I didn’t want to embarrass myself.
Once Vincent placed his order and the waiter walked away, a tense silence befell us.
Vincent looked at me thoughtfully throughout the entire time we were waiting, but never spoke.
Maybe he was shy or nervous too? I shook my head at the thought. No, he was the one who asked me out. I already said yes. What was there to be nervous about?
By the time the food was placed in front of us, I was definitely regretting my decision to come. It just felt so awkward.
The scent wafting from Vincent's plate caught my attention. It was visually appealing and just looked so scrumptious.
I could barely contain myself. “That looks delicious.”
He lifted a brow at me, asking, “Would you like a bite?”
I shook my head. “No, I couldn’t.”
“Are you sure?” He inquired, his fork hanging between us with a bite sized amount waiting.
“Alright, just a tiny bite.” I took the offering, a delighted moan escaped before I could push it back down. Placing a hand in front of my mouth, I murmured, “Oh, it tastes heavenly.”
Maybe I didn’t regret it so much.
* * *
Vincent
It didn’t take much to convince her to go for a stroll with me through the nearby park. It felt like I might finally be melting the walls surrounding her heart.
“It’s a beautiful night,” she murmured as we walked down the sidewalk, her hand cradled in mine.
“Not anymore beautiful than you, Penelope,” I murmured.
Her face flushed quite prettily as she waved me off, “Thank you.”
“You were really quiet during dinner.”
She nodded. “Ah, sorry about that. I’ve just had a lot on my mind.”
“Penny for your thoughts?” I asked.
She gave me a small smile before murmuring, “It’s nothing.”
I gave her hand a slight squeeze and replied, “I don’t mind taking on some of the burden.”
She stopped walking for a moment, her brow furled in deep thought as she contemplated something before finally she sighed, “Well, I was just thinking about my mom.”
“Is she okay?”
She nodded, quick to assuage my worries, “It’s nothing like that. It’s just… well, I had to take her out of her nursing home not too long ago and I haven't been able to find a suitable placement since.”
Oh.
I didn't know her mom was in a nursing home.Or at least, she had been.
“Can I ask what’s wrong with her?”
“She has alzheimers,” she answered with tears in her eyes, her anger permeating the air around us. I couldn’t help but instinctively brush them away when they started to fall, pulling her into my arms in the process.
I hated the smell of hurt and sadness coming off of her, wishing there was anything I could do to make it stop. If I could take her pain away, I would.
But then…. Maybe I could.
THIRTEEN
Penelope
Surprisingly, the date had gone a lot better than I’d expected. Though I was kind of kicking myself for being as open with him as I had been. I was still a little embarrassed over crying about my mom, but I was just so frustrated with the entire situation.
I just hoped that it would resolve itself soon.
My mom and this whole dating thing.
I still wasn’t sure why I was going along with this. After all, I knew it wouldn’t end well for me. And here I was, opening myself up for hurt. Because when he found out about my other job, he’d definitely have nothing to do with me.
This was the one downside of being an operative for the Agency.
Hearing my phone ring on the table in front of me drew me from my thoughts. Seeing that it was one of the many nursing homes I’d applied for for my mother, I quickly picked up the phone.
“Yes?”
“Is this Miss Hughes?” the masculine voice on the other end asked.
“This is she,” I murmured, though Mary Beth was away from her desk for her break, I still didn’t want to be too loud. One could never tell when someone was listening in.
“This is Director Tumire. I wanted to personally inform you that we have an opening for your mother.”
“Really?” I asked breathily.
“Yes ma’am. We can move her in as early as tomorrow.”
“Thank you! Yes, we’ll take it,” I informed him.
Working out an appointment time for tomorrow morning to get the paperwork done, I sent a message to my mom’s carer, letting her know the good news.
While I would miss the woman, this would be best in the end. Mom needed round the clock care that I just couldn’t provide. And with her in a stable environment, it would help her better. My job meant I could have to move across the country at the drop of a hat, and that’s not good for her condition.
* * *
Vincent
At the text alert from Director Tumire, I couldn’t help but smile. Penny’s mom was settling into the nursing home quite nicely already.
Penny herself had just left after spending a few hours getting her mom settled in.
It hadn’t been easy finding out where all Penny had applied to nursing homes because of privacy laws and all of that, but with some quick thinking and assistance from my cousin, I was able to discover exactly where she had applied and how long it would take for her mother to get placed.
The line…I bit back a grimace. Well, it wasn’t pretty.
Doing some research, I’d settled on the best nursing home out of her choices and offered to donate a wing onto the nursing home.
With their acceptance, she was immediately moved to the front of the line.
I felt a bit guilty about using my money to help Penny’s mom jump the line, but with the new wing, they’d be able to accept many more patients a lot sooner than waiting for their current residents to die or leave.
I also knew better than to say anything to Penny because she would not be happy with me for interfering.
I stared outside of the window wistfully.
The thought of not being able to see her again for the next couple of days was driving me crazy. But maybe there was something I could do about that.
* * *
Penelope
I was skeptical, but understandably so. It couldn’t have waited? Honestly. Whatever had been in that file had better have been important, calling me in on my day off. I had to not only rush into the office after settling my mom in at her new home, but then I had to drive all the way down winding roads to his ridiculously oversized home.
Not that it was bad looking or anything. It was just… a lot for a single person. But, I reckoned, he did host his pack here quite often, so he would need the space. And he did own several acres of the surrounding land. I wouldn’t be too surprised if I’d ever dared to journey into the woods to come across a wolf or two.
Thankfully it wouldn’t take too much longer to get there. The GPS said I’d be arriving in the next couple of minutes.
I’d only been here a couple of times since he became CEO and didn’t want to risk turning off at the wrong road and end up in the middle of nowhere.
Pulling in behind Vincent’s car and turning the engine off, I grabbed the file he needed and headed up the staircase.
Knocking, I waited to see if he would answer the door.
After standing there for what felt like eternity, I released the breath I wasn’t aware I was holding, and forced myself to gather my courage and unlocked the door.
I was greeted to the sound of silence.
I could just place it on a table and skidaddle before he roped me into anything else.
Shuffling through the house, I made it to the dining room and was about to place it on the table when I heard someone clear their throat.
I jumped, almost conjuring my flames as I whirled on the intruder, only to see Vincent standing behind me, half dressed and towling his damp hair.
Snapping my eyes back up, I felt my cheeks flush.
“This really couldn’t have waited until monday?” I demanded, handing it to him.
“Nope.” He didn’t even look at it before he tossed it haphazardly onto the table. “I couldn’t stand the thought of going an entire day without seeing you.”
I couldn’t tell if I was more angry than flattered.
Heart in my throat, I growled, “Shut up!”
His fingers ghosted across my cheek, barely touching my skin, “I’m being serious, Penelope.”
I sighed. “You’re such an idiot.”
He shrugged it off. “Well, I knew that if I’d told you the truth, you wouldn’t have come.”
“True.”
“See? So how can you blame me.”
“Ugh. Just because I admit I wouldn’t have come, doesn’t mean I agree with you.”
I didn’t appreciate the lie, and getting me here under false pretenses… but then, I was lying to him on a constant basis.
So I gave him some slack because after all, I was nothing more than a hypocrite. And to be honest, it was kind of cute.
I sighed, “So what’s the plan for today?”
His eyes brightened with excitement as he grasped my hand. I allowed him to lead me through the house until we reached the living room, where he pulled me into his arms on the couch.
“Couldn’t you put on a shirt, at least?” I asked.
“Where would the fun be in that?”
* * *
Vincent
I did end up putting on a shirt to keep Penny comfortable so she didn’t think I expected anything from her. After spending a couple of hours binge watching some crime shows on Netflix, she had drifted off to sleep, curled up in my arms.
I couldn’t even describe how right it felt.
But I never wanted it to end.
I was so glad I’d been able to convince her to stay even though I got her to come with a lie. I did regret lying to her but I couldn’t regret the result. But I would make sure not to lie unless I absolutely had to, and even then I didn’t want to do so. I didn’t want to make it a habit, but sometimes a lie was necessary.
I just needed to make sure I wasn’t put in the position that I would have to do so. I didn’t want to ruin my chances of making things work out with us as soon as they began because she caught me in a lie.
I brushed her hair off of her cheek, causing her to stir.
She yawned, sitting up.
Instant regret flooded me at the loss of contact.
“Sleep well, sleeping beauty?” I inquired, giving her a one over. Her scent flooded with the sharp tang of embarrassment.
“You should have woken me,” she grumbled, stretching her arms high above her head.
I shook my head. “It’s fine. I know you’re exhausted, Penny.”
“Still. It’s not proper.”
Did it truly matter anymore at this point whether we were proper or not?
Catching her hand in mine, I brought it to my lips, murmuring, “I’m not going to hold it against you, love.”
“What did I miss?” She asked, changing the subject not as tactfully as thought she was being.
“Not much, honestly,” I informed her, listing everything that had happened on the show since she’d fallen asleep.
“Well, I suppose it’s about time for me to go,” she finally murmured after I was done, rising to leave.
“Do you have to?” I asked, rising from my seat and standing beside her.
She nodded with a long yawn before replying, “Yes. Just because we’re dating doesn’t mean I can spend all of my free time with you.”
“Well, if you’re sure,” I relented.
“I am.”
“Would you be able to come to dinner with me tomorrow evening?” I asked, bringing her hand to my lips, pressing the softest of kisses against the skin.
She sputtered in protest, “What, but we just-”
“Please?” Another kiss.
“You can’t just expect me to-”
And another kiss. “Pretty please?”
“Ugh.” At the sound of defeat, I gave her a bright smile.
FOURTEEN
Penelope
“It’s so nice of you to join us for dinner, Penny,” Johanna murmured, kissing my cheek in greeting.
“You sure I’m not intruding?” I asked as I walked inside, Vincent not far behind me.
She shook her head. “Of course you’re not, dear.”
“I just didn’t realize… well, Vincent didn’t impress upon me that this was a family affair.”
Damn that man. I should have just said no.
Why did I allow him to talk me into this?
I should have known better than to trust that it would be a simple dinner between the two of us.
When he told me on the car ride over, I was ready to throw myself out of the moving vehicle.
Honestly, I have spent plenty of time with his mother before in a casual setting but not like this. Not since this whole thing between me and her son started.
It felt weird. Too many expectations, I suppose?
Vincent grabbed my hand, leading me through the house towards the dining room where there were a few other people already seated.
Great. Just great.
At least I recognized one of them—his cousin Malika—whom I’d met a few times in the office.
As we neared the table, he pulled out a chair for me.
“I wasn’t aware that we could have brought the help, Aunt,” a man mused—whom I didn’t recognize but looked vaguely similar to Vincent.
A low growl started up from Vincent, and while I appreciated his defense of me, it wasn’t necessary. I could handle my own.
But thinking about it, it might be better if Vincent handled it because my action could very well cause issues with the entire shifter pack.
“Please excuse my brother Gabriel, he’s an idiot,” Malika quipped, causing her brother to scoff.
“Speak about her like that again, and we can settle our differences outside,” Vincent ground out. Looking behind me, I could see that he was struggling with the desire to just attack the man outright, his shoulders quivering with the effort it took not to leap over me and at him.
“If you cannot say anything nice, do not speak,” Johanna said firmly.
He just grumbled under his breath before deciding to ignore my existence entirely.
It was better for the both of us that way. I’d rather not have to fight someone over their ignorance.
“I hope you brought your appetite,” Johanna said, addressing me.
I nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”
She smiled, replying, “No need to be so formal. Vincent, Gabriel,come help me with the food.”
“Yes ma’am.”
They both stood and followed her out. It didn’t take them long to return with the plates, Vincent placing mine down in front of me.
A thick, grilled steak, roasted asparagus and scalloped potatoes.
I thanked him softly as he sat back down beside me, his mother and cousin taking their seats as well after everyone had been served. As she took her seat, she motioned for everyone to begin.
“It's nice to see you finally settling down,” Johanna murmured before taking a bite of her food.
My cheeks went red as I choked on the bite of potato I’d been swallowing.
Patting my back as I coughed up the food that had gone down the wrong pipe, Vincent growled out, “Mom.”
“I bet your wolf is happy that you’ve finally taken a mate.”
Oh. My. God. If I could just die of mortification, that would be amazing right about now.
“Mother!” he chastised, standing from
his seat.
She held out her hands with a smile. “I’m just saying. Sheesh.”
* * *
Vincent
“That was nice,” she murmured as we walked out. My cousins had already left and we’d stayed behind to help my mother clean up.
I laughed, thinking of how the night had started with Gabriel running his mouth. “I sincerely doubt it.”
“No, honest. It was refreshing.”
“Still, I’m sorry about that. What my cousin said,” I elaborated when she looked at me, her brow furled in confusion.
Realization dawned on her and she shook her head. “No, it’s fine.”
“But-”
She grabbed my hand in hers, giving me a small squeeze. “I promise, it’s fine.”
I sighed. “Alright then.”
Rubbing her arms, she said, “Well, I guess I’m going to get going. We have work in the morning.”
I pulled her into my arms, loosely embracing her, offering, “You could come stay the night.”
She quirked her brow at me, “If I did that, would you let me get any sleep?”
“... No promises.”
“Exactly,” she quipped with a small smile, before brushing her lips against mine in a light teasing kiss. She pulled away before I was able to respond, murmuring, “Goodnight.”
I caught her arm before she was able to step away, covering her mouth with my own. She melted into my embrace.
I wanted nothing more than to consume her, revel in the heady scent of her arousal that was permeating the air around us. But I had to slow down. I knew if I pushed her too far, I’d frighten her off.
I gave her one last lingering kiss before I took a step back, murmuring, “Goodnight, love.”
* * *
Undercover Secretary (Supernatural Society Book 1) Page 7