Teasing Phoenix novel Chapter 10

PHOENIX

The perfect lunch that I'm sharing with Samantha has turned into a disaster when my bitch of an ex appears to our booth. We're just about to start our lunch when we're interrupted.

She fucking jumps into me hugs me and kisses me as if nothing happened before.

Why she has to come here to all the restaurants in this place? Or did she hear the news that this belongs to me and tries to catch up for old-time sake?

"What? Do you really think I believe that you start dating?" she asks with her bitchy voice and pouts.

Samantha clears her throat that gets Gabrielle's attention. "Phoenix, mind introducing me to your old friend?" Sam gestures her hand to Gabrielle.

Please.

please.

Please, just play along.

"Princess, this is Gabrielle. Gabrielle, meets my girlfriend, Samantha."

Sam offers her hand, but of course, Gabrielle ignores her. Samantha has to pull her hand back.

"You can't fool me, Alex. You won't date like her. Who's she? Your secretary? How did you even two meet? Which clubs? Huh! I know."

"Like me? What about me? Oh, I see," Samantha chuckles with all her sarcasm and points her finger to Gabrielle. "I heard a lot about you, Gabrielle. You must be the ex who cheated on him and chose to be a puck bunny instead. Well, sorry to burst your bubble shortly, lady. Can you leave us alone now? We have a lovely meal to share." Sam crosses her arms patiently that makes Gabrielle's face flush with anger.

"Do you think he will keep you? You're wrong, missy. He will throw you like trash once he's-"

Sam cut in, "Like how you threw him when you're done? He shouldn't have asked me to move in with him this morning when he's near done with me."

Gabrielle gasps and looks angrier.

I chuckle, "Now, leave us before I will call the security. I think you're done here, Gabrielle."

"We're not done, Alex," she warns me and pokes her finger on my chest before he walks away.

When we sit back to our table, I release a huge breath.

"Did I just ruin your appetite? I'm so sorry, Samantha. I really don't have any idea she's here and will approach us. We can leave and find another restaurant if you like," I say apologetically.

She chuckles and rolls her eyes, "She's beautiful though, but it felt good to annoy her." She picks up her fork.

"Don't get fooled by her look. She's a heartless human being inside and out." My anger doesn't dissipate yet. "Thank you for saving my ass from her."

"I guess we're now even. That's what friends are for, Phoenix." She reaches out for my hand and squeezes it, and I squeeze it back and give her a tight smile-it feels good to hold her hand again.

"I still owe you a big one. Let's eat, princess before our food gets cold."

We start eating in silence. After a few minutes, I look at her.

"I can't believe you actually mentioned the moving in thing to her," I chuckle and shake my head.

"Yeah, sorry about that. I was a little bit carried away. I can pretend to be your girlfriend when she'll come around again. I'll save your ass for as long as you want. I know the feelings of being cheated."

I look at her with sympathy. "I guess we have something in common after all, Princess."

"I actually hate her. She had the gut to hug you, kiss you, and say good to see you again, Alex," she mimics Gabrielle's voice.

I laugh. "Are you jealous, Samantha? You can always hug and kiss me anytime you want. I'm always here." I gesture my arms. "I'm just right here, waiting for you."

"Why would I get jealous? You don't like her, so she's not a threat to me," she says with pride, and my mouth falls open.

It takes a few moments for me to form words. "Uh-huh! So, if I'll flirt with another woman with you around, you'll consider her threat?"

She looks at me expressionlessly. "It's alright, Phoenix. I can also flirt with a hot bloke." She lifts her chin, raises her eyebrow with her fake English accent.

"I'll kick every hot bloke around who will hit on you. Do you know that my grandparents from my father's side are from England? And may I remind you, love, that you're my girlfriend?" I say with my still perfect English accent.

She wrinkles her nose. "Yeah, I kinda noticed the names. Not very American-ly, and fake girlfriend, Phoenix, soon to be an ex-fake girlfriend, if you'll flirt with another woman. Whether I am around or not."

I laugh. "You're possessive of me. I like that. Just so you know, I'm all fakingly yours." I wink.

She barks out laughing that causes everyone to glance at us. She cowers herself on the chair that makes me chuckle.

Jesus, this woman is the death of me. I can't remember I enjoy this so much having lunch with a woman in the restaurant.

My heart beats erratically with joy.

"Don't do that again, Phoenix. I might choke myself next time or spit something to your face." She's still controlling her laughter.

"I want to make you laugh. That's one of my goals as your fake boyfriend. You can spit anything you want on my face if in return I can make you laugh. I know how to perform Heimlich maneuver, so don't worry, and I'm heartily participating mouth to mouth resuscitation if Heimlich won't work out."

Her smile fades and clears her throat. "Oh, let me die instead. You always have something to say, aren't you?"

"And is it bad?" I am curious about her answer.

"Nope, you're just so nice."

"Is that freaking you out? Because it also freaks the hell out of me."

She giggles, "Which line of songs that came from?"

I groan, "You always love to ruin my moment."

"And you always love to annoy me," she retorts.

"And you look lovely when annoyed, and you love to be annoyed."

"Huh! Who looks lovely and who loves to be annoyed?" She scowls.

"You."

"Me?" She points at herself.

"Yeah, if not, you're already running away from me."

She pouts then beams. "Yeah, why am I still here? You're an annoyingly hot tease!"

I laugh out loud while she's trying to control her laughter that turns her face red.

"You just admitted that I'm a hot tease. An annoyingly hot tease."

She shakes her head. "I need a restroom, you, Alexander Phoenix, King of Cocky."

"Restroom is on the left."

"Oh, I'll find my way there. Thank you."

"My pleasure, princess."

My phone rings. "Hawk, 'sup, brother?"

"You've been busy lately. Did you check my message?"

I furrow my brows. "What message?"

"Oh, I've heard your ex is back in town and willing to offer her pussy when she finds out you're loaded."

"Yeah. She was here earlier actually. She approached me while I was having lunch with Samantha."

Hawk stops me, "And who's Samantha? Don't tell me you found the parking lot girl?"

Fuck! I just blurted out. Now, Mom is going to annoy me with a billion-dollar question.

"Phoenix, who's Samantha?"

I groan, "The parking lot girl. Now, shut up because she's in the restroom."

"Tell me about her, brother. So, that's what made you busy, huh? You even ignored my message. Thank, God, you finally get laid after a hell of un-fucked months! I thought you turned into pussy," he whistles.