Rebel Bachelor

by Kayla Hensen

  Instead, they ordered food, had mediocre conversation, and laughed—sometimes even together. Duncan was good at playing the part. Penny wasn’t sure how much of it was real and how much of it was fake. He was too good, too smooth, it made her uncomfortable.

  “Are you here to stay in Hamilton Springs for good?” Ashton asked.

  “Oh, you know it. Beautiful beaches. Amazing views. Some pretty special people, too.”

  Penny smirked. He laid it on thick but Ashton and the others were eating out of his hand. She wondered how he did that so effortlessly. But when he lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it, Penny didn’t just want to believe him. She did believe him. His eyes were warm, inviting pools of affection. She felt like the only girl in the world when she looked into them. And she wanted to slap herself for it.

  Penny knew better. Duncan Williamsworth was a playboy plain and simple. He partied, he dated, and he played the field. He never met a rule he followed. Penny couldn’t fall for someone she didn’t trust. And she didn’t trust Duncan. With him it was all smoke and mirrors.

  Too bad. She thought he could be really something if he wanted to. If he’d let himself be something other than the cool rich guy.

  By the time dessert and coffee had been served, people started to leave. Penny sat relaxed in her chair. The espresso cup in front of her was half empty. Duncan’s arm rested behind her but he hadn’t touched her. They looked to be together as they said goodbye to Ashton Grave and some of the other businessmen as they left. Penny smiled at their wives. One of them gave her a knowing look as Duncan said farewell.

  They were ready to marry her off so she could be like them. One problem with all of that was Penny had no intention of getting married or giving up her career. Sure, a partner would be nice but all the rest of it? Penny didn’t think she’d ever be ready for it.

  “It was nice to meet you,” her dad said and shook Duncan’s hand. “We hope we’ll see you around more.”

  “Likewise,” Duncan smiled but there was something tired about it that wasn’t there before. It was getting late, so maybe that’s all it was. Penny was tired, too, but thought Duncan would be used to late nights.

  Penny rose up to hug her mother and she whispered in her ear, “Don’t let this one go.”

  “Mom,” she whispered back, “you’re incorrigible.”

  “Me?” Her mom laughed as she reached for her husband’s hand and then they hurried out of the restaurant together.

  Penny glanced down at Duncan who didn’t seem to really see her. His arms were crossed and he appeared to be a million miles away. “Just us and the wait staff.”

  He nodded slowly.

  She ran her tongue along her teeth. “Duncan, are you okay?”

  “Never better. Want to get out of here? Go somewhere fun?”

  Penny blinked her eyes. “If by somewhere fun you mean eating snacks in bed and curled up with my cat. Oh, I didn’t mean together. I meant… it’s late, Duncan.”

  “A quick drive. I’ll have you home soon.” He rose up and checked his pockets for the car keys.

  “You gave your keys to the valet.”

  “Right!” Duncan snapped his fingers. He hurried from the restaurant and Penny rushed to keep up.

  “Duncan!” She met him by the curb. The valet driver was already halfway through the parking lot to fetch the red convertible. Penny took a deep breath. “Where are we going?”

  Duncan shrugged. “Anywhere. A drive down the beach. A walk in the sand. The blinking lights of a casino. You tell me, where should we go?”

  “Home? Maybe the beach.” Penny thought maybe she should catch a cab but she was curious about why Duncan suddenly was acting so weird. When they first had arrived he had been upbeat and his usual dapper self. Now, well Penny saw something more like desperation and she wondered why.

  Was he okay? Penny didn’t want to leave him alone.

  They drove to the beach and parked right against the sand. The only thing that separated them was a low cement wall. They took off their shoes and walked toward the cliffs right where the water churned the surf. Penny wondered if he’d put the moves on her there but Duncan felt a million miles away. Like he was desperate to get away from something.

  “You can tell me what’s bothering you whenever you want to.”

  Duncan glanced at her. “Your family, the people you work with, they like you because of who you are. You’re smart, efficient, kind.”

  “So you’re upset that I’m… functional?”

  “No, this isn’t about you, Penny. It’s about me. Without the money, without the family name, what am I?”

  Penny blinked. “Do you want me to answer that honestly?”

  “You don’t need to.” Duncan picked up a small rock and threw it into the ocean. “I’m nothing but a raging jerk. A party frat boy. Someone who has used his money and prestige all his life to get buy.”

  “That’s not entirely true. You’re smart. If you weren’t smart, you couldn’t work the room the way that you do. You can make people like you on command. That’s… a real talent.” Penny splayed her hand to sell what she said but it felt like a really bad attempt. Really bad.

  Duncan snorted. “You can barely even say it.”

  “What you did for me tonight, is really nice. Really nice. It confuses me, if I can be honest with you. You’ve been great. I’ve felt at ease with you. But I also know that you lied to me a few short days ago. You’re good at manipulating people. I don’t know which of you to trust. Which is the real you?”

  “They’re both the real me. I’m complex, what can I say.”

  Penny laughed. “I guess we all are. But I owe you one for tonight. Plus, it was fun.”

  “Yeah? Yeah it was but you don’t owe me anything. I owed you. Now we’re even but I’m glad I did. It was… an enjoyable night for me. I can’t say that a lot.” Duncan stroked her hair and tucked it behind her ear. The back of his finger caressed her cheek.

  “You think you’re going to just kiss me now?”

  “I could.” Duncan bit his lip. “You did say you were at ease with me. It’d make for the perfect end to a good night.”

  Penny thought that was all true but that’s also why she backed up out of arms reach. She couldn’t fall for Duncan Williamsworth.

  “Ouch,” Duncan raised his eyebrows.

  “I like you but let’s not, okay? Our working relationship will be complicated enough.”

  “Agreed.” Duncan sighed. “I feel better after talking to you.”

  “You didn’t tell me anything but if I helped, I’m glad.”

  Duncan smiled. It was mostly sad. “I’ll drive you home. Unless you want to jump in a jet and tour Europe and Asia with me. We can leave Hamilton Springs and never to look back.”

  “Why would you want to run. I don’t understand what’s so bad or what changed so much since yesterday that you want to leave everything behind.”

  “Nothing. You’re right.” Duncan shrugged and Penny felt like the breadth of the ocean had opened between them. “Thanks for humoring me.”

  “I love the beach. It’s not humoring you.”

  Duncan walked and Penny rushed to keep up with him. When he gazed back at her, he slowed down so their steps could fall in time with one another. He didn’t say anything but he wore an amused look. He hadn’t looked that much himself since the entrée was served. “Dessert was kind of mediocre. We could go for ice cream. I know a great little place.”

  “Open at near midnight? That ice cream is burning the midnight oil.”

  Duncan snickered. “Guess not.”

  Penny was starting to think Duncan was avoiding going home, which sounded crazy. If she lived in a giant mansion on a sprawling estate, they’d have to drag her out kicking and screaming. “Are you happy?”

  Duncan paused at the car with his FAB in his hand. “What?”

  “Are you happy? You seem like you’re not. I was just curious if I’m right.”

  “Of course
I’m happy. Why wouldn’t I be? I’m rich, powerful, successful. I can have whatever I want.”

  “Can you?” Penny challenged him. “Then what is it you want?”

  He shook his head. “I get enough of this from my old man. I don’t need it from you, too, Penny. I’ve made mistakes, all right? Is that what you want to hear? That I’m a mess? A screw up?”

  Penny grabbed his hand when he tried to turn away. “I want to hear whatever it is you want to tell me but you have to tell me something. You’re eyes are sad. You’re not acting like yourself.”

  “You barely know me,” Duncan countered.

  That was true but she still felt like something was wrong. “I know sadness, okay? I know not measuring up. My parents are old fashioned. I’m not married. I have no kids. They think I’m a failure. So if that’s what you’re feeling, I get it.”

  Duncan gazed back at the ocean. A calmness, a stillness seemed to come over him. “Yeah. Well, maybe you’re right. Maybe I don’t know what I want. Or what will make me happy. But I know it’s not this.” He gestured to his car and flung his jacket off. “I thought it made me who I am but… the family’s in trouble. The money’s drying up. My father is trying to save face but I see what’s coming. And… what am I without the money? What am I without all of it? Huh?”

  “The same person you are now underneath all of the layers you’ve built around yourself that aren’t real. Aren’t true. I think until now you’ve liked playing the part of the rich playboy. Now maybe you’re not so sure. Maybe that’s all a good thing. Maybe it’ll give you time to find out who you really are.”

  Duncan scowled. “And if I don’t like him?”

  “How could you not? I think you’ll surprise yourself. You just have to try. Give yourself time. Learn to let your guard down. Maybe let people really in.”

  Duncan grunted. “You’re not going to tell people about this, are you?”

  Penny grinned and swayed back and forth. “Hmm…”

  His eyes widened. “You wouldn’t!”

  “Of course I wouldn’t. I’m just teasing you.” She touched his hand and Duncan wrapped his fingers around hers.

  “Can I kiss you now?”

  “No,” Penny laughed. “But maybe we can be friends. Maybe we can go for that ice cream. My treat.”

  “Nonsense. I can afford ice cream. It’s my treat. For a little while longer.” His eyes twinkled. Penny knew his problems were far from over but she liked the look she saw. The playful smirk on his face. He might not have been happier but he looked more at peace with whatever it was he was dealing with beneath.

  “Okay, you’re treat,” Penny said She walked over to the passenger side of the car. “But maybe I can teach you how to coupon.”

  Duncan slid into the car. “What’s a coupon?” He joked. “No, seriously…”

  Chapter Nine

  Duncan had mint chocolate chip and Penny had strawberry in a sugar cone. By the time he drove Penny back to Sinclair Enterprises to pick up her car it was nearly one in the morning. He didn’t feel right about dropping her off so he escorted her to her car. She held her car keys in her hand. “I can drive myself home.”

  “I’d feel better if I watched you drive off. It’s late. The parking lot is dark. Who knows who might come along?”

  “Someone like you, huh?” Penny said. She sure liked to razz him but Duncan liked the sly smile she wore when she did it.

  “Exactly like me,” Duncan widened his eyes in mock horror.

  Penny giggled and covered her mouth. “I’m over tired and I sound like a little girl. I’m going to go now. Thanks for the ice cream. I’ll see you in a few hours.”

  Duncan put his hand onto his chest like he had been shot. “I guess I better hurry home soon. Before I turn into a pumpkin. Thanks for the talk. Tonight was… well, one of the best night’s I’ve had in a long time.”

  Penny looked unsure. “Mine too. If we’re being serious.”

  Duncan made the universal boy scout symbol with his fingers. “I’m nothing if not serious.”

  She opened her mouth like she might say something but then the moment was lost and she slipped into her car. Duncan closed her car door for her and leaned forward to meet her eyes. “Drive safe.”

  “You too.” Penny buckled in her seat belt and Duncan stepped backward and watched her drive off. He waved goodbye and felt… well, he felt light. His heart flipped in his chest and he was overcome with a sense of euphoria he normally only felt when drinking too many espressos.

  “That was some ice cream,” he muttered to himself but he thought it might be something else. He thought it might be more. A lot more.

  Penny. Such a low valued coin but she was something miraculous.

  When her car sped out of sight and he couldn’t see the trail of her backlights, Duncan got in his sports car and drove home. They had said a lot of things. Not many people talked to him the way Penny did. She saw through things in a way others wouldn’t or maybe they just ignored. Was it possible he was always that big of an open book?

  Whatever it was, Duncan enjoyed it. Penny was refreshing even when she took him down a peg or two. Maybe because she did. His money and family name didn’t phase her. Probably a perk of working for someone like Logan Sinclair. Now there was a man who could intimidate others.

  Once home, Duncan parked along the side entrance to the pool house and unlocked the glass French doors that led inside. He almost expected to see his old man waiting for him so they could have their man to man talk. Luckily, he was alone. Duncan wanted nothing more than to avoid talking to him for as long as possible. Another lecture wasn’t what he needed.

  Right then, he just needed sleep.

  He kicked off his shoes, pulled off his socks, and threw them into a pile by the bed. The guest bedroom where he made his home was an oasis of overstuffed blue and lime green pillows. Comfortable to lay in. Duncan launched his body onto the bed. He tucked his hands behind his head just as his cell phone chirped.

  Duncan fished it out and flipped his phone right side up to see a text message from Penny. Made it home! Thanks for the ice cream.

  He grinned and replied back. Anytime. He scowled and thought of something he could add to the message. Glad you made it home safe.

  Had he ever made a message like that before? He didn’t think so.

  She sent a smiley face in reply. Duncan wasn’t sure what to say. Maybe it was best if he didn’t say anything. He had offered to kiss her on multiple occasions and she said no. He didn’t want to be that guy who couldn’t take no for an answer.

  He’d just let it and see how things played out tomorrow.

  But he was thinking of Penny as he fell asleep.

  *****

  In the morning, Duncan hit the road early so he could avoid having to see his family—brothers included. He was dressed and chipper for his first day reporting into Sinclair Enterprises. With two coffees in hand and a small bag of muffins, he sauntered off the elevator with a spring in his step and a whistle.

  The office was buzzing with excitement. Duncan tried to get a glance of Penny’s desk without seeming like that was what he was doing. Behind his sunglasses it was easy and it was one of the reasons why he loved wearing them.

  He didn’t want everyone to know what he was doing. He had been like that since he was a kid back in the early days when he got caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

  Now it wasn’t cookies he was after. Though, he still had a sweet tooth for business and a pretty woman. Penny definitely was pretty but that’s not all she was. Funny, kind, warm, Duncan thought she might be different than any woman he had ever talked to. Most of them were after something once they found out he was a Williamsworth. Penny had been indifferent and dismissed him because of it.

  For some reason, Duncan found it refreshing.

  Except for now, she wasn’t at her desk. Always on the go and always on the move, Duncan suspected Logan already had her running through hoops. Sighing with disappointme
nt, he headed up to Sinclairs main office where he needed to be anyway and with luck, Penny would be there, too.

  A guy could dream, right?

  Up on the floor, Duncan knocked on the door to Sinclairs’s office and peered in the window. Penny was inside, sitting on the sofa. Dressed in a blue pencil skirt, black high heels, and with her black framed glasses, she nearly stopped Duncan’s heart. Bent over and reading something off of her laptop wasn’t the most elegant of poses but the way her legs were crossed, all shapely in her nude colored pantyhose, was enough to tantalize him.

  Duncan really needed to get control of himself.

  He slid his sunglasses into his pocket before he opened the door and stepped inside. “Good morning, everyone.”

  Penny looked up with a start and her laptop nearly fell onto the floor but she caught it with her free hand. Logan paced in front of his desk. “Ahh, there you are Williamsworth. Oh, coffee. Thanks.” He grabbed one of the coffees Duncan was balancing and took a long sip. He scowled. “Is this a latte?”

  Duncan cleared his throat. “I, um, actually got that one for Penny.”

  “Oh,” Logan glanced between Duncan and his assistant. “Sorry about that. You want it…” He offered it to Penny.

  She shook her head. “Thanks for the thought, Sir. But you know what, I think its yours now.”

  Logan shrugged. “It is pretty good. All things considered. But please, that information doesn’t leave this room. Understood?”

  Duncan chuckled. “I won’t say a word, Mr. Sinclair but I am ready to start my day. I’m a blank canvas.”

  Logan groaned. “My wife has taken up painting. Please, let’s not speak of paint, a canvas, or the one million brushes loitering on my dining table. Of course, she never hears about this, either. I turned over a new leaf. I’m accepting of all her hobbies.” Logan sighed and shook his head.

  “Sir, maybe you should finish dictating that memo to me so I can get on with my day?” Penny asked gently.

  “Right! Yes! I don’t know where I’d be without you. Duncan, step on in. Just a minute while Penny and I finish up.”