Dark Shades of Innocence Lost

Angel's Place

Your high heels click repeatedly down the dim-lit hallway, your reflection bouncing from mirror to mirror, your body humming with anticipation.

Joel Joel Joel. The only one who's ever on your mind anymore is him. And those beautiful, sparkling brown eyes that make you weak in the knees are all you see in the back of your mind.

God, you just love that man.

The cool air stimulates your nerves, heat building in your core the closer you get to his office. He told you earlier to meet him right here, right in front of the sleek black office doors. He didn't say why; he just said he wanted to see you. Something about going to dinner or maybe having a drink, you're not sure. But here you are, waiting with bated breath.

As you shift your weight from side to side, you let your eyes trail up, a faint glow flickering across your peripheral vision.

There weren't lights above his door before...

When your head tilts up, your eyes go wide when you see the massive display hanging right above Joel's office. Soft pink colored wings expand against the glittery black walls, and inside lay words that paralyze you completely. Angel's Place sits inside the wings, cursive letters lit up with a pink hue that sparkle against the hall, reflecting off the hanging mirrors.

Your mouth drops open, your eyes becoming glassy as tears lick at the back of your lids. With barely a breath to spare, you smell him before you feel his large arms drape around you. It smells like pinewood and whiskey, and you know you've made it home.

"You like it?" he asks, whispering into the shell of your ear, lips dragging against your heated skin while he blankets you in his warmth, his hands tugging you flush to his chest.

"Joel... what did you do?" Your voice is ragged and hoarse because he just stole the breath from your lungs.

"Thought the club could use a touch of you, Angel. So, I got it installed earlier today. Thought I'd surprise you. And I really hope you like it." His lips skate down your jawline, leaving soft kisses against your shimmering skin, goosebumps forming in their place.

"I love it... but why did you..."

"'Cause I love you, and I wanted to show it. This club is as much yours as it is mine now, sweetheart. From the moment you walked in that first night with your pretty dress and sparkling eyes, I jus' knew. And you've changed this place, molded it into something special, unique, beautiful."

Beautiful. His words stick to your skin like the sweat coating the back of your neck, and it's suddenly like the room is a hot sauna, heat rising in the stifling air. You're overwhelmed, and he just keeps surprising you, showering you with his love. Like the way he does every single day you're with him.

"Joel. That's... the sweetest thing anyone's ever done for me." You squeeze the large hands that cling to you, lacing your fingers through his, breathing in his woodsy cologne, getting lost in him.

"Well, get used to it, sweetheart. I'm jus' gonna keep gettin' sweeter," he laughs, brushing his lips against the side of your hair.

"Just like me, right?" you tease, and you bask in his deep laughter that surrounds you.

"That's right, Angel. As sweet as you." His breath falters for just a second, and then his mellow voice whispers into the shell of your ear. "Oh, I have one more question."

Your eyebrows raise in question, and you turn slightly to look into his deep brown eyes. "What's that?" you ask slowly.

"What would you say if I changed the name of the club to Angel's Place?"

You freeze, jaw dropping to the floor in amazement. Did he just ask that? Are you hearing things or was that real?

"Joel... I don't know what to say." You're literally speechless at his question. He wants to change the name of his club for you? The man keeps you breathless and yearning every day of his existence.

"Say yes, Angel. I think it fits the place better now that you're here. It's got a nice ring to it, don't you think?" He spins you around and pulls you flush to his chest, his thick fingers tangling through your locks, his warm breath fanning across your lips. So much that you can already taste the whiskey that laces his tongue.

"Joel Miller. You're incredible, you know that?" You smile dreamily up at him, letting his hand cup your chin and pull you closer to his mouth, his patchy beard rubbing against your cheek.

"That's all you, darlin'. That's all you." His thumb trails across your lower lip, his breath inviting and blissful, making you want him more and more with every second you're in his space.

"You really mean it?" you whisper, letting your hands fall against his crimson button-up.

"Mhm. It's our place now, baby."

"Ours?" you smile, watching the way his brown eyes light up like fireworks, his tousled curls falling against his forehead, his smile absolutely breathtaking.

"Ours," he confirms. He seals it with a kiss, his mouth falling against your lips, and you melt right then and there as your bodies collide like thunder.

You let the kiss burn like fire, heating every single nerve ending in your body, your skin buzzing for him, his name dragging from your lips as he licks inside your mouth, starting a rush of need that can only be satiated by him. The hallway becomes your own world, the sign lighting up Joel's soft brown eyes.

You know now this is nothing but pure love burning like wildfire, and the flames will only grow with every day you spend together.

Joel Miller is it for you. He's the absolute love of your life. He's home.

"I love you, pretty girl," he whispers, pulling you in for another breathtaking kiss.

"I love you too, Joel Miller. More than you'll ever know."