, I'll lose my other
head
again inside you."

"You're bad." Sighing, Angel moved
off his lap and walked back to the stairs where Dylan dropped her pants and
thong. Her backside was so beautiful and perfectly rounded any woman would envy
her. Angel looked back. "Stop staring."

Dylan whistled. "Wow. Wow. I'd ask you
to come back here if Tony's not coming back in ten minutes."

"What? Oh, my God. Oh, my God."
She picked up her thong and ran upstairs, leaving her shorts on the floor.

Laughing, he called out to her. "Babe,
you forgot your shorts."

Chapter Thirteen

After what seemed to be an endless kissing
and caressing, they finally made it to Alki beach. Angel in her sundress looked
like a painting of a woman standing in the middle of a cornflower field that he
saw once.

With their fingers laced together, they
walked along the sandy beach. It was a picture perfect summer day and the long
beach strip that ran from Alki Point to Duwamish Head on Elliot Bay was littered
with joggers, sun worshippers, bicyclists, children and their parents, roller bladers,
and lovers. All were enjoying Seattle's summer sun.

Dylan pointed his finger at the volleyball
players in their two-piece bathing suits. "You can easily win in a bathing
suit competition against those women."

"Hmm…I am beginning to think that you
like me, Dylan."

More than I should.
"I'm just telling the truth."

"Uh-huh? I wonder how many women fell
with your smooth talking."

"You wound me. I don't bullshit." Dylan
stopped walking, pulling Angel close to him as two roller bladers zoomed passed
them. "Gotta watch out for those guys. I doubt they have rollerblade
license and insurance."

"You're just jealous because those guys look great
in their tight gym shorts."

Dylan laughed. "What? I'd rather rollerblade naked
than wear those shorts."

"God, that would be a sight. Let me know when you're
going to do it so I could notify CNN."

"I was hoping you'd say
no, Dylan. You're
exclusive to me.
"

"Of course I wouldn't say that."

"Why not? I'm yours for a month, right?"

"For all I know you're hiding a girlfriend
somewhere." She paused. "Are you?"

"Babe, I wouldn't be here with you if I have a
girlfriend. I'd spend every available time I have making love with her. Cheating
is not in my vocabulary."

"I'm sure you've had numerous serious relationships
before."

"Believe it or not, I can count the number of serious
relationship I've had before. But one in particular, I almost married."

"Juicy gossip. Tell me more."

"You are such a woman."

"I'll pretend I didn't hear prejudice in your tone
of voice. Go on, tell!"

Dylan stopped walking and faced the spectacular views of
Puget Sound and Olympic Mountains. A ferry sailing from afar, sailboats, and
other crafts that often plied the waters of Puget Sound, especially during this
time of year, added beauty to the scene. He turned to look at the beautiful
woman that brought chaos in his quiet life in such a short time. He couldn't
see her eyes because of her huge dark sunglasses, but he knew how fascinating
her eyes were. She was staring at him, waiting for his reply.

Dylan sighed. She didn't need to know about Ivy, but he
could tell her about Camille. "It has been years since I've had a real
relationship. Camille--"

"What a beautiful name. Camille."

"She was beautiful, too." But not from the
inside, he added mentally. "We were engaged, but in the end, it didn't
work out."

"I'm sorry."

"I wasn't. Well, it sucked at the time, but in the
end I was glad we didn't get married."

"She fell for someone else?"

"She was sleeping with someone else behind my back
and got pregnant. I thought the baby was mine."

"How did you know that the baby was
not
yours?"

"Camille had the baby early. Clare's father is an
African-American intern at Swedish Hospital."

"Oh, Dylan." Angel wrapped her arms around
Dylan's waist and laid her head on his chest. "If I see her, I'll gouge her
eyes and burn her hair."

He laughed at Angel's comment. She said the most
ridiculous things. He loved that about her. He realized, too, that after long
and careful years of following his rules, he was now willing to toss it aside
because of Angel. He blamed her eyes, smile, and her refreshing attitude,
openness and trusting. Their first kiss proved how strong he wanted her.

Dylan smiled and kissed Angel on the forehead. "Can
I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"Do you have any rules when it comes to men?"

"Only one. Stay away from men with secrets. They
are liars."

Ouch!
He had
secrets, but he wasn't a liar. "Not all men who keep a secret are liars."

"Why would they keep secrets then?"

"To protect their family, their name."

"I think that's what Willy did. He hid behind his
mask of being a gentleman, politeness, and was even kind. Traits that he used
to lure girls into his web."

"Not all men are the same. Honest men kept secrets,
too. Believe me on this."

Angel crossed her hands against her chest. "You
have secrets, don't you?"

"Yup. Want to know what it is?" He took Angel's
hands and wrapped them around his waist.

"Yes."

"I have all copies of Dee Saint's books. You know
what that means." Dylan winked.

"Ha-ha."

"Hey, enough about secrets. Would you like to try
Salty's? It's the only restaurant in town with an awesome view of the Seattle
skyline. You'll like it. They specialize in seafood."

"Alright. Wouldn't Tony get mad if we didn't eat
lunch at home?"

Dylan inhaled Angel's hair. He wondered if she realized
that she called Pink Door home. "Nah. He still has my brothers to serve.
Besides I want to enjoy your company without my rowdy brothers around."

"That's what we've been doing since last night."

"Not enough." He cupped Angel's face, tipped
it up, and kissed her. The heat of the sun and Angel's mouth set his fire and
dick afire. He angled his head to better claim her mouth. He was aware of where
they were and of people passing by, but he didn't care. If he had to kiss her
in front of the television cameras, he would. That was how much he wanted this
woman.

He was savoring the moment, enjoying her pliant body
against him when his senses told him that someone was watching. Opening his
eyes, he saw an older couple who must be in their seventies smiling at them.
Abashed, he stopped the kiss and smiled back at the couple.

When Angel realized why he stopped kissing her, her
cheeks turned deeper red. Dylan felt like a dick for putting her in such a situation.

Then she laughed. "Hello," she said to the
couple.

"Hello there, young lady. We didn't mean to
interrupt. It's just we are so happy to see another couple as happy as us."

Dylan and Angel looked at each other. He didn't know if
he should correct the older woman or just let her believe he and Angel were a
couple.

"My husband and I are celebrating our fortieth wedding
anniversary by visiting places that mean a lot to us. Like this beach."

"Congratulations," Angel and Dylan both said.

"Young man, I hope you make her a decent woman."

With that, the couple left hand-in-hand. Angel and Dylan
still in a tight embrace, watched the couple walk away.

Make her a decent woman.
But he wasn't looking for a wife. Was he?

* * * *

Not too far away from where Dylan and Angel stood
laughing, hugging and unable to keep their hands off each other, anyone would
think they were newlyweds. But not Ivy. She knew Dylan as a single man. A man
who, in many occasions, told her that he wasn't looking for a serious relationship
beyond what they already had--friendship. She accepted. As long as Dylan
frequented her bed, she was fine with it. However, it had been a month since he'd
visited her. She thought he was tired of her company or their tricks in bed.
Now she knew. He had found another woman.

Even in the distance, Ivy could tell the woman was
young. Maybe in her twenties, tall, with a body she fucking envied right now.

Ivy watched Dylan and the woman talk to an elderly
couple. Blinding jealousy had her gripping her steering wheel. All kinds of
images on how to hurt the woman whose arms were wrapped around Dylan's waist
formed in her head. She wanted to run her over, punch her face until she was
unrecognizable. She'd known Dylan for over a year now, been in love with him
since then, but not once had he taken her out for a walk, to dinner or movies.
He kept her hidden. It was his rule. So what was so different with this woman? Could
she suck his dick better than she could?

Who cares, she thought. Dylan was hers and she'd do
anything to bring him back to her bed.

Chapter Fourteen

It had been a week since she arrived in Seattle, but it
felt like she'd lived here forever. Dylan introduced her to the fish vendors
who threw three-foot salmon and other fish to each other instead of passing
them by hand, to Fiona whom she learned as a wonderful woman and so passionate
about life, and the Starbucks employees who always prepared her frap the moment
she walked in their store. She'd met the famous artists of Avalon Glassworks,
too.

In such a short time, she learned to love the Band
brothers who welcomed her in their group and beat her all the time in cards.
And Dylan…the two of them fell into a routine that she always looked forward to--breakfast
after wild sex in the morning, lunch at the beach despite his brothers'
protests, dinner with the charming Bands, and reading at night. They would have
been finished reading Dee Saint's book by now if they had not stopped to make
love after a page each time.

Dylan's brothers' knew what was going on between her and
Dylan, but none of them pried. However, conspiratorial winks, wisecracks,
innuendos were dropped in the conversation here and there. She noticed though,
whenever one of the Bands put his hand around her or hugged her, Dylan's mood
would go sour. Sometimes, she thought the brothers were flirting with her on
purpose, to see how Dylan would react. Why he would get upset if the brothers
were flirting with her was a question that nagged at her. He was probably
afraid that one of the Bands would steal her. Ha! As if she belonged to Dylan.
The idea brought a pleasant feeling inside her.

Sighing, Angel looked at the passing high rise
buildings. Tonight, they were on their way to the victory party for the Sonic
Boom Basketball team that Dylan sponsored. This would be their first time to go
to a party and she could hardly wait.

"What's up with the sigh, babe?"

Angel crossed her legs and then looked at Dylan. His
profile was barely visible in the dark, but it didn't matter, she knew his face
very well--every inch of it. How many times had she traced his face with her
fingers? How many times had she stared at him while sleeping? Many times. She went
out and had lived with Willy for months and yet she could hardly picture his
face in her mind now. But Dylan, she could sculpt him even with her eyes
closed.

"Honey." Dylan looked at her briefly, then
turned his attention back on the road. "You're staring at me. What's going
on in that lovely head of yours?"

"I'm just thinking how lucky I am to be sitting
inside the car of a Band."

"Are you complimenting me?"

"Yes."

"Thanks, hon. I knew you'll realize sooner or later
that I am charming."

"You know, when someone compliments you, you're
supposed to say thank you and not build yourself up some more."

"What can I say? I'm a Band."

"Oh, dear. The ego of a Band is as big as the Space
Needle. Maybe even bigger."

Dylan laughed. "You know, if we were not on a
highway, I'd pull over so I could show you another part of me that is also big."

"Lord, help all women who meet a Band. I won't be
surprised if I see you beating your chest like a gorilla. So chesty."

"And you love me."

Angel was caught off guard by his short statement. She
stared wordlessly at the road. Why would he say that she loved him? Was it just
a nonsensical statement or could he really tell? Yet, tell what when even she
couldn't discern whether she was in love or not.

"Here we go."

Dylan parked the car. To Angel's surprise, he started
unbuttoning his shirt. "The kids are so excited. This is the first time
that they've won the championship game."

"Okay. But why are you taking your shirt off?"
Jesus, don't tell me he planned to make love here in the car.

"Don't worry, honey. I'm just changing. Later, I'll
remove my shirt for you. Right now, I need to change into my jersey, which I
nearly forgot to take with me because of you."

"Oh, nice. I have the power to make you go senile,"
she said sarcastically.

Dylan grinned, leaned toward her, and gave her a quick
kiss that promised of something more. He stared at her for a long minute before
pressing his lips on her temple. "I never used to like night time, you
know. Now, I don't mind it at all. Ask me why."

"Why?"

"Because of you. You are my sunshine, my bright
night sky, my twinkling star, baby." With that stomach tingling statement,
he reached behind Angel's seat and grabbed a blue basketball jersey. "We'll
have fun." He quickly put his jersey on and then got out of the car.

Because of me?
Angel was
still trying to digest what Dylan just said when her door opened and Dylan
leaned down to unbuckle her. "Come on, beautiful."

Angel took Dylan's hand. As soon as she stood up, she
saw the full view of the park. She looked around and saw men and women wave at Dylan.
Dylan's friends, she thought. And she would meet them tonight. Angel looked at
the brightly lit park. She could see kids swinging on the swings, running
around a knee-high maze. There were kids walking with their parents, kids with
walkers, wheelchairs and hard of hearing. The latter she knew because of the
sign language they were using. On the right hand side of the park was a full
basketball court surrounded by a wire mesh fence. Two aluminum bleachers stood
on each side of the court. A gentle breeze blew, making the colorful balloons
tied around the fence dance. Angel noticed long tables covered with white tablecloths
on the other side of the fence. She could make out trophies and food on top of
it.

The atmosphere was so jovial she felt a smile tug at her
lips.

"Nice. But isn't it late for the kids to be out
here?"

"It's a Saturday. No school tomorrow."

"Dylan!"

Both Angel and Dylan turned their heads toward an
African-American man with a friendly smile. He dribbled a basketball while
waving at them.

"Hey, Coach!" Dylan waved back. "Come on,
baby, I'll introduce you."

"Alright."

The man met them halfway. "Good to see you, Dylan."

"Good to see you, too, Coach." To Angel, Dylan
said, "Honey, this is Coach Ted Williams. The best coach and father ever.
Coach, this is Angel McCready."

"Hello, Angel."

Angel shook Ted's hand. "Hello."

"Finally, Dylan brought a friend. I was beginning
to think he didn't have any."

"What? I have tons of friends. See those kids
playing? They're my friends."

"I know. Sorry about the short notice. This
morning, when I heard that all the kids are well, I called the director right
away. We put this up this afternoon."

"No need for apologies. I'm glad we could finally
make the ceremony happen."

"Yup. Well, the kids are so excited. This is the
first time that they've won the championship game."

"Yeah. You work wonders on those kids, Coach."

"Well, I wouldn't be able to help them if it weren't
for you."

"Nah. So, let's start the party."

"Alright. I'll tell the coordinators that you're
here. See you, Angel."

"Okay."

Left alone with Dylan, she looked at his smiling face.
He looked so happy. She wondered if he realized that he called her honey in
front of Coach Williams. Or maybe that was how he always introduced a friend. "So
what kind of help did you give them?"

"Little things. Come on. They're waving at us. The
kids are waiting." Dylan took her hand and then stopped. "By the way,
I just want you to know that I have girlfriends in there and they are quite a
jealous bunch."

"What? They?" She tried not to walk, but Dylan
just laughed and anchored his arm around her shoulder.

"They." Laughing, he practically walked her
inside the court where women stared openly at them.

"Let go, Dylan. They're staring. I hate to think
that one of those women is your girlfriend. If one of them throws a tomato at
me, I'll kick your ass."

"Stop it. You're making a scene."

"Let go of me and I'll stay in the car."

Dylan replied with a laugh.

Inside the court, Dylan was greeted from left and right.
It seemed he was popular guy here, but Angel had yet to find out why. Kids in
wheelchairs all lined up on the side of the court. A man, also wearing the same
jersey as Dylan, tapped the microphone and started testing it.

Dylan wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her
closer to him.

"Aren't you afraid your girlfriends will see you? I
am."

"Don't worry about them. They're busy playing with
bubbles right now."

"Bubbles?" Angel looked around and saw where
the tiny bubbles were coming from. About six girls in pretty little dresses
were blowing bubbles in the air, giggling, and twirling. "Those girls are
your girlfriends?"

"Yeah. Here comes one."

"Dylan!"

A girl of about five wearing a green dress and blue
jeans with wet spots all over came running, her hands outstretched.

"Anne, sweetheart! How are you?" Dylan picked
up Annie and tossed her high.

"I lost a tooth."

Dylan held the girl in his arms as if he'd been doing it
all of his life. "Nice. That means you're a big girl now. Did the tooth
fairy come to give you a quarter?"

"Nah-ah. I got a pillowpet."

"Wow. Hey, Anne. Meet Angel. She's--"

"You're girlfriend? She's pretty. Are you going to
marry her? You said you gonna marry me and Rose."

"I can marry you three. How's that."

"Okay." Anne started wriggling. "Put me
down."

"Alright. Off you go."

Dylan looked at Angel. "Hope you don't mind a three
some."

"Ew! Dylan, not a good joke."

"Sorry."

So those were the jealous girlfriends, she thought. A
sigh of relief escaped her mouth. She realized how the green-eyed monster
clawed at her heart when she heard the word girlfriend. Smiling, she leaned her
head against Dylan's shoulder, relieved that no one would jump her for stealing
Dylan. Wait, stealing? She didn't steal him. He wasn't even hers!

Dylan held her hand as they stood in one corner while
waiting for the celebration to begin.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, boys and
girls, babies and kittens. Thank you all for coming. My name is Charles. I am the
chairman of little league for District 12."

Everyone clapped and cheered.

"Nice man," Dylan whispered.

Angel nodded and listened to the speaker.

"Six years ago to this day, this park we love so
much was nothing but a spot of dirt with garbage everywhere. There were more
cigarette butts here than kids playing. The swings were broken, the slides were
unstable. This court we are standing on was dusty during summer and muddy
during winter. The board was just hanging there like a dead leaf and no fence
at all. During those times, however, a few kids still braved it to come here to
play. One of them, as we all know, was Colton Gray.

"For those who missed the opportunity to meet
Colton, he was a sweet little kid who loved this park more than anything. After
school, he would come here with his big brown sack to pick up whatever garbage he
could reach. He could reach, you asked. You see, Colton was a paraplegic,
confined in his wheelchair since he was six. But let me tell you this…the sun
was always shining for Colton. He was that kind of kid. Nothing could dampen
that kid's spirit.

"To the eyes of many, he wasn't a small person, but
a big special child with a heart perhaps bigger than any of us here. Unfortunately,
some people only saw him as a kid in a wheelchair, a helpless one that they
could bully and hurt." Charles paused, obviously trying to compose himself.
"Physically, Colton couldn't fight back. Mentally and emotionally, he
always won. Colton never gave up hoping that someday this park would become a
park he had envisioned. A park not just for two legged kids, but for everybody.
His wish, he put it in writing. If it weren't for his letter, this piece of
land would have been gone.

"And like Colton, someone with a big heart granted
his wish
and
other kids as well. Ladies and gentleman, let's give this
person whom Colton referred to as an Angel in Jeans, a loud cheer, Dylan Band!"

Claps, hoots, whistles, erupted from the crowd. Those
who were close to Dylan shook his hand and patted him on the back. Dylan
acknowledged everyone with a short wave of his hand.

Angel, however, looked at him with blurry vision. The
director's speech moved her, but what really shook her was Dylan. That day when
Dylan fixed her scratched knees, she already knew that this man who would curse
and call his brothers names possessed a beautiful soft heart, and the
appreciation from the crowd for what he'd done proved her right. Dylan Band
wasn't only beautiful on the outside, but also on the inside. He must have
donated a big amount of money to make this park accessible to everyone. She
sniffed and tried to wipe her eyes inconspicuously, but Dylan noticed.