Rising from Ash by Jax Meyer

Author:Jax Meyer [Meyer, Jax]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: series, romance
Published: 2019-07-25T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter 12

Phoenix

Not for the first time Phoenix was grateful to work the dinner shift. Sleep just wouldn’t come between memories of the evening and her body’s stubborn reaction to that kiss. Her body was easy enough to quiet, but her mind? She felt like a teenager with her first crush. But even as a teenager she hadn’t allowed herself to get too close to anyone. She’d seen too many bad relationships, been burned too often by her family, to risk her heart.

Sex was easy. And all she’d ever needed until Ash snuck her way in. Now she was all twisted up, torn between wanting to run to her and from her at the same time. With anyone else Phoenix could scratch the itch and leave, but not with Ash. For one thing, Ash wasn’t into casual sex. And for the other, where would she go? At the end of the day she was going to be living in a giant box for the next 10 months.

With nowhere to run, Phoenix finally had to face her feelings, and she had no clue how to do that. Sitting in front of Ash, it was easy to follow her heart. But left alone with her thoughts, her fears soon made themselves known. She couldn’t shake the feeling that this was a bad idea. Ash didn’t know who she was off the ice, and if she did, maybe she wouldn’t think Phoenix was worth being with.

Phoenix shook her head, returning her focus to the chicken she was preparing. At least she could cook with her eyes closed, because deciding what to do about Ash dominated her thoughts.

She still hadn’t come up with a solution when Ash came by for dinner, greeting Phoenix with a smile that lit up the room. Her heart leapt, but then fell as all her fears came rushing back to the forefront of her mind. Phoenix made an excuse about being too busy to eat with her, but the knowing look in Ash’s eyes, tinged with pain, affected her. It was a bullshit excuse, and they both knew it. But Ash didn’t push, instead finding a table to herself. This was why they were a bad idea. She was sure she would end up hurting Ash.

Phoenix busied herself with cleaning, a convenient excuse to stay in the kitchen. Ash startled her, asking, “Do you still want me to go climbing with you?”

The question brought Phoenix to her senses. Faced with the real Ash, instead of the hypothetical one she’d eventually hurt, weakened Phoenix’s resolve. Her heart finally won the battle with her mind. The thought of losing Ash before they’d even begun was worse than the fear of any future pain.

“Yes.”

“Are you sure? Because I don’t have to go if you want to be alone.” Ash’s eyes were sad, and Phoenix assumed she was the reason. Phoenix didn’t want to be that person anymore, the one that unintentionally hurt women who cared about her, but wasn’t sure how to be someone else.

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