One Penny: A Marked Heart Novel

by M. Sembera

  Feeling like something was wrong she let him in, hoping she was just being silly.

  "I hope you like roast, it's not quite ready though," Penny shared as she turned to head back towards the kitchen.

  Seth followed her complimenting, "It smells good."

  As soon as they reached the kitchen, she couldn't stand it anymore, asking, "What's in the box?"

  "Dessert."

  Thinking that was sort of a vague answer, Penny nodded.

  Opening the refrigerator, she pulled out a tray of cheese cubes and set them on the counter.

  "Do you want something to drink?"

  "No, thank you."

  "Is something wrong?"

  "No."

  Penny could feel her heart starting to sink, it didn't matter what he said, he showed all the warning signs of 'I'm going to break up with you'.

  ~

  Anxious, Seth wished he had waited the extra hour to come over. He was trying to be cool about it but every time he looked at her, he recalled the other morning before her mother interrupted them. It was getting to be unbearable.

  Glancing down at his shoes, he tried to think of anything and everything that had nothing to do with them being in her apartment alone.

  "About how long until it's ready?"

  Her voice sounded sad as she replied, "Should be around forty-five minutes."

  Drawing in a breath before letting it out, he nodded.

  "You don't have to sit around and wait for dinner. If you have something to say, just say it," she suddenly snapped at him.

  Caught off guard by her tone, Seth stared at her for a moment.

  He tried to look away and get some kind of handle on the moment but couldn't. He felt desperate. Anguished even and the longer he looked at her, the worse it got.

  "I want you," he swore not even sure at first if he had said it out loud or not.

  Then, by the stunned expression on Penny's face he knew that he had.

  It was hard to distinguish who moved first, it was possible they had leapt at each other at the exact same time but it didn't matter at all. All that mattered was that Penny was in his arms, pulling at his belt buckle while unbuttoning his shirt as she kissed him back.

  Trying to keep a level head while going out of his mind, Seth broke their kiss.

  "Should we go to your room?"

  Penny, pulled his lips back to hers before kissing down his neck.

  "Yes."

  Every nerve in Seth's body was on high alert as they made their way to her room, leaving a trail of clothes behind them.

  Crashing down onto her bed, he wrapped his arms around her tight as he rolled her on top of him. Caught up in the best anticipation of his entire life, Seth smoothed his hands down her bare sides before spreading them across her behind as he pressed her against himself.

  Savoring each invigorating movement, that was without a doubt leading to a higher state of elation, lead Seth to a moment of clarity.

  Rolling Penny onto her back, he leaned over her saying, "I need to..." before she stopped him assuring, "Sit back, I've got it."

  Sliding to the head of the bed, he sat there watching her as she reached down and pulled his wallet from his slacks.

  Sitting in front of him, Penny's eyes trailed the length of him before softly asking, "May I?" as she tore the condom wrapper open.

  Seth slowly nodded before leaning his head back against the wall as he closed his eyes.

  After using every ounce of willpower he had to stay focused and not give in to the sensation of her touch, Seth took a calming breath and opened his eyes. A smile of anticipation formed on her lips as she sat between his legs facing him. Her hair flowed around them, brushing against the tops of his thighs as she leaned forward and gently kissed his lips. Allowing himself one more controlled breath, Seth smoothed her hair back over her shoulders so he could take in all of her beauty before trailing his fingers down her sides and grasping her hips with his hands. Lifting her onto his lap, he watched Penny's eyes flutter closed as she leaned her head back letting out a blissful sigh. Sliding his hand to the side of her face while she slowly rocked forward, Seth found an inner peace there inside of her he never knew existed.

  ~

  Dazed from a moment that exceeded every expectation Penny had for her and Seth together, she rested her cheek against the inside of his shoulder. His arms were wrapped securely around her while his lips grazed her forehead in between breaths.

  There were no words that could describe the way he had moved her, inside and out just moments ago or how she was feeling now.

  A light smile found its way to her expression when she heard him softly ask, "Are you falling asleep?"

  "Do you need to get up?"

  Reluctantly moving off of him when he replied, "Yes," Penny watched him slide out of bed and grab his underwear off of the floor on his way to the bathroom.

  "You have a cute butt," she blurted, earning her a wide over the shoulder smile, just before he stepped in and closed the door.

  With a happy sigh, Penny snuggled down into her comforter as she waited for him to come out.

  Smiling at the bathroom door, an unpleasant thought made its way through her happiness. Would he come out, get dress and go home? What about tomorrow? Was he still going to want her as much as he did before? Feeling herself scowl, Penny didn't want to think in those terms. Wanting to revel in the moment and enjoy it, these were concerns she had never had before.

  When Seth came out, Penny was lying on her back staring at the ceiling.

  "Is everything alright?" he questioned stepping to the side of her bed.

  Glancing up at him, she nodded before scooting over.

  As he slid in bed next to her, he wrapped an arm around her asking, "Are you sure?"

  "I'm falling in love with you," Penny shared, needing some reassurance that what was between them was going to last.

  She could feel the smile on his face as he nuzzled into the side of her neck.

  "That's good to hear since I've already fallen in love with you."

  Pulling back slightly, Penny smiled, "You have?"

  Nodding with a serious expression on his face, Seth swore, "I love you."

  Penny's heart was full in every way possible now as she replied, "I don't know what to say."

  Seth appeared confused before saying, "I think that I love you too would be a nice response."

  "Oh, I do! I love you too," Penny cheered at him.

  Happily satisfied, he leaned in to kiss her then stopped half way, questioning, "How much longer until the roast is done?"

  Glancing at her alarm clock Penny replied, "Around five minutes."

  "Challenge accepted," he stated as he pulled her against him.

  Twenty Five

  Feeling the comforter move down her side, Penny opened her eyes just in time to see Seth sliding out of bed. Laying still, she closed her eyes so he would think she was asleep. She didn't want him to leave but at the same time, Penny wanted to know what he wanted.

  The moment Penny heard a door close she opened her eyes. With a heavy sigh, she drug herself out of bed. Skipping out before she woke up didn't exactly feel like an 'I'm in love with you' move but then again maybe he just needed to get something and planned on being back before she woke. Stepping into her bathroom, she decided to shake Seth leaving off and start her day.

  After her shower, Penny wrapped a towel around herself before stepping back into her room to get dressed.

  Startled a bit, to see Seth sitting on the edge of her bed, she blurted, "Oh, hi. I thought you left."

  Shaking his head, he replied, "I was in the kitchen."

  "Are you hungry?"

  A weary smile spread across his face as she stepped closer to him.

  "I made a pot of coffee."

  "That was nice of you," she replied, feeling the moment turn awkward.

  ~

  Watching her turn and head to her dresser instead of to him, Seth started to feel nervous.

/>   "You're welcome," he replied, feeling like he had overstayed his welcome.

  Tilting his head to the side, he stared at the floor as she got dressed.

  Mentally chastising himself for being so open and honest with her last night, he'd said some things that more than likely could have waited. On top of telling her that he was in love with her after he made love to her, he had opened up to her and shared how he could see the family he had always wanted in her. At the time, her smile beamed, and she had even blushed a little showing him she liked the sound of what he was saying. Maybe now, the next morning, it was too much to take in and she was having second thoughts. And who could blame her. Penny had plans for her life. He knew how important becoming a tattoo artist was to her. It was amazing to him that she was making it happen for herself. However, last night while eating the roast that she cooked, after having made love to her twice, all he could think about was having her bake and have babies for him. 'I am such a jackass' he thought, disappointed in himself.

  Sitting at Penny's kitchen table, Seth stared down into his cup of coffee, not knowing what to say to her. She was quiet which made it even harder for him each time he thought of breaking the silence.

  Deciding he just needed to get out of there and give her time to think about things, Seth looked up at her sharing, "I should go."

  Without looking at him, Penny shrugged a shoulder at him saying, "If that's what you want."

  He started to stand up then changed his mind turning his body towards her.

  "Penny."

  "Yea?" she replied still not looking at him.

  Frustrated, he questioned, "Why are you acting this way?"

  After receiving yet another shoulder shrug from her, Seth stood up and started to leave.

  Before making it out of the kitchen, Seth changed his mind.

  "You're something else, you know that."

  Sitting straight up in her chair, Penny turned giving him a confused glare.

  "You shouldn't say things you don't mean."

  Hopping, up she fussed, "Well, neither should you," back at him.

  Seth wanted to tell her off for giving him the cold shoulder and then trying to put it off on him like he had done something wrong. But as he looked at her, all he could see was the worried look in her eyes behind her irritated expression.

  Swiftly walking up to her, he leaned his head down toward hers, looking her directly in the eyes.

  Keeping his tone soft while remaining serious, he assured, "I don't say things I don't mean."

  "Neither do I," she insisted.

  Placing his hands on her shoulders, he admitted, "I'm so confused right now."

  A smile broke through Penny's argumentative mood and she started to laugh.

  Shaking his head, Seth asked, "Why are you laughing?"

  Throwing her arms around his neck, she answered, "This is so absurd, I can't help it."

  Trying to make sense of her, Seth questioned, "You're not having second thoughts about us?"

  Penny shook her head at him before letting her hands slide down the front of his shirt as she took a step back.

  "This isn't a conversation for the kitchen," Penny informed before motioning for him to follow.

  A hint of excitement was building when the idea that it might be one for the bedroom entered his mind.

  Following her into the living room, Seth was once again confused when instead of heading to her room, Penny walked to the front door.

  "Do you have your keys?"

  Patting the side of his pants pocket, he nodded.

  Opening her door, Penny stepped out on the balcony as she said, "Close it, please."

  Seth closed her apartment door before following her to his.

  "Why are we..." he started to question, stopping when her hand slid into his slacks to retrieve his keys from his pocket.

  Penny unlocked his door and opened it.

  Drawing in a deep breath, Seth closed his apartment door behind himself. He stood in his living room for a moment watching her disappear into the hall that led to his bedroom. Wondering what sort of secret conversation she wanted to have that they could discuss in his bedroom, he was curious and honestly a little concerned. Did she want him out of her apartment so she could quickly leave if necessary or was it simply a change of scenery?

  Penny was standing in his room next to his bed with a sweet smile on her face. As he made his way closer she sat down.

  Taking a seat next to her on his bed, Seth informed, "Am I supposed to understand what's going on here? Because, I don't."

  "Charlotte or Braden could be back any minute and I didn't want them to interrupt us."

  Even though that was understandable Seth was still very confused.

  "Were you serious about everything you said last night?"

  "Yes."

  Tilting her head to the side in a compassionate manner, she pressed, "Are you sure because it really is okay if you were just caught up in the moment."

  Slightly insulted, Seth replied, "That's offensive."

  Almost pouting, she scowled, "How is that offensive?"

  "You're basically calling me a liar."

  Appearing as though she didn't understand his point of view, Penny replied, "No, I'm giving you an out in case you didn't really mean it."

  "When people say things they don't mean, it's called lying."

  Glancing off to the side she had a perplexed look on her face like she couldn't put the two together.

  "Penny, I promise you, I do not say things unless I mean them."

  Pursing her lips up into a smile, she nodded her approval.

  Twenty Six

  Standing in between Charlotte and Liv, Penny stared into the full-length mirror at the champagne gold, floor length gown she was wearing in the fitting room of La Bella Couture.

  "I like it," Penny said before adding, "It's just a lot fancier than what I'm used to."

  Giving her a pat on the shoulder, Charlotte informed, "The benefit is black tie."

  With a worried expression, Penny shared, "I'm going to feel so out of place there."

  "Emerson and Amila are going. Oh, and Silvia will be there too."

  Making a face at Charlotte in the mirror, Penny asked, "Silvia?"

  Laughing, Charlotte replied, "Awe, but she's always so nice to you."

  "I know she's your sister but if I have to hear how hot my brother is one more time, I just might throw up on her."

  Continuing to laugh, Charlotte teased Penny, reciting Silvia's comments to her while they were being fitted for their bridesmaids dresses a few weeks ago.

  "Oh my gosh Penny, Braden is like so... Mmm. He's like so incredibly hot!"

  As Penny wrinkled he nose and shook her head at Charlotte, Liv said, "I think he is."

  Both Penny and Charlotte leaned their heads toward Liv in surprise.

  "What?" Liv blurted.

  "I'm going to pretend you never said that," Penny shared as she stepped back behind the dressing room curtain.

  Unzipping the gown, Penny could hear Charlotte and Liv, even though they had lowered their voices. At first she tried to ignore them, then her concern got the best of her and she couldn't help herself.

  "Really? You think Braden's hot?"

  "Don't you?"

  "He's a good looking guy but its Braden."

  Pulling her jeans back on, there was silence for a moment.

  "Have things gotten better between you and Kieran?"

  "No."

  "I don't understand what his problem is."

  "You?"

  "Is it still about Braden's tattoo?"

  "I don't know anymore. It's been almost six months."

  "Y'all haven't had sex in six months?"

  "A few weeks ago we almost did."

  "Liv..."

  "It's cool though, hopefully what I'm wearing to your wedding will do the trick."

  "If he's anything at all like Augustus, those heels you got will make him rise to the occasion."

&nbs
p; "Hope so, 'cause at this point it's all I can do not too dry hump his leg, I want it so bad."

  Hearing them laugh, Penny stepped out from behind the curtain.

  Penny held up her gown with a smile on her face. It was hard for her hear what Liv was saying because she loved them both and wanted her and Kieran to be happy. It did seem as though Liv had a plan, and although she thought it was unfair of Kieran to be punishing Liv for something he caused, Penny knew everything would work out between them.

  ~

  Driving out to Kieran's house, Seth could feel Braden staring at him from the passenger seat.

  Trying to break the uncomfortable tension that was taking over their car ride, Seth asked, "Are the girls meeting us out there later."

  "That's what I heard."

  "You have something you want to say?"

  "That depends."

  With a heavy sigh, Seth questioned, "Is this about me and Penny?"

  He could hear the strain in Braden's voice as he replied, "Nah, you're good for her. It's about Liv."

  "Liv?"

  "Don't get me wrong I'm not into her like that. She's Kieran's wife. It's just... Man, I don't know."

  Nodding, Seth said, "I don't know if I'm the right person to talk to about this."

  "Are you gonna say somethin'?"

  "No."

  "Then you're the right person."

  Realizing Braden needed someone to talk to, Seth offered, "Alright, I can't promise you good advice but I'll listen."

  Braden nodded, then turned, looking out the passenger window.

  It took several minutes before Braden started talking.

  "The first time I met Liv, Kieran brought her to a party I was playing at. She had this smirk on her face like she knew something I didn't and when Kieran introduced us, she called me a punk, shook her head and walked off."

  Seth couldn't help laughing as he thought from the short time he'd known Liv, it sounded just like her.

  "It took her a while to warm up to me. Which was weird 'cause most people like me right of the bat, I'm a likable guy."

  "Not to rush your story but we're almost there."

  "Anyways, last night we were playing a board game and Liv beat the pants off me and Kieran. She was doing her standard, I kicked your ass dance because she never loses, and he made her go to bed."