Page 36 of Phoenix

“That depends,” I begin, pausing for effect, “if I touch you whenever I want, will it freak you out?”

“No,” she giggles, and I smile with relief.

“Even if we’re around people?”

“The people would freak me out whether you touch me or not,” she says as she cradles her hand against my face.

“Will you come out with me today?”

“Where are we going?” she asks, and I can see a hint of fear returning to her beautiful features.

“I thought I’d take you to my sister’s place; they live near the ocean,” I tell her. “On a secluded beach, and it’s a weekday. The only person you’ll come across is Lou.”

“You promise?” she asks, and I kiss her as a reassurance of my words. “Then…ok.”

“One more question,” I tease, to which she rolls her eyes, “if you feel like you want to freak out, you’ll tell me, right?”

“I’ll try.”

She smiles and reaches up to kiss me; a kiss that has her pulling me back with her to the mattress. My hand reaches around to her hip, and this time, when I sink inside of her, I make love to her slow and tender.

_____

Jessie

It wasn’t until we were on a long stretch of road where the traffic was restricted to the odd truck or another motorbike, that I felt safe enough to close my eyes and rest against Warren’s back. Wrapped around his body, I feel strong, like I’m part of him and nothing can break me. When I’m like this with him, I am the phoenix rising out of the flames, forever etched in his skin. I think he feels it too. My boundaries are moving and it’s exciting and terrifying all at the same time. I have been fearing for myself all these years, but the thought of losing the man in front of me is suddenly moving in with it.

When we finally pull up outside of a seaside home, or mansion should I say, I am relieved to see there are no other houses in the near vicinity. It’s sheltered, sunny, and full of bright, colorful flowers. It’s a far cry from the rainy, seaside village in which I grew up. For now, I feel safe here. However just as I begin to feel ok, the front door bursts open and a huge, yellow, hairy dog comes bounding up to us, causing me to yelp and hide behind Warren. The thing is relentless, however, and keeps on jumping up at Warren with its tongue slopping all over the place.

“God, Stella, get your butt back here!” someone with an English accent shouts out to who I assume is the dog. Meanwhile, I’m still clinging onto Warren’s shirt with white-knuckle force. “Don’t worry, she won’t hurt you; she’s all tongue and bottom!”

“Hey, Jess, you freaking out?” Warren whispers to me as he seems to try and calm the dog down by stroking it. I can’t answer, so I simply nod against his back. “Ok, baby, just breathe, I know this dog. She’s totally harmless…and a bit stupid.”

“Hey, Phoenix,” the English voice says in a friendly way, but I still cling on for my life. “I’m so sorry, she’s just excited to see new people.”

“It’s ok, Iz, Jess just isn’t used to animals, or people for that matter,” he says, and I sigh with embarrassment.

“Jess?” the girl says to me gently, and I force myself to open one eye. “Hi, I’m Izzy.”

“Hello,” I just about manage to whisper. I can’t make her out properly but from what I can see, she looks normal enough. Plus, she’s smiling, but not so wide it’s unnerving.

“I’m Lou and Daniel’s friend,” she continues, so I open my other eye. “I also like to ask Phoenix awkward questions on the rare occasions I see him. But don’t worry, I won’t do that today. If you want, I can take Stella home.”

“You don’t have to,” I reply, “but—"

“How about I put her on her lead until you feel a little more comfortable?” she asks, making me feel even more ashamed for causing so much trouble. Still, I nod my head. “Cool, ok. Come on, waggy butt.”

She pulls the dog away and it soon falls into trotting beside her, to the point where I feel like I can finally let go of Warren’s shirt. He remains completely still and waits for me to come out of hiding before moving or saying anything. Once I move, he gently takes hold of my hand and kisses it.

“You ok?” Again, I simply nod. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to be so blunt before. Izzy’s just a no-nonsense kind of person. She had a bad start in life too. She’s ok, Jess.”

When I nod one more time, he takes hold of my hand and leads me toward the front door where his sister has just appeared with a warm smile for the both of us. I grip his hand, seeking strength from it, for I still fear other people, even if she is related to the man beside me.

“Hey, big brother,” she says and gifts him with a kiss on the cheek. “Jess, how are you?”

“Ok,” I murmur.

“Sorry about Stella, I forget some people don’t like dogs,” she says as she shakes her head on the way inside. “Phoenix had a dog when we were little, did he tell you?”

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