“Sarah,” he started to say but brought his hand down, and the seat began moving back, giving her a room to straddle him. “You know I’m trying to be a patient,” he said as she brought both hands around his face, “but when it comes to you and—”

“I know,” she assured him then leaned in and kissed him softly, relieved that he kissed her back. “I get that it’s strange, but you said it yourself, Angel, he’s different—”

“Weird,” Angel corrected her. “I said he’s f**king weird.”

She smiled. “Okay, weird.”

“And if I ever hear him call you any those names—”

“You won’t,” she said confidently, kissing him again. “I get it, okay? It is a little odd, but then he’s odd. Still, I’m gonna talk to him, and you’ll never have to hear him call me anything but my name.” She pulled away and glared at him, her heart beginning to beat a little faster like it had when she demanded he pull over. “But don’t you dare ever question if I have feelings for him or any other guy. How could you even think that?”

Angel closed his eyes and leaned his forehead against her chest, bringing his arms around her. “There’s just something about this guy. I’ve felt it from day one. I didn’t like it then, and now, hearing the way he talks to you and that you’d allow it . . .”

He groaned, squeezing her tighter, but it wasn’t a good groan like when he was excited or happy. She could feel his hands fisting her shirt behind her tightly.

“Hey,” she said, pulling his face away from her chest so he’d look at her. “Technically, I didn’t allow him to do anything inappropriate. Just ’cause his choice of words are weird doesn’t make them wrong. I knew you wouldn’t like it, but I didn’t think you’d be this upset about it.”

“About him calling you baby?” he asked, his brows furrowing menacingly. “I call you that.” His hands fisted her shirt again. “And I’m pretty sure you’d be pissed if you ever heard me call another girl that.”

“You’re damn right I would be.” She squirmed on his lap as what he’d just said sunk in, and it hit her like a jolt.

She’d be furious and hurt, not to mention worried out of her mind that maybe he was feeling something for whoever he’d refer to in that way. No wonder he’d looked so hurt when he questioned her lying to him.

Taking his face in both her hands, she kissed him deeply. “Never,” she said, coming up for air and looking him in the eyes. “Never ever question my love and fidelity to you, okay?”

He stared at her, but he didn’t nod nor did his expression ease up as she expected him to. His hands still fisted her blouse tightly, and the intensity in those dark eyes of his was just as sharp as it’d been when they first pulled over.

“Sof said she was curious,” he said, throwing her thought process into a tailspin.

“What?” she asked, staring at him at a complete loss.

“She told me she gave into that moment of weakness because she’d been curious.”

Sarah felt her heart plummet. Not since that horrendous night years ago when he actually believed he’d caught her cheating on him had she felt that coldness in his eyes directed at her. “Are you saying you think I would—”

“I’m wondering why I had to force it out of you.” Sarah squirmed, trying to get off him, but he held her tight. “Just tell me why? Why didn’t you want me to know he speaks to you like this?”

“Because I didn’t want to upset you,” she said, still trying in vain to pull out of his hold. “I knew you wouldn’t like it, but—”

“You promised me you’d never do that again, Sarah.”

“I know,” she said, finally giving up the fight to get out of his death grip and fell against his chest instead where she felt just how hard his heart pounded. “I’m sorry.”

He loosened one hand and caressed her hair, but the other hand remained, gripping her blouse. “Look at me,” his panicked voice demanded, so she looked up at his equally dread-filled eyes. “You’re not curious?”

“No!” she said immediately.

“You sure?” His eyes searched hers.

“Yes!” she assured him then pecked his lips again and again.

“I’m not like Eric, Sarah.”

“I know you’re not.” She continued to kiss his lips.

“I’d never get over something like that.”

“I know you wouldn’t.” She stopped to look him deeply in the eyes because she needed him to really get this. “I’d never do something like that to you, Angel. Never. You have to know that. I love you.”

He stared at her for a moment before exhaling and hugging her tightly. “You scared the hell out of me,” he whispered, kissing the side of her face. “I don’t care if he is your brother,” he said, taking her face in his hands now. “I don’t want you alone with him ever. You understand me?” She nodded adamantly. “I trust you, but I don’t trust him.”

“I don’t trust him either, Angel.” This seemed to surprise him, and his brows came together. “I know there’s more to it than him just being different. I feel it too, okay? But it’s not fair to judge him because something tells us we shouldn’t trust him when he hasn’t actually done anything wrong. I didn’t tell you about the names he calls me because I know it’s more than just odd. Still it doesn’t prove anything.” She brought her finger to his lips before he could respond to that. “I promise you I’m not going about this the naïve way. I’m just as suspicious as you, and I’m questioning everything too, but until I have real reason not to, I’d like to give him the benefit of the doubt. I won’t keep anything from you again. No matter how small. Okay?”