Phoenix flicked his tongue over my nipple, licking a rogue drop that had flung up there. “Yum,” he whispered. Then louder he said, “Okay, thanks. Be down in a few.”
After her footsteps faded away, I could finally breathe again. I shoved against him gently with one hand. “You are hazardous to my health, Phoenix Logan Kennedy. Now get up before she comes back and barges in this time.”
He chuckled quietly. “Okay, Pickles. If you insist.”
I gave him a scathing glare, but before he could roll off me, I grabbed him and kissed him, morning breath and all. I knew what he’d said earlier, about taking things slower the next time, but for all I knew, this could be the only time I’d have this opportunity with Phoenix. I didn’t want to walk away from it without having kissed him. He momentarily froze, and then fell into it as well, molding his mouth to mine and deepening the kiss.
His last words before he finally pulled away to get ready for breakfast and hiking were, “Remember your promise, Jonas.”
He needed not worry. We still had almost two weeks together, and I was hoping for and looking forward to more.
7
Phoenix
After a super-fast joint shower—where we’d both mostly behaved—and a quick breakfast, Jonas and I packed up snacks, water, and a few other things we might need for our hike and walked down to meet everyone else at the end of the lane.
Maddie was riding on Amberly’s back in a special carrier. I was happy they’d both be able to join in today. We still had to drive to the trail, but I was betting that little Miss Maddie had wanted a ride to the end of the lane on her momma’s back. And what she wanted, she usually got.
My little sister had gotten herself into a tough position in high school, but with her bravery, brains, and fierce determination, she’d graduated on time along with the rest of her class and was now taking night classes to pursue a college degree. All while working and being a wonderful mother to Maddie. I had a lot of respect for her. I was proud of her.
As we approached the group, I detoured over to the two of them where they stood beside James, and gave them a big hug.
“What was that for?” Amberly asked with her face squished against my shirt.
“Can’t a guy greet his baby sister and niece in the morning anymore? Sheesh,” I teased her. “Morning, James,” I added with a nod in his direction. He silently returned the nod and yawned into his hand.
“Of course, silly,” Amberly replied. “Maddie, we love Uncle Phoenix, don’t we? Tell him hello.”
“Hi, Unca Feefee. Maddie wuv too.”
I grinned and ruffled Maddie’s dark brown hair. “Aww. Unca Feefee wuvs I mean loves, his little Maddiekins so much too.” She beamed at me with her sweet toddler smile.
I glanced around the group, taking in each familiar face—and one less familiar face that tugged at my memory, but I could not place him. He, Jonas, and Brooklynn stood near a white van, and they were all talking animatedly. I assumed he was the guide, and I strode up to the three of them.
“…can’t believe it’s been so long!” Jonas was saying to the man when I walked up. Jonas turned to me, and the way his face lit up when he saw me did weird things to my insides. My stomach fluttered like it was full of butterflies, and my heart thumped. He was so beautiful, no matter how he was dressed or what he was doing. This morning, he’d gone straight for typical hiking wear, donning flint-colored convertible zip-off pants, a teal short-sleeve button-up, and brown hiking boots. Rounding out his outfit was a tan Patagonia cap he’d had to borrow from me. “I knew I’d end up forgetting something,” he’d said, smiling as I plopped it on his head before we’d left the house. But his true beauty, the things that made him truly shine, came from the inside. Last six months aside, he was one of the nicest, kindest, funniest men I knew—and hopefully would be officially dating soon, if I had any say in the matter.
It took all my restraint not to kiss him right on the lips that very moment. I knew that might make him self-conscious andwould also confuse the hell out of my family. So, I just smiled and said good morning to all three of them.
“Phoenix, this is our guide, Marcus Johnson.” Jonas looked at me expectantly, as if the name should mean something to me.
“As in the Johnsons next door?” Brooklynn supplied in response to my blank expression. “We used to all hang out when we were younger…” She shrugged. “At least Jonas and I did.”
I remembered him now. He’d grown into a handsome guy. A handsome guy who was very obviously checking out Jonas.
“Oh, right,” I said, keeping my tone light and even. “You had the black Jeep with all the bumper stickers. What was that big-ass one on the back window? ‘Panty Dropper.’ Was that it?”
He turned fire-engine red all the way to the tips of his ears. “That, uh, was my brother’s doing. We had to share the Jeep until I left for college.”
“And now you’re here for the summer and leading hiking excursions?” I guessed.
Marcus nodded and stuck his hand in my direction. I squeezed a tad harder than necessary as we shook. “It’s nice to see you again, Phoenix.” He winced as he pulled his hand away. Inside my head, I smirked smugly and gave him the finger. On the outside, I just smiled neutrally.
Brooklynn eyeballed me while Jonas and Marcus started chatting again. After a particularly long, appraising look, she dragged me aside to the edge of the driveway. “Please tell me you didn’t.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Brookie.” I glanced down at my watch. “Isn’t it about time we got started?”
She crossed her arms and glared at me. “You’re giving off a weird, possessive vibe. Tell me the truth.”
