His face turned a little red. “You’re right, but my reaction to kissing you hasn’t been a lie.”
She took in the sight of him in his cargo shorts and blue t-shirt that matched his eyes. “The erection or the walking away?”
Leaning closer, he smiled, showing his dimples. “Direct. I do like the new you.”
Standing up on her tiptoes would give her access to take his lips in hers again to see if the surge she experienced was always one-sided. No. “Don’t distract me.”
Stepping back, he ran his hand through his hair. “I don’t want to use you and you don’t know enough to make a fair choice.”
Putting her hand on her hip, she raised her eyebrow. “Tell me.”
Tapping his leg, he admitted, “It’s my mother.”
Penny squinted. She hadn’t expected that one. “Okay. You are not a momma’s boy intending to please her. What can your mother do to you now? We’re adults.”
Looking out the window and not at her, he lowered his voice. “No, I’m not. Mom is controlling. She runs her fingers through Dad’s businesses, ensuring she stays in on every deal. My father lost the fight with her and lets her run things from the sidelines. I will not.”
Following his pose, she mimicked him. “Good for you.”
His arm brushed against hers while he waited to meet her gaze. When she stopped moving, he told her, “My business already makes a decent profit, but she’s been after me, sending women into my life that will do what they are told. Eva took the bribe. When she gets over her dislike of you, she’ll offer it to you, too.”
Her mouth fell open. Eva took money to date Jay? Why would his mother do that? “She seeks controlling interest in your company?”
He threw his hands up. “Yes, just to ensure her family stays together. She’s pushed women into my life in the past two years for that purpose, and one investor has seen me with all these women once. And I can’t lose money over this. I need to nip the idea of me playing anyone in the bud, and Penny, you’re the type of woman a man would wait for.”
Her head still tried to grasp it, and no words came out at first. Shaking her hands a little helped her shake loose her mouth. “What will your mother offer me? Money to leave you?”
Sighing, he put his hand on her arm. “That’s possible, but it will be more a teamwork move to help stabilize me in front of some men with a lot of money at stake. She’ll slowly try to get you report to her what I’m up to, anything you hear me doing. I need to know I can trust you not to do that.”
Leaning in, she hugged him. “I won’t betray you, Dimples. You’ve been too good to me.”
His hand moved slowly before he hugged her back. “Thank you.”
His soap had a touch of the forest, and she took one more whiff of him, sighed, then pushed back a little. “Just so we’re clear, though, I’m perfect because why? I don’t understand.”
He clenched his hands together at his sides and went still. “Because you’re the one woman in my life that I’ve always respected.”
“Ohh.” She had no other words. Her mouth wouldn’t form more syllables.
His dimples caught her eyes again. “Is that a problem?”
Tell him, the voice inside her yelled, but she couldn’t. Not yet. She sucked in her cheeks and decided. She’d stay quiet until she had a job. “I’m nothing like her. I will not use you for your money. If I can’t pay my rent, kick me out. I’m not asking for any handouts.”
His eyebrows fell before his lips hovered close to hers again. “I trust you, Penny. It wouldn’t have worked if I didn’t.”
“Ohh.” What could she say? She licked her lips. She wanted that kiss. Lowering her eyes, she stared at his mouth. “Thank you for clearing this up with me.”
“Penny, I’ve always—”
His lips grazed hers and fireworks exploded inside her. Everything would be so easy, but she couldn’t. Pushing him back, she straightened her hair while she found the strength to say, “I have to go, Jay. I need air right now, but I’ll be back.”
Composing himself took effort. She saw his body go rigid. “Okay. You win, for now.”
Her body heat told her she had made a huge mistake, but her mother’s smiling image in the back of her head stopped her. If she kissed him again, she’d lose her focus. First, she needed a job so she’d never be tempted by his money.
Running out of his office, she rushed back to her room. The energy coursing through her made her want to strip and go back to him naked. Pulling off her skirt, she had the mental image of forgetting everything. Whatever he said comparing her to her mother hadn’t been right.
Staying here would lead her back to his room. She eyed the door. She needed to leave. After pulling on a pair of jean shorts and a t-shirt, she headed out fast.
In the parking lot, she weighed her options. Yesterday, he’d kissed her out of necessity. The first time in his office? Just now? Why? And if she acted on her attraction, their friendship changed.
A voice told her that going up and stripping for him would make her happy. And her mother. She’d been his biggest cheerleader. Gulping for air, she focused. She needed to do one thing at a time. New job. Then move out. Then think about Jay and how sex changed everything. Not having sex might have changed it already. No. The mess in her head needed to be solved. Jay was a friend, and one night of kisses in public shouldn’t spike her temperature like last night, on their couch.
People watching them would keep the soul-crushing kisses tempered. When she stopped dwelling on every detail, then she’d be calm enough to decide when they’d end up in bed.
Chapter Eighteen
Jay flipped on his tablet and read his emails. He stretched his arms, but stayed under the covers. His secretary’s email stuck out. He sighed then his gaze focused on the words. I’ve narrowed the candidates for the engineer down to eighteen candidates. I am scheduling the interviews.
He nodded to himself. Thanks. I’ll be in for the final round.
He rubbed his eyes then stretched his muscles to wake up. Penelope would be perfect for the job. He smiled to himself. He might be biased. If he spent all his days with her, he’d be too happy.
First, though, he needed to keep Mr. Gonzales and that business low key. He’d not bring Penny anywhere near the men who’d once kidnapped him. After his mother’s last encounter, he’d not put anything past her. He picked up the phone and made a call. Two rings later, the man answered, “Hello.”
Jay cracked his knuckles before he folded his hands on the table. “What did your lawyers think of the idea?”
“Everything is professional on your end, Mr. Marshall. Let’s set up a meeting to discuss a few key aspects.”
Jay smiled to himself. “Perfect. I’ll have my secretary set everything up.”
“Sounds good. And I’ll keep everything confidential on my end.”
He released his hands though kept still. “Excellent. I’m looking forward to it.”
He hung up the phone. With his hands to his side, Jay swiveled in his chair. Everything would end well. And his mind raced to Penny. She worked for his father’s company and she had no idea. His father probably didn’t know. And his mother or Penny had never mentioned each other. The company was a small subsidiary anyhow, and Penny was an excellent candidate for any office. He shrugged off the idea of visiting unannounced, though. Instead he picked up his phone and dialed his favorite cousin, Sandy. She answered immediately, “Jay.”
His cousin’s bubbly voice reminded him of simple days. Back then, Penny was a friend. His heart ached. “What do you know about Penny’s ex?”
“Fernando?” Sandy’s voice rose in surprise. “Did he bother her again? I heard she clashed with him and Eva at the grocery store.”
His brow furrowed. “When was that?”
“Why do you care? I thought you didn’t care about anything or anyone anymore.”
His collar grew tighter. “I always cared about you.”
“It’s hard to ignore me fo
r long. I’ll just keep calling you. But now you moved Penny into your house.”
His heart warmed and his mouth opened. “She’s a good roommate.”
“Bull. You named your investment company Penelope Investments and claimed it was a literary reference to the Odyssey.”
A wide smile grew. “It is.”
“Liar.”
With a shrug, he admitted the truth. “Okay. I thought about Penny. After mom had me kidnapped, I wanted to start a company without my parents’ interference. In high school, Penny had been the only person who successfully avoided her mother’s interference. But that was years ago now.”
“She inspired you.”
“She is a good friend.”
“Or you are too blind to see she’s your soul mate.”
“You read too many romance novels, which is funny, cousin. You don’t date anyone.”
“Michael and Eva don’t know this. But in high school, I was very much in love with Wyatt Colburn. Then he joined the Marines and I never saw him again.”
Goosebumps appeared on his arms while he put the pieces together. “You disappeared for half of freshman year in college. Did you follow him?”
“No. I’m not that weak…” She cleared her throat. “I had health issues.”
With his arms crossed, he stood up. “I never bought that. You were devastated, and it took the rest of the year for you to start smiling again.”
“Says the man who stopped talking to everyone that year. We’re both adults now, and you are living with the woman who inspired you.”
His body heated on his upper back. “I’m hanging up now.”
“Call me later. And Jay, you know I love you and Penny both. I just want everyone to be happy.”
The clear blue sky calmed him. He stared out the window. “Out of all of us, you deserve the best.”
“See you soon.”
“Bye.”
Jay shook his head. Penny deserved a man who would love and take care of her. He wasn’t sure he was capable of that depth of openness. He blinked then focused back on his work. Business he could control. Penny, he wasn’t so sure.
Chapter Nineteen
Checking her phone on the way out, she saw she had a voice message. Unknown Miami number. Her heart raced as she hit the button to hear, “Please call us today to schedule your interview.”
Yes! She’d make that call on her first break. Her hands shook with excitement. Getting a new job and avoiding Jay tonight would help her nerves. Tomorrow she’d go to Sandra’s party, so tonight, she had to get a new dress. Friday she’d figure out what to say to Jay.
On her way to work, her phone rang. Wyatt. Aww. “Hey, hero. What’s going on overseas?”
His voice sounded gravelly and tired. “Just came back from a two-week mission and needed to hear a friendly voice.”
Giggling, she pulled her Jeep into the drive-through at the coffee shop. “Woot, woot. So I’m the voice. How is your family?”
He moaned. “I spoke to Mom and Dad before you. Dad’s heading up a task force in DC. Mom’s helping him plan. My Charlotte sounded adorable. Though sometimes I wish my entire family wasn’t in the military.”
“You’ll see your daughter soon enough. Charlotte is with your parents.” Paying for her coffee, she took the cup from the window and said, “I’m not so lucky. I wish my mother wasn’t a gold digger. I’d rather have people to be proud of.”
“I’m proud of you, sis. So how is Tallahassee?”
Her half-brother. Total sweetheart of a man. “I’m back home in Miami now. I had an offer for a full-time job in the Gables and I’m living with Jay in the Grove.”
His voice caught in his throat. “Jay? Sandy’s cousin?”
Why did he sound that shocked? “Yes. I’m home now. How come you don’t call her?”
“It’s complicated, Penny. Don’t mention Charlotte to them, though you better visit her.”
She was missing something big. “Okay. Did you secretly date her?”
“No. Are you dating Jay?”
“No.” She blushed to her toes again, but thankfully he wouldn’t see her tell over the phone.
“But you still have a crush on him.” He must be a mind reader.
“I wish you were here,” she told him. She decided to park her car in the lot and stare at the main road. Having Wyatt around would calm her nerves, make her less nervous about everything. “Doesn’t matter, Wyatt. It’s getting complicated and I need to find a job.”
“I thought you had a job.”
She took a sip of her coffee. Priorities. She had to set herself straight first. Job. Then Jay. She swallowed then answered, “I lost it. I have a call for an interview to be scheduled, so hopefully this is temporary. Now spill about Sandy.”
His voice became short. “I don’t talk to Sandy because there is nothing to say that changes anything.”
Clutching the wheel, she asked, “So you liked her?”
He laughed, though it didn’t sound heartfelt. “Penny, for the secret half-sister I’m not supposed to know about, you’re pretty smart.”
She laughed more fully, hoping to shake him out of his funk. “Apparently my mom kissed Jay’s dad too. I hadn’t known that one.”
“Ouch. You’re not like her, Penny. You’re far too honorable.”
“I wish. I don’t want to fall down that rabbit hole.”
“You’re being crazy. Believe in yourself. And if you like Jay, don’t let Geneva stand in the way.” Damn. He made sense. Voices in the background spoke to him. “Look, sis, I have to go. Talk soon.”
Wyatt. She’d lucked out getting him for a brother. If he were her, he’d have a schedule set, an order. Taking stock in him, she firmed up her spine. She had to get a job that paid her bills soon, because she’d never end up like her mother. She’d marry one man in time, be happy, and take care of herself. Depending on men and using them for favors soured her, but she’d get it right. She had no choice.
Maybe giving in to Jay would loosen up everything. He’d be her one exception, making him dangerous to live with.
Chapter Twenty
At work, her phone beeped. Her boss raised his eyebrows and she kept cutting the pizza. She should have turned it on vibrate. After heading out to the customer, she nodded at her boss when her phone beeped again. Stupid thing was set on reminder beeps. Biting her lip, she whispered, “I’ll turn it off.”
“See that you do.”
She put a pizza on the table, smiling at the customers and ensuring everyone had a drink before she walked away. She had thirty seconds before her boss noticed. Picking it up, she hit the silent button on the side and read the message.
Penny, I need one small favor.
Jay.
Wow. Her entire body froze. Playing with her collar, she bent below the counter and typed fast. Super busy right now. Call you soon?
He texted back before she straightened her back. Smiling up at her boss, she let her eyes roll back down to read, Eva’s going to your party tonight. Can you bring the contracts back to her? I’m not going.
Last night she’d spent most of the evening visiting Charlotte and dropping off toys.
She had wanted to buy a dress. At least twenty minutes later, while waiting for a pizza, she typed fast. You’re going. Sandy’s your cousin.
Walking to the back, she tucked her phone in her apron, though she wiggled when it vibrated. Jay again. Picking up another delivery, she ran the food to the next table of happy people, took care of the drinks, refilled the other tables’ drinks, then left. Hiding behind the counter, she smiled. She’d like to touch Jay again. It had been too long.
You don’t want to pretend to be my girlfriend for two nights in a row. I’m giving you the night off.
Adorable. She missed him. If she landed her job tomorrow, she’d fall in his bed. She needed his strength. I can handle you, Dimples. We’re leaving at seven.
Heading back to the kitchen, she heard the slight vibrating noise. Walking to
the sink to wash, she read his message.
You’re confusing, Pen. See you soon.
Going with Jay to two parties in a row sounded torturous to her crush, but she needed to stop overanalyzing. She’d pull herself together, because she’d not allow Jay to skip out on his family. Sandra deserved better. And so did she.
Serving pizza was temporary, and she had to have faith in herself. If she did, she could be with Jay.
She stopped moving and let that sink in. She’d been stupid the night before. Utterly, entirely stupid. A light bulb over her head flickered, and she laughed to herself. “We’ll need to fix that.”
After work she went home, changing into her jeans and a nice top before Jay knocked on her door. She came out carrying her silver spiked heels. “What’s up?”
His face lost its color. “You talked to Wyatt?”
Wrinkling her nose, she shrugged. “Yes. I talk to him whenever he calls me. Why?”
His entire body didn’t move. “I need you to pretend to be my date, tomorrow more importantly. I can’t share you with him.”
Walking over, she put her shoes on his desk to confront him. “Are you jealous?”
Without blinking at all when she approached, he asked back, “Should I be?”
Suppressing a giggle took strength when she put her hand on his arm. “No, but we’re not dating, so it shouldn’t matter.”
His hand rested on her hip and she smiled. “If it did matter, why does he call you?”
She and Wyatt had accidentally found out their relationship, but had never made it public knowledge. She put her hands on his chest and smiled. “We were always friends. We’ve talked weekly for years. How do you even know?”
He didn’t move. “He called me.”
Her eyes widened in surprised. “Wyatt called you?”
Pulling away from her, he told her, “Yeah. He threatened me if I hurt you.”
She held his hand on her hip so he wouldn’t move. “Oh. Don’t worry about that, Jay. I’ll handle Wyatt.”
Favorite Coffee, Favorite Crush Page 9
