Page 61 of Angels & Whiskey

He leaned down and whispered, “You know what they say about eating ice?” I turned my head slightly as I felt his breath tickling my ear. “They say it’s a sign of sexual frustration … I can help with that, angel.”

Goose bumps pricked my skin. I didn’t know if it was from his words or from the ice in my mouth, but it didn’t matter. I knew he could deliver. There was something about him. Some guys you can read and know they only know the basics, but Gabe …

I knew he could rock my world.

“I think that’s an old wives tale.” I laughed.

“We could find out.”

I turned and slapped his arm playfully. “Behave.”

“I’m trying, but you’re shaking that ass in front of me.”

I shook my head as I turned my attention back to the stage, but my brain was thinking about everything Gabe could do with an ice cube on my body. My body heat rose even higher.

“We need to go soon!” I yelled to Brandi.

She nodded. “One more song.”

The singer began to sing a cover of Sam Smith’s version ofHow Will I Knowthat was originally sung by Whitney Houston. Her sultry voice silenced the crowd, and all eyes were on her as chills coursed over my body.

Listening to the words, I thought about the man behind me and not the man I was married to. Gabe was promising me he’d protect me. Maybe he didn’t want a relationship, but only sex. Deep down, I knew I wanted to see where our relationship would go. If I were single, I would explore it. Once I left Rich, I didn’t want to jump into a relationship with Gabe. I wanted to take things slow and get to know him because I obviously married a man I didn’t know.

I hadn’t realized that I’d stopped swaying to the beat of the music as I listened to the words. When the song ended, we said our goodbyes, but not for long because we’d see each other at Club 24 in the morning.

And I couldn’t wait.

When I entered my house through the front door, Rich sat at the dining room table, a vodka martini sat in front of him. I swallowed hard—he was pissed.

I slowly walked toward him, not saying anything. His gaze was trained on my face. I was starting to think I should speak first—apologize, grovel, whatever. Before I could, he stood and I stopped dead in my tracks.

“Do you like testing my patience, princess?” he hissed.

“Come on, honey. I was tired of sitting at home.”

“So you think it’s okay for you to go traipsing all over town?”

“Traipsing all over town? We went to one bar. I had one drink—”

“You could have had a drink here!” he shouted.

“I wanted to hang with my friend,” I whispered.

He stepped closer and I swallowed. “You really are testing my patience.”

“I don’t see the harm in going—”

He grabbed my arms with both hands and squeezed. “It’s not a matter of—”

“Let me go,” I groaned and wiggled. I knew I shouldn’t because he’d only grab me harder, so I reminded him of why he shouldn’t touch me. “Remember I said I wanted to wear a sleeveless dress to your party?” He let go. “And remember we talked about trust? I didn’t do anything to make you not trust me.”

He paused, looking down at my arms, then he rolled his neck as if he were trying to relieve the tensions. “Why do you think it’s okay to do whatever the fuck you want to do?”

“Why is it not okay?” I took a deep breath to calm myself before he really did hurt me.

“I didn’t say you could go.”

“Come on, Rich. You weren’t here and I was bored. I went out with my friend that you know.”