Teasing Phoenix novel Chapter 15

SAM

I let my eyes wander around when Phoenix ushers me outside the car. This place is an old books store which is renovated into a big and modern one. Many well-known authors used this venue for book signing events.

A woman around my age approaches us wearing a bright smile on her face. “Mr. Williams, Ms. Anderson, good evening! Please, follow me.”

I am surprised to hear my name, and I grin at her in return.

I feel Phoenix’s hand gripping my waist. “Let’s get inside, beautiful.”

“What are we doing here, Phoenix?” I whisper

“Thought you love surprises,” he responses with a smirk.

“Did you happen to buy this bookstore too?”

He chuckles as we both walk inside the store. I stop midway when I notice who’s talking to the woman who approached us outside the store. My hands fly to my mouth instantly.

“Omigod!” A squeak left my mouth, and I don’t even recognize my own voice.

They stop talking and all eyes are focusing on me now. I want to hide behind Phoenix as I interrupt them. I look at Phoenix and back at them with my wide eyes.

“Hi, Samantha! I heard that you’re my number one fan. I’m so pleased to meet you.” She offers her hand, and I shake her hand firmly, still speechless.

My fangirling shows off as I keep my gaze to her. “Omigod! You’re real! I thought I’m dreaming, but you’re real.”

She laughs softly. “I already signed the books your boyfriend bought for you, and I have also a surprise for you.” She grabs my hand, and I follow her to the table where she must be sitting during the book signing. How did I miss this event?

“This is my new book and will be published three months from now. This is my copy, but I want you to be the first one to have this.” She hands me the book that’s wrapped in a bright red wrapper.

I take it from her and my facial muscles will ache later because I’m still grinning like a stupid.

“I signed that for you too,” she adds.

I can’t help but hug her. I want to jump for joy, and I can’t believe that I was only reading her books months ago, and now she’s offering me her copy of her own book. She laughs and hugs me back.

“Thank you so much. I can’t believe that you’re actually in front of me right now. This means a lot to me and thanks for giving me your copy. I promise I’ll take care of this. Thank you so much!” I smile and giggle.

“Oh, dear! You have to thank your man over there as well.” She points her finger to Phoenix who’s grinning like a Cheshire cat. He winks when I meet her gaze. I grab the book firmly and hug it to my chest.

“I’ll thank him later. Thank you so much!” I shake her hand once again. I can’t contain my happiness, and this surprise Phoenix does is beyond my imagination.

Phoenix walks closer and shakes her hand after thanking her. I wave my hand to the staff and leave grinning.

I hug Phoenix and jump up and down as soon as we reach the car.

I kiss his lips soundly. “That’s the best surprise I’ve ever had. I know saying thank you is not enough, but I don’t know any other way to say that, Phoenix.”

He kisses my lips. “You’ll thank me later. I can’t wait for that, princess.” He winks. “I’m glad you like my surprise. I will do everything to make you smile like that. Are you ready to go?”

We stop in front of the huge three-story house with an iron-wrought gate.

“Where are we? Who’s house this?” I ask while we walk toward the front of the house.

“This is my dad’s. This is one of the properties he left for me,” he explains as he unlocks the double-door and pushes it open.

“If this house is yours, then why did you buy a new house?” I ask out of curiosity.

“This is my first time to be here after six years. If it isn’t because of you, I have no plan on coming back.”

I hold his hand and squeeze it. “We don’t have to come here, Phoenix. If this house reminds you of sad memories, we can go back now.”

“I really want to take you here and let you know where I grew up. I called the restaurant to deliver our dinner here because this is a part of our date tonight.”

I smile at him to assure him I’m okay with this. We climb all the way to the third floor. The house is well-maintained. He must be paying a caretaker because this looks spotless despite the old designs of the house.

“This is my room. Don’t worry I never brought girls here. This is still a virgin if you won’t consider me jerking off,” he smirks.

My cheeks burn. I can’t imagine Phoenix jerking off while looking at the Playboy magazine when he was younger.

A dark blue colored room with a football team poster on the wall. His queen-size bed is covered with dark blue sheets and duvet.

“Why not just sell this if you don’t wanna stay here?”

“Mom won’t let me. There were bad memories, but there were good ones as well. If Hawk and Mom will visit, they can stay here. I may hate my dad, but I don’t hate this place. Not most part of this house filled bad memories.”

We sit on his back door patio decorated with blue-green stripes daybed swing with a set of cushions, a rocking chair, a loveseat, globe string lights hanging from the ceiling, and a small wood patio table. But above all, the galvanized planters with blooming flowers catch my attention.

Phoenix chuckles, leaning against the French door.

“What?”

“I like that you appreciate those flowers. Mom used to plant those by herself when she was here.” The sadness gleams in his eyes.

I move closer, wrap my arms around him, press my nose into his chest, and inhale his scent. “It’s not too late, Phoenix. Your mom can still come and plant flowers like she used to do. You, hawk, and your mom can still replace those bad memories with new beautiful one once again.”

I can feel his fingers raking my hair, and I love the feeling when he does it.