by A. G. Khaliq
When we arrived at the destination, Milo made me close my eyes before we made our way inside.
That wasn’t something that I wanted to do, because it painfully reminded me of my date with Donte, but I closed my eyes all the same, not 386
wanting to tarnish all of the effort that Milo had made for me. He took my hands in his, as he guided me up a staircase.
“You can open your eyes now, babe,” Milo said coyly.
I opened my eyes, and held my hands to my face in shock. I couldn’t believe my fucking eyes.
“Oh my God!” I exclaimed, feeling like I was about to pass out.
He smiled in response. He’d brought me to a beautiful balcony that he’d reserved himself and had decorated especially for me. There was a beautiful open view of the city skyline, the bright lights and all of the skyscrapers, as well as a cool breeze lapping in our faces. There was a beautiful sofa with teddy bears and beautiful red cushions, and he’d had my name patterned on the floor in rose petals, encased with a rose-petal heart. I could feel my eyes brim with tears.
He’d really pulled out all of the fucking stops for me.
“It's beautiful,” I wept.
“Why are you crying?” Milo asked, alarmed, his face full of concern and worry.
He pulled me into his arms, stroking my hair as he held me against his chest.
“Don't cry, baby girl,” he murmured, 387
running his hands through my hair gently. He tilted my chin upwards to face him, as he stroked my face.
I allowed my gaze to burn into his…
Before I burst out laughing.
“Got you,” I giggled.
“You were faking it the whole time,” he sighed, laughing.
I continued to crack up.
“If you wanted me to hug you,” he groaned, in a deep, husky voice, “you could've just said. You didn’t have to turn the waterworks on, baby girl.”
I could feel my skin set on fire. I still couldn’t stop laughing. He really was so funny, and so much fun to be around.
“You had me worried there for a sec,” he grinned.
“Your face was priceless,” I giggled.
And then there was a long silence between us both, as we both stared into each other’s eyes.
“Thanks for this, Milo,” I thanked him sheepishly, blushing. “Nobody's ever done something so nice for me before.”
“You deserve it, Princess,” Milo grinned, scratching his neck, glad that I’d appreciated his surprise. “Come on, let's look at the view.”
We walked towards the edge of the 388
balcony, as we stared out at the phenomenal atmosphere. The theme tune of the TV show Power ringing through my head.
Bright lights, city life, I gotta make it…
“It's beautiful,” I whispered, and this time, tears were brimming in my eyes for real, and I couldn’t hold them back.
“It really is, isn't it?” Milo murmured.
I continued to stare out at the view from the balcony. Milo's fingertips grazed with mine and I couldn't help but to blush a little. I took his hand into mine properly, giving it a reassuring squeeze.
He really did pull out all the stops to try to please me.
I would have been happy with a McDonald's date…
…But he took me to a rooftop balcony, and it was so beautiful.
Rose petals scattered over the floor, a sofa next to the city skyline that we could sit on and just talk. It was so nice of him…
I could barely get any words out to show him how thankful I was.
I could be myself around him.
He didn't give me the butterflies like Donte did.
He didn't make my heart beat into a 389
frenzy whenever I looked at him…
But in some ways…
I guessed that this was a good thing.
I could speak to him without looking like a nervous wreck.
Without wondering what I was going to say next.
Without stuttering or struggling to compose my sentences.
And it meant that we both got along like a house on fire.
“It's crazy how there's such a big world out there…” I found myself saying. “So much to see… So much to explore.”
I drifted off my sentence, as I let the sound of the calm breeze rush through my senses and make me feel at peace.
“Why don't we travel together?” Milo whispered. “I'll take you to all the sights you want to see.”
“I'd like that,” I sighed. I turned around to face him, not letting go of his hand.
Me and Milo stared at each other for a few moments…
And I took this moment to drink in every one of his beautiful features.
He really was so good-looking.
In these few weeks we'd been texting each 390
other…
Getting to know each other…
I learnt a lot about him.
About his family,
About what he did for a living.
He looked like a bad-boy at first sight, like he was a bit of a bum, who got by through hustling on the streets…
But he was actually a chartered accountant.
He'd done so well for himself.
His eyes burned into mine. It was impossible to read him, or to know what he was thinking. He stared at me with so much genuineness, so much fucking compassion.
I should break the silence before this gets too awkward…
I let out a sigh that I didn’t know I was holding.
“So, did you bring any food with you?” I grinned, lightening the mood.
He let out an appreciative chuckle.
“Cos you know a girl isn't herself without eating,” I went on, with my hands on my hips.
“I would never let you go hungry,” Milo grinned. “I actually ordered two pizzas from Domino's.”
I squealed, unable to hide the excitement 391
written all over my face. I was always so fucking happy when it came to food.
“Is there anything you haven't done?” I retorted.
He chuckled. “Let's eat.”
He bent down next to him to reach for some pizza boxes.
“There you go,” he said, handing me a box.
I started wolfing down the pizza immediately, not stopping for a breath.
Ravishing the beautiful toppings. The cheese, the chillis, the olives, the chicken, the fucking pepperoni.
I was in heaven.
Milo started laughing as he stared at me, unfazed by how quickly I was scoffing the pizza.
“Jheeze, you really can eat!” he commented, amused.
“What can I say?” I giggled, my mouth full.
“Wow, you put me to shame,” he laughed, because he was still on his third slice.
I finished the last slice of pizza, tossing the pizza box to the side carelessly, wiping my mouth as I laughed. Milo couldn’t stop laughing.
“You murdered that pizza in a few seconds,” he commented in admiration.
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“Lightweight,” I retorted, snickering.
Both of us continued to laugh, until our insides started hurting and we were clutching our bellies.
Until we couldn’t laugh anymore…
And the surroundings went eerily quiet, as we both stared at each other.
Milo’s eyes flashed dark with hunger, smouldering with lust as he continued to stare at me. I bit my lip in anticipation, feeling heat rush through my body, and my heart throb against my chest.
I wanted him.
I needed him.
All of him…
Right now.
My eyes darkened with desire, as I took steps closer to him, closing the gap between us as our lips were just a few centimetres apart. Milo let out a deep groan as he slid his hands around my back, his touch burning my skin and setting me on fire. I let out a whimper as I wrapped my hands around the nape of his neck, begging him to put me out of my misery and bring his mouth down on mine.
> Kissing me with need and want.
“You're a phenomenal woman, Sapphire,”
Milo murmured, his fingers tracing circles on 393
the arch of my back as my breathing hitched in my throat. “I've been wanting to do this all night.”
And then he slammed his mouth down onto mine as I whimpered, savouring him, his touch, his feel, and his taste.
You’re a pretty fucking phenomenal man too, Milo Jones… I moaned to myself.
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Milo was an amazing kisser. His kisses were soft, gentle, passionate…
Which quickly turned rough, as I kissed him back with just as much want.
He slipped his tongue into my mouth, almost growling, waking up an animalistic side of me that I didn’t even know existed. I threw him backwards onto the sofa, sliding my tight dress upwards to give myself better support, before I straddled his hips, wrapping my legs 395
around him tightly.
“Fuck, Sapphire…” he moaned. “You’re so fucking sexy. So fucking sexy…”
He allowed his hands to move up my thighs, squeezing as he kissed me breathlessly, as if I was the oxygen that he needed to breathe. I whimpered against his mouth as he grabbed hold of my ass, squeezing it so tightly that I could feel the heat flood through my body. I desperately unbuckled the belt of his trousers, throwing it to the side as I pulled down his slacks and began grinding my pussy against his rock-hard cock, which was throbbing with need.
Need for me.
“Fuck!” he growled, as his hands continued to rub up and down my ass, pushing me even closer to him to the point that there was no space between us. He slid his fingers into my mouth and I sucked them, moaning and whimpering as he began trailing wet kisses down my neck, licking, sucking and biting on my sensitive spot as I bucked against him and threw my head back in pleasure. His mouth continued to work its way downwards as he reached my breasts, which he freed from my dress.
“You’re so fucking busty,” he groaned, as he began kissing and biting on my cleavage, causing me to whimper.
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He slid his fingers out of my mouth as his cock continued to throb, and took my nipple into his mouth.
“Fuck!” I pleaded.
He continued to suck on my nipples, causing me to scream and beg for him not to stop. My eyes were closed as I allowed his hands to wander across my back, and my own hands to tangle in his hair, as I smothered his face with my tits.
He felt so good…
So damn fucking good.
And then I opened my eyes…
Wanting to be sure that this was what I really wanted.
If I really saw myself being with Milo.
Continuing to see him, go on dates with him, or even have a relationship with him…
And when I opened my eyes, I saw Donte there, in his place.
“Mmm, Donte,” I moaned, in a voice that I didn’t recognize, almost tipping over the edge.
“You drive me fucking crazy.”
Before I knew it, I was no longer kissing anybody. I spun back into reality, to see that Milo was sitting there with an uneasy and hurt expression on his face, looking like I’d just cut his chest open and torn his heart out.
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“What's wrong?” I asked, alarmed, not knowing what I’d done wrong.
“You just called me Donte,” Milo mumbled.
I jolted backwards, mortified.
No, no, no…
I couldn’t have fucking humiliated myself like this…
“It's fine,” Milo said quickly, but he still looked hurt. He let out a heavy sigh, as he reached for his belt, and buckled up his trousers again. “Don't panic, Princess.”
“I'm so sorry,” I bawled, my eyes brimming with tears.
“Was he an ex-boyfriend?” Milo asked.
I shook my head, not knowing what I could possibly say or do to make him feel better.
The damage had already been fucking done.
There was no rescuing this situation.
“It's complicated,” I mumbled.
“Right,” Milo muttered awkwardly.
I folded my arms, feeling fucking terrible.
I was so embarrassed. I rolled my dress back down, and put my boobs back in place, and my straps back up to my shoulders, suddenly feeling ashamed of myself for leading Milo on when my heart clearly wasn’t in it. Even after everything Milo had done for me, I was still fucking 398
thinking of Donte at the wrong time and place.
“I'm not expecting anything from you, Sapphire,” Milo said, noticing my discomfort. “It is only our first date, after all.” He trailed off his sentence, letting out a heavy sigh. “But if you're not over your ex…”
“I-” I pleaded, begging him not to do this.
Not to end this.
“I think we should just be friends,” Milo mumbled exhaustedly, cutting me off my sentence. “I really like you, but I won't force you into anything. I'll be here for you when you're ready to move on.”
“I'm so sorry, Milo…” I begged him. “I am ready to move on. I've made myself look like an absolute idiot.”
I took my head into my hands angrily.
Pissed off at myself. Pissed off for ruining every good thing that I had in my life.
“I'll give you time to think about what you really want,” Milo shrugged, sighing. “The last thing I want is to stand between you and another man.”
“I-”
“But I'll still be here for you,” Milo reassured me. “Just as a friend.”
“But you went to all of this trouble for me…” I mumbled, feeling fucking dreadful.
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“It was no trouble,” Milo smiled. “A princess like you deserves to be treated well. I hope this Donte guy realises what a gem he really has.”
Milo's kind words broke my heart. I'd just thought of another man while kissing him, and getting intimate with him, and he was here, being all nice about it, being reassuring and understanding.
I felt fucking awful. Agreeing to go on a date with him…
Only to let him down like this.
I’d wasted his fucking time.
He was so sweet…
He didn't deserve damaged goods like me.
It was a mistake to come here tonight.
My heart hammered against my chest into a frenzy. I had to try and stop myself from crying.
I’d embarrassed myself enough tonight.
“Do you want me to give you a lift home?”
Milo offered.
“No, you've already gone to so much trouble,” I mumbled.
“I insist,” he reassured me.
“Thank you,” I mumbled. “You're a star.”
Milo took steps towards me, drying my eyes and kissing my forehead. I relaxed underneath his touch, trying my best not to carry 400
on being upset, even though it was proving to be really fucking difficult.
“Not even, babe,” he shrugged. “Come on.”
He wrapped his arm around me, and led me to his car.
The drive back was going to be silent and awkward to say the fucking least.
“I just pulled up outside your apartment block,”
said Milo, as he parked up the car on the curb.
He let out a deep sigh. I knew that he was disappointed with the outcome of tonight. But even so, he had so much respect for me. He didn’t pressure me into doing anything that I didn’t want to do, nor did he make me feel bad or try to guilt-trip me over Donte. He took the rejection like a man, rather than making me feel like I owed him sex or a relationship after how much effort he’d made for me.
And this only made me feel even worse for how I’d let him down.
“Thank you again,” I mumbled, as I reached for the car door, my heart feeling like it was twisting into knots. Because deep down, I knew. I knew that after this, I would probably never see or speak to Milo again. And it gutted 401
me, becau
se I’d really enjoyed his company these past few weeks.
But there was no point continuing to water dead soil…
I’d ruined it. There was no going back from this.
“And I'm so sorry I killed the mood tonight,” I added, shaking my head.
“Don't be silly,” he reassured me, smiling.
“I really enjoyed tonight… Even though it was cut short.”
I couldn’t help but to let out a giggle. Milo always saw the good in things, and knew how to make light of a bad situation. I appreciated him being so understanding.
“If you ever need anything, a friend to talk to, or anything…” Milo began, “I'm only a phone call away.”
“You're the best,” I thanked him, sighing.
“I do try,” he smirked, winking at me playfully.
I couldn’t help but to giggle again. I opened my mouth to say something, but then I closed it, feeling at loss for words. My chest heaved upwards and downwards. Even though he’d reassured me that it was okay, I still felt terrible. I hoped that he would find a woman who was sure of her feelings, and would 402
appreciate him properly, rather than a woman like me who had just been using him to forget another man. He deserved happiness, and I couldn’t be the woman to give it to him. I knew that my heart would only ever belong to Donte.
I would never feel the same way about any other man that I met, no matter how kind or attractive they were.
I settled on waving at him, and he waved back, as I bent out of the car.
And I went back to feeling like utter and complete shit, once again.
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I watched Milo drive away in his car. I was dithering in the middle of the street outside of my apartment blocks, trying to make sense of everything that had happened today.
I sighed heavily, turning on my heel, making my way to the lift to take me up to my penthouse.
I felt bad for going on a date with Milo, but having another man on my mind the whole time.
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Fucking Donte Abruzzi.
The man who just screwed with my mind to the point that I couldn’t think of anybody else.
