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Chapter 10

Phoenix

Iopen the door to the SUV and walk around to McKenzie's side. When I open her door, she jumps into my arms, wrapping her arms around my neck. I put my arms under her legs and cradle her against my chest. She lays her head against my shoulder and runs her finger along my jaw.

"I had so much fun tonight," she whispers.

I smile down at her as she gazes at me. She seemed more at ease tonight. Like me opening up to her about the night I bought her chiseled a little at the wall she has up. In the past, I didn't play fair when she'd put that wall up. I knew one look, touch, or word from me and it would dissolve. This time I want to do it the right way. I want her to trust me and, oddly enough, I want to earn her trust. I lean forward and kiss her on the forehead.

"I had fun too, love."

When we walk into the house Anna is laying on the couch snuggled under the blanket. She sits up when she sees us. McKenzie turns toward her and gives her a small wave. "Anna! I came to see you earlier, but you were taking a nap." I slowly lower McKenzie to the ground and she walks over to Anna as Rex steps in behind me.

"Yeah, sorry. That's why I was out here on the couch. I didn't want to miss you again," Anna replies. McKenzie sits next to her and they hug. "Don't do that again, Kenz," Anna whispers into her hair.

Kenz runs her hands down Anna's hair. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to. I swear." Kenz leans back and smiles at Anna. "How about you and I hang out in the library tomorrow?"

Anna smiles. "That sounds great."

McKenzie stands swaying a little. Anna arches an eyebrow at her and Kenz giggles. "I drank a little too much. I found out tonight I like rum and Diet Coke." She puts her hand next to her mouth like she's being secretive. "A lot," she whispers loudly.

I put my hands in my pockets and chuckle as Anna grins at her, then glances up at me and Rex. "Could I maybe go out with you the next time…" She trails off and I realize she's been stuck in this house for months. She and Rex go on walks and she likes to paint. But she hasn't left these grounds since we found her.

"Of course," I answer right away. "The four of us will go out to eat at my restaurant in a few days." Anna's eyes light up and she and Kenz share an excited laugh.

Anna stands, giving Kenz another hug. "I'll see you tomorrow." Kenz smiles at her and walks back to me, wrapping her arms around my neck.

"Take me to our room, husband. Because there's no way I'm going to make it up those stairs without breaking my neck."

I laugh and lift her in my arms again. Her calling me husband makes my heart beat heavy in my chest. I imagine all the things I'd like to do to her in our room, but I respect her wishes and keep those thoughts in my head.

McKenzie

The next morning I wake up, my head is pounding and my mouth is as dry as the Sahara desert. I roll over, patting Phoenix's side of the bed, but he's not there. Cracking my eyes, I notice a note on his pillow.

Had to go into the city. Drink the glass of water on your nightstand and take the Tylenol. I'll be home in time for dinner. Love you always, Phoenix

I roll over and grab the glass of water he left for me on my nightstand and take the Tylenol. I didn't drink so much I don't remember last night, but I know I had at least four or five glasses while Phoenix only had one. He gave me the chance to let loose in a safe environment. I lean against the headboard and pull my knees to my chest.

He's not the same man that he was in the memories I had. Or he is the same man and the man in my memories was a show. Right before the auction, he got me a cell phone I never used. There wasn't a need for it, but now I want to hear his voice and I don't want to have to wait until dinnertime.

Walking to the closet he says I designed myself, I head to the vanity and open the drawer. It's still plugged in, so it's fully charged. Unhooking it, I swipe the screen and it does the face recognition thing and I'm in. I pull up the contacts and click on Nix's picture.

"Hello?" Nix answers on the first ring and I smile at the sound of his voice.

"Thank you for the water and Tylenol." I grimace at the reflection in the mirror as I sit in front of the vanity. My hair is like a bird's nest. Grabbing the brush, I begin to pull it through the strands.

"You're welcome, love," he replies with a smile in his voice. "I believe this is the first time you've used your phone."

I yank the brush through a stubborn knot and snort. "No, I called my boyfriend before I called you."

He chuckles. "Well, guess I'll have to add him to my kill list for the week."

I laugh and sit the brush down. Things feel different after last night. Him opening up to me and telling me about the dean at Brighton made things a little different. "I don't particularly like him, so good riddance."

He laughs, and my face heats up in pleasure. I take a deep breath as I grab some clothes to change into after my shower. "Are you going to tell me something I don't know today?" I ask him.

He's quiet for several moments and I almost regret saying anything because the conversation was flowing so easily, but I need him to know I'm not giving in easily. I want the truth and eventually I'll tell him the truth about his mom. I know he knows I was lying. I want to tell him, but I want to trust him first. I want to know he'll choose me.

"Yes, think of a question by dinner and I'll tell you something you don't know." I exhale in relief.

"Thank you," I murmur. There's someone in the background talking.

"I have to go now, love. I'll see you tonight." I tell him bye and hang up. Holding the phone to my heart, I send up a silent plea. Please let him choose me.

Phoenix

Walking into the house, I grit my teeth at the silence. My father showed up an hour late today, which made me late for dinner. I tried to call McKenzie to let her know, but she never answered, so I called Phillip to relay the message. I'm going to have to talk to her about keeping her phone on her. Heading to my downstairs office, I stop at the light shining out of the cracked door to the library.

Stepping up to the door, I listen to see if Anna and Kenz are still in here. When I called Phillip earlier, he said the two spent all day together watching movies and hanging out in the library. I don't hear voices, so I peek my head in and my mouth tips up at the sight of McKenzie in her favorite wicker swing. She's still awake, her nose buried in a book.

I watch her expressions as she covers her mouth with her hand and shakes her head. The only other time she's this expressive is when I'm wringing pleasure after pleasure from her. The day I bought her, she told me to make her feel good. I was determined to follow through with that. Watching her give into that pleasure, forgetting what her father did to her, and forgetting we were surrounded by men and women she didn't know; it was a high like I had never experienced before.

I had been a fool back then trying to stay away. I knew my actions only hurt her more, but there was a part of me that was trying so hard to protect her from my world. I didn't want to corrupt her, even if that had been my original goal when I first met her. She helped me see you could come from something bad and still be good. She sighs and her lips tip up into a small smile.

"You are absolutely beautiful, you know that?" I say as I walk the distance between us. Her head snaps up, and she greets me with a smile I don't deserve. All the hell I put her through, and she still looks at me like that. I don't deserve it, but I'll take it as long as she's willing to give it.

"Nix."

My name is like a prayer on her lips and I want to prove I am worthy of her. She puts her book down and climbs out of the chair. She extends her arms and I step into them as I return her embrace. Kissing her forehead, her cheek, and her jaw, I lean my forehead against hers, silently asking if I can kiss her. I'm forcing myself to respect these boundaries she's put up, even though I'd love to tear them down.

She tips her head slightly, giving me permission, and I don't wait for her to change her mind. Leaning down, I run my tongue along her lower lip, enjoying how her body melts into me. She opens up to me and my tongue meets hers. As much as I want to turn this dirty, I keep it short and sweet before pulling away. I smirk at the small pout that forms on her lips. Good, she wants me too.

She smiles and pulls back slightly. "Are you hungry? I haven't eaten yet. I was waiting for you." I don't know why it surprises me, but it does. Kenz has always been kind and thought of others before herself, but she's so different from what I grew up with. As much as I love my mother, she wasn't the selfless person like Kenz is.

"You didn't eat?" I ask as I guide her back to the kitchen. She walks to the oven, grabs an oven mitt, and pulls out two plates that were left to warm. She turns the oven off and brings the plates to where we normally sit at the island. I grab some glasses and pour us some sweet tea.

"I ate an apple to tie me over, but I wanted to eat with you." I bring the glasses over and stare at her as she waits for me.

"Because you wanted to ask your question." She has her fork halfway to her mouth when she pauses. She tilts her head at me and places her fork back on her plate. Something like hurt and maybe disappointment flashes in her eyes.

"No. Because I haven't seen you in two months and I wanted to see you." She pushes her plate away. "I'm not so hungry anymore," she says softly. Standing, she walks out of the kitchen and I listen as her feet pad up the stairs. I scowl at her plate, then mine.

"I'm such an asshole."

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