Page 44 of Built to Last
My hands tangle in his hair, holding him to me as my thighs begin to shake. When he reaches one hand between us to rub my sensitive clit I shatter, bursting into a million shards of pleasure. Moments later, Phillip shouts with the force of his own release, his grip tightening almost painfully at my hips as his cock pulses within me. Cupping my face, he captures my mouth in another filthy kiss, drawing our pleasure out until the last possible moment.
We lie tangled in each other’s arms waiting for our breathing to return to normal. Phillip’s hand caresses up and down the length of my spine, almost lulling me back to sleep, but there’s no time for drifting off. Reluctantly I start to roll away but his arms tighten around me like bands of steel.
“Not yet,” he mumbles into my hair, making me giggle.
“As much as I’d love to stay in bed with you all day, we have lunch with your parents soon and wedefinitelyneed to shower.”
“Fine.” He sighs dramatically, releasing his hold on me. “You go first. If I come in there with you, I can’t promise I won’t get sidetracked.” He grins cheekily. Rolling my eyes while fighting a smile, I head for the en-suite.
After showering, I blow-dry my hair since there’s not enough time before we need to head over to Phillip’s parents’ house for it to dry naturally. Once my hair is sorted, I dress in a pair of light blue jeans, a floral top, pink cardigan, and a pair of low-heeled ankle boots. He said it’s not a formal thing but I still want to look good the first time I meet his family. I add a little concealer, brow pencil, and mascara, and am just finishing applying some tinted lip balm to complete the look when Phillip steps out of the bathroom, towel hanging precariously on his hips. Preoccupied with tracking the journey of a stray water droplet as it runs down his sculpted chest, I jump when my calendar app chimes with a reminder for us to leave in fifteen minutes.
“No more of that. We’ve got places to be.” Phillip playfully scolds me. But then he drops his towel to step into his underwear and I’m distracted all over again.
“If you want me to hurry you should stop taking your clothes off,” I reply, giving him an obvious once-over. “Besides, I’m all set. This outfit’s OK, right?”
“You look perfect.” I try to calm my nerves while he tugs on his own pair of jeans and a Henley. “I can’t wait to introduce you to everyone.” Noticing me wringing my hands he continues, “Relax, they’re going to love you. And I’m sure Toby will forgive you for stealing his mint-chocolate-chip ice cream.”
“The ice cream was for yournephew?” I gasp, eyes wide. “I can’t believe you got me to take ice cream from a child, that makes the whole thing so much worse!” Phillip is unable to contain his laughter as he takes in my horror so I lightly bat him on the arm in reprimand.
“It’s not funny,” I argue, my scolding tone undermined by my shoulders shaking with my own barely-contained laughter.
“You needed it more than he did. Toby was fine with cookie dough instead.”
“I feel like even more of an arsehole now,” I grumble.
“He survived without it. I’m not sure the next personyoucame across would have been so lucky,” he teases with a grin.
“You’re the worst, you know that?” I deadpan, heading for the door to go and wait downstairs but Phillip captures my wrist.
“Not so fast, raincloud.”
“Nope, I’m going to wait downstairs before you come out with any more embarrassing revelations.” I’ve only taken a couple of steps when a thought occurs to me. “Crap, should I bring something for your mum—like flowers? Does she even like flowers?” I ask, nerves threatening to overwhelm me. Phillip is so sure we’ll all get along, but what if his family doesn’t like me? In a few quick strides Phillip is right there, guiding me into his arms. I let out a little sigh against his chest, calm washing over me.
“You don’t need to bring anything, but we can stop for flowers on the way if you really want.”
“Yes, please.”
He presses a kiss to the top of my head. “Come on then, we’d better get going if we don’t want to be late.”
Phillip’s parents live in a pretty neighbourhood on the other side of town. The street is full of good-sized detached houses, all with well-maintained front gardens. It’s still raining but luckily we’re able to park right across the street from thehouse. I clutch the bunch of sunshine-yellow and burnt-orange chrysanthemums I bought for Phillip’s mum tightly in one hand, crushing his hand in the other as we dash up the driveway. Beneath the front porch that acts as a shield from the rain, Phillip turns to face me, running his palms up my arms to rest on my shoulders and squeezing gently.
“It’s going to be fine.”
Before I can formulate a response, the front door whips open to reveal Phillip’s mother. I recognise her from the photo in his living area. It’s obvious he got his chestnut hair and blue eyes from her but I’m guessing his height must come from his dad’s side—the gently rounded woman before me can’t be more than 5ft 3.
“I thought I saw your car pull up. You must be Rose, it’s so lovely to meet you. Phillip has told us a lot about you.” She greets me with a wide smile and, sure enough, she has dimples too. Add in her floral dress and white apron with frilly edges, and she reminds me of the cartoon woman on the frozen cherry pie box in my freezer. This woman who radiates warmth and happiness is what a mum is supposed to feel like. For a melancholy moment it makes me wish my relationship with my own mother was different.
“Thank you so much for having me over. These are for you.” I hold out the flowers.
“Oh, you shouldn’t have! Thank you dear, chrysanthemums are my favourite.” She accepts them gratefully. “Goodness, I’m being so rude—come in out of that rain, come in!” She steps back, allowing us inside then calls out, “Martin, they’re here!” She takes our coats then leads us into the living room chatting away. “Always out in the garage tinkering away, your father. I thought retiring meant you weren’t supposed to work all day.”
“You know Dad would drive you nuts if he didn’t have a project. Don’t tell me you want him helping out in the kitchen instead?” Phillip replies and she laughs.
“Lord no, your father could burn water.”
The room is cosy with two comfortable looking fawn-coloured sofas and a fireplace mantle covered in family photos.
“You can wait in here and I’ll call you through when lunch is ready.” She checks a delicate gold watch on her wrist. “The others should be here any moment.”
