Chapter 8 Bridezilla Strikes Again #2
“You guys hold down the fort here. Hopefully when I come back, I’ll have secured the venue for Naiomi and East’s ceremony.
” Addie quickly tossed her notepad, pen, and a few other odds and ends into her leather satchel.
Realizing she hadn’t told Phoenix about working out of the café, she hightailed it toward the HEF building.
Already parked out front when she turned the corner, Phoenix leaned casually against his motorcycle, legs crossed at the ankle and looking too sexy for his own good. Dark sunglasses covered his eyes, but it didn’t shield her from his weighted gaze as he watched her approach.
He grinned. “Good morning, love. Didn’t expect you to come from that direction.”
“Building woes. Don’t ask.”
Bright lights flashed on her left. At least three photographers began instantly snapping pictures. “You weren’t kidding about the stepping-outside photo thing, were you?”
After taking her bag and tucking it into the storage compartment, Phoenix turned to her with a chuckle—and a helmet. “I didn’t even realize they were there. All I could see was you.”
Addie kicked up an eyebrow and snorted. “Sure.”
“So where are we off to this fine morning?”
“I’ll tell you when we’re in motion.”
“A surprise. One of my favorite things.”
Of course it was.
Phoenix climbed effortlessly onto the bike and crooked his finger in a playful come-hither motion. Struggling not to let her forced smile turn into a glare, she slowly closed the distance and stopped right next to him.
He tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, his fingers trailing along her cheek a little longer than necessary as his gaze roamed over her face. “Hate to cover these pretty eyes, but safety first.”
He expertly slid his spare helmet onto her head and took his time fastening the buckle beneath her chin, his eyes remaining fixed on hers the entire time. Her skin stayed warm every place he touched her, even after he snapped the strap and claimed her ready to ride.
“Your chariot of steel and power awaits. Pretty sure you remember how to climb onto one of these babies, right?” Phoenix held out a supportive hand.
Ignoring the resurgence of camera flashes and hurled questions, she slid her hand into his and climbed on behind him. The second her ass touched the seat, Phoenix reached back and gripped her thighs, tugging her front flush against his back.
“Much better.” He gave her right knee a faint squeeze and revved the bike’s engine. “So where are we off to?”
She rested her chin on his broad shoulder. “The Globe—and while I’m not usually a fan of speeding while riding on the back of a two-wheeled death stick, the space won’t stay open for long.”
“Fast requires extra safety measures. Can’t have you flying off at the first turn.” Phoenix gently unhooked her fingers from his belt loops and laid them flat against his hard abs, the snug embrace smooshing her breasts against his back. “Hang on.”
Addie expected weaving and questionable cutoffs, but Phoenix stayed in his lane and used his blinkers to signal each move well before he actually made it.
Whether it was for her benefit or his usual style, she didn’t know, but she appreciated it.
Before long, she sank into the warmth of his leather jacket and enjoyed the passing scenery.
“You okay back there?” Phoenix’s question startled her an indeterminate number of minutes later.
She’d damn near fallen asleep.
“Sorry.” Cringing, she wiped what looked suspiciously like a drool spot off the back of his jacket. “I hope this has been waterproofed.”
“Use me as your pillow anytime, love. I don’t mind.” They pulled up to the Globe five minutes later, Phoenix holding tightly onto her hand as she climbed off the back and got feeling back in her legs.
The Globe, a New York City historical landmark, hosted celebrity events and had served as a hot spot film location in more than one movie in its one-hundred-and-five-year existence.
Booking an event at The Globe didn’t happen without ten years’ notice and Olympus intervention, and never out of the blue and last minute, but the new—and temporary—event coordinator owed her a favor.
After seven years, she was finally about to cash it in.
Priceless artwork decorated the lavish lobby, and crystal sculptures, suspended by nearly invisible wires, hung from the ceiling. Artists from all over the world salivated at the opportunity to display one of their pieces here.
And Phoenix didn’t look the least bit impressed. Hands shoved into his jeans pockets, he eyed the massive room with a critical eye, his face a blank slate.
“Adalyn! It’s marvelous to see you!” Roman ate up the distance between them and pulled her into a tight embrace. “Someone said something to me the other day and it made me realize how long it’s been since we’ve gotten together.”
She smiled, just imagining how her name had come up. “Then it must be kismet.”
Roman’s gaze flicked to Phoenix. “Is this your new assistant?”
“Phoenix Cross.” Phoenix held out his hand. “I’m actually the brother of the bride, and best man to the groom. Just tagging along to make sure the happy couple gets the day of their dreams.”
“They’ll definitely get that here at The Globe. Let’s take a tour of the available space and then we can talk logistics.” Roman gestured for them to follow.
The place was gorgeous, the open hall large enough to easily fit five hundred guests or more. Already set up for another event, it was easy to picture the limitless possibilities.
The more Roman showed them, the deeper Phoenix’s frown dipped until his silence became like the fourth person in the room.
“So?” Roman turned toward Addie at the end of the tour. “Perfectly divine, isn’t it?”
A small snort came from Phoenix’s direction.
“It’s a stunning space, Ro.” She tried hiding her annoyance with the gorgeous rock star next to her with a smile. “Do you mind giving me a moment alone with the best man?”
“Absolutely. I’ll just be over there checking in with the florist.”
“Thank you.” Addie waited for him to be out of hearing distance before spinning on the man next to her. “What the hell is wrong with you?”
“What?”
“What? You’ve been snorting and eye-rolling and chuffing like a damn horse since we arrived. What could you have possibly disliked about The Globe? Do you have any idea how sought-after this venue is?”
“Yes. I do. Because Roman mentioned it no less than fifty times within the first ten minutes. The rest of that time was spent ogling your breasts and giving you come-hither looks.”
This time, Addie rolled her eyes. “Roman is a friend. There was definitely no ogling or come-hither looks.”
“I doth think you don’t have your eyes open, love. I know come-hither looks, and that guy was dishing them out like dessert, hoping you’d spoon them up.”
Ignoring the insinuation, she focused on the reason they were there. “And what don’t you like about The Globe?”
“Just about everything.”
She folded her arms over her chest. “Such as?”
“First, it’s too big. Even with East being forced to invite a few of the music execs, they’re probably looking at a hundred people maximum.”
Addie shifted on her feet. “Okay, well, I can see your point there.”
“And it’s not … them.” He looked around the lavish space, frowning.
“East is a jeans and T-shirt guy, and even though Nai likes to dress up on occasion, she almost always bitches about it first. Don’t get me wrong, this place would be perfect for someone else.
But they’ll want to celebrate the day, let loose, and have fun with friends and family.
Not worry about spilling something on a thousand-dollar tablecloth. ”
As much as she hated to admit it, he had a point. So wrapped up in The Globe’s availability, she hadn’t thought about anything else.
“If not The Globe, what type of venue did you have in mind?”
His slow grin put her on instant alert. “If your calendar is clear, we can head out now and take a look at the place.”
Roman approached, and this time she caught the subtle glance toward her cleavage. “Should we head back to my office and go over some logistics?”
Addie turned a smile toward her friend and ignored Phoenix’s one hundredth eye roll. “Actually, Roman, as exceptional as this space is, I’m not one-hundred-percent certain that it’s the right one for our happy couple.”
Roman looked taken back. “The Globe is the right venue for every couple.”
Phoenix snorted.
Addie not so gently shoved an elbow into his side and heard him grunt. “I’m sorry, but we’ll have to keep looking. But I’ll definitely keep this in mind for any future clients.”
“You know it won’t be open long. I held it an extra few hours just because it’s you, but there’s a massive waiting list of people to be called.”
“Thank you for doing that for me, but I understand you can’t hold it. I wouldn’t expect that of you.”
He frowned but nodded, guiding them back to the lobby where they said goodbye.
She and Phoenix walked silently back to his motorcycle, where he handed her the helmet.
“Up for a little drive?” Phoenix smirked coyly.
“A drive where?”
“Where is your spontaneity, Addie Whitlock?”
“I must have left it in my other bag.” She slipped on behind him and her arms immediately wrapped snugly around his waist. “But seriously … where are we going?”
“You’ll see as soon as we get there … but it’s perfect.”
She’d reserve judgement until seeing his “perfect” location for herself, but when they left the city limits, whatever hope she’d had shrank until it—and the city—were a small speck on the horizon.
Phoenix
The second they left the city, a weight fell off Phoenix’s shoulders. That’s how it always felt when he visited Emilio’s. Lighter load. Insignificant worries. And now with Addie tucked close behind him, her arms wrapped snugly around his waist, he couldn’t imagine a more perfect escape.
Except if he’d had his guitar and music journal with him.