Tangled In Lies (Tangled & Torn #1)

45. Phoenix

Chapter 45

Phoenix

“ I ’m not sure who’s worse, you or Nurse Holden over there.” I growl, my displeasure vibrating low in my throat.

Eve chuckles. “Stop being such a grump. Maybe you’re just a terrible patient.”

Holden walks over to us, raised brows in tow. “A very ungrateful patient too.”

I shake my head. “Nope. You guys are definitely the problem. I’m fine. I can get up and do things myself.”

“Dude.” Holden lifts his hand like he plans to push me back on the mattress and hold me there. “You got shot and had emergency surgery. You almost died. One inch to the left, and?—”

“Trust me, I’m well aware I got lucky. But we’ve been home for almost three weeks now, and you guys still act like I got shot yesterday.”

Eve sidles up next to him, giving me her best glare. “The doctor said you have to take it easy for at least four to six weeks. ”

I nod. “Easy, yes. But he didn’t say I needed to be chained to the bed.”

She flinches at the choice of words, and I immediately say, “Sorry, I didn’t . . . ah, shit.”

Her features soften. “I know you didn’t, don’t worry about it.”

Eve climbs onto the bed and snuggles up to me with her head on my good side. “We just want you to heal as quickly as possible and not be in more pain than necessary.”

I press my lips to her forehead, swallowing the hiss that wants to escape at the shift. “I know.”

And I do know. I wouldn’t feel any different if the roles were reversed, but I also hate being so confined. I want to get up and do things. Move around. Feel productive.

I want to live.

Be with my wife.

I breathe her in, her floral scent filling my nostrils. “You know, the doctor also said during my last checkup that I’m cleared for minor physical activities. I just can’t overdo it.”

I wiggle my brows, and Eve laughs.

“Aaaaand that’s my cue to leave.” Holden snatches something from the side table and heads toward the bedroom door. “Holler if you need anything.”

“Sorry,” Eve yells after him, unable to hide the giggle in her voice. “And thank you.”

“Yes, thank you, Holden,” I repeat her words.

“No problem.”

The door clicks shut behind him, and then it’s just Eve and me. My wife and me.

I smile at her. “Hi. ”

The corners of her eyes crinkle as she chuckles. “Hey, handsome.”

I lift my right hand and wince. But I want to touch her badly enough to ignore it for at least a little while. Long enough to brush my fingers over her cheek. Along her jaw. Her lips. “So, how about that minor physical activity?”

She buries her face into my good shoulder. “I am not going to have sex with you.”

I grunt. “Party pooper. How about you sit on my face and suffocate me with that sweet pussy of yours?”

Her laughter is muffled. “Oh my God, you’re terrible.”

I inhale deeply. “I just finally want to fuck my wife.”

That sobers her up, and she looks at me somberly. “I know. I can’t wait to be with you again too. But it’s not worth it if it prolongs your recovery time. Your health is my number one priority. You are my number one priority.”

“Of course, you have to be perfectly reasonable, kind, and lovable about denying me. Figures.”

She shakes her head, giving me the soft smile that’s reserved just for me.

“But . . .” She pushes herself up enough to press her lips against mine, not pulling away.

I coax her mouth open and gently stroke my tongue against hers.

When she leans back, her gaze is a little hazy, and I wonder if she’s as high on this connection between us as I am.

She licks her lips and sits back on her heels. “But you’re right, the doctor did say light physical activity is okay. In moderation.”

Crawling down the mattress, she settles between my spread legs. Her fingers gentle and careful as she tugs them into the low-hung waistband of my sweats and pulls them down. I groan at the same time my cock springs free, already hard as a rock.

“Looks like someone is happy to see me.” Eve encircles my length with one hand and swipes her thumb over the tip.

“So very happy.”

She bends down and slowly wraps her lips around my crown, causing buzzing electricity to flood my veins.

My hips spasm, and it takes all my willpower to keep them from bucking up like I want to. “Fuck, Angel. Yes. Suck me deep. I want to see you choke on my cock.”

I grab as many pillows as possible with my good hand and deposit them under my head.

The view is absolute perfection.

I hiss when Eve takes me in all the way, and my tip touches the back of her throat. Her eyes water, and I brush my hand over her hair, forehead, and cheek. Any part I can reach in my position.

Our gazes collide, and I hiss at the picture she’s presenting.

“You’re so beautiful with your lips wrapped tightly around my cock.” I groan and lift my hips.

She shakes her head slightly at my movement, and I curse my injuries for the millionth time.

Focus on the fact you survived and left that hellhole with your wife.

Eve touches my balls, gently massaging them in her hand while sucking in earnest. The telltale sign of my balls tingling begins, and I drive deeper into her mouth, keeping my movement shallow .

“Fuck. I’m going to come.” Two more thrusts, and I still in Eve’s warm mouth, gazing at my wife, who swallows every last drop of cum I give her.

She draws back, and my slick cock falls out of her mouth. My gaze immediately zeroes in on her swollen lips.

She licks them, the corners pulling into a proud smirk. “Not a drop spilled.”

“Come here.” I reach for her, drawing her up as much as she lets me. Once she’s close enough, I plunge my tongue into her mouth and show her exactly what I think about her performance. When we part, I gently bite her lip. “Your bedside manners are fantastic.”

Eve laughs, and I soak up every second of the musical sound.

I brush a strand of hair off her forehead. “Maybe I should get you a sexy nurse outfit?”

She’s still laughing. “So I can scare the staff?”

I haul her against me. “No one’s going to see you in it but me.”

“Oh yeah?”

Her breath fans against my neck, and her scent immediately intoxicates me.

Which reminds me of another one.

“Touch yourself and give me a taste with your fingers.”

Her eyes widen. Her pupils grow. She just stares at me for a moment, biting her lip. Her hand descends her torso, and heat shoots to my groin. Soon after, her fingers disappear beneath the waistband of her leggings.

Shit. That’s so fucking hot.

She closes her eyes and rocks against her hand, letting out a little gasp .

“How wet are you, baby?” I stare at her parted lips.

“Soaked.”

One word, and my control slips further.

“Did you get all wet sucking off your husband’s cock?”

A sharp breath. A curt nod. A shy glance. And then that damn lip bite again.

“Let me suck those fingers off. Let me taste my wife.”

With a whimper, she draws her hand from her leggings and brings it to my mouth. I groan and take one finger between my lips. It’s just as good as I remember. I lap at each finger, swirling my tongue around every digit until they’re all clean.

“Angel.” My voice is husky, the desperation in it as clear as day. “Take off your clothes and go to the edge of the bed. On your hands and knees.”

“Phoenix.” She says my name like it has ten syllables.

I touch my lips against hers for a lazy moment. “It’s my time to make you feel good. I promise I’ll be careful, okay?”

Her nod is quick, eager. Just the way I like it.

My gaze is glued to her, watching her undress and get into position. I move off the bed and take a sip of my water. Standing at the end of the bed, I’m offered one of the most perfect views. Eve’s pussy glistens with arousal, and my dick stirs in my pants with renewed interest. But this isn’t about me. I put the cup away and lower myself to my knees behind Eve.

A deep inhale later, I lean forward and do one languid lick from her clit to her ass.

Eve moans and jerks against me. “Oh my God, Phoenix.”

I give her ass an appreciative slap and put the ice cube I took from my water cup into my mouth .

After swirling it around for several seconds, I tuck it between my lips and attack her pussy in earnest. Dragging the ice cube over her folds, circling her clit, teasing her entrance. Faster than planned, the ice cube turns to cold water in my mouth, and I crush the rest of it. Once it’s gone, I thrust my cold tongue deep into her cunt, showing her everything I wish I could do to her with my cock. Soon.

Her moans are all I hear, her pussy all I see and taste.

“More, baby. Please, more,” Eve begs, “I’m so close. Just a?—”

“Come for me, Angel. Be a good wife and coat your husband’s fingers.”

I thrust two fingers deep inside her, curling them against her sensitive softness, and she pulses around them. I take that as my cue and attack her clit, sucking on it, pressing my flat tongue over it while continuing to pump my fingers into her.

“Fuck, yes. Oh my God. Yeeees.” Eve moans loudly, her release running down my fingers just like I wanted.

I retrieve them and lap at her pussy, staying away from her oversensitive clit until her spasms subside, and Eve collapses forward onto the mattress. My hand has a mind of its own. I grab a handful of her ass, massaging one round cheek then giving the other side the same treatment.

Eventually, I step away with a groan. “I’ll be back. I need a cold shower.”

Eve chuckles but follows me into the shower a minute later, replacing the cold water with her mouth and gorgeous tits that I wash off very thoroughly after giving her the most satisfying pearl necklace.

Later that evening, we’re cuddled up on the couch with Eve safely tucked under my arm. The same way we’ve been doing since I was released from the hospital, and she was sure I wasn’t lying about it not hurting, at least not in that instance. Sometimes, there are moments when a little pain is worth having her closer or satisfied.

Eve turns to look at me. “How did your meeting go with the lawyers?”

I blow out a breath. “Good, I think. There’s a lot to unravel, a lot of paperwork to go through, and even more cleanup to do. My father screwed over a lot of people, but I’m optimistic, especially now that we have some of my grandpa’s closest employees back. They’ll be a huge help in returning the company to what my grandpa intended it to be. It’ll be a lot of work but worth it in the end.”

Her lips curve up. “So worth it. I can’t wait to see all the things you’ll accomplish.”

“Thank you.” I lean down to kiss her forehead. “Having you by my side will make all the backlash and resistance we face more tolerable. There are a lot of people who aren’t happy my dad left the country before anyone could ask him any questions, and now, they just want someone to blame.”

Although I’d love to give my dad a piece of my mind, I’m glad he disappeared. I don’t know if he’ll ever return, but I’ve never felt this at peace than without his presence in my life. The fact that my mom left with him annoys me, but when Holden asked me if I wanted him to search for them, I told him not to bother. They made their choices, and I’m making mine .

Sometimes, life is better without certain people in it, even if they’re your own flesh and blood. And I know Eve feels the same way, having cut ties with her parents once she was ready to face them. Even my presence didn’t deter her father from throwing threats her way, and that was before I told him that any deals between Caldwell & Company and Montgomery Enterprises are terminated.

It was bittersweet when Holden and our team looked into Tyler’s allegations and discovered he had actually told the truth. The company was supposed to go to me once I had my college degree, something my father had purposefully hidden from me since he wanted the company all to himself for as long as possible. Once power hungry, always power hungry.

We also uncovered that my father fired anyone who didn’t agree with his often aggressive or illegal ways of conducting business.

Thankfully, many of them have agreed to return to help dig up the poison my father spread within the company and beyond, so we can rebuild it the right way as soon as possible.

Eve presses her lips to mine in a soft kiss. “You’ll do amazing. I don’t have a single doubt about that.”

I sigh. “I’m just glad I don’t have to do it alone.”

Enter Holden. He’s been the most significant resource I’ve ever encountered, especially in all things security. While I was at the hospital, he assembled a team to tear apart Tyler’s apartment and everything he owned. Holden said Tyler—my half brother—had footage of my dad, me, Eve, and dozens of other people, dating back to when he moved to New York. Including blackmail material for Ben Rodgers that was way worse than what he took the fall for. On top of that, he had a ton of audio recordings that were definitely illegally obtained and what Holden called a very obsessive trail of miscellaneous documents and items. It seems like Tyler was on his A game when it came to blackmailing people. Holden almost sounded impressed.

“ Do not attempt to understand why a dysfunctional person does what they do. There’s no logic behind it.”

Who would have thought therapy could be so insightful?

What started as a joke has quickly turned into reality where the three of us—Holden, Eve, and I—keep a therapist busy full time. Sort of. While we didn’t hire anyone full time, we see someone several times a week. Sometimes alone, other times together, depending on the topics and issues. I have felt oddly relieved and energized as a result. It’s nice to finally talk to someone about everything I, and we, have gone through.

Eve drags her fingernails over my arm, and I sigh.

“That feels so good.”

She presses a kiss to my chest. “You have a great team, which will only grow over time.”

My mind returns to our conversation about work, and I clear my throat. “Speaking of great team, there was something else I was thinking about.”

“Oh yeah, what’s that?”

I swallow. “I want to talk to the board and see how they feel about someone else taking over, or at the very least, share my responsibilities.”

A slight crease forms between Eve’s brows. “But . . . you’ve always wanted to be CEO.”

“I used to . . . before. But my priorities have changed.” I grasp her hand, playing with the wedding ring on her finger. “Not only do I want to focus more on the foundation and expand our work, but I also want to travel the world with you and be there when you play your concerts. I can’t do that if I’m stuck behind a desk for twelve-plus hours most days. And to be honest, I’ve realized I’m not really that interested in the company anymore anyway. I’d much rather make a difference in the world in a way that’s meaningful to me. And I want to do it with you by my side. You’re my priority now.”

Her lower lip quivers as she nods at me. “I just want you to be happy.”

“I’m happy when I’m with you, Angel. Everything else is just a bonus.”

She clears her throat. “You know, I’ve done some thinking too. Working with you on the foundation has been more fun than I ever could have imagined it would be, and now that this nightmare is finally over, I’d like to be more involved. I was actually wondering if maybe there's a way to get Doreen on board, and together, we can find a way to combine the women’s shelter and the teen safe house. You were talking about getting a large property anyway, so there’d be enough room for everyone, and maybe they could help each other.”

“I like the sound of that.” I pause for a moment, still mulling over what she just said. “But what about your dreams of traveling the world and playing your music?”

“I’ve talked to Dr. Johnson about this, and I realized a part of me had those dreams because I wanted to escape my life here. We both know I was never truly a part of my family, at least not where my parents and brother were concerned. Now that we’ve mostly cut ties, all of that pressure and impulse to flee has gone away with it.”

I study her closely, glad when her features stay relaxed. In a twisted way of fate, a lot of good has come from our messed-up situation.

She continues, “I’d still like to travel, and maybe do a performance every once in a while, but I’d also like to try my hand at other things. Explore studio work some more, maybe film music, collaborations with other artists, compose a bunch of different songs and upload them online, that sort of thing. Work that will fulfill me but will also allow me a lot of flexibility. For the first time, I’m content and excited to see what the future will bring. With you by my side, because you make everything better.”

There’s a lightness in her face I’ve never seen before. True happiness. I want to wake up to this spark in her eyes for the rest of my life. “You amaze me.”

She gives me a watery smile. “I love you.”

I tilt her chin back and cover her lips with mine. “I love you more.”

We both have to sort through a lot of baggage that has accumulated over the last few years, probably most of our lives, but now that no one is trying to murder or ruin us, we can focus on writing the rest of our story the way it was always supposed to be written.

Together.

Forever.