Chapter 2

If anyone ever mentioned the brothers, they would tell you that Seth was more handsome than Alex, but Angel didn’t think so. Alex had a quiet magnetism about him and she couldn’t help but be attracted to him even if he was almost twelve years older than her. Not once did she mention that to anyone. Unlike Priscilla, Angel was shy and nervous around men. Not only that she was sure Alex didn’t know she existed even if she dyed herself purple, stripped naked, tripped and landed at his feet. However that didn’t stop her from watching him when he wasn’t looking. That was the only time she was brave enough. Even though he was well known around these parts, so was his temper. Having a degree in physics certainly did not suit his persona.

However, he wasn’t always short tempered. Something happened to him when he was away from the Ranch. Rumor had it that it had something to do with a woman, and it was no secret that he didn’t want to get married or even have much use for them. Although that didn’t stop them from chasing him. Just because he wasn’t as handsome as Seth, didn’t mean he was ugly by any means. He just had a rough look about him, not one with a movie star smile, like Seth. Both men had jet black hair and green eyes. Although Seth’s lacked the gold flecks that his brother possessed. Regardless, either one of them could bring any woman to their knees with those sloppy Harrison smiles of theirs.

Alex and Seth’s father died of a heart attack four years ago, but her mother and Bea were still practically inseparable. It was ironic that it was Grant Harrison that died of a heart attack, when Bea was the one with heart problems. It was unexpected and the whole family was hit hard over his death. Bea grieved for quite few years and even today if you mentioned her husband’s name she would start to cry. Who could blame her, Grant was a big man, evident in the size of his sons, but he was a teddy bear and Angel missed him too. She never forgot the hugs he used to give her and Prissy all the time. Their own father wasn’t as openly affectionate and Angel admitted that she liked the attention he gave them. Not that she didn’t love her own father, she did, she just wished he was more affectionate. On the other hand, Grant was quite strict with his sons, but from the stories she’d heard about their hell raising days, they probably needed it.

When they were little her mother used to take them with her when she went to visit Bea. The boys were old enough so they didn’t need to tag along, but even back then Angel remembered following them around. At the time, it was out of sheer idolization, now she didn’t follow them anymore, but her attention was always on the oldest. Priscilla however, used to tell her as long as she could remember that she was going to marry Seth one day. However, neither one of the men noticed them, even her beautiful sister beyond the acquaintance of being neighbors.

She was drawn back to the present by her sister’s voice.

“Do you think Seth will notice me?” she said smoothing the skirt of her dress over her thighs.

Angela shrugged “I don’t know Priscilla.” She really didn’t want to come to the welcome back party that the boys’ mother was putting on for Seth. Half the town was there because it was no secret he was going to stay local to practice and they came to show their support. Not only that, Bea knew how to throw a party and none of the town that was invited would miss out on such a prestigious event. She hired caterers, a five string quartet, bartenders, servers, and only invited those that she considered close friends and acquaintances. Bea always went out of her way to show people a good time and didn’t cut costs. People vied to get invited to one of her social events and for Angel’s family there was an open invitation for every single one of them.

Earlier, Priscilla dragged her off into Alex’s study so she could freshen up after seeing all of the eligible women there to make herself more presentable using the large antique mirror over the fireplace. Angela reluctantly followed her feeling intimidated in such a large crowd. Watching her sister adjust her appearance made her absently reach up and touch her mousy brown hair that she had arranged the tight bun on her head. Their mother had blonde hair, and unfortunately she didn’t inherit it like Priscilla. Their father was a brunette in his younger years, but now he was all grey.

Angela may have been self conscious about her appearance, but at least she knew herself well. She was smart, and was very self assured in that area. Her eyes guided to her sister again thinking that if she had Priscilla’s physical gifts she’d be self confident in that area too. She leaned back in the luxurious cushions of the couch with her hands folded on her lap, her feet apart and her knees together. It wasn’t the least bit ladylike, but it’s not like she was trying to impress anyone.

What happened next made her want to retract that thought and wish she stayed in the crowd because she could have crawled in a hole if it was available.

Alex walked in and stopped at the sight of them. His large muscular form always gave off a sense of overwhelming sexual magnetism. She never was prepared for his presence, because it affected her so much. It was like the air became charged with static around her making her breath catch in her throat. He hadn’t dressed up and still wore faded scuffed blue jeans and a navy blue and white striped shirt. Jeans that were sinfully tight where they should be on a cowboy like him defining his masculine physique, and he was all male, notably by the bulge below his belt buckle. Ashamed that she would do such a thing, she quickly lifted her eyes to his face. His strong square jaw was dusted with stubble and his black hair was ruffled, like he’d just removed his hat. Priscilla swirled at the sound of him coming in.

“Hi Alex.” She said not even affected by his scowl or his presence like she was and gave him one of her ravishing smiles. Unlike Angel, Priscilla had grown accustomed to him. “Angel and I just needed some time to freshen up before we met Seth. We knew you wouldn’t mind.”

Angel wished the couch she was sitting on would just swallow her up when his eyes went to her at the mention of her name. His eyes guided over her slouched posture and frumpy pink blouse and white eyelet skirt with apparent distaste.

“Good luck with that.” He said with an edge of mockery.

Angel quickly averted her gaze flushing to the roots of her hair. So much for not being noticed, she thought. Then Priscilla laughed at the comment flirtatiously causing her to want to choke her. She didn’t find it funny in the least. Clearly she wasn’t bothered by his expression and why should she be, she was popular and likable. Her sister then said something completely flattering to him that didn’t seem to have any affect by the lack of change in his expression before she swept out of there. Angel stood and went to make a move to follow her but her sister shut the door behind her cutting off her escape! She stopped abruptly just as Alex stepped in front of her. He large frame towered over her and she near planted her face in his chest causing her to gasp. She tilted her head back to meet his gaze.

“Can’t wait to get away from me?” he said deeply staring down at her.

Now his expression changed. It went from disinterest to—dangerous. Frankly the change stunned her. “I—I—“

“Still got that ridiculous stutter I see.” His eyes flicked to her mouth then back up to her eyes.

She bit her bottom lip and turned her head away. Every time his hazel eyes settled on her she felt her heart skip a beat.

“Then again—“ he paused while reaching for a cigarette, lit it and took a long draw off it before he continued, “—I suppose I make you nervous. Don’t I little one?”

Her blue eyes met his light hazel gaze again,

“Sometimes.” She murmured. A lot, she thought.

His eyes grazed over her again, “How old are you now?”

“Twenty.” She answered with confusion. Why did he want to know her age? To her complete surprise a bit of a smile tugged at his lips. “Why?”

“Don’t you know?” he managed a cagey grin as he stepped closer. “I think it’s about time you grew up, don’t you?”

Not knowing what he meant, but fully aware of his closeness, she tried to back up, but the couch was right behind her and short of falling back on it sprawling on the luxurious cushions awkwardly, she allowed him to close the distance. She tried to steady herself as best she could at her nearness, but her knees seemed to grow weaker.

“Afraid?”

“Yes.” She admitted suddenly not able to take her wide eyes off of him.

“You should be. I can be a bit of a predator when I see something I like.”

What did he just say? Angel could only find it in herself to blink twice.

“And—“ he added in the same husky tone, “You finally grew up.” He continued, staring down at her through thick lashes with those stunning pale green eyes.

She swallowed.

“do you have a boyfriend?”

“How? I work five days a week and my spare time is spent in coursework.” No man would even notice me, she thought.

He perked up, “I forgot about that. Did you get your paralegal?”

“Yes now I’m working on some prelaw courses to shorten my time away from home when I leave for college.” She answered. He actually seemed interested.

“Is that what you want to do?” He inquired.

“I—my father thinks its best?”

“I never asked you what George wanted Angel. I asked you what you wanted.” He said deeply while tipping his head slightly giving her a steady gaze, “Don’t you have a backbone?”

“Have you met my father?” she answered.

“He was no different from mine kitten, and he wanted me to be a doctor like Seth.”

“Really,” her brows rose, “I never knew that.” She didn’t miss the fact that he called her that pet name again. And it did wondrous things to her when he said it, but she was sure it was just a friendly endearment. What she wouldn’t give for it to be a covetous term.

“There’s a lot of things you don’t know about me.” He said huskily while stepping a little closer.

She could feel the heat from his body because they were touching now, but had nowhere to back up to. Tilting her head up so she could meet his gaze she was going to tell him to back off, but the look in his eyes left her speechless. It was that same look she saw by the pool when she was sixteen.

“Alex—“

“Be quiet honey.” He said softly as his head lowered.