Touched by a Phoenix (2 page)

What the hell, Brad asked himself. This was not the ruthless hussy he had researched. Alexandria was charming and beautiful. He had expected…what had he expected? Homely and difficult. Yes, that would be an appropriate summation.

When Phillip contacted him about the newly developed position, he asked a fair number of questions about both Phillip and Alexandria. Everyone had claimed that Phillip was great to deal with, but Alexandria was a bear—hard as nails, they said.

Brad studied the deep strawberry blonde sitting across from him as the waiter served their drinks. Her hair was an intriguing color of red with blonde highlights, yet appeared much redder when it glistened in the sunlight and a deeper auburn in the dim light of the restaurant. Loose curls fell softly around her face, framing a radiant complexion. The freckles dotting the bridge of her nose and cheekbones hinted at innocence, while her lightly golden skin shimmered under the dim lights, reminding him of a goddess.

Alexandria was intriguing, intelligent, and confident. More importantly, she had the most devastatingly irresistible eyes. Golden amber with luminous gold flakes dancing in delight. Exotically wolf-like. Drawing him in like a magnet. No, Alexandria was not what he had expected, not at all. She was angelic.

“Mr. Scott, I understand that you have been consulting for NASA over the past eight years. Would you tell me a little bit about some of your work?”

“Alexandria please, I’d prefer it if you would call me Brad. Mr. Scott sounds like you are addressing my father.”

“Of course. Brad, at AAS, we specialize in surveillance and communication equipment for the military, including radar and navigation systems. So what can you tell me about your work experience in the Aerospace Industry and how it might relate to what we do?”

“I have worked on several special projects for NASA, most of which are classified and cannot be discussed, but there are a few that I can elaborate on. For example, I designed the imagery enhancements for the satellites. The newer satellite imagery is able to read the logo on your purse from outer space. I will provide the same visual capabilities for the surveillance systems AAS uses for the military drones. In addition, I will also improve the communication systems enabling the drones to provide real-time data back to Command.”

Intrigued, Alexis leaned forward and placed her forearms on the table. “Brad, what you’re telling me has never been done before. Exactly how do you plan to accomplish real-time communication?”

“Ms. Saunders, I’m not sure that your brilliant legal mind would understand the intricate details of space or satellite communications.”

Alexandria casually sat back in her chair and raised an eyebrow before replying, “Mr. Scott, do you mean that I couldn’t possibly understand that a GEO satellite is positioned approximately twenty-two thousands miles above the Earth? Or perhaps you mean that I could not understand that it only requires three GEO satellites to provide global coverage. Or perchance, you mean that I wouldn’t comprehend that prior to your work on the imagery and communication signals, there was a 0.22-second delay in the transmission of data back to the ground stations? Or do you mean that it would be inconceivable for me to understand that due to your technological advancements in high frequency radio signaling, communication signals carrying potential national security threats via high-speed downlinks to National Command now travel at twice the speed of light, thereby cutting the delay of information to the ground stations to less than 0.13-seconds?”

Alexandria left Brad speechless with her keen insight. His intense gaze roamed Alexandria’s delicate features, taking in both her beauty and intellect. “Alexandria, I see you have done your homework. You are correct in your assessment of the situation. However, I will take the signal development to the next level with the drones by moving past quantum physics and into quantum mechanics to transmit the signals between Command and the drone fleet.”

“Brad, you would have to move the signals at three to four times the speed of light to achieve real-time communication.”

Brad beamed a brilliant smile at Alexandria. He never grew tired of discussing science or its effects on the universe. “Alexandria, the universe contains what we call dark matter and dark energy.” At her curious expression, he continued, “Here, let me see your hand.”

Alexandria hesitated before extending her hand. She was fully aware of the jolt of electricity that would occur the minute Brad touched her. She braced herself, anticipating the shock of scorching current that would course through her veins when their hands touched. Brad took her hand and turned it palm up as he explained, “Think of the universe as the center of your palm," as he traced the lines of her palm with his finger. His voice thickened as he continued, "Dark matter is elusive and exotic. It’s not visible but we know it to exist from its effect on the visible matter around it.” Brad’s eyes twinkled with excitement as he continued, “Dark matter is scattered throughout the universe, holding it together—keeping it contained, providing the extra gravity required to keep our universe intact,” he gently closed her hand into a fist as he finished.

“Dark energy has the opposite effect and is much more mysterious than dark matter. It permeates throughout the universe, allowing the cosmos to be ever expanding—continual, as we reach a state of infinite destiny—an exquisitely balanced universe,” he explained, opening her hand again.

“If it’s not visible, how do you know it’s really there?” Her voice barely above a whisper as it shook ever so slightly.

Alexandria’s soft spoken words held the slightest quiver, conveying all he needed to know. Her body was ridged as she tried to hide the trembling of her hand. His manhood was growing more uncomfortable by the second. In his mind, she was already his.

The smooth silkiness of his voice belied his inner turmoil. “When collisions occur between galaxy clusters, they are mapped to show the concentration of starlight, hot gas, and dark matter in the cluster, so we are able to capture the image. Light, gas, and matter each have their own color shading. Starlight is orange, whereas green indicates hot gas and blue pinpoints the location of dark matter. These collisions produce some of the most dramatic images you will ever see.”

She lowered her lashes for a split second before she asked, “But that doesn’t explain how you are going to move signals at the speed of light.”

“I’m not. Alexandria, dark energy exists on a cosmic scale. I’m going to use the energy’s force to transport the signals through time and space as if they didn’t exist.”

Phillip continued to observe Alexis as she interrogated Brad in the most charming way, hammering him with one question after another. Phillip noted how deeply Alexis delved into Brad’s work habits, ethics, thought processes, and so on. She examined each response as if she were the ruling judge.

He was impressed with how well Brad was holding his own against Alexis. If he were uncomfortable with her line of questions, he hid it well.

Phillip had yet to meet anyone who wasn’t afraid of his daughter. Men seemed to cower before her, which he thought strange. She was the most loving person you would ever want to meet, but he supposed you would have to get past that hard shell of hers before you found the part of Alexis she guarded so carefully.

Phillip kept a watchful eye on the interaction between the two.
Hmm,
perhaps we got more than we bargained for. He shook his head. Poor boy, he thought. He has no idea what he’s up against: The formidable Alexandria Saunders, a force to be reckoned with—much like a volcano. Perhaps I should have paid him more.

Chapter One

“
D
ammit Alexis, I
want grandchildren!”

“Phillip,” Catherine chided as she laid her hand on his arm. “Don’t be so hard on her.”

“Mother, don’t fret, this isn’t the first time we’ve had this conversation and somehow I doubt it will be the last,” Alexis sighed in exasperation.

His tone calmer, Phillip went on, “Alexis, honey, you’re twenty-nine years old. There is more to life than work, my dear; I want you to find love and happiness.”

Although loving, her father’s tone was tight and frustrated. Alexis realized this was one argument she would not win, at least not today. Phillip had been relentless about her getting a life since hiring Brad a few months ago.

“Father, I love the company that you and Dad built and I love my job. You pay me well and it has afforded me with a wonderful home and life, not to mention the fact that I have the most loving parents in the world. What more can a girl ask for?”

“A man,” Phillip stated in his most pleasant tone.

“I don’t need a man to give you grandchildren!”

A sharp puff of air sounded from the other side of the table. “Alexandria Nicole!” It was her mother’s turn to be shocked.

Alexis sighed, “I would love to have a family someday but I haven’t met Mr. Right, and I won’t settle for less. Mother, you understand, don’t you?”

“Exactly how do you think you are going to find your Mr. Right when you are at work before I arrive in the morning and still burning the midnight oil when I leave? I hired Brad for a reason…to give us both some free time for our own lives.”

“Father, do not start with me. You hired Brad to make technological advancements to our surveillance system and between the two of you and your little agreements, I’ve been traveling for the last three months with an arrogant prick!”

“Alexis, watch your mouth. You know damn well Brad is the best technology guru in the industry, quite possibly the world. Hell, he’s a genius and his developments are going to carry AAS into the 22nd Century, securing your future.”

Phillip saw the stubbornness beginning to set in, her disapproving scowl forcing him to soften his gaze. He took a moment to decide how best to handle her maddening tenacity.
Aah,
her heartstrings.

He flashed her a sheepish grin, his warm blue eyes softening with love. “Alexis, I am getting older and I want to spend more time with Catherine. You know I want to turn the company over to you next year.” He laid his hand atop hers. “Honey, I want to make up for lost time with your mother and I’d like to do it while we’re still young enough to enjoy it.”

“Oh Father, that is unfair. It’s not necessary for me to have a man in my life to manage the company or to be happy. I am perfectly capable of doing both without a husband. Besides, you of all people should realize that laying a guilt trip on me will not work!” Her frustration bordered on anger.

Her tight voice forced Phillip to rethink his tactics. Perhaps he should back off—at least for now. He had a few more weeks to think, regroup, and come up with a more convincing plan before her travels ended.

Meanwhile, he decided that perhaps he should say something to soothe her and make her forget his offenses. “Honey, you’re right. It’s not our place to decide how you should live your life or when you should marry, but there are some remarkable men who would love to have the opportunity to win your heart. I just wish you would give them a chance. Your mother and I just want you to be happy,” he said in his most loving fatherly tone.

She blanched as he squeezed her hand tenderly. “I know you do Father, but I don’t want just any man. If I am lucky enough to find Mr. Right, I want…,” she trailed off. The hair on the back of her neck stood, a little shiver ran down her spine. She didn’t know what she wanted and it didn’t matter, her past would always overshadow her dreams.

“Alexis dear, all you do is work and the only time you visit is for Sunday service and lunch. There is more to life than just work, dear. Your mother and I want you to find real happiness.”

Catherine thought she should step in before Phillip said something…well, hurtful. “Sugar.”

Her tone soft but firm, “Enough.”

Catherine’s eyes filled with sympathy for her daughter. “Honey, your dad and Phillip were both Marines and while their duty came first, they found time for a family, and so should you. Your parents are watching over you and I’m sure they are very proud of your accomplishments, but they would want you to find the same kind of happiness they shared, and so do we.”

Sadness crept into Alexis’s eyes as she thought of her biological parents. The accident had been such a long time ago but seemed so fresh in her memory at times like this. Catherine was right; her dad had always made time for them, no matter what else was going on.

“I know you love me, want to see me marry, and to have children, but I haven’t found anyone that I am willing to spend the rest of my life with. I simply refuse to settle.” Her eyes silently pleading with her mother to understand.

“Do I need to take out an ad,” Phillip growled.

A horrified gasp escaped Alexis, “No Father, you most certainly do not need to take out an advertisement! After we close the deal on Bio-Space, I will work a little harder to get out of the office more often, and that’s all I will promise.”

His tone softened as he took her hand and pulled it to his lips for a soft kiss. “Alexis honey, I love you more than anything else in this world, I just want to you to be happy.”

“I love you too, Father.”

Later that evening, Alexis collapsed on the bed, burying her face in her pillow and started to cry. She had not cried before tonight—not over this. It was easier to shut down than to deal with the pain. Phillip had been unyielding about her finding someone and marrying since Brad had accepted the job.

She fought demons day-in and day-out, kept everyone at bay, and would never trust anyone enough to consider marriage, not after what happened. Love and a family were simply an unrealistic dream for her. Besides, who would want her once they found out about the demons that possessed her?

Her body gave way to the uncontrollable sobs as she let her heart sink into the darkness she had been hiding from the world. For the first time in nearly ten years, she allowed herself to cry until there were no more tears…for the reality of what a life filled with loneliness might be like.

As the tears finally subsided, she rolled over and stared at the ceiling as her mind began to ponder…what now? How can I make them understand without telling them? How can I have a family without letting someone in? She thought about the advertisement for a minute. Perhaps she should check into it, a contract marriage for a specified amount of time. Her body convulsed at the thought of anyone touching her. Intercourse would be off-limits. It would have to be a marriage of convenience; she could manage that for a little while. A fake marriage would solve one problem but not the other.

The image of a child drifted into her mind. I could always adopt a baby later. OMG, that’s the answer. I will have a family without the marriage! She had no idea how she would explain it to her parents but maybe, just maybe, they would give up on the husband part if she gave them a grandchild to dote on.

Swiping the remaining tears from her face, she jumped off the bed with a renewed sense of energy. Furiously she began to pack for tomorrow’s flight to San Diego. She would have plenty of time to research adoption during this final trip.
I must remember to grab a book for the flight,
she thought.

A whirlwind of thoughts buzzed around her head. Where and how to begin? How soon could she make it happen? Then she stopped. Did she want a boy or a girl? It didn’t matter, she would be happy with either.

The ringing phone startled her from the depths of her thoughts, putting the brakes on the freight train speeding through her head.

“Hello?”

“Alexandria, it’s Brad. Do you need a ride to the airport?”

“Thanks but I’ve got a car picking me up.”

“Cancel it. I’ll pick you up at 4:30 AM.”

“Why are you always so pushy?” she laughed.

“Because it annoys you…see you then.”

“Goodnight.” She tilted her head wondering if he had even heard her.

As Alexis waited for Brad to arrive, she found it hard to believe that four months had passed since Brad had joined AAS. She was exhausted, mentally and physically, and looking forward to this being the last trip.

She had come to respect Brad’s intellect and even enjoyed his company during dinner. They had been traveling between D.C., Connecticut, St. Louis, and California for months and Brad had been the perfect gentleman. At times, he definitely qualified as an arrogant prick. Although, a smile crept across her lips as she thought about the number of times she had put him in his place when he assumed she was not versed in the goings-on within the company. Her smile brightened a little more at his shocked expressions. He had made the mistake of putting her in the same class as the bimbos he dated—what a serious mistake that had been!

As much as she hated to admit it, they made the perfect team, and baiting him had become one of her favorite pastimes.

“Good morning,” Alexis greeted Brad as she opened the door with her bag in hand.

“Here, let me take that for you.” He reached for the bag and quickly turned, heading towards the car.

“My, my, are we a grump this morning or what?”

He stopped almost mid-stride. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to sound grumpy.”

“Do we need to stop and get you another cup of coffee?”

“No, we don’t need to stop for coffee. I’ll grab a cup at the airport,” he replied, shutting the trunk just a little too firmly.

Wow, I wonder what’s got his shorts in a bunch this morning. Well, let’s see what I can do about his mood. “Exquisite car,” as she slid into the soft double-stitched leather seats. “Phillip must be paying you too much; I’ll have to talk to him about that.”

Brad chuckled, “The salary is adequate for the job, but if I’m forced to continue putting up with your constant ribbing, I deserve a raise.”

Ignoring his statement, Alexis simply observed, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen this car. What make is it?” as he revved the engine.