Teasing Phoenix novel Chapter 18

A smirk spreads across Phoenix’s face when he notices me gawking at him. He’s wearing a black tuxedo and looks yummy enough to be my dessert for tonight after the Art exhibit Fundraising event hosted by Hughes Industries.

“Wanna have quickie first before we go to the exhibit?” Phoenix asks, smirking, and I’m literally drooling over him.

“I spent half an hour just to like this,” I say, motioning to my floor-length off-shoulder black dress. “I’m not gonna ruin just for a quickie, and we’ll gonna be late anyway.”

“You’re right because quickie is not enough. I need to take my time making you feel good. Let’s go because if we stay here longer, I might shred off that gown from you and press you against this wall.” He presses his bulge against my rear, then kisses my exposed shoulder.

The venue of the event is not far from the King’s hotel we checked in. Phoenix grips my hand when our driver opens the door for me. I take a huge breath before stepping my right foot outside the limousine. Phoenix immediately extends his hand like a fine gentleman, then kisses my forehead as soon as I am standing beside him.

“You’ll be alright. I’ll be with you all the time. Just let me know if you don’t wanna stay longer. I’ll find a way for us to escape. Let me tell you in advance that maybe my cousins are loaded, but they are great and slightly annoying people.”

Cameras flash everywhere as soon as we step to the red-carpeted floor. I walk with all my effort to make sure I don’t stumble in front of them. A smile spread across my face voluntarily when I see Phoenix smiling down at me.

I don’t recognize anyone. I know most of them are businessmen because Phoenix briefed me during our flight, and he also told me that his cousin from his father's side was the one who hosted this exhibit for cancer patients’ benefits. And we will be meeting his brother, Hawk here.

I stop walking when someone is marching toward us.

“Look who showed his ass up, if not the douche, himself.” A smile curves on his lips. He looks older than Phoenix with brown hair, blue eyes, but with the same body built like him, then they immediately hug one another.

“And who’s this unfortunate hot chick you brought here tonight, Phoenix?” he teases Phoenix with smirks on his face.

“Back off, Patrick. If you don’t want Becca’s knee on your balls. Meet my girlfriend, Samantha. Princess, meet my asshole cousin, Patrick.”

I smile at him and extend my hand, but instead, he squeezes me into a hug that makes me whimper.

“Don’t break her, twinzy!” Our hug is abrupt when a woman says in front of us.

“You must be the princess. I’m the gorgeous twin of this asswipe. Call me Trixie.” Wow! She looks like Victoria’s Secret model while I look like a wallflower in front of her.

“I’m Samantha, you can call me Sam. What do you mean by The Princess?” I raise my brows quizzically.

“Oh, I heard from Hawk that Phoenix will finally bring his princess. So, since you are with him tonight. It tells me only one thing that you are his princess,” Trixie giggles.

My cheeks burn that everyone knows Phoenix will bring me as his date tonight. What if they are expecting someone who is gorgeous and rich like them? I am disappointing them.

I feel a hand gripping my waist.

“And what exactly did you hear from Hawk, Trix?” Phoenix asks who looks amused.

“That you finally met her.” She grins at him.

I look up at Phoenix who’s blushing and grinning back at her.

“And you waited that long, huh, whipped?” Patrick teases him.

I furrow my brows. “What are they saying, Phoenix? Did I miss something?”

“Don’t mind them, Samantha. They’re all nosy about my life.”

“Let me tell you, Sam. When we were kids, Phoenix said that once he meets his—” Patrick is interrupted by a handsome man who hugs Phoenix from behind.

My eyes grow wide. His handsome face is like you only see in the movies—has dimples on both cheeks, disheveled curly brown hair with big honey-colored eyes. He’s with a brunette around his age, and she looks beautiful with a green ankle-length gown.

After hugging Phoenix, my eyes widen when he faces me and with a dashing smile.

“Princess? Is that you? Jesus Christ! No wonder Phoenix forgot to ask your name that night at a parking lot. You’re beautiful than I imagine.” He hugs me tight, and I freeze on the spot.

“I’m the handsome brother of your boyfriend, and this is my wife Izzy.”

My eyes move to him, to Izzy and to Phoenix, but I am still tongue-tied to say a word. I never expect these people are so warm for me. What I was expecting was just his and hellos, then walk away, enjoy the party, and forget that I am with Phoenix. Phoenix smiles warmly that flutters my heart.

Izzy breaks me from zoning out with a hug. We kiss each others’ cheeks.

“Thank you for inviting me, Hawk. I’m really not used to attend an event like this, I can’t say no to your brother.” I smile shyly.

“Princess, you will attend more parties like this if you are dating my hideous of a brother because we are supporting King and Hughes charity events,” Hawks says, running his hand on his wife’s arm.

“Well, I never thought about this, and I think it’s already too late to back out.”

Phoenix groans and when I look up at him, he’s raising a brow at me.

“What do you mean by too late to back out?” he asks me, and everyone is listening and waiting for my answer.

“If I only knew that you’re this rich and I have to attend a various party, I might rethink of dating you,” I answer, then grin sheepishly at him. Everyone says oohs and ahhs.

“I will never force you to attend, princess, if this will give us trouble.” He leans down to kiss my cheek.

They whistle. Izzy clasps her hands together and smiles.

“It’s alright, Phoenix. Anyway, this doesn’t happen every day.” I wrap my arm around his waist to show him my full support.

I’ve been introduced around to the Williams, Hughes, and King family. They’re all kind, hospitable, and very down to earth people despite their status in society. I feel exhausted after dancing with Phoenix at the party after the exhibit. My feet give up, and the effect of the alcohol starts to kick in my system.

“Don’t sleep on me again, Samantha. You still have a promise for me after the party. Don’t think that I forget that,” he whispers to my ear that gives shiver down my spine.

“I can’t wait to arrive back to our room, Phoenix. My feet are killing me.”