7. Phoenix
CHAPTER 7
PHOENIX
As I stumbled into the kitchen, euphoric and sore from the activities of the night before, I glared at the two amused faces sitting around the kitchen island, sipping on coffee as if they didn’t have a care in the world. It’d been a week full of sexy times and smiles as I got to know a different side to each of my men.
My ass plopped down on the ground, and I surrounded myself with doggy kisses and hugs. The two doggies loved it as much as I did when I glommed onto them and absorbed as much serotonin as I could get.
“How is it I’m a half a decade younger than you two, and I’m exhausted?” I asked.
“Talent, Petal, and a vigorous workout routine to keep up with your insatiable demands.”
A low, defined growl, of which I was proud of myself for being able to make, rumbled out of my mouth until Luka’s gaze met mine and he gave me a soft smile which never failed to melt me into a puddle of goo.
“Okay, I can admit, it might not have been the best idea to ride both of you on the same night, after you wore me out from round one. But in my defense, my ideas are by-in-large winners.”
After feeding both dogs’ breakfast, Luka lifted me up, using his forearm along my upper thighs to balance me, and gave me a slow kiss. When we broke off to breathe, my heart leapt in my chest when I noticed Burton standing next to us, seeking his own.
The act of kissing these two was becoming addictive, and I never wanted all these feelings swirling around inside me to stop.
These men were my safe place, my happiness, my ultimate thrill, and although we’d yet to make declarations aloud, I understood on a fundamental level both were the loves of my life. I wouldn’t give them up for anything.
Luka said, “It was our fault for denying you so long. The last thing we wanted was to push you?—”
“I understand why, lover, and like everything else, when I’m denied something, I go overboard because I can’t control myself when I get what I want. Speaking of which…”
I reached for Burton and smiled when he laughed at my manhandling. I loved when I made them laugh, a smile on their faces as they kissed me.
At the start of our relationship, the last thing I wanted to do was to alienate one of them, and so our shared affection was forefront in my mind. But as time passed, my sense of awareness of them developed into a need to have both of them close, tasting them and their distinct flavor; Luka was smoky, Burton spicy.
“So, what are we going to do today? We can?—”
A knock on the door made my eyes widen as Luka’s words died off. It was a rare occasion when we received visitors; other than the few neighbors that lived around our small cul-de-sac dropping by to say hi, but they wouldn’t visit at nine on a Saturday morning.
“Expecting anyone?” Burton asked, with an eyebrow raised.
I shook my head. “Arthur is in California visiting Jude’s family for the rest of the month, and Charlotte is working today.”
“Knock, knock!”
Burton cringed, and Luka groaned. Not his sexy groan, but one of frustration I disliked hearing. My fingers fluttered through his hair, and when he gave me his mischievous smile, I relaxed.
“Parents,” both men said at the same time.
I shrugged and scrambled out of Luka’s hold. “Good luck! I’m going to inhale some coffee and hide in here, heading outside with the dogs when they’re ready.”
Eluding both Burton and Luka’s attempts to reach for me, I chuckled as they missed and danced out of the way until there was another shout from the front door. This one, a familiar deep male voice that made me freeze in my tracks.
Without my coffee, the elixir of life, I scampered out of the kitchen, then ran full force toward the stairs. Before I reached the second step, Luka lifted me into his arms as I struggled.
Well, not too much. I wouldn’t hurt my man by flailing my legs and kicking his cock or something. I had plans for that delicious monster later.
“Phoenix, open this door! It’s fucking cold out here!”
As happened whenever I dealt with my father, I collapsed in on myself and hoped the entire experience would be over before it began. Instead of allowing me to hide away until our guests left, Luka and Burton marched, with me still wrapped in Luka’s arms, toward the front door, where Burton threw it open and glared at my father.
“Do. Not. Ever! Speak to Phoenix in that manner.”
The two pit bull terriers who followed us to the door growled at my father, sitting in front of our feet and staring at the man. I loved all of them.
Hale Aalto was standing on their front porch, stoic as ever, even being yelled at by a man twice his size and dogs who looked at him as though he might be a tasty breakfast. He wore a suit and tie with his arms crossed, tapping his foot, standing next to his pouty plastic wife, looking as put out as I was.
I ignored the two people I disliked the most before I turned my gaze toward the people I assumed to be both Burton and Luka’s parents.
I lifted my hand and wiggled my fingers, mustering a smile despite me hanging from Luka’s embrace. “Hi. I’m Phoenix. It’s nice to meet you.”
“Aren’t you precious?”
My cheeks heated.
“It’s about time our boys found happiness.”
My father spluttered, and he glared at Luka and Burton’s mothers. “You mean you approve of this… disgusting display?”
An indescribable anger surged inside me, both unfamiliar and warranted in this situation. I leapt from Luka’s arms and faced the one person who didn’t deserve my respect.
“Let me tell you something, father ? Whatever stupid, demeaning, misogynistic, homophobic, and whatever else that is about to spew out of your mouth; those thoughts can stay in your head. Our relationship isn’t something you can buy or bully to make you feel more comfortable with the situation. You arrived on our doorstep without an invitation, and you’re not allowed to come in and desecrate our home with your bullshit!”
His mouth dropped open, and he stared at me like I was a stranger. And I was. We’d never conversed about me, nor did he ask about my life, much less my dreams. But in his mind, I fit in a mold of his making and other than purchasing the bakery; he became content with me in the background, out of his way.
“You shouldn’t speak to your father that way,” Suzy said.
With a slow head turn, my brows furrowed with my mouth pressed in a straight line as I glared at the woman who’d never spoke to me unless she deemed it absolutely necessary. Which had been, oh, yeah, zero times during the last seven years of my life.
“Uh-oh, The Exorcist , it’s happening again,” Burton mumbled.
I ignored him in favor of getting the two people I disliked most in the world away from me and my life.
“Suzy, since you’re standing on our porch without an invitation, maybe you should let me decide how I speak to my father.” I turned back to the man and asked, “What do you want?”
He shook his head and asked, “What do you mean?”
“You’re a terrible liar, and the innocent act never worked with me because your soul is as black as my soil. So I’ll ask again. What… do… you… want?”
“I want you to persuade the entire block to sell their businesses to me so I can develop… well, never mind. That’s my business.”
“No.”
“Phoenix. Stop being difficult. You know I’ll get what I want. I always do.”
I shook my head and glared.
“Before I have Luka toss you off this porch and ruin that gaudy suit, I would like to remind you that you groomed me into being a miniature asshole, AKA you, from the age of five. I know all of your tricks, deceptions, and the people who will fall in line when you threaten them. If you decide to go through with this, I’ll do everything in my power to ruin you and your business.”
Although the man scoffed, there was genuine fear in his eyes because he knew I was telling the truth. I might not fight for myself, because there was no use using logic with Hale Aalto. He’d put pressure on my insecurities until I broke.
But I would fight for the people on the block I knew; Mr. and Mrs. Moretti, who owned the fabulous Italian restaurant open for four generations along with their son, Gio, who ran it now and made food to die for.
Lacy Sullivan, who owned the flower shop and taught me all about orchids and African violets when my first few died and understood my obsession with plants.
The bike shop where customers would take a test ride around the neighborhood, and the sandwich shop that made the best roast beef in Boston.
There were other shop proprietors who I’d waved to, but haven’t yet visited. But after this, I planned on getting as many owners to fight against my father’s horrible gentrification plans.
“I know that look,” Luka said.
Burton giggled before he waved everyone inside. Rather than following them, the two men stood at my back and glared at Hale.
“You know I always get what I want,” Hale pouted.
“Not this time. I’ve always understood you hated me and I’ve accepted it, but to force others out of business because of nothing more than spite is a petty and… well, it’s a fucked up thing to do. I’ll fight you all the way.”
And he chose this moment to shake me to the core.
“All the contracts I have with the two gentlemen behind you will be void if you decide on this course of action. It’ll be a loss no business can survive.”
I jolted where I stood as Luka let out a booming laugh. Burton joined him and as they leaned into each other, guffawing the entire time.
Empty threats.
I crossed my arms and glared at my father. Luka cleared his throat before he wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me against his sculpted chest. Warmth flooded me at his casual, yet possessive touch and I melted against him, my rapid pulse calming.
“All our contracts are iron clad because of the lawyers we’ve involved. Although we’ve done business with you for years, we never trusted you, Aalto. But since you’re threatening our livelihood, consider us no longer available for your projects. Good luck coming in under budget or getting the job done at all.”
To a certain extent, the mature adult I hid behind the bright decorations, millions of plants, decadent sugar and dough creations identified the hole my father had dug himself into and didn’t take pride in the fact he was destroying his career on the petty and disgusting grudge he held against me for being alive. But the other side of me, the one who buried every hurtful comment and aggressive snipe my father had become an expert in, celebrated with glee.
His eyes flashed to me, his usual punching bag. “What are you smiling at, you fucking waste of space?”
“Your downfall, and it’s funny as hell because you believe you’re right. By the way, you’re still an asshole and getting worse with age, so get the fuck off this property and don’t come back. Ever. Also, you’re banned from Phoenix Rising for the rest of your life.”
“You—”
“I’ve held Arthur back for years. He’s a vicious bitch who will humiliate you with a wave of his hand. I predict your reputation is going to take a hit over the next few months, so a word of advice about my best friend. He won’t stop until he destroys you and Jude will do anything to protect his husband, so don’t start a war you can’t finish,” I snarled.
Without waiting for an answer, I stepped back. Luka and Burton stood tall next to me the entire time without jumping in, and I appreciated their support. We moved as one until we were past the threshold. Once inside, I gave Hale a bitter smile and slammed the door in his face, locking it, knowing he needed the last word.
After a typical confrontation, I’d shake for several minutes afterward and replay the conversation, coming up with all the things I would have said to him if I’d found the right words. But as I stared at the door, determination washed over me.
“I’m going to bury that motherfucker with his contrivances.”
“And we’ll help.”
I squealed and turned toward the voice, forgetting we had visitors, only to be blocked by Luka’s frame. I clamped my hands on the back of the tee he wore and peeked around him, making another sound when I noticed four sets of eyes on me.
“Hi, honey, I’m Naomie and this is my husband, Vani. We’re Burton’s parents.”
Not wanting to seem rude by hiding behind my two men, I popped out and shook both of their hands. As I studied them, I noticed the familiarity between Burton and his parents. His father was the same height as his son. Although the hair around his temples was a gorgeous silver, the rest was the same shade of familiar light brown. His mother was the epitome of a gorgeous blonde, but her kind green eyes matched Burton’s as she studied me.
“It’s nice to meet you both.”
Luka’s mom stepped forward and enveloped me in a hug, which brought tears to my eyes. I inhaled and fell in love since she smelled like the earth and greenery.
“Oh, zaja , you are the sweetest. No wonder they fell for you.”
“Um, yeah, what did you call me?”
She laughed and said, “Not even going to deny it, huh? Anyway, I called you bunny. You are so cute and sweet. I’m Mileena, but you can call me Mi. And my husband, Lew.”
Since I was still in Mi’s arms, I waved at Lew, but he stepped close and wrapped both of us in a hug. Despite his taller frame, he didn’t have as much muscle as his son. But both Luka’s and Burton’s parents accepted me, even after watching the scene between me and Hale. I savored the parental love until Luka cleared his throat.
“Breakfast?”
I buried my face in Lew’s shoulder and mumbled, “Coffee, for the love of all that is good and holy, coffee, please.”
“Mom, you can let him go now. We’ve done our best not to scare him off and suffocating him isn’t helping,” Luka said.
Burton detached me from Mi’s warmth and wrapped me in his arms, resting his head on my shoulder before burying his face against my neck.
Taking advantage of the situation, I asked, “How do eggs Benedict sound?” Burton laughed against my skin, leaving me shivering.
Luka pulled me closer and kissed me. With his lips pressed against mine, he said, “Anything for you, Sunshine.”
He leaned down and pressed his lips to Burton’s, smiling when both sets of parents let out a sigh of appreciation.
With a room full of people that brought out the happiness inside me, I followed everyone toward the kitchen with a smile on my face and, for the first time in a long while, lightness in my heart.