chopsticks to hold them up at the back of her head but a few wisps had come undone. She looked so sexy. “I’m sorry about what happened in there.” He nodded towards the house where the party was still in full swing.
Angie smiled at him, her eyes twinkling. “Oh, don’t worry about it. Punching him felt really good.”
Alex chuckled gently. He took her hands in his and inspected them. “Yeah, I can imagine. Where did you learn how to throw a fist like that?”
“I had a wild childhood,” was all she said.
They were both quiet, the silence between them comfortable. “He thought I was a paid companion,” she said at last.
Alex sighed into the night and dropped her hands. Raking a hand through his hair, he thought about how to answer her. “Hussein is… well he…” How did one go about explaining the mass of complexity that was his cousin? “He’s not a bad person. He’s had a rough life and I know that doesn’t excuse his behavior but there’s no one more loyal than him.”
She cast a sidelong glance at him, her face inscrutable in the dark. “You love him.”
“Yes. Yes, I do.”
“That’s great. But you keep him away from me for the next few days. Deal?”
He smiled even as he felt a pang brought on by her reminder that they only had a few days left together. “Deal.” He drew her close to him. “Let’s seal that shall we?” and took her mouth in a kiss that was both sweet and tender. Alex knew in that instant that he had fallen hard for Angela. She was sweet and spunky, full of life and yet mysterious. He loved her sense of humor and the shadows in her eyes only made him want to hold her in his arms and keep her safe. She had wormed her way past his defenses and was now firmly lodged inside his heart. And she was leaving in a few days’ time. He was so fucked.
***
They were lost in each other. Angie had her arms around Alex as she settled comfortably on his lap where he’d put her a few moments before. She had her fingers buried in his hair when they suddenly heard a cough not too far away from where they were seated on the porch swing. She stiffened and Alex let out a string of swear words.
“What do you want, Hussein?” he practically growled.
Angie hid a smile as she rested her head in the curve between his shoulder and his neck. Alex was turning into a caveman right in front of her and she found it really sexy. How sick was that?
“I came to apologize to Angie.”
She sat up straight at the mention of her name and turned to look at Hussein. He didn’t look very contrite as far as she was concerned. She slid off Alex’s legs and turned to face Hussein. “You as much as called me a whore,” She stated drily. “Some people would find that unforgivable.”
He grimaced and she could see his eyes from the lamps illuminating the garden. He did look sorry, even though there was that glimmer of amusement in his eyes again. “I figure I deserve some forgiveness if only for the pain I had to endure. I’m not sure how many teeth I’ll have left by tomorrow.” He rubbed on his jaw.
Angie couldn’t help the snort that came out. “Not to worry. Even if you do lose your good looks, you still have your money.”
He ignored the implied insult. “You think I’m good looking?”
Angie felt Alex’s arms go round her waist and leaned into him. “I think that tree over there is good looking,” she replied blandly.
“Ouch. That was almost as bad as getting punched out by a girl.”
“Apologize and leave us alone,” Alex said but there was no heat in his voice.
“I’m sorry Angie. I was out of line and I have no excuse.” He sounded contrite.
Angie nodded once. “You’re right Hussein, you were out of line. But it’s fine. I’m glad I punched you though - you deserved it.”
A slow smile spread across his face and she had to admit he really was gorgeous. He looked into her eyes now and nodded slowly. “I’ll repeat my offer,” he began and raised a hand when