AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Penny cupped his cheek in her palm and searched the sincerity in his gaze, shivering when he turned his head and placed a sweet kiss there.
Closing her eyes, she rested her forehead against his. “Oh god, Josh, I feel like such a fool. No one ever meant as much to me as you did, back then. I was so hurt and sad when you backed off and we lost touch. I know we were only kids, stupid, naive kids at that, but losing you affected me so badly,” she revealed, dropping her head to his shoulder and blowing out a beleaguered sigh as the tears came.
“Hey,” Josh admonished, lifting her head with a hand on either side of her face. “What are you crying for?”
He looked destroyed at her words and thumbed the tears away, pressing sweet butterfly kisses all over her face that just made her cry harder.
Sitting up, he cradled her on his knee and made her feel so cherished and sheltered that her heart wrenched.
“You want to know the truth, Josh?” she whispered, not able to look at him. “You backing away actually made things worse.” She swallowed and continued before he could ask the questions that she could tell were on the tip of his tongue. “I ended up being the girl that even the geeky boy didn’t want to know,” she admitted on a sob. “I spent the rest of my school days being ostracized and bullied until I thought I was the loser they all said I was. I stopped caring about myself, because nobody cared about me and I’ve been pretty much the same ever since.”
“No!” Josh’s exclamation was wretched and his armed banded even more tightly around her.
“Oh god, Penny, I’m so sorry,” he muffled into her hair. “I wish we could have a do-over. I never wanted that for you. I just wanted other people to appreciate the wonderful, beautiful person that you were.”
Josh tipped his face towards the ceiling and banged his head against the wall in frustration before pushing away, surging to sit on the side of the bed, fisting the sheets in his hands.
He bent his head and closed his eyes. “This is all my fault,” he grated out. “God, you must hate me for putting you through all of that. I’m sorry, I just…I’m sorry.”
He tried to get to his feet, but Penny clambered up behind him and wound her arms around his chest, pressing her face against his back. She wouldn’t let him walk away now.
“Josh.” She hugged him tight. “I’m not going to lie and pretend I wasn’t bitter about it over the years, but if there’s one thing that spanking taught me it’s that I’m just as much to blame. More so, in fact, since you just responded to what I told you.”
He clasped his hands over hers and she kissed up the length of his spine. “And besides, we were kids, Josh, only fifteen and seventeen years old. We’re allowed to make mistakes, that’s how we learn. And I’ve learned to embrace what’s right in front of me.” Her voice turned quiet. “I hope we can build on that.”
Does that mean you’re prepared to stay here with me for the rest of the week?” he asked tentatively, squeezing her fingers.
“Too right,” she replied. “I have complimentary tickets to the New Year’s Eve Ball and a bunch of pre-paid spa treatments I can’t cancel at short notice.”
She kneeled up and leaned over his shoulder, kissing his cheek. “And suddenly, the idea of primping and pampering and dressing up in my glad-rags doesn’t seem quite so bad now I have someone to share it with and appreciate the results.”
Josh lifted their joined hands and kissed her palm. “I appreciate you regardless,” he said earnestly. “I always have, so don’t ever think you need to change…but I’m sure you’ll look even more amazing all dolled up.”
Penny laughed and pulled him back into the bed, determined to have her wicked way with him one more time before they got up. “Just remember that when I wear the same dress again because I only brought one with me.”
“You could wear nothing at all, and I’d be wowed,” Josh said playfully. Then, he mock scowled. “On second thought, no one gets to enjoy this body but me, so that’s out.”
“Well, I suppose that might get Brad’s attention,” Penny replied coyly, fluttering her eyelashes at him.
“That jerk doesn’t even deserve to see your face,” Josh growled. And then he dived on top of her, cutting off her banter with a heated, passionate kiss.
CHAPTER NINE
Penny wandered back to the penthouse on a cloud of bliss. She couldn’t remember when anything in her life had felt this good. It was New Year’s Eve, and she was actually looking forward to the posh party the hotel was renowned for.
The spa had surprised her with a booking for hair and makeup right before the ball. She didn’t remember her mother mentioning those. Now, she felt like a million dollars. It was just a shame she didn’t have anything more glamorous to dress up in.
Josh whistled his appreciation as she stepped into the suite. The way his eyes darkened with desire made her want to get messy with him again and she had to curb the desire to jump his bones. He looked good enough to eat in the tailored tux he was wearing.
They’d never discussed his job, except that he ran his own business, but she’d worked out he must be doing well, if the penthouse and his wardrobe were anything to go by.
“Well, look at you, beautiful,” he complimented, taking her in from head to foot. She’d had so many treatments this week she felt like a new woman. She’d had manicures and pedicures and sported elegant pearl pink nails. She’d been massaged and waxed - even ‘down there,’ which Josh had taken great delight in exploring. Penny’s eyes still rolled back in her head when she thought about having his mouth on her and how much more sensitive everything was bare. She was a convert, that was for sure.
Now her hair was professionally styled and coloured with understated streaks which complimented her natural red, but stopped it looking quite so carroty. The makeup was subtle, enhancing her features rather than overpowering.
“I feel a bit like Cinderella,” she joked. “When the clock strikes midnight, I might turn back into a pumpkin.”
Josh grinned, took her hand, and kissed her fingers. “I have a gift for you,” he whispered.
