So tell me now. Angel had a bad feeling. Hunter had never kept secrets from her and she wondered if being gone all this time had caused it. What dont I know?
Our mother died last month when the house accidentally caught fire, he swallowed still not wanting to talk about it. The fire department said it looked like she had been cooking and must have fallen asleep.
Angel's lips parted when his dark eyes became luminous with unshed tears. Oh my god Hunter Im so sorry. I wish you had told me I would have come back sooner.
I didnt want you to see me like that, he confessed as she wrapped her arms around him for the third time in the last half hour.
Letting go of the door, he let it slide shut as he reached out and touched the stop button. Placing his palms against her back, Hunter couldnt stop himself as he pulled her flush against him, letting the smell of her hair soothe the ache inside him. This ache had nothing to do with his mother.
Angel hadnt meant to do anything other than comfort him, but as soon as their bodies touched, she found herself pressed back against the wall of the elevator and one of his legs pushed between her thighs making them both go up in flames again.
Oh God, Angel, Hunter murmured against the soft skin at her neck as he felt the heat of her center all the way through the cloth that covered his leg. Grinding his thigh up against her, he lifted his head and caught her lips in a frustrated kiss. His hands traveled down her arms to capture her hands. Sliding his fingers through hers, he pressed them to the wall knowing her well enough to remember a little domination was a turn on for her. If almost counted as sex then they had been lovers for a long time.
At first, Angel kissed him back, losing herself in the sensations he was causing, but then an image of Ashton flashed in her mind and she turned her head, breaking the kiss. She moaned softly when he breathed hotly down her neck. Pulling her hands from his, she placed them on his chest and pushed.
Hunter? Angel kept her eyes on the floor, suddenly afraid of what she would see if she looked up at him. Im sorry. I
Shhh, he gently placed his finger under her chin and lifted it so she would look up at him. He already knew why she was stopping. Ashton Fox had already lost though she didnt know that yet. His eyes darkened attractively as he listened to her near ragged breathing from only a simple kiss.
Dont be sorry you should never be sorry for loving me. At least I know you forgive me for not telling you about our mother. Hunter let go of her, forcing himself to step back and press the button so the elevator doors would open for her.
Knowing he would talk about his mother when he was ready, Angel turned and fled the elevator, no longer trusting herself to be alone with him. Once she was sure he was gone, she slowed her steps.
Poor Hunter and Ray. They had always been so gentle with their mother and she had loved them dearly in return. Angel remembered often wishing she and her own mother had that kind of relationship. But her mother was a stranger to her always had been.
When the elevator doors closed behind her, Hunter placed his hands against the same wall he had just held her against pushing at it in frustration. If counting to ten only worked. Closing his eyes he did it anyway, forcing his breathing to return to something resembling normal. When he straightened and opened his eyes, he was perfectly calm once again.
Flipping his cell phone open, he dialed Tristians number to tell him his sister was settled. Hunter frowned seeing there was no signal on the cell phone.
Angel walked into her room and smiled seeing they had left everything like it had been before shed moved. She threw herself backwards onto the mattress with a happy sigh as she closed her eyes. As soon as she did, what she and Hunter had just done in the elevator came back to haunt her and make her body burn.
She had been gone so long that shed figured he wouldnt want her like that anymore. Tristian had started dating someone why hadnt Hunter?
When shed started dating Ashton she had tried to block out the memories of Hunter and Tristian. But now that she was back, it felt like her heart was already being pulled apart again. Shed been in love with both of them for so long that it was the reason she had started dating Ashton in the first place to forget. But when Hunter had touched her in the elevator just now, it had confirmed her worse fears she wasnt in love with Ashton Fox and he would never make her feel like Hunter just did.
She flattened her palm against her lower stomach and then slowly slid it down between her legs, arching her body as she did so. She closed her eyes when the imaginary image of Hunter wavered and was replaced with the memory of Tristians heated touch.
Chapter 3 Jealousy
It was almost dark when Tristian switched the mellow music out for some alternative rock then grabbed the bottle of wine he had hidden down low inside the Tiki-Bar. As he picked up three glasses, a hint of a smile flickered across his lips. He had recently found his grandfathers hidden wine cellar within the secret hallways that ran under and through the huge building.
Keeping the other family members from knowing about the narrow hallways was the only thing Tristian was glad his grandfather had done. Now he had his own little secret and so far only one other person knew about it, Angel, and she wasnt the type to go exploring the cobwebbed catacombs.
Seeing Ashton come in the side entrance, he called to him and waved him over. Its time to start meeting the family. Tristian led them to one of the upholstered picnic tables where the twins were entertaining Stacey.
Okay. I havent even started drinking yet and Im already seeing double, Ashton joked hoping it would be a good icebreaker.
Hearing them, Damien and Devin both glanced up seeing the bottle of wine and letting their gaze follow it as Tristian set it down on the table.
Hey, thats one of the bottles from grandfathers secret stash. I saw him and dad drinking one a long time ago. Devin grabbed it and started prying at the cork. Where the hell did you find this one?
Before Tristian could even answer, Damien nodded toward Ashton. Tristian? Whatd you bring him for? We need another guy like we need a hole in the head. He slid his arm around Stacey while his twin was distracted.
Ha ha, Tristian set the glasses down. I would like for you to meet Ashton Fox Angels boyfriend. He raised his finger and actually pointed as he introduced them to Ashton. And this is Devin and Damien, our cousins along with Stacey, who just comes to torture them when she finds the time. He winked at Stacey knowing she wouldnt deny it.
Ashton stuck his hand out and tried not to cringe as the twins took turns almost breaking his fingers with their grip. Flexing his hand to get the blood flowing again, he smiled and said, Angel told me a lot about you guys. Its good to finally meet the twins.
So, our little Angel told you about her favorite kissing cousins? Damien asked with a straight face.
Yeah, she also told me about the bloody nose you got for the effort, Ashton said just as seriously, if not a little bored. If he was fated to crank up the testosterone then so be it.
Tristian laughed loudly and smacked Ashton on the back, That-a-boy, get him.
Are you serious? Stacey asked, laughing with Tristian as she reached for one of the wine glasses Devin had just finished pouring.
Are you serious? Stacey asked, laughing with Tristian as she reached for one of the wine glasses Devin had just finished pouring.
Hardly ever as far as I can tell. Damien grabbed his glass and downed it. It was sad to see that Angel had managed to get herself yet another bodyguard. Wasnt the Indian brigade enough?
Ignoring the twins, Tristian tapped Ashton on the shoulder to get him to quit glaring. Over there is Uncle Robert and his wife Diane, he pointed to the couple that was climbing into the hot tub. They stopped having children after the twins for some reason. He tried not to laugh when that got a smirk out of Ashton.
Whos your friend? Tiffany came over, putting her knee beside Devin and leaning on it like she was bored but curious. She was wearing a baby-blue bikini that was several sizes too small with a sheer wrap tied around her waist.
She flicked Devin on the ear when he turned his head to stare right at her breasts. Ewww, stop that you pervert.
Give it up Tiff, hes taken, Devin said in a pitying tone then winked at her. I guess youre stuck with me after all. He growled when he noticed Damien trying to kiss Stacey. Damn it Damien, I cant turn my back on you for a minute, can I?
When the twins tried to lean toward each other to argue, Stacey was still in the middle of them. She put a delicate hand on each one of their shoulders and pushed. Cut it out guys or I swear Ill go home again, she warned them.
Tiffany, meet Ashton Angels guest for the week, Tristian downgraded Ashton from boyfriend status to guest on purpose. If Tiffany wanted to take a shot at Ash then who was he to stop her. Tiffany here, is our youngest cousin and she has two siblings around here somewhere.
Theyre in the pool with their friends, Tiffany pouted feeling just as sulky as Devin. Rolling her eyes, she grabbed Devins hand and pulled him out of the chair. Come on lets go get wet.
Sure, Devin slapped Stacey on the butt as he followed her toward the pool.
Ashton cocked an eyebrow but bit his tongue refusing to say anything out loud. Besides, the family would probably just gang up on him if he said what was running through his mind.
Tristian pointed toward the dark haired girl climbing the later of the high dive, Thats Paris, Tiffanys older sister. And the strange man coming up the ladder behind her is probably her new toy for the week because I have never seen him before. He turned in his chair looking towards the other end of the pool. And one of the two people making out in the kiddy section would be Jason, their brother.
Whats in the wine around here? Ashton asked, hoping it sounded like a joke.
Why do you think Im not drinking it? Tristian smiled liking Ashton more and more sometimes life sucked. Their mom should be showing up soon. Aunt Carley. So Damien wouldnt overhear, he leaned toward Ashton and added in a whisper, That is, unless she is so drunk that she cant walk.
I bet thats her, Ashton nodded toward the entrance since he had been scanning it watching for Angel. The middle-aged lady looked like the girls but with shorter hair and way too much makeup. She kind of looked tired or wait a minute did she just stagger?
Yeah thats her. I bet she goes straight for the liquor. Tristian made a winning bell sound when Carley picked up a bottle of crown royal from the Tiki-Bar and took it to a lounge chair not even bothering with a glass.
And who is that? Ashton asked pointing back toward the entrance, seeing a girl around Angel's age with long brown hair and fair skin.
That would be our other cousin, Tristian left his chair and met the girl halfway. Knowing this would really freak Ashton out; he dipped his head, giving Shae a long passionate kiss. Once he thought it was good enough of a show, he breathed against her lips. Dont get mad at me but I just told Angels boyfriend that you were one of our cousins. Did he fall out of his seat yet?
Shae giggled, No, but is he always that pale?
Tristian glanced over his shoulder and almost choked on his laugh when Ashton instantly looked in the other direction as if he hadnt been watching. Okay, lets go let him off the hook. Tristian led her by the hand back to the table noticing Damien and Stacey had joined Devin in the pool.
This is my cousin Shae, he grabbed his ribs when Shae elbowed him. I mean my girlfriend Shae, he smiled guiltily.
Ashton crossed his arms over his chest and tilted his head studying them. Wheres that sister of yours? I suddenly feel the urge to hide behind someone.
Is my brother giving you a hard time? Angel asked from directly behind him. She was smiling at Shae, having overheard the cousin remark.
Thank god, Ashton leaned his head back as Angel leaned down and gave him a light kiss on the lips. He was suddenly jealous because it wasnt half as passionate as the simple kiss he had seen her slip Hunter. I know I wont be twenty-one for a couple more hours but your brother is seriously trying to drive me to drink.
Pulling her around beside him, Ashton couldnt help but glance behind her to see if the Indian was dogging her heels. Seeing a man leaning against one of the thick polls of the Tiki-Bar watching them, he frowned at first thinking it was Hunter then realizing it wasnt. This man was Indian, but something about him seemed more dangerous than the one he had already met.
Ray didnt bother to look away but instead locked eyes with Angels boyfriend. Giving him a cold stare, he started walking straight toward them never breaking eye contact. Seeing Angel follow the boys gaze, Ray softened his expression to glance at her, not caring what Ashton thought of him.
Angels eyes instantly lit up, Oh look, its Ray!
She started to push away from Ashton so she could go to him but Ashton only tightened his hold on her hand and jerked her to a stop. She bit her bottom lip curiously, then settled for smiling brightly and waiting on Ray to reach her.
Tristian noticed the heavy-handed maneuver and frowned. Angel would want a hug from Ray after not seeing him in so long, so why was Ashton being so possessive? He stood up ready to inform Ashton that being a dick was uncool but his lips twisted into a smirk when Ray walked straight up to Angel and gave her a hug anyway.
From the unhappy look on Ashton's face, Tristian hoped this would be the beginning of a wonderful argument.
Its good to see you back at Sanctuary, Ray said, hugging her for a few seconds longer than normal just to piss the glaring boyfriend off. He even went a step further and gave her a kiss on the cheek before slowly pulling away. His eyes darkened several shades as he gazed into her blue ones. If your hand starts going numb, just tell me and Ill break his fingers.
Heh? Angel breathed then realized what he was talking about. As a matter of fact, her hand was starting to go numb. Oh no, she gave Ashtons hand a squeeze as if hers didnt hurt at all, than winked at Ray. Hes not giving me any trouble. This is my boyfriend, Ashton.
She smiled reassuringly knowing Ray really would break Ashs fingers if she had told him anything differently. One thing he had always done was keep her safe.
Angel blinked remembering just one of those times. Ray had given Hunter and Tristian a serious beating when they had conned her into climbing the old oak tree that hung out over the pond. Hed forbid her from doing it several times in the past and then showed up just in time to catch her as she fell from a high branch that wasnt on the water side.