We talk about their dreams and the future of the band. Phoenix is their frontman and writes all their songs. They’re still a work in progress, so only one song has been shared during their gigs. Right now, they are just playing cover songs and looking for management to take them to that next level. Currently, it is all on Phoenix’s shoulders. He can play guitar too—multitalented and kinky, it seems. He is an enigma to me. I’ve seen firsthand the attention women give and how he reciprocates, but something still makes him alluring to me. My skin prickles at the thought of his name. I would never act on it, but my traitorous body definitely defies my insistence on not being attracted to him.
I change the subject, and we talk about my mother and marriage number three. I can’t stand him. Thomas is a real fucking tool. I don’t want to get into my hatred for him. I steer the conversation back to the good memories, when his dad was still married to my mom and having him with me—a time before the Goth as he calls it. Time passes quickly, and it is not long before we’re being interrupted by the guys, who have now come out of the bar to head home. They’ve ditched their one-night stands. Phoenix slides in the back behind Asher, who is in the driver’s seat. I’m in the passenger seat, but I can feel Phoenix’s stare.
“I’m starving,” Ren says, sliding in next to Phoenix. “What are we getting to eat?” Asher looks over at me.
“Oh, it doesn’t matter. Whatever everyone else wants is fine.” My buzz has worn off, and I admit I am kind of hungry.
“Pizza it is then,” he says, and everyone mumbles in agreement. The guys try to talk in code about the orgy they just had, and once again, I feel like an intruder. Surprisingly, Phoenix is quiet and doesn’t participate in the replay of it all. It’s going to take some time to get used to listening to the guy talk, but it’s a beneficial inside track for my journalism. I lay my head against the seat and pretend not to hear about what redhead number one could do with her tongue. I close my eyes and drown out their sounds with my own thoughts that hold me captive. After all this time, the more unpleasant ones still manage to make a daily appearance. Nobody knows about these demons but me, and that is where they will stay. They can’t hurt me by memories alone.
I’m ready to call it a night. I took a brief walk down to the lake when we got back while the guys headed to the first floor for a meeting. The combination of listening to music and going for a walk always works to clear my head. Now I just want a soak in the tub and hit the bed. I walk into the bathroom, engulfed in the music still playing from my earbuds. My step falters when I realize I’m not alone. Phoenix is in the shower with his back to me. Holy shit, what a fucking sight! My feet are frozen in place as I watch rivulets of water stream down his back. I watch as the corded muscles in his thighs bunch with the slightest of movement. His ass is perfection—who am I kidding? His entire body is perfection. His egotistical ways are his only flaw. I know I’m intruding again, and I should leave, but I can’t stop admiring this specimen of a man. He must feel my presence because he turns slightly until his eyes lock with mine. He leans forward against the tile, but he doesn’t utter a single word. Fuck, I can’t move. It’s like watching a train wreck. Phoenix turns to face me, and I will my eyes not to look down. Epic Fail…Motherfucker. His cock is so hard and juts upward toward his navel. The immediate ache between my legs lets me know that I’m not immune to him—no matter how hard I try to be. His thick length has me salivating. I’m not sure who this woman is that he has awakened in me.
“See something you want, Harlow?” he finally says. His knowing tone is enough to break me from his invisible hold. I run out of there quickly, knowing my hand has been shown.
Phoenix Rising: Issue #1
Phoenix’s bandmate has one rule: his sister is off limits. But Phoenix has never been very good about following the rules.
After a lifetime of being used, Phoenix’s walls are up, and there’s only one thing he wants: a woman to fully submit to him. Which turns out isn’t so hard to find as a rock star. In fact, he has never met a woman he couldn't conquer, until he meets Harlow...
Harlow is Phoenix’s bandmate’s sister, and completely off limits to the band. But as far as Harlow is concerned, she’s off limits to all men after what happened.
Yet despite the secrets they both keep, Phoenix is drawn to Harlow like a moth to the flame. She doesn’t like what he stands for, but he’s turned on by the rebellion and determined to bring down her walls.
There’s only one thing he didn’t see coming…
That she would bring down his.
Phoenix Rising: Issue #1 puts a rock star twist on novels like Fifty Shades of Grey and The Steel Brothers Saga!
Chapter One
Phoenix
I’m sitting here in the living room, writing the lyrics for our newest song, “Come Undone.” The guys have all gone out to hang with friends, but it’s been a minute since I’ve had any inspiration for this song. I’ve been stuck in one particular spot, and now that the verses are flowing, I have to get them down. I’m on a roll until last night’s events creep into my thoughts. I picture Harlow standing there while I shower. The heat smoldering in her eyes was very telling. She wants me and doesn’t even know it. Either that or she’s just in denial. While she watched me perform at the bar, her body language was one of intrigue mixed with jealousy—jealous of the attention that I gave the women. The flush of her face when she saw another woman sucking my cock was just as revealing. I watched as her eyes wandered around the room at the other bandmates, and her reaction to their conquests was not the same. All of these instances told me what I already figured. I can’t help but smile because I know it is only a matter of time before I have my way. My allure is strong. Like all the others, she will come to me once she gives in to what her body craves—me. Deep down, all women want to conquer the bad boy. I can appreciate the challenge as I enjoy watching her at war with her wants and desires. I won’t make it easy for her. She will submit willingly.
I hear her coming down the steps, so I continue writing the hook I was just working on. A quick glimpse is all I need to see she is wearing all black again. A baggy shirt and baggy pants hide her frame, but her hair is pulled back in a ponytail today.
“Something smells good,” she mentions. So I guess we’re going to pretend last night didn’t happen.
“Yeah. I have some tilapia baking in the oven. Today is meal prep Sunday.”
“What is meal prep Sunday?” she asks, walking toward the kitchen. I lay my notebook down, take my headphones off, and join her. She looks at me inquisitively, and I’m blown away by how beautiful her eyes are. They’re piercing gray and looking right at me now.
“Sunday is the day I prep my meals for the entire week. I need to eat every three hours to support my metabolism and muscle growth,” I explain.