Blaze of Wrath (Phoenix Rising Book 5)

by Harper Wylde

  The blush that had already started to fade from her face renewed, the color rosy and beautiful. “However, I will make you a promise since I’ve remained so tight-lipped about our location.” Eyeing the door I needed, I pulled Nix to a stop and maneuvered us closer to the building, out of the way of any pedestrians that may pass us by. For a brief moment, a hint of hesitation flitted through me. “If you don’t like it, we can simply find a place to sit and wait,” I replied cryptically, trying to keep my plans a secret.

  Nix’s eyebrows drew together in an endearing way as she tried to decipher my meaning. Giving up, she rolled her eyes playfully. “Theo.” She removed her hand from mine, stepped closer to me, and slid her arms around my middle instead. I returned the gesture and pulled her smaller, feminine form into my body. Her chin tipped upward as she gazed at me, our height difference much more obvious when we were close like this.

  “Hmm?” I hummed, partly distracted now that I had her against me. Her scent alone had the power to muddle my brain into uselessness.

  “I’m going to love whatever date you have planned for us simply because you are the one who planned it. If this is something you like, then I’m going to learn to like it too… if it’s not something I enjoy already. Isn’t that what being your girlfriend is all about? Taking an interest in your hobbies?” A soft smile played on her lips, even as one brow rose in challenge, daring me to contradict her. Not that I planned to.

  I studied her as something akin to wonder surged through me. Nothing in my life had ever felt as right as Nix did. My Kraken roared his approval and happiness in the back of my mind. “This, right here, is why you’re so good for us, Nix.” I moved my arm, letting my fingers slide over a section of her dark locks that had slipped free, before tucking it gently back behind her ear. My fingers trailed into her hair at the base of her neck, and I cradled the back of her head.

  “You guys invest in me too.” She shrugged.

  “Well, yes, but that’s easy. We only have one person to focus on. You have five…” I paused and shook my head, forcing myself to accept our new reality with Joshua. “Now six mates to spend time with.”

  “You’re wrong, you know.”

  It was my turn to raise an eyebrow, borrowing Nix’s earlier expression. “There isn’t another girl in our relationship to derail the validity of my statement.”

  Nix slapped my arm playfully, and I grinned at the intensity blossoming within her.

  “I’m sure this is going to sound wildly hypocritical of me, but don’t even joke. The thought of any of you with another girl makes my Phoenix want to rise and shoot flames.” To make her point, she pressed her nearly boiling palms against the sides of my face, showing me just how near to the surface her fiery alter was. My little bird had already grown possessive, and I didn’t want it any other way. Bloody hell, I was proud of her for it. Just a few months ago she may not have stated her opinion so blatantly, whether from the human viewpoint of the way relationships were supposed to work, or from a misguided belief that she wasn’t worthy of us as mates given her past. We’d accomplished so much growth as a group over these past few months. My Kraken twisted and twined inside me, wanting nothing more than to be free with his mate.

  “I believe my Kraken and I like you a little jealous.” I couldn’t contain my satisfaction as I all but beamed smugly before growing more serious. “There’s no one else for us, Nix. I know you know that, but I hope we show you every single day how much we care. How much we love you.” Damien lifted the veil on his connection to us just long enough to growl his assent into our minds. I paused, my fingers tightening in her hair. “I’m in love with you, Annika.”

  My heart soared as Nix’s palms trailed down my face, her fingertips teasing over my neck and shoulders until they gripped the lapels of my thick, woolen jacket. She pulled me toward her in the slowest, most deliberate way, and her eyes flicked back and forth between mine, reading the sincerity and truth I knew reflected back to her. I wasn’t a romantic guy, not the way Ryder, Hiro, or Damien were. I was much too analytical and often missed the mark on such endeavors, but in that moment, I realized I didn’t need Shakespearian phrases or great, iconic displays of love. I could see my entire world and all my future happiness tied up in this beautiful, curvy, feisty little package that I was lucky enough to call my mate. And I intended to show her how I felt without words.

  Nix and I were drawn together like two magnets unwilling to resist each other, and my lips crashed into hers with bruising intensity. Her kiss was all-consuming, and I was completely lost to the sensation of her tongue brushing against mine, alighting every nerve, every damn cell, in my body. My hands slipped down her back and I pushed her up and into me, allowing her to feel how I felt about her. This passion with Nix was like air, as vital and sustaining as oxygen.

  I stepped forward, guiding her until her back met the rough texture of the brick building we’d been standing beside, and I pressed my thigh between her legs, giving her pressure where she needed it most. The intoxicating scent of her arousal filled the air, driving me mad with lust.

  After a few moments, I used my free hand to cup her ass. Squeezing, I rocked her hips into mine once, then twice, causing her to whimper.

  “Theo.” Her breathy gasp had my dick throbbing behind the confines of my jeans, and I groaned. I loved how responsive and willing she was, how she’d opened up to my brothers and me. She owned her sexuality unapologetically and it was sexy as hell.

  I pulled back and nipped at her lips, bringing myself back to reality and the fact that we were in public. I ran my nose over the curve of her cheek until my breath tickled her ear, calming down before I decided to ditch the whole date idea and this rendezvous, and take Nix home—to my bed.

  “I’d love nothing more than to have my way with you right here, right now.” I bit her earlobe gently, trapping the sensitive flesh between my teeth as I flicked it with my tongue. “I want to make you burn for me and then follow you into the flames.” I nipped and sucked at her neckline, blazing a trail to where her bare skin disappeared into the collar of her jacket. “And if you moan one more time for me, I’m not sure I’ll have the willpower to pull away as I should.” Before Nix could utter a sound, I tugged her hair and guided her mouth to mine for one last, searing kiss. Her body wiggled against me as she tried to arch her back and increase the friction where I had her pinned, but I wouldn’t relinquish control so easily.

  “I want you inside of me.” Her wanton, unexpected whisper shocked me enough to make me still like a predator ready to strike.

  My muscles grew, my body shifting slightly with the bulk of my Kraken pressing against my skin. The urgency to claim had never been stronger.

  “You can’t say things like that to me when I’m trying to be a gentleman and take you on a proper date,” I warned then swallowed, my Adam’s apple bobbing as I fought to find restraint. Nix deserved to be courted. Wooed. It took me a full minute to calm down enough to remember our mission, but when I did, I slipped away, allowing the icy air to act as a cold shower. The sharp bite of it helped cool my ardor.

  Nix’s chest heaved as she caught her breath. Thankfully, her winter jacket concealed her curves from my view, or it may have obliterated the remaining thread of my control. I shook my head to clear it.

  “You may just be the death of me,” I told her, my lips quirking up on one side.

  Death by orgasm? I assure you, there are worse ways to go, Damien interjected, causing Nix to giggle, and breaking some of the sexual tension enough to allow our common sense to reign once more. Alright, shutting up again. D disappeared once more.

  I held out my hand and interlaced my fingers with Nix when she took hold. “Come on, let’s go.”

  Seventeen

  Nix

  Music spilled out into the street as Theo hauled open the nondescript red door, and I followed him into what appeared to be a club. Pulsing beats vibrated through me and I looked around, taking in my surroundings.

 
“A club?” I glanced up at Theo with wide eyes and a shocked smile. “I never would have guessed!” I exclaimed, truly excited about the potentiality of our evening.

  My Kraken blushed, a hint of pink tinting his golden skin, and he rubbed the back of his neck. “I figured since you enjoyed seeing us dance during the talent show, this might interest you.”

  I popped up on my toes and planted a kiss on Theo’s cheek. “It was a great idea. I’m looking forward to seeing you move like that.” I threw an eager glance at the dance floor, which was filled with writhing, grinding bodies.

  “Come on,” Theo urged, sending me a heated look, and leading me past a long, sleek bar covering one entire wall of the establishment. An array of liquor lined the shelves behind the wooden counter, each unique bottle gleaming in the low lighting. Neon signs decorated the walls, casting their colorful glow on the crowded dance floor.

  Finding an available booth, we discarded our coats and belongings before Theo faced me, took my hand, and pulled me forward, with me mirroring his backward steps as he led me to the dance floor.

  Briefly, I worried about being touched and bumped by the other dancers. My old fears resurfaced as I looked at the crowd. It had been a while since I’d felt the shot of adrenaline that infused my veins now, and my heart sped up. Yet, before I could open my mouth and tell Theo that I doubted my ability to do this, I felt a wave of power enter my mind.

  It’s okay, Nix. I think I can manage this for you, Damien soothed, and I watched in awe as the other dancers shifted to make room for us. I’ll make sure they don’t touch you, sweetheart.

  How in the world did you do that? I pushed my question toward him.

  I’ve been practicing my persuasion. It’s another facet of being a mentalist, and one that takes far less work than fully entering strangers’ minds. Especially since they’re human. I just had to plant the seed and cultivate it. Then it grew on its own. I wouldn’t have had this kind of success with say, you, or even Rini. But with humans? It’s enough that I can hold on to it for a while, so relax and enjoy Theo while you can. Leave the rest to me for now.

  I sent every sense of gratitude and amazement I was feeling his way before I felt him ease away.

  Tonight wasn’t the place for inhibitions, and I pushed everything out of my mind except for Theo.

  The beat of the music was addicting and rhythmic, and I found myself swaying as Theo pulled me into the space Damien carved out for us among the dancing bodies. I focused completely on the fluid way Theo moved. He watched me watching him, and my breath caught at the pure sin that filled his sparkling, cerulean eyes. Little by little his slow, drawn-out movements brought us together. Reaching for me, he grabbed my hands and raised his arms, enticing me closer to him until I was flush against his body. My breasts brushed lightly against his chest and my nipples pebbled beneath my bra from the delicious sensation. When he had me where he wanted me, he released his hold and lightly feathered his fingertips down my arms and along the sides of my breasts. Downward they trekked, until he gripped my hips while my arms settled around his neck. Even among all these sweaty bodies, his fresh ocean scent consumed me.

  It was almost painful how much I loved his sweet, flowing control. Every roll of his hips was perfectly timed to the rise and fall of the tempo. His leg found its way between my thighs, and the added friction made the way he moved against me exquisite, delicious torture. I knew then that I’d never last the night without needing him inside of me, loving me.

  Theo skimmed his nose down my neck and inhaled, scenting me. The slide of his hands over the curves of my ass made me moan. I let the music flow through me, matching every one of Theo’s movements as we writhed together.

  We danced for an hour until we were both heaving. A bead of sweat dripped down Theo’s temple, and for some reason, the sight was erotic. Theo thrived on the need he cultivated in me, and as he brushed his mouth against the outer shell of my ear, a shiver raced down my spine as the dirtiest words left his lips.

  “Soon, I’m going to be inside your gorgeous body, Nix, and that beautiful, little pussy of yours is going to soak my dick from the way I make you feel.” I whimpered an unintelligible sound as I ground my jean-clad center against his thigh.

  The friction against my clit caused all sensible thoughts to flee, and I begged, “I need you.” The airy plea had Theo groaning against the column of my throat, his Kraken clear in the rumble.

  “Nix,” he called out, the sound stolen by the song blasting from the speakers. The scent of our combined arousal hung in the air and with a growl, Theo pulled away from me. The air in the club was heated from the sheer amount of people in the room, but the loss of Theo’s body against mine created a temperature shift, the slightly cooler air teasing against my overheated skin.

  I didn’t get to cry out a protest before I was being hauled away from the dancers and shoved into the shadows by my equally needy mate.

  “Do you know how tempting you are? How much you make me crave you?” Theo purred, as my shoulders pressed into the hard wall of the club and he stalked toward me like a predator about to devour his prey. I didn’t make a move, waiting, wanting to be devoured by him.

  Being with Theo at that moment was my entire goal in life, and the club beyond—the dancers, the music, the flowing alcohol and clink of glassware—all faded into the background.

  “I’m yours.” My tone was throaty as I tempted him. “And you can have me whenever you want.”

  Theo leaned over me and covered my stomach with his hand, pressing me slowly until my entire back was flush with the wall. Feathering touches trailed to the waistband of my jeans, and his fingers curled over the top. Deftly working at the button, he unsnapped it to make room for the hand that plunged inside, cupping my pussy.

  “You’re already so wet and ready. So willing.” One lazy finger trailed lightly over my sex, and I squirmed, my nipples turning into diamonds at the sheer illicitness of having Theo touch me in public. My gaze flitted over the dance floor that we’d just been on, and then zipped around the room. Realizing he’d lost my attention, Theo speared a finger into my pussy. I cried out as he hooked his finger just right, applying pressure right where I needed it as he measured his thrusts. “Does it excite you? Knowing that anyone could be watching us right now?” His breath washed over my ear and tickled my neck. Teeth met flesh as he nipped the delicate skin of my throat.

  A second finger joined the first to spread me wider, and he growled as my body responded, slicking his way. I could smell the sharp, robust scent of our combined arousal, and I pulled Theo’s lips to mine. The kiss was gentle at first, until I nipped his lower lip hard with my teeth and then laved over the same spot with the flat of my tongue. Our breath mingled and our magic sparked and twined together. My entire body ached with coiling, building pressure and I arched myself against Theo to rock my pussy against him, matching and increasing his pace as I fucked myself on his pumping fingers.

  “That’s it, Nix. Let go for me,” Theo encouraged, and the last thing I saw before I shut my eyes tight, was the sexy gleam that made the blue in his eyes nearly electric.

  I stopped thinking, only allowing myself to feel. My head tipped back against the wall and my lips parted as I sucked heaving breaths into my lungs. Theo’s movements became frantic, fueling the vicious need tearing through me. My skin felt too tight and my clit became nearly too sensitive with every bump of his palm. Almost as if he sensed my spiraling bliss, Theo pulled out and tapped one finger against my clit, before flicking directly over it, again and again, sending waves of pleasure washing over me until all I wanted to do was drown in the erotic way he made me feel. Endless orgasms overwhelmed me until I couldn’t take any more of his torture, and I grabbed his wrist to slow his fingers on my clit, gasping and panting for air.

  “Theo.” His name was all I was able to utter.

  “I’ll never get tired of my name on your lips.” He pulled his hand from my jeans, brought his fingers to his mouth, and slipped
them inside, his eyes closing in pure bliss as he hummed his approval of my flavor. He sucked my essence off his skin, and the view of his fingers sliding out of his mouth almost sent me over the edge again. “Or the sweet flavor of you on my tongue.”

  “Oh, fuck,” I cursed and fanned myself, enjoying the light breeze that helped cool me down before I disintegrated into nothing but a pile of ash.

  “Hot?” Theo cocked his head to the side, and studied me as though he hadn’t just rocked my world to Timbuktu and back.

  “And bothered.” I smirked.

  “Would you like a drink?” Theo offered politely, and I couldn’t help myself.

  “Would you?” I bit my lip and sent the most seductive look I could conjure toward him, and I reveled in the way his eyes dilated, the blue deepening.

  “If you need more, mate, all you have to do is ask. Tell me what you need, and I’ll give you the world,” Theo promised, and I believed him.

  Somewhere in the background, the song switched and awareness seeped back. Theo sensed the change, and he smirked as his fingers found the button of my jeans and set my clothing back to rights. Peering over his shoulder, I assessed the room, my heart rate slowing back to normal when I realized that no one seemed to be paying attention to us in the deep gloom of the shadows that had shielded our intimate moment.

  Theo took my hand and I trailed after him as he maneuvered to the bar, waved down the bartender, and ordered two drinks. The beat of the music and the chatter of the crowd blended into white noise. My feet ached as I observed the clubgoers, and I belatedly wished I hadn’t worn these heels, but when Rini had insisted on helping me pick an outfit to wear tonight via texted pictures, I hadn’t thought to question the fashion choice. Now, it was glaringly obvious that she’d known our rendezvous with the rebellion was going to turn into something fun while we waited. Ciarán apparently had no qualms about sharing his secrets with my best friend.