Brushing her pajama pants before she sat down next to him, she scooted closer, taking his beer from his hands, then had a sip. “My mouth was dry.”
His stare at her lips made her body hum for attention. Looking down, she listened to her breathing when he told her, “Pen, I won’t let anything happen to you. Not because of my mother.”
Sighing, she scooted closer again and admitted, “I’d lean my head on your shoulder, but that cracked rib of yours—”
His head relaxed against the back of the couch when he turned to stare at her eyes. “Then sleep next to me.”
She gulped, her entire body electrified, before she licked her lips. “I can’t have sex with you. I’m super-fertile.”
His dimples widened before he let out a laugh. “Get your mind off my body. It will be easier to keep you safe.”
She laughed with him, letting her head fall back on the couch. His dimples kept her gaze when he stood up holding her hand. He let her go while her hand traced his calf muscle when falling. Pulling it back, she closed her eyes, though she heard him laugh. He leaned down, picked up her hand, kissed it, and tugged to get her to follow.
Taking in a deep breath, she smelled his warm skin, and he took away her cold. She followed him into his room, though she headed straight for the bed when he opened the door for her.
He closed the door, and his eyes watched her before he walked away, heading into his bathroom to shower, but his blanket did enough. Her eyes closed and relaxed.
Sighing, she felt the mattress sway when he lay down next to her. Without opening her eyes, she flopped next to him.
He chuckled, fixing his pillow. “Your lack of grace is another honest part of you.”
Rolling her head up, she whispered, “I’m tired of talking now. I’m out of words now.”
He hugged her closer and fixed the blanket on them both. “Night, then. There are a few more things, but time will settle it.”
Her lips parted and her nose inhaled, though she needed stillness. She kept her eyes shut and drifted off.
***
The smell of coffee invaded her nostrils. Stretching, she lay in an empty bed, though his side still had some of his warmness. Twisting into it, she smelled his sheets and smiled. Keeping her eyes closed, she stayed still, even when she heard his footsteps come back into the bedroom.
Putting his hand on her shoulder, he whispered, “I made you coffee.”
Without opening her eyes, she nodded. “I smell it.”
He sat on the bed and the sheets rolled away. Opening her eyes, she blinked. He had a cup in his hand. Reaching out, she sat up on her knees. He handed it over, mussing up her hair. “Sexiness, you did tell me you’d go to work and find the files today.”
Groaning, she nodded while using two hands to hold the cup. “What time is it?”
He moved one foot on the bed while keeping the other on the ground. “Seven. I called the office and you’re all set to go in.”
Sipping her coffee made her senses awake. With a half-smile, she asked, “Aren’t you going?”
He sat back up and paced to the window. She followed him with her gaze while she sat cross-legged. “No. I’m working here this morning. The news of my takeover bid will lead me to do a press conference tonight at five. I’ll need whatever you can find before then.”
Tilting her head, she tried to understand. “Will you be okay by yourself? You shouldn’t be alone.”
He nodded to the window, not to her, before he came back to stand at the bed. “I’ll be fine. It’s just business from now on, and no more mercy for anyone.”
She stood up next to him, swaying a little on her feet before asking in a soft voice, “Even me?”
Putting his hands on her hips to steady her, he lifted her chin to meet her gaze. “Keeping you safe is my goal now, too. I need you too much.”
Her lips opened, half expecting a kiss before she closed her mouth. Shaking her head, she stepped back. “I’ll get dressed. I won’t let you down, Dimples.”
“You never could.”
Without turning around, she stopped and her feet curled up. She wished she believed that. Holding her coffee in her hand, she stared down at it, promising to do her best.
***
Getting dressed, putting the coffee cup in the dishwasher, and picking up her pocketbook, her mind sharpened on Jay. She wished she never had to let him down. He deserved better. She forced herself to focus on her car, the road, parking, but Jay’s fierce promise to keep her safe made her yearn for the impossible.
Fixing her clothes to her body, she straightened up, going inside the high-rise. Jay’s work. Penelope Financial. A silly grin caught hold thinking about that. Smiling, with a bounce to her step, she opened the office door, where everyone stopped and stared at her. Disappearing into the ground didn’t happen like she imagined. Straightening her hair, she nodded, remembering Jay had hired her. With more stable steps, she continued going farther inside. At the first desk, she told the receptionist, “I’m Penelope Knightheart. I’m here to work on something.”
The woman stood up, stiff and shaking. “I’ll show you to your office, ma’am.”
Raising her eyebrow at the woman’s nervousness, Penny offered a tentative smile. “Don’t call me ‘ma’am.’ We’re the same age.”
The woman shook her head with a glued-on smile full of nerves. Penny gave her an understanding nod until she told her, “Your boyfriend pays me and named the company after you. We’re not in the same league.”
Her brows squished together before she clenched her stomach and laughed. How silly. Reaching out her hand, she asked, “What’s your name?”
“Adena,” the woman answered, taking her offered handshake.
A smile returned to her. “Hi, look, I’m Penny. I’m not in any league, but I am here on a mission for Jay. Where can I get the plans I’m supposed to go through with a red pen?”
“I’ll get them for you now.”
Penny stared in her office. She’d talk to Jay about it later, but she promised him to find flaws in the design. Adena brought the plans in. After unwrapping the designs, Penny opened her laptop, then picked up a ruler.
***
A few hours later, her stomach grumbled. Dropping the pencil in her mouth, she hit save on the computer. The smile on her face wavered while her mouth watered for food. Fourteen flaws already and only two-thirds of the way done. Her stomach churned again. Sustenance would revive her work ethic.
Getting up, she stretched her cramped muscles, then reached for her bag. Closing her eyes, she giggled at her foolishness. No lunch bag. She’d had enough pizza for the next month, possibly forever. She lived ten minutes away.
After closing her office door, she locked up then walked out. Less stares at her this time. Everyone focused on their jobs. As she raced to the elevator, her heels clicked on the ground. Food, say hello to Jay, go back to work…the plan made sense.
The drive to her place on the water while the sun shone on her head revived her spirits. Her muscles weren’t tense anymore. Dimples would be upstairs too, making her smile brighter. The doorman nodded at her as she pulled into her spot. She waved back, hitting the button for the elevator while humming her favorite new song. Today she helped that man waiting upstairs for her.
When the elevator door opened, her lightheartedness dropped like an anchor in her stomach. Jay’s horrified eyes stared at her from his seat near the entrance before his jaw dropped. She stepped off the elevator awkwardly. What was she supposed to say?
He ran his hands through his thick head of hair. “You’re supposed to be at work.”
Was she overheated from the humidity? She swallowed. “I forgot my lunch.”
He ran his hand down his mouth, revealing a harder grimace before he took her hand, dragging her into his office. “Did something happen? What are you showing me?”
“I can’t explain right now.” Keeping a firm grip on her hand, he opened the safe room under the stairs and shoved her insid
e.
Twisting around, she saw the door slam in her face. Shuffling back, she stared at the door. Her stomach fluttered before she stumbled in the darkness. Cursing under her breath, she searched the wall until she found on a light switch.
Kicking the door, she yelled at him, but he couldn’t hear. A sudden coldness hit her hard again. Her gaze darted around the room until she found a remote for the monitor. Fumbling to turn it on, she hit the button. Backing into the wall, she screamed. Three men with guns stepped off the elevator while Jay walked over to greet one in the middle. Shallow, quick gasps did not stop her entire body from tensing.
Chapter Thirty Five
She stepped back, her shaking hand going to her forehead. The door didn’t open. She pushed harder until her muscles hurt. Backing herself into the wall, she closed her eyes. Why would Jay put her in here? To protect her?
She tried to force herself to breathe in between gasps of air. Her gaze focused on the monitors. What happened out there? Leaving the wall, she fumbled to reach out for the remote, almost falling. Her heart thumped madly. Scratching her neck, she prayed Jay was fine, but why would he lock her in? Picking up the remote, she almost stumbled over the chair in front of her before she hit the button. Her eyes flew up to the monitors.
She had to see what happened, mumbling to herself, “Jay has to be okay.”
Blinking, she swallowed harder, needing answers, while she stood watching him on the screen walking back toward the elevators. The light for visitors came on and she peered closer, needing to see.
Jay brushed his pants and fixed his hair when a man flanked by two more came into her apartment. Her hand went to her mouth to stifle a scream, and she fumbled for her pocketbook. Tripping over her feet, she found it on the floor and reached for her phone.
“No service” flashed when she picked it up.
Dropping it, she paced while she listened.
The man in charge of the other two motioned for what must be his bodyguards to stand near the elevator. Rocking on her feet, she heard the menace in his voice. “Mr. Marshall, you bought out my business interests.”
Jay’s parents. She almost tripped again. Gripping the chair, she sat down, listening to Jay answer. “I bought out my parents. It’s time they retire. Would you like to sit down?”
The man offered his hand to shake, which Jay took. “Come in. Sit.”
Jay led the man to the dining room table and took his usual chair. The man smiled, pulled out a gun, and laid it down without pointing it. She couldn’t breathe. Not enough air went to her lungs and she became lightheaded. Jay played with his ear, but leaned closer.
The man put his hands in his lap. “Yes. I came to discuss terms. Do you expect to work with me the same as your parents?”
She froze and jerked her head back. Jay’s blue eyes shone clear when he answered, “No. I don’t. I’m shutting down all their projects due to mechanical faults.”
Her skin tingled, though the man captured her attention when he asked, “Which leaves me…?”
Nodding, Jay crossed his legs. “Richer than you were before you bought in with my parents. I doubled your money when the deal was struck to honor your history with my parents.”
The mean leaned back in the chair. “Is this because your mother had us kidnap you a few years back? It was just business, and now we’re willing to negotiate with you.”
Jay shook his head, and Penny had a flicker of a smile on her face. “It is business for me. And good business to force my parents into retirement, taking over all their vested interests. For your generosity to my family, for the past, and to end any future business dealings we might have, I let you in my house to discuss what gift I can give you to cement the close.”
The man raised his eyebrows and shrugged. “Your mother owned a factory in Mexico. Ensure I get controlling interest, and we’ll never bother you again.”
Jay’s dimples appeared and Penny’s smile brightened. “This includes never going into bed with my parents again on any deal?”
Yes. He was doing the right thing.
The man nodded. “If that is a condition.”
Jay’s piercing eyes and voice froze her. “It is.”
The man stood up, offering his hand. “Then you win. I will never answer if your mother calls.”
Jay shook it and clapped the man on the back. “We have a deal, then.”
Covering her mouth, Penny wrinkled her nose.
The man picked up his gun and put it in his holster while following Jay. “I told your mother kidnapping you was a mistake. She didn’t listen to me.”
Jay scoffed before he shook his head. “She doesn’t listen to anyone. I will have the documents sent over this afternoon.”
The man motioned for his men to go with him. “Take care, Mr. Marshall.”
Jay stood, smiling, watching the elevator door close. The tightness in Penny’s stomach gave way with a shaky laugh of her own. Her eyes rolled up and a smile stayed on her lips.
He had done the right thing.
***
His hands raced through his hair and he stepped closer to her inside their apartment. Penny stared at him, fumbled backward, and dropped the remote. He stood still until she caught herself. She sighed, then he turned on his heels and marched toward his office, and her heart soared. Heat from inside her warmed her hands. She took a deep breath, then she ran to the door to follow him inside, again, but the blasted door didn’t budge.
“Pen.” She gazed back to the monitor looking into his office, as he called through the speaker, “Go to the food pantry. Under the canned spaghetti, you’ll find the key.”
She looked all around the room and spotted the pantry. Her heels would click if she had any coordination. She reached inside the drawer, and her hands clenched a set of keys. She held on to the metal handle for a second, then removed her keys. Then she spun around on her heels and unlocked the door.
She ran into his arms and drew him into a hug. He kept her close and rocked her. Her heart raced and she hugged him back. Without saying anything, she listened to him breathe deeper. Her own pulse raced, and her heart banged in her chest.
He squeezed her tight against his chest again. “I didn’t want you here for this.”
Nodding, she stepped away a little, though she kept his hand in hers. “Clearly.”
His eyes closed when he shook his head. “I’m sorry.”
Reaching her hand up this face, she traced his chin, landing on his cheek, while she smiled. “You didn’t go into business with them.”
He rubbed his cheek on her hand, whispering, “I couldn’t, Sexiness.”
Her heart caught in her throat and her heels lifted her closer to his face. “Why?”
Taking her hand off his face, he kissed the palm before letting her hand go. “Because you told me not to.”
Curling her hand to her side, she met his eyes and hesitated. She’d never be her mother. She couldn’t do it to him. Biting her lip, she tensed her stomach. “Jay, I’m proud of you, but—”
He nodded and stepped back. “Penny, I need those plans you were working on done and ready to announce at five.”
Her breathing normalized. She’d help him. He deserved to have it all. She relaxed her shoulders and her feet itched to go. “Okay. I’ve found a few issues already. I’ll go back to work and send everything via email before I come home.”
Turning away from her, he stared out the window and played with his ear. “That will be amazing. I have to finish this publicly, but please be home in time for dinner. My mother will likely pay us a visit, and I don’t wish to see her.”
Clicking her heels onto the ground, she untangled her tongue to tell him, “I’ll be here.”
Walking away from him and heading to the elevator did not stop her heart from racing. And so what that her feet bounced. She’d get him those files. He’d win against his controlling mother. One of them had to.
Chapter Thirty Six
When she hit the send button a h
alf an hour before the five o’clock due date, she clutched her stomach. She needed food. She’d be no good standing beside Jay if she fainted at his feet from hunger. Stretching her legs, she stood up and took one more look around her office for the day. Working here full-time would be fun. Hugging herself, she smiled and glanced around.
A maintenance man stopped in front of her glass door and added something to the empty nameplate. After packing her bag, she fixed her hair then walked out, eying what he did.
“Penelope Knightheart.” Her name on its very own doorplate. Stifling a giggle, she stepped out. Food before fireworks blew up within the Marshall family.
Her shoulders stayed back, and she felt taller than she had in a while. She had helped him. She read the plans and marked notes everywhere that would need further study. All her work mattered today, and she had a satisfied notion in her stomach.
Going home would be amazing, and being with Jay, after his mother came over. She’d keep him calm after.
Pulling her keys out of her pocketbook, she left the elevator and aimed toward her car. Her jaw dropped and she blinked. Clutching her bag as a weapon, Penny put one foot in front of the other. Her mother didn’t need to be addressed. Keeping her head up, she’d pretend not to see her.
Geneva stepped in front of her. “Penelope, we need to talk.”
Ignoring her never worked anyhow. Biting her lip, she asked, “Mom, what are you doing here?”
“Sweetheart.” Mom’s sweet voice. Penny’s bottom lip stuck out. She called that her vulture voice, about to prey. “Checking on you and your progress.”
Pushing away, Penny yelled, “I am not you. I am not a predator out hunting for meat.”
“Men are the predators. We pretend to be victims. You must remember some of what I taught you.”
Her vision clouded, and her ears pounded. “Go away now. I won’t use Jay.”
Her mother petted her hair and met her eyes. “You stayed with him. I almost gave up hope on you, but you’re making me so proud.”
Proud? She could have showed up at her college graduation to support her then, not when she landed a man. Her pulse wouldn’t die down while she clenched her hands. “I had no one else.”
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