Touched by a Phoenix (23 page)

“I’m still going to have a conversation with him.”

Awkward silence filled the air for the remainder of their dance, each lost in thought at opposite ends of the spectrum concerning Brad and Alexis.

Alexis approached the orchestra with a brilliant smile, “Good evening, Mr. Pirozzo,” Alexis crooned sweetly to the conductor.

“Alexis, you are stunning as always,” as he kissed her on both cheeks.

“And you are as sweet as ever…may I ask a huge favor?”

“Alexis, I would do anything for you.”

“Would you play “Reflections of Passion”?”

“I would play the moon for you if it were possible, but I sense that you may be up to no-good,” he let on with a quiet laugh.

Beautiful laughter filled the air, “
Aah,
Dante, you know me all too well! You see the gentleman standing over there? He seems to think he can out dance me and I intend to prove him wrong.” Her voice gave way to the breathless anticipation of the game awaiting her.

Dante’s eyebrow arched in his ever-charming way; he was a breath fresh air and one of the loveliest people she had ever met. Dante always seemed to see past her eyes, her pain, loss, hopes, and dreams and soothed them with music. She supposed others felt the same; he was a magnificent conductor.

“Why don’t you raise the stakes, my dear?” He closed the gap between them and whispered in her ear, “Truth of Touch.”

Alexis blanched and swallowed hard…very hard. Her heart stopped—how could she dance to the most romantic, powerful, and sensuous song she had ever heard…with Brad and in public? That song was reserved for her dreams; it was her innermost hope, her someday. She peered over at Brad waiting patiently. He was her hopes and her dreams. Her someday had come, he was with her now…the love of her life.

Dante seemed to be able to read her mind. “Alexis, it’s just a song. What harm can come from a dance?”

Alexis shook her head as if to clear her thoughts. “You’re right Dante, it’s just a dance. “Truth of Touch” it is—thank you.”

Her heart told her this was more than just a song, more than just a dance. She knew Brad all too well. His passion ran deep and this song would bring forth the storm clouds in them both. Would she be able to control her emotions? No, she didn’t think so. It would be obvious to anyone watching them that love was in the air. The moment her eyes met Brad’s, it didn’t matter what anyone thought. All she knew was that she loved this man.

The raw, unbridled emotion oozed from within; amber eyes changed to those golden pools of molten lava. His faculties left him, and he stood frozen in time and space as Alexis walked out of the darkness, bringing the dawn into his life. Her eyes glistened with the promise of forever—her soul spoke to his as her gaze kissed his lips. He melded into one flame with her. A simple
I love you
bound them together forever but what he felt was so much more than love. What he felt for Alexis was so deep and so true, it could have only been written in the stars. For the first time in his life, he believed in something greater than himself. He would be lost without her—lost without her love.

As he struggled to regain his composure, all he could do was whisper, “Viennese Waltz,” bowing before her.

His beautiful blue eyes blazed, dancing with an intense emotion she had never seen. Her breath became shallow and ragged until she felt as though she wasn’t breathing at all. His eyes were different; she wasn’t sure how to describe it. The silver colors were more vivid than normal, yet the intensity deeper…much deeper. She could see herself in his soul. He was willing to tell the world he loved her. No, more than loved her…that he would die for her. Tears threatened to spill over her lashes at the realization…she was his world. What had she done? The music had not even begun and the greatest storm she had ever seen was brewing beneath his cool exterior.

The music began softly….rhythmic like that of a fluttering butterfly, as they came together on the floor, each expressing their love openly.

Alexis placed her hand over Brad’s heart, taking his breath away as his hand covered hers. His other hand gently touched the side of her face as she leaned into him and they began to sway to the music. She ran her hand across his chest and around his neck as he dipped underneath and around to take her into his arms—into a lover’s hold so close her breath was on his lips.

Neither noticed the lights dim or the crowd back away, giving the floor to them. Their breath immediately synchronized; they rose and fell in perfect harmony with the power of the music until they became one with each other. The music flowed in perfect tempo with strength and power, softness…filled with love—tender and strong, passionate, closeness, and distance. They met each vibrant note with grace and magic; they were lost, hearing nothing except the music and the thunder of emotions pulsating through their veins. Together they glided across the floor as if the Gods had created this one perfect moment.

Her dress flowed softly behind her as Brad’s powerful arms lead her in a whirlwind of wide sweeping turns, graceful spins, and intricate steps. He pulled her close as a lover would and gently pushed her away as if he struggled to leave her side. He was masterful with the most exotic and long holding dips, always bringing her back so close that she could feel his breath on her lips.

Emotions exploded with the music. Alexis was soaring, not in the clouds but in the air, suspended above him. He held her tightly as she slid down the full-length of his body. His hands firmly against her back, he lifted her into the air; one outstretched leg firmly planted against his hip, the other at an angle. Her dress surrounded her like a set of wings as she floated—hovering just below the clouds like an angel who had descended from Heaven. The heat of his breath softly caressed her lips as he drew her into him, her heart pounded like thunder, as he whispered, “I love you…my sweet angel.” With his hands spanning her waist, she leaned backwards with outstretched arms; telling the world, she surrendered her heart and soul to him as he took her into a beautiful spin.

He gathered her into his arms; his body shuddered as he drank from her scent, as sweet as a rose settling into the night air. Nothing would ever make him let her go, not even death would separate them. He held her close as they continued to dance; he could no longer think…this amazing woman was his!

The music ended; his mind reeled, his senses in chaos with sensations and needs consuming him. God he was confused, he had never loved the way he the way he loved her.

“My darling Alexis,” he whispered.

Phillip took Catherine’s hand as he watched his daughter dance with Brad, a man he believed unworthy of her love.

As much as he hated to admit it, Catherine might be right about him, but he had to be sure. On the surface, it appeared Brad loved Alexis, the kind of love that said she was his reason for living, and he would sacrifice everything for her. Nevertheless, he was fully aware that many men were talented liars. He’d have to put Brad to the test before he agreed to hand over his little girl…she could not be hurt again.

He turned to his lovely wife. “Catherine, I love you my dear. You may be right but I still don’t trust him,” he informed her as he kissed her on the cheek.

“Phillip,” she replied sweetly, “we both love her and you are a wonderful father but you have to give the boy a chance.”

The hushed silence brought Brad’s senses to awareness of where they were. He bowed and kissed her hand, as any good gentleman would do. Throngs of people began to clap and cheer at their little escapade. Their eyes met, hers filled with desire. He dipped his head for a loving kiss, sweet and innocent to the average onlooker, but to Alexis, it was a promise of forever.

“I didn’t mean to…I’m sorry,” was all she mumbled as she pulled her hand away. With what little breath she had left, she excused herself. One foot in front of the other until she reached the exit, she ran—ran until she reached the pier, someplace familiar and safe. She needed to breathe!

A strong grip was on Brad’s shoulder as Phillip’s firm voice sounded, “We need to talk, but for now, you should go to her.”

“Phillip,” not knowing what else to say Brad simply replied, “thank you, sir.”

Her breath came in gasps, feeling as though the wind had been knocked out of her. She was mortified. She put their private life—their love—on display for the world to witness. She’d known it would be a dangerous move, yet had thrown caution to the wind for the excitement of the game. Brad might never forgive her…he was too private with what he held most dear.

Brad watched her from a distance, not understanding her reaction. From across the lawn, he could feel her sorrow touch him. It put a hollow pit in his stomach. His stride became deliberate as he purposefully walked towards her. “Alexis, what is it?”

“Brad…I am so sorry, I never meant to embarrass you,” the words rushed from her lips.

“Darling, what are you talking about?”

“On the dance floor.”

“I still don’t understand.”

“I put us on display for the whole world to see and I shouldn’t have. I am so sorry. I never meant to embarrass you….”

He chuckled, “My sweet Alexis,” as he pulled her close, “you did not embarrass me. I love you and I don’t care who knows.”

The music filtered from the orchestra, filling the night air with the faintest sounds. He wrapped his arms around her, giving her a sweet kiss. “Alexis, I do not think you comprehend the depth of my love for you. I love you without knowing how or from where it came.”

He placed her hand on his chest, “I love you so intimately that your heart beats within my chest…so intimately that your breath is my breath, so intimately that when you hurt—I feel your pain. There is no you or I; there is only
us
, I never want to be without you. I must make things right with your father, but there will come a day when I will declare my love for you with wedding vows. Now tell me, what could be more public than that?”

Tears welled in her beautiful golden eyes. She could barely breathe as she let out, “If my heart was to break, I would want you to have every piece. And if you throw all the pieces to the wind, the wind will carry them to the sky, blanketing the darkness with stars. My love would watch over you always and when you are lonely…all you have to do is look up to see how much I love you.”