CHAPTER TWENTY
The look Phoebe shot him was flaming. Damn near singed his eyebrows. He beckoned to her and sat down on the couch, pulling her down onto his lap.
She tried to leave, but he wrapped his arms around her and chuckled when she pinched his arm. After a few moments, she released a heavy sigh, then dropped her head against his shoulder. He nestled his chin against the black knot of her hair and inhaled her fresh scent.
"This is encouraging," Phoebe murmured against his chest.
He thought so, too. "I've been thinking about this all morning." He kissed the top of her head and tightened his hold. "We should probably do this more often."
Phoebe tilted her head, searching his face. "How many therapy sessions does Reggie's insurance allow?"
He shook his head. "I'm not sure. Twelve or thirteen, I think."
Holding her like this caused his insides to churn. Her warm breath caressed his skin. Her bottom wiggled against his lap as she pulled her long legs up onto the couch.
"I'm encouraged," she murmured, "but I'm also worried."
If he was honest with himself, he felt a bit apprehensive too. He knew things would eventually work out between them. There was entirely too much chemistry for them to deny it. His hand wandered the length of her back. She tensed for a moment, but she didn't pull away. Encouraged, he slid his hand under her shirt and rested his hand against her ribcage.
She arched a brow at him. "You're not the least bit worried about Reggie?"
His hand stilled in its exploration as his mind replayed their conversation. He'd been thinking their conversation was about them and how they both shared some level of encouragement. But looking at her puzzled face, he realized she'd been talking about Reggie and the physical therapist. There hadn't been any explosions from the bedroom, no scene involving Leslie sprinting from the house screaming that she would never return.
It felt like a bucket of water had splashed across his face, and he was at risk of drowning. He grunted, dropped his arms from Phoebe, and scooted out from under her.
Her lips twisted in a snarl, Phoebe plopped onto the cushion beside him. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing." He leaned forward and plucked two cookies from the plate. He stuck one in his mouth, then held the other out to her. When she shook her head, he shrugged and held onto it. "I wanted to be ready to spring into action if things changed with Reggie."
"Maybe it'll work out between them." Phoebe tucked her arm through his, and he reared back in surprise. She didn't seem to notice his reaction because she once again rested her head against his shoulder. "I think Reggie realizes she's going to need help if she wants to improve."
"She's convinced she's going to rely on that cane for the rest of her life." He'd finished the first cookie and now he considered whether his weight could handle a second one or not. He worked out on a daily basis, usually burning more calories than he consumed. But he was aware he was getting older, and there had been a lot of changes in his life recently. He could probably handle a second one, but he thought better of it. Smiling with triumph, he tossed the second cookie back onto the plate.
Phoebe gaped at him, approval lighting her eyes. "Look at you."
He twisted his lips. "You act like I lack self-control."
She shrugged a shoulder.
"I'll have you know if I lacked self-control, you'd be beneath me, screaming out my name." When her eyes narrowed, he stifled a grin. He didn't know why he'd said it. Pure orneriness he guessed. "But I'm the master of my body. And if you give me enough time, I'll master yours."
Phoebe tucked her legs beneath her. Her tongue darted out to wet her lips. "Leslie's kinda cute."
"What?" His head twisted in her direction. "You're thinking threesome? I'm totally down with that." The bark of laughter that erupted from her throat startled him. He leapt in his seat, then clutched at his heart. "I thought the 'she's kinda cute' was universal for 'we could all totally get it on'."
"One month and I'm already thinking of ways to punish you," she said.
"Yeah? I've never tried that BDSM shit, but I think I could like it." Phoebe bit down on her lip and pointed a finger in warning. He twisted his mouth and tried to follow the direction of her thoughts. "It's been one month since we've met. Roughly one week since I last had sex."
She counted on her fingers, staring at the plate of cookies. He nudged her side with his elbow.
"That's right, Phoebe. It's been a week since we had sex."
She pointed back towards Reggie's room. "Leslie seems your type."
He waved his hands in the air. "There you go again, making me think we're talking about a threesome."
"Look at me." The humor faded from her face. She gripped his chin in her hand and forced him to look at her. "Why did you tell her that I was your wife?"
He lifted his left hand and pointed at his wedding band. "I figured this would be a dead giveaway, especially since it matches the one on your finger."
"Oh." She dropped her hand. "You know, maybe we shouldn't wear them all the time. Just when we have to be around your coworkers and stuff."
The idea seemed simple enough. Rational. It made sense to him. But, it also bothered him. "We're married for the next five years. I'm not going to spend that time yanking this thing off and on." He shrugged. "Hell. I might lose it."
She dropped her head, and he could only assume she was looking at her own ring. Her fingers twisted at the band while she mumbled to herself.
"What was that?" He nudged her again. "I didn't catch what you said."
She jerked her head up and narrowed her eyes. "I said I wouldn't want to lose your grandmother's ring."
"That would be a tragedy."
"A terrible one."
"So about that threesome, I think she'd totally be open to it."
Phoebe buried her face in her hands. "How am I going to live with you these next five years?"
"Easily, I hope."
She twisted to rest her elbow against the back of the couch. Her chin rested against her hand. "Do you mind if I ask, how long was your longest relationship?"
"Not counting this marriage?" He knew he was being silly, but he liked seeing the twinkle in her eye. It was a lovely change from the usual solemnness that lurked there. "Can I count friendships?"
"You know what I mean."
He sighed, reached out, and placed his hand on her knee. She didn't buck him away, so he smiled and slid his hand further up her thigh. She eventually clasped his hand, holding it halfway between her knee and hip.
"Just shy of a year, I think." He thought about it for a moment longer, then nodded. "Yeah. About eleven months. Things went south when I met her parents. I wasn't opposed to meeting them, mind you. But then her mother started prattling on and on about family traditions and expectations. The next thing I know, she was talking about reserving a venue and choosing a wedding cake."
"Scared you shitless, huh?"
"Sure did." He grinned. "What about you?"
She squeezed her eyes shut and grimaced. "I knew you were going to ask me that. Technically, I don't think I've ever had a relationship. I mean, not like one where you formally come to agreement that you're together."
"Seriously?" He couldn't fathom it.
Her lips curved. "I was dating someone a few years back that I thought had long-term potential. He was studying to be a pharmacist, working as a paramedic at night."
"What happened? Why didn't it work out?"
"My sister got sick. My brother-in-law asked me to help take care of her, so I ended the relationship."
"Why?" He saw a tightness around her mouth and he wondered if it signaled a hint of resentment. "That seems a bit drastic."
"I was living in East Chicago at that time. I had to quit my job and relocate to Indianapolis. We'd only gone out on a handful of dates, so I didn't think it was fair to expect him to want a long-distance relationship."
"And how far is East Chicago to Indianapolis?"
She twisted her lips. "Two hours."
"You consider that a long-distance relationship?" He chuckled. "Just imagine when I'm deployed. I'll be halfway around the world." He'd always made a clean break of any relationship when he deployed. This would be the first time he'd have someone--other than his sisters and Reggie--waiting for him to return. He smiled as he imagined a joyous Phoebe launching herself into his arms.
But she didn't seem to enjoy the romance of it all. A stillness came over her. She covered his hand with hers, and the solemnness returned to her eyes.
Just before she could say something, they heard Reggie's door burst open.
"Don't worry, Miss Wilson," Leslie said as she came rushing from the room, clutching her satchel against her chest, "I won't be returning."
"Good!" Reggie's door slammed shut.
Phoebe bolted from the couch, reaching out to Leslie. "Is everything okay?"
"Your aunt is a very difficult person to work with." Leslie grabbed the doorknob and opened the door. "I think it best if she found another therapist." She pulled the door closed behind her, and Ash heard her trotting from the steps.
Ash started to laugh when he heard her peel out of the driveway. "I guess that puts an end to the threesome."