When We Met (Fool's Gold #13)(37)

They walked by the park. Angel bought her some fudge that was delicious enough to be worth the extra time she would have to spend on the elliptical. They browsed the latest bestsellers in Morgan’s Books, then headed for Brew-haha.

But before they reached the coffee shop, Angel pulled her across the street toward the park. He circled around kids playing and families sitting on blankets in the late-afternoon sun.

She thought about asking where they were going but decided she didn’t care. Not really. Something had happened to her today. She supposed it was the fact that she’d pretty much been at her worst and he hadn’t blinked. She wasn’t ready to say she would trust him with her life, but she knew things had shifted between them. He knew it, too. Telling her more about Marie proved that.

She wasn’t completely surprised when he pulled her to a stop by a large tree that offered privacy from everyone around them. She stepped into his embrace easily, wanting to feel his arms around her. Wanting his mouth on hers and his body providing warmth and support.

He didn’t disappoint. The second they were sheltered from staring eyes, he pressed his lips to hers. But this wasn’t like the previous kiss. There was no gentleness, no polite introduction. He kissed hard and hot, claiming her with his mouth. She parted and he swept his tongue inside. She wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned into him, wanting to feel his hard body against hers.

He was all muscle—nothing about him yielded. She accepted that just as she accepted the deep, passionate strokes as he kissed her. She accepted and then moved in tandem, needing him to feel what she felt.

Wanting began in her belly and spiraled out in all directions. It heated and melted and made her want to climb inside him. What would he be like in bed? She was tired of polite men who asked too many questions. She didn’t want to have to say what she would like this time or rate how good something felt. She wasn’t looking to be dominated; she just wanted to be...taken.

He drew back and looked into her eyes. “I want you,” he breathed. “Naked, wet and screaming my name.”

Taryn’s throat went dry. “That would be nice.”

One eyebrow rose. “But not yet.”

“What?” she gasped before she could stop herself. Obviously they wouldn’t do it in the park, but...what?

He winked. The bastard actually winked. “I told you I was good at waiting.”

Then it occurred to her that she had gotten exactly what she’d asked for. A man willing to play by her rules, damn him. Not knowing what else to do, she started to laugh. Angel chuckled with her, and then they walked back to the festival.

“I need a drink,” she told him.

“Me, too, dollface. Me, too.”

* * *

TARYN LEANED BACK in her chair and sipped her coffee. The partner meeting had been scheduled to start right at nine, only Kenny hadn’t shown up yet. He’d also missed the basketball game that morning—or so Sam had told her.

Jack glanced at his watch. “Want to go on without him or reschedule?”

Before Taryn could answer, Kenny walked in. He looked rumpled and red-eyed. There was a tension to his shoulders, as if every part of him hurt. And not in an “I used to play football” kind of way.

Sam took one look at him and grinned. Jack slapped him on the back, then loudly said, “Looks like you have a hangover.”

Kenny poured himself some coffee and moved toward the table.

“I said—” Jack began, the volume even higher.

Kenny glared at him. “I heard you the first time.”

“You should have said something.”

“Later, I’ll kill you. Just so we’re clear.”

Sam chuckled. “A blonde or the bottle?”

“Both and I’m never going to let it happen again.”

Taryn faked a yawn. “If I had a nickel,” she told him. “You look horrible.”

“I feel horrible.”

“You’re too old to party,” Jack told him. “The price is too high.”

“You think?” Kenny asked as he sank into his seat and closed his eyes. “Why are we having a meeting?”

“We’re updating Sam and Taryn on the Living Life at a Run account.”

Kenny opened one eye and looked at her. “It’s going great,” he mumbled, then closed the eye.

“I feel better now,” she said. She opened the folder in front of her. All of this could wait, she thought. At least until Kenny rejoined the land of the living. He didn’t go for broke often, but when it happened, it wasn’t pretty.

She turned to Sam. “What’s the update on the party?” she asked.

Sam stiffened. “I’m handling it.”

“Does that mean you’ve done anything? Because I’m not hearing any details. Not to put too fine a point on it, but tick, tick, tick.”

“Get off me.”

She looked at Jack, who shrugged. “What aren’t you telling me?” she asked Sam.

“Nothing about the party.”

She studied him as he spoke and noted that he wasn’t looking at her. Great, Kenny was a mess and Sam was keeping secrets.

“I swear,” she muttered as she got to her feet. “I would get more cooperation from baboons.” She pointed at Kenny. “Go home. Hydrate and sleep. I’ll send Larissa by later to check on you.”