A Million Tiny Pieces

by Nicole Edwards

  Phoenix tried. He tried really fucking hard to avoid the temptation, but the longer they stood there, the greater the pull to her seemed to get, until he found himself saying, “I’m going to kiss you, Mia.”

  When she didn’t argue or try to move away, Phoenix took one step closer, his body coming into contact with hers. His dick hardened instantly as he cupped her face with both hands, noticing the way her glossy pink lips parted ever so slightly.

  God, she was so fucking sweet.

  Leaning in, Phoenix brushed his lips against hers lightly. He felt the warmth of her breath against his mouth, heard the hitch in her breathing, which only spurred him forward. Angling her head a hair to the right, Phoenix pressed his lips to hers more firmly, sliding his tongue along the seam until her hands came up and fisted in his shirt. It was then that the fragile grip he had on his control slipped, then threatened to snap, but he managed to hang on to it. Barely.

  Sliding his tongue into her mouth, past her lips, gently stroking her tongue, he was overwhelmed by sensation. Something so powerful he felt the aftershocks clear down to his toes. When he was met with a sweet, fervent resistance, her tongue gliding over his, her mouth opening for him, Phoenix took control, delving deeper, pulling her closer, cupping her face more firmly. And when she moaned into his mouth, Phoenix knew he had to stop or he was going to do something he would easily regret.

  Mia Cantrell was not a one-night woman. As much as he wanted to tell himself he could sweet-talk her out of her clothes and into bed, Phoenix didn’t want that. Well, not only that. He wanted more than one night with her, which meant he had to slow down, had to get a secure grip on his self-control.

  “You’re so damn sweet, Mia,” he mumbled against her lips as he pulled back, keeping his mouth only a breath away. “I could get lost in you if I let myself.”

  He hadn’t meant to say the words; they’d just come out. For the first time in his adult life, he hadn’t been saying them in an attempt to get her naked, but the way Mia’s eyes widened told him he’d gone a little too far.

  She took a step back, her hand coming to rest against her lips, but she still didn’t say anything. Her eyes traveled over his face slowly, as though she was trying to figure him out. He could’ve told her that it wasn’t possible, but he got the strange feeling she might be able to see deeper than anyone before her, so he kept his thoughts to himself.

  “Good night, Mia,” he whispered, keeping his eyes locked with hers.

  “Good night,” she murmured as she took another step away from him, her back touching her door. She turned, inserted the key, and then escaped inside before he could convince his legs to move. Once she was safely on the other side, Phoenix exhaled and turned away slowly.

  And when he got into the elevator to go up to his floor, Phoenix knew without a doubt that life as he knew it had taken a significant turn.

  He just wasn’t sure what to do about that, even if he could acknowledge it.

  »»»»»♥«««««

  TARIK HEARD THE front door when it closed, and he fought the urge to get up off his couch. There was only one person who would stop by his condo, only one person who would merely walk in without bothering to knock first.

  Phoenix. The one person Tarik didn’t want to see at the moment.

  As it was, for the last two hours, he hadn’t moved from where he reclined on the couch. After taking a shower and changing into sweats, fighting off the thoughts of Phoenix and Mia together, Tarik hadn’t been in the mood to do anything other than sit down and mindlessly stare at the television. He hadn’t even bothered to turn the damn thing on.

  And now that Phoenix was there, Tarik had to wonder what had happened at dinner. Evidently Phoenix hadn’t convinced Mia to go back to his place. So, the only positive thing was that the two of them weren’t about to get down and dirty in Phoenix’s guest room. Or on the couch. Tarik knew Phoenix didn’t take women to his bed. When Tarik had asked him about it once, Phoenix had told him that until he found someone worthy of more than one night, his bed was off-limits.

  It made sense. More sense than it should, probably.

  Tarik wanted to be invited to Phoenix’s bed. Almost more than he wanted his next breath.

  A throat cleared, followed by Phoenix’s deep voice. “You awake?”

  Tarik sighed but didn’t move. For half a second, he debated whether or not he should pretend to be asleep. At least that way he wouldn’t have to see Phoenix, wouldn’t have to hear about his date with Mia. Wouldn’t have to deal with the jealousy that threatened to rip him to pieces at the thought of the two of them together. Without him.

  “Yeah,” he said instead, opening his eyes but not bothering to get up.

  Phoenix moved into view, propping himself up against the living room wall as he stared down at Tarik.

  Tarik let his eyes rake over Phoenix momentarily, taking in the way his jeans stretched nicely over his thick thighs and the shirt he wore accentuated his impressive chest. When he met Phoenix’s gaze, he held it. “Where’s Mia?”

  “I took her home.”

  Tarik did his best not to read into that. Phoenix hadn’t been gone long enough for the two of them to have gotten naked. Not nearly long enough.

  “Need something?” Tarik asked.

  Phoenix didn’t answer him; his eyes merely continued to roam over Tarik leisurely. When his perusal caused anger to slice through him, Tarik knew he had to send him on his way. He was in no mood to put up with Phoenix’s strange moods or his confusion. As it was, he felt a little beaten down by it.

  “I’m gonna call it a night,” Tarik said slowly, trying to mask his irritation. “Did you need something?”

  And just like that, Phoenix stood up straight, shook his head as though he’d had a moment of clarity, and he turned to walk out. Tarik was off the couch and following him down the short hallway that led to the front door. “Hold up!”

  Phoenix stopped abruptly, spinning around to face Tarik. Bumping into him was an accident but not entirely unwarranted. Face-to-face with Phoenix, Tarik was about to ask what his problem was, but Phoenix managed to steal the words right out of his mouth when he reached for him, grabbing his hips and yanking him forward, their bodies slamming together at the same time their lips collided.

  Tarik groaned as Phoenix’s hands slid upward, stroking the bare skin of his sides. Tarik reached for Phoenix, pushing his hands through his hair and pulling his head back, controlling the kiss. The desire that had been pulsing between them intensified right there against the wall in the darkened hallway.

  When Phoenix bit his bottom lip, thrusting his hips forward, their erections grinding together, Tarik wasn’t sure he was going to be able to stop. He was shirtless, and Phoenix’s hands were roaming over him, the warmth of his touch igniting every nerve ending.

  “Tarik,” Phoenix growled as he pushed him, causing him to stumble, his back slamming into the opposite wall as Phoenix pursued him, their mouths never breaking completely apart. “What the fuck is this? Why can’t I stop thinking about you?”

  Tarik didn’t know how to answer that question. At least not for Phoenix. He knew what this was for him. It was every fucking thing he’d wanted for as long as he could remember. Phoenix’s hands, his mouth, all of it focused on him.

  “Don’t think too much,” Tarik said when they came up for air, their foreheads pressed together.

  “I can’t stop thinking,” Phoenix bit out. “I’m so fucking confused.”

  “Well, I’m not.” No, Tarik knew exactly what he wanted. This man. Every single glorious inch of him.

  Their lips brushed against one another as Phoenix continued to speak. “I want her. And I want you, too. How can you not be confused? It makes no damn sense.”

  “It makes perfect sense,” Tarik whispered.

  “It’s not like the other times,” Phoenix said. “One night won’t be enough. Not with her.”

  “Why only one night?” Tarik asked, licking Phoenix’s bottom lip. �
��Why does it have to be all or nothing?”

  Phoenix didn’t answer, his lips melded to Tarik’s, their tongues searching. Some of the intensity faded, but the passion still lingered. Phoenix’s hands traveled over Tarik’s bare chest, his thumbs brushing over his nipples, eliciting a sharp inhale. He wanted Phoenix to put his mouth there. To bite his nipples, to send shards of pleasure mixed with an erotic pain straight through him.

  Knowing the moment wouldn’t last forever, Tarik palmed Phoenix’s head, urging him down. Phoenix didn’t fight him, his lips trailing down his jaw, his neck, his collarbone. As though the other man knew exactly what he needed, Phoenix’s mouth left a trail of blazing hot kisses across his chest and right to his nipple. He licked a circle around it, then clipped him with his teeth. Tarik thrust his hips forward, needing friction on his dick.

  “Fuck yes. Bite me, Phoenix,” Tarik demanded.

  Phoenix did, nipping him harder, then chasing the pain away with his tongue.

  While Phoenix continued to drive him out of his mind, Tarik reached between them and rubbed his palm against Phoenix’s cock, his jeans limiting his ability to touch him skin to skin.

  Then Phoenix’s mouth was on his once more, one hand coming up to grip his hair, holding his head still. “I’ve dreamed about this, Tarik.” Phoenix’s words came out in a harsh whisper, the desperation in his tone making Tarik’s dick pulse and throb.

  Phoenix slid his other hand into Tarik’s sweatpants, gripping his cock firmly, stroking slowly.

  “Fucking hell,” Tarik muttered.

  “I’ve thought about what it would be like to put your dick in my mouth. To suck you until you come down my throat.”

  Tarik didn’t say anything. He couldn’t. The pleasure was too much. The way Phoenix’s firm grip wrapped around his cock, every muscle in his body was strung tight.

  “I’ve never done that before,” Phoenix admitted. “I’ve had men blow me, but I’ve never returned the favor.”

  Tarik opened his eyes and met Phoenix’s hard gaze, his honesty like a brutal slap to the face. He’d never…? Tarik knew, based on what Phoenix had told him, that he hadn’t had intercourse with a man, but he’d never…? Holy fuck.

  “I want to feel what it’s like for you to fuck my mouth. I want your hands in my hair, holding me still while you drive your dick down my throat.” The rough, aroused tone of Phoenix’s voice made Tarik’s cock jump in Phoenix’s hand.

  His thoughts were all over the map, but Tarik couldn’t produce words. For all the time he’d known Phoenix, he’d never known the man to relinquish control. But what he was telling him now was exactly the opposite. Had he been waiting all this time for Tarik to take the control from him?

  As tempting as that was, Tarik needed Phoenix to give himself to him first. As Phoenix had said before, one night would never be enough. Never.

  “What about Mia?” Tarik asked.

  “I want her just as much. I’ve fantasized about my cock sliding into her warm, slick heat while you fuck my ass.”

  Tarik’s breath got stuck in his throat. Phoenix’s hand was still stroking Tarik’s dick, faster now. He wasn’t going to last much longer, he knew that much. If Phoenix didn’t stop, he was going to come in his fucking hand.

  “I’ve imagined her sucking your dick while I’m fucking her from behind. Sliding my cock into her warm, wet pussy.”

  Tarik understood everything Phoenix was saying — he’d had the same fantasies. But he knew what the problem was. Mia was too sweet for that. No matter how many times he tried to envision it, they were simply fantasies. When he attempted to match it to what little he knew of the woman, it never worked. She was too innocent to give herself over to two men.

  He had to wonder whether Phoenix realized that, too. Was that why he was finally giving in?

  Suddenly Phoenix’s breath was no longer on his mouth; his hand disappeared from inside his sweats. Tarik tried to take a deep breath, ready to accept that this wasn’t going to happen, but then Phoenix dropped to his knees, yanking Tarik’s sweats down his legs.

  “Oh, God,” Tarik groaned, dropping his head against the wall when Phoenix engulfed his dick, taking him all the way in his mouth. He resisted the urge to fist his hands in the man’s hair. He could so easily do it, so effortlessly take control, but he needed Phoenix to finish what he’d started. And not because Tarik forced him to. Because Phoenix wanted to.

  Looking down the length of his body, Tarik watched as his cock disappeared inside Phoenix’s mouth, the way his lips wrapped around him, stretching tight.

  “That’s it,” Tarik encouraged, his hands balled at his sides. “Take all of me, Phoenix. Suck my dick. Damn, that’s good.”

  Phoenix laved his dick with his tongue, using only his mouth to pleasure him.

  “I’m gonna come down your throat,” Tarik told him. “I want to watch you take all of me.”

  Phoenix groaned, the vibration sending shockwaves of pleasure straight to Tarik’s balls. He wasn’t going to last, not while he watched the one man he’d wanted for so damn long on his knees sucking his dick with so much eagerness. It was more than he could bear.

  “Faster,” he instructed. “Take me deeper. Oh, fuck, Phoenix. I’m gonna come.”

  No sooner did the words leave his mouth than Tarik exploded, his dick pulsing, spurting into Phoenix’s throat as he sucked him dry.

  Any other time that he’d had his dick sucked, Tarik would’ve been satisfied. He would’ve been able to breathe easier for just a little while. But as he helped Phoenix to his feet, pulling him in for another kiss, tasting himself in Phoenix’s mouth, Tarik knew that this wasn’t going to be easy. Nothing about Phoenix Pierce was easy. It didn’t matter that he’d finally given in to something they’d both wanted for a long damn time.

  There was still someone else. Someone they both couldn’t stop thinking about.

  Chapter Fifteen

  THE WEEK FLEW by without incident, something Mia was incredibly grateful for. The reporters had all but disappeared. Mia wasn’t sure if that was a fluke, but she didn’t question it, grateful not to have to endure overly pushy people who wanted their questions answered regardless of what it was they were asking. Whoever might’ve been following her — if her imagination hadn’t merely been playing tricks on her — hadn’t been back, either. Then again, Phoenix had insisted that his driver take her to school and pick her up on Wednesday and Thursday. He’d said he would’ve done it, but he was out of town on business.

  Initially, when Phoenix had informed her that he and Tarik would be gone for a couple of days, she’d been disappointed but made sure she didn’t show it. The last thing she wanted was to appear needy, although she’d somehow developed a bit of a crush on both men, despite her frequent denial.

  In fact, her curiosity had been the reason she’d made an attempt to speak with Phoenix’s driver, whose name she had learned was Gus, on Wednesday morning when he’d taken her to school.

  “Do you drive many women to school these days?” she asked, keeping her tone light, despite how much she wanted to know the answer to that question.

  “Never,” he answered straightforwardly. “Well, no one other than Ellen from time to time, but I doubt she’s the type of woman you’re referring to.”

  The glint in his perceptive brown eyes told her he’d definitely understood her inquiry.

  “Sorry,” she said absently. “I don’t mean to be nosy.”

  The older man gifted her with a knowing smile, and Mia fidgeted slightly. “Ms. Cantrell, I can tell you that you’re in good hands with Mr. Pierce and Mr. Marx. They’re good people. I started out working for the elder Mr. Pierce, which means I’ve known Coach for most of his life.”

  Mia’s cheeks burned at the memory of how she’d learned who Coach really was.

  “Phoenix and Tarik are close, huh?” she asked, glancing out the window at the passing scenery.

  “Very. Probably closer than they even realize.”

  Mia
had attempted to decipher Gus’s last statement after he’d dropped her at school. She’d noticed they were closer than a mere employer/employee relationship. A lot closer. And that realization had only led to a myriad of questions pummeling her brain.

  She had tried to convince herself that she was only interested in Phoenix, but there was something about Tarik that had her curious. And nervous. Truth was, Tarik made her nervous. Not because she feared him, but he did intimidate her. Whether it was his size or the look of sheer determination etched on his chiseled features, she didn’t know. However, her anxiety had been abated yesterday when he’d surprised her.

  “Hello?” Mia greeted the caller, not recognizing the number.

  “Mia? It’s Tarik.”

  Mia’s heart leaped into her throat when she recognized his voice. “Hi.”

  “Meet me for lunch,” came his next request.

  “Today?”

  “Yes,” he said with a gruff chuckle.

  “Okay.” The answer came out far easier than she’d anticipated. “My next class isn’t until two.”

  “I’ll pick you up in five minutes.”

  Fifteen minutes later, Tarik was leading her to a table in the back of a small café not far from campus. They were handed menus and then left alone while the waitress scurried about, helping the other people already seated.

  “I thought you and Phoenix were out of town,” she said after scanning the menu quickly and deciding on what she wanted.

  “We got back this morning.”

  “Where’s Phoenix?” she asked, hoping she didn’t sound as though she wasn’t happy to be there with him.

  “Home. He had a conference call. I thought I’d take advantage and get you alone for a bit.”

  Mia’s heart skipped a beat — maybe two — as she stared into his golden eyes. The guy really was incredibly handsome. His hair was darker than Phoenix’s, his skin a little lighter, not quite as bronzed as Phoenix’s. She wasn’t sure why she was making a comparison between the two, but as she stared back at him, she saw so many differences, and not only in their appearance. Enough that Mia was even more intrigued by him right then than she had been before.