Markie
"THIS ONE NEXT," I said, stopping in front of a hobby shop. A bright "going out of business sale" sign hung across the door.
Ariana rolled her eyes. "We're supposed to be clothing shopping."
My sister had more clothes than anyone I knew, but still insisted she needed more. We'd been shopping all morning and I was tired of telling her how cute she looked in everything she tried on.
"Come on, it'll only take a minute," I said, tugging her into the shop behind me.
Shelves filled with games, characters, and knick-knacks greeted us, all marked with red sale stickers. My phone rang. I glanced at the incoming number. Angel.
Holding my breath, I answered.
"Hey beautiful."
I released my breath as warmth flooded me, instantly destroying the walls I'd built up to resist him, just like he did every time I was around him. His voice, his body, everything about him was too sexy for my wimpy resolve.
"What are you doing?" he asked.
"Ariana and I found a hobby store that's going out of business, so I'm gonna pick up some board games."
"You like board games, huh?"
"Yep, but they're not for me. They're for the orphanage." I studied a copy ofClue, wondering if the kids would be into it.
"But what about all those games in the bookshelves?" he asked.
"They're donated. Most are missing pieces. Do you have any idea how difficult it is to playMonopolywithout any get out of jail free cards? I spent half of our last game in the slammer."
"You read the rules, right?" he asked.
"Rules? Angel the game doesn't even have a box anymore. We keep the pieces in a plastic baggie. But you're right, I should have googled them."
He chuckled. "Yeah you should have. I've played with my little siblings a time or two, and you can only spend three turns in jail before you're required to pay $50 and get out. I'm betting Myles knows this."
Laughing, I shook my head. Nothing that kid did surprised me anymore.
"I take it you're heading to the orphanage to drop off the games, huh?"
"Soon. We're almost done here." I addedRiskandTroubleto the stack.
"Want a ride?"
Yes. No. My heart raced at the idea of seeing him again, but my brain kept reminding me how stupid I was being. But, I'd be able to buy the kids a lot more games if I had a ride. "It wouldn't be too much trouble?"
"Nope. Bones and I are out driving around. Where are you?"
I gave him the store name, and by the time I finished picking out games, Bones and Angel were strolling in, each wearing a slick dark suit and sporting a day's worth of stubble. Neither one of them had shaved and it only made them sexier. Judging by the look in Ariana's eyes as she stared at Bones, she agreed.
Angel's gaze roamed down my body, setting me on fire, before rising back up to my eyes. "Hey."
I wanted to wrap my arms around him and finish what we'd started in the High Roller, but instead, I turned back to the clerk and handed over my credit card.
Angel sidled up to me and peeked in the bags covering the counter and surrounding floor. "Did you buy the place out?"
"I tried. It was a good sale and I can't wait to see the kids' faces. They're going to be so excited."
We piled everything into the back of his Hummer and I climbed in, as Ariana said goodbye.
