Chapter 20 #2
“I’m assuming it’s telling us to go to the monkey exhibit at the Central Park Zoo.
” A grin in place, Phoenix gently pinched her chin and dragged her mouth to his for a soft, knee-quaking kiss.
It stopped way too soon, and she groaned in protest. “You’re so fucking adorable …
and definitely getting a crash course in movie classics the second our asses are back on a couch. ”
They climbed back onto their bike and headed the half-mile toward the zoo, going straight to the monkey exhibit where they came across another Great Amazing Hunt organizer—and another clue.
That clue led them toward Bethesda Fountain, where hordes of people mobbed the patio and more than four proposals were in process.
But no event organizer.
“Maybe it’s not Bethesda Fountain.” Addie turned in a slow, three-sixty spin, scanning the area. “Could we have gotten it wrong?”
“No, it’s got to be here.” Determination narrowed Phoenix’s eyes as he looked around, too. “We’re just not seeing it from the right view.”
“Well, it’s not like we have a hot-air balloon or a sky lift to change that and get an aerial view.”
“Maybe not a hot-air balloon, but…” Phoenix shifted toward the fountain, the angel’s wings expanded far behind their back. He grabbed her hand. “Come with me … and stay on the lookout.”
“The lookout for what?”
“Park police.”
“What?!” He dragged her to the edge of the fountain and kicked off his shoes.
It wasn’t until he stepped onto the ledge of the fountain that she realized what he intended.
“Phoenix!” Addie gasped. “You cannot climb into the fountain!”
“Watch me. Besides, that’s not all I’m climbing.” With a grin and a quick kiss, he jumped into the fountain and waded through the water until he got to the base of the angel statue.
People stopped and stared, some murmuring to one another, which was saying something for New York. Typically it was eyes straight ahead and don’t gawk, but people gawked and pointed, and a few pulled cameras from their pockets.
Addie already saw tomorrow’s headlines: NAUGHTY NIX SWIMS WITH ANGELS.
She watched for the park police while Phoenix climbed on Bethesda Fountain’s angel as if asking her for a piggyback ride. If someone didn’t end the day in jail, or an emergency room, she’d call it a win.
“Sneaky fuckers.” Phoenix, arm draped around the angel’s shoulders, pointed toward the two-story archway. “Over there—under the tree.”
“Okay. Good. Now get down before the cops come and arrest you or—” Her next words died on her lips as Phoenix’s bare left foot slipped.
He hit the water ass-first, his massive body forming the mother of all cannonball splashes.
She ran to the fountain’s edge as he wiped the water from his face and eyes.
His gaze caught hers before he broke out into typical-Phoenix laughter and opened his arms. “Come on, love. Want to come in and join me? The water’s quite refreshing.”
“No, thank you. I’ll stay right here. Nice and dry.” She giggled and shook her head, laughing harder when she realized that the tourists surrounding them were giving them a wide berth.
Phoenix got to his feet and Addie completely forgot about her scouting responsibilities.
His once-white T-shirt was now see-through and plastered to his body, both nipple piercings and tattoos on prominent display. More than a few people stopped to join in her ogle-fest, but Phoenix was oblivious to them all—except her.
His hazel eyes heated with unspoken promises as he stalked to the side of the fountain. “See something you like, love? Because I sure as hell do.”
“Sir, step out of the fountain.” A stern-faced park police officer prowled over. “Now.”
“Sorry about that.” Phoenix stepped out and grabbed his shoes. “Just needed a little refresh from the warm day.”
The officer’s gaze dropped to the envelope in Addie’s hand and he scowled. “Damn fucking scavenger hunt. Every damn year.”
He tromped away, muttering under his breath.
“Guess we’re not the only ones who took a dip.” Phoenix chuckled.
“Uh, you took a dip,” Addie corrected. Phoenix shifted as if to draw her into a hug. “Touch me right now and I’ll throw you back into the fountain. I don’t want to spend the rest of the day wet and chafing.”
A wicked grin slid onto Phoenix’s face as he leaned closer and whispered, “But I like you when you’re all wet, love.”
Addie’s mouth dried up and her mind instantly blanked to everything but the sway of Phoenix’s ass as he headed toward the final clue.
“Let’s go, love.” He tossed a wink over his shoulder. “There’s not much time left for you to claim your reward.”
For some reason, Addie felt like she already had.
And that fucking scared the crap out of her.
Phoenix
His quick dip in Bethesda Fountain efficiently washed his bad mood away.
Actually, that wasn’t true.
Laying eyes on Addie in that café did it.
Little snippets of his interaction with Kinkaid and Marcus had tried pushing their way through, but the more Phoenix focused on Addie and the present, the more his mood improved.
Now, with Belvedere Castle looming in the distance and the Shakespeare Garden set up for a movie under the stars—their reward for making it through the Great Amazing Hunt—Phoenix kept everything but Addie in the background.
She spread Nai’s blanket from the backpack on the grass, far enough away from any other participants that they could pretend to have their own private viewing, and pulled out a few snacks as he walked up with cold water supplied by the event organizers.
“Sounds like we’re in for a real treat for tonight’s flick,” Phoenix teased. “Talk about cinematic classic.”
Addie looked wary as hell. “Please tell me it’s not Planet of the Apes.”
He chuckled. “Nope. But we are at a castle so it’s The Princess Bride.”
He waited for her reaction … and waited. He climbed behind her on the blanket and pulled her deep into the V of his thighs. His chest, still a little damp from his earlier swim, pressed against her warm back. “Please tell me you’ve—”
“Yes, I’ve seen The Princess Bride.” She gifted him a smart-ass over-the-shoulder eye roll.
“Did you have a thing for the Dread Pirate Roberts? Because Naiomi sure did. Caught her kissing her pillow once and murmuring, ‘Oh, Westley.’”
“Actually, I was more Team Fezzik. And Inigo Montoya. And I kinda rooted for the oversized rat things to eat Buttercup.”
Phoenix enjoyed the way Addie melted into his hold as he pulled her closer. “Are you telling me that Adalyn Whitlock has always had a secret thing for bad boys? Wow. Just when I didn’t think I was capable of being surprised, you manage to do it yet again.”
“They weren’t bad … they were just severely misunderstood.”
“Fezzik and Inigo, sure. But the rats?” Phoenix tucked his nose into the curve of Addie’s neck and ran a trail of kisses down to her shoulder.
If anyone asked him what bliss smelled like, it was Addie. Honeysuckle and sunshine. Even after their day biking around the park.
His fingers teased the bottom hem of her shirt, knuckles brushing against her soft skin. By the time the movie started, all he could focus on was the woman in his arms and his desperate desire to get her home and alone.
She tipped her head back and pulled him down for a slow, seductive kiss that brought his cock to life.
“Keep that up and you’ll get me in trouble for public indecency and I’ve already had my one brush with the law today.” Phoenix nipped her bottom lip playfully and got a naughty smirk in return.
“And here I thought you liked living dangerously,” Addie teased.
“Point made.” Cupping her cheek, he eased her mouth back toward him and kissed her until they both parted, breathless and panting.
“Well, you got your wish, rock star.”
“What wish was that, love?”
Addie turned back toward the movie with a wicked grin. “Now we’re both wet and uncomfortable.”