Worth the Fight

by Beth Maria

  Just at home working. Well, I should be, but I couldn’t stop thinking about you.

  My stomach flutters.

  You’re such a charmer, aren’t you? I reply.

  Always. The reply is instant.

  Am I seeing you tonight?

  No, sorry. I have to work. Tomorrow?

  I can’t help it. My heart aches at the thought of not seeing him. I didn’t even get to see him last night because he had to work. He’s always working, and I hate it, especially when I know who he’s working for and not what he’s necessarily doing. This is always going to be a fear for me while he works for my father – the fear that he will end up dead one day, and there isn’t a damn thing that I can do about it.

  Sure. Speak later. It’s pretty busy here.

  I lied. Nobody is in the shop. I just didn’t know what else to say after he said that we couldn’t meet today. I know that I’m acting like a spoilt brat. When I’m around Phoenix, though, I can’t help who I am – how I act. He brings out the worst and the best in me, and I hate and love it.

  Phoenix doesn’t reply. After a few minutes, I put my cell back into my pocket and go back to unpacking the box that Zoe left out. Speaking of Zoe, where the hell is she?

  As if I had summoned her myself, she comes barreling through the staff room door. “Has that rude asshole left yet?”

  “I don’t know what was wrong with him today. That’s not like him to ignore you.” I defend Harry. I don’t know why, because he had no reason to ignore Zoe. She’s right; he was rude, but not as rude as I was…

  “I’ll tell you exactly what’s wrong with that boy. He’s infatuated with you, and knowing that you’re with Phoenix is probably pissing him off to no end. He wants you to be with him, and the fact that you called him your ‘friend’… Jeez, did you see his face drop? That guy has got it bad for you.”

  “Was it that obvious?”

  “Yes.”

  I sigh. “I don’t know how many times I’ve told him that we aren’t going to be more than friends. I don’t see him that way. He just won’t get the hint though. Ever since he saw me with Phoenix, he’s been weird. When have you ever known him to have that many days off work in a row? That guy is like married to his job. And then he comes in here to bring me my coffee and leaves slamming the door. I don’t know what else I can say to him to make him understand without cutting off our friendship.”

  The last thing I want to do is lose Harry as a friend. He makes me laugh and has been there for me through my tough times these past few months. I can’t repay him that way after all of that, but what choice do I have if he won’t get the hint that we will never become anything?

  “We should try to hook him up with Poppy. She’s sweet and innocent, and Harry’s cheeky and funny. I think they would suit each other. Plus, Poppy could do with a little naughty in her life.”

  “Oh, God, could you imagine it?” We both laugh.

  “Harry would eat her alive. I bet he’s a right dirty bugger in bed. What do you think?”

  “Yeah, Emilia, what do you think?”

  My blood runs cold. I stiffly turn toward Zoe, who is looking right at me with the same expression as me, completely pale and shocked. I try to convey to her to help me with my eyes.

  “Hello, Phoenix. Fancy seeing you in my shop!” Thank God she understood my message, but could her voice be any more fake?

  Phoenix ignores her, his stare fixed on me, his icy blues cold. He’s royally pissed off. My mouth is getting drier by the second. I’m struggling to swallow. Fuck, why am I so nervous? I haven’t done anything wrong. Zoe was the one who was talking about it. Phoenix just happened to walk in at the wrong time.

  Dammit!

  “Does anybody else want to ignore me today? Go into the back and talk. I’ll be here if you need me.”

  I need to speak. I feel myself shriveling under his stare, so I break it. I turn around and head into the staff room. I don’t bother to see if Phoenix follows. I need a few minutes to myself, to compose myself and figure out what I’m going to say.

  I feel suffocated once the door shuts behind Phoenix.

  “Hey…” I sing-song trying to lighten the mood. It doesn’t work. Wait, how does he know where I work? Oh shit, I told him the other night when we got to talking. Is he going to keep sneaking up on me at work from now on?

  “You still haven’t answered my question. What do you think?” He’s brooding, and fuck me if it isn’t sexy. I always get so turned on when he’s miserable, unbeknownst to me. I think it has to do with the unpredictable. You never know how he’s going to behave.

  “I don’t think anything, that’s why.”

  “Are you sure? Or was it because I walked in before you had a chance to comment?” His voice is deep, deeper than usual, vibrating all the way through to my core.

  “I don’t know what I would have said because I didn’t have a chance to reply.” I sound like a weak woman. It’s pathetic.

  “Would you like to find out what Harry is like in bed?”

  “NO!” I’m astounded. “How can you even ask me that?”

  “Why not? He’s got the hots for you. That much is obvious. How do I know that you haven’t already slept with him after you moved here?”

  I gasp. Is he being serious right now? I’m hurt and insulted that he thinks that of me, that he thinks I’m that much of a whore.

  “It’s nice to know what you think of me, Phoenix. I’m not the one who has been whoring around for years, sleeping with every Tom, Dick, and Harry. That, my friend, is you! Don’t you come into my place of work and accuse me of sleeping with somebody.” I can’t help the way my voice rises the more riled up I become.

  “So you haven’t?”

  “You really are an asshole.” My voice is like acid, full of venom and loathing.

  The next thing I know, Phoenix is advancing toward me, his eyes like slits. I back up of my own accord - fight or flight. I choose flight. Only problem? I hit a wall and can’t go anywhere. I’m trapped. I watch as he takes the final steps, closing the distance between us, before his rock hard chest is pressing me harder against the wall. With his brooding behavior, the anger I feel radiating from him, combined with my anger, I’m ready to explode. The tension wracking my body is crazy. Add sexual tension to the list, and it’s explosive.

  I can feel my nipples harden into pebbles, straining against my sweater and poking Phoenix in the chest. My breathing is harsh, matching Phoenix’s. I don’t stare at his face; I stare over his shoulder, not yet ready to look at him. I can feel his intense stare scrutinizing me. I still don’t look at him though. I’m too scared of what I will see, whether I will see the lust that I’m sure matches mine or if I see something else.

  “Look at me, Emilia.” It’s a demand, one I can’t help but obey. I should be telling him to take a hike after the way that he just spoke to me, but I can’t bring myself to do it. I’m scared of losing him.

  I regret it as soon as my eyes connect with his icy blue ones. They are stormy, clouded with lust. I can feel myself being sucked into them, my pussy becoming moist by the second. I’m dripping, my panties becoming soaked with my arousal. I’m strung so tight, and judging by the bulge digging into my leg, so is Phoenix.

  I’m about to open my mouth to ask him what we’re doing, when his head descends toward mine, his lips slamming against mine. It hurts, but in a good way. Phoenix sweeps his tongue across my lips, seeking entrance, which I willing oblige. My tongue explores his mouth, my hands leaving my sides to slide around his neck. I pull him closer to me, causing his erection to rub against my sweet spot. I can’t help the moan that leaves me. It causes Phoenix to squeeze me to him even tighter, to kiss me harder, so that our teeth are clashing.

  “What are we doing, Phoenix?” I ask into his mouth.

  “I’m making you mine.” He growls, possessive and straight to the point.

  His mouth reclaims mine. He’s forceful. I’m not scared though; no, I trust him. I know tha
t he won’t hurt me like that, though with my heart, I’m not so sure – yet.

  Phoenix rubs his hand down my sides, his other one laying flat on the wall behind my head. He easily, like a pro, undoes the clasp on my jeans before his hand invades my personal space, slowly rubbing over my soaking panties. It’s a welcome feeling, one that I need more of.

  “Do you feel how wet you are?” he asks huskily, his voice laced with desire.

  I moan my reply.

  “This is for me. This pussy is mine, Emilia. It speaks to me and only me.” Pulling my panties aside, he slips a finger through my wet folds and over my sensitive nub.

  “Ahh,” I moan, my body wracking with shocks and my head flying back, smashing against the wall.

  “That’s it, baby. Moan for me,” he says gruffly in my ear before nibbling my earlobe.

  Oh God! Zoe is in the shop next door. She only has to walk through the door and she will witness me on the brink of having an orgasm, being fucked by Phoenix’s talented fingers that seem to be hitting the spot.

  The thought of being caught so easily is turning me on more. We’re doing something so intimate in public where anybody could walk in or hear us. All of this because Phoenix wants to claim me. He’s such a caveman – my caveman.

  His movements speed up, his nibbling becoming a little rougher. The whole time he strums me, he whispers that I’m his. It’s too much. I can feel myself about to explode into pleasure. Phoenix must be able to sense this because he sticks two fingers into my wet folds, while rubbing over my clit a little faster with his thumb. It’s all too much. My head is thrashing, my moans getting louder the more my orgasm creeps up on me.

  “Shhh,” Phoenix says. He puts his free hand that was resting on the wall over my mouth, smothering my moans that are fast turning into screams. He stops nibbling on my ear and moves his head back so that he is staring straight into my eyes.

  That does it. I immediately fall over the edge, the most intense orgasm tearing through my body.

  “Oh, Phoenix!” My voice is muffled, though it’s loud enough that I’m sure Zoe still heard it.

  My body convulses, my juices flowing. Phoenix slows his movements, riding my orgasm out. I’m out of breath, and if Phoenix wasn’t holding me up against the wall, I would be a puddle of sensitive nerves on the floor right now, completely spent. We don’t say anything while I collect my composure, just stare into each others’ eyes- Phoenix’s showcasing his desire and admiration for me, and mine, I’m pretty sure are confessing my love for him without me having to say the words.

  Removing his fingers, he places his hand on my hip. His clean hand straying to my hair, he sweeps some strands out of my face.

  “That was one of the most beautiful things that I have ever seen, you coming undone in my arms. I could watch it all day.”

  “You can see it whenever. I’m yours, remember?” I reply with a satisfied smile.

  “That you are.” Phoenix leans down and places a gentle kiss on my lips. It’s a big difference from the starved man from a few minutes ago.

  I kiss him back, savoring him.

  My common sense returns to me when his lips leave mine, and he stands back. The spell is obviously broken for now. That reminds me, why was he in the shop in the first place? I thought he was at home working?

  “Fancy telling me why you’re here, when you texted me not five minutes before telling me that you were at home working?” I’m not amused.

  “I wanted to surprise you. Am I not allowed to surprise my girlfriend?” He mocks me, raising his eyebrow in question. Oh, how I want to smack that smirk off of his stupidly good-looking face.

  “Well… Yes. But when you then accuse me of something I didn’t do, and then proceed to act like a caveman, no. You might as well beat on your chest or pee on my leg to mark your territory.”

  His reaction isn’t what I expected. I watch as he doubles over in laughter.

  “What’s funny, Phoenix?”

  He holds up his finger, signaling for a minute.

  I just watch him laughing. He’s so carefree, a completely different person from the Phoenix that he allows most people to see. This guy in front of me now isn’t tormented by demons, doesn’t hold anything back, and acts his age. It’s a sight to behold, and his laugh? It’s deep and sexy and sends a shiver down my body just from the sound. I won’t show that it affects me to see him like this. I’m going to remain acting annoyed, when deep down, I’m anything but.

  “You basically just told me to pee on you,” he manages to get out.

  “Are you kidding me? You’re laughing because of that? What, are you a child?” I’m trying so hard to contain my laughter. He’s so immature at heart, and apparently, so am I.

  Phoenix stands up and straightens himself out. “C’mon, you have to admit, it was funny.” I can’t help it; my blank face slips, allowing a smirk to slip through. I try to regain composure, but it’s too late. He’s seen it. “You do find it funny!”

  The staff room door bursts open, though my eyes never stray from Phoenix’s laughing eyes.

  “Are you two going to be in here all day?” Zoe asks. “Oh, and don’t think for one second that I didn’t hear your moans of pleasure, hooker.” She winks, pointing toward me.

  Oh, dear God, please let the ground swallow me up!

  “Did anybody…?” My face is beetroot red.

  “Did anybody hear your moans of pleasure? No, you got lucky this time, though I’m sure they would have loved front row seats from behind that door. Jeez, you two, seriously hot.”

  Phoenix snickers into my shoulder, so I punch him.

  “I’ll be out in a minute,” I screech. I’m completely embarrassed, and I never get embarrassed.

  Zoe leaves the room, the door shutting behind her. As soon as it’s shut, I push Phoenix away, who is again in another fit of laughter.

  “That girl is so horny, like, all of the time,” I mutter to myself. I don’t think Zoe has any shame – none at all. Either that or she doesn’t have a filter. I’m sure that mouth of hers has gotten her into a lot of trouble before. Even though I’m embarrassed, I love her for how she is- a loud mouthed bitch.

  “Oh, God, I think I’ve fallen in love with that girl,” Phoenix chokes out.

  “You aren’t the only one,” I mutter. “Right, you need to leave, oh caveman. I have work to do, and you? You have work to do too. I will see you tomorrow.”

  Opening the door, I push Phoenix out and toward the front of the store. I open the door before shoving him outside. I give him a final kiss, and then I close the door on his face. Phoenix strolls backwards, blowing me kisses. I pretend to catch them and shove them in my pocket for later. When I can’t see him anymore, I turn around to face Curious George.

  “Yes?” I ask, already knowing where this conversation is going to be heading.

  “I want deets, girl. And now!”

  Sighing, I walk over to her, sit down on the chair behind the counter, and spill what happened. About how he reminded me that I was his and nobody else’s the whole time he fucked me with his fingers.

  Zoe wasn’t kidding when she said that she wanted to live precariously through me. I need to find her a guy and quick. She needs to get laid.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  I grab a can of diet coke and sit down on the sofa, turning on my kindle to carry on reading the book I started last night. With not seeing Phoenix, I’ve had a lot of spare time. I’m not a girl who really likes to watch the television- there is far too much drama on there- so I opted to read for the first time in a few weeks. It was a welcome reprieve, allowing me to relax and become immersed into a fantasy world.

  I plan on doing exactly that tonight.

  After the day I’ve had with Phoenix invading my work place and bringing me to the most intense orgasm of my life and being a huge caveman, I need a bit of relaxing time, a bit of me time for a while.

  My kindle finally loads up. It’s getting slower with the amount of books that I h
ave stored on there. I just can’t bring myself to delete books that I’ve already read.

  I only get to read the first few words on the new chapter when my cell starts ringing.

  Really? Right now when I’ve just started reading!

  The caller I.D let’s me know that it’s Maxine.

  “You have impeccable timing,” I tell her sarcastically.

  “Why am I not feeling the love right now?” she asks, feigning hurt.

  “Because you’re not. I just sit down to read, and you ring. What do you want?”

  “Well, I’m sorry, but this is important. Dylan’s first fight is tonight…” Her voice fades out.

  I’d completely forgotten that he was now fighting in the same place as Phoenix. I’d been so wrapped up in my new relationship with Phoenix that I forgot about Maxine’s worry.

  Maxine’s quiet on the other end, but I hear her hitched breathing. She’s upset.

  “I’m so sorry. I completely forgot, Max. Are you okay? Do you want me to come over? Are you going to watch?” I spout off questions all at once.

  She starts sobbing. “Oh, Em, I don’t know what to do. I want to go to support his stupid decision, but I’m too scared. What if something bad happens to him? I don’t know if I could watch that.”

  My heart breaks for her. I’ve never seen Phoenix fight before, but just knowing that he was going to fight the toughest fight of his life scared the bejesus out of me. We weren’t even a couple, so I can only imagine a little of what Maxine is feeling right now. Pure terror must be wracking through her body, imagining all of the possibilities that could happen. The fact that Maxine is having to go through this makes me pissed off all over again at Dylan. He’s obviously not there to help her through this. He’s probably at the club, getting warmed up and thinking only of the reward – money.

  “I’ll be right over. Give me twenty minutes.”

  She sniffles before replying, “Okay. Thank you, Em. I love you.”

  “I love you too,” I reply sincerely. And I do. She’s my best friend, and right now, she needs me. It’s time to put on my big girl panties and be there for her, like she’s been for me for the past four years plus.