Touched by a Phoenix (33 page)

“Alexis, would you have Rescue One play video clip number twenty-seven?” Brad asked.

She did as requested and within seconds, a sample demonstration of Rescue One in learning mode with Brad as her teacher was visible.

They gathered around to watch the video as Brad explained her capabilities. They all stared at Brad as if he had created fire.

Alexis was the first to speak, “I am so proud of you sweetheart,” as she rose from the floor and kissed him tenderly.

Phillip came to his senses. “Brad, where is it?”

“Mr. Kincaid, I am not an it—I am a she,” Rescue One’s firm tone made it clear she was more human than not.

Alexis laughed, “Leave it to you to give her an attitude.”

“Darling, she is more like you than you might care to admit. After all, it was you who showed me how to work through the creative roadblock, effectively solving my dilemma.”

“What do you mean?”

The smoldering fire in his eyes told her that was a conversation best saved for later.

Seemingly oblivious to the emotional undercurrents, Phillip asked, “Brad, where is she?”

Brad was quiet as he spoke, “She is in a hidden vault in my lab.”

“Do we need to move her to a more secure location?”

“She is safe for now and Alexis and I are the only ones who can direct her,” he smiled as he took Alexis’s hand. He went on, “If they were unable to find her before, we have to assume they are watching to see if we move her. If we go to the office, we will lead them straight to her.”

“Brad, how do we get to her if we need to move her?”

He had been up for too long and was growing paler by the second. It was obvious that he was in unbearable pain.

“Dad, enough,” Alexis cut in. “I’m putting Brad back to bed.”

“No Alexis, he’s right…hidden vault…lab…behind the bookcase…book…keys,” he struggled to get the words out.

Alexis grabbed the bag she had brought home from the hospital. She withdrew the keys from the side pocket. He was white as a ghost; she was afraid he would lose consciousness before she could get him back to bed.

“Which key, love?”

She had to lean close to him to hear his barely audible words.

“Third from left.”

“And the book?”

“Second shelf, you will know which one,” he managed.

“Order,” he murmured, “book, vault…key and retina scan simultaneously.” He was so tired…needed sleep…he had to tell her how…. “Hidden panel on the left.”

“What’s in the vault, Brad?” Phillip’s concern was evident.

“Everything,” he whispered, “Rescue One, laptop, thumb drive….”

Catherine rushed to Brad’s side as he lost consciousness. She checked his airway to make sure he was breathing. His breathing was shallow and his pulse slow.

“Phillip, help Alexis get Brad into bed. I’m calling Mark.”

Dr. Anderson arrived at the house in less than a half hour. Alexis paced the hallway while he examined Brad.

“Alexis, Brad will be fine. He exerted himself when he needed rest. This is his body’s way of shutting down so it can heal.”

Alexis shot her father an exasperated look.

“I understand, Dr. Anderson. I will make sure he does nothing except rest for the next week.”

He nodded as if he understood something more was going on. “Remember, I need to see him Friday. If he is healing well, we’ll remove the stitches.”

“Yes, sir. We will be there.”

Dr. Anderson turned to Phillip. “I do not want him returning to work for the next two weeks, is that clear?”

Phillip looked a little sheepish as if he had been caught doing something he shouldn’t have been. “Yes, doctor, I understand.”

Dr. Anderson turned back to Alexis. “If you need me, here is my cell. Call me anytime dear.”

“Thank you, doctor,” she smiled, grateful for his kindness.

Alexis walked the doctor to the door. “Mark, thank you again for coming out. You can be sure that Father will back off and that Brad will follow your directions.”

“Alexis, Brad’s head injury is serious. It will be days before he begins to feel better. He needs to take it easy or he will be back in the hospital. Call me if you need anything.”

“I understand,” as she closed the door behind him.

Her inner demigoddess was doing somersaults! It was a hell of a way to get him to herself for two whole weeks, but since she could not change the circumstances, she was going to enjoy her time with Brad. Perhaps if the doctor gave him a good bill of health next Friday, she could take him away for a few days, somewhere he would not be forced to think or worry.

As she headed down the hallway, Phillip and Catherine exited the master suite.

“Mom, Dad, if you don’t mind….”

Catherine interrupted, “Honey, I’ve already told your father we are leaving.”

Catherine’s abruptness took Alexis back a bit. She did not remember a time when her mother had been so terse.

“Mom, I didn’t mean to offend you,” she Alexis started.

“Oh honey, this has nothing to do with you.” Her voice softening as she said, “Brad needs his rest and your father needs to get ahold to himself. Call me if you need me I love you honey,” as she hugged Alexis.

“Thank you Mom,” she whispered. Then she leaned over and gave Phillip a kiss on the check.

“Honey, I’m sorry. I’m just trying to get to the bottom of all this and keep you both safe.”

“I know Dad, and I love you but anything else will have to wait a few days.”

Chapter Fourteen

S
u
nday was a
quiet day.

Alexis lay curled up on the bed beside Brad as he slept off-and-on. In the late afternoon, he woke, hungry. She fixed them both an early dinner and served him in bed, enjoying every opportunity to dote on him.

He smiled at her tenderness. He thought if he were in better shape, he would enjoy being pampered from time-to-time.

“Sweetheart, the doctor said you could bathe this evening and since I need to change your dressings, would you like a bath?”

“
Mmm,
a shower sounds wonderful.”

She eyed him cautiously. “Mark said we should keep the stitches as dry as possible for a few days. May I interest you in a bath instead?”

He wondered if his legs would support him long enough to take a shower. He didn’t want her to worry. She had done enough already. Perhaps he should settle for the bath instead. He nodded, “A bath would be great.”

She beamed with pleasure, “Give me a few minutes to get everything ready.”

He could not help but smile as he watched her go about preparing his bath. She was meticulous and seemed to be enjoying every aspect of her task.

She would make a wonderful mother one day, he thought.

The sound of running water was relaxing as she gathered clean pajama pants and placed them on the vanity chair along with clean towels and a washcloth. Then she turned the music on low and lit what he thought must have be a dozen candles…followed by dimming the lights.

She helped him step into the oversized jetted tub filled with warm water.

Lord, this feels wonderful, he thought as he eased down into the deep water. The tub was the perfect height. He could prop his arm up on the side and make her happy at the same time.

The soft humming of the jets relaxed his aching muscles and the gentle motion of the water soothed his mind. The French Vanilla candles enhanced the smell of the room and made it glow with warmth and love. He closed his eyes and let the heat and scent engulf him.

Alexis sat quietly on the side of the tub. His face had been so drawn these past few days. The gentle motion of the water washed some of the worry away. The tense lines of pain faded and he looked more peaceful than she had seen him in weeks. So much had happened; she had not allowed herself to think about the elevator since he woke, taking care of Brad had been more important. Now—now that it was quiet and he was home, she let the tears fall. She would die if she lost him and he was hurt because he loved her enough to take the brunt of the crash.

She felt his hand on her leg. “Darling, what’s wrong?”

“Sweetheart, I was just thinking of everything that has happened over the past few days. Thank you for saving me,” she whispered.

“My pleasure,” he murmured, “I don’t think I could go on without you.”

She brushed the tears away. “Why don’t you let me give you a bath?”

“Are you joining me?” he smiled sheepishly.

She gave him the look…, “
Behave.
”

“Alexis,” his voice raw with emotion, “I need you.”

“Brad…,” she began brokenly as the tears began to fall again. “I need you too but I want you to get well.”

“Then be gentle,” he whispered as she watched the storm clouds grow.

She sucked in a deep breath. She could not resist him—not now—not ever.

“Let me wash your hair first,” she replied in a soothing tone.

She stood to remove her silk boy shorts and cami and gently stepped into the tub behind him so he could lay against her while she tenderly rinsed his hair. She lathered it ever so gently being extra careful not to massage his scalp too close to the wound. He moaned a soft sigh like sound. She rinsed even more gently, he thought. Her tender touch was exactly what he needed to find his inner peace.

He lay against her warm and loving chest for a long while as she used a sponge to ladle warm water over his chest and shoulders. The sound of trickling water was peaceful.

“Sweetheart, if you will let me up, I will bathe you,” she whispered in his ear. Her hot breath against his ear sent shivers down his spine.

“Do I really have to move?”

She giggled, “Yes but I promise, you will feel better when I’m finished.”

She knelt between his legs as she took her time washing his entire body, softly and in the most delightful manner. He knew she was not trying to be provocative; her touch lulled him further into his blissful state.

After she had lathered him, she allowed him to soak while she gently massaged his body using the greatest care. He proudly wore the bruises from his battle with the elevator as if to say,
I was
victorious.

She glided her hands effortlessly across his powerful muscles, knowing exactly what hurt and how much pressure to apply. She bathed him as if he were a sacred God to be treated with divinity. She cherished every inch of his body with her never-ending touch. It seemed that she was willing him all of her life’s energy, helping him heal.

He had loved giving her a shower but this was more than a bath. Alexis was adorning him with all of her love. He could not remember being so at peace with the universe.

Alexis lightly kissed his lips and then his chest as she whispered, “I love you,” over his heart.

Her tender love touched something deep within him. Emotions he had not yet expressed poured out as the tears began to fall down his cheeks.

“Alexis, I was so afraid—afraid I would lose you…that we wouldn’t make it out of the elevator. I’ve never loved you more.”

“
Shh,
sweetheart. It’s all right now,” she cooed softly as she held him close and let him cry.

His mouth found hers for a scorching kiss as the water disappeared from the tub.

She tenderly broke the kiss. “Let me finish rinsing you with fresh water and get you dried off, then I’ll curl up beside you while you sleep.”

Reluctantly, he released her but he knew she was right…he was tired.

She rinsed him and then helped him step out of the tub. She gently guided him to the vanity stool and wrapped him with an oversized towel. She picked up another warm fluffy towel and began to dry him. After he was dry and wrapped in a fresh towel, she softly massaged lotion over his entire body, running her hands gently over his chest and stomach. She moved to his back and sides before working her way down his legs. She left no part of him untouched as she finished with his ankles and feet.

She swathed him in a soft blanket to keep the chill away while she changed his dressing. He was not even aware she had removed the old bandage until she began to clean his wound. When she completed the task, she placed breathy soft kisses around the wound on his arm. Before he could think about how ugly it must be…she let him know without words that she still loved every inch of him. She applied the ointment and clean dressing as if she had done this a million times. She took as much care and gave as much love with his head as she had with his arm. Yes, he felt as though she worshiped him, and his soul was at peace. She helped him to bed.

He had fallen asleep before she left the room to clean up. She climbed into bed and nestled against his chest so she could hear his heart beating with hers.

“Goodnight, my love.”

Brad woke feeling much better and contributed his improved health to Alexis’s healing touch last night. He had slept well and his head didn’t hurt nearly as badly as before.

The morning was beautiful as they sat on the porch drinking coffee.

“Darling I need to call Phillip. I can’t afford to fall behind on the project and I could use Nate’s help while I’m on limited duty,” as he looked down at his arm.

“Sweetheart, I’m sure you will be able to convince him if you feel that Nate’s help is necessary.” She tried to sound more reassuring than even she believed, but perhaps, she could talk to Phillip afterwards if he refused Brad’s request.

“Jessica can manage some of the work but I really need Nate here,” he frowned as if he was trying to picture how the conversation might go. He looked at the clock. “He should be in the office by now, let me give him a call. I’ll be back shortly,” as he leaned over to give her a kiss.

“You stay put and I’ll bring you the phone.”

She debated…should she listen in on their conversation or let them work it out? She elected to let them work it out. Phillip needed to learn to trust Brad with everything. He would be a major part of the company for a very longtime, especially if Phillip were right about Brad wanting to marry her. Brad would be family—her family. Wow, what a crazy thought. While Brad and Phillip chatted, she began making breakfast and continued her daydreaming.

Family, what huge implications. It was hard to believe that in five months she had gone from slamming into Brad as an unwelcome stranger outside her father’s office, to him being the most important person in her life. She smiled softly and thanked God for giving her what she needed when she needed it most.

Brad entered the house with a grim look on his face. “Your father is even more stubborn than you are.”

Alexis sighed, “I’m sorry sweetheart, but I’m sure he will come around. I would give him a few days to sort the security issues out and then I’m sure he will calm down a bit.”

“How do you know?”

“Because that’s what I would do,” she stated matter-of-factly.

“I hope so. We’ve worked hard on the project and I don’t want to let the momentum get away.”

Brad rested off and on throughout the day. The pain was constant but the fatigue came in waves. He felt fine for a while and then not so fine but the doctor had told her to expect it for several days to a week.

He had rested so much lately that he was restless this evening. Alexis was so soft and warm curled up beside him. She had been so loving and caring these past few days. His love for her grew each day and he missed the intimacy between them.

“Sweetheart, are you all right this evening,” she asked as she looked up at him.

“No, I am not okay,” he would not lie to her.

“Is there anything I can do?”

“Yes…love me.”

“Brad, I do love you.”

“No, I mean make love to me.” He swallowed hard, “Alexis, I need you.”

She propped up on one elbow and gazed at him for a moment. The desire obvious in his darkening eyes. “Will you do as you are told,” she asked lovingly.

He cocked his head as if to ask why, but was unable to find words—he simply nodded. His beautiful seductress was about to have her way with him.

“I’ll be right back sweetheart,” as she slipped out of bed.

When she returned, she came around to his side and gently pulled the covers down. He sucked in a breath of air as she helped him out of his pajama pants. She stood beside the bed and slowly slipped out of her satin nighty and panties before she crawled into bed.

“Remember, you are not allowed to touch me,” she whispered as she kissed him most devotedly.

She gingerly spread his thighs and knelt between his open legs.

He sensed tonight would be different, which further kindled the fire building within him. He watched as her gaze admired his outstretched body. Her eyes burned like hot embers; telltale signs of her own hungry desire. Her hands softly brushed across his legs and abdomen steering clear of his manhood. The gentle brushes turned to soft massaging strokes. She stopped long enough to pour oil into her hands and rub them together to warm the liquid. His goddess was in control as she slowly began to massage every inch of his outstretched body.