Angel Falling (Falling #1)(79)
Oliver left us, exiting on the thirtieth floor. I had no idea the little fella lived in the same building. That sure explained how he was always able to get to her so fast. Or intrude on some private moments with such ease. We got out at the penthouse and the doors were open. I had worked with Ollie to plan a private romantic dinner at home where we could reconnect.
Rose petals trailed along the floor of her home leading to the dining room. “Did you do this?” she asked, awe in her voice.
“I did. But my little buddy and Gusto helped. I wanted our first night back together to be special. A homecoming.” She nodded and smiled.
A familiar clicking noise could be heard barreling through the rooms. Gusto’s thick accent quick on the heels screaming something in Swedish. I braced Aspen’s shoulders and stopped cold as Butch came around the corner and slammed into us.
“Hi Butchey! Did you miss me? I missed you so much boy, so much!” Aspen petted and hugged my dog. Her watery gaze lifted to mine. “I’m so glad he’s here.” Butch was happier than a pig in a mud puddle on a hot day. His long tail smacked against me repeatedly as he spun for Aspen’s pleasure.
“Yeah, poor fella missed you somethin’ awful. You’d left a shirt back at the ranch and he found it. Kept it on his bed the whole time we’d been apart.”
After a few more scratches and hugs for Butch, we made our way to the dining room, where Gusto had outdone himself. The tables were dressed with flowers, lit candles, and golden dinnerware.
“It’s beautiful, Hank. Thank you,” she said and sat when I pulled out her chair.
Gusto brought our matching dishes of filet mignon, veggies, and couscous. I requested that special since we had it one of our first nights together. She noticed my shy smile when she took a bite.
God, I was a lucky man. She hadn’t said she’d marry me, but I didn’t really ask properly yet. The biggest step forward was that she hadn’t run away. We were here together, and earlier that day I’d made love to her. However impromptu and unplanned it was, our bodies just needed to be united in that moment. It had been too long. Now, I needed to connect with her emotionally. She needed to understand that Susie was my past and that she was my future.
After dinner, I lifted her and carried her into the bedroom. She didn’t say a word. I pulled back the covers, laid her down, and then slowly pulled off her suit, piece by piece. She sighed as I caressed each new expanse of bare skin, placing a kiss here and there while disrobing her. She’d lost a good ten pounds her curves slight and less soft around the edges.
A pang of guilt slithered into my subconscious knowing that she’d lost the weight because of me. Didn’t take care of herself properly because I’d hurt her something awful. I planned on fixin’ it all no matter how long it took. I removed all my own clothes aside from my boxers, and then got into bed next to her. She immediately laid her head onto my bare chest and sighed.
“It’s time to talk, Angel. There are some things you need to know about. Just promise me you’ll hear me out.”
She kissed my bare chest. “Okay, I promise. I’m ready.”
Chapter 19
Hank’s body was warm against my cheek. His musky citrus scent filled the space around us. I felt at ease for the first time in a month. We hadn’t discussed what happened at his parents’ back in Texas. The sound of him kissing Susie may never leave the deep recesses of my brain. Even though it needed to be discussed. Hank had said things that were just plain bat-shit crazy. He’s moving in? Called me his fiancée, but didn’t bother to put a ring on my finger.
Nestled against Hank’s solid chest, I ran my fingers through the small tufts of hair along his abdomen heading down into the boxers that held one fine piece of male equipment. My mouth watered thinking about reacquainting myself with Hank’s member once more. As my hand started to creep down Hank’s tight muscles, one large hand captured me at the wrist, stopping further explorations down south.
“Darlin’, you start that and we’ll never get to talkin’. Believe me. I need to be balls deep in you something fierce, but I promised you we’d clear the air for good. I want nothin’ in the way of us movin’ on the right path.” He leaned down and kissed me softly, then settled me against his chest once more, lacing his fingers with my wandering hand.
He took a deep breath and spoke. “I was just about to turn twenty-four. Susie was two years younger. She was a smart one—skipped a couple grades in school, so we ended up in high school at the same time. We dated all through high school. With the age difference, we waited to be physical until she was seventeen. Even then I was worried her old man would kill me.” I laughed lightly, thinking fondly of what he must have looked like back then.
“After high school I went on to college a couple hours away, and she stayed back home to help her family out at their farm. Her mama was sick and needed her to take care of her younger siblings. We’d see each other on the weekend, catch up with friends, f*ck. It was hard being at college and her being home. So over some time, my visits home started lessening. Our relationship was in trouble, but I still believed I loved her. Was faithful to her.”
The comment about being faithful struck a chord with me; my body tensed like a rattlesnake ready to strike. Hank smoothed his hands up and down my bare back, comforting me into submission. My body was a traitor, starved for his touch.