A Storm Named Phoenix E-Book

Lela Marie

• Herausgeber: BookRix
• Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2020

Beschreibung

Phoenix Locke was a 19 year old dancer working at a truck dealership to make ends meet. Kyle Miller was the handsome technician completely infatuated with her. Surely a storm like Phoenix could never be interested in him? When they finally do start to date it's the sparks fly and it looks like it will be a fairy tale romance. The universe, it seemed has other plans. Will Kyle make it home from deployment in time to save her from her controlling father? Or will Phoenix blow through his life like a thunderstorm is meant to? 

Leseprobe

Lela Marie

A Storm Named Phoenix

BookRix GmbH & Co. KG81371 Munich

His side

His side

“Shit” I mumbled to myself. I couldn’t manage to get this truck back together no matter what I did. Second shift was long over and third shift was already on the downhill slope towards their lunch break. I rubbed my eyes with the back of my grease stained hand and decided it would have to wait until tomorrow. I was exhausted. I was making my way towards the locker room when a flicker of neon caught my attention.

Phoenix the parts girl was dancing in the shop. Her long firm legs moved her effortlessly across the floor. Her brown hair flowing all around her when she twirled. Her neon green freightliner t-shirt, which had originally caught my attention, hugged every perfectly placed curve. I stopped dead in my tracks and just watched her. She was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. Ever will see. As I watched her dance I felt my pulse quicken. I felt the need to talk to her, and yet that scared me to death. Get it together man I thought to myself. She’s hot, but she’s just a chick. You hit on chicks all the time. But this was different, I could already tell. I felt more than just physical attraction.

I broke my stare and headed to the locker room to get cleaned up and head home. You are a stupid motherfucker, I thought while I got changed. She is 19, you are 24. She is stupid hot, you’re good looking but not that good looking. And more importantly, YOU WORK WITH HER. I stared hard at my reflection in the mirror. Was I really stupid enough to contemplate hitting on her? No, no I wasn't. If Jackson were here right now he would laugh himself unconscious at the thought of me even contemplating talking to Phoenix.

But Jackson wasn't there at 2 am that fateful morning. So as I left the locker room I turned right instead of left. Left would take me to the exit, and the parking lot where I could get in my pick up and go home and fantasize about Phoenix like every other guy under 40 at the shop. But my brain had stopped calling the shots.

A right turn took me to the parts department. She stood at the counter typing away on the computer. Earbuds still in her ears. Her leggings left damn near nothing to the imagination and I was instantly turned on. She had a great ass, amongst other things.

Now, I know what you're thinking. "Gross, he is such a perv." And maybe you’re right. At least for the beginning of this story anyway. 24 year old guys have one thing on their mind. I'm not ashamed to admit that. Everything in me ached to throw her on top of that parts counter and go at it.

I restrained myself. Not because I'm a better person than my hormones would lead you to believe, but because I was terrified. This chick could have any guy (and I do mean ANY guy) that she wanted. I was pretty sure I didn't even make the list.

"Phoenix, I'm going to head out now." I said softly as I touched the back of her shoulder.

She spun around fast, knocking all her repair orders on the floor. Her vibrant green eyes were wide and her full lips were parted in shock. As the situation registered she broke out into a grin and started to laugh. That laugh would kill me everytime starting with that moment. I would do anything to hear it.

Phoenix reached up and pulled her earbuds out. "Holy fuck. You scared me!" She said with a laugh. "I thought it was just me and Matt and he doesn't come up here. Ever." She put her hand on her stomach and laughed again.

"I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to scare you. I just wanted to let you know I was heading out and wanted to see if you needed anything." I said bending down to pick up her repair orders. I stood up to hand them to her and she was so close that I could smell her shampoo. Coconuts. Mango. Tropical. God damn it this girl was putting me through it.

"Awwww thank you." She said taking the papers from me. Her finger tips grazed my hand sending a million lightning bolts through my entire body. "What’s your name again?"

"Kyle. Kyle Miller. I'm a mechanic on 2nd shift." I said offering my hand for a shake.

She looked at my hand for a moment before taking it in her own and shaking it. When her skin touched mine I felt electricity course through my veins. I wished she could feel what I was feeling just being near her.

"Yeah I know who you are. I mean I've seen you around. I couldn't remember your name because you don't have your uniform on." She smiled and a 1000 watts beamed back at me. Inside I groaned knowing I have never in my life done anything to deserve this girl.

I smiled back, "I guess that means I'm incredibly memorable." It was like I had never talked to a pretty girl before. Seriously someone put me out of my misery.

Phoenix wrinkled her brow "Oh my god, I didn't mean it like that! I just mean I'm super bad with names. . ."

"It's ok", I reassured her, "I was just making a bad joke. A really bad joke." I looked down at my feet. Think jackass, think of something to say. Don't come this far to turn around now. "I saw you dancing earlier." I looked at her face to gauge her reaction. "You were amazing." She hopped up and sat on the edge of the parts counter effortlessly.

“Thank you.” She said, shrugging slightly at the compliment. It's an audition piece I'm working on. It's not quite right yet." She kicked her legs back and forth. I had to stop thinking about sliding in between those kicking legs and kissing her, tangling my fingers in her long hair, running my hands down her. . .

"Kyle?" She snapped her fingers "Earth to Kyle." She brought me back to reality. Shit. I. was. losing. My. Shit.

" Sorry." I laughed. "I think I'm just hungry. I was here so long I skipped dinner." I rubbed my stomach for emphasis.

Phoenix hopped down from the counter. "I can fix that!" She exclaimed. She headed down the hall and into the office.

I put my hands over my face and internally reprimanded myself for being an idiot. Saying stupid shit. Turning right instead of left in the first place. I thought about texting Jackson just so he could have a good laugh when he woke up.

Thankfully Phoenix came down the hall before I could send any embarrassing text messages.

"Leftovers. Now, I don't eat like a dancer so if you were hoping for chicken and brown rice, I'm sorry to disappoint." She handed me a plastic container. "I already heated it up for you." She hopped back up onto the counter.

I sat down next to her and opened the lid. "Enchiladas?" I asked, looking at her with a smile.

"Yup. Made them myself." She beamed at me again, all those gorgeous teeth. She handed me a fork and I tried them.

"Wow", I said, "These are awesome."

"Thank you. I aim to please." She said with a wink.

Fucking. Damn. It. This girl had everything. Great looks, hot body, awesome personality. And she could cook? I was toast.

We sat there talking for a long time. I ate her enchiladas and she told me about her dancing, how she didn’t want to be famous. She just loved to dance. When I was done she worked on closing out her repair orders and I told her about being in the army reserves which is where I learned to work on diesels and construction equipment. Before I knew it, it was 5 am and I had to get to bed.

"Holy shit. It's 5 am already?" I hopped down off the counter. "I guess I should go and get to bed." I was hoping for a please don't leave. Or but I really like talking to you.

Instead she hopped down off the counter and said "I thought you were going to invite me to breakfast." She stared at me waiting for a response. "I mean I did give you my breakfast. And I don't have any auditions today, so my day is pretty free. . . And you don't work tonight because the second shift doesn't work on Saturdays. Neither does third. . ."

Was this for real? Was I being punked, right now? "Well I mean, yeah, I was going to of course. I just wanted to go home and shower first. And change."

She laughed "you don't need to shower. I've been sitting next to you all night. You smell great." She winked at me. She was so much different than the girls I was used to dating. "Paul should be here in 45 minutes. So if you want you can wait for me in the parking lot, and as soon as he gets here I'll punch out early. Sound good?" She asked as she gathered her belongings and packed them in her bag.

It sounded like the best fucking thing I had ever heard. "Yeah, sounds great." I barely got out of my mouth which at the time seemed to be filled with concrete.

"Ok, what do you drive? So I can meet you?" She looked up from her stuff at me eyebrows raised, waiting for me to answer. It didn't bode well for me that I was exhausted. This might be too much for my tired brain to handle.

"Uh black Silverado. I'll pull it in front of the parts door." I just needed to take this one sentence at a time.

"Ok great. I'll be out there in a few." She smiled at me again and I felt my knees go weak.

I walked to the parking lot and jumped in my truck. I had hoped I could ask her out on a real date before I left. I wasn't anticipating breakfast this morning. I grabbed the knapsack in the cab of the truck. I always had essentials in there. Deodorant, breath mints, and a five hour energy. After I was taken care of, I pulled the car around to the parts door. While I waited I quickly looked around to make sure I didn't have anything embarrassing in the truck. Dirty clothes, swimsuit calendar, nope everything looked good.

My stomach was in knots and the seconds seemed to take hours. Eventually Phoenix bounded through the door and into the passenger seat of my truck. I could smell her shampoo again and it was driving me wild.

“So do you have any preferences? Cause there’s this diner near my apartment that has the best waffles.” She pulled down my visor and flipped open the mirror. I watched while she applied gloss to her lips. I found myself wanting to kiss it right off.

I cleared my throat “Waffles it is.” She smiled at me and gave me the directions.

As we drove she talked passionately about this big audition she had coming up. How her piece wasn’t ready yet and she wasn’t sure it ever would be. How her Mom had been a dancer and took off when she was little. How her Army Dad raised her alone and they weren’t close because she wanted to follow in her Mother’s footsteps.

The diner was packed when we walked in. Phoenix waved to a waitress at the counter and took me by the hand guiding me to a two person booth in the back. When we were seated she handed me a menu and said “So now you know about my family dynamics, tell me about yours.” She gave that big beautiful smile again.

I yawned “God, I’m sorry. It’s been a minute since I've stayed up all night I guess.” I rubbed my eyes trying to wake myself up a bit.

“It's ok.” Phoenix started, “When we're done here we can take a nap at my apartment. It's right around the corner.” She smiled at the waitress walking towards us. “Hey shelly! I'll have strawberry waffles and water.” She looked at me as if we had known each other for years and not hours.

“And for you good lookin?” Shelly looked at me waiting for my order.

“I'll have the same.” I smiled at the waitress.

I turned back to Phoenix once I knew the waitress was out of ear shot. “So, um this nap. Are you sure about this? I asked apprehensively “Because I can drop you off and call you later.”

She giggled and smiled at me again. “You don’t want to come to my apartment?” She asked slyly with a sexy little smirk.

“Of course I do. I mean eventually.” I was tired and not able to say what I meant. “I do, but I really like you Phoenix. I want to ask you out on a date. Pick you up, bring you flowers, take you to dinner. . .” I trailed off looking at her sexy smile.

“I like you too, Kyle. Last night wasn’t the first time you watched me. But it was the first time you’ve had the balls to talk to me.” The waitress dropped our food in front of us. “Thanks Shelly.” Phoenix smiled at the waitress.

I searched her face to try and tell what she was thinking. If it was any other girl, I would finish this waffle, pay the check and take her home. This wasn’t something I wanted to rush. I didn’t want to mess this up. I started to eat.

“Look, we can do all that stuff. I want to do all that stuff.” She took a bite of waffles. “But you live in Evanston. We’re both tired. I’m not talking about fucking.” Another bite “Although we could do that too if you want. I always sleep better after sex.” She took another bite of waffle and stared at me with those big green eyes.

I looked at her confused. “What are you looking for here?” I was really beginning to believe this was some kind of elaborate prank set up by Jack.

“I want what everyone else wants, Kyle.” She took a sip of water. “ This isn’t super complicated. I want to spend time with a person whose company I enjoy, someone who will put up with my bullshit, and enjoys similar things. I just don’t think we need the pomp and circumstance. I think you’re cute. You think I’m cute. I enjoy your company and vise versa. So lets screw and spend the night, or day as it is, together and cut through the bullshit. If we’re compatible then awesome, we can do the date. If it’s awkward, we can shake hands and part ways. At least we had breakfast and got laid.” She finished her water and got out her wallet.

I reached across the table and grabbed the check “Uh, no. If you’re talking about sleeping together after spending a few hours getting to know each other, then I’m at least paying for breakfast.” I took out my wallet and slapped some money on the table.

“Even better!” She said jumping up from the table and grabbing my hand. “Come on, my place is close.” We walked to my truck hand in hand. My stomach was doing somersaults. What the fuck was happening? It was never this easy. Especially with the ones you really liked. They always made you work harder. I opened her door and she hopped into the passenger seat. As I closed her door I took a deep breath to steady my nerves. It was always nerve wracking going to bed, sleep or otherwise, with a new girl. This was even more complicated, in so many ways.

As she directed me to her apartment she put a hand on my thigh. Which only distracted me even more. Thankfully it only took a few minutes to get to her place. She lived in a studio on the top floor of an old building. She had just a few pieces of miss matched furniture. One wall was covered in mirrors and a barr.

She looked over at me while putting her stuff down. “My dad put those up for me.” She nodded towards the barr. “Deep down he wants me to be happy. But it’s like he has to fight my dancing because of what my Mom did.” She stood there staring at the wall for a minute. Then she shrugged as if shaking away a bad memory. “So, fuck or sleep? Your decision. I’m good with either.” She slid her leggings down and threw them onto the floor and turned to face me waiting for my response. I really wanted her to wrap those legs around me.

“Give me a second. I have to check something.” I took off my jacket and tossed it into the lone chair in the room. I brushed a lock of hair out of her face, she looked up at me with those hypnotic eyes, I tilted her chin back, and placed my lips over hers gently at first.

Her arms came up around my neck pulling me into her, I kissed her deeper. I grabbed her hair in my hands, entwining my fingers in her long brown locks. It was like fireworks exploding in my brain. I grabbed her around the waist and pulled her into me kissing her passionately. She jumped up and wrapped her strong legs around me.

“Wow” she said breathlessly. Kissing me again. “I mean, WOW.”

“Yeah.” I kissed her again and then pulled her head back and kissed her neck. Her skin was salty, and sweet at the same time. She moaned softly. I tilted her head forward slightly to look at me again. “Fuck, I think. Then sleep” I said.

“Yeah,” She breathed, “Oh yeah” I walked towards the bed with her wrapped around my waist. I laid her down softly and took my shirt off. Bracing myself above her I kissed down her neck to her collar bone. She moaned and writhed underneath me. I pulled her shirt up and kissed her stomach, her breathing came deeper with each kiss, I eventually got the shirt over her head and threw it on the floor. She ran her fingers down my chest and stomach to my belt buckle. She made quick work of the jeans and I kicked them to the floor.

She slid her fingers between my hips and my boxer briefs pulling them down to my knees while I kissed every inch of her body I could reach. I kicked them down to the floor, and began sliding her panties down her beautifully long legs. She unclasped her bra and dangled it off the side of the bed. Her breasts were perfect. Large, round spheres. Her whole fucking body was amazing. I held myself above her for a minute, just drinking the sight of her in. Committing every inch of her to memory, just in case this was a fluke. I didn’t want to miss a thing.

She placed her hands on my neck “What? What’s wrong?” She asked looking deep into my eyes.

“Nothing. You're gorgeous. I just don’t want to wake up tomorrow and not be able to remember every single thing about this moment.” I said honestly. I was past being coy. I was vulnerable in every way possible.

“You are so fucking hot.” She said, and pulled me to her lips kissing me deep.

Chapter 2

Afterwards she slept in my arms for several hours. The feeling of her head on my chest as I fell asleep was almost as good as the sex. Almost.

When I woke I could hear music playing, water running. I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and looked around. It was dark and Phoenix was gone. I followed the music into the bathroom. Phoenix was singing and dancing in the shower. I opened the door and got in behind her.

“Hey, you interrupted my concert. This is not a duet Mr.” She said playfully, smiling at me.

“MMhmm. Well I did tell you I needed a shower several hours ago.” I answered back. I bent down and kissed her.

She held her eyes closed for a long time after I stepped back.

“You ok?” I asked

She opened her eyes with a big grin on her face. “Great. I was just hoping it would last a little longer is all.”

I bent down and laid into her. Kissing her like I wasn’t sure I would ever kiss her again. In reality I didn’t know if I would. She hadn’t said anything about this morning, yet.

“MMM. That’s more like it.” She said when I pulled away. I grabbed a bar of soap and began the business of becoming more presentable. “So when we’re done did you want to drive out to your place and get some stuff?” She asked while rinsing her delicious smelling conditioner out of her hair.

“Uhm, sure?” I had the look of confusion on my face again that I would quickly learn could only be caused by one of Phoenix’s questions.

She laughed “Ok, I get a little ahead of myself, I know. I just mean that we have the weekend. Tonight, tomorrow, and until what 1:30 Monday afternoon? I don’t want to waste any time driving back and forth. Let’s just go get your stuff now, and you can stay here.” She reminded me of a kid asking for ice cream and giving you the big eyes, making it impossible to say no.

“Ok.” I said and kissed her before she stepped out.

I finished washing and just stood under the hot water, for a few minutes. Was this a fucking joke? Did I have a few too many after work and have a hell of a fucking dream because of it? I turned the water off and got out. Still not sure if this was really happening or not.

“Ready?” Phoenix asked as she came out of the bathroom. Every time I saw her I felt an electrical charge, like lightning about to strike. She had pulled her hair back into a ponytail, She had on a t- shirt and jeans. Tight, tight jeans, kicks and a zip up hoodie. Just enough mascara and lip gloss to draw your attention, but not enough to hide her natural beauty.

“Yeah” I smiled at her. When we got out into the hallway she linked arms with me.

Once we were on our way out of the city she grabbed my hand on the center console and held it. “So,” She said “You conveniently avoided talking about your family earlier.” She said slyly

I laughed “Pretty sure you dropped a bombshell on me and I was distracted.”

“That’s true. But I have no more bombshells for you.” She curled her fingers around mine a little tighter. “At least for now.”

“Ok, so what do you want to know? My parents are still married. Dad wanted me to go to law school and work at his firm which I find insanely boring. I’m from a small town in Michigan and I just wanted some excitement when I left high school. Which is why I joined the reserves. Dad was pissed. We still aren’t close because of it.” I looked at Phoenix, she was looking at me sympathetically

“So, when I was done with AIT I came out here. My buddy Jackson, from work, we met in basic. He told me about the shop. I applied, they hired me. My Dad’s half sister lives in Evanston and let me rent her basement.”

Phoenix smiled at me “So many details, my head is spinning. . .”

“Haha. So what about you? How did your parents come up with Phoenix?”

“Oh well,” I could feel her roll her eyes, “Mom was a dancer and very theatrical. Dad wanted to name me Josephine after his mother. Thank god Mom talked him into using it as a middle name. After many, many questionable options, she settled on Phoenix. The bird that burns, and is reborn from the ashes. She used to tell me when I was little “With a name like Phoenix, if you ever feel like you’re on the wrong path, just tear it all down and reinvent yourself.” She got quiet and looked out the window.

I picked our hands up off the console and shook her gently “Hey, I'm sorry. I think it’s gorgeous, and unique just like you. I was just curious where it came from.”

“It’s ok.” She squeezed my hand “Just talking about her is tough sometimes.” The truck got very quiet. “So, does your Aunt know we're coming?” She asked finally.

“Shit! No she doesn’t. My phone died while we were sleeping and I completely forgot to call her.” I picked up my phone and turned it on to a crap ton of text messages and voicemails. “Damn it.”

“Is everything ok?”

“Yeah, everyone is just freaking out is all. Let me call a couple people so they don’t file a missing persons report.”

I called my Aunt Lisa and let her know I was fine and on my way. I called my Mom, because Lisa had called her. Then I text Jackson. I couldn’t tell him who I was with in front of her. I had to play it somewhat cool.

Spent the night@phoenix the parts girls place. B there soon.

Jackson text back a few seconds later. “Lol dude. Whatever, like I believe that. You prolly fell asleep jerking it. Get ur ass here.”

“What are you thinking after we grab my stuff?”

“I didn’t really have a plan, just thought we would see where things take us.” She leaned over and kissed my cheek, sending a little thrill through my body.

“Well, how about swinging over to Jackson’s place? It’s his fiancee’s birthday and he’s throwing a party. I kind of have to make an appearance."

Her eyes lit up “YES! I love birthday parties! And I want to meet your friends.”

I smiled at her excitement.

B there in 30. w/ Phoenix. . .

We pulled up to Jackson’s about 35 minutes later. Me in fresh clothes, with my duffel in the back of the truck. We strolled into the backyard holding hands. Jackson was with some of our other shop buddies, standing around the keg. Carol, his fiancee, was sitting near the pool with some of her girlfriends. I waved when she looked in our direction, and she approached us.

“Kyle, so glad you decided to grace us with your presence.” She hugged me and I returned the gesture. When she stepped back she said “And who is this beauty, and where have you been keeping her?” She looked at Phoenix and stretched out a hand.

“Carol, this is Phoenix. Phoenix, this is Carol, Jackson’s fiance.”

Phoenix looked at Carol’s outstretched hand and opted for a hug instead “Happy Birthday!” She exclaimed with a huge smile. “It’s nice to meet you!”

Carol laughed, “it's nice to meet you too. Aren’t you just too sweet.” Carol turned to the keg, “Jackson, look who made it. Kyle and Phoenix.”

Jackson spun around so fast he sloshed some beer out of his solo cup. “The fuck he is!” He yelled. He walked over to us, even if he didn’t believe Carol. When he got closer his expression changed to shock. “He - Hey, Phoenix. Glad you could make it.” He gave her a friendly one armed hug.”

“He has had a few.” Carol said to me.”You have some catching up to do. Phoenix, come with me, do you like margaritas?” Carol linked her arm with Phoenix and they walked towards the pool.

“DUUUUUDDDDEEEE!” Jackson said as he clapped his hand on my shoulder. “What in the actual fuck. HOW in the hell did THAT happen?” We walked towards the keg.

“I'm a slick, good looking guy.” I grabbed a cup and filled it from the keg. “With a tree trunk swinging between my legs.” I took a swig from my cup.

“The fuck you do. I've seen you naked as many times as I have Carol.”

“Buddy, that’s not something to brag about.” The other guys laughed.

“All joking aside, she is the hottest chick I’ve ever seen, how did you manage that?” Steve from the shop asked.

“For real. She's so hot it hurts.” Mike said.

“Ok, ok. Simmer down. Do I need to dump this ice on you guys?" I tried to play it off. " I quit watching her, and I grew a pair and talked to her. The rest kind of just happened.” I took another gulp of beer from my cup.

“Right, but did you hit it?” Jackson asked. “I'm not trying to be a douche, but we have all thought about it.”. He stared at me expectantly.

I took a long drink of my beer. The guys all waited with anticipation. “I don’t kiss and tell guys.” I finally said to many frustrated groans in response.

The guys walked over to the pool and started introducing themselves to Phoenix. Jackson nudged me with his elbow, “Ok so it’s just us. Did you hit it?”

“Of course.” I said matter of factly, taking a drink from my beer.

“Ok. . . so. . .”

“Your tiny brain wouldn’t be able to handle it, my man.” I patted his shoulder and headed over to save Phoenix.

“Yeah, you're probably right about that.”

Many hours, and even more drinks later the guys had left with their wives and girlfriends leaving the four of us sitting around the bonfire. It was a cool night and Phoenix had curled herself up in my lap. For me it was magic. Her curled up with me, here at my brothers house, with a beer in my hand. This was everything.

So, Phoenix, How did you get into the rowdy world of heavy duty trucks?” Carol asked.

“That’s obvious babe. She found out I worked there and applied just to be closer to me.” Jackson said as he flexed his considerable bicep and kissed it.

“Oh god, sorry. I threw up in my mouth a little bit.” I joked.

The girls laughed. “Actually, My Dad did the same thing these two did in the army." She motioned to Jack and I. "He opened up his own shop when I was a kid. After my mom left I spent a lot of time there after school, and during breaks. I learned a ton about running the shop. So when I moved to the city I applied to work 3rd so I could audition and practice during the day.”

“Audition?” Carol asked “What are you auditioning for?”

“I dance. Have since I could walk.”

“Oh show us something! I love going to the theatre, watching the ballet, or modern dance. I mean if you don’t mind?” Carol’s eyes lit up

“No, I don’t mind.” Phoenix uncurled herself from my lap and kissed me before walking to an empty space on the grass. She took her phone out of her back pocket and scrolled for a second, settling on a song I didn’t recognize. She placed the phone on a table and began to dance in the grass.

Watching her dance made everything else disappear. Carol and Jackson were no longer here, we weren’t in their backyard. It was just Phoenix making art with her body and me watching in awe. Her choreography told a story and you could actually feel every emotion she was trying to convey.

When the song finished Jackson whistled and Carol clapped enthusiastically, snapping me back to the bonfire.

“Oh wow” Carol said, placing her hand on her chest. “That was so moving. You are incredibly talented, Phoenix. Really, any part you get I need to know so I can make this uncultured fool take me to the city.”

“Thank you so much.” Phoenix was beaming. She sat back in my lap and I kissed her forehead.

We sat quietly around the bonfire for a while just enjoying the scenery. Jackson was starting to drift into unconsciousness. “Well kids, looks like Jackson had too much birthday fun again. I'll be getting him in the house now.” Carol stood up and shook Jackson’s shoulder. He grunted in response. “Kyle, don’t drive. You two can take your usual spot.” She continued to shake Jackson and he continued making grunting noises.

I laughed at his stupid ass. “Here Carol let me.” I walked over to Jackson and leaned down next to his ear. “ATTEN HUT!” I said as loudly as I could.

Jackson’s eyes flew open and he shot out of the chair so hard he almost toppled over. When he steadied himself he gave the saddest salute I had ever seen. Phoenix and I laughed hard. “He’s all yours, Carol.” I said through tears.

“Thank you, Kyle. Ok soldier, march your ass into the house.” Carol grabbed Jackson and headed towards the house.

I sat with Phoenix in my lap, finishing my beer for a while. She had gotten really quiet and I felt her yawn against my chest. I looked down and could tell she was ready for sleep. “You want to go to bed?” I asked.

“Yes please!” She said enthusiastically. She got down from my lap and I grabbed her hand and led her towards the pole barn.

“Are we sleeping in the barn?” She asked.

I chuckled. “Kind of. There's an apartment in the loft. They leave it for me so I have a private place to crash.”

She put her head against my shoulder as we walked hand in hand.

Once we were in the pole barn I picked her up and carried her up the narrow stairs to the loft. I had brought a few chicks up here in my time. I didn’t tell Phoenix but that is why the loft was made into a one bedroom, half bath apartment. I would often take a woman to bed after one of Jackson’s parties. Once Carol moved in I was banished from the guest room. All the same to me. This way we wouldn’t have to be quiet.

That was my intention that night. But I laid Phoenix on the bed and by the time I undressed, she was sleeping soundly. So I slid in beside her, kissed her head, covered her up and took her into my arms. Even though we didn’t have sex, I still slept just as soundly as I had that morning. Like a void had been filled and I was finally whole.

Chapter 3

That is until around 4 in the morning when I woke up completely hard and Phoenix going down on me. Usually I'm able to prepare and have a whole collage of unattractive things to think about so that we can get past the foreplay. From a dead sleep I was caught off guard. Either that, or it was because she could suck a golf ball through a rubber hose. I had to stop her and take a breath.

“I'm sorry, I woke up and I wanted you so bad.” She giggled, wiping her mouth.

“No, no. It’s ok. Its better than ok, But if you want to have sex you had to stop.”

She smirked at me and removed her bra. “Want to have sex?” She slid her panties off and dropped them on the floor. “I NEED you inside me.” I reached into the nightstand and grabbed a condom, fumbling in the dark like a moron.

She straddled me and rocked her hips slowly back and forth. She moaned as she picked up the pace and placed her hands on my chest to balance.

I placed my hands on her thighs and arched my back into her rocking.

I could feel her thighs quivering, Her pelvic muscles tightening around me, her nails digging into my chest, her moaning deepened and got louder.

Once I felt her relax a little and resume her rhythmic rock with her hips, I let go with the force of a tsunami. I lay there panting, seeing stars, while she laid down in the crook of my arm and kissed my chest. I felt drunk. I couldn’t tell if it was all the beer, or just the way she made me feel.

“Damn.”

“Agreed.”

I kissed her with tongue. “Wow. Ok Im glad that was the second time we had sex.”

She giggled “Why is that?”

“Because at least the first time I wasn’t a minute man.”

She laughed. “It’s different when you're woken up. I know that. I'm not looking for a marathon at 4 am. Just some satisfaction"

“Well feel free to wake me up whenever that happens.” Brilliant, Kyle. We had spent a day and half together and here I was assuming we would be together every time she woke up horny.

She kissed me and I could feel her smiling. “Don’t worry, I will.” She settled her head onto my chest and went back to sleep. I laid there smelling her tropical hair until I dozed off again.

“Wake up sleepy head.”

My head was pounding. My mouth felt like it was full of cotton. Stomach was in knots. Must have had one too many last night. "What time is it?"

"11. Carol made coffee. And breakfast. She's really nice."

I looked over at Phoenix sitting next to me on the bed, legs tucked under her. I covered my face with my hands and groaned.

Phoenix giggled. " Awww. My poor baby." She rubbed my stomach. I loved hearing her call me baby.

She sighed. "I have the perfect cure for a hangover. . ."

I rolled over and she rubbed my back. "I gotta get something in my stomach first. And then tylenol." I grumbled.

"As appealing as hangover sex sounds, that isnt what I meant." She bent down and whispered in my ear "coffee, tylenol, lots of water, and greasy food. All of which Carol has for you and Jack." She smacked my ass "Come on babe, you're burning daylight."

“You know what else works?” I asked as I grabbed her and pulled her into me. “A beer and a shot.” I nuzzled against her neck.

“Mmhmm. It does. But we have shit to do today. She kissed my neck and ran her fingers in my hair. “So you need to get moving.”

I got dressed, brushed the cotton off of my teeth and went to the main house. I could smell bacon and coffee as I reached the sliding door. It made my stomach roll.

“Good morning Kyle. How are you feeling this morning?” Carol asked from the kitchen table. Phoenix was sitting next to her with coffee in her hand.

“I’m awesome.” I said sarcastically “How are you? How is Jack?” I sat down and Phoenix slid into my lap and handed me her cup. The coffee at least helped calm my stomach.

“He's still sleeping.” Carol rolled her eyes. “He won’t be joining us for a couple more hours.”

Phoenix picked up a piece of bacon and tried to hand it to me. “Not yet.” I shook my head. “Coffee first.”

She leaned in to kiss me, but stopped short. “If you want this,” she pointed to her lips “Then you have to have this first.” She held the bacon up to my lips. I looked at it, feeling my stomach clench. Then I looked at her lips. Yup, totally worth it. I took a bite. After I swallowed the bacon, I kissed her long and hard.

“You two are so cute.” Carol said. “It's like you've known each other for months, not days.”

Phoenix licked bacon grease from her fingers. “Well, we kind of have. From the shop. I’ve had a crush on Kyle for months. I knew he was watching me dance but I was waiting for him to talk to me. It took forever but he finally got there.” She looked down at my shell shocked face.

“What?” I asked in disbelief. “How long? Why didn’t you say anything? You’ve been so forward all weekend, but you were waiting for me to make the first move?” I couldn’t comprehend what I was hearing. All this time I thought she was unattainable. This whole weekend I assumed she was just giving a guy a shot for the hell of it. Turns out she wanted me as much as I wanted her.

She smiled at me, “How long have I been there? 10 months? I saw you my first week there. The way you moved, the way you talked. The way you always stayed and helped out the other guys in the shop. Like when Matt first started.” She fed me another piece of bacon. I ate it on autopilot still trying to wrap my head around what I was hearing. “And of course all the girls that would meet you after work. God I was jealous.” She sipped coffee from our now joint cup. “I know I seem forward. But I’m still human. Everytime I would come up with a reason to talk to you, I would psyche myself out thinking about how hot you were, and how many other girls you’ve dated. . .” She trailed off.

Jealous of other girls? There wasn’t a woman I had met that could compare to her. She had zero reasons to be jealous about anyone. Especially some cocktail waitress or college girl. She leaned down and kissed me. “But all that’s over now.” She said smiling.

I looked across the table at Carol who was smiling at us. “See, I told you months ago you should talk to her.” Carol winked at me as she stood up from the table, “I suppose I should go get Jackson moving.” and she walked out of the room.

I put my hands on the sides of Phoenix’s neck and pulled her towards me. We made out sitting there at Jack and Carol’s table for what felt like an eternity. When she finally pulled away she was breathless. “Wow.” Was all she could say.

“You have no clue what you do to me.” I said. “None of those other girls are in your league. I didn’t think I was either. In fact I still don’t. But if you want me, I’ll do everything I can to be good enough for you.” She groaned with desire and kissed me again. We were still kissing when Carol returned with Jackson in tow. “Get a fucking room.” He said as he shuffled to the coffee pot.