Total pages in book: 28
Estimated words: 26061 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 130(@200wpm)___ 104(@250wpm)___ 87(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 26061 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 130(@200wpm)___ 104(@250wpm)___ 87(@300wpm)
“It’s a good thing she’s asleep, because I think she’d probably have a meltdown if she saw Jenna Fairchild in my passenger seat,” Penn says wryly, getting behind the wheel. “Once she’s out, she’s out, though.”
“Maybe…” Maybe I can meet her in the morning.
When I trail off, Penn glances over at me. “Maybe what?”
Stop trying to turn this into a relationship. He made it clear that isn’t in the cards, right? Being too eager is only going to cause him to pull away.
Won’t it?
“Nothing,” I breathe, shaking my head. “How far away is your house?”
“Ten minutes.”
I chew my lip, not knowing if I should ask my next question, but unable to do anything but appease my curiosity. “And her mother?”
He drums his fingers on the wheel, no doubt remembering my jealous display earlier. Still, he doesn’t remind me of my behavior or make fun of me for it. He just gives me the benefit of the doubt and answers evenly. “She’s not far from LA, actually. A town called Ojai. She lives there with her boyfriend, when she’s not overseas.”
“When does she come home?”
“Couple of months. Then Erin will be splitting time between us. I’ll have her for most of the summer. Some holidays and weekends. She’ll have her for the school year.”
“Do you get along with her?”
“Well enough to be good parents and communicate, when necessary,” he says, impressing his next statement on me with a stern look. “We were only ever meant to be friends, Jenna. Nothing more. That’s all we’ll ever be.”
I nod and sit back, resting in the feeling Penn gives me. One I’ve never had in my life. Total and complete safety. Nothing bad is going to happen to me as long as he’s nearby. That certainty coasts over me like cool water, my anxieties unraveling and falling away, all from observing the capable wrist he draped over the wheel, his other hand holding mine on the seat between us, his gaze straying to my breasts every few seconds—and it’s easy to see why. I didn’t bother with a bra after we made love, and the truck is bouncing over roots and potholes, causing them to jiggle and bounce in my strapless top.
“Lord have mercy,” he grunts, shifting in his seat.
I beam back at him happily, turning slightly to give him a better view.
Normally I hate my body being objectified, but apparently, I love Penn doing it.
Because he is careful with me. Because he listens and adjusts his actions to make me happy and comfortable. The way he guessed that it wasn’t the right time to spank me. The way he waited for my body to stop hurting before moving inside of me. The kisses he gave me at the exact right moment I needed them. How he guarded me in the bar. How he saved me from being exploited earlier today.
How he orgasms me like he was born knowing the combination to my pleasure.
A combination I don’t even have myself.
All of it. All of Penn Holland.
There is no end to what I’ll give him if he lets me.
We reach the house, and he carries Erin inside, holding the door with his back so I can follow him in. Kissing me on the forehead as I pass. I take in the sweeping, open plan cabin, the rustic décor, the cozy stone fireplace and the finger paintings on the refrigerator. It couldn’t suit the man better. It’s Penn in the form of a house and therefore, it’s magical.
“My bedroom is upstairs, if you want to wait for me there. Erin’s is downstairs.” He jerks his chin. “I’ll just go tuck her in.”
“Okay,” I whisper, watching him carry Erin to the rear of the lower floor, before I slowly make my way up the stairs, turning down a short hallway and ending up in the most masculine master bedroom I’ve ever beheld. Grays and blacks and forest green. A heavy rug and a gigantic four-poster bed. A cedar chest at the foot of that bed, a desk tucked into the corner. Untied boots, size one million, resting on the ground. His closet door is ajar enough to see an endless array of flannel. It smells like him.
I’m in heaven.
With a quiet giggle, I take a flying leap and land in the center of the bed, doing a snow angel on the soft, green comforter, squeaking when Penn’s deep voice reaches me from the doorway.
“Again, I ask. You planning on being this fucking cute all night?”
I roll over onto my tummy and prop my chin on a fist. “I still haven’t decided.”
He takes a long, heavy breath. “My god, you’re a beautiful sight, Jenna Fairchild.”
There’s an ominous surge into of me, like maybe my heart has tipped over and spilled its contents. “Thank you,” I manage, rising onto all fours and slowly crawling to the edge of the bed where he meets me for deeply emotional kiss that shakes me to my core. “Will you cuddle with me?” I murmur against his mouth.