“This is incredible. I had Cuban the other night and it wasn’t anywhere as good as this,” she admitted.
“Yeah, I love these family run restaurants. The flavor is so authentic. But don’t tell anyone about this place,” he said winking. “I like the quiet ambiance.”
He was right. This was perfect, intimate. As he talked, he grew animated. Jamie watched him eat and how he licked his lips between bites. She bit her own without realizing it. His lips were full and sensual. A familiar stirring hit her in her stomach. She wondered what his lips tasted like. The thought made her flush with heat that had nothing to do with the weather.
It turned out that Phil was both sexy and interesting. Sure, he was attractive but there was more to him than she thought. He told her about life in L.A. and how it differed from the fast pace of the East coast. She discovered that one of his favorite things to do was find new restaurants and cuisines from all over the world.
Jamie had not realized L.A. was as eclectic as New York. Every time she had visited she always ate at more upscale trendy venues. Phil explained that the local cuisine was far superior. She found herself conversing with him easily. He had worked at the L.A. office for four years, a transplant from their New York office. Jamie wondered aloud how they never met before and he told her that she was always traveling but that he had seen her once or twice. She casually asked him about his relationship status and though he answered, his smirk let her know she wasn’t as incognito as she thought.
It was then that he asked her about Steven, after all their relationship wasn’t a secret, and Jamie told him the truth. Phil too had come from a broken relationship, a result of an unfaithful partner about six years ago. He admitted, and Jamie was shocked to discover, his fault in the situation. He was invested in his career and didn’t put in the necessary effort it took to maintain a relationship. He didn’t blame her in the least. In fact, he said he understood why she had done it. Seeing her expression, he quickly explained that he didn’t believe that was the same reason for her own relationship failing but Jamie could hear her father’s words playing in her head.
Phil changed the subject then, hoping to break the tension and asked Jamie about Wright Square. She admitted that she loved living there. The view alone was worth the price they were asking. They discussed the plan for the other buildings and Jamie admitted that it was lonely being one of the few residents in building one. They had only just began listing the condos on the market.
Phil asked Jamie questions about herself and she found herself opening up to him like Callista suggested, rather than being guarded as she usually was. She told him about Callista and their antics since they came to L.A. She explained that Callista was her best friend and was staying at the condo as well. When he asked what Callista did Jamie truthfully replied that she was a trust fund baby. When he raised his eyebrows she asked him what he was thinking. Maybe she didn’t explain Callie in the right way she thought. She told him about how she was more than the money and partying. That Callie also did charity work anonymously. He didn’t say anything so she told him how she had put everything on hold to be there for her. How she had always been the one she could count on since they were little girls. The one unchanging factor in her crazy life. He was easy to talk to. He told her she was lucky to have such a great friend.
After lunch Jamie was stuffed but he had persuaded her to try the Cuban style tiramisu. She agreed only if they shared it. She was glad that he did. It was the best tiramisu she had ever had. They played fork wars over the last piece playfully, and Jamie took the last bite gleefully.
“You have an amazing smile you know,” he said suddenly.
“So do you,” she said reddening.
They had been sitting in the restaurant for hours until the waitress casually came up and asked them if there was anything else she could get them. Phil asked for the check apologetically. When Jamie reached for her purse, he held a hand up in protest.
“Please, I can get this,” she said.
“Jamie Redding. I know who you are and this may seem like a little thing to you, but as a man, I would like to pay for our meal.”
“I know but…” she argued.
“Okay, how about you leave the tip,” he said playfully.
Jamie nodded, smiling playfully back.
The drive back to the office was quick. Too quick Jamie thought. When they returned to the parking lot he took her straight to her car.
“Thank you Phil. I had a great time,” she said.
“It was my pleasure,” he said with a grin.
Jamie was hoping that he would have asked her out and as he turned to leave she felt a little disappointed. She had promised herself that she wouldn’t let another opportunity slip by her.
“Wait Phil,” she called after him.
He turned and looked at her inquisitively.
“I was wondering. Did you want to go to dinner with me?” she asked.
“Jamie. I had a great time today. But you’re my boss,” he said.
“Actually, my father is your boss,” she reminded him.
“I don’t want to complicate things. You’re great. Really. I just thought you understood that I wasn’t looking for anything. I’m not looking for a relationship,” he said.
“I’m not looking for a relationship either,” she replied quickly.
“Then?” he questioned.
“Just this,” she whispered reaching up to kiss him.
He hesitated only a moment before kissing her deeply. Jamie leaned against her car and wrapped her arm around his shoulder drawing him even closer. She let out an involuntary sigh that seemed to bring them back to their surroundings. Flustered they broke apart, quickly scanning the parking lot to see if they had been seen.
“Jamie, I don’t want to hurt you,” Phil said.
“You won’t,” she said confidently.
“I can’t give you…” he began.
“I didn’t ask you to,” she responded.
“And you’re okay with just a casual fling?” Phil asked her.
“I just got out of a relationship Phil. I will be going back to New York once the Wright Square is completed. Trust me. This is very casual,” Jamie assured him.
“So dinner?” he asked with a smile.
“Pick me up at my condo Friday at nine,” Jamie said getting into her car. She winked at him as she pulled off.
Chapter 4
Jamie had surprised herself by asking Phil out, but now that their date was quickly approaching, Jamie couldn’t wait to see him. Callie informed her that she also had a date with Kale and that she would be late coming home, they were going to a concert. Perfect.
That Friday, she and Callie made a stop at the spa and got a quick manicures and pedicures. Jamie had her hair washed and blown out. Callie informed her that they weren’t due for a wax until another week or so but she sprung for the full body anyway. Then they made a quick stop to a high end boutique and Callie helped Jamie pick out the perfect outfit. She also picked up a delicate bra and matching panties set although she doubted he would see her wearing it. She wasn’t sure where their night was headed but she wanted to be prepared just in case. She noticed that Callie didn’t seem that interested and instead kept looking at her phone smiling and distracted. A first for her shopaholic friend.
At exactly nine o’clock her doorbell rang. Jamie rolled her eyes and opened the door. Callie who had just left to meet Kale must have forgotten something. When she opened the door however she was shocked to see Phil standing there with a sheepish grin on his face. She had assumed that he would call her to meet him in the lobby. He looked impeccable yet very different than he did in his suit and tie. He had exchanged his work clothes for some blue jeans, a striped button down dress shirt and stylish dress shoes. He smelled of soap and sandalwood and something spicy Jamie couldn’t identify. It was intoxicating and Jamie breathed him in.
“How did you get upstairs without the elevator key card?” she asked curious.
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“I have the master,” he reminded her.
Jamie opened the door wider to let him in. He held something behind his back. When she closed the door and faced him he presented her with a small white box tied with red string.
“What’s that?” Jamie questioned.
“Two of the most incredible red velvet cupcakes from the best bakery in the city,” he said flashing his dimples. “I remember you told me at lunch they were your favorite.”
Jamie accepted the package with a smile. She placed it on the counter and she felt him move behind her holding on to her waist. Phil moved her hair aside and kissed her on her neck.
“You look incredible,” he whispered.
Jamie leaned into him, closing her eyes. She had worn a flowy strapless coral dress. Callie had insisted that she wear it. The feel of his lips on her neck and shoulders gave her shivers. She made a mental note to thank her best friend later. And then just as quickly as it had begun, it stopped.
“Are you ready?” he asked.
“Yes. Let me just grab my purse,” she stammered.
They went to a lovely restaurant that specialized in Asian fusion. It was off the beaten path but still rather busy. Phil had called ahead and made reservations but still was told that they would be seated within a few minutes. Jamie looked around the restaurant. She probably wouldn’t have found this place on her own. But she liked the ambiance. It was decorated like a stereotypical Asian restaurant but in a charming way. A large koi pool, complete with a bamboo bridge and plastic cherry blossom trees, graced the entry. Jamie smiled at the giant lucky cat near the hostess table. The waitresses were dressed in red and gold kimono style dresses. Callie would have called the place cheesy but Jamie liked the unpretentiousness of it all.
After twenty minutes and a profound apology, they were shown to their table. The waitress already had placed a drink, which turned out to be chilled lilac milk and rose tea and some steamed pork dumplings at their table. For the wait, she explained. The dumplings were on a bed of spicy cabbage slaw and the dipping sauce was a glazed ginger soy. Jamie had only had better on a trip to China a few years back. She sipped the tea which was sweet but not in a cloying way. It was cool and refreshing and surprisingly went perfect with the spice of the dumplings.
When the waitress returned and Phil told her that they would not need the menus she handed them, he wanted the special if it was okay with Jamie. Intrigued, Jamie shrugged and handed her menu back to the smiling waitress. It wasn’t long before their dinner arrived. The food was impeccable.
“You should’ve been a food critic instead of a lawyer,” Jamie commented in between bites.
“What can I say? I love finding hidden gems,” he said looking at her with his deep chocolate eyes that made her lose her train of thought.
“So far you have great taste,” Jamie replied.
“Just wait, there’s so much more I want to show you,” Phil replied.
They stared at one another for a moment, the sexual energy between them palpable. Jamie found herself locked in his gaze, she blinked and focused on the food instead. How could he do that to her with just one look?
“You should come to lunch with me tomorrow,” he said suddenly to break the tension. “There’s this great little seafood shack up the hills. Best fish tacos you ever tried.”
“I would like that. I’ll need to go to the gym with all this great food you’re feeding me,” she said laughing.
“I don’t think you have anything to worry about Jamie,” he said with a grin.
“Are you kidding me? We keep this up and I’ll be wearing t-shirts and jeans to hide the bulge,” she said jokingly.
“I’m sure you would look perfect no matter what you wear,” he said sincerely.
After dinner they made their way back to the condo.
“Would you like to come upstairs?” Jamie asked nervously.
“I could come up for a few minutes,” he said.
“We still have to eat the cupcakes.”
“You’re right. We can’t forget about dessert,” he agreed.
Jamie cracked open a bottle of wine and they sat at the kitchen counter eating their cupcakes. Phil was incredible. He was focused on his career and invested wisely. Jamie learned that her father had asked him personally to go to Los Angeles and spearhead the Wright Square project. Although lawyer was his title he did more than just draw up contracts. Not only was he the lawyer, but he had made decisions about the design and location of the condos as well. He was brilliant, well-spoken and knew almost everything about real estate and contract law.
No wonder her father had trusted him so completely. They spoke about work and Jamie found herself confiding in him the desire to run the company. She explained about her half-brother and his ambition of making partner. Phil commented that he always found Jamie more than capable. Though they had not met previously, he had drawn up many of her contracts. Phil talked about art and music. She told him that Callie was at a jazz concert and he asked Jamie if she would like to go one day.
She smiled more talking to Phil than she had in the past few weeks. He was sincere and sweet with a good head on his shoulders. He was the kind of man that Jamie was normally interested in. In the back of her mind an image of Ben flashed in her head but she brushed it off. It was getting late, close to one in the morning. Jamie knew Callie would be home any minute now but was reluctant to end their evening.
They made plans for the next day. He was serious about taking her out for tacos. When Jamie kissed him goodnight she loved the way he ran his fingers lightly across her back. She was reluctant to end the kiss as well. When he finally left, Jamie closed and leaned against the door smiling. She had an amazing time. Callie was right. She could use a good distraction. Phil was the man for that job.
Jamie didn’t regret meeting Phil for tacos the next day. He picked her up around two. Callie had answered the door and given her the thumbs up signal when he wasn’t looking.
They had a fun afternoon, Phil was right the tacos were phenomenal, and Phil asked her to go for a walk after. Jamie was glad Callie had insisted she wear flats for a daytime date. They found themselves at MOCA, the Museum of Contemporary Art, and Phil got vibrant showing her some of his favorite exhibits. She liked that he knew so much about art and culture. He was very interesting indeed. She admitted that when she was younger she spent hours in art museums, lost in the beauty of it all but as she had gotten older she never could find the time. The way Phil looked at her when they were deep in conversation made Jamie nervous. If she wasn’t careful she could get caught up in the wonder that was Philip Steele.
After the museum they decided to get street food from a vendor, something Jamie had never done before she embarrassingly admitted. Phil couldn’t believe that she lived in New York her whole life and had never taken advantage of the food carts scattered across the city. They talked and walked until it started getting dark. Jamie had not realized how late it was getting. The conversation with Phil was so natural and easy that the time just flew by. Phil dropped her back to her condo afterwards and decided to walk her to her door. She hesitated for only a moment before asking him inside.
Jamie turned the key and opened the door, her heart racing. She was relieved that Callie wasn’t at home. Phil shut the door behind them and then turned her to face him. She looked up at him expectantly. He kissed her, his hands in her hair leaving her breathless.
“I wanted you from the minute I saw you. It took every ounce of restraint to be professional that first day at lunch,” he admitted.
“The feeling was mutual,” Jamie replied.
Phil pulled her close and kissed her softly. With his tongue, he traced the curves of her lips, gently nibbling on her bottom lip. Jamie wrapped her hands in his hair and intensified the kiss. A soft sigh escaped from her lips as his lips moved down to her neck and the full mounds of her breasts.
“Don’t be professional please,” she said.
“You’re sure Jamie?�
� he asked.
“Yes,” she whispered.
He unzipped her dress and it fell in a heap to the floor. Jamie kicked off her shoes. Phil picked Jamie up effortlessly and carried her to the couch. He kneeled down in front of her pushing her dress up and kissed her legs. He stopped at her thighs and nibbled playfully on them driving Jamie insane. Phil hooked his thumbs in the waistband of her panties and slid them down her legs with one swift motion. Then he unhooked her bra. Jamie reached up and unbuttoned his shirt sliding it off his arms. Phil took his jeans off and kicked them over.
“You’re so beautiful,” he said cupping her breasts.
He brought his mouth back to her neck and then ventured further where he sucked and licked her breasts expertly until Jamie couldn’t take it anymore.
“Phil,” she begged.
Phil obliged and her placed one of her erect chocolate nipples between his teeth, nibbling gently. Jamie thought she would orgasm off of that alone.
“Open your legs for me. I want to taste you,” he said lustfully.
Jamie did as she was told and he placed her knees over his shoulders and began kissing her already wet pussy. He licked her slow using one hand to spread her open so that he could explore her deepest folds. Jamie squirmed against him. He increased the speed, darting his tongue deep inside of her. She moaned in ecstasy.
“Yes,” she whimpered.
“You taste so good,” he whispered.
“I want to taste you too,” she sighed.
“We have plenty of time,” he assured her. “I want to feel you right now.”
He opened her legs and positioned himself directly above her. As he hovered over Jamie he kept eye contact. She bit her lip in anticipation. He teased her with the tip of his penis until she was grinding against him, begging for him to take her. Without warning he suddenly plunged deep inside of her making Jamie cry out. She wrapped her legs around his waist pulling him in deeper. With every thrust, Phil went deeper and harder, loving the moans Jamie was making. He pulled out and flipped her over. After two years of vanilla sex with Steven, Phil’s manhandling sent Jamie over the edge.
In Too Deep_BWWM Romance Page 18