Favorite Coffee, Favorite Crush

by Pinder, Victoria

  Letting out a laugh, her mother smiled at her. “You chose to be with him and didn’t run off. You’ll see my actions were justified with time.”

  “Mom, leave it.” She held back the increasing rage, though she wanted to fight her. “Jay’s not the issue.”

  Nodding, her mother smiled. “No. He’s the guy I’ve been searching for all my life. Now he’s in your life. Everything I worked toward, at least my daughter gets. It’s good. Better that I hoped for you when you stuck with that poor, jobless boy. Now you’re home and with a guy richer than everyone else. I’m not going to let you walk away from every desire you might ever have.”

  Pushing away from her mother, she stared at the street. “Stop it. I want a guy who loves me for who I am, Mom. I’m not you, and Jay’s a good guy who deserves so much more.”

  Her mother’s voice echoed behind her head, saying, “He’s good enough to be used for his money.” Twisting around to square off, her mother finished. “He has enough. He won’t miss it, and he gets you out of the deal.”

  Pulling her keys out of her bag, Penny cracked her knuckles before opening her car door. “Get away from me and my life. I won’t use Jay. Not to make you proud, not for anything. All he’s ever done is look out for me, which is more than I can say for you. I have to go because I have his back and won’t let him down.”

  Her mother called out, “Don’t screw up our dream.”

  Throwing her purse in the passenger seat, she twisted around, while her skin stayed molten hot. “I am not you. I will not use him for a dime. You will not get any money out of us.”

  “Us?”

  Curling her hand into a fist, she hopped into the Jeep, calling out, “Leave me alone, Mom. Don’t call me. As far as I’m concerned, we’re done.”

  “All I wanted was for you to find happiness, sweetheart.”

  Penny closed her eyes as the door closed. All her life she hoped to make that woman proud and to stop using people. She never did. Her mother couldn’t love anyone, and she’d never be her. Jay deserved someone so much better. He deserved love.

  ***

  Five minutes later, she pulled into a spot. Her mother usually made her upset, but she had been in a rage. Gulping, she tried to reason with herself. Her mother used people. She wasn’t using Jay. Opening her door to get out, she reminded herself she’d helped him today. Breathing, she smiled, swinging her legs out of the vehicle. She loved him too much to ever use him.

  She fell out of her Jeep. Her knees and palms of her hand pushed on the ground as her pocketbook splattered open beside her.

  She loved him?

  Sitting down, she couldn’t move or close her open jaw.

  Nervous laughter escaped from her throat while her mind repeated the word “love.” She covered her face with her hands, the laughter turning to giggles. She loved that man.

  A car squealed past her in the parking spot. She dusted herself off and picked up the contents of her bag. She kicked off her shoes. She’d carry them because running would be good. Picking up everything, she almost tripped when another car zoomed passed her. Steadying her feet, she held off then ran off into the lobby, shouting out to the doorman, “Hello,” and racing into the elevator, heels squealing on the marble floor while she slid to call the elevator.

  She jumped up and down on her toes. She had to tell him.

  The ding of the doors opening, and she bounced in before a neighbor had a chance to get off. She called out while jamming her card in the reader for her floor, “Sorry.”

  She’d been a fool. Loving Jay had always been there. She just hadn’t seen it.

  When the doors opened, he called out from his office, “Penny, you’re late. I was getting worried.”

  Dropping her shoes in the living area, she ran to open his door. He fixed his tie. “Do I look okay for the statement?”

  She stepped closer, smiling while she stared at him. Her heart hammered in her chest. “I have to talk to you.”

  “Get dressed in a nice…” His eyes fell to her knees. “You fell. Are you okay?”

  Coming over, he put his arm on hers. He stared into her eyes. The blueness and steadiness of his character was just one reason out of many. She licked her lips. “Jay—”

  The elevator door opened and heels clicked behind her. Jay kissed her forehead. “Mom’s here. I’m glad you’re okay.”

  He stepped away from her. She stared after him. He fixed the button on his wrist while nodding, gearing up for a confrontation.

  She had to catch her breath and fight the overall desire to run into his arms. Going into the living room, she stood back and watched him speak to his parents. She’d tell him after. When they were alone. She lowered her gaze, intending to wash the dirt off her hands.

  Tiptoeing through the living room, she hoped to make it to her room to change, but his mother called out, “You are ruining your family for the daughter of a whore.”

  Jay stepped in front of his mother, firmly telling her, “Don’t talk about Penny, Mother. She has nothing to do with what we’re talking about.”

  His mother shook with cold fury. Her hands clenched while she snapped, “She has everything to do with it. She ruined you.”

  Gulping, Penny stepped beside Jay. He took her hand while she told both of his parents, “I didn’t ruin Jay. He’s a man, all on his own.”

  Keeping her hand in his, he added, “Thanks. Penny is the best woman I’ve ever known. Now apologize to her, or you won’t even get that money.”

  His mother wrinkled her nose and sarcastically repeated, “I’m sorry.”

  Jay’s hand squeezed Penny’s before he stepped forward. “Try again, Mother. This time, say it like you mean it.”

  “Say it,” his father pleaded. “I’m okay with retiring.”

  His mother’s nostrils flared at her husband before she stepped back. Putting her hands to her sides, she nodded. “Fine. I am sorry, Penelope. Your mother tried to sleep with my husband, and I’m a bitter woman who doesn’t forgive easily.”

  Penny put her free arm around her waist, rocked on both feet, then opened her mouth. “Yet you used my mother to steal from our home.”

  Jay smiled at her, showing off his sexy dimples. She’d stay at his side. He had to know that.

  His mother rolled her eyes. “It’s not your home for long, girl. Not when John Jay finds out how you tried to use him for his cash.”

  “I didn’t. I wouldn’t.” She let go of his hand, taking his arm to get closer.

  “I have video.”

  She dropped her hand while her eyes widened. “What?”

  Jay’s mother gave her a smirk and a nod. Then she found a tablet from inside her red designer purse. Finally she hit play.

  Penny had no idea how that could be. She needed to tell him she loved him without everything being spoiled. Her mouth went dry.

  Penny leaned in closer to watch. Her body chilled, recognizing her conversation from ten minutes ago where her mother petted her hair. “You stayed with him. I almost gave up hope on you, but you’re making me so proud.”

  Penny clenched her hands. “I had no one else.”

  Laughing. “You chose to be with him and didn’t run off. You’ll see my actions were justified with time.”

  “Mom, leave it. Jay’s not the issue.”

  His mother clicked off her tablet and gave them a triumphant smirk. “She’s using you, son. She didn’t deny it in the video.”

  Penny was out of rage. Dropping her head, she nodded. “Yes, I did. You cut that part. You chose half a second of a long fight we had. I would never use Jay. He’s the best man I’ve ever met, and my best friend.”

  He stepped back. He deserved to hear her say she loved him without the audience. Gulping, she prayed he gave her a chance. Keeping her hands to her side, she shook her head. “Jay, I wouldn’t do anything against you. I’m on your side.”

  He put his hand on her back as he told her, “Don’t go white on me, Penny. I know you have my back.”


  Her spirits soared while a slow smile grew on her face.

  Jay kept her closer while he shook his head. “Mom, I don’t know what game this is, but you’re not getting your companies back.”

  Standing right in front of them, his mother said, “I want my son back, not the company. Don’t you see she’s lying? She’s taking drugs to get pregnant.”

  Jay opened his mouth, answering fast. “’Cause I want children.”

  She dropped her mouth and turned to look him in the eye. “Don’t lie to her for us.”

  His clear blue eyes met her gaze. “It’s true, though. It’s not a lie. I don’t care about her mother’s plot, and I do want children one day. Penny would be an amazing mother. Much better than either model we’ve ever had.”

  His mother’s voice turned softer. Glancing over, they both saw her put her hand on her mouth while tears formed in her eyes. “Jay, honey, I shouldn’t have put you in jail for cash. It was wrong and your father had no part in it.”

  Jay’s voice stayed firm. “He can’t say no to you. Now I want you both to leave. I have a press statement to make.”

  His mother stepped up. “We’ll go with you.”

  He shook his head and stepped back. “No. We’re done here.”

  Jay put his arms around Penny and drew her into a hug. Neither of them said anything, while they waited for his father to show initiative and drag his mother out. When the elevator doors closed, he whispered, “I’m sorry about her.”

  Leaning her shoulders into him, she relaxed. “Don’t. It’s not your fault.”

  After hugging her, he let her go. “I have to go make the statement downstairs. We have two minutes left. It’s right outside our building and won’t take long.”

  Nodding, she turned around, not wanting to put her hand on his face until she washed. “I’ll wash. I’d do anything for you.”

  Falling out of her car was stupid, but she had no time for criticizing today. Running to her room at full throttle, she threw her clothes on the floor and washed her hands and knees. In her bra and panties she threw open her closet and found a black dress.

  Turning, she saw him staring at her through the open door. His eyes had grown.

  Laughing, she put her hand on her heart. “After the press conference, Dimples. I don’t want to rush when we have all night to celebrate.”

  His dimples grew on his cheeks, and her pulse raced. “Celebrate? Sounds good. Let’s go.” After throwing her dress over her head, she met his eyes again. Fishing out her silver shoes, she sat on the bed while telling him, “Though we’re going to have to work at you being less controlling.”

  Crossing his arms, he said, “I’m not controlling.”

  With a smile on her face, she rolled her eyes. “You paid my student loans off without talking to me.”

  “I did it to free you.” He stepped closer to her.

  She took his hand and helped herself stand up. “You did it to ensure I’m indebted to you.”

  She walked out of her room. She knew he’d stop her. He caught her when she tried to pass and she slipped into his arms. Squeezing her, he told her, “I do love you, Pen. I shouldn’t. Just wish you loved me too.”

  “I do, though. I love you very much.”

  He didn’t move, just stared at her with his mouth open. Sighing, she took his hand, leading him through the living room and to the elevator. After she hit the button, he asked her, “What?”

  The door rang and she fixed his tie while walking in with him. She stood on her tiptoes to whisper, “Make that speech, Dimples.”

  He ran his hand through his hair, though a slow smile appeared.

  She pushed him out the door, and through the lobby where three corporate press people with cameras waited. He fumbled through his speech about mergers and structural damage, but his eyes kept coming back to her, like he didn’t believe her. She smiled standing in the back.

  The fluttering in her stomach and pride she felt for him grew while he talked. Jay had her heart and soul. He had it in high school, and throughout college. Despite having a girlfriend, he had spoken to her weekly. She’d been stupid and almost left him because of her mother, but now she understood. The world was brighter, and she was safe in his arms. Leaving him would make her heartbroken

  He coughed at the end of his speech, jarring her back to the present. He stepped back, took her hand, and waved goodbye to the business insiders. Inside the door, he drew her into him. “Say it again, Sexiness.”

  Smirking, she raised her eyebrows to tease him. “We’re going to have to work on your control issues, Dimples.”

  “Not what I wanted to hear.” His cheeks turned red while he hugged her. “But to be entirely honest, I bought your Jeep, and you’re sending me the money, not some financial institution.”

  She froze, though she chastised herself. She should have guessed that. Without moving a muscle, she gulped, then answered, “You have to stop doing that.”

  “You have to be open, Pen.” With his hands on her back, he stepped closer. “Don’t hate me because I have money.”

  “I can’t ever hate you. And I will be more accepting.” She nodded, then relaxed while putting her hands on his hips. “I don’t have a choice, because I love you.”

  Meeting her gaze, he shook his head. “Too many words. I just want three in the one sentence, without any conditions, Penny. I hate conditions.”

  He was right. Giving him a yearning look, she told him, “I love you.”

  “It’s about time.” He kissed her forehead while hugging her, leading her to the elevator.

  Reaching behind her, she pushed the button while meeting his gaze. “Did you mean what you said about me being an amazing mother and wife?”

  The elevator opened and he led her inside while keeping her body against him. Backing up into the wall, he had a low, sexy whisper. “Every word, Sexiness. I love you, and I said it first.”

  He stepped away to run his card through to get to their floor. Before her skin had a second to miss him, the electric storm grew from his touch. His hand traced her leg, then he leaned down to capture her mouth. She opened her mouth to tell him, “You beat me one time. Don’t let it get to your head, Dimples.”

  “Kiss me,” he ordered, and her lips ached for him. He was so close.

  The bell rang and they stopped moving.

  Without tasting her mouth, he stepped back, but took her hand. “Get out of the elevator. What I am going to do to you doesn’t need an audience.”

  Her body trembled. When she followed orders, he reached down, yanking her dress off her body, throwing it on the floor. She pushed her head up, and played with his hair until he claimed what she wanted. His kiss set her on fire, and she’d never have enough.

  When his lips descended on hers, the rest of the world disappeared.

  Love mattered far more.

  THE END

  If you enjoyed this story, please leave a review and let others know. Your review is the best way to help others find the novel.

  Kindle Scout Winner

  Erica Mira, a Florida native, decides to drive up to Maine in the middle of winter to meet an investor, and ends up crashing into a tree in the middle of the blizzard. After climbing up the mountain to the chateau seeking shelter, she meets Gabriel.

  Gabriel's not leaving this chateau without clearing his name of his dead wife's murder or the crimes she set him up for. He's not had company in years, let alone the company of a woman.

  Erica storms in and her passion for life changes everything.

  http://amzn.to/1jUNPlL

  Lost meets a contemporary gothic romance.

  Kimberly Mira asks friends’ for a ride home to her sister’s wedding, but the plane is hijacked and crashes into the Atlantic Ocean.

  Kimberly thought she must be dead, but then she wakes up in a medieval castle on an island off the coast of Maine. She meets Raphael, a man who saved her life but doesn’t speak to her. He’s just as mysterious as the castle he lives i
n, but he is keeping her alive from her assassins who are outside the castle walls. Raphael’s secrets can destroy everything, and she’s fighting her attraction to him. Kimberly realizes she must uncover Raphael’s secrets. She must know what happened, no matter where the clues lead. Her life hangs in the balance. How far will she go to save herself and the man she’s falling hard for? Can his past be forgiven? Can they survive as the castle is sieged? Can they fall in love? http://amzn.to/1TYwZCG

  Party girl. Art thief. All around bad girl. It’s what all the newspapers call socialite and heiress Kate Sparrow. It’s all untrue. Kate’s been set up and she’s following the orders of the FBI to get the real criminal, her father. She’ll have to put up with her sister, the wedding fiasco, and her own fears that someone is after her, trying to stop her to get what she needs to prove her innocence.

  Doctor Daniel Collins joins his brothers on a cruise to the wedding of his young cousin. His cousin begs him to keep a close watch on the bride’s sister, Kate. He's to keep her from ruining the wedding.

  Kate doesn’t trust Daniel's help in her life, but the man’s interference is blocking a few problems. She lets him. After all, he spent a few years in the military and having a friend like Daniel is nice. But when her fears become true, someone is after her, pretending to be in a relationship with the sexy doctor has its benefits. What she hadn’t planned was opening her heart to trusting him. But if she doesn’t open up, she’s going to lose out on far more than her life, she’d lose out on love. http://amzn.to/1O1CChn

  Gigi Dumont never forgot how she walked away from the only man she ever loved.

  She’s a teacher who has led her students to the finals of an international French competition to be help in Paris. The night before the trip, the principal tries to cancel the trip before he, in turn, loses his job to her high school boyfriend, Sean Collins.

  Sean Collins has survived cancer, a divorce, and Gigi having aborted their child back in high school. He assumed he’d hate her, if they ever crossed paths again. But he discovers she’s exactly what he wants.