Angel Falling (17 page)

I just let the two men vent, listening intently to their opinions on the mother-daughter dynamic.

“Oh great, and then the party takes a complete nose dive,” Dean gestured over to Aspen. A nice-lookin’ fella in a suit was standing next to my angel. His hand was on her shoulder, his thumb creeping along her bare neck. I could see her visibly shrink back.

Oh, hell no.
I saw only red.

I made my way through the crowd coming up behind Aspen. With my good arm I flicked the man’s hand off Aspen and circled her waist with my hands possessively. I pulled her tight against my front. She leaned against me willingly. Kissing the soft flesh of her neck where the man had touched her gave the added oomph I needed to make the man’s eyes widen in shock.

“I missed you, Angel.” I kissed her neck once more.

Her mother’s eyes were blistering with anger as she took in our comfortable body language. Instead of letting her go, I reached out my hand to the space invader. “Hank Jensen. And you are … ?”

The man’s composure turned from shock to perfectly composed in mere seconds. “Grant. Grant Campbell, I’m Aspen’s—”

“Business partner on Bright Magazine,” Aspen completed his sentence. I knew who the fucker was and I already hated him with a passion. He had hurt her not once, but twice. That alone was worthy of a beat-down, but his smug “I’m better than you” tone was a close second contender. Though at that moment, I wanted to hurt him just for shits and giggles.

“So who are you to Aspen, Mr. Jensen?” the man asked a sneer twisting his lips.

“I’m the boyfriend.”

Chapter 10

My eyes must have been the size of baby elephants. Hank just announced in no uncertain terms that he was my boyfriend.
Holy shit!
Grant’s reaction almost matched my mother’s horrified expression, except hers was delivered with a gasp. Next time she’d think pretty hard about inviting my house guests to her events in the future.

“I can’t help but say that I’m surprised to hear such news.” Grant was always good under pressure, but his jaw was his tell. He had a tick and a small vein that ran up his neck that proved his anger.

Something about the way he said he was surprised made my own jaw twitch. “And why’s that? It took no time at all for you to choose a new flavor of the month.”

Grants mouth twisted into a scowl. That’s right buddy, suck on that. I held Grant’s gaze as his eyes shone bright with fire.

Hank’s arms squeezed my waist. “Hank, are you ready to go home?” I asked over my shoulder. One of his hands met the tender skin at the nape of my neck, really sealing the deal of his possession. I still wasn’t sure if he’d claimed boyfriend status to help me save face in front of Grant, or because he’d genuinely meant it. One way or the other, we would discuss it. First, I needed to get away from Grant and Mommy Dearest.

“You live together?” Grant snorted in disgust.

“You got a problem with that, pretty boy?” I didn’t like the sound of that. Hank physically moved me to the side; Dean placed an arm around my waist.

“What makes you think you have any right to her? You’ve known her what? All of two weeks?” Grant hedged. Hank stopped dead in his tracks. Grant knew he had the upper hand and continued to press his luck by coming closer to Hank’s face. “You’re just a convenient fuck to her. She spreads those legs nice and pretty, doesn’t she?” Hank gritted his teeth, his hands turning to fists. The tendons in his strong hands popped out and showed white as he clenched them. I stared in horror completely taken aback by Grant’s harsh words.

His eyes were cold and his lips curled into a snarl. “What are you going to give a woman like Aspen? Or maybe it’s not about what you can give her, but about what she can give you—with her mouth and her money.”

Oh no. This is not good.

“I’m sorry, Angel. But he had it comin’.” Hank said as he pulled back and decked Grant in the jaw. Hard. I think I heard Grant’s jaw crack at the blow. The man fell back and was knocked out cold, barely missing the pool’s edge by an inch. My mother jumped to Grant’s aid, but knowing full well the power behind Hank, the man may have a concussion. He’d need a doctor.

“You barbarian!” my mother shouted.

“Jesus, Hank! What the hell were you thinking?” I covered my face in my hands.

Even if Grant deserved it and the nice fat bruised face to go with it, this reaction was completely undignified. The President of the United States was sitting at a table just behind us, body guards off to the side, ready to jump in if the situation worsened. So many of the cities elite were watching the show, all aware that Aspen Reynolds ex, the Senator’s son, was decked by her date.

This night started out so perfectly. Had me believing in the possibility of something more for Hank and me. This spectacle just proved how different we were.

Out of nowhere, my father joined the group. He clasped Hank on the shoulder and I thought for sure he was going to escort him out. Instead, he jerked out his hand and gripped Hank’s in a firm handshake. “Hank, it seems I owe you again. Rumor was that jerk broke my baby girl’s heart some time ago by being unfaithful to her. I think you have honor and know how to treat a lady.”

“I’d never stray from Aspen, sir. You have my word.” Hank’s smile melted my heart a little. “I’m sorry about causing a scene at your party Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds. I’d understand if you want me to leave.” God, Hank was such a kind and caring man. He was also possessive, ornery, reactionary and completely untamable. A life with him would include more occurrences like this.

“Are you kidding? I’d been hoping someone would shake up the party! Let’s have a drink together, son.”
Son.
My dad was falling for Hank’s charm and charisma. It was really hard not to. There was just something so special about him.

Hank turned around to me, his gaze searing mine. There was such sadness and apology in his now bright-green eyes that I physically couldn’t move, caught once again under his cowboy spell. His eyes also held adoration, fear that I was angry, and something else. Something I was not yet ready to even attempt to decipher. I couldn’t help but smile at his beautiful rugged face, a shadow of hair darkening the skin around his jaw.

“Angel?”

“Go, Hank. It’s okay. We’ll talk later.”

He pulled me against his chest and rested his forehead against mine. “Tell me we’re okay?” he whispered against my lips. Tears pooled at my eyes. I’d never had a man care so much, worry about what I was thinking and feeling.

I nodded against him and he kissed me in front of the entire party. It wasn’t a heated kiss at first, but it held so much promise. His hands twined into my hair, gripping me at the nape as he kissed me with more intent. I pulled away first, knowing that if I didn’t, we’d both be lost to the sensation. The two of us pressed together was a heady mixture that intoxicated us both beyond reason.

He stepped out of my arms and gestured to Oliver. “I like the hair down,” he said, with a sexy grit to his voice. I laughed out loud.

“I see that, Macho Man,” Oliver snapped with the slightest hint of mirth in his tone.

I looked over at my father, who had the biggest grin on his face I’d ever seen. He looked utterly thrilled. My mother looked like she’d eaten something raunchy. My inner bitch was hooting and hollering in the background, lifting a trophy above her head proudly.

Even though I didn’t approve of Hank’s approach, Grant did have it coming. The things he’d said were vile. I’d only wished Hank was able to control himself at a social event. If we were going to consider being an official couple, he’d be attending countless charity events and galas. It was just part of my world.

Even as we spoke there were photographers quietly snapping pictures from a distance, their giant camera lenses pointed at Grant’s sprawled form. Hank didn’t understand what this would amount to. I’m certain that the second Grant came to, he’d contact his lawyers.

“Ollie, call Legal.”

He flipped out his phone and snapped some pictures of Grant lying on the ground. He then typed quickly into the keyboard and started talking. He’d take care of the repercussions, though it was going to cost me a pretty penny. There was no doubt Grant would want to make me pay.

“Jeez, Pen, if I knew you’d be this much fun at parties I’d have invited you to more of mine,” London laughed. Tripp gave her a dirty look but silently agreed with her by way of nodding.

Dean came over to me and pulled me into a hug. He spoke softly into my ear, “He means well, you know that right? He wouldn’t have done it if he hadn’t been provoked and your honor at stake.” I closed my eyes and breathed in Dean’s sweet-smelling cologne. It matched Oliver’s. “Don’t break his heart, Pen. He’s more fragile than he looks.”

I pulled back and Dean’s eyes held no accusation, nothing in those pearly blues but concern. “You think
I’m
going to hurt
him
?”

“You’re easy to love. My Oliver is hopelessly in love with you.” I opened my mouth to object. “He is in love with you. He’d do anything for you, as would I by extension of his love. You’re just lucky I’m willing to share.” I nodded, realizing that this was by far the most honest Dean had ever been with his emotions and affections in all the years he’d been with Oliver.

“You know it’s not physical?” I started to assure him.

He tipped his head back and laughed, still holding me close. “Of course I know that. But love is love and I take Oliver’s love very seriously, and I know you do, too. So I’m warning you: That big lug is smitten. You better figure out soon what it is you want out of your time with him, or you may miss the boat.” My best friend’s boyfriend was giving
me
a love lecture
.
There was something oddly dysfunctional about that.

“I’m falling, too.” The words left my mouth so swiftly that I wasn’t sure I’d even said them.

“I know. Oh, honey, I know. You look at Hank the way I look at Oliver. It’s unmistakable. Only the two of you are blind to it.” He smiled and I hugged him tightly.

“Hey now! You trying to steal my girl?” Hank said from behind us. My father must have moved on to another group. Probably telling everyone at the party about how his daughter’s boyfriend decked a congressman’s son.

“Sharing is caring, Hank.” Dean’s mouth twitched but his face stayed serious.

“The hell it is. Didn’t you get a gander at the other fella that talked about my Angel? Want to join him?” He hooked a thumb behind his back for emphasis.

Dean couldn’t hold it in any longer. They both started to crack up. Hank brought over a beer for the man and a new glass of wine for me. It was startling how quickly these two men had bonded.

Just a moment ago I was getting the “watch out for Hank’s heart” lecture from
my
friend, a man Hank met only a few hours ago! I felt like I was in the Twilight Zone. Nothing in my perfectly calculated and planned out world continued to add up. Everything was spinning out of control, specifically circling around a man well over six feet tall who controlled me and my lady parts with just the sound of his breath against the open skin of my neck.

My mother had Grant’s passed out body taken to one of the guest rooms. I was certain she’d have one of the many doctors in attendance look him over. The group settled back into an easy commentary after the spectacle though I didn’t participate.

So much of my life was out of whack. Ever since Hank entered, things have been off balance and messy. Though the last three weeks had most certainly not been predictable, I’d still never been happier.

It dawned on me that maybe I was trying too hard to keep every facet of my life the same. Trying to fit Hank into my everyday life was like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. Yes, Hank would have to adapt to my obligations with work and up his social grace, but it didn’t mean I wanted to change who he was. I adored him.

I looked over at Hank, a huge smile was plastered across his face. A five o’clock shadow just grazed the surface of his chin, making him look more rugged and handsome by the second. His green-brown eyes darted between my friends. I realized while watching him how perfectly he fit in with the only people in the world who actually mattered. He even was getting along more easily with Oliver, and it warmed my heart to see them joking with one another. Could I see myself with him in the long run? I didn’t know. We needed more time. Three weeks was hardly enough to determine what the future would hold.

Hank leaned back in his chair and laughed at the story London was telling about how her current clients wanted a stripper pole in their master bedroom. She was completely against it but had one put in because the wife was adamant. The first time the female client tried to use the pole she fell off and broke her wrist.

Needless to say, the pole was removed the next day and the client was now letting London make the decisions about home décor. Hank gripped my hand, picked it up, and brought it to his lips, never swaying from the conversation before us. He kissed each one of my knuckles, then placed a warm kiss at the center of my palm. My entire body shivered and ached with desire.

I pulled both of our hands down to my lap. He surprised me by placing his large hand over my thigh and inching up my skirt, just enough so that the act wasn’t indecent. His fingers toyed with my nylons and made endless circles over my knee and around the tender skin just above. He looked over at me; his full lips displayed a small smile before he sent me an air kiss.

The man was full of surprises.

***

Punching out Aspen’s ex-boyfriend in the middle of a forced family fun event was not my best moment. The dick had it comin’. He was downright disrespectful to my Angel, and someone needed to teach the pretty boy a lesson about respecting a lady. Especially if said lady was on my arm.

Growing up I’d gotten into my fair share of trouble, stealing Farmer McMann’s tractor on account of a dare from my brother. Old Man Henry let me stay a full night in the local clink for that. It was never reported, though, because my father was friends with both Farmer McMann and the sheriff. I ended up doing a months’ worth of hay baling and cleaning up pig shit for that offense.