“No,” he said quickly, “but I’d love to give it a shot.” He pulled a card out of his shirt pocket to her raised eyebrows. “I’m just getting started, so I’d be happy to give you a good rate. Do you have an email? I can send you some of the weddings and portraits I’ve done that have a fantasy feel.”
“A go-getter. I like it.”
Just then Penny waved him over. “Oh, I need to join my girlfriend. Must be time for the cupcakes. Care to join us?”
“No, I’ll be trying to drag my husband home soon. Although I suppose I can wait for a cupcake. Are they good?”
“Penny makes the best.”
“All right, then,” she squinted at the card, “Nick Markov. I’ll be in touch. I’m Regina.” She held out a hand to shake.
“Great to meet you, Regina. Watch out for that madness.”
“I always do.”
And he strode back to Penny’s side, fingers crossed.
Chapter 8
Penny’s spare bedroom had been transformed. And not by her paintings on the wall. With her help and blessing, Nick had turned the side of the room opposite the desk into… well, Penny didn’t know what she’d call it. But it did make her smile. A long, white sheet of heavy paper hung down from the wall and eased along the carpet, under which he’d laid some boards to make the surface harder. Bright lights shaped like pyramids with the tops cut off stood on each side, aiming wide, luminous bases at the scene.
But what really amused Penny were the models—apparently her mom’s coworker’s wife had created some characters that looked surprisingly like her friends Vi and Anka.
“Am I doing this right?” Anka muttered, gesturing with the fake bowstaff toward the ceiling. Her back was pressed to Violet’s as she made tough faces at the camera, her poker-straight brown hair and lovely large eyes even prettier than normal. In addition to pick-up lines, Anka knew makeup.
“Yes, just like that,” Nick muttered from behind the camera. “You’re tough. You’re strong.”
“Oh, I know.” Anka gave him a cool, almost haughty look down her nose, and Penny snickered.
“Very good. Think James Bond.”
“Or Harry Potter,” Penny chimed in. It was fantasy, after all.
“Or Katniss,” said Violet, laughing as she pointed her dagger at the camera. The dagger had a day job as a letter opener on Nick’s desk.
“Ooh, that wicked grin is perfect. I like it,” Nick muttered, and Penny was only a tiny bit jealous none of the characters in Regina’s latest series had been blond. Not that she’d have been able to stop blushing anyway.
It turned out Regina had been quite willing to give Nick a chance, especially for Nick’s fee of practically nothing. And when Nick had read the character descriptions to Penny to try to figure out how the heck they might find some models, Penny had known just the thing. Er, well, just the people.
“Great work,” said Nick, straightening. “Let’s try one more thing, and I think we’ll have what we need.”
“Does anyone need anything to drink?” Penny asked. The lights weren’t hot, but the room wasn’t getting any colder.
“No, but I’m up for a brownie when we’re done.”
“Well, then you’re in luck, because I have some.”
Violet snorted. “When don’t you have some?”
As Nick rattled off some new pose for them, Penny went to get the brownies out of the fridge and into the warming drawer. Her apartment was feeling less empty every day.
Nick had gotten most of his equipment back into the various boxes and cases. Penny’s friends had finished their brownies in the kitchen and were packing up to head home themselves when he bumped the mouse of Penny’s computer with the corner of his camera bag.
The screen came to life, revealing a gorgeous sunset scene with golds and fuchsias fading into a purple night sky, a tiny dragon soaring amid the layers of gold-rimmed clouds.
He was still standing and staring as Penny came back in.
“They’re on their way,” she said. “I think they really had fun.”
“They did us a big favor, especially since they’re getting paid in brownies.”
Penny grinned. “Didn’t seem to mind.” She strode closer and slid an arm around his waist between the bag over his shoulder and his back. “What am I getting paid in?”
“My endless thanks?”
“Try again.”
“Sushi?”
“That’s a start, but I may have had something else in mind.”
He grinned and bent down to kiss her ear. “Oh, I believe that is complementary.”
“Can I help you down to the car with this stuff? Or do you want to keep it in here in the cold?”
“We can get some out of here now. But hey, before we do—sorry, I bumped your computer accidentally. But this would be perfect for the background of the cover. I could put it in behind them. Can I use it? I’ll give you part of the commission.”
“The unbelievably paltry commission that was just so there was some value at stake? Your words, not mine.” She waggled a finger at him.
“Wouldn’t it be fun to be paid for your work? Even a paltry amount?”
“You’re serious?” Her eyes widened. Almost… afraid?
“Of course.”
“That’s really sweet, Nick, but…” She was shaking her head.
He squeezed her closer. “Don’t make me steal it, Pen.”
She snorted and ducked her head.
“It’ll take me hours to find and piece together photos to make something half as good as this. If it would even end up that good. Now that I’ve seen this, I’m going to hate everything I do. C’mon. Save me some time?” He kissed the top of her head.
“Oh, all right. But just don’t tell Regina I did it.”
“What? Why not?”
“I don’t want it to get back to my mom. Or Cass. They don’t really know I’m still painting. At least not this much.”
“But painting makes you happy, I’m sure they wouldn’t—”
“They don’t approve. Interferes with schoolwork, you know.”
“Yeah, right.” He rolled his eyes. “Like your schoolwork challenges you in the slightest.”
“You noticed?” It was her turn to squeeze him closer now. “Still.”
“They’re your family. I’m sure if you talked to them about it—”
“If I talked to them about it, they’d freak.”
He waved a hand in the air. “And then they’d eventually get over it.”
“No they wouldn’t. You don’t know them like I do. Especially Cass. She never drops anything.”
“Well, that’s shitty of them then.”
“Nick!”
“What?” He shrugged. “It is.”
“They’re all I have.” She ducked her head again.
“So? That doesn’t give them the right to keep your from doing what makes you happy.”
Her eyes turned up to meet his, soulful and sad now. “After Dad died, it was hard. Mom had to pick up the pieces. We had totally depended on him.”
Oh, they were not getting off that easily. “My mom and I have been alone too for a long time. That didn’t mean she told me not to go after my dreams.”
She sighed. “Look, maybe you’re right—”
“Maybe?”
“But they’re still all I have. They matter more to me than fighting over these paintings. I’m really okay with that. They mean everything to me. Okay?” She bit her lip, imploring. She wanted him to drop it. Take her word that it was all okay.
The bleakness in her eyes told a different story.
He clenched his teeth and forced a breath through his nostrils. Finally, he sighed. “Okay, Pen. Okay.”
The winter wedding turned out beautifully, with just a fresh dusting of powder on the ground for the lucky couple’s big day. Or so Penny saw from the pictures Nick sent over. She didn’t see the wedding, of course, or much of Nick either, as the wedding was promptly followed by a mas
sive bout of the flu.
Can I bring you some soup or something? she texted.
No, my mom’s all over it.
He still hadn’t shared where he lived yet or invited her over, but he had let slip that it was with his mom—something he hadn’t seemed too happy about admitting. While he was covered in germs probably wasn’t the best time to meet the parents, anyway.
With all that, it was over a week before Penny could see him again.
Think you’ll feel good enough to go to Anka’s birthday tonight? I know it’s a Tuesday, but…
I’m totally better. Wouldn’t miss it.
The wild kiss he’d given her when he’d shown up at her door had her wondering how long they’d actually last at the party. Especially since Anka lived on the second floor of the same building.
“Hey Penny, hey Nick! So glad you guys could make it!” exclaimed Anka as she opened her door.
“Mint brownies—your favorite.” Penny held up a tray. “Happy birthday!”
“Aw, thank you! These are not going out with the snacks. Help yourself to the wine and cheese over there.”
While Anka was one of her best friends, Penny didn’t know many of the other folks at the party—or she chose not to. They found a corner to tuck into, and Nick downed red wine while she sipped a little white.
He leaned closer to whisper in her ear. “I missed you.”
She stifled a giggle. “Oh, you have no idea how much I missed you.” She’d actually had to pull her vibrator out of the drawer for the first time in quite a while. It hadn’t really done the job. But waking up alone was even worse.
“Really?”
“I think you’re going to find out later.”
He leaned back, relaxing against the wall.
“You’re too far away, come back here.”
He laughed, but relented, circling an arm around her waist where she leaned against the wall.
After another glass of wine, she was the one laughing as his hand drifted lower. And lower. And squeezed.
It was probably time to put the brakes on the alcohol. She led him by the hand toward the kichen at the far end of the apartment, depositing their wine glasses in the relatively empty sink. Sitting alone while the other did so would have been unthinkable.
Then she led the way back to the party that was just kicking into high gear, a louder, heavier beat having taken over the music. Just as they were passing the bathroom, he swung her inside, shutting the door behind them. He thrust her against the wall, running his hands through her hair as his body pressed against hers. Hot and hard and ready.
She stifled a delighted giggle. He had to be pretty drunk, she realized as he yanked at her dress, pulling it up over her hips and running his hands over her thighs, then her butt as he murmured in her ear.
“Are those Pikachu underwear?” His voice was breathless as she nodded. “Oh my God, you are the perfect woman.”
Her mouth opened to deny it, and he captured her lips with a kiss. Following her underwear with his fingers, he traced the line down to her core. Two fingers thrust into her hot wetness. Withdrawing his fingers, he broke off their kiss and stuck one finger slowly in his mouth, tasting her. She stared, eyes wide following the movement.
What the hell were they doing? What if someone heard them… Oh, what the hell. They were already in here.
She grabbed ahold of his hair, pulling him closer, and whispered in his ear, “Fuck me, Nick.”
He did not need further encouragement. He ripped his button and zipper open frantically, pulling out his cock and stroking it as he rubbed the head against her the smooth fabric separating him from her clit, and she stifled a moan.
“We don’t have a condom,” he muttered in her ear.
“Shit,” she whispered. “Let’s go upstairs.”
“No. I need to taste you. Now.”
“What?”
“Lay down on the floor now,” he ordered. He reached over and twisted the lock on the door.
Her eyes widened at his tone of voice, her pulse quickening. Oh, hell yes. If this was how he talked and what he did when he was drunk, she would have to get him wined up more often.
Not hesitating, she hurried to lay down on the floor, spreading her legs before him. He knelt down beside her shoulders, one hand still stroking his cock, and buried his face between her legs, upside down this time.
His beard was coarse against her skin, delicious torment. His mouth was intense, the heat swirling and making her close her eyes in sheer, exquisite pleasure. But she forced them back open again, mesmerized by his hand on his cock just above her.
What if she just… She hesitated only for a moment before she reached for it. As her hand brushed his and closed around his length, he moaned into her. She reached up and licked just the tip, and he froze.
She licked again, on the soft underside, then swirled her tongue around. He trembled. He stopped for a moment and inched up, intense eyes boring into her. Smiling mischievously to herself, she reached a little further and took the whole tip into her mouth, then a little more. He groaned, his hips pushing forward of their own accord, surprising her by filling her mouth with his hot length. Oh, hello. That felt good. Warm skin, thick and hard, slid against her tongue. She squirmed and twisted a little closer as he pumped in and out of her for a second.
“Penny,” he whispered, still surprised, stifling another groan.
And then he simply lost it. Maybe it was the time apart, the alcohol, or the first time feeling her mouth around him. She didn’t care. He abandoned her core to her delight and rotated up closer to her, cradling her neck with his one hand, tangling fingers in her hair. As he held her with one hand and his hips pumped gently against her, she grew even wetter at the slide of his body in and out of her mouth. The gentleness disappeared with each thrust as he lost control. The intensity of it was almost scary, but at the same time, hot as hell. She had no doubt he would stop in the blink of an eye if she said to. If she needed him to.
His raw desire for her was hotter than anything they’d done together yet. She had brought that out of him, not just a natural desire for sex, but an all-consuming one, a need so great he struggled to control it. She loved every groan, every tremble. She longed to bring him closer to the edge and watch just what he would do.
She reached up with her other hand, the one not rubbing the base of his cock, and brushed his balls.
A loud moan escaped his lips, and he caught her offending wrist with his hand. He froze for a moment, his eyes wild, and then he captured the other wrist, pinning them over her head and driving his cock into her mouth faster now, with reckless abandon. Not having her hand to throttle his intensity was a little terrifying, but she rolled with it, a thrill shooting from her hands to her breasts down through to her feet. She twisted her legs at the slick need building inside her, growing exponentially at the feeling of his hands around her wrists, pressing her against the cold tile. The edge of tension, the slight bite of a safe sort of fear, whipped her desire into a frenzy nearing his own.
A moment later, his thrust went deeper, and she gagged a little just before the taste of his hot, salty seed hit her. Well, well. So that’s what it tasted like? He backed off quickly, one hand taking over for her mouth for much of the job, his seed still shooting in spurts onto her tongue, but with more control. Reflexively, she swallowed, and then she swallowed again, drinking every last bit of him, taking whatever he would give her.
He slowed to a stop, then drew out, reeling back from her to his knees and releasing her. He stared down at her, panting, his expression a mixture of confusion and exhaustion and relief. She grinned up at him, then sat up. He pulled her into his arms, still panting. “Sorry, baby, I should have…” He looked around, still looking unsure of himself, depleted.
The song changed to a different thumping beat, and suddenly she realized there was no way those moans had been quiet enough to escape notice, even over the music of the party. “Let’s leave,” she whispered. “Go ups
tairs.”
“I didn’t do you,” he whispered, looking a little irritated with himself.
“We will when we get up there. More room and softer anyway.” She winked at him, struggling to her feet. “I think my butt is asleep.”
He stared up at her from his knees for a moment, though, as she pulled down her dress and checked her face in the mirror, half expecting a stray drop of him on her cheek. Nothing. He had good aim, apparently.
“You’re so fucking beautiful, Penny,” he murmured. “And amazing. Have I told you that? I don’t deserve you for a second.” He threw his arms around her hips, hugging her to him, and she couldn’t deny the pleasure that filled her at those words. Almost better than an orgasm. Almost.
“Don’t be ridiculous.” She ran a hand over his hair. “You’re just saying that cause you’re drunk.” He most certainly deserved her.
He tried to shake his head while also pressing it against her stomach. She smiled. “No.”
“C’mon.” She pulled him up, grinning to herself, and cautiously cracked the door open, hoping to God they could sneak out of this party unnoticed.
Out in the hall, once she’d shut Anka’s front door, she giggled as she ran toward the elevator and hit the button. He ran after her, not letting her get more than a few feet ahead. When the car came, they got inside, and she jammed the close-door button and the nine button like an idiot until it finally closed, probably no faster for her efforts.
He came at her like an avalanche, pinning her to the wall with his kiss, his fingers again finding their way under her dress and delving into her with new determination. His beard scraped raw and fresh against her chin, her lips. She broke away, gasping for breath, and this time let out a moan. Oh God, she was moaning in an elevator now. What if someone was waiting when they got off?
Thankfully, they were lucky. No one was. He barely let go of her long enough to exit, and even as she fumbled with her keys to open the door, his hands groped hungrily at her ass, then shot up to massage her breast. His hips surged against her from behind, sending a whole new thrill through her. No, he couldn’t be ready again, not so soon, but—
Bad Game: A Geeky New Adult Romance (Leveling Up In Love Book 2) Page 10
