Waking the next day Zeta got dressed and wore one of her new crushed velvet dresses the green one and put her hair in a braid. When she got to the dining hall Augusto greeted her with a hug. “You never join us for breakfast Lil bit.” Zeta smiled “Well there’s a first time for everything I guess.” When Phoenix walked in, he walked straight to Zeta and greeted her with a kiss turning to find the whole room watching them, Kent rolled his eyes. “Great first I find out you two are swimming naked and now you’re kissing her right in front of us.” Standing Brice growled, “What did you just say?” Devlin nodded “You heard right Phoenix came in last night at two a.m. with wet hair and had been swimming naked with Zeta all night.” Brice frowned at Phoenix then at Augusto “What do you have to say about all of this pops?” Augusto smiled giving a shrugged “Not much I’m just glad your sister is having some fun for a change.” Caleb shook his head “Naked, though?” Gabriella frowned at Zeta “That’s not very ladylike.” Zeta shrugged as she sipped at her coffee “I never claimed to be a lady now did I.” Allison gave a sly smile “How scandalous, I guess it’s a good thing your reputation is already tarnished or this might have made you look bad.” Phoenix looked annoyed “Enough of your reprimand what Zeta and I do is none of your business if Augusto has a problem with our actions I understand but other than that mind your own business. Zeta and I are old enough to decide what’s best for us.” Zeta smiled as Phoenix reached out his hand and she took it, Kent frowned “She’s our sister and she is a single woman who needs to worry about her reputation no matter what Allison says.” Phoenix frowned “Well she may not be single for very much longer.” Everyone got quiet including Zeta Augusto was quick to question him. “What exactly does that mean Phoenix?” Phoenix nodded “It means she and I have a great connection and I want to get to know her better.” Zeta smiled, Webster laughed, and Maxwell shook his head “When Erica and I were getting to know each other we never got naked in front of each other hell we always had a chaperone.” Phoenix shrugged “Yeah well that’s not going to be the case with Zeta and myself.” Caleb frowned “What about your coming voyage?” Phoenix shrugged “My plans haven’t changed and they don’t need to change for her and me to get to know each other better.” Brice frowned “You and your father return to London tomorrow what happens then?” Zeta laughed getting the attention of the table “Funny that none of you gave a rat’s ass who papa married me off too and now all of a sudden you want all the details. Hell three months ago papa brought a forty-year-old man in need of an heir to dinner who called me Wendy all night and you all seemed to think he was an appropriate match for me. And now you’re drilling Phoenix about his intentions why?” Zeta’s brothers all got quiet Allison laughed “It’s because of his reputation.” Webster frowned “Reputation as what a Warlock, an eccentric, what?” Augusto laughed “You must be joking half of England thinks Zeta’s a witch our entire family gets invited to events except for her and you’re worried about his reputation.” Kent shrugged “I like you Phoenix, I have no problem with you hell you and Zeta are perfect for each other. I just want to make sure she doesn’t get hurt. Brice always thinks about what other people think and Allison’s whole life revolves around gossip hell she probably starts most of the gossip herself.” Turning to Caleb he shrugged “Am I lying you know your wife and you know how she and her friends can be.” Phoenix put his arm around Zeta “I would never hurt Zeta, and I’m not just going to up and leave her, I plan on spending more time with her so we can see if she and I have a future ahead of us.” Zeta laughed “If I knew coming to breakfast would be such an eye-opening experience I would have started coming to them a long time ago.” Phoenix smiled “If you don’t mind I’d like it if you and I can go and talk for a while.” Zeta smiled “Yes of course.” Maxwell looked like he was about to argue but Phoenix shook his head “Without a chaperone Maxwell.” Maxwell growled, “We may not be here to watch over Zeta all the time but that doesn’t mean we're going to just sit back and let you take advantage of our sister’s overly passionate nature.” Augusto held up his hand “That’s enough Maxwell.” Phoenix laughed “That’s what you think I’m doing, you say overly passionate like it’s a bad thing when it’s not. It’s a blessing in a lover and a wife, something to be grateful for I would hope as men you would agree with me on that.” Kent shrugged “Maxwell is just having a hard time seeing you and Zeta getting so intimate so fast.” Phoenix nodded “I have only shown Zeta respect you should know that I haven’t spotted her reputation in any way.” Zeta turned to leave “Ready to go?” Phoenix squeezed her hand as they walked out being closely watched, Augusto and Webster both wearing satisfied smiles. Neither Phoenix nor Zeta spoke as they walked toward Zeta’s cottage Phoenix stopped her at the door. “I know a lot just happened and a lot was said, I’m sorry I didn’t talk to you first it’s just your brothers were really aggravating me.” Zeta nodded “Did you mean what you said?” Phoenix smiled leaning in he softly touched his lips to hers “Yes I meant every word, what do you think?” Zeta smiled “You’re leaving tomorrow how will it work?” Phoenix smiled “I meant what do you think about me and you together?” Zeta smiled “I want you, I want to be with you, and I have never felt this way about a man before.” Phoenix pulled her in closer “Do you think we can visit each other, I still have a few things to get ready before my voyage so I have to go back but I’d rather not leave you for long.” Just hearing him mention leaving she got sullen “I think I can handle going into London if it means seeing you. What still needs to be done before you’re ready to sail?” Phoenix smiled as he opened the door and Zeta walked in followed by Apollo and Artemis “It’s a long voyage and a few things have changed so I need to make a few adjustments.” Zeta knew he was going and there was no stopping him and she didn’t want to scare him away with too many questions so she decided to enjoy what little time she may have with him. Walking into the kitchen she put on some water for tea Phoenix watched her. “You should have seen your brother's faces when they found out you and I went swimming last night.” Zeta gave him a sexy smile “I have to admit I find it very sexy when you tell my brothers that what you and I do is none of their business.” Phoenix smiled “Well it’s not and there’s no way in hell we are going to have a chaperone.” Zeta smiled “And why is that?” Phoenix joined her in the kitchen and lifted her onto the counter making her laugh as he kissed her neck. “Because if we had a chaperone here, I wouldn’t be able to do this.” Zeta leaned her head back giving him better access “Well we wouldn’t want that now would we?” Phoenix caressed her cheek wearing a sincere look on his face as he stared deep into her violet eyes. Lowering his mouth to hers he moaned as he deepened their kiss exploring her mouth with his tongue making her melt into his embrace her whimpers of pleasure fueling his ever-growing desire. Breaking away they both felt as if in a daze, Zeta’s legs had wrapped around Phoenix’s waist her arms up around his neck. His manly scent of raw leather and vanilla was intoxicating his closeness alone put Zeta into a fog. Hearing a loud knock they were both jolted back into reality, Zeta giggled as Phoenix helped her down then followed her to the door to find Gabriella and Erica. Zeta rolled her eyes “You have never been to my cottage before, why are you here now?” Gabriella and Erica looked as if they were studying Zeta’s appearance “You look rather flushed and your hair is tousled.” Erica nodded “Not to mention you’re lips are swollen.” Phoenix walked up behind Zeta placing his hand on her waist “That would be my doing.” Neither woman seemed amused “We're here because your brothers are worried about you two being alone out here and they have a good reason.” Zeta shook her head “So they sent you?” Erica shrugged “They didn’t want to start a confrontation.” Phoenix frowned “They didn’t want to start a fight? huh well you can tell them we don’t need or want a babysitter and you two interrupting us is just making me mad, so go back to your husbands and tell them Zeta and I are doing just fine out here all alone and that they can feel free to drill me about this later on this evening at dinner until then we would like not to be disturbed.” When Phoenix walked away, he slapped Zeta on the ass surprising both Erica and Gabriella. “You know your brothers will not be happy about all of this when we tell them.” Zeta shrugged “I know, the funny thing is I don’t seem to care.” After shutting the door Zeta turned and smiled at Phoenix “I’d swear you're baiting them, I wouldn’t doubt if all five of my brothers show up here.” Phoenix shrugged “I know I guess I shouldn’t make waves. I think I’ll go talk to your father about me returning after going home to London for a few days, and then maybe you can come and visit me in London. I’m sure with two of your brothers living there he won’t have a problem with it.” Zeta nodded “That sounds like a good idea, I’m sure with everything else dinner is going to be quite interesting all by itself.” Phoenix smiled as he pulled Zeta down into his lap “Give me one last kiss before I go, I’m sure I’ll have to get past a wall of brothers just to get in the door.” Zeta smiled big as she kissed him back, “I’ll see you at dinner.” Phoenix opened the door and turned back and laughed “That’s if I make it that far.” Zeta turned back smiling, Phoenix walked toward the house unsure exactly what he was going to say to Augusto but knowing he had to make a plan of some sort. Entering the house he heard shouting in the study and knew right away it had to do with him and Zeta. Pausing outside in the hallway, he listened in. “Gabriella said Zeta looked like she and Phoenix had been kissing, her hair was messed up and her lips were swollen. Not to mention he had the nerve to tell us to mind our own business.” Augusto laughed “She’s eighteen and you know she’s right none of you cared about what she was doing before.” Kent laughed “That’s because we didn’t have to see it before, hell all the men you brought home to see her when I have been here in the past have lasted all of twenty minutes before she was sending them on their way.” Webster raised his hands “Now, now Phoenix wouldn’t be spending so much time with Zeta unless he liked her. Trust me he has more than a few women interested in him and he’s polite to them but other than that he wants nothing more to do with them. To be truthful I’ve never seen him act toward a woman like he has been acting toward her, I think we should give them some space and see what happens.” Having heard enough Phoenix knocked once before letting himself in. “Afternoon everyone.” Zeta’s brothers got visibly stiffer, Phoenix kept eye contact “Brice, Maxwell, Zeta and I received a visit from your wives as you well know since you sent them.” Brice nodded “Well we're watching out for our sister.” Phoenix shook his head “Or your wives are at least right?” Augusto smiled “Come on in Phoenix.” Phoenix smiled as he walked in and took a seat, “I was hoping to talk to you alone actually.” Augusto smiled Zeta’s brothers did not Kent frowned “Why in private?” Phoenix sighed, “Well Kent like I keep saying it’s just really not any of your business, hell I’m not trying to be brazen or defiant I just want to talk to your father alone.” Augusto smiled “All right everyone out, see you all at dinner Phoenix and I have a few things to talk about.” After everyone had left Augusto returned and sat down behind his desk. “I like you Phoenix and I like the smile you put on my Zeta’s face, I haven’t seen it in a long time. I want Lil bit to have the life she wants not the life she gets, I want her to have choices and adventure, passion, and true love. Zeta’s special I’m sure you have figured that out for yourself by now and I’m willing to give the two of you some space to get to know each other. As long as you show her respect and don’t hurt her we will be alright.” Phoenix nodded “I know Zeta’s special it didn’t take me long to figure that out, she and I have a lot in common which is very rare for me more like impossible. I’m here because I have to return tomorrow to London and I don’t want to leave Zeta. Is it possible for me to return in a few days after I take care of some business to do with my voyage? If all goes well after that I’d like if she could also return to London and spend a few days. I figure by then we should know if we have a future together.” Augusto smiled thoughtfully “I’ll allow you to return and I’m sure she won’t mind going to London and staying with one of her brothers. They may be a little concerned with you two not being chaperoned but I’ll talk to them about giving you two your space.” Phoenix gave a sigh of relief “Thank you I appreciate that.” Augusto leaned back into his chair “I do have a question, let’s say you and Zeta decide you want to be together what happens in six weeks when you leave?” Phoenix shrugged “That’s easy Augusto and I’ve already thought about that if Zeta and I decide to be together. I’ll marry her before I sail and take her with me, having her with me on my dream voyage would be awesome.” Augusto smiled “I’m sure her dowry will help out with your expenses.” Phoenix shook his head “My voyage is paid for and has been for years; I’ve been planning and saving my wages from the shop since I was a boy not to mention my family’s money. If I marry Zeta it will be because I fall in love with her, not for her dowry. In fact, her dowry will probably go into her savings for later on down the road.” Augusto smiled “Just remember if this doesn’t work out you better not hurt my little girl or I’ll hunt down and kill you myself understood?” Phoenix nodded “Yes Sir I do, thanks for talking with me.” Standing up Phoenix walked to the door “I’ll see you tonight at dinner.” Augusto smiled “See you later.” When Phoenix walked out Zeta’s brothers were waiting “So anything we should know?” Phoenix walked past them “No, now do you mind I need to go talk to your sister before dinner.” When Phoenix got back to Zeta’s cottage she wasn’t there, hoping to find her at the ruins he went back to the stables and got Zeus. Zeta was in a great mood and her dreams the night before had been juicy and seductive and after receiving new paint and supplies she couldn’t wait to paint it out. She had dreamt of her and Phoenix wet and naked in the swimming hole holding each other in a loving embrace. The next scene was pure fantasy with naked flesh entangled together her long black hair free-flowing his toned muscular arms holding her in a passionate embrace. When she finished, she stepped back and looked at it realizing if Phoenix would have agreed and stayed the night before she would have freely given herself to him, and thinking about it she knew she still would. What she would give if he felt the same as she did, it was obvious he liked her and desired her she just wondered if his insides felt the same as hers. Did his chest feel tight; did his heart feel like it was beating out of his chest when they were close? Sitting on the ground next to Apollo and Artemis Zeta petted them as she looked over her painting. “Wow is this last night’s dream?” Zeta turned and smiled “Well one was a memory and the other a dream, do you like it?” Phoenix walked up and sat down next to her “Definitely you know if I wouldn’t have left last night they both could have been memories.” Zeta smiled “I offered.” Phoenix laughed “If I could have stayed I would have, I spoke to your father, well first I walked in on your brothers arguing with our fathers about you and me. I asked your father if I could return in a few days and if you could come to London with me thereafter, I told him by then you and I would know if we had a future together.” Zeta smiled “What did he say?” Phoenix smiled “He said all right and that when you returned to London you could stay at one of your brothers.” Zeta laughed “I plan to go but I will not be staying with my brothers I’ll have to figure something else out.” Zeta turned and looked into his eyes “What happens if we decide there is a future between us?” Phoenix smiled “You sound like your father.” Zeta shrugged “Smart man.” Phoenix got serious “I told your father that after a few weeks we will know if there can be a future between us.” Phoenix leaned in and kissed her then gave a sexy smile “If we do, if I fall in love with you completely then I’ll marry you and you and I will sail out together, I can’t think of anything better than going on an adventure with you, sharing my lifelong dream with you.” Zeta laid back into the grass and placed her hand on her stomach, “I feel like I can be truthful with you.” Phoenix laid down next to her “I’d prefer you to be, what is it you want to say?” Zeta paused a moment “Zeta?” Zeta sighed “The thing is I’m used to being alone, and even though my father has brought dozens of men here to meet me, I never really talk to any of them and I never have had any emotional connection to any of them or have any feeling for them at all so it’s a bit of a shock for me to have such strong feelings for you and I guess I’m a little worried that you and I aren’t feeling the same thing. I mean I can see you’re attracted to me but you’re a man and wanting a woman and having genuine feelings for her is two different things.” Phoenix smiled big as he pulled her up into his lap “I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you since the first moment I set eyes on you. Just hearing your father’s description of you caught my interest and that doesn’t happen often. Your right I want you, I desire you, but all of my feelings for you are genuine.”