Page 66 of Phillip

“Normally…” He inhaled and held the breath while searching for the right words. They didn’t come, and Phillip rubbed the back of his neck. “Yeah, normally, I’d say you’re right.”

Ashley twisted her head toward him. Weariness cloaked her face.

“I’d totally fuck to forget.” He shrugged. “Seems like it’s a win-win solution after lunch with that asshole.”

She remained quiet, waiting, and turned another degree closer.

He shook his head. “But that wasn’t what happened today.”

“Of course it was,” she whispered.

Phillip almost grinned. “How about a distant runner-up of a reason?” He pulled her close, though tension made her rigid under his touch. “Ashley, look at me.”

Her chin lifted, and she stared at him, unblinking.

Phillip removed her purse from her clutches and set it on the ground. “Since we ran into each other, the need to be with you again has been all-consuming.”

“All-consuming is a bit much.”

“And today?” he continued. “You’re right—I needed you. Wanted you. I used you, if that’s what you want to call it. You make me feel like I can’t fucking breathe until I’m inside of you.”

She swallowed hard.

He didn’t wait for her rebuttal. “Call that whatever you want. I needed you then like that. You demanding. Me happily,savagelydelivering.”

Her breath shook. “What do you need now?”

Phillip smiled. “I’m no less savage but maybe more controlled.”

Arousal flared in her eyes as she bit her bottom lip.

“I can want you,” Phillip said. “Need you.”Love you.He faltered then shook away his shock. “In a hundred different ways. So long as I have you.”

“I’m not sure what you want from me, and I really need to know.”

He brushed her hair off her cheek. “Spend the night with me, and I’ll show you.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

“You came home late last night.” Mary Beth raised her eyebrows.

“Was it late?” Ashley tightened her robe over the oversized T-shirt she wore as pajamas and crossed the breakfast nook.

“You’re glowing.” Mary Beth sipped her tea then clucked. “And I haven’t seen you in a few days.”

Ashley couldn’t hide her smile as she turned to her best friend. “I’ve had a few interesting days.”

“I’d say so by that dopey grin and the small-but-noticeable-only-to-a-best-friend hickey on your neck.”

Ashley slapped her hand over the spot on her neck that Phillip had spent an inordinate amount of time focused on.

Mary Beth leaned back in her chair, laughing. “And you even knew the spot where it might be. How very interesting.”

Phillip’s footsteps preceded him by a few seconds. Mary Beth cocked her head, not doing a thing to hide her surprise, or maybe it was glee. “And I can guess who the culprit might be?” She put her tea down and jumped up with her hand out before Ashley could make introductions. “You are the perfectly marvelous ex-boyfriend that I’ve heard so much about.”

Phillip chuckled as Ashley groaned, watching her ex-boyfriend and best friend shake hands.

“I never called you perfectly marvelous.” Ashley gave Mary Beth a snake eye then headed to make her morning tea.

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