2 - It reminded me of you

As every Saturday evening, they were in his bed, basking in the afterglow of a long, unhurried love-making, with her head resting on his chest and tucked protectively under his chin. Lulled by the sound of his steady heartbeat, she was on the verge of falling asleep when she heard him sigh contentedly. When she looked up at him, she couldn't help but smile at the sight of pure satisfaction of his face.

Their newly born relationship had come as a shock to her. But she couldn't be happier. His shy, demure workmate had entered into her life revealing himself also as a passionate, sweet caring man who tried his best to put her happiness over his own.

Warmth began to pool on her lower stomach as fragments of memories of him taking her over the edge emerged on her mind. And God, he was good at that.

She was about to surrender to the desire of kissing his throat when the book placed in his nightstand caught her attention. Carefully, she moved over him to fetch it.

- Joe? What's this?

- Hmm? What? His voice was drowsy and when he opened his eyes it was evident that sleep had almost claimed him. "Oh, that's a book" he answered in a serious-mocking tone "You know... People read the words in them. Fantastic activity if you ask me"

Phyllis muttered a swear under her breath and swatted him lightly at his hip with her free hand, eliciting a chuckle from him "I mean why do you have this book in particular? Since I've been here I've never seen a fiction novel. All you have is history books all over the place"

"Oh right" he conceded taking the book from her hands and examined the cover from his half closed eyes.

"Did you buy it?"

"Actually I borrowed from my sister. She's in some sort of book club and after reading one from this author, she got obsessed and bought her entire collection"

Phyllis smiled remembering the stories Joseph had told her about his crazy sister. Secretly, she couldn't wait to meet her.

"I went to her place the other day" he carried on "and she couldn't stop praising this woman and her work. Seriously Phyllis, it was driving me mad, so I pretended interest, hoping she would stop talking sooner and what I got was this book shoved into my hands. But then, when I read the plot at the back, I found out that it could be a good one, so I decided to give it a chance"

"What is it about?"

He moved to a sitting position, bringing her into his embrace "Oh, it's about this mixed race woman who lives in South Florida in the beginning of the 20th century and who fights against gender stereotypes for her independence"

"Sounds interesting" she conceded.

"Oh, it is. And although she has a fair share of men who love her and want to be with her, there's this deep need of her to find her own identity without them that comes first. That's the best part; that she's strong and proud of herself despite of all the bumps on the road"

Phylis was entranced at the image of him defending the protagonist so vehemently. Was feminist another good trait on his list of good qualities? When he finished talking, a small blush appeared on his face.

"What is it?" she asked, mirroring his small smile.

"Actually, there's another reason I took this book with me"

She arched her eyebrows in curiosity and moved away from his embrace to be able to look at him. He left the book on the nightstand and used his now free hand to caress her cheek. "This girl and her story… It kind of reminded me of you"

She gasped and her eyes went wide at his unexpected confession.

"When I was reading the summary all I could think about was everything you had told me about your past. How you moved away from your parents when they try to impose you a future you loathed; having ended a toxic relationship with you abusive ex… Reading this has been like understanding a little bit better what you've gone through Lissy and you have no idea how much I like that."

She had stopped looked at him to focus absentmindedly at her hand caressing his chest and when she looked back at him, he had concern written all over his face. She closed the distance between them and kissed him softly.

"It is amazing how you always manage to charm me all over, even without trying it" she whispered lovingly.

"Well" he took her hand in his and muttered jokingly "I hope I can be as charming when I actually intend it to be"

"Oh you certainly are" she purred, nuzzling his neck before kissing him hungrily. When they parted, he had this dreamy look on his face as he gathered back into his arms.

"So, maybe you would like to read it after I finish it. Seriously, there's this part where…"

She placed a finger against his lips to shut him up and moved to straddle him and whisper in his ear.

"I think we're done talking, Joe. Right now I'd rather you to keep… charming me"

And he did.

In case you're wondering, the book Joe was reading was "Their eyes were watching God" by Zora Neale Hudson