Read Online Flame of the Phoenix: Hades' Carnival, Book 6 by N.J. Walters - Free Book Online Page B

coffee mug in his large hand, resting it against his stomach. He was wearing a pair of jeans and nothing else. The jeans were zipped but not buttoned. Sex on a stick. That’s what he was with his washboard abs and broad shoulders. Tilly had a weakness for men in nothing more than a well-fitting pair of jeans, and Phoenix’s jeans fit him like a second skin.
    She started to sweat. Then he turned her way and smiled and she thought her body might spontaneously combust. “Coffee?” he asked. She managed to nod.
    He set down his own cup and handed her a second one that was sitting by the coffeepot. Their fingers grazed when he handed it to her. Ribbons of pleasure shot up her arm and she frowned. Was it her imagination or was she growing more sensitive to his touch?
    “Have you talked to Mordecai?” Tilly wanted news.
    Phoenix shook his head. “I figured they’d call us if they had news.”
    She took a sip of her coffee and sighed as it seeped into her veins. It was just the way she liked it, not too strong and not too weak with two sugars. Damn, the man even made good coffee. “I’m not waiting.”
    Tilly found her purse and dug out her phone with one hand, not willing to relinquish her coffee. She had another swallow as she called Jessica’s number. Nothing. The call wasn’t going through. She tried Sabrina’s number and the same thing happened. Worried, she set down her mug and stared at her phone. “I can’t get through.”
    Phoenix frowned and closed his eyes. “I can’t mentally reach either Arand or Mordecai.” He opened his eyes and they were dark with concern. “Hades must be blocking us the same way he’s jamming communication with the Lady.”
    “That can’t be good.” Anything that had to do with Hades was bad as far as she was concerned.
    “It’s not, but there isn’t anything we can do about it.” His calm answer infuriated her.
    “We can go back.” She tossed the useless phone back in her purse. “I think we should go back.” Tilly hated being cut off from her friends. She also hated being here where the memories threatened to choke her. “After all, we survived the first battle with Hades because we were all together.”
    Phoenix closed the distance between them and took her into his arms, but she wasn’t in the mood to be placated. “Let go of me.” She shoved at him and was surprised when he actually let her go. Perversely, now that he wasn’t holding her, she wanted him to. He had her totally confused.
    “We need to stay here.”
    She opened her mouth to blast him again but paused when she noticed the tension thrumming through him and how his hands were fisted. He was just as frustrated as she was. Tilly released a huge sigh, totally deflated. She knew he was right, but that didn’t make it any easier.
    “I can’t just stay cooped up in here all day.” Coming here had been a mistake. She thought she’d moved beyond the hurts of her childhood, but she was wrong. The past was more vibrant here, more alive. Every room had dark memories that haunted her. She’d go mad if she had to stay inside this house much longer. The echoes from the past were too loud and painful.
    “Let’s go out back and sit on the deck,” he suggested.
    It was better than nothing. She grabbed her mug and detoured by the half-full coffeepot to get a refill first. The temperature might already be creeping up, but she needed caffeine, and they didn’t have the supplies to make an iced coffee. Hot would have to do. In fact, they didn’t have much in the way of supplies at all. Some fresh fruit, cheese and a loaf of bread. Enough for breakfast and lunch, but beyond that they’d have to venture out. Of course, there were those cans of beans in the cupboard if they got desperate.
    Phoenix held the back door open for her. She had a feeling he’d wait forever if necessary. Tilly stepped out onto the porch and breathed in the thick, warm air. Something inside her settled and she perched on the porch