Angel Falling (Falling #1)(48)

“Oh, Nate, I believe you. If anyone can get past his bull, it will be you and Collier. How is your brother, anyway?”

His brother was also a fine specimen of the opposite sex. Good-looking, smart, very kind eyes. And he had the charming British accent that made women melt on the spot. Though as of late, it was a Southern accent that made my panties drop.

Nate walked me to my limo and opened the door. “Can I drop you anywhere?” I asked him.

“Maybe. You up or downtown?”

“Up.”

“Brilliant! I’d fancy a lift then. Thank you, love.”

Nathaniel Walker was a good guy, charming, with movie star looks. I wondered why he was still single. “Nate, you seeing anyone?”

He waggled his eyebrows and his mouth turned into a sexy grin. “Is that an invitation?” he joked.

“You know it’s not. I’m just curious. What’s a single guy, good-looking, British no less, doing without a beautiful bombshell on his arm?”

“Just because there’s not one on my arm right this moment doesn’t mean there isn’t one,” he chided.

“Oh! I’m sorry. You’re right.”

He laughed. “No, you’re dead on, love. I’m not officially seeing anyone. Just dating here and there. Pretty busy to find the right bird, as it were.”


“Bird?”

“A lady friend. We Brits often call our women birds,” he clarified.

“You Brits are strange.”

“No more strange than you Yanks! Here men call their ladies by terrible names in comparison. I hear ’my bitch’ or ‘my old lady’ constantly. Can’t fathom that a woman would rather be addressed as a bitch or old versus a lovely bird in any context.”

I rolled around his logic. “Good point. Bird it is.”

We both laughed. I leaned over and poured myself two fingers of scotch.

“Whoa, love. That’s a lot for a little thing like you.”

“Liquid courage.” I hesitated and took a sip, letting the alcohol warm my belly and calm my nerves.

“Aspen, darling, you’ve never been afraid of anything in the few years we’ve known each other. Would you care to share?”

“My significant other’s mother is coming to town for the first time.”

“Ah, I see. Say no more. My mum would interrogate any woman I brought home. Just be yourself. And if that doesn’t work, buy her a car.” He grinned wickedly.

I smacked him on the shoulder and laughed with him.

My stop was first and with the best of manners, Nate got out and helped me out of the car and gave me a hug. Then he kissed both cheeks, slid his hands down my arms to clasp my hands, squeezing them. “You’ll do great, my love.” He lightly kissed my forehead.

I smiled up at him and turned away. My nose bumped into a solid mass. Ouch! I could recognize that manly scent mixed with citrus anywhere. I looked into the smoldering green eyes of my cowboy. His jaw was clenched and his gaze glacial.

“Who’s your friend, Angel?”

It took me a moment to comprehend his question, so taken aback by the electricity and anger I felt sizzling off him. Nate heard the question and immediately introduced himself.

“You must be the significant other she mentioned in the car. ‘Right-hook Hank’!” Nate put out his hand and Hank’s eyebrows knit together, his eyes scrunching into tight points. “I’m Nathaniel Walker, Aspen’s friend and attorney. It’s good to meet you.”

Hank shook his hand. “Right-hook Hank? That’s a first. Hank Jensen.” He seemed to relax a little. His arm came around my shoulders and I burrowed into his side. “I wanted to be outside when you arrived so that you knew where to find our table.” His eyes softened as he looked into mine.

“Right-o, well then, mate, I best be on my way. We’ll have to get together sometime.” I nodded and Hank just hugged me tighter to his chest. “Cheers.”

***

Seeing that man’s hands on Aspen had me fit to be tied. “I don’t care for another man’s hands on my woman.” The tension was building within me and I was not capable of stopping it until I had my answers. With a hand on her waist I ushered her into the restaurant.

“Hank, don’t be silly. He’s my lawyer and an old friend. There’s nothing between us.” She tried to assure me unconvincingly. In a short time, I knew my angel well enough to know she was holding something back.

“Have you slept with him?” I had to know if that man had put his paws on my girl.

“No!” she half-whispered, half-yelled.

“Ever date him?” I don’t know why I was choosing to torture myself but he had his hands on her. He was a good-looking man and he seemed way too familiar with her. She groaned.

“Yes, two dates. Enough to realize we were never going to be anything more than friends.” She sighed and searched my eyes.

“Did he kiss you?” She stopped dead in her tracks and I knew the answer.

“Can we not do this now?”

I gripped her chin and held her gaze. “Answer the question?”

“Seriously?” She rolled her eyes. “Technically, yes we’d kissed … once! It felt like kissing my brother. Happy?”

“Not especially. Your lips are mine now. I don’t want anyone ever getting to taste the pleasure of what’s mine.” With that I cupped her face in both of my hands. “You got it?”