He chuckles. “Okay, while we are in the throes of passion, I’ll stop, carefully remove it from your body, place it on a hanger, put it in a garment bag, and hang it up.”
Laughing, I gently poke him in the chest. “That’s what you better do.”
My thoughts drift to what I want to talk to him about. After I tell him I’ve fallen in love with him, will he want to remove my dress, or will he pull away and run screaming from the room?
Chapter Twenty
LUCAS
Arriving at the award show, we wait in the limo for our turn to reach the red carpet. Penny’s leg is bouncing and she’s twisting the chain of her purse in her hands. Taking her hand, I bring it to my lips and kiss her knuckles. “Everything will be okay,” I assure her.
“You know what they’re going to ask.”
“There are too many celebrities here tonight for them to worry about us. Maybe they won’t even care that we’re here.”
She gives me a dubious look.
“We don’t have to do this if you don’t want to. I’ll have the limo take us home.”
She shakes her head and pulls her shoulders back. “No. They’re not making me hide.”
“That’s my girl. Good for you.” There are those words again.My girl. That’s exactly what she is to me; my girl.
When it’s our turn, the limo pulls up to the carpet. I get out of the car, move around to Penny’s side, and help her out. As soon as our feet hit the red carpet, cameras are pointing our way.
I lean my head to her ear and whisper, “We’ll pause for a couple of photos and then take off inside, okay?”
She nods. Her hand trembles in mine, and I give it a gentle squeeze to let her know I’m in this with her all the way. I’ll never let her go.
After the photos are taken and we’re about to step off the carpet, a journalist calls out, “Lucas, why are you here with Penelope Aldin if your relationship is fake? Why the act?”
My body stiffens. Even though I was prepared for these questions, I still want to punch the guy in the face for asking. I turn toward Penny; her face is stricken with embarrassment. Who the hell do these people think they are causing someone so much pain?
“Penelope, why would you lie to your fans?” another man calls out.
Sliding my arm around her lower back, I pull her close. Like somehow I can use my body to shield her from their fucked-up words. Normally I’d ignore the assholes, but I need to say something for Penny. “Whatever bullshit that’s going around now is just that…bullshit. Nothing about our relationship is fake. Penny is the smartest, funniest, most beautiful woman I’ve ever known.” Turning toward her, I smile down at her. “I love Penny. She is who I want to spend the rest of my life with.”
Giving a surprised gasp, she searches my face, and I see a questioning look in her eyes, like she’s wondering if there is any truth in my words.
Holy hell. The declaration just flew out of my mouth, and yet, I meant every word. And it doesn’t scare the crap out of me. Giving her a soft kiss, I turn to the journalists and say, “Now move on to something more interesting. There’s no story here.”
Taking Penny’s hand, I guide her inside and away from the press to a quiet corner of the room.
“Lucas, you shouldn’t have done that. That is way more than we agreed to. Be seen together, share a kiss or two in public—that’s all. I’m sorry you felt you had to tell them you love me. Now it will only be harder to end this when it comes time to.”
Taking her hands, I rest them over my heart. It’s beating hard against my chest. “I told them I love you because it’s the truth. I only wish I told you first and hadn’t done it so publicly.”
Her eyes widen. “Wh-what are you saying?”
“Every time I look at you I can’t imagine you walking out of my life. I want to wake up with you every morning. Kiss you at the end of a long day. Spend every moment loving you. For the first time ever, I know what it’s like to love someone so much it feels like my heart is going to explode. Penny, you’re the love of my life.”
She covers her mouth with her hand. Tears slide down her face. Praying they are good ones, I brush them away with my thumbs and cup her face.
“What about your beliefs? You think you’re like your father.”
“There is no way my dad loved my mom like he said he did. Because if he felt half as much about her as I do you, he could never have cheated. Could never have even looked at another woman. My love for you wipes away any beliefs I had. You are it for me. Always will be, whether or not you want me.”
Penny’s bottom lip trembles, and her eyes well with tears. Instead of responding, she drops her face in her hands and sobs. My heart sinks to my stomach. Oh fuck. Does she not feel the same way? The next few seconds that pass are the longest of my life.
