She took a chance and murmured, “Like I said, this was me trying to find a middle ground for you two. You don’t have to be a secret, but can you at least promise that if you mention anything about Phoenix online, you run it by him first? And at the fundraiser, I think it would be best if you not approach the mayor at all. Is that okay? Can we make that deal?” She smiled winsomely.
He hesitated for a second, and she was worried she’d insulted him again, then he said, “That’s reasonable.” She beamed. It was the best she could hope for so it would have to be enough. “I think I can set your boy’s mind at ease if the three of us were to socialize together a bit more. You think he’d like frozen yogurt as much as little Joe here? We should invite him here,” teased Ashley.
Baby Joe was back to shoving his fingers into the cool frozen yogurt. Cee-Cee gave up trying to stop him. She giggled as he put his chocolate-covered fingers in his mouth. “I don’t think anyone over three can love frozen yogurt as much as Baby Joe. I already passed the message along to Phoenix that we should get together. He asked me out this weekend. Maybe then.”
“Oh! So, you two are an item.”
“No.”
Ashley grinned, unconvinced. “Cee-Cee, have you ever been in a polyamorous situation before?”
“A poly what?” she asked. She grabbed Baby Joe’s yogurt and pushed it across the table. She had to do something about this mess. He was ruining the suit she had borrowed from her mother.
“Polyamorous. More than one love. I’ve been reading up on the subject, and I find the idea intriguing. It’s when a couple or a group of people decide they can have multiple loving—or at least meaningful—relationships without lying. Some of them form communities and some just have outside lovers without all the secrecy and drama. Like polygamy without the marriage part.”
“Marriage? Oh, god, no. Ha! That’s probably why I haven’t heard of it. I’m not the marrying kind. I’m not even very dateable. I’m always too busy to go out. I hate cuddling. Love is a four letter word that I don’t use. Why are you asking if I’m into that, Ashley? Still trying to get me and Phoenix in your bed?” She covered Baby Joe’s ears while she said the last part. Ashley leaned away from the table with a hearty laugh.
“I was only asking. I’m curious about people. I wonder what would make anyone consider a multi-partner relationship. It seems complicated. There must be some jealousy involved. Take the three of us, for example. Hypothetically speaking, what would I be supposed to do while it was Phoenix’s turn to have you?”
Several ideas flashed to mind and she quickly suppressed them. She hadn’t been aware her imagination was so good at its job. “Uh, the three of us is a bad example. You’re a celebrity, always on tour. Phoenix is a mayor, always doing mayoral shit. I’m a jack-of-all-social-media-trades and programmer. Suffice it to say, we’re the three least likely people to have the time to entertain two love interests at once. There are only so many hours in a day, days in a week.”
“Yeah, but if it were possible, which of us would be your favorite?”
“La la la la la!” Cee-Cee covered her own ears this time. Baby Joe thought it was a game and started singing, too. He covered her hands with his sticky ones and leaned close to kiss her with his chocolate-smudged lips. Cee-Cee wrapped her arms around the tyke and tickled him until he giggled wildly. Ashley watched with a smile. “You know, my uncle thinks I’m away on business. This is the funniest business meeting I’ve ever had.” Cee-Cee giggled, taking her hands away.
“Clocking friend-hours. My kind of work.”
“…Since you asked…which one of us—Phoenix or me—would be your favorite?” she boldly turned the tables. Ashley shook a finger at her and tisked.
“See, unlike you, I will give full disclosure. I think you’ve got the most amazing blue eyes the world has ever seen—Did I say that right? Does that make sense to you? I think I’m chocolate wasted.”
“What the hell?” Cee-Cee chuckled.
“You, beautiful eyes. Phoenix? Hmm…I’d say he beats you in the biceps department. Compared to his arms, you might as well snap off those twigs attached to your shoulders. He beats you hands down.” Ashley smirked “But I can’t pick a favorite because I have never understood not eating the cake I have.” He gave her a languorous gaze halfway between sexy man and sleepy toddler. She giggled.
“Ah! So, you want to have your cake and eat it, too. I see. You’re hilarious. You know, I wish you lived here instead of just passing through. You have really brightened my day, which is a good thing because I know the rest of day is probably going downhill. When I get back to the office, my uncle has a lecture waiting for me for showing up late for Briton’s meeting. Plus, Phoenix nearly shot me over suggesting you for the show.”
“Aww, see. I knew that was your doing.”
“Well, I think you’d be great for the job. Your music. Your fans. That’s all I was trying to tell him. He’s sure someone will see the way he acts around you—”
Ashley tapped the table to shush her. “He acts differently around me? Score one for Asher! I knew I didn’t read him wrong. So, what’s up with him?”
“He’s private.” Cee-Cee shrugged. “He’s the complete opposite of you. I tried to get him to use my NowIn app for this campaign of his—which it would definitely help—but he hasn’t come to a decision about it yet. I’m sure he’s going to say no. I just need to get this app into the right hands. I have a major company thinking about buying it, but they want proof. How do I give them that?”
Cee-Cee had her fingers crossed under the table. Ashley answered exactly as she hoped.
“You give it to me, and I’ll make NowIn the app every single young Asher fan in America goes to first. I guarantee it.”
“You’d do that for me? Are you serious? Please tell me there isn’t anyone in your camp who will double back and say you can’t use my app once they hear you’re endorsing it. I really need some support.” She clasped her hands together in supplication. He chuckled.
“No one on my side to say no. I want to use it. I loved the experience when I tried it out at the Yellow Lounge.”
“Perfect! I’ll shoot you an email with all the pertinent info on how to get set up. You’re scratching my back, so I’m going to scratch yours,” she replied.
“Oh, yeah? How so?”
“I’m going to get Phoenix to open up to you. I know you like him for more than his biceps.”
Ashley crossed his arms on top of the table and shook his head in surprise. “And why would you do that? I’m not into having a fairy godmother. No telling what your magic will conjure.”
“I’m doing this for you, but I’m doing it for him, too. Phoenix deserves to have some fun in life. Hell, we all do.”
“My point exactly.”
She colored slightly and looked at him sideways. “You’re serious about wanting me, too.”
“Polyamory. I want to give it a try. I think I might be a natural. ”
“I thought you said there’s bound to be some jealousy involved.”
“Yeah, well, that’s life. Jealousy’s everywhere. If we like it, we roll with it. If we don’t…”
She looked down, considering it, but she shook her head. “I’m not agreeing to that. Sounds too much like a commitment. But I will talk Phoenix into us having you along as a third on our date this weekend, so free up some time. The three of us can hang out like friends. I can’t promise you he’ll agree, though.” Yes, keep things friendly and avoid stolen kisses and raging libido. She was beginning to think that might be impossible with these two. If she didn’t have the baby with her…
“I don’t believe in promises anyway.”
“So jaded.”
“We’re a realistic generation. Can’t afford to be otherwise.”
Chapter 11
Phoenix stood at the picture window in his mayoral office and stared out at the lovely grounds. The rambling estate boasted acres and acres of rolling green hills and could shame a luxur
y golf course. The property had once belonged to an oil baron, and his office was in a house that approached a decade in age. Funny how time flew.
He had spent the better part of his mid to late twenties doing the hard work of running this town. Improvements to infrastructure and schools had been a priority. He had funneled new revenue into town coffers by making it easier for entrepreneurs to gain a foothold, and a boom in development promised more growth. Maybe they’d become a city next term. In a matter of months, his work here could be done, but if he had his way, he was only just beginning.
Phoenix had big dreams for this place. He had invested in so many people’s dreams, including Bryan Friedman’s. Now it was time for his network to invest in him and help him get back in office. He didn’t have a doubt. He was going to win the next election.
There was a knock at his door, and Phoenix turned to it with a smile. “Come in.” The woman who entered wasn’t the person he expected. Phoenix was waiting for his secretary to come back with some forms he needed to sign, but it was Gina Lafitte from PR-ISM. He remembered her. She had made a point of reaching out to him (probably more than necessary), and he wasn’t certain, but he thought there might be some sort of rivalry between her and Cee-Cee.
Gina wasn’t subtle about trying to overshadow the beautiful younger intern. He recalled the scathing look she had fired at Cee-Cee the other day during the meeting about the fundraiser. Clearly, Gina hadn’t appreciated Cee-Cee coming up with what was—as much as he hated to admit it—the best idea. Phoenix wasn’t impressed with Gina’s pushy attempts to get his attention. She reminded him of every other woman who had tried to get something out of him in the past.
“I hate to bother you, but something was brought to my attention earlier today, and I took the time to come tell you in person rather than call or email you. Got a minute?” She tossed her glossy red hair to the side and canted her head, staring up at him with an inviting smile. She stood with her breasts to the fore and hands behind her back.
Phoenix’s smile tightened as he contemplated telling her it wasn’t a good time. “Ms. Lafitte. What can I do for you?” She stared at him, appreciation written boldly on her face as she stepped forward with a piece of paper. Phoenix took it and realized it was a printout of an email, something brightly colored and eye-catching. He spied a television network logo in the top corner and lifted his brows, curious.
“What’s this?” he asked as he scanned the contents.
“As the person handling your image in the media, television appearance requests come to me. I received this email from Five Parker, a TV talk show host for a QUILTBAG network called Q-G TV.”
“Quilting?”
Gina smiled. “No, Mayor Briton. QUILTBAG, as in queer/questioning, undecided, intersex, lesbian, trans, bisexual, asexual and/or…” She took a deep breath and finished, “gay. Five wants an exclusive with you ahead of this campaign.”
Phoenix swallowed uneasily at her explanation of the acronym and stared at the email again. “Why would he/she whoever want to interview me?”
“He happened to be out at the Yellow Lounge the night you and Ms. Carson ran into her friend, Ashley Terrence, who happens to be a vocal advocate for LGBT rights. Apparently Five got the impression the three of you were partying together that night?” She gave him a searching look. He didn’t comment. “Anyway, I wanted to run it by you before I give him an answer.”
Phoenix was inclined to turn the offer down, but he couldn’t afford to seem intolerant, especially in this hyper-politically correct society. On the other hand, as he had mentioned to Cee-Cee, his constituency was majority right wing, and polling showed their lack of interest in issues concerning homosexuality. “What do you think? Is it wise for me to go on a network like that at a time like this?”
Gina turned her hand side to side. “Between me and you, I don’t understand ‘em. I mean, why would a guy want to be with another guy when you’ve got women like me walking around single?” She grinned, showing off her body with a flourish of her hand. Phoenix gave a half-turn of his head that could be read either way, as an agreement with her statement or a denial. She accepted the printed email back and crumpled it, tossing it in the trash. “I think we can skip this one.”
He kept his face expressionless, though he wanted to snarl I’d take Ashley over you any day—mostly because of her attitude and presumption. “On second thought, Gina, don’t give him an answer yet. I’ll think about it, talk with my advisers and get back to you on the matter. Could be as we draw nearer to the election we might need to garner some support from outliers like the QUILTBAG, was it? From that community. If you can give a soft maybe, that’d be great.”
Smiling agreeably, Gina Lafitte stepped forward to brush invisible lint off his shoulder. “Will do. That’s so wise of you! I should’ve thought of that.” He eyed her hand on his suit, and she eased her fingers away. “You know, you are one attractive man, Mayor Briton. I just want to put that out there.”
“Thank you,” he murmured. He had to return the compliment. That was how he was raised. “You’re a very lovely woman, yourself.”
“Well, thank you for noticing! I may not be as flawless as I was in my early twenties, but you know what?” She leaned in closer and whispered seductively, “I’ve learned a trick or two since growing up. It’s true what they say. A woman doesn’t reach her sexual prime until she’s in her thirties.”
Phoenix lifted a brow and took a step back. “Ms. Lafitte, make sure you send that email off for me, okay? Have a good day now. I’ve got another meeting, and I need to prepare for it.”
Gina briefly looked flustered by his brusque response but fixed another smile to her thin lips and affected nonchalance. “No problem. Have a wonderful rest of your evening.” She waved goodbye with a wiggle of her fingers and sashayed out of his office with a click-clack of heels and sway of hips that he didn’t bother to pay attention to.
Phoenix replayed the conversation in his mind and shook his head in wry amusement. He hated when a woman came on too strong. In contrast, Cee-Cee was artless. She probably couldn’t fake sex kitten if she tried. She was just too herself to put on airs like that.
Phoenix moseyed to his desk to finish some work, but thoughts of Cee-Cee intruded. He had asked her out, and she had said yes, but it grated that she regularly talked to Ashley Terrence. He couldn’t help wondering if Cee-Cee was into the guy. Why wouldn’t she be? Ashley was, hands down, the sexiest man Phoenix had ever encountered. He had a dangerous combination of self-awareness and charm that made Phoenix want to explore every avenue of his personality.
But was he jealous of Cee-Cee for talking to Ashley or the other way around? He wasn’t sure. Phoenix worried he was equally attracted to them. He didn’t know what to do with that. It had never happened to him before.
He pushed the perplexing conundrum from his head and focused on more important matters, like this potential interview with Five Parker. Phoenix picked up the crumpled copy of the email from the wastebasket and smoothed it out on his desk to reread it.
The talk show host mentioned Ashley being well-known for his advocacy for human rights, especially LGBT rights, and signaled he assumed Phoenix and Ashley were good friends. He wondered if Phoenix would be interested in talking about whatever measures he was taking to make his conservative town more inclusive.
Phoenix sat back in his chair with a sigh. This felt like a ploy. In his opinion, it read like Five Parker was accusing him of running a prejudiced town full of bigots who needed a firm hand to make them toe the line and play nice with the gays, which couldn’t have been further from the truth. “Liberal left wing bullshit,” he muttered, shooting the balled-up email into the wastebasket again.
He pushed up from his desk and left his office to find his secretary himself. There was work to do. Gearing up for his reelection didn’t mean he could sit around twiddling his thumbs...or daydreaming about Cee-Cee…or Ashley Terrence. As he moved toward the door, his cellphone buzzed, and
he glanced at it. It was a text from Cee-Cee:
He won’t sign the contract, but he will keep under the radar. That’s the best I can do.
Phoenix closed the message and sat back down to dial her number and talk to her rather than go through a million texts. “What’s the problem? Why won’t he sign?”
“He says he doesn’t want to have his freedom of speech restricted. Look, I know it’s not ideal, but I’m sure he’ll stick to his word. He likes you, and he doesn’t want to upset you.”
“How the hell can you guarantee that, Cee-Cee? The contract was our only guarantee.”
“Because I trust him. Do you still know how to do that?”
There was a weighty silence. Phoenix tapped the base of a pen on the desk in front of him, feeling his pulse beat nervously at his temple. His mother had blindly trusted his father, resulting in public embarrassment and near ruin…but he wasn’t Lucy Briton. He squeezed his eyes shut and exhaled harshly. “That’ll have to do.”
“Thank you. I thought you were going to be difficult about this. Oh, and one other thing. I…need a favor.”
“Then, you better save it. It took a lot for me to grant the request you just asked for,” he replied firmly. He heard her laugh quietly.
“Will do,” she replied. “Just be ready when I call it in.”
She made him smile. Why Cee-Cee Carson wasn’t already taken was no mystery. She wasn’t a woman for a weak-willed man. She was a force to be reckoned with, and Phoenix wanted desperately to do the reckoning.
* * *
The next day Cee-Cee found herself lurking near the For Sale sign outside the big yellow house on Crown Street, waiting for the real estate agent, although she already knew it had everything she could wish for in a dream house. She had done her homework.
MMF BISEXUAL ROMANCE: Phoenix Running Page 9