Mine (Falling For A Rose Book 7)

by Stephanie Nicole Norris

  “Phoebe Alexandria Rose?” he prompted.

  “Yes,” she said, coming around the desk to stand in front of him.

  “These are for you.” He handed the big arrangement over to her, and Phoebe smiled delightfully.

  “They’re beautiful…” she sang, slipping her nose in to smell them.

  “Have a good day, ma’am.”

  “Wait!”

  The deliverer turned back.

  “Who are they from?”

  “Oh sorry.” The man stepped back in the room and pulled a card out of his back pocket. “They fell over twice on the way over here, so I carried them while I drove the rest of the way, and I didn’t want to destroy your card. I hope that’s okay.”

  The man looked uneasy.

  “It’s fine,” she said, accepting the card. Phoebe sat the flowers down and ripped the envelope.

  My lady love, being with you has given me a lifetime of joy. Please accept these roses as a symbol of my love for you. – Quentin

  The smile that stretched across Phoebe’s face was clandestine. She shivered all over and had a reckless thought that she’d had to put in check quickly. Quentin made her want to drop everything she was doing and go to him. Just to feel his lips against hers and his tongue down her mouth.

  “Chill out, girl, you’ve got work to do.”

  Sometimes a girl had to give herself a little pep talk. It was the end of the day, and from the moment they’d touched down, Phoebe had been enthralled in one crisis to the next. Why people decided New Year’s Eve was the best time to get reckless was beyond her. But she had a job to do. Leaning into the flowers once again, Phoebe sniffed then sauntered around to her desk and dialed his number.

  It rang twice when he answered. “How was your day?”

  The groove of his deep voice comforted Phoebe, and she found herself leaning into the phone. “Busy, but no different than last year after new year’s.”

  “Hmm, I have a massage waiting for you when you’re done.”

  “Really,” she crooned. “I am so looking forward to that.”

  “Full body, too.”

  Phoebe whistled. “Why don’t I just call in right now and tell Jordan I won’t be here tomorrow.”

  Quentin laughed. “You won’t hear me disagreeing.”

  “If only it were that easy,” she moaned. “Thank you, babe, for the flowers. They’re beautiful.”

  “You’re beautiful,” he said.

  Phoebe blushed and flipped a piece of hair behind her ear, then glanced at her wristwatch. “I’ll tell you what, how about I’ll leave in thirty minutes and make my way to your place?”

  “Are you calling in first because you know an all-nighter is in order?”

  Phoebe giggled. “I’ve got the feeling being with you, there will be many of those.”

  “You’re right. I wouldn’t steer you wrong.”

  Phoebe laughed again. “I might have to set schedules for us. I can’t be off my game walking into the courtroom because my boyfriend rocked my world all night.”

  “Schedules?” Quentin said. “Nah, we won’t be one of those couples. If anything, that all-nighter will put a spring in your step, girl.”

  Phoebe giggled again.

  “I’ll let you finish up. See you soon, sweetheart.”

  “Okay.”

  “I… love you,” he finished.

  Phoebe’s heart rocked against her chest, and her entire body was covered with warm chills. Her eyes faltered and she responded, “I love you, too, Quentin.” They both remained quiet, taking in the severity of their confession before Phoebe ended the call.

  So it had been true. Quentin hadn’t said it on a whim just for the sake of their coupling. He meant it. He really loved her. A smile stretched across her face that reached her eyes. Her body was buzzing with a euphoric warmth that she couldn’t contain. Phoebe inhaled a deep breath, completely astonished that she was in love with Quentin Davidson out loud and vice versa. If it was the last thing she did, she would leave this office and get to him. Fast.

  Unfortunately, that blissful moment dispersed the minute an email hit her inbox. An emergency meeting had been called with the politician who’d been caught with his pants down, and all of the lead defense attorneys on the case were mandated to attend. Shit. Phoebe loved her career at Rose and Garnett, but she needed to balance the heavy workload and her growing love life. For her career to be fulfilling to her, she couldn’t let it take over her existence, or she would grow to hate it. Phoebe shot Quentin a quick text message apologizing for not being able to leave, then left her jacket, phone, and purse in her office when the meeting began in conference room C.

  The text message from Phoebe had dashed the excitement Quentin had. He’d set up a full body massage, fruit, wine, cheese, and a light dinner. Now as he stood staring at the table of food he’d prepared, Quentin blew out a sigh and strolled to the refrigerator for an ice-cold Corona. He was halfway to the living room when the doorbell rang. It sounded through the house as whomever was on the other side was determined to get his attention. Quentin opened the door swiftly with a frown on his face.

  “It’s so cold out here, please let me in,” Cindy said, practically running him over to get inside.”

  “Well come on in,” he said dryly, closing the door behind her.

  “It’s amazing how the temperature gets colder in January,” Cindy said shimmying as she walked down the hall into the kitchen.

  Quentin followed her, taking another swig of his Corona. When Cindy saw the layout of food and the wine bottle that sat on ice, she turned back to him swiftly as he entered the kitchen.

  “I’m not interrupting, am I?”

  “No,” he said, taking another swig of his Corona. “Plans changed.”

  “Hmm,” Cindy uttered. “Well, I don’t mean to barge in here on you, but my car broke down, and I can’t get it to my mechanic until tomorrow. Your house was closer, so I Ubered here.” She smiled softly.

  “What,” he said, “I don’t pay you enough to pay for an Uber home?”

  Cindy’s eyes roamed side to side. “Of course, I just thought I’d stop by, I haven’t heard from you since the new year besides our back and forth emails.” She paused. “How was your new year by the way?”

  “One of the best so far.”

  “Sounds good,” she said. “Oh, and that kiss, right?” Cindy nodded slowly as a smile spread across her lips. “How could anyone miss that kiss you shared with Phoebe at the game. That was something, huh?”

  Quentin watched her carefully. “It was better than it appeared,” he said.

  “It appeared as if you wanted to filet her for the world to see, how could it have possibly been better than that?”

  A sexy grin trekked across his lips. “Trust me, it was better.”

  Cindy’s jaw locked, then she quickly released it. It was meant to be invisible, but Quentin hadn’t missed it. Not too long ago, he’d asked himself if firing Cindy was the thing to do. But because they had what he felt was a solid history and a complete understanding of their situation, he’d let up. They were past; Phoebe was present. But gauging her reaction just now led him to believe that maybe she didn’t understand at all.

  She pivoted and traipsed over to the coffee maker. “You don’t mind if I make some coffee, do you? It would really warm me up.”

  “Where’s your car?” Quentin asked.

  Cindy slowly turned back to him with a brow quirked upward. “It’s downtown at the job.”

  Quentin nodded. “Okay, where are your keys?”

  Cindy fished out her keys, moving her hand around inside her pockets. Quentin held out his hand, and she tossed them over.

  “I’m going to meet my mechanic at the job and have him transport it to his shop,” he said. “The company card will pay for the labor, and when I get back, we should talk.”

  They eyed each other for several moments before Cindy nodded.

  “Okay,” she said.

  Quenti
n tossed his Corona in the garbage and went for his coat.

  “How long do you think it will take?” Cindy asked.

  “Maybe an hour, no longer than two.”

  “Okay,” she said, watching him slip his muscled arms into a trench coat.

  It had been a long time since Cindy had those thick arms wrapped around her, and Cindy’s body shuddered just thinking of it. She watched Quentin until he disappeared and wondered if he’d also missed her. It had been a few months since they’d been intimate, and the longing she held had reached its peak. Strolling to the cheese samples sitting on the counter, Cindy picked one up and tossed it in her mouth. Since Quentin hadn’t made a move on her since he’d been playing house with Phoebe, Cindy figured it would be up to her to make the move.

  Cindy thought of Phoebe for a moment. She was gorgeous, successful, and young, but there was no way she could keep up with a man like Quentin. And either way, Cindy wasn’t ready to be done with him yet. Cindy went to the cabinet and pulled out a wine glass and poured the sweet liquor halfway. She taste tested it while she pondered on what needed to be done to regain Quentin’s affections. A rueful smile crossed her lips as she sipped her wine.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Phoebe dug her feet into her boots and zipped them to her exposed calf. That meeting had lasted longer than she cared for, and now all she wanted to do was find herself between Quentin’s arms and go to sleep. After picking up her briefcase, Phoebe tied the buckle around her double-breasted coat and strolled to the exit where she flipped the switch, shutting off the light. She closed her door behind her and locked it just as Jordan approached.

  “Don’t tell me you’re leaving?” Phoebe feigned surprise. “The almighty Jordan never gets tired of work,” she teased.

  “I like the almighty part,” he said, teasing back.

  Phoebe smirked.

  “I’ll walk you out,” he said.

  Together, they ambled to the elevator. It dinged and opened without hesitation. They moved inside and turned to face the door.

  “I didn’t get a chance to ask you how your new year had gone,” Jordan started.

  “It was wonderful,” she said with a dreamy smile.

  Jordan nodded. “Good.”

  “How was yours?”

  “Excellent,” he responded. “Selena and I spent it together in Sidney.”

  “Australia?” Phoebe cooed.

  Jordan chuckled, “That’s the one.”

  “Hmm must be a little love in the air,” she teased.

  “Time will tell,” he said.

  Phoebe remembered Quentin saying the same thing to her.

  “So,” Jordan got down to what he really wanted to know, “everything between you and Quentin, cool?”

  Phoebe leaned into his shoulder and smiled up at him. “Don’t worry about me, big brother. Everything between Quentin and I is superb.”

  It had only taking her fifteen minutes to drive twenty-five miles to reach him. Phoebe pulled her Mercedes Benz into Quentin’s driveway and parked. She retrieved her keys and briefcase, deciding to work from home tomorrow. His home to be exact. She smiled thinking about lighting a fire and being able to cuddle with him as she worked. She imagined Quentin rubbing her shoulders while she sent emails, took phone calls, and did research. Her smile lingered as she strolled to the front door and stuck her key in for the first time.

  Elated and filled with happiness, she opened the door and strolled inside. Her nerves began to jump joyously as she moved through the kitchen. Discarded food sat on the counter and an empty wine glass in the sink.

  “Aww,” Phoebe sang, thinking about the way she’d abandoned him and the massage he had for her. She walked toward the living room, looking for Quentin, but only found his high definition TV on ESPN. As she thought about ways to make it up to him, Phoebe scanned the room then strolled slowly down the hallway before entering his sleeping quarters.

  It took you long enough,” Cindy said as she arched her naked back and glanced toward the door. Laying across Quentin’s bed with her bare legs tangled between his sheets, Cindy sat up gradually, and her mouth opened with surprise.

  “Phoebe,” Cindy said, astounded.

  A wave of sickness cascaded over Phoebe, and the briefcase she held onto slipped from her fingers and hit the ground. Her mind wanted to disregard the image of Cindy’s naked body spread out for her Quentin, but Phoebe’s eye held her captive. Instantly, her throat locked, and a severe splitting pain rocked through her existence.

  “Oh my God,” Phoebe said, stunned into tears as the watery mist clouded her vision and fell down her face. Without trying, Phoebe’s eyes traveled to Cindy’s perky breasts, flat belly, thick hips, and silky legs. Phoebe slapped a hand over her mouth to control her regurgitation, and her feet back pedaled before she turned and fled down the hallway. Her hands fell out in front of her as she felt against the walls the more her vision blurred, half running and half dragging herself with tears streaming in a downpour.

  Just as she reached the front door, it opened, and Quentin entered shaking off the cold. Phoebe ran past him, but her sudden appearance mixed with the distress in her eyes made him quickly reach out.

  “Phoebe,” he grabbed her, “where are you going, what’s wrong?”

  Phoebe turned around and slapped him hard. Her palm stung as she pulled it back and shouted, “I trusted you!”

  Taken aback, Quentin paused, and his mind shuffled quickly. Phoebe turned to leave again, but he halted her advances, grabbing her arm again.

  “Phoebe! I have no idea what you’re talking about.” He pulled her into an embrace.

  “Let me go!” she shouted. “You must think I’m an idiot!” Phoebe shook out of his arms.

  “Can you calm down for a second and tell me what you’re talking about.”

  “As if you don’t know there’s a woman in your house! In your bed for that matter! She’s waiting for you to come back so you can finish what you started.” She held a shaking hand out at him. “I can’t believe you would do this to me! Never once did I suspect you would. Why go through all of the theatrics and give me a key if you were going to keep screwing other women!?”

  “Phoebe, listen to me. I’m not screwing other women.” He put his hands together and step toward her, and she stepped back. “Please,” he said. “I don’t know what you saw, but we can get down to the bottom of this right now.”

  “So, you’re saying you didn’t know that your assistant is in your house?”

  Quentin hesitated. “I knew she was there, but she—”

  “Just shut up, Quentin! How can you excuse this?” Phoebe shook her head. “I was a fool,” she uttered as tears streamed down her face. “I should have never!” she yelled. She turned on her heels and fled through the yard, and Quentin went after her again.

  “I’m not letting you leave like this.” He reached for her, and she shoved him with as much strength that was inside her soul.

  “I hate you!” she screamed, and he fell back, stunned by her outburst. Phoebe jumped in her Benz and pulled out of the driveway. The tires pealed and kicked up asphalt as she threw the car in drive and took off down the street.

  Lost in a trance, Quentin stood there taking his thoughts over what had just happened. It was then that he turned on his heels and re-entered the condo. His heavy steps announced his thundering presence, and when he cut the corner to his bedroom, Quentin was halted in his tracks.

  Cindy had not moved. She still laid relaxed across his sheets much like the way she was when Phoebe had entered the room, with her legs entwined in the covers and brown peeks of her naked body on display.

  “Son of a bitch,” Quentin barked.

  Cindy sat up, and her breasts bounced as she perched on her knees.

  “Is there a problem?” she asked.

  Quentin let out a harsh breath. Really, this was all his fault. If he would’ve had the necessary conversation with Cindy from the beginning, maybe just maybe, she wouldn’t be
lying naked in his bed. But that was just his voice of reason, assuming Cindy cared anything remotely about his relationship with Phoebe.

  “Put your clothes on,” his ordered. His steely voice was rough and infuriated. Right now, Quentin felt homicidal. He may have just lost Phoebe forever. But taking a little blame on himself, he decided not to throw her out on her ass.

  Cindy slipped out of the bed and sashayed to him. “I’ve missed you,” she purred. She flung her arms around his neck, and Quentin peeled her off of him.

  “I said put your clothes on, I’m calling you a taxi.”

  “Hey,” she said, reaching out to him, “what’s going on here?”

  “What’s going on here?” he murmured. “Are you serious,” his steely voice drawled. “You know Phoebe and I are in a relationship. You’re disrespectful. Now get your shit and leave.”

  Cindy took several steps back, embarrassed and astonished that he would dismiss her. She grabbed her clothes from the floor and quickly tossed them on as Quentin left the room to call a taxi. As he dialed, Quentin cursed, and his thoughts shuffled on what he could do to fix this.

  “Mercury,” the man on the other line answered.

  Quentin gave his address and disconnected the line just as Cindy came out the room.

  “Hey Quentin, I’m sorry. You’re right, I was out of line, and I promise it won’t happen again. Honestly, I didn’t know you were serious about her since you’re usually not serious about anyone.”

  Quentin regarded her. “You’re right. I take partial responsibility for this. I should’ve made it clearer. But I’ve got to tell you, Cindy, you can’t work with me anymore.”

  Her eyes widened. “What, no, just calm down a minute. I promise it will never happen again.”

  “It’s too late,” Quentin added.

  “You’re not kidding.”

  “I’m sorry to say that I’m not.” He looked from her to the window. “As of tomorrow, you’ll be transferred to the westside office. You’ll be working as Courtney’s assistant. Your salary will stay the same, and you’ll be reporting to her instead of me. Turn in your company phone when you get there, and Courtney will assign you a new one.”