In The End

‘You can’t be fucking serious. Did he really just propose?’, you think as you see tears swelling in his eyes. You have no idea what to say. ‘I can’t hurt him but I can’t lie either’. You look down and sigh. ‘I’m STILL married and honestly don’t know what I want right now!’ A few seconds pass. You can almost feel the disappointment emanating from his body with each passing moment you don’t answer. You love him too much. You can’t hurt him. “Yes”, you say in barely a whisper. “What did you say?”, he asks beginning to smile. “Yes, baby”, you lift your head and force a smile. “I said yes”. Phil grabs you. Spinning you around, he hugs you tight. “I love you…”, you hear him say staring into your eyes but it seems his voice is fading. “Nikki?”, he repeats staring at you concerned. You are confused until suddenly you realize...you are dreaming. You open your eyes. You are on the floor of Phil’s kitchen, in his arms, as he is yelling for someone to call 911. Your eyes focus and you can see Bruno pacing the floor to your right, glancing at you every chance he gets. You try to speak, “Philip”. You can barely hear yourself. You begin to sit up. “Philip”, you say again. This time he hears you. “Nikki?! Thank God! Are you ok Baby Girl?” You really can’t answer that. The last thing you remember is leaving the closet after your rendezvous with B. Everything else is a blur. “What happened?”, you ask, half afraid of the answer as you watch Bruno’s eyes grow wide. “Well, I’m not sure”, Phil admits looking up as Bruno rushes to his side. “I was trying to calm her down, after her fight with Jess”, Bruno states. “You said something about feeling dizzy, then down you went”, Bruno explains looking concerned but nervous. You are pretty sure he’s lying but obviously won’t get the truth until later. You begin to stand. Your head is spinning but there is a pleasant throbbing between your legs. You can’t help but smile. Phil picks you up, “Party’s over. I’m taking you up to bed”. You protest, “Put me down Philip! I can walk. I’m fine”. He ignores you and carries you upstairs. Initially, you try to resist but ultimately you surrender. Laying you on the bed, he kisses your forehead, “Stay here. I’m going to say goodnight to the guests and I’ll be right back. Ok?” Bruno walks in to check on you. “Phil is she ok?”, he asks. “Yeah...I think. Can you just stay here with her until I get back?” “Of course!”, B answers walking over to sit on the bed. Phil hurries out of the room. Bruno looks at you with loving concern, brushes the hair from your face and smiles. “Girl, you scared the HELL outta me! Are you ok?” You smile back stroking his face. “Yeah, I’m ok. Gotta killer headache though. Probably a bad decision to drink while I still have this concussion”. B nods. “Bruno, what REALLY happened? I remember...uh...being in the closet with you then the next thing I know I’m on the floor looking up at Phil”. He smiles, “Ha! Yeah...uh, things got pretty hot and heavy in there. I think you may have gotten overheated or something. We came out and you said you felt dizzy. So, I was helping you to a chair and you just collapsed”. “Hmmm. Ok. Probably just dehydrated I guess”, you reply. Bruno smiles and nods. “I remember something else Bruno.” You lower your head but look up at him. “Did you tell me that you loved me?” Bruno’s smile disappears as he looks down. His actions betray him. “Why would you say that?”, you ask curious about his answer. He’s silent for minute, as if he’s trying to figure it out himself. He looks up at you with those beautiful brown eyes. As he moves in close, his hands caress your face and he kisses you ever so gently on your lips. Your body trembles and that throbbing between your thighs has returned. Looking directly in your eyes, he replies, “Because I do.” You are wide-eyed as you hear Phil’s footsteps coming up the stairs. Bruno stands at the side of the bed just as Phil runs in outta breath. “You ok Baby Girl?”, he asks. You are still in shock after Bruno’s confession. “Uh, I think so.”

The sun is hitting your caramel skin as you lay out on the beach. Phil is dozing off in the sun but periodically wakes up to check on you. “I’m FINE Philip! Close your eyes and relax...geez!” Laying back on your chair, you decide to take your own advice. You put in your ear buds and listen to Sade’s voice serenade your soul as you close your eyes and take in the warmth from the sun. Your peace is short lived as you feel shade interrupt your date with the sun. You open your eyes. It’s Bruno...and Jessica. You tap Phil, who is already lightly snoring much to your surprise. You manage a half smile for Bruno but don’t bother even batting an eyelash in Jess’s direction. “Hey, bruah!”, Phil says getting up to hug B. “Why don't you join us?” Bruno quickly glances at Jess and then to you. Phil lowers his head and smiles understandingly. Smirking Bruno replies, “I wish we could but we’ve been here awhile. Just stopped over on our way to grab a bite for lunch. Nikki, how are you feeling?” “Fine”, you answer straight and to the point. ‘Why the hell is he with her?’, you wonder. “You still coming by tonight, right?”, Phil asks. Your eyes narrow. “Of course man!”, Bruno responds. Jessica sighs heavily. You glance at her sucking your teeth. Bruno takes the hint and says, “Well, I guess I’ll see y’all later”. As they leave, Bruno turns and smiles at you. ‘Fuck him’, you think as you turn your head and try to return to your state of relaxation. “Phil, why is Bruno coming over tonight?”, you ask knowing that your will power hasn’t been the greatest lately. “Oh, he’s just helping me with some music. I promise we won’t be in your way”, he smiles rubbing your thigh. His hand on your inner thigh sends a tremor through your body. He senses it and smiles at you. You can’t help but blush as warm wetness pools between your legs. You cross your legs, hoping to cool the smoldering fire in your love but Phil leans in for a kiss. Your lips touch gently and his tongue searches for yours, fanning that fire down below. You uncross your legs as his hands move between them. His finger lightly grazes your clit and you moan. He smiles, caresses your face and whispers, “Let’s go home”. You jump up and head to the car.

Your hands are ALL OVER Phil on the car ride home. Your hands are rubbing his chest, his arms and caressing your python. That python is hard as a rock and is screaming for attention. You decide to give it exactly what it needs. Leaning over in your seat you unzip Phil’s shorts. “Whoa...what…”, he starts to say until your lips encase that python. “Ah...shit! Nikki, you gon make me crash this car Baby Girl...fuck!”, he states gripping the steering wheel with both hands, trying to focus on the road. There is something about the danger of the whole situation that turns you on, so, you continue alternating between licks and sucks. Phil’s legs begin to tremble as you taste a little venom escape from the mouth of that python. “Jesus Christ woman!”, he says in frustrated pleasure. You smile because you love pleasing your man anyway you can. Your nipples and clit are just as hard as his python at this point and you can’t wait to have your man inside you. You feel his python jerk inside your mouth just as he pulls up to the front door. He grabs you by your shoulders and stares you straight in your eyes with a smile. “You are such a naughty girl...and I like it”, he kisses you forcefully and all you can think is BANG BANG. He damn near pulls you out of the car, leading you to the house. You barely make it in the door as he pushes you over the couch and pulls your cover-up off with little resistance. You refuse to be bullied this time. You get up and push him back ripping at his shirt. “Oh, so you wanna play huh?”, he smirks pulling you close smiling revealing those sexy dimples. You smile back devilishly and lightly lick those perfect imperfections pressed in his cheeks. You grab a hold of your python and stroke it, firmly but gently. He lifts you on top of it and you embrace its entrance. Holding each other tight you begin to grind and moan in unison. Phil grabs your ass and squeezes, grinding deeper into your warm wet love. You gasp from the pleasure feeling a tremble stir in your wetness. You want it all and he’s about to give it to you. He sits you on the top of the couch and grinds deeper and deeper as you nibble on his left earlobe. “Ugh…”, is all he can manage to say as you kiss his neck and shoulders. You push your raining moisture onto your python and ride it just like he likes - hard and fast. You have to slow your pace as you feel that familiar pulsation erupting below. You can’t hold it back and he knows it. To your surprise, Phil pulls out, drops to his knees and begins to suck your clit like a hoover. You scream, “OH...MY...GOD!”, as you come, spilling your juices all over him. You are dizzy as hell but feel him re-enter you. He’s thrusting hard and fast when you feel him jerk and release his love for you all over your quivering wetness. Neither of you can speak. You just slide down onto the couch and desperately gasp for air as he lays his warm mochacino body on top of yours. Staring into your eyes he smiles then kisses you. He lays his head on your breasts and dozes off while you stroke and kiss the top of his head.

You wake up, it’s dark. Phil is still knocked out laying on top of you. You kiss the top of his head and manage to wiggle free without waking him. It’s 8:30pm. You both missed lunch so you know he’s gonna be starving when he wakes up. You head into the kitchen to fix your man some dinner. You pre-heat the oven while you season 2 thick tuna steaks. After popping them in the oven you put a bottle of merlot on ice and start to slice up some carrots, squash and zucchini. In the middle of cutting, the door bell rings. You walk out to the living room where Phil is still sound asleep. You put on your cover up and answer the door. It’s Bruno. ‘Fuck’, you think as you see him on the doorstep looking like sex glowing in the moonlight. He walks in. “Hey Nikki’, he says hugging you. ‘Damn he smells good’, you admit to yourself. “Hey B. Come on in. Phil’s napping on the couch.” Bruno walks over and immediately begins picking with Phil while he’s sleep like a pestering little brother. Watching them brings a smile to your face as you return to the kitchen. You begin to sauté the veggies when Bruno enters the kitchen. You glance at him from the side, trying not to pay him any attention but you can feel your body temperature rise five degrees as he stands close to you. Laughing he says, “What the hell did you do to Phil? He’s OUUUUUTTTTT!” You both chuckle. “Something smells good,” Bruno says sniffing around the oven. You realize you are being rude so you ask, “You hungry B?” Caressing your hips, he looks deep into your eyes and says, “Always.” You want to give in but you know it’s too risky. Phil could wake up any minute. You push his hands away and smirk. “Stop it”, you say unconvincingly. He returns his hands to your waist and pulls you close, kissing your neck. ‘UGHHHHH!!! If he don’t stop…’, you think as wetness begins to moisten your thighs. You hear footsteps approaching the kitchen. Bruno backs away and you return to your veggies. “AHHHHHHHHHH”, Phil says as he stretches coming into the kitchen. He pauses. “Oh! Hey B. I didn’t know you were here man. Why didn’t you wake me up?”, he asks walking over wrapping his arms around you then giving you a quick peck on the check. “I tried!”, Bruno laughs. “But somebody knocked your ass out brah”, he chuckles looking at you. Phil steals a slice of zucchini from the pan and replies, “Well, I ain’t complaining”. He smacks you playfully on your ass as he walks over to Bruno. “You ready man?” “Hell yes! You know I was born ready.” You narrow your brow. “Babe, I fixed dinner for us. The wine is chilling.” He kisses you quickly on the lips and says, “Aw! Thank you Baby Girl. It smells amazing. Just bring a plate down when it’s done, ok?” You are a little disappointed. That isn’t exactly what you had in mind for tonight but you nod, “Ok”. Kissing you once more he heads out the kitchen with Bruno to the mini studio in the basement. Dinner is finished and you have completely lost your appetite so, you just fix Phil a plate. Grabbing a large glass of merlot for yourself, you head downstairs to the studio. You walk in to an amazing harmony, “As I stand here before my woman, I can’t fight back the tears in my eyes, oh how could I be so lucky, I must have done something right…”. They notice you standing at the door sipping your wine and stop. Phil pops up, “Hey Baby Girl! That looks so good! I’m starving!!” You hand him his plate and say, “Wow! Guys, that was awesome! Is that a new song?” Phil and Bruno throw each other a quick glance. “Uh...yeah...um...something like that”, Bruno chokes out. Phil smiles and tries to change the subject. “So, Nikki this is delicious! Thank you!” You bend down for a kiss. “You’re welcome baby. Bruno are you hungry?” You ask trying to be a good hostess. “A little actually. You mind if I come up and get some?” ‘No he didn’t!’, you think knowing exactly what he meant. “Nah man, go ahead. I’ma stay down here and finish mine while I work on this melody”. You head upstairs, followed quickly behind by Bruno. Before you can get into the kitchen door, Bruno grabs your arm and pulls you close. You put your wine glass on the counter and decide to give in to your guilty pleasure. He whispers in your ear, “I want you so bad I can taste it. We got about 10 minutes”. You look up at him and smile. He unzips his shorts and lifts you onto the countertop. Moving your panties aside, that stiff carrot enters you. You moan as you squeeze those butterpecanrican biceps. He places his hand over your mouth, “Shhh!”. You both smile. B is thrusting hard and fast. You grab his chest, gripping those pecs that you noticed have been growing larger. It doesn’t take long before you feel him tense up. He slows his pace. You wrap your legs around him and grind your hips like you know he likes. You can feel that carrot hitting the back of your walls. You throw your head back enjoying the pleasure. You ride that carrot until you begin to feel your love tremble. Your entire body is quivering. You’re not sure if it’s from an impending orgasm or from the rush of possibly getting caught fucking your man’s best friend in his kitchen. Your adrenaline is causing your muscles to tighten. You are about to come. Bruno see’s you trying to hold back. A devilish grin emerges from his lips and he pulls out slowly. You shoot him a killer look. “What the fuck…” “Shhhh”, he responds placing his finger on your lips. Removing it he kisses them. Your tongues meet just as his two thick fingers enter you. You tremble, body ablaze. “Ahhhh!!!”, you gasp trying to keep quiet. He smiles and kisses your neck as his fingers hit the walls of your love. You are about to burst when his thumb finds your clit and begins to rub it gently. This sends you over the edge and you spray your love all over his hands while your body shakes violently from orgasm. He licks his fingers and smirks as he looks up at you slowly coming down from heaven. Your love is still quivering when he re-enters you. Your energy is suddenly renewed and you rock back and forth on that carrot on a mission. Before long, Bruno’s legs are shaking. He’s moaning and can no longer hold back. He grabs your waist and thrusts with so much passion you come a second time as he delivers his hot liquid love inside you. Hot and sweaty, you lay your head on his left shoulder. Bruno helps you down from the counter. You get yourself together while he sits on the stool at the island trying to get himself together. You walk over to the stove and fix his plate. He is watching your every move like a hawk. You bring him his plate. He smiles, grabs you close and kisses you firmly on your lips. “Dessert was delicious! Can’t wait to taste dinner.” Winking, he grabs his plate and heads out the kitchen door. You lean against the island smiling as his warmth begins to run down your thigh.

You wake up in the morning with a smile. Reaching for Phil you find a bouquet of lilies and a note on his side of the bed instead. ‘Good morning Baby Girl. Had to head out early today. I’ll call you later. Enjoy your day. Love you - Phil’. You frown. “Damn!”, you say with a sigh. You were hoping to have a little morning eye opener but clearly that’s not happening. You sit up and look around the room...Phil’s room. You sigh again. ‘What the hell am I going to do today?’, you wonder. It’s been a month since you moved in with Phil and about 2 since you worked your last shift. Not only are you bored but you are broke as well. Both your savings and checking accounts are DANGEROUSLY low. Phil has been paying for everything without a care. This just ain’t your style. You are not cut out to be a ‘homemaker’ nor are you a woman that wants to be ‘kept’. You like to have your own. “Fuck this, I’m calling my agency”, you say to yourself. You are on your laptop scheduling shifts when Phil walks in. “Hey beautiful!”, he says walking over and kissing the top of your head. “Hey baby,”, you respond still staring at the screen. He stands next to you for a moment like he’s waiting for something. You can feel him staring at you so you stop typing and turn to look at him. “Yesssss?”, you say removing your glasses. “I’ve been gone all day. Can I AT LEAST get a hug or something?”, he pouts crossing his arms. You smile as you walk over to your man. “Of course you can baby”, you say wrapping your arms around him. You kiss those perfect lips and he smiles. “That’s better. Now, what are you so engrossed in?”, he laughs as he walks into the kitchen. “Oh nothing,” you say walking back to the table, “Just putting in some shifts with my agency”. He stops in his tracks. “What? Wait. Why? Do you need something?” He walks over and pulls up a chair next to you. He grabs your hand and says, “Nikki, if you need something let me know. You don’t have to work.” Your eyes are big as saucers. ‘Is he serious right now? Clearly he doesn’t know me as well as he thinks.’ You fix your face and smile softly. “Sweetie, I appreciate EVERYTHING you have done for me over the past month but I like to do things on my own. I’ve never been one to depend on someone for anything. Besides, Phil I’m bored as hell. I’m use to running with my kids or working or SOMETHING. I’m not use to this. I can’t stand having nothing to do.” His face changes. You can’t seem to read his expression. He lowers his head. “Phil? What is it?”, you ask. He chuckles, “So, I give you everything and you don’t want it? You’d rather work?” You aren’t sure how to respond so you don’t. He continues, “Ok, this is what we are going to do. Tomorrow, I’ll have it set up so that weekly deposits are made into your account. Then, we can go around to some volunteer services places and you can sign up for something, ok?” He smiles. You burst out laughing. “Bawhahaha!!!!! Are you serious? Stop playing with me boy. That was funny!!”, you say wiping the tears from your eyes and returning to your laptop. He looks confused. Lightly chuckling he states, “Well, actually I wasn’t joking. I mean, you’re my Lady. I don’t want you to work. I want you here when I come home. I mean, I make more than enough for anything we would ever need”. You can tell you hurt his feelings. You feel like dirt. Sighing you apologize. “I’m sorry for laughing. I didn’t mean to hurt you. It’s just that I’ve worked my whole adult life. I’ve never wanted to live off of my man. I’m not that type of woman. Besides, I love what I do Philip. I don’t wanna give that up.” He caresses your hands, “I know Baby Girl and I don’t want you to. Ok. How about a compromise?” You raise your left eyebrow. ‘What is there to compromise?’, you wonder. You don’t say a word hoping he continues and he does. “How about you work one day a week? Would that make you happy?” You can’t believe you are having this conversation. You begin to realize that you have become too available to Phil. ‘Perhaps it’s time for me to find an apartment’, you think to yourself. “Honey, I love you but I’m going to work my 3, 12 hour shifts just like I usually do. We will still have plenty of time together. I promise”, you say completing your schedule and shutting down your MacBook Air. You stand and start to walk way but stop as you hear Phil respond. “No. I’m not ok with that. I thought we were going to compromise. I don’t want you to work. I want the woman I love, the woman I wanna spend the rest of my life with, HERE at our home when I need her.” For the first time Phil is pissing you off. You feel the heat of anger flush your cheeks. ‘What year does he think this is? 1952?’ You count to 10 silently before you turn and respond. You are surprised to see him so close to you when you turn around. He has a look of seriousness on his face that you’ve never seen. “Philip, I love you but this is not up for compromise. Why the hell is this even an issue? I mean, most men don’t want some chick always in their pockets. I’m sorry...NO you know what? I’m NOT sorry but I’m not that girl.” You turn and start to walk away. Phil grabs your right arm. You turn and cut him the meanest glance you can muster without impulsively hitting him. “Where are you going? You can’t just leave in the middle of our discussion. And you know that you are not just SOME CHICK. I love you Nikki. I want to share my life with you and everything in it. Let’s talk about this.” You are WAY too pissed off to have a rational conversation right now. You yank your arm away from him and stand staring at him silently fuming. “Look, I’m not trying to make you angry. I want you to be happy. I mean, Jess is happy with B. She don’t really work that often and she doesn’t seem to have a problem with it.” ‘WHAT THE FUCK DID HE JUST SAY?’ Your temper has boiled over. “WHAT THE FUCK DO I CARE ABOUT JESSICA AND WHAT SHE DOES?! She’s a trifling gold-digging bitch. Don’t you EVER compare us!” Phil seems surprised by your response. You are hot, physically hot. You have to leave before you do or say something you regret. You search for your handbag, you have to get the hell outta here. “What? What did I do that’s so wrong? Why are you so angry Nikki?”, he asks following you around. You ignore him and continue searching for your handbag. “Nikki, talk to me. Baby Girl, please. At least tell me why you are so mad?”, he pleads grabbing your arms and turning you to face him. You stop and stare directly into his eyes as you respond, “I’m not your fucking high priced prostitute who will fuck you whenever you call. I can’t be bought! Now, get your hands off of me.” Phil’s grip on your arms tighten and you can tell he’s angry. He pushes you away as he removes his hands from your arms. “Is that what you think you are to me? HOW DARE YOU?” He runs out of the room and comes back with a Tiffany blue, ring sized box decorated with a white ribbon. He slams it on the table in front of you and yells, “OPEN IT! Open it and tell me you still think you are my call girl!” Tears are filling your eyes and his. You push past Phil and walk out the door never taking a second look at the box.

You pull up to a hotel and just sit in the parking lot. You can’t see through the waterfall cascading down your face. Through the tears you are yelling, “Who the fuck does he think he is? He can’t tell me whether or not I can work! He acts like he owns me or something! How fucking dare him!!” You are crying uncontrollably. You feel a massive headache coming on. You let your temper get the best of you and you beat the hell outta the steering wheel. “UGH!!!!!!! But I still love him!! DAMN IT!!!”, you scream as you hit the driver’s side window with your left hand in frustration. You scream out in pain after hearing your bone crack. “FUCK!!! Damn it!!” Your left hand is throbbing, hot and swelling right before your eyes. You know it’s broken. You start the car and try to pull off in search of an urgent care facility. However, you immediately slam on the breaks realizing the pain is too great for you to drive. Your mind is racing. ‘I am not calling him’, you decide. You pick up your phone and dial. A voice answers immediately. You sniff and say, “Bruno. I need you”. “I’m on my way Nikki”.

You can’t thank Bruno enough for helping you. You felt foolish having to explain how it happened but he seemed to understand. “It’s cool. We all get angry”, he says pulling up to the hotel. He walks you into your hotel room. “This is a nice room”, he says smiling. You scan his voice for sarcasm before you answer, “Thanks”. It IS a nice room. The  living area has a fireplace and there are a bunch of other amenities you probably won’t use. You sit on the bed and stare at your hand encased in a soft cast. The pain has gotten better but it’s still pretty bad. Bruno is reading your mind. “Here”, he says handing you an oxycodone and a bottle of water as he sits next to you on the bed. As you swallow the pill, it dawns on you that Bruno hasn’t once asked why you were staying at a hotel. After downing half the bottle of water you say, “He told you didn’t he?”. He just looks down twitching his lips, revealing those hypnotizing dimples. “He loves you Nikki”. You can’t believe he’s taking Phil’s side in this. “So, you think it’s cool that he wants to be so damn controlling?” You wait for his response. “I didn’t say that. I don’t see a problem with you working. Shit! I WISH Jess worked more. It’s just he loves it when you and him can just up and go somewhere or do something spontaneously. You know it’s only been a month that you two have really had a ‘real’ relationship.” ‘Why the fuck is he being the voice of reason’, you think hating that he’s right. You lower your head, “I guess you’re right but he needs to understand that I’m not comfortable living off of him. If we are going to live together, I wanna contribute to the house.” Bruno smiles and moves closer to you. Placing his hand on your thigh, he looks into your eyes and asks, “Did you tell him that?” ‘UGH!!!! Please remove your hand from my thigh’, you think as your eyes immediately drift to that carrot. “No. I guess...sigh...I guess I could have explained myself better”, you confess quietly trying to ignore the wetness filling your panties. You shift a little trying to shake that feeling stirring in your love. Bruno notices and smirks. He squeezes your thigh. You feel warmth flush your face. You’re not sure if it’s the fact that you’re horny as hell right now or if it’s the oxycodone kicking in. He inches closer to you gripping your thigh firmly. You move back. He moves closer and slides his hand to your left hip. You are at the end of the bed and can’t move back anymore. You look up at him. He smiles at you and begins to caress your face with his right hand when you suddenly remember Jessica. You pop up off of the bed and frown. B looks confused as he sits staring up at you. “What’s wrong?’, he asks continuing to stare at you with those alluring brown eyes. “What about Jess?”, you ask trying to fold your arms without causing yourself too much pain. Bruno turns his head for a moment. Looking back at you he asks, “What about her?” You scoff in disbelief. “Ha! Ok, so she’s ok with us fucking?” “As ok with it as Phil is”, he quickly replies standing and caressing your arms. ‘Ouch!’ His response was such a powerful punch to your gut that it actually caused a wave of nausea to fall over you. You turn away from him. ‘Oh my God! What the hell am I doing?’, you wonder feeling shame flush your face. Unable to face him you ask, “Why would you tell me that you love me when you love Jessica?”. He promptly replies, “Who said I loved her? I mean, we dating and shit...you know…”, he says smiling slyly as he slides behind you and wraps his arms around your waist. He kisses your neck and caresses your breasts. For the first time you feel guilty for all the times you cheated on Philip. You have been confused about your feelings for Bruno for a long time but suddenly you realize that it was just sex and nothing more. Monumentally good, sweaty, multiple orgasmic sex but nevertheless it was just sex. ‘I don’t love him’, you realize as you feel that carrot hardening against your ass. You feel uncomfortable and Bruno begins to feel you tense up. “What is it?”, he murmurs kissing the top of your head. “I can’t”, you whisper as you turn to face him. He smiles and kisses your fragile left hand, which is still throbbing and says, “Oh baby, I’ll be gentle. I promise”. Surprisingly, he’s turning you off. You step back. “No, Bruno. I can’t because I don’t want to.” “Oh ok, the meds got your head spinning huh?”, he laughs. Although he’s right, that’s not it. “No. Bruno, I love Phil. I feel really guilty about what we’ve been doing behind his back. I can’t do it anymore”, you confess. Your confession has you feeling better already. Bruno smirks as he rubs your arms and says, “But, I love you Nikki.” “You may think you do but you don’t. You love fucking me and trust me, I love it too but...I love him more. This...thing between us is over.” Bruno searches your face for affirmation. Finding it, he steps back and whispers, “Ok”. You are a little surprised at his response but before you can respond, there is a knock at the door. You look at Bruno bewildered. ‘Who the hell?’, you wonder. Bruno opens the door as if he knows who it is. It’s Phil. His arms are full of ice packs, Tylenol and lilies. Your mouth drops open in disbelief. You glare at Bruno who just looks away. “Yeah, he snitched on you”, Phil admits. “He told me where you were staying. I had to see you and make sure you were ok”. You can’t find words right now. You sit on the edge of the bed as Bruno makes his way to the door. “I gave her an oxycodone about 20 minutes ago. I think she really needs to get some rest”, he reports to Phil as if he’s your personal physician. “Alright. Thanks a lot man.” Bruno just smiles at the two of you as he leaves. You don’t even acknowledge him. Phil sits next to you on the bed but leaves some space between you. “Here, I brought some ice packs. I googled fractures and it said ice might help with the pain and swelling. It also said to take Tylenol instead of Motrin for pain. Motrin evidently can hinder bone healing.” You are wide-eyed at the care he is showing you even after your first major fight. He gently places the ice pack on your left hand and holds it there glancing up at you occasionally. Neither of you say a word. You are being stubborn and refuse to speak. “I brought you some lilies to brighten up the place. Let me put them in a glass or something for you.” You watch as he fills a glass with water and arranges your flowers. He looks back at you and smiles but quickly looks away. Lowering his head he asks, “Are you ok? Is there something else I can do before I go?” You turn your head. He sighs; it’s barely audible. “Well, I’m gonna put these ice packs in the freezer. Ok?” After putting the ice packs away he slowly walks over to you. Placing the Tylenol on the night stand he quickly glances at you and says, “I understand you are still pissed at me but please call me if you need ANYTHING. I’ll be here, I promise.” He looks like he wants to kiss the top of your head but he doesn’t. “Man, it’s kinda chilly in here. I’ma turn on the fireplace for you. I know how cold you get at night.” After switching on the fireplace, he reluctantly begins to walk toward the door pausing to check his pockets multiple times for his keys, wallet and cell phone. He’s so damn cute you can’t help but smile. “Ok, well...get some rest, ok?” Opening the door he pauses, looks back at you and says, “I love you Baby Girl”. Your heart melts. ‘I am such an asshole’, you think as your eyes begin to mist. You want to go after him but you are feeling Heaven High from the oxycodone so you just curl up in bed and close your eyes. Although your eyes are closed, tears still roll down your cheeks. Outside, Phil sits in his car. ‘Damn! I hope I didn’t fuck this up.’ He gets out of the car and contemplates going back in to apologize. After taking 3 steps, he stops. ‘Nah, she’s still pissed’, he thinks leaning back on his car. “I’ll let her cool off”, he says while getting in the car. He starts the car, looks up at your hotel window and says, “Dear Lord, please watch over the love of my life tonight. Amen.” With a deep sigh, he heads home.

It’s been all night long and the fire is slowly dying. There’s a light on the horizon and it’s coming too quickly coming. You open your eyes, smile and reach for Phil like you do every morning when you realize where you are. “Oh…”, you say as you remember yesterday's incident and tears comeback to fill your eyes. You sit up slowly. You miss him. REALLY miss him. The way you wake up to his dimples and that amazing smile. How he jumps on the bed when you don’t wanna get up. You laugh thinking about how he likes to sing old school R&B while he’s in the shower. “What the hell am I doing here?”, you ask yourself aloud. ‘This is ridiculous. I love Phil and I’m sure we can figure this out’. You jump up turn off the fireplace and head out the door. 

You are sitting in your car outside of Phil’s house. Your pride is not allowing your legs to move. It isn’t long before your heart takes over and you get out of the car and walk through the front door. You find Phil sitting on the patio sipping a cup of coffee and staring at that familiar Tiffany blue box in his hand. He looks up surprised to see you. He places the box on the patio table. “Hey!”, he says standing and cautiously walking toward you. “Hey”, you respond not moving. “How are you? Your hand, I mean”, he asks moving closer. “It’s ok. The swelling has gone down but it still hurts”, you say looking down and rubbing your left hand. Silence falls between you. You wanna reach out and grab him but you don’t. You feel so conflicted. Silent tears roll down your face like rain on a window pane. Phil slowly walks up to you, kisses the top of your head and holds you tight. “I’m sorry”, you both say in unison. You both step back, look at each other and laugh. “Look Nikki, I’m sorry”, Phil starts as he sits on a chair and pulls you onto his lap. Wiping the tears from your eyes he continues, “I’m not trying to control you. I love you. I just wanna spend all my time with you”. You give him a half smile, “Philip, I love you too. I apologize for losing my temper but I need you to understand something though. If we are going to live together, I am going to work and contribute to the house. I don’t want to take advantage of you. I can provide for myself”. “Baby Girl, it’s not taking advantage if it’s given freely but I understand. That’s one of the things I love about you.” You both sigh and hold each other close. You kiss the top of his head. “I missed you last night. I was so worried, I couldn’t sleep. Spent most of the night out here”, he admits looking out over the patio. “I missed you too. It was weird waking up and you weren’t there”, you confess. Phil’s stomach growls, loudly. “Hungry are we?”, you ask as you both laugh. “Yeah, I guess”, he chuckles. “How about we head out for some chicken and waffles this morning?”, he asks. “Sure! My treat?” Smirking he says, “Ok, let me get my shoes. I’ll be right back!”. As you watch Phil walk into the house you notice that Tiffany blue box on the patio table. You glance at it. ‘Should I open it? Nah, just leave it alone. I’m sure he’s gonna take it back anyway.’ You try to ignore it but what woman can ignore that famous enchanting blue box? It’s calling your name. Your curiosity gets the best of you and you walk over and pick up it up. You try to open it but pain shoots through your left hand time each time you try. You stand, just staring at this perfect little box in your hand when Phil walks up behind you and kisses the top of your head. “Do you like it?”, he asks. Your cheeks are flushed. You are embarrassed that he caught you trying to peek. “I...uh...I uh...couldn’t get it open”, you admit holding up your casted left hand. Phil takes the box from you and opens it. Your eyes grow large as he reveals a titanium, 2 carat, square cut diamond engagement ring. The diamond, as clear as water, projects a thousand mini rainbows in the sunlight. The sear perfection and beauty takes your breath away. “Do you like it”, he asks wrapping his left arm around you tightly as his right hand holds that circular piece of Tiffany perfection in front of you. You can barely speak, “Yes”, you respond nearly inaudibly. He holds you like that for a few moments then asks, “Do you wanna wear it?”. ‘HELL YES!’, is what you wanna say but you respond calmly with a question. “Do you want me to wear it?” He chuckles, “Uh, I wouldn’t have brought it if I didn’t”. You smile. “But if I put it on, what would that mean?” Phil turns you to face him. “It would mean that you will ALWAYS be my one and only Baby Girl and I will ALWAYS be your one and only man.” You smile and remember your conversation with Bruno last night. You have no doubt in your mind that you can be faithful to Phil. You look up at him and smile. Taking the ring, you place it on the ring finger of your left hand. Phil smiles wide. “YES!!!!!! I love you Baby Girl”, he says holding you close and spinning you around. “I love you too Philip”, you reply smiling happily.