by S. N. Garza
I thought it curious but when I did, I was able to walk through easily. She did that for me. I hadn’t meant to stay the night that first time, but ever since then her bed was the only bed I could sleep in and not have nightmares. I felt accepted with her. Johnny of course was great and he let me stay at the shop whenever I needed to, but cuddling up next to Penelope was the only thing that helped keep my mind off my home life.
And when I heard her play her flute? It was like magic, just as she told me it would be. It soothed the hard ache in my chest whenever I left my house. She always made sure I was fed and showered. Then we’d go to her room, and I would lay on her bed as she practiced. It was so beautiful hearing it. Looking at her face when she played? It was like she transcended into this ethereal creature. She simply glowed like a little fairy.
Her pretty dark blonde hair toppled on her head and her glasses slipped down her nose. She only wore the contacts when she walked out the front door. Here, in this house, she was my Penelope.
Her birthday was just around the corner.
Eighteen.
An adult.
Legal.
She had always been tempting. Ever since saving her, she found herself a home inside my heart.
I protected her from the douchebags in school and that didn’t stop when I graduated. I told any boy or guy who thought about starting something with her that they better think again. Most of them listened. Some tried to ignore my warnings. Once or twice I had to take matters into my own hands and show them she was off limits.
I knew it was selfish of me, keeping her to myself. And sometimes, even from Veradia. She was Penelope’s only friend outside of me and I didn’t like sharing. Veradia loved taking her out. Out as in to the next town over so they could have a girls’ day out. Penelope would come home this energetic ball of energy and it made me happy to see her that way but since it wasn’t me who made her happy, I wasn’t all that enthusiastic about it. Fucked up, I know but that’s how I felt.
Just this past weekend, she went to the neighboring town to the mall, and Veradia drove her. I normally could get off but this had been a ‘surprise’ birthday outing. I usually went with them to keep Penelope safe. Girls’ that age, anything could happen. Mugged. Kidnapped. Sold. Raped. Murdered. When they had gotten back and Penelope went home, I confronted Veradia about taking off like that and her response?
“Just because you want to boink her, doesn’t make her yours. She can do as she wants and her parents don’t mind. She’s old enough to go out without you hovering over her. I’ve seen what you’ve been doing, buddy. Keeping all the guys away from her. If you love her so much, tell her. Don’t lead her on. Sometimes you’re such a dick, Deke.”
That didn’t sit well with me. Because yeah, she did have a great body, but I never thought about taking advantage of her before. Now that that seed was planted? Looking at her now…yeah. My dick flared to life. I couldn’t help myself earlier when I leaned my head against her chest. She always smelled so sweet. Like lilacs. When I snuggled into her, I felt her nipple graze over my brow.
Thank God she didn't notice the raging boner I had because I had to keep touching her. Did she not know her own sexual appeal? The sports bra did nothing to hide how heavy and full her breasts were. A d-cup and the scrap of material couldn’t hide the little points as it should have.
Damn, what I wouldn't give to just lift up the cotton and take each taut nipple between my mouth and tug. But before I could do anything stupid, she turned and got the water ready. Then her ass was in my face again and I was ready to bust my load in my jeans.
She left the room all too quickly and I did my best to rush through the shower, but my mind kept running back over the feel of her against my face and hands. Her soft skin that always felt too delicate for hands like mine.
Didn’t stop me from thinking about how she feel if she was mine. What she’d feel like beneath me. My mouth on her sweet, silky ones. Teasing and pleasing her. Giving her things she’s never experienced. My mind ran wild with inappropriate thoughts. I’d be her first. Fuck, I’d be her only if that ever happened.
Did that make me love her? Of course I did. A guy like me, two year and half years ago? Yeah, I needed her. She became my constant. My focus. My responsibility. Johnny was a great influence on me but he was a guy. A father figure.
When I met Penelope, she became my reason for breathing. The fights I got in with my dad weren’t for pussies. And tonight wasn’t the first time she’s patched me up, but it was the first time it was this bad. She hadn’t even seen the bruises on my ribs yet. I was just thankful nothing was broken. My father got the worst of it.
Did I want to have sex with Penelope? Well, until Veradia said anything, I hadn’t given it too much thought. I always knew she was beautiful. And yes, I admit she’s given me hard-ons before, but I knew I wasn’t going to do anything about it. She was mine to protect and take care of. Having sex—making love, because I knew that would be the only way I did it with her--wasn’t a factor in the equation. She was too innocent, sweet and kind for a guy like me. Until Veradia opened her big mouth. And my mind spun like a top with the possibilities.
Now all week long when I came over, I looked at her differently. Like a man who wants a woman differently. Penelope and I talked over the phone sometimes; we told each other everything—well, mostly everything. I fucked a lot of girls, so I kept that to myself. When I came over in the evenings after getting off work, I didn’t get here until about eleven sometimes.
She either was still awake, or kept the window slightly ajar where I shuffled in, took my shoes and pants off and got under the covers with her.
Did Veradia know that we did that? I didn’t think so because she didn’t look like a girl who could keep a secret. I wasn’t about to allow anyone to slander Penelope’s name either. Not even her female best friend. I always got up just before six, nudged Penelope awake enough to say that I’d see her later and then I left.
Jesus Christ. Of course I loved her. I would do anything for her. When she talked, I could listen to her voice for hours. It always made me wonder if she could sing with the way it sounded so lyrical. And when she played her flute? It was the second most beautiful sound I ever heard.
She’d been half asleep tonight when she came to the window. Beautiful, half naked and flushed from sleep. Made me think about how she’d look after experiencing release for the first time; her legs tightly wrapped around my waist, arms holding on to me for dear life as I plunged into her slick, untried body, and her lips swollen and red from kissing mine.
I know I shouldn’t but hell, now I wanted her too bad. I turned in the shower, drowning my head underneath the water and my hand wrapped around my throbbing erection. I should feel dirty for doing it, but hell if I was going to feel sorry about jerking off to her sweet, curvy body.
I pumped my rod up and down, imagining Penelope in the throes of passion. Her little pink nipples hard and straining. And my mouth pulling and sucking on one and tugging and pinching the other with my fingers. My free hand would either be wrapped around that thick mane or on her big, tight ass, squeezing, pulling her tighter against me as I rocked into her. Her moans and whimpers filtering into my ears as she begged me not to stop. To fuck her deeper. Fuck her harder. Her voice catching as she cried out my name as I make her come all over my dick. The sweet juices of her pussy milking my dick until I shot my release straight up into her.
Yes. I didn’t even have to know she’d be tight like a glove and a perfect fit for my cock. I jerked a few more times and I groaned, her name a harsh whisper on my breath as my balls drew up tight and I felt the heat striking in my veins and shoot up my shaft as I spilled my release. Thick, white streams shot on the tile wall and the water rinsed it down the drain. Fucking hell. I came hard and it’s like I’ve never come before.
“Fuck.” Oh, God. I was in deep shit.
Chapter 7
Penelope
Prom season was finally here and Lilton Hig
h was on prom fire. Three weeks out and naturally, everyone had dates except me. Even Jimmy, who was still a creep, had a date.
The guys that I thought were interested in me, looked at me now like I was poison. Over the course of six months about ten guys in my senior class asked me out on a date but when it was time to actually go out? Zip. They either called to cancel or they were a no call, no show. I just didn't get it.
Even Veradia had a date. She told me if I couldn’t find a date by prom that her and her new boyfriend, Brad, would take me, so I had to find a dress. I initially told her I wasn’t even going to go. There was no point and what was I missing anyway? Some rite of passage? Blah. I really didn’t want to go and be the third wheel.
When the last bell rang for the day, I went to shove my books into my locker, only keeping what I needed.
“Penny, we are going to go get our dresses today after school, you saved up your money, right?”
“Yeah, but I don’t think I’m going, Vera. I don’t have a date.”
“I told you already, you’re coming with me and Brad if no one asks you.”
“Why? Aren’t you and Brad doing something when y’all leave?”
“We’ll drop you off first of course silly. He knows you and I are a package deal.”
Package deal? That just didn’t seem right to me.
“Uh. Okay.”
“YAY! So, we are driving to Houston and to The Woodlands Mall. Just me, you and the open road.”
“It’s only what? An hour—two tops?”
Vera’s long dark hair swung back and forth in her pony tail as she spoke. “Yeah, but this will give us a chance for just girl time. Without Deke.”
Without Deke?
“What do you mean, without Deke?”
Her golden brown eyes widened, almost reaching her hairline. “Tell me you haven’t noticed?”
“Noticed what?”
What in the world was she talking about? I zipped up my bag and shut my locker. Throwing my bag over my shoulder, we began walking out towards the parking lot.
“Oh, come on, Penny! He follows you around constantly! Like a puppy. It’s like the only place he doesn’t see you is when you’re at home or here. He takes you to school, takes you home, although this time, I parked on the opposite side from where he usually picks you up at so we can leave without your stalker. When we go anywhere, he’s usually a few cars behind, following us. Even when we go inside the mall or movies or whatever, he’s there.”
Wow. I had never noticed that. It was kind of sweet. Him looking after me like that. It brought a smile to my face. My secret knight in inked armor.
“What’s that smile for? You can’t honestly tell me that doesn’t make you angry?”
“No. Why would it? He’s been my best friend for pretty much two and half years. I think it’s pretty sweet. He’s protective of me.”
Vera let out an exasperated growl. “You’re not serious! Do you like him, like him? Do you want him? Because I’m telling you, he wants you really bad.”
We were almost to her Volkswagen Beetle when I seemed to trip over my own feet. “Wants me? No. He’s just my friend.”
“So you don’t deny that you like him more than just friend?”
“Well, of course not. I mean, he is good looking,” like really good looking, I think to myself, “sweet, kind, gentle, hardworking, strong, and determined.”
For some reason, admitting that I did want him beyond friendship to Vera just seemed wrong. I wanted to keep that to myself. But to think that he might want me too? It sent tiny little shivers up my spine. Like that one day months ago, right before my birthday when his hands were on my bare skin. The way I reacted to his touch?
Maybe. Maybe I can ask him to be my date. It was certainly worth a try.
Later that night as I was hanging the dress I purchased on my closet door there was a hard, persistent tap on my window.
Vera told me no one followed us and I wondered if she was really telling me the truth earlier. Did Deke really follow me? If he did I knew it was to keep an eye out of me, to make sure I was safe. It was really late when I got back from Houston; almost eleven thirty. Granted, it’s a weekend, but I’m never out this late. Ever.
I backed away from the door and looked at the dress I chose. I thought the dress was elegant and pretty. Vera had told me it was simple and plain. But I didn’t really care for sequins or ball gowns. The dress was dark grey with a crimson red bodice and along the bottom hem of the skirt was matching crimson lining. It cinched at the waist and flared out, giving it that fifties dress feel. I loved it. The grey matched Deke’s eyes when his pupils dilated. But I was keeping that little bit of info to myself.
Another tap, this time harder, rapped on the window. Sounded like someone was angry. I pushed the curtains, and lifted the blinds to see a very worried, and very angry Deke standing outside my window. His hands high on the window sill, his arm muscles corded and veins pounding.
“Open this now.”
Why was he so angry?
I reluctantly opened the window and scooted my belongings aside so he could get in.
He shuffled in, closed the window, locked it, and withdrew the blinds and curtains before he turned to me in his fury.
“WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN? I’ve been worried sick about you.”
Not once, in our entire friendship has he ever raised his voice to me. It didn’t scare me. Not really. It just caught me by surprise.
“Why are you yelling?”
“Answer me, Penelope!” Just when I was about to, his body tensed and his eyes were looking past me. I turned to see what he was looking at. My dress. “What the hell is that for?”
I looked back to see his chest rising quick and heavy.
“That’s my prom dress.”
He sucked in a harsh breathe and looked down to me. “Someone asked you?”
What was that in his voice? Did he think I couldn’t get a date? I didn’t have one but still. That didn’t matter. What did he think? That I wasn’t good enough to go to the prom? Who did he think he was? And why the hell was I getting angry?
Because I was. I was so angry that I felt tears burning my eyes and I felt…truly angry at him for the first time in almost three years. Then it was like my hands had minds of their own because they laid flat on his chest and shoved.
He was taken by surprise and shuffled back a bit. His grey eyes stormed over. “Penelope?”
“What? Am I not good enough to go to the prom? You think I can’t get a date? What? Am I that ugly? Too nerdy to find a guy to take me to a stupid dance? Do I not deserve to go to my own high school prom?”
“Whoa, babygirl. Calm down.”
“Don’t tell me to calm down! What’s so wrong with someone asking me to go to the prom? Huh? Shouldn’t I go? Shouldn’t I get all dressed up, pretty for once in my life and have fun. Stupid, kid fun?”
“Penelope, you never have been, nor will you ever be ugly. God. You’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever laid eyes on. Now, who asked you?”
That seemed to deflate any anger I had. The most beautiful thing he’s ever seen? Oh, God. That melted my heart even more. Why couldn’t he see me like I saw him? I wanted him more than I’ve ever wanted anyone.
I couldn’t look at him when I gave him my answer. “No one. I’m going with Vera. That is, if no one asks me by prom.”
“Do you want someone to take you?”
I shrugged, but I knew if I said I wanted him to, he might just say no. But what if he said yes? My heart felt so confused.
His fingers crooked under my chin and lifted my face until I got ensnared in the dark depths. “Penelope?”
“It would be nice.” Go for it, Penny. Here’s your chance. Take it. “Why don’t you take me? You’re my best friend, Deke.”
Deke looked as if he was in pain. His next words were sure painful to me to hear. “I don’t think that’s a good idea, Penelope.”
“Why not?”
&nb
sp; “Why don’t we do something else instead? I didn’t go to my prom. Neither year. Never really liked that scene. Why don’t I take you out somewhere instead?”
“You know Vera won’t let me.”
“Is she your boss?”
“Are you?”
“Better me than her, Penelope.”
“You do seem to like telling me what to do.”
He chuckled deep in his throat and I just loved that sound.
“Because I’m good at it, babygirl. And you’ve never seemed to have a problem with it before. I think Vera’s a bad influence on you. What if something had happened to you? Where did you two even go?”
Since I was still in my day clothes, I opted to not answer right then. I needed to get a shower and ready for bed. I sighed and turned to walk towards my dresser.
“Penelope. Don’t avoid me.”
“I’m not. We went to Houston.”
“HOUSTON! That’s too fucking far! And you don’t even have a cell phone!”
“Deke. Stop yelling at me like I’m some silly child.”
“Well, if you would stop acting like one.”
Now it was my turn to gasp. “Are you serious? I’m acting like a child? I don’t need your permission and my parents knew where I was since I called them with Vera’s phone.”
“Then why the hell didn’t you call me?”
“Because it hadn’t occurred to me I had to tell you every little step I make. You’re my friend, not my parent.”
That seemed to wilt his resolve because his shoulders slumped and his hand swiped over his face, hair and rested on the back of his neck, making the muscles on his arms twist and knot.
“Dammit, Penelope. I’m sorry. I was just…I was just really worried about you.”
“Thank you. I didn’t think to call you. I knew you’d be at work anyways.”
“Babygirl, you’ve got to get a cell phone. With your job, you should be able to get one.”