Page 35 of Pitiful Lies

I can smell his soap clinging to his skin, and I imagine he’s already had his workout. A man like him doesn’t stay in such excellent shape without a vigorous health program.

But unlike most guys who work out, he doesn’t preen. He doesn’t have to.

Angel is a professional, and his muscles aren’t for show. As if I needed a reminder after the way he came inside, gun in hand, eyes promising destruction to whoever or whatever he might have found. Which makes me wonder.

I slow the kiss, and he lets me, dropping his forehead to mine. Angel’s breaths are warm against my face, and I love the way it feels. Like soft caresses against my skin.

He smells so good. Feels so good. I want to climb him like a tree.

I can’t help it. He’s everything I never knew I wanted in a man. I mean, he’s enormous. So tall and wide, like he could be a professional athlete or something.

He makes me feel small, And that is no easy feat, let me tell you. Anna and I are both bigger girls. Chubby is the word polite people use. Fat is a mean word I grew up hearing a lot.

Especially from my cousins. My cousin Mikey is such a little prick. Every Thanksgiving he used to tell me I should just put my plate right in my back pocket cause it was all going to go straight to my ass, anyway.

Shithead.

The truth is Angel doesn’t make me feel anything but good about myself. The way he looks at me?

Hell.

No one has ever looked at me like that. Like I’m something he wants to devour.

And I feel it down to my toes.

“Um, what’s this I hear about security?” I ask.

“Who told you that?”

“Anna,” I say.

“After last night, I did some checking. The Vipers have enemies, you know this. Besides, it’s just a precaution.”

“But I’m not a Viper,” I say, waiting for him to answer.

But he doesn’t. Angel just looks at me instead, and I am keenly aware of the fact I am standing there in a threadbare t-shirt and panties.

“We got a long day today. Gonna take you to see Anna first on the king’s orders,” he starts.

“Oh, but I need to see about my place,” I interrupt.

“Already done, Little Doll. Everything that could be saved is in the back of my SUV, which brings me to the second thing we’re doing, and that’s moving you into the king’s condo.”

“How do you know about that? Anna only just asked,” I reply, and again he just stares at me. Like he’s waiting for me to catch up.

So bossy.

“Okay, fine. I’ll go, I mean I can’t sleep on this sofa another night,” I grumble, and my stomach echoes the sound.

My cheeks grow warm with embarrassment. But that’s my problem. I mean, obviously I eat.

Oh well, I’m only human.

“You, uh, hungry, Koukla?” he asks and gestures to the bag I am still holding.

I blink, still trying to find my feet. I swear it is like every time he touches me, I lose all sight of where I am. This man has me so mixed up.

I am trying to establish a boundary, but it’s like Angel doesn’t even know what one is.

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