Free Touched by a Phoenix by Sophia Byron Page A

He just needed to play his cards right.
    He decided to go on a fishing expedition. “So tell me about the gym.”
    He had seen her there a few weeks ago. She had been kicking the hell out of the bag. He had watched from a distance for a while—she was athletic and lean. Still, he had been shocked to see her working on such intense fighting skills. He thought between the element of surprise and her skill, she would get the best of most men. At least he understood her flexibility now.
    “Well…,” she puzzled on what to say for a moment. “I swim, work out with free weights, and kick box.”
    “Kick box, you have got to be kidding me. Whatever for?”
    “Father taught me how to fight when I was younger and I enjoy the challenge, so I continued with training.”
    Her tone was strained and said volumes. His gut told him there was much more to it than she was willing to reveal and it would be wise to let it go for now.
    “Alexandria, don’t take this the wrong way, but you are an incredible dancer.” His intense gaze told her that he meant it as a sincere compliment.
    “Thank you.”
    “So why didn’t you pursue some sort of career in dance?”
    “Dance is a passion but doesn’t pay the bills.”
    “I see. Why do you still do it then?”
    “It is my time to be free.”
    “Do you still take lessons?”
    “Sort of. I go to the studio a couple evenings a week and dance. Depending on the dance, my former instructor will act as my partner.”
    “Out of curiosity, you mentioned Latin, contemporary, and belly dancing. Can you do all of those?”
    “Yes.”
    “What is…what did you call it. Show dance? ”
    “It’s modified ballroom, you know with all the lifts and things.”
    “Wow, you never cease to amaze me. If I were to promise to behave, would you grace me with another dance before dinner arrives?” The apprehension crept into her eyes; he interjected quickly, “Just a slow dance.”
    She eyed him long and hard before softly replying, “Yes.”
    “May I pick the music this time?”
    She arched her eyebrow, but before she could protest, Brad said, “I promised to behave.”
    He swiped the tablet and held out his hand for her to take it. He tried to hide the elation as his heart skipped a beat. He was sure Alexandria had already had one too many glasses of wine, which allowed her to be more open than normal. He planned to take advantage of the situation. If he managed to get her in his arms a few more times this evening, he might well achieve his goal.
    Alexandria hesitated. Was he serious? She wasn’t sure if it was the wine or his kiss that caused her to reach for his hand. Her hand in his, he led her to a more private area of the pier. He then searched the Internet for “Beneath Your Beautiful” and hit play.
    He took her into his arms. She fit perfectly against him as he breathed in the exotic smell of her perfume, soft and delicate like her, but magical. The words to the song were perfect to describe Alexandria, elusive and cool, yet delicate and beautiful. He wondered what had caused her to barricade herself behind a solid wall of steel. Wondered if anyone would ever be able to scale the enormous height and if so, would what they beheld entwine their destinies forever? He thought about her dancing for him earlier; she was exquisite, but somehow nestled against him, he wanted more than one night with her. God, she was intoxicating.

    The waiter interrupted them, “I’m sorry sir, but your dinner is being served.”
    Brad cursed under his breath as he hissed, “Thank you.”
    His gentle hand on the small of her back, he led Alexandria back to their table. As they dined, Brad continued his line of questioning trying to get his mind off her seductive and tantalizing dancing. “How did you come to be so at ease with every aspect of AAS?”
    “I spent my entire life at work.”
    His eyebrow rose in curiosity, “What do you mean?”
    “I mean since before I can remember. I grew up knowing pretty