“I wish I didn’t have to go.”

Phoebe nuzzled her forehead in Quentin’s chest as they lingered at the entrance of her condominium.

“So do I,” he responded, pushing a kiss against her forehead.

The wind whipped around them, causing Phoebe to snuggle even closer. The scent of Quentin’s cologne mixed with his natural aroma enticed Phoebe, keeping her body on buzz. After their shared shower, Quentin and Phoebe lathered their bodies with oil for a deep-rooted massage. They took turns threading their fingers in the solid tissue of their backs, and Quentin had gone so far as to massage her ample bottom. It had made him harder instantaneously and completely aroused Phoebe, but after their bathroom fiasco, Quentin held himself in check and played nice.

It made Phoebe pout a little, but she was so entirely satisfied from their lovemaking that she didn’t put up much a fight. Now Quentin was dropping her off at home so she could get ready for work. Phoebe was already late, and her current case required all of the time she had.

“Is it possible for you to leave early today?” Quentin’s deep voice drummed.

Phoebe scoffed. “I highly doubt it. To be honest, it may be another month or two before I get any free time.”

“Well, we’ll just have to do something about that. Unless your plan all along was to kick me to the curb after you took advantage of me.”

Phoebe cocked her head up at him. “I won’t even respond to that with a serious retort.”

“Ah, because you know it’s true. You’ve been dying to get a taste of this Que, and now you’re ready to break my heart and leave. I told your brothers this would happen.”

Phoebe giggled. “Shut up,” she said. “I would never.”

“Mmhmm, time will tell I guess. So when will I see you again?”

“I can come over tonight when I get off.”

“Tonight?” he asked.

“Yeah, is that a problem?”

Quentin twisted his lips. “Look at you, trying keep me behind closed doors to have your way with me.”

Phoebe laughed again, and her head fell back.

“Nah,” he shook his head, “I’m no closet boyfriend, girl. I’m taking you out. I had fully intended to wine and dine you before you jumped my bones.”

Phoebe laughed harder. More so because some of his words held some truth. Although she’d been a virgin, Phoebe had been so horny for Quentin it was as if she’d been deprived of her fundamental needs to survive. It was probably from lusting after him for so long. Watching him from afar, and being smitten by his prowess. But the wait had been well worth it, and Phoebe knew without a doubt the road she was on would have her in love with him if the warmth in her heart and the stir in her gut weren’t already indications.

“When would you like to take me out, Mr. Davidson?”

“Hmm, how about tonight.”

“Tonight?”

“Unless you have plans of course,” he teased.

“Well, I know I had a date with, hmm... let’s see, I’ll have to check my— eek!” she screamed as Quentin sank his hand inside her coat to pinch her belly. “Oh my God,” she said as a bubbling laugh crawled up her throat. “Stop it! Stop it!” she guffawed as he continued to tickle her.

“What did I tell you about sharing?” his thick voice groveled.

“I was just playing,” she chuckled, “but to my defense, I don’t recall you asking me to be your girlfriend. You just kind of told me it was so.”

Quentin peered at her then decided to humor her.

“All right. Ms. Phoebe Alexandria Rose, can I have the honor of calling you my lady love?”

Phoebe’s lids lowered as a caress of warmth blanketed her. With Phoebe caught up in his capturing dark stare, she nodded with a blushing smile.

“Was that a yes?” he asked, leaning into her. His dreads fell forward as he sank his forehead into hers, bringing them nose to nose.

“Yes, Quentin, I’ll be your lady love.” She blushed at the same time he cradled her head and sank his heated mouth to her lips. His smooches were so delicious as if he perfected the French kiss. A soft tongue invaded her mouth, and they were wrapped in a shield of hotness.

She loved the tender yet fierce way his tongue explored her mouth. Delicate, but hungrily greedy. Everything about his presence, the soft yet hard angles of his face. The sweet yet tangy aroma of his dreads as they playfully tapped the side of her cheeks while Phoebe and Quentin exchanged tongues. A lining fire sailed over her breasts, drawing her nipples into hard beads. Her breath quickened, and just like that, Phoebe was ready to skip out on the day and spend it with Quentin.

As the thought became a seed that took root and began to sprout, Quentin pulled his mouth away from hers, his breath labored and gaze simmering.

“I better let you go, or you’ll never make it to the firm.”

Phoebe licked her lips, needing to taste his mouth before responding to him.

“Never let me go,” she said. “And you’re right, I almost left Jordan to tinker with that case himself.”

Quentin put prayer hands together. “I’m already on his shit list. Let’s not do anything else to further piss him off.”

“I’ll talk to him,” Phoebe promised. “He’s more reasonable then Jonathon.”

“Don’t do that either. It’s my problem. I’ll handle it.”

“How, when he won’t even talk to you?”

“He can’t avoid me at Rose and Garnet LLC.”

Phoebe smiled softly, but it didn’t highlight her eyes like usual.

“Hey,” he said, reaching out to caress her face. “It’s not your fault, so turn this frown into a smile. He glanced down at his Rolex. “Call me the minute you become free.”

“I will,” she said.

He kissed her again and stepped away, walking backward with his gaze still touching her. She blew him a kiss, and he winked in turn then pivoted to return to his Mustang. Phoebe punched in her code, and the door buzz then unlocked. She strolled inside and turned to peek back out the door just as Quentin’s car eased off down the street.

“Long night?”

“How long have you been standing there?” Phoebe asked Eden, keeping her eyes on Quentin’s disappearing vehicle.

“Long enough to know you’d rather be with Quentin then going to the firm to help Jordan with that case.”

“It’s not like he needs me anyway,” Phoebe retorted, still in the mood to talk herself out of it. “He’s brilliant, he has the capabilities to do it himself.”

Eden chuckled, then paused taking a closer look at Phoebe’s demeanor. “Oooh,” she sang.

Finally, Phoebe gave her sister attention. “What?”

“You did it, didn’t you?”

“Really, you go straight to that, asking if I gave it up?”

“That’s where you’re mistaken. I don’t think I need an answer because it’s written all over your face.”

Phoebe’s eyes widened. “What do you mean?”

“Girl, I have never seen a glow like that. You all shining and shit. Oh my God, Phoebe…” she half cried, half celebrated.

“Sssh.” Phoebe grabbed Eden’s arm and led her to the bank of elevators. Pressing the button firmly, Phoebe shushed her sister again until the metal doors open, and they were safely inside alone.

Eden’s jaw parted.

“Close your mouth before something flies inside,” Phoebe said.

“You know I assumed when you guys left, Quentin would probably drop you off later. I figured after that brawl, he would be too upset to even think about being in a relationship with you. But I should’ve known better the second that man slipped you to his side and bucked up to Jonathon.”

Eden shivered. “I’ve got to admit, girl. That man wants you bad.”

“Because he stood up to Jonathon?”

“Hell yeah,” Eden said matter of factly. “Don’t forget, dear sister, there were four of our brothers there, and they’re notorious for starting a fight they can finish. Besides being celebrity playboys, they can whoop some ass. Jonathon went straight for Quentin and didn’t break him. And Quentin,” Eden kissed the tips of her fingers, “that brother was willing to go through them all for you. Realistically, all he had to do was give in and say he wouldn’t date you. Oh but no, that was obviously not an option as he squared them rock hard shoulders.” Eden shivered again. “I hope Derek stands up to them like that. I’d drop my panties for him, too.”

Phoebe threw her head back and let out a pitching laugh while Eden nodded.

“That’s how it happened, isn’t it? Tell the truth. You were so turned on, you just fell on top of it like this.” Eden sank to the ground going into a split just as the elevator opened on their floor.

Phoebe’s laughter kicked up, and Eden made her butt bounce in a floor twerk.

“Girl!” Phoebe said with the brightest beam on her face. She reached down. “Get up off of that floor!”

Eden reached for her hand and slid to her feet as Phoebe pulled her upright. She shrugged. “I’m just saying.”

“I cannot deal with you today. I’ve got to get to the office.” Phoebe continued to laugh while moving out of the elevator to their condo.

Eden closed in on her. “I don’t really want to know the specifics anyway,” she said as Phoebe took her key out. “The door’s unlocked. I was in a rush to be nosey when I saw Quentin’s car pull out front.”

Phoebe shook her head and strolled inside with her sister on her heels. “But like I was saying, I don’t need specifics, just tell me it was fabulous and how many times y’all did it, and I’ll leave you alone.”

“Oh my goodness, girl,” Phoebe smized, pursing her lips.

Eden waited with anticipation. “Well?”

“Twice, okay.”

Eden squealed and clapped her hands spiritedly. Phoebe giggled.

“And we never made it to the bed.”

Eden’s eyes popped, and her mouth dropped. “Shut up!” She shoved Phoebe and Phoebe laughed.

“And…” she continued as Eden looked on, “If he popped my cherry the first time, I didn’t know, but when we were in the shower…”

Eden gasped. “Ew! And Oh my God!”

Phoebe nodded. “That’s what I said. I was embarrassed at first, but it happens to all virgins I suppose.”

“But why wouldn’t you have known it the first time?” Eden questioned with her nose drawn up.

“Well when we left the wall, we kind of stayed connected all the way to the bedroom. We fell asleep like that, so it wasn’t something we checked for right away. I guess we should have.”

“Too late for that now!” Eden added.

“True,” Phoebe countered.

“Wait, the wall!”

Phoebe giggled and strolled away with a sway in her hips to get ready for her day, while Eden stood staring after her.