She flings her arms out to the side just as lightning cracks, making me jump. Penelope doesn’t even flinch.
“They’re saying I’m fat, ugly, and unhealthy, and it’s only my money that is bagging hot boyfriends.” The wind tosses her hair about her head. She tugs the wet shirt plastered to her skin and yells, “This is me!” Pulling the shirt open, buttons fling all around. She yanks it off her body and tosses it on the ground. “When those photos of me skinny-dipping circulated in high school I was laughed at. Ridiculed because I wasn’t supermodel thin. It made me feel worthless. Even my mother makes me aware of my weight. Always recommending a more flattering outfit to wear. Darren never said it in so many words, but he’d buy me gym subscriptions for my birthday and question whether or not I should eat the cupcake.”
My body tenses with rage. What the fuck! What is wrong with these people? Penelope is beautiful. One of the most gorgeous women I’ve ever seen. What are they not seeing?
Kicking off her hiking boots, she strips out of her jeans and tank top and throws them next to the shirt. Standing in her lacy, pink bra and panties with the shadows of the forest surroundingher, the storm raging above, and leaves tumbling around her, she reminds me of a sexy mythical nymph.
She opens her arms wide, spins in a circle, and yells, “This is me!” She slams a hand to her chest. “Me. The hair, makeup, and designer clothes are all to hide what’s really underneath.” Tilting her face up to the sky, sobs rack her body.
Thunder rolls. Lightning cracks. The rain is pounding. We really need to get to the cabin.
I take her hands in mine again. This time she doesn’t pull away. When she stares at me, sadness is etched deep on her face. Tears are welling in her eyes and spill down her cheeks.
“Is this what I have to put up with for the rest of my life? Constant criticism on how I look?” Her voice has lowered to a whisper, and I barely hear her over the storm.
“There is nothing wrong with the way you look. Your face and body are perfect. You are beautiful. You have always been the most beautiful and desirable woman I’ve ever seen.” The first time I saw her in high school, I couldn’t take my eyes off her. Age has only made her more stunning. “Whatever those fuckers are saying online, they need to get their heads examined, because they have no idea what they’re talking about.”
Penelope’s bottom lip trembles. “The photos show something different.”
I swipe rain from my eyes and push my wet hair off my face. “Fuck the photos. If they could see you right now, they’d see what I’m seeing. A woman who is sexy and stunning. A fucking badass for stripping in the middle of a storm that can kill her.” I cup her face. “You are beautiful. Don’t let anyone tell you different.”
Putting a palm on my chest, she steps closer. “Show me how beautiful I am.”
The muscles where she touches tighten. “Penny, now isn’t the best time. You’re upset. You’re not thinking straight. Let’s go back to the cabin and dry off.”
“That’s the second time you’ve done that.”
“Done what?”
“Called me Penny. Only my friends call me Penny.”
“I think after everything we’ve been through we can call each other friends now.” Would I have chased her into a dangerous storm if I truly hated her? And with things out in the open and desire flattening any animosity, I can honestly say that we are no longer enemies.
A ghost of a smile plays on her lips.
“Let’s go,” I say. “I can even take you back to town if you need to call someone to sort this out.”
“No, I don’t want to go back. I want this. You. Right now. You look at me, touch me, like no one has ever done before. When you call me beautiful…I believe you.”
Rain is plastering her hair to her face and tracking rivulets down her cheeks. I brush soaked strands away. Damn, I want her. “If that’s true, then you’ve been with losers who don’t deserve you. Your body is a temple I want to worship at.”
With all seriousness, she says, “Then kneel down and worship it.”
Holy fuck. How can I refuse such a demand? “Are you sure? You’re upset. You might regret it later.”
“I have never been more sure of anything. The only regret I’ll have is not being with you.”
“Let’s go back to the cabin where it’s dry.”
She shakes her head just as lightning streaks through the dark clouds. “Here. Now.”
Stepping back, she pulls her bra straps down her arms, unhooks the clasp, and lets it fall to the ground. Next, she shimmies out of her panties. Standing under a stormy sky withtrees thrashing about, a goddess stands before me. With her creamy skin, sensual curves, and her auburn hair whipping around her, it makes this all feel so surreal. When she reaches out and places her hands on my waist, I know this is no dream.
She wants me on my knees? Not a problem. There’s nothing more I want to do right now than to taste her sweet spot. Dropping to the soaked ground, I stare up at her. “Spread your legs,” I demand.
Shifting her feet out to the side, she does as she is told. Anchoring my hands on her hips, I grip tight and bring my mouth to her, licking a flat tongue along her slit.
“Oh God.” Gasping, she tunnels her fingers through my hair.
