An Ellora’s Cave Romantica Publication
www.ellorascave.com
Chasing Phoenix ISBN 9781419913556 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Chasing Phoenix Copyright © 2007 Christine d’Abo Edited by Briana St. James. Cover art by Syneca. Electronic book Publication December 2007 This book may not be reproduced or used in whole or in part by any means existing without written permission from the publisher, Ellora’s Cave Publishing, Inc.® 1056 Home Avenue, Akron OH 443103502. Warning: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000. (http://www.fbi.gov/ipr/) This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the authors’ imagination and used fictitiously.
CHASING PHOENIX
Christine d’Abo
Christine d’Abo
Chapter One “Remember, move arms, I break them.” The bouncer’s thick accent rang in Michael’s ear. Michael’s heart began to race as the bouncer pulled the blindfold tight, preventing him from seeing any light. It didn’t help that the monstrosity of a man who’d secured it just finished threatening him within an inch of his life. Michael was going to kill Andrew for this. “I’m only here for the show. Don’t worry.” Though what kind of show he was in for was a complete mystery. God, he was the only audience member and literally in the dark. Reaffirming what he’d said, Michael squeezed the armrests tight and hoped the smile he painted on his face looked believable. The bouncer grunted in his ear and the stale smell of cigarettes assaulted his nose. The man tapped the top of Michael’s head lightly. “Good boy.” Heavy shuffling footsteps moved away from Michael and the air became lighter without the other man’s large bulk so close. How he’d let Andrew talk him into this he wasn’t sure. No, he was sure. It had to do with the incessant pestering his best friend knew he couldn’t stand. The chance that Lady Phoenix was someone they worked with was practically nil. He didn’t think any of the accountants in their office fit the bill of a performance artist who told dirty stories to her patrons while they were blindfolded in a warehouse. He should have at least gone home and changed. Especially since he had spilled coffee on his shirt as he was going out the door. Andrew and Abbey had a good laugh at that one. What’s the hold up? 4
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He shifted in the hard, wooden seat and was thankful the “show” only lasted ten minutes. Whoever this woman was, she was an entrepreneurial queen. Fifty dollars for ten minutes of work. Brilliant. And from the size of the customers lining up outside, there were tons of men and women willing to pay the price. The silence of the room crept across his skin like ants, and he had to fight against the urge to fidget. A bead of sweat rolled down his chest under his dress shirt. It tickled as it slid and Michael had to fight against the impulse to reach up and scratch it. Of course he’d get talked into coming to this show tonight in the middle of a heat wave. Who ever this woman is, she’d better hurry the hell up and get out here. As if on cue, a loud, rusty creak of a door opened focusing his attention straight ahead. The clicking of her high heels echoed in the open space. Somehow, despite the oddness of his situation, Michael’s cock began to stir to life. He shifted again and hoped the growing bulge of his crotch wasn’t too obvious. Her footsteps halted a few feet away and he could have sworn he heard her gasp. Without leaning forward, his ears were straining to pick up a sound, any hint that he knew the true identity of Lady Phoenix. “Hello?” his voice sounded ten times louder than normal in the sparsely furnished warehouse loading bay. From behind him the bouncer coughed loudly. Right, one of the damned rules. No talking. Whatever hesitation she had, she’d gotten over it. She began to move again. He felt her body heat even in the sweltering night air as she approached him and walked a lazy circle around where he sat. Was she hot or an ugly duckling? He figured the latter if she didn’t want people to see her. She stopped directly behind him and leaned forward. Her cinnamon-tinted breath tickled his ear and neck, sending a shiver across his body. Here we go, big Mike. He squeezed the armrests even tighter than before and held on for the ride. “I love to swim naked in the moonlight.” 5
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Her words instantly shot to his cock, the blood pooling as his shaft pulsed to life. Michael swallowed hard but managed to keep quiet this time. She must be psychic because he’d been having a reoccurring dream on that very topic all week. He’d even mentioned it to Andrew the other day. She took a deep breath in and sighed, a soft sound that made her sound vulnerable. “Large quiet lakes, where the moonlight bounces off the water. That’s where I like to go. My skin looks pale. It almost glows under the moon’s rays.” He felt her move close, but wasn’t ready when her tongue darted out and traced a path along the ridge of his ear. Mentally, he started ticking the seconds off the clock. He only had to survive for nine minutes and thirty seconds longer without making an idiot of himself by coming in his pants. Good luck with that, Mike. “The only thing better than swimming naked in the moonlight is fucking under the stars.” A groan escaped him. She was killing him and probably didn’t care. She’d turn around and do it to the next person in line. Phoenix stood and walked slowly around to the front of where he sat. Touch me, the raving sex fiend inside him screamed. She didn’t listen this time. Instead, he felt her place her hands on the high back of the chair just above his shoulders. A cascading wave of cinnamon and a floral shampoo washed over him. “Swimming naked makes me feel dangerous. Wild. It’s the secret part of me I never let anyone see.” Michael felt her lean forward. He knew without seeing that her lips were close to his. If he moved his head forward an inch, maybe two, he’d be able to kiss her. “Do you like wild women? Nod if you do.” Michael nodded his head by somehow only moving it a fraction of an inch. He would have much preferred to scream it loudly but Bozo the bouncer would have tied him into a knot if he did.
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“I’m so happy to hear that,” she said in a deep sultry voice, and followed it up with a purr. His cock strained so hard against his pants he was scared there would be a bruise in the morning. He really needed to get laid if a blindfold and a few words were enough to push him over the edge. With great effort, he refocused his mind and brought his concentration back to the task at hand. Trying to figure out if this little sex kitten worked for Barbers Accounting. Reality check. He would be limited in what he knew about her from what she said, how she said it and how she smelled. Oh shit, he was screwed. Faces of women he worked with every day popped into his mind’s eye. As she spoke, he tried to match each one with her voice but ended up discarding all of them. God, none of them were this sexy. “Have you ever thought about the secret side of others? What they wear under their clothes? Who they want to fuck?” The last word rolled off her tongue smoothly and Michael shivered. Holy shit, he would from now on. Michael shifted again, trying to relieve the pressure. Instead his knee brushed against hers and a jolt of charged energy passed between them. “I see you’re thinking of it now.” She chuckled. “Is that a turn on for you? Thinking about what other people would do? How they would react if you touched them? Told them your naughty secrets?” Michael sucked in a breath as she dug her finger nails into the tops of his thighs and raked them down to his knees. His body began to tremble. Tremble! He was a former college linebacker. He’d never trembled before in his life. Michael needed to move, to touch her at least once. Hell, he wanted to rip off all her clothes and drive his cock deep into her cunt. “I think I’d like to know your naughty secrets,” she said and chuckled. 7
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Before he knew what she was doing, she’d somehow slipped her legs through the hole that was made by the chair’s armrests and was now straddling his lap. “I have secrets. Some I haven’t shared with anyone else. Not even here in this show. Do you want me to tell you one?” “Yes,” he spoke the word without thinking. His body stiffened and Phoenix laughed. “Don’t worry, lover, you’re safe.” She leaned in and placed a kiss on his forehead. “For now.” Michael doubted that very much. “If you want me to tell you a secret then I have to do something first. Do you trust me?” He hesitated. She wouldn’t do anything to him. Would she? This was a public performance after all, with a line half a block long waiting outside the door. Still. “Ah, you don’t trust me.” He could hear the pout in her voice. “I do,” he whispered and prayed that he wouldn’t regret it. “Good boy.” She placed a kiss on his forehead above where the blindfold crossed his skin. Michael sucked in a breath when he felt something light and soft drop across his forearms. A silk scarf? “Now for this particular story, I need to make sure you’re not going to be tempted to take that mask of yours off. I’m not going to tie you very tight, so you can get yourself free. Given time.” The scarf tickled his skin as she wrapped it around his left forearm. As promised, she didn’t tie it too tight but he wouldn’t be able to free himself quickly. Once the first arm was finished she made quick work of the second. “There. That wasn’t so bad, was it?” 8
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Michael licked his lips and shook his head. “Good. Are you ready to hear my secret?” This time he nodded emphatically, forgetting the no moving rule. He needed to hear what turned a woman like this on. Phoenix lowered her body so he could feel the heat from her pussy through his pants. Her weight rested on top of his cock and she sighed. “Here’s my secret.” She leaned forward again, her breasts pressed against his chest. He could feel her erect nipples through his shirt. Good god, they were pierced! No one at work had their nipples pierced. Did they? Her mouth was beside his ear again and he squeezed until his finger tips hurt to prevent from touching her. “I love to watch.” “What do you like to watch?” he whispered back. He licked his lips and bucked his hips up against her when she licked his ear again. “I like to watch a man stroke his cock until he comes.” “God…” She pulled back, stood up and moved off his lap. Michael felt his world spin out of control at the sudden absence of her heat. It wasn’t until he heard her whistle softly that he realized something else was going on. The whistle was answered by a grunt from the bouncer who Michael had completely forgotten about. Something behind him squeaked, perhaps the door, followed by a shuffling that sounded as if it was moving away. When he didn’t hear a door close shut, he figured the other man wasn’t that far away. Just in case. Michael’s attention quickly returned to Phoenix when he felt her skirt brush his fingertip. “Just thinking about seeing your cock in your hand is making me hot. My pussy is so wet right now.” His heart began to pound in his ears and throat. Michael had to swallow hard to get
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past the tightness. “I wonder if I should untie your arm so I can watch you touch yourself? I really like to watch,” she cooed gently. Michael didn’t have time to think. He felt her hand slide down his chest to bulge in the front of his pants. She squeezed him hard but relief eluded him. Phoenix moaned loudly. She seemed to enjoy more than just watching. He wanted to cry when she pulled back and moved to the side of him. This time there was more than incidental contact. He felt her skirt lift and fall over his right forearm and she rubbed her hot, damp pussy against his hand. “Don’t move,” she warned when Michael’s hand flexed. “Not moving,” he croaked out, and wished his hand was around his swollen cock. “The people I work with…” her voice quivered. He heard her swallow and suck in a shaky breath. “They don’t know about me. They don’t know how bad I am.” Without any notice, she ground her clit against the backs of his knuckles. He forgot to breathe. He could feel her wetness soaking her panties. He flexed his fingers but she grabbed his forearm, pushing down hard with her hands. Between the scarf and her hands he couldn’t move. Michael’s entire body seized from shock of the contact. Her nipples weren’t the only thing she had pieced. “But I am bad. Do you like bad?” “Yes,” he whispered. Phoenix pulled back just out of reach. “What was that?” “Yes!” “Oh good.” This time she pushed her panties away and ground harder against his hand. Her breathing was coming out in gasps timed with the swiveling of her hips. Michael’s mind shut off, his entire concentration focused on the contact between them. Her slick pussy enveloped his fingers, drenching him with her juices. He knew he shouldn’t
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move but he couldn’t help it. The next time she lifted her hips he managed to turn his hand awkwardly around so his palm was up. When she came back down he was able to slide his finger deep inside her. Phoenix cried out in surprise but didn’t pull away. Instead she rode his hand hard and Michael wished it wasn’t his hand she was grinding against. He hooked his finger so he could rub against her G-spot as his thumb rubbed against her clit. Her muscles tightened around his finger and her body began to shake. He knew her orgasm would hit her soon and would give anything to rip off his blindfold to watch her face as she came. Phoenix cried out as her cunt muscles spasmed around his hand. A rush of her cream trickled onto his hands, scorching him with her scent. Out of the blue she grabbed Michael’s face in her hands and crushed her lips against his as her body shuddered with the after effects of her release. The large room echoed with the sound of their panting. Michael wanted, no needed to reach into his shorts to grab his cock and jack off. Phoenix must have realized the pain he was in because she reached down and cupped his balls through his shorts. “I’ve already crossed the line or else I’d help you with this. But the police would arrest me for prostitution if I did.” “Fuck the police,” Michael barely recognized the harsh growl that left him as his own voice. Phoenix chuckled, a low, throaty laugh. “Trust me, some of them would like that.” She placed another kiss on his forehead and Michael took in one final breath of her odd scent of cinnamon and floral shampoo. Slowly she pushed her body away from his and began to walk away from him. Her steps weren’t as steady as they were when she arrived. Michael’s heart pumped adrenaline through his body at a mad rate. It would take a matter of seconds to jerk off after everything that had happened. But that was the least of his worries. Who the hell was this woman? He heard the piercing squeak of the back 11
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door open and panic surged through him. “What’s your name?” he asked on impulse. Instead of a reprimand, she sighed. “Lady Phoenix. Didn’t you read the sign, Michael?” She shut the rusty door with a bang.
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Chapter Two Abbey shuffled her sneakered feet from side to side as she sipped her café Americano and waited for the elevator to arrive. Her body was still humming from her last Lady Phoenix performance three nights ago. She’d barely slept all weekend as a result. Every time she closed her eyes all she could see was Michael bound and panting in her chair. And every time that particular image popped into her mind she had to grab her vibrator to relieve the tension in her pussy. Shit, she’d gone through her new batteries! How the hell was she going to face him this morning? She felt a blush heat her face as the elevator dinged its arrival. Two long steps and she made it to the back where she could hide as others piled in, in front of her. Abbey slouched with relief against the back wall, blowing a piece of her short black hair out of her eyes as the doors closed. Normally she was on the same schedule as Michael. Usually, they ran into each other at the coffee shop and rode the elevator together to the office on the twentieth floor. But not today. They’d been coworkers for the past three years. Hell, she thought they’d formed a pretty decent friendship. Except being Michael’s friend was the last thing she wanted. What the hell was he doing at her show anyway? Abbey took another large sip of her coffee and let it burn a trail down her throat. Seeing Michael barely holding himself together, pushed to the edge of his control was more of a turn-on than she’d ever imagined. And she’d imagined it quite a bit over the past six months. She sighed out loud, drawing a curious glance from a woman standing beside her. “Mondays,” she said and rolled her eyes. The woman snorted and nodded her agreement before turning back to face the 13
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front. The elevator stopped to let a few of the occupants off but Abbey barely noticed. Images of Michael’s strained and flushed face were firmly fixed in her mind. When she’d reached down and squeezed his cock, she thought she was going to die. Who could blame a girl for needing a little release at a time like that? How the hell could she have known he was that big? Two more elevator stops and Abbey finally reached her floor. She had to push her way past two bickering IT guys, practically jumping out of the way of the closing doors. “Tara, have you seen Andrew this morning?” Abbey froze with her coffee cup half way to her lips. Michael was leaning against the front lobby desk, his arms braced against the ledge and his fingers clutching the edge. He looked pissed. She fought the urge to squeeze her legs together to put some pressure on her clit. “I don’t think he’s arrived yet, Mr. Quinn.” “Bugger’s been avoiding me all weekend.” “Really? I can’t imagine anyone wanting to avoid you, Mr. Quinn.” The young temp at the desk twirled a strand of her hair around her fingers as she made doll eyes at Michael while Abbey fought the urge to roll hers. The little twit didn’t know Michael at all if she thought he’d notice her because of a little light flirting. He scratched his blond hair with both hands and growled. God he was hot. Abbey took a deep breath and let her acting skills take over. “What did Andrew do now?” When Michael spun around, his brown eyes flashed brief recognition before he walked toward her. He was still scowling when he stopped beside her, his hands planted firmly on his hips. Abbey fought to keep her smile in place and thanked god he hadn’t made the connection. “He sent me to…” he paused and frowned. His full lips looked extremely kissable, exactly as they had Friday night.
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Abbey’s pierced nipples hardened against her padded bra which sending a shiver of desire through her. “He sent you…where?” she offered and handed him her coffee. “Here, have some. You look like you need it.” Michael gave his head a shake and flashed his most charming smile at her. “Doesn’t matter. A wild goose chase that I’m going to kick his ass for.” He took a quick sip before handing her cup back to her. “Shit, I don’t know how you can drink that so hot. Especially in the summer.” “I like hot things,” she shrugged and made a beeline toward her cubicle. “And it sure sounded like it mattered to you. Where’d he send you? Some dive?” He cast the temp behind them a quick glance but shook his head and shot her a glace that said not here. “Later, okay?” “I’ll hold you to it. Punishment will be me giving you the CanRex account to work on.” Michael chuckled as he fell into step beside her. “Deal.” Abbey made her way to her desk with Michael half a step behind her. She tried not to look at him, wanting any more fuel for her imagination. She was already so fucking horny, she wanted to kick herself. If their friendship was ruined, it would be her fault. It’s not like she’d given him much of a choice Friday night. Her hands were getting quite clammy by the time she threw her purse into the bottom of her filing cabinet at her cubicle. Michael was unwrapping one of the cinnamon candies that she kept on her desk. She watched as his long, thick tongue darted out to catch the candy as he popped it into his mouth. She wanted him to use it on her, lick her clit ‘til she gushed all over his face. She was going to die. “Has Andrew mentioned to you a summer theatre show put on by a woman who
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goes by the name Lady Phoenix?” The sip of coffee she’d swallowed went down the wrong way. Abbey coughed painfully until Michael reached over and patted her lightly on the back. Her skin seemed to burn in the air-conditioned chill where he’d made contact. Andrew. She should have known he had something to do with this. “Sorry,” she looked sheepishly at him. “No, he hadn’t mentioned it. What was it like?” This time her gaze was focused on his face. His eyes widened for a fraction of a second and she could have sworn he blushed. He looked down at his hand before looking directly into her eyes and smiled. “It was…enlightening.” That was all it took for her pussy to pulse, her cream wetting her panties. The air seemed to leave the small space of her cubicle and she had to take a deep breath to get the oxygen flowing into her brain. “I see,” she managed to squeak out. “Andrew thinks she’s one of ours. He wanted me to try and find out for sure.” That sneaky sonofabitch! “Really?” Michael grunted as he crossed his arms across his chest. “Yup. Funny thing was she knew me. Called me by my name just as she was leaving.” Abbey’s stomach clenched and she had to fight the nerves back. “Wow. I wonder who it is?” “Believe me, I intend to find out.” “I wonder why Andrew wouldn’t find out for himself?” she said and downed the rest of her coffee in three gulps. “I plan on asking him as soon as he shows his face.” They lapsed into an odd silence, the only sound coming from the start-up music of her computer operating system. 16
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“So,” her mind raced to think of something, anything to say before he walked away. “Are you going to the party at Reid’s cottage?” He nudged the half full plastic file holder over and scooted onto her desk. He looked down at her with his gorgeous brown eyes and winked. Her heart did a little flip. “The annual summer party from hell? I wasn’t going to, but after this weekend I think I might.” Abbey’s heart rate doubled. She’d been after him to go with her to the lake for the past two years. Shit, that’s why she’d mentioned that particular fantasy to him Friday. She never thought it would actually work. Calm. She had to stay relaxed, confident and most importantly not say anything that would cause her to look like a dork. She took another sip of coffee and smiled. “Oh? What’s made you change your mind?” She watched as a range of emotions flicked across his face. When he shifted uncomfortably on her desk, she couldn’t help but sneak a peek at his crotch. Most definitely bulging. Abbey quickly averted her gaze and focused instead on the computer screen and typed her password into the accounting software when it popped up. Michael leaned in and tapped her on the shoulder. When she turned her head her lips were only a few inches away from his, taunting her. She ran her tongue over her own now dry lips in a vain attempt to wet them. “How long have we known each other?” he said, an odd note in his voice. “Three years. Why?” Her heart began to pound and she desperately needed some space. “We know each other pretty well, don’t we?” Abbey suddenly felt like she was standing at the top of a very slippery slope and Michael was about to give her a push. “Yeah. I like getting you for my Secret Santa
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victim. You’re an easy buy.” Michael rolled his eyes. “Serious, Abbey.” “I am being serious. I guess we know each other as well as any friends can.” She had to force the word friend out and felt she’d managed to do so quite convincingly. Being Michael’s friend had worked for about the first six months of their acquaintance. After that she’d thrown every hint going to get him to see through the friend persona. Nothing seemed to work. “Have you ever wondered what people are like outside work? I mean some of their secrets?” Secret number one is that I’d like to give you head in the supply closet. Her stomach did that strange flip it always did whenever she saw him and desire surged through her. “Of course. Everyone has secrets. But not necessarily some I’d want to know.” He considered that for a moment before nodding his agreement. “True. But we only see a small side of people every day. There’s so much more beneath the surface.” Below her particular surface laid a raving sex fiend with the hots for her friend and coworker. She didn’t think Michael would be able to handle that particular tidbit of information just now. “Hey you two!” She looked up as Andrew stood leaning against the cubicle wall at the end of their row. “You!” Michael was off her desk and across the aisle in two steps. “We need to talk.” “Hey, what’s shoved up your ass?” Andrew held his hands up in front of his body and slowly backed away. “Now.” Michael grabbed Andrew’s arm and yanked him toward the Crystal Cove meeting room. “I’ll see you at the Monday morning meeting,” Abbey called to them but they were 18
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out of earshot. Abbey turned to her computer screen and stared blankly at the computer files listed in front of her. Andrew probably heard about the shows from one of the clubs he frequented. That had to be how he’d heard of her. But why did he think Lady Phoenix worked here? She pushed the questions from her mind and tried to focus on her morning tasks. Who the hell was she kidding? She locked her computer and went in search of Michael and Andrew. She had to figure out how much they knew.
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Chapter Three Michael fought the urge to slam the conference room door shut behind them. Instead he closed it gently and leaned against it so Andrew had no escape route. “So what the hell was the point of sending me to Lady Phoenix Friday? Did you pay her or something for that little…performance?” Much to his credit, Andrew had the decency to look nervous. Well, more scared shitless than nervous. Michael leveled his friend with his harshest glare and waited. It would only be a matter of time. “Will you stop that? You know it creeps me out,” Andrew gave his head a shake. Michael snorted and waited. “Fine,” Andrew sighed and plopped down into one of the mismatched conference room chairs. “I was told by a friend of mine about this new show that started two months ago. I heard the woman was a great storyteller and had a really sexy voice.” Michael snorted. “Great storyteller? She tied my arms to the chair.” “Sam didn’t mention anything about that. She said Phoenix told her an adult version of Red Riding Hood, but it was pretty clean.” “So why didn’t you go yourself?” “I did! When I went to check it out I happened to catch a glimpse of who I thought was Phoenix.” “You thought? You mean you have an idea who she is?” Andrew shrugged. “Not sure. That’s why I sent you.” “You’re an asshole.” Michael pushed off the door, jerked it open and stalked out. “Mike, wait.” Michael sat at his desk still not believing what had happened Friday. He should 20
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have known better than to go. When Andrew sheepishly sauntered over to Michael’s desk five minutes later, he looked apologetic. “Hey, truce, okay?” “You know who it is and you sent me there to torture me,” Michael finally said his eyes focused on the screen blinking in front of him. Andrew looked around, leaned in, and whispered. “Look it was dark and I really didn’t get a good look at her face. But it was one of those faces I’ve seen every day. I just couldn’t put my finger on who.” “So instead of going in yourself you talked me into it and I had to sit there and have her…” He snapped his mouth shut. The last thing he wanted was Andrew to find out exactly what went on Friday night. Fuck him. He can go himself and find out if he’s that curious. “Mike, you know I suck at subtle. That’s why I wanted to be your best friend when we were kids. You’re the grace and I’m the sledgehammer. Just figure out who it is for me, will you?” “And then what? You’re going to ask her out on a date? You don’t even know what type of woman she is.” Michael certainly knew. He’d spent the weekend trying to get Phoenix out of his mind. He jerked off until his wrist was killing him but it didn’t matter. Every time he closed his eyes he could hear her voice. Feel her tongue teasing his ear, his neck. Her long, strong fingers wrapping around his cock and beginning to stroke him, taking the time to scrape his balls with her fingernails. Michael gave his head a shake and opened up an email to get his mind off Phoenix. “I doubt I’m her type. I’m simply curious.” Andrew patted Michael on the head and turned to leave. “Look, I know you well enough to know you’re not going to let this drop until you figure it out. Just keep me posted.” Michael grunted as Andrew walked back to his desk. He didn’t look away from his email for the rest of the hour either. He needed to focus on his accounts and get their 21
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books in order for month end. Not on some woman who liked to masquerade as a mythical bird. And certainly not on the fact that she had highly erotic body piercings and seemed to find him attractive. Fuck, she masturbated herself with his hand! The memory of how her pussy pulsed around his finger, how she ground her clit against his knuckles was crystal clear. Her scent clung to him all the next day too, driving him out of his mind. He tried to wash it off but it didn’t matter. All he could smell was her musk and cinnamon. The people I work with, they don’t know about me. They don’t know how bad I am. “Shit.” He pushed away from his computer after having read the same paragraph ten times. His cock was at full attention again and making it more than a little obvious what his current state was. He only had forty-five minutes before the department meeting to get his body under control. Michael grabbed a notepad for cover and headed to the bathroom. “Hello, Mr. Quinn,” Tara waved at him as he stalked past. He nodded but didn’t stay to chat. The last thing he needed was a twentysomething temp thinking he had a hard-on for her. Not wanting to risk the interruption, Michael passed the larger of the two johns and made his way to the small, less used facility at the end of the hall. Despite the fact that all the facilities were unisex, most knew that this was the one where the men went to read the paper. It also made it ideal for him to take a moment for a quick jerkoff session. Once inside, he did a quick check of the two stalls to make sure there wasn’t anyone else around. He began to perspire and knew this wouldn’t take long at all. He slipped into the stall furthest from the door and flicked the lock shut. Within seconds he had his pants undone and his swollen cock in his hand. He spun a wad of toilet paper off the roll in preparation for his quick end. Michael turned his back to the door and prayed it would hold his weight. With his eyes closed he tried to form a mental picture of what Phoenix looked like. Long brown hair and hazel eyes. He 22
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began to stroke himself, remembering what it felt like when she’d taken his cock in her hand. I love to swim naked in the moonlight. He groaned, his voice sounding rough and hollow in the small room. God, he bet she had a beautiful mouth. And her tongue, long and wet. The door to the washroom was pushed open and Michael froze. Fuck! He didn’t dare move not wanting to attract any attention to himself. If they came in, he’d simply turn around and sit down. No problem. The outside door shut and he heard the lock flip. It wasn’t until he heard the click of her high heels that he realized what was going on. Phoenix found him. “Ooooh what do we have here?” she made a tsking sound with her mouth. “I think someone is being naughty at work. Feet going the wrong way in a stall.” Michael looked down but all he could see was his hand wrapped around his red, swollen shaft. “Phoenix?” He could hear the desire in his voice. “I hear you’ve been looking for me,” she purred. “That’s not very sporting of you.” “I…” What the hell did she expect him to say? “I’ve been thinking about you.” She chuckled. A deep, arousing sound. “I wouldn’t have done a very good job if you hadn’t been.” “So you do work here,” he said the words and then wanted to smack himself. Of course she worked here. “For now. I consider this my day job. Until I can make a living doing what I love most.” He had to swallow several times before he thought he could make his voice work. “What’s that?” “Performing. Acting.” 23
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For a moment he thought he caught a note in her voice. Something very familiar. But like a word on the tip of his tongue, the more he struggled to catch it the faster it eluded him. His heart was pounding but he needed to ask the next question. “And what about my show? Do you do that for everyone?” He heard her slide her hands up the other side of his door and sigh. Could he pull up his pants and open the door before she got out of the room? Did he want to? He felt a bead of pre-cum cover the end of his cock. No, he wasn’t moving unless the building was on fire. And maybe not even then. “Your show? No, that was special. Only for you. The rest of my materials is,” she said in a tone that told him she was smiling, “PG.” Only for him. His shaft pulsed in his hand at the thought of this sensual, erotic creature being driven over the edge because of him. And all he had to do was sit there. “I think I like that I’ve seen your naughty side.” He closed his eyes and began to stroke his cock. “And I think you’re being naughty right now. Aren’t you, Michael?” “Yes,” he groaned. She sighed again. “Do you have your cock in your hand? Are you stroking yourself?” “Yes!” “You’d like me to take your cock in my mouth, wouldn’t you. Suck you hard until you fill my mouth with your cum.” Her voice was breathless. He couldn’t answer her. He began to pump his hand faster, squeezing his shaft in one hand as he cupped his balls with the other. “Tell me.” It was her turn to moan. “Tell me what you’re thinking about.” Images, fragment of dreams he’d had all weekend flashed in his head. “We’re outside on the beach. You’re naked lying on your back and there’s a fire close by.” 24
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His hand settled into a steady rhythm on his cock. He took some spit to make his hand slide easier over his now moist skin. “What do you want me to do?” He could tell by her voice that she was as aroused as he was. “I want you to touch yourself. Put your fingers in your pussy.” He wanted to know she was on the other side of the door, her skirt pulled up to reveal her swollen, pierced clit. Once she moaned he knew he had her. “Michael, tell me.” “I’m naked too. And I bury my face between your legs.” “Yes.” Michael felt his balls tighten and knew it wouldn’t be long now. Her scent was everywhere again. He breathed it in deep, getting drunk on her. “I lick you slowly. Suck your clit hard as I drive a finger into you cunt and your ass.” She gasped. “Would you like that? For me to put my finger in your ass?” “God yes,” her words came out as a harsh whisper. “You come hard. Scream my name as your juices flow down my arm.” “Michael,” she moaned. “Then what?” “I’m going to ram my c-cock into you. Into your pussy over and over.” “Hard?” “Fuck yes.” He couldn’t focus on anything except the image of her naked body and losing himself in her. He wanted to feel her legs wrap around his back, locking him into a primal rhythm. Feel her pussy spasm around his shaft when her orgasm hit, pushing him over the edge into bliss.
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“You want my cock don’t you, Phoenix?” “Yes.” Michael braced his arm against the side of the stall to steady his weakening legs. He couldn’t take much more of this. “I’m going to come,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “Me too. Come for me baby. Put your finger inside your pussy. That’s me, baby. Let me hear you. Say my name.” A soft little cry reached him and he felt her body tremble through the door. “Michael!” she moaned before she muffled her cries. That was all it took. One, two more strokes and his orgasm hit hard. A stream of cum shot out of him and landed on the back wall of the stall. Another jetted up before he cupped his tip with his other hand. He bit down hard on his bottom lip, trying to bottle up his cry of pleasure. Silence. Michael’s mind kicked in and he sucked in a deep breath. His body felt weak and he desperately wanted to sit down. “Phoenix?” “I’m here.” She sounded as shaken as he did. “You okay, hon?” “I…I’m fine.” A bead of semen trickled down his softening shaft and between his fingers. He needed to get cleaned up. But he needed to know who she was more. He turned his cheek so it was resting on the cool metal door and whispered to her through the small crack. “Who are you?” For a moment he didn’t think she’d answer him. He was about to open the door when she sighed. “I’m no one. A fantasy.” 26
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“We could go out. To dinner or a movie. Talk if you want.” “But it would always come back to this, to sex. Phoenix isn’t real.” A surge of annoyance flashed through him. Michael hit the door with his open palm. “Bullshit. She’s a part of you. I want to know the rest.” “Goodbye, Michael. Please stop looking for me.” She ran to the door, flicked the lock open and ran.
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Chapter Four Abbey sat in the now full conference room and wanted to die. She’d barely managed to hop into the large bathroom at the other end of the hall, clean herself up, change her shoes and make her way back to her desk before anyone noticed she’d slipped away. Not that many people would, but why take the chance? Then it was time for the Monday morning meeting and they had to file into the conference room. She had not masturbated in the bathroom. She hadn’t listened to Michael jerking off either. That was something crazy. Insane! Totally out of character for her. Shit, other than her performance with Michael Friday night, even Lady Phoenix wasn’t that daring. Fired. She was going to get her ass canned and it would be no one’s fault but her own. And for what? Michael still didn’t know she was Lady Phoenix or that she was in desperate need to rip his clothes off and fuck him senseless. If he did know it was her, he’d probably die himself. The question was, if he knew, who would he want her to be—Abbey or Phoenix? Abbey knew the instant Michael slipped into the room. The hairs on her arms seemed to stand on end as she felt the energy pulsing off him. She watched as he gave every woman in the room a good once over, staring half a second longer than polite. Even though there was a free chair at the table, he stood by the door and greeted everyone. He seemed to pay particular attention to all the ladies shoes. Shit! He was trying to get a reaction. Only the real Phoenix would understand what he was doing. The rest of the women wouldn’t care that he was checking out their feet. Or at the very most they’d think he had a shoe fetish. But Abbey knew what he was doing and exactly who he was looking for. A blush warmed her cheeks and she had to find something interesting to stare at in the opposite corner until it went away. She was so screwed. 28
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She looked back in time to see him eyeing the people around the boardroom table. Linda, then Patty and Monica. Abbey held her breath and quickly found something on the blank page of her notebook very interesting when he came to her spot. She waited for the familiar tingle she always seemed to get when he stared at her. But this time there wasn’t any. His gazed bounced right over, moving on to who he thought was the next likely person. What the hell? A small piece of her cringed when he didn’t give her a second glance. Who the hell was she kidding? She would have felt better if he’d jumped up on the table and screamed Abbey is too boring and unsexy to be my hot and horny Lady Phoenix! Oh god, he was even looking at Janice. And she was sixty! Abbey snatched a donut as the box passed in front of her, ripped it in three and showed part into her mouth. What the hell was wrong with her that he wouldn’t even consider her for Lady Phoenix? Okay, so she wasn’t the sexiest dresser. Her skirt and v-neck shirt were practical for the hot Toronto streets and even for the freezing air-conditioned buildings. And black hair was the in color this month. Maybe if she added a purple streak to get his attention…ha, she doubted he’d notice. Lord knew she’d tried everything else. Her eyes drifted back to him as she finished off her donut. Still, she’d love to know what he was thinking right now. Probably of her. No, he was thinking of Phoenix, not her. What does it matter if she was the woman of his naughty dreams? The reality of the situation was if he found out her secret, their friendship would be over. They may try to date and she wouldn’t be able to live up to his expectations. But if he didn’t find out, she was going to go insane from wanting to fuck him and end up quitting. She’d created a nightmare. Now she’d have to live with the consequences. “Hey sexy,” Andrew said from over her shoulder. When Abbey craned her neck around, Andrew was smiling like a fool. His brown hair was messy as usual. Not like Michael’s whose blond hair rarely looked out of place. Even when he ran his fingers through it like he was right now, he still looked like the 29
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pictures he’d shown her from when he played football. “Yo, hello?” Andrew waved his hand in front of her face. Abbey blushed when she realized she’d gone back to starting at Michael and hadn’t heard a word Andrew had said. “Sorry. Busy morning. I’m a bit spacey.” “No worries. I asked if you had a good weekend?” “Oh,” she shrugged not in the mood for small talk. “It was fine.” “Only fine? We need to get you out more. You should be hitting the clubs with me. Try to land yourself a hot stud.” She rolled her eyes. “I’m too needy. That’s what Jake told me.” “Bah, screw him. He was a moron anyway. So are you going to the big party this weekend? I heard Reid is going all-out. Bought steaks and beer.” Andrew rubbed his hands together with glee. Abbey couldn’t help it, she chuckled. “Yes, I’m going. You know I can’t pass up a good steak.” “Excellent. I’ll save you a big one then. I’ve been roped into cooking again,” he said and patted her on the shoulder as he took his seat. She faced front again as the buzz in the room settled down. Mr. Angus Reid sauntered into the room past where Michael stood leaning against the wall. Her eyes stopped on Michael’s face, which was focused on her. Sure, now he sees me. She probably had something on her face. But that didn’t explain the strange look he was shooting her. Almost like he was remembering something. She shrugged and mouthed what? He didn’t have a chance to respond as Mr. Reid began the meeting. Abbey couldn’t concentrate on what was going on around her. The department heads gave their reports, blathering on and on, but she barely heard a word. She kept drifting back to Michael wondering what was wrong. Was there anything that would point him in her direction as Phoenix? Nothing. She’d changed her shoes before she
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went into the bathroom. She made sure he couldn’t see her through the stall door. And she’d barely said ten words since she came into the boardroom. There was nothing to give her away. Was there? They came to the last item on their agenda and Abbey forced herself to pay attention. If she didn’t she was likely to get suck on some sort of special project. “Now I know this is the week of our big party, but I have a special client case I have to assign,” Mr. Reid announced above the chatter that had grown to fill the momentary pause. “This shouldn’t take more than a few days, but it might require some late nights to get it ready for Monday morning. They have some potential investors who want to make sure they’re making a wise choice. It’s our job to help them dot all their I’s. Andrew and Abbey, I want you two to take this one.” Abbey slumped back into her seat. Damn. At least it would take her mind off Michael. “Ah, Mr. Reid,” Andrew piped up from behind her. “I’m sorry I can’t. I’m on vacation starting at the end of the day today.” “Since when?” she whispered over her shoulder. “Unfortunate for you. Fine. Quinn, you and Abbey. Unless you have a sudden urge to go on vacation as well?” “No, sir,” Michael straightened. “Excellent. Since there’s nothing else, we’re done. See everyone on Saturday.” Abbey couldn’t move. She felt like a large truck just ran her over, and then took the time to back over her for good measure. She was going to have to work with Michael every day this week. That was one way to get him to pay attention to her. “I have to pop down to HR to book some time off. You have a great week,” Andrew patted her on the shoulder as he left.
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Before Abbey realized it, only she and Michael were left in the room. “I love the guy like a brother. But he can be a real ass sometimes.” She looked up as Michael walked across the room to where the file lay on the conference room table. She had to pull herself together fast. “Is working with me a crap assignment or something?” she teased and threw a leftover sugar packet at him. He threw his hands in front of his face in a mock defensive stance. “Easy, killer. You’d hate to put me in the hospital and have to work on the account yourself. Andrew’s the bad guy, remember.” “You know him. He likes to slack off in the summer,” she said and rolled her eyes. “Besides I was stuck working late this week either way.” Abbey forgot to breathe when he looked up and smiled at her. His eyes were so gorgeous. Such a rich, dark brown she could stare at them for hours and never get bored. “Good thing we’re around to pick up the slack,” he winked at her and thumbed through the file. “I don’t think this will take us too long. But we’ll have to either put in some late nights or work through the weekend.” “Michael, there’re steaks at the party.” “Late nights it is then.” They looked at each other and smiled. “Pizza?” he offered. “Calzone. With that kick-ass dipping sauce.” Images of licking the marinara sauce off his cock sent a trickle of arousal through her. She bet it would taste extra tangy as it mixed with his sweat. Abbey gave her head a shake. No, she couldn’t think about that if she was going to get through this week. She squeezed her legs tight together under the table and resisted the urge to jam her hands between her thighs. She wouldn’t survive to the end of the 32
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day, let alone the end of the week. And what about next week and the week after? Abbey wanted to cry. She hoped Michael hadn’t seen her panic. She sighed when she looked over and saw he was busy reading the file. “We’re set then. Want to meet up here at five and start? I’ll have them deliver,” he said as he started to walk out of the room. “Okay. I’ll see you then.” He paused and looked at her a bit too long. She thought he looked even cuter with his brow wrinkled in a frown like that. “What?” she managed to keep her voice causal. Whatever it was, he waved it away. “Nothing. I’ll see you at five.”
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Chapter Five Michael had a serious problem. He swallowed down the cold coffee and grimaced when it hit his stomach. The nature of his problem wasn’t one he could chat up his best friend about either. Andrew was a dork and wouldn’t understand anyway. Michael tossed his empty cup into the garbage can and leaned up against the now vacant front desk. What the hell was he going to do? A quick look at his watch told him Abbey would be here shortly. They’d been going flat out all week trying to get the Harris account finished up in time for them to go to the party. They’d done pretty well considering it was Thursday. But working late into the night all week with Abbey had caused an unexpected problem. He realized he was attracted to her. How or when that particular itch had developed he wasn’t sure. It probably had something to do with the whole Lady Phoenix dilemma and how fucking unbelievably horny he was. True to her word, he hadn’t run into her again either. Not that he’d stopped looking for her, but he couldn’t exactly go around asking women if they had their nipples pierced. He needed a new approach. He’d gone after Phoenix’s booking agent, which was a feat in itself. Not only did it take most of Wednesday to find out who it was, but the agent couldn’t help him once he got her on the phone. Phoenix was on vacation and the other woman had no idea when she would be back. Phoenix was driving him up the fucking wall and she hadn’t lifted a finger. And poor Abbey was suffering the aftereffects of his over charged libido. Monday night had been crazy. He couldn’t even look at her he was so wound up. He could have gone into the bathroom to relieve himself, but things didn’t work so well the last time he’d done that. He had to wait until he got home. And when he finally laid down on his 34
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bed his mind played a very cruel trick on him. Every time he closed his eyes to think of Phoenix, the only person he could picture was Abbey. Michael groaned. This had been the worst week of his life. The ding of the elevator caught his attention and he found himself holding his breath. “There you are. Are you ready to get going?” Abbey said with a grin as she bounced out of the elevator, two iced cappuccinos in hand. Michael’s cock sprung to life when he saw she’d changed into a low cut, sleeveless shirt that revealed the perfect amount of cleavage. And short black shorts that stopped a fraction of an inch too low for his liking but flattered her smooth thighs. He swallowed hard. Only one more night and then things will get back to normal. “I’ll meet you in there. I need to make a pit stop for a second.” He motioned toward the bathroom and started to move in its direction. The last thing he wanted was to ruin their friendship by sporting a huge boner. “Yeah, yeah. You just want me doing all the work,” she said walking away from him in the direction of the boardroom chuckling. At the sound of her laugh a chill shot straight through him. He knew that sound. Its familiarity prickled at the back of his mind reminding him of Phoenix. He slammed his hand against the bathroom door, flicked the door lock and marched up to the urinal. “Calm the fuck down,” he said to the blank wall in front of him. “Abbey isn’t Phoenix.” Of course she wasn’t. That was crazy. He had to force his mind clear of erotic images and started thinking about getting hit in the nuts and other very painful experiences so he could get his hard-on to soften enough for him to pee. One last night of working side by side with Abbey and then he could concentrate on getting laid. He stayed in the bathroom an extra minute or two to lock down his control over his cock before making his way to where Abbey was. When he finally walked into the room
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Abbey was on her hands and knees on the floor picking up a stack of papers. Michael’s mouth began to water at the site of her perfectly round ass wiggling in front of him. It wouldn’t take much for him to ease her shorts down over her hips and drive his cock deep into her cunt. “That looks like fun,” he said giving his head a shake. Abbey—this was Abbey. “Shut up.” She threw a paper clip at him. “I turned to grab my drink and knocked the folder over. I’ll be so glad to be done this stupid account.” Michael dropped to his knees and began to help her collect the errant sheets. For a brief moment their hands brushed each other. Michael watched fascinated when Abbey snatched her hand back, looking like the contact had burned her. Their eyes locked and Michael had to fight the impulse to kiss her. “I don’t think I will,” he said the words through a dry mouth. His tongue darted out to moisten them. Abbey’s dark blue eyes widened. She chewed on her bottom lip and cast a quick glance at the door before looking into his eyes. “You don’t think you will what?” Her voice wavered, the only indication she might be nervous. Nervous because she was interested and didn’t want to screw things up, or nervous because she wasn’t and didn’t want to have to kick his ass? Michael needed to find out. That’s when a plan popped into his mind. They finished collecting the papers and he got to his feet quickly. Before she had a chance to react, he offered her a hand up. When she slipped her fingers into his, Michael found the air thinned making it hard to breathe. At her full height, the top of Abbey’s head came up to his jaw line. She would fit perfectly with him in bed. Michael didn’t release her fingers and he was happy to note that she didn’t pull away. “We really don’t have much to finish tonight,” he said lowering his voice, trying to
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sound sexy. He watched Abbey blush and found the fact that it traveled down to the tops of her breasts a huge turn on. She looked down at their hands and sighed softly before she removed her hand. “No. We’ll be able to wrap everything up quickly. I can do that if you have to go somewhere.” She looked behind her and took half a step away from him, but she was blocked by the conference table. He chuckled but didn’t give her a means of escape. “Trying to get rid of me?” Her eyes widened again. “No! It’s just, I figured you probably wanted to hit the clubs with Andrew or had a date or something.” Why hadn’t he noticed how beautiful Abbey was before? On impulse he reached out and brushed a piece of her black hair off her forehead. “Why would you think that? I haven’t been seeing anyone for over a year now.” Which explained why Lady Phoenix had gotten to him so easily. That gave him an idea. Michael took a step backward giving Abbey some space. She immediately bolted for the chair, grabbed her iced cappuccino and sucked on it hard. Not wanting to be away from her for long, Michael slipped into the seat beside her and took a sip of his own drink. “Here are the records for last month,” Abbey said a bit too quickly and shoved a file folder at him. “Let’s finish these up first.” Abbey opened another folder and kept her eyes fixed on the pages in front of her. He nodded and flipped open his folder. “Did I tell you I went to a play last week?” She gripped the pen in her hand until her knuckles went white. “Oh? Was it any good?” Michael shifted in his chair to hide his erection. “It was interesting. Performance art more than a play, really. Maybe you’ve heard of her? She goes by the name of Lady Phoenix.”
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Abbey dropped her pen, and her eyes immediately flew to his face. “I think Andrew mentioned something about her.” He wanted to kiss her. Pick her up, throw her on the table and kiss her senseless. Somehow he managed to ignore the impulse and instead leaned closer to her. “He’s the one who put me onto her show. He thinks she works here.” Abbey stood up suddenly. “Shit. I forgot something at my desk. Hold that thought okay?” Before she could move, Michael caught her delicate wrist in his hand. She gasped when he stood up and pulled her close. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me these days,” he said in a husky voice looking down into her surprised eyes. “I’ve been thinking about doing this all week.” He slid his hand to the base of her neck and up into her soft hair. He pulled her close and his skin burned through his shirt where her hands made contact. Leaning in, he brushed his nose across the tip of hers, not breaking eye contact with her. “Michael?” His name barely emerged as a whisper. “Shhh.” His eyes closed when his lips finally brushed hers. Softer than he’d dreamed, he increased the contact between them. He used his tongue to push through her defenses and into her mouth. He could taste the sweetness of her lip balm and coffee and something that he could only describe as Abbey. Her body melted against his until every inch of her was pressed up against him. His fingers in her hair tugged her head back, exposing her neck to him. He trailed kisses from her mouth, along her jaw, and down her throat, nibbling as he went. She moaned against his ear, her fingers curling his shirt into a ball. That was all the incentive Michael needed. He teased her sensitive skin at the small of her back with his fingers, stroking as he went. With deliberate care, he let his hand roam around to her stomach and up under her shirt to her breasts. She moaned even
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louder when he cupped her breast through her lacy bra, her hips bucking against his. Michael sucked in a breath and nipped her neck when he felt her hand land on his cock and squeeze. “God, Abbey. I need you so bad.” He kissed her again, this time his mouth devoured hers. He pulled her bra aside and brushed his thumb over her nipple. From the main office area, the loud thunk of a garbage can dropping to the floor echoed in the empty space. Michael and Abbey flew apart in time for the cleaner to pass by and wave at them. Michael made a half attempt at a wave and a smile but his attention was fixed on Abbey. They were both breathing hard, their pants filling the meeting room. Abbey was flushed, her skin glowing. Michael watched her shifting emotions cross her face. “Oh my god,” she whispered. “Abbey, look—” “I have to go.” “Abbey, please. Let’s talk.” Her fingers were pressed against her lips. She shook her head, grabbed her keys and bolted from the boardroom. “Abbey!” She was gone. Michael should have followed her. He could easily catch her, especially if she had to wait for the elevator. But his feet wouldn’t move. His brain was still whirling through, trying to make sense of what had happened. His thumb was still tingling where it had come into contact with Abbey’s nipple ring. She had piercings. Abbey. She was Lady Phoenix!
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Chapter Six Abbey was a chicken. She was quite content with that fact too. Though to be fair, calling in sick on Friday was more of an act of self preservation than cowardice. If she met up with Michael the next day, bad things would have happened. She knew it. Not that they could get much worse than kissing him in the meeting room. But there was no escaping the summer party. She’d arrived late at Mr. Reid’s camp on Notawasaga Lake and prayed Michael would have come and gone already. Not that she was that lucky. Andrew found her the second she’d arrived and very casually informed her Michael hadn’t made it yet but was on his way. Before she turned around and high-tailed it out of there, Andrew grabbed her arm and dragged her around to socialize. Abbey suppressed a groan and smiled at Jackie and Candice as they walked past where she and Andrew were picking at the chip bowl. It was nearly eight o’clock. She’d be able to duck out of here soon and escape her encounter with Michael. “Who knew Candy was so h-o-t?” Andrew stared at her from over his sunglasses. “How old are you? Twelve? I should have stayed home,” she said through clenched teeth. “And be a complete loser? Not your style, Abs,” Andrew patted her on the back. “Besides, you look hot in that suit and you’re making all the other women jealous.” “Andrew!” She punched his arm. Okay, so she purposely chose a hot pink bikini with a pale purple wrap to make sure she caught the attention of the male half of the company. Well, not the entire male population. One in particular. “Hey ouch. I’ll burn your steak if you’re not nice to me,” he said with a grin and rubbed the spot where she’d connected with his arm. “Who you looking for?”
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Abbey spun around to face him. She had to snap her mouth shut with surprise. “I’m not looking for anyone.” “Could have fooled me. You’ve watched every new group of people who’ve walked down the path from the cottage.” Andrew crossed his arms across his chest and his grin widened. “Why don’t you go canoeing and stop torturing me?” “Naw, torture is so much more entertaining.” “Well, this entertainer is on strike.” She rolled her eyes and marched away toward the beer cooler before he saw her blush. She had been watching for someone—Michael. But she wasn’t about to announce that to Andrew. He’d probably take it upon himself to try and set them up, which was the very last thing she wanted. Michael had kissed her. The skin on her neck tingled where his mouth had nipped and licked her. Absently, she reached up and touched the spot, her body warming at the memory. She’d spent the past week keeping her emotions and her overpowering desire for him in check. And she didn’t have to! He’d felt the same thing. Or at least she hoped he did. She wasn’t sure if it was her or the fact Lady Phoenix had pushed him over the edge and she was the next closest female. The problem was she didn’t know what any of it meant yet. Yesterday she wasn’t ready to deal with an apologetic Michael. Over and over she imagined his apology to her. So sorry, Abbey. I’m not sure what came over me. Let’s pretend it never happened. Okay? Staying home playing sick worked out so much better. Abbey reached into one of the coolers that were filled with every type of cheap beer imaginable. She didn’t bother to read the label and instead twisted the cap off the bottle and swallowed a mouthful. “I see you’re feeling better today,” Mr. Reid said as he came over from the fire pit.
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“Yes, thank you. I had a terrible headache yesterday.” She hated lying to her boss, but what could a girl do? “Quinn handed in the Harris account yesterday morning. Good work. Both of you,” Mr. Reid said the last over Abbey’s shoulder and saluted with his beer bottle. “Thank you, sir. It was our pleasure.” Michael’s voice sent a shiver down Abbey’s back that stopped squarely between her legs. She refused to turn around and face him, and instead picked at the label on her bottle. “Hi, Abbey,” he said softly by her ear. His body was only an inch from hers, his heat stronger than the sun’s rays. She sucked in a breath when he reached up and ran his hand down her bare arm, stopping at her hand. He wrapped his fingers around hers and tugged on her gently. “Let’s go for a walk.” Abbey’s heart was pounding, and her body was burning up. She needed to be close to him, even if it was only for a little while. She nodded and let him pull her in the direction of the lake shore. As they walked down to the lake, she tried to sneak glances at him without looking obvious. When she tried to pull her hand free of his, Michael tightened his grip, but didn’t say anything. He kept silent until they had walked a short distance down the lake shore to a small inlet. From here, no one at the party would be able to see them. Once they were out of sight, Michael dropped her hand and sat down on a blanket that had already been spread on the pebbled beach. The waves lapped against the shore in a hushed gurgle as a soft breeze rolled off the water cooling Abbey’s skin. Voices from the party were distant, muted by the trees and the distance. She placed her hands on her hips and smiled at him. “I hope this is yours. I hate to be stealing someone’s private hideaway,” she said and tried to laugh. It came out sounding more like a nervous giggle.
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“Come sit. I think we need to talk.” He patted the blanket beside him, but made no other move. She knew deep down he was giving her a choice. If she wanted to leave, there was nothing he could do from that position to stop her. The idea of joining him was too appealing. Abbey sucked on her bottom lip for a second before quickly plunking down beside him. “So,” she took a deep breath. “What do you want to talk about?” “I think you know.” God he looked good in that t-shirt. Abbey let her eyes travel over every inch of his body. He was still built like a football player, his wide shoulders and muscular arms didn’t have an ounce of fat anywhere. She bet he still had his six-pack too. God, she’d love to run her tongue over every one of those muscles. “Abbey?” he whispered. “What?” “If you keep looking at me like that I’m going to fuck you senseless before we have a chance to talk.” She gasped as her eyes flew to his. Her pierced nipples had hardened into two very taut peaks and were threatening to poke through her padded bikini top. He was just as bad off as she, maybe worse. His breathing was coming out in harsh gasps and he had his hands balled into fists. “Abbey, I want you to know that—” “Look, what happened Thursday—” They both stopped and looked at the other. “Go ahead—” “You first—” “Michael, please.” She sighed. “Please go ahead.” “I know.” 43
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At first she had no idea what he was talking about. She shrugged and was about to get him to clarify when Michael leaned over, reached into a bag and hauled out her black stiletto heels. Ohmygod! “After you ran out of the office Thursday I was a wreck. I didn’t know what to think or what the hell I was feeling.” He’d gone into her desk and found her shoes. Her spare in case she ever had a show right from work. “I didn’t go snooping if that’s what you’re thinking.” She looked into his eyes wanting to believe him but not quite being able to get through her anger. “That’s obviously not the case. Those were in my desk!” Michael grabbed her hand when she tried to get up. “Please, hear me out first. Then you can leave if you want.” Abbey couldn’t think, didn’t even know what to feel. She allowed him to pull her back down but couldn’t look at him. “After you left I went to your desk. I knew you were Phoenix before I found the shoes.” She turned her face to him and tried to ask how, but nothing came out. Michael shrugged, as if he read her mind. “There were little things. Your laugh, the cinnamon candy. Shit, even the way you said “Michael” that first night. But I didn’t know it was you until I felt your breast. The piercing.” Abbey felt her face flush. “Ah.” “Do you have any idea the kind of hell you and Lady Phoenix have put me through this past week?” At the sound of hurt in his voice her gaze snapped to his face. “I’m sorry,” she whispered.
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“Abbey, I don’t want you to be sorry. I want you!” She swallowed back the tightening of her throat and willed herself not to cry. “You don’t want me. You want Phoenix. You want someone wild and daring and who will have crazy sex with you all the time.” “Are you on crack?” “What?” She gave her head a shake to make sure she’d heard him right. “Don’t get me wrong, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed your naughty side,” he ran a thumb across her cheek. “Even I know it takes more than mind-blowing sex to make a good relationship.” Relationship? She didn’t dare speak or move in case she broke whatever spell the two of them were under. “When I kissed you in the meeting room, I was kissing you. Not Phoenix. Shit, I could have cared less about Phoenix right then. The fact that you’re one and the same is…” She bit her lip and waited. Michael stood up and ran his hand through his hair and sighed. When he turned to face her again Abbey felt a stab of desire pulse through her. “Here I’ve been, feeling guilty that I’m having feelings for someone I’ve considered a friend for three years,” he said looking confused. “Thinking that this uncontrollable lust I’ve been dealing with was being misdirected and could ruin everything between us.” Abbey stood up and took his hand in hers. She brought it to her lips and sucked his pinky into her mouth. “I’ve wanted to get you into my bed about six months after we started working together,” she said around his finger. “Why didn’t you say something?” “For exactly the same reasons. I’ve had too many relationships bomb.” She pulled his finger out of her mouth with a pop.
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“And Phoenix?” He hooked his finger into the waistband of the wrap that covered her bikini bottom. She blushed as he pulled her close and her hands made their way to his chest. She shrugged. “I answered an ad in the paper. They were looking for unique story tellers for a new type of show. I hadn’t done any theatre since university and thought it might be fun. There are ten of us doing similar things around Toronto.” Michael opened his mouth to ask a question, but quickly snapped it shut. It didn’t matter. Abbey knew what he wanted to ask. “I told you the other day in the bathroom your show was unique.” “Thank god.” Abbey barely had time to close her eyes when Michael claimed her mouth for a kiss. All of the desire she’d built up, every bit of lust she’d shoved behind the invisible barriers in her heart came flooding out in that moment. She moaned loudly, her hands diving into his hair to touch the blond strands that had fascinated her for so long. Michael moved his hands to her ass, pulling her hard against his engorged cock. She drove her tongue deep into his mouth, tasting everything that was Michael. Abbey broke the kiss but didn’t pull away. She inhaled his scent and warmth and never wanted to leave. “How private is this place?” she asked breathlessly. “Andrew is running interference.” He bent his head and licked a bead of sweat off her neck. “He knew all along, you know.” “That is was me?” She tried to pull away, but Michael refused to let go. “He said he saw you one night downtown. He wanted to say hi but you didn’t hear him call out. When he tried to follow you into the building, the bouncer told him it was the actor’s entrance.” “I don’t believe it. Why didn’t he say anything?” She thought she’d been so careful.
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Apparently not. “You know Andrew. He’s a romantic. Somehow he knew we would be great together. He told me he doesn’t know why we haven’t hooked up before now.” She seemed to accept that, allowing her body to melt back against his. “I’ll have to thank him later.” “God I love summer,” he said, with a sigh before sucking on her earlobe. Abbey chuckled. “Why’s that?” “Fewer clothes for me to strip off you.” Michael’s entire body began to shake under the strain of his control. Abbey’s eyes were closed, her head tilted back, lips parted. He could see her pulse beating hard and fast against the sensitive skin of her throat. “Abbey?” “If you don’t fuck me right now I’m going to kick your ass.” “You don’t have to worry about that. I’d kick my own ass.” His heart was pounding and he said a silent prayer of thanks to whichever lucky star had put the two of them together. Abbey cracked open one eye and gave him a curious glance. When he reached for her bikini strap she pushed his hand away and moved away from him. “Where are you going?” A wide grin crept onto her face as she moved away toward the shoes. He exhaled sharply. He promised himself he wouldn’t pressure her to be Lady Phoenix. Shit, he didn’t care about the fantasy, he wanted Abbey. Not that he was about to say no. Michael sat down on the blanket to watch and pulled his shirt off over his head. Abbey froze for a second and stared at his chest, stomach, and her gaze dipped lower. “Have I told you how unbelievably fucking hot you are?” she cooed in her Lady Phoenix voice. She slipped her feet into the shoes and moved to straddle his outstretched legs. 47
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“I’m nowhere near as hot as you look right now.” She pushed her shoe against his chest until he was laying flat on the beach blanket. As her eyes continued to roam over his body, Abbey licked her lips as she reached up to touch her breasts through her bikini top. “I want you to take those shorts off,” she said in a deep, husky voice. “And then I want to see you stroke that cock of yours.” He didn’t have to be told twice. Michael bucked his hips up and yanked his shorts and underwear down in one smooth motion, careful not to bump her legs. Finally naked, he stretched back out on the blanket his shaft pointing to the setting sun. The evening air was still warm enough to keep him from getting cold. Crickets began to buzz in the tall grass that hugged the beach. Abbey made a tsking noise as she toyed with the strap of her bikini. “I believe I told you to stroke that big boy.” “Who am I to disappoint a lady?” He moaned as he grabbed his shaft and squeezed tight. “Lady Abbey.” She chuckled. “How about Mistress Abbey? I’m thinking of a career change.” She pushed her strap off her shoulder and her right breast was exposed. His cock twitched in his hand and grew in thickness when he was finally able to see the barbell piercing that had so fascinated him in his dreams. “You’re so hired.” The second strap joined the first and finally she threw the small covering at him. Michael picked it up and inhaled her feminine scent. Abbey leaned forward and cupped Michael’s face in her hands. She kissed him gently as he reached up to brush his thumbs over her nipples and cup the weight of her breasts in his hands. “I want you to take my bottom off, but leave the wrap,” she said panting as she pulled away. Abbey stood touching her nipples in much the same way he had.
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Michael kept his gaze locked on her face as he ran his hands up her calves to the back of her thighs. He squeezed her ass hard for a moment before finding the ties that held the bikini bottom together and tugged them free. The bathing suit fell to the blanket and Michael couldn’t control himself any longer. Abbey let out a small yelp when Michael sat up, cupped her ass, and pulled her toward his mouth. He licked her through the thin gauze of her wrap, teasing her swollen clit. He’d never gone down on a woman with a hood piercing before. His every movement seemed to drive her crazy. He reached up and pulled the veil away, giving him free access to every inch of her wet pussy. He lapped at her with his tongue, sliding first his index finger and then his middle one deep into her slick cunt. Abbey cried out and squeezed his head with her hands. “I’m going to come it you keep doing that!” He moaned his approval as he sucked her clit hard and mimicked the thrusting he planned on doing with his cock soon. Her juices gushed over his face and he knew she was close. He flattened his tongue and lapped at her in long strokes. Her muscles tightened around his fingers and he began to pump his fingers furiously in and out of her pussy, stoking her orgasm higher and higher until she was screaming his name. Abbey’s legs collapsed and she settled in a heap on top of him. “Oh shit. Ohmygod.” Michael was ready to flip onto his side and pull her into an embrace. He didn’t want to push her too hard their first time together. Abbey had other ideas and shoved him onto his back. “Condoms?” She didn’t bother to wait and reached over him to the backpack. It only took her a moment to locate the box, free one from its package and roll it on his cock. Abbey then got on her knees and held him at the entrance of her pussy. She squeezed him hard once as she licked her lips. “You’ve been such a bad boy. I wonder if you deserve this?” 49
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“Abbey,” he groaned and bucked his hips up. Somehow she managed to pout and chuckle at the same time. “If you insist.” Inch by inch she lowered her weight onto him, impaling her body on his cock. She sucked in a breath when he filled her completely. Michael didn’t move, giving her time to adjust. Her eyes were squeezed shut and for a moment he thought he was too big for her. When she moved her body up, she squeezed her muscles around his cock and it was Michael’s turn to moan. No woman he’d ever slept with before could do that. He leaned in and caught her nipple in his mouth, sucking it hard as he teased it with his tongue. She caught his head with her hand, pulling him closer to her as she increased the tempo of her thrusts. Michael felt the familiar tingle in his balls as his orgasm began to build. He left her nipple in time to lock her in another kiss. “Shit! I’m going to come,” he said between pants. “Me too.” Abbey ground her clit hard against him gasping when his hips bucked up to meet her thrusts. He lightly pinched her nipples, knowing how sensitive they were. She gasped and he felt her pussy spasm around his cock. She drove her nails into his shoulder and cried out. He couldn’t hold out any longer. His hands flew to her hips and he pushed her body down hard against him as he came. Over and over he thrust into her, burying his face into the nape of her neck to muffle his cries as he called out her name. Abbey dropped her weight on his chest and Michael had enough presence of mind left to wrap his arms around her. It was several minutes before he was able to form a cohesive thought. “Wow,” he whispered. “Wow,” she agreed. The sun was in full set when he finally had the strength to sit up. He made damn
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sure to keep his arms wrapped tight around her. Nothing would get between them ever again. He reached up and caressed her cheek. “How about we blow this party and find a place where we can talk.” Abbey smiled. “I know the perfect spot. My bed. I even washed the sheets this week.” “Seriously—” She lightly punched his shoulder. “I am being serious.” He was grinning like a fool. She could have suggested they visit the dump and he’d follow her willingly. As long as they were together. “I…” the words he wanted to say caught in his mouth. Abbey leaned in and brushed a light kiss across his lips. “I’ve loved you for three years now. Did you know that? Every time I brought you a coffee, joked around with you, went to a movie. Every time I was saying I love you the only way I thought I could.” Michael felt something give way in his chest. “I haven’t loved you quite as long. But let me show you just how much I do.” A burst of laughter from somewhere down the beach caught his attention. “I doubt Andrew could hold everyone away from this end of the beach. We should get dressed, or Lady Phoenix might have another performance.” Abbey smiled and shook her head. “Nope. Phoenix is retired. She only does special shows for VIPs now.” “Really?” He traced a line from her neck down between her breasts. “And how does one get to become a VIP?” “You’re well on your way to finding out.”
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About the Author It took Christine a lot longer than the average bear to figure out what she wanted to be when she grew up. When she was home on maternity leave, she decided to take a stab at saving her sanity and sat down to write a romance novel. After dabbling with various sub-genres, she realized she really enjoyed creating strange new worlds and writing about sex. Whether due to the pregnancy hormones or sleep deprivation, she thought this was a great combination. Many years later her kids are in school and she’s back at her day job, but the writing bug is here to stay. When not torturing her characters, she’s busy playing with her children or conducting “research” with her husband.
Christine welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email address on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.
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Also by Christine d’Abo The Bond That Ties Us
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