by Amy Davies
“Brothers I am out, I need my girl like you wouldn’t believe,” I state, stealing my brother’s words. The room bursts into laughter and I follow Ryder over to kiss Juicy and the others girls on their heads, it’s a Phoenix thing. Dad always did it to women he loved or cared about and we just followed.
Both Ryder and I carry our girls over our shoulders right through Max Point, people laughing at us we walk through the crowd. Kyle laughs and shakes his head at us.
“Boys, what the hell am I going to do with you?”
“No clue, dude. How is our darling sister feeling these days?” Ryder asks.
“Ren is ok, she gets a little morning sickness but it passes quickly. Spence has been taking care of her and it makes me fucking proud, man.” You can see the pride in his eyes when he talks about his son taking care of Ren.
“Ummmmmm, hellooooo. I am upside bloody down back here and I kind of like my head attached to my body. Even though I love you Kyle and I love Ren, I really gots’ta peeeeeeee,” Leah says from over my shoulder. I spank her ass hard and she screams my name but Lipsy being Lipsy, she bites my ass. Fucking wicked minx.
“Ow, Leah. That fucking hurt, baby,” I say smacking her ass again. “Ok we are off, I need to get this beauty home and into bed, I don’t see any magic happening tonight. Night dude.”
Ryder and I walk to our cars and we place the girls in our own cars. I point to Leah, “Stay.” after I buckle her in. I walk around to the driver’s door but stop to talk to Ryder. He closes the passenger door of his car and turns to me. I look at the same green eyes and the ink black hair they we all share; I am damn fucking lucky to have him and Rafe as my brothers. We almost lost Ryder a while ago when his future sister-in-law’s ex-husband beat the ever loving shit out of him. But he kept fighting and got back to the Ryder we know and love. And I have to say that Letty and Demi are good for him, he loves that little like she is his own blood. She is a Phoenix.
“They are gonna have sore heads in the morning dude, gonna be funny as shit. She is lucky that Demi is staying over at Laurie’s house tonight, so we get to have a lay in.” He gives me a wicked grin.
“Not forgetting the great morning sex you two will be having,” I point out to him.
“Damn fucking straight brother, best sex ever.” He looks over my shoulder at Leah half asleep in my car. “You truly love her, she is your Inside Noise?” I nod and smile.
“I am all in, Ry. She makes me want to be enough and I will do anything to make and keep her happy.”
“Ok, night bro.” We do the manly brotherly hug thing and part ways. Climbing into the car, Lipsy turns her head towards me and offers me a shy smile. I can only assume she heard my and Ryder’s chat.
“You heard that?”
“Yeah, love. God, I am so happy that you are my bloke. Really happy, Reeve Phoenix.” Fucking hell, what she does to my heart, yep totally pussy whipped. But hell if I care.
The drive back to my place is semi filled with comfortable silence and heartfelt talks. I look over at Lipsy every chance I get, and she looks beautiful even slightly drunk. The street lights flicker across her perfect skin and reflect off her pink tinted hair. She reaches over and takes my hand, lacing our fingers together. I bring her hand to my mouth and place a wet, open mouthed kiss to the back of her hand.
“Are you happy Reeve?” Her question shocks me.
“Where is this coming from, Lipsy? Of course I am happy. It’s scary how we haven’t known each other very long but fuck time. Has someone said anything to you?”
She shakes her head, “No, I was just asking because I never made Marc happy. I thought…”
“Baby, I fucking love you. You make me happy, and I hope to fuck that I make you happy. Marc was a complete asshole for treating you the way he did and Karma got him, didn’t she?” I smile at her.
“Yeah, she did.” We pull up at my place and I help Lipsy out of the car. We walk hand in hand into the apartment and down the hall to my bedroom. I close the door behind me as Leah turns the bedside table lamp on. All I can do is stand there and watch her as she slowly turns to me and sits on the bed to remove her knee high socks and her shoes. I take a step forward but Lipsy stops me.
“Stop, I want to undress for you. I want to feel sexy for you.” Damn, she is sexy. Doesn’t she know that? I nod my head and bite my bottom lip.
Once her shoes are off, she slowly rolls down each sock, lifting each leg and pointing her toes, making her legs look lean and sexy as shit. The she stands and grips the hem of the crop top she is wearing and again slowly lifts it up over her perfect tips and over her head, dropping it to the floor. Next the bra takes its slow turn coming away from her body; she has to know how much it is killing me not touching her. I clench my fists to stop myself and my girl sees the effect she is having on me; my dick is rock solid in my pants. Fuck it’s getting to the point of painful. “Baby, Plea…”
“Nope, just watch.” Leah runs her hands over her breasts and down her tattooed ribs, toying with the waistband of her plaid schoolgirl skirt. But instead of taking it off, she removes her panties and leaves the skirt on. Damn, she is a minx and I love it. “Strip and get on the bed, Reeve,” she demands.
“Yes, Ma’am.” I salute her. I keep our eyes locked as I remove my t-shirt slowly like she did. Her eyes flair with desire. I remove my belt and pop open the first button on my pants, Lipsy’s eyes snap to my crotch and I cannot stop the smile that slides across my face. I pop each button slowly, then let them drop to the floor. Stepping out of them, I kick them to the side. Leah’s eyes come back to mine as she watches me walk towards her. I bend and kiss her bare shoulder before climbing onto the bed and wait to see what my girl wants to do to me.
“Commando? I like it, babe,” she smiles at me.
“Only for you, baby.”
Chapter 20
Leah
Last night was freaking amazing. The sex with Reeve is mind blowing; he is totally the best I have ever had, not that I have had many. I left him in bed still sleeping, we both wore each other out last night. I think the alcohol in my system helped with me be a little more adventurous than normal. I am making him an English breakfast: sausages, bacon, baked beans, scrambled eggs, fried mushrooms and toast. And lots of coffee, Reeve needs lots of coffee in the morning. I feel him before I see him, strong tattooed arms wrap around my waist and I melt back into his hard warm, bare chest.
“Morning, baby. Did you sleep ok?” I move the eggs around the pan, making sure they don’t burn.
“Yep, and no hangover; how groovy is that?” He kisses my neck and I tilt my head so he can have better access. His lips are soft and warm, making my skin my skin heat up and my core to clench in desire.
“Can I take you out on a date tonight, Leah? I have to go to the studio all day today to rehearse for the summer festival Inside Noise is performing at. But I would like to take my girl out for a nice meal, maybe a walk along the beach, maybe even…” He licks the skin just behind my ear, sending goosebumps all over my body, “some sex on the beach. What do you say?” I nod my head, words not forming. He always turns my thoughts to bloody mush.
“Awesome, I will make a reservation and text you the details, babe, yeah?”
“Ok. Now sit; breakfast is ready.” I use my arse to push him away from me and I can feel how much he wants me right now.
“Don’t tease, Lipsy.” He takes a seat at the table and I place his plate in front of him along with his coffee. “Babe, this is good.” He talks around a mouthful of food. Poxy men.
Reeve leaves after we finish our breakfast and he has made love to me in the shower. Who knew that shower sex could be so good? Considering that this whole relationship thing that we have going on and that Reeve has never been in this position before, he is bloody amazing. He treasures me, I can see it but also there is still a tad of uncertainty in his eyes when we talk about the future and that does scare me a little. I push the thoughts down and decide to read a little before getting r
eady; this is the first time that I have time to myself since I arrived here a few weeks ago. Time has flown by and I am not ready to go home. I know that my family misses me and I miss them, but I feel at home here as well. Reeve and the Phoenix family and friends make me feel at home. I have talked to Hayley a few times about me working at Phoenix Records and she said that she would help with all my paperwork.
I sit out on the deck with my Kindle and get to re-reading Jamie Begley’s Shade’s Fall. This book is simply amazing. Lucy and I love biker books. I remember she sent me a photo of the Halloween party that the boys threw and Rafe dressed as a biker for her and he is so lush. Juicy is so lucky to have him. Hell, he is bloody lucky to have her. Lucy and I are two peas in a pod, my mam always told us.
I gather my things and walk a few blocks to Rafe and Lucy’s and plan what I am going to wear tonight. After reading most of the day and texting with Reeve and Lucy, I head for the shower. The hot water hits my skin and washes away the sweat and sunscreen from the day. I climb out of the bath and quickly dry off. Choosing my honey scented body lotion, I rub it all over my skin. I know that Reeve loves this smell, he has bought me some since I have been here. I walk over to the dresser and pull out my white bra and knickers set and put them on. I walk into the walk in closet that I have in my room and pull the white dress off the hanger. I love this dress, I bought it on one of our shopping days. Juicy took me to a lovely boutique called ‘Scarlett’s Avenue’.
The dress is white, with a crochet pattern across my midsection and at the hem of the dress. It’s simple but beautiful. I add some gold bracelets and small hoop earrings that have little feathers hanging from each one. I place my feather ring that I brought with me on my finger. I add a little more make-up than I usually do but make sure that I don’t look too overdone. I keep my hair down but add loose curls to my hair. Lastly, I place my brown leather wedges on my feet, and as I am buckling my shoe, my phones beeps from the nightstand. I pick my phone up and see that it’s Reeve.
Reeve: Baby, I am running late at the studio, any chance you can grab a cab and meet me at the restaurant?
Me: Yeah, I am almost ready. I will meet you there.
Reeve: Baby I will make it up to you, I promise. Cya soon. Love you, Lipsy.
Me: Love you too. <3
Poxy men, always making life harder for us women, I chuckle to myself. That’s what I get for going out with a musician. I place my iPhone and my money into my clutch and exit the apartment. Walking down to the main street, I flag a taxi down and give the address of the restaurant. I email my brother letting him know how I am and how everyone here is doing. He has asked a few times if I am coming home and when. I know I will have to go home and sort a few things out, but they are things that can wait. We pull up outside a posh looking place but it also has a rustic feel to it. I pay the driver and I walk through the door. The place is dimly lit with bare lights hanging from the bare wooden beams showing overhead. The tables are a deep wood with a single candle lit in the center. The bar runs along one wall with mirrors running behind it. The waiters are in the typical black and white suits. I walk up to the hostess and she offers me a polite smile.
“Good evening and welcome to The Olympic. Do you have a reservation?”
“I do, it’s under Phoenix for two. He is running a tad late.” She smiles at me and lifts two menus.
“Follow me, Miss and I will show you to your table.” I follow behind her and see couples and businessmen eating expensive looking food and drinking wine or hard liquor. “I will give you time to look at the menu and for your guest to arrive before sending over your waiter for the evening. Would you like a drink to start?”
“Yes, please. Can I have a Jack and Coke please?” She gives me a quick nod and walks away. I sit and people watch while waiting for Reeve. I am not sure how much time passes but Reeve still isn’t here yet and I am on my second drink. I take my phone out of my bag and check the time. Shit, Reeve is thirty minutes late, where the hell is he? I send him a quick text but get nothing back. I am so going to kick his arse for him, I bet he got lost in the music with the boys and forgot about our date.
Waiting for a little while longer, I am pissed, so I throw some money down on the table and walk outside into the warm muggy LA air. I check my phone again but nothing. He had better have a good reason for standing me up. I scroll through my contacts and press his name to call him, all the while my stomach starts feeling like lead.
The phone rings and rings but then someone answers and it isn’t Reeve. My stomach hits an all-time low, my body turns ice cold. Oh My God.
“Hello.” She answers with laughter in her voice. My skin prickles.
“Baby, come back over here, I want round two or is it three?” Comes his voice. The man I love is with another woman. I feel my nose burn with building tears and my throat tightens. Fucking bastard. How could he? Music is playing in the background so I assume they are still at the studio.
“You are insatiable, baby.” She giggles. I hang up the phone and just stare at it through blurry eyes. My body feels like lead, I simply can’t move a muscle.
“Sweetheart, are you ok?” Comes a soft voice from beside me. I turn to the voice and see a young couple looking at me with concern.
“Umm… I...ummm. He. Oh God how could… he?” I hiccup through my sobs. The girl wraps her arms around me and soothes my sobs but nothing with soothe this pain away.
“Marcus, call a cab for her,” The woman says.
“I don’t think she is any state to be put in a cab, babe. We can take her home, Scar.”
“What’s your name, sweetie?”
“Leah,” I whisper.
“Ok, hi, Leah my name is Scarlett and this is my husband, Marcus. We will give you a ride home, where do you live, honey?” I give them Lucy’s address but don’t say anything else. I don’t even remember getting into their car, I think Marcus might have carried me but just don’t know, nothing is registering with my body. I walk into the apartment and walk straight to the bedroom, grabbing my suitcases from the closet and flinging them on the bed. I don’t even fold my clothes, I just chuck them in and pile with my shoes and everything else that I want to take back home to Cardiff with me. I pick up a photo from on top of the dresser; it’s a photo we had taken with all of us in when were at the beach. My chest tightens and I fall to my knees, gripping the frame to my chest. Fuck this pain is all consuming, how the fucking hell am I going to survive this? How the living fuck am I going to survive Reeve fucking Phoenix? Anger boils in me and I send the frame flying across the room, smashing it against the wall. I just don’t fucking care anymore. I need out of here and away from everything that is him. He has fucking ruined me.
I knew I was never fucking good enough for him.
I drag my luggage out of my room and a see a photo of Rafe, Juicy and the girls and my heart sinks even more. How will I cope not seeing Juicy or Rowan and Lyric every day? Oh God, Demi. I really fucking hate him; how could he do this? I take the notebook from the coffee table and write a note.
Juicy and Rafe
First I just want to say thank you for everything that you have done for me, you being in my life means more to me than you know. I will miss you all every single day until I see you again. I just don’t know when that will be. You both helped me see the person that I truly am, you helped me love again even though now that is broken, shattered even (ask Reeve) I have to go home, I will email when I arrive safe.
I will always love you all and miss you every day. I will stay in touch. Please tell everyone goodbye from me and give Demi a cwtch from me also.
Give Rowan and Lyric a big kiss and cwtch from me.
I truly love you both.
Leah. <3
My heart rips in two and there is only one man to blame. I place Juicy’s letter to the side and decide to write Reeve one of his own, I need to let him know what he has done to me, to my heart. Taking a deep breath, I start writing.
Reeve
&nbs
p; I truly thought that you were the one for me, you showed me that even though we may not feel good enough to love or be loved, that we truly are. You have helped me see that I was enough and that I can be loved and in a split second you tore that from me. You have left me shattered and shamed. You have shown me that I will never be enough for anyone. Fuck you very much for that by the way. I am going home, back to Wales and really suggest that you don’t contact me again. It will be too hard to hear from you, even though I hate you right now.
What I will ask is that when you truly find your right Inside Noise that you will love her with all of your heart because, Reeve, you are enough and I am sorry that I wasn’t enough for you.
With all this hurt flowing through me, I hope that one day I will feel enough for a man to love, I just wish that man was you.
Goodbye Reeve.
Sobs wrack my body and I fall back against the kitchen counter. I don’t know long I stand there staring at nothing in particular. I take deep breaths, willing my breathing to calm down enough to leave. I take one more look around the room and walk towards the door with my luggage in tow. I call a taxi and wait for it to arrive. Luckily, it doesn’t take long and I am on my way to the airport. I call the airline and pray that they can get me on a flight as soon as possible; I need the distance from this place, and back home to reality. The next flight is a connecting flight so I don’t have to wait long, which makes the relief flood my body.