Angel Falling (Falling #1)(40)
***
“Who enjoys the hell out of you, Angel?” I set the white wine in front of her. It amazed me how quickly I picked up and socked away information about her likes and dislikes. In previous relationships, those details just didn’t matter to me. With Aspen, I wanted to know everything about her. Dean handed me the small plate of food and I set that down in between us to share.
“You, Stud.” That sparkle in her eyes when she’d said it made me want to bow at her pretty feet.
“Well, ain’t that the truth.” I leaned over and pecked her on the lips. She gripped my neck and pressed our lips together harder. Just when I was starting to get into it, she pulled away, looking shy.
Everyone at the table laughed. So far the party had been great. I’d met the ex-President of the United States, and a few other muckety-mucks. Also, I enjoyed talking with Dean. He was nothing like his prissy boyfriend. He was cool. I liked the fella a great deal. Could see myself watching the games with him on occasion in Aspen’s TV room. Maybe we could even go to a live game. I briefly wondered if Aspen liked sports.
“Hey Darlin’, you like sports?” She cringed. That pretty much gave me my answer.
“Pen! I can’t believe you’re here!” London yelled as she ran over. A lanky fella smoothly followed in her wake. London threw her arms around her sister. Aspen smiled brightly. I loved seeing that smile on her face. Looked like whatever disagreement they’d had back at the house a couple weeks ago had come and gone.
“London, Tripp, I’m surprised you’re here! Don’t you have a client?” she asked as she hugged her sister back.
“Yes. But this one’s a couple! So I’m actually free to do what I want on the weekends unless I tag along with them. The wife wasn’t too pleased with my unconventional methods. She’s the jealous type. Can’t blame her though. Her hubs is a hottie!” she squealed. I made a mental note to ask Aspen more about her sister’s job.
Aspen hugged the tall man. I gripped my hands into fists as the man squeezed her with too much familiarity. “Tripp, I want you to meet Hank.” She put her pretty hand on my shoulder and glided it down my good arm. The movement sent chills through me.
God, just a small touch and she had me almost painfully hard. It didn’t help that we hadn’t made love today. I wanted to f*ck her into next week, the longing for her soft body so strong.
“Hank, this is Tripp Devereaux. He’s London’s best friend and assistant.” The one she beds on occasion, I thought.
“Some of the time, beautiful. Only when she needs the help. Which has been more often with business booming.”
Beautiful? The ease with which he said the nickname sent prickles of jealousy up my spine.
Tripp held out his hand. “Good to meet you, Hank. I understand you’re the man that saved our Pen’s life. Thank you for that. I couldn’t imagine dealing with Bridge if anything had happened to her sister.”
Our Pen? I shook the man’s hand making sure to squeeze it harder than someone would who’s being polite. Tripp’s eyes squinted at the gesture. Message received. Good.
“Bridge? Who’s that? Your wife?”
“Wife?” The man laughed a full-bellied laugh that caught on to the rest of the group. “No, big guy. Bridge is what I call London. You know, kind of like “London Bridge Is Falling Down.” You see?”
“Uh, sure. Okay.” To each his own.
The two newcomers joined the group and the drinking started in earnest. I hadn’t had so much as a sip of alcohol since my accident, so by the time I’d had three beers, in a glass no less, I was feeling pretty good.
“Hey Stud, this is fun. You’re fun,” a tipsy Aspen slurred.
“I’m feeling mighty fine myself, Angel.” I laid a beer-laced kiss on her lips. She hummed in appreciation and smacked her chops.
“I love how he calls her Angel. Isn’t that so sweet?” London spoke to the group. She leaned on the table, face in her hand, as Tripp rubbed a hand up and down her back. I hadn’t figured them out yet. They were close—really close. But then again, so were Oliver and Aspen, but they were not sexual in any way. Tripp and London, on the other hand, seemed very familiar with one another. “Why do you call her Angel, Hank?” London asked.
Aspen looked over at me, a huge smile on her beautiful face. “Because when daggers were raining from the sky, she was there. All golden and white and keepin’ me centered.”
There was a collective “aww” from everyone at the table. Everyone except Aspen. She had her perfect little pink bottom lip snared between her teeth. I knew that face. That look could bring a team of football players to their knees in an instant. She was turned on. Fuck me, she looked good enough to eat too.
“Hank, will you escort me to the restroom, please? Tall heels and all?” I looked down at her heels. They were very sparkly and high. Connected to the best set of gams I’d ever seen, too.
“Of course, Darlin’. Lead the way.” I’d follow her to the ends of the earth if her ass was my view.
On the way to the washroom Aspen was stopped at least a dozen times. Everyone seemed to want a piece of her. Hell, I wanted a piece of her. We made it to our destination and I was about to turn around and get settled against the wall when she tugged my tie and pulled me into the room with her.