“I’m Phillip Anderson.”
Reese bit her lip before placing her small hand in his. As he held her hand, his eyes bored into her. She smiled as she said, “I’m Reese Allen. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“The pleasure is all mine,” he said in a throaty way that had Erik laughing.
“Be careful with that one, Phillip. She’s the evil twin,” Erik teased.
Reese laughed as she pulled her hand from Phillip’s. Flashing him a grin, she said, “Maybe.”
Phillip shrugged his shoulders, his eyes still on Reese as he said, “I like playing on the dark side.”
Erik laughed as Piper shook her head. Reese just held his gaze, her eyes swirling with lust and all things dirty, as Phillip’s heart hammered in his chest. He watched as Reese brought her straw to her lips as she slowly sipped the drink, her eyes locked on his, and he knew at that moment there was no way he could move out from behind that table. If he did, everyone was going to get an eyeful. Looking away before he jumped over the table and promptly kissed the fuck out of her bright red lips, he turned to Erik and said, “How’s Dimitri?”
“Good, Mom and Dad took him for the weekend before I leave. They said we need time together.”
Piper laughed beside him.
“We miss him like crazy,” she admitted with a grin.
“Yeah, we do,” Erik said with a nod. “We are going to go steal him back tomorrow.”
“They are right though. Y’all do need time together,” Reese added.
Piper shrugged her shoulder as she leaned into Erik. It was so great to see them together and not screaming at each other. Piper had always seemed like such a sweet girl, but Phillip had seen firsthand Piper beat the shit out of an innocent TV and Xbox. That girl was dangerous. Lucky for Erik, she was completely and utterly in love with him, as he was with her. They were good for each other. Even though it wasn’t something that Phillip wanted for himself right now, since he had Claire to worry about, he was happy for Erik. He deserved someone special like Piper and, while he enjoyed the joys of being married, Phillip decided that it was time for him to enjoy the company of the female variety. Looking across the table, he wished he could enjoy Reese’s company, but she was completely off limits.
Right?
As the night went on, the drinks kept coming and the limits that Phillip was supposed to be abiding by were becoming a little fuzzy. He was having a great time. Erik and Piper were great company but, if he was honest, it was Reese that was making it such a great time. It seemed that the foursome had divided into a twosome, and the conversation was stimulating. He never really cared what girls talked about, usually it was shallow and stupid, but with Reese, it was different. She was smart, quick, and he enjoyed the way her lips moved. It was as if he had tunnel vision, and she was the center of it. They talked about everything, the city, the people they knew, and the places they loved to go, but he wanted to know more.
A lot more.
“Claire loves dancing with you.”
“She’s amazing, Phillip, honestly. I’ve never been so impressed by a girl in my life. You should be proud.”
Phillip nodded. “I am.”
“I think Claire likes it that you are there.”
He scoffs, looking over at her over his whiskey cup. “She won’t let me watch her.”
“She will,” she said, her eyes never leaving his. It was as if she knew that he meant not only about dance, but in general.
“I hope you’re right.”
“Don’t worry, I am,” she said with a wink. He smiled as he leaned towards her.
“How long have you been dancing?”
“A very long time, since I was three. How long have you played hockey?”
“Since I was around eight.”
“You’re good. I’ve seen you play.”
“You spying on me?” he teased.
She laughed before saying, “I watch my brother-in-laws, and you are part of the package.”