“I’m human. He’s hot, and after I got over being pissed, he was sort of disarming. There’s no getting around it, and as my friend, Becca, so aptly points out to me constantly…” Angel paused, her eyes widening for emphasis and she smiled. “I do have a vagina. Good thing I have a brain to go along with it. His relationships are purely physical but at least he’s honest about it. If he lied and made promises, now that would be unforgivable.”

Christina burst out laughing. “Yes, my vagina is talking to me about him just from your description! But, I thought Darian, I mean—” she stopped.

“Darian, what?”

“I thought he was into you, so why would he introduce you to Superman?”

“Eh… no, he’s not. Besides, he’s my boss.” Angel shook her head. “I like him, but I don’t want to date him.”

“What about his friend?”

“I’d be lying if I didn’t say I find him more than a little tempting.” Given how silly she already felt she sounded, Angel didn’t feel the need to fill Christina in on their earlier encounter. “I’d literally have to be dead not to notice. He’s quite disarming and he knows it. It’s not even a matter of opinion; every woman there was practically touching herself, just looking at him. But, he’s not dating material. He’s not someone you mess around with if you want to come out unscathed. I’m not one of those girls. I hope he got that message tonight.”

“What do you mean ‘those girls’?”

“You know, the kind he’s used to. The mewling, needy, ‘I’ll do anything, just please don’t leave me, baby,’ kind.”

“Yeah. I get that about you. You’re more the, ‘don’t let the door hit you in the ass on your way out,’ type.”

Angel flashed a big smile and nodded. “Am I that bad? We can talk more about it later. I have to start the show.”

“Okay. Alex Avery, huh?” Angel nodded again and cued up the first song of her set. “Google, here I come.”

Angel smiled and shook her head as she settled the headphones in place. “If Darian calls, tell him to fuck off.”

“All righty, then,” Christina spouted happily, as she flounced out of the booth to her position behind the glass partition with the phone.

“This is Dr. Angeline Hemming and this is After Dark on KKIS FM. I’m waiting… so give me a call at 800–555–6900 and let’s talk.”

As the song started to play, Angel couldn’t help but wonder if Alex was listening. Part of her wished he was, but she wasn’t conceited to think a man like him would take the time. Tonight had been a fun bit of interaction, but that’s as far as it would go. She’d made it clear it wouldn’t go any further, and he wasn’t the type of guy that wasted effort or resources on a dead end.

As the song played, Christina pressed on the intercom. “What if the voice calls? Do you want to talk to him?”

Angel made a rueful face. “He won’t,” she said, matter-of-factly.

“Are you sure?” Christina paused, with a soft laugh and Angel’s head snapped up. “Line two.”

Angel’s stomach lurched, and she could feel her cheeks start to burn as a flush infused the skin of her face and neck. This was unexpected, and she hesitated and then sat up and picked up the phone, pushing the correct line. “This is Dr. Hemming.”

* * *

“Angel, I thought we were at least on a first name basis now.”

“Hardly, Mr. Avery. What is it you need?”

“Well, that’s a loaded question if I ever heard one.”

“That isn’t what I meant, and you know it. I’m working. I don’t have time for this.”

“I only called to apologize. Darian shouldn’t have launched us on each other like that. He didn’t even tell me that you’d be there until I saw you in front of me. And, what a sight you were. You’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. Again.”

Angel flushed but remained silent, processing everything, until Alex continued. “I’d like to make it up to you. Have dinner with me tomorrow night.” It sounded more like a command than a request, no doubt because he wasn’t used to anything other than blatant adoration from his female friends.

“I appreciate your apology, but no. Thank you.”

“Why not? Are you afraid you might like me?”

“I have my own reasons, and I don’t intend to share them with you.” She already liked him. That was the red flag.

“Angel, don’t be difficult. I really want to see you again.”

“How inconvenient for you, since what you want doesn’t really concern me.” She bit her lip, trying to hold in her amusement. Why did she enjoy this so damn much?

He laughed. “Are you sure about that?”

“Very.”

“You’re such a bad liar, Angel; a trait I find extremely attractive. Your face is very expressive. So is your voice. And I’m very happy to pick up the challenge you’re throwing down. It will be my pleasure to make what I want become of major concern to you.”

“Do you have a genie in a bottle or some magic potion that I should know about? No? Then go away. I have to work.” She was smiling so hard her face hurt. This was so damn fun.

“You know I won’t give up. All I’m asking for is to share a meal with you. I always, always get what I want.” His voice was husky, and Angel swallowed hard.

“Men like you never ask for anything. You just expect it to be served up on a silver platter. It’s utterly repulsive. I’m not the airhead-type so you’re barking up the wrong tree entirely,” she quipped.

“Don’t assume things about me, please. I know what type you are and what type you aren’t… That’s why you intrigue me so much. I want to talk to you.”

“Wow. How original. Hey, baby, I want to get into your pants… uh, I mean your mind. That’s just brilliant. I don’t hear an ulterior motive in there at all!”

Alex couldn’t help a chuckle. “Why are you always busting my chops? I’m a man, you’re a woman, and I want to know more. What’s the damn mystery? Yes, I’m attracted to you. Extremely. And, I’ve thought about you several times since the home improvement store. At least I have the balls to admit it.” He was laughing his ass off, and she couldn’t help but smile in response.

“Believe me, there’s no mystery. I have a feeling that you wouldn’t be so interested if I had any sort of balls. Look, I have to go. Chris has a caller on hold for me and the song has 15 seconds left.”

“Okay, since you said my name in your silky, little voice, I’ll let you go for now, but you will hear from me again. Just because I know what I want and how to get it, doesn’t necessarily classify me as a player. I would have thought your psychology background would have made you a little more open-minded to the possibilities. And, Angel, I’m listening tonight.”

With that, the line went dead and left Angel scrambling with her computer to start a commercial break before she took her first caller. As the night wore on and she spoke to her callers, both men and women, about their problems, it was always in the back of her mind that Alex was somewhere listening to every word. It excited her more than she wanted to admit; but, to give her credit, she kept her wits about her.

It didn’t help when Christina came in during the first set of spots with her eyes flashing and a flush on her cheeks. “Holy crap! Angel!”

Angel huffed in understanding. “Ah,” she said calmly as she wrote notes on one of the emails she planned to address when she went back on air. She smiled and shook her head slightly as she scribbled roughly on the paper. “Google did its work, I guess?”

The younger girl rushed into the room and sat down at the desk across from Angel. “You know I never cuss but… Are you fucking kidding me? This man is like… Gah! He’s so hot! Is his hair really like this? And he’s a big corporate dude? Oh, my God! Delish!”

Angel cringed at the slang term, so indicative of someone so young, but hardly a good description of Alex Avery. Smooth operator. Now that was more like it.

She looked up and met Christina’s stare. “You need to keep your eyes open, girl. He’s too beautiful and he knows it. You heard him. He admitted that he avoids emotional commitments. He’s dangerous.”

“Angel!” Chris exclaimed in exasperation, gazing down at a picture she’d printed out of the man in question. Angel couldn’t help but glance at it. It was a cover shot from Forbes for Christ’s sake. He was in an impressive office, sitting on the edge of his desk, with one arm resting on one knee, in a dark blue suit, light yellow shirt, and striped tie. “Even if he only wanted sex, who could say no? He’s so dang sexy. Just look at him!” She held out the picture.

Angel stood up and crossed her arms across her chest. “Believe me, Chris. I’ve seen him.” Up close and personal, she thought as a shiver ran through her. “Do me a favor… just don’t start licking the ink off the page, will you?” she scoffed. “Medical insurance doesn’t cover stupidity.”

Christina shook her head in response. Angel was impossible.

“What did he say on the phone?”

“He asked me to dinner tomorrow night.”

Chris’s eyes widened. “You have to go!”

She ran her hand through her hair. “That’s just it; I don’t.”

“You’re insane. Absolutely bonkers! What could be the harm in a dinner?”

Angel let out an exasperated breath. “I don’t need to get tangled up with Alex Avery.”

“Not even between the sheets? God! I wish I were you. I wouldn’t tell him no, that’s for sure.” She did an anxious little jig, turning in a tight circle.

Angel’s heart thudded heavily. Well, maybe between the sheets would be fun. God knew sex with Kenneth had become mundane. Despite her thoughts, Angel admonished Christina’s tendency to careless behavior. “You, little girl, need to make wiser decisions.”