His Leading Lady

by Jean Joachim

  “What happened with the pictures?”

  Penny dried her eyes. “The shoot was awful. I hated being naked in front of Fred. He was a letch. I did it as fast as I could and covered up between shots. Then, he asked me out and refused to accept ‘no.’ So, I hit him.”

  Mark’s head snapped up. “You hit him?”

  “I’m not proud of it, but I had to defend myself. He wouldn’t leave me alone, had his hands all over me. I grabbed an empty bottle we were using as a prop and bashed him over the head. He wasn’t unconscious, but he was dazed. I finished dressing, grabbed my check, and flew out of his place. I went right to the bank, as I was afraid he’d stop payment.”

  “That was quick thinking.”

  She shivered at the memory. “When my father got out of rehab, he went right back to drinking. He showed up on my doorstep, drunk, begging for money.”

  “What did you do?”

  “I had stopped paying for the house. I let it go into default, saving up enough money to start over. When he showed up, I was preparing to leave anyway. I told him to come back later in the week when I got paid. But that was a lie. He believed me and left. The next morning, I packed my car, cleaned out my back account, and left town. I went to Los Angles to stay with a friend. She helped me get an agent, and I got this job.”

  “Wow.” He shook his head.

  “He found me once in L.A. because of a TV show I did. But I gave him the slip. I’ve been running from him ever since.”

  “That’s a horrible story, Penny.”

  “Can you see how the pictures are just a small part of it for me?”

  “I do. I’m sorry. So sorry you had to do that...live like that.” He pushed to his feet and took her in his arms. He stroked her hair. “You’ll never have to go through that again.”

  “I’m sorry, Mark. I should have told you. I was afraid you’d dump me if you found out, and I love you so much, I couldn’t bear it.” She sobbed into his chest.

  “I love you, too, baby.” He rubbed her back.

  She calmed down in his arms, soothed by his strength and affection. Her tears subsided. She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. His masculine scent mixed with his aftershave smelled good. Her hands clung to his back, and her breasts were crushed into his chest. He held her tight, resting his chin on her head. Before long, her breathing returned to normal. She wiped her eyes for the millionth time and tried to smile.

  “Your life’s been hard.”

  “I’ve had some success, been sought after by good people, like you, too.”

  “I’m sorry I got so mad. I should’ve listened. Given you the benefit of the doubt.”

  “Maybe we were both wrong,” she said. “I’m starved. Can we eat?”

  “Only if you’ll come back to me. I’ve missed you so much. Been totally miserable without you.” He loosened his grip.

  “You have?”

  He nodded. “You ruined me for anyone else. I need you.” He lowered his mouth to hers in a passionate kiss. Penny melted against him, winding her arms around his neck.

  “I need you, too. It was so awful, being apart.” She toyed with his shirt buttons, undoing the top two and running her fingertips through his chest hair.

  “I figured you’d had about five hundred dates by now, with new guys drooling over you.”

  She laughed. “Not exactly. No one else’ll do. Were you jealous?”

  “Yeah.” He blushed. “I got you a blue cheeseburger,” he said, changing the subject.

  “My favorite!” She opened the bag and took out the food. Then, she grabbed plates and set everything out.

  “You back in my kitchen makes everything right again.”

  She smiled at him.

  “Next, in my bed,” he snickered.

  “Before dinner or after?” She sidled up to him and shot him a saucy look.

  “Guess I can wait until after we eat.”

  “Anticipation only whets the appetite.” She pulled out a chair.

  “Is that a famous saying? Who said that?”

  “I said it. Eat so we can get to the main course.” He laughed as he joined her at the table.

  “What are you going to do about the team?” she asked, taking a big bite of her burger.

  “Forget about it. Fuck them. They’re not exactly saints. So, they saw you. Let them be jealous. That’s what Meg said, and she’s right.” Penny sensed heat in her cheeks.

  “I might want a wallet size to remind me what I’m missing, when I’m on the road.”

  She chuckled. “I don’t have those, you know.”

  “No? You don’t have them stashed anywhere? What a shame. They are great pictures of you, but only for my eyes.”

  From now on, I’m only for your eyes, sweetie pie. Penny inched her hand closer to his. He picked up on it and closed his fingers over hers. She needed to touch him, to be connected. As she looked into his eyes, she saw lust mixed with love. All doubt had disappeared. She sighed and smiled. I’m better with Mark.

  She stared at the part of his chest where she’d opened his shirt. Her fingertips tingled, remembering the feel of his skin as they made love. A shiver of desire shot up her spine. She noticed his gaze drop to her chest and remain. He was practically drooling, and it made her chuckle. They ate faster than usual. Mark cleared the table, and Penny stood up.

  “I’ve waited long enough,” he said, scooping her up into his arms and carrying her into the bedroom. She shrieked with laughter as he dropped her to bounce on the bed. He stripped his clothes off in a heartbeat and crawled up towards her.

  “You look mighty uncomfortable in that dress. Let me help you,” he said, reaching around to pull the zipper down. She shed the top of the garment, pushing it to her waist, revealing her generous breasts nestled in a white lace bra.

  “Nice,” he said, focusing on her chest. Penny buried her face in his neck, kissing her way to his shoulder. Mark cupped her breasts, raising them to his lips. One hand snaked around her back to flip open her bra.

  “You do that like an expert,” she said, lifting her head.

  He chuckled. “Guilty as charged.” The bra slipped down her arms and onto the bed. “Much better,” he said, staring at her. Penny ran her hand down his cheek. He turned to kiss her palm.

  “Let’s get that off,” he said, tugging on the pink dress pooled around her waist. Penny pushed up on her arms, allowing Mark to slip it down then yank it off and toss it on a chair. His eyes feasted on the lacy white bikinis she wore. He bent his head to kiss her abs, flattening, then circling his soft, wet tongue on her skin. “You taste good,” he murmured.

  The sensation he created sent heat directly to her core. He looked up before kissing his way to her chest. “I’ve missed these,” he said, taking her peak into his mouth while his hand squeezed her other breast. Penny dropped her head back and opened her legs. Mark moved between them and perched on his knees.

  She combed her fingers through his hair and down his back, digging the tips into his muscles. His shoulders seemed as wide as goal posts as they hovered over her. He moved up to nibble on her earlobe. “I love you,” he whispered so softly she wasn’t sure if it was him or her own wishful thinking combining with a breeze from the window.

  “Do you?” she asked, raising her head to make eye contact with him.

  “Hell, yeah.” The blue of his eyes was so clear and bright.

  She believed him. Happiness washed through her from head to toe. I want him. He’s mine. “Then, take me. Make love to me,” she whispered.

  “I’m not through playin’ yet, and you’re not ready.”

  “I am, I am.”

  “No, you’re not. Not as ready as I want you.” He shot her a sexy smile and gently pushed her back down on the bed. “Relax. Let me do the work.” She chuckled and closed her eyes. Mark amused himself rolling her nipples between his fingers and kissing her breasts before he traveled south, dragging his hands across her chest, then down her belly. He hooked a thumb in each side of
her panties and slipped them off in one movement.

  He settled between her thighs and went to work raising her heat level to unbearable. Penny squirmed under his expert touch as the tension in her body grew tighter and tighter. She raised her hips up, and fisted the sheet.

  “Oh, God, Mark! If you don’t…” She cried out as the volcano inside her erupted, spilling pleasure through every inch of her. Finally, he stopped and sat back on his calves. The shit-eating grin he wore made her laugh.

  “I owned you,” he said.

  “You did. Absolutely, you did.”

  “You’d’ve done anything I asked.”

  “I would’ve, I would,” she said, nodding and still panting slightly as she pushed up on her elbows. “My turn.”

  His eyebrows shot up. “What? The king never gives up the scepter.”

  “Hmm, I might just have a few tricks of my own.” She gazed at him with passion. Before he could say or do anything, she bent down and took him into her mouth.

  “Holy Mother of God, Penny!” Mark closed his eyes. She ignored him and kept on. “You’re not going to get what you want if you don’t stop,” he warned.

  She sat up and grinned. Mark grabbed a condom from the nightstand and covered himself.

  “Round two,” he said, lying back, wrapping his long fingers around her hips and lifting her to straddle him as if she were as light as a summer breeze. She guided him into her while Mark lowered her down. Her knees hugged him as he filled her completely. She flattened her palms on his wide, firm chest and lifted her hips.

  “I want to see you, touch you.” He ran his hands down her side then over her breasts.

  “Oh, God, Mark.” Penny’s eyes fluttered shut, her breathing becoming shallow. She moved up and down in a steady rhythm on him as he caressed her skin and squeezed her flesh. She bent to kiss him. He snaked his arm around behind her and held her while he ravaged her mouth.

  When he let her up, her lips were slightly swollen and desire was running wild inside her. His eyes glowed and his lips curled into a sexy smile. He clasped her to him, holding her firmly with one, powerful arm, while he rolled them over with the other.

  “I want to take you this way,” he said, propping up on his knees and pounding into her. The increased speed set her off. Another cry and her hips bucked then moved with his. He maintained his rhythm, quickly bringing himself to a climax. A loud groan and closed eyes showed her he was done. He lowered himself to her, dripping sweat on the pillow, hiding his face in her neck.

  “Oh, my God, that was cataclysmic,” he said.

  “Hell, yeah,” she responded. “You’re an amazing lover.” She licked his shoulder, savoring the saltiness mixed with the essence of his skin.

  “So are you. So responsive, my queen.”

  She laughed. “As you wish, my lord.”

  He chuckled and rolled off her. Penny cozied up to him, resting her hand on his chest as she tucked her head into his shoulder. He makes me feel safe. Can I stay like this forever? Drowsiness weighed her eyelids down, and before long, she was asleep.

  Chapter Seven

  Mark eased himself out from under Penny’s embrace without waking her. He smiled down at her then kissed her hair and pulled the covers up. Make up sex is everything it’s cracked up to be. He slipped his boxers on and padded into the living room. Gotta call Meg.

  Before he could dial his sister, Penny’s cell rang. He glanced at the screen and read “agent” before it went to voicemail. He shrugged and decided not to wake her.

  “Hey, Squirt, whatcha up to?”

  “Did you talk to Penny?”

  “I did.”

  “And?”

  “We’re back.” He swore he could hear her smile over the phone.

  “Thank God. Honestly, Lug. You scared me. She’s great. Don’t lose her again, okay?”

  “Aye, aye, Captain! Thanks for your help.”

  “I don’t think I’ve ever heard you so miserable over a woman before.”

  “There’s never been a woman like her before. Not for me.” He paced.

  “So, why are you calling me?”

  “Thought you’d want to know.”

  “Figured you’d get it if you listened. It’s late. I gotta get back to my books.”

  “Don’t you ever go out?”

  “Not much. Gotta get the highest grades, so I can get the best job, one that pays the most. Then, I’ll get out of your hair.”

  There was a moment of silence before Mark spoke.

  “You’re not in my hair, Squirt. Not to get mushy, but I’m glad you’re my sister.”

  “I know, Mark. It’s just that you’ve done it all. You’ve supported me long enough.”

  “I don’t mind. As soon as I get a starting slot, money won’t be a problem anymore.”

  “You’re the best, Lug. I lucked out getting you for a brother.”

  “Go out, Meg. Have some fun.”

  “What will Harley say?”

  “Fuck him. Have a life, kid. You work hard. You deserve it.”

  “Thanks. I will, when I graduate. Love you, Lug. ’Night.”

  “Love you, too, Squirt.” Closing his phone, Mark went back to bed, easing in as gently as possible so as not to wake Penny. She rolled over, slinging her arm around his waist. He pulled her close, resting his cheek on her head. He pushed unpleasant thoughts about Darvin Sweetwater and the pressure to impress the owner out of his mind. It had been too long since he’d snuggled with Penny, and he wanted to enjoy this peaceful time with her.

  He took a deep breath, noting the familiar fragrance of lily mixed with Penny’s sweet scent. Doubt about his feelings for her had disappeared. Her story tore at his heart. While she appeared to be a glamorous woman without a care in the world, her life had been anything but. He didn’t expect to find such an injured, vulnerable woman when he went out with her.

  Mark hadn’t been interested in settling down. He was only twenty-four, popular, and had big financial responsibilities. So, when he had started dating Penny, he had figured it for the most amazing fun time ever. Instead, he got a view of what real love looked like. While other women turned a deaf ear to his financial burdens, and only wanted to know what he could do for them, buy them, Penny was different.

  Hell, yeah, women were willing to sleep with a rich football player who took them out to expensive dinners and bought them pricey clothes with fancy labels. Mark wasn’t in that category. No stranger to having women snub him and call him cheap when he watched his dollars, he had become a bit jaded. Was every woman only interested in his status and bank account? What would happen when he got hired as a starter? His salary would soar. How would he weed out the fortune hunters, only interested in his money?

  Then, Penny had come along. He’d never had a woman tell him she admired him for his devotion to his family, his frugality. No one. He certainly didn’t expect that from the world’s most beautiful woman.

  He hadn’t approached her like all the other men, interested in basking in her fame and sleeping with her. Mark hadn’t considered her a conquest, but he had been smitten and had wanted a physical relationship so bad he could taste it. When Penny had called him on it, he became embarrassed. She was right. Men were out for one thing, above all else.

  Her understanding of his obligations had endeared her to him. He had begun to see her as more than a gorgeous body and face, but as a person, a friend, as well as a lover. She put him at ease, was game to go bowling instead of to a fancy, expensive club. Her acceptance of Mark, the man, instead of Mark, the football star, started the seeds of true love in his heart.

  Megan disapproved of the other women he had dated. She called them “callow,” “shallow,” “money-grubbing” sluts who would do anything for an expensive, designer handbag. He had laughed at the time, because he thought all women were like that, except his sister.

  But Meg liked Penny, and that meant everything to Mark. Megan had always had his back, and he trusted her with his life. Her confirmat
ion of his feelings toward Penny boosted his confidence. Penny was a gem, a real woman, who loved him for who he was. He found that quality in her priceless.

  Snuggling with her eased his mind. As long as she was by his side, he knew he’d figure out what to do about the team. He wrapped an arm over her and was soon asleep.

  Mark rose at six the next morning. Again, he slid out of bed without disturbing Penny. She rolled over, mumbled something, but didn’t wake up. He had an early workout session and practice. After a shower, he threw on his warm-up clothes, stopped at a fast food joint to pick up a couple of egg sandwiches, and headed for the stadium.

  He sat down with Harley and ate his breakfast. Harley sloshed his food down with a big cup of orange juice.

  “Rumor has it a scout is coming to our game.”

  “Really? When?” Mark asked between bites.

  “In a couple of weeks.”

  Mark shrugged. “Doesn’t matter. Darvin’ll be playing. I’ll never get on the field.”

  “Might be something we can do about that.”

  “What? Talk to him? He’d never agree. He hates me and wouldn’t help me if his life depended on it.”

  “You’re right. But I had another idea.” Harley’s voice dropped to a whisper as he leaned closer to Mark.

  ****

  Penny awoke to an empty bed. She threw on one of Mark’s T-shirts and padded into the living room, looking for her lover. The smell of fresh coffee drew her attention. There was a note taped to the coffee pot. Smart guy. He knew the first place I’d look. Resting against the paper was a set of keys.

  Penny –

  Early practice. I’ll be back at five. Will you be here? I hope so.

  Last night was amazing. Hoping for a repeat tonight.

  Text me your plans for today.

  Love,

  Mark