Before she could continue on, he typed out, It’s fine, Angel. Then, because it was very much true, he added something he’d never admitted to another woman. Miss you too.
Really?? Her reply was almost immediate.
Across the table, his mother had called his name and he’d known his reprieve was over. His fingers flew over his phone and he sent back, Yeah, baby. Call you later, before turning once again to his parents.
In the end, it was hours before he’d gotten away. He’d ended up taking them home since their driver was off for the rest of the night. His mother had insisted he come in and he figured that she needed his help with getting his father into bed after he passed out. He had no idea how she handled it on other nights, but some part of him couldn’t leave her stranded. She’d never be mother of the year, but she was a damn sight better than her husband.
As he slumped back against the plush cushions of his sofa, he thought again of Angel. It was far too late to call her now—but he wanted to. He reached for his phone lying on the table beside him and waged an inner war. He could text her once and if she didn’t reply, he’d know she was asleep. He chose to ignore his inner voice telling him that he’d wake her up either way. Sorry was later than I expected. Bet you’re already asleep. He closed his eyes and tried to relax. He was dozing off when the sound of his phone ringing jolted him abruptly. He looked at the display and chuckled. “What’re you doing awake, Angel?”
“Waiting for you to call,” she responded softly and without hesitation.
His gut clenched, and his heart did a funny flip. So fucking sweet and innocent. He should walk away and leave her alone. If only he didn’t want her so damned much. She was changing him—changing everything. “Baby . . . ,” he said, unable to get anything else out.
“You sound tired,” she added. “Is your trip going okay?”
“Yeah, Angel,” he said huskily. “Just dealing with some family shit.”
She sounded curious now. “Problem?”
“The usual.” He had no idea why he was compelled to add, “My father makes your mother seem like June Cleaver, if that gives you any idea.”
All was quiet before she let out an “Ohhh. Wow, I had no idea. I’m sorry.”
He was moved by the sincerity in her voice, but he didn’t want to think about his parents anymore for a while. “It is what it is, Angel. So, tell me about your evening. What had you stressed enough earlier to request a DeStudo drive-by?”
She giggled at his attempt to lighten the mood. “It was . . . nothing specific really. The usual long day.”
Even though she tried to sound light and airy, Mark could tell there was more to it than that. She seemed happy to talk to him, but he could detect a note of strain beneath the surface. “Did you speak to your mother today?” he asked casually, figuring that was the source of her unhappiness.
In a rapid-fire change of subject, she asked playfully, “So . . . what’re you wearing, DeStudo?”
If her evening had been anything like his, then he figured she needed an escape, because he certainly did. So, he went along with her diversion and replied, “Still dressed in everything except my jacket. How about you, Angel? What’s touching that beautiful body of yours?”
She hesitated for a moment. “A T-shirt and panties. I wanted to say something more exciting, but I’m going with the truth.”
“I can’t imagine anything better than what you’ve just described. I bet that shirt is riding up and the curve of your sweet ass is peeking out. If I were there, I’d have my hand right on that spot where it connects with your thigh. You’re so sensitive that you’d shudder as I stroked you.”
“Oh, wow.” He heard her breath hitch, and he knew without seeing her that she was biting her plump lip. That mouth drove him crazy. He spent far too much time thinking of it wrapped around his cock. Then she surprised him by asking—or more like mumbling shyly—“Do you . . . I mean, have you ever tried . . . phone sex?”
He couldn’t help it; her question had him bursting into laughter. He heard her huffing in irritation before he finally got himself back under control enough to say, “Yeah, but it’s been a long time.”
“Oh,” she murmured, “I guess it was never something that the great DeStudo had to resort to very often.”
“That’s true,” he agreed truthfully. “I think we both know I haven’t lacked for female company, Angel, but I will say this. Right now, other than being with you in person, there is nothing else I’d rather be doing. In the past I would have gone out tonight and found someone. Fuck knows I needed the release, but it just didn’t interest me.”