Angel Falling (Falling #1)(45)
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.
A few other times I’d gotten into a raucous fight with a couple of jocks, then again when I beat up my girlfriend’s cousin for touching her inappropriately. Hell, now that I looked back on it, I’d gotten in a heap of trouble. I’d just hoped that my pattern of solving problems with my fists wouldn’t push Aspen away. For her I could find a way to keep my cool. At least I’d try my damnedest.
“So, I hear your new beau took out Grant this evening.” A fella with a very smart suit and a slutty-looking filly attached to his arm spoke over Tripp’s current tale.
Aspen rolled her eyes. “Good to see you, too, Rio.” London jumped up and hugged the man, picking the tart off his arm so she could hug him more fully. Rio smiled a slick grin at London and the filly frowned.
“London, dear sister, how are you?” he asked. The tart’s smile returned. So this was Rio. I could see the resemblance to their father, but his demeanor said smarmy—nothing like London’s carefree nature and Aspen’s quiet elegance. No, this man thought his shit didn’t stink.
Aspen rose and hugged her brother patting him lightly on the back. I could see their bodies didn’t even touch. Nothin’ like back home. Ma would strangle a family member until they couldn’t breathe when she hugged. I stood and put out a hand. “Hank Jensen. Good to finally meet you, Mr. Reynolds.”
“Rio, please. May I call you Hank?”
“It is my name,” I smiled, hoping to get a reaction out of him. A smile, anything. It didn’t work.
“So tell me, Mr. Jensen, what on earth would make you raise your fists to Mr. Campbell? The rumors are spreading like wildfire. I thought it best to come ask the source.” Rio leaned against the back of London's chair.
“Well, I don’t take kindly to people disrespecting my girl. That includes stuck-up, rich pretty boys like Mr. Campbell. ‘Sides, he wasn’t good to your sister when they were datin’. That alone was reason enough.” I couldn’t figure out this guy’s angle. He showed no facial expression whatsoever. He must have practiced the stink face for hours on end to perfect it the way he had.
“Such strong provocation for someone so new to the fold.”
“Let it go, Rio. It’s really none of your business,” Aspen jumped in.
“Father is going on and on about how ’Hank the Hero‘ knocked out the little prick. It’s becoming legendary. At least now I can say I’ve met the man and heard the legend firsthand.” Aspen rolled her eyes and huffed. “It will be entertaining reading about it in the papers tomorrow.” He turned to his date. “Shall we?” He gestured to the barely dressed brunette. “Until next time, ladies, gents.” His arm candy followed him blindly.
“What’s he mean, he’ll read about it in the papers?”
Everyone looked at one another until Oliver spoke. “Hank, the entire scene will be front page news in the society pages. Don’t worry though; our lawyers are already handling it. You’ll come out on top and Aspen will take care of any reparations.”
“Reparations. What’re you gettin’ at?” I could feel the anger rise through my chest and out my arms.
“She will compensate Grant for any damages.”
“Are you kidding me? You’re going to pay that bastard off because I hit him?”
Aspen’s eyes went wide. “Hank, we can talk about this later.”
“The hell we are. We’ll talk about this now!” I pointed a finger hard onto the crisp linen tablecloth.
Dean leaned over and gripped my forearm. “Hank, now is not the time or the place to have this conversation. Once again, people are starting to stare. This does not look good for Pen or her family.”
I looked around the yard and several people were staring, probably waiting for the next show to start. I nodded and stood.
“Darlin’, you ready to blow this popsicle stand?” I held out a hand to her. She took it and allowed me to lead her. The guys stood and followed us.