things.” Cecilia huffs. “People can’t take a joke anymore. I’m certain I didn’t mean to offend you, Miss Treviño.”
“It’s Mrs. Dring.” My voice is firm as I set her straight.
“Mrs. Dring? I don’t remember reading about a wedding.”
“We were married at my family’s estate in Mexico.” Angel rests her hand on her bump, showing off her large diamond and the wedding band set around it.
I put my hands on the top of her shoulder so my band is visible as well.
“Your family’s estate?” Cecilia’s little minion finally pipes up. She’s a birdlike woman peeking around her friend. “That sounds very refined.”
“My mother was a well-loved artist. She owned a ranch house at the foot of the Sierra Madre mountains.”
“Clearly we misjudged you, Angelica.” Cecilia places her hand on Angel’s arm. “You are a talented, smart young woman. Now about that horse at the entrance. Spirit, I believe?”
“It’s not for sale.” Angel smiles, tilting her head towards me. “Spirit is our painting. It represents a very special time in our lives.”
“But surely—” Cecilia starts.
I interrupt her. “It belongs to me.”
“Well…” She huffs, taking her friend’s arm. “I’m sure you’re very busy this evening. I’ll let you get back to your exhibit. It was very nice meeting you. Winnie, Deacon, good to see you again.”
She huffs away, into the crowd, and I look at my aunt.
Winnie grins and puts her hand on my forearm. “Hopefully that’s the last we’ll see of her. Now, have you tried this Gruyère cheese? It’s delicious—sweet, but slightly salty.”
“I’m not a big fan of the swiss cheeses.” Angel walks with my aunt to the refreshments area, and I stand back, amazed at how close they’ve become.
Winnie takes her shopping all the time, she planned her shower. They have an entire wardrobe purchased for the baby already. Winnie goes to any doctor’s appointment I can’t attend, which are few. The very first time, they shared a moment I didn’t completely understand. Now they’re like partners in crime.
Another hour passes, Beto and Lourdes make an appearance, and Angel’s brother purchases two of her sunset paintings. Both are dramatic mixtures of primary colors. Lourdes complains her bestie is too rich for her blood. Almost every painting is sold, except for the ones we’re keeping for ourselves.
It’s finally time to go, and I pick Angel up in front of the gallery.
Stretching back in the car, she slips off her shoes. “I think I’m walking on my ankles,” she groans, rubbing her calves.
“Foot rub when we get home.”
“Mm… And a snack. I’m starving.” She slides her hand behind my neck, smiling over at me. “You’re the best. Do you know that?”
“You’ve said it once or twice.”
Back at the penthouse, she’s showered and stretched out on the couch in one of my sweatshirts with a bowl of watermelon cubes covered in red pepper on her lap. Her cute little feet are in my lap—which she keeps freshly pedicured for the delivery—chowing down.
“I don’t know why I’ve been craving this so much.” She slurps another piece, making it look so good, I steal one. “Hey!”
“You’re really selling it.”
“Speaking of selling, can you believe I sold every piece?” Her light brown eyes widen, and I answer without hesitation.
“Yes. Your work is brilliant.”
“Even the newer ones… the ones with the angels?”
She included a few paintings she’s done in a more classical style, featuring beefy men ravaging beautiful angels with round breasts straining in ecstasy. To the unsuspecting observer, they’re interesting and imaginative. To me, knowing my nickname for her, they’re incredibly erotic. Thinking about them has me growing a bit thirsty.
“We should have kept one for our bedroom.” The tone in my voice has shifted, and she glances up at me from under her lashes. Sex kitten.
“I plan on doing more…” Her voice is sultry. “Maybe we should practice poses.”
My hand stills on her foot, and I lift it to kiss the arch, the side of her ankle, running my nose along the soft skin of her lower leg. She exhales a sigh, and my cock stirs.
“Whenever you’re ready.”
She sets the bowl aside and stands, taking my hand. “Come with me.”
Angel’s back is against the headboard, and she’s surrounded by pillows as I slowly remove my shirt, followed by my slacks. When we entered the bedroom, she took off the sweatshirt she was wearing, trailing it to the ground followed closely by her panties. Now she’s lying in bed in only a black lace bra, biting her bottom lip as I slowly disrobe.
My cock springs out