Page 44 of Merlot Marriage

“That’s actually perfect.” I shake my head. “Good luck with old When-we,” I call out as Philip trots away laughing.

I can’t see him anymore, but his voice drifts back, calling out a greeting to Nate. The sound of their conversation fades as I stand there, sipping the hot drink. I snort. “When-we. More like When-Sydney-finally-tells-me-what-the-hell-the-story-is.”

I make my way inside, ready to pull out my laptop and write another mind-numbing cover letter. At least I don’t have to work at the coffee shop today. Picking up my phone, I flinch at the dozen notifications from various job-hunting sites that flash at me from the screen. I spend the morning working through them one at a time, hesitating every time the location is outside of the Pacific Northwest, but also determined not to change my life plans just because I havefeelings.

My stomach is rumbling as I go back to Penny’s email one last time.

Dear Ophelia, First of all, let me apologize for originally scheduling your interview at six in the morning. I’m on the East Coast and forgot about the time difference! Thank you for being gracious about my blunder. I am very excited to sit down and chat with you next week. In order to prepare for your interview, it would be helpful if you could complete the following questionnaire…

I’m still mulling the questionnaire over when my phone rings. Cassie’s voice greets me as I hit the button. “Hey, hermit, what are you doing?”

“Hello to you too.” I laugh, sitting back on the couch and closing my laptop.

“Pfft. I haven’t seen you in weeks.”

“You were on your honeymoon, remember?”

“We got back three days ago.”

“Wow, three whole days back and you’re already sick of TJ? That doesn’t bode well for your marriage,” I tease, tucking my feet underneath the blanket on the end of the couch.

Cassie laughs. “Hardly. But I miss my friend, too.”

I smile at that. Cassie has always been a good friend to me, putting up with my hermit ways and only complaining occasionally when I invite Philip to everything. “I missed you too. How was Mexico?”

“I’ll tell you about it over drinks. You want to meet me at the waterfront?”

I look around the cabin, not loving the idea of driving across the river to Vancouver and back. “I’m actually staying out at Sunshine Cellars. Do you want to come down here? The tasting room opens in an hour.”

“Why are you there?”

“Long story short, Maggie and Kel kind of moved back into my place, and I couldn’t take the sound of them having sex another night.”

Cassie laughs so loud I have to hold the phone away from my ear. “Okay, I for sure don’t ever want to think about your sister having sex again, but that is hilarious. I’ll be there at noon, and I want to know everything.”

As soon as I hang up the call, I head to the bathroom to take a shower. The hot water running down my back reminds me of the way Philip had run his fingers down my spine as we were falling asleep last night, my head pillowed on his chest.

“Hulloo,” Philip calls out as I step out of the shower. “Ophie?”

“In the bedroom,” I call back, wrapping a towel around my body and tucking it in. I grab another one and flip my head over, twisting it around my wet hair.

He bounds into the room as I straighten, a grin on his face. A grin that turns a little predatory when he sees me. “Hello, hello. Is it lunchtime already?”

“Are you hungry? I can make sandwiches if you give me a minute.”

Philip just grins even wider and takes my hand, pulling me over to the bed. “That’s not what I’m hungry for.”

With that, he pushes me back, the edge of the bed catching my knees and forcing me to sit. In an instant, he’s kneeling between my thighs, his hands guiding them apart.

Fifteen minutes later, we’re both flushed and damp. My pussy has been thoroughly devoured, and the salty taste of Philip’s cum still coats my mouth. “You better hurry and get dressed.” I push his shoulder as he lies beside me on the bed.

“In a mo. Need to check my limbs are all still attached first.” He turns his head to the side and smiles. “Ophie—”

I pop off the bed before he can say anything else. If he’s going to say sweet things, I’ll never be able to let him go once his visais safe. Better to keep things light. “Cassie is on her way. She’s meeting me at the tasting room for a drink.”

“Is TJ coming too?” He takes the hint and rolls off the bed, picking his discarded pants up from the floor and shaking the legs right side out.

I rummage through my overnight bag, looking for underwear and a bra. “Nope. Just a girls’ gossip session, as far as I know.”

---