Page 29 of The Wonder of You

“I sold a rock,” I tell Phoenix as I settle down beside him in bed. I beam at him and he returns the smile. I always get a small thrill when someone buys one. There is a warmth in my heart knowing that it will live on top of their fireplace or beside their bed, being passed down generation to generation. It’s really the only creativity that I know. I can’t do any of the circus acts and I simply don’t have the confidence to run one of the activity game stalls. Listening to Henry trying to get attention for his stall always baffles me, he does such an amazing job. But if my only gift is to paint rocks, then so be it.

“You know I love them,” Phoenix murmurs. He sounds tired and I don’t blame him. We had a lot of customers tonight. The more time passes, the more customers we get. It used to be a handful of people, but now there are lines of people outside waiting to get in. The tents are full and the money is rolling in. We can put on more shows and everyone gets an opportunity to come along. But it does mean everyone works extra hard, no matter how much they love it, the tiredness of a long day still creeps up.

“Well get some sleep, and then we can do it all over again tomorrow,” I whisper, kissing his forehead.

“I can’t sleep when I’m next to you.” He smiles at me again and before I know it, he is on top of me. I take his face in my hands and admire his beauty.

I watch Phoenix in fascination as he takes my clothes off. His hair falls around his face which makes me smile. His black hair is such a contrast to his pale skin.

“You are beautiful,” he says as he pulls my underwear down. My initial thought is that I am not beautiful. Sometimes I dislike my small height and the extra weight around my waist, but I know Phoenix is telling the truth. I know he truly thinks that about me and when he says it, I believe it. He makes me feel beautiful. It’s almost impossible to stay negative around him.

It doesn’t take him long to throw off his own clothes and before I know it, he’s inside of me. My body tingles as my back arches and I cry out. Phoenix grabs the back of my head to hold me tighter to him as he kisses my lips, my neck. He always rushes his kisses, as if he thinks I am going to disappear. It’s like he’s hungry for me and just the thought of that sends a tingle down my spine, reaching to my toes and making them curl. As Phoenix pushes deeper inside of me, he thrusts harder and I whimper in delight. I grab onto his shoulders as I bite my lip, desperately trying not to scream out in bliss. He thrusts again as he buries his head into my neck and grumbles in his own pleasure. My vision blurs as I’m thrown into what feels very close to heaven.

I quickly pull Phoenix’s hand to my mouth before I scream out. The tingle is just too intense, but I don’t want it to stop. His hand on my mouth is so sexy though, it only makes me want to scream louder. He smiles as my whole body shakes. I make little mmm noises through his hand, but he knows not to take it off. The cabin doesn’t have thick walls and I don’t need the embarrassment of the whole circus hearing me scream. I know Henry wouldn’t be able to go without making a joke. I can see by the way Phoenix’s eyes slowly close that he is finishing too. I love watching him enjoy himself as much I love feeling it. He drops on top of me and we join each other in being out of breath. I wrap my arm around the back of his head as he buries his head in my hair. I touch his own hair in return, listening to the sound of his rapid heartbeat.

“Please never leave me,” he whispers.

“I’ll always be here,” I say and I mean it. Phoenix should know better than to worry about me leaving him, but Cheri walking out on Lukas has obviously played on his mind. I’m here to stay though, that I know.

Phoenix lays down beside me and I rest my head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat return to a normal speed. Moments like this, I feel like I am on cloud nine. My body continues to tremble as Phoenix runs his fingers up and down my back. Eventually, we both fall asleep.