He sat on a kitchen stool, talking to someone on the phone. His black dress pants were tight and she stared at the muscles in his legs. She gulped, gazed away, then raced past him. Behind her, she called out, “I’m grabbing a fast shower.”
“You’re in jeans.”
Biting her lip, she tilted her head, “Long story; talk later. Shower.”
After closing her door, she cleaned up. Fifteen minutes later, she shook the water out of her hair and sat down at a vanity, turning on her hot flat iron.
The humidity wouldn’t matter if she stayed cool. Picking up her body lotion, she lathered herself up with the scent of vanilla. The scent relaxed her. Almost an hour later, she stayed in her robe and peeked her head out, “Is the dress here?”
Jay strutted, all proud of himself, handing over a purple dress on a hanger. Reaching for it, she brushed past a box attached. “You bought shoes.”
“I wanted the best and told Sandra. She picked everything out.”
“We’ll talk later.”
She’d yell at him later. Picking up the dress, she dropped the shoes on the bed. The purple had a modest-cut jeweled neckline and one sheer long-sleeved arm, all made from silk. The right leg had a cut on the leg, but until she put it on, she’d never imagined the slit went up to her hip.
She stood up and stared at herself in the mirror. Her entire leg could show if she stepped forward too fast. She could not wear this. Penny sucked in her dress. It would be modest and pretty if not for showing off that much leg. One wrong move and she’d show everything to the world. Staring at the wall brought her clarity back. She had no choice in what to wear. She’d have to be super-careful tonight.
Biting her lip, she sat on the bed and gazed at the box. Opening up to look at the shoes, she almost dropped them. Louboutin? The silver shoes cost more than her severance pay.
“I can’t wear this,” she called out through the door.
He called back, “Let’s go. It’s fine. I get a discount with my cousin. She picked everything out for you.”
Going to the door, she touched the handle while calling out, “It’s not nearly enough. I won’t be comfortable.”
His voice sounded close. She exhaled and listened. “You’re there to be my date, convincing people we’re dating. The red-carpet look is what I need. Please, Penny. You promised.”
Gulping, she made her move. Watching his eyes grow wider staring at her and his mouth drop open sent heat coursing through her. She lost part of her argument.
“You’re beautiful, Penny.”
Did her blush go down her leg? Looking away from him, she hoped not, though the liquid warmth running through her had little to do with the humidity of Miami. “I’m going to make a fool of myself.”
He touched her hip. The silk offered no protection. Gulping, she gazed up, and he spoke low and slow. “Stand next to me. Keep your head up and don’t let my mother or any of her people get to you.”
Her knee bent up, touching his leg. Looking down without pulling away, she told him, “Easy for you to say.”
He leaned closer. His mouth came close to hers. “I’ll be kissing you when we arrive, and throughout the night. If you freak out over anything, come to me.”
Licking her lips, she hoped he’d start without the audience. “Dimples, you make it sound easy.”
Stepping back, he ran his hands behind his head for a second. “It’s boring and simple. I wish we were watching a movie in our sweats.”
Going forward, she stood next to him, offering him a smile. “I’d like that too.”
“Trust me tonight.”
Taking her hand, he kissed her cheek. Later, she’d let the flirt out of her. But first she fought back a sigh. She couldn’t sigh all night, every time he touched her. It would be bad. Leading her to the elevator, she clutched his arm tighter.
When the doors opened, he led her to a waiting limo. Tonight, she’d be Cinderella.
Chapter Twenty Three
The white sands near the ocean sparkled from the artificial lights of the hotel’s exclusive place on South Beach. The crashing waves held back, elusive, in the evening night, much like how her body reacted. She couldn’t settle down. Jay spoke on his phone to someone about business while they went, so she sipped on her free champagne. Her mother would love this offer, and no matter how sweet the drink in her hand was supposed to be, it didn’t go down right.
The limo rolled to a clean stop to the voices of people saying, “Smile.” “Look this way,” echoed in the walls.
Jay put his phone away and touched her shoulder. “Your eyes are big. Don’t be afraid of the red-carpet nonsense. We’re not celebrities.”
Gasping for air, she admitted, “I don’t know what to do. I’m not Eva.”
When she stepped out, she’d enter a world she had avoided all her life. She froze. Before she had a second to breathe, the chauffeur opened the door to blinding lights.
Jay leaned to her ear. “Stand up, smile, and wait for me.”
Nodding, she followed his directions. Before she could straighten her spine, the blinding whiteness disoriented her. His voice echoed in her head, and she pasted on a smile. Jay’s hand on her back calmed her, though she needed to grab his arm. He’d lead. She’d follow. Not that she could see anything. When she turned toward him, the lights stopped blinding her, and she smiled seeing how his dimples grew wider when he gazed down at her. Laughing, she stepped closer. Opening her mouth to say something, she understood the split second before he intended to give her a light kiss. Sighing, she hugged him even closer, so her breasts touched his body, deepening the kiss. Every cell in her body stirred, craving far more.
He groaned, ending the kiss, though keeping her in his arms while people snapped pictures. He gave her a sweet hug, then walked her down the red carpet to the open doors of the hotel. The closer they came to the building, her sight began to clear. How did he see through that? She went up one step, and the crowd of people in designer dresses drinking and laughing crystallized. Tonight, she’d see something far prettier than her prom.
He spoke to the doorman while she waited for a moment. When he came back toward her, he told her in a low voice, “You are amazing, Penny. Come say hi to a few investors with me.”
Nothing about that kiss. His groan made it sound like he was pained to end it. She bit her lip. She’d ask after this party.
They walked through the bar area. Socialites were gathered with noses in the air. Rolling her eyes, she kept a firm grip on his hand. The party already had that Miami pretentiousness everywhere. Women posed with simpers on their faces while men offered drinks. Turning away from one source only brought another group in her sights. The heat of the day added spice to everything from the bartender flirting with a few older women to the younger man with three women draped around him. Recoiling slowed her down for a second. The decadence and subversive culture spilled into everything she hated about rich people.
Jay kept her moving, and soon he walked her to the oceanfront section outside, where a small group stood with drinks. The people here appeared slightly more serious than the drones inside. Sparks shone in a few eyes. Straightening her shoulders, she relaxed. She promised him she’d be the pretend girlfriend.
“Pen, this is Wilson, Philips, and Danvers.” He nodded at the men. “This is my Penelope Knightheart.”
“We thought you were a lie, Miss Knightheart. Marshall made you sound idyllic,” one of the men said. Jay’s last name. Cute.
Another man added, “Ignore Wilson. I’m Danvers. In New York, we expect our women to be smart, but I did have doubts Marshall’s view on the mattered equaled what my mother had instilled in me.”
She’d impressed them without opening her mouth? What did these people think of Miami, and why did that cause her body to tighten up with agreement? Shaking the man’s hand, she told him, “Your mother sounds like a good woman. Jay talked about me?”
“Did you doubt it, Pen?” Jay beamed down at her with a twinkle in his
eye. A shiver ran through her. Tonight had to happen.
Squeezing his arm, she shrugged. “Dimples, I’m surprised you talked about me at all.”
He stepped closer to her while he told the group, “I’m going to get her a drink. Please keep her safe for me. I’ll be back in two minutes.”
A cold shudder rushed through her. He intended to leave? She grabbed his belt on the side, forcing him to look at her. He winked and nodded and somehow she understood. She’d be safe, though he took her hand. “Be yourself and relax.”
Letting him go, she flashed a smile at the three men. While Jay walked away, Danvers told her, “We sound like a law firm without our names, I’m sure. I needed to see the type of person Marshall spends his personal time with to get a full picture of who I’m doing business with. Would you mind indulging me with a few questions?”
Be yourself. Jay needed someone who knew him. This explained why it had to be her. “Sure, what’s the question?”
“Where did you meet Marshall?”
Tapping her hand on the table, she hoped they stayed this easy. “In high school. I became friends with his cousin, Sandra. She brought me into the math league.”
Danvers nodded at her. “Good. Unlike most sharks here, Marshall plays a long-term game. I like that about him. Would you consider moving to New York?”
For a job, absolutely. Leaning closer, she mimicked his movements. “Absolutely. I’ve wanted to leave Miami all my life. I’d love to get a job where I can raise a child to be proud of the inside person. It’s more important than the outer shell of anyone.”
Jay’s deliciously warm hand on her back made her lean back into him before he handed her a cocktail. She stepped closer, giving him every indication to stand beside her. His dimples returned when he stayed close. Taking the glass in her hand gave her something cool to hold. Jay told Danvers, “Told you she’s a keeper.”
At least he recognized her value. Something hit in her gut hard. She’d never thought he would. Jay was a smooth-talking rich boy, always with an agenda. What had changed him and why hadn’t she noticed?
Her eyes stayed staring at that scar near one of his dimples. Maybe it hadn’t been a bar fight. Could be more. Why had she never questioned him? She should have asked and would tonight, when they were home. Sighing, she took his hand, hoping he saw the real her too.
Eva’s voice echoed through the air. “Penelope. Jay. There you both are.”
The sparkle in Jay’s eyes disappeared. She smoothed out his shoulder and offered a gentle squeeze. Penny refused to let Eva say anything to ruin his business. When she came close, Penny turned and greeted her with an offer of an air kiss on the cheek. Just the way everyone else in Miami said hello. Pulling back, she stayed at Jay’s side while tilting her head. “Eva, how is the play Jay sponsored for you coming along?”
Giving her the Hollywood glamour smile and pose, Eva animatedly beamed excitement. Penny dropped her mouth in shock while Eva told her, “Amazing. It’s why I came over, to thank you both.”
Penny couldn’t stare at the glare without letting it steal her own self-confidence. Peeking to her side, she glanced at the other men’s reactions. One straightened his tie. Another brushed at the cloth of his pants. Jay remained frozen. Chewing on her lower lip didn’t stop the slight thumping of her own heart. She’d never get that reaction. Yep, Eva’s beauty surpassed everything else in the room when it came to how men saw women. At least Jay had asked for her on his arm tonight. It warmed her up a little. Penny’s eyes returned to Eva’s beauty. Penny reached out and hugged her with her free hand. “I’m happy to hear that. Jay was talking business with these men.”
Eva’s eyes sparkled. “Come with me for a minute, Penny. We’ll get our picture taken, showing we’re still friends.”
Jay squeezed her hand while she nodded at Eva. She whispered up to him, “I’ll be back in one minute, Dimples. Talk to your friends.”
Gulping, she followed Eva inside to the glittery people. She’d get her answers about him when they were alone. Going inside, she saw Sandra and Michael sitting at a table. Sandra sprang up and hugged Penny. “I’m so happy to see you. Last night, I was so angry at my brother. Please don’t be angry with me. I had no idea.”
“I could never stay mad at you.” Penny nodded to her best friend before turning to Eva and Michael. “You both should have been honest with Jay from the beginning.”
Eva lowered her eyes, and her cheeks turned a little red. “Penelope, you’re right. I thought Jay would be perfect and not want me because of my looks. I was wrong, though. He has this wall around him near me that he doesn’t have with you. Last night was the first time I saw that he cared about anything.”
Eva had always been the strong one in the group of girls. Nothing ever dug deep enough to get to her. Clearly, something had. Swallowing, Penny said, “You’ll find the right one.”
“Don’t be nice to her, Penny.” Michael shook his head. “She made that play for Jay when you weren’t here. Now she’s admitting what I told her.”
Sandra put her hands on her hips, “What did you tell her?”
Michael gazed at all three of them with his eyes horrified that they didn’t see something. “That if Penelope came back to town, he’d dump Eva.”
Sandra yelled back at her brother, “Shut up. You couldn’t know that.”
“I lived with him,” Michael added. “He’s been driven and angry until Penny came back. He’d calm down only when told not everyone would stab him in the back, and he spoke about life being easier in high school.”
Sandra backed down and touched Penny’s arm. “You’re making my cousin human again.”
Penny swatted her arm off. She couldn’t be serious. What were they talking about? And why did she think his scar blended into whatever they talked about? “Look, I have to get back to him.”
Sandra nodded. “Okay, we’ll get lunch. The three of us girls can go shopping. It will be like old times.”
Sandra and Eva shopping while she followed behind, broke. If she landed the job on Monday, she’d agree. Right now she smiled and told them, “See you soon.”
Flashes of light followed her on her way back, but she squinted, refusing to be blinded again. Stepping onto the patio area, she sidestepped some man leaving when she gazed across the open air. A tall, buxom blonde aimed straight for Jay. Not that he noticed the woman. He talked to the men. Hanging back, she needed to watch. The girl stared at her friends, then walked backward into Jay’s conversation.
He moved a little away from the woman, and Penny’s heart soared. He’d stopped being dazzled. She boldly walked ahead now. All her life, she’d taken the side door, escaping men who got women without effort, but now she saw Jay seeking more. Sliding next to him, she kissed his cheek. His smile showing that dimple appeared before his hand went to her back, to keep her close. Penny’s body warmed as she peeked behind her, seeing the beauty walk away.
Jay massaged her a little. Relaxing, she gazed up at him, then he asked, “Everything settled in there?”
She stroked his arm. His pupils dilated. “Yes. Sandra and Eva want to do lunch.”
A small tremor shot through her and she sighed. His lips came close to hers before he stepped back to tell the others, “Will you excuse us?”
She followed his lead and heard her own heartbeat. She wondered if her skin flushed, showing how warm her body was, and it wasn’t from the humidity in the air. Looking back, she saw the spark in his eyes, only making it worse for her. He stopped at the quieter dockside walkway to the ocean. She smelled the salt in the air, only making her moist mouth thirstier for him. He tugged her hand up closer, then asked in a low voice, “Penny, can we go soon?”
“Good—” Before she could say anything else, he claimed her puckered lips in a kiss. Wrapping her arms around him, she couldn’t say anything. She didn’t want to. He tasted better than anything she’d imagined in her high school dream. A moan escaped her lips. Her fingers played with his hair while s
he didn’t let go. All that mattered was keeping him.
He stepped back, though his breathing wasn’t even. “I don’t want to stop.”
Now. No regrets. No one else ever had them, and she shouldn’t either. Focusing on his eyes, she stroked his arm before she could say anything. Finally the words formed. “Good. I don’t either. Take me home.”
Chapter Twenty Four
She needed him to touch her, though getting into a limo had to be done one at a time. Sitting down, she lounged on the backseat, taking up the entire space. Propping her head on her hand, she laughed when he picked up her legs to join her.
He kept her naked leg in his arm, stroking her skin, sending fire throughout her body while she sat up a little. The limo pulled away from the curb, and she had a new idea. That little spot of skin couldn’t get all the attention. Climbing on his lap caused him to chuckle and show off his dimples. Putting her hand on his face, she stroked that sexy smile that reached his cheeks. He hit the button to roll up the partition while she settled more firmly on his lap.
Rubbing the back of her spine, he held her closer to him. Awareness of how his erection grew became obvious, even through their clothes and her sheer thong, the only underwear she found that wouldn’t show under the dress. He stroked her body then whispered, “Penny, this isn’t a one-night thing for me.”
She couldn’t think about anything but living in the moment. “Stop talking and kiss me.”
His eyes closed and his hand went up her spine, to her neck, massaging her. “That’s not all I’ll do.”
She ran her cheek on his and teased her closed lips on the stubble of his chin, causing him to close his eyes and sigh before guiding her face closer to his to claim a kiss.
Her hands traced his shoulders, lowering to his torso, unbuttoning his jacket. His kiss sent smoking-hot desire through her. She couldn’t think and lost track of everything but the electricity rushing through her veins and the need to touch him.
She stopped moving when the limo stopped. Letting her go, his hands traced down her body, stroking her exposed thigh. With firm eye contact, he told her, “We need to get upstairs.”
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