Love a Boss - Logan Chance

Love A Boss Logan Chance

Cover Illustration Copyright © 2016 PopKitty Cover design by Sybil Wilson, PopKitty Inc. Book design and production by Brothers Chance Publications Editing by Paula Dawn Chapter opening illustrations © 2016 PopKitty Theo’s illustrations © 2016 Logan Chance This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Dedication For Lopa and K

Table of Contents ONE TWO THREE FOUR FIVE SIX SEVEN EIGHT NINE TEN ELEVEN TWELVE THIRTEEN FOURTEEN FIFTEEN SIXTEEN EPILOGUE

ONE

PENNY “This is the new boss...Penelope.” My father's words floated from his smug lips and hung suspended in the air between Theo and I. It was how I imagined Theo’s cartoon books. The words scrawled stationary over your head. I wanted to pluck them out of the air before he could register them. Too late. Fire blazed in his eyes, scorching me with its heat. He blinked, and then blinked again, before rising from his seat. In a restaurant, from my father, with Dex at my side, wasn’t how I wanted him to find out. How cruel of my father. Theo deserved better than this. I clenched my fists to stop myself from grabbing my father’s Gin and tonic and flinging it at his balding head. Without a word or a second glance to me, Theo walked away. Panic crept through my body as each step of his long legs took him further from me. “Excuse me,” I said to My Mother’s Sperm Donor, turning to leave. No longer would he get the distinction of ‘Father’. A father loves, nurtures, and encourages their child. The man I left behind sitting at the table cared about one thing only. Himself. The music blared through my ears, making my head spin. Who could eat with all this fucking noise? I could barely even hear these internal thoughts; it was so loud. The heels of my shoes clanked against the tile of the floor as I left the clamor of the Hard Rock behind. Theo made it halfway to the exit before I caught up to him. “Theo, please wait.” He pushed open the gold framed glass door, and I followed him through. Stars lit the night sky as we stepped out onto the walkway of the Bayside Marketplace. “What, Penelope?” He spun around with rage in his dark eyes and a mask of pure fury on his face. “Leave me alone, Boss.” My heart sank. I never wanted to leave him alone. Ever. He was everything to me. I wanted to laugh with him, hold him, hear about his dolls and his comic books, watch the way his eyes lit up when he looked at Lucy, kiss him... just be with him. Not leave him alone. That thought terrified me. “Please, let me explain.” He shook his head and turned from me, walking off at a hurried pace. I lifted the hem of my cotton red dress and tried to keep up. Why in the hell I let Margo talk me into wearing this tonight would remain a mystery. Running after a man on a cobblestone sidewalk in four inch heels and a tight sundress was no easy task, but damned if I wasn't doing it. A darkened corridor sat next to another neon lit restaurant overlooking the bay. He stopped, dropping his head to gaze at the cobblestone path. “Explain what? How you lied to me? How you’re engaged? Engaged, Penny,” he breathed. His hurt seeped throughout my entire body. I wanted to make it all go away. My mouth went dry as I tried to think of how to explain everything.

And then, two pathetic words slipped past my lips in a whisper, “I’m sorry.” I wanted to scream into the still night. Such useless words. Sorry would never erase the pain I saw on his face. Sorry wouldn't take the defeated slump from his shoulders. Sorry would never be enough but was all I could give. My hands were bound and tied by My Mother’s Sperm Donor and Dex. As slowly as possible Theo leaned against the brick wall, crossing his arms, and kicking his foot up to rest on the wall behind him. “I’m waiting.” Squaring my shoulders, I inched closer and leaned into him. “I never meant to hurt you. It’s just my …” “Enough. I don’t want to hear it.” He grabbed my arms with his strong hands and spun me around until the exposed skin on my back scraped against the rough surface. “Always against a wall with you, Penny.” My body came alive as he leaned in, his mouth mere inches from mine. Those lips had been all over my body and knew every inch of me. I could almost taste his desire until he lashed out, his words like a whip striking my body. “What makes you think I want to hear about your father? Or more of your lies?” The words hissed through the air, their impact nearly buckling my knees. “Did he force you to fuck Dex?” “What? No, please listen.” Tears flooded my eyes, threatening to spill over my lashes as I tried to explain. He raised both hands and placed them against the wall enclosing me as he continued to brandish his weapon. “You make me sick.” Anger and hatred coiled and retracted, then struck me, the sting burning my chest. “Do you think I would ever want to touch you again after knowing Dex has touched you?” I closed my eyes, not wanting to see the bitterness in his. “I’m sorry. I never...” “Goodbye, Penny.” My chest heaved with desperation as he walked away. I couldn’t let it end this way. Hell no. Not like this. I couldn’t let him leave without knowing the truth. Pushing off the wall, I ran after him. Again, no easy task in this getup I wore. Cobblestone is nice to look at, but it's a bitch to run on. He was worth breaking a leg on this uneven sidewalk, though. Weaving through a mob of faceless people, I saw Theo rushing into the parking lot. He reached his car and I sped up, my calves burning from the effort. I needed to speak to him, to make him understand. Before I knew it he pulled away, his headlights beaming in my direction. When he glanced my way, the tires screeched to a stop. He nodded his head, silently asking me to get into his Audi. I let out a sigh of relief as I rushed to the passenger side and slid into the leather seat. He threw the car in gear and took off like a bolt of lightning. “I don’t know what it is about you, Penny, but I can’t seem to let you go.” “Please don’t, just drive.” He pulled into an empty lot, put the car in park, and shifted in his seat to face me. “Talk.” Clearing my throat, I turned to him and forced myself to look into his eyes. Those fucking eyes. When I first met Theo, I never told him how his eyes drew me to him. Eyes were my thing. His were the reason I ended up on a lifeguard station having multiple orgasms. They were full of laughter and mischievousness. The sadness in them now made me want to weep. “Dex and I started dating a few months back and…” Theo slammed his fist into the steering wheel. Oh shit. This wasn't going well. “You’ve fucked him?”

I shook my head, my eyes searching his. “Well, no... I mean, before.” He slammed another fist into the steering wheel. “I don’t want to hear any more about you and him. You piss me off.” “No, listen to me.” “Enough. I don’t want to hear how he’s touched you. But, let me ask you…” He moved closer. “Anything.” “Does he touch you as good as I did?” My eyes widened. He inched even closer, and his hot breath fanned against my lips. I wanted to reach out, to taste him. I knew the answer, yet my mouth couldn’t form the words. “I..I..” I fumbled. “Answer me,” he screamed, jolting me in my spot. “No,” I yelled. He moved his lips closer to my ear, and the tiny hairs on the nape of my neck rose. Even they were drawn to him. “Tell me,” chills skated down my back as I felt every breath he exhaled, “did he fuck you as good as I did?” I tried to back away to search his eyes, because, surely he must be joking. He wrapped his fingers around my neck, holding me in place. His lips touched the sensitive skin just below my ear as he growled out his next words, “You still want me, admit it. You still want my cock buried deep inside you.” I did. But, more than anything, I wanted him. His dirty words, his passion, his lust for me. His fingers dug into my skin as his lips sucked along my neck. “Theo,” I choked out. “No, you’re not allowed to speak now. Penny, you’re engaged. My cock is off limits to your pussy. Do you realize that?” He whispered in my ear, “What about your mouth, Penny? Tell me you want me to fuck your mouth like I did your cunt.” Wetness pooled between my legs, soaking my panties. Even though he probably hated me, even though I was engaged, even though I shouldn’t, I whispered back, “I want it.” Because I did. I had never wanted a man like I wanted Theo. And never would. As soon as he heard the words his teeth sank into my skin, and my nipples hardened against the cotton of my dress. “You want to suck my dick, don’t you? Fuck, Penny, what makes you think I even want you?” His fingers released their hold and he sat back. His mussed up hair hung in his eyes, and I raised my hand to touch him. He grabbed my wrist before I could reach his face. “Don’t.” “Theo, I’m sorry.” He released my hand, and the sound of his zipper drew my eyes to his lap. “Make it up to me then,” he whispered as his head fell back against the seat. His eyes closed as he pulled his cock out of his pants. Hard, glorious, and once all mine. I missed it, craved it, and I’d do anything to make it up to him. My feelings for him were fierce, and I wanted to please him. With eyes closed, he fisted his hand into my long hair and bent me toward him. “Suck it, Penny. Take it deep down your throat. Make me come.” His breathy voice made my mouth water as I lowered my head and saw the drop of precum glistening from the tip of his strong, hard cock. I stuck out my tongue and swiped at the tip of his dick. He moaned as he pushed my head down. “That’s right, baby. Suck it. Make me remember how it felt

to fuck you. Grab my balls, rub them. Fuck.” The thought he would eventually forget me made my resolve stronger to not let that happen. This would be the best blow job of his life. Fondling his balls, I glanced up and saw his mouth part, his tongue dashing out to coat his lips. “Yeah, now lick ‘em. Make it good.” You bet I would. Images of other women giving him pleasure, making him moan, made my heart ache. He groaned as I licked all over, going one step further and gently sucking them into my mouth, trying my best to please him. “Start at the bottom, and lick to the tip. Fuck, Penny, I want to fuck your mouth and feel like it’s your pussy I’m fucking.” Oh god. My heart raced and my eyes closed as I followed his commands. I loved the taste of him. When I reached the top, his grip in my hair tightened. “Open your mouth wide. Take my cock in your mouth and suck, baby. Suck my cock like you still own it.” Past tense. No. Don't you dare let anyone have you, my mind screamed. I owned his cock. Giving one last glance up to him, before I showed him exactly who it belonged to, his eyes suddenly opened and met mine. The desire pooling there made my core tighten and my thighs clench together. I licked my lips as his eyes fell closed, shutting me out again. Opening my mouth, I wrapped my lips around him and sucked. He pushed my head, and I took him deeper into my mouth. “That’s right take me deep down your throat. You fucking ruined me, Penny. You need to keep sucking. Make me forget.” The velvety skin of his cock felt smooth along my tongue as each time I reached the tip, I swirled it across. “Suck harder.” He groaned when I followed my mouth up his cock with my hand. “Ah, god, your mouth is hot like your pussy. Yeah, slide up and down like you did when you were riding my cock. Make me come.” His breathing picked up as my cheeks hollowed, sucking him as deep as I could. Theo was large. Alright, huge. And I prayed my gag reflex didn't kick in. That would be a strike against me in the memory department. “Touch yourself, Penny. Touch that sweet pussy. Show me who it belongs to.” His dirty words drove me mad with need for him. Hiking up my dress, I pressed my fingers against my clit. I was soaked for him. With one hand around him and another slowly sliding into me, I sucked harder. “How wet are you? Cover my cock in it. I want you to know what us fucking tastes like.” His grip tightened in my hair making my scalp sting. “Fuck, suck me. Make it as tight as your greedy little cunt. Oh damn, suck my cock deep down your throat.” I coated his cock with my wetness and continued sucking. Returning my fingers to my clit, I circled faster. My orgasm loomed, almost within reach. The way Theo spoke to me turned me on, and I would never get enough. Selfish and greedy when it came to him, I would always want more and more. His fingers twined in my hair as he pumped his hips, fucking my mouth. “Damn, I’m imagining your mouth is your wet pussy. Do you want me to fuck you, Penny?” I moaned against his cock. God, I wanted it. More than anything. I wanted to feel him inside me

again, to see the look on his face when he felt my orgasm. He pulled my head up, and I lost the prize winning suction I had on him. With a loud pop echoing throughout the car, I gazed into his hooded eyes. “Do you want me to own you?” “Yes, please,” I plead. “Too fucking bad.” I woke up in a frenzy as the sun streamed through the window. Fuck. My heart thrummed in my chest as I closed my eyes and tried to return to the dream involving Theo. I wanted to go back and change the outcome. Make him not hate me. In every dream I would chase after him, and each time he pushed me away. In reality it didn’t happen that way at all. I was a coward when Theo rushed out of the Hard Rock. I didn’t chase after him. Only in my dreams. He’d been the star of my dreams for the past three weeks. Theo, The Lord of My Nightmares. Because that’s what this was, a nightmare. Ever since the night I accepted my father’s deal. The night I sold my soul to the devil.

TWO

THEO Life was best lived by the happy. Empty pizza boxes littered my coffee table. Half-eaten Thai take-out containers saddled alongside as well. Thank god for takeout. Because that’s what you do when your world crashes down around you. You don’t cook and clean. No one does that. Instead, you mindlessly order takeout and let the shit pile up around you. I had this down to a science. Order. Eat. Repeat. Amidst all the shit were the pages of the one hundred and fifty-two-page contract, haphazardly strewn around, decorating the living room floors. I’d read the document over and over trying to figure a way out from under Pardo’s wicked ways and the agreement I had signed. I was a fool but at least I was a good looking one. Too bad Penny didn’t give a fuck. Apparently she preferred money over looks. Stupidity over brains. A puny prick over my big cock. It’d been three weeks since our meeting at the Hard Rock. Three long weeks I spent holed up in my condo only surfacing for air occasionally to take my daughter to dinner. I liked to think of it as hermiting. Blair had been understanding. She knew I was going through something and didn’t bother with questions, which I appreciated. The last page bearing my signature clung to the cotton of my Deadpool t-shirt. I crumbled it in my hands and flung it toward the TV. Netflix asked if I still wanted to watch whatever program was playing on loop. I lost track of time and my remote—buried somewhere deep within the shit pile. I had no idea what even played on the TV, anyways. Arrested Development? Or was it Family Guy? Either way, I grabbed the Xbox controller, clicking the yes icon, to return to the show. At least Netflix cared enough to ask me what I wanted to do. Unlike Penny, who didn’t give a thought to my feelings. Despair washed over me when my mind drifted to her once again. Her sweet taste. Her intoxicating eyes. The way she beamed at her fiance. All the fight in me left as I remembered her face when her father announced she was engaged. As the sound of the theme music for How I Met Your Mother played through the sound system, I bolted into an upright position. Time was a foreign concept. My fuzzy eyes took in the disarray of my condo. How long have I been here? What day is it? I glared at my phone, noticing the date and time. A new email pinged on my phone. As I stared down at the sender, my heart constricted. Still a part owner of Lopa, Penny sent me weekly emails. None of them ever ended the way I wanted, though. With the words I’m sorry. Instead, the emails were filled with Profit and Loss reports, inventory reports, and other mundane things I no longer cared to read. I clicked the email open, and for once something other than the normal hogwash of nonsense was there. A note:

Theo, I hope you are well. We’re in a predicament at Lopa. Both Henry and Seth have moved onto other jobs and I am down two bartenders. I have no time to hire anyone right now and wondered since you know how to bartend, if you’d be willing to help out until I can find someone new to replace them? Thanks, Always, Penelope The harsh glare of the email blinded me in the soft light of my condo. Always, Penelope. Yeah, right. Someone needed to clue Penny into what always meant. Her definition wasn’t the same as mine apparently, considering one day later she was engaged to Dex. After rereading it again, and again, I finally decided to call Lopa. On the second ring, Fiona’s familiar voice answered, doing the usual spiel for all callers. “Fiona, it’s me Theo. Can I speak to Penny?” I ran a hand across my beard as I stood from the couch. “Hi, Theo. Sure, please hold.” Connected to the hold button, I listened to the soft elevator music play through my phone. One of my worst ideas. I should hang up. Before I could do anything of the sort, Penny’s cute voice filled my ears. “Theo, thank you for calling me.” A hint of desperation echoed through her voice. “Hello, Penny,” I clipped, devoid of emotion. “Right, I’ll get to the point. I need you. I’m down two bartenders.” “Yes, I read your email, obviously. When should I come in?” I snapped, unable to remain professional. My anger kicked up and my neck heated. “Tomorrow.” She hesitated before speaking again, “Oh, and, Theo, can we talk for a second? I wanted to apologize for the way my fath…” I cut in, “Save it. I’ll see you tomorrow.” I ended the call with a brutal blow of my finger pounding the glass of my phone. Tossing the phone onto the floor, I sank back down onto the couch to watch Barney deliver another perfect line as he tried to pick up yet another woman. He reminded me of myself. Why couldn’t I go back to this lifestyle? Why couldn’t I head out to a club and find someone to take away the pain? It wasn’t the answer, and I damn well knew better. That’s why, I flicked the TV off and headed to take a shower. While the hot water massaged my muscles, my mind filled with images of Penny and Dex walking into the Hard Rock. Dex’s arm around her waist. Penny standing there and not offering an explanation. “Fuck.” I slammed my hand flat against the tile of the shower. Anger flared through my body, the scalding temperature of the water only igniting the flame. How would I get through one day working side by side with her? Why did I care if she needed help? I should have left her to deal with it on her own, like she left me.

After I dried my body, I wrapped the white towel around my waist and headed into my bedroom. Grabbing a pen and paper, I decided to do what I do best. Ways to get through the work day Remain professional Don’t look at Penny Don’t talk to her Don’t under any circumstances smell her Just don’t fucking breathe *** The morning smell of fresh rain and salty surf overtook me as I left my apartment and headed to Lopa. I tampered down most of my ability to feel and was pretty confident I’d make it through the day. After all, I always succeeded at what I set out to do. Unless you count falling for a woman who was now engaged to my brother. I parked and said a silent Hail Mary to myself. Please let her have grown ugly in the past few weeks. She hadn’t. Her smiling face greeted me as I stepped inside. Our eyes met, briefly, before I noticed the new umbrellas swaying slightly in the breeze on the back deck. My eyes flitted to a small wooden stage in the corner, and I thumbed in that direction. “Who plays there?” “A few local bands. Great idea isn’t it?” Penny beamed as she came toward me, her long legs taking each step slower than the last. “Pfft.” I shrugged my shoulders and crossed my arms. She ran a hand down the jacket of her business suit. Her pink tipped nails glistened in the morning sun against the white of her jacket. Those nails had scratched down my back the day before she got engaged to my fuckhead brother. “It drums up quite the crowd.” She was nervous as a slight tremble in her voice gave her away. “Nice rock,” I said, glancing at the shimmery diamond resting on her finger. “Now, where do you want me?” Her copper-colored eyes widened as she choked back a cough. She shook her long sun-kissed tresses as she waved a hand to the bar. “After you, Lord of the Alcohol.” I grinned, slightly, and made my way to my new home behind the bar with my old liquor friends. Each bottle a reminder of a path I didn’t want to travel down. Once the doors opened, the crowd filtered in. A few locals, and many vacationers, occupied my bar, and kept me busy, while I mindlessly served drinks. I was such a dumbass for agreeing to help. Hopefully she’d hire someone soon, so I could get back to my comforting couch.

THREE

PENNY The Lord of the Alcohol intoxicated my veins His movements were swift, calculated, and controlled as he maneuvered behind the bar, pouring liquor like a pro. Sitting on the patio, I tried not to stare. Impossible. My eyes kept going back to his sexy self instead of the front door where Dex would be entering soon. Too bad I couldn’t lock the door and hide away inside the Lopa forever. I shook my head as I glared down to the sizeable diamond ring on my left finger. A token of his love he’d called it. More like a prison. A reminder of my betrothal. Theo was right about it being a rock. My hand felt heavy and weighted down with all the secrets. I stared at the same sentence I read over and over for the past hour. The report I had been working on needed to be handed into my father at the end of today, but I couldn’t focus. Having Theo here had my body on edge. Grabbing the paper and my coffee, I headed into the back office to try to get some work done. You can never let Theo know any of it. I wanted to spill my guts to Theo, but I had big reasons not to. My mind wandered back to the day I met with my father at his office. The day after Theo and I made love. The evil games my father and Dex played that day would never be forgotten by me. “Knock, knock, here comes the cock.” Dex’s idea of a joke made my insides churn. Such crass humor, and most times I pretended not to hear him. He pushed his way inside the tiny office as I finished off the report. “Hi,” I quipped. “Ready?” His tall, burly frame overpowered the office, and I rose from the chair. “Let me grab my things, I’ll meet you out front.” “Sure. I see Theo is enjoying himself behind the bar.” My hair fell over my shoulders as I glanced up to him. “Yes, he is.” Leave. I wanted to banish the name Theo from his vocabulary, never to be uttered again. I always needed a moment to collect myself before spending time with Dex. We were having dinner with his mother, who I adored, and again my thoughts drifted to Theo. I learned a great deal about him once I found out they were brothers. In some weird way it made me feel connected to Theo to hear her tell stories about their childhood. She loved her boys, so I had questioned her endlessly under the guise of wanting to know about Dex. Clearly she didn’t realize what an asshole her other child had become, and I didn’t have the heart to tell her. “Alright, I’ll be out front. Hurry up.” My spine stiffened at his rudeness. I nodded at his words and grabbed the report in my hand. One quick stop to my father’s high-rise office and I could hand deliver the update on his newest acquisition.

As I grabbed my briefcase off the floor, Theo stepped into the office. His dark eyes lit up when they landed on me. His hair was longer than I remembered and his beard looked fuller. “Penny, I won’t be in tomorrow. But, I can come back the next day. How close are you to finding someone?” Shit. I hoped he wouldn’t ask me that question. Truth of the matter? I hadn’t even looked. Didn't plan on it. I missed him, and as selfish as it made me, I wanted him here. “I’m sure I’ll find someone soon,” I lied. “I know how much you hate hard work.” “Yeah, nothing's been hard in quite some time.” “There’s a million fish in the sea,” I said, avoiding his eyes. Why did he have to mention being hard? “Hopefully you’ll reel in a nice one.” “I’ll try. Saw Dex, that’s fun.” He shook his head and a few long strands of black hair fell into his eyes. “Theo…” “Don’t bother.” He turned to leave as I stepped closer. “I didn’t know he was your brother,” I whispered as he slammed the office door. Horrible. I wanted to rush into Theo’s waiting arms, kiss him and make it all better, and tell him all about the nightmare I’d been living. That couldn’t happen, though. Pushing Theo out of my mind, I gathered my things and quickly walked out the front doors to see Dex standing by his BMW. He opened the door, and I slid into the passenger seat. “I don’t like the idea of Theo working here,” he said as he slammed the door, barely giving me enough time to get all of my body parts inside. When he hopped in the driver’s side, I hesitated briefly before answering, “Would you rather bartend instead of him? I needed someone.” His laugh was loud and sharp as it echoed off the leather interior of his little sports car. Cringing, chills skated over my body. His laugh irritated me, he reminded me of a hyena. I hated him, and hanging out with him made the hatred intensify, if that’s possible. “Just please drive,” I whispered as he stuck the key into the ignition firing the car to life. *** “Here are the reports you asked for,” I said, handing the crisp white papers over to my father’s pudgy fingers. “Thank you, Penelope. Where are you two lovebirds off to this evening?” Really? I tried to hold back the bile making its way up my throat as I narrowed my eyes onto him. How could he sit there and act as if this situation wasn’t forced on me? “We’re heading to dinner with my mother. At my club,” Dex answered, smiling a toothy grin. Oh yes, “the club.” We would be dining at the illustrious country club Dex was a member of and never let anyone forget it. My eyeballs mentally rolled themselves at the prestigious club with loads of important people as members. He’d told me all about it, endlessly, and if I heard about it one more time I might scream. As we left my father’s office and headed off downtown toward the country club by the water, I sat back and gazed out to the stars twinkling in the sky. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I could do

this. Pulling up to the ritzy club, with its wealth hanging in the form of garlands wrapped around the columns made my head ache. We stepped in unison up the steps to the entrance; together, as a death march to our faux engagement. This wasn’t my future. “Dex, Penny, hello,” June, Theo’s mother, called out to us. “Hi, June.” I swiped at the watery remnants of my fallen reminder of what I lost as it slid down my cheek. June hugged Dex, then me, and her warm smile held me captive. Her smile, an older form of Lucy’s, made tears well in my eyes. The past few weeks I did well keeping my feelings at bay, but seeing Theo again today didn’t help at all. The way his anger pulsed through his body was something I wasn’t prepared for. Not that I blamed him. Left completely in the dark about everything, his reaction was tame, considering. Dex led us into the lobby packed with people dressed in casual dinnerware, and I smiled to the bubbly blonde behind the hostess stand as did Dex. My eyes drifted to June’s as I pretended not to notice how Dex ogled her a beat too long. If I cared, it might have offended me. Dim light surrounded the restaurant inside the country club as the hostess led us between tables full of happy guests. Resentment filled me at the way they laughed at their wanted company. We weaved through booths filled with giggling children, and uppity businessmen, until we came to a table neatly lined with enough cutlery to house a nation. Dex pulled out a plush padded chair for me to sit, and I played the part by thanking him, sitting on the green cushion, allowing him to scoot me in, and then do the same for his mother. Without thought, I grabbed at the black linen napkin and placed it in my lap as I glanced around taking in my new lifestyle. This was not me. This would never be me. Country club dinners and a man who didn’t love me were not going to be my future. I had a plan. If forced into a loveless marriage, well, then he would endure annoying Penny, the anti perfect fiancée. I had slowly started to plant the seed that this man didn’t know me any better than I knew him. Maybe he would decide he didn’t want me in the process. Not to mention, it was fun needling him and watching his reaction. Dex had expectations of his future wife and how the world viewed his marriage. Well, I took great pleasure in ruining his fantasy. Two could play this game. I smiled, picking up the embossed menu. “Why don’t they have chicken wings on this menu?” I asked. “I could go for some messy wings right about now. The kind where you lick the sauce from your fingers.” “I don’t think chicken wings are really what the diners here are looking for,” Dex said. “No?” I placed the menu down and propped my elbows on the table, resting my face in my hands. “Well maybe I need to talk to the chef and tell him chicken wings can be fancy too.” My eyes widened as if I had the best idea in the world. “They can give them special little wet naps that look like money to wipe their hands on.” Dex stared at me with a look of horror on his face.

June cleared her throat, interrupting our stare off. “Penny, have you given any more thought to what we talked about last week?” she asked. “I think a fall wedding would be lovely,” I told her. She’d only asked Dex and I about fifty times to pick a date before finally giving up and then trying to commit us to a season. I leaned closer to Dex. “What do you think about hay bales for the guests to sit on?” “Hay bales?” Dex scoffed. “Penny, our guests will not want to sit on a hay bale.” “Well it could be casual. Jeans and flannel. We could really play up the Fall weather. Maybe have some carved pumpkin centerpieces with our initials.” Dex adjusted his tie. “No fucking way.” “Dex,” his mother admonished him. “Well who is the bride here?” I asked. “That's what I want, and the bride gets what she wants. Right, June?” His mother lifted her crystal glass and took a sip of water before responding, “Well, we can come back to this later.” I nodded my head and went back to studying the menu. For as many nights the last few weeks I sat in this same spot studying the contents, I could probably recite the menu from memory. “Penny,” June said, softly. I lowered the menu, staring into her eyes, eyes so similar to Theo’s, and tried not to cry. “We’ll work something out. I’m just so excited to have you for a daughter-in-law.” I reached across the table, my ring catching the light of the overhanging chandelier and clasped onto June’s hand. “I want that more than anything.” My words held nothing but sincerity. Problem was, I wanted her for my mother-in-law. I even dreamed of this very same scenario. But the groom was never Dex. I smiled and she nodded her head. When I removed my hand, she smoothed her blonde hair and picked up her menu. The waiter came and went, the food came and went as well. Boring. Bland. I tried to block it all out. This is my life. Fuck, I’m marrying the wrong brother.

FOUR THEO Kill me now. “What’s your name?” “For the millionth time, it’s Theo. I think you’ve had a little too much to drink, let me call you a cab.” “No. I want you to drive me home,” said a short, red-haired woman leaning across the bar at Lopa. I glanced at the clock behind the bar. Already well past closing, and a few people still lingered at the bar. This wasn’t how I wanted my night to go. I looked back at the half-drunk, ok, fully drunk, girl as she slurred her words and winked at me. Her pink tinged skin was burnt from the afternoon sun’s rays, and combined with the three margaritas she downed she was well on her way to blitzville. The old Theo wouldn’t have cared, would have offered her a ride. And not just a ride home. But, this redhead didn’t have the turtle stamp of approval I wanted. Fuck. It shouldn’t be this hard, and it wasn’t hard. Hadn’t been hard in a while. My cock hadn’t seen the light of day in quite some time. Not since I had Penny before me. I glanced back at the redhead, with her skimpy blue dress and long tanned legs, and tried to make my body have a reaction to her. Nothing. No pulse to the groin. No tent to hide in my pants. Nothing of any kind to warrant any reason to drive her home. “Bar’s closing, hun. I’ll call you a cab.” “Oh come on, Theooo,” she rolled the o’s out of her mouth as she tried to stand up on unsteady legs. Releasing the grip I had on the bar, I rushed around the other side to keep her from falling in a drunken heap to the floor. Fiona glanced my way when she saw the redhead in my arms, her feet wobbling from side to side. “Call her a cab,” I said to Fiona. “Sure thing.” She rushed to the phone behind the hostess stand and picked up the receiver. “I don’t want no cab to take me home. I want you to,” the drunk slurred. “I think you’ve had enough fun for the night.” I hoisted her up, trying to get her feet steady underneath her. “You prick.” Great. Angry drunk time. “Take me to your place.” “Out of the question.” “Jackass,” she slurred louder. “So I’ve been told.” I remained void of any emotion as she poked a blue polished nail into my chest. “Many guys would kill to fuck me; I’ll have you know.”

“Good, call one of them,” I said, half dragging her, half walking her, to the front door. I sat her down on a wooden bench near the host stand and stepped away. As soon as her head hit the back wall, she passed out. I glanced at Fiona over my shoulder with a slight smile. “She’s a lot of fun.” “Welcome back, Theo,” she said, laughing afterwards. “Yeah, it’s good to be home.” I moved away from the snoring redhead and glanced around the Lopa. A large turtle painting hung just above the blue wall behind the hostess stand, and my heart lurched for Penny. Where was she right now? Sleeping with Dex? Those thoughts destroyed me every time they crossed my mind. Her hair splayed across the pillow. Her eyes shining while he fucked her. The image wouldn’t leave my mind no matter how hard I tried to picture anything else. And believe me, I tried hard. The struggle was real. “She isn’t happy with him,” Fiona said. My eyes landed onto her sympathetic deep blue ones. “I’m sorry?” “Penny with Dex. She doesn’t look at him the way she does you.” “Well, thanks for the insight there, Fiona. What am I supposed to do about it though? She’s engaged.” “I don’t think she wants to be. Maybe you should talk to her,” she said as she glanced out the front window checking to see if the cab had arrived. I followed her eyes out the large glass window just as a set of headlights pulled into the lot. “He’s my brother, well half-brother. Did she tell you that?” I asked. “Ouch. No she didn’t tell me that.” A black BMW pulled close to the door, and Penny stepped out of the passenger side. “Speak of the devil,” I whispered. As soon as Penny’s high-heeled feet hit the pavement, Dex’s car took off and disappeared into the night. My heart hammered as I watched her walk toward the front door. More like stomp. She looked pissed. Her hips swayed with every step. My mouth went dry as I got closer. I had no clue what to say to her. Part of me, the part my dick controlled, wanted to take her caveman style and screw her on the back patio. But, it was the part that no longer wanted her, the part in control, which was clueless. I’m a total liar. I wanted her. With every part. When she opened the door, I was met with deep eyes and a hard stare. “Oh. Hi, I wasn’t expecting to see you both here near the door.” She pointed at the passed out redhead who at Penny’s words opened her dark eyes and glanced around. “Who’s this?” “Where am I?” the redhead slurred. Her eyes darted around, and when she noticed me—a smile split her face wide. “Oh, Theo, can you take me home already and fuck me hard like you promised?” Her head fell back against the wall and she once again snored. Oh shit, I can’t believe she said that. A few years ago I would have probably taken her up on her offer. Although, no one wants to bang a girl on the verge of passing out. Been there, done that. Have the limp dick it caused to prove it. Sorry, but it’s true. Nothing makes your dick go soft faster than a girl just not into it. Penny looked at me as if I had two heads like an alien. I smiled, knowing full well I had never uttered those words to the redhead. She couldn’t possibly believe I would have said that. Oh wait, I think

she did. “Lovely,” Penny sneered. “Theo, can you please keep your dick in your pants and not in the guests?” She rushed past me, her heels hitting the wooden floor planks at record speed. I turned, a small laugh leaving my lips. “Penny, she’s drunk.” I followed after her leaving Fiona to take care of the redhead. Really, I couldn’t believe I chased after her to explain, but, damn, I needed her to know I didn't fuck around anymore. Maybe once before, but not since I’d tasted her, felt her, knew her. I had never been the same, and fuck why couldn’t she see that? The place had emptied out and the only people left were the kitchen crew cleaning up for the night. I raced into the kitchen trying to keep pace with Penny. When she slammed the office door in my face, I yanked it open and stepped inside. “Keep my dick out of the guests? Really, Penny? Since when do you care about my dick and its whereabouts?” She played with papers on the desk as her long hair hung down shielding her eyes from me. “I don’t need my bartender/part-owner fraternizing with customers. It’s bad for business.” She looked up at me with lust in her eyes and hatred in her cocked brow. I wanted to raise those brows a little more, like when she unraveled beneath me. Thing was, I knew what Penny’s face looked like when she had one of the best orgasms of her life only I could give her. I knew her face, studied it, had a Master’s degree in it, even. I wanted to remind her what I could do with my tongue, my fingers, and my cock. I would remind her how I could make her come with one flick of my wrist. I knew how to drive her crazy. But, her and Dex were together now. And the thought sent me hurdling past memory lane and straight into defensive territory. I needed to punch something. A punching bag? No, not good enough. My only salvation would be Dex’s face beaten to a bloody pulp. I stepped closer, she stepped back. The wood of the desk acted as a barrier between us as she rifled along it in search of something. Shiny metal glinted under the light of the lamp on the desk, and I glanced down seeing the item she must be searching for. I picked up her car keys, looping my finger through the keyring. Dangling them in front of her, I grinned. “Are these what you’re looking for?” “Give them to me.” She held out her hand. I stepped back, holding the keys higher into the air. “Not until you apologize for treating me like a teenager who doesn’t know how to keep his cock restrained.” Her face scrunched, and her freckles glistened in the soft moon light. Fuck, the freckles. “Oh now you want to talk, huh? I’ve been trying to talk to you all day.” She still held her hand out probably thinking I would give her the keys back. Fuck, she was not getting them back that easy. She let out a sigh and my pulse spiked. I moved closer, hand still raised high in the air with the hostage still looped around my finger. “You should have spoken to me weeks ago, Penny.” I moved around the desk until we were inches apart. She made a play for the keys which I blocked. “Not so quick there.” “Give them back.” “Or what?” Her face heated, her cheeks turning pink. “Or I’ll write you up.”

My head snapped back with laughter. Is she for fucking real? This wasn’t high school or some teenage job where if you didn’t show up on time you’d lose pay. “You can’t write me up. I’m half-owner, and you’re just a manager. Don’t think for one second you’re actually my boss.” She angered at my words, and a spark ignited in her eyes. “I am your boss.” “No darling, you’re not. Fucking apologize to me. Don’t I deserve that much? You’re engaged to my brother.” Coming unglued with emotion firing off in every synapses of my being, I dropped my eyes to the floor where the image of Dex’s brain matter and bloody skull filled my mind and I smiled. I tried not to raise my eyes. I didn’t want to see her gorgeous eyes shining like the damn North star guiding me back to something I couldn’t have. No, I kept my eyes glued to the terrazine floor and pictured Dex’s body writhing in pain. Let’s face it, though, I’m a glutton for punishment. When I lifted my face and met her eyes, I was kicked right back to square one, ground zero where it all began. Her freckles haunted me as she hung her head down, glancing at the floor beneath her feet, shrugging her shoulders. When she lifted her head, her copper eyes met mine and she appeared scared. My protective instinct kicked in. I wanted to wrap my arms around her. Instead, I stepped closer and transferred the keys to the other hand, keeping them high in the air. “Apologize to me.” “I didn’t know he was your brother. I’m sorry.” Finally. Finally, she gave me the words. It didn't feel as good as I had hoped. I dropped the keys on the desk, and they clattered to the floor. She knelt before me, and when her gaze lifted to mine, a slow smile spread on my face. “While you’re down there.” She pushed my legs, sending me back a few paces. She shot up with the keys in her hands, and anger made a little furrow between her brows. God help me, I wanted to kiss it. “Just try to keep your dick in check, or it’ll be punished,” she bit out. “Oh, I like that,” I taunted her. She pulled up the thin strap of her sundress that kept sliding off the slope of her shoulder. “You know what I mean.” “No, why don’t you show me, Penny. Show me how you’d punish my cock.” She hesitated, her eyes checking out my growing erection as it strained against the fabric. I needed to readjust, but as her gaze traveled up my body I froze. When her eyes met mine, I couldn’t move. Fuck this. I stepped closer. With both hands I grabbed her cheeks in my palms and slammed my lips to hers, reveling in her taste. I missed her taste. Missed every goddamn inch of her.

FIVE PENNY His lips were softer than I remembered. The longer strands of his hair brushed my forehead as heat traveled up my spine and across my chest. I grasped onto his shirt, clinging onto him. This is how a woman should be kissed. With passion and hunger and hands threading in her hair to grip it. I gave every bit back to him. Our tongues got reacquainted, and his dick pressed against my stomach as he leaned closer. Please don’t stop. He moved me back with one step, and my ass landed on the desk. With no hesitation, I spread my legs to allow him to step between them. He broke the kiss, his lust filled eyes searching mine. “Penny, show me.” I wanted more than anything to give into his every filthy command, but, instead, I pushed him back. My hands splayed on his chest, the ring on my finger a reminder. “Show me, please,” he begged. God, I wanted to give in. This was torture. But, if I gave in, there would be a price to pay. One Theo could never afford. He glanced down and took my left hand in his, staring intently at the ring perched on my trembling finger. “Theo.” “Fuck, I’m sorry.” He took two steps back, readjusting himself, as his other hand skated through his long, tousled hair. “Theo, wait.” I jumped off the wood desk and sprang forward, needing to give him something. Anything that would make me feel less vile. “Please, listen to me. I didn’t know he was your brother. I didn’t know any of it.” “I thought we were starting something. I thought you liked me.” He clasped his hands behind his neck, then dropped them. “What happened? He showed up and offered you a better lifestyle?” Tears blurred my vision. It hurt he thought I would be so shallow. How could I blame him, though? I shook my head. “No, nothing like that.” Silence stretched between us. He looked so vulnerable standing there. Maybe I should tell him, and we could figure something out together? No, the risk was too great. I raised my head, my eyes going blank, and pictured Dex in front of me. It was the only way to mask the emotions. “I love Dex, and we’re getting married.” If he believed me, I deserved an Academy Award. My stone cold expression was held tight by a thin veil of hope I was doing the right thing. “Why him?” He slammed a hand against the wall closest to him, and my dream came back to me. He would never love me now. I needed to hold onto this truth and force him away to save him. “Because, I love him.” I clung to the keys in my hand, the turtle keychain pressing into my skin as I brushed past him.

“I don’t fucking believe you,” he yelled when I reached halfway down the hall. “Get the interviews scheduled so I can get the fuck out of here.” *** The next day when I arrived at the bar, Theo had already scheduled interviews. I let him know that morning, when he texted me to come in early, I didn’t care for any of the applicants. But, he overruled my decision, stating he didn’t want to be here longer than need be. He remained adamant on hiring new bartenders immediately. Livid couldn't begin to describe me when I walked through the front doors of Lopa and saw the dozen or so applicants lined along the bar. Actually, panic, might have been a better description. I wasn't ready to let him go. Theo, holding his precious damn clipboard in his hand, nodded his head toward me. I stalked over to him. “None of these people are qualified,” I whisper-yelled to him. They were but they weren't qualified to take Theo’s place. He brushed off my dismissal of them. “Yeah, well, anyone who gets engaged to Dex isn't exactly the best judge of people.” He had a point, I guess. “Who’s first?” I snapped. No way would I be hiring any of these candidates, but I’d let him believe he ran the show. “Follow me,” he said, leading me to his makeshift interview area. A small table, with three chairs seated around it, had been set up near the back deck. He called over a Tracey Landmer, and I took a seat and watched a bubbly, short red head bounce her way over to the table. I hated her already. Theo appeared impressed, judging by the wide grin on his face. Probably because of the fake tits she proudly displayed behind her sheer blouse. She took a hot minute to sit down before ever so slowly crossing her legs, all the while keeping her eyes trained on Theo. So unprofessional. “So, Tracey is it? Tell me a bit about yourself,” I said, interrupting her in the middle of her little tease show. I picked up a pen, tapping it on the table. She inhaled and then smiled. “Well, I’m from Florida, near Orlando. I was a cheerleader. I moved here after school.” A cheerleader? Who cares? Theo smiled, like he actually hung on her every word. Was I the only one listening? “Cheerleaders are great,” he smirked. I gave him a tight smile. “Yes, but we aren’t kicking home runs. We’re serving alcohol.” Theo laughed. “Field goals.” He looked back at Tracey. “Go on, please. She's clearly not a sports fan like you and I are.” “Well, I’ve worked in the restaurant industry for about seven years, and I love to bartend.” She smiled, toothy and confident, after she finished. I wasn’t impressed. “Ok, that's great, Tracey. Why do you want to work here at Lopa?” Theo asked. She laughed, tossing her red hair over her shoulder. I rolled my eyes. Her giggly laugh irked me, and I wanted this to be over. “Well, besides being able to work at one of the hottest spots on the strip? I

actually think this is a great environment with an owner that’s nice to look at.” She winked at him. My jaw nearly hit the table. What the actual fuck? Theo made an annoying chuckle-laugh, and I wanted to strangle him. He couldn’t seriously be considering her. I went from tapping the pen to clicking it. Click. Click. Click. Theo’s hand wrapped around mine. “Do you mind?” He removed his hand, and I clicked one more time. His teeth sunk into his lower lip and his brows lowered. Mine rose. Click. He turned slowly back to Tracey. “Why thank you. Tell me what your definition of being a team player is?” “Well, wait a minute,” I interrupted. “How do you know Tracey didn't mean me? You're so vain.” I looked at Tracey and thumbed behind me. “We keep that big mirror behind the bar just for him.” Theo stared at me, and I lifted a brow. Tracey’s eyes bounced between us. “Please continue,” he said, turning back to her. These questions were stupid, and her answer probably involved dry humping Theo in the kitchen. I crossed my arms and narrowed my eyes as she cleared her throat. “I’m a great team player. Cheerleading is more than just splits and jumping in the air. It’s about the team. I always go above and beyond helping others.” Theo smiled and slid his eyes to me. I huffed. She didn’t even answer the damn question. “Thank you, Tracey. We’ll be in touch,” I said in a firm tone. “Could you ask Sonja Roberts to come back on your way out, please?” She shook our hands and said her goodbyes. As soon as she walked out of earshot, I glared to Theo. “Really?” I asked, leaning in closer to peek at her file. “What?” he laughed. “She had some great assets.” He held his hands to his chest in a way to let me know he was talking about her breasts. I slapped his arm as my face heated. “She’s going in the no pile.” He tugged at his eyebrow as he studied me. Goosebumps traveled all over my skin as he continued to watch me. Amusement lit his eyes, and I didn’t find this funny. Sonja sauntered over and took a seat. She looked a bit more professional with her dark hair slicked back in a bun and charcoal business suit. “Hello, I’m Sonja Roberts,” she said in a Romanian accent, crossing her long slender legs. I warmed to her, loving the professional attire. If I actually planned to hire someone, maybe I would consider her. “Sonja, nice to meet you. Please tell us about yourself,” Theo said, as he relaxed in his chair. “I take everything in life with ease,” she began. “I enjoy the simple things in life and love to work to have a little fun. I’m in this country for a year and looking to work hard.” “I can respect that,” I said. “Tell me about your previous work experience.” “Back home I worked as a barmaid. I came to this country with hopes of a better future and am looking for an American man to marry.” Her dark eyes landed on Theo, sweeping over his features. He twisted in his seat and smirked at me. Was she asking Theo to marry her, right here? I wanted her to go, now. “We have a strict no fraternization policy at the Lopa,” I clipped out. “And Theo here is spoken for already.” “No, I'm not,” he said. “Penny is, though. To my brother.”

“That's nice,” she said. “You'll be relatives.” Theo stiffened beside me, and I cringed at the thought of being Theo’s relative. Family get togethers, holidays, and vacations all flitted through my mind—Theo happy with someone like Tracey, dazzling him with backbends and pom-poms. In each vision, I sat across the table and envied their happiness, wishing it could have been me. I cleared my throat. “Well, thank you, Sonja,” I said. “We’ll be in touch. Please call over Gina Holden.” Sonja shot up from her seat and shook hands with only Theo as her eyes raked him up and down. She left the table and I let out a tiny sigh. “Definitely a no.” “What?” He glanced up at me from his clipboard. “She should be a maybe. I think she’d be a hard worker.” “Um, no.” The next interview went the same as the first—Gina flirted, Theo laughed, and I fumed. I ended it before he could even ask the second question. After two more interviews, Theo shifted in his seat and faced me. “Can you please like one of these girls, please?” he asked with a light in his eyes I desperately wanted to explore and find out where it originated from. “What? I just think no one is the right fit.” I glanced at his clipboard as he turned it away from me. “What are you writing on there?” I asked. “None of your business,” he shot back. “It kind of is. I manage Lopa, and if it’s about this company then I need to know.” Why did he always piss me off? I didn’t want to interview anyone anymore. I wanted to go home. He acted ridiculous. Why wouldn’t he let me see what he wrote? The next applicant was male, thank god, and I breathed a sigh of relief. Brandon Masters. Tall, tanned, and tattooed. Killer smile. He sat, and I didn’t know how he fit in his small chair with all the lean muscles bulging from every spot. He definitely would attract customers. If you were into disheveled just on the side of sexy. Ok, I’ll admit it, he was gorgeous. Theo stood, jutting out his hand to shake Brandon’s. “Thank you for stopping by, but I’m sorry the position has already been filled.” Brandon, dumbfounded and confused, said his goodbyes, shook Theo’s hand, and left. I turned in my chair to face Theo. “Why? He would have been a good fit here. Why didn’t we even ask him a question?” “I didn’t like him,” he said in his serious tone. “But, maybe he’s the one,” I pressed. Theo leaned closer to my ear, brushing stray strands of hair from my face with his nose. His low, raspy voice spoke softly in my ear, “He isn’t the one. You’re engaged, remember? Calm yourself.” I pushed away from him. “I didn’t mean like that. God, what is wrong with you?” “Wrong with me? What’s wrong with you?” I needed some air. Space from him and his desire to get away from the Lopa. And me. I rose from the table and headed to the back deck. My emotions were overwhelming me: angry, confused, upset, and heartbroken. A tear escaped, and I swiped it away when I heard steps behind me. “Hire whoever the fuck you want.” He stood right behind me, and I could almost hear his heart

beating in sync with mine. “I’m going home.” “Ok,” I whispered. “I’m serious, Penny.” I turned to face him. “Make sure you hire someone. I don’t want to be here anymore it’s just too hard.” “I thought things haven’t been hard in a long time.” “I wasn’t talking about my dick.” My heart saddened when I saw the hurt in his eyes. I nodded my head as he abruptly turned and left. I walked back over to the stack of resumes, collected them, and tossed them in the trash. Wrong, yes, but I wanted Theo here everyday with me. If I was forced to marry Dex, then I wanted to at least be close to Theo. My selfish mind didn’t care any longer. With a new bartender, Theo would have no reason to be around anymore. I couldn't bear the thought of not seeing him again. I glanced down to his clipboard. The precious fucking clipboard. He never left it behind. Grabbing it, I noticed the scribbling and sank down in the chair to read it. What we want in a bartender Great personality Good liquor knowledge Why is this girl Tracey trying to get me to stare at her tits Penny’s are better Stop thinking about Penny’s tits OMG, stop staring at Penny’s tits Focus Penny smells nice This list is shit My heart lurched at his list. So this is what he had been hiding from me. I read the list a few times, folded the piece of paper and slipped it in my pocket. Theo was adorkable. Once I got home, I sank onto my bed. I was worn out from an exhausting day at work. Margo knocked on the bedroom door. Feeling glum, I hadn’t even acknowledged her presence when I entered the house. “Hey, can I come in?” she asked as she rapped at the door again. “It’s open.” I nuzzled my nose further into my pillow as I lay on my belly. The bed dipped when she sat beside me. “You ok?” she asked, rubbing my back. I flipped over, and a few tears trickled down the sides of my face. “What do you think?” Margo knew the whole story and supported me fully. She knew I could never tell, and had sworn on her life, and the life of her and MMA fighter guy’s unborn children, she wouldn’t say a word. “That bad, huh? I know life isn’t looking so good right now, but you’re doing the right thing.” “Am I?” I sat up and her arms wrapped around me. “Yes, you are. You know you are. This is true love.” I scoffed. “I don’t love him.” Her eyes softened. “Yes, you do.”

“Can we just please eat some ice cream and watch an old movie?” She laughed, rising from the bed. “I’ve already picked out the movie. It’s a good one. I knew you’d be seeing Theo today, so I figured a comedy was in order.” “Perfect, I’ll be right there. Let me change.” She nodded and left the room. I changed into a pair of black yoga pants and a white cami and gazed into the mirror. My weary eyes stared back. I felt like shit. My chest tightened as I thought about my father, an asshole who wanted control over me. What better way to get it than by dangling my one true dream in my face with one hand, while holding onto the man I wanted more than anything in the other. I was stupid for thinking I could manipulate the system he set forth and weasel my way out of a marriage to Dex. In the past three weeks I hadn’t slept with Dex, but each night it grew harder and harder to thwart his advances. He probably thought I had major digestive issues and a brain tumor. But the thought of having sex with him made me sick. The Devil in the Sack. His new nickname. And he had the horns and evil ways to match. A knock at the door sounded, and I went to answer it. “Dex, what are you doing here?” I glanced behind him to Margo. She gave me a “please don't hate me” look and mouthed the words ‘I’m sorry’ before leaving us alone. “I decided to surprise you.” He brushed past me, entering my bedroom. “I thought I could stay the night.” “I have to work early,” I said, hoping he would take the hint and leave. “So do I.” Oh, hell no. He would not be staying here. I moved over to my dresser and grabbed the lotion, smoothing it on my arms while I thought of what to do. This couldn’t happen. He wanted sex, plain and simple, and his dick would get nowhere near me. That was a fact. I couldn’t deny him forever. And once I said my ‘I do’s’ it was over. I would be his wife, and what then? Something told me he would not be accepting of a blow up doll if I suggested it. No way could I spend my life having sex with someone who repulsed me. So, I needed to talk to my father first thing. There was no way I could go through with this. “Margo and I are having a girl’s night,” I told him. Without a word, he crossed to the bathroom and closed the door. “You should have called first,” I yelled to the door. A few minutes later the door swung open, and Dex stepped out in his boxers and nothing else. I wanted to vomit. “You can do it another night,” he said, tugging back the bright orange comforter. I pulled in a deep breath. Now, I needed to up my game. “Look,” I placed my hands on my hips and told the one lie guaranteed to get him out of here. “I have my period.” He cringed and turned to me. “When I have my period, it's ugly. Cramps, heavy flow…” “For fucks sake, Penny,” he said, cutting me off. I was nowhere near done. Men hated to hear about this stuff, so I expanded on my lie. “Well there's no need to act grossed out,” I said. “When we’re married, you’ll be expected to pick up tampons on occasion.” “There's no way in hell I’m picking up tampons,” he said, crossing his arms. “Famous last words,” I said. “At any rate, I'm just too bloated and my stomach feels like someone is sticking knives in it, and Margo and I have what we call a period ritual. It's a party of sorts.” He closed

his eyes and shook his head. “Did you want to be part of the period party?” His eyes snapped open. “What do you think, Penny?” He stalked over to the bathroom and slammed the door. I bit back a laugh at how easily he flustered at the mention of my menstrual cycle. Good to know. Five minutes later, he swung the door open, fully clothed. Relief swam through my veins. The look on my face must have clued Dex in to my feelings. “You can try not acting so disgusted with me, Penny. The truth is we’re going to be married soon, so you need to come to terms with that fact, and quickly. There will be sex another time.” His hands grabbed my shoulder as he pulled me toward him. “Now, be a good little fiancée and kiss your future husband goodbye,” he said as his lips got closer to mine. My hand rose to his chest to hold off his advances. “That’s the thing Dex, I’m not your wife yet. And, if I have to spend a lifetime with you, well, then I’ve decided no sex until marriage.” “Are you fucking kidding me?” “No, I’m not. Good night,” I turned away from him and crossed to the door, swinging it open. “You fucking little bitch,” he spat. My muscles tensed as I squeezed my eyes shut. “Dex, you did not just call me a bitch. Get out,” I said through clenched teeth. “Fine, I’ll abide to your brand new vow of celibacy and virtues, but after that ring slides on your finger you’re going to wish you’d given into me right now. You have no idea how much pain I can cause.” He marched out of the bedroom and slammed the door shut. I released a shaky breath as a tear escaped my eye. My anger toward my father grew deeper as I closed my eyes, praying for a way out. *** When I woke up the next morning, I got ready for work, and called my father. “Penny,” he answered, toxicity filling the line with each breath. “Can I come see you?” I had no pleasantries or idle chit chat left for him. “Sure, make it one o’clock.” I hung up after a quick goodbye. I stared at the screen, wanting to call Theo, but the option was no longer viable. When I pulled up to my father’s office building, I sat, staring at my steering wheel. I needed a game plan. With not much confidence, I left my car and pushed back my shoulders. I could fake this. In the elevator, I watched the numbers count up as it brought me closer to him. “Penelope, what brings you by?” My father stood from his office chair gesturing his hand for me to take a seat across from him. “I wanted to talk about Dex.” I sat, crossing my legs at the ankle and resting my hands on my lap. My palms were sweating and I refused to rub them on my thighs and give him that tell-tale sign. “What’s there to discuss?” My father’s eyes narrowed as he sunk back into his seat. “I don’t love him,” I said, hoping he would see reason. Yes, my big plan involved stating the

obvious. Twenty minutes of staring at the steering wheel and that's what I came up with. He leaned back in his chair. “I’ve already told you, I want to retire soon, and I won’t leave my company to someone who isn’t family.” “Leave it to me,” I said as my resolve strengthened. “To you? You know nothing of how to run this company. I won’t leave my company to a woman with no experience. Besides, you want that turtle sanctuary garbage. We agreed on all of this.” Garbage. That's what he thought of my mother’s work, as she devoted her life, creating a charity to save the turtles. A true socialite, she had her passions and my father hated every minute of it. “I know, but I just can’t do the marriage part. I don’t love him. Hell, I don’t even like him.” My father chuckled slightly as he rubbed his thumbs into his temple. “Penny, I understand you’re worried. Dex is a good man, and he can take care of you better than Theo ever could. Besides we agreed on this.” My father waited for my reaction, testing me to gauge my true feelings for Theo. I gave him nothing. A stone cold poker face is all that stared back at him. “I couldn’t care less about Theo. My issue resides with marrying someone I don’t like.” “Penny, run the Lopa as you wanted. All of these details we’ve discussed. If you don’t marry Dex then you know what will happen,” he said as he stared right through me. If I thought I could make him see reason, I was wrong. This man, a master negotiator and lethal businessman, always got his way. “Fine,” I said as I rose from my seat. My fight had all but left me as I made my way to the door. “Penelope, just stick to the plan.” “Yeah, sure.” I opened the door and walked out. I spent the rest of the afternoon wandering the streets of downtown Miami, lost in a sea of tourists and riding a wave of despair. Unsure of my next course of action, and refusing to admit defeat, I decided on a plan that seemed pretty full proof. I would drink my troubles away.

SIX THEO Beautiful. Lovely. I fucking hated that she wasn’t mine. I wanted to kiss her and feel her beneath my fingertips. Her being with Dex really did a number on my head. I slammed my fist against the steering wheel as I drove toward Blair’s house. As soon as I pulled up, I saw Blair and Lucy playing in the yard. I took a deep breath as I watched Lucy run around chasing after a ball. She looked like she had grown over night, and I couldn’t wait to get her into my arms. “Hey, Boo Bear,” I said as she raced toward me. “Daddy, play catch with me.” She wiggled free from my arms and went chasing after the red ball again. “Hey, Theo,” Blair called out, as she walked over to greet me. “Hey. How are you?” She smiled. “I’m good.” Happy to see my favorite girl, I went over and retrieved the ball Lucy threw in my direction. This time with Lucy was exactly what I needed to forget. On the way to my condo, Lucy and I stopped to pick up a few essentials we needed. Oreos and milk. I hated milk but Lucy loved to dunk her Oreos in it. Once lunch was done and cleared away, I sat on the floor and picked up a half-dressed Barbie doll with wild blonde hair. Lucy squealed with delight when she saw me playing with her. Easy, just prance the doll around and pretend to laugh. Penny would love this. I smiled to myself thinking of her calling my action figures dolls. Fuck. I couldn't even play with a Barbie doll without picturing Penny laughing and stretched out on the floor with us. I wanted that. After an hour of Barbie getting ready to marry Ken, and me trying to talk her out of it and marry my surfer doll instead, I decided to take Lucy down to the ocean to play in the sand. The afternoon held a slight breeze as we walked along the shore to find a perfect spot to build sandcastles. I held her tiny fingers in one hand and a bag of sand toys in the other. Once we were situated, we spent the remainder of the day digging tunnels and letting the ocean fill them in. It reminded me of the day Penny joined us. Everything reminded me of her lately. The way Penny played with Lucy that day did crazy things to my chest. And I was an asshole because I didn't know how to deal with it. After the sun set, we trekked home and I whipped up her favorite dinner of noodles and butter. “Why don't you want Barbie to marry Ken?” she asked. “He’s not cool like my surfer doll.” I winked at her. “Ken is boring and has weird hair, and Barbie doesn't need to get married anyways.” She giggled. “Well no one is as cool as you. Maybe she’ll be a warrior princess instead next time.”

I smiled. That's my girl. After dinner, I reluctantly packed her up to return her to her mother’s. Needing a drink, I decided to hit a small local dive bar after I dropped her off. South Beach clubs held no interest for me anymore and only brought back painful memories of Penny. Stepping inside the Frosted Mug, I glanced around. A hip beat infiltrated through the speakers. The place was low-key, just a few tables and a bar, no dance floor, no games of any kind. Perfect. I stepped up to the bar, leaning my elbow on the scarred oak wood to gain the bartender’s attention. “Macallan neat,” I said once he walked over. After the shot was poured, I glanced around taking in the scenery. The place was virtually empty. I downed the shot, and suddenly my body buzzed with endorphins. There she sat. At the complete opposite end of the bar, Penny, she hadn’t noticed me yet. She was zoned out, the little black straw in her left hand making lazy circles in her pink drink. Her dark navy blouse clung tightly to her curves I knew all too well. Why did she have to be so beautiful? It's really fucking difficult to get over someone when your cock twitches every time you see them. There would be no getting over her. Even the way her hair shone under the lights made me hard. As if she could sense me, or as if some magic force were at play, her sweet, russet eyes lifted to meet mine. She pointed a finger at me. “You,” she shouted. I glanced over my shoulder unsure if she meant me. “Penny?” She turned her finger, hooking it back to signal me to come to her. I obliged. “You,” she whispered as I stood close. Too close. Close enough to smell her delicious scent. I missed her smell. Overwhelmed by the sight of her, I didn’t say anything and she started in again. “You asshole,” she stuttered, alcohol on her breath. “Excuse me? Are you drunk?” I reached my hand out and slid her drink away. “Heyyy, that’s mine.” Great, inebriated. More so than I’d ever seen her. “Let me get you home.” I called the bartender over and paid her tab. “I don’t need you to do anything,” she protested, pushing me away as she stumbled from the stool. With one fleeting glance to the bartender, I smirked and helped her steady herself. “Let me help you.” “Why?” she spat out. “You hate me. All I ever did was try to help you, Mr. Sullivan. And now look at this mess I’m in.” She waved her hand in front of her face, in turn losing her balance. I caught her in my arms before she went down. “Penny, please, let me help you. You can’t even walk out of here.” Her hand landed on my chest and she inched her fingers upward. My heart sped up at her touch. I made the mistake of looking down to meet her eyes. All brown and once all mine. “Theo, I’m sorry,” she breathed. With her apology, all of the emotions and hurt came rushing back to me like a tidal wave. The pain I felt when I saw her with Dex intensified. Hatred took over as I looked down to her. “It’s too late,” I said, defeated. I reached my arm under her legs and picked her up. Sorrow filled me when she rested her head on my shoulder. Smiling once more to the bartender, I left the bar and hurried to my car. “Theo?” Penny’s voice spoke so softly; I almost didn’t hear her.

“Yeah,” I said as I helped her into the front seat of my Audi. “Please don’t take me home.” I leaned my head into the door, arm resting on the car frame. “I have to.” A war battled in my mind. I wanted nothing more than to take her to my home, to my bed. Reclaim her as mine. But, she was engaged. “Ok, but can we go anywhere else first?” Her pained voice pulled at the few heartstrings still attached. I hopped in the car, racing through the streets, taking her to the one place I felt most at home—the beach. My mind over thought every scenario of what would happen when we reached it. I knew what I wanted to happen, but my mind couldn’t erase past events. When I pulled up to the dimly lit parking area, I glanced over to Penny as she gazed out the window. “Are you ok?” I asked. She sighed before answering. “Yeah, I’m ok. Thank you for bringing me here.” She opened the car door, hopped out, and ran to the shoreline. She ran until waves crashed at her knees. The moon hung low in the sky, giving the illusion of a magical moment. It was anything but. Memories flooded me of the night we met. I wanted to hold her again, touch her, taste her, feel her body shaking beneath mine. Following her into the water, I wrapped my arm around her waist. “Let’s get you home.” She gazed up at me, her eyes the color of my dreams, and I tugged her body closer. “Theo, please don’t let me go.” Her arms flew around my neck, and our lips were inches apart. “Don’t, Penny,” I breathed against her mouth. “You’re engaged to my brother.” “Don’t remind me,” she whispered over the crashing waves. “Why him?” I asked. She pushed away from me and ran along the sandy beach. Of course, I chased after her. I would always chase her, even if she wasn’t available. “Penny, talk to me,” I yelled as she kept running. She stopped abruptly and spun around and almost lost her footing due to the alcohol coursing through her. “Well if I could feel my lips, I would.” She reached up and massaged her lips with her fingers. “Why do you have to be so perfect?” I shook my head. “I’m definitely not perfect.” She was, though, even drunk. “Excuse me, I need to make a call,” she slurred. I laughed. God, she was making no sense in drunk mode. “What?” “Where’s my phone?” she asked, looking down at the sand. “Oh, here it is.” She leaned down and picked up a large seashell and held it to her ear. I couldn’t help but laugh. “Penny, what are you doing?” She held up a finger and shushed me. “Shh. I’m on the phone.” She put her other finger up to her ear as if she were blocking out the noise of the ocean. “Oh, hi, can you bring me a piece of paper and a pen so Theo here can make a sign that says he’s not perfect,” I shook my head. She would never let me forget that sign. It was fucking common sense. “Yeah, it needs to be huge. Gigantic. Enormous. Bigger than Theo’s cock.” She winked at me. And then she went straight to crying drunk. “Because he is perfect, and I don’t

want anyone else to know.” Ah, fuck. Tears streamed down her cheeks and she hiccuped. “Give me the phone, Penny.” Yeah, I held out my hand for the seashell phone. “K, thanks, bye.” She tossed the seashell into the ocean. “I don’t want anyone else to have you,” she sobbed. Shocked at her confession, I closed the distance between us. “No one else has me.” She scrunched her nose and crossed her arms. “Well they will. I hate you,” she slurred. “No, you don’t.” I spoke softer, with more confidence than I felt in a long time. I was used to the over exaggeration of ‘I love yous’ from drunken confessions, but not the opposite. “I do. I hate the way you always think you’re right.” She placed her hand on my chest, and my breathing kicked up. “I’m right about this. You don’t hate me,” I said. She shook her head, and I wrapped an arm around her, pulling her into me. “Admit it,” I whispered close to her ear. “I hate you,” she whispered back. My fingers traced along the back of her neck, thumbing over the tattoo I missed. “No you don’t. You just called someone on a seashell about me. You told them you want me.” She wiggled, trying to break free from my hold. “No. I want him.” “Liar. You want me.” Tears filled her eyes. “Theo, you don’t understand.” “Make me understand.” I rocked into her body, squeezing her neck gently with my fingers. “I can’t.” “Penny, please.” My lips roamed over the soft skin of her cheek, down to her jawline. I nipped at her neck as I held on tighter. “Tell me, you want me.” “I don’t,” she breathed. The waves crashed at our feet, the salty spray misting around us. “Tell me why.” She leaned back, her doe eyes searching mine as she exhaled slowly. She broke away from me and went to sit along the shore. I sat down next to her, waiting for her to speak. We sat in silence, watching the tide roll in and out, before she finally faced me. “I don’t love him.” I fucking knew it. I wanted to fist bump the air, but tried to play it cool. My whole world turned brighter, and my chest tightened. “Why marry him?” She brought her hands together, twisting them. “It’s all so complicated.” I grabbed her cheek with one hand and brought her lips to mine. “Uncomplicate it for me,” I said right before I kissed her. My head spun as I deepened the kiss, praying this wasn’t a dream. She broke the kiss. A single tear slid down her cheek. I swiped it away with the pad of my thumb and kissed her lightly again. “Speak, woman. Stop being so cryptic,” I demanded. “I can’t. You’ll lose everything.” A few more tears fell as I kissed her forehead. “I’ve already lost you, what else is there?” “The Lopa.” I dropped my hands from her face and cursed under my breath. “I don’t care about that.”

“But it’s your dream.” “Penny, dreams change. You wake up in the morning and your life changes, and when you lay your head back down at night, you have all new dreams. You’re my dream.” “You just don’t get it.” “I’m trying. Start from the beginning.” She rubbed her hands together, trying to dispense some of the sand from her fingers. “I knew you were in trouble with the Lopa. So, I decided to help.” “Ok.” “I made a deal with my father. But, I’ve been sworn not to tell, Theo. I can’t tell you.” “Penny, you can tell me anything.” She bit her lip, digging her toes in the sand, before finally giving me something. “I asked to manage Lopa.” “You asked?” “Yes, when my father came at me with his deal, I begged him to let me manage the Lopa so I could still see you.” “What deal?” “To help you with the Lopa. He would buy it to bail you out. I asked for his help.” “So, you asked to manage it? Why?” “Because I didn’t want to be apart from you.” I wrapped an arm around her shoulders and squeezed tight. “I don’t want to be apart from you either.” “It’s all so complicated.” “So the deal was he buys the Lopa, let’s me own half, and you manage?” “Yes.” “And Dex?” I egged her on. She exhaled slowly and turned to me. “My father says if I don’t abide to his terms, he’ll take the Lopa from you. If I don’t marry Dex, well, he’ll bankrupt you.” Her gaze wouldn’t meet mine as she ran her fingers in the sand. I rose from the sand, dusting off my pants in the process. I couldn’t lose her to keep the Lopa. “Fuck, Penny. I don’t care about it. Let him have the crummy place. Let him take it. All I want is you.” “Please, Theo, you can’t mean that.” She grabbed my hand. “Maybe you don’t care about the Lopa, but I do.” The sadness on her face made my heart almost stop. “Come here,” I whispered. She hesitated, briefly, then ran into my waiting arms. “Make this nightmare end, please,” she cried. “Shh, shh,” I soothed her. “We’ll think of something.” And now, I had to think of something to fix this. Something big.

SEVEN PENNY Don’t want to go home, but can’t stay here. “Theo, I want to see your dolls,” I decided. “I should take you home,” he said like a stick in the mud. “You need to sleep this off.” He was no fun at all, but I was still crazy about him. I gave him a thumbs down. “No. Your place.” I poked him in the arm. “Besides, you have to do what I say. Know why?” He shook his head, smiling. I placed both hands to my mouth, breathing heavy through them. “Theo, I am your manager,” I said in my best deep voice, drawing out the words. It sounded pretty damn good, if I did say so myself. “You did not just try to impersonate Darth Vader.” I giggled at the deadpan look on his face. “Try, I did not. Do, I did.” “Oh boy. Now you’ve moved onto Yoda. You’re adamant on seeing the dolls, huh?” he whispered. I glanced over to him and envisioned him as my very own Jedi come to destroy the empire built by my father. His hair looked wild and I wanted to run my fingers through it. “Yes.” We stepped through his front door, and I felt like I was home. I glanced at his dolls and stepped closer to them. “So, tell me about them.” I jabbed a finger at the cabinet. “Can we play with them?” He grinned as he grabbed me by the waist to steady me. “No, we can’t play with them.” I stuck my tongue out at him, and he growled. Sexy, feral, and primal. Rawr. The giggles were about to make an appearance. I arranged my face in a serious expression the best I could. “What made you start collecting?” “I’m not really sure. I’ve always been a big fan of comics and Star Wars. Superheroes are cool. It gives you something to believe in.” “What do you mean?” I peered at the Batman figure in the front, trying to focus on just one. “Well, superheroes save the planet. They do good deeds.” His eyes lit up as he grabbed the doll still in the box. “Most do, some don’t, but still. It gives us a role model to aspire to be like. If you become more than a man, devote yourself to an ideal, then you become something else entirely.” He looked over at me and winked. “To quote Batman.” Philosophical Theo was hot. “Say it,” I whispered. He placed the doll back and drew his brows together. “Say what?” “Say ‘I’m Batman’.” He rolled his eyes as he muttered the words, “I’m Batman.” He grabbed me by the waist and squeezed. “Come here, you silly girl.” He kissed my temple as I thought about his earlier words. Theo was my superhero. Swooping in to save the damsel in distress, or in this case the drunk girl from falling over onto his cabinet of dolls. “You’re a good man, Theo.”

He leaned close to my ear. “Shh, don’t tell anyone.” Oh, I wouldn’t. I didn’t want anyone else to come along and take him from me. Fear gripped me. Because, pretty soon I’d be married, and he would be free to do as he pleased. I went to the couch, sat down, and pulled my knees to my chest. “I’m sorry I made you take me somewhere. I just couldn’t face going home. I don’t even know why. It just seems like when I’m with you the whole mess fades away.” He sat beside me. “What do you want to do?” I knew what I wanted to do. “Sex is always fun. But, what I really want to do is just forget. I just want to hang out with you. What would you be doing if I wasn’t here?” “Jerking off.” Holy shit, yes please. Maybe I could help him. My eyes widened as he cracked a smile. I laughed as he grabbed his Xbox controller. “I’d be playing video games, maybe,” he said as he flipped on the TV. “Really? You’re going to play right now?” “What? You told me to act like you’re not here. In all honesty, I’d probably rush off to bed so I could dream about you.” My heart swelled. “Aw, Theo.” “I dream about you all the time. Even when I’m awake, I’m dreaming of you.” He leaned closer, caressing my cheek as chills skated all over. “I think about you every second of every day, too.” I kissed his full lips wanting him to know I meant every word. When he broke the kiss, he leaned back against the couch. “Want to watch a movie?” he asked. “Sure, what do you have?” I sprung from the couch to scan over his movie collection. “Some collection. Oh wow, you have the movie Titanic. He rubbed at his beard as he smiled. “Yeah.” “You hopeless romantic,” I moved closer as he sat on the couch, clocking my every move. “I want you to paint me like one of your French girls, Jack,” I said, quoting a line from the movie where Jack paints a portrait of the heroine, Rose. “Um, ok. Sure.” He rose from the couch and motioned me to lie down. I began unbuttoning my blouse but Theo stopped me. “Keep your clothes on, or I will be taking advantage of you.” My legs trembled as I lowered myself onto the couch. He moved over to a cabinet and produced a pen and paper. I smiled as he pulled up a seat across from me. His eyes were intense as he studied me. I felt them everywhere. He touched the pen to the paper, and his concentration was fierce. He glanced up every few moments as I lay on the couch daydreaming. I wanted every night with him. My emotions were getting the best of me as he drew on the paper. I laughed, and his eyebrows shot up. “Stay still.” “Oh, sorry.” I tried my best to hold as still as possible as he continued.

“I have to get these lines on your face just right.” “Of course,” I murmured. He brushed a dark strand of hair from his eyes as he continued. My heart rushed as I tried to clear my fuzzy mind. I didn’t want to be drunk anymore. I wanted Theo to take me to his bedroom, and make love to me again and again. When he was done he lifted the paper and said, “Ta-da.” I laughed as I rose on unsteady feet to see the masterpiece. When I glanced down at the picture Theo had drawn for me my skin heated. Tears threatened to fall, and I couldn’t calm the rapid tempo my heart pounded against my ribcage. “Well, the lighting is bad so it has some rough spots,” he said, trying his best to keep a straight face. I gazed at his profile as he studied the picture. “I love it.” A huge grin split my face as Theo laughed. I hugged the picture and then studied it again. Only my Theo, so freaking adorkable. He grabbed the photo, crumpling it with both hands. “Hey, no. I want to keep that.” “You can’t be serious. It’s really bad. Sorry I’m no master artist.” He half-smiled. “It’s perfect.” I grabbed the picture from him, smoothing out the wrinkles as I gazed at it one more time.

I kissed his cheek. “Okay, show me your video game skills. His face lit up as he grabbed another controller out of a drawer and handed it to me. After half an hour of him destroying me in some shooting game where I couldn’t even move my character, he shut the game off. “Tell me why you like Star Wars so much,” I asked. “Are you kidding? It’s only the best saga ever. And the Princess Leia fantasy is hot, too.” “The Jabba the Hutt thing, where she’s dressed as a slave?” I asked, scrunching my nose at him. “He looks like a giant slug.” “Well, he wouldn’t be involved in the fantasy, but, yeah.” He rubbed at the back of his neck with his right hand. “Let me get this straight, you want a girl to dress in that getup?”

“Fuck yeah, I do.” I laughed as he smiled. I enjoyed hanging out with him. “Oh ok, I’ll try to remember that then.” “Yeah write it down, take a picture. What about you? Any wild fantasies I can help fulfill?” His eyebrows arched as a slow smile spread along his gorgeous face. I leaned back and kicked my feet up on his lap. “Yeah, imagine a beach. Late at night, with a stranger.” His thumb traced lazy circles on my ankle. “Oh, I imagine that night all the time.” “Me too. You think about my boobs?” The question slipped out of my still rubbery lips. I really needed to sober up, but I was having a hard time of it. “Your boobs?” He smirked. “I know you think about them. I saw your list.” He sat up straighter. “My list?” “Yeah. The day of the interviews. I saw the list you left on your precious clipboard.” “Fuck,” he ran a hand down his beard, “you weren't supposed to see that.” “Just how many lists do you have?” He glimpsed up to the ceiling briefly before answering, “Quite a few.” “What about? Are there any about me?” He shook his head, eyes trained on the floor as he smiled. “Penny, they’re all about you.” “I’m going to need to see these lists.” I smiled as our eyes met. He had lists, and many about me. Along with the picture, these lists would be my most prized possession. I was falling for this man. “Maybe someday.” He gazed at me through hooded lashes. For a few hours Theo and I talked about my father and everything we could think of to get me out of my impending doom. He begged me over and over to tell my father to shove it. But, I couldn’t tell him the real reason why I agreed to my father’s demands. Sober by the time Theo dropped me off, I left him with a promise to think of a plan. I prayed we would. The next morning when I stepped into the kitchen, the rich smell of coffee and Margo’s sour expression greeted me. My head was pounding. “May I help you?” I asked. “Where have you been? And, don’t lie to me, I know you weren’t with Dex. He stopped by looking for you,” she said as I trudged into the kitchen. I grabbed my bag and dug out my phone. “Shit, I had my phone off. Was he mad?” “What do you think?” she asked. Her sarcastic expression let me know full well he was most likely pissed. “Great.” I turned the phone on and skimmed over the missed calls. “Ten missed calls, fuck.” “So, where were you?” She leaned across the counter and held both hands under her chin, waiting for me to answer. “Honestly? I went to the Frosted Mug, by myself. I just had a lot to think about,” I said, sitting on a stool across from her. She slid a large red mug of steaming coffee in front of me. “I know you do, sweetie. I’m so sorry.”

She walked over to me and wrapped her arms around my shoulders. “Where’s your car? Who brought you home?” “Ok, you’re coming at me with a lot of questions right now. Theo brought me home,” I said. She tilted her head at me. “What? Ok, explain.” I told her the story, leaving out the kiss and the gut spillage. “You didn’t tell him about your father, did you?” “No,” I lied. It felt horrible lying to her, but if this could work I had to keep our secret safe. I needed a way out of this whole mess. A happily ever after of the epic kind. Although, happy endings didn’t always happen in real life, I begged the universe to allow me at least one chance at getting one. “Well, I hope it all works out. I really do, Penny. I see how much you care for Theo. And, how much he cares about you. Did you try explaining all of this to your crooked father?” She crossed over to the fridge and grabbed some creamer for her coffee. When she turned back around to face me, she stopped. “What? Why are you looking at me like I just discovered the cure for cancer? Want some creamer?” I shook my head, her simple brilliance hitting me like a freight train. “What’s wrong, Penny? Did I say something wrong?” I leapt from the stool. “No, you said everything just right.” *** I rushed through getting ready and dashed out of the house before the sun had risen. I called an Uber to take me to the Frosted Mug to retrieve my car and then fired off a text to Theo: Meet me at the lifeguard station, please. Once I had my car, and he answered he’d be there, I made my way to the place where we first kissed. I needed to tell him everything I thought we could do to get out of this predicament. The sun hid along the horizon, and a soft breeze swept off the ocean. Seagulls squawked as they swooped along the shore. When I wandered onto the sandy beach, I removed my shoes, allowing my toes to sink in the soft sand, and glanced up to the empty wooden station. No lifeguards were present this early in the morning, and the beach was empty. Taking a deep breath, I made my trek toward the spot where Theo and I shared one of the best nights of my life. “Hey there,” Theo’s deep voice sounded behind me. I spun around, smiling wide as I took in his deep, dark eyes. “Hi, you.” His lips lifted in a grin, and we stood staring at each other like two giddy teenagers. “What’s this early meeting all about?” “I think my father is a crook,” I blurted out. No simple talk, we didn’t have time for it. I needed to get things started before this escalated further. He chuckled. “He is pretty awful.” “No, I’m serious, Theo. I think he does shady things. Taxes, bribes. I’m not sure. I know him and the county commissioner go to the Bahamas every year. What if something happens there?” I said in a rush. “Whoa. Well, it explains going to the Bahamas if he’s doing something shady. Maybe a few off shore

accounts as well. How can we prove it though?” Ah, the million-dollar question. A man like my father knew how to cover his tracks. I kicked a shell poking out of the sand with my toes and then returned my eyes to Theo. “I don’t know.” He pulled me into a hug, kissing the top of my forehead. “We’ll think of something, baby.” My heart flitted around in my chest. I loved when he called me baby. It did something to me when he used the endearment. “Follow me,” he said, taking my hand in his strong one. He didn’t speak as he led me off the beach, pulling me into a small abandoned lot. His car sat in a darkened corner and he pressed the fob to open it. “Get in,” he demanded. I hopped in the passenger side as he moved around the car. The minute he shut the door, he pulled me in for a kiss to erase all other kisses. Want and desperation poured off him in waves, and I tugged his face closer. “God, I want you Penny,” he breathed over my skin. “I want you too.” “The thought of you loving that bastard hurt. I hated it.” “I’m sorry. Theo, there isn’t anyone but you,” I whispered. He kissed me again as his hands toyed with the hem of my blouse. He went too slow. I needed him now. I leaned back and removed my shirt, flinging it into the back seat. Theo took in my white lacy bra, and a low rumble erupted from his lips. He stopped me when I went to remove it. “Don’t, not yet.” My chest heaved while he took his time staring at my chest. Licking his full lips, he brought his face closer and rested it along my cleavage. “I love your fucking tits.” He reverently cupped one and then the other with his hands. The soft kisses he trailed along my skin just above the cut of the bra, teasing me, were driving me mad. Slowly, his thumb rubbed over each nipple, and my head fell back. “Theo, please,” I moaned. Finally, he reached around to my back, unsnapping my bra strap. The material fell from my body, and his mouth immediately took one nipple, biting, nibbling, and sucking it until I couldn’t see straight. “I’ve missed you,” he said. “I’ve missed you too,” I confessed. “He hasn’t touched you, has he?” He stared hard, pleading for me to say no. I shook my head back and forth, and he let out his relief at my answer in a full breath. It hit me how difficult it must have been on Theo to sit back and think his brother was touching me. “I'll never let him touch me,” I promised. My nipples hardened as his fingertips traced patterns along my stomach on their journey south. When he reached the zipper of my slacks, he yanked it down. Slow Theo was gone. Thank heavens. My pants were off my body in record time, and he groaned at the site of my skimpy white, lace panties. “How bad do you want me inside you?” “More than I want to breathe,” I said, biting my bottom lip. He jerked open the glove box and rummaged through it. “Fuck,” he muttered. “What is it?” I asked as he slammed it shut, cursing under his breath. He needed to get back to eye fucking my panties. “I don’t have a fucking condom.” He ran a shaky hand through his dark hair, tousling it a bit more.

“Oh,” I whispered. This was a problem. “You do know if this were one of my romance novels you’d need to leave and hit the store immediately.” I winked. “Well, thank God this isn’t a fucking romance novel.” He grabbed the back of my neck, slamming his lips to mine. When he broke the kiss, he leaned in his seat, pulling the lever to bring his chair all the way back. “Penny, do you trust me?” I chewed my bottom lip more as I gazed at him. “Yes.” “Good, cause there’s something I’ve been dying to do.” He unzipped his shorts and pulled his dick out.

EIGHT THEO Fuck, she was perfect. My cock sprang to life just having Penny in my arms. But, what a fucking idiot I was for not having a single condom anywhere around. I should have my man card revoked for life. Fuck. I craved her though. And I wouldn’t stop until I had my cock deep inside her… ass. “Lose the fucking panties and hop on my lap.” I spoke low, as I thought about claiming her ass. I’d been wanting to fuck her there for some time, and couldn’t wait to get inside her. She straddled me, facing me with her tits in my face as I stroked my cock with one hand. “I’m going to do evil things to this ass, baby.” I grabbed one ass cheek firm in my grip. Her eyes widened as I grabbed the back of her neck and brought her closer. “But I won’t hurt you. We’ll go slow. You’re going to come so hard. Do you trust me?” “Yeah,” she whispered. “Do it, I need to feel you.” Crashing my lips to hers, I reached down and felt the wetness from her warm pussy and coated my fingers in it. “Fuck, Penny. You’re so wet. All of this sweetness for me?” Her hips grinded against me making me want to bury myself in her pussy. “Only for you,” she whispered. God, I missed the way her voice sounded when she was turned on and hungry for me. I plunged my teeth into her sweet skin, just atop her right breast, marking her. She gasped when I slid a finger inside her. Fuck it felt good to have my finger in her tight cunt. My cock throbbed with need, so fucking strong I couldn’t hold off any longer. “Relax, baby.” I rubbed my cock along her pussy, coating it in her essence, and brought the tip to her ass, pushing slightly. Her pussy was so wet; no lube was needed. I kept coating my cock with her wetness. She dropped her head to my shoulder, her teeth sinking into my skin. “Oh God, Theo,” she moaned as I kept pushing. It took everything I had not to thrust inside her ass. It felt too fucking good. My thighs trembled from the effort of holding back. Our groans mingled when she rocked her hips and the head of my cock slipped inside. My head fell back against the seat, and I watched as she worked her way down on me. I dipped my fingers in her wetness and coated my cock with it. “You want more?” I asked, circling her clit and then slipping a second finger inside her. Her pussy would be the death of me. “I want it all,” she said. I fucked her with my fingers as her ass slid slow and easy down my cock. A low groan rumbled from deep inside as she took me in further. “Penny, your ass is so tight.” Heaven, the pearly gates, was the place I was headed with each inch she buried herself on me. With her hands on my chest, she slid down my cock. “Now fuck me,” she said. The way she demanded it made my cock pulse. I gripped her hips and thrust up into her. Goddamn. So hot and tighter than I could handle. “Touch your pussy, Penny. Rub your wetness on your nipple and

then put it in my mouth.” She slid her hand down and then rubbed her fingertips across before bringing her nipple to my lips. My tongue circled and licked before sucking it into my mouth. “Fuck, I love to taste you.” With each stroke into her ass, my orgasm threatened to explode. Her pants and moans drove me faster and harder into her. I could barely fucking breathe it felt so good. “Beg me for it, Penny. Beg me to come in your ass.” “Please, Theo,” she murmured, her eyes locking with mine. “Ah, it feels so good.” God, I was so fucking turned on. I played with her wet cunt as I fucked her in the ass, and she moaned into my mouth over and over. Her pussy tasted so good, I took my wet fingers and smeared them on her tits again, sucking and licking her pussy-coated skin. “I love fucking your ass, Penny, fuck,” I groaned. Watching her body slide along mine, her hips grinding, and her slick pussy taking my fingers all the way in was more than I could bear. “Keep riding, baby, fuck, grind that tight ass on my cock,” I said, my voice husky with lust. My cock was ready to shoot off inside her, my orgasm right around the corner. She picked up her pace, riding my body like she owned it. And she did. With my free hand, I pinched her nipple and brought my lips to suck her full breast into my mouth. She held onto me as if her life depended on it as my cock sank deeper into her tight ass. I missed this girl. I missed her more than I wanted to admit. Her sexy moans echoed off the car interior, and my body grew closer to climax. Sucking. Rubbing. Biting. I couldn't hold back much longer but my body tried its hardest to ward the need to come for a while longer. I needed more of her. Not wanting this moment to end, I kept calling out her name. “I’ve missed this pussy, Penny,” I said as my hand went faster. “I’m going to come.” Her voice rang through the car. I didn’t care we were in a parking lot, or in my car for that matter. The only thing important to me right now was getting off inside her. “That’s right, come on my fingers. Come baby, I want to feel it dripping down my hand.” I went deeper, crooking my finger inside her to reach the spot I knew would make her explode. She screamed unintelligible words before her teeth sank into my shoulder. Her pussy tightened around my fingers as her body trembled. It only made me go faster, determined to come as hard as I could. “Fuck, baby. Your ass is so hot. I love your fucking body. I can’t stop staring at your tits.” I gazed into her eyes. “Your tits are getting fucked next.” I removed my fingers from inside her and grabbed her face with both hands. “I fucking own you,” I said right before kissing her. It wasn’t an innocent kiss. It was one full of tongues and hot moans. The passion dwelling in the kiss made her body shake and shiver. I ached for this girl. My body climbed higher as my orgasm neared. I wanted to tell her I loved her. But, clamped down the idea, chalking it off as a bad decision. My heart banged against my rib cage, fighting with my brain to say the words. “Penny,” I said after breaking the kiss. “Theo, I need you.” Her eyes told me more and I hoped she felt the same.

My hands flew to her hair, twisting and pulling, as my cock throbbed deep inside her. “Oh fuck, Penny.” My muscles clenched right before my orgasm ripped through me. It wouldn’t stop as I kept pumping inside her tight ass. *** Having Penny in my arms felt right. She was mine again, well, sort of. We still had the issue of her being engaged to my half-brother. Furthermore, we were no closer to coming to any conclusion about her father. A time machine would be cool, so I could travel back to the first night I met Penny and do things over. I wouldn’t let her leave me afterward. And, of course, I would have never bought the fucking Goat. There was nothing I could do, and I just needed to get my head in the game and figure shit out. After kissing Penny goodbye, we both headed to the Lopa. As I stepped inside, I felt better about her feelings for me. Some of the hurting had subsided, and I knew we could get through this. The morning rush helped distract me from thinking of her engagement but only for a little while. Once my break came, I ducked outside to call Xavier. “Do you still have that P.I. friend? The one who investigates offshore accounts?” I asked. “Yeah, Steve Bobson. Need his number?” “Sure.” “Does this have to do with Pardo?” “Doesn’t everything?” He laughed. “Yeah, I guess so.” “Thanks, man,” I said after getting the number. Penny found me around the side of the building just as I hung up the phone. “Hey, I was wondering where you ran off to.” “Just got off the phone with Xavier. Got the number to a P.I. Hopefully he can help us out.” “Nice. Can I ask you a question?” “Sure.” “Am I a bad daughter? I mean, if we’re right he could go to prison.” She chewed on her thumbnail as her big eyes met mine with a glint of worry engrained in the tawny color. “Let’s hope so.” Oh shit, maybe I said the wrong thing, judging by the crestfallen expression on her cute face. I wrapped one arm around her, pulling her against my side, kissing the top of her head. I let go and stepped back to meet her eyes, with both hands on her shoulders. “Sorry, listen, your father hasn’t been a very good one. No one should ever force their daughter into something they don’t want to do. I would never do that to Lucy.” She smiled at me. “You’re a great dad.” My face heated as I rubbed along the back of my neck. “Thanks.” “Now get back to work,” she said, slapping me on the ass. “Oh, that’ll cost you later.” I laughed as I walked away and headed back into the bar. I couldn’t wait to get ahold of Xavier’s friend. It was getting late, so I didn’t want to call after business hours. Wiping the bar, my phone vibrated in my pocket. Glancing down to the caller ID, I let out a deep breath. Fuck.

“Hi, Mom. Yeah, been a long time.” My mother started in on not seeing Lucy enough, and after ten minutes she brought up Dex. “I know you and him don’t see eye to eye…” “It’s a lot more than that, Mom. He’s an asshole,” I barked out after excusing myself from the bar and heading back outside into the Florida heat. “But, he’s getting married. And, he even told me he wants you there.” Her high-pitched, shrill voice indicated her frustration. I ran a hand over my beard as I tried to think of a way to explain to my mother it would be a cold day in hell before I attended his wedding. Of course he wanted me there. “Mom, I think I’m busy that day,” I said, chuckling. “I didn’t even tell you when it is, smartass.” “Mother, language please,” I said, laughing now. “Oh, ha ha,” she said. Out of the corner of my eye I noticed Penny making her way toward me again. “Mom, I have to let you go.” I hung up and smiled to her. “Should I put a desk out here? Maybe a phone so you can make all of these important calls you need to make?” she asked, her voice full of sarcasm. “Sure, I’ll need someone to massage my shoulders, too. Know of anyone?” Her eyes sparkled in the sun as I slipped my phone into my pocket. “You wish.” “My mother asked me to attend your wedding. That’s fun.” The spark in her eyes burned out, and she frowned. “Yeah that. It won’t happen, Theo. I promise.” I grabbed her around the waist. “Baby, please don’t promise me things you may not be able to keep.” “This one, I swear to you, I’m keeping.” I kissed the top of her forehead. “What are you doing tomorrow? Can you get away and let’s spend the day together?” “I’m going dress shopping with your mother in the morning, but I can get away after that.” I held her tighter, wishing I stood at the altar with her instead of him. “Ok, I’ll come in for inventory here and then we can meet up.” *** The next morning, bright and early, I headed off to Lopa. I had everything packed for a great day out, and I couldn’t wait to show her where we were going. I asked her to pack her bikini, but that was all the clues I would give her. Rushing through the inventory for Lopa, I smiled when I glanced at my watch and noticed it was almost time for Penny to meet me here. My phone pinged with a message. When I glimpsed down, my heart sank. I’m trying to get away from Dex, I’ll be there as soon as I can. I tried my hardest not to see red as I read the text again. Hatred for Dex seeped from my pores. My

mind had a hard time remembering Penny didn’t love him. Stepping from the bar, I headed to the back office. Once inside, I scanned over the applications for a new bartender. There were a few who would have been really good choices, and I wondered if Penny had called any. After another hour of going through emails, a frazzled Penny rushed through the office door. “Are you ok?” I rose from the chair and made my way to her. When I kissed her forehead, she let out a breath. “No, I’m not, but I promise I’m getting better now. Just take me away from here.” The weary expression on her face made me hug her tighter. “Let’s go. It’s a bit of a drive. Are you up for that?” I asked. “Yes.” We piled into my car, and I headed North on the interstate. The music, at max volume, blared out a tune, and Penny danced in her seat. I smiled to her as the sun shone through the windows. It felt good to have her all to myself. Road trips were something I enjoyed. That’s how you can tell if you get along. Nobody wants to be stuck in a car with someone with a stick up their ass. I reached my hand across the seat and grabbed hers. Intertwining our fingers, I brought her hand to my lips and kissed her soft skin. She grabbed her phone with her other hand and sat staring at her screen. Her laughter filled the car, and I let go of her hand as she swiped at her screen. “What are you giggling about over there?” She dropped the phone in her lap. “Oh, sorry. I’m reading a book.” “Oh yeah? One of your smut books?” I teased. “No, not one of my smut books. This one is funny. It’s called Date Me.” “Sounds dumb.” She gasped as she tried to hold back her laughter. “It’s not dumb. It’s wonderful.” “Really, Penny? Wonderful?” I arched a brow as I shot her a look of disbelief. “Yes. It’s about a pilot who needs to find a date to his ex-girlfriend’s wedding. Well, he ends up in a big mess of a situation. It’s written by a new male author.” I’ll admit it. I was jealous. “Sounds stupid.” “Oh, but cartoon books are top of the line reading? Please. Maybe you should give a romance book a try.” She pulled her feet into the seat with her as she leaned closer to me. “Not a chance in hell. I’ll stick to comics.” “Suit yourself, but you’re missing out. The lead, Erik in the book, he reminds me of you.” “Oh yeah, why?” “He has a really dirty mouth, too.” I kissed her hand as she went back to reading about weddings and smut. Weddings. I finally asked the question I had been putting off all morning. “What happened with Dex this morning?” I wanted to know. “He stopped by this morning. Said he wanted to talk,” she said as her hand ran through my beard. “About?” Her smile dropped from her face. “Wedding stuff. They want this wedding as soon as possible.” She turned from me to stare out the window.

“Ouch, did he say why? Scratch that, I know why.” If Penny were mine, I’d make sure I married her immediately too. Whoa. A cold sweat broke out on my forehead. That was the third time I thought of Penny and a wedding. Usually imagining weddings meant you were in lo… Fuck. I dropped her hand as I continued driving. She kept her stare fixed on the passing scenery. An awkward silence loomed between us. I was afraid to say anything for fear of confessing some undying love to her. Although, the way I felt, the grey area of “I really like you.” no longer applied. What if she didn't feel the same? Yeah, she liked me. But this wasn't one of her romance novels where people fell in love after a great fuck. Although, how could she not fall in love with the way I fucked her? It was that damn good. Trying to push away the feelings and thoughts of love and marriage, I saw the exit for Blue Heron Blvd and turned off. “Where are we going? Singer Island?” “Yeah, I know a spot just under the bridge. Figured we could go swimming.” “Oh ok, sounds fun.” I parked the car, and we pulled out all the snorkeling equipment I packed. Heading a way down the road, we stepped onto the sandy area leading into the Intercoastal Waterway. “I figured we would swim in the waterway instead of the ocean,” I said as I lifted my shirt over my head. Her eyes trailed over my abs. “Great idea. Is it going to rain?” She tilted her face, looking up at the few gray clouds rolling by. “I think we’ll be ok for a while. But, you never know, it is Florida after all.” I laughed. We waded out into the calm blue water, and as she swam, I watched reverently. I swam after her. I had to touch her, away from her father—from Dex. Out here she was all mine. Something brushed against my leg. I dunked my head into the water and saw a huge loggerhead turtle swimming along the bottom of the ocean. Popping my head out of the water, I searched for Penny. “Penny, look.” I pointed my finger down below. She nodded then dunked her head into the water. I lowered beneath the surface and watched as she swam with the turtle. It was a sight to see for sure. I wanted to touch her. Share her excitement. Feel her joy. I wanted her to love me.

NINE PENNY Seeing a loggerhead was magical. Being near one in the wild was intoxicating. Hopefully my mother was right and this would bring me good luck. I dipped down to the sandy bottom and turned as the large turtle headed my way. The large turtle swam closer, brushing past me. Theo stayed back, watching, as I reached out a hand to skim across the turtle’s back. Giddiness filled me; I couldn’t believe this. My heart contracted when I looked over at Theo. He did this for me. This man brought me to swim with turtles. He listened to what I said, and he picked something he knew meant the world to me. A future with Theo flashed before my eyes. I wanted it. Moving closer toward Theo, I left the turtle behind. He swam off in the other direction as Theo and I both surfaced. I removed the snorkeling equipment from my face and wrapped my arms around his neck. “Thank you,” I said. The sun played like a kaleidoscope across his face, making his eyes shine bright. He pressed his lips lightly against mine. “I need you now,” he breathed across my skin, making goosebumps arise. We were alone, not a person around for miles. He swam me underneath the bridge until my back pressed against a pillar. “I need you, too,” I whispered, wrapping my legs around his waist. He pressed himself against my body, and a moan escaped my mouth. My core heated as I ran my hands down his structured back. “Fuck, I have the condoms in the car. I can go get them. After the other day I threw about fifty in there.” His smile caught me off guard, and I laughed a little at how cute he was. His boyish grin lit up his face. “I’m on the pill.” I wanted him. I needed him bare inside me. “We don't need a condom. “Yeah?” he asked. I nodded. “Fuck, I want to feel all of you.” His husky voice held a sense of urgency I found endearing. Grinding my hips into him, I held on tighter. His hands lifted my ass higher as he trailed kisses down my neck. Teeth sunk into my shoulder as I leaned my head back against the pillar. I was ready for him. I loved him.

TEN THEO I was one lucky son-of-a-bitch. Feeling her wet body pressing against mine made my cock grow. I yearned to be inside her, and the thought of having no barrier between us made me hornier than I think I’d ever been. Her breasts barely fit inside the skimpy pink triangles covering them. My hand trailed down her neck to the cleavage I loved so much and then over one tit. I palmed her through her bikini top and brought my lips lower to suck along her skin. Desire raged through me when I untied the string behind her neck, and the material fell away exposing both breasts. Her pink tipped nipples made my mouth water. “Your fucking tits turn me on, baby,” I said right before sucking a hardened nipple into my hungry mouth. Her legs clenched around me tighter as she rocked into me. She needed it. And I would not leave her waiting much longer. “Penny, I know you need it. I need it, too. I will always need it.” “Show me, Theo. Please,” she whispered. Her begs and pleas made me pull down my shorts and grab my cock free. I stroked it for a few seconds, glancing down to where I couldn’t wait for it to go. I couldn’t wait to feel her, all of her. With one nipple in my mouth and the other between my fingers, I pressed down on them simultaneously as I slammed my body against her. Her moans only egged me on more, and my hands moved down her body landing on her ass. I yanked the material out of the way and ran the tip of my cock over her seam. Our eyes met and my world tilted on its axis as I pressed myself inside her sweet pussy. “Oh, fuck Penny.” She felt better than I could have ever dreamed of. “Theo, I love the way you touch me,” she cried as I pushed in harder. “Oh, baby. I love your pussy. I love the way you feel.” I braced a hand against the pillar as I delved in deeper. Her tight walls gripped my cock as her eyes fell closed and I focused on the freckles I loved so much. There were so many things I realized I loved about this girl. Her body rocked as I slammed into her more and more, wanting to know she felt the same. “Tell me.” I begged for the words I wanted to say to her. I couldn’t bring myself to utter them, though. Hurt from the past held me back. My chest warmed as I studied her. The curves of her face, the strands of her hair, and the way her body melded to mine. I’d never get over her. She opened her eyes to me, questioning me with her stare. I begged, again. “Tell me what you love.” Her head fell back and her eyes slammed shut once more. “I love the way you fuck me.” “I love fucking you, Penny,” I whispered to her. “What else do you love?” “I love the way you kiss me.” I crushed my lips over hers and our tongues chased along each other. “I fucking love kissing you,” I said after the kiss broke. “What else, Penny?”

My release built as I continued to thrust inside her tight pussy. “Oh, God. I love the way you speak to me. The things you say, Theo. I love it.” Her voice cracked on the last word and I held her tighter. I loved her. I wasn’t afraid to admit it anymore to myself. Something took over my heart and as I gazed down on her, I wanted to tell her. Fear entered my system for a moment, but I needed to say it. She felt so good wrapped around me, her body holding mine. “Penny, I need you,” I said, changing the love word out at the last second. Fuck. What if she didn't love me back? “Theo, I need you too.” A tear escaped her eye and I kissed it away. “I need your pussy,” I murmured, kissing away another tear. “Tell me what you need.” She clung to me tighter, and I could feel her tits against my chest. “I need your cock.” “Tell me you love it,” I whispered into her ear. “I do. I love your cock.” Her voice echoed against the bridge. “Tell me,” I begged for the words I wanted to hear. “What do you love?” Her eyes glistened with tears. “Please, tell me.” Those words would undo me if she gave them to me. My body built toward my climax as I pumped into her. My cock was ready to explode. I wanted her. My breathing escalated as I kept my eyes locked onto hers. She was beautiful. “I love your heart,” she whispered. “Baby, I love yours too.” I stilled inside her as my heart constricted in my chest. “I...I,” she whispered. I pumped slowly at first and then picked up my pace as I fell even harder for her. She owned every ounce of me whether she loved me or not. My orgasm was just within reach. “I’m coming,” she moaned. My cock throbbed inside her, needing her more. “Fuck, Penny, …fuck,” I threw caution to the wind and spilled my heart, “I love you, baby.” Her body squeezed me tighter, her tight pussy clenching me. “I love you, too,” she said as my orgasm crashed through my system. “I love you. I love you. I love you,” I whispered against her. She clung onto me, not letting go for a long moment. “I’m scared.” She shook in my arms and I held onto her until the trembling stopped. “I don't want to lose you.” The warm air against our skin settled me. I would lose everything for her. “Can’t you tell your father no? I don’t care if I lose the bar. Hell, we can start fresh,” I plead. Her eyes closed, and she sighed before I leaned in to kiss her freckled nose. “It’s a bit more complicated than that.” “Tell me then,” I whispered. “I just can’t.” I grew frustrated as she continued to push me away. What was so important? I dropped my hands from her, running them through my soaked hair. “Penny, I’m trying to understand.” And I was, desperately. She leaned in kissing my cheek. “I’ll talk to him. I’ll try to get him to understand.” “Thank you.”

“Shit, what time is it? I’m having dinner with your mom and Dex. I need to get home.” She let go of me and swam toward the shore. I scrambled after her, not ready to take her back to our hated reality. Once we were near my car, we cleaned up and hopped inside in pure silence, both of us dreading our situation. Grabbing my phone, I noticed the missed call from my mother. As I was about to tell Penny, the phone rang in my hands. My mother. I listened to her ramble on about Lucy before starting the car to head back to Miami. “Anyways, dear, I’m having dinner with Dex and his soon-to-be-bride. I’d like for you to come.” I glanced at Penny and then back to the road. “I’ll see what I can do.” My mother squealed in my ear with delight, and I wanted to murder myself. “Ok, Mom, I have to go.” She gave me the information to where they were dining and we ended our call. “Your mom?” Penny asked once I hung up. “Yeah, she invited me to dinner with you all.” “Oh,” was all she said. We sat in silence for most of the drive, neither of us sure how to act tonight at dinner. I just wanted to hold her. Touch her in some small way to know she was really mine. That her heart belonged to me. I dropped her off at Lopa and headed home. Wondering how I’d ever make it through this dinner in one piece, I hopped in the shower. After showering, I grabbed my trusty pen and notepad. Things to focus on instead of beating Dex’s face in. Penny will talk to her father My mom will be there Busted up knuckles aren’t sexy Murder is illegal Try not to look at him Look at Penny’s cute freckles instead When they start talking about the wedding, excuse yourself Dex is an idiot I fucking hate dinner I tapped the end of the pen against my beard, hoping I wouldn’t end up in jail tonight. Tossing the notebook, I threw on some black jeans and a white, button-down shirt. Fuck, tonight was going to suck.

ELEVEN PENNY What the fuck? “Spill it,” I said to a Cheshire Cat grinning Margo. As soon I walked in the door, Margo’s wide smile met me. “Ok, so,” she rose from the couch, “sexy MMA fighter asked me out.” I smiled at her excitement. “Me,” she said, pointing at herself. “He asked me out.” I tossed my handbag on the weathered oak credenza by the door. “About time I mean that’s great. When?” “Well, he hasn’t officially asked me yet.” I raised a brow. “What do you mean? What exactly did he say? Are those my shoes?” I focused on the red heels she wore with her black dress. “Where are you going?” I asked. “Don’t worry about the shoes. I won’t get a scratch on them. Well, he said we should catch dinner sometime,” she said, running her fingers through her long blonde hair. “That’s promising. Where are you going tonight?” I called over my shoulder, heading to my bedroom. This dinner was going to be a nightmare. “I’m headed to the Lopa, actually,” she said, plopping down on my bed. “I figured the night is young and why not?” She shrugged her tan shoulders and I cracked a smile. “Well, I get to have dinner with Dex, his mom, and Theo. Lucky me.” “Want me to come with? I really have no plans. I can run interference for you.” She smiled and winked and I thought about her idea. “Yes, come.” I ran through the motions of getting ready as Margo added her two cents in about everything, and together we left after I texted Dex to inform him of the additional guest. We drove together, racing to get to dinner on time. Dex was very punctual and didn’t like anyone being late, ever. It was something I hoped I never needed to get used to. When we arrived at the Bubba Gump Shrimp restaurant, Margo parked her little Mercedes and we hopped out. “This should be fun,” she said, giggling like a schoolgirl as we rushed inside. “Yeah, loads.” I said a silent prayer all went well tonight and Theo’s P.I. would be able to help. Walking into the restaurant, I was met with Dex’s furious blue eyes. “You’re late.” He rested his hand on the small of my back and leaned in to peck his lips on my cheek. “Only by a few minutes,” Margo said, brushing past him. “Don’t let it happen again. My mother and Theo are already seated.” He escorted me through the crowded waiting area and my heart sped up.

The moment my eyes met Theo’s from across the restaurant, I tried my hardest to contain my smile. His mother stared between us as we all said our hellos. Seated next to Dex, and across from Theo, I worried I wouldn’t make it through this dinner in one piece. All I wanted to do was wrap myself in Theo’s arms. The atmosphere was loud and boisterous, and I could barely hear our server when he came to the table and explained the menu. My mind yelled at me to just leave, run away. It wasn’t until Margo nudged me with her shoe, giving me a stern look, that I ordered my drink. June laughed as she went over wedding details, and I couldn't do this again. My mind was lost in another world, a world where Theo and I lived happily ever after. “What do you think, Penny?” June asked. Everyone at the table stared at me waiting for my answer. “I’m sorry. What was the question again?” “My mother wants to know if you’d like to have bougainvilleas at the wedding,” Theo said with a smirk. Theo ran a hand across his beard, and this was all wrong. I couldn't sit here and discuss wedding plans to the dickface beside me while Theo sat and listened. “I don't think flowers are necessary,” I said before taking a sip of water. June eyed me curiously. “Well you can think on it,” she said. “I think if I ever get married, I’d have marigolds and zinnias. The same color as my bride-to-be’s eyes.” Theo said, smiling to his mother. “Nobody wants crap flowers at a wedding,” Dex barked out. “You would say that.” The fact Theo remembered the exact flowers my mother and I used to plant touched my heart. Ugh. Dex was such a snob, so uppity. You would think he came out with a silver spoon in his mouth. I would like to shove it up his ass. I wanted to get under his skin, like he was getting under mine. I waved the waiter over. “Excuse me, would you recommend the fried shramp, boiled shramp, steamed shramp, coconut shramp, or popcorn shramp?” I said in my best Bubba voice. I drew out all the words as if I was Bubba reincarnated. Pretty impressive, too. Theo let out a loud laugh. “Or barbecue shramp,” he added before winking at me. “Shramp Gumbo,” I giggled. Dex stiffened beside me. “Why are you talking like that, Penny? This isn’t the movie for god sakes.” “I am talking like this, because this is Bubba Gumps Shramp Restaurant, and why wouldn’t I?” I tried to keep a straight face. Theo laughed again as Margo joined in. “People do it all the time,” our waiter said. “And they are all good choices.” “Thank yew,” I said. “See?” “Give us a few more minutes,” Dex snipped at the waiter. Margo took over the conversation inputting her views and beliefs on how her wedding would be. Of course her groom was none other than MMA fighter guy. We all laughed as she explained how she needed to hook him first. “But once I have him, I’ll be hearing wedding bells.” She laughed. “I think that would be lovely, dear,” June said as our drinks arrived at the table.

“Oh, please. Is anyone else hearing the same things as me? She practically stalks the guy, and now she wants to marry him? Margo, you need your head examined,” Dex clipped out. “At least she isn’t forcing him,” I said, rising from the table. “Please, excuse me.” Everyone’s mouths fell open at my words. I’d had enough and needed to escape this insanity. Heading in the direction of the ladies’ restroom, I walked away as quickly as possible. I could feel the stares of everyone at the table burning a hole in my backside. Dex would be furious, and I was sure I’d be dealing with that comment later. I pushed the red door open and rushed inside. Inhaling as deep as I could, I leaned halfway over the sink. The door flung open, startling me, and I turned around to see who came in. “I fucking love you,” Theo said as he entered the restroom, locking the door behind him. I charged at him, wrapping my arms around his neck. “I just can’t do this anymore.” “I know, baby. I know.” His lips brushed against mine, and I clung to him. Everything seemed less hopeless when he kissed me. He leaned me against the sink, trailing his fingers up my skirt. “Theo, what if someone walks in. This all feels so cheap and dirty.” I unzipped his pants, slipping my hand inside. “Let them walk in. I need to bury my cock so far inside you a medic needs to carry you out of here.” He bucked his hips into my hand. “Cheap and dirty? I kind of like that. Do you want me to use you?” He pushed his pants down just below his trim hips, and his long lashes brushed against my cheek as he steadied his cock at my entrance. My smile was wide as I answered, “Yes, use me like a cheap and dirty girl.” One long thrust and he planted himself deep inside me. “Oh fuck, I love your tight cunt.” He rocked into me like his world was ending. With his mouth near my ear, I could feel his growls of excitement on each push and pull of his dick. Every touch from him made me want more. I didn’t care that we were in a bathroom. This was all I needed to get this through the hell that awaited me back at the table. With his hands on my ass, his lips so close to mine, my body temperature rose as he kept plunging deeper. The way he fucked me with reckless abandon made me want to be more daring. I wanted to be filthy for him like he was for me. So I decided to experiment with a little dirty talk. “Theo, I want to be your dirty whore tonight.” Okay, that wasn't so bad. His head shot back, shocked eyes meeting mine. “Fuck, that turns me on. You want to be my little slut, do you?” Oh god, he liked it. And that turned me on more. “Yes, fuck me.” And he did. He fucked me harder than he ever had before, and I enjoyed every second of it, not wanting it to ever end. “You like being mine? You like it when I own you?” “Yes.” “Oh Christ. Make me come, you little fucking slut.” His hands squeezed my ass harder as he kept slamming into me. Who knew how much I would love this little role play thing. Having Theo use me, having him need me so bad enticed me to be more brazen. His every word turned me on so much more.

“Come inside me.” I wanted to feel him. I wanted to be his. “Do you like my cock inside you? Do you like it when I use you like a little whore?” My body rose to its glorious O as Theo’s words brought me closer. “Yes.” “This pussy,” he slammed into me, “it’s mine, baby.” He pulled back, his cock nearly all the way outside of me. “Tell me you’re mine. Tell me you’re my fucking whore.” He rammed into me with such power my back could feel the hard porcelain digging into my skin. “I’m yours.” Our eyes held each other, neither of us blinking. “That’s right. No one else touches this pussy but me. Do you understand?” “Yes.” I nodded my head as I gripped his neck tighter. “No one else eats this tight, little cunt but me, understand?” “Yes. Only you.” My body was close as stars lined my vision. He pulled all the way out of me and stalled a second. “Look at me. No one else fucks this little fucking pussy but me. Got it?” He drove back into me as his fingers played with my clit. My body lost it, and my orgasm took over. Jesus Christ. I moaned long and loud, not caring if anyone waited on the other side of the door. His hand clamped over my mouth, and the way he groaned sent my orgasm spiraling into another. “Oh fuck, I’m coming Penny. I love your pussy, baby.” His hand slid from my mouth and was replaced by his hot lips on mine. “I love you, Theo,” I murmured against his kiss as my body came back down from its high. “I love you, too.” After cleaning myself up, he opened the door to peek out. “I’ll go first,” he said over his shoulder when he deemed it all clear. I waited a moment before exiting and was met with Margo in the hallway with her hands on her hips. “Turn around, back into the bathroom. You have that ‘I’ve just been fucked in the bathroom at Bubba Gumps look’.” She smiled. “I know the look well.” She laughed, pushing me back through the red door. She stood next to me as I studied my reflection. Margo was right. My cheeks were a nice rosy pink, and my hair a tousled mess. ‘Just been fucked’ was only half accurate. Fucked thoroughly described it better. My eyes widened. “Oh God, his mother is out there. She’ll know.” “Calm down,” she said, running her fingers through the tangled ends of my hair. “She won’t know anything. Theo said he was going outside because Blair called. I think you should tell them you aren’t feeling well, and I can take you home. Explains the flushed skin.” She dug in her purse finding her lip gloss and opened it for me. I grabbed the tube and covered my lips. “Thanks, I like that idea.” When Margo deemed me ready, we left the bathroom and went back to the table. Theo sat in his chair, eyes trained on me, and I felt lightheaded. “Penny isn’t feeling too well,” Margo announced. “I’m going to get her home.” Dex and Theo both rose from their chairs as June’s eyes grew wide with worry. “Oh no,” she said. “Maybe you just need to eat. Dex went ahead and ordered for you.” “Sit down, Penny,” Dex instructed, and my eyes flitted to his briefly before shooting back to Theo’s. A muscle twitched in his jaw. Shit. This was about to go downhill.

I sank down in my chair as Margo walked around to sit next to Theo. My nerves overcame me. My fight or flight reflex kicked in. It told me to get the hell out of here. Before I could bolt, the server dropped a huge dish of pasta in front of me. “The ‘of course we have scampi’ for the lady.” I turned my nose up at the plate of slippery noodles, leaning closer to Dex. “You didn’t order me the coconut shrimp?” I asked, quietly. He faced me as the server placed his huge red wire basket full of shrimp and french fries in front of him. “No, everyone loves scampi.” “Well, then why didn’t you order some?” I asked. Theo cracked a smile as the waiter slid a white plate in front of him. “And the ‘dumb luck coconut shrimp’ for you, sir.” “Actually,” Theo grabbed his plate and rose slightly from his seat, “if you don’t mind, Penny, I love scampi. Want to trade?” I loved him. He gave up his coconut shrimp for me. I mouthed the words ‘thank you’ to him as he exchanged our plates. Dex scoffed with a low growl, turning his attention to Theo. “How’s the Goat?” “I’m sorry?” Theo’s fork stopped mid twirl around his linguine noodles. “The Goat, or Lopa. Whatever the fuck it’s called. How is it?” “Language, Dex,” June reprimanded, her stern stare focused solely on Dex. “Sorry, Mother. Well?” he asked, returning his attention back at Theo. “Fuck you,” Theo said, glaring back at him. “Sorry, Mom.” I laughed a little as Margo’s eyes met mine. She smiled under her napkin. “Doesn’t matter anyways. Now that Penny is in charge, I’m sure the place is great. Isn’t that right, Penny?” I nodded, not uttering a word. Now all of a sudden he wanted to compliment me? “I love the Lopa,” Margo added in her happy tinkly voice that eased some of the tension in the air. “So do I,” June said. “It’s got just the right amount of class. Penny and Theo make a great team running it together.” Margo winked at me as I smiled. The conversation turned to favorite dining places in Miami as Theo and Dex glared at each other from across the table.

TWELVE THEO Hell yeah, I just fucked your fiancée. I wanted to say it to Dex. I wanted him to know what it felt like to feel that sort of pain. He didn’t really care for Penny. That was a fact. When I heard him order her the scampi, I knew right then. And then the fucker didn't care she didn't want it. As long as he had his big ass basket of heart attack then everything was right in his world. I looked over at Penny, and she smiled at me as she popped a coconut shrimp in her mouth. Fucking her in the bathroom was hot as hell, and I wanted more than anything to reach across the table and pull her on my lap as I told her all of my dreams and secrets. My mother kept shooting me odd glances, and I was probably in for some sort of ‘talk’ later. My eyes couldn’t stay off Penny, no matter how hard I tried. Why couldn’t she just tell her father to kick rocks? This charade of an engagement needed to stop. At the end of the meal, Dex turned to Penny. “I’ll take you home and stay the night.” My anger flared as I tried to think of anything to help her out of the situation. “Penny, we have to go over profits and losses early. Did you want to meet at the Lopa around five in the morning?” Her eyes met mine, and I winked to her. “Sure,” she agreed. “Listen, Dex,” she turned to face him, “I’m still feeling under the weather, and I really just need to get some sleep before tomorrow.” Dex frowned, making the ugliest face ever, and I wanted to punch him. My fist balled, ready to take him out. He rose from the table. “Fine.” A look of relief crossed Penny’s face. “I'll see you tomorrow.” “Night, Dex.” I nodded and he nodded back. Asshole. I thanked everyone and kissed my mother goodbye. My eyes met with Penny’s before I headed to my car and started the journey back to my condo. I threw my keys on the table by the front entrance and grabbed a beer from the fridge. Twisting the cap off, I took a long pull and threw the top against the fridge and listened as it clanked to the floor. I hated this. Was this my future to come? Sneaking away for one solid moment with Penny just to send her home to Dex? I had to do something. Xavier would be called tomorrow. I moved through the hallway and into the bathroom, turning the shower on. Once I got out of the shower, I heard a knock at my front door. Grabbing my phone, I checked the caller ID to see if people still called before they just showed up on your front porch steps. Apparently, they didn’t. I peered through the peephole and saw her.

Swinging the door open, I had her in my arms in record time. “What are you doing here?” I asked. She smelled so good, and my cock jutted forward. Her skin felt so soft under my fingertips. I wanted to touch every part of her. My body was on fire as I held her tight against me. Would this feeling of urgency when she was near ever go away? “It was Dex,” she started. I ran my hands along her back, trying my hardest not to get turned on during this serious moment with her, but, come on, I’m a guy. It’s in our DNA to take the opportunity to feel up the woman we love whenever we can. My grip hardened, and before I knew it all of my senses honed in on the one spot I needed to sink my face into. Wait. What? I leaned back, gazing into her worried eyes. “Did he hurt you?” Heat made my skin burn more, but in a different way. Like I was the sun or a volcano ready to erupt if he laid one finger on her. “No, he’s becoming so possessive.” Moving her to the couch, I sat her down and kneeled before her with my hands on each thigh. “Tell me, what did he do?” She ran her hand over my beard. The tears in her eyes made the anger intensify by a million. I fucking hated him. He almost touched her. That was enough evidence in my book to bring down the wrath of God on his ass. And I would too. I would make sure he never had fingers to touch anyone ever again. “He noticed the way I looked at you tonight. He said I have feelings for you, and he said no bride of his will disrespect him in public like that.” “Penny, did he hurt you? Did he touch you?” I was dying to know. I needed to like my last meal before execution. Because I promise you, if he did, I’d be on death row in a heartbeat for her. “No,” she shook her head, “but, Theo, I know it’s coming. The rage in his eyes. The way he speaks to me. I know it’s coming. He’s so different from when we first met. He’s changed, transformed into a monster.” “Well, he’s always been a selfish little shit. And he’s never grown out of it.” I told Penny the story of how Dex had slept with Blair while she was pregnant with Lucy. Penny was shocked to say the least, but the more I told her stories of Dex, the more repulsed she became. “I can’t believe your mother still puts up with him,” she whispered after I finished. “She doesn’t know any of it. It would break her heart. So, I just pretend.” “I’m sorry, Theo. I just feel like your brother is getting out of control. Like one day it won’t be him just getting mad and yelling. I’m afraid one day he’ll act on his anger.” Not if I had anything to do about it. What a fucked up situation, and I couldn’t believe this was real life. Some people luck out, and some of us have to work so damn hard for what we want. I didn’t mind the work. I had put in the extra hours and was ready to reap the rewards if ever we could get past this shit with her father. “Penny? Have you talked to your father?” I’d have told the douchebag exactly where he could shove the Lopa. Right. Up. Dex’s. Ass. She hesitated. My baby was nervous, and I knew there was something more at play. But, what? I lifted her chin, to stare directly into those gorgeous eyes and try to seek the answer. “Penny?”

Her eyes darted, not wanting to meet mine. What the actual fuck? “Theo.” She rose from the couch. I stood, slowly, and watched her pace the tile floors. Confusion settled, ok maybe it rose, either way I was confused as hell. “Penny, what is going on?” Didn’t I deserve this much? Didn’t she confess her love to me? Love means no secrets. Or, at least in my book it does, and I had none from Penny. I didn’t feel the same from her, though. Every time she passed by me on her trek through my living room, every time she let out a small breath of air, I felt the sting of something not quite right. She stopped and faced me. “No, I don’t think it’s such a good idea. Because you worked hard for the Lopa, and you love it. We both do.” Bullshit. Do I call her out on her lies? Hell yes I do. “Penny, that’s crap, and you know it.” She moved closer, wrapping her arms around my waist. “Theo just trust me, ok?” I kissed her hair as I grabbed her, holding on tight. “I do trust you. Yes, it would suck to lose Lopa, but we could start over.” “I don’t want you to lose it. Starting over would be too hard now. We’ve already invested so much.” Why couldn’t she understand where I was coming from? It wasn’t hard to see my point of view. Tell her father to fuck off, we’d lose the Lopa, and move on. We’d be together. Didn’t she want that? She loved me, but maybe she loved the Lopa more. Maybe I’d been wrong, and she was in it for the Lopa. Crazier things have happened in life, right? I mean, sure she loves me, but maybe she needs the security the Lopa can offer her. Fuck, I didn’t know which way was up or down, like looking through life out of foggy glasses, unable to see what was actually happening. Then it hit me. She told me once she loved the Lopa, and now it was clear the reason she wanted to marry Dex, and the reason she listened to her father. Security. It was the one thing they could offer her. And the one thing I couldn’t. Or so she thought. Never underestimate me because the thing was, I didn’t know how to fail. I didn’t know how to give up. If I wanted something—I usually went after it until it was mine. So, I grabbed Penny. I slammed my lips to her, telling her with my tongue how she was the only one for me. She moaned against my lips, and I swallowed it down to hold onto it forever. Everything about this woman made me want to be a better man. To live life fuller and more complete. I’d fight until I had a way to keep both the Lopa and Penelope. Fight until I had everything I wanted. And the issue of security would never come up again. But, the motherfucking clock always ticks. It always goes, goes, goes, and never stops. Time, one of life’s mysterious things no one can change. We want to rush it, slow it down, turn it back, and move it forward. Yet, all we can ever do is accept the fact that it is always ticking forward, and you shouldn’t waste a single second of it. So, tonight, I’d spend every second, every fucking moment, worshipping Penny’s body. First thing tomorrow morning, Xavier would be hunted down, and the P.I. would tell me what the hell we had to go on. I moved Penny back to my bedroom, shutting the door behind me. “I don’t want to waste one more minute away from you. I want to spend the little time we have together, being with you.” “I love that idea.”

I kissed her, with everything I had, with all the love in my heart to try my damndest to stop the clock from counting down to her wedding. We moved in unison to the bed as she tugged my shirt off. The electricity in my veins was palpable, zapping throughout my body with every touch of her fingers along my skin. Please give me a miracle. Let the moment with her never end. I prayed, I wished, and I dreamed of a life with her. And then, as if by magic, I was granted my heart’s desire. Penny sprawled on my bed, removing her clothes, and smiling up to me like an angel of mercy sent to rescue me. I moved like wildfire to the bed. Taking my time, I ran my hand over her soft curves. Beginning with her ankles, gliding my hand up to her thigh. “You’re so perfect in everyway.” I had so much more to say, but my mind was a haze of love and desire. She pulled my face to hers. “Theo, I love everything about you.” “And I you.” I said the words right before I made sweet love to her all night long. Finding new ways to drive her wild and adding them to my own personal Penny list. A list designed just for her. I ticked them off in my head: The spot behind her ear makes her moan When I press her thighs with both hands, she yelps When I run a finger between her breasts, her back arches When I tell her I love her as she comes, her eyes well up

THIRTEEN PENNY I wish I could tell him everything. Lying in the dark of the night, with Theo pressed by my side, my heart ached. I could never tell him the reason I wouldn’t tell my father to take a hike. I could never let him know. I just had to pray the P.I. worked out. I loved Theo. Everything about him. The man of my dreams. The Lord of my O’s. And the only man I would ever love. I ran my hand through his dark hair as he slept. Gorgeous. His steady breathing lulled me to sleep within minutes as I dreamt about a happily ever after with him. The next morning, life wasn’t so happy. I awoke to Theo rushing around his bedroom. “What’s going on?” I asked. “I’m heading out to see Xavier. Just trying to figure something out here.” I loved his spirit. His eagerness to fight for me. “I’ll be at Lopa whenever you’re done. I’m training Fiona on the bar.” “Ok, as soon as I get out of the meeting I’ll be there.” He leaned over, kissing me. “Good luck.” I hoped the P.I. could figure something out. The thought of my father being on the up and up sounded far-fetched. Please let him be as dirty as his fathering skills. We said goodbye with a few more kisses and some other naughtiness. He was so amazing. Everything about him was what I wanted. What would it be like to wake up to him every morning? As I drove back to my house, I peeked down to my phone at a red light. June. One missed call from Theo’s mother. My nerves were strung out. How much longer could I keep up the façade with her? I clicked the number to call her back, and we made plans to meet for more wedding planning. After our goodbyes, I tossed my phone in my bag. Maybe I should come clean to June about Dex? Wishful thinking. Pulling into my drive, I threw the gearshift in park and closed my eyes. An image came to mind, crashing waves and tiki torches on the beach. The sun almost lost to the sweet kiss of the night. Me, in a simple, white dress. Theo standing at the end of a long aisle. A smile spreading on his lips as he watched me walk toward him. A loud horn woke me from my reverie, and I peered in the rearview mirror to see Margo’s car pull up behind me. Sliding out of my car, I approached a disheveled Margo still sitting behind the wheel. “Are you just getting home?” I stepped closer to her door, and, sure enough, Margo was still in her

dress from the night before. She got out and slammed the door. “Yeah, I had a rough night. No, I don’t want to talk about it.” I followed her to the front door. “Oh come on, you can’t leave me hanging like that. What happened?” She spun on her heels. “I said, I don’t want to talk about it.” I raised my hands. “Ok, ok. Touchy.” She huffed and unlocked the door. It wasn’t like Margo to not bounce and prance around with happiness. I guess someone couldn’t be happy-go-lucky all the time and needed a day off just like everyone else. She marched inside and collapsed on the couch. “Do you need anything?” I called from the kitchen. “Coffee,” she mumbled. “Ten steps ahead of you.” I already had the crushed beans in the filter. “Thank God,” she moaned. The rich coffee smell filled the air, and I smiled. Soon, I’d have a nice cup, and I could get ready to manage the Lopa for the afternoon. Margo slunk into the kitchen and rummaged in a cupboard while I poured her a mug of brew. “What are you looking for?” I asked. “I need water.” She spun around. “Why are men such assholes?” I stopped what I was doing. Something was up. I should prepare for a crying fit fest that Margo liked to have after a bad date. Was it too early for ice cream? Isn’t that what you were supposed to do when you were upset? I never understood that. I never ate ice cream after a breakup. Instead I wanted to murder people. But, I never did that either. “Anyways,” she said, “after last night, I came home and MMA fighter, Colin, called.” “Oh, and…” “We went out. It was good, until he took me back to his place.” My jaw dropped and my chest heated. “Oh no.” She waved me off. “Oh, nothing like that. He didn’t try to get frisky. And, that was only part of the problem.” “And the other problem?” She rolled her eyes. Harder than I ever saw anyone roll them. Harder than I’d ever rolled my own. “His roommate, Preston.” “Oh. What was wrong with him?” “Everything.” She slammed the cupboard door. The way she hurled her body toward me and the gleam in her eye made me a little afraid of her. Not going to lie, she was down right scary. “Ok, well what happened?” “Get this. We get back to Colin’s place, and things are getting pretty heated.” She sat on the stool and I pushed her coffee mug closer to her. “We’re on his couch, his hands are up my blouse. Big hands too.” I smiled. “Nice, go on.” “Well, then out comes his roommate, Preston. Ugh.” She made a face which could only mean he’s the worst person in the world.

“So he interrupted you guys?” “It’s worse.” She shook her head as a shudder ran through her body. “So much worse.” “It can’t be that bad. You’re just getting home now.” “It can. It is. Aren’t you going to be late for work?” “Oh shit. What time is it?” I glanced at the clock above the stove. Shit, enough time to do nothing. I rushed down the hallway. “Don’t think I’ve forgotten, I want to hear all about it.” Margo gave me a thumbs up as I entered into my room. Terrible, I felt terrible leaving her like that. But, I’m sure it wasn’t as bad as she made it out. Preston probably cock blocked her, and that was the problem. I dashed to work, speeding a little bit to make sure as the boss I would be on time. I didn’t want to lead by bad example. Still no word from Theo. I must have checked my phone over a million times to see if he had called. Nothing. As soon as I stepped inside Lopa my phone lit up. But, not with the person I expected. Dex’s number flashed on the screen, and I chewed my bottom lip a moment before answering. Please let this be painless. “Hey, Dex.” I tried to sound chipper. I tried to sound happy, although I was anything but. “Penny, where are you?” “Work. Why?” “I’m coming to see you.” He disconnected and my stomach plummeted. Great. What could he possibly want? He sounded angry on the phone, but these days he was always angry. And I just did not care. I busied myself with work until I saw his large frame enter the building. Producing a smile was the hardest feat imaginable but somehow I managed and walked over to him. “Hi there.” “Penny, where’s Theo?” Was this what he wanted to talk about? He rushed all the way over here to ask about Theo’s whereabouts? “I don’t know.” And I didn’t although I was dying to know. “You’re meeting with my mother soon, and I had an idea.” His eyes bounced like he was... oh my God, was Dex nervous? “Ok.” “I want to move up the wedding to next weekend.” His smug smile made me sick. I didn’t answer right away. I couldn’t. Words were nonexistent in my brain as I tried to come up with a few. “Why?” Ah, the blushing bride to be, wondering why a wedding would be moved up. Wasn’t it usually the other way around? Wasn’t the bride usually begging the groom to say the nuptials earlier? Either way, our plan we had would not survive a wedding next weekend. I wouldn’t survive a wedding next weekend. “Why? Because why wait. We have the venue, and let’s just do it.” He wrapped his conniving arms around me, kissing me on top of the head. He acted like we were the epitome of love. I knew better. I didn’t answer. I mean, did I really need to? His mind was made up and anything I said wouldn’t weigh in the final outcome of it all anyways. So, I

kept my mouth shut. Moments later, he released his hold on me. Stepping back, he peered into my eyes. “This will be a great thing, Penny. Your father says you’re one step closer to getting everything you’ve ever wanted and that turtle sanctuary is just within reach.” “Ok, great.” I just wanted him to leave. I needed to be alone. He stepped away from me and I saw Theo right behind him. They glared at each other like two boxers in the ring. Dex cleared his throat and straightened his dark blue silk tie. “Theo.” “Dex.” And with that Dex left the building and all the air trapped in my lungs rushed out. Theo brushed past me as he headed in the direction of the office. Of course I followed, I’d follow him anywhere. Something was wrong. The crease on his forehead appeared an awful lot like worry. And the way he stalked down the hallway couldn’t be a good sign. Did that mean the meeting with the P.I. didn’t go too well? When we were in the safety of the office, Theo spun to face me. His brown eyes narrowed as he frowned at me. “What’s wrong?” I asked. “A turtle sanctuary?” I swiped a few stray strands of hair from my face and moved closer. “What?” “You won’t tell your father to fuck off because of some turtles?” Shit, that wasn’t the reason at all. But, I had to keep my mouth shut. “Theo, I’m sorry you found out like this.” I should have told him sooner. Why didn’t I? He grinned, barely, as if he couldn’t believe it. “Ok then. Good to know.” “What? It’s my dream. Are you discounting my dream?” His eyes flew to explore mine. Despair blazed behind his irises. “What? No. But, I was ready to walk away from my dream for you Penny. I love you that much.” He was right. But, I couldn’t let on about the real reason. “I’m sorry.” I had nothing to say for myself. “She’s never coming back, Penny. As many turtles as you save, she is never coming back.” I raised my chin to stop the onslaught of tears threatening to spill over. “I know.” My voice was meek, silent almost. “Fuck.” He stepped further away, and I wanted to reach out to him. To once again hold him when he was hurt. “I just can’t believe this.” “Wait, Theo. What happened at the meeting? Anything?” He shook his head, his hair falling into his eyes. “Who cares. Wouldn’t want you to not get the turtles. I won’t sit on the side and sneak my time with you, Penny.” “I’m not asking you to.” My heart hurt, and my chest blazed with a burning so real I wanted to run to the ocean to put out the flame. “Fuck.” He slammed his fist against the hard, oak desk. The hairs on my arms stood on end. I couldn’t lose him. I couldn’t get married. I couldn’t breathe. I

tugged at my suit jacket. “Theo, please tell me what the P.I. said,” I practically begged him. He took a few deep breaths as he paced the small space. “He found a few things. Some offshore accounts. Well, you already know he and the county commissioner go to Bahamas once a year.” I closed my eyes, trying to picture the man’s face. Short man, beady eyes, and a round head. “Yes, Mr. Spielman. What does that have to do with anything?” “Well, Stephen thinks all the affairs they handle there is to cover up their dirty work. We think he’s paying off officials to assure he gets the proper permits, among other things.” “What other things?” I sat in the office chair as Theo moved around to sit on the edge of the desk in front of me. “Paying them off to hold liens. I’m not entirely sure yet. He’s still looking into things. What did Dex want?” I inhaled, then exhaled. “He wants to move the wedding up to next weekend.” “Goddammit. Why?” “I asked and he said because “why not?” or something stupid.” “I’m going to call Stephen, make sure they aren’t onto us.” I rose from my seat and situated myself between his long legs. “Please don’t be mad.” He stood, pushing me back slightly. “I don’t know what to think or feel right now. I just need some time to process. I’ll still keep you up-to-date with the P.I.” He moved to the door and took with him a piece of my heart. I was crushed. “Oh, and Penny,” he called from over his shoulder. “Yes.” “I won’t be at work tonight.” I smiled, and he slammed the door shut. I wanted to cry, but I wouldn’t. Slamming my hand on the desk, in the same spot as Theo, I cursed under my breath. My father had to be shady as fuck and now we needed to prove it. I had an idea.

FOURTEEN THEO Why the fuck are some people unlucky in love? I had the girl, she loved me, why couldn’t it work? Now, with the news of this turtle sanctuary, my anger surfaced. Turtles, really? I could go to the pet store and get her a few. Hell, I’d work three jobs to help her achieve her dream. What I would never allow was for her to marry Dex to get it. Part of me wondered just how far Penny would go to save some fucking turtles. Sure, don’t get me wrong, turtles are cool and all, but come on. It was her dream, though, and ultimately her decision. Who was I to judge? I pulled my phone from my pocket as I left Lopa. Anger, confusion, and other emotions I never felt before, and more importantly, couldn’t identify, warred beneath my fire hot skin. Fuck, it was hot outside. It was hot inside my mind too. Everything turning into this fiery inferno ready to explode to a rising temperature of molten lava. I got carried away, and what I needed to focus on was this shit with her father. That needed to end, immediately. I wanted to keep the fucking Lopa. If Penny could have her dream, then why couldn't I? Maybe I shouldn’t be so quick to give up my dream if she wasn’t going to sacrifice anything for me. It was that selfish thought which had me in turmoil. How could she be so selfish? Fucking turtles. All I ever wanted was to own a club. But, everything was so confusing now. I didn’t know what to do anymore. So, instead of thinking about it, I headed down Ocean Drive in search of some afternoon solace to keep my anger at bay and something to douse this heat blazing within. I landed myself on a barstool at The Mango Tropical Cafe and ordered up a drink. You fucking guessed right...Whisky neat, as always. I tried to swallow the warm liquor, but something wasn’t sitting well with me. Would Penny throw her life away over some silly turtles? Again, turtles are cute, but fuck. Love, oh, what a tangled web we weave. I heard the saying before, may have even gotten it wrong, but the meaning was crystal clear. When you love someone you go to great depths for that person. You move mountains, you write love songs. You weep over poetry written. You don’t fuck them over for turtles. Again, not the turtles fault, I know. Ah-a, a list was in order. But what about? My life was in shambles. A web of lies and deceit. Ok, maybe not that dramatic, but I was drinking and feeling sorry for myself. How To Fix This Shit Run away with Penny Break Dex’s face Win the lottery



My head feels fuzzy

All viable options, highly unlikely though. I studied the last option. Was that an option? I was no closer to figuring things out when a hand slapped my shoulder. “Hey, man,” Xavier said as he sat on the stool next to me. “Hey.” My voice felt foreign. How many drinks did I have? My vision blurred slightly. “How many have you had? You don’t look so good.” “How’d you know I was here?” “Theo, you called me.” Xavier’s laugh sounded distant, and I tried to focus on my phone. Had I called him? My brain felt clouded, and I tried to shake it off. What the fuck was wrong with me? My limbs weighed close to a thousand pounds. “What’s wrong with me?” Those four words were the last thing I remembered before closing my lids. I thought, maybe, just maybe, I saw Dex’s bright blue eyes shining down at me. *** Seconds, maybe minutes later, I awoke. My head pounded. I scanned the empty parking lot of the club and tried to place where I was. Definitely not minutes, I would guess hours, judging by the empty parking spaces. My lip felt huge, and I pressed my finger to it and brought back blood. My head split down the middle. I wanted to die. Laughter behind me, a kick to the ribs, and I thought maybe I just might. Still unsure as to what the fuck was going on, I held my ribs as my attacker kept kicking. Disoriented, I tried to grab at the force behind my pain. The gravel from the pavement pierced my cheek, as I curled along the pavement. Another blow to my face and pain erupted everywhere. There was nothing I could do to stop the onslaught of blows. My left eye was swollen shut and out of my right I could see both attackers. Dex and Xavier. Fucking shit. I struggled to fight back but failed miserably. My body was weighed down by the alcohol or drugs they must have slipped me. “Stay away from Penny,” a voice said, sounding like Dex. I felt as if I was under water as the kicks continued against my back rendering me helpless. I needed to get up. Get to my feet. Trying once, twice, and a third time, I failed. Nothing worked. What the fuck was Xavier doing in on this? The warm metallic taste of blood burned my mouth, and I leaned over spitting it out. When I stared up to Dex, he laughed. “Theo, man, just stop and give it up.” Xavier moved to where I could see him clearly. I tried to choke out some words, but nothing came out. Drugged and beaten to a bloody pulp by my brother and best friend. Could life get any worse?

“Why?” I shouted to Xavier. “Fuck you, do you really think he’s your friend?” Dex laughed like a hyena. It really was quite annoying. Even bloodied and bruised, I still wanted to bitch slap him. “Why?” I repeated for Xavier. “Pardo just pays better. They hit me up while you were buying the Goat.” “The P.I.?” I had to know if he was for real. Xavier laughed. “Who Stephen? Yeah, that fucker is a janitor at a high school.” Fuck. My mind couldn’t process what I was hearing. I’d been set up. From the very beginning. Was Penny a plant? She dated Dex before. Before I could even complete the thought in my brain, Dex kicked again. “Just stay away from her.” They both left as I lie there, hurting. A good ten minutes went by before I tried to sit up. Not a soul around to even help. I needed a hospital or something. I couldn’t even comprehend what I needed. Managing to call a cab, I went to the only place where I would be able to assess my wounds. “Blair, thanks for letting me come here.” “Holy shit, Theo. I think you need a doctor,” she said as she led me into her two-bedroom house. “I just need a minute, and then I’ll explain everything.” She nodded as I walked past her to the bathroom. Lucy was asleep, thank God. She didn’t need to see her father in this condition. I just hoped I didn’t need medical attention. Fuck, the eye was definitely swollen. Busted lip. I raised my shirt and noticed the black bruises already showing along my ribcage. “Do you have ice?” I asked, leaning my head out of the bathroom door. She went into the kitchen, and I moved back to study my reflection in the mirror. The damage was bad but not hospital worthy. Just rub some dirt in it. I heard the saying many times before and laughed when I thought about actually doing it. Ok, it hurt to laugh, so I wouldn’t be doing that anytime soon. Blair entered the bathroom with a bag of ice, some pills, and a concerned look on her face. “Here, take these. You’ll thank me in the morning.” She dropped two pills in my hand. “Well maybe not. Might kill you to say those words to me.” “Oh, ha ha.” I filled a tumbler with water from the tap and swallowed the pills down. “Hey, Blair,” I said as she walked away. She stopped and peeked over her shoulder. “Thank you,” I whispered. Another pity party began to unfold when I realized the thoughts I had while lying on the pavement. Penny. Was she involved somehow? It would be really fucked up if she was. Was that why she didn’t tell her father to fuck off? I was an idiot. Blair left, and I tried to take a shower. And by try, it was difficult to not wince in pain the entire time. When I toweled off, I wrapped it gingerly around my body and headed to clue Blair in on what was going on. She had already put my blood stained clothes in the laundry. I told her the important parts of the story as my eyelids grew heavy.

“Blair, thanks for letting me stay here.” “Sure. And Theo, I’m sorry. Maybe this is in some weird way a plan to lead you back to what’s important in your life.” She laid some pillows and a blanket on the couch, and I thanked her. Her complete cryptic message lost on me. The night’s events, maybe the drugs still floating through my veins, or the pain medicine Blair gave me had me passing out the minute my head hit the pillow.

FIFTEEN PENNY I needed to see Theo. Now. I couldn't let him think I would pick turtles over him. I headed in the direction of Theo’s house while I reached for my phone. Straight to voicemail. Fuck. Trying a few more times, I stepped on the accelerator wanting to get there as fast as I could. When I arrived at his condo, I knocked until my hand hurt. Where was he? I tried to think of all the places he could be and dialed the Lopa’s number. It was early, too early for him to be at work. With an ounce of hope, I dialed his number again, it rang—and rang and rang. Please pick up. A woman’s voice answered, and my heart lurched. “Who is this?” I asked. “Blair. Who’s this?” Oh, thank God. He was there to see Lucy. “Is Theo there?” After she confirmed he was, I told her to have him stay put, and I would be there shortly. I raced to Blair’s house, remembering my way only a little from the one time Theo told me where she lived. I rushed to the door and knocked. Blair answered the door wearing a small silk robe and led me to Theo. “Holy shit. What happened to your face?” Theo’s face appeared as if he’d been clubbed by a bear, and it was painful to look at. His ribs were bruised and he held his arm close. I rushed to him, not wondering why he only wore a bath towel. Wait, why was he only in a towel? “Don’t touch me, please. I’m in a lot of pain.” He stopped my advances, and I lowered my arms. I wanted to feel the bruise on his lip. Make it better for him somehow. “Should you go to a hospital? What happened?” Why didn’t he come to me after this happened? “Dex and Xavier happened.” He spoke slowly as if every breath was a pain to make. “I’m so sorry.” I had no words. I wanted to scream at Dex and make him pay for what happened. Blair left us alone, and Lucy was still sleeping when Theo eased himself onto the couch. “Penny, Xavier set me up, and I don’t know who to trust anymore.” His implication was loud and clear. He didn’t call me last night after this happened, so a small part of him probably suspected me. “You can trust me.” I cringed when I glanced at his face. Pain and hurt was all I saw there. With one eye swollen shut he tried to open it. I reached for his hand, and he pulled away from me.

“Don’t.” “Theo, you have to believe me. I never knew any of this. I swear. I wanted you to know I would never...” “Don’t,” he cut me off with his words and I scooted closer. I loved him. I wouldn’t let him think ill of me. “Please, I didn’t know.” He rose from the couch on unsteady feet as he moved toward the door. Still in a towel, mind you. “I’m staying here for a while. You, your father, and Dex can go fuck yourselves.” He opened the door and I was dumbfounded. “Theo,” I begged. “Just go.” “Listen, I had nothing to do with this.” “Go save your turtles.” He pulled the towel tighter around his waist. “It was never about the turtles for me.” “Penny, fuck, I don’t know what to think anymore. I don’t know who to trust. You and Dex dated before. Who’s to say this hasn’t been some scheme or something.” He spoke low and even, and I knew I needed to tell him everything. “I only went with the plan to marry Dex because if I didn’t my father said he would take Lucy from you.” I crossed my arms. “What?” “I would never want for that.” His brow furrowed. “Why didn’t you tell me?” I didn’t have a solid answer for him. I should have told him, but I was scared. Scared he’d fly off the handle and ruin everything. “I couldn’t let you ruin it all.” Shit. That came out all wrong. “Theo, that’s not what I mean.” It was too late; his face was the epitome of anger. “Get out.” “Wait, please,” I begged. “Penny, I really don’t know what to believe right now. How could your father even take her from me?” “He knows lawyers, judges. I’m not sure. Maybe he thought he could bribe Blair.” He laughed a short laugh. “She would never do that to me.” Was he defending her? “Money is very powerful, Theo.” “You need to go.” He opened the door more, and I went through for fear of digging myself into more word vomit. I couldn’t formulate my thoughts of what I wanted to say. I left Theo, only because I didn’t know what else to say to him. He didn’t trust me and that was all. The end. Our story was over, and I left feeling sorry for myself. *** Once I returned home feeling defeated, I moved slowly throughout my house. I didn’t know what to do, and the feeling to give up washed over me. The fight in me was gone. Let my father win and let it all

be over. Margo knocked on my door as I sat in my room throwing the world’s most pathetic pity party for myself. Party of one. No other guests invited. I was a loser in love. “Are you ok?” I sobbed like a baby as I recounted the events for Margo. When I finished, she didn’t have anything to say. She just held me and rocked me on my bed back and forth. “I feel like giving up.” I hadn’t cried this hard in so long, and it felt good to just let it all go. All the feelings I held bottled in were being released. “No, absolutely not. Where’s the fearless Penny I know and love?” “She’s gone.” Yeah, I was feeling sorry for myself. But, everything felt so pointless. “No, she isn’t. Theo’s friend didn’t find out anything?” “No. I don’t know.” After a few more hours Margo tried to convince me to keep fighting for what I wanted. But, how could I? How could I risk Theo losing his daughter? The next few days I rarely left my home. I worked only a bit, which I didn’t need to worry about seeing Theo while he stayed home to heal. To heal. I thought about this daily. Not being there for him while he suffered. It hurt me to lose someone who had become a piece of my soul, and I hated everything about my life. It angered me every time I thought about what Dex had done to him. My emotions ranged from hurt and sorrow to anger and denial. Dex and his mother moved the wedding up, even though I protested it every step of the way. Margo yelled at me daily to get my head out of my ass which was easier said than done. There was nothing I could do. Nothing at all. Finding out information on my father would be hard to do unless they had access to his office. Like I did. Now, I had a plan. *** The sun wouldn’t be up for a few more hours still, and I was snooping around in my father’s office. Looking for anything, any single thing, which could help get me out of this mess. There was no way in hell I would be marrying Dex. I had no clue as to what I was looking for, and yet there I was rifling through file cabinets and his desk drawers. Please let me find something. I ran my hand along his computer. Wonder if he keeps everything on it? Sitting down, I pressed the button on the large flat screen monitor. The computer opened. A password was needed. Shit. I’d never get in. I tried his birthdate. Tried his wife’s name. I tried a few other combinations and even tried my own name, but nothing was working. Call it a gut feeling, but I felt there was something important on the computer. I tried one last name before giving up. Darla. My mother’s name.

The computer sprang to life. I was in. A smile spread and butterflies fluttered through my stomach. Now what? A detective I was not. I didn’t have the first clue as to what to look for. But, I pressed on. I clicked and clicked until I saw a document titled: Croix. St. Croix. It was an island in the Caribbean, and as I clicked on the file I held my breath, silently praying this was my answer. It wasn’t. But, it gave me an idea. I looked through all the remaining files. That’s when I saw it… A file titled: Darla. My heart raced as I opened it. Stunned, I read the file over and over. This file contained document after legal document of something he hid from me. Something I had no idea existed. Something which gave him every reason in the world to control me. An inheritance. My mother left me everything she had, which amounted to far more than I could fathom. Astronomical. It was to have been turned over to me at the age of twenty-five, a year ago. My hands shook as I read file after file and clicked print. My father used this money for all of ‘his’ investments. Including the Lopa. He used my money which meant I owned it. I owned all of this. A laugh bubbled out of me. How ironic I was trying to find a way to save something I owned. Even better, the frosting on the shit cake, was being forced to marry a man so he could run the company that had been built with my funds. I leaned back in the chair. If they wanted to play dirty, I could too. Maybe I was my father's daughter after all. *** “What are you doing here?” my father asked. I leaned back in the large leather chair behind the desk. “Why don't you have a seat,” I said, motioning to the chair across from me. He crossed over to me. “What the hell is going on, Penny? Why are you at my desk?” I leaned forward, tapping my finger on the stack of papers in front of me. “Well, actually, according to these papers, I think this is my desk.” He closed his eyes and shook his head. “I can explain.” “Explain what?” My voice rose. “How you stole my inheritance? How you tried to force me into a marriage with a man I hate?” I stood and picked up the stack of papers. “Penny,” he started, “your mother never wanted this life for you. I was protecting you.” He crossed over to the large window and looked out. “Dex found out about the inheritance and threatened to tell you if I didn't force your hand in marrying him. That's why I did what I did.” Desperation was a funny thing. It made you say and do anything. My father was clearly desperate if he was playing the protective father card. “She may not have wanted this life for me, but she knew I could make a better one and do something good with that money. I wouldn't have used it to hurt people.” His lips pressed into a thin line as he thought about what to say next. I cut him off before he could say anything. “So you made all those threats against Theo for what reason?”

“Because you're stubborn, just like your mother. If you thought he was going to lose the Lopa, lose his daughter, then you would do what I asked. I knew you would do anything for love, just like her.” I nodded. “You're damn right, I will.” A knock sounded on the door. I smiled. “Come in,” I called out. The look of surprise on Dex’s face when he came in was comical. “Why are you here, Penny?” he asked. “Can I say something?” I set the stack of papers down. “You are so fucking rude. Do you realize that?” His eyes widened, and a crimson flush spread up his neck to his snarky face. “Penny, calm down,” my father said. “I don't seem calm to you?” I perched on the edge of the desk. “I will not be marrying your repulsive ass.” Dex stood still, his nostrils flaring like a bull about to charge me. “She knows,” my father said. Surprise passed over Dex’s face before he shuttered it. “Penny, listen…” “Nope,” I cut him off, “you two have fucked with me enough. Done being fucked with.” I slid off the desk and gathered the stack of papers. “My attorney will be contacting you to work out the details of claiming my inheritance. Oh and Dex, you can shove that shrimp scampi up your ass.” Stopping in front of Dex, I balled my hand into a fist and knocked the fuck out of him. He went down quicker than I had on Theo in my dreams. Blood spilled from his nose. “That’s for Theo, asshole.” I crossed to the door and slammed it behind me.

SIXTEEN THEO Everyone I knew could fuck off. Life is funny. It shows you glimpses, temporary moments of bliss, and then in one single moment of time it pulls the rug out from under you and leaves you wondering what the fuck just happened. How did my life spiral out of control? Where did it all go wrong? Now a shell of a man without Penny, in need of rescuing as I sat watching the train wreck of my life unfold before me. It had been a week since I last saw Penny, and I was miserable. Every time I thought about the news she laid on me about my daughter I grew more and more pissed until I decided to take action. I couldn’t believe her father. I couldn’t believe any of it. Losing Lucy was not an option. My mind stricken with confusion, testing the waters of my sanity, I tried to make sense of everything. But, I didn’t know what it meant to fail, my pity party was over. I didn’t want to live without either of my girls. I needed to let Penny know I had talked to Blair. Penny could tell her father to fuck off. Who cared if we lost the Lopa? They could no longer threaten me with losing my daughter. I was a great father, and the mother of my child would back me up to prove it. After work today, I would find Penny and tell her this was the end of her and Dex. I unlocked the doors of the Lopa and headed back to the office. Fiona had called and said she had an emergency and needed me to fill in. Apparently Penny wasn't answering her phone. God, I missed her. I opened the office door and stopped dead in my tracks. Penny sat behind the desk. But that wasn't what had me frozen in place. It was her hair. Twisted into buns on each side of her head. She looked up at me and rose from the chair. “Good news,” she beamed. “I'm a millionaire. Many times over.” Okay, I didn't know what she was talking about, because more important than what she said was what she wore. A skimpy gold bikini top and a crimson skirt held up on each side by a thin gold band across her hips. Princess fucking Leia. My fantasy. I couldn't take my focus off the chain dangling from her neck. “What are you talking about?” I whispered as she approached me. I fucking studied the hell out of her. Destined to get an A in the course. Memorizing everything about her. “There will be no wedding,” she said, stopping in front of me. “Speak, woman.” I needed all the details. The whole nitty gritty truth. I listened as she explained how she discovered her inheritance and confronted her father and Dex. She’d already been in touch with a lawyer. The Lopa was ours. Lucy was safe and this nightmare was over. I grabbed the chain and pulled her to me. She wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed me. “Be careful, I hurt my hand punching your brother,” she said. “Wait, what? You punched him? I wanted to be the one to do that.”

“Yeah he squealed like a little girl.” That I could definitely believe. She was my dream come true. My arms grabbed at her waist as I kissed her hard. It felt fucking good to have her back in my arms. She belonged with me, and I’d never waste another moment being apart from her. All that floated through my mind was the taste of her. Her soft skin. Her smile. Her freckles. Things I would never give up. When the kiss broke, I pulled away from her, gazing into her copper eyes. “I’m so sorry,” we both said at the same time. I held my fingers to her lips. “You have no reason to be. I was an idiot and I’m so sorry.” “No, I should have told you sooner about Lucy.” “No, I was an asshole. A self-pitying fool and I don’t deserve you, Penny. But, I’m willing to make it up to you.” Her eyes twinkled as her smile turned up in a mischievous way. “What ways do you have in mind?” “Let me spend the rest of my life showing you.” I looked down at her outfit. “What's with the get up?” She smiled, trailing a finger down my chest. “Well, I thought we could explore your Star Wars fantasies.” Perfect. This woman was perfect. How in the fuck I lucked out by getting her, I would never know. She stepped back and did a slow turn. “I'm not wearing panties under this.” Her eyes glinted mischievously. “You like?” she asked, trailing her fingertips along the thin gold bands on her bare hips. I yanked her to me again with the chain. “I fucking love.” I kissed her again as the whole room faded in the background.

The End

EPILOGUE PENNY After the initial rush of dealing with my father and the inheritance, things began to settle. I’d never been happier having Theo by my side. The Lopa boomed with business and had finally became one of Miami’s coolest hotspots. Dex on the other hand had a world of karma beating him over his burly body. We ended up pressing charges of his attack on Theo, and then after that his whole world crumbled. He was immediately removed from the country club he loved so much and served a small sentence. Xavier lost his license to practice law. June was shocked to learn about her son’s behavior and apologized over and over to Theo for everything. She still hung to the ideal Dex could be reformed, but I wasn’t holding my breath. Life with Theo and Lucy was what I focused on. He finally let me see his lists, and I fell in love with him even more after reading each list over and over. My favorite list was one I carried around with me in my wallet. It was the perfect ending to our story, well almost. He’d planned a secret trip which took us North on ninety-five. As he drove, I pulled out the list and read over it a few more times. Things I’m thankful for Lopa Bar, cars, and walls Turtles Freckles Slave Leia outfit Silver wigs Lifeguard stations My Boss When we stepped out of the car, I smiled up to the man I loved more than anything. Sure we had a rocky start, but now we were on the same page and nothing would change that, ever. “Penny, this way.” He led me out onto the beach as the sun rose over the horizon. After we held onto each other while the waves crashed he whispered in my ear, “What do you think of this location?” I spun around to gaze at him. “For what?” “Your turtle sanctuary.” My heart seized as he stared at me. He drew closer and planted his lips on mine. I couldn’t believe my own eyes when he led me to a small facility. “This is the future site of your very own sanctuary, Penny.”

It was perfect and not far from Lopa. “I love it. I love you.” As I went to kiss him, he pulled back. “I have just one more place to take you.” I smiled as he led me back to the car. Another quick trip up the coast and Theo smiled to me and brought my hand to his lips, kissing my fingers. “Where are we going?” “Ft. Lauderdale.” “And why are we going there?” I laughed. “You’ll see.” A few more minutes passed by until Theo pulled into the convention center, and the place was packed. “What’s going on here?” I asked with wide eyes. “Come on.” He led me to the entrance and supplied two tickets from his pocket. The place buzzed with an insane energy. People all over were dressed in costumes, and I smiled as I recognized a few of the comic book characters. Superman, Batman, and Spiderman to name a few. He led me to a seated area in front of a small makeshift stage and sat me down. “Wait here, I’ll be back soon.” He kissed the top of my head and walked away. I sat for a few moments before an announcer said the show was about to start. I glanced around trying to find Theo, but he was nowhere to be found. The lights faded and the curtains opened. A bunch of stormtroopers from the movie Star Wars marched onstage. Looking around again for Theo, I turned my attention back to the show. After a few minutes, a few more characters graced the stage. The action packed show kept my attention as I laughed and smiled along with it. There were lightsaber battles, and I felt bad Theo was missing everything. The whole show lead to one final moment, and near the end Darth Vader walked out onstage with his big, black mask and long, black cape. He performed a light saber battle with a jedi, and I cheered as the jedi almost won. “Come to the light side, Darth,” the jedi said. “Never,” the distorted voice of Darth said. “Is there anything that could ever change your mind?” the jedi said. Darth took off his helmet, and I damn near flipped out of my seat when I saw Theo behind it. My heart beat frantically trying to escape my chest as I waited for his answer. “There’s only one person who could ever drag me back from the dark side. She’s the love of my life. My one true silver goddess.” His eyes searched mine as he stepped closer. He motioned for me to join him onstage, and I shook my head. “Penny, get up here,” he said with a stern yet playful tone. The seats were packed and all the attention was on me. Somewhere in the crowd someone yelled for me to get up there and save the empire. I laughed and rose from my seat. Walking to the stage, my heartbeat hammered in my ears. He held

his hand out and helped me up. “Penelope Marks, you’re the only woman I will ever love. The only woman I ever want to love.” He got down on one knee, and my hand flew to my chest to calm my rapid heart. “Theo,” I whispered. He grabbed my hand with his and laid his mouth over top. “Penny, please save me from the dark side and bring light to my life. Will you marry me?” I took a quick peek to the audience as they sat still and silent. “Yes.” The crowd erupted into cheers as Theo stood and swept me into his arms. His lips claimed mine as he kissed me with a passion far greater than any he had before. As he set me down, his eyes lit up and he leaned his forehead to mine. “I love kissing you, and I can’t wait to do it forever.” I winked at him and smiled. “Well, you keep using the force with each kiss, and I’ll always let you.” He slid a ring on my finger. When I stared at it, my eyes welled up. On my finger sat a diamond in the shape of a turtle’s shell. It shined even without the light and I gazed up to Theo. “You’ve always been the man of my dreams, and the Lord of my O’s.” “And you’ll always be my Penny, the boss.” THE END

Penny here, Shh, don’t tell Theo. But, I found some of his lists he had written about me and decided to share with you. Things Penny Loves Turtles Coconut shramp Sex on the beach Lucy Me Cute things Penny does Scrunches her cute freckled nose when she’s mad Kicks her shoes off the moment she enters the house Snuggles up to me after we make love Sings songs in the shower Why Penny is not a good cook She continually drops finished meals on the floor She burns toast She gets too busy and loses focus She always gets injured The kitchen may seriously be out to get her Reasons Why I married Penny She’s a great person Her love for Lucy is beautiful I can’t imagine my life without her She’s gorgeous on the beach in white I love her

Hey, Theo here. Shh, don’t let Penny know. Here are a few drawings I’ve drawn of Penny over the time we’ve been together. She’s perfect in every way. Hope you enjoy. I even drew a picture of that male author she loves so much.





Thanks for reading Love A Boss by Logan Chance. This is the back matter of the book and usually I write this right before I publish, and it is unedited. I’m grateful for the Indie Author Community and all of their help in spreading the word about my books. To read the first chapter of Date Me the first novella of my Sex Me Novellas, you will find it after the acknowledgements. I have a few people to thank in helping get this book to publication. First, my brother Jacob, for always lending your ear when I need an opinion. I’m glad we’re taking this ride together. Batman, Thanks for everything and then some. You are my rock. Obi Wan Kenobi, your motivation is much needed when I feel like throwing in the towel. Duchess of Storms (Cara), you truly are an inspiration to all. Your mind is a beautifully wicked place. Paula Dawn, thank you for everything. I don’t know where I’d be without you. Thank you for all of your help in bringing Penny to life and giving her the spark she needed in this book. Thanks for all the girly details, and the one part of the book I was so unsure about. Thanks for pushing me to be my best and not accepting ‘it’s fine’ as an answer. Thanks for making me focus on every nitty, gritty detail when I was ready to call it done ages ago. Diane Hamilton, you rock as a personal assistant, and I don’t know how you put up with us. I know we have our ups and downs all the time. But, I know you have our best interests at heart. To my beta readers, Donna, Misty, Dawn, Beth, Angela, Stacey, and Jessica, thanks for all of your hard work and helping make this story that much better. I appreciate all of your help and feedback. Denielle Hoppe, thanks for all that you do. Thank you for taking care of my Spoiled Like A Boss group and helping in so many ways. Hope you like the drawings. To Jessica Green, thank you for all of your support. To my street team, The Chance Takers, you ladies are amazing and I appreciate all of your countless hours of pimping and helping get our names out there. To Donna and Misty, thank you for all of your hard work and dedication to running our team. You both are amazing.

To all the countless blogs, I appreciate all of your support. The Divas Lounge Book Club, Dirty Laundry Review, Moments in West Florida, The Bashful Book Whore, Book Lover’s Hangout, Read Me Fancy, The Ultimate Fan Blog, Beaute De’Livres, Kindle Friends Forever, Sassy Book Blog, Amo and Sarah’s Book Blog, Blushing Babes Are Up All Night, and so many, many more. If you’re a fan of the books and would like to join Logan’s Spoiled Like A Boss group on FB: Join Here I throw some awesome giveaways in that group, you will definitely want to be a member.

Read The First Chapter of Date Me, a Sex Me Novella coming soon by Logan Chance.

Chapter One “It isn’t a secret your dick needs some action.” “Fuck, Lexi, can you please not talk about my most treasured organ?” I asked as we sat in a side booth at the local diner. “It’s hardly an organ. But, that’s my point. It’ll shrivel up and fall off if you don’t use it,” she said as she flipped her long brown hair over her shoulder. “I use it plenty.” I picked up my fork and spun it between my fingers before digging into my egg special. This conversation couldn’t be more wrong. “Oh, please. You haven’t been laid since Gretchen what’s her face, and that was over eight months ago.” “I don’t know what’s more disturbing here, the fact you remember that, or you’re my sister.” Lexi was the female version of me, only with a touch of snarky sass and a foul mouth to make a few sailors blush. “What are we talking about here?” Marley’s soft voice filled the booth as I cringed. I was being double teamed, and I knew it. “Erik’s dick,” Lexi said through a mouthful of pancakes. “Ooh, let me get my magnifying glass, and I can join in.” Marley pushed on my shoulder, and I scooted over so she could slide in beside me. “Enough.” My deep voice was firm. “I’m not having this discussion again with the both of you.” “Touchy. What’s wrong little brother?” Marley picked up the menu as Lexi laughed along with her. “Did the girl from the coffee shop not work out?” The problem with both of my sisters was they meddled. And their favorite life to intrude on? Mine. Lexi pointed her fork at me. “All I’m saying is, you would be a lot happier if you got your dick wet.” “Tell me again how Jared puts up with you?” I asked. “Oh, I suck a mean cock. I grab it real hard with both hands,” Lexi dropped her fork and wrapped her hands around an imaginary dick as she cocked a grin to Marley, “then, I swivel my head around and go to town.” She laughed as she picked up her fork and knife and sliced into her pancakes. “What the fuck is wrong with you?” I asked while they both laughed. “Nothing,” she said as a dribble of syrup oozed out of her mouth. “Calm down, Erik. We’re both only trying to help,” Marley said as the waitress approached and took her order. “Yeah, what she said.” Lexi pointed her fork toward Marley and then continued to devour her stack of pancakes. “And what makes you both think I even need your help?” Lexi’s fork and knife fell from her fingers, clattering on her plate. Her head sprang up, mouth open with the remnants of chewed up pancakes. She grabbed her napkin and wiped her mouth as she finished

off the food in her mouth. “Ok, shit just got real. You need us Erik. Have you forgotten what next month is?” Lexi asked. Marley giggled beside me as my face turned red. “I told you not to mention next month. I’m going to be doing some rock climbing in an undisclosed location.” “Oh please, no you aren’t. You’re going. Just like all of us are going. To show that bitch what she’s missing out on,” Marley said as her coffee was placed in front of her. The waitresses’ eyes grew wide, but Marley waved her off with an apology. “Why would she even invite me anyways?” I asked, totally deflated once again. “Because, she’s a life-sucking whore, and she wants to make everyone else just as miserable as her,” Lexi chimed in. “On her wedding day?” I popped a slice of bacon into my mouth as both Marley and Lexi laughed. “Of course on her wedding day. Bitches want everyone miserable on their wedding day,” Lexi said. I shook my head; the mysteries of women being revealed a bit more by my sisters warped minds. “I don’t think most girls think like that.” “Ok, not most, but Steffie Jamison sure the fuck thinks like that.” Steffie, Stefany Jamison, my ex-girlfriend, who I dated for five years and now the fiancée to another man she met while on an African safari a few months back. The point was, we had broken up last year, and I was over her. But, when her wedding invitation came in the mail, I was once again devastated. Not because I wanted her back, but because she was happy without me. “You need a smokin’ hot date,” Marley said when her pancakes arrived. I passed the syrup over as she nudged me with her knee. “Erik, you need not only a smokin’ hot girlfriend but you need to move on. I like to see those blue eyes happy. Let me see the baby blues.” Lexi snapped her fingers in front of my face as I closed my eyes. Both my sisters teased me about my hypnotic blue eyes or so they called them. I tried not to smile as their teasing continued. “Seriously, all I’m saying is you need to find someone, and that’s why I called this meeting,” Lexi said. My eyes sprang open. My assessment was right, this was sabotage. “We’ve kind of have something to tell you,” Marley said in a voice which I knew meant she had already done something I would not be too happy about. “Tell me,” I demanded. “It’s nothing really,” Marley hedged. “Tell me, now.” Trying to get information from the two of them was like interrogating a national spy. Sometimes the thought of torturing them came to mind. “Weeellll,” Marley drew out the words. “Oh, for fucks’ sake, just tell him.” Lexi interrupted. “We made a profile for you on the new dating app Cupid’s Happy Hearts.” My mouth grew dry and my face burned with irritation. “Are you fucking kidding me? I don’t want to be on some stupid Cupid’s Crappy Farts or whatnot. I’m going to kill you both.” Anger shot through me as I thought more and more about the events of next month and my sisters’ meddling. Marley turned in the seat and her green eyes locked with mine. “Listen, Erik, we did this out of love.

We don’t want you to show up to Steffie’s wedding alone.” “Who cares. Steffie will be getting married not worrying about who my date is.” I shoved my plate away too disgusted to eat. “How many messages?” “That’s the spirit,” Lexi said. “Well, you’ve received a few arrows and winks. And about seventeen messages.” I sat back against the red vinyl booth, crossing my arms, as I listened to Lexi explain each message in detail. “There’s one girl we like a lot. Lexi tell him about the one girl,” Marley exclaimed. Lexi pushed her plate into the center of the table and crossed her legs in the booth. She leaned over with both elbows on the table and widened her eyes, waiting for my response. “Go ahead, Lexi tell me about the one girl.” I stayed in my position praying the vinyl would suck me away, and I could return home. “Her name is Violet, and she’s a saucy real estate agent.” I raised a brow and she held up her hands in mock surrender. “Her words not mine. Anyways, she’s twenty-eight, and she seems like a good match with you.” “Oh, really. Why’s that?” I asked. “Well, she likes airplanes.” Lexi placed her feet back on the floor, her nervous energy getting the best of her. “Did she say that? Did she say she liked planes?” Lies, I could see right through Lexi. “Not in so many words. But she recently went on a trip on a plane,” Marley interjected as she placed her hand on my arm. I dropped my head, staring into my lap, and shook my head. “You two are really reaching here. Fine, how about you give me the login info, and I’ll check it out.” These two were relentless and they would never give up unless I gave them something. They both squealed with delight, and I felt I had just signed my own death sentence. But, the truth was, I did need a date for Steffie’s wedding. As much as I wanted to ignore the fact, her wedding was coming, and I would not be the only dateless mother fucker there. No, I’d have a date, and I flaunt that bitch right under Steffie’s fake nose. After the ambush at the diner, I returned to work with the login info to the crappy cupid site stuffed into my back jeans pocket. “How was breakfast?” Connor asked as I walked into the hangar and grabbed the pre-check flight list clipboard. “Breakfast with the sisters. What do you think?” “That’s shitty. What did they want this time?” he asked, following me over to the Gulfstream. The private jet was fueled and ready to take its owners to the Caribbean islands. The owners traveled to the islands a few times a week, and Connor and I made sure they got there. As captain of the Gulfstream, and Connor as my co-pilot, we usually spent many nights sleeping away from Florida. “Get this, they put me up on some dating phone app.” We climbed the stairs to the jet and entered. The flight attendant was there making sure the cabin was in pristine condition. We waved to her and headed into the cockpit and shut the door.

“Are you fucking kidding me? Which one?” Connor ran a hand through his short, red hair and laughed. “Cupid’s Crappy shits and giggles. I can’t remember the name.” “I think I’ve heard of that one, sounds dumb. Anyone hot on it?” Connor laughed. “I haven’t even looked yet,” I said. “So, what’s the big deal? Find some pussy on the site and move on.” I shook my head before placing the headset on my head. A knock on the door had me biting back my words. “Hi, boys. The guests will be here shortly. Did either of you need anything?” Selene, our flight attendant, asked. “No, thanks. I’m all set,” Connor answered. “What about you, Captain,” she slowed the word captain, dropping her voice an octave or two. “I’m fine, Selene. Thank you.” Never fuck a flight attendant. That was my number one rule all through flight school. Especially on this gig. I loved this job. She smoothed the side of her dark bun and turned on her heel, closing the door behind her. “Man, fuck. She wants your cock,” Connor said as he started going over his pre-flight checklist. “Nah, I don’t want that. I’m not looking for anything serious.” “Steffie really did a number on you, huh?” I stared at all the knobs and gauges in front of me. Exactly. I would never fall in love. My mind was already made up. “Yeah, and I’ll never make that mistake again.” ADD DATE ME TO YOUR GR TBR: Date Me



Read the beginning of Delve by Jacob Chance Prologue Seven years ago Who the fuck is that? My eyes study every tempting inch of the living, breathing goddess in my best friend Kyle’s backyard. I have to meet her. She tosses her long black hair over her shoulder and confidently meets my gaze across the small brick patio separating us. A small smile plays on her full, dark-pink lips. She’s younger than I first realized. I cross my arms over my chest and flash a smirk at her. Little girl you don’t want to play with this fire – you might get burned. She doesn’t seem intimidated by my tall stature, or my tattoo-covered arms. Instead, she unabashedly looks me over from head to toe. I like her confidence. It’s attractive and sexy. My dark brown eyes stare right back at her, before they slowly travel from her head, down over the enticing curves of her breasts, to her tiny waist and long legs perfectly revealed by the jean cutoff shorts she’s wearing. Fuck. Those legs – all that smooth golden skin. I can picture them wrapped around my hips as I thrust into her over and over, deeper and deeper. I can picture all the things I want to do to her; to do with her, but she’s too young. “Don’t look at my little sister like that, dude.” Kyle comes up beside me and hands me a new beer. His sister? “Kenna’s here?” I swivel my head from one side to the other looking for his baby sister I’ve heard so much about, but never had the opportunity to meet. “Where is she?” I question. “She’s the girl in the cutoff shorts you’ve been ogling for the past ten minutes.” Fuck.

“She’s way too good for you – too good for any guy. Come on, I’ll introduce you, but you better behave and put your tongue back in your mouth before I cut it off. My sister is off limits to you.” I put my hands up in a gesture of surrender. “Hey, I get it man. No worries. I would never go there.” He flicks a quick glance at me. “Damn straight. If you did, that would be some fucked up shit for sure.” We slowly walk across the patio. Each step that brings me closer to her has my body humming with an awareness I’ve never experienced before. The hair on my arms stands at attention and my heart pounds harder and faster. “Kenna, this is Derek...Derek, this is Kenna. She stretches her tiny hand out and when I clasp it with mine, I have to fight the urge to pull her into my arms. I can already imagine how perfectly she’d fit in them. My eyes lock on her golden gaze that’s burning me up with its intensity. She slowly studies my face like she’ll be quizzed later on each feature. “It’s nice to meet you Kenna. Kyle told me you’re about to go off to college in a few more weeks. You must be excited.” She’s only eighteen, I remind myself. She smiles. “I’m looking forward to going. I think it will be a nice change for both of us.” “You’re not going to know what to do without me,” Kyle tells her. “Sure.” She rolls her eyes before reconnecting them with mine. I feel a punch of desire run through me. What is it about this girl that has me wanting to hold her one minute and fuck her the next? Nothing has changed in all the years since then. She’s still seven years younger than me and my best friend, Kyle’s, baby sister. I know I could never let things go where I want. I couldn’t corrupt her – taint her with my darkness. I know it could never happen...but it will.

Chapter One Derek “Hey man, welcome back. How’s Janny doing?” I lean against the door frame of Kyle’s office. He and his fiancé just got back from a much needed vacation. Janny was stalked by someone from Kyle’s police officer past while she was living in NY for an internship with an advertising firm. The situation got out of control and ended with an altercation. Fortunately, it ended poorly for Zack, the stalker, and Kyle made it out pretty much unscathed. “She’s doing as well as she can be. She’s skittish and struggling with anxiety from the whole ordeal, but my girl’s a fighter. She’ll be okay.” He flashes a smile at me. He and Janny have a special relationship. I don’t know that I’ve ever seen two people more in love. I know they were meant for each other, and after all they’ve both been through, they deserve the happily ever after – if such a thing exists. “Did you get the report I sent you on the Maxwell case?” I ask. “Yes, I did. How much longer does she want us to follow her son? We told her he has a drug problem. Put the kid in rehab.” He grimaces. “Get the kid some help, before it’s too late.” I nod my head. “I agree. His addiction will only get worse, the more time passes.” “Hey, I was thinking I’d take Janny out, and I’m going to invite some friends. She hasn’t seen Elle or Josh since we got engaged. Are you up for it?” He taps his pen against his desk while he waits for my answer. “Yeah, I can do that. Where are we going and what time?” “This coming Friday night, eight o’clock at Quake.” He drops his head and jots a few words on a piece of scrap paper. “Sure, I’ll be there, dude. I hope it takes her mind off of all that’s happened.” I move away from the door jamb. “I’ll see you later. I have some shit to take care of, and then I’m heading out for the night.” “Okay sounds good, man. See you tomorrow.” His focus immediately

returns to his computer. I take a step back and turn, walking down the hallway. The last time we were all together at Quake was about six months ago, the night I met Janny for the first time. I spent most of the night staring across the table at Kenna McKenzie’s alluring face imagining what her naked body would look like tied up in my bed. I know nothing could be sexier than having her there. As much as the idea held appeal, I didn’t get to take her home and have my way with her that night. Even though the pressure of her foot against my leg had my dick hard for hours, and I never moved away. Kyle and Janny left early and Josh and Elle went to the bar to get drinks, leaving us alone at the table. The silence between us felt awkward and tangible – so thick you could cut it with a fucking knife. There was enough sexual energy flowing between us to jumpstart a dead car battery. At one point she licked her glossy, red lips and I had to grip the edge of the table with both hands to stop myself from grabbing her and tugging her over to me. I knew if that happened I’d never be able to let her go until my cock had been buried inside her mouth and pussy repeatedly until I was satisfied. “How’s work?” I asked, trying to break up the uncomfortable tension between us. She arched one black, brow at me. “Do you really care?” she asked looking bored. The flat expression on her face had me wanting to show her how fucking exciting I could be, but instead I called it a night. Why should I subject myself to more of her attitude when I could go find some easy pussy that wasn’t stamped with the word forbidden? Besides, nothing could ever happen between us and I needed to stop wasting my time imagining it could. *** Why in the hell did I agree to Kyle's invitation to meet up at Quake tonight? Now I have to deal with his sister, Kenna. I couldn't exactly say

no, though. He's my best friend and dude does deserve some fun after everything he and Janny went through; a stroke, brain surgery, and all the crazy stalker shit that left Kyle with a knife wound and a psycho presumed dead. I'd say that's cause for celebration. I’ve had a shitty day, and listening to Kenna’s sarcastic comments is the last fucking thing I need. Ever since we met, my attitude toward her flips from hot to cold without warning because I can’t handle the way I feel about her. And tonight she better watch herself, my patience is already running low. I can’t be held responsible for what happens if she pushes me. She might find herself facing the big bad wolf, and I’m all for eating her. I’ll fucking devour her. Once she rides my tongue, she’ll never forget it. And if she’s lucky enough to ride my cock – fucking life changing. Every time I’m near her I think about what her lips would feel like against mine. Would they feel the same as they did when we kissed so long ago? Four years ago “What are you doing here?” Kenna asks, her eyes narrowed and arms crossed. “Aren’t you happy to see me?” I smirk and raise the bottle of beer to my lips for a long pull. “Why are you here, Derek?” She taps her foot on the kitchen floor, noticeably annoyed with my question. “I’m here to babysit you and your friends. Your brother asked me to check on you.” She bristles at my answer and shakes her head. Goddamn she’s more beautiful every time I see her. She’s turning into a goddess and it’s impossible for me to keep my thoughts away from all the things I want to do to her. “I call bullshit. I’m twenty-one years old. I’m not a fucking child. I don’t need a babysitter at my party.” I place the bottle down on the counter

and walk toward her, stopping just shy of our chests touching. I place my finger on her lips. “Don’t say that word.” She pushes my hand aside. “I’ll fucking say whatever I fucking want to and you can’t do a fucking thing about it,” she taunts making me see red. I grip her arms and pull her into me. She gasps. “Don’t test me tonight, Kenna. I’m not in the mood to ignore your bullshit.” Her whiskey eyes are locked with mine, her lips clenched together. “Go away, Derek.” She scowls. “No one wants you here.” I smile back at her and lean down like I’m going to kiss her. “You want me here. Admit it.” I stare at her tempting dark-pink mouth as I get closer and closer. Her wide eyes are focused on my lips. I move to the side at the last second and place a kiss below her ear. She shivers from my touch and all I want to do is kiss her tempting mouth. I want to see what kind of reaction I can make her have with my lips on hers. I grip the back of her silky hair tight in my fist and tug her forward until our lips are just shy of touching. “Is this what you want?” I ask, my voice gruff. “Do you want to see how close to this fire you can be without getting burned, little girl?” I take her mouth without any warning, my tongue twists around hers and my cock goes rock hard. She moans into my mouth and falls into me, wrapping her arms around my neck. Fuck. The way she responds to my touch – to my kiss, has my dick rock hard. What is she doing to me? How can she make me so on edge with just one kiss? *** When I walk into Quake I notice the overwhelming smell of perfume and alcohol permeating the air. My eyes scan the room for safety as I make my way to their table in the back near the rear exit. Tonight is going to be a repeat of six months ago when I met Janny for the first time. As I approach where they’re seated, Kyle stands, shakes my

outstretched hand and thumps me on the back. Janny stands and I pull her into my arms, squeezing her tiny frame tight. She’s the reason my best friend is still alive. If it wasn’t for her, I’m not sure he would’ve found the will to survive the stroke he suffered and brain surgery he had as a result. As I step back from our embrace I get a sense of déjà vu. Kenna is seated in the same place as last time and once again, I end up across from her. She avoids looking at me, her eyes darting around the room. “Hi Kenna.” I say, my lips twisted into a smirk. She glances at me before looking away. “Hi.” She can pretend she’s unaffected by me, but I know better. The tell-tale pulse racing in her neck gives her away. She looks like an angel in her strapless white dress, sipping her drink. All that's missing is the halo sitting on top of all that long black hair. Except she's not an angel. Those pouty red lips wrapped around her thin straw were made to do wicked things. Too bad they're used for wise-ass remarks instead. She keeps her head turned to the side, allowing me to study her profile. The curve of her forehead is subtle above her black arched brows. Her golden-brown eyes are large and almond shaped, surrounded by thick, black, curvy lashes. I don’t think I’ve ever seen such long eyelashes before. Not that I pay attention to those details, at least not with other women. With Kenna, I seem to notice it all. She’s always on my radar when we’re in the vicinity of each other. When I haven’t seen her for a while, I wonder what she’s doing. Who she’s keeping company with. Who she’s fucking. The thought of someone else’s hands on her sexy-as-fuck body drives me insane. The thought of some dude’s dick inside her can send me over the edge. I fight to keep myself from thinking about those things. I have no control over what she does and I never will.