Rebels and Realms: A Limited Edition Urban Fantasy Collection

by Heather Marie Adkins

  Finally her tears subsided, and she just rested against him.

  He pressed a kiss on the top of her head, and then pulled back. “Sorry.”

  She sniffled. “You’re not supposed to say you’re sorry after you kiss a girl.”

  “Phoenix.”

  She wriggled, and when he released her, she slid to the couch and tucked her feet underneath her. “Don’t say my name like that.”

  “Like what?”

  “Like you’re afraid of breaking my heart.” Her lips crooked in a sad smile. “Like you’ve got one foot out the door, because this is all too much.”

  He picked up his glass and drained it. “It is all too much.”

  Her eyes closed and her mouth twisted, as if in pain. “I know. I know it’s too much, but I don’t know what else to do. I was so hoping you’d stay. That you’d be here. That I could lean on you when it gets tough. I’m so tired of being alone.”

  He looked around the living room, at the empty pizza boxes, the bottles they’d gone through. “Let’s clean up, and then go upstairs.”

  Phoenix opened her eyes. “I don’t understand.”

  He bent to her ear. “I need to talk to you without the possibility of listening ears.” His words were so soft, but she heard.

  He straightened, winked. “I’m tired of sleeping on the couch.”

  “It was one night,” she said, but her whole demeanor changed. “Okay. I’ll put the leftover pizza away, and you gather the boxes and bottles.

  They worked together, and soon the living room was back to rights.

  Elliott grabbed the last bottle of champagne out of the fridge, popped the cork, and followed her upstairs. He swatted her lightly on the ass and she giggled. When they got to her room, she shut the door, checked the windows. She drew the drapes and lit a fat vanilla candle, turned off the overhead light. Whispered a few words.

  The atmosphere of the room changed, Elliott could feel it.

  Phoenix sighed and smiled at him. “Okay, we’re safe. No one can overhear us.”

  He inhaled, tasting the air. Okay then, game change. Dropping all pretense, he stalked to her. “What I didn’t want was someone to overhear the way I’m going to make you moan and scream my name.” He drew her to him.

  Phee put her hands up to his face, searched his eyes. What she saw there must have satisfied her, because lust blazed out of hers. Without another word, she drew his mouth down to hers.

  6

  Their coming together was raw. Both of them were greedy, their hands pulling at clothes, their mouths devouring each other.

  Kisses became bites. Caresses became spanks. And when he took her, hard and fast, she was ready for him.

  Had been ready for him since the first time she saw him.

  Her orgasm came out of nowhere, shocking her with its strength. She gripped his arms and screamed his name even as she felt his hot seed jet into her.

  Elliott held himself up on his elbows while Phee took some panting breaths.

  She touched his cheek. “God. God. What was that? God.”

  He lifted off her and settled at her side. “That’s what we call first round.” He bent to kiss her.

  Her lips clung to his, she couldn’t help it.

  Elliott rolled onto his back, one arm open. “Come on. Snuggle in.”

  She pulled the sheet up and put her head on his chest, her legs tangling with his. Both of them were still a bit short of breath.

  “I just need to shut my eyes. Just for a moment.” Phee let herself melt into Elliott. “That was amazing.”

  “Mmhmm.” He kissed the top of her head. “I want to visit the warehouse tomorrow. Take a tape measure, check the upstairs. It’ll take a couple hours. We probably should ask the local cops about any suspicious activity in the area, too. If you want your safe place, we need to do due diligence.”

  Something very close to happiness welled up inside her. “You’ve already told the woman you were buying it. She’s already spending her commission. Would you really pull out?”

  “Only if it's a bad decision. I’ll make some calls. I know some people.” He grimaced. “Well, I know my banker, who knows people.”

  She pulled back, looked at him. “Is it safe for you to do so?”

  “Let Borgati come after me. Just let him.”

  She sighed. Rage thrummed through him. She caressed his broad chest, amazed at the number of scars he carried. “I see you need to fuck me again. You need the release, the happy hormones after having orgasmed, or I doubt you’ll ever get to sleep tonight.”

  His muscles relaxed under her hand. “In a bit. I like this. I haven’t had this. If I were a cat, I’d be purring right now.”

  “Cuddling? Yeah.” She thought back. “When Shawn and Tigger first came to me, they didn’t want to sleep alone. So we spread mats on the ground and slept in a puppy pile, all together. It was a comfort,” she admitted.

  “Is that where the idea for the garage came from?”

  “Yeah.” She snuggled against him again and sighed. “You’re so warm.”

  “You’re so soft.”

  She pressed kisses to his chest. “You make me feel…so many things.”

  He maneuvered her on top of him, where she could feel he was ready for her again. She took her time, kissing her way up his chest to his neck, jawline, and finally his lips.

  He held her hips. “Phee.”

  She lifted her mouth from him. “Yeah?”

  He gave her a crooked smile. “I’m ready when you are.”

  “Slow, this time.” She lifted up and took him inside her, sank down oh-so-slowly until he was seated all the way in. She didn’t move, just continued her tactile exploration of his chest.

  “I can’t promise you forever.” The words burst out of him, and she put her fingers across his lips.

  “Shh now, shh. I know that, better than anyone. But I’m here,” and she squeezed her muscles around him, “and so are you.”

  He held her hips down and thrust upward, and she moaned. Caught her breath. “So let’s enjoy ourselves.”

  The scent of vanilla mingled with the scent of sex, and the room warmed. Phee moved languidly, enjoying the way he filled her, enjoying the sight of his pale torso against her brown skin. His blue eyes watched her with a hunger she’d never seen before, and her heart filled with emotion.

  Whatever this was, she wanted to keep it. Whatever this was between them, she’d fight for it. She’d fight for him.

  Time seemed to stretch. As much as she explored him, he explored her. Tugged on her nipples. Memorized the curves of her waist and bottom. Traced her lips until she licked his finger, and he laughed in surprise.

  She lay down, curled around him, and undulated in a wave-like motion, wringing a gasp out of him. His hands gripped her hips, fingers digging in.

  “I can’t go slow anymore, Phee.”

  “Then don’t.”

  As if her words released him, he flipped them over, drew her legs over his shoulders, and pounded into her as if she were the only thing in his world that mattered, as if their pleasure was the pinnacle.

  When she cried out, he joined her, and their orgasm rocked them hard.

  This time, when it was over, he pulled out, turned her on her side away from him, drew the covers over them, and spooned against her back.

  Phee tried to keep her eyes open, but she couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt so completely and totally sated. Satiated. Cared for.

  That was unexpected. He had such rage inside him, and yet this capacity for caring, for love, also held strong within him.

  Cool air drifted over her and she shivered, pulled the covers to her neck, and wiggled closer to Elliott at her back.

  As she fell into sleep, a hint of wisteria came to her, and she frowned. It niggled at her.

  Elliott wrapped his arm more firmly around her waist, and she sank into sleep, feeling safe for the first time in a very long time.

  When Elliott woke, daylight edged t
he curtains and he was alone in the bed. Remembering the night before, he rolled over onto his back and put his hands behind his head. What was he supposed to do with Phoenix?

  His money meant he could disappear. He could run, far and fast, and set himself up so well that nothing could bring him down. He could live on any continent in the world, do anything he wanted, learn at the hand of masters of whatever craft or art he desired.

  But he saw her. Saw her for who she was. Not only an amazing spirit, but in the face of her fear, and in Borgati’s back yard, she stayed here, dedicated to helping those like them. She wouldn’t run.

  Now that he’d spent time with her? Cried in her arms? Held her as she cried? Hell. Maybe their tears had a bonding agency, or something. Maybe making love to her had been wrong, but from the way they handled it the night before, he rather thought it was the best thing to happen to both of them in a very long time.

  Whatever, it looked like he was there to stay. No running away. No hiding, except in plain sight. She had a mission to follow, and he’d be there for her, for as long as possible.

  For as long as she wanted him. For as long as he could stay civilized.

  On that thought, he got out of bed and took a fast shower. They still had a problem, he mused. Something they’d have to deal with, and sooner rather than later.

  Taking the towel she’d left for him, he dried his hair first, then his body. When he returned to the bedroom, he went to his duffle bag, still under the window where he’d left it the previous day.

  His jeans had been neatly folded and sat on top. A white dress shirt lay on the foot of the bed, and he narrowed his eyes at it. He dressed quickly, putting on a white t-shirt before sliding into the dress shirt.

  It was comfortable, soft, not stiff the way he remembered his dad’s shirts being. He left the top two buttons unbuttoned, and rolled the sleeves up, baring his forearms. He could do this.

  Following the scent of bacon, he went downstairs to where Phee stood, barefoot, her harem pants and tank top giving her that exotic look he enjoyed so much.

  He held her by the shoulders and kissed her neck.

  “Hey. Hope you’re hungry.” She grinned up at him, and he kissed her lips.

  “I am. Thanks for the shirt.” He sniffed the air and kissed her again. “You’re carrying?”

  She shrugged. “Same gun I gave to Shawn. I like mine. I use a shoulder holster. Plus knives. I like to be prepared for anything.”

  “Even at breakfast?”

  Phoenix turned then. “Especially at breakfast. Oh, the shirt fits. Good.” She smoothed the fabric across his chest. “Yeah, I thought it would.” Sadness flitted in and out of those black eyes. “Good. You look sharp. Guys like you shouldn’t go around in t-shirts, it’s just not done.”

  “Guys like me?”

  “You know. Moneybags, ha ha.” She flipped the bacon and turned the heat off. “The Times is on the table, and I’m making scrambled eggs because I love eggs. Have a seat. Coffee?” She grinned up at him, and he kissed her again.

  Gavin came into the kitchen. “How domestic,” he sneered. He stomped to the coffee pot and filled a cup. “I’m out. I’ll be gone all day. Trying to find work, as required,” he spat, and turning on his heel, he left.

  Soon after, they heard the front door slam shut.

  Elliott crossed to the coffee pot and poured a cup. “Someone is in a bad mood.”

  “Yes, well. That’s because I told him Marie and I were both off limits, yet you and I slept together last night. Plus everyone needs to pull their own weight. I can’t afford to feed this many people, and pay the rent.” She lifted the bacon out of the pan and set it on a paper towel-covered plate. “But they need food. They also need a home, and jobs. This is a safe house, in every sense of the word, but it’s not their forever home, to borrow the expression.”

  “Did Tigger and Shawn get off okay?”

  “Yeah. I heard them, and went out to say goodbye. They’ve texted me once.” She gave a wavery sigh. “I miss them already.”

  He leaned back in the kitchen chair. “I’ve been thinking. I should probably form some sort of corporation. The corporation could then purchase the properties.”

  “An extra layer of protection? Not a bad idea.”

  “We need a good lawyer. You’ll need to incorporate your perfume business.” He held her gaze. “There’s a lot to discuss. A lot to figure out.”

  “You’re right.” She turned the heat up on the pan, added the eggs. “I have a friend I can call, get her guidance on a good lawyer.”

  “An excellent idea.” At her shocked look, he frowned. “What?”

  “I just…never expected you to back me. So to speak.” She stirred the eggs and turned off the heat. “Done.”

  Elliott sifted through his thoughts, wanting to make his position clear. “You’re doing good work here. That’s something that will help set the bad that Borgati is doing on a course of destruction. You have your perfume business, which will be magical in the best possible ways. We have a connection.” He frowned, picked up his fork.

  Phee settled in a chair across from him. “Okay. Continue.”

  “What we had last night, what we’ve had since you found me, has been nothing short of extraordinary. But I don’t know how long this can last. If I can’t be here, helping you in person, then I want to set it up so you don’t need me. Set up the infrastructure for you to continue on in your work.”

  She laid her hand over his. “You’re saying don’t count on you.” Her voice was steady, her eyes understanding.

  “Yeah. I guess I am.” He gave a little helpless shrug. “I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be.” She smiled, her eyes over-bright. “I guess I’ve got myself a partner. I haven’t had one before, other than Griffin, and…I’m glad it’s you. You’re right, last night was extraordinary. However long we have with each other, I’ll take it. Cherish it.” She squeezed his hand. “Now eat before your food gets cold.”

  They ate and Phoenix discussed how she wanted to build out the warehouse. “I’m thinking I want rooms, you know. With locking doors, a bed, a desk, and a chair. That’s it. Some place people can come to and hide out for a while, rather than have them here.”

  Elliott wiped his mouth. “What about your lab?”

  “Separate. Walled off, filtered air, big refrigerators to keep some ingredients cool. Locking door, of course.”

  “And the upstairs apartment?”

  She smiled. “That’s your place. My place, in emergencies. Griffin’s place. Whoever happens to be in town at the time.”

  A growl slipped out. “My place is with you. And what’s this about Griffin, anyway? Were you lovers?”

  She merely raised her eyebrows. “Griffin comes and goes. The last time he made an appearance was six or seven years ago now. I’m not sure how, but he’s been coming and going for a very long time. Front man for Borgati, remember? How else do you think he’s managed to do what he has for you?”

  Phee finished eating and set her fork on the plate. “He gave me the same thing he gave you, the fifty grand in a cashier’s check, a driver’s license, a wad of cash, and the address of Alexandria’s. I’ve asked him, on and off, how many manage to escape one way or another, and he just shrugs.”

  “Alexandria said he’s powerful. That none of us are all bad, or all good.”

  “She’s right. She stood, cleared the table. “More coffee?”

  “Nah. I need some time on the computer, and then I’ll be ready to go to the warehouse. What’s the address again? And do you have any spray paint?”

  Her eyebrows rose. “564 Sharp St, North Hollywood, and yeah, two colors. Blue and orange.”

  “Bring them with us.” Elliott went into the bedroom, pulled out the laptop. He’d need GIS software, and CAD software in order to draw up the architectural plans. Hopefully the seller had the files, and he could just build from there, but they’d have to see.

  As he laid plans, his inner rage set
tled. He’d always done well in a structured environment. All he had to do was continue with a structure that worked for both of them, and he’d be fine.

  Phee had just parked at the warehouse when the knowledge hit her. “Fuck. I can’t feel them.”

  Elliott unbuckled his seatbelt. “Who?”

  “Gavin. Marie. I told you, I put trackers on my guests. I removed the ones from Shawn and Tigger, feeling that they were on their own and no longer under my full protection, you understand? But Gavin and Marie? Theirs were still intact this morning. Now I can’t feel either one.”

  “That’s bad?”

  She grimaced. “I don’t know.” She reached inside her for those ties, but they were gone. Broken. “I’m not sure of anything anymore.”

  “Then let’s go inside, and start making plans for our future. Okay? I mean, they have your cell number. If they’re in trouble, they’ll call.”

  “Yeah. Okay. You’re right.” Still, it niggled at her. All was not well in her world.

  “Not to mention, the way Gavin acted this morning? I wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t come back.” Elliott shrugged. “Just a gut feeling. No guy likes to feel he’s been beaten out.”

  Phee cursed the heat that washed over her face. “I’m not a thing to win, you know,” she snapped.

  They both slammed the car doors at the same time. Elliott eyed her over the top of the car.

  “I know you’re not. But does Gavin? How long was he below, anyway?” They headed toward the door of number three.

  “I don’t know. He had the right smell, you know what I mean. And the right dazed look. But I was too busy first with getting him better, and then with you, that I didn’t do the detailed interview that I normally do.”

  “That makes sense.” Elliott unlocked the door and they pushed in. He locked it behind them. At Phoenix’s questioning look, he shrugged. “It feels safer when it’s locked.”

  She slipped her hand into his. “I understand.”

  “Come on, let’s discuss the main room first, as that will take the longest to construct.”