AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He turned his head, allowing his gaze to fall from my face to my legs. Then he appeared uncomfortable as hell. “My name would be an excellent choice.”
“But Phoenix isn’t your real name.”
After he took a deep breath, I sensed he was losing patience with me. “No, but it’s the name I’ve used for years.”
“Fine. Do we have any pet names?” I gave him the same onceover he’d given me, realizing I was holding my breath while doing so. While the dinner was slightly more casual, he’d opted for black jeans and cowboy boots, a crisp white shirt opened to the middle of his broad chest and a leather jacket. He exuded dominance, his stature impossible to miss. I’d tried to convince myself that I could easily act my part and be able to turn off my attraction, but the crackle of electricity drifting back and forth between us was a clear indication I could be very wrong.
Nope.
I wasn’t going to do it.
So what if his exotic spice, cedarwood, and deep earth aftershave had already stained my skin? I could ignore it. Easily.
“Not for me, little bird.” The way he called me his little bird had been annoying at first, but at least for right now, the term of endearment brought me a smile.
Nerves.
They were like icy claws digging into every vein, sucking the life out of me. The closer it had come to Phoenix picking me up, the more anxious I’d become. The reason wasn’t because there was a chance I could screw up my sister’s wedding or that my father would likely have a hissy fit. My anxiousness was all about spending additional time with Phoenix.
He remained his quiet grumpy self after picking me up from the shopping center I’d insisted he meet me at. I had no idea why I was being cautious other than the fact I knew almost nothing about him.
Yet you paid him money to spend time with you, almost every bit of it up close and personal.
That wasn’t technically true. I’d given him half the thousand dollars plus another five hundred to purchase a suit, even telling him where I thought he could find the best deals. He’d given me the same stare I’d seen multiple times, the smug look on his face one I’d wanted to wipe off.
Maybe the reason he remained quiet was that I’d insisted on his phone number, calling him twice to remind him of the time.
“Did you pack everything?” I asked. “Granted, it’s not like we’re going to be far away from a store if you forgot anything, but Mom has back-to-back events after tonight.” He gave me another hard look. “You can turn right there. I used to go to this restaurant when I was growing up. I’m sure it looks the same. Did you know it’s been in operation for over two decades?”
As soon as he turned onto the street leading to the restaurant, he pulled over on the side of the road.
“What are you doing?” I demanded, immediately glancing at the digital clock on the dashboard of his truck. We were already going to be late.
He cupped my face, rubbing his thumb back and forth across my lips. “Stop talking. Everything will be fine. Breathe for me, little bird. Just breathe.”
“I know you probably haven’t been to a place like this before, although I’m just assuming. I know that’s shitty of me. And my father is going to grill you about where you went to school, what you do for a living, and how much money you make. I know he is because that’s what he does to me. He managed to run off two different boyfriends when I was in high school. I just—”
As he’d done inside the motel, he captured my mouth, holding our lips in place. I’d never felt so lightheaded in my life, my mind immediately shifting into a beautiful haze of various colors, every one of them iridescent.
I slipped my arm around his shoulder, tangling my fingers in his thick strands. As he opened and closed our lips together, I could feel my blood pressure stabilizing, the dull ache in my stomach disappearing. He pulled me closer as he swept his tongue inside, taking his time to dominate mine. Then he pulled away by a few inches, his breathing as ragged as mine.
“What was that for?” I asked breathlessly.
“To calm you down before you had a panic attack.”
After exhaling, I nodded, terrified he’d notice how hard my nipples had become.No sex. Remember the deal.
“I’m fine.”
“Good girl. Now, you’re going to let me grab your hand and take you inside where you’ll smile and greet your family as if you’re thrilled to see them. Then you’re going to introduce me as a man you’ve been seeing on and off for a few months. Given the distance, we can’t see other all the time. And I assure you that I can handle anything your father tosses in my direction. Is that understood?”
I’d never enjoyed being around dominating men. That had started with how strict my father had been throughout my childhood, barking orders as if we were new recruits in the military. He’d wanted to have boys, even pissed at my mother that she hadn’t produced them.
“Fine. Just don’t do anything rash.”
“That’s the second time I’ve been told that in as many days.”
“You should know my mother is a brash bitch who’ll come across as uncaring. Then she’ll sidle up to you.” My mother had always been flirtatious. I had no doubt she’d had several lovers over the years. All my father cared about was that she continued to have enough plastic surgery to look enchanting on his arm. In her eyes, that made her an expert on the subject, which often led to her telling me all the things that were wrong with me. I’d endured her nastiness my entire life, Cammie as well. Only my sister seemed unaffected by our mother’s caustic behavior. “And my father will try and pick a fight with you. Also, my father is one of the most important men in the entire state.”
