Chapter 7 #2
“I want to touch you too,” Angelica said firmly, feeling a little unstable as she stood in his arms. Simply thinking about him touching her, making her come, had her head spinning in anticipation.
“Maybe.”
“Not maybe. If you can touch, so can I,” she insisted.
Whip smiled. “I like this stubborn side. A month ago you wouldn’t even meet my eyes and now you’re making demands. Fucking perfect.”
He was right. And Angelica was proud of herself. “So? I get to see you tonight?”
“Yeah, Angel. I’ll show you my cock and you can make me come. But a warning, it’s not gonna last long. One touch of your hand wrapped around me and I’m probably gonna lose it. I’ve dreamed about your hands and mouth on me for way too fucking long for it to be anything other than quick.”
Angelica smiled at the thought of him wanting her so much, he came as soon as she wrapped her hand around him.
“You like that.”
She nodded.
“Me too.” He sobered. “Be safe out there. I meant it when I said I’d kill him if he touches you.”
“I will.”
“Text me what the vet says about Kevin.”
“Of course. I’ll meet you at The Cellar after I drop him off at the house.”
Whip frowned but nodded. Kevin wasn’t the most social of cats, and he wouldn’t do well sitting in the cat carrier while they did what they needed to at the pool hall, and it certainly wouldn’t be good to let him run around loose in the bar while they worked.
He kissed her once more, then stepped back.
They gathered what they needed for the day and headed out the door.
Whip had surprised Angelica last week with a used Toyota Highlander.
It was older but ran like a dream. Whip had told her that he wanted her to have some independence and stay safe at the same time.
Not that she’d had a chance to drive it much.
Still, it was sweet and overly generous.
She’d tried to protest, but he’d seemed frustrated when she wouldn’t drop it, so Angelica finally gave up.
Whip carefully put Kevin’s cat carrier in the passenger seat next and ran the belt through it to keep it secure. Then he shut the door and walked over to the driver’s side. He kissed Angelica through the open window and stared at her for a long moment.
“I’ll let you know as soon as the vet sees us.”
He nodded then stepped back. When she pulled out of the driveway, he followed right behind her and stayed on her bumper until the intersection, where he turned right to go into town and she went left toward the vet.
When she arrived at the clinic, Angelica saw nothing out of the ordinary.
She reached over and undid the seat belt and grabbed the cat carrier before heading inside.
She had to sit longer than she would’ve liked in the waiting room because there was an emergency with a pug that had all the staff occupied.
After texting Whip to let him know, so he wouldn’t worry that she was taking so long, Angelica thought about their relationship.
She supposed many people would think it was abnormal, Whip being so possessive.
That it wasn’t healthy for him to want to know where she was at all times, or that they spent so much time together.
But she wasn’t worried. She was happy for the first time in years. And Whip’s possessiveness and need to know where she was didn’t feel anything like Dwayne’s similar traits. Whip cared about her well-being and wanted her safe. Dwayne treated her like a possession.
When it was her turn to be seen, Angelica carried Kevin into the exam room and thankfully, he was on his best behavior. He didn’t even try to bite Khloe. They made small talk as the vet examined Kevin and listened to his lungs and heart.
“I don’t think it’s anything serious,” she said, when she was done examining him. “I’ll need to run a little test in the back to see if it’s viral or bacterial, but once we figure that out, I can prescribe some meds that’ll fix him up in no time.”
Angelica let out a relieved breath. “Thank goodness.”
“He’s healthy and strong. And he looks much happier than the last time I saw him. Less stressed.”
Angelica didn’t doubt that. Life with Dwayne wasn’t only hard on her, but it obviously had been for her babies too. Living at Whip’s place, where they got only love, and Kevin had a whole new bunch of companions, was as good for the cat as it was for her.
“By the way, the kittens are all doing awesome. You and Whip did a great job fostering them. Thank you so much. That was a huge help and I really appreciate it.”
“Of course.”
“So…things with you and Whip are okay?”
Angelica tensed, unsure why the vet was asking. But she knew what all the locals thought of Whip…and she wasn’t about to sit there and let anyone talk shit about the man she loved.
“He deserves someone like you. Someone who can see past his rough exterior and the gruffness he shows to the world.”
Surprised, Angelica relaxed. “I’m not sure I’m anyone’s prize, but he’s a good man.”
Khloe nodded. “He is. Please thank him for Raiden and me, for his generous donation to the library. That money will make it easier to expand our banned book section. No one person or group should be able to decide what everyone else can and can’t read.
We want to make sure the books that are banned all over the country are always available here in Fallport, for anyone who might want to read them. ”
Angelica didn’t know about Whip’s donation to the library, but she honestly wasn’t surprised.
“And the money he gave to the rescue group here in town will go toward food, vet visits for the strays, and anything else the stray cats and dogs need before they find their forever homes.” Khloe reached out and touched Angelica’s arm briefly before stepping back.
“If you ever need anything, my social circle is here for you. Lilly, Elsie, Bristol, Caryn, Finley, Heather, and I would love to meet up with you for dinner or something one night. We can ditch our guys and relax and hang out. If you want. No pressure. We can be a lot, but you’re more than welcome. ”
“Oh…um…thanks.” Angelica was overwhelmed.
She didn’t know the other women at all, but she knew of them.
From what she’d heard and seen around town, they were kind and funny, and the invitation to join them was something Angelica had longed for almost her whole life—a posse. A group of friends to hang out with.
“Let me give you my number so you have it. Just yell when you have some time, and I’ll get everything planned with the rest of the girls.”
Angelica gave Khloe her number and programmed the vet’s into her cell, as well.
“All right, let me go do some tests and I’ll get back with you in a jiffy. I’ll get you some meds and you can be on your way.” Khloe smiled warmly at her before heading into the back part of the office.
Angelica smiled. She felt…good. Content. She was in love, her babies were happy and healthy, and she had a new friend. Maybe a half dozen of them. The only thing she needed now was for Dwayne to sign the damn divorce papers so she could make love with Whip.
What he said he was going to do to her was still running through her mind when Angelica left the office with pills for Kevin.
She smiled and nodded at the few people she saw in the parking area.
After securing Kevin’s carrier in the passenger seat, she headed for the house.
The anticipation of seeing Whip again made her drive a little faster than she normally would.
She pulled into the garage and brought Kevin inside.
After turning off the alarm, she let the cat out and gave him a few treats to apologize for the vet visit.
Then she took the time to pet the other cats and gave them treats as well.
She texted Whip and let him know all was well, and that she was about to head his way.
He told her that he saw her on the cameras around the house, and to be careful, and he’d see her soon.
Angelica exited the house, opened the garage door, and was about to get into her car when something out of the corner of her eye caught her attention.
Turning, her blood ran cold when she saw Dwayne standing at the back of her car. His cheeks were flushed and he had a bottle of Jack Daniels in his hand, half empty.
Her stomach clenched in fear. Dwayne was an asshole most days, but when drunk, he was unpredictable and even meaner than usual.
“Whore! You’re my wife, and here you are, shacking up with that fucker.
Didn’t take you long to go from my bed to his, did it?
I’m not signing those fucking papers! You’re mine.
Mine! You need to get your ass in my truck and come home.
Now. You come quietly, you won’t be punished as badly as you should be.
But you fight me on this and I’ll chain you to my fuckin’ bed and not let you up for months.
You’ll learn how to obey if it’s the last fuckin’ thing you do. ”
His words had Angelica cowering in fear…until she thought about Whip. The way he told her how precious she was. Showed her without words that she was worthy, important…strong.
She wasn’t going anywhere with Dwayne. No way in hell.
“No.”
“What?” he asked, sounding incredulous.
“No,” Angelica repeated. “I’m not going with you. Now or ever. We’re done. You need to move on.” She was proud of how her voice only wobbled a little bit.
“You fucking bitch!” Dwayne bit out, then stalked toward her.
Angelica moved quickly around the car, keeping it between them. If he got a hold of her, she was screwed.
They circled the SUV, all the while Dwayne spewing venomous words at her. His speech was slurred, and he was obviously completely hammered. Angelica knew from experience the drinking would make him uncoordinated and clumsy. That gave her an idea.
The next time she circled around the vehicle and got to the driver’s-side door, she quickly opened it and jumped inside. She slammed down the lock button and frantically hit the button to start the engine.