Losing Angeline: London Calling Book Two Read Free Page B

later, she emerged from his arms, breathless and a little mussed. John grinned as she struggled between outrage and pleasure.
    Finally, she relented and huffed out a sultry laugh. “Damn you, John. You know I have no control where you’re concerned. What if those people are coming to the same event?”
    “I’m sure they are,” he answered. As she turned bright red, he joined her in laughter. “They had their invitations in hand.”
    “You are a libertine, determined to corrupt me to your wicked ways.”
    “Oh honey, I hope so. Truly.” He lewdly winked and pinched her bottom. “Later, I’ll let you punish me. How’s that?”
    Getting into their game, she stepped close, pressing her breasts against his chest while running her hand down his back. She smacked him smartly on his ass.
    “Oh, I don’t know. I much prefer it when you’re the disciplinarian, John.”
    He was instantly hard, painfully throbbing against her body where she continued to push against him.
    “Stop it. Or I’ll spank you right here and now before you meet with your artsy friends.”
    “Oh, I think I’ve made my point.” She reached down to lightly cup him, fanning her fingers over his engorged length.
    “Yes. And I’ll make mine later, you vixen.” He softened the threat by pressing a brief but devastating kiss to her lips. “Now behave. And lead the way—you know I’m never comfortable at these functions. Tell me if I’m using the wrong fork or some such nonsense.”
    She didn’t laugh as he expected her to. Reaching up, she smoothed an unruly lock of hair back from his forehead. “You’re perfect to me—in every single way. I don’t need you to be one thing more or less than you already are, John.”
    She weakened him. Even knowing his past offenses, she wholly accepted him with an open and generous heart. He cherished her faith in him and vowed to spend his days making sure he was deserving of it. As the doors silently glided open to the rooftop bar and its elegant mass of people, he stepped behind her with a hand loosely clasped around her elbow. This was her show and he felt her straighten with reined in excitement.  
    He could wait until later for her undivided attention. She was his—and always would be.
    ***
    Angeline watched as John wandered away from her, professing a desire to give her space to do her work. She smiled. She knew him well enough to know he’d be watching from a distance, never too far in case she wanted him by her side.
    Taking a glass of champagne from the waiter, she sipped delicately while scanning the crowd around her. The best and brightest were here from Savannah’s art scene, eager to shop for vintage rarities for both themselves and their clientele. In addition, a newer artist was being featured. He specialized in unique pieces made from hammered gold and silver. For the museum and her work, she was interested in the antiques.  
    Personally, she eagerly anticipated seeing more of the young artist’s offerings, particularly those featuring semi-precious stones. Angeline bored of sapphires, rubies, emeralds, and diamonds. God knew there were enough of those adorning the various body parts around her.
    For a crowd obsessed with class and prestige, she found it vaguely vulgar.
    Glancing down, she admired the wide gold band gracing her left hand. Its only unique quality was its square shape. Smiling, she recalled John’s excuse for forgoing the customary engagement—along with its accompanying ring.
    “When I put a ring on your finger, it will be one that binds us for the rest of our lives,” he’d said. “I promise I’ll spoil you with all the jewelry you want in the coming years. But first, you’ll marry me.”  
    He’d been so commanding and confident. It was one of the many things about him that attracted her, but she’d also seen the slight tremor in his hand when he’d placed the band on her finger just two months later. It was for that, and a thousand other vulnerabilities,