SAM
My smile won’t just wipe away from my face after talking to Phoenix. A unique name to a gorgeous God-looking guy. Just his face, women will spread their legs for him. He’s also funny. His deep husky voice makes him sexier.
My jaw just drops when I look at him—his disheveled brown hair looks freshly showered. Those thick eyebrows and wicked gray eyes surrounded by thick eyelashes gleam in the moonlights. And my God, those full red lips, and not to mention the bulging biceps that make my fingers itch.
I can even see the hint of his pack abs through his shirts. I’m sure the V down there was drool-worthy.
I can’t even believe I actually told him about what happened earlier with Tyler. How he laughed so much at my failure of guessing his brother’s name, and those laughs—he makes my heart beat faster.
But I’m sure I’m not going to see him again. Well, there’s nothing wrong with daydreaming, right?
I’m sure he won’t remember me after tonight. But God, just his touch alone, it makes my body alive. My blood rushes through my veins and makes my heart flutter erratically.
I had to leave him before I was going to lose my mind.
There are those feelings that make me stay and talk to him all night and feel his body against mine. I shake my head.
I’m a relationship type of person, and I can see that he doesn’t do that.
My chest tightens. The stupid hormone. I was just harassed by my ex and now I’m thinking of another man. Not good!
When I get back to bed, my mind lingered on those beautiful tantalizing gray eyes again.
This is for not having sex for a year.
I groan and close my eyes, hoping to get a good sleep.
***
Monday comes. I sigh helplessly as my mind is still preoccupied with Phoenix.
Why can’t I just forget him? I need to get laid, but I don’t even know how to flirt.
“Earth to Sam. Where is your mind flying?” Maya nudges me from her seat.
“Just didn’t have enough coffee this morning. How’s Garrett?” Her fiancé is a kickboxing trainer. Wait! That can be the same gym where he works, right?
“We’re having dinner with his friend on Saturday. Join us with Amy.” Her fiancé is very sweet, and it makes me sad that no one does to me the way he does to Maya.
“I’ll let you know if I can come. Thanks for inviting me though.”
Amy approaches our seats, smiling with her signature red lips. “Hey girls! How’re your weekends?”
“Hi! Mine was boring. I can see that your weekend seemed pretty colorful.”
She blushes, and I exchange a look with Maya.
“Come on. Who was the lucky guy that got a chance to grab those boobies?” Maya teases her that makes us giggle.
“He’s here in college. He was good in bed, and not to mention how huge he is. Oh, my God! He gave me the best orgasms,” she whispers, making us both laugh at her.
“How huge, Amy? And really, orgasms? Did you spend your night with him?” I curiously ask.
At least she always gets laid. Maybe I should try sometimes. A one-night stand is not that bad, right?
“Huge, Sam.” Her eyes were glossy. “I didn’t spend the night with him. We just had sex in his apartment, then after a few rounds, I left as soon as he fell asleep. It’s been a year, Sam. You should try clearing your cobwebs already.
I cower in my seat. Thank, God! I am saved by our professor who just arrived. She can’t anymore torture me with preaches about my lonely inactive sex life.
Classes end. We walk together to the parking area because we have the same shift in the coffee shop today.
“I actually met someone last Saturday. He’s—”
Before I can continue, Amy grabs my arm. “Wait, you get laid Saturday night? Why I don’t even know you went on a date.”
I roll my eyes. “I didn’t go on a date and I definitely did not get laid. Jeez, I just met him after sending Tyler home.”
Her eyes widen because I haven’t told her about the incident.
She glares at me. “You sent Tyler home? Are you insane? Why are you still talking to that jerk after what he did to you?”
I sigh in defeat—I know I can’t let this topic go if I won’t tell her and Maya. “He was drunk, so he called me and asked a favor. Then he kissed me in front of his home.”
They ew in unison.
“Is that how you get that cut on your lip? He forced you?” Maya asks, giving me her sympathy looked. “Don’t ever talk to him again, I’ll let Garrett break his face.”
“No need to be violent, okay? I’m fine.”
We reach our cars, but Amy isn’t done—she grabs my arm again.
“What?” I snap.
“Not so fast, sweetie. Tell me about the hot dude.”
I roll my eyes and groan. “Nothing to tell. The new owner will kick us outside his shop if we will be late for our work.” I open my car, get inside, and close the door.
She’s not nearly over—Amy knocks on my window. “We’re not done talking, missy.”
I chuckle because I know I can’t escape. I have to tell her, but not today.
***
When I reach my locker, they’re already on their aprons, and I wear mine and grab my pen.
“Seriously, Sam, tell us the hot dude.” Maya blocks my way and smiles.
“There’s nothing to tell, really. We didn’t kiss or hump. We just talked.” I fixed the tie of my hair.
“Oh, you really won’t budge, will you?” Amy says while fixing her hair.
“Just drop it, girls. We have work to do,” I say dismissively.
“Your life is so boring. I need to set you on a blind date with Garrett’s friend. I haven’t met him yet. He’s new in town, and I’m sure he’s hot. His name—” Before Maya can continue, Big D emerges to our locker.
“Time to work, girls. No more gossiping, Mr. Williams will be here shortly,” he says and leaves.
The shop is very crowded today. I can’t even sit to rest my feet, and there’s still no sign of Mr. Williams.
Suddenly, I feel an empty feeling in the pit of my stomach. “Are you sure he will come today?” And I don’t know why I even ask Amy.
“No idea, girl. I’ll only care if he will give me orgasms. I heard he’s a playboy and doesn’t date. Alex Williams is a drool-worthy businessman.”
I narrow my eyes. “Really, Amy? All you have in your mind is sex? How about that college boy has huge?”
She cuts in, “What about him? It’s only a one-time thing. I want to taste that hot piece of a man named Alex.”
I give her a disgusting look, but instead of getting offended, she just laughs at me.
I carry the cappuccino the guy at the corner ordered. I am still carrying another cup of coffee and an order of éclair when the door chimes.
I get distracted to look who’s coming when I hear Amy calling my name. I look at her and raise my eyebrow to ask what she wants. She doesn’t say anything, but the sudden stiffening of her posture and look on her face tells me likewise.
I ignore her and walk to give the order to my hand when suddenly, I bump myself into something that makes the tray of coffee and éclair fall from my hand to the floor. The content of the cup spills to my hand and to something, or rather to the person I bump into.
A deep husky voice curses. My thoughts scattered. Everyone in the coffee shop gasps and says oh and oh my God. A flush of adrenaline tingles through my body, and I immediately grab my apron and clean the spill on a person’s dark blue shirt and dark jeans.
“OhmiGod! OhmiGod! I’m so sorry! I didn’t notice you’re on my way. I’m so sorry. I don’t mean to burn you with coffee. Oh, my God! I have never been clumsy like this,” I continue babbling. “Mr. Williams will fire me this instant.”
All I can say is sorry while wiping away the stain from the person—a man. I noticed the V when I try to wipe away the coffee.
Jesus his V! He stiffens when my skin accidentally touches his lower abdomen, and I can see now the noticeable bulge on his pants.
I feel the effect when my fingers touch his skin—it awakens the senses in my entire body. I stop and stand up straight from my bending posture and look at the man standing in front of me.
“I’m so—” My eyes nearly pop out from each socket to see the man that I just bumped into.
My mouth hangs open, and I think my jaw just dropped to the floor.
Suddenly, I feel breathless as if every air in my body has been sucked out from me forcibly. “P-phoenix?”
Then everything halts when Big D’s angry voice behind me is calling my name.
Shit!
“Sam, what have you done?” He grabs my arm and forces me to face him.
I flinch. “I’m so sorry, Big D. I didn’t see him coming when I was carrying the order to the table. I’m so sorry.”
It doesn’t stop there.
“Are you trying to burn him with coffee, Samantha? Do you really want to end my job and yours by burning Mr. Williams with coffee?” His voice stern echoes in the entire place.
“Mr. Williams?” My eyes widen again.
Wait.
“Yes, he is Mr. Williams. He owns this shop, which you just burned with coffee. Now apologize properly, Samantha. Maybe he’ll change his mind, and he won’t fire you.” He looks intense—his face is red and his feature harden.
I face the man whose name is Mr. Williams.
“That won’t be necessary, Daniel. It was an accident. She’s right, she didn’t notice me, and it was my fault. I should have given her way,” Mr. Williams says or Phoenix or whoever his name is.
“It’s not acceptable, Mr. Williams. We don’t just throw hot coffee to customers or anyone who comes here. That’s why this shop is well known not only for the menu we served but also for the good services we offered to the customers.”
I look down at my trembling hands as I feel so embarrassed to the man in front of me and to all the customers whose eyes are on me now, including my friends and other staff.
“Drop it, Chase. She already apologized to me more than once. It was an accident. Let me decide to fire her or not. She did an accident because of me,” he says with his intimidating voice.
The place goes silent that you can hear the drop of a needle. I look at him, and he’s staring at me. With its intensity.
I swallow hard when the next thing happens unexpectedly. He smiles.
“Hello, Samantha! Good to see you again.”
PHOENIX I yawn, rub my eyes with the back of my thumb, then close my laptop after reading the email from the manager of the coffee shop I recently bought. I can’t help but think about the parking lot girl—her eyes, her laugh, and the way she jumped when she finally guessed the right name. It just...she makes me smile. I know one day, there’s a possibility of crossing our path again. This town is not that big, but the question is when? I wake up just when my alarm goes off. After my breakfast, I shower, then I wear a shirt and jeans to look more casual. I will check first the restaurant since the nightclub will open at night. It’s almost eleven when I get out of the restaurant, and everything is under control. I answer the call from Mom when I get inside the car. “Mom, how are you? Did you take your meds on time?” “Oh, honey, I’m good. Don’t worry about me. How about you? How’s your business?” She sounds
SAM I can’t believe Phoenix is Alex Williams who owns the coffee shop where I work, and I almost burned him. I thought I lost my job, but I’m grateful that he saved me from my ex. I’m so humiliated that he even held my hand in front of my friends. What will they think about me now? That I am flirting with the owner to keep my job? Every time our skin touches, I always feel something—the tingle is always there, and I don’t want to let go of his hand—it just feels good to have someone holding my hand—someone like him because I feel that I can trust him—I feel safe in his arms. “Care to explain what just happened over there?” I ignore Big D, instead, I take my soiled apron and put it inside my bag to wash it later. “Have you known him before, Sam? He’s our boss. He’s rich and a playboy. I don’t want you getting hurt again.” My face heats because he’s right at some point. “I know now he’s our boss. I
PHOENIX My blood boiled when I heard she took him back. Why she has to take him back? That asshole doesn’t deserve someone like her—she’s too good for him. He hurt her once—cheated on her, and he’ll do it again. Cheaters don’t change—that’s their nature. Was that the reason why she denied my friendship? Did he threaten her that day? I had to excuse myself from them, otherwise, they’ll see the dark side of me, and I, myself don’t like this part of me. I get outside of the apartment to release my anger, and I want to punch every surface here. But before I can do that, I hear the door open, then footsteps follow. Can this be her? I’m not ready to face her after ignoring her earlier. “Phoenix, are you okay?” Thank, God it’s Maya. “I just need some air. I’ll be there in a minute.” I can’t even face Maya. I’m so ashamed about how I reacted. I’m sure everybody noticed that what Sa
SAM Phoenix almost kissed me! Yeah, almost. I was anticipating when he leaned closer, but before it happened, he pulled back. I’m actually a little bit disappointed. Well, we shouldn’t, right? Who kisses a friend anyway? He always smells good—a scent of mint and musk, probably his cologne or his aftershave. Something feels different in his touch—it feels good, soothing, and igniting—like I want to cocoon in his arms. I’m glad we became friends though because I really missed him. I even admitted it. Going to his club is maybe a good idea. I can meet someone to get rid of whatever feelings I have for Phoenix. It’s insane how I know a little about him, and just met him recently, yet I feel the strong pull toward him. I might take Amy’s advice to get laid—my spell has been dried a long time ago, and she’s right—it’s time to clear away the cobwebs because I will die waiting if I will expect that Phoen
PHOENIX Surprisingly, I’m still not jumping on her, grabbing her head, kissing her senseless, and thrusting my tongue into her mouth. Last night was already torture—after sending her home, I went to my club and sat there for a while when a woman flirted with me. She was beautiful with a fuck-able body, but she wasn’t Samantha, and my cock didn’t even show interest. If it happened before I met Samantha, I already brought her to a hotel room and fucked her senseless, but since I met my princess, any woman wanting my attention, it seems like they don’t exist anymore. Now, she’s sitting beside me with a tiny dress that shows off her cleavage. My cock instantly throbs in my pants—it’s a little bit uncomfortable especially when she laughs freely. My shitty brain imagines her moans, her whines, her grunt every time I thrust inside her sweet tightness—it’s actually uncomfortable. The sweet scent of her perfume fills my nostrils
SAM My head is hammering a thousand times. I open my eyes slowly only to see the unfamiliar surrounding. The smell on the room seems familiar to me though—it’s like one of my favorite scents in the world. Panic settles in the pit of my belly. This isn’t my room. Where am? Did I go with someone? I quickly check the king-size bed. It’s covered with a dark sheet that matches the blanket where I am neatly tucked in. It’s definitely a man’s bed, but the other side is empty. I’m alone. Before I can sit up from the bed, my stomach twists sickly. I run into the nearest door, hoping it’s the bathroom. I flip up the cover of the toilet bowl and empty my stomach. Scanning the surrounding, I find toilet paper and wipe my mouth. I flash them and rinse my mouth with the water. I look at myself in the mirror—a smeared makeup still on my face with my messy bedhead. I’m wearing a gray T-shirt with the NYU logo that looks
PHOENIX The perfect lunch that I’m sharing with Samantha has turned into a disaster when my bitch of an ex appears at our booth. We’re just about to start our lunch when we’re interrupted. She fucking jumps into me hugs me and kisses me as if nothing happened before. Why she has to come here to all the restaurants in this place? Or did she hear the news that this belongs to me and try to catch up for old-time sake? “What? Do you really think I believe that you start dating?” she asks with her bitchy voice and pouts. Samantha clears her throat that gets Gabrielle’s attention. “Phoenix, mind introducing me to your old friend?” Sam gestures her hand to Gabrielle. Please. please. Please, just play along. “Princess, this is Gabrielle. Gabrielle, meets my girlfriend, Samantha.” Sam offers her hand, but of course, Gabrielle ignores her. Samantha has to pull her hand back.
SAM “Spill it, woman. I can see that you had an eventful weekend,” Maya teases me as we walk together to our management class. “I can’t escape from this, can I?” I’m actually excited to tell her, but nothing really eventful than I had lunch with Phoenix that was almost ruined by his ex. “Nope. I’m not Amy, so you don’t have to tell me every detail.” She bumps her arm into me. “We had lunch, then went to the park to eat ice cream and feed the ducks. So, there’s nothing really much to tell,” I tell her the short version, of course, without the sleeping in his house and the encounter with Phoenix’s ex. “That’s it? What about when you get drunk and he sent you home?” she asks, wearing a wicked smile. “I slept in his car.” She laughs. “I knew you would sleep in his car, then?” “Then he took me home,” I say slowly. “To his home.” “What? Really? Oh, my God!” Her eyes widen and she shriek