Flame of the Phoenix: Hades' Carnival, Book 6 Page 3

  Tilly used her mouth, tongue and hands to please him. She stroked and sucked and licked at his shaft. He rocked his hips, pushing his cock deeper with each stroke. Tilly accepted all of him, making a purring sound of satisfaction that almost made him come.

  And he didn’t want to. Not yet. Not until he’d pleasured her.

  He stared down into her beautiful face. She was aroused but she was also in control of herself and of their lovemaking. It occurred to him in a flash of insight that she was used to being in charge during sex, didn’t like to be out of control.

  He wasn’t having it. He had to have her trust, and that meant she had to let go.

  As much as it pained him to do so, he pulled back, forcing her to release him. She gazed up at him, an unasked question in her eyes. Most men would think him insane for stopping her. But Phoenix wasn’t most men.

  And he wasn’t angling for one time in her bed. He was playing for keeps.

  He pushed her back onto the bed. She laughed as she tumbled down onto the mattress. He knelt on the floor, grabbed her thighs and pulled her forward until her ass was perched on the edge of the bed.

  She was still wearing her underwear. As lovely as they were, hinting at the treasure hidden beneath, she’d look even better without them. He gripped the band of lace at the waistband and slowly lowered the delicate fabric. He held his breath, anticipating seeing her for the first time.

  There was nothing lovelier than the female form. Hollows and curves, shadows and light. Women, even strong, independent women, were physically weaker than men. It took a lot of courage for a woman to lower her guard and allow a man into her bed. It was a privilege, and one he planned to make the most of.

  He glided the fabric down her long, toned legs and whisked it off. He brought her underwear to his nose and inhaled her scent, imprinting it in his memory for all time. The phoenix went wild, squawking and flapping his wings. Phoenix knew just how the creature felt. Tilly had become the most important thing in his world.

  There was nothing he wouldn’t do to protect her.

  She opened her mouth to speak, but he wasn’t ready or willing to answer any of her questions. Not now. Not with the sweet, spicy scent of her arousal teasing him and making him crazy. He had to taste her.

  He licked his lips, savoring the sense of anticipation that filled him. Then he carefully spread her thighs wide and nuzzled her smooth, toffee-colored skin. She looked good enough to eat. Her pussy was wet, plump and inviting.

  Phoenix stroked the flat of his tongue over her damp folds. Her spicy flavor exploded in his mouth. He made a sound of pleasure as he lapped at her, ignoring the stinging of his scalp where she dug her fingernails into him.

  “Phoenix,” she gasped and bucked against his mouth.

  He decided he very much liked the sound of his name falling from her lips when she was frantic for his touch. He shoved his hands beneath her firm ass and lifted her, making it easier for him to lick and suck every delectable inch of her.

  The inarticulate sounds that fell from her lips made him feel like a god. He lapped at her clit, teasing the tiny nub of nerves until she was practically yelling his name. Liquid seeped from the head of his cock and his balls ached, but he ignored them. All that mattered now was making Tilly come.

  He found her sweet opening and circled it with his tongue before plunging it as far as it would go. Tilly wrapped her legs around his head and dug her heels into his back. He pulled his tongue out of her core and swept it over her clit once again. She tightened her thighs around his head, telling him just how close she was to finding her pleasure. Her back arched and this time she did yell his name. He felt her coming, knew she was rocketing over the edge.

  He surged to his feet, flipped her over until she was on her hands and knees and drove into her from behind in one hard, long stroke. She was so tight and gripped his cock so hard he went blind for a moment, unable to see anything.

  Tilly was in the center of a hurricane. And having grown up in Louisiana, she was very familiar with violent wind and rainstorms. Every cell in her body screamed for release as Phoenix worked her body, making it sing for him.

  She’d always had trouble reaching orgasm with her former partners. She knew it came down to trust, and she had little of it for men. She usually enjoyed her bed partners and saw to her needs after they were gone.

  But Phoenix wasn’t allowing her to hold back. He blasted through her defenses and laid her bare until she was a writhing mass of need beneath him. She wanted to push him away. She wanted to pull him closer.

  Her entire body trembled when she came. Hot liquid pleasure flowed through her like warm chocolate sauce over ice cream. But she didn’t even have time to enjoy it before he’d flipped her onto her front and pulled her up onto her hand and knees. He did it so fast and so easy, she was reminded that he was more than just a man. His strength was enormous, his speed unmatched.

  Then he was inside her, his cock buried to the hilt. Her pussy spasmed around him, trying to adapt to his invasion. It didn’t hurt—she was so wet he slid in easily—but he stretched her slick channel, his hard shaft rubbing against her sensitive inner muscles.

  She glanced over her shoulder. He was behind her, his head thrown back, the cords of his thick neck standing out as he struggled for control. She was glad she wasn’t the only one whose self-discipline had fled.

  His hands shaped her ass, kneading and rubbing.

  She let her head fall back down and concentrated on just trying to breathe. Even though she’d just orgasmed, her body felt tight, her skin incredibly sensitive, as though it was climbing toward the peak once again. It should be impossible, yet it was happening.

  He leaned down, and the motion pushed his shaft even deeper when she hadn’t thought he could go any farther. A low moan escaped her lips. There was no room for any thoughts with him filling her so completely. All she could do was feel.

  His warm lips grazed her nape. “I’m sorry I couldn’t wait.” He nipped at the sensitive curve of her neck. Goose bumps raced down her back.

  He kissed and licked a hot path down her spine. “You are so beautiful. I want to taste every inch of you.”

  Her pussy spasmed hotly around his cock. She wouldn’t mind him tasting every inch of her either. In fact, it sounded like a good plan to her.

  His hands seemed to be everywhere, stroking her back, her hips, her ass and down the backs of her thighs to her knees. Who would have thought the backs of her legs would be an erogenous zone? Not her. Not until Phoenix touched her in a way that made her pussy clench.

  “I can’t wait. Not this time.” He eased her forward and knelt on the mattress between her legs. Then he wrapped his arms around her and lifted her so she was upright in his arms with his cock still buried deep inside her from behind. He clasped one of her breasts in a big hand and slid the other between her legs.

  Then he began to move.

  He flexed his hips, driving into her with short, hard strokes. He played with her nipples and her clit. He surrounded her. His arms chained her to him as surely as if they’d been forged of steel. Pleasure bombarded her from all angles at once. There was no escaping it. And she didn’t want to.

  Then Tilly did something she’d never done before. She let go. She stopped thinking, stopped trying to be in control and simply lost herself in the moment.

  As if sensing the change in her, Phoenix drove deeper, his thrusts grew faster and harder. They both gasped and moaned. His cock rippled deep within her and she knew he was close. She reached behind her and wrapped her arm around his neck. He buried his face in the curve of her shoulder and groaned.

  He pressed his thumb against her clit at the same time he lightly pinched her nipple. On the next stroke of his hard cock, she came. Her pussy tightened around his shaft. He cried out and it sounded like the combination of a screech of a hawk and roar of a lion. His cock seemed t
o grow larger inside her, and it sent her pussy into another round of spasms.

  His shaft rippled and she felt the warm flood of his release as he came. The moment seemed to last forever when she knew it had to be a matter of seconds. She felt every inch of his body where it touched hers, smelled his musky, male scent mingling with the perfume of her own skin and tasted his unique flavor on her lips from when she’d gone down on him. The echo of their groans seemed to reverberate around the room like living things.

  Had she actually screamed his name? She probably had. Her loss of control should have appalled her, but she was feeling too damn good to worry about it.

  Phoenix held her suspended in his warm embrace. The sun was streaming in through the bedroom window, which meant it was midafternoon. The day was quickly passing and they should have already left.

  But Tilly couldn’t find it in herself to regret what they’d done. If Hades was coming after her, there was a good chance she might not make it through this alive. She was nothing if not a realist.

  That’s what had probably prompted her total loss of control. That and Phoenix’s incredible lovemaking skills. Still, it was time to get things back to normal.

  As if sensing her change of mood, Phoenix slowly withdrew from her, but not before he placed a gentle kiss on the back of her neck. The soft caress went straight to her heart and tears filled her eyes. She quickly blinked them away.

  “We should get dressed.” She did better when she had a plan.

  “We should,” he agreed. He turned her so she was facing him, cupped her face between his large palms and touched his lips to hers. “Thank you for giving me such a great gift.”

  Tilly didn’t know what to say. What did you say to something like that? “I should get a shower.” Better to change the subject and get things back on an even keel.

  The corners of his mouth drew up in a sexy smile. “That is a good idea.” He climbed off the bed and scooped her into his arms.

  She wrapped both hands around his thick forearm. “Alone. I need to shower alone.” His smile turned into a frown. She almost caved and asked him to join her. “We need to leave as soon as possible, and that won’t happen if we shower together.” There was no point in pretending it wouldn’t happen, not with every cell in her body still doing the happy dance. It wouldn’t take much to convince her to go another round.

  No, what she needed was some alone time to regroup. The fact that she’d lowered her guard around Phoenix was shocking enough. That she wanted to keep it lowered was downright frightening.

  He slowly released her until her feet touched the floor. “You’re right.” He raked his fingers through his hair, looking totally disgruntled. She wanted to hug him but made herself take a step away instead. “Go and shower. I will wait here.”

  “I won’t be long.” She gathered her clothing quickly, pausing at her dresser to grab some fresh underwear and a clean tank top. She desperately tried not to notice the way he watched her, like she was some delectable morsel he was waiting to pounce on and gobble down whole.

  Her body was screaming at her to relent and invite him to shower with her. And so was her heart.

  Tilly didn’t look back as she hurried into the bathroom and shut the door behind her. The woman in the mirror was wide-eyed and frightened even though her body still hummed with pleasure. Without even trying, Phoenix had slipped past the barriers surrounding her heart. He was her friend, of course he was, but now he was something more.

  “Stupid,” she muttered to her reflection. “How could you let this happen?” Then she stopped talking, fearful Phoenix would hear her even though he was in the next room. All the immortal warriors had enhanced senses.

  She took a deep, calming breath. Big mistake. Her skin still smelled like sex, like him. Her pussy spasmed and she gripped the vanity for support. She carefully set her clothing down and pushed away from the countertop. She needed a shower. A cold one.

  Tilly staggered to the enclosure and ruthlessly cranked the cold water tap, making sure the spray was chilly before she stepped beneath it. She clenched her teeth to keep from yelling and shivered as she washed all remnants of their lovemaking away.

  But she had a feeling she wouldn’t be able to wash away the memory as easily as she did the physical reminder from her body.

  Phoenix stood outside the bathroom door and listened. The shower was on, which meant water was spilling over Tilly’s gorgeous body. He wished he was in there with her, running his soapy hands over her warm skin, seeing the water cascade over her.

  He shuddered and turned away. He grabbed his pants and pulled them on but didn’t button them. He’d take a quick shower as soon as Tilly was done.

  Now that he was alone in her room, he took a better look around the space. It was vibrant and warm, just like Tilly. It was uncluttered too. There was a book on her nightstand, but there was no clothing lying around, no clutter except for the top of her dresser. He wandered over and examined some of the jewelry scattered there. Tilly did seem to like jewelry, but it wasn’t diamonds or rubies she wore, but colorful vintage pieces. Bakelite, he’d heard it call it once before. He put down the bracelet he was holding. Whatever she called it, it suited her.

  He went to the window and peered out. The day was quickly waning. It had taken her a fair amount of time to organize her business before she’d been able to head home to pack. And after that…well, they’d gotten distracted, to say the least.

  They should have been gone from here hours ago, but Phoenix didn’t sense any evil around them. Not yet. He figured Hades would concentrate on Jessica first, wanting to punish Mordecai most of all. The immortal warrior had lived in Hades’ realm for years and had tricked the god into believing he’d won Mordecai’s soul. All the while, the warrior had been playing Hades false and doing his best to help the remaining warriors. Still, it didn’t pay to underestimate the God of the Underworld. As soon as he showered, they were out of here.

  Right on cue, the water went off. Phoenix turned, crossed his arms over his bare chest and waited. He knew Tilly was feeling off-kilter. Knew she was disconcerted by the way she’d lost control with him. He’d seen it in the way she’d tried to distance herself as soon as their lovemaking was finished. He’d also heard her muttering to herself in the bathroom.

  She could build her defenses as much as she wanted. He’d beat them down again. If he’d learned anything over the long years of the curse, it was patience, especially when there was something or someone worth waiting for. He already knew how to fight. The two traits combined would allow him to win Tilly’s heart. He would accept no other outcome. For whether she knew it or not, she already held his heart in her hand.

  Chapter Four

  Tilly insisted on stopping at a restaurant on the way out of town. Neither one of them had eaten much today, and she knew he had to be starving. Or maybe not. She wasn’t quite sure how much food he actually needed to consume in order to survive. But she was hungry.

  “This isn’t smart,” Phoenix said for at least the tenth time since they’d left her home. She’d driven for twenty minutes before pulling into a family restaurant.

  “Noted, but I’m hungry.” She opened the door, grabbed her purse and climbed out. It was a warm evening but she wore a thin summer sweater over her tank top, anticipating the air conditioning inside.

  He frowned but got out of the car and walked around the front and met her. He followed her toward the building, one hand riding low on her back. “Besides,” she continued, “if Hades is strong enough to find me here, he can find me anywhere. If he’s weak, he’ll only be able to check the places he knows I usually am,” she pointed out as she opened the door and walked inside.

  Phoenix grumbled. “The problem is we don’t know what we’re dealing with.”

  And that was a huge worry. She knew Hades had been stripped of most of his power, the operative word being most. There was
no point in worrying about it. What would be would be. Right now, she wanted a huge dish of shrimp gumbo and this was the place to get it.

  The delicious smells filled her nostrils as soon as she entered. This was a place any working person could bring their family for a meal. Crowded and loud, people laughed and talked while music was piped in over the stereo speakers. The hostess bustled up to them with menus in her hands. The woman looked right past Tilly to Phoenix and plastered on her best smile.

  “Good evening.” The pretty brunette batted her eyelashes. Really? Tilly was tempted to ask the other woman if she had something in her eyes. Like a sledgehammer whacking her in the gut, Tilly realized she was jealous. It wasn’t a comfortable feeling. She never got jealous. Never gave any man that kind of power.

  “Table for two.” Tilly’s voice was sharper than usual, but the hostess barely glanced at her. She only had eyes for Phoenix. And, okay, Tilly could understand that. The man was drop-dead gorgeous with his amazing hair, mile-wide shoulders and washboard abs. He might be wearing a T-shirt, but it clung to his torso like a second skin, hiding nothing.

  “Right this way.” The hostess started to lead them into the busiest part of the restaurant when Phoenix stopped.

  “Can we get the table in the corner?” he asked.

  The brunette’s fingers tightened around the menus and she licked her ruby-red lips. “You can have anything you want.” Her voice was low and intimate. The double entendre more than obvious. Tilly felt like waving at the woman to remind her she was standing right here.

  “That would be great.” Phoenix smiled and Tilly was surprised the woman didn’t drop to the floor at his feet. As it was, her eyes widened and she gave him a sultry smile.

  Tilly tapped her foot, growing increasingly impatient. Phoenix put pressure on her back and she began to walk toward the table in the corner. Made sense to sit there. Less people around. They’d be able to talk.

  Phoenix pulled out a chair for Tilly and she sat, refusing to be charmed by his manners, even though she kind of was. He sat across from her and the hostess put menus in front of them. Tilly could tell the woman was reluctant to leave. But there was nothing left for her to do. “Your waitress will be with you in a minute.” She chewed on her ruby-red bottom lip for a moment and then left.