After Caleb had left Zeta called out to Penny getting everyone’s attention. “Penny, two pitchers are just not enough, I think I’ll need another.” Penney laughed “Little thing like you I can’t see how.” Hearing Zeta’s voice Phoenix turned around surprised before Zeta knew it Phoenix had her up in his arms and was kissing her in front of the crowded bar. “Damn woman, I have missed you.” Zeta gave a throaty laugh and Apollo and Artemis ran over to greet him then turned and growled at everyone else. After a long and passion-filled kiss closely watched by all Phoenix smiled as he took Zeta’s hand and walked her toward his friends. “Will, Tanner this is Zeta Steel.” Both men smiled Will gave a proper bow “Miss Steel it’s a pleasure to meet you, Phoenix has talked of you nonstop since his return, now I can see he wasn’t exaggerating.” Tanner laughed as he too bowed over her hand “I was starting to think you were too good to be true myself, but you my darling are simply delicious.” Phoenix shook his head Zeta laughed “Well that’s a first, and I guess that makes me tasty enough to eat.” All three men nodded Tanner kissed her hand “Phoenix is going to have to keep you close or every man in towns going to be fighting for a chance to have you.” Zeta laughed “I doubt that, for one thing, I scare most, hell haven’t you heard I’m a witch. And secondly, Apollo and Artemis are rather picky with whom they allow near me.” With a sly smile, Zeta looked toward the bar then back at the three men “For example.” All three men sat and watched as Zeta walked up to the bar every man in the room watched her more than a few approached from behind. Zeta tried to be patient as she waited, feeling a large hand on her shoulder she almost laughed as she turned around to face a large man dressed in black. A young man yet he looked to have been worn hard, his oily brown hair was slicked back his eyes a dull shade of brown. “Hello, little lady I could use me something tiny and sweet like you.” Zeta laughed “What makes you think I’m sweet?” Zeta whistled and Apollo and Artemis pushed their way through the crowd until they stood at Zeta side growling as they moved in on the man, teeth exposed. “How sweet am I now?” The man backed away slowly “Call them off.” Zeta laughed “Enough go.” Both dogs ran back and sat by Phoenix, Zeta grinned up at the man “Sorry about that honey.” Turning to Penny she smiled “I’ll buy my friend here a drink.” Turning back to the man she shrugged “Just so you know I’m taken but thanks for the offer.” The man looked surprised by her candor “Lucky man.” Phoenix walked up and smiled “Yeah I know.” When Zeta walked back to the table she laughed “I might have had too much to drink while I waited for you to arrive.” Phoenix gave her his seat then grabbed another “When did you get here?” Zeta shrugged “Around five, the funniest thing happened I was reading the newspaper and read a story about you.” Phoenix shook his head “Nothing happened.” Zeta laughed “I know I heard you talking to Caleb.” Phoenix smirked, “Does your father know you’re here?” Zeta shrugged “No he’s been in Bristol for the last week and won’t return for another week so I’m all alone like usual.” Phoenix gave an excited grin “Two weeks away huh and won’t be home until next week?” Zeta nodded biting her lower lip “Two whole weeks alone.” Will laughed, “Why are you two here when you can have a whole week alone at the Steel estate?” Phoenix laughed “When do you plan on going home?” Zeta shrugged “Tonight how about you, are you still planning on coming up this weekend?” Phoenix shook his head “No.” Zeta frowned “And why not?” Phoenix chuckled “Because I plan to go back with you tonight.” Zeta smiled big “I like that idea.” Turning to Tanner Phoenix motioned him to the side “Can you take Zeta to your place while I go home and pack a bag and talk to my father?” Tanner turned and winked at Zeta “This treat at my place, yeah I think I can do that.” Phoenix turned to Zeta. “Tanner lives on the way out of town, I’ll meet you there in an hour.” Zeta smiled just the thought of being alone with Phoenix made her blood boil. Within an hour Phoenix was at home packing and Zeta was at Tanners patiently waiting for him. Tanner seemed amused with all of it “Never seen my man so in love.” Zeta shrugged “He’s not in love with me.” Tanner laughed “You sound like him maybe if you two keep saying that he isn’t it will make it true.” Zeta shrugged “Why do you doubt him?” Tanner laughed “He’s my best friend, I know him better than anyone and every word he says and face he makes tells me he loves you and I don’t doubt for a minute that you love him as well.” Zeta laughed “Not that I’ve told him or plan to anytime soon but I do love him I know that. I also know he’s the only man I’ve ever loved hell even liked and the thought of him going out to sea is a painful one indeed.” Zeta flashed a smile “Does Phoenix have a lover, a woman that see’s to his needs when they arise?” Tanner got quiet “In this town, it’s impossible because everyone would know.” Zeta knew he was trying to get around the questioned. “So he does or he doesn’t?” Tanner looked away “He doesn’t.” Zeta almost laughed at how bad a liar he was. When Phoenix walked into his father’s study he smiled “I’m headed out, I’ll be gone for a few days.” Webster frowned “It has been rather slow lately, where are you going?” Phoenix hated to lie to his father, “Not sure yet I may stop by and see Zeta while I’m out.” Webster laughed “Does Augusto know you’re coming?” Phoenix shook his head “No Sir he does not.” Webster smiled “I won’t tell if you don’t, have fun son watch out for Augusto and his sons, see you in a few days.” Phoenix gave a weak laugh “Night pops.” Phoenix found himself nervous as he rushed across town toward Tanner’s excited to see Zeta and to have her all to his self again. When he arrived, he found Zeta waiting and Tanner smoking his pipe. “Getting late you two better hurry and get going.” Phoenix nodded at his friend “Thanks, Tanner, see you in a few days.” Zeta gave Tanner a hug “Thanks for all the informative information.” Tanner laughed “Anytime honey.” They both remained fairly quiet as they left town, “What information did Tanner tell you?” Zeta shrugged “That’s between me and him.” Phoenix chuckled “That’s not very encouraging.” Zeta smiled as Apollo and Artemis ran alongside Hermes. “It was to me.” Phoenix laughed “Oh really?” Zeta laughed “Definitely so I was thinking since you’re going to be staying with me does that mean you will be sleeping in my bed?” Phoenix smiled “Would you like me to?” Zeta nodded “Yes I’d like that, I’m just looking forward to having you all to myself.” Phoenix paused as if trying to decide “Damn it, honey I’d love too but no, the last thing I need is your father or one of your brothers to show up and find you and me in bed together. Believe it or not, I care what your father thinks of me. I might just need his approval someday soon. I’m not saying I won’t be loving on you every chance I get; I’m just saying I’ll be sleeping by the fire at night leaving your innocence intake for now at least.” Zeta laughed “The next few days are going to be quite the enticement.” Phoenix laughed “Zeta every moment with you is an enticement, every look, every smile a temptation. Not taking you to my bed is the hardest thing I have ever had to deny myself but if it means having you in the long run, I’ll do it.” As they approached her cabin, it had to be past midnight it was a warm night and the moon was big and bright lighting their way. Zeta watched Phoenix as he rode next to her. “I’d like to go swimming.” Phoenix smiled “Swimming with you sounds great.” Zeta found herself holding her breath as Phoenix helped her off of Hermes her heartbeat quickened as she slid down his body and onto the ground. “Why don’t you take Zeus and Hermes around back and I’ll light some candles.” Phoenix nodded as he dropped his bags at the door and walked around back Apollo followed him while Artemis followed Zeta inside. When Phoenix was done, he walked inside to find a warm glow filling the entire cottage and Zeta’s bedroom door standing open. Phoenix smiled as he walked over and leaned in the door way to find Zeta changing out of her dress. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you’re trying to kill me.” Zeta laughed as she turned to look at him “This is nothing compared to swimming naked.” Phoenix stood awe struck as she walked behind her changing screen to grab a dress. Phoenix walked in and sat on the bed and smiled as he took off his boots and set them aside. “Either way your way too sexy for your own good.” Zeta laughed as she dropped the dress over her head and approached him. “Let’s go.” Phoenix gave a seductive smile as he watched her pass by the gentle sway of her hips and her faint and intoxicating scent lingering behind her. “Right behind you honey and loving every minute of it.” Zeta turned and laughed “What?” Phoenix shrugged “Let’s just say the view is pretty damn terrific from where I’m standing.” Zeta smiled holding out her hand “Mine isn’t all that bad either.” Phoenix smiled as he reached out and took it pulling her in close. “Stay close we have all night, no need to rush.” Zeta smiled as they walked up to the watering hole just the thought of seeing Phoenix naked again was enough to make her crazy with want. When they got to the water’s edge Zeta looked up at the stars and took a deep breath, the moon was big and bright and illuminating everything around them. “There isn’t even a chill in the air and yet the mist seems to crawl across the water.” Phoenix followed closely watching her as he stepped in close hugging her from behind. Wrapping one arm around her waist while using the other to move her long black hair to the side as he softly kissed on her neck his hot whispers making Zeta melt back into him. “I love being held in your arms.” Rubbing his hands over her shoulders and down her arms he kissed on her neck and chest as he slowly removed her dress. Letting it fall down first to her curvy hips then down past her shapely legs and bare feet and onto the lush grass beneath them. Phoenix turned Zeta in his arms and kissed her passionately “You are delicious and it’s going to be the hardest thing I ever do denying myself you.” Stepping back Phoenix started unbuttoning his shirt his seductive smile made Zeta want to help by pulling each button off one by one. His chest was strong and toned and sprinkled with black hair, stepping closer Zeta reached out and grabbed his belt removing it with speed as she looked up into his eyes helping him out of his pants, lifting her into his arms Phoenix took Zeta’s mouth in a hot fiery kiss wrapping her legs around his waist as she clung her arms around his neck, her full breast pressing up against him as he walked them into the water, the water was cold and exhilarating and almost unnoticed in the heat of passion. “I’ll make a deal with you.” Phoenix leaned back and smiled down at her licking her lips “A deal, what kind of deal?” Zeta leaned back letting herself float in the water exposing her wet glistening breasts to him for a moment then sitting back up she smiled slyly. “I’ll allow you without any excessive begging to not have sex with me while you’re here visiting. If you promise to let me have my way with you when I come to London that means what I say goes.” Phoenix laughed “I swear woman you’ll be in London by next week, with your father and brothers in town for most the time. The whole point of us waiting is getting to know each other better is to see if we can have a future.” Zeta swam away wearing a smile “Your problem is you don’t know what you want.” Phoenix laughed “Trust me I know what I want.” Zeta shrugged “You may know what you want but you don’t take what you want.” Phoenix dunked his head under the water then rubbed his face “And you know what you want?” Zeta looked at him wearing a serious expression “Yes I do, I want you and I have known since we first met. If my body is a gift then I should be able to give it to whomever whenever I want and I’ve never wanted anything more than I want you.” Phoenix swam in close and pulled her into his embrace kissing on her neck “All right you my love have a deal and I can’t wait.” Zeta smiled big as she gripped the hair on the back of his head and pulled him in for a scorching kiss. After a few minutes of swimming Zeta swam back to the edge “If Tanner is your best friend why isn’t he going with you to the West Indies?” Phoenix followed her “I’ve been planning my trip for years but Tanner has never been interested, he’s always been scared of the water he would never set foot on a ship.” Zeta shrugged “He sure does care about you; he seems to know you really good as well.” Phoenix shrugged “We have been friends since we were little.” Zeta nodded “I’ve never had a friend before, Apollo, Artemis, and Hermes are the only friends I have ever had. My brothers were always so busy with their own lives I just got in their way so I guess I just entertained myself. Hell, it was easier to ignore me and all my weirdness than to pay me any attention.” Phoenix smiled “When was your first kiss?” Zeta glimmered “When I was thirteen my father’s friend Vance Fresco and his son Paul came to visit Paul was fifteen and he and I went riding at first he was really mean to me called me names and acted like he was better than me so I was rude back and he liked it and after that he couldn’t get enough of me. We spent a week together he even came to my room one night but I denied him which only made him want me more. It was a fun week, he got married last year to some London doll, Caleb says she’s already pregnant and Paul already spends all of his nights at the club with the boys.” Phoenix laughed “Paul Fresco was your first kiss; I pity you what a tool, that doll he married is Yelena and trust me she’s no prize. She stalked me for six months before they met she would leave me notes and gifts at my house and at work. When I told her I wasn’t interested she told me I was and that I just didn’t know it yet. She even had Paul believing he would have to fight me for her, you should have seen him call me out at the Sword and Shield. Said Yelena was his and to back off, I was like good take her.” Zeta laughed “Did you fight him?” Phoenix shook his head “No he wanted to but I wouldn’t, I wasn’t going to fight for a woman I didn’t even want.” Zeta got out and Phoenix followed watching each other as they got dressed, Zeta turned and looked around then whistled and Apollo and Artemis ran up both wet from swimming. Zeta chuckled at Phoenix “Do you get into very many fights?” Phoenix shrugged “More than I care to mention, hard not to when you have half the town calling you a Warlock and an eccentric freak. You know how it is being different from everyone else, everyone is watching your every move and judging you, after a while, you fight back and show them a reason to be scared.” Zeta nodded as they started walking back toward her cottage “Most the time I find myself hating pretty much everyone. I just stick to my art and my animals and my lonely life out here, the rest of the world can go to hell.” Walking up to the cottage Phoenix stopped and looked around “Warm night for this time of year, this time last year we would be curled up cold as hell in front of the fire with no plans on moving.” Zeta smiled “That’s the truth although curling up in front of the fire with you sounds pretty good right about now.” Phoenix opened the cottage door and Zeta walked in “I’ll start some water for tea.” Phoenix laughed “Do you have any brandy?” Zeta giggled “A glass of brandy does sound good; I’ll pour us both a glass.” Phoenix walked over to the fireplace and started a fire then grabbed a blanket and placed it out on the floor. Zeta walked over and handed him a glass and sat down next to him. “It’s late maybe if you’re nice I’ll make you breakfast tomorrow.” Phoenix laughed “I never imagined you cooking.” Zeta laughed playfully slapping him in the arm “Believe it or not I am a woman and my father made sure I was trained to run a household, he figured with five sons his only daughter best be able to act the part of a lady.” Phoenix smiled as he reached out and touched her hair “You’re definitely a lady.” Phoenix paused as he leaned in and kissed her softly “My lady.” Zeta bite her lip feeling giddy at his words “I’ll tell you honey, I wouldn’t want to be anything else. Funny thing is I’ve never wanted to be someone’s lady, I knew it would happen at some point but I never figured I’d have a choice of whom.” Phoenix gave a growl of passion as he held her in his arms “A week ago I had my whole life planned out, I knew every move I’d make where I’d go when I’d get there. Nothing could get in the way of my dreams my plans then I met you.” Zeta sat up and frowned “Has meeting me messed up your plans, have I made things harder for you?” Phoenix pulled her back down into his arms “Since we first met I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you. Even when I returned to London you were all I could think about and that’s not like me at all.” Zeta shrugged “I don’t want to ruin your plans.” Phoenix smiled “You haven’t, you’ve just given me a lot to think about. I never lose my head over women; most people would say they’ve never even seen me with a woman, in a way I guess I had given up on them. When I heard your father, describe you, not your appearance or your dowry but you and your strange quirks. I was right away intrigued and wanted to meet you, then when I saw you it was like seeing my dreams come to life. All I can think to do is spend as much time as I can with you and see if we are a match, we can figure out the rest after that.” Zeta couldn’t help but be overwhelmed with emotion “I want to be with you and I can’t say what the future will bring but I’d like to find out.” Standing up Zeta gazed down at Phoenix as he adjusted himself on the floor. “Good night” Phoenix smiled “Night love.”