Page 56 of Mine

Chapter Sixteen

“A limo?” Phoebe questioned as she and Quentin dashed out the doors of Rose and Garnett LLC.

“Yeah,” he said.

Photographers threw questions at them as they made a run for the awaiting vehicle.

“Why are you visiting a law firm today, Quentin? Are you in trouble?”

Before Quentin had a chance to response, another question was thrown from a different cameraman. “Are you guys dating?”

“Where are you going this evening—”

“Phoebe, look this way!”

Their chauffeur stood at the ready with the back door to the limo open. Phoebe slipped inside, and Quentin was quickly behind her. The chauffeur closed the doors, and the cameramen surrounded the vehicle steadily throwing questions while snapping pictures at the same time. Slowly, the driver pulled away from the curb, and the car sailed off smoothly down the street.

Phoebe shook off some of the frigid weather and looked at Quentin. “You were right,” she said. “That is worse.”

Quentin’s baritone laugh sent shivers down her spine. She loved it when his smooth coffee lips eased into a heavy chortle. The set of pearly whites highlighted his smile even more, and it was no wonder she loved tasting his mouth.

“I did try and warn you.”

Phoebe nodded. “You did.” She settled next to him as he draped an arm over her shoulder. “Rarely have I seen you in a limo. Pulling out the big guns I see.”

Quentin’s beard tickled the tip of her nose, and Phoebe turned her face upward to nuzzle under his chin. “I absolutely love the way you smell,” she said.

“As do I.”

“You love the way you smell?”

Quentin pierced her with a look, and Phoebe laughed. “I’m sorry, I couldn’t resist.”

“So you got jokes.” He reached and tugged her nose, and Phoebe giggled. “I missed you today.”

“Did you?”

“I sure did. Thought about you in every moment. What are you doing to me?”

“Mmmm, time will tell I guess.”

Quentin tightened his arm, pulling Phoebe’s face to his lips. A kiss, soft and warm, sank into her skin with a lingering drone. Whenever Quentin touched Phoebe, her nerves scattered with exhilaration. It was so dangerously different from the way she felt with any of the guys she’d previously dated, who never stuck around long when they’d found out Phoebe wasn’t putting out.

For Phoebe those guys had only been in her life to pass the time until she and Quentin could be together. Of course, she never knew when that was, or if it would even happen, yet she was willing to wait, biding her time patiently. Phoebe fell in love with Quentin slowly growing up. His protectiveness, his kindness to her, the way he listened whenever she had a problem. Even when she cried at times, his eyes would also water as if he could feel her direct pain. It softened her heart and opened her eyes to the possibility of a love everlasting. Now, to be here in this moment, snuggled next to the man himself, it was like a dream come true, and she couldn’t help but feel thoroughly whole.

It was 6:30 p.m., and the street lights were barely on. Their limo made a left turn, riding to the west side neighborhood of Chicago. Phoebe frowned.

“Where did you say we were having dinner?”

Quentin kissed the side of her head. He too, felt as if being with Phoebe was a dream. Never in his life had he ever felt so remotely comfortable and at home with any other woman.

“I didn’t say,” he responded.

“Ooou, it’s a secret,” she joked.

“Something like that,” he responded.

The limo pulled to the rear of the United Center. It was home for the Chicago Bulls NBA team and also home for Chicago Blackhawks NHL team. Phoebe glanced to Quentin.

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