His chin jerks back. “Last time I checked,softis a very bad thing. You saying you’re having trouble in the bedroom?”
I roll my eyes. “No trouble in that department… at all.” My mind wanders back to New Year’s Eve. The way Phoenix looked, with her legs spread wide and my hand between them. The way she sounded, with my name on her tongue as she moaned from the pleasure I was giving her. The way she felt, so soft and wet as my fingers slid over her. The way she tasted, dripping from my fingers.
Fuck, I’m dying to have her again.
My head falls against the seat. “Do you believe in destiny?”
Phil nods. “I think God has a plan for us all.”
“I feel like our paths were destined to cross after everything we’ve been through. How can it be a coincidence that she went through the same exact thing my mother did? And she moved in right next door.”
“It is pretty freaky.” He flicks on the blinker and turns out of the parking lot. “You fuck her yet?”
“No. Asked her to be my girlfriend though.”
“Ah, being a gentleman. I’m really happy for you, man.” He shakes his head. “I never thought I’d see the day when someone would be able to crack James Russo’s cold, black heart.”
“Fuck you. My heart is not cold or black. She’s just… I don’t know. I feel better when she’s around. At peace. Like something was missing from my life, even though I didn’t know what it was, and now that she’s here, I can’t picture my life without her.”
“You’re falling for her.” Phil pins me with a pointed stare. “You know that, right?”
Am I?I care for her. I’d do anything for her. The thought of losing her terrifies me.
“It scares me,” I admit. “Loving her. Losing her.”
“That’s because you lost the woman you loved the most.” Phil gazes out the windshield as he pulls up to a red light. “But you don’t always lose it. Love doesn’t always end in tragedy.”
My eyebrows hit my hairline. “Wow. Maybe you’re the one who’s going soft.”
Phil laughs. “Not a chance in hell, bro.”
While we continue patrolling the neighborhood, I get a text from Phoenix.
My Phoenix: So, tell me about this fantasy of yours.
Me: I’d rather show you after our date tonight.
My Phoenix: Give me an idea. Is there anything specific I need to know?
Me: Keep your kitchen counter clear.
My Phoenix: Why don’t we skip dinner and go straight to dessert?
Me: Nope. I’m taking you on a proper date.
My Phoenix: Maybe I don’t want you to be proper.
Me: But you always complain that I’m “bossy.”
My Phoenix: Mr. Bossy Pants has grown on me.
Me: Then you’ll see him tonight.
My Phoenix: Good.
My Phoenix: One last question: Black or nude?
Me: Depends on what we’re talking about.