Tangled In Lies (Tangled & Torn #1)

29. Phoenix

Chapter 29

Phoenix

“ S hit, man.” Holden cackles next to me like I just told him the funniest joke ever.

Sometimes, I’m worried about him.

“What’s so funny?” Even though I’m talking to him, my gaze stays glued on Eve.

She’s only a few feet away from us with her friends, which is too far for my taste. I promised Eve I wouldn’t leave her side, but when her friends showed up, she gave me a pleading look, and I folded like a house of cards.

How bad of an idea would it be to strangle them for taking her away from me?

Not only did Ruby and Mason pop up right next to us on the dance floor, interrupting our precious time, but it was also right when I was about to ask Eve what she was thanking me for.

Now, I still don’t know.

But something happened on the dance floor, that much I’m sure of.

Even the kiss felt different .

Holden steps in front of me, and I shift to the side to avoid losing sight of Eve.

He laughs again. “I’ve seen a lot in my life, but never a man so obsessed with a woman.”

I merely shrug, because what’s the point of denying it? We both know it’s the truth.

“I always thought your fixation on her was a bit over the top, but she put you in prison, so I understood. But now I really understand.”

I spare him a glance. But only for two seconds. “Understand what?”

“Oh no, I’m not telling you. Where would the fun be in that?”

This time, he gets a glare from me. “I don’t even know what you’re talking about anymore.”

Holden grins. “I know, which is why this is so hilarious.”

A low sound comes from my throat. “This guy doesn’t know what’s good for him, I swear.”

Holden follows my gaze to Tyler, who has joined the trio, handing Eve a champagne glass from his tray with a smile. She takes it from him, and their fingers touch. I want to rip his clean off his hand.

I knew he would be here, we’d vetted everyone, but Holden told me we’re not the assholes who keep scholarship kids from making some earnest money. That doesn’t mean I have to like it though.

“Relax, dude. He reminds me of someone else who doesn’t know what’s good for him either.” He wiggles his eyebrows at me. “Plus, haven’t you heard that he and Ruby are an item now? ”

That’s news, but I still want to wipe the smirk off his face.

With my fist.

I glance back at the group. Tyler whispers something in Ruby’s ear, and she giggles. Then he’s off into the crowd. Eve peers at me over her shoulder, her lips curving into a genuine smile when our gazes meet.

I nod at Holden. “I think we’ve been here long enough. Let’s say our goodbyes and go home.”

“Couldn’t agree more, boss .”

He says “boss” like some people would say cockroach, and I mutter, “Asshole.” His laughter follows me all the way to Eve.

I slide my arm around her waist, and my body instantly relaxes at the contact. I know it’s stupid to think I can keep her safe as long as I’m by her side, but it’s the only thing that calms me these days. I despise the moments I’m without her. Is that healthy? Probably not, but I don’t give a fuck.

Like Holden pointed out, I’m a man obsessed.

I lean close to her ear and say, “Are you ready to leave?”

She shivers, and I bite my cheek to suppress my reaction.

The things I want to do to her.

But I don’t think she’s ready for that yet.

For now, the memory of her on my lap in my office has to be enough to hold me over.

Until she’s ready for more.

Until I fully make her mine.

My dick twitches at the memory of her pussy pulsing around my fingers and the prospect of feeling her clench around my cock one day, and I have to pull away to put some space between us .

I head toward the exit, and Eve’s parents step into our path. Alex is nowhere to be seen, which suits me just fine.

Audrey sweeps a glance over her daughter. “Evangeline, there you are. I thought we might miss you guys tonight. It’s been so busy, and everyone always wants to chat.”

Eve gives her mom a social smile, the one that doesn’t reach her eyes. “Hi, yes, so busy. It’s a lovely party, thank you for hosting.”

Byron shakes my hand. “How’s business going, Phoenix? I bet you’re excited to be working with your father again soon?”

I barely manage to focus on him and the ridiculous words that are coming out of his mouth, giving him a simple, “Sure. Absolutely.”

He seems satisfied with my answer and turns to his daughter. “I take it things are going well ?”

It doesn’t take a genius to know what he’s referring to since the dollar signs are practically shimmering in his eyes. He and my dad are in the midst of closing the deal we promised him.

How pathetic. Sometimes I’m not sure which of our parents are worse. They’re both greedy and cruel in their own ways.

I focus back on Eve to make sure she’s okay just as she’s squeezing my hand.

“Yup. Everything’s going super well . Anyway, Mom, Dad, sorry to cut this short, but we were just about to head out. Phoenix has some important business waiting back at the house.”

Her mom seems taken aback but quickly recovers. “Oh, sure. ”

Eve waves and says, “Oh, and by the way, thanks for sending me a message after the explosion to check in. I really appreciate the thought. Enjoy the rest of your evening.”

I barely have time to take in the slightly confused expression on Audrey’s face before Eve pulls me after her.

The conversation with my parents is thankfully even shorter. We swoop in, say thanks, and leave with a wave. All just for public appearances, of course.

Niko waits at the door for us. He’s one of the security guys Holden assigned for me personally, among a few others. They’ve been at the house as added security for the past few weeks. As much as I prefer to have Holden by my side, we both felt better if he checked out the car himself before we left.

“Hey, Niko. How are you?” Eve smiles at him.

I grind my teeth but stay quiet. I have to get used to her knowing everyone’s name and being friendly with the staff. Apparently, that’s her thing.

“I’m well, miss, thank you for asking.”

Thankfully, Niko knows what’s good for him and nods curtly at Eve before averting his gaze.

“I told you to call me Evie like everyone else does.”

The corner of his mouth twitches. “I remember, but I’d like to keep my job, miss.”

Her mouth opens, and she whirls around.

I immediately hold up my hands. “No, not me.”

Realization hits her features, and an irritated sound comes from her throat. “I think Hold and I need to have a little chat.”

Niko swallows but stays quiet, leading us through the mansion and into the garage .

Everyone else has their drivers dropping them off and picking them up out front, but we didn’t want to take any unnecessary risks.

Holden is waiting next to the car, and Eve immediately pokes his chest. “Did you tell your guys they have to call me miss?”

He grins. “Did you want them to call you Princess too?”

She groans. “Hold, be serious.”

He sighs, like he’s sad the fun is already over. “A lot of the guys prefer that small distance. It keeps their senses sharper when they’re not overly friendly with their client.”

She seems to mull over the information, the spot between her brows scrunched together. “That makes sense and no sense at the same time.”

Holden nods. “We can talk about it later. Let’s get out of here first.”

“Fine.”

She climbs into the SUV, and I follow her.

Holden navigates us back onto the main road, and with every mile we leave behind us, my body relaxes more.

Eve is quiet the whole drive home. For a moment, I wonder if she’s asleep, but then I see her fingers tapping away on her legs. I want to slide across the middle seat to get to her, but then the moonlight illuminates her face through the window, showing me the gentle lift of her mouth.

I didn’t intend to tell her about Connie and her music tonight. But when the orchestra played one of Eve’s favorite songs, and she started moving her fingers on my back along with the melody, the words just spilled.

And I’m not sorry about it .

How could I be if they might have been precisely what she needed to hear?

Is that what the kiss was for?

Was that what she was thanking me for?

It was undoubtedly one of the most innocent kisses I’ve ever had. Yet, it felt like someone reached into my chest and took my heart in a chokehold.

We say goodnight to Holden, so he can check in with his team, and make our way up the stairs.

Up to my bedroom, that has slowly turned into our bedroom in the last few weeks.

Eve leaves for the bathroom to get ready while I take off my suit jacket by the couch, draping it over the back. My tie comes off next. I’m undoing the last button on my shirt when Eve calls my name.

I cross the room and push open the bathroom door, finding Eve in the middle of the ample space with her back to me.

She clears her throat and watches me over her shoulder. “Mmm, could you help me with the zipper, please? I got the top open but then got stuck halfway down.”

“Sure.” I stalk toward her, my gaze stuck on her long hair tumbling down her back. She must have taken it down the second she came in here.

I gather the soft strands in my hands and sweep them over her shoulder, grazing her skin in the process.

Eve shivers, just like earlier.

And just like earlier, my dick takes notice.

I stare at what’s already exposed on her back and the small patches of her skin that are a little pinker than the rest. Newer. Freshly healed after the attack .

I brush my fingers over them. “Do they hurt?”

She shakes her head.

I touch every spot where she got hurt, some of them smooth skin and others scars. Goosebumps spread under my fingertips.

Then I kiss them—one by one.

“You’re so beautiful.”

Kiss.

“So brave.”

Kiss.

“And strong.”

I can’t stop touching her, can’t stop revering every wound and every scar.

This woman deserves to be worshiped.

I brush my hand down her back, finally making it to the zipper. Something like a whimper comes from her. I fix the zipper and pull it down her back tantalizingly slowly. Tracing every millimeter of freshly exposed skin. Until I feel the lace under my fingers. I continue, and then it’s right in front of my eyes as the zipper reaches its final destination at the top of her ass. It’s a black thong, and I wonder if it’s the same one she wore when I made her come on my lap.

Unable to help myself, I press a finger behind the top seam and brush it left and right, left and right.

“Phoenix.”

My name is a breathy whisper, snapping me out of my trance.

“Tell me to stop, Angel.”

Eve doesn’t answer. Instead, she lets go of the dress where she must have held it to her chest, and it falls to the floor in a heap, leaving her to stand there in nothing but that damn black thong.

Shit.

How many times have I envisioned a scenario like this before? How often did I imagine peeling off her clothes when we were younger? Fantasized about her perfect round hips? Wanting to grab handfuls of her ass and show her beautiful tits the appreciation they deserve?

I still haven’t seen all of her, yet I already know she’s just as spectacular as I knew she would be.

My cock is so hard, precum leaks onto my pants.

She’s practically naked, within reach, and I’m still standing here like a prepubescent teenager who’s never seen a girl before.

And she’s allowing me to feast my eyes on her.

Angry thunder sounds outside, and I automatically step closer, bringing her backside flush to my front. There’s no hiding my cock now.

Eve moans low in her throat at the contact and leans back against me.

I’m holding on to my sanity by a bare thread. “Last chance, Angel. If you want me to stop, tell me now. I don’t think I can stop once I’ve touched you.”

“Don’t you dare stop.” Eve tilts her chin in a way that allows me my first real look at the swell of her full breasts, her nipples hard and begging for my attention.

“Thank fuck.”

I snap.

There’s only one thought in my head before my body takes over.

This woman is my undoing .

Always has been and always will be.

Once I have her, this will be it for me. I will not let her go ever again. I don’t think I could even if she asked me to.

My primal instincts quiet my mind.

I need to touch her. I need to feel her. I need to taste every inch of her. Mark her as mine.

Her thoughts seem to be aligned with mine because she spins around at the same time I grab for her, and together, we close every last gap between us. Maybe even more than the physical ones.

Her fingers dig into my nape while I reach around her to finally get my hands on her round ass. She jumps at the same time I lift her, and I blindly walk us into the bedroom.

My scalp screams in pain when she tugs at my hair, and I welcome the sting because I feel the same desperation.

Eve lets go of my hair, only to yank at my shirt, trying to force it off my arms.

She lets out a frustrated huff, realizing it won’t come off while I carry her.

I chuckle.

And fuck, it feels good.

Every fiber of my being recognizes and wants her. Knowing she feels the same has something powerful coursing through my veins. It’s not like anything I’ve never felt before.

I capture her mouth, unable to stare at those pouty lips for another moment without tasting them.

I finally reach the bed and lower us to the mattress.

Holding my weight as much as possible on my elbows, I press my cock against her pelvis, and we both moan.

With great difficulty, I pull away from her compelling lips and kiss my way down her throat, across the elegant curves of her shoulder and collarbone until I reach her chest. Shifting my weight to one arm, I reach for her right breast and groan at the feel of it. Fuck. I massage it, then the other, sucking on one hard nipple.

Her floral scent infiltrates my senses, a smell I’ve associated with her for as long as I’ve known her, only adding to the insanity of this moment.

Eve arches her back, and my cock twitches at the evidence of her pleasure.

I shower both breasts with lavish attention, switching back and forth between licking, sucking, nibbling, and massaging, always listening to Eve’s little gasps and moans whenever I do something she likes.

“Phoenix . . . need more . . . need to touch you.”

I find my way back to her mouth. After another thorough kiss, I climb off her and walk to the end of the bed. I take a moment to treasure the sight of her lying on my bed. Spread out like the delicious feast she is—with her beautiful hair on my pillows, her flushed skin baring my marks, and eyes wild with arousal and desperation.

She’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen, and I’ll never get my fill of her.

Her eyebrows bunch together in a cute frown, and she lets out a frustrated huff, much like earlier. “Why are you still dressed?”

Without taking my eyes off her, I slowly undo one of my cufflinks and let it fall to the floor. “Am I not fast enough for you?”

Her eyes widen for a fraction, a playful spark shining in them. “Maybe you need some help? ”

I tilt my head to the side. “Come here and help me then.”

She goes on all fours and crawls down the bed to me.

She’s crawling to me with her heavy tits swaying left and right.

Fuck.

This is single-handedly the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen, and this moment will forever be burned into my memory.

The way she smirks at me, her gaze never leaving mine, tells me she knows exactly how much I like this.

When she reaches me, she doesn’t go straight for my pants like I thought she would. Instead, she licks her way up from my navel to my chest.