Sweet Temptation

Julie’s mouth dropped. “Sweetie? Mr. Gruff called a chick sweetie? I mean he’s usually so straitlaced.”

“Oh, he is not,” Faith huffed. “He can be serious, yes, but he jokes around with the guys with the best of them, and you try being his sister.”

“Maybe he’s seeing someone?” Serena offered. “I mean he’s a good-looking guy. Drool-worthy. It shouldn’t be a shock to hear him with a woman.”

Faith shrugged. “No, but you have to understand. Connor keeps his distance. He’s a strictly casual guy, and suddenly he’s moving her into my apartment and getting her furniture and stuff.”

“Wonder who she is,” Julie murmured.

“I think he called her Angelina. Well, when he wasn’t calling her sweetie,” Faith said with a laugh.

Serena’s mouth went slack. She was pretty sure she looked like a guppy gasping for air.

“What?” Julie demanded before Serena could regain her composure.

“Shit,” Serena whispered. “I don’t believe in coincidences that huge. Micah’s woman’s name is Angelina.”

“Whoa, back up. Micah has what?” Faith asked.

Serena sighed. “Hell. I’m not supposed to be sharing any of this crap with you guys. It’s deeply personal to Micah.”

Julie sniffed. “Does anyone else find it ironic that the only one here who hasn’t slept with Micah is the one with the personal information?”

Faith rolled her eyes but laughed. “We’re not letting you out of here until you tell us everything, Serena. It’s not like we’re going to run out and tell the world.”

With a resigned shrug, Serena related the morning’s conversation between Damon and Micah. By the time she’d finished, Faith’s eyes were round with shock.

“Wow, I had no idea,” Faith whispered. “Married. I can’t even get my head around it.”

“Okay, so what’s this chick doing with Connor if she’s with Micah?” Julie asked with a scowl.

“From what I gathered there isn’t a relationship between Micah and Angelina, though it seems Angelina wants one,” Serena said.

“Again, so what the hell is she doing with Connor?” Julie persisted.

“Maybe he’s just helping her,” Faith pointed out. “It certainly sounds like she could use it.”

“And calling her sweetie all the while, huh?” Julie said snidely.

“Sheathe the claws, girlfriend,” Serena admonished Julie. “Micah is a big boy. I sincerely doubt Angelina is doing him any harm, and like Faith said, I’d say she needs the help and friendship. I gathered from Micah’s conversation that he pretty much walked out and never looked back. That had to be hard for her.”

A calculating light glinted in Julie’s eyes. “Then maybe we should drop in and see if there’s anything we can do.”

CHAPTER 13

“Okay, sweetie, all done for now.”

Angelina stared in disbelief at the now furnished apartment. She couldn’t even begin to comprehend that it was hers. She had a bed, furniture, dishes even.

Tears gathered in her eyes, and she hastily blinked them away. “I don’t know how to thank you,” she said huskily.

Connor smiled. “You’ll thank me by not crying.”

“It’s generally known men are worthless human beings around female tears,” Gray said from across the room.

Angelina laughed. An ache bloomed in her chest until it threatened to crush her. Was it any wonder Micah hadn’t come back to Miami? He had a life here. Wonderful friends.

“Hey, why the sad look all of a sudden?” Connor asked.

She glanced up and grimaced. “Just thinking.”

“About?”

“That I could understand why Micah never went back to Miami,” she said softly. “He has a good life here. Wonderful friends.”

“You have us now too,” Connor said.

She looked at him in disbelief. “Just like that?”

Gray moved closer and threw one arm over her shoulders. “Not so long ago, I was the outsider here. This is a great group of people. I wouldn’t trade them for anything even when they’re royal pains in my ass, and believe me, they are.”

Connor flipped Gray off. “The only reason I tolerate you is because you took a bullet for my sister.”

Angelina’s eyes widened, and Gray just shook his head.

“So you like it?” Connor asked.

“Like it? I love it! It’s more than I dared hope for. I was just wanting something that was mine. It didn’t have to be big or gorgeous.”

“Well, it’s yours for as long as you want it,” Connor said with an easy grin. “I should warn you now that Pop will probably happen by. I’ve told him all about you of course, but he’s like a mother hen with his chicks. He’ll want to come by and cluck over you.”

“Just don’t mind his bluster,” Gray warned. “He’s all gravelly and full of shit, but underneath he’s a complete and utter pussycat.”

“He sounds wonderful,” Angelina said with a sigh. “You’re lucky to have such a great dad,” she told Connor.

“Your dad not alive?” Connor asked.

“No. He died when I was young. David always took care of me.”

Connor exchanged quick glances with Gray, and she hastened to change the subject.

“Hey, you guys should probably get on out of here. Your wives will be wondering where you are.”

Connor scowled. “I’m not married.”

“No, but I am, and she’s right. Faith will be wondering where I am,” Gray said.