Read Phoenix for Free Online Page B

wouldn’t,” I lie, moving to put a little distance between us.
“Now, we should probably have that cheesecake.”
    He doesn’t seem annoyed by my blatant lie. He pulls himself up so that he’s
standing, his hands no longer touching me. He bites his lip as his eyes soak up
their fill of my body. Then he seems to gather himself and his expression
sobers.
    “Go sit down in the living room,” he tells me. “You made dinner, so I
will take care of dessert.”
    The way he says it seems to leave no room for argument. I nod and get up,
walking silently into the next room. I sit on the sofa and listen to him
rummage in the cupboard for bowls.
    A minute or two later he comes in with the cheesecake, and sits down beside
me on the sofa.
    “Thank you for dinner,” he says as he hands me a small bowl. “I enjoyed
myself.”
    “It was nothing. I hope you’ll come again.”
    He doesn’t respond, only gives me a hot expression.
    The living room windows are open and a gentle spring breeze flows in,
cooling my warm cheeks, the leftover embarrassment from Phoenix’s earlier
proposition. I feel calmer now. A few minutes later Phoenix turns and gets up,
setting his empty bowl down on the coffee table.
    He takes me by the hand and pulls me up to him. Then he turns my wrist outward,
leans down and places a tender kiss to the sensitive flesh.
    “I must go now,” he whispers, lips still on my wrist.
    I swallow hard. “Okay.”
    He drops my wrist and I walk him to the front door. With one final look
he leaves and makes his way over to his own house. I give his back a small
wave, but he never turns around to see.

Six
     
     
    My most favourite
thing about living here in the countryside is the air, so light and fresh. You’re
never afraid to breathe in big deep gulps of it. I get up early so I can visit
the farmer’s market I saw advertised on a lamp post in the village yesterday.
    As I pass by Phoenix’s house, I notice there are two middle-aged women
standing at his door speaking to him, one holding a pen and a clip-board. Their
attire puts me in mind of the Stepford Wives. I keep my head down, hoping he
doesn’t notice me. I’m still reeling from the words he spoke to me last night,
so crude yet so erotic.
     “Eve.” I hear Phoenix’s voice say my name from his doorstep.
    I think I would recognise his completely unique cadence anywhere. He
walks past the Stepford Wives and comes to stand in my path. So much for
hurrying by unnoticed.
    “Good Morning,” I say, glancing over warily at the two women and then
focusing back on Phoenix.
    “Morning,” he replies, voice low as he moves in closer and runs a hand
down the length of my ponytail. “Did you sleep well?”
    “I did. And you?”
    “Good sleep comes only to those with a clear conscience,” he says
evasively. “Where are you off to?”
    “Oh, just to the farmer’s market. I’m right that there’s a market in the
town centre on Sundays, aren’t I?”
    “Yes, that’s right.” He shifts uncomfortably, eyes flicking to the women
for a second. “Would you like some company?”
    The two women watch us from Phoenix’s doorstep. One of them is openly
scowling.
    Hmm, is he trying to get away from them? I smile. “I’d love some company,
but don’t you have guests?”
    He sighs in annoyance and his jaw tightens. “Don’t worry about them. They
knock at least every fortnight trying to get me to sign up to volunteer down at
the town council.”
    “That’s very persistent of them,” I grin.
    Running a hand through his hair, he mutters, “You don’t know the half of
it.”
    “Why don’t you just give in and sign up?”
    He gestures for me to come closer and then whispers in my ear, “I would
rather put my balls in a blender to be perfectly honest with you, Eve.”
    I let out an involuntary spurt of laugher.
    A moment later the two women have come down to join us.
    “Hello,” says the tall one with honey blonde hair. “My name’s Deborah. I
don’t