Free Touched by a Phoenix by Sophia Byron Page B

much everything going on. It’s my life.”
    Her simple answers told him so much more than she probably meant to. It explained a lot; she didn’t know any other way.
    “So what made you decide to be a lawyer?”
    “I like to argue and I like to win,” she said matter-of-factly.
    “ Hmm, yes I’ve had the privilege of witnessing some of those arguments. Believe you me, I don’t want to be on the receiving end of them.”
    She laughed at the exaggerated expression on his face, “I’m not all that bad.” In a much lower tone, she added, “Unless you are trying to screw with the company.”
    “So tell me….”
    Alexandria put her hand up. “I believe you have exceeded the number of questions allowed for any one night.”
    Brad held up both hands as if to say you win. “Okay, okay but would it be too much to ask you if you would like dessert?”
    She smirked at him for his additional question. He was worse than she; perhaps he should have been an attorney, he always had to get the last word in. “Dessert,” she grinned impishly. “Do we have time?”
    “My dear, we have all night if you’d like,” he called for the waiter.
    “Yes sir,” the young man said in the most pleasant tone.
    “We’d like dessert, if you don’t mind. What would you suggest?” an amused smile spread across his lips.
    “Well sir, we have several delicious desserts on the menu. Are you interested in something with chocolate?”
    Alexandria quickly piped in, “Oh no thank you. If I remembered correctly, I saw Key Lime Pie on the menu.”
    The young man beamed, “Yes ma’am, you sure did.”
    Alexandria smiled brightly at him, “I’ll take the Key Lime, please.”
    Brad shrugged his shoulders. “Sounds good to me—make it two. Oh and son, would you bring us a fresh pot of coffee while you’re at it?”
    “Yes, sir.” He dashed off.
    Brad sipped on his glass of wine while they waited for dessert. He noticed that Alexandria had begun to fidget nervously again. He thought that perhaps he should restrict her wine intake for the remainder of the evening. If he did, what would it do to his plans for tonight? He was torn. He wanted her sober, yet he wanted her pliable.
    She had appeared uncomfortable at various times throughout the day. He wondered if it was the closeness between them earlier or if his line of questioning put her out of her comfort zone. She had not shared any real information with him during any of their trips—yet, today she had spoken volumes. Oh, he had learned a lot by what she had not said but today—today he had learned so much more. One, she was attracted to him. He had felt her tremble in his arms at the beach and when he kissed her. Two, she answered all of his questions this evening, which meant she was willing to share.
    “Alexandria, you’ve been fidgeting for a while. Is there something we need to discuss?”
    “Yes, no, oh heavens…I don’t know.”
    “Just spit it out.” As he took a sip of wine.
    “Okay, I want your sperm,” she blurted out.
    Brad involuntarily spewed his wine across the deck railing. A violent fit of coughing shook his chest. Once he caught his breath, he almost screamed, “You want what!”
    “You heard me, I want your sperm.”
    “I know I did not hear you correctly,” he sputtered.
    “Brad, how many times do I need to say it? I want your sperm to make a baby.”
    “I know what it’s for!” She has definitely had too much to drink, he thought. He tried to gather his wits as he observed the seriousness on Alexandria’s face. No, oh my God, she is serious!
    “What the hell. How, no forget the how. Let’s start with the why?”
    Alexandria flushed from head to toe. She was sure the other couple sitting on the deck could hear them. She bowed her head trying to hide her embarrassment.
    “No need to be shy now,” his excitable tone gave away the shock at her question.
    “Well, how do I explain…?”
    “Perhaps you should start at the beginning,” Brad