Promises After Dark (After Dark #3) Read Online Free Page A

damn if he didn’t want to make sure the world knew she belonged to him. And he wanted Angel to have no doubts about his feelings or intentions. Their time together was always incredible, but he could sense part of her was still bothered by his past relationship rules, and Alex hated that she was feeling anything but absorbed in him. More incredibly, he wanted her to be sure he loved her and in no doubt he was completely committed.
    “Um, I don’t really have a clue about style, but definitely a diamond. Something classic. As I said, understated and elegant. I want it to be as flawless and individual as she is. Excellent cut, and colorless.”
    It was obvious that Alex had done his homework and showed that he was indeed serious. “Does this perfect young woman have a name?”
    A smile slid over Alex’s mouth, making him even more handsome. “Angel. Her name is Angel.”
    “That’s quite beautiful.”
    “I agree.”
    The older woman could practically see the love radiate from Alexander and felt happy that the young man, who she thought would miss out on love had finally found it.
    “I’ll set something up. It might take a few days, sir. Its rare jewelers have such perfect diamonds on hand. Especially, large ones. Any particular shape?”
    He laughed, despite him self. “Something that not many women have, but it doesn’t have to be huge. Angel wouldn’t want that.”
    “That’s excellent.” A brilliant smile split across Mrs. Dane’s face before it faded when she realized she may have overstepped. “Um, I mean, I’m happy that—” she stammered and then composed herself. “Yes, sir. I’ll set up appointments with the three best and have them come to the office. I’m sure you don’t want to be seen in the stores?”
    “Excellent as always, Mrs. Dane. And, I appreciate your concern.”
    The woman’s smile returned. “Yes. You should give me a raise.”
    Alex laughed out loud as she left his office and closed the door behind her.
    So, as absurd as it was, Alexander Avery was going to propose, whether Angel was ready for it or not. Months ago, he would have scoffed at the abstract possibility, but now, he was chomping at the bit to make sure she belonged to him. At least if she married him, he’d get her under the same roof once and for all, and he was goddamned tired of arguing about it.
    It wasn’t that he wanted to control her; he liked the push and pull they had between them. It was fun and sexier than hell, but he wanted to know she was safe, and living together would put his mind at ease. Until that cocksucker, Swanson, was behind bars for good, he wouldn’t relax. As it was, he could think of little else, and his gut constantly burned with worry. It would have been easier if he’d killed Mark Swanson the night he’d attacked Angel. God knew, he’d wanted to, and it wasn’t the first time he’d considered it could have been self-defense. At least, he’d be able to breathe.
    Alex sighed as he walked into her apartment and closed the door behind him, carefully disarming then rearming the security system. He almost dropped the pizza box he was balancing in the other hand. He groaned inwardly, hating that his thoughts were consumed with thinking about that fucker. He hated how Swanson was still able to get into his head and under his skin, and worse, he hated that he could still frighten Angel.
    A small lamp in the living room offered the only light other than the blue glow cast from the flat screen TV mounted across from the sofa. It appeared Angel left it on one of the news channels but was nowhere to be seen. Alex glanced around the living room then took the pizza into the kitchen and left it on the counter beside his car keys.
    “Babe?” Alex called, rubbing his jaw with one hand and meandered down the hall toward Angel’s bedroom, loosening the knot of his tie then pulling it free from his shirt. The fingers of his left hand pushed open the door, and he peered inside while his right