His Phoenix Read online

  “I doubt I could feel trapped in this big house. I’ll write my address down for you on my way out. Do you have a pen and paper?”

  I started out of the room, gesturing Charlotte to follow. “I have some in my office.” It wasn’t till I reached the top of the stairs to the third floor that I realized I didn’t feel Charlotte behind me anymore. I turned to see her staring up at me from the bottom of the stairs. “Are you coming?”

  “Uh, is that a trick question?” Charlotte smiled nervously.

  “What are you going on about, Charlotte? There is no trick to my question. I can bring you a pen and paper if you’d like. I just assumed you’d come into my office.”

  “There is a little problem with that assumption, Benjamin.”

  I grinned even though her sass irritated me a bit. “What would the problem be?”

  Charlotte worried her bottom lip. “I was forbidden from going to the third floor…”

  I burst out laughing, something I hadn’t done in way too long. It hurt so good.

  After a moment of laughing, I got myself under control and smiled down at my sweet honest girl. Was she mine? I think she very well might be.

  Walking halfway down the stairs, I held my hand out to her. “Come on, sweet girl. I’ll make an exception for you just this once.”

  “I wish sweet was an accurate word to describe me, Mr. Valtor. Sadly, it isn’t.” Charlotte said, taking my hand and letting me lead her to my office.

  I didn’t believe for a second that this young lady didn’t possess the ability to be sweet. She felt guarded, but I got the feeling it was mostly by choice for whatever reason.

  Once inside my office, I handed her a pen and piece of paper for her to write down her address. She wrote it down quickly and then handed the paper and pen back to me.

  “I will call my guys and have them head straight over to your apartment.”

  “Okies. I’ll head that way now since I have to take an uber.” Charlotte turned and left the room.

  I found myself following behind her.

  “I'll drive you. It’ll be safer than an uber.” I had a sudden strong urge to protect her. Maybe this wasn’t a good idea.

  Charlotte stopped on the stairs and stared at me with her hazel eyes. “You think maybe this isn’t a good idea?”

  I blew out a breath. “Stay out of my head, sweet girl. It is not a safe place to be.”

  She frowned. “What are you talking about?”

  “Nothing. Let me grab my keys and I'll drive you home.”

  “I'll be fine taking an uber, Benjamin.” Before I could say anything, Charlotte was down the last of the stairs and opening the front door. “I'll see you later.”

  “Stop!” The word escaped with enough force that Charlotte flinched. Then I felt her fear. It hit my like a punch to the chest. “I’m sorry.” I started toward where she stood in the open door.

  “I think this is my one-day notice, Mr. Valtor. Have a nice life.”

  Even with as fast as I moved, Charlotte had shut the door before I could reach her. I could have gone after her, but I felt like that would only scare her further.

  I had a feeling she was someone very important to me and didn't plan on letting her go that easily.

  Chapter Three

  Charlotte

  I didn't wait to see if Benjamin was behind me after I shut the door. I ran to the next street over before calling my Uber and finding a spot to hide from the road in case he came looking.

  It hadn’t been his raised voice that made me run in fear, it was the wave of energy that hit me when he’d yelled. It made all the hairs on my body stand. I don’t know what Mr. Valtor was, but I don’t think it was human. His strange rules should have clued me in.

  We knew shifters existed. Humans that could turn into animals and had superior strength and fantastic health. I don’t think the man I'd just encountered was one of those though. Not that I would have cared. I’m an open-minded girl and only judge people based on how they treat me.

  My Uber pulled up after about ten minutes. I hurried from my hiding spot and jumped inside.

  “Where to?” The driver asked.

  I gave him my dad’s address, not sure if I should go home tonight since I had just given Mr. Valtor my address.

  I texted my dad to let him know I was on my way over.

  “Doors open.”

  “Thanks, dad. See you in about five minutes.”

  “See you then. Love you!”

  I smiled. He was the best dad a girl could ask for.

  “Love you too!”

  Once we pulled up to my dad’s, I paid the driver and headed inside.

  Dad was where I usually found him on his days off. In his garage under the hood of a car.

  He’d been a mechanic before my mom left, but business was too slow. He couldn’t afford childcare and still work enough hours to pay the bills without her, so he went with his backup plan and used his finance degree to snag a good-paying job at the college. It wasn’t a huge pay raise from his mechanic job, but it came with free childcare.

  "I'm here!" I announced as I entered the garage.

  “You staying for dinner?” Dad grabbed his rag from his back pocket, wiping his hands before pulling me into a hug.

  “I’m probably staying the night,” I said into his chest.

  He was only five inches taller than me and smelled of oil and grease. The smell had always been comforting to me.

  Dad stepped back and gave me a concerned look. “Who’s legs do I need to break?”

  I shook my head and laughed. “No one, Dad. I’m just not used to being alone in my apartment.”

  “I thought you were interviewing for a room to rent today. Did it fall through?”

  I didn’t want to tell him what had happened with Benjamin. As scared as I'd been, I still had this strange urge to go back. I had no clue what I was doing.

  “They said they’d call me after they interview a few other people. It’s not a done deal yet.”

  “Well, you’re welcome to stay here for as long as you want, Charlotte. This is still your home. Nothing will ever change that.”

  I hugged my dad again just to feel the calm that his hugs brought. “Thanks, Dad.”

  “Mmhmm.” His chest vibrated with the sound before he grabbed me and turned me toward the kitchen door. “Let’s go get washed up for dinner and get you fed.”

  Going to the kitchen, we decided on making spaghetti and then sat down at the table to eat. The house wasn’t big by any means. It was a small two-bedroom, one bath house. It didn’t have a dining room, just a kitchen big enough for a table in the middle.

  “You should think about going back to being a mechanic,” I said, wiping my mouth after slurping in a noodle.

  Dad smiled and nodded. “I’ve been thinking about it recently. I miss being in the garage and getting my hands dirty all day. Sick of dressing like a stuffy straight lacer.”

  I covered my mouth as I laughed. “You just want to show off your tattoos to all the ladies.”

  “They worked for your mom-.” Dad stopped himself. “I’m sorry, baby girl. I know you don’t like to talk about her.”

  I shrugged. “It doesn’t bother me so much anymore. I just wish I understood why she left. Was it me? Was it you? What pushed her over that edge”

  Dad set his fork down and took my hand into his. “Charlotte, your mother left because she didn’t want the responsibilities that came with being a wife and mother anymore. It had nothing to do with either of us. Please don’t ever think that you caused her to leave.

  "I didn’t beg her to stay because that last year she was here, I’d felt her distancing herself from us. You never noticed because you were so young. She’d stopped doing all the things you loved, like going to the park and reading you bedtime stories. I started working less so I could do those things every chance I got in hopes that you wouldn’t feel her pulling away.”

  I squeezed my dad’s hand and swallowed around the lu
mp in my throat. I was not going to cry. “I don’t really remember anything before the day she left. Just bits and pieces of me and her doing stuff together and me and you catching lightning bugs out back.”

  “I’m sorry you have to remember that day, baby girl.”

  “It’s okay.” I released his hand and picked my fork back up. “It made us both stronger and brought us closer. I couldn’t ask for a better dad, which is why I want you to go back to doing what you love. You deserve it after all you’ve sacrificed for me over the years.”

  Dad held his beer up. “You’re worth way more than anything I gave up for you. To doing what we love!”

  I lifted my beer and clinked it to his. “To doing what we love and maybe finding love, huh?” I waggled my eyebrows and dad laughed.

  “Why don’t we get our careers settled before I think about all that. I do feel ready though.”

  “Good. You should be happy in all ways, old man.”

  Dad pointed his fork at me. “What about you? I haven’t heard about you dating anyone in forever. Anything you want to share?”

  “Nope. I gave up dating after my last boyfriend turned out to be a lying dirtbag. He actually had the nerve to hit on Alisa. Can you believe that?”

  “What’s his address?” Dad grinned.

  I laughed. “Oh no, I’m not gonna be part of you illegal activities, old man.”

  When my parents met, my dad had been in a motorcycle club. The guys he ran with got into all kinds of illegal stuff. That’s when he’d gotten the bulk of his tattoos. He only got a couple after he and my mom moved and got married. One was a phoenix on his bicep with my name above it. He said he knew from the moment I was born that I was going to be a fighter.

  I had a matching Phoenix on my back. He’d taken me on my twenty-first birthday to get it. He was one of the few people that knew it existed.

  “It’s not illegal if you don’t get caught, Charlotte.” I could see the mischief sparkling in his hazel eyes. They were so much like mine.

  “Why does it sometimes feel like I’m the parent and you’re the child?” I said, fighting a grin.

  “Probably because I refuse to grow up. That’s what keeps me looking so young.” Dad ran his hand through his short hair. It had just recently started to gray. He was only fifty-three.

  “I think age is finally catching up to you, graymane.” I pointed to his beard that had started graying last year.

  “Hey! You leave my beard out of this, you brat. Eat your food!”

  We laughed and went back to finishing our food before heading to bed for the night.

  ∞∞∞

  The next day I got up early and went to my first class for the day. After class, I dared go back to my apartment to get a shower and fresh clothes before my next class.

  There was an envelope tucked into the crevasse of my front door.

  Grabbing it so it wouldn’t fall as I pushed open the door, I set it on my kitchen counter to read once I was cleaned up. After my shower, I opened the envelope and found a lease agreement and letter inside.

  Dear Charlotte,

  I’m sorry for scaring you yesterday and hope that you'll allow me to make it up to you tonight. I have lived alone for many years and am afraid my in-home people skills are not the best. It's one of the reasons I decided to get a roommate. Please accept my apology and let me take you to dinner tonight. I’ll be by to pick you up at seven and will understand if you aren’t there when I arrive. Don’t feel obligated to join me. Only do so if you truly want to.

  Sincerely yours,

  Benjamin Valtor

  I had to take a calming breath to settle the butterflies that had taken flight in my stomach. Ben wanted to take me to dinner tonight. If I wanted to go, I would only have an hour after my last class to come home and get ready. Not that I owned a dress. He would have to settle for my nicest jeans and the flowery top Alisa bought me for my birthday last month.

  The question was, did I want to go? Strangely, yes, I did.

  I looked at the time on my phone and saw I only had twenty minutes until my next class. I needed to get moving or I was gonna be late.

  ∞∞∞

  Three classes and four hours later, I was standing in front of my bathroom mirror attempting to put on make-up. After messing up and making myself look like a splotchy clown, I washed my face clean and settled for mascara and tinted lip balm.

  “Good enough,” I told myself as a knock sounded at the door. “Just a minute!” I yelled, rushing to answer it.

  Opening the door, I was greeted by Ben’s predatory smile. I had a feeling it was something I would need to get used to if I was going to spend time with him.

  “Good evening, Ms. James,” He said, his deep voice causing the butterflies in my stomach to start to stir again.

  “Hi.” I felt like a virgin on prom night right now. I was not a virgin, and this wasn’t even a date. I think.

  Ben offered me his arm. “Shall we go?”

  “Yes.” My voice came out a little high and I inwardly cringed.

  Ben only smiled wider. “There is no need to be nervous, my sweet. Did you sign your lease?” I shook my head as I took his offered arm, letting him tuck my hand into the crook of his elbow. “That’s okay. Let’s just have dinner and get to know each other better while you decide.”

  “Sounds good.” I was way out of my league with this man. He exerted power and class in his tailored suit, while here I was in jeans and a thirty-dollar top.

  “You look lovely tonight.”

  “You don’t have to be polite. I know I’m not dressed properly for wherever we’re headed.”

  Ben made a clicking sound with his mouth. “Nonsense. You’re a stunning young woman, Charlotte. I could dress you in a burlap sack and you would still be more beautiful than any woman in the most expensive dress.”

  I felt myself blush at his compliment. “I’m not good at taking compliments, so don’t get offended if I don’t respond properly or say the wrong thing.”

  “A simple thank you is all I ask, my sweet. You’ll get used to my compliments in time, I promise.”

  I stopped walking. My confusion about what we were doing was becoming too hard to ignore. I needed to know his intentions. “Is this a date?”

  “If that’s what you want it to be, then yes, this is a date. If not, then this can just be a dinner between two friends who might become roommates.” His smile was reassuring.

  His answer didn't make me any less confused, but it settled my nerves a bit. “We’ll see how the night goes.”

  “fantastic. Shall we?”

  I nodded. “We shall.”

  I let Ben lead me to his car and open the door for me. He was a true gentleman and not just being nice for his own gain like alot of men. Everything Ben did and said felt genuine.

  The restaurant was fancy, just like I thought it would be.

  As soon as we stepped inside, the maître de gave me once over. A look of disgust formed on his face and he started to say something until Ben stepped in front of me.

  “Is there a problem?” Ben asked, his voice making the hairs on my arms stand.

  “No, Sir. If you’ll follow me, I have your table ready for you in the back.”

  I tugged on Ben’s sleeve. "We can go somewhere else."

  He shook his head and wrapped an arm around my waist, stunning me into silence. The more stares I got as we walked; the tighter Ben held me until we reached our table.

  Ben pulled out my chair for me before turning to the maître de. “We’ll be fine until our waiter comes.”

  Taking the hint, the maître de didn’t argue. “Of course, Sir.”

  “I’m sorry about that, Charlotte. I'll be speaking to the owner about his behavior after I take you home.”

  “That’s not necessary, Ben. I knew this would happen. I’m sorry I didn’t find something nicer to wear.”

  Ben reached over and took my hand in his. His eyes were so bright right now. “Nonsense, my swee
t. You should be able to wear whatever you like to these places, especially considering the price they charge for the food. Should be able to dine nude if we like.”

  I snorted as I laughed and covered my face in embarrassment. “Oh my god. I can’t believe I just did that.”

  “I thought it was adorable.” The smile in Ben’s voice had me peeking through my fingers. He was smiling that predatory smile at me again.

  “Is anyone looking at us?” I asked. He looked around the room, not even trying to hide that he was looking, and my face heated with more embarrassment. “Don’t make it obvious you’re looking, Benjamin.”

  Ben laughed and pulled my hands away from my face. “There is no need to be embarrassed, my sweet. No one is looking and your laugh is adorable. Nothing to be ashamed of.”

  “Ha! Says the handsome rich guy. Us poor people can’t afford to be acting a fool in public.”

  “Acting a fool? What does that mean exactly?” Ben asked, releasing my hands and sitting back in his chair.

  “It just means acting out or doing stuff that is not acceptable in public or at all for that matter.”

  “But you weren’t ‘acting a fool’ as you say. You were just laughing, which is perfectly acceptable in any case. You should always be laughing or smiling, Charlotte. You deserve happiness.”

  His words made my heart smile. He was incredible and every moment I spent with him was slowly clearing my confusion about us. I didn't know what it would reveal once it was completely gone, but I knew I would know the moment it happened.

  "Thanks, Ben." I said, remembering our earlier conversation about compliments.

  He smiled, his dimples making an appearance. "You're welcome."

  Our waiter came over to take our order. “Good evening, my name is Shaun and I will be your waiter this evening. What can I get you to drink?”

  Ben looked at me. “What would you like to drink? Order anything you like.”

  I hated being put on the spot and I doubted they had beer here. I didn’t like wine that much. I was gonna ask about beer anyway. Dad always said you never know until you try and if you don’t try, you’ll never know.