Touched by a Phoenix (15 page)

Before he could stop it, her fear gave way to panic and she froze. It was enough to quench his need. He lifted his hands to her face, forcing her eyes to stay with him. Without words, his eyes calmed her, told her he would not hurt her. His eyes told her…look into my eyes and you will find me; look into my heart and you will find love, look into my soul and you will find yourself.

Her own eyes welled with tears. Not from fear or shame but shimmering with trust and love. Trembling, she raised her hands to his and gently moved his hands down to the top button.

He took a long slow breath, not allowing himself to break eye contact with her. He could not afford to lose, not now. Not when he was so close to capturing the one thing that had always eluded him…love and not just any love, but her love.

His fingers slowly but nimbly unfastened each button of her dress, sliding it gently off her shoulders. It fell in a silent pool at her feet. She wore a simple but elegant black bra and panties, trimmed with just a touch of lace around the edges. She was more than beautiful…she was ravishing!

“Alexis…my God…you are breathtaking,” he whispered as he kissed her lips.

He needed to touch her without causing fear…to make her feel safe…and loved. His hands caressed her shoulders. He softly let them drift down her arms. Taking her hands in his, he lifted them to his mouth and with the lightest brush of his lips, placed loving kisses on each hand before releasing them to trace back up the length of her arms with his fingertips, finally reaching her shoulders. He then allowed his hands to slide gently down her décolletage, down the center of her breast, to her firm stomach. Alexis remained still but did not look away. He was careful not to frighten her as he moved his hands tentatively across her firm stomach muscles, which constricted at his touch…lingering on her rib cage before barely brushing the outsides of her breast. Her body began to give into the warm sensations of his touch, his touch awakening her body…stirring her soul. He continued the arousing, soft, fluttering touches over her exposed skin until he could see the sparks rekindling the fire in her eyes.

He dipped his head low, placing the softest kisses in the curve of her neck, working his way to her shoulders. As he began to trace her bra line with his lips, she raised her hands…running her fingers through his hair…pulling him closer. His hands slid ever so slowly up her back until he found the strap at her shoulder. He began to tease her with his lips before slipping one strap off her shoulder while replacing it with his lips. Alexis could not hide the soft moan that escaped her own lips. Her now erect nipples pressing hard against the silky fabric of her bra, begged him to remove it. With a quick flick, there was nothing between her voluptuous breast and his chest.

He stepped away…just enough to allow his gaze to follow the luscious curves of her breast down her hourglass figure to full ripe hips waiting to be buried—buried beneath the full weight of him. Long firm legs beckoned him to touch them and so he did. His hands trembled as he ran them over her hips and down the outside of her thighs and back up.

He wanted to remove her panties but this part terrified him beyond measure. It would be her moment-of-truth. He prayed a silent prayer as he tried to slow his breathing. As he ran his fingers across the top of her panties, she sucked in a deep breath. He circled her bellybutton and back down. He had been able to keep her with him all this time but if he moved, if he broke the moment, would she panic? What would he do if she did? Could he stop or would he take her anyway?
No, that would be the
unthinkable!

Brad’s mind raced. How could he make her feel safe and protected? Not knowing how else to show her, he knelt on the floor before her, hoping to show her how much he adored her. His hands steady, but firm on her hips…gently caressing. He placed warm, soft kisses across her stomach. He could feel her quivering. She grasped his shoulders and clutched them tightly. He tightened his grip on her hips to keep her knees from giving way as they weakened under his touch. The heat of passion radiated from her body; he could smell her arousal. He continued to place sweet kisses, nuzzling her soft flesh as he dipped lower and lower, until he reached her panty line.

Her body was on fire as he slipped her panties off and placed soft, warm kisses across the top of the hairline hiding her secret garden. He gathered her in his arms as he stood and laid her across the bed. In an instant, he was beside her, their legs entwined. He caressed her lips with his until the tension eased. As her body softened, his lips found their way to her breast, gently playing with one nipple while his hand caressed the other until she purred like a kitten being stroked lovingly.

His hand slid effortlessly down her rib cage to her secret garden. She arched with pleasure as he slowly taunted her body with the lightest brushes of his fingers until she relaxed fully and opened up to his touch. Then and only then did he slide his hand between her legs, grazing her clit. He gently manipulated her body with the sweetest kind of torture, fluttering across her sweet little bud, teasing her swollen lips. His mouth covered hers to stifle his own moan as he inserted his finger into her garden—
no…Alexis was destined to become his Garden of Eden.
The silky wetness against his finger enthralled him. She cried out with delight. Her pure unrestrained need for him left him powerless, shaking him to the core.

His body ached with desire. When he was sure that she was ready, he moved atop her, covering her mouth with his, letting her feel his manhood press hard against her inner thigh. Her hands were gripping his biceps, fingers deep with pressure. Instinctively, her body arched towards his as if it were begging him to take her, to make her his.

“Brad…please…,” she pleaded raggedly.

He could barely speak but he needed her to say it. “Alexis….”

The flames in her eyes told him what she wanted, what she needed. My God, she was begging him to take her in the only way she knew how. In the softest of whispers she pleaded, “Make love to me.”

“My sweet…sweet Alexis…,” he groaned as their eyes met.

Every muscle screamed, tightening as he fought to restrain himself. He had to be gentle with her. He shifted slightly, positioning himself at her entrance. Fear consumed her, her entire body tensed and she did the unthinkable…she closed her eyes.

“No darling, look at me,” he cooed in a hushed whisper.

She obeyed, and their eyes locked, the fear dimmed by fire…my God, it would consume them both. Brad slid his manhood inside her—slowly, just a little at a time until she accepted the full length of him. His world exploded as her eyes filled with love. She was so tight, so wet, and finally his. Her back arched, pressing her breasts into his chest. Her exposed throat was so inviting—he claimed it with his lips, nibbling, kissing, and savoring their first time as one.

Her long luscious legs wrapped around him and soft moans escaped her lips as she pulled him closer. With each rhythmic thrust, he drove himself into her deeper, firmer, more purposefully. All with the intent to send her spiraling over the edge.

She matched him thrust for thrust. Hot walls constricted around his manhood until he felt the explosion of hot liquid surround him as she cried out with pleasure. His control shattered, he gave into his need, burying himself into her fully…letting go. He did not recognize the primal sound that escaped his throat as he reached his climax, filling her with everything he was…filling her with his soul, transcending them to a place neither had ever known.

He collapsed atop her…two hearts pounded as one. Both gasped for air. Seconds turned into minutes before either regained their breath. He kissed her softly, tenderly, lovingly. Nothing in his life compared with this moment and somehow he knew nothing else would. With a single stroke of the brush, Alexis was created to be his perfect mate in this canvas called life.

Knowing he was too heavy for her, he rolled over onto his back, pulling her with him. She lay spent, head resting on his chest, basking in the glory of their lovemaking.

He had lost control. No, she had shattered his self-restraint with a single look. God, he hoped he had not hurt her. Afraid to ask but needing reassurance, as tenderly as he could, he began, “Darling…..”

“
Mmm,
” she purred.

“Are you all right?”

“Perfect.” She nestled against him, placing a soft kiss on his chest.

Cuddled in the crook of his arm, head against his chest, she drifted into the most peaceful sleep she had in years.

Alexis shifted against Brad, stretching like a kitten awaking from a catnap. She opened her eyes to Brad’s warm gaze.

“Good morning, beautiful,” he crooned.

“Good morning,” she smiled dreamily.

“How do you feel this morning?”

“Wonderful,” she murmured as she entwined her leg into his.

“Alexis, I didn’t hurt you last night, did I?” his voice was laden with concern.

Last night, oh my gosh no, he had not hurt her. Just the opposite—it had been the most magical night she had ever known. She had been frightened for so long, afraid of a man’s touch, afraid of relationships…of love. Last night, Brad showed her what love was supposed to be. He engulfed her in his flame. She did not want to let go of the feeling…or him. His concern was overwhelming and before she could stop it, a tear slid down her cheek.

She shifted in his arms. “Brad, last night was the most magical moment of my life.”

He flashed her a boyishly charming grin as relief washed over his face, sighing, “Alexis, what have you done to me?” His entire body shuddered with the deep intake of air.

Alexandria kissed Brad before settling beside him. She was not ready to think about what she was doing to him or even what he was doing to her. She just wanted to savor the moment as she drifted into another light slumber.

Chapter Seven

F
resh coffee tantalized
Alexandria’s senses as she woke.

She stretched only to find herself alone in the bed. Muffled noises came from the kitchen. The sun was higher now; she wondered how long she had slept. Alexis was eager to see what Brad was up to and the coffee smelled wonderful. She padded to the bathroom, washed her face, brushed her teeth, and cleaned up a bit. As she exited the bathroom, she noticed Brad’s shirt laying in the floor exactly where she had let it fall last night. As she bent down to pick it up, she realized that his captivating scent lingered on the fabric. Alexis nuzzled it close to her face. With a devilish smile, she grabbed a pair of clean panties and put on his shirt.

Not only was Brad in the kitchen, he was preparing breakfast. She came up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist as he had done to her so many times over the past few days. His back was warm as she nestled against him. She closed her eyes as the memories of last night flooded her senses—how her hands shook when unbuttoning his shirt, how exquisite his body was and how she could not help but touch him. How every muscle tensed at her touch…would it always be this way between them?

“Why didn’t you wake me?” she asked as she kissed his shoulder blade.

“You were sleeping too peacefully. Would you like a cup of coffee? Breakfast will be ready in a few minutes.”

“
Mmm,
coffee sounds wonderful,” she purred as she kissed his shoulder blade. “I’ll pour.”

His gaze widened as he turned. She was in his shirt. He groaned as his eyes slid slowly down her body and back up again. As soon as he raised his eyes to meet hers, she saw the dark storm brewing.

He claimed her mouth, crushing her body against his. She wrapped her arms around him, giving him full access to her lips as she willingly parted them, eager to taste him again. She would not wait for him; slipping her tongue into the sweetness of his mouth, she played, tentatively circling, exploring, absorbing all he had to give.

She could barely breathe as it was; yet, he pulled her even closer. His power…his grip…his everything drove her body into a frenzy. She could feel the fire burning deep within. She ached for his touch.

He lowered his hands to her bottom, pulling her hips into him. His throbbing manhood pressed against her and she moaned—a soft sultry sound. He had found her neck and was using his tongue to torture her.

“Breakfast can wait,” she rasped.

A deep throaty groan echoed through the kitchen as his powerful hands lifted her off the floor. She opened her mouth, desperate for air, just as his lips found hers and it was his breath she drew in. He placed her bottom on the counter as he slid his hands around her hips and to her thighs…tarring…caressing…driving her insane with need.

His fingers gently tugged at her panties…teasing…soft promises…of more to come. His fingers swiftly unbuttoned his shirt, wanting nothing to separate them. His sharp intake of air gave away his pleasant surprise, underneath…a pair of white silk panties. He slid his shirt off her shoulders, running his hands down her sides to her waist, to her hips. He pulled her closer to the edge of the counter. Releasing her hips, he ran his hands upwards, past her waist and to her breast until he cupped them. Gently rubbing the pad of his thumbs up and over her taut peaks, he lingered on the sensitive spot just below her nipples until she moaned. His lips found her luscious mounds, softly sucking, tenderly nipping…until she cried out with pleasure.

Her hands found the counter behind her as she tipped her head backwards, giving Brad full access to her body. He ran his lips over her tight stomach and past her bellybutton. His lips traced sweet kisses along the edge of her panties, causing her to shiver before moving on to her thighs…to her secret place.

Oh my God…no!
His tongue was exquisite and she could feel her wetness seeping through her panties. He placed his fingers in the edges, beckoning her to lift her hips so he could remove them, which she obliged all too eagerly. She wanted to feel him inside her, but no, he continued with the torture. Placing soft kisses just above her hairline while teasing her clitoris with his thumb. The sensation was mind-blowing. Her eyes closed as he continued teasing. Parting her wet lips, he slowly inserted his finger into her hot flesh. Slow deliberate strokes to her most precious little spot caused the most exhilarating sensations to run through her already hot flesh.

“Alexis, you are amazing,” he whispered as she groaned.

Brad grabbed her hips, pulling her off the counter and into his arms, backing her against the refrigerator. Her arms wrapped tightly around his neck, legs around his waist…as he buried every inch of himself within her. His thickness seared her insides…fiery and unyielding against her own soft flesh.

Her breast moved up and down with the smooth rhythm of each thrust. His fingers dug a little more deeply into her bottom as his pace increased. “Baby…,” she cried as Brad sent her over the edge, groaning as he followed her by two heartbeats.

As they spiraled back down to earth, the realization that something was burning roused Alexis from her fully satisfied state. She lifted her head from where she had buried it in Brad’s neck. “Oh my God. Baby, what’s burning?”

“Oh shit, the omelets!”

As soon as her feet touched the floor, he quickly released her. He rushed to the stove to remove the pans from the burners.

Alexis burst into peals of laughter at his sheepish grin, “Maybe we should go out for breakfast,” she suggested.

“Agreed.”

“Breakfast was delicious,” she remarked later in the most seductive tone.

His voice was low and sexy, “
Mmm,
I agree, I could have you for breakfast every day.”

Alexis giggled as she reached for her ringing cell phone. The caller ID displayed “Father”.
Oh crap,
she mouthed as she answered the call.

“Hello, Father.”

“Yes Father, I was so involved with some work that I didn’t realize what time it was. I’ll be there shortly.” She batted her lashes at Brad.

“Yes, I’ll be careful, see you in about an hour. Love you too.”

“Sweetheart, I am so sorry but I have to go. I forgot all about lunch with Phillip and Catherine,” she stated.

“So when did I become work?”

“You are the most pleasant form of work—work that I enjoy immensely,” she assured, eyes dancing with devilish excitement.

“Hum
, I can live with that.” A childish look came over Brad’s face, his bottom lip in almost a pout, “But I thought we’d spend the day together.”

“I am so sorry. I was so lost in you this morning that I forgot about spending the afternoon with Phillip and Catherine.”

Lip in full pout now, he asked, “May I see you this evening?”

“Brad, we have to work tomorrow….”

“I understand, but it doesn’t mean I have to like it.”

Alexis tilted her head as if she was thinking about her response, realizing she didn’t like the thought of not being with Brad. “How about if I call you when I leave Phillip and Catherine’s?”

“Okay,” he replied in delight. “Don’t keep me waiting too long,” he teased playfully.

He gave her a long slow kiss good-bye, reminding her of what was yet to come.

Alexis found Catherine in the kitchen. “Hi, Mother. I’m sorry I missed church this morning and for being late this afternoon.” She gave Catherine a warm hug and kiss.

“It’s all right honey; we were just concerned. Here, let me see you.” She stepped back. “Honey, you look tired, are you sure you are all right?”

Alexis smiled sheepishly, “Yes, Mother, I am fine. Too much traveling lately, that’s all.”

Her mother eyed her speculatively. “If you say so, my dear.”

“How was the trip?”

“It was wonderful,” Alexis responded. “We are now the proud owners of three geniuses, according to Brad.”

“What?”

“Oh sorry, it’s just something Brad said. Yes, the acquisition went well.”

“That will make your father happy. It has been a long time since I have seen him so excited about a project. He likes Mr. Scott.”

“
Mmm,
Brad is one of the most intelligent and charming people I’ve ever met. I can see why he and father get along.”

Catherine tried to hide an amused smile as she continued preparing dinner. Something was different about Alexis today. She seemed at peace with the world.

Alexis poured herself a glass of wine. “Mother, would you like a glass?”

“No thank you honey, I’m fine.”

“Is there anything I can do to help?” Alexis asked.

“No, no, my dear. Your company is more than enough this afternoon. I’ve seen far too little of you lately. You relax and enjoy the afternoon.”

Alexis walked to the large window overlooking the most magnificent grounds she had ever seen. Phillip and Catherine had given her a wonderful and loving home after her parents had died. For some reason, she had always been closer to Phillip than to Catherine. It seemed logical somehow. Phillip and her dad were best friends, having known each other since they were fourteen. They had both gone to Hargrave and joined the Marines together. They founded AAS after Phillip received his medical discharge. Their friendship was inexplicable; it was more than Marine camaraderie. They were more like family…real brothers.

Their home—the home in which she had grown up—was beautiful, stately and elegant, much like Catherine. Alexis peered out over the expansive backyard, which was immaculate and overflowing with nature’s beauty. Flowering trees and shrubs adorned the yard, Catherine had the most incredible rose garden she had ever seen. Massive stone columns accented the gardens, creating a Grecian style and feel. A huge pergola stood in the center, providing just a touch of shade over a massive stone floor. Black wrought iron furniture scattered the area, making it the most serene place to sit and read. She remembered how she and Catherine would sit for hours and hours reading, nothing breaking the quiet tranquility.

Alexis smiled fondly at the memories of sitting under the arches with Catherine as told her mythological stories about the Greek Gods. Alexis had asked Catherine if she believed in all that love and stuff. A warm smile softened her face as Catherine had responded.
‘Alexis my dear, one day you will fall in love and when that day comes, I hope it is a magical kind of love that your mother and father had. And when you do find it, it will turn you into a hopeless romantic too.’
She had not thought much of the conversations as she got older and experienced pain. Love wasn’t in the cards, not for her anyway.

Today she felt closer to Catherine than ever. Catherine had given up her nursing career to care for Alexis after the accident. She had been the friend Alexis needed growing up, but Alexis had missed her Mom too much to appreciate all that Catherine had done.

“Alexis….”

“Yes, Mom?” The sound of the china smashing against the hard, cold, tile floor was more than enough to break Alexis free from her thoughts.

“Mom, are you okay?” she asked as she rushed to Catherine’s side.

“Yes dear, I am fine,” Catherine breathed out as the air rushed from her lungs.