Hooked on a Phoenix

by Ashlyn Chase

  “Oh. I don’t think we have what you’d call a relationship.”

  Gabriella was quiet until she sat down with two mugs of coffee and set one in front of Misty. Then she took a deep breath and held Misty’s gaze. “Be patient with him. He needs you. He just doesn’t know it yet.”

  Misty didn’t quite know what to say to that. Gabe needing anybody or anything seemed implausible. He was always so self-sufficient.

  Leaning back, coffee mug just below her lips, Gabriella smiled. “He’s a good boy. They all are. But Gabe is the one who… Well, I worry.”

  “Worry? Why would you worry about Gabe? Is something wrong?”

  “Oh, honey, it’s not that. He’s just a little stubborn. He thinks he doesn’t need anybody, but he couldn’t be more wrong.”

  “I see.” She didn’t see. She didn’t have a clue.

  “So, how are things with you? Have you found any leads on a new job?”

  “Um, no. I don’t think I’m going to look for a new job right now. I kind of need the insurance.”

  Gabriella’s eyebrows raised. “Health insurance? Are you all right?”

  “Yeah. Well, no. Um, maybe.”

  Gabriella gave her an indulgent look. “You know you can tell me anything, right? I won’t divulge any secrets.”

  “I know. It’s just that I need to have some tests first. I won’t know if there’s anything wrong or not until next week at the earliest.”

  “What makes you think there might be a problem?”

  “Between you and me, I’ve been having trouble with my balance. I was afraid it might interfere with my dancing, so before quitting my job to find something in the dance community, I thought I’d better get it checked out.”

  “That’s wise.”

  The phone rang, and Gabriella rose to answer it. They had one of those old-fashioned phones on the wall. It even had a dial instead of buttons. The Fierros were complete Yankees. What was that saying? Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.

  “Hi, honey. Yes, she’s here. We’re having a lovely chat.” Gabriella smiled slyly. “There’s no need to rush. We’re fine.”

  As she replaced the receiver, she chuckled. “My son will be here in about five seconds.”

  “Oh no. Is he worried about being late? It’s no big deal. Really.”

  Gabriella grinned. “No, darling. He’s afraid of my talking to you.” As Gabriella sat down, she chuckled and shook her head. Apparently she wasn’t going to explain anything further. She just took a sip of her coffee and looked pleased with herself.

  Misty couldn’t imagine why Gabe would be afraid of his mother having a conversation with her. Was there something he didn’t want her to know?

  It took more than five seconds, but not much. Gabe strode through the front door and entered the kitchen. He was covered in soot.

  “Hello, darling.” Gabriella rose and strolled to her son. He towered over her, but she grasped his broad shoulders and pulled him toward her for a kiss on his cheek.

  “Mom, I’m filthy.”

  “No kidding. I thought you’d take a shower at the station, but I guess you didn’t want to let Misty wait any longer than necessary. That was sweet. Why don’t you run upstairs and shower? I can find an old pair of your jeans and a sweater or something to change into…unless you need a suit. I don’t know what your plans were.”

  Gabe focused on Misty for a moment. “I, uh… We were just going to get Chinese food and go back to your place to watch a movie, right?”

  “Yeah. We never did decide what movie we wanted to see.”

  Gabriella set her hands on her hips. “Is that the best you can do, Gabriel? Takeout food and a movie at her house?”

  “Butt out, Mom.”

  Misty had never heard him speak to his mother that way. It would have bothered her except that Gabriella was smirking. It was as if the older woman was in on some kind of private joke neither Misty nor Gabe understood.

  “I really didn’t want anything fancy. Takeout food and a movie sounds perfect.”

  Gabriella shrugged. “Well, if that’s what you really want…”

  “It is. I never do anything much for my birthday.”

  “I see. If you’ll excuse me for a minute, I’ll go get some fresh towels and set those out for you, Gabe.”

  “I’d rather shower at my place. I have something for her birthday there, and I’d feel more comfortable in jeans that fit. Not something I wore in high school.”

  “Okay, honey. I’ll just get Misty’s coat then.”

  When Gabriella had left the room, Gabe looked over and gave Misty a smile. “I’m sorry I’m late. It couldn’t be helped.”

  “Oh, I know. The dispatcher told me about the fire. Saving lives is a little more important than one person’s birthday.”

  “Well, I’m glad you feel that way. Because about a dozen people are going to be able to celebrate another birthday because of us.”

  Misty rose and strode over to him. She placed her hands on his dirty coat, looked up at him, and said, “My hero.”

  Gabe leaned down and gave Misty a quick peck on the lips.

  Gabriella cleared her throat, then breezed into the kitchen, carrying Misty’s coat, grinning from ear to ear.

  * * *

  Gabe had set Misty up in his living room with a movie to preview and then went to take his shower. He was just soaped up when Misty walked into his bathroom, stark naked. Her womanly body was on full display—and she was breathtaking. He stood there in the glass enclosure, not quite sure what to do, but he didn’t object. How could he? He could barely speak.

  “What are you doing?” he asked when he got ahold of himself.

  “Modeling my birthday suit.” She smiled. “Oh, I think you missed a spot. Let me get that for you.” She opened the shower door.

  Suddenly, her foot caught on the lip, and she toppled off-balance. He lunged forward and caught her, his hands grasping her under her arms. Instantly, every nerve in his body was alive with sexual energy. The satiny texture of her skin, smooth and flawless, resulted in the overwhelming urge to caress the rest of her.

  “Are you okay?” he rasped.

  “Dammit.” She let out a frustrated breath. “Way to make a sexy entrance, Misty.”

  When he had her steadied, she reached up and put her arms around his neck. “You’re tall.”

  Gabe gently pushed her away, despite his body protesting the loss of her warmth against him. “And you’re my best friend’s sister.”

  She answered him by taking the soap and running it over his chest, and then down, and down, all the way to his pubic hair, before he grabbed her hand and wrenched the soap out of it, replacing it in the soap dish.

  “Not fair,” he said.

  “All’s fair in love and war.”

  Gabe gazed at the ceiling while he decided what to do. “I’m going to hate myself for asking, but which is this?”

  “You don’t know?” She picked up the soap again and massaged his six-pack. After an agonizing few seconds, she said, “I love you, Gabe. I have for years.”

  Shit. I was afraid of that. As much as he didn’t want her to feel that way, telling her not to wouldn’t accomplish a thing—except to hurt or infuriate her.

  This time, he didn’t stop her as she caressed his pelvis and eventually reached his semierect cock. He leaned back and moaned. His shaft swelled instantly. Sensations she created within him were ridiculous. He had never felt such a strong physical reaction to a female’s attention before.

  Gabe gazed at Misty’s full lips. Any man would kill to kiss a mouth like that. He yanked her hands from his cock and pulled her into a full embrace. His lips descended, and she tipped up her chin to meet him halfway.

  He captured that sensuous mouth, and their tongues found each other easily. Heat built as th
ey sucked and twirled, and the steam had nothing to do with the hot water. Gabe wondered what kind of strange power this woman had over him. Had she hypnotized him? He knew better, but he was unable to help himself.

  He still hadn’t responded to her confession of love. He should say something, but he had no idea what. He simply feasted on her lips until they were swollen. Pulling away, he took a deep breath.

  “Misty—”

  She reached up and stroked his cheek. “It’s okay. You don’t have to say anything back. I just couldn’t stand not saying that any longer.”

  Gabe framed her face with his hands and stared into her eyes. All he saw was pure sincerity. No guile. No manipulation. Dear God. Now what?

  “Let’s get out of here,” Gabe said huskily. He shut off the water and stepped over the lip of the glass enclosure. Remembering how she had stumbled into the shower, he extended his hand to help her over the three-inch sill.

  The droplets on her skin shone as the light caught them and they dripped down. He had to cover her, or he’d go crazy. He grabbed the towel he had set on the sink for himself and wrapped it around her.

  “You don’t like what you see?”

  “On the contrary, I like it too much.”

  She threw off the towel and stood straight, as if offering herself to him.

  “Misty. We can’t.”

  “Yes, Gabe. We can. My brother doesn’t own me.”

  “But he’s trusting me to take care of you.”

  “And that’s exactly what you’d be doing.” She smiled. “Gabe, I never had a real orgasm until the other day. You gave that to me. I can’t help wanting to give you the same gift.”

  He groaned.

  In seconds, they were in his bed, wrapped around each other. To his surprise, he was trembling inside. The thrill of anticipation doubled his pulse. He wasn’t sure who started the deep passionate kisses that fed the fire burning inside him. He only knew that she aroused him like no other woman ever had.

  He hesitated to break the kiss. She tasted and affected him like wine. Gabe leaned away a little bit and nibbled her lower lip. She answered by pulling his upper lip between hers. Okay… Either she’s had more experience than she’s let on or she’s a fast learner.

  Chapter 8

  Never had a guy kissed her the way Gabe did. He was gentle, yet sure of what he was doing. He didn’t mash his teeth against hers while fumbling around her breasts. He took his time and caressed her whole body.

  The feel of his warm skin against her own aroused her even more. If this was foreplay, she’d take all she could get.

  She ran her hand over his sparse, dark chest hair and circled her index finger around his nipple. Then she gave them each a little squeeze. His husky moan encouraged her to keep exploring. Her fingertips followed the muscles of his arms and shoulders while he expertly kneaded her breasts. Then he gave her nipples a little squeeze too. Her breath caught from the electrifying sensations. She tangled her fingers in his damp hair. She played with the silky strands, winding them around her fingers, being careful not to tug too hard.

  Gradually, she caressed a path down his back, gliding over the dip at the base of his spine. When she cupped his buttocks and squeezed, he growled. She ached to go further but waited for a sign.

  He rolled so she was lying on top of him, then placed both of his hands on her exposed buttocks and kneaded her glutes. She sighed at the intimacy of this new discovery.

  “Beautiful,” he murmured. “You feel like silk. So soft… Warm perfection.” He rolled her onto her back, then feasted on her breasts until the rosy tips became hard and puckered. He captured each nub between his teeth, scraped gently as he withdrew, and then flicked his tongue over the very end, creating a torturous frenzy.

  Still, there was no urgency in his lovemaking. He seemed to enjoy awakening every raw nerve in her body. The length of his hard cock prodded her naked thigh. She reached down, grasped it, and he sucked in a deep breath.

  “Misty…”

  She didn’t answer, and he didn’t finish his thought—if he had one.

  He rolled on top of her. Nothing stood between her and the point of no return. She couldn’t stop now even if she wanted to.

  Gabe said, “I’m going to tell you in searing detail what’s going to happen if we continue.”

  “Tell me,” she said breathlessly.

  “I’m going to fill you up. Take you, inch by hot inch. I want to feel your legs wrapped around me while I penetrate you. I’m going to rock hard against your clit until you climax. Is that what you want?”

  “Yes! More than anything.”

  Her next breath mingled with his as they shared a deep lingering kiss. He crawled off of her just long enough to grab something from his nightstand.

  A condom, she realized. Thank goodness one of them was thinking logically. He placed the condom on the pillow, scooted between her legs, and parted her nether lips.

  “Why are you—” She sucked in a deep breath as his tongue flicked her most sensitive spot. “Oh!”

  Her urgent moans filled the air. A rush of sensations erupted into a powerful climax. She thought she heard screaming. Oh yeah, that would be me.

  As soon as she had returned to earth, she let go of the sheets she had gripped in her hands as she held on for dear life. Nothing mattered now but having this man inside her.

  “Gabe, I want you.”

  “How? Tell me exactly how you want me.”

  She didn’t dare use the words making love. The L-word would probably scare him off—and she wanted him in. “I want you fucking me, five minutes ago. Is that exact enough?”

  He laughed. “Just making sure.”

  He opened the condom package and handed her the rubber. “Would you like to do the honors?”

  She took the condom from him and placed it over the tip of his penis but only after planting a kiss there. Then she rolled it all the way down to the root. She cupped his balls and gave them a gentle squeeze. He growled.

  She wanted to come again, but this time with her lover inside her.

  He positioned himself between her knees and paused at her entrance. He smiled down at her, then leaned down and kissed a path to her ear, whispering, “I want you to enjoy this fully.”

  She planned to.

  He leaned on one elbow, propping himself up. As he entered her, slowly, he looked down at her, and his eyes seemed to glow. His free hand parted her folds so he could make contact with her clit completely.

  He began a slow rhythm and did as he promised, grinding into her clit with his pelvis. God, the sensations! Soon, she was alternately gasping for breath and moaning. She arched to meet his every thrust, and it wasn’t long before she exploded in ecstasy.

  She thrashed. She screamed. She left her body and saw stars. Gabe came too, with a roar.

  He collapsed on top of her, and when he tried to roll off, she blocked him. “No. Stay”—pant—“where you”—pant, pant—“are.”

  He chuckled. “I’m kind of heavy.”

  “I like your weight on me.”

  He laid his head on her pillow and kissed her temple. They lay like that for several minutes, just breathing and recuperating. When he had apparently had enough recovery time, he propped himself on his elbows and began his rhythm again.

  If she’d had any doubts about being deeply in love with this man, they had vanished.

  They made love several times that night. At last, they drifted off into a very sound sleep, Gabe buried deep inside her.

  * * *

  Upon awakening, Gabe began to stretch and bumped into something. Misty. Oh my God. What have I done? Did I really make love to Parker’s sister all night?

  He glanced down, looking for the last condom he used. He searched the bed, trying frantically to find it without waking Misty.

  She woke up an
yway. Sitting up, she stretched lazily. The blanket slipped down, revealing the beautiful breasts he had enjoyed over and over.

  “Oh God, Misty. I’m so sorry.”

  Her perfect eyebrows shot up. “Sorry? For what?”

  “For getting so carried away. I should never have… I mean…”

  “Spit it out.” Her mouth hardened into a thin line.

  Shit. She knew what was coming.

  He sighed.

  “Yeah. I get it.” She threw off the covers, snatched up her clothes, and headed to the bathroom.

  That’s when Gabe spotted the condom. It had been right under her. It might have emptied inside of her! Fuck. Berating himself for his stupidity, he lay back and threw his arm over his eyes. It was too late to do anything about it now.

  A loud bang came from the bathroom. What the… Was she so angry that she threw something? She shouted his name. Time to face the music—or yelling. He grabbed his bathrobe off a hook and shrugged into it as he strode to the bathroom door and knocked. “Are you okay?”

  “No. A little help here, please?”

  He slid open the pocket door and was shocked to see her on the floor.

  “Misty!” He rushed to her side and helped her up. “You fell?”

  “Yeah. I dropped the toothpaste and lost my balance when I went to pick it up. Something’s wrong. I’d get up myself, but I just can’t seem to make my legs work. Especially my left one. It feels…well, like it fell asleep.”

  “It wasn’t like that a minute ago?”

  “Yeah, but no. It tingled, but not as bad as now.”

  “Let me help you,” he said, even though he felt pretty helpless himself.

  “No. Wait a second, maybe it’s not too bad.” She waved him off. “I think I can do it.” She tried to drag herself up by grasping the edge of the pedestal sink.

  He let her try for a moment, but the first responder in him couldn’t let her struggle. He picked her up off the floor and carried her back to the bed.

  “We have to get you to a doctor.”