Phoenix Burning Read online

  His harsh tone was so much like her father’s. The cutting-edge whipped across her psyche and loosed a giant miasma of darkness that threatened to suck her in. She was sinking, falling back into a well of doubt and recrimination that would leave her grasping for a shred of self.

  Somewhere in the background, the bell over the front door chimed. Donovan dropped her arm and moved to block her view of the door. This was going to be her only chance of escape. Forcing her body into action, Emory stepped past him to face her potential customer.

  It was Alex.

  “Am I interrupting something?” His blue gaze seemed to move between her and MacIntyre as if trying to decipher exactly what was going on.

  MacIntyre puffed up like an arrogant peacock. “Actually, you are.”

  The sight of Alex standing in her shop swept the haze from her mind. His bright hair curled boyishly around his ears. It stood out as though he’d been stabbing his fingers through it. His T-shirt was dark blue today, the edges hanging loose over the low-slung waistband of his worn jeans.

  He met her gaze, something in his eyes touching her deeply, reminding her of the brief jolt of electricity from the night before. As if he had released some sort of spell, her limbs relaxed. Seconds later she was running full force at him, praying he’d open his arms for her.

  “I’m so glad you’re here!” She pressed her lips to his, kisses now and questions later.

  His kiss erased the darkness, leaving nothing but white-hot desire in its wake. His lips were softer than she ever could have imagined, moving in a steady rhythm that matched the fierce beating of her heart and the thrum of longing that made her pussy wet with cream.

  He released her lips, keeping her body full-length against his. “Of course I’m here, love. Have you been waiting long?”

  Behind her, Emory could hear MacIntyre scooping up the petition and stuffing it back into its envelope. “We’re not done discussing this topic, Emory.”

  From the protective circle of Alex’s embrace, she felt strangely brave. “Oh, I know we’re not, Mr. MacIntyre. I think it’s a topic that needs to be addressed before there’s a big mistake made.”

  MacIntyre’s icy stare should have given her frostbite, but she managed to give him a sickeningly sweet smile before he disappeared out the door.

  Chapter Seven

  Alex held Emory as tight as he dared, feeling as if the last few minutes were part of a bizarre Twilight Zone episode. Once the door closed, she collapsed against his chest as though her body had gone completely boneless.

  She looked much as she had the night before. Baggy, khaki-green cargo pants cut off below the knee, a man’s button down over a navy camisole with big white flowers stenciled onto it, and sandals. Her toenails were painted bright purple. The thick hair piled on top of her head was trying desperately to escape its confinement by curling around her face.

  Jessa’s plants had been a convenient excuse to come to the shop, but they could wait. Now he intended to learn more about the pixie who hadn’t been far from his thoughts since the moment she’d walked into the bar. He certainly hadn’t expected her to fling herself into his arms the moment he walked in.

  “Emory, are you all right?” Alex rubbed one palm against her back, trying to soothe her.

  “I can’t believe I did that. I’m such an idiot!” She mumbled against his chest.

  “I’m sorry?” He stiffened, wondering if she was referring to the kiss. As far as he was concerned, the only idiotic thing about that kiss was that he’d ever let it end.

  She pulled away far enough to look up into his face. “I wasn’t talking about you. I was talking about what I said to MacIntyre.”

  “Captain Downtown?” Several of his waitresses had been known to stop by the Phoenix after their shifts. Alex detested the little prick. The stories MacIntyre’s staff told about him put him instantly on Alex’s biggest asshole list.

  She dissolved into giggles that had him grinning like a lunatic. Her laughter was absolutely infectious. “I didn’t realize that was his official nickname. My friend Morgan and I started calling him that when he took over the chamber of commerce after becoming an alderman.”

  “Morgan’s the one who got me started.”

  She pulled away, moving toward the door and flipping the sign from open to closed. “Yeah, Morgan’s great.”

  She seemed almost jealous. But that was crazy. Wasn’t it? “I’ve known Morgan forever. We’re good friends. She and my boss’s wife, Jessa, hang out. If you know Morgan, I’m surprised you’d never met Jessa before she dumped beer on you last night.”

  Reaching out, Emory brushed her fingertips over the fronds of a potted palm. Alex’s dick was jealous of every touch, wondering if she’d be that gentle with a lover. “I think Morgan has mentioned Jessa before. I just never made the connection.” She seemed to be mulling something over. “Why did you tell me I didn’t belong in your bar?”

  He was at a loss as to how he could explain away his rude behavior the night before. “You seemed lost.” He struggled to find the right words. “I wanted to put you in my pocket, but that’s not really my right. I suppose I was trying to keep you from making any mistakes you’d regret.” Like the one you probably made with Wade.

  The thought of her and Wade fucking in the shadows of the bar had Alex clenching his fists and fighting for control. He couldn’t explain it, couldn’t justify it, but he didn’t like the idea of anyone else touching her. She deserved better than a casual lay.

  “I didn’t have sex with Wade.”

  He wasn’t certain if his brain had fabricated the words because he wanted to hear them, or if she’d really said them.

  “Although I don’t know why it matters who I screw since you’re obviously in a relationship.”

  “I didn’t have sex with Celeste last night.” The words tumbled out with all the charm of a hormonal teenage confession. “I mean, I have before, but things sort of ended last night.”

  If he hadn’t known better, he’d think she was laughing at him. “Sort of ended? How long had the two of you been together?”

  “Four months? I don’t usually keep track.”

  She drifted toward the other side of the shop, moving through the plants with a watering can she’d picked up off the floor. “How long is your average relationship?”

  He’d had this conversation with more women than he could remember. This was the first time he’d ever experienced something that felt strangely like shame. “A month or two, give or take a month.”

  Cupping a beautiful white lily trimmed in pink, she gave him a smile that sent a jolt right to his groin. “At least I don’t have to worry about you overstaying your welcome.”

  Her comment stung though he deserved it. “Speaking of welcome. Why the big show? Or was that strictly for Captain Downtown?”

  “It’s complicated.”

  “Why didn’t you have sex with Wade?”

  She set the watering can down and turned to face him. How had he ever thought her anything but a woman? “I wanted to have sex with Wade.”

  He felt as if his whole world hinged on her next statement. “But?”

  “I think I was sort of stuck on you.”

  Alex didn’t need to hear anything else. He closed the distance between them in three strides, sweeping her into his arms and taking her mouth in a wild kiss. She tasted sweet, like sunlight and passion.

  He slid his tongue across the seam of her lips until she opened. Sliding it inside, he mated it with hers and kissed her with the same rhythm he longed to feel when he thrust his cock into her hot cunt.

  “Bedroom?” He prayed she lived above her shop because while he didn’t want their first time to be on her prep table, he was willing to consider the possibility.

  “Upstairs, first door on the left.”

  He put an arm beneath her knees and picked her up. Maneuvering her up the narrow stairs took some concentration, mostly because she was busy kissing his neck. Her mouth teased its way do
wn the line of his jaw, laving the hollow of his throat, nibbling his chin, and working its way up to his ear. When he finally found her bedroom, he tried to set her down gently though his muscles were turning to jelly with every touch.

  He gazed down at the pixie in the middle of the double bed. “Are you sure this is what you want, Emory?”

  “You’re the only thing I want, Alex.”

  Her words nearly undid him. He ground his teeth and fought for control. Focusing everything on Emory, he wondered why it had never been so important to please his partner.

  Carefully bracing his weight on his arms, he settled his body on the bed beside her. He kissed her slowly, until she was questing for more. He helped her out of her outer shirt, tossing it aside and resting his hand on her belly. She made tiny noises of pleasure in her throat when they kissed, the sounds driving him mad with desire.

  She stopped to wrestle with her camisole and he pulled her hands away. “Let me.” Lowering the straps, he pulled the soft cotton down just far enough to bare her breasts.

  They were pale perfection. Twin mounds tipped with soft pink nipples that puckered when he blew a soft stream of air across them. She gasped and arched her back when he took the first one in his mouth.

  He suckled lightly at first, then harder when she moaned at the contact. He nipped the beaded tip before letting it go and giving the other equal attention. She buried her hands in his hair, fingers lightly scraping his scalp and making his cock bulge against the confines of his jeans.

  “I need you naked, love.” He unfastened her cargos and slid the camisole to her waist. “Lift your hips for me.”

  Her hips came up and he slipped her clothing off in one tug, underwear and all. Her sandals had gone MIA on the stairs and she was now naked before him. Her dark eyes fluttered open, an expression of embarrassment crossing her face before she tried to close her legs and cover her breasts with her hands.

  Gently tugging her hands back to her sides, Alex shook his head. “Don’t ever hide from me, love. You’re absolutely gorgeous.”

  “No, I’m not. That woman last night, she was gorgeous.”

  Alex was used to reassuring women about their physical appearance, but her tone was nothing he’d ever heard before. She was quietly stating what she felt to be fact. No demurring, no fishing for compliments. Taking her hand, he pressed her palm to the erection that was nearly ripping open the front of his jeans. “This doesn’t lie. And it proves I find you utterly irresistible.”

  Her brown eyes went wide, her other hand reaching up to draw his face down to hers for another kiss. Alex complied, sinking into the sweetness of her mouth even as his hand delved into the nest of close-cropped dark curls between her legs.

  She whimpered when he slipped his fingers into her slit. It was damp with the evidence of her arousal. Her legs fell open, baring her pussy to his exploration. Lightly tracing her folds, he straddled her clit with two fingers and began to rub tiny circles around the sensitive nub.

  Creamy fluid spilled from her entrance, soaking his fingers and telling him she enjoyed his touch as much as he enjoyed giving it. “I’m going to put my fingers inside you, love. Is that all right?”

  Her fingers clutched his biceps. “Please, Alex!”

  Pressing into her slick channel, he marveled at how hot and tight she was. If he couldn’t get her to relax, he was going to hurt her when he tried to penetrate. First one finger, then two, then three sliding in and out of her sleek heat, with her knees bent and her voice crying out for more.

  He wanted her to climax, thinking that an orgasm might help her accept him inside her body more easily. Her eyes were closed, her hands restlessly grasping her sheets as he spread his fingers to stretch her channel as wide as he dared. He could feel her body hovering at the edge of release, but she was fighting it.

  He removed his hand from her pussy and shucked out of his clothes before lying back down. Holding her close, he pressed a kiss to her temple. He loved the feel of her skin next to his, the heat of her body beside him.

  “I can’t take the waiting, Alex.”

  Her voice was hoarse. Was she in pain? “I don’t want to hurt you, love.”

  “You won’t hurt me. I promise. Please fuck me. I don’t want to wait any longer.”

  He stared down into her dark eyes. “Then don’t wait. Come for me, Emory. It’ll make this easier.”

  “I can’t.”

  Alex had met a handful of women who couldn’t come until they’d experienced penetration. He began to wonder if she fell into this category. Taking a deep breath, he got to his knees. Fumbling in the pocket of his discarded jeans, he found the condom he always carried inside his wallet. He ripped the package open and pulled it out. She watched while he smoothed it down his shaft.

  “I’ve always wanted to see a guy do that.” Her wry tone made him laugh. “It usually happens so fast I miss it.”

  “It’s a waste of time, but a necessary one.”

  “And now?”

  He positioned her knees carefully, placing the head of his penis at her slick entrance and telling himself to go slow. “Definitely not a waste of time.”

  She giggled until he began to press into her tight pussy. “Oh!”

  He stopped. “Am I hurting you?”

  “God, no! It feels amazing!”

  Relief made him giddy. Pushing forward, he felt her body welcome him deeper. Her muscles flexed, embracing him with each gentle press until his shaft was fully seated and his head was pressed against the sweet spot deep inside her body. She trembled around him, her muscles poised on the brink of orgasm.

  Moving in gentle rhythm, Alex began thrusting in and out of her wet heat. He held her hips in his hands to maintain a steady pace. Her breasts bounced gently with each new stroke, nipples pouting for attention. Alex dipped his head and lipped them each in turn until she was gasping and he was fighting the urge to cum.

  Still she managed to stave off her climax. A fine sheen of perspiration covered her delicate features. Her brow was knitted in fierce concentration, her teeth clamped on her upper lip. She looked as if she were in agony.

  Slowing his momentum, Alex reached up and brushed his fingers across the puckered skin between her eyebrows. “What’s wrong, love?”

  She opened her eyes, her desperation on display. “Nothing. I want you to come inside me, Alex.”

  Her body seemed to believe her words. God knew his body believed her. But something didn’t fit. He could feel her orgasm building, winding its way through her muscles. The tension had her strung so tight he could barely move inside her. But instead of the fluidity that told him his lover was ready to fly over the edge of bliss, she was in rigid lockdown.

  She began to rock beneath him, grinding his cock inside her pussy until he thought he might implode from the need to let go. Forcing his libido back under control, Alex listened to her breathing. Measured, calculated, she was gasping and moaning in the perfect imitation of orgasm. Damned if she wasn’t faking it.

  If I didn’t believe it was for my benefit, I’d be insulted.

  “Come, Alex. Come inside me!”

  “No.”

  She stilled and her eyes flew open, surprise apparent in her expression. “Why not?”

  He hissed as he pulled out of her pussy. “Not until you tell me why you’re trying to fake an orgasm.”

  She looked like a kid caught with her hand in the cookie jar. “I wasn’t faking.”

  “I know the difference, love.” He placed a gentle kiss on her lips. “A lot of men don’t. But I do.”

  “Oh.”

  Now Alex was the one in agony. He flopped to the bed beside Emory and closed his eyes. His balls were tightly clenched, his seed fighting for release. Several deep breaths had him hanging on by a thread. She snuggled up beside him and rested her head against his chest. The feel of her warmth tamed his arousal, and he wrapped his arm around her slight frame.

  “Are you angry?”

  “No.” He rolled awa
y from her.

  He left the bed and headed for a smaller door in the corner of the room he correctly guessed led to a bathroom. Safely out of sight, he disposed of the condom and washed his hands. His dick was still hard, bouncing against his belly as if it were trying to pummel some sense into him. He stared into the mirror above the sink.

  I am so far out of my depth here. Maybe walking away would be better for both of us.

  A ready excuse on the tip of his tongue, he stepped back into the bedroom. He hadn’t noticed any details before. The tiny space had been carefully decorated to reflect its owner. Hand-sketched images of lilies and roses hung on walls painted shades of lavender and yellow. Leafy green plants spilled from hanging baskets near the two tiny windows. It was innocence and hope, just like the pixie who called it home.

  A pixie currently huddled in the middle of the bed, rocking back and forth with her face buried in her knees. Any desire to extricate himself from the situation died at the sight. She was obviously hurting.

  He sat on the bed, wondering what he could possibly say to make it better. “Are you all right?”

  Emory had made a complete fool of herself while naked in bed with a near stranger and he wanted to know if she was all right? “I’m so sorry, Alex.”

  His brow furrowed, his pale eyebrows drawing together. “Why are you sorry? If a man completely fails to pleasure a woman, that’s his problem. Not hers.”

  The idea that he could possibly think this was his fault was shameful. She had to set him straight, tell him the truth. “It isn’t you, it’s me.”

  “That’s a bad line no matter when you use it.”

  It was so odd to see him sitting on the edge of her bed. His body was utter and complete perfection. Every line, every groove and cut of his muscles was on display. She hadn’t known a man could be so beautiful. Handsome yes, but not on par with a classical Greek statue. “What I’m trying to say is that I don’t orgasm with anyone. It wasn’t anything you were or weren’t doing.”