One More Second Chance, page 12
“Hello,” Carter answered. His voice was listless.
“Hey. Carter. Um, I heard about Zoe. Is she okay?”
Carter cleared his throat. “We hope so. She’s in surgery now. I’m here with Ethan. He’s worried.”
Phoenix’s hand slowly went to her heart. “I pray everything will be okay.”
“Me, too.” Carter sounded tired.
“You sound exhausted,” Phoenix said.
“Yeah.”
Neither spoke for a few moments.
“I’m so sorry about all of this. Please tell them I’m thinking of them.” Phoenix was generally concerned. “Would you mind keeping me posted?”
“I will.” Carter paused. “Thanks.”
There was a long pause. “Carter?”
“Yes?”
“Let me know if there’s anything I can do for you.”
“There is,” Carter said.
“Oh. Okay. What is it?” Phoenix asked.
“Let me come see you tonight.”
Eighteen
Carter sat in the car outside the address that Phoenix had given him on the phone. He contemplated whether or not he should go in. It was past ten at night. He had asked her if he could come by without thinking about it. She’d said yes. That surprised Carter. Messy issues resided between them but despite that, he needed her. Carter needed to feel the way he felt during those nights they’d spent together in Fiji. He knew then that it was temporary. Tonight would be temporary, too.
Carter’s day couldn’t have gone worse. After his father told him about Ethan and Zoe, he completely forgot to call Roberts at noon. He hoped he hadn’t completely botched his chances of getting him back on board as an investor. Never had Carter had so much weighing on his mind at once. Going home to an empty house was the last thing he wanted to do.
Carter left the hospital after Zoe was out of surgery and back in her room. She still had a long road to recovery and so did the baby. Born prematurely, their little girl was sent to the neonatal intensive care unit where she was likely to spend the next few months. When Carter had left the hospital, Ethan had fallen asleep in a chair next to Zoe’s bed. They were still holding hands. Carter couldn’t remember the last time he’d seen his brother cry. He could never say he understood what Ethan was going through, but the situation made him think of his own past with kids. It hurt him to walk away from the son that Taylor had told him was his. He had already bonded with the little boy. And it hurt even more when he found out about Phoenix’s losing the baby and having to deal with that loss on her own.
Carter looked at his watch. It was almost half past ten. If he was going in to see Phoenix, he needed to get out of the car now. After a few more moments he pushed the car door open and headed to the lobby of her building. The slate gray and glass building looked like a work of contemporary art nestled between older structures. He told the doorman where he was headed and he guided him to her apartment.
Carter lifted his hand to knock and paused. After a deep breath he tapped lightly. Moments later Phoenix opened the door. One look in her eyes and he felt some of his burdens lighten. She was beautiful even with her hair piled on top of her head in a messy bun. He’d never seen a pair of lounge pants and a tank top look sexier. The fluffy slippers made him smile. She stepped aside and welcomed him in.
“Hi,” she said.
“Hi,” he said back. Carter looked around. The decor was simple, elegant, feminine and cozy. Pale gray walls were adorned with interesting colorful art. The artwork set the stage for the colorful accents that popped against the muted backdrop. A basket sat in the corner with plush throws rolled inside. One large knitted throw lay across the back of the couch.
Carter stood in the living room, several feet from the door. He still wasn’t sure he’d made the right move by coming over. His mouth operated without his brain.
“Are you okay, Carter?”
He shook his head. Phoenix went to him. At first, she looked directly into Carter’s eyes. She embraced him. Carter held her back. He didn’t want to let go. He belonged in her arms. She looked at him once again. Time slowed. Carter gazed back at her. There was that pull again. He needed to feel her lips. Leaning forward, his lips connected with hers. Heat surged through him as well as something more primal. He needed Phoenix even if it was just for the night. Not just her body. He needed the comfort she gave him.
Carter released his passion in their kiss. He held her by the waist. Phoenix’s arms were around his neck. Carter pressed his body against hers. Phoenix showed no signs of resistance. She pressed back against him. Another heat surge.
“I need you,” he whispered without pulling his mouth away from hers.
Phoenix nodded, giving Carter the green light.
Carter lifted Phoenix. She wrapped her legs around his waist. Carter felt his way through her apartment and into her bedroom. He found it with ease as if he’d been there before. Gently, he laid her across the well-made bed. They tore at one another’s clothes until they were naked. Carter admired her body, running a finger from the crook of her neck to her navel. He planted teasing pecks on her mouth and down her torso. They were quick and moist.
Phoenix’s skin was on fire. That drove Carter’s desire higher. Phoenix pulled protection from her side drawer and held it up. Carter lifted his chin. Phoenix unwrapped it and slid it onto his erection. She massaged it before lying back and letting him enter her wet canal. Carter went as far as she could take him, driving himself inside her with long, deep strokes. The intense pleasure threatened to send him over an immediate edge.
Phoenix’s nails dug deep into his back. The pain brought Carter pleasure. His strokes were slow and deliberate. He watched Phoenix’s face. Her eyes were closed and her mouth agape. Her expression, euphoric. Carter wanted nothing more than to please her. When she bit her bottom lip, an involuntary spasm started in his groin and spread through his lower body. Making love to her was indulgent. He wanted to stay inside her but couldn’t take much more.
Carter pulled out and kissed her body from head to toe before returning, zoning in on her pearl. He buried his face between her legs and lapped at Phoenix until her legs trembled. Covering her mouth with a pillow, she released her bliss in a series of groans until her body stopped convulsing.
Just as she came down, Carter entered her again, driving her back to euphoria. This time he held her in his arms as he drove himself deep within her walls. Phoenix held him back, squeezing him tighter as she neared another climax. This time they rode the pleasure wave together, bucking and convulsing as their twin orgasms rolled through them like violent waves. Neither released their hold until their bodies stopped quaking and their breathing returned to normal.
Carter lay facing Phoenix, staring into her eyes. For a long time he basked in their afterglow, still feeling remnants of pleasure in smaller, less frequent waves.
Phoenix touched his face. “Are you okay?”
Her question jolted him. He came to Phoenix for comfort but didn’t plan for them to end up in bed. Carter embraced the relief that being in her presence offered.
“I don’t want you to think I just came for this.”
Phoenix rolled her eyes upward. “I know. We can say that it just happened.”
Carter kissed her lips again. “Thank you for letting it happen.” He chuckled.
“I guess we need to talk,” Phoenix said. She got up and went to the bathroom.
Carter stayed on the bed, folding his hands behind his head. He thought about his day. He was glad he came. He thought about the talk they needed to have and felt some trepidation.
Phoenix returned to the room with a robe on and two glasses of wine. She placed the one for him on the dresser while Carter took his turn to freshen up.
When Carter came out of the bathroom, Phoenix was on her balcony. Carter slipped into his slacks and put on his shirt, leaving it unbuttoned, and then joined her outside with his glass.
At first, they just sat, taking in the starry night. A slight breeze rolled through. Carter sat back and exhaled.
“Thanks again for letting me come by.”
“How’s Zoe and Ethan?” Phoenix asked.
“She’s resting. The baby is in the NICU. Only two pounds. She’ll have to stay in the hospital for a while.”
“Wow! Thank God she made it. I can’t imagine...” Phoenix stopped speaking abruptly.
Carter knew why she stopped. Her situation wasn’t the same, but he was sure it was just as stressful.
“About that,” Carter said.
Phoenix swung her legs over the lounge chair she sat in and faced him. “I should have told you,” she said. He remained quiet. “I realize that now. Back then, I was just angry, and distraught and scared.”
Carter sat up and faced Phoenix. “You shouldn’t have gone through that by yourself. That wasn’t fair to you or me. My guilt won’t let me be angry with you.”
“Guilt?”
“I caused that stress that led you to your miscarriage. You lost our baby because of me.” A lump lodged in Carter’s throat. He swallowed hard and blinked harder. “Who else knows?”
“Just Savannah.” Phoenix lay back again and stared at the sky.
“I left for a baby that wasn’t mine and lost the one that was mine.”
“I let you go without knowing you had a baby on the way.”
Carter lay back now, too. Both kept their gazes toward the sky. Several beats passed before Carter sighed. “We screwed up, Phoenix.”
“We did.”
Nineteen
“You snuck out early,” Phoenix said when she answered her cell phone. The morning sun poured through the window as she lay in the bed.
“I have early meetings and didn’t want to wake you,” Carter said.
“I’m exhausted.” She yawned.
“I know. That’s why I’m calling—to make sure you got up in time.”
“Thanks,” Phoenix said. “But I’m a big girl. I can handle a few late nights.” Her smile radiated from deep inside.
“Okay, superwoman. See you later?”
“Why not?” Phoenix ended the call. She loved teasing Carter.
They were at it again. This was the third morning Carter woke up at Phoenix’s house. Again, it was their secret.
Phoenix couldn’t believe she was actually having a rendezvous with her ex-fiancé. It would have to remain her salacious secret. Her mother would burst a blood vessel if she knew that she had been sleeping around with Carter. But the two of them fit together seamlessly. Phoenix had never felt so secure and complete with another man. Too bad it was temporary.
Happy thoughts followed Phoenix to the shower and work. She arrived early to take a phone interview. She wanted to get it over with before anyone else came into the office. It had been a while since she’d been on the job market. Phoenix was nervous about the interview but felt like she’d aced it. If they called her back, the next meeting would be in person.
Phoenix was glad that she was finally getting callbacks. The number of applications she’d submitted was too numerous to keep up with. She usually kept spreadsheets for things like this. Instead, she kept track of the job boards she used. Most were geared specifically to the technology industry. Phoenix also created a wish list of local tech companies to which she applied. A remote position would have been great also.
Indra knocked and stepped into her office.
“Morning!” she said.
“Morning!” Phoenix returned her greeting.
Indra sat on the edge of her desk. “We’re making arrangements to fly the team out together the week after next. I was hoping we would know whether or not you were joining us.”
Phoenix sat back. “I’ll have an answer for you soon.”
“Good. How’s your dad?”
“Still struggling. He’s still in the hospital. Another clot formed.”
“Oh no! Sorry to hear that.” Indra shook her head. “I know you have a lot going on. I don’t mean to pressure you, but we need to know soon. We’re hoping the extra time we gave to you to make the decision helps. If you can’t join us when the team goes together, we’re happy to fly you out later. But we can’t wait too long.”
“I understand. Just a little more time.”
Indra cocked her head sideways. “I understand.”
When Indra left, she thought about Carter. She hadn’t mentioned anything about leaving since they’d been back from Fiji. A ball of angst formed in her stomach. She and Carter hadn’t defined what they were doing. However, every moment they spent together slowly mended the damage they’d done in their past. She enjoyed his company. Being with him came with ease. She never intended to desire his company so much, among other things. Leaving would mean that this thing they had between them would have to be over. Phoenix wasn’t sure she wanted that.
They had plans for dinner later. She decided to bring it up then. Thinking of him made her want to end her workday early. She giggled, thinking about the things they’d done to each other the night before. He’d fed her strawberries, kissing her between bites. The more they were together the more adventurous they became in bed and the more fun they had. Anticipating their date put a smile on her face that lasted the rest of the day.
Phoenix headed home to change before meeting up with Carter. The restaurant they chose was downtown, not far from either of their houses.
Phoenix’s phone rang as she was getting into the shower. The display read Brent’s name. She sent the call to voice mail. Brent had called two more times by the time she left her house. Instead of moving her car and worrying about finding parking on busy downtown streets, Phoenix took an Uber. Brent called again while she was in the car. She hesitated but answered.
“Yes, Brent?”
“Phoenix!” He sounded as if he’d been running.
“Everything okay?”
“Yes. I’ve been thinking. I want to apologize for my behavior. Let me come by so we can talk.”
Phoenix drew in a sharp breath and released it in a rush. “That’s not a good idea, Brent.” She only answered the phone because he called back-to-back. There could have been an emergency.
“Phoenix...”
“I’m sorry, Brent. I truly wish you the best. I have to go. Good night.” Phoenix ended the call and rubbed the back of her neck. How had she missed so many red flags with him? He was nothing like Carter. Brent called back but she refused to answer.
The car pulled up in front of the swanky restaurant. Phoenix exited and sauntered inside. She couldn’t wait to see Carter. He greeted her with a kiss once she stepped in. They checked in and Carter placed his hand on the small of her back as the host led them to their reserved table. Carter pulled out her seat. Phoenix loved a man who treated a woman like a lady. That was another problem with Brent. He missed the mark on small things.
“You look amazing.”
Phoenix had put special effort into her preparation. The black lace cocktail dress hugged her in all the right places. She’d even added false lashes, which made her feel sexy when she batted her eyes. Savannah would be proud. All this for Carter. Phoenix giggled.
“Thanks! You look quite handsome yourself.” She wanted to say delicious but figured she’d save that for later. “So is this a date, Mr. Blackwell?”
“Phoenix.”
She thought she heard her name. But it wasn’t Carter who had called it.
“Phoenix!”
This time she knew she heard her name. Both Carter and she looked around. Brent was heading in her direction fast. Phoenix scrunched her face in frustration, then closed her eyes a brief moment to collect herself.
“Who is this, Phoenix? Is he why you won’t talk to me?”
“Brent!” She spat his name. Carter stood. “Carter, no!” Phoenix was on her feet now. Every neck in the restaurant snapped in their direction. The host stepped toward their table. “How did you know I was here?”
Brent didn’t answer. “Who are you?” Brent directed his question to Carter.
Carter’s chest lifted. He took a step toward Brent. Phoenix maneuvered between the two men. Carter held her by the waist. Brent’s eyes followed Carter’s hand.
Brent turned to Phoenix. “Is this why you won’t talk to me?”
“Brent. I told you it was over. You need to accept that.”
“You heard the lady,” Carter said calmly. “I’d advise you to leave now.”
Brent shook his head. He took a step toward Phoenix. Carter gently moved her aside and stepped to Brent. “It’s time for you to go.” Carter was firm.
Brent didn’t move. He looked from Carter to Phoenix. She hoped they wouldn’t have to cause more of a scene than they already had.
“It’s over, Brent. It’s been over. You need to leave. Now!” Her nostrils flared. Heat flushed through her body.
Brent stood firm for another moment. All three held their stances; none of them backed down. The host was now at their table. Brent huffed. Shook his head at Phoenix and walked away. She hoped she was seeing the last of him.
Once Brent was gone, Phoenix sat with her head in her trembling hands. She was furious.
“Want to get out of here?” Carter asked softly.
“Yes.”
Carter placed money on the table. When Phoenix stood, he took her by the hand and led her outside. In silence they walked to Carter’s car, got in and drove for a while. Phoenix didn’t know where they were going and didn’t bother asking. Carter pulled up by Canarsie Pier. He got out, rounded the car, opened Phoenix’s door and held out his hand. She placed her hand in his. Carter led her to the railing where they could overlook the water.
“I come here when I need a moment of peace.”
