Page 65 of Phoenix Rising

Christian took a drink from a bottle of water. “That’s what I thought too.”

Once everyone finished, they cleaned up the plates and napkins, stored the leftovers in the fridge, and headed to bed.

Talia and Hunter claimed one of the suites on the second level, leaving the top floor for him and Audria. Christian would stay in the one off the kitchen.

Reese wasn’t sure where things stood with Audria. Now that her coworkers were around, he assumed she’d want to cool the jets on their relationship . . . not that one night of sex equaled a commitment of any kind. He was prepared to sleep alone. When Audria walked into the corner suite, Reese called out, “Goodnight,” and continued to the next door.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

His heart pounded. “I thought that with your coworkers—”

“Shh.”

Audria grabbed his head and yanked it down until their lips collided. The deep, soul-touching kisses that scrambled his brain.

Somehow, they made it inside the bedroom. He wasn’t sure how because his entire body was one giant nerve ending, sparking with need. A trail of clothes led to the bed, and then Audria proceeded to blow his mind.

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Audria awoke feeling better than she ever remembered. Reese was an incredible lover and very thorough. Her body ached in all the right places.

She’d felt decidedly wicked having sex with him when he was wearing a disguise. They hadn’t bothered to remove the contacts, and though she’d ripped off her wig, his hair was still a frosty white.

She should probably be more concerned that her coworkers shared the same house, but she honestly didn’t care. Being with Reese was more wonderful than she ever imagined possible, and she would take advantage of every minute with him. Their parting would come soon enough, especially now that they’d found out who had brought Paige to Sedona.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

Reese’s hands snaked out and grabbed her around the waist, pulling her against him.

“I was going to the gym.”

“I’ll give you a workout.”

Reese had certainly made good on his promise,Audria thought half an hour later as she jogged down the steps. She couldn’t keep the smile off her face, and her coworkers would notice. They were trained to pick up any minute detail.

The others were finishing up when she entered the gym. Talia swam while Hunter and Christian tossed a medicine ball back and forth. Though sufficiently warmed up from bed aerobics, Audria inserted the key in the treadmill and kicked it up to a light jog.

Reese came in a few minutes later, and she tried to keep her gaze from straying to him, but it was impossible. His muscles bulged as he used an incline bench and pressed weights over his head. Oh, she had it bad.

Somehow, she finished her workout and headed for the shower in their room. If Reese joined her, she’d never want to leave. He entered the suite as she went downstairs, and he kissed her lips before disappearing into the bathroom.

“Why the Cheshire cat grin?” Talia asked when Audria walked into the kitchen.

Crap!She’d forgotten to school her features. “I was thinking of a story I told Reese about Kai,” she lied.

Talia nodded. “Those always make me smile too.”

Whew. Crisis averted—for now.

Hunter had cooked up a big batch of scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast. Audria was filling her plate when Reese appeared. He’d showered but kept his hair dry so it was still white. Her heart thumped, and she inhaled his clean, masculine scent when he stood close. Forget food. She wantedhimfor breakfast.

With everyone gathered around the table, they discussed how they would handle talking to Tilly. Talia thought it was best if it was only her and Audria. She didn’t want to make the woman nervous with three hulking men around, even if she had met Hunter before.

“Should we call first and make an appointment?” Audria wondered.

Talia thought about it. “No. I do not want her to know we are coming. I am sure Elijah has drilled into her head to lie.”

Audria’s phone buzzed, and Tyler Redmond’s face popped up on the screen. “It’s Tyler,” she told the others. “I’ll put him on speaker.” She punched the answer button. “Hey, Tyler.”

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