Page 32 of Built to Last
“I doubt it.” My shoulders slump like my body is trying to curl in and protect itself from the unpleasantness. “We were closer when I was younger but they’ve always been very traditional. Even if all the issues that came up between usaround my health stuff never happened, I don’t think we’d be close. Maybe just a bit less strained? They thought I was acting up for attention. Even after I finally found out what was causing my health problems, they didn’t make an effort to understand. Neither of them understood why I wanted to study art either.” I relax back in my chair, taking another sip of wine. “I mean, I get it, it’s not a career you pursue if you’re looking for job security, so I understand why they worried. I just wish they had made an effort to see where I was coming from too.” Setting my glass down I mumble, “I don’t think they’ve ever seen any of my work and I stopped offering to show them a long time ago.”
Phillip’s large hand settles over mine where it rests on the table, the comforting warmth soothing the part of me that, in spite of everything, still wants my parents to be proud of me.
“That’s rough, I’m sorry.”
“It’s OK. Well, it’s notOKbut there’s no changing it now. I think if maybe when I shared my diagnosis with them they had apologised for not believing me, we might have been able to move on but they just can’t get past the fact that I look fine on the outside. Aria and Bel are my family now.” I smile even though it feels a little forced. Sometimes it frustrates me that my lack of relationship with my parents still bothers me, but there’s a lot of hurt there and I don’t think you ever fully get over being let down by the people who are supposed to love you the most.
“I’m glad you have them. Family is important and the family we choose matters just as much as, sometimes more than, blood.”
I knew he would understand. “Thank you.”
“Rest assured my mum will love you,” he tells me brightly, lifting the mood. “The first Sunday lunch I take you to she’ll welcome you to the family faster than you can say ‘pass the potatoes’, I guarantee it.”
Nearly choking on the bite of chocolate cake I just took, I struggle to swallow it down. “You want me to meet your family?” I squeak, voice an octave higher than usual.
“Yeah, if you’re open to that. I know it’s fast but I’m serious about this, Rose. I’m serious aboutyou,”he admits earnestly. “My family are a big part of my life and I’d like to introduce you to them. We have lunch together every Sunday. If you’d like, you could join us next week? If not, we can wait until whenever you’re ready.”
“I’d like to come to lunch if you’re sure your family will be OK with that. Oh, does this mean I get to hear more stories about you playing tricks on your brother?” I tease. His gaze softens and tension I hadn’t noticed him holding disappears as his shoulders lower.
“It will be fine. Mum’s already keen to meet you. I may have mentioned you a couple of times.” His cheeks flush with embarrassment. “When I see her tomorrow, I’ll let her know you’ll be joining us next time.” Nerves and excitement battle within me. I’ve only done the whole ‘meet the parents’ thing once before with Malcolm’s family and it was a disaster. If you’d asked me a couple of weeks ago, I would have said I didn’t want to deal with all that stress again anytime soon, but for Phillip I’m willing to face just about anything.
We stay at the restaurant talking late into the evening until they start getting ready to close. Phillip insists on paying since it’s our first proper date. I allow it, but warn him I’ll be getting the bill next time. Ready to leave, we walk towards the front of the restaurant and he slips his hand into mine. I didn’t think I would ever be a fan of PDA, but find myself enjoying having someone to share those small meaningful touches with. Maybe that’s because it’s Phillip doing the touching.
Chapter Eighteen
Phillip
Rain starts falling heavilywith a dramatic whoosh when Rose and I leave the restaurant. We hover in the doorway for a moment looking out at the downpour and I’m about to offer Rose my jacket to hold over her head when she grabs my hand and starts racing down the street towards the car. Her musical laughter joins the heavy patter of the rain, my own laugh bubbling up to join the symphony as we run.
We make it to the shelter of the car with dripping wet hair and wide smiles. The air crackles with anticipation the moment we enter the closed-in space, the promise of what’s to come dangling between us. We managed to behave over dinner but the heated looks Rose keeps shooting my way despite my now dishevelled appearance let me know we’re about to finish what we started earlier. Thankfully the drive back to the flat is mercifully quick and I’m able to park close-by. After another mad dash through the rain, Rose eagerly tugs me up the stairs after her.
Standing close, I watch while she impatiently fumbles around trying to get her key in the lock, grumbling under her breath until it slides in. As soon as the door to her flat is open, she spins, pulling me to her in a passionate kiss. Backing her upagainst the door I kiss her back with equal enthusiasm. My leg slides between hers and she begins rocking her hips against my thigh. After a minute I pull back, breathing heavily.
“Let’s get inside before we give your neighbours a show.” It’s unlikely her downstairs neighbours will be in the foyer this late but I don’t want to risk it. As hot as it would be to fuck Rose right here, that’s not what I want for our first time together. I’m going to take my time savouring every inch of her perfect body.
Rose taps my shoulders so I step back, and replies, “Good call.” She grabs her keys from the lock then leads me down the hall to her bedroom.
The minuscule part of me that’s not entirely zeroed in on Rose quickly takes in the décor of her room, soft and delicate, just like the woman before me. Sure, she can be downright prickly when her guard is up, but deep-down Rose is like a chocolate caramel, all soft and gooey centre. Commanding my full attention, Rose drags me towards the bed by my belt and all thoughts of anything other than her soft skin against mine disappear.
Our rain-soaked clothes disappear in a flurry of movement until we’re both left in only our underwear. I kiss down Rose’s neck, high on her honey-vanilla scent. Continuing my exploration of her lush body I trail my lips down over her collarbone to her beautiful breasts. She reaches back to unclasp her bra and tosses it aside.
I tease her for a while, nipping and sucking but not giving her my attention where she needs it most. Rose squirms beneath me, letting out a frustrated whine. When I finally take her nipple into my mouth her back arches off the bed in pleasure. Using my fingers to keep toying with her, I kiss a path over to her other breast giving it the same attention. Her hands grip the back of my head, clutching me to her and driving my desire higher.
“Please, I need more,” Rose begs. “I need your mouth.”
“You have my mouth,” I reply softly, lips skimming the curve of her breast knowing full well that’s not what she means. Call me a bastard, but I want to hear her say the words. Her hands roughly guide my head lower.
“I want you here,” she demands, making me smile into the crease of her thigh.
“Fuck yes,” I reply mouth hovering just above her core, hot breath sending a shudder through her, making her thighs clench around my shoulders. Done teasing, I descend, lips and tongue devouring her. Lapping at her opening, my chest rumbles with a growl of pleasure at the taste of her. Releasing my grip on her hip I thrust two fingers inside her opening and swirl my tongue around her clit. Rose cries out and I can tell she’s getting closer to the edge. My focus narrows down to one sole mission: making my woman come.
Rose
Pleasure bursts within me like a lightning strike taking over my entire body and I cry out with my release. Phillip works me through my orgasm until I gently nudge him away from my core. He looks up from between my thighs, blue eyes blazing, and I urge him closer, rewarding his talented mouth with a deep kiss.
My hands rove over the toned planes of his back while he grinds his hard cock against me. Even though I’ve already come once, I’m desperate to feel him inside me. My hands pull at the waistband of his boxers and he kicks them off. Taking hold of his length I use the precum gathered at the tip to ease the glide of my hand.
“Damn, you feel good,” he pants, voice thick with desire.
