Page 61 of Under His Control

Maybe the only way to get rid of it for good is if I sated it.

No. That’s another one of your terrible ideas.

Just this last time, then I’ll never touch her again.

I slip my finger under her chin again and gently pinch it with my thumb. Slowly, I lean in, expecting her to push me back and tell me I can’t kiss her. She lets me brush my lips to hers.

I cup the side of her neck and plant my lips more firmly to hers. Penelope trembles as she tentatively returns my kiss, and I’m instantly greedy for more. I’m about to deepen it when loud knocking makes us freeze.

Someone’s at the door.

The interruption couldn’t have come at the worst time. It also came at the right time, saving me from yet another poor choice despite my promises to myself. I pull away from Penelope and abandon the bed.

Whoever it is pounds on my door again as I head down the hallway. The tension in my brow increases. It’s inconvenient to go back for my phone to check my camera first. I yank open the door and my scowl is replaced by surprise.

“Jakey!”

My sister grins before flinging her arms around me. I return her hug with a couple of pats on her back.

“What are you doing here?” I ask when she pulls away.

“Happy to see you too, bro,” she says in a snarky voice before she breezes past me into the house.

I shake my head as I shut the door.

“My apologies, Your Highness. I forgot to fetch my trumpet so I could properly welcome you.”

She chuckles. “I’ll forgive you for now but I expect a song and a jig next time.” She shrugs off her jacket. “Holly told me about your call, but I kept forgetting to return it. I finally had some free time and figured I’d do better than a call back since I haven’t seen you in months.”

She’s in a black short-sleeved poplin shirt and blue jeans. Her hair reaches her shoulders, the dark strands even and straight. I’m concerned she’s slimmer than when I last saw her several months ago. She’s probably overworking herself and not eating enough.

After she hangs up her jacket, she snatches Penelope’s beanie from one of the hooks and holds it aloft with a smirk.

“Ooh! Since when do you like hats with pink hearts on them?”

I start to worry that she’ll be upset if she sees Penelope. Wait. No. She’s the one who sent her to me in the first place.

“It’s Penelope’s.”

Elizabeth’s eyes widen, their colour the same blue as mine.

“She was here?”

Penelope slowly ventures out into view, a nervous smile on her face. She has on her grey leggings and a shirt I bought her yesterday. I suspected she would like that green one. She seems to favour that colour.

“I’m still here, actually.”

Elizabeth spins to face her.

“Penny!” Then she gasps. “Oh my god! How did you get that bruise?”

Elizabeth hurries over to give Penelope a hug before peering at her forehead, making sympathetic sounds as Penelope tells her about the accident.

“That must have been terrifying,” Elizabeth says. “Thank god you’re alive.” She turns to look between me and Penelope. “So… are you guys…?”

Penelope goes still, alarm crossing her face. Panic spikes in me too, though I hope like hell I’m doing a better job at hiding it than Penelope.

“Are we what?” My tone is sharper than I intended.