97: DATE'S OVER

DATE'S OVER

She loves him2

more than he will

ever know.

He loves her

more than he will

ever show.

***

I regretfully let Phoenix go. She moved to the counter without looking back. My attention shifted back to the phone and eyed our picture with a wide smile stretched on my lips.

'Dear Lord, she's so beautiful.' I thought, sucking a deep intake of breath. My attention solely focused on her soft, seraphic face. Only a pair of wings were missing behind her back to make her look perfectly like the mighty creature of heaven.

When I successfully made our picture my phone wallpaper I was quite pleased with the result. Now, my phone is perfect with her picture on it.

My gaze quickly shifted to her slender back and noted how she looked good in a loose t-shirt while walking towards the counter, her hips seductively swaying with each step she made. She's not doing it on purpose. She wasn't even aware I'm secretly watching her.

My eyes slithered lower until my admiring glance stopped on her smooth, porcelain legs. Her shapely long legs were her best asset. Any ambitious woman would kill just to have it.

In the process of admiring her, I suddenly became aware I wasn't the only one doing the same and I don't like it. She's mine and mine only.

I followed her with quick long strides. A frown on my temples emerged. She stopped on the counter. The cashier approached her and asked for her order.

I moved behind her back to cover her slender form with my body. Thus, blocking the view of a dozen eyes quietly admiring her a while ago.

I nearly erupted into a burst of crisp laughter when I heard a man groan in frustration.

"Ace?"

Her glowing eyes were wide as she shot me a sideways glance.

"Yes?"

"Shall we order Black forest cake instead? Ice cream cake is nice but it would quickly melt on the way."

"Black forest cake would do, Phoenix. Elisa and Madam Stella would appreciate it."

She gave me a sweet smile that nearly knocked all my breath away. She turned to the counter unaware of the huge impact her smile had on me, until now I'm shaking.

I paid the bills and took the square box of cake from the staff who handed it across the counter. Then we retreated to the door. My arms were protectively resting on her back as if someone would come and snatch her away from me if I don't. It's also a silent warning saying this woman belonged to me.

"Look, Ace." Phoenix pointed excitedly when we're out the door. I turned to where she was looking and saw a boy around the age of four, a baseball cap on his head walking to the door of the coffee shop.

"He's so cute. Isn't he?"

"Yes, he is adorable…..And you looked like a celestial goddess." I kept the last sentence to myself and suppressed a smile from emerging to my lips. 

I put the helmet on my head. When I'm done, I looked at her wondering what was taking her so long. 

"Let me…" I took the pink helmet from her hands, unfastened the lock, and settled it on her head. When I was quite satisfied with it, I moved to the motorcycle and rolled it on the side of the highway.

After I climbed on the motorcycle, Phoenix followed. When she settled behind my back and leaned a little closer until I could feel the soft warmth of her body on my skin, I stiffened in response. My cheeks are heated while the hairs on my body stand on ends. She wasn't even doing it on purpose but I'm seduced. I feel like hauling her to the nearest wall, pin her there and kiss her deep until we are out of breath.

Realizing how wild ideas flow in my mind, I shook my head and pushed the thoughts away. Phoenix's right hand tightened on my stomach after the motorcycle moved forward. I was driving much slower this time since she's holding a box of black forest cake in her other hand. I don't want her to fall off because of my recklessness. 

The motorcycle traversed the wide spacious highway. Having her pressed so close to me that almost no air could pass between us stole my breath each time I entertained the idea. No woman had ever made me behave like a hot-blooded teenager before. Only Phoenix did. I don't know how I managed to live the past few months without her in my life.

I looked back to the time I thought I almost lost her and I felt the surge of fear returned. I will never allow anyone to lay a finger on her.  I must protect her at all cost.

The wide, luxurious estate finally came to view.  I sighed. It was just saddening that our mini-date was over. She's not even aware that what we have was a date.

The motorcycle skidded into a stop on the cemented pavement, in front of the large estate. Phoenix carefully moved down. I took the cake from her hand so she could move easily. Once she's on her feet, I handed the cake back to her.

"Thank you, Ace."  She murmured. Her cheeks burned with a pinkish glow. I don't know if it's just the heat or she's really blushing. She removed her helmet, this time she successfully unhooks the lock without my assistance and handed it back to me.

She hurriedly moved to the door. I smiled as I watched her walk away until she entered the door and vanished from my sight. I'm sure she's going to look for Faith Vienne right away. 

I stopped the engine and climbed down the motorcycle, and pulled it inside the garage. When I'm walking back to the house a sleek black Rolls Royce with an unusual plate number was parked in front of the lawn. It caught my attention right away. 

"Mr. Greyson, A certain Mr. St. Alexander wishes to see you. He's waiting inside the Parlor."

What was Lucas Nicholas doing here?

I walked to the Parlor briskly, bracing myself for the news Lucas Nicholas had with him… whatever it is… I have a notion that I will not like it the least.

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