Touched by a Phoenix (19 page)

“
Mmm,
I hadn’t thought of it, but thank you for the suggestion.”

He chuckled at her devilish little grin. He poured her a glass of wine and made himself a Gin and Tonic.

“Now that the boys are on board, how’s your week shaping up?”

“It’s going to be a busy couple of months. We have a great deal of work ahead of us redesigning the surveillance system if I’m going to keep my promise to your father.”

“Speaking of work, I will be out of the office most of the week handling last minute details for the anniversary party.”

“Don’t you have someone making those arrangements for you?”

“Are you kidding me? I wouldn’t feel comfortable trusting someone else with something so important.”

“Are you telling me you’re a control freak?”

“
Humph,
I supposed some might think that. I do like structure and I definitely like being in control.”

Brad’s brow rose. “I will give you all the control your heart desires.”

A dinner plate in each hand, Alexis stopped mid-stride on the way to the dining room. “Mr. Scott…once in a while, something comes along that makes us want it, and when that occurs, I will find a way to get it,” she informed him as she turned and walked away.

At a loss for words, he simply followed her to the dining room.

“So…Mr. Scott…let’s get back to the incident in my office today. Why did you torture me like that and then walk away?”

“My darling Alexis, I have told you not to look at me like that. My restraint,” his voice was low and husky, “is lost when you do.”

“Then perhaps you should find somewhere else to sit in the conference room,” she pouted. “Brad, that wasn’t fair. I had to leave work.”

“I never said I played fair.” He could not contain the charming smile spreading across his face.

“
Ooh
, so that’s how it’s going to be, huh?” she pressed teasingly as she balled up the soft linen napkin and tossed it at him. “Well, two can play that game.”

“Alexis…” he growled playfully, “you won’t win.”

“Tsk-tsk. I wouldn’t bet on that if I were you,” she challenged, equally as playful.

As they cleaned up the dishes, Brad whispered against her neck, “Dinner was delicious. Thank you.”

“
Mmm,
it was my pleasure,” she grinned lifting her face to receive a kiss.

After they finished cleaning up, they relaxed on the porch. Brad enjoyed his cigar in the quiet tranquility of the evening. It was a beautiful night—not too cool and not too humid. The sweltering heat had yet to arrive. She hoped the humidity would hold off until after the party. Moving it indoors would be horrible.

Her train of thought was broken by Brad’s words, “Alexis, what is this music?”

“Yanni.”

“It’s surprisingly pleasant—relaxing, yet refreshing.”

“I believe I did say you might like it.”

“Are you ever wrong?”

“Ah…no,” without hesitation.

“Oh…okay,” he shook his head at her quip. “I’ve got nothing.”

Brad had changed into a polo and jeans, his legs crossed at the ankle with those sexy bare feet of his propped on the ottoman, head resting against the back of the sofa. He appeared to be staring at the stars through the skylight, lost in thought, pondering something. Alexis stretched out beside him and let him have his time.

It was some time before he spoke, “Alexis—I have never given my heart to anyone until you. You are my whole world, and I want you to be a part of everything I am and everything I do,” he mused quietly. He took a deep breath before continuing, “Your love is so pure and unconditional. I don’t know what I’d do without it. It’s written in your eyes and it melts my soul every time I look at you. For the first time in my life, I am afraid. Without you—your love…I would be lost. It’s too late for me, I fell months ago and there’s no turning back, at least not for me.”

Alexis wasn’t sure what to say. Finally, she sat up and turned to him, giving him a loving kiss. With lowered lashes, she responded quietly, “Brad, I’ve never shared my feelings with anyone before and I doubt I will be very good at it.”

“Darling, I know this…
us—
is all new for you. You tell me everything with your eyes; you don’t have to say a word.”

“No Brad…I want you to understand. It just might not come out the way I hope.” She took a deep breath, “You stole my heart before I even knew what love was. You tore down my defenses, took my breath, my senses, my life, and even…my pride. I have nothing left but my love for you.” She waited quietly for his response.

Nothing he could say would possibly match the depth of the feelings she shared. He leaned over and placed the sweetest kiss on her soft lips. “I love you…you are mine until the end of time.”

She sighed, relieved to have shared part of what she felt with him. This was all so new and strange. So many things she wanted to say and not enough words to express them. Then his words hit her. “Wait, you said months ago?”

“Yes, months ago.”

“What do you mean?”

“The day I met you,” he smiled fondly. “One glimpse into those beautiful golden eyes of yours and I knew there was something extraordinary about you—something that would change everything. I just didn’t know what.”

“I had no idea,” she whispered.

“No, you do not trust easily, which made it difficult to get close to you but all good things do come in time.”

His thoughts wandered to his past and how Alexis had changed him…changed everything, “Alexis, I could make room for some of your things in my closet as well.” He saw the apprehension in her eyes. “Alexandria, there has been no one in my home or bed since I moved to D.C.,” he assured, kissing her on the forehead.

“Then I would love to see your place. Perhaps we can even christen the bed,” she smiled lovingly.

“
Mmm,
that sounds like a perfect plan. What is this song?” he asked as she snuggled up beside him.

“Reflections of Passion.”

“It’s beautiful, like you. Strong and powerful, yet soft and loving,” he remarked, stroking her hair softly.

After Brad had finished his cigar, Alexis took him by the hand and led him to the bedroom.

Curled up in Brad’s arms, she felt safe and loved. No, not just loved…cherished. It seemed that any life before Brad simply never existed. Her head rested against his chest, her leg entwined with his, letting her fingers play in the soft curls covering his chest. Her fingers trailed in gentle but random motions over his powerful muscles. She felt braver wrapped in his love. She let her fingers trail over his lower abdomen lingering in the soft curls leading to his manhood.

Brad had touched her everywhere and not just with his hands, but with his lips. She shivered at the thought of his fingers stroking her secret garden, tasting her wetness. Why did this shyness continue to plague her? Brad was her future and the past was long gone. She needed to let it go. It was the only way she would have the forever she dreamed of.

She closed her eyes and took a long, deep, shuddering breath as if she were gathering up all the demons that had been haunting her for so long. She let the previously hidden emotions wash over her as if they were ocean waves—the pain, the hurt, the sadness, the anger, and him. Then she exhaled…letting them go. Brad was right about so many things. Her past was part of her but it wasn’t who she was and did not define her. It was her choice. She could choose to allow those emotions to rule her life—her future…or she could let them go. She chose to let them go. She closed the door on the past. No regrets, no remorse, no more sorrow. Brad was right about everything. He was her first and yes, he would be her only love. When she opened her eyes, her future lay next to her…and the past no longer existed.

Alexis let her fingers run down his hip to his thigh, every muscle in his leg reacting to her soft caress. Everywhere she touched, hard powerful muscles rippled beneath her fingertips. She willed the tips of her fingers to run up his inner thigh, through the hair surrounding his manhood to his other hip and down his thigh. Only this time, she grazed his shaft with the edge of her hand causing his breath to catch. She heard the soft moan of pleasure as he exhaled. His pleasure awakened something deep within her. She quickly felt herself blooming like a flower, becoming bolder, more confident. She played a little longer, circling, teasing, enjoying the way his hard body felt beneath her fingertips—the twitching of his muscles telling her that he enjoyed her touch. She ached for him; she wanted to please him in every way, she wanted it more than she wanted him to please her.

Alexis ran her hand down his thigh and back up again—only this time she did not just graze his shaft, but ran the tip of one finger up the velvety length of him. His sharp intake of air revealed the excitement she had stirred within him. His manhood was so warm against her fingers; it throbbed against her touch. He sucked in a gulp of air as she circled the head and back down his shaft. Perfect—his rigid manhood was perfect, pressed hard against her finger.

She continued to touch him as he had touched her, adding her lips to the mixture and trailing soft kisses across his chest and down his abs. His skin was soft over his firm muscles, his familiar scent lingered in the air and filling her senses. His breathing became ragged as she gently nipped at his rock hard stomach with her teeth, soothing his skin with a sweet kiss afterwards. Alexis kissed every inch of his torso as she continued to work her way lower—much lower…to his manhood…where she placed the softest kiss on the head. He gasped as he tried to stifle a moan.

She felt her own wetness. His arousal was driving her to a place she had not yet been, but her body was eager with anticipation. She had a complete understanding of the clinical aspects of intercourse, but nothing could have prepared her for the exquisite feelings Brad shared with her. He tangled his hand in her hair pulling it away from her face, his intense gaze fixated on her every move. His manhood was so smooth and velvety…so delicate…yet so powerful. Sweet and succulent. His entire body went rigid, an intense groan escaping him as her lips touched his skin, her tongue tracing gentle circles around his head. A drop of his essence escaped. Without hesitation, Alexis lapped up the droplet, causing her body to ache…but this was about him.

“No Alexis…,” he groaned hoarsely. If she continued, he did not believe he would be able to maintain any semblance of restraint. The tension rising in the pit of his stomach was quickly spreading to his abdomen as she slid her lips further down his hard shaft, tasting a little more. Sensations filled his body…everywhere and all at once. Like a lightning bolt, the intensity was indescribable.

She lifted her head. Oh yes, she had produced those magnificent storm clouds. She felt a little wicked as she flashed him an evil little smile, “You started this, my love. I give as good as I get,” she taunted, stroking his aching shaft. She gave him a scorching, explicitly daring try-to-stop-me kiss.

Alexis was desperate to have him inside her, but first…to please him. Her time would come, in more ways than one, she was sure. His entire body convulsed as she took the full-length of him into her mouth.

His heart went wild as he watched her warm, delicate lips wrap around his manhood. He tried to verbalize a curse, but his voice failed him. She stroked, licked and sucked him until he thought he would suffocate from the lack of air. Abruptly, his world crashed around him as she dissolved him with her lips. He released a deep rumbling groan of pure satisfaction as he let go, giving her…all of him.

Elation filled her as his shaft pulsated in her mouth, releasing his essence. The moan that escaped him betrayed the intense pleasure he tried to hide from her. As the heart-pounding throbbing began to subside, she crawled on all fours back to her resting place at his side.

Her eyes blazed with her own need while his remained closed, as if he were savoring the moment. His chest still heaved as he tried to calm his breathing. Her insides were doing somersaults; she had caused the mighty Brad Scott to lose control, to fall beneath the demands of her touch! Although there had been a stiff price to pay for her wanton actions, she needed him desperately. Her garden was so sensitive, the depth of her being so hot, she felt as though she could ignite the flames of hell.

As if he could read her mind, powerful arms flipped her over on her back, and he was atop her. She gasped in surprise and then shock as her eyes met his. This was no ordinary storm brewing. This was something else…an unquenchable desire to make her pay for taking him over the edge, for making him lose control. She had not counted on this. It would be the price she paid for her own power trip—he would not relent until he had all of her!

His lips touched the base of her throat kissing, sucking and nipping. Oh yes, his intent was clear—there would be no mercy. She cried out with pleasure when his mouth found her breast, his lips soft and moist as he suckled her buds. She ran her fingers though his hair, pulling him closer…needing something to hold onto as he mercilessly teased the taut peaks. Her entire body was sensitive and exploding with desire. There would be no stopping him as his lips caressed her body. Soft. Firm. Not quite hard but with each kiss…each taste…her body was giving him complete control. She was powerless beneath his touch.

He gently ran his hand over her garden—
his garden.
She withered under his expert fingers, “Brad…please,” she whimpered.

“Please what?” he whispered against her neck. His breath was warm against her skin. His voice low…husky…full of deep desire…and promises of pleasures still to come.

“Please…,” was all she could manage.

He slid his lips down her body until he found his home, his life’s blood, her very being. It began at the entrance of her womanhood. His tongue gently traced its way through her folds, finding her clit. She sucked in a huge gasp of air as her back arched and her hands grabbed for the sheets. His tongue was tenderly persistent, flicking her clit with the perfect combination of soft firmness. He circled and teased until she purred like a kitten. Adding his finger, he began to tease her folds. She arched her hips against his finger, driving him inside her. Waves upon waves of spasms racked her body as he slowly and deliberately stroked her in that breathtaking way. All the while, his mouth ruthlessly gave her the greatest pleasure she had ever known.