When Phoenix and Zeta stopped to get out Joey followed close behind, finding a nice dance hall they went in and found a seat, Joey looked to be having fun as he watched the people dance. Phoenix and Zeta shared a nice bottle of red wine and talked and laughed while half the room watched them curious about the couple. After about an hour a large man dressed flamboyantly walked up and stared down at Zeta. “Excuse me Miss but I noticed you’re not wearing a wedding ring and I would love if you would dance with me?” Phoenix frowned “You do see me sitting right here correct?” The man shrugged “Yes Prescott I see you and I know you’re not one to settle down or even one to court a woman so I figured she must be fair game.” Phoenix stood up “Well you figured wrong Tobias, Miss Steel is with me so go away.” The man didn’t budge “Miss Steel is that correct?” Zeta smiled “Yes Sir I’m here with Mr. Prescott but thank you for the offer.” Phoenix stood with his hands in fists at his side “I said go away.” Tobias shrugged “Hell I had to ask never seen you with a woman before not a lady at least.” Turning he walked away and Phoenix sat back down still fuming “I can’t believe how pissed off he just made me.” Zeta smiled “I wouldn’t worry it won’t happen again.” Ten minutes passed and another man walked up “Prescott.” Phoenix nodded “Wallace.” Turning to Zeta Wallace smiled giving a proper bow “Mam couldn’t miss the chance to ask the prettiest girl in town to dance, sweet little thing like you are probably as light as a feather.” Phoenix groaned “Am I like invisible here?” Wallace shrugged “Hell Prescott not like you to entertain the ladies let alone settle on one, figured I might just have a chance.” Phoenix scooted his chair back “Zeta is with here me period, she is mine understood?” Wallace looked at Zeta for a response, Zeta gave a sympathetic smile “Thanks for offer to dance but I’m with Phoenix.” Wallace shrugged “Too bad you sure are something special.” Phoenix stood up and looked around at all the men still staring at Zeta and spoke in a loud voice. “Listen up Zeta Steel is with me, she is mine, and the next man that comes over here vying for her will have to deal with me understood. I don’t care if you all have never seen me courting a lady before I am now so back the fuck off, are we clear?” Many looked disappointed more than a few amused but everyone nodded then Phoenix sat back down. Zeta watched him “I like you like that, willing to fight over me.” Phoenix shook his head “Trying to walk up and snatch you from right out of under my nose like I’m going to sit back and watch them take you from me.” Zeta grabbed his shirt and pulled him in close kissing him while everyone watched “I can’t wait to get you alone.” Phoenix jumped up “Let’s get out of here, you still have every man in here trying to figure out how to take you from me and I’d rather not have to kill a man tonight and right about now I’d have no problem doing it.” Zeta smiled as she stood to follow him out; when she reached the door she heard the crowd call out “Good night Miss Steel.” Zeta laughed Phoenix did not, turning to tell them off he stopped as Zeta pulled him outside. “They’re just fucking with you.” Phoenix growled, “Yeah well it’s working.” When they got back into the coach it was passed eleven so Smith drove Phoenix and Joey home first. As soon as Joey jumped out Phoenix kissed Zeta then gave a look of curiosity when she handed him a piece of folded up parchment before he left. Walking inside his house, he found his father in his study. “So how did it go at Maxwell’s?” Phoenix shrugged “Alright I guess, we ended up leaving early and going out for a drink.” Webster looked at his son “You look frustrated.” Phoenix laughed as he sat across from him “You will not believe what happened, Zeta and I were drinking wine and men kept coming up and asking her to dance like I wasn’t even there and when I confronted them they said they figured since I usually don’t court women or settle down with any of them that they figured Zeta was fair game.” Webster frowned “What did you do?” Phoenix threw up his hands “I told them she was mine and to get the fuck back in other words, not that it stopped them, finally I had to address the whole God damn tavern and threaten to harm them for them to stay away and tell them that I was courting her.” Webster tried to hide his amusement “How did that make you feel?” Phoenix groaned “Like they were trying to take away something that is mine and like I was willing to kill for her, hell pops I’m still pissed off especially because I know that’s not the end of it.” Webster nodded in agreement “What were they saying to her?” Phoenix shrugged “That they noticed she wasn’t wearing a wedding ring and asking her to dance saying she was the prettiest lady in town. Another said a tiny little thing like her was probably as light as a feather on the dance floor. I said she was with me and to stay away but they acted like I wasn’t even there, that is until I stood up to threaten them.” Webster smiled “Well Son your right about one thing it’s not the end of it well not at least until you’ve put a ring on her finger.” Phoenix laughed “And you just love that.” Webster laughed leaning back in his chair “Yes son I do.” Phoenix laughed as he stood to leave “I’m headed to bed I’ll see you in the morning.” Webster found himself curious if his lovesick son would sneak out again. Phoenix went up to his bedroom and washed up lying on his bed he opened up the parchment Zeta had given him to find a drawing of where the secret passageway was into the cellar then to the door hidden under Zeta’s bed. He figured her brothers would be on the watch even more now and the stairs were just too risky. Changing into more comfortable clothes he waited an hour before sneaking out the back and down the street toward Zeta’s apartment. Zeta waited by the fire, she had already moved her bed and couldn’t wait for Phoenix to hold her. She knew he was pissed off at what happened at the tavern, she never expected to get any attention, and definitely not as much as she had. She had never had someone get so jealous over her it was such a turn on she wanted to give herself to him right there. None of those men compared to Phoenix in the least, he was everything she wanted and more and to hear him say she was his and that he was courting her was like a dream come true. Hearing something she ran to the bedroom just as Phoenix was climbing out from the cellar, his black hair falling into his face as he leaned over. When he looked up he gave a wicked sexy smile and tucked his hair behind his ear. “I’m so glad you’re here.” Phoenix chuckled “I would have been here sooner but for a while there I thought I was being followed so I went around the block a few times just in case.” Holding out his arms Zeta ran into them “I’m sorry about what happened at the tavern.” Phoenix smiled “It’s not your fault honey, it’s sure to happen a lot more.” Zeta shrugged “I never thought it would happen at all to tell you the truth.” Phoenix shrugged “That’s only because you don’t know your own beauty and sex appeal, what you see and what the world sees are two completely different things.” Zeta shrugged “Well, either way, I hate to see you so pissed off.” Phoenix frowned “I have to admit I was livid, I’m sitting right there and their trying to take you away from me. I know I don’t court women or are usually seen with them but hell you would think it would be obvious, I guess they figured it would be worth an ass kicking if they could get you.” Zeta smiled as he held her in his arms “I’m just glad you’re here now and we have the rest of the night together.” Phoenix lifted her up and threw her on the bed then laid down next to her kissing her passionately using his hands to caress her neck and chest. “Zeta baby?” Zeta sighed “Yes?” Phoenix paused “It is only me that you want right, do you doubt that?” Zeta frowned “Don’t even think such things; I want you and you only without a doubt. I’ve’ never loved another.” Phoenix got quiet “You just said you loved me.” Zeta smiled “I know it’s because I do, not just because we have had sex either I knew before then.” Phoenix leaned down and kissed her “No one except my parents, of course, has ever said that to me before.” Zeta smiled up at him “Me neither maybe one day if and when you feel the same you can say it to me.” Phoenix stared down at her wearing a heartfelt gaze “Just hearing you say it makes me feel good all over.” Zeta emitted desire as she leaned up and kissed him then began to taste his flesh using her tongue and teeth as she lightly nibbled at his neck and ears making a moan escape him. Eager and needing more she caressed his chest slowly unbuttoning his shirt as she whispered words of passion her sexy voice making Phoenix eager and wanting more. “Let’s get naked I’ve been waiting all day to have your hot body next to mine.” Phoenix jumped up and started getting undressed “You don’t have to convince me, honey.” They watched each other in silence as they removed their clothes, both watching each other behind lust filled eyes. Hearing a knock on the door they both looked at each other shocked. Phoenix grabbed his clothes and opened the door to the cellar while Zeta called out “Coming.” The dogs barked as Zeta threw on an old robe and made her way to the door. Peeking out she frowned “Caleb is everything okay, it’s late?” Caleb shrugged “Maxwell said you and Phoenix left early from dinner I wanted to make sure you’re okay?” Zeta shrugged “Yeah I’m fine.” Caleb stretched his neck to look around her Zeta laughed “I was getting ready for bed but if you want to come in for a minute your welcome too.” Caleb nodded as a walked in looking around “So Maxwell seems to think you and Phoenix are getting rather serious.” Zeta shrugged “Well I have strong feelings for him, and I can see myself having a future with him.” Caleb peeked inside the room “Were you in bed?” Phoenix sat below listening in as Caleb walked into the bedroom. Zeta nodded “Yeah I was feeling a little under the weather this evening especially after having dinner with Maxwell and Erica.” Caleb laughed “I heard you were getting some attention at a tavern in town tonight.” Zeta laughed “Just a little.” Caleb laughed “That’s not what I heard; in fact,I heard Phoenix had to set a few men straight about whom you were there with.” Zeta laughed “I was surprised, to say the least.” Caleb shrugged “You and Phoenix should get used to it, you being the prettiest woman in town and all.” Zeta scoffed “Says my loving brother.” Caleb walked toward the door and Zeta followed hugging him good night. “I’m glad Phoenix wasn’t here I didn’t want to have to run him off, hell I even came armed just in case.” Zeta laughed “Leave my love life to me you go home and worry about getting that bitch of a wife of yours pregnant.” Caleb laughed “You always say the sweetest things.” Shutting the door Zeta returned to her room hoping Phoenix hadn’t left altogether. Going to her knees by the door she knocked then smiled when he opened the door “Thank the Gods for this door.” Zeta giggled as she watched him crawl out buck naked. “I thought you would have gotten dressed?” Phoenix shrugged “Why when I planned to get naked as soon as he left?” Zeta smiled as she took off her robe and turned down the lights before getting back into bed and patting on the mattress next to her. “Get that naked ass in here, with your dad waiting up for you we really don’t have that long now do we?” Phoenix couldn’t get in fast enough, taking his time he wooed her with his mouth, his tongue caressing every inch of her laying hot searing kisses down her neck and across her chest. Joining together he entered her slow at first moving in unison Zeta gripping onto his shoulders as he thrust harder both riding the waves of desire that overcame them. Their smoldering kisses and Zeta’s cries of passion pushing Phoenix on as he hurried his pace suckling at her breasts as they bounced under him. With a low groan and a strong shutter he pulled out and spilled his seed in his hand wiping it clean before falling down beside a spent Zeta and pulling her into his arms both covered in a fine mist. “I never want to let you out of my arms.” Zeta snuggled in closer “Honey I never want you to let go, you’re the only man I have ever felt this way for, if I could keep you all to myself I would and I’d never let go.” Phoenix stroked her hair then kissed her head “I’ll tell you one thing, I’ve never wanted a woman like I want you, and I never could imagine myself having a future with a woman until I met you and at this point, I can’t see myself living without you.” Zeta knew Phoenix was still fuming and a bit unnerved “Sorry about earlier this evening at the tavern I know it really upset you.” Phoenix shrugged “It’s not your fault look at you I guess I should expect to see a lot more of that if I have to fight every man in town to prove you’re my girl I will. They may have never seen me serious over a woman but I’m dead serious when it comes to you and the fact that you belong to me and only me.” Zeta smiled “It feels good belonging to you and only you.” Phoenix wore an intense look of longing as he turned and took Zeta’s lips in a passion-filled kiss “You feel like heaven in my arms.” Zeta snuggled in closer and closed her eyes inhaling his manly scent. “I wonder who will show up tomorrow night.” Phoenix laughed “Your father I’m sure.” Zeta laughed “I wouldn’t doubt it he will be in town I’m sure, he would never miss the Wilcox Ball too many ladies to flirt with and he will be anxious to see you and me together. In fact, all of my brothers will be there even some of my cousins so we will have not only my whole family watching our every move but the whole God damn town as well.” Phoenix shrugged “We will just have to make sure to give them a good show, do you enjoy dancing?” Zeta scoffed “I rarely dance in public but I’d love to dance with you.” Phoenix looked up at the ceiling as he imagined “I cannot wait to walk into that Ball with you on my arm. I’m so excited to show you off, show all of these women what kind of woman it takes for me to get serious, it’s just not any woman I can love and make my wife.” Zeta was quiet Phoenix noticed “Are you, okay honey?” Zeta nodded “You said love and make your wife.” Phoenix laughed “I did didn’t I, never been in love before yet I can’t picture loving anyone more than I love you right now and we have only just met just think how I will feel later on down the road.” After lying in each other’s arms and talking for about an hour Phoenix got up and got dressed while Zeta watched from bed. “Will I see you tomorrow?” Phoenix laughed “You will see me every day, hell I can’t let you out of my sight or you’ll have every man in town hounding you.” Zeta smiled “So you just don’t want other men coming on to me is that it?” Phoenix nodded in agreement “Well that and I hate being away from you for only a few hours, I don’t think I could handle any more than that.” Zeta smiled “Alright then what do you have planned for tomorrow?” Phoenix leaned in and kissed her “I thought I’d pick you up around seven a.m. and we could go to the farmer’s market and look around then have some breakfast.” Zeta grinned “Alright I’ll be ready.” Phoenix opened the cellar door then turned and looked back at her “Night love.” Zeta smiled “Be careful you’re not seen.” Phoenix headed home feeling very satisfied and anxious for morning to come. Sneaking back into his house through the kitchen he was happy to find out his father had not waited up, probably realizing there was no need since he couldn’t change anything anyway. Zeta fell asleep laying naked in bed finding it so much more comfortable than wearing a bulky nightgown. Her dreams more like memories of her and Phoenix’s love making swimming around in her head.