How pathetic was she? Keeping herself contained to her little world just so she could keep her heart safe. “No.”
“How long has it been since?”
“A little over six years.”
“And you never told anyone this?”
She shook her head. “There was nothing to tell. I was stupid and gullible. Telling people would have only highlighted how dumb I was.”
“That’s not true. He lied, and he hurt you. In my mind, that whole situation rests on his shoulders.”
“You should have seen the women looking at me in that restaurant. For months, all I had to do was close my eyes and I’d see the disgusted looks on their faces. The last thing I wanted was one more person to look at me like that.”
Angus nodded. “You may not believe this, but I understand more than you know.”
“I do believe that. That’s why I told you. That, and…it’s why Clara’s lie hit so hard. I’d been fooled before, and every insecurity I had about you hit all at once. You’re surrounded by beautiful women―arm candy―and I’m…I feel like a fish in a barrel. The second this show ends, the spell will be over, and this will all be a memory. You’ll have the whole sea to choose from.”
For a moment, Angus was quiet, seeming to consider what she’d said. Slowly, a smile twitched on his lips, and he pulled her into his arms. “Sweetheart, you’re right. I am surrounded by beauty. Yours. I don’t know who put it in your head that you’re not a woman to be longed for. You are a bonnie lass, Penelope Cooper. The lasting kind.”
If he couldn’t hear her heart walloping against her ribcage, he was deaf, because that was all she could hear. Without a doubt, she knew he wasn’t acting. She believed what he was saying, and like water being poured on a dry plant, she was soaking it up. She had no words to offer.
Angus set his cheek against hers, his beard tickling her skin. “In the beginning, there might have been some truth to the fish-in-the-barrel theory,” he whispered so low she was sure the cameras weren’t picking up what he was saying. He took her hand and flattened it over his heart. It was beating as fast as hers. “But that’s not a heart beating for a consolation prize. It’s beating like that because a mate was lucky enough to stumble across the right barrel, and there was only ever one fish in it.” Tightening his hold on her, he nuzzled her neck with the tip of his nose. “You said you could see me. Can you hear me too?”
Whatever words she might have had lodged in her throat. She heard him. Along with the water, he was dousing her in pure sunlight. She nodded as she circled her arms around his neck.
The nuzzling quickly turned to tender kisses trailing to her lips, lighting her skin on fire. This kiss was different. It was hungry and demanding. She buried her fingers in his hair and held onto him. Whatever was happening between them had changed, deepened. She was falling in love with him, only she wasn’t nearly as afraid anymore.
* * *
Penelope raked her hand through her hair. They’d asked her to do an interview, and since they’d been nice enough to give her privacy while she was sick, she felt somewhat obligated to go along with it. She could only imagine the embarrassing questions they’d ask.
At least she and Angus had pulled apart quick enough that the other women didn’t walk in on them kissing. They’d razzed her before. Making out with Angus would have brought her nothing but trouble. Not that it wouldn’t be worth it, but it was already a challenge to live with them.
Penelope had hurried to her room the second she saw Jeanie’s head pop in the door. It wasn’t long after that she was told it would be a good time for an interview.
They’d be interviewing Angus after her. For the first time since the show started, her interest was piqued as to what he might say. He’d been sweet, sneaking a kiss before she began her interview as Jeanie, Zora, and Amber put their shopping bags away. He’d told her to get some rest after speaking to Vincent. As tired as she was, she was going to do just that.
“That was some stomachache,” Vincent said with a grimace.
Penelope snorted. “No kidding.”
The man grinned, and she braced herself for the onslaught of questions coming her way. “Are you feeling better?”
“Still a little tired, but I’m better.”
He chuckled. “Based on that make-out session, I’d say so.”
Her cheeks burned. She could still feel Angus’s lips on hers, but what could she say to that without feeling like she was giving a piece of herself away?
“Anything to say about that?”
“No, I don’t think I need to add commentary.” She smiled.
“There were a couple of times we couldn’t quite hear Angus. Care to share what he said?” Vincent asked, one eyebrow lifting in expectation.
Penelope shook her head. “No, not really.”
“Has your opinion of our bachelor changed, then?”
She folded her hands in her lap, lifted her gaze to Vincent’s, and held it. “Angus is a sweet man. Someone broke his heart, and instead of being surrounded by people who loved him, he was surrounded by people who used his bad behavior for their gain. Does that excuse the things he did? No, but using that singular moment in time to define him is narrow-minded and wrong. I’m just as guilty, and I wish I could take it back. And knowing what I know now, I won’t ever let that happen again.”
The room had become so quiet that Penelope could hear her heart racing. She’d said too much, and if they showed any of this footage to the other women, they might hurt him. But she couldn’t take it back, and she wasn’t sure she would, even if she could.
Vincent tilted his head as he smiled. “It seems you’ve become rather possessive of our bachelor. Do you have anything you’d like to say to the other bachelorettes?”
“No, I don’t.”
He nodded. “I don’t think I have to tell you to tune in for next week’s episode. If it’s anything like this one, you won’t be able to resist watching.”
That was her cue to leave. The events of the day had left her spent, and she wanted nothing more than to crawl into bed.
Chapter 34
Angus and Penelope had barely been able to cover what they’d been doing when the other women returned from shopping. Zora and Amber had been treating Penelope terribly, and he didn’t want to give them more ammunition.
Before he’d had a chance to reach his room after they arrived, he’d been told the crew needed him to give an interview. He wasn’t sure what questions they were going to ask, but most likely, they’d be unsatisfied with his answers. What he had with Penelope was his and he wasn’t sharing.
While he and Penelope waited for their interviews and the other women ducked into their rooms to put their things up, he’d kissed Penelope and told her to get some rest. The only thing that made saying goodnight palatable was knowing he’d see her in the morning.
They talked to Penelope right before him. He watched her leave, catching her gaze as she left the basement for what he hoped was her bedroom. She was exhausted, and he knew she needed rest. It didn’t stop him from wanting to kiss her, though.
“Well, Angus, the last twenty-four hours have been rather exciting,” Vincent said.
His lips pinched together. He needed to keep his cool, but Penelope suffering wasn’t fodder for a show. “If by exciting you mean watching someone writhe in pain, then, aye, I guess it was exciting. I’d rather things not be so exciting again.”
“That was some confession earlier. What did you think of that?”
Hearing how another man had treated her made his blood boil. The man had no idea what he had, and he’d taken advantage of her. It had worked in Angus’s favor, but to know Penelope was hurt so badly hurt him.
“I think if I ever see him, I might just have to break his jaw. He shouldn’t have treated her like that.”
Vincent shrugged. “You spit on a female fan. Is there much difference?”
“There’s a world of difference, but it’s no less shameful. I’ve no wa
y to take it back, but I’ll find a way to make it right.” And he would. Once the show was over, he’d find that fan, apologize, and do whatever it took to amend for what he’d done.
“I asked Penelope this, and I’ll ask you. There were a couple of times we couldn’t quite hear what you said to her. Care to share what that was?”
Angus shook his head. “No, and you’ll have to show me proof that anything came from her lips.”
Vincent chuckled. “She was just as forthcoming as you.”
A smile stretched wide on his lips. He knew it.
“What did you think when she said she felt like she was a fish in a barrel?”
Angus cast his gaze to the floor and shrugged. “With the way things started, with the way I was, she had no reason to think anything different. But she’s not, and that’s all I have to say about that.” They’d not be getting what he’d whispered to her. That was his and hers alone.
“That was some kiss earlier today.”
“Aye, that it was.” The little whimpers she’d made as he kissed her were musical. He wasn’t even sure she’d realized she was doing it, but he’d loved every one of them. They were the reason he’d kissed her as long as he did.
Vincent nodded. “Anything else to add?”
“Naw, I think it spoke for itself.” Despite being totally comfortable kissing her on camera, it didn’t stop heat from racing up his neck to his ears.
“I guess it did,” Vincent said, his tone telling Angus he’d seen the way his face flushed. “Your day with her is tomorrow. Anything special planned?”
“She’ll be there. That’s special enough. But no. I thought I’d leave the day to her. Take a drive and see where it leads us.”
“Well, folks, this episode was a thrill ride. No telling what next week’s will entail, so tune in to see what happens.”
Angus shook Vincent’s hand and stood. Only a few more weeks of this and he’d be done with these awful interviews. His budding relationship with Penelope—no, not budding, just relationship, because she was the only one he wanted—was his, and he didn’t like sharing the details with anyone.
On his way to his room, he was half tempted to knock on her door, but if she was asleep, he didn’t want to wake her. Instead, he ducked into his room and sat on the bed. Tomorrow he’d have an entire day alone with her. The building anticipation and excitement were going to make the night long…and restless.
* * *
“What are you doing out here at two in the morning?” Angus asked as he parked himself on the sand a few inches from Penelope. He’d woken up as bright-eyed as if he’d slept a full night, and when he plodded out of his room and found Penelope’s door open, he’d gone in search of her. He shouldn’t have been surprised to find her on the beach.
She kept her face pointed toward the ocean. “I woke up and couldn’t go back to sleep.”
“What kept you up?”
“I feel like I’ve been wrung like a dish rag. Within the last eight weeks, I’ve moved into a house with three other women, kissed a celebrity, possibly been poisoned, and spilled my guts about a relationship I wish never happened, all while being filmed. It’s a pretty long bullet list.”
“I can’t argue with that.”
She moved closer to him. “I’m not upset with you. It’s just that so much has changed. Mostly me. When Paige signed me up for this show, I thought it was the worst thing ever, but…”
“But what?”
Wave after wave rolled onto the shore before she finally said, “I met you.”
A smile spread on his lips involuntarily as the confession caught him off guard. “Red hair being your kryptonite?”
She chuckled. “There’s that. Among other things,” she said, her laughter dying. “You’re kind, caring…warm. I crave your warmth.”
She craved him? When had a woman craved him for his warmth and kindness? His fame, money, homes? Sure. But craved him? Just him? “Is that so?”
“Painfully so.”
He slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her legs over his lap and her body flush against his. Kissing the tender spot just below her ear, he took a deep breath, drawing in as much of her scent as he could. “I can’t seem to get enough of you, Penelope.”
He could feel her pulse jump under his lips, and he smiled. “You’re not the only one with a craving. That gentle spirit of yours is a mighty flame for me, and I’m a tiny moth.”
When he pulled back, her eyes were wide, as if she’d been unprepared for what he’d said.
“Do you have more questions?” she asked barely above a whisper.
Angus narrowed his eyes and tilted his head. “Aye. Are you going to feel well enough for tomorrow?”
Penelope nodded. “Yes. I might be a little tired, though. I don’t normally wake up at two and sit on the beach.”
“I’ll make sure the coffee is abundant.”
Penelope smiled. “Could we go with iced tea? My love of coffee has waned a little.”
“Sure,” he said through a forced laugh.
Waves crashed against the sand and silence stretched as he held her with her head tucked under his chin.
She dug her toes in the sand, pulled back, and said, “Angus, please don’t break my heart.”
“Not if I have my way.”
“We still have weeks of filming. Amber, Jeanie, and Zora are going to want you to spend time with them. And they have every right to want that.”
He narrowed his eyes. He didn’t like the direction this conversation was taking. “Aye. Where are you going with this?”
“I think our late-night beach talks should stop for now. I think we should stick to what the show has lined up, whatever that might be. You can’t come out here and sit with me anymore. No more kissing outside our dates.”
His heart hit his stomach. Not holding her or kissing her? “I don’t like that.”
She combed her fingers through his hair and held his gaze. “The more time I spend with you, the more I want you to hold me and forget the world exists. I want to kiss you until my lips are too bruised to kiss you anymore. Whatever whirlwind thing is happening is moving too fast for this show.”
Angus felt both elated and crushed. “I agree it’s happening fast, but I can’t help that I enjoy spending time with you. I didn’t plan on this at all.”
“But you have a responsibility to Barb, this crew, and the show. You’re going to have to spend time with Jeanie, Amber, and Zora, and I can’t kiss you when—”
“They’ll not be putting their lips to mine.” He’d gone this long without kissing them, and he wasn’t about to ruin what he had with her. “I couldn’t. I can’t. Your lips are the only ones I want to kiss.”
“But they’ll be expecting at least a little affection, won’t they?”
He shook his head. “Naw. There was never any guarantee that I’d propose or whatnot when they joined the show. I made sure of that.”
Penelope caught her lip in her teeth, her eyes searching his. “But I’m right about the expectations for the show.”
He didn’t like it, but she was right. If he could, he’d call the whole show off. “Okay, I’ll stop. I don’t like it, though.” Angus brushed her hair from her face. “If I’m going to be keeping my distance, I think it’s only fair that I get to kiss you for a while before we head back.”
“Aren’t we having a day together tomorrow?”
“That’s tomorrow.”
He grazed her lips with his and didn’t hear the next wave crash as her hands slid up his chest and around his neck. As the kiss deepened, Penelope tangled her fingers in his hair and pressed her body to his. Never in his life had he wanted someone so wholly and fiercely as he wanted Penelope.
When he’d first laid eyes on her, he thought she was cute. Getting to know her made her irresistible. Kissing her made him realize his relationship with Clara had been dull and shallow. And what they had certainly hadn’t been love. Not when he compared to his feelings for Penel
ope.
Love was on the tip of his tongue. He wasn’t sure what she was thinking, but for him, the show was over.
Chapter 35
Penelope stretched as she hit the alarm to turn it off. She was exhausted, but it was a wonderful exhausted. Her lips still prickled with the feel of Angus’s facial hair. It made no sense to her that things between them had changed so fast in such a short time.
His throaty laugh played in her mind. The way he held her. She was going to get her heart broken. The fear kept bubbling up like pizza heartburn. He’d looked her in the eyes and assured her he wouldn’t. Not if I have my way.
Angus isn’t Tom, her heart argued. Doesn’t mean he won’t hurt you, even if he has the best intentions, her head answered. It was a mental tennis match.
“Shut up,” she said and rolled out of bed to get ready.
Forty minutes later, she walked into the living room where Angus waited. He was beautiful. The jeans fit perfectly with a body-hugging white t-shirt that made his red hair stand out. Utterly mouthwatering.
When he looked up, the smile he flashed made her pulse race and her breath catch.
“I don’t know about you, but I’m a little tired this morning,” he said. The corners of his eyes crinkled as he smiled.
She had been too until she saw him. Now she was wide awake. “Not too bad.”
“We’re going to eat a quick breakfast, and then we’re taking a drive.”
“Oh. Where?”
“I don’t know yet.” He winked.
Gah. A day with him. She couldn’t care less where it was as long as they were alone. Well, as alone as they could be with cameras following them. “Okay.”
They hurried through breakfast and jumped in the convertible. Of course, the crew hooked the car up with cameras and mics so they wouldn’t miss anything, and they followed behind in a van.
Angus drove a while and turned down a road that seemed familiar to Penelope. The waterfall… “You should stop here. There’s a waterfall not far. It’s gorgeous and one of the lesser known places.”
Mending The Billionaire Movie Star (MacLachlan Brothers Romance Book 1) Page 18