HIS

I’d found her again. Of course I had. She could have fled to the other side of the earth and I’d be able to hunt her down. It was like I could smell her, sense her, even after years. It took a little searching but, finally, here she was.

From my table at Mario’s, I could see her across the street as she exited the Mission. The event seemed well attended. She was surrounded by people who were chatting at her.

Seeing her again after all these years hit me like a lightning bolt. I could feel my nostrils flare… my cock swell. How could she still have such a visceral effect on me?

She was still... breathtaking. Still had her long, golden curls. Even from across the street, I could see her big blue eyes as they scanned the group of people around her. She attempted to make eye contact with them - to make each one feel important and seen. To the group, I’m sure she seemed confident, in control… exuding competence. But I knew. She’d feel overwhelmed at the required interaction with them all. She’d want to withdraw to her safe zone - to be alone. Still, she smiled, shook hands. I loved watching her again.

I noticed the lurker before she did. He stood behind the group - outside her field of vision. He was swarthy. Probably 5′ 10". Solidly built. Well dressed. He leaned against a post. I watched as this stranger stared at my Angel. He’d sensed her. I knew what a predator looked like when he’d identified prey. Yeah, he was definitely hunting. I could see his eyes travel over her, stopping at the view of her behind clearly outlined in her pencil skirt. I couldn’t blame him. That bubble of a butt had haunted my own fantasies for years. It looked as round as I remembered, accentuated by her small waist.

The problem wasn’t the guy. Guys were expected. It was my Angel. She wouldn’t see his hunger. If she did, she’d tell herself it meant nothing, that he was just being a man. She’d always refused to accept that she oozed a kind of sexuality that made her prey. She couldn’t always see how vulnerable that could make her.

I continued to watch as she was chatted up by her audience... her predator biding his time. I could go to her now and short circuit his attempts. But it would short circuit her too. She’d lose her competence and flounder with those still surrounding her. She was hardly expecting me. It had been years, after all. I could wait. It might even be fun to see her being stalked.

She continued to discuss, smile, give them her time. She was still too kind. She gave that kindness away to all the wrong people. Among all the things I had planned for her, it was time I finally corrected that. Her goodness needed direction.

Minutes later the group around her began to disband. As the men and women fell away, I could see my Angel’s predator prepare. I watched as his stance straightened, his shoulders squared. He finally approached her - standing too close, of course - invading her space. I’d used the same tactic. Tried and true.

I watched as my Angel shook his hand and then took a step back. Good for you, Angel. Still, she smiled. They spoke. He handed her a business card. She took it just as he took another step toward her. In answer, she retreated another step, until her back was at the wall behind her. He had her cornered.

I thought he’d probably put his hand on the wall behind her, then lean over her. To my surprise, though, the man extended his arm out, asking if she’d follow him somewhere. Not what I’d expected. Where was he trying to lead her? The Mission was a hotel with three restaurants and a couple of bars. If I lost her in there, her predator would have too much time with her, too much access.

I laid down a $100 dollar bill to cover my lunch and the tip and I left the coolness of Mario’s. I went across the street to the entry of the Mission. She was gone. She had to be inside.

I crossed to the vine-covered walkways. It was cooler. Opening the heavy wood and glass doors, I entered the even cooler hotel. I gave my eyes a few seconds to adjust to the darker space.

I looked toward the check-in desk – no Angel. Down the right hallway was the Presidential Lounge. I looked in. A three-piece ensemble played jazz, but no Angel.

I walked back to my left, toward the wine bar. There she was. He was sitting already, she was standing. What a jackass. Why hadn’t he pulled out her stool? Then I noticed her stool was out. She was walking away from him, toward me. She was headed for the bathrooms. I ducked back into the hall. I wasn’t ready, yet, for her to see me.

I looked to her predator at my left. He was accepting two glasses of wine. As he did, he put his hand over that of the female bartender. He spoke to her in a low voice - smiling. She giggled. The asshat was flirting with the bartender when he had my Angel in his sites. Unacceptable. He slammed down an entire pour of wine like it was a shot, then tapped the bar for another. He was working up his courage. Clearly not for the bartender. She’d jumped to his order. No, he was working up his courage to capture my Angel. Fucking unacceptable. If he were worthy, I’d enjoy watching the hunt. He wasn’t.

The decision took only a second. As my Angel walked past me on her way back to the bar, I stepped from the hall and called to her.

“Angel.”

She froze for a few seconds. I could see her entire body tense. Finally she turned toward me. I covered the space between us in a moment. In the background her predator noticed me approaching her. He was pissed. Was his prey slipping away? I ignored the asshat for now, knowing his day was suddenly being ruined.

“Dominic? Wh..what are you doing here? What…” She was at a loss for words. Not surprising. Her eyes searched my face for an answer. She was anxious. Confused.

I reached out and ran my thumb over her cheek. “Angel. My angel. I needed to see you. I had to...”

Rather than finishing my answer, I took a handful of her curls, tipping her head up. I brought my face to hers and breathed in her scent. That same light, flirty perfume. So fucking her. I grew obviously hard. I didn’t care. I’d waited too long for this.

Straightening, I turned us both toward her predator. I began guiding her small body back to the bar where he waited.

“What are you doing,” she whispered under her breath, trying to free her hair from my fist. I didn’t answer her, but when we’d reached her predator’s side, I leaned down and spoke in her ear, just loud enough that he could hear, too.

“Angel, this gentleman has been kind enough to buy you a glass of wine.” I looked in her eyes. I loved the embarrassment I saw there. “Drink it.”

She shook her head as much as she was able, given my hand was still wrapped in her hair.

“I don’t want to drink it, Dominic. What are you doing here? Why…”

“Shh,” I said, cutting her off. “Drink the nice gentleman’s offering.” I waited.

“Don’t disappoint me.” I pressed the glass into her hand

Her predator was obviously confused and uncomfortable. He didn’t know whether to protect her or just walk away. I didn’t give him a choice. I held out my free hand. “Dominic Michaels,” I said, and shook his hand.

“Yeah. Correlli. Adam Correlli,” he returned, obviously annoyed. He was probably wondering how the hell his plan had gone so sideways.

“My little one here is grateful for the wine, aren’t you Angel?”

Holding the glass, she turned to him, “I am so sorry. I… didn’t expect this. I haven’t seen…”

“No need to explain, Angel. He’s a smart man, I’m sure he understands. Now, drink your wine and tell the nice gentleman thank you.”

I noticed her jaw grinding when I spoke to her as though she was a child. I’d done it on purpose, of course. I loved causing her to react. Her emotional struggle pleased me.

I reached for her hand and tilted the glass to her lips. After a split second’s hesitation, she obediently began to drink, her face flushed nearly as red as the wine. I watched as she held my eyes, defiantly, and swallowed down every ounce. Shades of moments yet to come. When she’d finished, I set the glass on the bar.

“Do you have a business card?” I asked him. I knew the answer, of course. He’d already given her one.

He hesitated, a moment, confused. “Uh, yeah,” he answered, reaching for his wallet. “But… what the hell man? Is she okay? She your wife or something?”

“She’s fine,” I smiled. “Aren’t you, Angel?”

She looked to him again, apologetically . “I am fine. This… man… is someone from my past. I’m really fine. He’s not going to hurt me. I apologize,” she explained.

“I told you she’s fine,” I added as I tightened my grip in her hair. “She’ll be even better soon – as soon as I get her to her room.” Correlli reticently placed his business card in my free hand. Adam Correlli. Publisher.

“And if she’s a very good girl tonight...” I continued, “… I might give you a call and show you just how good she can be.” I looked directly at him. “Of course, you’d need to bring a couple of friends. I might want to see her ravaged. Sometimes, I like to watch.”

With that, I turned my Angel away from Correlli. I stuffed his card in my pocket as I lead her away. I let my hand loosen from her hair a little and I could feel her heart beating in her neck. It was pounding as I lead her to the elevator and pressed the button.

“What’s your room number, Angel?”