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CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Noel

While Phoenix was hanging out with his sister for the day, I was scouring every part of the web I could.

I hacked into the train station where he’d dropped off the truck and tried to see if I could get a location where that train had been going.

Of course it wasn’t an express and had made eleven stops that night.

Fortunately, most stations had cameras, and CCTV was always the way to go. What was unfortunate was, this guy wasn’t dumb. He entered the train but as I went through hours of footage, I never saw him exit.

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, JJ told 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.

“Fuuuuuuck,” he groaned, and I was sure I whimpered as I watched him unravel.

I leaned in and pressed my lips to his as I pumped my fingers in and out of him. He shook, his nails dug into my arms, and sweat beaded on his forehead. His glazed eyes met mine, and I couldn’t wait anymore.

I released his leg and sat up slightly. He watched, enraptured, as I rolled the condom on and covered my dick in lube.

“Yes.” He smiled once I rested between his open legs. “Please, Noel.”

I’d had plenty of sex in my life; I was far from a virgin.

I’d heard Nick tell me multiple times that sex with Matt was like nothing he’d ever imagined, and I always rolled my eyes at his cheesiness, but as I slowly slid into Phoenix, it clicked.

I got it. Nothing had ever felt this amazing, and if the world crumbled to ash right now, I’d welcome it just to stay like this with him.

He wrapped his legs around me, and it was as if we were both holding on for the ride of our lives. It wasn’t rushed; it was like a controlled chaos that pushed me closer to nirvana with each thrust.

I didn’t know where my arms entwined and my legs twisted with his. It was so breathtaking, I almost cried when I came.

Neither of us moved. His face was buried in my neck and mine in his. I could hear my pulse hammering in my ear and his heartbeat pressing against my chest. It was like I was one with him, and suddenly I thought how hilarious Nick would find my own cheesiness in this situation.

Reluctantly, I untangled us. Phoenix’s cheeks were cherry pink, his stomach, and mine, covered in his come. His hair was a mess and his eyes bright. He was a work of art.

“Holy shit.” He laughed.

“Fuck, yeah.”

We both chuckled and made no move to get up. We were like teenagers again, each discovering the greatest feeling in the world with someone who was fast becoming the greatest person in the world.

I got us water while he went to my en suite to grab a washcloth. He cleaned me, then himself. He drank the water I gave him, and after that we tumbled back into bed.

I wasn’t about to fuck him again so soon, but just cuddling with Phoenix was everything and we chatted about silly things until his words began to slur and his breathing evened out.

It was a while until I was able to fall asleep, but before I did I made a silent promise that I wouldn’t let anyone hurt this man in my arms ever again.

I’d do everything in my power to protect him, and if Adonis thought he’d lay a single finger on Phoenix’s head, I’d show him what broken really looked like.