Page 45 of What's Left of Me

He’d likely changed his clothes, maybe his appearance…he knew what he was doing. I was going through a million scenarios, possibilities, putting out feelers for so long, I hadn’t realized I’d missed dinner until Phoenix came to my room, holding a plate of lasagna.

“Shit, what time is it?”

He smiled. “Almost nine. Nick said when you were in a zone it was best to let you do your thing, but then at eight thirty, JJtold me if you didn’t come down and eat, he was going to drag you by your ear. I offered to bring you dinner.”

I took the food, my stomach rumbling in appreciation, and invited him in.

“My ears thank you.”

He glanced around the room, stopping to stare at the monitors for a second. “So what are you working on?”

I sat in my desk chair and shoved a bite into my mouth; I was starving. I tilted my chin at the spreadsheet I had up.

“I thought I could maybe see what stop he got off the train, but it appears he changed, and nothing I do can help me figure out where he went.”

Phoenix sat on the end of my bed, hands tucked under his legs. “He’s crazy, yes, but far from stupid. I don’t have any idea how long he’s been doing this, but there was always an air of brilliance about him. He never freaked out, was always confident in his movements and words. It doesn’t surprise me that everyone is having trouble finding him.”

I swallowed before responding. “Nobody is perfect. He has a flaw, and he will expose it. There’s no such thing as someone so smart, they can hide or fool the world forever.”

“Even you?” He smirked.

“Even me.”

While I finished dinner, Phoenix told me about his day with his sister. It sounded like he’d had a good day of movies and games and just good old-fashioned sibling bonding.

I put my empty plate on my desk, making a mental note to bring it to the kitchen but right now, I wanted to kiss Phoenix.

“Do you have any plans tonight?” I waggled my brows, earning a laugh from Phoenix.

“I mean, it’s almost ten, and I’m here, with you so…”

“So then…” I leaned in and gently pushed Phoenix so he fell onto the mattress. “That means I get you all to myself for the night?”

He bit his plump lip, and I tenderly brushed my thumb along the abused flesh. “If you want me.”

“I think we’ve established I want you.”

“Then my plans consist of you.” He shimmied upward toward the headboard, and I eagerly followed as though I had a sugar craving and he was the cupcake of my dreams.

We came together like a perfect storm, clothes flying, lips and tongues, the almost desperation hanging thick in the air. I wanted him naked and moaning my name.

Once we’d divested ourselves of every stitch of fabric, I slid down his body, nibbling, sucking, and licking every inch I could reach.

“Noel…” He breathed my name as if it were the answer to his prayers.

I kissed my way up, reached for my nightstand drawer, and pulled out lube and a condom.

“You’re beautiful, Phoenix.” I placed the supplies beside him and lifted his leg up so it hooked over my arm.

“You’re killing me, Noel.”

I grinned as I caressed his ass, tapping his hole with my finger. “What a way to go.”

He arched his back, his body begging for more.

“Pour lube on my fingers.” I offered him my hand, and he quickly did what I’d asked.

I returned my fingers to his hole, my eyes never leaving his face as I slowly pushed inside his tight heat.

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