“Uh, you didn’t exactly run it by me before you disappeared.” I find my pants and bra but can’t seem to locate my underwear or my top. That is, until I look up and see Penn dangling my panties from one hand and my shirt from the other.
He has no shirt on, showing off his muscular chest and abs that look so delectable, I swear I could devour him whole.
I blow out a huff as I move toward him, pressing up on my tiptoes to kiss his jaw before taking my clothes.
“I’ll be right back,” I mouth, quickly ducking inside the ensuite bathroom. “And last time I checked, you make your own decisions,” I say to Jos.
“Bad decisions, it would seem.”
“Let me get ready really fast and I’ll meet you at the restaurant soon and you can tell me all about it.”
“Fine,” she grumbles. “But if your butt isn’t here by six, I’m leaving.”
“I’ll be there. I just have to go pick up my car. Well, my mom’s car.” I correct, realizing my mistake way too late.
“Why don’t you have your car?”
“Long story. I’ll tell you about it when I see you,” I promise.
“Fine. But hurry.”
“I will.” I end the call, dropping the sheet onto the floor as I make quick work of getting dressed.
Luckily, I took a shower about an hour ago. Well, it wasn’t just a shower, but I was washed clean nonetheless, so I don’t have to worry about that, but given that my wet hair was then laid on for an hour, it’s quite the mess. Opting for a messy bun, I tie it up quickly, brush my teeth using the spare toothbrush Penn gave me this morning, and splash my face with some cold water.
I don’t have anything here with me, so bare-faced and in yesterday’s clothes is how Josie is going to get me.
When I reemerge from the bathroom less than five minutes later, Penn is sitting on the edge of the bed, fully dressed.
“I’m so sorry to ask but...”
“You need a ride to your car?”
“I was supposed to meet Josie at Carvers thirty minutes ago. I totally forgot. My mind was...” I smile. “Well, it was otherwise occupied.”
“Your mind wasn’t the only thing occupied, if I remember correctly.” He grins, standing before stalking toward me.
His scent washes over me before he even reaches me and I have to resist the urge to melt into him, knowing that if I do, I’m likely to miss dinner with Josie entirely.
Using the back of his fingers, he tips my chin, angling my face up toward his.
“I wish you didn’t have to go.”
“Me too,” I admit, smiling when he dips down, pressing a soft kiss to my mouth.
“Come on, I’ll give you a ride. I should stop by and check on things anyway. Make sure my brother didn’t make too big of a mess today.”
“Speaking of your brother, any idea what’s going on with him and Jos? She seemed quite mad at him.”
“I have no idea, but I could make an educated guess.” He guides me from the room with his hand to the small of my back.
“I’m sure I’ll get all the details shortly.” I sigh, following him through the house.
It’s still so strange to me that Penn owns a house. In my head, we’re still the same crazy kids we always were. But we’re not kids anymore, even if I still feel like one, given that I live with my parents and have no idea what I’m doing with my life. But not Penn. He’s got it all figured out. I won’t lie and say it doesn’t make me mildly insecure; it does.
The evening air is warm as we step outside, but there’s a nice breeze that makes it feel tolerable.
Penn opens the passenger door of the truck for me and gives my rear a little tap as I climb inside. I throw him an appalled look even if on the inside I’m dancing around like a giddy, lovesick girl.
