“So beautiful,” he murmured against her heated skin, pressing kisses along the edge of her bra. She released her grip on his hair so she could reach back and unclasp her bra, letting it fall from her body. She gasped, his lips closing around her right breast, pulling it into the hot cavern of his mouth and sucking deeply. She arched against him, trying to melt into his body as he continued to torment one breast and then the next.
He released her nipple, and dropped to his knees, kissing down her stomach, his hands reaching her waistband. He deftly popped the button open and pulled down the zipper, then shoved her jeans and panties down over her hips to the floor. He sat back, pulling her legs free until she stood before him completely naked.
“Why are you still clothed?” she asked as he stared at her. His chest rose and fell in rapid beats similar to her currently racing heart.
He leaned back in, pressing a kiss to her lower belly as his fingers moved through her curls. He didn’t say a word before his lips moved lower, his tongue finding her clit.
“Oh yes,” she gasped, pressing her core to his face. No longer caring that she was completely bare and vulnerable while he remained clothed. There was something unbelievably hot in standing naked in front of him while he wore his game day suit, his arms stretching the cotton button down, his suit pants unable to hide his need as he worshiped her body.
His tongue traced a lazy figure eight over her clit, and her fingers sank into his hair, holding his mouth to her pulsating body. Holy fuck he was good at that. Her breaths came out in pants as her stomach clenched. She arched her body, her head hitting the wall again as he plunged a finger inside of her.
“Ethan,” she moaned as another finger joined the first, moving in and out of her tight heat. He latched onto her clit, his mouth sucking. Her body tensed. Her breathing stopped. And then with a crook of his finger, she exploded around him, shudders racked through her and she slumped against the wall. When she lifted her head to look down at him, that crooked smile she loved was in place. He held her hips and rose to his feet.
“Penny,” he murmured as his lips met hers. Her arms wrapped around him as she pressed her trembling body to his and deepened the kiss. She tasted herself on his tongue and her need ratcheted up another notch. She needed him with a desperation she’d never felt before.
“Bedroom,” she gasped between kisses.
He broke away from her mouth with a strangled yes and she tugged him down the hall.
She stifled a shocked gasp as he scooped her up into his arms. His long, purposeful strides had them in her room in seconds.
“Impatient, are we?” she said as he lowered her to the bed.
“Maybe.” He grinned at her as he quickly removed his dress shirt and then pulled his undershirt over his head with one hand. If she’d tried that with her own shirt, she’d probably end up with tangled arms, and faceplanting onto the floor.
His biceps flexed as he moved. She nibbled on her lower lip, willing herself to not attack his defined chest. She wanted to trace his abs with her tongue, continuing down to his hip dip that drove her insane.
“See something you like?” he asked with a grin.
“Mmhmm,” she murmured, not caring about his smug expression. He was hot. She wanted him, and she wasn’t embarrassed about that.
He quickly stripped off his pants and boxer briefs, and stood in front of her in all his naked glory. She licked her lips, focusing on his rock hard cock. She sat up, scooting to the end of the bed, and gripped him. He pulsed in her hand as she gave him a light tug.
“Penny,” he groaned, his eyes drifting shut.
She lowered her head, running her tongue along the tip, tasting his salty arousal. His fingers sunk into her curls, tightening as she ran her tongue down the underside of his cock and back up to the tip, and then she sucked him into her mouth. She took in as much of him as she could, hollowing out her cheeks and swallowing when he hit the back of her throat.
“Oh, yes,” he moaned as she continued to move up and down his shaft.
She wished she could look up at him. See if he was staring at her or if his eyes were closed tight. From this angle, it was impossible, but he was enjoying himself, if the moans and his tight grip on her hair were any indication.
Good God, she was good at this. Her murmur vibrated against his cock, and he almost gave in.
“I don’t want to come in your mouth. I need to be inside you,” he panted as he gently pulled back. Her mouth drove him crazy. They would have to try this again, but right now he needed to plunge inside her. And not in her mouth.
She released him with a pop as she tilted her head back to look at him. Her dilated pupils told him she’d enjoyed that almost as much as he had. How he was able to walk around with her and not attack her every minute of the day was beyond him, but he was not passing that up now.
She scooted back across the bed, settling against way too many pillows. What was it with women and more than two pillows?
Her breasts pointed up toward him, her pale pink nipples begging for his mouth. Her curls spread out around her face, a golden halo plumped up by said pillows. It put her on display for him. So that’s what they’re there for. Okay, maybe not completely useless.
“I think we can get rid of about ten of these,” he said as he pulled a few pillows away, tossing them to the floor.
She grinned as she tossed the rest of them to the side, and waited for him to join her.
He moved up the bed, his knees resting between her spread thighs as he gazed down at her. He felt like he was home in her arms.
“What are you thinking about?” she asked, lifting her arms and running her fingers down his chest and abs. She traced the lines at his hips, and his stomach muscles clenched under her hands.
“Just that I can’t get enough of you. Every time I want you more than I did before,” he whispered before dropping his head and sealing his lips with hers. And it wasn’t just the physical. He thought about her constantly, but he was afraid to confess that right now. She’d finally stopped running. He didn’t want to freak her out and give her a reason to bolt.
She broke the kiss. “Stop stealing my thoughts.”
And before he could say anything, she pressed her lips back to his, and his tongue plunged in, swallowing her gasp and twisting with hers. He rubbed against her, her arousal coating his cock as he bumped against her clit.
He blindly reached for the condom he’d placed on her night stand, wishing he’d brought an entire box. He broke the kiss and leaned back, quickly rolling the condom on before settling between her thighs.
“We could’ve skip that,” she murmured.
“What?”
“The condom. I’m on the pill and I’m clean.”
He dropped his forehead to hers. “Now you tell me,” he groaned before brushing a kiss across her nose. “Next time. I’m clean, too.”
“Mmm, next time,” she whispered. Her hand snaked down between their bodies, gripping him, and guiding him inside her. Her tight heat wrapped around him and he settled to the hilt.
“God, you’re perfect,” he moaned as he slowly began to plunge in and out of her, her muscles gripping him, holding him tight.
“Oh, Ethan,” she whispered as her left leg wrapped around his hips.
“Is your knee okay?” he panted. She definitely had more range of motion than she’d had before, but he wished she could wrap both legs around his hips and squeeze him.
“Yes,” she replied as she loosely settled it under his ass. He groaned as she pressed herself against him.
Her fingers clutched the hair at the base of his skull, and he lowered his head to trail kisses across her lips before settling his mouth in the crook of her shoulder.
Her hot breath wafted across his ear before her teeth pulled on his earlobe, sucking the sensitive skin into her mouth, causing his body to shudder.
Her hands moved across his shoulders, her nails digging into his skin as he plunged in and out of her body. Their gasps
intermingling with each breath as he grinded against her, trying to rub against her clit while moving inside of her.
She arched her back, her hands raking across his shoulders. “Yes, Ethan. I’m so close,” she panted, her voice strained with a need that matched his. He leaned in, nibbling on her earlobe and whispering how incredible she felt pulsing around him. He rocked against her, and her moans increased. He braced himself on one arm, and trailed his other hand down her sweat dampened body to where they were joined. He plunged in and out of her, his thumb rubbing her clit. Her legs tightened around his hips, her eyes locked with his. Her lips parted with her rapid breathing, and she threw her head back and exploded.
Her inner walls clamped down around his cock as he continued to move, and she continued to ride out her orgasm. And then with a few plunges, he came with a shout, before collapsing down on her body. He burrowed his face in her neck, pressing light kisses against her skin as her arms locked around his back, holding him in place.
“I don’t think I can move,” he mumbled against her. His face pressed to her throat.
She let out a half-hearted giggle and trailed her fingernails up and down his spine. He should be dead to the world, but he wanted her again. Once he could move. So maybe five minutes.
“I’m crushing you,” he mumbled, but she just tightened her hold.
“I like you smothering me,” she replied, her hands wandering down and gripping his ass, squeezing. “Mmm,” she murmured. “You have the best ass.”
He grinned against her. “Yours is better.”
Finally, he pushed off of her. “Be right back,” he said, and walked to the bathroom. Knowing that her eyes were following his ass, he did an exaggerated hip swivel. Her laughter trailed behind him, and he was back in a flash, slipping between the sheets. He pulled her up against his chest, that perfect ass of hers nestled against him.
She squirmed, rubbing against his hardening cock. “Stop moving unless you’re ready for round two,” he growled in her ear.
She laughed. “Already?”
“What can I say? I always want you.”
“The feeling is mutual,” she said, rocking her hips. He squeezed her waist before rolling her to face him.
“Keep that up and there will be no sleep for you,” he said, pressing a hard kiss to her lips. They both pulled away, their breathing harsh. He’d keep it physical for now, but she had to see where they were headed. It was so much more for him.
“Sleep is overrated.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and tugged him down for another kiss.
Who was he to complain?
Chapter 19
Her phone dinged again Monday morning, but a quick glance showed her it was a text from her mother. Since Penny was in the middle of a difficult tax return, with multiple types of businesses and a handful of properties, she set the phone to silent and scanned through the next section of the return.
Even though the documents her client provided were a jumbled mess, she loved sorting everything out and putting it in its proper place and on the correct line of the tax return. And she’d just gotten word that Kevin had called in sick. The day was looking up.
She was just finishing up, and starting to debate what she wanted for lunch, when there was a knock on her open door, and Lexi leaned against the frame.
“Hey. It’s a little early for lunch, isn’t it?” Penny asked, glancing at the clock on her computer.
Lexi walked in, shutting the door behind her and taking a seat, her expression unreadable.
“What’s with the face? Is everything okay? Is something wrong with Abby?” Penny asked, sitting up straighter.
“I wanted to tell you before anyone else did. There are some rumors going around,” Lexi started, and panic bloomed in Penny’s chest.
“What rumors?”
“It’s out there, Penny. It’s just gossip right now, but they somehow found out about you and Ethan. And Italy.”
Lexi’s eyes filled with concern. Most likely a reflection of whatever was happening on Penny’s face. And it wasn’t good. Shit.
“How? Who?” she sputtered.
“I’m not sure. But the story is that you met Ethan in Italy and pretended not to know who he was. That you knew he was a rich athlete and Robert’s nephew. That you are using him to move up in the company.” Lexi’s last statement was whispered, and Penny’s stomach plummeted to her feet.
“But that’s not true. I would never do that.”
“I know,” Lexi said, reaching for Penny’s hand. “They’re stupid rumors, but half of it is the truth. And it’s going to get to Robert. To Alan. You need to tell them before someone else does. If they haven’t already.”
“Fuck. I knew this was a terrible idea.”
“What was? Dating Ethan? Falling for him?”
Penny nodded.
“No. Keeping it from your boss after he handed you Ethan’s account, that was probably not the best idea. But falling for Ethan. No. That was perfect. He brought you back to life. Made you smile again. He’s good for you, Penny. Don’t let stupid gossip ruin what you have. There’s a way to fix this,” Lexi said. She was so calm. Penny wanted to be calm, but her racing thoughts and sweaty palms nixed any chance of tranquility.
“What am I going to do?”
“It’s going to be fine.”
“I still don’t know how anyone found out. I mean, was it Kevin? But he didn’t know about Italy. He’s not a big fan of me, and the feeling is mutual, but who else would do this?”
“I don’t know. And, umm, there’s also pictures popping up on social media with you kissing Ethan after a game. And near some bakery downtown,” Lexi said.
“What?”
“They aren’t bad. They’re just out there.”
Penny unlocked her phone, but she had no clue where to even look. No one had tagged her on Facebook. Maybe they didn’t know her name yet. “How do I find them?”
“Give it,” Lexi said, holding her hand out, and Penny dropped the phone into Lexi’s palm. Lexi scrolled through and then held it up to Penny.
“See. They’re not bad. Just some kissing. Totally normal,” Lexi said.
Except she was pressed up against Ethan like she was trying to seep into his skin, and Ethan’s hands gripped her ass. Fuck. This was online for anyone to see. Robert. Her mother. Her co-workers.
She didn’t want to look at the comments, but she couldn’t stop herself.
Hartless’s newest fling. We’ll see how long that lasts.
Not his typical fare.
The player strikes again.
She flipped the phone face down on her desk and dropped her head. Everyone knew you should never read the comments, but they highlighted how mismatched she and Ethan were and she let her insecurities take over. “What if Robert fires me for lying?”
“You didn’t lie. You just omitted,” Lexi said. “It will be fine. Robert likes his nephew, and he likes you. Who knows, he could walk in here and welcome you to the family.”
“You are insane. I have to talk to him now,” she said, rolling back her shoulders and taking in a deep breath before she pushed her chair back from the desk.
“It’s going to be fine.”
Penny’s computer dinged, and she glanced at her internal messenger app.
Robert: Can I see you in my office as soon as possible?
“Oh shit. I think I’m too late,” Penny said, shaking her head.
Lexi leaned over, peaking at Penny’s monitor. “It will be fine. Just go up there and tell him the truth. He’s not going to fire you.”
“You can’t know that.”
“No, I can’t. But I think your job is safe. And then you are going to stop by my office and we will take an early lunch. Maybe Amanda can join us.”
She sent a message back to Robert that she was on her way. “This is going to be a disaster, isn’t it?” She stood up, and ran her hands down her skirt, willing her heart to stop racing and her brain to stop its downward spiral int
o unemployment.
“It will be fine. Just explain it rationally and then swing by my office,” Lexi said, standing up and holding the door open.
“Oh, hi Penny,” Jessica, salacious office gossip said, as soon as Penny walked into the hallway. The woman had a smirk on her face that told Penny all she needed to know. Had Jessica spread the rumors? No. She wouldn’t have known about Italy, either.
“Hi, Jessica. Did you need something?” Her voice sounded calm in her ears. That was promising.
“Nope. Just walking by. Hope everything is going well.” And there was that smirk again.
Penny nodded. “Yep. Just heading into a meeting.” She headed for the stairwell before Jessica could say anything else. She heard Lexi ask Jessica a question, purely to stall the woman.
When she reached Robert’s office, she took another calming breath—or four—and knocked.
“Come in,” his voice called out.
“Hi, Robert. You wanted to see me?”
“Yes. Please take a seat.”
He didn’t sound hostile. That was a plus.
“I’ve heard a few things this morning, and I typically don’t buy into rumors, but when it involves family, I have to ask.”
She was going to throw up. Her belly churned, and she bit back the urge to revisit her breakfast.
“I’m sorry, Robert. I know what you are talking about, and, yes, I am dating Ethan. We did meet in Italy, and I had no idea he was your nephew until he walked into your office last month. I’m not proud of my decision not to tell you. And we did not start spending time together again until after you’d given me his account. I should’ve said something as soon as we went on that first date, but Ethan said he didn’t have a problem with me working on his account. That I could Google his salary, so his earnings weren’t a secret he needed to keep from me. I should’ve told you anyway. It was very out of character for me to not be completely upfront, and I truly apologize.” The words flowed out of her at rapid speed. She didn’t let him get anything in until she was done.
“You should’ve mentioned that you already knew him when I introduced you the first time he was in this office. I never would’ve handed over his account to someone he had a history with. You can see how inappropriate that would be, correct?”
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