by Claire Adams
"Why does she think she knows better than me?" Alice snapped.
Her dark eyes challenged me, but I refused to share any more of my personal experiences.
"Corsica was telling me about a breast cancer treatment center in Monterey. Mother, why don't you come back with us and at least have a consult there." Penn's voice had a pleading tone.
"You really had to bring them here?" Alice turned on Xavier. "You couldn't just be content to disrupt my peace on your own. And now look, you've upset Penn's peace as well."
Xavier gestured to Penn's arm comfortably around my waist. "I think he looks better than I've seen him in a long time. And, Corsica is just trying to help."
I couldn't stay quiet. "You're underestimating people you don't even know," I said. "Treatment centers like the one in Monterey are all-inclusive. They've seen so many cases of cancer that they are the last people to turn away new approaches or new ideas. You can tailor your own treatment and it can include everything you have here, as well as modern techniques."
Alice looked at her son, then Xavier. For all her bravado and confidence, she was tired. Xavier jumped forward to catch her, but she refused to sit down. The same stubborn pride I had seen in Penn surrounded Alice like a glow.
She patted Xavier's hand. "All right. Fine. I don't want to underestimate other healers."
"I'll make the appointment for you," Penn said. He let go of me and took his mother's hand.
Alice caught my eyes and held them for a long moment. Then, she smiled. "I will make a deal. For my part, I will go to this treatment center and sit through a consult. I'm not promising anything, but I'm going to argue with them as much as I want."
Penn laughed. "Of course. I'll warn them when I make the appointment."
"What's the other half of the deal?" Xavier asked.
Alice brushed the men back and took both my hands. She drew me out of the yurt and up a small hill to a clearing. Xavier and Penn followed, but stopped when Alice held up an imperious hand. "The only thing I ask in return is that Corsica stands here and finds a way to reveal herself."
I laughed and the buoyant sound bounced off the hills. "Done."
Alice was surprised and took a step back. I waited until Xavier held her steady and then I let loose the long, suspended first note of my favorite song. It reverberated through the oak groves and up into the night sky.
"Day by day / I'm falling more in love with you…"
I didn’t stop even when the campers ringed around the clearing to stare. The song swelled and I let it sweep through me and take everything from me. I didn't stop even when tears rolled down Alice's cheeks. I sang for her with everything I had and knew it was more than she had ever bargained for.
#
The campers drifted away as the last note faded. Xavier finally convinced Alice to return to her yurt to rest. Soon, it was just Penn and I in the small grove. He stood in the shadows, but I could still feel his eyes on me. Moonlight filtered down to where I stood like a spotlight. Normally, being so visible made me nervous, but just then I felt free.
"Thank you," he said.
"For what? That felt wonderful."
Penn chuckled and joined me in the moonlit center of the clearing. "Thanks for putting Alice down a peg. The shock on her face was worth it."
"Worth bringing a perfect stranger along on a very personal trip?"
"I think you can stop calling us perfect strangers, Corsica from South Dakota."
I shrugged that comment away. "Do you think your mother will hold up her end of the bargain?"
"Alice is nothing if not honest. She'll go to the consultation and probably give them hell."
I took Penn's hand and squeezed. "Good. Then this whole crazy trip was worth it."
"I know I'm a coward," he sighed. "I shouldn't have put all of this on you. I'm not very good at facing up to my screwed up family."
"Are you kidding?" I asked. "I haven't seen you shy away from a single thing. I wish I had the courage you do. I mean, you just got terrible news and it hasn't stopped you from moving forward. Most people would still be curled up in a ball trying to process it."
Penn shrugged and didn't release my hand. "Moving forward is what I do best, except my mother calls it running away."
"Is it bad that I loved the way her jaw dropped when I said 'done?' It felt really good to beat her at her own game," I admitted.
His laugh warmed me from the inside out. "You know what you are? A sleeper. Everyone thinks you're one way, the prim and proper and good girl image you've got. Then, wham! You hit him with that voice of yours. It's like a super power. Alice had no idea you had that in you. Did you see how she stepped back before you were even done with the first note? That was amazing."
I slipped my hand from his. "I shouldn't have done that. It was petty to show her up. I wish I was more like you and didn't care what people thought of me. Then I wouldn't have let Alice get under my skin."
"I care what people think about me," Penn confessed. "Not everyone, but you're a different story."
I sighed. "I don't want to be different."
Penn slipped both hands around my waist. "You're different because I care what you think about me. I care more than you think."
I wasn't prepared for the kiss, but even if I had seen it coming, I wouldn't have known what to do. Penn's lips were as hot as a candle flame and they ignited me. I reached up on my tiptoes to answer his urgent press and our breath tangled over breathless sighs. I couldn't subdue the fiery moan that escaped me when his tongue traced my bottom lip.
His arms encircled me tighter, lifted me from the ground, and I slipped my arms around his neck. If I didn't hold on, I was sure I would fly off into the night sky like smoke.
For one, soft moment, Penn pulled back so his dark eyes could search mine. I saw the golden flecks glowing in his look and I had no other answer than to pull him into another searing kiss.
My body molded to his, every hard contour of his muscles melting me against him. He felt like hard-packed earth warmed in the sun, and his kiss tasted of fresh air and campfire. I tasted him, devoured him, and felt his jagged breath as my teeth nipped his wide lower lip.
"We're not strangers," Penn murmured against my insistent mouth.
I pulled back and gave him a wicked grin. "But this is our first time."
He groaned and tangled one strong hand in my hair. Penn pulled my head back and dove into a deep kiss that left me breathless and melted against him. When he bent over and let my toes touch the ground again, I pulled him with me. We stumbled onto the soft grass, and I saw the stars spin above us.
Then Penn's hands were on my body and everything faded under the heat of his touch. I arched my back up as his hands skimmed the thin sundress and found my breasts pressing against the low neckline. One thumb brushed over my already aching nipple, causing me to cry out with the startling pleasure. Penn caught my cries in deeper kisses, and I tangled both hands in his shaggy hair.
His beard brushed against the bare skin of my neck, driving me wild with each new caress. The soft friction of it over the heavy press of Penn's strong body sent waves of pleasure over me. I spilled back onto the grass and felt myself opening to him.
His hot hand traced the hem of my sundress and again I lifted my body against him. The rough caress of his fingers lingered on my thigh until I shuddered with desire. I pulled his head to me and deepened our kiss with one, aching word.
"Please."
A low, sexual growl escaped his lips as Penn paused to look down at me. "Corsica," he whispered with a graveled voice.
Abruptly, another voice broke into our tangled world. Penn's mother was calling him.
I shoved his shoulders and sat up, scrambling to pull my sundress back into place. "Your mother is coming," I said.
Penn groaned and dug his hands into the ground. Then, he hefted himself to his feet, brushed his palms on his jeans, and helped me up.
Alice circled closer, speaking to Xavier in too loud of a
voice. "Don't you think it's strange that she hasn't mentioned one thing about his birthday? Does she expect him to plan it as well as pay for it?"
"I don't think that's it," Xavier said in my defense.
Alice snorted. "I'd think you, of all people, would recognize the signs of a gold-digger."
"Gold-digger?" I whispered to Penn, horrified.
"Don't listen to her."
"Wait! We're supposed to be in a relationship, but I don't even know when your birthday is," I cried.
Penn sighed. "My birthday's tomorrow."
CHAPTER EIGHT
Penn - 8
The drive back to Monterey was silent. My father sat in the backseat. Every now and then, a contented smile curved his lips. My stomach knotted every time. There was no denying that my mother had forgiven him, but I still could not even think about it. Still, there had been a strange peace to the entire evening that stayed with us on the winding drive.
Corsica sat next to me. Her long, blonde curls brushed against the leather seats of my car and tickled my arm. I rested it on the center console just for those occasional and accidental caresses. When I caught myself inching my arm closer to her, I shook my head.
Was I losing my mind?
Maybe Corsica was right and my mind was still processing the fact my mother was gravely ill with breast cancer. There was no other explanation for the magnetic pull I felt towards the secretive and snobby girl next to me. It had nothing to do with the fact that she looked flawless, even after an evening in the woods.
And a roll in the long, summer grass, I thought.
The stab of desire was hot and struck me right down the center. Corsica stirred and shifted in her seat, unconsciously flexing her long, tantalizing legs. At least that reaction I understood. I was more than attracted to Corsica–I desired her. I was thankful for the silence of the car ride just so I could relive our smoking hot kiss again and again.
When I absentmindedly pulled into my own driveway, my father cleared his throat. "I'm checking in at the hotel down on Sea Drive, if you don't mind dropping me there."
"What? No," Corsica said, sitting up. "You're staying here. It's your house, no matter what Penn says, and there is definitely plenty of room."
Scowling up at the eight-bedroom mansion, I couldn't disagree. "There's a small suite on the end of the east wing that you might like. Still an early riser, I'm assuming," I grumbled.
My father stopped himself from patting my shoulder. "Yes, and thank you. I don't mind the hotel, but I'd love to stay with you."
I shrugged him off and got out of the car. My father was easily forgotten when I opened Corsica's door and her long, luscious legs swung out. I knew the sundress had caused her grief at my mother's encampment, but I appreciated every short inch of it. I held out my hand and couldn't help but tug Corsica close as she stood up.
"Sorry," she whispered. "It seemed rude not to invite him. I'm figuring long-term girlfriends do things like play hostess, right?"
"I wouldn't know," I said, tracing a hand up the tight sweep of her back. "I've never had a long-term girlfriend. You tell me."
Corsica blinked, her petal soft lips parted. "My last relationship was three months. Does that count?"
I shook my head. "Nothing less than a year. I figure we've been dating for at least a year and a half."
She chuckled, her firm breasts against my chest. "How do you figure that?"
"Because that's how much I want you." I tortured us both with a quick brush of a kiss. The heat from her lingered.
Corsica swatted my shoulder with a charming blush on her cheeks. Then, she slipped out of my arms and went up the front steps after my father. I could ignore him, but I couldn't tear my eyes off her. I felt sweat break out on my forehead at the way the sundress swayed and clung.
Corsica was like a fever and there was only one cure. I had to sleep with her and get her out of my system.
"Goodnight, you two." My father hid his yawn behind a wolfish smile. "Make sure to get some sleep. Big day tomorrow."
I wondered what he meant, but the idea of having Corsica all to myself was frying my brain. "He's right. It's late, and we should head to bed."
She smiled and slipped down the hallway ahead of me. My hopes soared until she zipped into a guest room two doors down from my master suite.
I laid a flat hand on the door before she was able to shut it in my face. "What are you doing?" I asked. "We've been dating for over a year and half, remember?"
"Regardless," Corsica said with a snooty tip of her chin. "I am not in the habit of sleeping with strange men."
"I'll trim my beard," I offered.
She laughed. "Sorry, but I'm off the clock."
I shook my head and let her close the door. "All business with you. That's a bad habit you need to learn to break."
"Goodnight, Penn. Sleep tight," Corsica whispered.
Her breathy words teased me all the way down the hallway. "If I sleep at all," I muttered as I strode into my suite and left the door open. Just in case.
Despite my wild hopes, and even wilder fantasies, I was shocked as hell when Corsica leapt into my bed. At first, I was certain it was a dream. She was in nothing but a pair of pale pink, lacy underwear and a white tank top. Then, I realized soft sunlight was just touching the top of my bedroom windows.
"You weren't kidding, your father is an early riser," she squeaked. "I had to race down here while his back was turned. Good thing he couldn't find a coffee mug."
"What does it matter? You think he's going to check in on us? We're not in high school," I mumbled. Corsica slipped under the covers and inched towards me. I turned on my back and raised a knee to hide the obvious response my body was having.
"The coffee's for you. He made us both a mug," Corsica whispered. She slipped under my arm and pressed her body along my side. "Just pretend like I've been here all night."
"You wouldn't be wearing so many clothes," I said.
Her cheeks warmed with a blush, but she snuggled into the crook of my arm and feigned sleep. I wrapped my arm around her and ached. Corsica's body fit against me perfectly, every inch touching off an electric need for her.
"This was your mother's idea," my father called. He nudged the door open and stood with his eyes closed. "Is it safe to come in?"
"No," I said.
"Penn! Don't be rude," Corsica's voice was muffled as she wriggled closer to me. I didn't know if it was shyness or the spreading heat I felt from her, but I didn't complain.
My father strode in and set down the coffee mugs on my bedside table. Then, he produced an envelope from his pocket and handed it to me. "Like I said, this was your mother's day. All I want to say is happy birthday."
"Thanks," I managed, but Xavier was already heading for the door. He waved a hand over his shoulder.
"Is it really your birthday?" Corsica asked.
"Yes. I'm officially thirty."
She shifted against me, one leg rubbing across my thigh. "Really? I didn't know you were so old."
"Yup," I groaned. "I'm all grown up, and I know exactly what I want for my birthday."
I rolled Corsica onto her back and watched her eyes flash wide as she felt my need for her. Those lips of hers parted in a shocked cry as I leaned down for a kiss. She wriggled against me until she felt the resulting heat between us. I nibbled her delicious lips and prayed this wasn't all a dream.
"Your ride's here," my father called.
"Ride?" I lifted my head then groaned as Corsica slipped out from under me.
She lifted the curtain and gave a surprised giggle. "Horses! There's a man unloading horses in the driveway."
Corsica bounced back onto the bed and grabbed the envelope my father had left. I took it from her and tore it open roughly. The passion she'd awoken was still throbbing through me, but I knew the moment had passed.
"It's an itinerary," I grumbled. "Horseback ride along the beach. Breakfast at the resort. Spa treatments, then dinner."
"How
can you frown at that?" Corsica asked. "It sounds like a wonderful way to spend your birthday."
I groaned and sat up. "Normally I spend my birthday out in the far canyons with a six pack of beer."
Though even I had to admit later my mother had chosen well. Corsica was a natural on horseback and the sight of her long legs in the saddle was a great gift. The morning was mild and sunny, the famous Monterey weather lending the whole morning a sweet warmth.
It wasn't until we sat at a private table on the resort's patio, overlooking Monterey Bay, that something else my mother said came back to me. What if Corsica was just a gold-digger?
Behind her, a tableful of tourists snapped discreet pictures of me. I was, after all, the founder and face of the top outdoor sports equipment company.
GoGreen's combination of sustainability, innovation, and focus on simplicity was a lethal business plan in an overblown industry. It didn't hurt that the outreach programs I headed made great headlines. It also didn't hurt that my company had just been listed as worth over one billion dollars.
How could Corsica not know who I was? I wondered.
Sure, she didn't look like the outdoorsy type. And, I knew she had focused entirely on her studies while in college. Still, it seemed strange that she didn't realize I was Penn Templeton. Had she never heard of GoGreen? It was a national chain and still expanding.
The thought stuck with me and I decided to turn down the spa treatments and see how Corsica reacted.
"It's such a nice day; who wants to be stuck in a candlelit room?" she said. "You know, I've never been on 17 Mile Drive. Want to go?"
I nodded to the blank-faced, professional driver my father had hired. He whisked us along the coast highway and into the curves that were dotted with stunning mansions and overlooks. Corsica was pressed to the window, ignoring the crashing sprays of the coastline and drooling over the showplace houses.
"Can you imagine people actually live in those?" Then she laughed out loud. "What am I saying? You live in a place like these, but can you imagine being able to pick one out and just buy it?"