Angel Falling by Audrey Carlan Read Free Book Online

back straight as an arrow. Professional Aspen was sexy, but I was sad to see my sweet angel had all but left the building. She’d be back. Her softer side intrigued me and seemed to pop up whenever she was touching me. I’d bet good money on the fact that not many were privy to that side of her. Made me a king among men knowing she let me in, at least a little. At some point, I’d have her in every way possible. Over the next eight weeks I planned on familiarizing myself with every facet of Aspen Reynolds.
    She headed to the door, bag held firm to her side. The woman was even prettier than a perfect sunset back at my ranch, and I’d been known to let a good hot dinner lose its heat just to see one of those glistening horizons. She was wearing one of her usual black skirts, the ones that hugged every inch of her hips, thighs, and ass. What I wouldn’t give to run my hands up and down that skirt, scrunch it up to her waist, and take her right here. Damn, I had to get my mind out of the gutter or get this woman between the sheets. I couldn’t think straight when she was around.
    She turned and thanked the doctor. Her white blouse pulled at the corner, exposing a healthy view of the upper swell of her breast. A purplish black shadow appeared against her creamy skin.
    “Aspen, come here.” I squinted my eyes and tried to see more of the purple stain against her flesh.
    She adjusted her shirt self-consciously and walked over to the side of the bed as the doctor exited.
    “Put the bag down for a second.”
    She did. “What’s this about?” Her brows drew together.
    I pulled her closer and placed my hand around the fragile, softer-than-silk column of her neck.
    She took a deep breath but didn’t move my hand.
    Trailing the back of my knuckles down between the small pearly buttons of her shirt I could see the edges of the discolored skin that caught my attention moments ago. With my right hand, I skillfully unbuttoned the top button of her shirt.
    A deep inhale shook her small form and her body trembled under my fingertips. Her gaze held mine as my fingers traced the lacey edge of her undershirt and pulled the white satin aside to expose a huge, angry looking bruise. It was about four or five inches in diameter, larger than a softball.
    “Jesus Christ, Angel. You did get hurt.”
    “No, Hank. I’m fine. You … you’re the one who got hurt. This is nothing. Don’t you see … ”
    I shook my head in frustration. All I could see was a giant ugly purple mark that proved just how close she’d been to getting her heart punctured with lead. I was happy it was me and not her. Having this warm, perfect angel in front of me, as if she were sent by God himself was worth it. Almost as if she was meant for me to save, to protect.
    Why I felt so strongly near her was astounding. It didn’t make sense, but neither did the energy that buzzed just under the surface. It filled the space around us, bringing us closer to each other. I didn’t even know her, but it didn’t matter. I wanted her. Wanted her to be safe. Wanted her to be mine.
    Leaning forward, I placed gentle kisses along the entire surface of the bruise. It was out of line but I couldn’t help it. Her skin drew me in. I wanted — no, needed — to make it better. Her fingers twined through my hair as I worshiped her skin with small kisses.
    “Hank … ” My eyes met hers, her voice thick with emotion. “That pipe would have pierced through my heart. If you hadn’t been there, done what you did ... ” Her eyes filled with tears, and then large, wet drops ran like a waterfall down her cheeks.
    That’s all it took. The need to taste her thrummed heavily through my veins, the tension so fierce it sizzled and popped around us. One-handed, I pulled her against my chest and crushed her lips with mine. She opened eagerly and my tongue, lips, and teeth devoured her like a starving man devoured a steak.
    There was no holding back, no room for nice dates and sweet pecks