Deep In You (The Phoenix Series Book 1) Read online

  She looked around, her eyes lighting up. “What would you like to show me?”

  “Up to you. Rings, of course, are what I’m known for but, as I’m sure you know, I always try to qualify for the all-around. I enjoy floor routines and the horizontal bar almost as much.”

  “Rings, please, Xander.”

  I nodded, pleased with her choice. “Anything that you see here is off the record.”

  “You think I would write about this?”

  I chuckled. “Nope. I don’t think your readers would care about my workout routine. I think my competitors might, though, so better safe than sorry.” I covered my hands in chalk and approached the apparatus. I gazed up at it with affection. Sometimes it seemed I was born for rings, my favorite event. I mentally ran through my routine, focusing my attention inward and getting in the zone. Time always seemed to slow way down whenever I prepared for a performance; all the chaos of my life would fall away and leave me with a feeling of peace.

  I braced. Mounting the rings apparatus was always easier with Sam around. I’d have to jump and catch them just right without his guiding hands.

  I lifted one arm up. Unnecessary in this forum, but a good habit to keep. I bent at the knees and sprang into the air, catching both rings. Instinctively my hands shifted to adjust my grip a few times, then, when I was ready, I straightened my arms to hang free. I pulled my feet in front of me and rose into a handstand. I counted to ten, then dropped down until my body was parallel to the floor, facing down. Adjusting my grip once more, I lifted myself as if I were doing a push-up into a higher position. I lowered again to hang all the way down before rolling over to perform a slow somersault. That done, I straightened out and held for a few seconds. Taking a deep breath, I spun around three times in quick succession, reversing my hands effortlessly each time, finally ending in the Iron Cross formation.

  My muscles twitched as I heard a gasp. Sweat beaded on my brow, yet I held the pose. I needed my focus back. Why was she able to distract me? I’d blocked out cameras, cheers, and arenas filled to capacity in the past, but one woman managed to sneak into my brain in the middle of a workout. Must have been the drug remnants in my system.

  Wait, wasn’t I supposed to be counting this position? Great. My distraction was worse than I thought. At least Lily didn’t know my routine. I’d just do the shorter competition version, rather than my workout version. I began to prepare myself for the landing, assessing my foot. I lifted myself back into a handstand, then started to spin. Once, twice, and I released, curling in on myself and tumbling three times before my feet hit the mat.

  Pain shot through my right foot, but I’d stuck it. I froze, my knees bent. Yup, that shit hurt, but it was manageable. I straightened up and flung my arms into the air. Perfect.

  I smiled at Lily as she applauded. She looked a little happier than she had before we came in here. More color to her cheeks. Maybe the adrenaline helped.

  All at once, I was able to see her in the same light as I had in the club. Despite everything we had been through, all the things we had said, the attraction was still there. Everything faded, her accusations, my fury, all of it. I plucked the ring grips off my hands and dropped them on the floor, then closed the distance between us.

  “Xander, that was–”

  I interrupted her with a rough kiss, forcing my tongue into her mouth. My hands cupped her ass and pulled her tight against me. This was more like it. Now she was where I wanted her, and not arguing with me. I was instantly hard as stone, and I wanted her to feel what she did to me. I wanted her. Now.

  “You took advantage of me…” The memory struck me, and with it, my anger returned. With a snarl of frustration, I tore myself away from her and struggled to catch my breath. I was far more winded from kissing her for less than a minute than I was from that entire rings routine.

  “Why did you stop?”

  “This was wrong.”

  “Wrong?”

  “Yes. You’re still sick. I’ve already been accused of taking advantage of you once. I won’t allow it to happen again.”

  I also shouldn’t lose focus of the fact that we were only in this predicament because she couldn’t be bothered to follow simple safety protocols when drinking with strangers. This whole situation was all her fault, for all she’d blamed me for it.

  “I’m sorry I said that. I didn’t mean it, I swear. Besides, I’m feeling much better.”

  “That’s nice.” I wandered over to the parallel bars and pulled myself up to work through my routine. My body switched into autopilot as my mind wandered off.

  I never should have given in and kissed her. She seemed the needy type and, make no mistake, I did not want her thinking she would have a chance with me. I had no intention of fucking her again, no matter what my traitorous body wanted. I didn’t do repeat performances. I was just waiting for Sam to call so I could send her on her way.

  I released my right hand, flipping backward through the air while spinning around blindly to catch the other bar, then lifted into a handstand.

  “You know, you never see this side of you on the television.”

  Her voice startled me, wrenching me from my thoughts. I jerked, losing my position and crashing down to the padded mat. Knowing what was coming, I relaxed my body to soften the impact.

  “Oh my God, are you okay?” She covered her mouth, obviously trying not to laugh. She had some nerve, laughing at me.

  “I’m fine. I know how to fall. I just prefer not doing it. Which, by the way, wouldn’t have happened if you had kept quiet. You startled me.”

  “I startled you? How on earth could I have startled you?”

  “Must be the drugs. My head isn’t in the game.” That was my story and I was sticking to it. I’d performed in front of millions. There was no excuse for one woman to have gotten to me like that.

  “I see.” Lily paused. “I was just kidding around anyway. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean any harm, it’s just…”

  “Just?”

  She blushed again. “On television, you’re always wearing your uniform. Here, nothing but your loose workout pants, and they leave little to the imagination.”

  I glanced down at my still-obvious erection. Bastard wasn’t going down at all, and her proximity wasn’t helping matters. I swallowed hard. “Sorry.”

  She licked her lips, her eyes dark. My breathing quickened in response, though I tried my best to appear unaffected. “No need to apologize. It turns me on,” she said.

  She reached out a hand to help me up, but I grabbed her and dragged her down next to me. “So let’s talk about that, now that you’ve gotten me down here.”

  “I got you down here?”

  “That’s right.”

  “Looks like you got down here all by yourself.”

  She leaned forward and kissed me. I made a half-hearted attempt to back away, but she followed me, and who was I kidding, anyway? A gentleman would have better restraint, but I’d never claimed to be a gentleman… at least, not when it came to conquests. I hummed low in my chest, my tongue claiming hers while her hand trailed down my chest. I never did repeat performances… but perhaps, given the circumstances, I could make one exception.

  Last night didn’t count, anyway. Neither of us were at our best, and she did seem like she felt better.

  My breath caught as she slipped her hand into the waistband of my sweats and tentatively stroked my length. Her fingers felt tantalizingly cool, but not too cold. Lifting myself up a little, I pushed my sweats down just enough to give her easier access, then drew her back into our kiss, demanding her attention. My tongue set a tempo as I thrust it in and out of her mouth, while the hand on my throbbing shaft slowly changed to match my pace. I moaned as I felt her confidence building, and lowered my hand to massage her breast.

  “Squeeze it, Lily, just a little harder,” I murmured. “Mmm… just like that.”

  “Xander, I’m so wet for you, I want to taste you so bad.”

  Her words nearly d
rove me insane as I plunged my tongue back into her mouth. Her hand tightened around me slightly more as she jerked me off faster and faster. She settled into a rhythm, switching it up every few minutes, bringing me closer and closer to the brink. Each change felt more intense than the last, and I knew my release would be soon. It was too much, too good, the contrast of her soft lips and tongue versus the tightness of her fingers.

  “Lily,” I gasped, panting, “you’ll make me come. I’m almost there.”

  She grinned against my mouth, encouraged. “Good. Those sounds you’re making are killing me. You’re so hard, and I keep picturing how you would feel inside me. It’s all I can do to not finger myself right now.”

  I moaned and reached for her, but she shifted away, a mischievous look on her face. All I was able to reach were her breasts, which I again took full advantage of.

  “Oh fuck. Higher. Squeeze the tip. Don’t slow down.”

  She immediately complied, almost letting go as she hit the sensitive head with almost all of her fingers.

  “Oh fuck! Oh fuck, yes!”

  “My mouth is watering. I want to taste you so bad.”

  I released her breasts and gripped her hair, yanking her head down toward my waiting cock. Her warm, wet mouth enveloped me, welcomed my hard shaft. I didn’t waste any time and thrust my hips upward, fucking her mouth. Her tongue swirled up and down, in contrast with her hand around the base of my dick.

  “Suck it, baby. Suck it hard.”

  Her cheeks hollowed as she did as I instructed. My eyes rolled back into my head as she leaned forward and swallowed me. The head of my cock shoved deep into her throat, all the way back to where the hardness of the top of her mouth gave way to the softness of her throat.

  I gasped as my orgasm struck in pulsating waves. She continued to suck me, swallowing as my come spurted powerfully down her throat. I cried out, the sensations becoming almost too much to bear.

  I squirmed from her grasp, then leaned forward and kissed her, basking in the warm afterglow. I felt relaxed, lethargic… but I wouldn’t give in. Not now, not with Lily here next to me, wet and practically squirming for my touch. I had a reputation to uphold. I moved lower and nuzzled her neck, scratching her with my stubble and biting down softly on her flesh. She gasped and arched her back, her hips jutting forward. That was all the invitation I needed. I dragged her shirt over her head and bent down to draw one of her erect nipples into my mouth. I bit down hard and swirled my tongue around it.

  Lily gasped and jerked back. I glanced up at her, capturing and commanding her gaze. “Did I hurt you?”

  “Yes, no. It hurt, but it… but don’t stop.”

  I paused for a moment, regarding her, then tugged her shorts down and off. I settled myself between her legs and ran my finger over her slick folds. She was drenched, absolutely soaking, just as she’d said. I gave her a wicked grin as I traced the edges of her pussy lips with my first two fingers. I toyed with the thin strip of trimmed hair and brushed my thumb over her clit. Her breath caught.

  “Mmm… someone wants me, doesn’t she?”

  “Yes,” she whispered, looking embarrassed by my question.

  “What was that? I couldn’t hear you.” Without awaiting her answer, I plunged my index and middle fingers deep inside, entranced at how slippery she felt.

  “Yes!” she hissed. Her back arched upward, granting me better access. I pumped my fingers into her hard and fast as I dropped down and sucked on her swollen clit, my tongue flicking her teasingly. “Oh God, fuck. Xander, it’s so good. It’s–”

  I pulled my fingers out and sat up, breathing hard. I skimmed my hands over her thighs and smiled.

  “What? Why did you stop? It was so good; I was getting so close,” she whined.

  “Shh. Relax. I’ve got you.” Sticking my fingers in my mouth, I moaned in appreciation. “Do you know how damn good you taste? Here. See for yourself.” I trailed my fingers between the cleft of her breasts and up her chin. She moved in for a taste, but I pulled my fingers away, enjoying the tease, the anticipation.

  I grazed my thumb over her clit, barely touching it. She groaned and tried to press into me, but I backed off, having none of it. When her breathing steadied, I lowered myself down and lapped at her juices. I flicked my tongue around her pussy lips, then plunged it inside, trying to consume every bit of her essence. My thumb found its way back to her clit and massaged her firmly.

  “Oh my God. Xander…” Her lips parted in a silent scream, her hands clenched into fists at her sides. Her legs on either side of me began to quiver, so I roughly pulled away again. “What the hell? Why did you stop?”

  “Because I can.”

  “Fuck you, Xander.”

  I smirked. “Oh, yes, baby. I love when you talk dirty to me.”

  She glared. She was so damned hot in her fury, and I was captivated. I wanted to see how long I could keep this up, but I sensed she would get pissed off before much longer. I was used to calling the shots, though, and I loved driving her crazy.

  Her gaze dropped to my cock. I was hard again; seeing her so needy, so desperate for me made me want her in ways I was probably better off with her not knowing. Loving the hungry way she watched my every move, I gripped my hard shaft firmly in my hand.

  “You want this?”

  “Why? You just going to deprive me again?”

  “Oh, I’ll let you come. I’ll let you come when I think you’ve earned it.”

  I stroked myself a couple more times, then settled myself between her legs once more. I licked her from her entrance all the way up to her clit, which I paused to pay special attention to. Her entire body twitched each time I licked her as though she had been shocked. Slowly I inserted my fingers inside her and curled them to find her g-spot.

  “Do you know how hot you are right now? So wet, and this beautiful clit is swollen with desire. It’s intoxicating.”

  “Xander, you’d better not be toying with me again… ahh… I’m warning you… oh, fuck, harder.”

  “All good things,” I toyed with her clit, and she moaned, “to those,” more pressure on her most intimate spot made her grind her ass into the mat, “who wait.” Her thighs locked around my head, determined not to let me escape. Luckily for her, I was through fucking around. I gripped her hips and pushed my tongue inside her, licking and sucking. I relished the taste of her, enjoying the way she bucked beneath me as she hurtled toward ecstasy. Her thighs quivered, and I knew she was close.

  She squirmed, pumping her hips and grinding my face. “Ohh, shit. I’m going to come. Don’t you fucking stop, Xander. Don’t you dare fucking…oh, fuck!”

  A garbled moan escaped her throat, her pussy tightened rhythmically. I continued to lick her, extending her orgasm.

  “Ahh, Xander, I–”

  I tore myself away, forcing myself free of her legs. “Scream for me, Lily,” I said as I climbed up her body and pressed her lips in a brutal kiss, letting her taste herself. She was still coming down from her climax, her beautiful eyes unfocused. Unwilling to wait a moment more, I lined myself up and plunged deep inside her.

  “Oh, God!” Lily shouted as my cock caressed her sensitive nerves.

  I silenced her with a kiss. “Shit, Lily. Your cunt is so warm and slick. Perfect. I’ll never get enough.” I forced my tongue into her mouth and began to move inside her. She cried out every time I thrust inside her.

  Why had I never brought a girl in here sooner? Sex on the springy floor of my workout room was raw, sexy, and… and… I lost my train of thought as Lily lifted her legs, pulling them over my shoulders. Fuck, this girl was hot.

  I stopped and pulled out. “Turn over,” I gasped. “Get on your knees.”

  Lily hurried to do as I commanded. I gripped my dick and gently rubbed the tip against the entrance to her tight little ass, noting how she tensed up as I did. I moved down and shoved myself back into her slick pussy, slapping her ass as I did so. She cried out, a wail of ecstasy.

  “Oh shit
, that was hot. You liked that, too, didn’t you?” I spanked her again, enjoying the satisfying smacking sound.

  “Yes,” she murmured.

  I gripped her hips and thrust her back to meet me. “What was that? I couldn’t hear you. Did you like me spanking you, Lily?”

  “Yes!” she yelled, only it sounded more like a garbled moan, staccato from the force of my pounding thrusts.

  “That’s better.” Reaching one of my hands around in front of Lily, I found her clit and pressed hard each time I pumped inside her. My other hand continued to hold her exactly where I wanted her. It was so good. Too good. Shit.

  “Lily, you’re gonna come for me now.”

  “Yes. God, yes. I’m close.”

  I rubbed her clit in a circular motion. I felt a warm tingling starting; I knew I had seconds. “Fuck. Me, too. I can’t stop. Come now!”

  I pulled her hips back as I thrust forward, falling over the precipice of my orgasm. The blood rushed through my ears. Lily tightened around me, squeezing me, milking my dick. My eyes forced themselves closed. When I felt her relax beneath me, I withdrew and dropped onto the mat next to her, pulling her against my chest.

  Chapter Six

  My phone rang. I felt around at my side before realizing the sound came from a good distance away. I rose to my feet, careful not to wake Lily, and jogged over to the infernal sound. The name on the screen told me it was my coach.

  “Talk to me.” I stepped through the double doors into the living room.

  “Just got the results back from the lab. You tested negative. Well, trace amounts of Gamma-hydroxybutyrate, but so slight that it wouldn’t flag a positive. She, on the other hand, came out very positive for the same substance. Not dangerous levels, but definitely ingested. Here’s the good news: GHB doesn’t stay in the system very long, twelve hours at the most, usually, so she’s probably already negative. It could have been a lot worse.”

  Relief flooded through me. I was clean. Lily was going to be okay. Maybe this wouldn’t turn into the publicity nightmare I’d been afraid it would be. “Gamma-hydroxy…”

  “GHB is a lot easier to say. Lot of dirtbags using it these days because it’s hard to prove. By the time the victim realizes they’ve been drugged and gets an order for a test, it’s already gone.”