Page 95 of Phoenix

When I check the time on the clock hanging above the door, I’m terrified he won’t show up.

Then the door opens and in he walks.

I pull my feet from the water and stand, making my way over to him. “You came.”

“Of course I did.” He pulls me into him for a kiss and I can feel him shaking.

“Breathe for me. I promise, it’s going to be okay.” I cup his face in both hands. “I promise.”

I watch him physically inhale, then exhale slowly.

“Tell me what to do,” he says.

“We’ll take this slow. As slow as you need, and we’ll stop if you think you can’t do it, okay?” I say.

“Okay.”

I step back to shimmy out of my denim shorts and pull my tank top off to reveal a brand-new, orange bikini, which I selected just for him.

It’s a simple strapless top and a bottom with ties on either side.

“Encouragement?” he says, swallowing so hard I can see his Adam’s apple bob.

“Exactly right.”

“You look fucking hot.” He steps closer to touch me but I step back.

“No touching yet. Only my hands.” I reach out and take one of his, pulling him a bit closer. “Shirt off,” I say, and he complies, pulling it off and tossing it away, leaving him only in black swim trunks. “One thing before we go any further.”

“I’m listening.”

I place my hands on his chest and press up on my tiptoes to kiss his lips chastely. “Thank you for trusting me.”

“I wouldn’t trust anyone else. Not for this.”

I kiss him once more then step back one pace, but keeping my hands in his. “All right. Let’s do this.”

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