Touched by a Phoenix (60 page)

The long black dress was quite dramatic and just plain sexy. Yet somehow, with her flawless complexion, Alexis appeared sweetly alluring in the strapless sweetheart neckline. A silvery floral applique embellished with sparkling jewels covered the bodice and sat above a sheer corset. The black boning framed her waist to perfection. The floral applique ran around her waist and flowed down her hip…meeting the bold side slit, which exposed the entire length of her long leg. The dress looked as though it had been designed just for Alexis with the way the asymmetrical design draped softly over her hips. The sweeping train made Alexis look as though she were ready to step onto the red carpet.

She wore the silver-beaded heels Monica had bought with jeweled chandelier earrings, matching bracelet, and ring. After the locket incident, Alexis could not bring herself to put anything around her neck, her throat remained exposed.

Monica tilted her head. Yes, Brad would devour her the moment he laid eyes on her.

“The limo’s waiting. Are you ready?”

Alexis beamed a brilliant smile, “I have never been more ready for anything in my life.”

“Too much information…,” as the redness crept into her cheeks, “you never did tell me how you plan to get out of here. All you said was ‘John’.”

“You’ll see.”

Monica opened the door for Alexis. An army of tuxedos greeted them. Monica couldn’t help but grin. After all these men had done to save Alexis—protect the country, no one would dare mess with them. Even dressed to the nine, she was sure they were armed.

“John,” she beamed softly, leaning in to give John a gentle kiss on the cheek.

“My God Alexis, you are radiant.”

“If you think this is radiant, wait until Valentine’s Day,” she flashed him a brilliant smile.

He held his arm out to escort her out of the hospital. She slipped her hand in his arm as he guided her through the corridor. Heels clicked softly against the tile as they walked towards the elevator.

She smiled inwardly, knowing the nurses really wanted to stop her but did not dare. Not with the reputation her escorts had earned. Everyone had been more than willing to share the details of that night with her. She grinned…she didn’t know who they were more afraid of Brad or John but it didn’t matter as long as she got her way this evening.

John kissed her on the forehead before he helped her step into the long black limousine.

“Thank you, John…for everything,” she whispered as the door closed behind her.

They had set the plan in motion days ago, Robert promised to keep Brad entertained and busy until Monica arrived. Then between the two of them, they would keep Brad occupied until Alexis arrive.

John drove the limo at a nice easy pace as they made their way through Arlington, heading towards The Ritz-Carlton. Her heart raced with excitement. It was going to be a perfect evening, and before the night was over, he would be hers again.

“Girl…will you have John turn up the AC? Your body heat is making me sweat!”

“Demi…where have you been?”

“Sorry, I thought you might chicken out but since you left these behind, I guess not,” as she twirled Alexis’s panties around her finger. “You know you are going to drive him mad, don’t you?”

“That is the plan,” Alexis crooned with the most delicious little smile on her lips.

“So…are you going to fill me in?”

“No.”

“Are you going to at least have one dance with him?”

“Oh, I am going to dance with him all right.”

Demi’s mouth formed a perfect
O
.

Alexis turned to Demi, “Oh my God, you are blushing.”

When Demi collected her thoughts, she put her hand on Alexis’s forehead. “Is your fever back?”

“No, why?”

“Because you are a hot little mess tonight!”

“No, I am not all right. I am dying to get to him. I’m not complete without him and it has been far too long.”

“And exactly what are you going to do with him when you get him?”

“You are going to get lost and I am going to make love to him until the sun comes up.”

“And miss those fireworks? I don’t think so!”

“Then may I suggest you get a fan?”

Demi perched on her high and mighty little throne. “Looks like I taught you well,” she remarked smugly as John parked the limo in front of the hotel.

Alexis’s excitement grew as John stepped out and walked around the car, opening the door for her to exit.

He extended his hand to assist her in stepping out.

“John….”

His breath caught in his throat at the look in her eyes. Now he knew why those eyes drove Brad beyond all reasonable self-control—Alexis was magnificent.

“That look tells me I should wait here,” he said.

A sultry, “Yes, please,” told him everything he needed to know.

She took a step forward and stopped. Alexis glanced over her shoulder at him, “John, later…just drive.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Chris and Jim met her at the entrance and followed her through the hotel.

Alexis paused as the greeters opened the double doors to the ballroom. She stood framed in soft light as she took a deep breath. She had been waiting for this moment since she woke.

He had been afraid—afraid it was too soon, that he might hurt her. But she needed him and tonight…she intended to make sure he couldn’t resist.

Several soft gasp could be heard as she stepped through the doors. She put her finger to her smiling lips to
shush
them. Instantly, they understood the surprise.

The crowd began to back away clearing a path to her lover. She had asked Monica to have the band play “Hero” by Enrique Iglesias. The words were perfect to tell Brad that he was indeed her hero.

Everything was going according to the plan; that is, until Brad came into view. Across the room, dressed in his tuxedo, and looking more devastatingly handsome than ever. She couldn’t catch her breath; it was lost on him.

He must have heard the whisper of the song—must have felt her gaze because he turned. The minute their eyes locked, everything else faded away.

She saw the dangerous glint in Brad’s eyes as he cross the space with a determined saunter.

Her entire body quivered—he was coming for her. Her pulse quickened beneath his intense gaze.

She took a step towards him…then two.

He didn’t stop as he cupped her face with both hands and kissed her as she had never been kissed. Alexis was in blissful oblivion as her arms wrapped around him.

The words to the music must have registered in his mind as he broke away to look at her with quiet devotion.

That was when Alexis whispered, “My love, you are my hero.”

He pulled her close as they began to sway to the music.

“I need you like destiny needs the stars to guide it though time and space. My darling Alexis, I will never give you up,” his whispered against her lips.

An intense fire raged within her—raging out of control. Each time his lips left hers, even just for half a second, she whispered how much she loved him. She would not keep her lips from his as she kissed him fiercely…in between a breathless, “You are all that I need….”

He groaned a long soft, a sultry groan filled with need, “Alexis….”

Her eyes blazed with desire. “Take me home love.”

Brad swept her up and into his arms as he walked out of the ballroom. Both oblivious to doors that automatically opened before them and closed behind them as she nestled against him. His muscles tensed as she ran her tongue just above his collar, nibbling just below his ear.

He stopped short when he saw John open the door to the limousine. Without a word, he stepped into the future with Alexis.

Brad laid Alexis down on the seat as gently as if she were the most delicate flower ever created. Once again, he was on his knees for the woman he loved.

Her hands pulled him to her as her lips met his and whispered, “You are my beginning and my end. Your touch saved me and your love gave me life.”

“If it were possible to take my heart out and place it in your loving hands, I would. I will love you all my life, and when I die, I will wait for you in eternity and then we will continue our dreams until there is only one flame…
us
…until the end of time.”

His lips devoured her. He was finished—all self-restraint fled.

Her arms wrapped around his neck, hands tangled in his hair, clinging to him more tightly than he had ever thought possible. She was kissing him with every ounce of her being…trying to tell him everything at once…what words could not express.

His hand slid down her waist—to her leg. When he ran slowly found its way back up her leg—under her gown…her bare skin scorched his hand.

“Please, love…I need you…,” she whispered against his lips.

His world exploded into a million pieces as he made the most passionate love to her.

Brad and Alexis’s journey continues in

Part Two

RELEASE DATE: SUMMER, 2016

THE TREACHERY CONTINUES as an explosion rocks Brad’s overseas work facility, leaving everyone to assume that Brad is dead. Was the attack intended murder or simply a cover to conceal the theft of ACE?

Alexis’s life and love are stolen in a single heartbeat. Nothing will stop her from uncovering the truth…not even the Secretary of Defense. To what lengths will she go to uncover the deception, stop the man behind the treachery, and what fury will she unleash against those who get in her way?

Featured Music

“Any Way You Want It” by Journey

“Hips Don’t Lie” by Shakira

“Beneath Your Beautiful” by Labrinth

“Reflection of Passion” by Yanni

“Problem” by Becky G.

“Truth of Touch” by Yanni

“Ride” by Chase Rice

“Hero” by Enrique Iglesias

A huge thank
you goes out to the artists, who unbeknownst to them, played a major part in the creation of this book. There were many songs playing in the background during the writing process; each one is special in its own way. The music allowed me to tune out the rest of the world, to focus, to set the mood, and fuel the adrenaline rush. They helped create the intensity of each scene portrayed in this work of fiction.

Art, in all forms, is a critical part of life. As such, please support the artist by purchasing their work legally.

Other Citations

Book: The Garden of Betrayal by Lee Vance

Book: The Fallen Angel by Daniel Silva

Quote: Aristotle, (n.d). BrainyQuote.com

Quote: Lee, Bruce, (n.d.). BrainyQuote.com

About the Author

Sophia Byron is
a Virginia native and wife to a retired U.S. Air Force Veteran. She and her husband have three adult children. Sophia divides her time equally between family, day job, and writing. During her free time, you will find her playing with her grandson, reading, baking, fishing or playing a round of golf. She believes that readers deserve the very best she has to give. As a new author, she utilizes a unique blend of talents to create complex layered plots; weaving a tale of electrifying romance and sizzling passion combined with a unique blend of action, cutting edge science, mystery, suspense, and thrills all of which take readers through may twists and turns, in an effort to keep her readers engrossed until the very end.

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This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, events, and/or incidents are a product of the author’s imagination or are have been used fictitiously. They should not be construed as real. Any likeness to actual events, places, organizations, or persons, whether living or dead, is coincidental; unless deliberately and on purpose, due to a special meaning to the author.

TOUCHED BY A
PHOENIX

ISBN:978-0-9963694-2-8

Copyright © 2015/Sophia Byron

Cover Design, Interior Design, and formatting by Damonza

Editing by Sarah Katz

The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the various places referenced in this work of fiction. Data acquired from public information has been used without permission. The publication and use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

Except for the original material written by the author, all songs, song titles, and lyrics contained within this book are the property of the respective songwriters and copyright holders.

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