Revenge and Redemption

by Jennie Brumley

  “This is all your fault,” he said as he looked at his cock.

  Luke slumped back on the couch and inhaled again, the sweet smell of gardenias filling his mind with images of Penny. His Penny. He imagined stripping her slowly, one item of clothing after another.

  He’d start with those pretty blue ballet flats she’d worn tonight, slipping them off her weary feet, massaging her toes, her arches, her ankles. Slowly he’d work his way up her legs and under her skirt, he’d find her knickers and ease them down, he’d press them to his face and inhale her womanly scent. Next he’d take her blouse, slipping each little pearl button from its hole, allowing her glorious lace encased breasts an inch of freedom at a time. He’d push the silky fabric from her shoulders and watch it fall away, he’d…he’d…

  “Damn,” he groaned as he came in his hand. “Didn’t even get her bra off.”

  Chapter Six

  Penny put the phone down for the third time and jumped up and down on the spot waving her fists in the air and screaming silently at the ceiling, as if that would somehow make her dial Selina’s phone number. She went upstairs to the café and made herself a cup of coffee, then walked around the room for a bit, chatting with the regulars.

  She was procrastinating.

  Penny knew she had to call Selina and she had to do it today. By the end of the week, that was what Luke had demanded. Today was Thursday and Selina would be in meetings all day Friday if she stuck to form, so it was now or never.

  She returned to her office and took a deep breath, then picked up the phone and called Selina, the numbers flying forward from her subconscious more easily than she would have liked. She waited anxiously for an answer.

  “Oh, yes, hello. My name is Penny Royale and I would like to−“

  She was put on hold. Penny listened to the classical music wafting through the phone line and sighed impatiently. Minutes ticked by. Maybe Selina wouldn’t take her call. Maybe her aunt wanted to speak to Penny almost as much as Penny wanted to speak to her aunt. She didn’t.

  Penny hadn’t even really thought about what she would say to Selina beyond hello. After all, what do you say to the woman who took you in and raised you against her will, educated you to her own ends, treated you like her slave when it became blindingly apparent that you weren’t interested in taking over the company, then threw you out into the cold because you did what you felt was the right thing, and not the Royale thing?

  “Penelope, is that really you?” Penny froze. For what seemed like an age, she lacked the ability to speak. “Hello?”

  “Hello,” Penny croaked as she found her voice. “Aunt Selina.”

  Silence ensued again.

  “I must say this is...unexpected,” Selina said after a minute more. “I hadn’t thought to be hearing from you any time soon.”

  “Yes, I know, but I, um...I was over your way the other day and I got to thinking that maybe I should call you so I am, calling you.” Penny winced at her unease. And she thought she sounded like an idiot in front of Luke!

  “Yes, I heard you were taking a meeting. I don’t suppose you care to explain what you were doing at Hardcastle Tower?”

  Penny should have realised Selina would have her spies watching Luke’s front door. But there it was, the opportunity she needed to bait her aunt. Didn’t take long, much less time than she’d expected.

  “Oh, just some small item of business, nothing important, really.”

  “What sort of business?” asked Selina in her sugar-coated way.

  “Nothing that would interest you, I’m sure, Aunt Selina,” Penny said. “Luke is my new landlord, that’s all.”

  “Is he now? And what would someone like Luke Hardcastle want with a mouldy old bookshop?” she asked.

  “I don’t know,” Penny said defensively, the jibe about her business cutting deeper than she wanted to admit. “Why would he tell me anything?”

  A thoughtful sigh followed by a triumphant snigger met her ears. “Have lunch with me tomorrow. My treat. We’ll catch up, discuss what’s new.”

  Penny agreed to meet Selina for lunch at her favourite restaurant at midday sharp, then hung up and took a deep breath.

  Now to tell Luke.

  “Come to my office when you finish work today. We can discuss what you’re going to say.”

  “I can’t, Luke. It’s Thursday, it’s late-night shopping. The shop doesn’t close until nine and I won’t be finished until almost ten.”

  “Fine, then I’ll come to you.”

  As much as she liked the sound of that idea, as much as she wanted to see his handsome face and perfect ass, as much as she knew she shouldn’t, she also knew it was a waste of time. Both hers and his.

  “And do what? Sit around and wait for however long? Why don’t I just call you when I get home and we can discuss it then?”

  Much better idea. A disconnected voice was much easier to deal with than a real live man. Especially this man, the man who had the power to make her knees go weak with the slightest of grins and—oh hell. Who was she kidding? Even over the phone with nothing more than his sumptuous voice, he made her feel like the giddiest of idiots.

  “I’ll come to you, Penny. If I get bored, I’ll have a cup of coffee and read a book.”

  “Fine,” she sighed, resigned to the idea that she was going to make a fool of herself one way or another anyhow. “What time should I expect you?”

  “About sixish. Would you like me to bring you some dinner?”

  Penny scrunched her brow at the unexpected gesture. “Ah, sure, I guess, as long as you’re buying.”

  “Do you like Indian?”

  “Love it, the spicier the better. Something with goat in it.”

  “Goat?” Luke scoffed with an affable laugh. Penny couldn’t help smiling at the warmth in his voice and she relaxed a little.

  “Hey, don’t knock it ’til you try it. Goat is very yummy.”

  “Let me write this down so I don’t forget: Goat for the crazy lady,” he teased. Penny chuckled quietly and she thought she heard Luke’s breath catch. Right. Like that would happen. She shook her head, certain she imagined it.

  “For that you can get me some veggie pakoras, too.”

  “Got it. I’ll see you tonight, Penny.”

  Luke’s words sounded more like a seductive promise between lovers than a business appointment between blackmailer and blackmailee. Penny’s pulse thrilled at the idea. There was no denying that she found Luke insanely attractive. He was so tall and so broad that he practically filled any doorway he stood in, but there was so much more than a physical presence about him. Luke was confident, sure of every move he made, decisive and bold.

  Since starting his own company more than ten years ago, Luke’s special blend of knowledge, dedication and confidence had seen Hardcastle Construction win bid after bid until it grew into the corporate giant it was today.

  Penny had read time and time again where Luke had said all of his success was made possible by the love and support of his family.

  She’d always wondered what that would be like, to be loved so unconditionally. She didn’t begrudge people fortunate enough to have that in their lives; how could she? She found it difficult to miss something she’d never had. But for the past few days it had played on her mind. It wasn’t just that she was attracted to Luke, or that she wished there could be something more between them than deceit and distrust—she knew there couldn’t be—but Luke’s family was almost all gone now. Soon he’d be alone. Just like her.

  * * * *

  Luke strolled into Royale Teas just after six with a plastic bag in hand, the hot spicy smells of curry and the sweet tangy scent of yoghurt wafting from within. Penny and her assistant, Karen, were serving customers. He watched them for a moment until he caught Penny’s eye and he held up the bag to show her he hadn’t forgotten. The smile that met his eyes was blinding and his heart picked up pace.

  Penny called out to one of her other staff members to help Karen and
she led Luke to her office, but only so she could fetch her bag and coat.

  “Come on,” she said as she started back across the shop floor. Luke frowned as Penny said goodnight to her staff, and wasn’t sure if he should be amused by Karen’s cheeky wink and silly grin, but then Penny grabbed his hand and dragged him out of the shop.

  “I thought you had to close the shop.”

  “You see, Luke, the great thing about being the boss is that I have staff who can do these things for me when I have better things to do.”

  “Why didn’t you just say that when we spoke today?”

  “And miss out on a free meal? Are you nuts?”

  Luke laughed and shook his head as he watched Penny pull her coat on to ward off the early spring chill. He definitely liked this woman way more than he should, and therein lay the problem.

  “So, where to? Your place or mine?” he asked, trying his hardest to keep the suggestiveness out of his voice.

  “Since you have to give me a ride home either way, we may as well go to my place.”

  Luke groaned as the unbidden thought of giving Penny a ride bounced through his head. He had to get this under control. Yes, there was a strong attraction on both sides, but nothing good ever came from sleeping with a woman whom you were manipulating for your own ends.

  * * * *

  “So, why a book shop?” Luke asked as Penny served the food. He clenched his jaw and willed his cock to stay down as he watched her suck a dribble of marsala sauce from her thumb.

  Damn, but he needed to get laid.

  Preferably with her.

  She tossed the empty plastic container in her sink and sat down at her small dining table before answering. “I thought you wanted to talk about Selina.”

  He screwed up his face. “Not while I’m eating.”

  Penny smirked and shrugged. “I love reading. A book shop seemed logical.”

  “And the cafe?”

  “Caffeine addict.”

  Luke stared at Penny curiously. Her answers were short, to the point, and hardly conversational. He laid his fork aside and interlaced his fingers as he put his hands on the table. Penny looked cautious as he leaned forward.

  “I realise that my blackmailing you doesn’t make for the most comfortable environment, Penny, but there’s no reason we can’t keep this friendly.”

  Very friendly, if he got his way. Which he usually did.

  “I am being friendly.”

  “No, you’re not.”

  Penny’s eyes narrowed as she rose to the bait. “What do you want from me? Because I think I’ve been pretty bloody patient with this whole blackmail and revenge thing, don’t you? I’ve done everything you’ve asked of me so far, and believe it or not Luke I know some of what you’re doing is for my benefit alone, so don’t think you’re pulling the wool over my eyes on that score, mate.

  “And as for Selina…you want to know why I run a café, Luke? Well, I’ll tell you. Because I grew up with junkie parents who were more concerned about getting their next fix than feeding their child, and when they died I was sent to live with a woman so frigid she makes Antarctica look like Tahiti. Tea and scones and coffee and triple-chocolate cheesecakes are warm and lovely and fun. Everything I never had growing up I surround myself with now because I’ve bloody well earned them!”

  Luke sat in stunned silence as he stared at Penny, her chest heaving with every angry breath, her hands balled into fists on the table. He’d only meant to tease her, to cause her cheeks to flush that pretty pink he was becoming way too fond of, not to cause her grief. His libido quickly took the back seat as the urge to gather her soft body into his arms, to hold her tightly and protect her from any more hurt became almost unbearable.

  “I didn’t mean to upset you, Penny.”

  “You think I’m insane, don’t you?” she snapped.

  “It’s not insane to want nice things in your life.”

  “Says the man who wants to take them away from me.”

  If Luke thought he was having doubts before, they were nothing compared with what he was feeling now. He’d known Penny’s life had been unusual, but he’d never guessed she’d been so unloved, so alone. If Penny hadn’t spoken first he might have actually called the whole thing off.

  “Can we just talk about tomorrow, please? Selina wants to meet at Jorge’s Café in the Queen Street Mall.”

  “I know the place,” Luke said as he shifted into work mode. “Plates as big as the tables with meals the size of atoms. Very chic.”

  “And very expensive, so she’d better be buying.”

  “I’ll give you some money just in case.”

  “I don’t need your charity, Luke.”

  “I’ve already bought you dinner twice this week. What’s a lunch on top of that?” Before Penny could answer he sighed and said, “Consider it a slush fund, then. Some flash cash to keep Selina interested, make her wonder just how well you’re doing, little Miss Small Business Woman of the Year.”

  Penny tried to hide a swift smile behind her hand but Luke saw it anyway and he smiled too. “What? You didn’t think I knew about the award?” he said, and added irrelevantly, “You were right about the goat, by the way. It’s actually pretty good.”

  Penny frowned. “Are you sure you want to go through with this, Luke?”

  “The goat or Selina?”

  “Selina.”

  “Quite sure. Why?”

  “She isn’t just going to admit any wrongdoing any time soon. She’s been at this for a long, long time and she’s very good at what she does.”

  “Your point?”

  “I just hope you realise what you’re going to have to do to beat her at her own game, what you’re going to have to become. Despite everything that’s happened this week I would still like to believe you’re a good man, Luke. But if you want to beat Selina you’re going to have to become something you’re not.”

  “Really?” Luke said with a grin, completely ignoring the seriousness in Penny’s voice. “And what’s that?”

  “A prick.”

  Luke laughed out loud at the sincerity in Penny’s face. “I can be a prick, Penny.” He chuckled.

  “So I’ve heard, but we’re not talking about your love life now, are we?”

  Luke sobered.

  “If you’re serious about bringing Selina down, then you are going to have to be ruthless, merciless, and I’m sorry, but your reputation leaves a lot to be desired in that regard.”

  “I’ve already resorted to blackmail, Penny. What else would you like me to do, sacrifice a small child?”

  “If you really wanted to make sure you could keep me in line you would never have conceded to my demands over the other leases. You would have held them over my head in case I had any ideas of, oh I don’t know, say, changing premises to a building not owned by Hardcastle Construction? You’d have no hold over me then, no bargaining chip.”

  “You think because I conduct myself with integrity that I’m weak,” Luke said coolly.

  “I’ve never thought that, but Selina does, and she will use your integrity against you.” Penny sighed. “But I guess we won’t really know how to play the game until I see her tomorrow,” she said as she cleared away their plates.

  “I suppose not,” he agreed as he helped clean up.

  Luke handed a glass to Penny as she stacked the dishwasher and their fingers touched. She almost dropped the glass and grabbed at it with her other hand. She was shaking. Luke took the glass from her and held her hands in his, his thumbs circling gently over the backs of her long fingers, sliding up over her knuckles, caressing her, scorching her skin with his sensual heat.

  Penny slowly lifted her eyes to meet Luke’s, and was greeted by liquid fire. His golden gaze was hotter than a jeweler’s crucible and her heart began beating erratically. Her breasts rose and fell with every staggered breath and her tongue moved slowly over dry lips. Luke moved forward. He pressed her back against the kitchen bench and slid his hands into her
hair. He held her captive with his body and his gaze, and there was no escaping that sensual mouth as it slashed down over hers and stole her sanity.

  The taste of spice added to the heat of their kiss as Penny’s fingers tunnelled through Luke’s thick black hair and held him to her. She heard a lustful mewling escape her lips and heard his masculine growl in response. He pulled her roughly against him and Penny could feel every hard rope of muscle beneath his blue business shirt and his perfectly tailored charcoal trousers, and as he slid one hand down her back and squeezed her ass, forcing her even closer, she could feel his long, thick erection stabbing into her.

  Her mind spun and she wanted to whoop with delight. She had given him an erection. Her, Penny Royale, the antithesis of a professional coat-hanger, had given Luke Hardcastle an erection.

  Again.

  She was terrified, but it was a wonderful kind of fear—exciting, seductive.

  Luke listened to Penny’s feminine whimpers and sighs as he grazed his lips over the sensitive flesh of her cheek and ear, leisurely working his way down her throat, and he was spurred on in his quest to rid himself of this relentless need he was developing for her. Maybe if he could take her to bed, maybe if he could lose himself in her for just one night, he would get past his ridiculous obsession and see with his own eyes exactly how wrong for him she was.

  “Luke?” she whimpered as his mouth traveled closer to her heaving cleavage.

  “Hmm?” Luke slid his hands under Penny’s blouse and tenderly caressed her plump ribs, felt the heat and the silky softness of her skin. Wanted more.

  “I’m sorry I lost my temper before.”

  “Don’t worry about it,” Luke murmured against her neck before moving lower into the V of her blouse and nuzzling the warm, fleshy crescents that spilled over the top of her bra.

  “And, I…I’m sorry I slapped you the other day,” she stammered as Luke’s hands cupped her lace-covered breasts and rubbed her nipples with his thumbs, teasing the little peaks until they stood out as hard and erect as his cock. He lifted his mouth from the pillow of her chest and grinned wickedly.