Chapter 8
Chapter
Eight
Phineas didn’t know why he was back downtown. Especially this early in the morning, but he couldn’t sleep at all last night. First, he kept replaying the kiss with Pearl over and over in his head.
Then he was trying to figure out how he was going to make their first date perfect, but he’d never been with anyone before, he wasn’t sure how to be romantic or what to do.
And then there was his brother.
They’d got along so well last night and Pierre had agreed to have the swab done this morning. Phineas was supposed to be meet Pierre at the hospital in two hours, but he couldn’t wait.
Since Room with a Tomb was closed because it was early, Phineas decided to wait outside of Pierre’s bistro, Coat.
He took a seat on the pavement and enjoyed the peace and quiet of Harmony Glen while it was still asleep. Early mornings were always his favorite. Especially with his dad and then later on with Mr. Clague and Finn.
As he was sitting there, contemplating everything, there was a jaunty whistle and Pierre came around the corner, his hands in his pockets.
He stopped and his eyes widened. “Phineas?”
Phineas stood up. “Hi. Do you mind if we talk?”
“No. Not at all.” Pierre slipped past him and unlocked the door to his bistro.
Phineas followed him inside, shutting the door behind him.
“Would you like a café au lait?” Pierre asked.
“Sure, but I’m not sure I can handle another beignet. They were good, but heavy.”
Pierre grinned. “They’re best enjoyed fresh, so don’t worry. I don’t have any on hand. Have a seat and I’ll be back.”
Phineas nodded and sat at the same table as last night. He placed his hands nervously on the table.
Pierre returned with two cups and set one down in front of him. “I’m pleased to see you. I was planning to see you when I went to the hospital for the swab.”
“I know, but,” Phineas breathed deeply, “why did you come look for me?”
Again, Pierre’s eyes widened. “We’re family.”
“By blood, I don’t know you. I want to get to know you, though.”
“I know that and I’m glad you do.” There was a hint of sadness in his voice. “I remembered you and I wanted you to be a part of my life. I had a good life, raised by the kindest human couple in Jeanerette, but I miss our parents fiercely. I know now you were raised alone.”
“Not alone. I had the Clagues.”
“Good. That’s the family of Pearl?”
Phineas nodded. “Yes. My cher, as you called her.”
Pierre cocked his head to one side. “Isn’t that what she is?”
“I’m hoping she will be.” Phineas fiddled with his mug.
“Ah, well it’s clear you both care for one another.” Pierre took a sip. “When you find that someone special, you hold on.”
“Have you ever found someone like that?”
A half smile crept on Pierre’s face. “Once, but he…it didn’t work out. His career was very important.”
“He?” Phineas asked, stunned.
“Oui. I hope that’s not a problem?”
“Nope,” Phineas stated. “Not at all.”
“Good. I’m glad you were raised here. Even though I had a loving adopted family, the place I lived wasn’t so kind always.”
“I want to know more about it. Mom and Dad didn’t tell me much and I only have fuzzy memories of the Great Revelation.”
“We’ll talk about it,” Pierre said quietly. “However, I think you have some other things on your mind.”
Phineas nodded. “My first date with Pearl.”
“Your first? And you’ve come to me for advice?”
“Yes. I’m going to cook her dinner and I just want everything right.”
Pierre smiled, sitting up straighter. “Well, I do know romance and I’d be glad to help you any way that I can.”
After his visit with Pierre and gleaning as much information as he could, Phineas made sure everything was perfect for the date.
Magnus had actually come out and had helped him make the perfect dinner. It was one of Pearl’s favorite dishes, eggplant parmigiana.
Sven had sent over a bottle of wine, because it seemed to be a running joke that Finn had wooed Margaid over a box of wine, and the rest of their little friend group wanted to one-up poor Finn.
Though Finn had no idea it was happening.
And really, Finn won because he had Margaid. The box of wine hadn’t scared her off, and now they were married.
Still, Phineas was completely appreciative of Pierre, Magnus, and Sven helping him out.
Phineas had spent most of the day tidying up his home and making it cozy.
He strung some twinkle lights, and flowers were blooming on the vines that had grown in through the slats of the walls of his little treehouse in the swamp.
The night air was perfumed with the water lilies and other beautiful plants that were their most brilliant at this time of the early summer. Outside, he lit citronella torches he made to keep the mosquitos at bay.
Everything was ready for Pearl’s arrival.
He put on trousers and a nice shirt, but he didn’t bother with shoes because he hated wearing them. Especially when he was at home. They hurt his webbed feet. Pearl was used to him without clothes, but he wanted to look nice for her.
Especially after she had set up a time for Dr. Mishra at the Harmony Glen Hospital to meet with him and Pierre and do a swab for the genetic test. The only downside was that the results were going to take a few weeks, but at least the test was done.
Honestly, after spending time with Pierre today, Phineas had no doubt they were family, and he looked forward to getting to know Pierre even more and helping around Coat.
Now he could completely focus on his date with Pearl.
He heard her car come up the drive and his heart skipped a beat. He headed outside to meet her.
She parked in the same spot as before and got out. Her billowy dress showed off her shapely long leg and his pulse was thrumming.
She was wearing her hair loose and it fell in waves over her shoulders. Her dress had spaghetti straps and was covered in lilacs. It seemed to shimmer with her skin, and all he could do was stare at her curves hidden under the light, breezy material.
“You look…stunning.”
Pink tinged her cheeks. “Thanks.”
In a few steps he was in front of her, holding her hands. They stood next to the water, fireflies dancing all around them, almost like magic.
“It’s so beautiful,” she whispered, staring across the water. The twinkle lights strung outside reflected in her eyes.
“I made your favorite dinner.”
“Oh?” she asked.
“Eggplant parm.”
“It sounds good, but you know what?”
“What?” His voice hitched in his throat.
“I’d rather skip dinner.” She stood on her tiptoes and wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him.
He slipped his arms around her waist, holding her steady as they kissed, his cock hardening. “Shall we take this inside?” he asked breathlessly.
“Yes. I am nervous, don’t get me wrong. This is my first time.”
“Mine too, but we’re together.” He closed his eyes, resting his forehead against hers. “Forever.”
“Yes,” she whispered. “I want to be with you. Only you.”
They walked hand in hand inside and he shut the door.
All he could do was stare at her, touching her face.
Dinner was instantly forgotten as he bent down to kiss her again, but he was nervous, it started a bit clumsily, which was strange as every other kiss they shared leading up to this had been hot and so good.
He wanted her badly, but he also wanted to be gentle and not overwhelm her. Every moment, every kiss and touch felt too important. Like one wrong move would shatter this electric tension between them.
Pearl moved and her nose bumped against his chin.
He chuckled. “Sorry.”
“Why am I so nervous?” she asked, her voice trembling.
“Maybe because we built this up in our heads?”
She nodded. “Yes, but I do want this, Phineas, and only with you.”
He growled under his breath. “I burn for you, Pearl.”
His cock, now hard, slipped out of his cloaca, straining against the tight confines of his trousers.
Pearl stepped back and then slipped out of her dress.
It billowed to the floor in a pool at her feet.
She was naked and even though the room was dark, except for a few lanterns and some twinkle lights, he could see a warm flush spreading across her milky white skin.
She was perfection.
Phineas took a step forward, sliding his hand along her bare waist. She softly sighed, her skin breaking out in gooseflesh.
“If you want me to stop, just tell me, Pearl.”
“I won’t.”
He kissed he again, slower, hungrier, letting her know exactly how much he wanted her. All those fears melted in that moment as he let his hands explore the softness of her body.
Phineas scooped her up and carried her to his bed. He wanted to explore every inch of her, make her want him and burn for him the way he burned for her.
Her arousal was thick in the air as he laid her on the bed. Phineas wasn’t sure what he wanted first, but he knew it was her, and something kicked in, instinctively telling him how to bring her pleasure.
“Spread your legs for me,” he said, his voice hitching in his throat.
Pearl did. Looking at her in the darkness, his blood ignited at the sight of her on his bed, naked. All he wanted to do was touch her, lick her.
Taste her.
His cock stirred, throbbing with need. He wanted to bury himself deeply inside her tight, wet pussy, but he didn’t want to hurt her and he wanted to take his time too.
Phineas dropped to his knees at the foot of the bed, as if he were under a spell, moaning and holding back from the urge to touch her.
A jolt of heat ran through him, straight to his cock.
“Phineas,” she whispered. “It’s not fair you’re still clothed.”
He chuckled. “Patience. We have all the time in the world.”
Pearl didn’t know how she felt about that, because her body was thrumming with need. The kiss made her body ache. She was nervous, but this was everything she wanted.
And she wanted more.
“Pearl,” he said softly, his voice deep and full of promise. “Do you want me to pleasure you?”
“Yes.” Her voice caught in her throat.