Page 62 of Phillip

Phillip rode into her, pulling orgasm after crying, begging orgasm. When his own was ready to hit, he wrapped her to his chest until they both exploded together.

CHAPTER THIRTY

First and last impressions matter more than substance.That beautiful piece of bad advice from her mother had stuck with Ashley like a wine stain on silk. It had been one of her mother’s “only inside the house” sayings, designed to give Ashley the winning edge, knowing full well that it would be a disaster if anyone heard her mother’s advice outside the home.

It took more than a few sessions to get beyond her therapist’s shock when Ashley shared what she knew was an irrational, but ingrained issue—one of many doozies that had nearly given her an existential crisis. Ashley had wanted to be substantial but had to accept that desire before she could own it. That acceptance came after hard work on her therapist’s couch.

Now she owned the heck out of it. But it didn’t mean that her mother’sadvicedidn’t rear its ugliness at the worst of moments, like now when she realized that she’d last walked away from Sean to go have sex with Phillip. She was sure the reasons for their departure and delay were as visible as a scarlet letter branded onto her chest.

Phillip’s hand glanced off her lower back when they eased into the lunchtime hum of locals and tourists enjoying seafood at Montgomery’s. Ashley let him escort her toward their table then stopped abruptly. Their table was empty. Their glasses and napkins remained, along with her bag, safely tucked onto her chair.

Phillip chuckled. “I guess we took longer than we meant.”

Did he laugh to alleviate mortification? Because that was what she felt. The red scarlet letter that hung around her shoulders felt like a blinking sign. People knew. They had to. What had she been thinking?

He moved to his seat and lifted a paper bag from his chair. “They packed our lunches to go.”

Heat baked her cheeks as Ashley moved her purse and sank into her seat. “I should call him.”

Phillip snorted his disagreement as their server reappeared. Ashley couldn’t find the words to explain their disappearance.

“Mr. Paget asked me to pass along that he was called to an important business meeting unexpectedly.”

If she hadn’t known what had just happened, Sean’s excuse would have made perfect sense. Phillip set the food aside. “How about that. So were we.” He reached for his wallet. “We’d like to take care of the bill if you wouldn’t mind.”

“It’s already been settled. Is there anything else I can get you?”

A rock to crawl under and hide.“No, I’m fine. Thanks for asking.”

Phillip pushed back up from his chair, but Ashley didn’t think she could stand until their server moved on. She gathered her thoughts while fussing with her purse.

“Come on, Ashley. No one knows.”

She side-eyed Phillip but eventually got up and let him lead her through the lunch crowd, tucked under his arm. They stepped into the hot summer afternoon, and they both turned different directions.

Ashley paused. “Where are you going?”

Phillip stepped to her and wrapped his arm around her waist, gesturing down the street with the to-go bag. “To my car. And then to my house.”

“I’m this way.” She thumbed the other direction down the street.

He ignored her gesture and guided her until they reached his Porsche. He set the to-go bag down and towered over her, close enough to make her throat dry. Phillip cupped her cheeks, studying her eyes as he offered a sly grin.

She wanted to back away but didn’t. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Because I’m ready to leave, and I’m not sure you’re getting in the car without some cajoling.”

“I don’t think that’s a good—”

“It’s simple, Ashley. I’m hungry, and you’re stubborn. We’re both going to eat, and then we can talk.” He dipped his mouth close to her ear, and her heart pounded as she imagined his kisses, anticipating a soft touch.

White-hot desire boiled just beneath her skin. She didn’t know herself when it came to him. “I’m not stubborn,” she said, not convincing either of them.

Phillip dropped a kiss on her forehead then opened his car door and leaned in to start the ignition and blast the AC.

“And I’m not sure I’m ready to talk,” she added.

His crooked grin was his best weapon. “Then we won’t talk.”

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