by Logan Chance
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.