by D. Love
“Sydney…” I whisper, almost choking on the memory. But before I can process anymore bad information, my cell phone rings, and Wayne clicks the speakerphone button, and hands it to me.
“Hello?” I ask, blankly. Wayne listens in, intensely.
“Kain, we need to talk,” Amanda, my agent says, dead serious.
“Amanda…” I say, distantly.
“I just received a call from Penny’s publicist, and let’s just say…she’s NOT happy,” Amanda scolds, softly.
“Oh, crap,” Wayne snorts.
“Penny…” I whisper. Her vibrant smile washes along my thoughts, settling my nerves a bit.
“Kain, I need to know everything about you and her. And I mean, everything.”
Without missing a beat, Wayne says, “Tell her about the sexting…”
“The what?” she grumbles.
“Wayne, not now.” I shoot him a dirty look when another knock at the front door startles us.
“Hang on, Amanda,” I say in a panic, and rush to the door. When I open it, my heart stops.
“Mr. Brooks, I need you to come with me. I have some questions for you concerning a possible harassment complaint,” the Las Vegas police officer says politely, but with an authoritative tone.
“Harassment?” I say, stunned.
“Yes. Do you know a Ms. Penelope Lane?” he asks, with a raise of his left eyebrow. From behind me I can hear Wayne and Amanda say the exact same thing, at the exact same time.
“Oh, shit.”
Chapter 15
Penny
I spent the entire day driving around, preventing myself from going home to face the dreaded questions and concerns of everyone. I knew that Tina would be there waiting for me, along with all the calls I didn't want to answer. I even ignored the text I received from Kain. My heart wanted to reach out to him, but the ‘what if's’ took control instead. I am beating my mind. I can't believe I could actually be wondering is it Kain? However, that is what happens when someone places just an ounce of doubt in someone's mind. I try to live never accusing or presuming anything, if I didn't know the true facts. Now, here I sit, second guessing the man I am in love with. 'Gasp!’ In love? Am I in love with him? What am I thinking? No, no, no, I will not start feeling this way, today is just an emotional day. I need to head home so I can just sleep this off, waking up to a better day, tomorrow. Taking a left turn, I see my house come into view and of course there sits Tina waiting on my doorstep.
“Tina, I am in no mood right now!”
“Penny please, I am sorry. I should've said something to you, I know that now. I just thought I was protecting you. You have been through so much in the last few years.”
“NO! Do not make this about Zack!”
“I’m not, damn it. I am just saying as your friend, Penny, your best friend, I wanted to shelter you from hurt.”
I am still looking away from her until I hear her sob. Turning my eyes to meet hers, I see the streaks made by her tears on her makeup and my heart breaks. Of course she is just trying to protect me. I got so defensive when Karen brought Kain into it, I took it out on my best friend.
“I have proof it wasn't him, Penny. Look at this.” I take the paper from her, reading another threatening note. I take a deep breath and unlock my house door, letting us both inside. Throwing my purse and keys on the stand, I kick off my shoes falling on the sofa. I hear Tina making a phone call, so I get up to make some tea. I have a hard time grasping the concept of someone spending their days making idle threats. Listening to Tina’s conversation, I get distracted from my stalker.
“You better get the charges dropped, Karen. We know now there is no way he can be involved. So, call now.”
“Tina, what is going on and don't tell me nothing?”
Tina explains that Karen called the police here and pressed charges against Kain, and that the police arrested him earlier today.
“What the hell was she thinking?” I start pacing, letting the panic take control over me.
“We will get him out, I promise. Karen is calling right now. I am sure she is already dropped the charges. Let me see your phone.”
I am such an uncontrolled mess. I couldn't comprehend what she is even saying to me. I see her grab my phone. Quickly, my attention snaps back when I hear her speaking with someone. Leaning against the counter I pick my tea up and begin drinking it, listening to her, secretly hoping she is talking to Kain.
“Well, Mr. Wayne, when you get him, can you please have him call Penny, so she will pull herself back together.” She stands there listening to the other side of the conversation in silence, until something triggers her anger. “I don't know who you think you are, ‘Wayne’ but let me tell you this much.” But before she could finish he must of hung up on her because she just stood there, staring at the phone.
“Tina, what did he say?”
“He said he will have Kain call you as soon as he gets out.”
“You look like you just have been shot, Tina. What has you so weirded out?
“Wayne.”
“Wayne? Why does Wayne have you looking like you've been hit with the anger tree?”
“He had the nerve to hang up on me but not before he said he wants to meet my feisty ass.”
I bust out laughing. It’s a tension release I am sure, but I found it hysterical. Tina on the other hand didn't find it that amusing. She took off to the kitchen making dinner. I often think cooking helps her to relax since she is always doing it. I tease her a bit about having Kain set her and Wayne up, and she just throws a piece of bread at me and huffs. Time passes and we have already eaten dinner, now cleaning up our mess when my phone rings. I jump up almost tripping to get to answer it.
“Hello?”
“Hey, you!”
“Oh Kain, are you okay? I can't believe all this happened to you. I am so sorry.”
“Tell Kain he needs to control his friend,” Tina yells loud enough that Kain hears her. Kain then repeats Tina’s words to Wayne. Tina snatches my phone placing it on speaker just in time to hear Wayne’s response.
“Tell her to send me a pic,” Wayne yells back in the phone. “And make it naked,” he yells again.
“I will give you naked, you asshole.” She snaps back as I grab my phone, taking it back off speaker, but not before Wayne yells back. “That’s what I am hoping you’ll give me,” he chuckles. Kain tells me that he will meet me at our usual time, because we will get no peace with these two by our sides. I agree hanging up the phone. I feel myself start to relax now that I know he is safe. I talk with Tina a little longer, and then I tell her I am getting tired and need to go to bed. She gives me a snort. “Sure you’re tired.” She uses her fingers making quotation marks.
“Just admit you want to see, lover boy.”
“Whatever, Tina, it’s been a long exhausting day.”
She kisses me on the cheek and grabs her purse to leave. After she is gone, I clean up a little then I jump in the shower. Once I am all clean, I pull my hair up in a bun. Now, I have to sit here and wait on Kain. The lavender shampoo I used earlier seems to settle my nerves a bit. Just as I am about to close my eyes and try to drift off, I hear the chime of my Skype. I roll over, scrambling excitedly to answer, seeing his face on the icon. I click the answer button and Kain comes on my screen shirtless and smiling beautifully. It’s hard to believe he went through so much today, with the way his eyes shine. "Penny," he says with such excitement it’s almost like he is out of breath. I give him a small smile.
"Kain, I am sorry about…" But he doesn’t let me finish.
"Don’t say anything. This is not your fault. If I was there I would want to shelter you too. I understand."
"But it’s not fair they blamed you, Kain."
"Shh," he says gently as he brings his hand up to the screen. Taking his finger, he lays it over my mouth. I watch his eyes as he pauses for a minute and then he traces an outline of lips. Forcing my eyes to watch him, he then takes the back of his thum
b running it across my bottom lip on the screen. I can hear his breathing through the speaker, the sound of it makes my body tingle. I am frozen not waiting to move and ruin the moment.
"Penny, do you trust me?"
"Of course I do."
"Unbutton your shirt for me."
I look at him questionably. I see him pleading with his eyes holding my answers. I oblige, starting out slowly undoing each button. Staring straight into his eyes I reach the last button when he says, "Will you take your shirt off for me?" I let my shirt drape off my shoulders first and then let it fall to the floor. He gives me another radiant smile as he asks me to take off the rest of my clothes.
"Now, lay down."
I am so lost in his intense gaze. At this point I will do anything for him. I feel the heat start warming my body with butterflies dancing in my stomach. Something I haven’t felt in a long time. I lie down on my bed and watch as he does the same, then rolling onto his side.
"Do you still trust me?" I simply give him another smile as my answer.
"Bend your leg. Now, will you take your hand and run it from your knee to your thigh?"
"Kain?" My heart starts racing, my mind is fighting with me to stop but my heart wants to continue, my body desires this, needs this.
"Trust me, Penny, please. I want you to feel me. This is the only way we have right now."
"I do trust you, Kain."
I watch the adoration on his face and I continue to trace my body as he directs my movements. Each one of his words is coming out more and more breathless. Running my fingers up my bare stomach to my breast, I feel my back arch with excitement. The more I traced my body, listening to his voice. My mind begins drifting with imagination. I can feel Kain touching me, exploring my body.
"Kain, I want you," I say before I can stop myself.
"Penny, you are so amazingly breathtaking. I want you too."
Hours later, I am the first to drift off to sleep.
Chapter 16
Kain
“I’m late!” I call to nobody. With a quick glance over at my nightstand, and the blank clock atop it, I jump out of bed. In my dark bedroom I squint from the little peek of sunlight shining through my curtains. Flipping the light switch and finding that the power is out again, starts my morning off with a grunt.
Brushing my teeth, getting dressed, and piling into my car with my laptop and bottle of orange juice, was all accomplished in a new record time. Eagerly, I holler into my cell phone.
“I’m on my way!” On the other end, my agent, Amanda, laughs.
“Power cut out again?” she asks, already knowing the answer.
“Of course. These crazy desert monsoons are becoming tiresome…” I say, picking up speed down the road that runs to the bottom of Mount Charleston. Trees with wet branches whip by my window as I push my vehicle faster.
“That’s why I live in the city, and not those rain soaked mountains of yours,” Amanda laughs.
“I know, I know,” I mumble. With a sharp turn of the final bend in the road, I find my tires gathering speed along the main street into town. “I’ll be there in twenty…”
“Good. I’ll see you soon. Can’t wait to discuss the book. I loved it, by the way,” she says before hanging up. Relief washes over me as I let her words sink in. She loved it. I was so nervous emailing the final manuscript to my agent when Penny had finally sent over her last chapter. The months had flown by. The story just poured out of us. Penny was right. This new collaboration could be the next great milestone in my career. But even if it wasn’t, it at least brought her into my life. I wouldn’t change that for anything.
Suddenly, I can see Penny next to me, riding shotgun in my precious muscle car. Her hair is twisting everywhere, teasing me, daring me to find her amazing eyes. I could not wait to tuck her in tonight. Minutes later I was pulling up to street side cafe that Amanda always wanted to meet at.
“Alright, first things first…you want the good news, the really good news, or the bad news?” Amanda asks, sliding me a fresh cup of java.
“Amanda, you know me…as always, the bad news first,” I smile.
“Okay. Though the charges have been dropped for the ridiculous accusation of stalking Penny, there’s still a buzz going around the internet. Nothing major, just trolls trying to stoke the fires of jealousy.”
“Great…” I sigh, with a slight eye roll.
“Sydney is still a…how did the police put it? A person of interest. Whatever that means…” she politely rolls her eyes. “She still isn’t taking your calls?”
“No. I haven’t really tried to call her since the last…umm…event…” I say, stumbling over my words.
“Event? You mean the whole bloody mailbox trick…” she huffs, sarcastically.
“Umm, yeah. Part of me believes Sydney would never go that far, couldn’t go that far.” I down half of my coffee in one large gulp. “And, well, I have been too busy to call her anyways. Ya know, with the book finally finished, and the move back home…” I say, drifting off a bit.
Nudging me softly, Amanda smiles, “And Penny.”
“Yeah, there’s that,” I try hiding my unbreakable smile.
“She’s really changed you, Kain.”
“Why do you say that?” I ask, flustered.
With the giant thump of our manuscript in printed form, slapping down on the table, she says, “Your words.”
“My words?”
“Yes. Kain, there are only three things in this universe that are for certain; taxes, death, and the undeniable truth that you, Kain Brooks, paranormal romance writer extraordinaire, are 110% off the market!”
“Huh,” I shrug.
“Kain, you’re in love with Penny.” The wind rushes from my lungs before she even finishes her sentence.
“I am?” I ask, playing dumb.
“Like…a lot…” she laughs, with her fingers fumbling through the printed pages of our love story. “It’s all in here, my dear. You love Penny.”
“Umm…” I mumble, before sipping at my cup, nervously.
“It’s okay, Kain. I won’t say a thing, but it will be pretty obvious to everyone else when this book hits the shelves.” Amanda leans back in her chair, smiling at me. “And trust me, it will hit the shelves.”
“It will,” I say, still in a daze from her words.
“That’s the good news, Kain. Your little love story is in the middle of a small bidding war between two of the top publishing companies.”
“Holy moly…” I gasp.
“I don’t know what kind of success Penny is having on her end, with her agent, but my phone hasn’t stopped ringing all morning. I’m beside myself.” She slaps her hand on the cover of the manuscript, in celebration. “And that’s only the half of it!”
“You mean there’s more good news?” I ask, still thinking of Penny. I wish she was here, holding my hand.
“I just got off the phone with Showtime and they’re expanding your television deal. Because of the ruckus of your newest book, they are predicting very big things for the future of your series. They are already throwing offers for you to write some of the episodes this next season! Can you believe that shit! Kain, they want you to help fix the show. They want you to make Blood and Bite as good as it used to be. They’re hoping it leads to more books in the series too.” Amanda wipes her brow in mock exhaustion, and her smile only grows wider.
“That’s amazing,” I whisper. Instantly, I think to myself, I couldn’t have done it without Penny. None of it. As I let the exciting news sink in, I order another cup of coffee for Amanda and I. She continues to discuss details and signing bonuses, but I find I cannot focus on the conversation anymore. I take a deep breath, and wait for Amanda to do the same. A couple minutes later, she runs out of words.
Jokingly, I lean in and ask, “So, what’s the real good news?”
Amanda laughs, lightly. “Silly boy, I already told you.”
“You did?”
“Yes, Kain.”
Amanda stands up, and politely excuses herself from the table just as her cell phone lights up with a call. “You’ve found love, again. You’ve found Penny.”
My heart stops in my chest, and I don’t know how to answer her. So, I stare up at Amanda, blankly.
“Go get her,” Amanda teases, and bounces off in the other direction. When I look back down on the table, there’s a first-class ticket to Virginia in front of me.
“Go get her,” I whisper.
Chapter 17
Penny
All day I have sat in meeting after meeting. The novel is finally finished and getting great feedback, other than the occasionally change, or adding something. Interviews are already being scheduled, dates are being added to calendars, and offers are being sought. Everyone is running around excited, like this is the biggest thing since Choco Tacos. Don’t get me wrong, this is a huge step for me, but for different reasons than everyone else has. Not only have I co-written an amazing novel with Kain. I have also fallen in love with him. Karen, the one who was so set against me writing this novel with Kain, is walking around here with her chest pushed out as if it was her brilliant idea. Karen’s assistant Brian brings in more coffee and some donuts. With a huge smile he offers me a coffee. I tip my cup up taking a drink, it’s just as I like it, as usual, watching Karen take a donut and begin chewing on it, at the same time she is spinning her pen around. Brian asks if I need anything else, but I politely say no and thank him. I have known him forever it seems, but hardly ever talk to him. Sometimes I even feel sorry for the way Karen treats him. I have no clue why he stays working for her. It must be good money, I think to myself and then snicker. He is a handsome man, but not my style. He’s about my height with blond hair that curls around his ears, accenting his blue eyes.