Page 35 of Built to Last
I nod. Soft lips brush across my temple. Neither of us can get enough of these small intimate touches now that we’re allowed to be affectionate.
“I’d like to see it when it’s finished,” he hedges and I stiffen in his arms.
Forcing my muscles to relax on a deep exhale I take a moment before immediately refusing. I want to share this part of my life with him. Hell, I want to shareeverythingwith him. That doesn’t make it any less terrifying but Phillip is worth being brave for.
“Maybe…” I take another sip of coffee then try again, staring into my mug like it holds all the answers. “Maybe I could just show you some of my older stuff for now. If you want?” Phillip’s arm tightens around my shoulders before he sets his mug down and turns to cup my face. His cornflower-blue gaze demands all my attention.
“I would love that.” The intensity of his stare as his calloused thumb sweeps across my cheek leaves me feeling stripped barelike he can see through me all the way to my very soul. It’s a vulnerable thing to be looked at and truly seen but I don’t turn away. “I’m so damn glad that other artist quit so we could find each other again.”
His lips capture mine in a deep, passionate kiss, dominating my mouth in the most delicious way. Embers of desire ignite between us fanning into a roaring flame. Quickly, I set down my mug and loop my arms around his neck, needing to be closer. Lost in the heady rhythm of his lips against mine and the slight sting at the base of my scalp where he grips my hair, I become desperate for more. More of his kiss, more of his bare skin on mine, morePhillip.
Swinging my leg over his thighs to straddle him I ask, “Is this OK?” If the hard length pressing against the confines of his jeans is any indication, at least one part of Phillip is very happy with our change of position but I want to make sure he’s comfortable. Just because we slept together once doesn’t automatically mean he’ll want it to happen again or right now.
“I’m good with whatever you want,” Phillip replies, between trailing kisses down the side of my neck.Thank God for that.He explored my body on Saturday night and now I’m more than ready to do some exploring of my own.
With one well-defined arm circling my waist, he pulls me closer still until I’m flush against the hardness beneath me. Growing in confidence, I draw his mouth back to mine while grinding against him. His large hands cup my ass through my jeans, encouraging me to rock against him and helping me find a rhythm that has us both panting.
“I want to make you feel good,” I breathe against his lips, nipping lightly then soothing the sting with my tongue while I shift my weight back a little, hands dropping to his waistband. At his nod, I undo his jeans and free his cock, my core clenching at the sight of him. He’s long and thick and it makes my mouthwater. Taking him in my hand I give a few firm strokes before sliding down into the gap between the sofa and coffee table. He groans at the sight of me on my knees before him.
“Fuck, baby. You’re every fantasy I’ve ever had come to life.” Emboldened, I lean forward flicking my tongue over the head of his dick and collecting the drop of precum that’s gathered there. His hands latch onto the back of my head as I lean forward, tracing my tongue along the length of him. He’s not gripping tight like he’s trying to direct my movements, more like he just needs something to hold on to. His soft moans only grow louder when I finally take him in my mouth.
Heavy-lidded blue eyes blaze down at me like the hottest of flames and my thighs rub together unbidden, my lust addled body automatically searching for its own release.
“Touch yourself, Rose. I want to see you come.”No need to tell me twice.I have my jeans unbuttoned and my hand in my panties in record time. Unable to take all of him in, I use my free hand to stroke the base of his dick while my mouth lavishes attention over the rest. Soon he’s unable to keep his hips still and starts thrusting up to meet me. Teasing my clit, I moan around his length. Almost there.
“I’m close,” he warns and I redouble my efforts, needing to taste him. I work both of us faster until Phillip grips my hair tighter, shouting out with his orgasm. Swallowing his release, I keep working my clit, tilting my head back on a moan.
“Fuck,” Phillip mutters watching me fall over the edge soon after. “Come here, beautiful.” He tucks himself away then reaches down, pulling me up to sit in his lap, our foreheads resting against one another while we recover.
For a while, we simply enjoy holding each other, basking in the afterglow but eventually it’s time to get to work. We have another progress call with Aria this afternoon and, now I know I can dive straight in, I want to have my design outlined on at least two of the set panels by then.
The rest of the morning is filled with stolen glances at each other across the workshop. Phillips’s lips pull up into a teasing grin whenever he catches me looking his way, entranced by how the tendons in his forearms and large hands move while he works on adding more detail to the blanket box. The man is, to put it simply, really fucking hot.
Opting to call Aria from the sofa this time, we head out to the living room mid-afternoon ready to update her on our progress.
“Hey, how’s it going?” Aria’s face fills the screen, her usual curls smoothed into a sleek ponytail today.
“It’s going well. Phillip sorted out the panels over the weekend so I’ve been able to start outlining my design on them this morning. I’ve got two of the panels done so far, and I’ll get some basic colour on one of them before the end of the day.” I’m actually excited about it and eager to hurry this chat with Aria along so I get started.
“That’s great news! Phillip, you know you don’t have to work weekends on this right? There’s still plenty of time.”
“I know, but I want Rose to have as long as possible to paint. Nothing takes the joy out of a job like having to rush through it in a panic.” Catching myself smiling up at him I quickly wipe the goofy grin from my face but one look at the screen tells me Aria’s noticed. We didn’t end up crossing paths on Sunday so I haven’thad the chance to fill her in on how my date with Phillip went, but the knowing glint in her eyes tells me she has some idea.
“Well, I’m glad everything’s on track.” She smiles brightly. “Phillip, would you mind if I catch up with Rose for a minute?” At my nod he bids Aria goodbye, leaving to give us some space.
“Alright, spill it,” Aria demands, all traces of the professional businesswoman from moments ago replaced by my absolutely feral best friend.
“Shhh.” I frantically lower the volume of the call, darting my gaze over to Phillip to see if he heard anything. “He’s only gone to the kitchen and this place is open plan,” I tell her. Spotting him making my afternoon coffee, my heart melts that he’s been paying such close attention down to the smallest things like when I need my next caffeine fix. I think I’ll keep him.
“Something’s happened between the two of you, I can tell,” Aria interrupts my mushy thoughts, sounding smug. “I take it the date went well?”
“Things got off to a rocky start when we ran into Malcolm but after that it was perfect.”
“Wait, you ran into Malcolm?” she screeches, making me wince even with the call at half-volume.
“I’m actually glad it happened. It gave me the opportunity to really stand up to him, and now I feel like I can leave everything to do with him in the past where he belongs.”
“That’s great, Rose. Really.” She watches me intently for a moment before asking, “So Phillip makes you happy?” Blushing, I glance over at him again.
