Grinning, I give him a light spank before turning toward my bathroom. Once in there, I turn on the shower, strip down, and quickly wash off. Then I brush my teeth and stand naked, looking in the mirror. He said get comfortable, but what exactly does that mean?
Wrapping a towel around me, I peek out the bedroom door to find the living area empty, and I dash out to grab my phone. I GoogleWhat does a man mean when he tells you to get comfortable?
The results vary from:Find a relaxing place to sit or reclinetoIf you’re in an intimate setting, he’s probably asking you to undress.
I blow out a long stream of air. Giving up my virginity is about as intimate as I can imagine, so I don the red lacy panty and bra set, not wanting to go full naked just yet. Then I check my reflection. I have to admit the lingerie looks good, but I still just look like… me.
Maybe you’re enough, a little voice whispers in my ear.
Yeah, but… I reach up and pull the scrunchie from my hair, letting my blonde strands fall around my shoulders and down my back. Then I ruffle the roots the way I’ve seen my sister do.
Wow. Okay. The fullness is definitely giving sex kitten vibes, but I’m still not sure I can strut into his bedroom only in my underwear.Spotting the hotel robe on the bathroom door, I slide into it and tie the sash. It’s lush and comforting.
There. Done. Before I can lose my nerve, I walk with as much confidence as I can muster through the connecting door and down the short hall to Phoenix’s bedroom. I pause just outside the door, which is cracked open, and take a deep breath, straightening my robe. Then I push the door open.
For the second time in one night, I’m taken aback. The room is filled with flameless candles, and the air smells of lavender and roses, thanks to the bouquets on each of the nightstands. I blink back tears. He went to all this trouble. For me.
But what really makes my mouth drop open is the sight of Phoenix, shirtless. He’s also removed his shoes but is still wearing the denim shorts, and the way this man looks in them? Dayum. I have no idea why people make such a big deal out of men wearing jorts because holy hellballs, he is rocking those. They hang low on his hips, showing off the deep V-lines that slash down into the waistband. The button is undone, giving me a view of those stellar abs and the waistband of his underwear.
“Hey,” he says, walking toward me and taking both my hands. “How are you feeling?”
“A little nervous,” I admit.
His smile is patient and understanding. “Okay, then we’ll dance some more,” he announces, pulling me into his hold.
This time the music is a slow waltz, and Phoenix guides me easily through it. “You’re a really good dancer,” I tell him, and he grins down at me with one lifted eyebrow.
“So are you.”
“Don’t sound so surprised,” I chide. “I took dance when I was a little girl.”
He leads me through a twirling step. “Did you really?”
“I know I don’t seem like a dance kind of girl, but I loved everything about it… the music, the movement. I stopped taking classes when I turned six, but I’d still dance any chance I got. I taught myself a lot of stuff by watching YouTube videos.”
Phoenix’s brow wrinkles. “Why did you stop your lessons?”
“At that age, I was able to join the pee-wee football team. They let boys and girls play together since it was a flag team. My dads had four kids, so we could only really afford to do one activity each. I had to choose and chose football.”
He spins me. “Seems like that choice paid off well.”
The music changes, and our bodies naturally move into a sway as “Just the Way You Are” by Bruno Mars begins to play. My arms wind up around his neck, and he wraps his around my waist. With my head on his shoulder, we rock in place, wordless and listening to the beautiful lyrics until Phoenix breaks the silence.
“Jordie?” I keep my cheek on his shoulder but tilt my head so I can see his eyes. “I just want to make sure you know you’re in charge tonight. We can stop at any time if you change your mind.”
I breathe in through my nose. He smells like freshly washed man with a hint of mint. “I won’t.”
He kisses my temple. “I don’t want to keep interrupting and taking you out of the moment by asking if something is okay every five minutes, so I’m trusting you to tell me if I do anything you don’t like.”
Burying my nose in his neck, I answer, “I’ll tell you.”
We continue dancing, one slow song melding into another. I’m relaxed and comfortable in his arms, and I’m so freaking happy he didn’t take my ridiculousboop, boop, doneadvice. Phoenix has done his best to make this special for me, and I feel my heart soften for this beautiful man.
Do not fall for him,Jordie, I scold myself.Do not do it.
But it would be so damn easy to do. He’s kind, funny, and pretty much the perfect man. For someone else, of course, not for me. Phoenix is older, and he adores his daughter. I’m sure he wants to have more kids, and I’m just not ready for that. I want to focus on football right now.
As if someone was choreographing us, our hands begin to move at the same time, his up and down my back and mine trailing up his neck and into his hair. He fingers the ends of my hair, and I close my eyes. I love someone playing with my hair.
