Heavenly Angel (3 page)

When Angel asked about Michael’s father, she shut down on him. She hadn’t even blushed at the question but had paled a little and changed the subject. Angel got the message and backed off again. He hoped one day she would feel comfortable enough to confide in him, to trust him with whatever it was that weighed so heavily on her that she paled at the thought.

“Michael’s father is not in the picture, nor will he ever be.” Teresa glanced nervously at her watch. “It’s nine. I think it’s time I got back home. I have to work in the morning,” she said a little tersely.

Whoa, he’d gone and done it. He’d pushed too far. “I’m sorry Teresa. Yes, I—can take you home,” he answered contritely.

He slipped from the booth and held out a hand to help her rise from the seat. She took his hand and gracefully rose, making momentary eye contact with him. He wanted to kick himself because he caught a glimpse of pain there. His line of questions must have stirred distressing memories. The last thing he wanted to do was upset her. He didn’t release her hand as they walked to the cashier’s stand and paid the bill.

They left the restaurant and walked out into the humid Texas heat. The sun had finally set, but the warm air closed in around them like a smothering blanket. He walked her to the passenger door of his truck and opened it then turned to her, smiling wryly. She looked up at him in the twilight, and he noticed it was easier for her to look directly at him in the dim shadows. Once again, he lifted her easily into the passenger seat. She tensed a little but didn’t seem like it frightened her as much as the first time. Had she really thought he might drop her?

“I’m sorry I’ve upset you, sweetheart. I’ll admit to being curious whether or not there is a man coming around to visit Michael, someone who has ties to you. I’d never want to purposely upset you, and I can see that I did. Can you forgive me?” The last thing he wanted was for this date to end on a negative note. He might not be able to get her to go out with him again if it did. He also did not want her to fear that he would spend the next date asking her more personal questions.

“There’s nothing to forgive, Angel. You have every right to know whether or not Michael’s father comes around. He doesn’t, and he never will. He is not…part of my life. It’s just me and Michael, on our own,” she murmured quietly. “I’m not upset with you.”

She had not referred to Michael’s father as her ex-husband. How had she come to be a single mother in light of her sheltered upbringing and her cloistered young adulthood caring for her parents? It wasn’t that her story didn’t add up, but there were a lot of blanks left in it. Perhaps she was ashamed of the circumstances, or maybe she had been a victim of abuse. Both things she would have viewed as inappropriate topics for conversation with him on their first date.

He didn’t back away and close the door. He stood there, braced against the doorway, his lips hovering inches from her face as he spoke. “I know I’ve intruded into your personal life asking all these questions. But maybe it would help if you knew why. Besides the obvious answer that I want to know everything there is to know about you, I want to know if another man is in my way.”

His words had a noticeable effect on her. In the fading light, her eyes met his. “Oh,” she said and looked at him hesitantly when he smiled at her. Her eyelids slid closed when his head dipped down, and his lips brushed hers in a kiss.

* * * *

Teresa’s body trembled all over at the gentle touch of his lips on hers. His scent was clean and manly, inducing a warming response in her core. He slid his hand up her forearm, and she shivered as he stroked her lightly, stopping at her inner elbow. She was sorry she’d called an early end to the evening now. She wanted very much to spend more time with Angel. She wanted the butterflies and the nervousness to go away. She felt comfortable out here in the twilight, looking up into his eyes in the dim light, and thought it helped.

He drove her home to her apartment and lifted her down from the seat. “Teresa, will you let me take you out again sometime, or have I made a royal mess of things?”

“Angel, it’s my fault. I’m not used to dating and flirting and making small talk. I’m not very good at this.”

“You did fine, honey. I’ll call you, and we’ll get together again soon. I imagine Grace has you busy in your spare time, getting ready for the wedding.”

“Yes, there is a lot to do. I’ll look forward to hearing from you sometime.” She wondered what he would do now.

Would he kiss her? He kissed her before, so it wasn’t like she expected him to ask permission. She looked up at him after gathering her purse off the seat. Angel drew her into his arms, and her heart soared at the contact with his tall, hard body. He tilted her chin up with his long fingers and pressed his warm lips to hers. Instinctively, she tilted her head and angled into his kiss. She parted her lips for him, and he stroked her tongue with his, not plundering but seeking to be close to her.

She leaned into him slightly and slid her hands around his waist and up his back, holding on to him as a light wave of dizziness swept over her. Her heart pounded, and the heat coursing through her veins kicked up a notch as the throbbing in her pelvic region grew in intensity. She felt dampness between her thighs and both an aching fullness and a desperate emptiness there inspired by his kiss. He swept his hands down her back, holding her to him. His hands strayed to the tops of her hips, and pressed against him, she could feel the hard ridge at his groin.

Finally, he released her and offered her his hand. In a daze, she took it, and he led her to her apartment door. She removed her house key from her purse and turned to him.

He tilted her chin up to him, kissed her once more, then whispered, “Goodnight, beautiful.”

“Goodnight, Angel,” she responded breathlessly.

She slipped in and smiled at him still standing there, making sure she got in safely, before he turned and sauntered back to his big truck. After conversing with Marissa for a few minutes, she paid her and watched as she returned to her parents’ apartment next door. Teresa leaned back against the front door after closing and locking it and let out a deep breath, willing her heart to slow its pounding rhythm. He called her beautiful.

Chapter Three

Teresa had just delivered Grace’s wedding gown, which had been at the dry cleaner’s for pressing. Angel had kindly carried the long dress bag in for her. Teresa watched Angel saunter out the backdoor of the Divine Creek Ranch house, the sun glinting off his long, jet-black braid.

What she wouldn’t give to run her fingers slowly through those silky strands. Teresa could almost feel his hair against her fingertips. He’d kissed her and nuzzled her throat before saying goodbye. Talk about sensory overload. Who knew such an unassuming spot could be that sensitive to his touch? Tingles raced up and down her spine at the memory of his lips behind her ear.

She found Grace in Jack’s bedroom sorting through lists. Teresa plopped down on the end of the bed then hopped up and sat in the upright chair standing by Grace’s dresser. Grace grinned and rolled her eyes, not even asking, knowing what Teresa was thinking. That was the bed that Grace shared with her men, and Teresa shouldn’t be sitting on it.

Sheesh!
Where had her parents gotten all the ideas they raised her with? She huffed rebelliously and bounced right back out of the chair and came and perched next to Grace on the edge of the bed. Grace looked over at her, a surprised smirk on her face.

“Wow. Angel must be a good influence on you. He’s really into you, you know that?”

“Huh?”

“Did you hear what he said? He would ‘look forward to seeing you come down the aisle’?”

“He said that to me out on the porch earlier, too.”

“He said that
twice
? What’s on his mind, I wonder?” Grace said knowingly, looking at Teresa. “Are you going to let him teach you to dance, risk-taker?”

“He said he would. I hope I don’t step all over his toes.”

“Oh, don’t worry, Teresa. You have a natural, graceful way of moving. I don’t think you’ll have any trouble at all. You really like Angel, don’t you?”

Teresa sighed and smiled, shivering delightedly at the memory of his lips brushing beneath her ear. “Yes, Grace. I do.”

“Does he still make you nervous?”

“Like a long-tailed cat in a rocking-chair factory, but it was better today than it was on our date. Maybe I’m getting used to him?”

“Maybe. He deserves someone sweet like you.”

* * * *

Angel stood at the back of the church greeting other guests he knew, waiting to take his seat until the last minute. He greeted Evan and Wesley Garner and Rosemary Piper, whom he knew from Cheaver’s Western Store. She was her Uncle Randy’s right hand running the big operation. He finally seated himself on the end of a row, next to the aisle. He wanted to have a clear view of Teresa as she came down the aisle.

Movement could be seen through the stained-glass windows on either side of the closed wooden doors. The music changed tempo, and the musicians began to play a slightly different melody. Sunlight streamed through as the doors were swung open again. Everyone turned in their seats expectantly, him included. Haloed by bright sunlight, Teresa stepped into the doorway.

Angel’s heart pounded in his chest. He wondered if it could be heard by anyone else, it was so loud in his ears. She blushed, but her were not downcast. She moved forward, and he was glad he’d chosen to wear a sport coat over his dress shirt. It would serve to cover the swelling erection he had when it was time to stand for the bride.

Holding her head high, she took measured, unhurried steps forward. She scanned the crowd until she found him, he noticed, and then her eyes stayed on him until she came abreast of him. He took it as a good sign that she did not avert them, hoping it meant she was growing more comfortable near him.

The silky fabric of her dress caught the fading rays of sunlight as she moved, framing and accentuating the curves of her hips and thighs. The bodice of the dress framed her lush breasts in a way that was pure torture for his hardening cock. His hands and cock twitched as he wished he could touch them.

* * * *

Teresa’s heart pounded as she moved through the doorway. She took deep, calming breaths and proceeded slowly down the aisle. She sighed in relief when she found Angel on the end of a row about two-thirds of the way down the center aisle. His golden-brown gaze felt like a caress, and he smiled when their eyes met. Her cheeks tingled in response to the subtle heat in his gaze. The aisle was not very wide, and if she wanted to, she could’ve touched him as she passed. Teresa kept her hands on her bouquet and proceeded forward, wondering if she’d actually felt his body heat or if it had merely been a trick of her mind.

Moving forward to the head of the aisle, she felt a shiver run from her shoulders, down her spine, over her derrière, and down the backs of her legs and knew he was still gazing at her. She reveled in the sensation, for the first time proud of what a man thought of the way she looked. She wasn’t all that surprised as the surging current of desire she now associated with Angel’s nearness ran through her core. She climbed the shallow steps and walked to the designated spot and turned to face the congregation and the open doors at the back of the church as Grace’s irrepressible sister, Charity, made her way down the aisle next.

Across the altar, Grace’s official husband-to-be smiled kindly at her. Jack understood how big a deal it was for her to be standing before people like this. Even under such benign scrutiny, it was a stretch for her. Charity made her way up the steps, giving her a sneaky thumbs-up and a wink before she also turned to face the congregation. The volume of the processional increased slightly, and the wedding guests stood as Charity’s husband, Justin, led Grace in her gorgeous gown to the doorway.

She glanced at Grace’s men, tears coming to her own eyes at the sight of the undisguised adoration on their faces. She was not surprised when Jack quickly reached up a hand to wipe away a stray tear. Grace was so beautiful she
should
bring tears to their eyes. Teresa wiped her own tears, watching Grace’s radiant face as she moved down the aisle on Justin’s arm.

Teresa looked out on the congregation and caught the smile Angel directed to her. She smiled back and sent a prayer heavenward that someday she would have love like Grace had for her men and she would no longer let fear rule her life.

After the ceremony, all the well-wishers crowded forward to congratulate Grace and Jack. Teresa was standing with Charity when she felt a warm hand slide around her waist. She knew immediately who it was.

Leaning into her a little, Angel whispered, “Jack asked me to shoot video of the binding ceremony. May I give you a lift over to the mansion?” He took advantage of the opportunity to nuzzle her neck a little with his nose, and she heard him inhale. She didn’t realize she’d closed her eyes until she opened them and caught Grace and Charity grinning at her.

“I—um. I don’t know. Grace, do you need me for anything? Should I go on over?” She wanted to kick herself. He was a man, she was a grown woman, and she had nothing to be ashamed of if they were attracted to each other.

“It would be a good idea for everyone participating to get over there quickly, so the other guests don’t have to wait very long for us. Why don’t you go ahead with Angel?” Grace whispered to her.

Teresa let Angel lead her by the hand back up the aisle of the church. Once outside, he turned to look at her as they walked. “Sorry if I embarrassed you back there. You’re gorgeous in your gown, and I couldn’t resist temptation. I like your hair like that.” He fingered a chunky ringlet that fell to her shoulder. Her hair was rolled and finger-styled then pinned up artfully on her head. She wore roses in her hair at the crown that matched the deep red roses of her bouquet.

“You’re looking handsome yourself. Thank you for offering me a ride.” She smiled up at him.

He drove them to the Victorian mansion and helped her carefully up the back stairs that led straight to the second story. The other specially invited guests arrived, and soon Grace and her men came up the stairs.

Teresa allowed the tears to flow during this much more intimate ceremony, especially when Jack, Ethan, and Adam knelt in turn to pledge themselves to her and Ethan and Adam received the rings. Without drawing any attention to her, Angel pressed his clean white handkerchief into Teresa’s hand. She smiled at him gratefully and blotted her cheeks.

Later, during the reception, Grace surprised Teresa with a live floral bouquet. “I wanted you to have this but knew you’d never do battle for it like some of these gals would.” Grace hugged her then turned Teresa in Angel’s direction and whispered, “Seize the day, baby!” She pushed her in Angel’s direction.

Her responsibilities as a bridesmaid were finished, and Grace was releasing her to Angel, that much was clear. Angel smiled broadly when he saw her headed his way, her nose in the bouquet Grace gave her.

“What have you got there, beautiful?” he asked, smirking.

“Grace tells me I won the bouquet toss. Isn’t it lovely?” she replied.

He dipped his nose to it and nodded, but his eyes stayed on her. “Let’s put it with your purse and my coat at the table, and then I’ll make good on those dance lessons.”

He led her to the dimmest corner of the dance floor, and without making a big show of it, taught her to two-step and waltz. She took right to it and laughed softly as he spun her into his arms, and they set off around the dance floor with everyone else. He was a graceful dancer and led well, never stepping on her toes even once.

“I heard on the news last night there’s going to be a meteor shower visible next weekend. Would you like to drive out away from the lights and watch it with me?”

“That sounds wonderful, Angel. Should I pack us a picnic supper?”

“If you’d like. Make sure to bring a jacket, in case it’s windy.” He caressed her back as he danced with her, and the warmth of his hands was like a brand through the fabric of her dress.

“I’ll look forward to doing that with you.” She could feel the powerful muscles of his shoulder under her hand as they continued around the dance floor together. A slow dance began to play, and the lights on the dance floor dimmed a little bit. He wrapped his arm further around her waist, and his masculine scent invaded her nostrils as she rested her cheek against his chest.

“Teresa. I wanted you to know something. You never asked but I—I just wanted you to know.”

“Yes, Angel?” She looked up at him in concern. He suddenly seemed unsure of himself, which she’d never seen since meeting him.

“You are the only woman I’m dating. The only one I
want
to date. I’m hope that pleases you and that you feel the same way.”

The tables had turned because Teresa felt confident in her next words as she beamed up at him.

“Angel Martinez, are you asking me to be your girlfriend?”

“Yes, that was my amazingly clumsy attempt at asking you to be my girlfriend,” he said with a laugh. “So will you?” he asked, his easy smile made her knees want to melt.

“I would love to be your girlfriend.”