Touched by a Phoenix (44 page)

“The Frogtown Chophouse,” she giggled at the surprised look on his face. “Trust me, love,” as she stepped out of the bathroom. “Would you zip me, please?”

His groan filled the air, “Alexis, please tell me you are not going to wear that dress this evening!”

“Well yes…is there something wrong with it,” as she looked up. His dark blue eyes darkening…
oh no, the
storm….

“No my darling, there is nothing wrong with the dress. You simply look ravishing,” as he placed a kiss on her beautiful lips. “Turn and I’ll zip you.”

Alexis flushed but did as instructed.

Brad stepped closer and tried to be the perfect gentleman but damn was that going to be a difficult task.

Alexis was dressed in an elegant little black cocktail dress that shimmered with some kind of beading on the lace. It fit her slender silhouette to perfection. Her hair was pinned up inviting him to tease her lovely neck. He didn’t hesitate to help himself to a soft kiss to the back of her neck, sending chills down her spine. A soft moan escaped her lips as she leaned back against him. His arms wrapped her waist as he buried his face in the nape of her neck.

“Please,” she whispered, “we’ll be late for dinner.”

She struggled with her own desire and emotion. His other little surprise gift tempted her….

He sensed she would break easily tonight, and as much as he would love to stay home with her, she would be disappointed if he messed with her dinner plans. Especially after a cold breakfast.

“All right, until later….”

She turned to him, “My love you look quite dashing this evening,” as she tied his bow tie. Her body reeling with sexual tension.

How in God’s name was she ever supposed to make it through dinner with him in a tuxedo…looking so devastatingly handsome?

The drive to the restaurant was quiet, each lost in their own thoughts.

Alexis never ceased to amaze him as the hostess led them to a secluded and private dining area. They would be alone to celebrate and enjoy the evening. The intoxicating scent of gardenia’s wafted in the air around him, soft and sensuous. Candle light flickered, creating magical energies to the shadows. The soft ambiance of firelight radiated warmth. Alexis exuded love and lavished it him causing his body to hum with anticipation.

His blue eyes, like magnets, latched onto hers. She was in trouble—his little gift…his eyes,

God, I need a
minute
.

“Sweetheart, if you will excuse me for a few minutes…I’ll be right back.”

“Darling, is everything all right? You appear to be a little flushed.”

“Yes love, I just need to run to the ladies room,” she tried flashing him a sweet smile as she stood.

As she walked towards the restroom, Demi piped in, “Girl, pull yourself together before you give away the surprise.”

“Easy for you to say, you don’t have two little magnetic balls jiggling around inside you driving you crazy!”

“OMG…they actually work…can I try?”

“Demi…please. I can hardly stand it as it is.”

Alexis leaned her head against the cold marble covering the wall, hoping for some relief. They still had dinner and a birthday cake. What on earth had she been thinking?—apparently nothing, because obviously she had lost her mind. She would never be able to make it until they got home. I could take them out. She groaned,
no
…it is for his birthday.

“Pull up your big girl panties and let’s get back to that yummy fiancé of yours.”

“Hold on a minute, I need to make a phone call,” as she reached into her purse to retrieve her phone.

“Jacques, this is Alexandria. May I ask a huge favor?”

“Would you mind lighting a fire in about an hour and I placed a CD in the stereo; if you wouldn’t mind turning the music on, I would appreciate it.”

“Thank you.”

“A fire and music,” Demi remarked, “I take it you have a plan?”

“There is no plan, whatever he wants tonight…will be his.”

“Oh my!”

She took a deep shuddering breath. Perhaps I can think of something else and block it out. The wedding maybe…no, that will only make it worse.

“How about demonstrations next week, they will be fun to watch…right?”

“Thanks Demi, I will try.”

Soup and salads arrived within minutes of her return to the table, followed by filet mignon and crab cakes with a chardonnay white cheddar sauce. Roasted garlic mashed potatoes and asparagus accompanied the meal.

“Alexis my sweet, are you all right this evening? You’ve been awfully fidgety.”

“Yes I’m fine,” her eyes danced with a devilish smile to them.

He was surprised when a small birthday cake made its way to the table, complete with
‘34’
candles.

“Darling, thank you for a wonderful day, but you have done way too much,” his eyes were warm and loving.

“You’re welcome, sweetheart. I just wanted to make your birthday as special as you are to me.”

He placed a soft kiss on her lips as he whispered, “The only thing I needed today was you and as long as you are mine…I do not need nor want for anything more.”

“You will always have me but before the candles burn out, would you like to make a wish?”

“Alexis, I have more than I ever dreamed of sitting right here beside me.”

“Bradley…please…can’t you think of something you might like?”

“
Hmm…,
” he thought for a moment, “yes, I think I can.” He obligingly closed his eyes and made a wish—a wish for a lifetime of moments just like this with Alexis. When the smoke cleared, he had blown out all the candles in one breath.

“Are you happy now?”

“Yes sweetheart, I am very happy.”

She flashed a sassy little smile at him as she slowly ran her index finger through the icing on the side of the cake and licked it off very—very slowly.

“Oh no—you did not just do that!” Demi cried excitedly

A deep rumble reverberated through Brad’s chest as he rolled his eyes.

“Alexis…you are killing me,” his hot breath was against her neck in an instant.

“I have one more gift for you.” Her eyes flashed him a demure little look. She pulled a card from her purse, along with a red velvet box with a small white bow on top. She handed him the card first.

He opened it and chuckled softly…
she was up to no good!
Inside, she had written:

Today is your birthday…so

We will play a simple little game

While you might find this a little lame

Each new rhyme will bring you closer to your gift

And before you know it

It will be yours, in no time at all

Happy birthday my love!

Always,

Alexis

“Alexis, what are you up to?” his brilliant blue eyes dancing with delight.

“I told you. I have one more gift for you,” as she handed him the small velvet box.

He wasn’t quite sure what to expect when he opened the box. He held it away from him as if he might be afraid to open it. He tipped the lip open to peek inside—only nothing popped out. The box was empty except for two indentions in white silk fabric and a handwritten note.

Let’s start this game out right

The box gives you a clue

As to the shape and size

Now you must find your prize

If you decide to follow through

Look under the seat for the next clue

He immediately stood and tipped the chair back. Finding nothing, he eyed her quizzically. “I thought it was under the seat,” he said.

A coy but smooth smile betrayed her sheer delight in torturing him.

“I didn’t say which seat.”

His eyebrow arched, “The car….”

“I’m afraid I can’t say. It’s up to you…whether or not you follow through.”

“Alexandria…,” he growled, “fine…I’ll be right back.”

Demi was jumping up and down. “Way to go…you blew his mind with the icing on the finger thing…OMG…you are getting good at this.”

“Demi, please…behave for a just few minutes.”

“But you will drive him crazy with the next clue.”

“I know, but do you have any idea the price I’m paying for my mischievousness? Now please,” as she fidgeted in her chair.

Brad returned with the next note:

Now that you found the first clue

I bet you’re looking for the second one too

Please don’t fret…it will come to you out of the blue

But if you have trouble…remember I love you

Clue:

I am at home and I have many keys that do not open anything…I have many notes, but you cannot see them. What am I?

His brows furrowed as he thought. “Alexis, you have got to be kidding me. I have to wait until we get home?” The dancing lights flickering in his eyes gave away his excitement with the game.

Her soft laughter filled the small room, “Yes my love, you do.”

“If I guess will you tell me?” He looked like a little boy with his impish face and sheer delight dancing in his eyes.

He was so cute and oh so sexy when he let go like this. She wished she had thought about this month’s ago. Her eyes widened and she made several attempts to speak. Her lips twitched trying to hold back a smile but no words came forth. She simply shook her head.

“Come on Alexis, if you tell me…I promise to be good,” he solicited, giving her a wicked little grin.

She could not speak. His present was doing a number on her and she felt as though she was just about to pass out from the sensations reverberating through her body. She swallowed hard…closed her eyes…and stiffened her spine…along with her resolve.
I will get through
this.

“No sweetheart…you must first find your treasure before you can enjoy its pleasures,” she said in the sultriest tone she could manage.

He tilted his head as if he were trying to figure out what she was hiding. “Then let’s go,” he said as he grabbed the small box.

He was the sexiest man she had ever laid eyes on and when he commanded—it was difficult…no, virtually impossible to resist him. Her heart pounded faster…she was a lovely little mess this evening and it was her own doing. She tried desperately to sound calm.

“Sweetheart you haven’t even cut your cake yet,” came her soothing voice.

“We’ll take it home,” he announced as he stood.

She burst into laughter, “Brad, be patient love. We will go home as soon as we finish with dessert.”

He slumped down in the chair as if she had scolded him. “I don’t want cake, I want you,” he pouted.

She reached out and caressed his cheek, “Love… you do realize…anticipation is all part of the plan correct?”

His eyebrow rose as he gazed at her. She watched his deep blue eyes turn a darker—darker than the midnight sky at sea, which only heightened her own desires. She had been trying to hide them…under veiled lashes…all evening and had done a decent job of it…until now.

“Alexis…,” he could not finish for her eyes showed him the depth of her desire.

He ran his hand up her thigh as he leaned over to kiss her, but before his lips could meet hers, he felt it…
holy shit…
he groaned.

“Alexis, what do you have on under that dress?”

She had enjoyed being swept away in her own private little fantasy. Now she was sure her plan was about to backfire. The sensations running through her felt like lava in her veins…making it difficult to breath…and he was touching her. She moaned softly at his touch as her eyes fell closed.

Every inch of him conveyed power—life—and vigor…except he was powerless when it came to Alexis. He ran his hand under her dress to find the garter. A small throaty sound vibrated in his chest when the heat from her flesh scorched his fingers. His grip on the box tightened. He looked at the box, then Alexis…back to the box and back to Alexis…shock, denial, and then the lighten bolts…,
“Noooo,”
he groaned.

The box fell to the table as his hand wrapped around her neck and pulled her close for a thunderous kiss as his other hand found her panties. Nimble fingers pushed them aside under the tablecloth as he found his garden. He stifled her moan with his lips as wet heat rushed from her when he inserted his fingers inside her. Holy shit…
she had ben wa balls inside
…waiting for him.

He ran his finger through her folds until he reached her clit and she writhed as he whispered, “Good God Alexis,” against her lips. His voice filled with the same white-hot lust he had seen in her eyes and now felt coursing through her veins. His lips devoured hers, partly to stifle his own moan, but to hide the whimper she released as he brought her to a climax. His expert fingers were still as her ragged breathing steadied.

“Darling, it’s time to go home,” his deep voice was enough to make her quiver in expectancy. “Waiter, box the cake.”

As he waited, he ran his hand up her thigh again, while his lips found her neck. She moaned softly, “Please love. I need a minute.”

Between the balls, her own arousal, and what he had just done to her…she wanted him desperately but her legs would not yet support her.