Phoenix Ch 02 1

Thank your the support and encouragement to keep going.

I have finally found and editor, which has offered my their free time to have a look at my story. So I would like to thank J.Storm for all the hard work that they put into my creation. Any mistakes or error that may still be in here are entirely mine.

All Characters in this story are 18+ years old.

This is going to continue to be a very slow burn store with the intent of doing multiple chapters, having the main characters go though many step heading to forever. There are spicy bits in here and more to come.

This is the second Chapter and feedback is most welcome. Depending on the feedback, I will continue with more chapters. I have at least one more written now, that is being edited.

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Edward sat in the coffee shop going through emails, answering anything urgent, and sending out-of-office notices to others as he finished his coffee and muffin. Once he was done with all of the things that he needed to take care of, he just sat there looking out the window, going over what had been happening to him the last few days.

Getting a fat envelope from his ex, knowing what was inside without even opening it. Arranging his yearly getaway time, solo now. Finding one of the dirtiest persons that he had ever met, who turned out to be a woman, a tiny, tiny woman, but one of the most beautiful women he had ever seen. However, in the short time he knew her, she'd yelled at him for no reason and then became completely defeated. The following day she'd turn aggressive again, but at night she gave him one of the best massages he'd ever gotten, not to mention turning him on to no end.

Edward was lost in his thoughts for about an hour nursing a coffee, finally deciding it was time to head back to the Independent to resupply and then back to the cottage. He was a little shocked when he looked up to head out, and saw Nichole walking towards him with a small smile but a worried look in her eyes holding two coffees.

"Hello, would you care for another coffee, and maybe some company?" She asked, standing next to his table.

"Yes of course, you are more than welcome to join me, you didn't have to buy me a coffee," he answered with a bigger smile than he realized.

"Well I happened to have come into a couple of dollars and thought I would pay it forward," she said cheekily. "How is your work going, did you get everything done that you needed to? Hopefully, I'm not interrupting you" she asked, sipping the coffee as she sat.

"Not at all, I had finished up and was just about to head out when I saw you. We almost missed each other," he answered, still smiling like an idiot, but her look changed to almost guilt.

"No. No, we wouldn't have missed each other," Nichole said looking down into her steaming coffee, "I've been waiting by your truck for a bit, for you to come out."

"Oh... why didn't you come in earlier? Wasn't it cold out there?" he asked, confused as usual.

"Um, they don't let my kind in here unless you buy something, and they usually ask you to take it out," she said, still looking down. "And I didn't want to bother you while you were working" she finished, looking up only a little.

"Well you couldn't ever bother me, was there something you wanted?" he asked, hoping she would at least look at him with those eyes.

"Well...um...I wanted... well I have a proposal I wanted to ask you..." she stated in that mousy voice again, which he knew meant she was unsure.

Reaching out, slowly and gently Edward placed his hand on the back of hers. "It's almost lunch, why don't we go down to the diner and have a bite to eat while you tell me what's going on?"

"I can't, they won't let me in. I'm dressed like I'm homeless, and they don't let homeless people in there," she said with a tear in her eye, finally making eye contact.

Edward smiled a little more, "well then let's fix that," he stated. "I would like to take you shopping at ShopCo, and get you some new warm clothes."

"No, I couldn't. Besides, there isn't much wrong with mine other than they look old and belong to a homeless person!" She responded with a little heat that he had started to get used to as she slowly pulled her hand out from under him.

He shook his head in response, "Those have just about had it as I can see skin through them. It was my washer that put them over the edge so I feel responsible for their current state and I would feel better knowing you had good clothes on," he said, hoping she wouldn't fight him on this.

Nichole just sat there, not quite looking at him, not saying anything. Her hand moved down to her leg, and her finger played with a small hole just on the top of her thigh, then with another single tear letting loose she just nodded.

"Great, let's get going as I am quite hungry and haven't had anything but muffins today," Edward said as he started to stand. Nichole followed suit. They walked out to the truck together not saying anything, and as they got closer, he asked if she would like a hand getting into the unnecessarily high truck.

"Yes, that would be helpful," she said with a little smile. He opened the door as he had done in the past, put his hands around her petite waist, and picked her up and set her on the seat. This put them about eye level, with him between her legs. Edward stood there not moving, looking at her, and she just stared right back, locking him in with blue eyes. He started to lean in a little forward, when she asked, "The ShopCo is only just down the street, it's it?" breaking the spell.

"What?...ah.. ya. Only about a two-minute drive," he answered, letting go of her waist, closing the door and going around to get in the truck. "SO, um.. what happened at the shelter, I figured you would need to stay to hold a bed?" he asked as they made the short trip.

"Can we talk about that at lunch?" she asked, and he nodded.

Edward parked his truck close to the door and helped Nicole out of the truck as he'd done before. They walked into ShopCo, with Nichole trailing behind him a little. As soon as they entered the door, he heard someone start yelling.

"Hey you, yes you! You can't come in here! You don't have any money and I don't want to have to deal with another shoplifter!" A man yelled across the store.

Edward turned to see this balding overweight man coming towards Nichole continuing to yell the whole way. Just before he got to her, he stepped his 6 foot 1, 195 pound farm muscle body in front of him, stopping him dead.

"Do we have a problem here?" Edward asked.

"Oh, no sir. I was just getting rid of this homeless person before they have a chance to shoplift." He said to Edward with a smile.

"Well how about you back the fuck off and leave my ah... friend alone," he said with a little hate.

"HA, she's a homeless rat. I've seen her come in here before, never buying. I haven't been able to catch her shoplifting yet, but I don't have time today to watch her." He said now getting mad at Edward.

That was enough to piss the living fuck right out of Edward, and he turned to Nichole to see that she was on the verge of crying. Edward stepped towards her, reached down, took her hand and said, "Well I guess this lard doesn't want the sale of a brand new wardrobe. How about we take my Visa Infinite card down to Jill's Fashion Boutique?" And started to half drag her towards the door.

"Sir.." he called out "Sir, I didn't mean to..." he yelled, Edward not stopping, "I'm sorry sir I didn't know she was with you," he said as he touched Edwards's arm just as they reached the door.

Edward stopped in his tracks almost making the fat man run into him. "Take your hand off me, before I call the police for assault," Edward growled through gritted teeth, not looking at him. The man dropped his hand quickly. "Know that there will not be a next time for either of us, but I will make sure I tell everyone I know that THIS ShopCO, only tailors to the people who look like they have money and cares for little else." Then he turned to Nichole and asked in a cheery upbeat voice, "Honey, are you ready to spend a crazy amount of money at the little Boutique down the road?"

"Why yes, that sounds like fun." She did not miss a beat. "Maybe we will check out the jewelry there as well, like you wanted to?" she said, looking at Edward, and glanced a hateful look at the man. With that, she wrapped her arms around Edward's and they walked out of the store straight to his big ass truck. Edward opened the door, lifted her in, and walked around to the other side, looking at the man standing just inside the door with the biggest pissed-off look he had ever seen. Once inside the truck and pulling out of the parking lot, Nichole broke down laughing her head off. It was a wonderful genuine belly laugh that he hadn't heard her do yet, and wanted to make her do it again as he joined her, but it didn't last.

As he drove, she started to realize that he was, in fact, going to the Boutique up the road, and stopped laughing.

"Edward, where are you going?" She asked with concern.

"I told you, I'm taking you to Jill's Fashion Boutique," he said like it was nothing, just as they pulled into their lot.

"You can't! It's too expensive, I will never be able to pay you back for that!" she said almost in a panic. Turning off the truck confused again, Edward turned to her. "I want to get you some warm clothes, and I've heard great things about this place. Besides, who said anything about paying me back?" he asked.

"Fine, but you have to keep it to the necessaries! AND we will have to talk about this at lunch." She said in that defeated mousy voice that only seems to come out when he wins.

They walked into the little Boutique, this time he made sure Nichole was right next to him, but she didn't or wouldn't take his hand or arm. A very cheerful woman, a little older than him, came up to them.

"Good afternoon, and how can I help today?" She asked with a big smile.

"My Friend here needs some new clothes. As you can see, the ones she is wearing have had their day," he responded, just as upbeat. She looked over Nichole but not in a judging way more of an evaluation of what state her clothes were in.

"Oh dear! Sweetheart your clothes are about ready to fall off you! Let's see if we have something that will fit that small frame of yours," she said, reaching out to take Nichole's hand. Nichole didn't let her take it but did allow her to be led to the petite section of the store. Edward stood there, not knowing what to do with himself. Like most guys he has never been comfortable in a woman's clothing store, so he just watched the two of them. They talked back and forth with each other, Nichole not looking very happy and then the sales lady nodded and came over to Edward.

"The young lady seemed quite resistant to picking anything out and said I should come to talk to you about the prices." she inquired with a little bit of confused look.

"Well... Not to overstep, but what she is wearing is all she owns," Edward started. "Nichole has told me that I am only to get her what is necessary, but she has gone through some things and I would like to help. So I don't know how, but I would like her to get at least three complete changes of clothes, two of them being quite warm." He stopped there, not knowing how much he should say about Nichole.

"I understand deary. Let me handle this, I think I have a few tricks up my sleeve that should work." She glanced over at Nichole to make sure she was still browsing. "I am guessing you are paying by credit card?" He nodded in answer to her question. "OK, if you are alright with it, give me the card, tell me how much you want her to know you spent and I will let her see me ring that in, and then I will ring the rest in on second charge without her seeing?" the sales lady asked.

"I think it would be perfect and work well," he said as he reached into his jacket for his wallet. " Is it OK if I leave her here with you, while I do a quick errand down the road?" Edward asked, giving her his Visa.

"Of course, take your time, we girls will figure out everything she needs, and maybe I can convince her to get something you would like to see her in, for being such a nice guy," she said with a wink, making Edward blush a little. They both walked back to Nichole who wasn't looking at anything beyond the price tags.

"Alright Nichole, I have our budget, and I am kicking Edward out so that we can find everything that you are going to need. OH, I forgot to introduce myself, my name is Jillian." She said with that same cheery voice she met them with.

"As in Jill's Fashions?" Edward asked, a little surprised.

"Yes Yes.. now off you go, and get your errands done We girls have some clothes to try on," Jill said almost giving him a push.

Edward turned to Nichole, "I will be back shortly. I have to make a stop up the road and a few phone calls into the vineyard and then I will be back.".

"I won't spend the full budget I promise, and don't forget we are going to talk about all this during lunch," Nichole said with a stern look.

"My dear, it's well past lunch and by the time we are done here it will be closer to supper" Jill interjected.

"Well I guess I will just have to take you out for supper instead, and we can have your talk then," Edward said with a bit of a wave as he headed for the door.

He headed down the street to the sports and rec shop where he had gotten a bunch of things before and they knew him well.

"Hey, Rick! How's winter treating you?" Edward waved at the attendee at the counter.

"Ed, long time no see, I didn't think you would be in until spring with the bike," Rick called out, smiling brightly.

"Wasn't planning on it but things changed as they seem to do for me" Edward answered, walking up and leaning on the counter.

"Oh hell, you're not back with that bitch are you?" Rick frowned.

"HA, no no... That's never going to happen, she is officially gone as of three days ago." Edward made himself smile and forced joy into his statement.

"You know that I never really liked her. Anyways, what can I do for ya".

"Well, I have.. ah.. kinda.. met someone, and I need a few things for her," Edward said.

"Ha, you don't sound too sure that you have met anyone..." Rick said, making fun of Edward as he usually did.

"Well I am not sure where we stand, but there is something there... I think." Edward chuckled

"Alrighty, let's hear what you need and I will see what I can do," Rick said with a puzzled look.

"Well, I am looking for something along the lines of a 24L waterproof backpack, two toques, 2 sets of warm mittens, one set of warm gloves and one pair of warm boots." Edward rang off.

"Oh..k, that shouldn't be that hard, what size do you need?" Rick asked as he headed to the winter supplies.

"Small, very small. I am not sure of her size but she is just under 5' and I would guess weighs under 100 pounds," he answered.

"That small? She's not some kind of kid?" He asked with a concerned look on his face.

"No, she is all woman, not that I have had a chance to confirm it firsthand. I've seen enough to know that. No, she's got to be in her mid-twenties, but it's been challenging to get info out of her," Edward said, sounding a little embarrassed that he didn't know more.

"Well I know you and you wouldn't throw your hat in on a whim, so let's see what I can find." Rick just shook his head and continued, to the winter stuff.

It took about 30 minutes to get all the stuff gathered, rung in and loaded in the truck. Edward waved to Rick and told him that he would see him in the spring for the bike tune-up, and headed out and back to the Boutique to see how the girls were making out. Nearing the Boutique, he wondered what kind of mood HIS little redhead would be in. Edward entered and heard laughing from the back of the shop. Looking around he found them back sitting on the shoe bench just laughing up a storm. However, they stopped the second they saw him, and Nichole's pale skin turned a bright red instantly.

Jill stood up, and started to walk to the front of the shop nodding to Edward as Nichole walked over to him, went up on her toes and kissed his cheek lightly, saying "Thank you!" then stepped back. He felt no shame checking out what she looked like in the new clothes that she was wearing. She still had on her old boots, but the tight-fitting jeans that flared out at the bottom made her legs look great and longer, he would have bet her ass looked even better. She had on a well-fitted cream-coloured sweater that highlighted her figure perfectly, one that he could finally make out a little. Edward could finally see the narrow waist that he already knew was there, as he'd had his hands on it. The thing that he tried not to stare at but drew his attention was her chest. He still couldn't figure out how big her breasts were but there was a significant swell there that he knew he had to see in something tight-fitting.

"Hellloo, my eyes are up here," Nichole said, snapping him out of it and up to her eyes with a smile on her face.

"I know where your beautiful eyes are," he said back, both of them blushing.

"If you two are done making googly eyes over each other, I would like to get things rung up so that I can close and you two can go to dinner," Jill said loudly from the front of the store. They both went to the counter to meet Jill and take care of things.

"OK, the bill comes to $89.67," Jill said with a small grin.

"What?.. I saw some of these tags and it should be more than that." Nichole looked shocked.

"Nope, most of the things I showed you were either on sale or clearance so you could save a bunch of money," Jill said with a full smile, and the smile that broke out on Nichole's face was not only huge but enticing.

She went around the counter and gave Jill the biggest hug, saying "This has been one of the best experiences that I have had in a long time, I don't know how to thank you for not only looking after me but keeping me within Edward's budget." Nichole backed away with a little tear in the corner of her eye.

"Now you stop it, you're going to get me crying again. OK OK, off you two go, have a nice dinner," Jill said wiping her own tears. "Here Edward, this is the receipt in case anything has to be returned and some business cards if you feel like handing them out." Jill grinned again and handed him a small envelope. Edward gathered up most of the bags, Nichole grabbed a couple of small ones and they headed out, but he noticed that Nichole's good mood started to slip as they got to the truck.

"Hey, you were in a good mood a minute ago, what's changed in the time it's taken to walk to the truck," he asked, looking confused.

"I love all the clothes and they are going to keep me warm, but there is so much. What am I going to do with all this?" she said, looking down at the bags in their hands.

He dropped the tailgate and quickly put the bags in the back so that she couldn't see anything else in there. "Well that's probably a small problem that WE can figure out later."He looked over at Nichole as she gave him a small grin. "Let's get in the truck and out of the cold and figure out where we are going to eat," Edward said, returning her grin.

As it started to become something that he did naturally, he went around, opened the passenger door and waited for Nichole so that he could help her into the truck. She came up, he placed his hands on that small waist of hers and she put her arms around his neck as he lifted her into the truck. She didn't let go again this time, looked at him, leaned forward and kissed his cheek once more, saying in a whisper "Thank you Edward" as she let go. He just grinned and stepped back heading to his side.

"Well, where would you like to go for supper? Do you have any time constraints with the shelter?" he asked in a chipper voice, knowing that a lot of times the doors close at a certain time.