Chapter 24 – Phoenix
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
My secret revealed
Phoenix
God, you’re so obsessed with me, Hale.
Her words play through my mind. I know she was teasing, but in actuality, she’s not far from the truth. I am borderline obsessed with Jordie McNamara. If by borderline you mean completely.
I shouldn’t be, truly, I shouldn’t, but last week’s activities in that hotel room run like a movie trailer through my thoughts. The way she felt beneath me. The way she felt on top of me. The way she felt beside me in the bed while she slept in my arms.
But it wasn’t just the sexual activities. I adore everything we’ve done together, from talking to dancing to dining. She’s intriguing and funny. Sweet and strong.
I’m jolted from my reverie by Charlotte’s voice over the intercom. “Phoenix, some handsome devil is here to see you.”
Pressing the button, I reply, “By all means, send him in. I could use something pretty to look at.”
“Been staring in the mirror again, huh?” comes her cheeky reply.
“Charlotte, make sure your contact information is up to date in the system so when the unemployment office calls, I can pass that along to them.”
She doesn’t even pause. “Don’t threaten me with a good time, mister.”
I’m still grinning and shaking my head when my twin enters, taking the leather chair across from my desk.
“Hey, Helix. What’s up?”
He crosses one ankle over the opposite knee. “Just wanted to come see my brother. How are you?”
“Good. Been working on some television marketing ideas this morning.” And thinking about a woman I shouldn’t be thinking about, I add silently.
Helix flattens his lips and nods. “And you’re doing okay?”
Something prickles at the back of my neck.
Call it twin instinct, if you will, but usually when Helix shows up in my office, it’s about marketing for a new product they’re developing in the lab.
He never just leaves the lab building next door to come over here and question my general well-being.
Did we have a lunch meeting planned that I forgot about?
“What’s wrong?” I ask, and he fiddles with the collar of his pale-blue button-down shirt. On the surface everything seems to be normal. He’s wearing his customary suspenders, dress pants, and glasses, though his eyes haven’t quite met mine since he arrived. But they do now.
“You haven’t been online today, have you?”
“No, not really. I had to do a quick search for something related to this campaign earlier, but that’s about it.” I ask again. “What’s wrong?”
Helix nods at my laptop. “Pull up your browser and search for The Bettencourt Corporation.”
The prickles at the back of my neck intensify until it feels like someone is smacking me with a cactus. What the hell has my ex done?
Determined to find out, I open my laptop and tap in my passcode. When the browser automatically pulls up, I type in The Bettencourt Corporation. Articles and photos begin to populate the page, and my eyes fall on the headline of the first article, dated today.
Bettencourt Corporation Names New CEO
I lean back in my chair and tap my lips with my pointer finger. “Well, I guess Beatrice finally got what she wanted,” I say with more than a little bitterness.
A small line appears between Helix’s eyebrows. “Did you read the article?”
“Just the headline,” I say. “I hope she doesn’t think she’s going to come back and be a part of Reece’s life. She gave up her rights, and the contract is airtight.”
My words are spoken with all the confidence in the world, but a tiny part of me wants to pull out the paperwork and make sure there aren’t any inadvertent loopholes. I know there aren’t. Three other lawyers and I had all gone over it with a fine-toothed comb over five years ago.
“Phoenix.” My twin’s voice is soft, but it carries a heavy weight. I look up into his concerned eyes. “Bro, read the article.”
I stare at him for a long moment before clicking on the article. I start reading from the top, catching several key phrases.
Retiring at the end of the month… one of the leaders in global e-commerce… efforts led by his daughter, Beatrice.
And then the part that has my mouth dropping open.
In a surprise move, Mr. Bettencourt has named his nephew, Justin Bettencourt, the new CEO of his tech company. His only daughter, Beatrice, will take over as senior director of technology.
“Holy shit,” I mutter, looking up at Helix.
He lifts one eyebrow. “That’s what I said. How do you feel about this?”
I drop my attention back to the screen, and my eyes fall on a quote from old Barty. “Justin has the drive and dedication we value at The Bettencourt Corporation, and I couldn’t be happier to hand over the reins to him.”
My mind is spinning like an out of control Tilt-A-Whirl. With my finger and thumb, I pinch the bridge of my nose.
“Fuck. I don’t even know. That had to have been a slap in the face for Beatrice after she followed that asshole’s demands to the letter.” My eyes fall on a matching set behind a pair of stylish glasses. “I probably should feel bad for her.”
“Don’t,” Helix snaps, jabbing a finger toward me. “She doesn’t fucking deserve your pity. She chose her career and her father over you and Reece. She abandoned her fucking child and the man who would have been the best goddamn husband she ever could have imagined.”
“That’s what I’m saying. She gave up everything with the promise that she’d be CEO when her father retired, and then…
” I snap my fingers, “he just snatched it away from her and stuck her in a middle-management position.” A sense of entitled outrage begins to creep down my spine because seriously…
fuck Beatrice Bettencourt. I gave her every chance to have both a career and a family, and she threw it in my face.
A picture of my beautiful daughter—the one Beatrice refused to even look at—flashes through my mind, and a very petty smile forms on my lips. “Guess karma’s a bitch, huh?”
Helix mirrors my grin. “Guess she is.”
“You’re really not going to tell me where we’re going?” Jordie asks from the passenger seat of my SUV on Tuesday evening.
“You’re really going to ask me that same question three times in ten minutes?” I shoot back. When she makes a huffy little sound and her shoulders slump, I chuckle. “You’ll find out in just a second, Miss Impatient.”
I pull into the parking lot of the strip mall and find a spot at the very end, hooking my small leather duffel over one shoulder when we get out.
As we walk down the sidewalk in front of the stores, I can see Jordie’s eyes scanning each one.
Nail shop. Barber. Fried chicken restaurant.
Pet store. She scrutinizes each one as we pass without stopping.
I know when she sees our destination as soon as her eyes light up, sparkling aqua in the evening sun. “Is that where we’re going?” She points excitedly, and I hesitate for five long seconds to annoy her before finally nodding.
“Yep. Now you know my big Tuesday secret.”
She claps and does a full body wiggle that has me staring at her tits in that white tank top. “Oh my god. A ballroom dance studio? I’m so excited. Celebrity Ballroom is my absolute favorite show on TV.”
I laugh and take her hand, something I’ve been wanting to do since I picked her up. It’s warm in mine and feels like it belongs there.
“I love that show too. Come on.”
We enter, and I’m instantly surrounded by the familiar, comforting smells… wood polish, tropical air freshener, and a hint of sweaty bodies. The sounds of music and laughter guide us to the studio room at the back, which is lined with mirrors on the front and back walls.
Jordie takes in all the dancers in various poses of stretching, and then her worried eyes come to me. “Why didn’t you tell me what kind of shoes to bring? I’m wearing sneakers.”
“That’s why I brought these.” I reach into my duffel and pull out a pretty gray box with blue writing, handing it over to her. “If you don’t like them, I can—”
I’m cut off by her squeal because she already has the box open and is peering wide-eyed at the low-heeled silver shoes inside. She pulls one out, and her gaze meets mine.
“I love them. I know I’m not really a girly girl, but I have a weakness for all the pretty costumes and shoes they wear on Celebrity Ballroom.” She lowers her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “I’m honestly a little obsessed.”
My heart thumps a quick beat in my chest at her enthusiasm. I’d been worried about this gift because they definitely don’t scream tomboy football player. But they are gorgeous shoes with rhinestones across the toes and ankle strap.
“I’m glad you like them. Now put those babies on, and I’ll introduce you to Esperanza. She’s the owner, and she teaches all the ballroom classes along with her husband, Boris.”
As we take a seat on the long bench and begin putting on our dance shoes, I fill her in.
“Esperanza is Spanish and Boris is from Russia. He’s a great dancer, but his English is passable at best. He mostly communicates by wild hand gestures and a few words.
” I wave my hands around and point to demonstrate. “Move heeps. Fix foots.”
Jordie laughs. “Gotcha. Hopefully my heeps will do what I tell them to do.”
“That’s what she said,” I tease, earning me an elbow to the ribs.
When we’re done, I lead Jordie over to the tall, dark-haired woman at the front of the room. “Phoenix,” she coos, briefly kissing my cheek. “So happy you’re back this week. And who is this?” Esperanza turns her warm brown eyes on Jordie.
“This is Jordie McNamara. Jordie, this is Esperanza Rostova.”
My teacher grabs Jordie’s shoulders and kisses both her cheeks. “Oh, the football player. I’m so happy to meet you. My husband and I have tickets to your home opener. I do hope you plan on winning.” One thin eyebrow bends into a perfect arch.
Jordie grins. “We’ll do our best. I think the team is really shaping up well.”
The two women chat for a minute before class begins. Jordie and I find a spot at the front, and Esperanza addresses the students. “Tonight we are learning the tango.”
Jordie beams a smile my way and mouths, “I love this one.” Every cell in my body is glad I invited her tonight.
Esperanza continues. “While the tango is associated with Latin culture, it is technically considered a standard dance rather than a Latin dance, as far as ballroom classification goes.” Her eyes scan the room as she paces in her heels.
“We will move on to strictly Latin dances such as the cha-cha-chá, rumba, and samba once we’re done with this one.
” She smiles as excitement rustles around the room.
Everyone has been looking forward to learning the Latin dances.
Class begins, and after learning some basic footwork and watching Esperanza and Boris demonstrate the perfect hold, I get to take Jordie in my arms again. I’m in heaven.
We’re clunky and awkward at first, but after bumbling around with missed footwork for about fifteen minutes—interspersed with lots of laughter—something clicks.
I credit Jordie’s natural athleticism rather than anything I’m doing, but we’re moving with a certain grace now.
The way she moves her long, lean body in those tight clothes is enough to bring any man to his knees.
Boris is walking between the rows of couples, making adjustments as needed, and he finally stops beside us. I lead Jordie through the basic footwork and a simple spin, and the man nods eagerly.
“Goot. Now leg.” He points to Jordie and then my hip.
“Um, okay,” she says, unsure. “Like this?”
She flings her long leg around my hip, and I grin and whisper, “This seems vaguely familiar,” drawing a blush up her neck.
“Down then up,” Boris directs, and Jordie leans back, her blonde ponytail brushing the floor.
I jerk her back up until we’re nose to nose with our faces only an inch apart. The chemistry between us sizzles, and I have the overwhelming urge to kiss the shit out of her… before Boris breaks the moment with a happy clap.
“Ees so goot. Yes!”
By the time class is done, Jordie and I are objectively the best couple on the floor. As we’re changing our shoes, I ask, “Did you have fun?”
A slight sheen of sweat coats her face, and she’s fucking radiant when she aims her smile my way. “I loved it. I’m so glad you brought me.”
“Do you think you’d like to come back? Every week, I mean?”
Her smile falters a little. “How much do the classes cost?”
I brush a loose strand of damp hair from her cheek, probably too intimate a touch, but it was an automatic thing my hand did on its own.
“I can just add you to my account. They offer a discount if you’re registered as a couple instead of a single.
” A wrinkle mars her smooth forehead, and I rush to add, “You’d really be doing me a favor because the previous lady they partnered me with has finished her lessons.
She was just here to learn the waltz. It’s worth a few extra bucks a month to know I’ll have the same partner each week. ”
It’s more than a few extra bucks, but she doesn’t need to know that. There’s a desperate burning inside me that needs this connection with her.
“Okay,” she relents, gnawing on her full bottom lip, “but only if you’ll let me buy dinner afterward.”
It goes against every instinct inside me, but I’d pretty much agree to anything for her to come back again. Plus, this means we’ll get to share a meal together every week.
“I accept,” I tell her, standing and pulling her to her feet. “Now, are you brave enough to try the weirdest restaurant in Houston?”
Her eyes glimmer with the challenge. “Let’s do it.”
“Do it?” I ask, letting a bit of innuendo color my words.
Jordie rolls her eyes. “Eat, Hale.”
“You want to eat Hale? Sounds like a plan to me.”
She smacks me upside the head, but I can’t help but see the smile she’s trying to hide.