by Logan Chance
I pulled into Sandy’s driveway and climbed out of the truck. I couldn’t wait to get inside and see my little girl. Owning a bar and working the majority of my time at night was havoc on a normal schedule. I also knew once she started school things would need to change.
As for me, I just tried to live my life each day at a time. I wanted to treasure the little amount of time I had left before my baby girl grew up and left me for some lousy jerk, which I would never allow to happen. The sinking failures I felt as a father needed to be pushed away for now, and dealt with later. There wasn’t time to sit and dwell on if I was doing the right thing, I just knew it was me and her in this world and I did my best to make her happy, that was what was most important.
I rang the bell and listened to the chime. Sandy opened the door and the next thing I knew Lucy leapt into my arms and I had to react fast to catch her.
“Daddy, I missed you sooooo much. I love you,” she squealed at the top of her little lungs.
“Hi, Boo Bear. Love you too.” I gave her a big hug and lowered her to the ground. After thanking Sandy, we left to head home.
***
After I read Lucy her bedtime story of The Velveteen Rabbit and she was nestled in her bed and off to dreamland, I moved to the bathroom to take a shower. I let the hot water cascade over me as images of Penelope in her bright yellow staff shirt flew through my mind.
The way her hair fell past her shoulders and the small bangs which encased her face were something I wanted to run my fingers through. I pressed a hand along the hard tile of the shower as my cock stirred. I shouldn't be doing this I thought, knowing it was no use. Closing my eyes, visions of her here with me as I grabbed my dick in my other hand assaulted me.
I squeezed for a second before lust took over With a deep breath my hand stroked up and down in a slow movement. The water beat down on me as I slowly exhaled picturing Penelope naked and panting from arousal. Her brown hair, slick from the wetness of the water as I took a handful of it needing control. I would kneel her before me, while her copper eyes would bore into mine, needy and hungry. God, she would be perfect below me, taking my cock in her sweet, plump lips.
“Fuck,” I moaned.
My arm flexed as I gripped myself harder. Pumping, throbbing, needing her more than I wanted to admit. I had no problem finding pussy, and I couldn’t understand why I was letting this one get to me. Especially since she belonged with Dex. My body didn't seem to give a shit Dex had already laid claim.
I squeezed my eyes tight as I demanded myself to not think about anything but her. The one woman, since the moment I met her, I couldn’t get off my mind. She was breathtaking, mesmerizing and she should have been mine.
My balls were heavy with need as I pumped myself in my hand. I grunted as I picked up my speed as her head bobbing in between my legs played in my mind like a slideshow.
The arm holding me up, palm flat on the tile, shook as I leaned my head forward into the spray of the shower. The water ran through my beard as I continued imagining Penelope’s lips sucking me off.
What would she look like naked? Who am I kidding? She would be perfect.
As I grew closer, my thoughts shifted as I imagined slamming her against the tile and taking her here in the shower.
Her tight pussy wrapped around me, her body begging for my touch. My balls tightened as soon as I felt the first jolt of my orgasm rip through me. Fuck, I wanted her sweet pussy.
I jerked my hand faster as I came down the drain to thoughts of my brother’s girl.
Chapter Seven
PENNY
Working for Theo was easier than I thought it would be. Everyone was helping me feel right at home. Even the locals who frequented the bar were welcoming me with open arms.
Tonight would be the first Saturday night I’d ever worked, and from how Richie explained it we should be very busy.
Theo and I would work the bar, along with Richie helping if needed. The waitresses were all set and ready to go, and I glanced over the well of the bar memorizing again where each bottle sat.
“I’ll take the service well tonight,” Theo said. He would make the drinks all of the waitresses would ring in while I would take care of the guests at the bar.
I nodded my head and smiled. Our eyes held each other a moment too long and I realized in the deep brown of his eyes if the sunlight hit it right would cast the green specks to shine out.
He cast his eyes down first and a grin curved his lips upward. The music from the overhead system cranked louder as the night was beginning to start.
The first few hours there wasn’t much excitement, but as soon as it grew later the bar instantly became packed with thirsty horny customers.
I had a hard time keeping up at first as I felt overwhelmed by it all. Spilling drinks, and broken glasses were something I couldn’t stop doing. After I spilled a rum and coke for one of the regulars I let out a huff of frustration. Get it the fuck together Penny. I needed this job this was one of the few things I was good at so I really needed to stop screwing it up.
Theo grabbed my arm and steadied me. “Hey, you’re doing fine. Just have fun. Don’t be so serious.” His smile took me by surprise and I pushed back the stray bangs along my forehead.
“I’m wrecking everything.” My voice faltered showing him how much I worried about him getting worried he’d get rid of me if I kept breaking his inventory.
“Lighten up and have fun. Watch.” He shimmied away from me as he danced to the song playing.
A hip hop song blared and Theo had everyone’s attention as he wiggled his body to the beat.
A small giggle escaped my lips as I watched. The waitresses waiting for drinks hooted and hollered for more.
In one quick motion, Theo grabbed the tickets shooting out from the printer with the waitresses' drink orders and swung them in the air.
My smile was wide as I watched a moment longer until an older gentleman at the other end of the bar called me over.
“Yes sir,” I said, as I glanced over my shoulder back at Theo who was still shaking his ass to the beat.
“Whiskey sour.”
I poured the drink as Theo had the girls calling out there drinks to him flipping a few of the bottles in his hands showing off his skills. I had to admit they were impressive.
Who knew he could do that?
It was sexy to watch him behind the bar as he flipped and poured the bottles. My dumb body was having a hard time bringing Dex's face to mind as I watched him enamour the crowd. The waitresses flirted with him relentlessly and I felt a tinge of jealousy wash over me.
“Take it away, Penelope,” he called as he pointed his finger to me.
I shook my head wondering if he had lost his mind. There was no way I was going to flip bottles in the air, especially after having butter fingers all night. The song changed the first strains of the music revealed it was one of Jasmine's and mine’s favorites to shake and dance to.
“Dance for us,” Theo called again.
I lifted my arms over my head as I wiggled my butt. My cheeks flared red as embarrassment took over. Why the hell was I doing this? Theo seemed to have a strong power over me to get me to step out of my comfort zone. The catcalls from the men at the bar made me laugh and Theo strutted over and wrapped his arm around my waist.
We danced for a second before he dipped me back and pecked my cheek with his lips. They were soft and firm, I blushed deeper as his lips pressed themselves to mine and for a moment everything felt right, before he had me standing back up. His motions seemed to be in slow motion as his hand moved along my waist when he let go. I missed his touch when his hand fell away instantly.
“Thank you,” I said when the moment was over.
“For what?”
“Calming me down. I was nervous about tonight. I feel better now.”
“Penny, you’re fine. It will get easier.”
It was the first time Theo had ever called me Penny, I didn’t like it. It felt wrong from his li
ps. When he called me Penelope I felt special like it was our secret connection.
“Thanks,” I said as his eyebrows shot up.
“What have I told you about thanking me? Now, get back to work,” he said in a bossy tone.
He winked to me and my body responded by breaking out into goosebumps.
What was happening to me? The rest of the night as Theo played around and goofed off, I found myself smiling more than I had in a long time.
He was so different than Dex. His laid back attitude was a breath of fresh air. I didn't realize how stifling Dex's future plans were to me. Theo was fun and responsible at the same time something Dex was never able to do.
By the end of the night my cheeks hurt from the smiling overload my body had endured. I couldn’t stop and truthfully I didn't want to. Tonight was exactly what I needed.
As the night came to an end, I found myself wiping the bar as Theo lowered the music from overhead. Most everyone had already left for the evening.
“Hey boss, I’m out of here,” Richie said as he bumped fists with Theo.
“Have a goodnight, man.”
“Penny, you rocked. I hope Theo plans on keeping you around.” Richie winked as he led two other girls out the front door.
I continued wiping the same spot on the lacquered bar as Theo watched. We both made no mention of Richie’s request to keep me around and as his eyes bore into the back of me, I grew nervous.
I couldn’t take it anymore and snapped my head to gaze in his direction. “What?”
“Nothing,” he whispered in a low voice.
It sent chills running down my spine. I was on a high from the excitement of the night we had, and my nerves were all over the place.
He stalked closer as I dropped the bar towel. My lips parted, my voice faltered as I tried to speak. “What?” I barely spoke.
“You were on fire tonight, Penelope.” He moved closer and for a brief moment I thought he would wrap his arms around me, maybe I wanted him to.
My heartbeat stammered in my chest as my eyes fluttered closed. What was happening?
He was close, and we were alone. When I opened my eyes he was still right there. The heat of his body hitting me full force. His slacked jaw and tightlipped expression were wraking havoc on my brain.
“What?” I said for the third time, but was unsure what I was truly asking.
A heat travelled and took up residence deep within my core. Thoughts of how good his lips would feel against mine overtook me as he breathed along my hair. I raised my head to sneak a look in his eyes and found a power there which knocked the air from my lungs.
“Nothing,” he whispered answering my forgotten question. His right hand reached up and brushed a loose tendril of hair from my face and tucked it securely behind my ear.
The air zapped around us, and my body shivered from the touch. I didn’t want to awake from this trance he had me in.
He leaned forward and I closed my eyes once more waiting for his lips against mine. But, it never came. When I opened my eyes he had backed away.
“I’m so sorry, Penelope,” he apologized as he raked a hand through his perfectly coiffed hair.
I shrugged my shoulders pretending to be fine with the momentary forbidden moment between us.
“It’s ok,” I said, faking a smile.
“It won’t happen again.” He walked away from me as I stood there feeling a slight chill race up my arms.
I picked up the forgotten bar towel and continued wiping away the same exact spot that had been polished clean.
My thoughts were all over the place. Like a kaleidoscope of mixed emotions. Shining a beautiful colored pattern across my heart.
What was I thinking?
Chapter Eight
THEO
As I locked up the bar for the night, I walked Penelope to her car. After she was safely out of the lot, I made my way toward my truck.
What the fuck had I been thinking?
I had such a great time working with her. When she finally calmed her anxiety, our bodies moved in tandem as we dominated the bar. She was a valuable asset and I needed to reign in my raging need to be planted deep inside her.
Everything about the situation was wrong, and I forced down the thoughts of her and me together again. I should have never let myself get close to her. When my lips landed on her cheek it took everything I had not to travel my way down to her lushious lips. Now I knew what her skin felt like and my body wasn't going to let me forget it anytime soon.
Hell even if I could convince her to leave Dex our relationship would be doomed. We couldn't ignore my brother as much of a pain in the ass as he was he was still my only brother and Lucy adored him. I refused to imagine the awkwardness during holidays when we would be forced together. Fuck, I needed to get it together.
Once I was home, I went to the shower and jerked off again with thoughts of Penelope egging me on. Yeah, it was messed up but my dick didn't seem to care.
Even after jerking off my body refused to relax as I willed my mind to shut off so I could sleep. My hands crept to my balls as I tugged on them with Penelope once again fueling my actions. After cumming for a second time that night I was finally able to drift into a fitful sleep.
***
The next morning, I travelled to Sandy’s to pick up Lucy. My eyes burned from my lack of sleep, and I knew I needed to wake up if I was going to match Lucy's energy. When I arrived, Sandy rushed to my truck before Lucy saw me. She held a postcard in her hand.
“What is that” I asked as she handed the note over.
“Nadine.”
Hearing the name made my whole body clench with anger. I flipped the card over and read the words.
Mom,
Hey I miss you. I was wondering how Lucy is. I want to see her.
My brain froze as anger thrummed through me. What the fuck?
“Are you kidding?” I asked.
Lucy played in the grass of the front lawn, oblivious to our conversation about her worthless mother.
“I know. But, maybe she has grown up. I think you should let her see her. Don’t you?”
“No, she left us. She left Lucy.” I glanced over to my daughter as her brown pigtails bounced as she ran around the yard the symbol of innocence. I vowed to protect that innocence for as long as I could and I wasn't going to let her worthless piece of shit mother take that away.
“Theo, I won’t stand in the way. But, she is her mother. I think if she wants to see Lucy you should let her at least see her.”
“Sandy, I can’t talk about this now. Has Nadine called you? Or is this random postcard from.” I flipped the card over, reading the words. “Oregon all you have to go on?”
“She hasn’t called. And when she does of course you’ll be the first to know.”
“Good,” I clipped.
“Theo, she's my daughter. I know she screwed up but I have to believe I raised her right and she will someday be a good mother to Lucy.”
I shook my head as I watched the sadness overtake Sandy’s gray eyes.
“I’ll think about it,” I said. “Lucy, time to go sweetheart.” The energy I mustered in the car was gone. I felt lifeless as I hoisted my daughter into my arms.
Thoughts of Nadine were front and center on my mind as I drove us home. My anger kept trying to surface as I carried Lucy inside and set her down to play with her toys.
What the fuck would I do?
A part of me felt I should allow Lucy to get to know her mother. Another part of me worried if Lucy became attached and Nadine decided to flee again how it would devastate my daughter.
I only cared about Lucy in both scenarios and could give two flying fucks if Nadine ever saw her again.
I sat along the floor and picked up a half-dressed Barbie doll with wild brown hair. The doll reminded me of Penelope and I gripped the doll tighter in my hand. It's official I'm pathetic. Lucy squealed with delight when she knew I was going to play with her. It was easy, just prance the doll ar
ound and pretend to laugh. Lucy just mainly liked to take their clothes off and try putting new clothes on. She could never successfully put the clothes on them, so I’d be left to do the task for her, which I didn’t mind a bit.
After an hour on the floor with the Barbies, I made sandwiches for us both.
Then I decided to take her down the ocean to play in the sand. I was hoping to tire her out so we could both get some shut eye.
The afternoon held a slight breeze as we walked along the shore to find a perfect spot to build sandcastles.
I held her tiny fingers in one hand, and a bag of sand toys in the other.
Once we were situated, we spent the remainder of the day digging tunnels and letting the ocean fill them in.
She laughed, and I snapped a few pictures on my phone.
Once the sun was setting, we returned home and I made her a dinner of noodles and butter.
For me, I added some sauce and then I sat with her along the couch and read her most favorite story “The Velveteen Rabbit’.
After her bath, I put an exhausted Lucy to bed and flipped on the TV. I settled into watch a few episodes of some cop show I was addicted to.
I dozed off for a few hours and woke to my phone buzzing on the coffee table beside me. Shaking my head awake, I answered once I had the buzzing phone in my hand.
“Theo, you need to get down here,” a panicking Richie said into the phone.
I jolted upright as I clung to the phone tighter trying to gain my bearings.
“Why? What’s going on?” I glanced at the clock above the TV and it read just past midnight.
“There’s been a fire down here at the bar.”
“Fuck, I’m on my way.” I flew off the couch running a hand through my thick, dark hair.
Shit, I couldn’t call Sandy at this hour, she’d definitely be asleep. My mother lived further away in the outskirts of Ft. Lauderdale and it was too late to phone her at this hour.
My only thought was to call Dex. I dialed his number in an instant and waited for him to answer.
