So what’s holding her back? What is keeping her from taking that one extra step and seeing where this could go?
What am I missing?
“Despite what happened that first night, I don’t normally sleep with someone I just met, especially when I don’t know their situation.”
I nod, even though I’m more confused than ever. What is she talking about?
“Phoebe, I’m not sure what you’re getting at, but I assure you, I only think good things about you.”
She splutters. “Obviously.”
I screw my eyebrows down. I’m getting more mixed up the longer she talks. “Phoebe. I don’t understand.”
“I will not be the other woman, Archer. I deserve better than that.”
I can’t stop the laugh that escapes me, which garners me a dirty look from Phoebe. Oh, shit. She’s serious?
“Is this why you didn’t bring your girlfriend today?” she asks. “You wanted to see if you could get into my pants? I have news for you, buddy. I. Don’t. Sleep. With. Unavailable. Men.”
I open my mouth, but no words come out.
Speechless.
This is what it’s like to be completely, unequivocally speechless.
“Nothing to say to that, huh? Unbelievable.” She throws a hand up.
I shake my head to gather my wits. Phoebe has me more off balance than I’ve ever experienced. It’s like we’re having two separate conversations. “Phoebe. No one thinks you’re the other woman.” There’d have to be a first woman for there to be an other woman.
“Ha.” She spits a laugh. “I bet your girlfriend would beg to differ.”
My what?
“My girlfriend?”
She does that excessive blinking thing again. “Yes. Your gorgeous supermodel, ballerina, blonde bombshell girlfriend. She was with you at the Christmas party when I gave you the letter, remember? Or did you get so drunk afterward that you forgot?”
I choke on the sensation of my dinner making its way back up my throat. “Her? Why would you think she’s my girlfriend?”
Phoebe widens her eyes at me. “Uh, because she called you babe and almost set me on fire with her death glare when she caught me talking to you? What do you think?”
I step closer, desire growing deep in my belly. “I think you’re mistaken.”
She scoffs and rolls her eyes. “Mistaken? Yeah, okay.”
“I don’t have a girlfriend, Phoebe.” I reach out and grab her waist with one hand before cupping her cheek with the other. “You weren’t the other woman that first night, and you’re not the other woman now.”
She takes a shuddering breath and looks up at me through her lashes. “I’m not?”
I shake my head and lean in close, running my nose up the column of her neck, inhaling her sweet scent, barely holding back a groan. “No. You’re not. And since we’ve got that settled, I trust you have no objections to my kissing you now?”
She inclines her head slightly, which is all the permission I need. I take her mouth, thrusting my tongue inside, and inhale the soft moan she releases. When her fingers creep around my waist and she pulls me close, I exhale a relieved breath, and she melts against me. I had no idea howbadlyI wanted this until this very moment.
How have you gone an entire year without kissing this woman?
I wrap her in my arms, turn our bodies and lean her against the wall, pressing myself as close as is humanly possible while she pants hotly against my mouth. My dick is straining against my zipper and I can’t stop my groan when Phoebe’s hands slide to my ass and she grinds herself against me.
Oh, fuck.
