Chapter 6
Phoenix
The warm afternoon sun beats down on my back as Nova and I stroll along the sidewalk toward Java Joe’s, our usual coffee spot.
My bike is parked a couple blocks away—I figured we could use the short walk to stretch our legs and enjoy the nice weather.
Nova walks close beside me, our arms occasionally brushing together. The scent of her shampoo—something light and citrusy—wafts around me with every gentle breeze.
It’s becoming increasingly harder to ignore the fluttering in my chest whenever she’s near.
Is she thinking about our kiss last night? Because I barely slept a wink thinking about it. About her soft lips, her gorgeous body pressed against mine, and her little moans as I tasted her sweet mouth.
I clear my throat. “You must be over the moon about getting that job.” I shoot her a sidelong glance and a smile.
She returns my smile tenfold, her face lighting up in a way that makes my heart skip a beat. “I am. It’s such a massive weight lifted from my shoulders.”
Pride swells in my chest as I study her radiant expression. After everything she’s been through, Nova deserves this win more than anyone. “You’ve worked your ass off for this. I’m proud of you, Super Nova.”
A faint blush colors her cheeks at the casual nickname, and she ducks her head shyly. “Thanks, Phoenix. I couldn’t have made it through everything without your support.”
My throat tightens at the sincerity in her voice. If only she knew just how far I’d go for her—how I’d burn down the whole damn world to keep that smile on her face.
We lapse into a comfortable silence as we approach the Roasted Bean cafe. I pull open the door for her, unable to resist the urge to rest my palm on the small of her back as she brushes past me.
The warmth of her skin seeps through the thin fabric of her top, sending desire coursing through my veins.
Get it together, man. She’s not some random chick you can hit on.She’s Nova. Your best friend who means more to you than anything. The one woman you can never, ever risk losing.
I shake my head, pushing away the intrusive thoughts as we step into the cozy cafe. The rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee and warm pastries hangs in the air, enveloping us in a homey atmosphere.
“Why don’t you grab us a table?” I murmur near Nova’s ear, my fingers skimming the curve of her lower back. “I’ll order.”
Nova flashes me a grateful smile and tells me what she wants. As she walks to the little nook in the corner, I can’t keep my gaze from the gentle sway of her hips.
I approach the counter to place our order. While waiting for the drinks, my gaze drifts back to Nova, tucked into our usual booth.
She”s fiddling with her phone, her brow furrowed in concentration and lips slightly parted.
Get a grip. You’re her friend and Maya’s unofficial uncle. Nothing more. She made that clear last night.
But even as I try to convince myself of that fact, my eyes linger on the elegant slope of her neck, the gentle swell of her breasts beneath the soft cotton of her top. She’s so goddamn beautiful, inside and out, and I’m in way too deep.
I drag in a deep breath, trying to rein in my wandering thoughts.
“Order for Phoenix!”
The barista”s voice snaps me out of my daze. “Uh, thanks.” I slap a couple of bills on the counter before grabbing the drinks and heading toward Nova.As I slide into the seat across from her, she glances up with a warm smile.
“Thanks for getting my order,” she says, wrapping her hands around the mug as I pass it to her.
I return her smile, my chest tightening at how perfectly natural this all feels—as if we’re a couple sharing a quiet afternoon coffee date.
Wishful thinking,I mentally chide myself.
“No problem.” I take a long pull of the piping hot brew, savoring the rich flavor. “So, when do you officially start the new job?”
“Next Monday,” she replies, her face alight with excitement. “I can’t wait to get started and sink my teeth into things, you know?”
I’d love for you to sink your teeth into me.
One of her curls has strayed from her updo, and the temptation to brush it away is strong. I fist my hands under the table to fight the urge.
“I hear ya. Fresh start and all that.” I lean back in the booth, stretching my long legs under the table until my calf brushes against hers.
She doesn’t flinch or pull away, and I silently rejoice in the small contact.
We sit and chat about mundane things for a while—Maya’s latest art project she’s bursting with pride over, the new bike I’ve had my eye on, Nova’s plans to save enough to get her own place once she gets settled into a routine at her job.
Being with her is a double-edged sword. She knows everything about me, and I know her just as intimately—her hopes and fears, the things that make her laugh until her sides ache, the stuff that brings tears to her eyes.
We’ve been through so much together. She’s my safe place to land, the one person who never judges me, no matter what.
But as incredible as this closeness is...it’s eating me up inside.
Because I’m in love with my best friend—have been for years, if I’m being honest with myself. At first, it was an innocent crush, one I figured would fade over time.
But as the years ticked by, that spark kept burning brighter and hotter until it became a raging inferno that consumed my every thought.
And now, with Nova freshly rebuilding her life a few feet from me, it’s getting harder by the day to keep those feelings under lock and key where they belong, especially after last night.
She deserves so much better than a gruff, emotionally stunted biker with more baggage than LAX. But tell that to my stupid heart, which races every time she shoots me that radiant smile that lights up her face.
A warm hand on my forearm pulls me from my brooding thoughts, and I find Nova watching me with a small crease between her brows. “Phoenix? You still with me?”
I blink, offering her a sheepish grin as I realize I’ve totally zoned out on her. “Sorry. Must’ve gotten lost in my thoughts for a sec there.”
Her thumb strokes along the faded ink of my tattoo, the gentle caress sending desire licking through my veins. “Everything okay?”
For a moment, I consider confessing everything—the way I’ve felt about her for years, the dreams I have of waking up with her in my arms, the bone-deep need to be the one who makes her happy.
One look at those beautiful blue eyes, so full of trust and affection, and I chicken out.
I can’t risk losing her, not when she’s my whole world. So instead, I force a reassuring smile and squeeze her hand.
“Everything’s perfect, Nova. I’m proud of you, you know?”
Her expression softens, eyes shining, and she gives my hand a light squeeze in return. “I know, Phoenix. Thank you.”
Those words carry so much meaning and emotion that they almost have the power to break the dam of restraint I’ve built over the years.
Swallowing hard, I reluctantly withdraw my hand and take another sip of coffee.
We slip into another comfortable lull, chatting and laughing over our steaming mugs. Every once in a while, my gaze strays to her mouth, watching how her full lips wrap around the brim of her mug.
I know how soft those lips are now, how delicious she tastes, but how would they feel wrapped around my cock?
Get your mind out of the damn gutter, you perv.
As the minutes tick by, Nova keeps checking her watch, and the corners of her mouth turn down in a worried frown.
“I should probably head out soon if I want to make it to Maya’s school in time for pickup.”
“No problem. Let me settle up, and I’ll walk you out.” I slide from the booth and cross to the register, tossing some cash on the counter.
I make my way back to Nova and offer my arm, which she takes without hesitation. We stroll from the cafe, my skin tingling everywhere she’s pressed against me.
Nova”s brow furrows with concern as we reach the curb. “You seem a bit distracted today. Is everything all right? I mean, are we all right after, uh, last night?”
I glance at her upturned face, her sparkling eyes full of warmth and caring. This woman—she’s my everything.
My home, my haven from the darkness that haunts the fringes of my life.
Reaching out, I tuck an errant tendril of hair behind her ear, allowing my palm to linger against her cheek. Nova’s breath hitches softly, her lips parting with a quiet gasp.
For one crazy, reckless moment, I almost lean in and kiss her again. Almost. But at the last second, I force myself to step back, letting my hand fall from her soft skin.
“Everything’s great,” I assure her with a smile, pushing aside the turmoil of emotions swirling inside me. “I bet you can’t wait to see Maya and tell her the exciting news about your new job.”
Her face lights up at the mention of her daughter. “She”ll be over the moon. Thank you for being so supportive through all of this, Phoenix.”
The sincerity in her voice makes my chest tighten with emotion. “Anything for you two.”
She returns my smile, the sunlight catching her hair and making it glow like burnished copper. Beautiful. So goddamn beautiful that it steals my breath.
As we set off down the sidewalk, side by side, a dull ache settles in my chest. My heart pounds with everything I can”t say. She’s not ready yet, but one day, she”ll see me as more than a friend.
And on that day, I’ll put my heart on the line for the one person who means everything to me.
Until then, I’ll be there for Nova; however, she needs me as her rock, her protector, and the person who won’t let her down.
That means locking away my desires. Because her happiness takes priority over everything.
For now, I”ll take whatever I can get—even if it slowly tears me apart inside.