Free Rise of the Phoenix (Return To Avalore #2) by Elianne Adams

would mean cutting their time in the cave short, and he had a feeling she was anxious to be rid of him. What he still needed to figure out was what she was doing and why.
    Lying on the bedroll, he tried to keep the images of her naked body from his mind, but damned if they didn’t keep popping up, making his shaft throb. Every single part of her was gorgeous. Her eyes snapped with fire with the slightest provocation. Her lips, pouty and soft, made him want to kiss her senseless. Damn . He had it bad. If things were different, he would haul her back to Avalore, kicking and screaming if he had to, then convince her to join him.
    Brienne’s soft, feminine energy reached the chamber before she did. It slid over him like silk, making goose flesh rise on his skin and the throb in his groin deepen. Now that he had been the recipient of her ministrations, he would recognize her anywhere. Inside, the phoenix came to attention, waiting for its prize to waltz back in.
    Evan didn’t bother opening his eyes as she milled about the chamber looking for her clothes. If his hunch were correct, she would be casting little glances at him, expecting him to be watching her every move. She would expect his mistrust as he expected hers.
    All movement ceased, even the sound of her breathing stopped, and he could almost feel her glare piercing through him when she spotted the small pile beneath his head.
    “I’ll have my clothes back now, if you don’t mind.” Each word was controlled, precise, as though she had practised her cool façade before coming back to the chamber.
    He tried to suppress the grin that was struggling to break free, but if the spike of sizzling energy coming at him was any indication, he hadn’t succeeded. “I’m sorry, which clothes?”
    “My clothes. The ones you stole from me. The ones you’re using as a pillow.”
    “Oh, those clothes. Funny, I’d swear they were Coalition issued. Either way, I gave you something else to wear, and I’m quite comfortable.”
    Her soft growl filled the cave. It was anything but threatening and made him want to go to her rather than run from her. Taming the little dragon would be a task he would relish given the opportunity.
    When he opened his eyes, she stood next to him, hands on hips, glaring down at him. Her sweet, feminine scent all but engulfed him, driving his phoenix wild. All he had to do was reach up to touch the silky softness he yearned for so much.
    Long, well-defined legs ended at the edge of the T-shirt—his shirt. It barely covered the parts needing to be covered, but when she shifted her weight from one foot to the other, it shifted right along with her, showing him a glimpse of what he would never have. He couldn’t stop the groan from slipping past his lips.
    He had no right to be looking upon her body. She had made her choice. She didn’t want him, and he had come to terms with that, but damn it, he deserved an explanation. “Tell me why.” Not caring about the pain throbbing in his leg, he stood and faced her. “Why did you leave Avalore?”

Chapter 9
    Whatever Brienne had expected to come from Evan’s mouth, that wasn’t it. Hunger had flashed in his eyes, making her heart rush full speed ahead, only to crash again when pain had snuffed the fire out just as quickly.
    “I…” Doubt crept in, making her hesitate. Had her leaving hurt him? She would have thought he would have been relieved. Glad even. “I did what was necessary for our people. I let you go.” She wasn’t going to lie. She tilted her chin up higher. He could accept her explanation, or not.
    His features tightened into a grimace as he set weight on his injured leg. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
    “You heard what I said. I did what I had to do for the people of Avalore.”
    He took a step closer, his expression incredulous. “I heard what you said. The problem is I don’t understand.” His words were pushed through clenched teeth.
    How dare he act as if he had