Page 32 of Forbidden Billionaires: Vol. 11

Seriously? I kissed Penny’s cheek and at the same time I shoved Rob's shoulder.

Rob laughed as I walked into the bedroom.

Part of me wanted to hop onto my phone and watch the security feed to see what they were talking about. But Ian would tell me if something weird happened. And I was trying to be better. I took a deep breath and forced myself to step into the shower.

***

I ran my fingers through my wet hair as I followed Rob and Penny’s voices. They were chatting by the pool table. I glanced down at the clothes on the ground that Penny and I had left there last night and smiled. "Oops," I said and wrapped my arms around Penny.

She looked up at me and laughed.

"Your girlfriend and I had lots of fun while you were in the shower," Rob said.

"What was so much fun?" I asked.

"Well, let's see. All sorts of stuff. I think we really hit it off. Especially after I gave her a proper spanking. Oh, and here's your girlfriend's bra back." Rob pulled Penny’s bra out from behind the bar and tossed it at me.

I lowered my eyebrows. I really wish I’d been watching the video footage. I knew all of that was bullshit. But Penny had probably told him she liked being spanked. And I didn’t love them talking about stuff like that together. "I guess you decided to keep being inappropriate?"

"Absolutely. Besides, if I recall correctly, you've stolen a few girlfriends from me."

Had I?

He gave me a hard stare.

I honestly didn’t remember. I shrugged. "That was a long time ago. And you weren't in love with them."

"Love? Really?" asked Rob. "I just assumed it was about the great sex. I thought that was all you really cared about?"

My whole body seemed to stiffen. Penny knew about my addiction problems, but it never made talking about stuff like this any easier. "That was also a long time ago."

"So Penny's bad in bed? I find that very hard to believe."

I laughed. "No. I'd be lying if I said that wasn't part of the reason I fell in love with her."

"James." Penny lightly pushed on my chest.

"What, it's true." I put my lips up to her ear. "You're also amazing on the pool table."

Her cheeks flushed again. "You guys are super immature."

"Said the hot 20-year-old." Rob put down his empty beer bottle. "Okay, come on, James. I need to get laid before I steal your girlfriend."

"I'd really rather stay in,” I said.

"You're my wingman."

"You two should go.” Penny smiled up at me. “You'll have fun."

"Yeah, I don't know." I stared down at her. I mean, yes Rob and I would have fun. But I didn’t want to leave Penny here all alone. She’d just been crying because of her pervy professor and snapping at reporters. It hadn't exactly been a good day.

"Really. Just don't be super sleazy like your brother," Penny said.

"Hey!” said Rob. “I'm not sleazy. Horny, yes. Sleazy, no. I'll take care of your boyfriend. I won't let him do anything stupid."

"See,” Penny said. “You're in good hands."

I wasn’t sure that was true. But…she looked like she actually wanted me to go. And it had been forever since I’d caught up with Rob. We had a lot more to talk about. "If you're sure you're okay."

"I'm fine. You got me that huge T.V. I think I'll be plenty entertained."

"Awesome. Let's go," Rob said and walked past us.

As soon as Rob was out of the room, I leaned down and kissed Penny. She immediately melted into me.

What was I doing? She needed me right now. "I want to stay with you,” I whispered against her lips.

"Yeah, me too. But I think maybe a night out with Rob will be good for you."

"I'm sorry that he's so...well, inappropriate."

"I think he's great. I mean, yes, super inappropriate. But I think he's just trying to be funny. I hope. I don't know, I like him. He's nice."

"Nice isn't exactly the word I'd use for him."

Penny shrugged. "So you're all about sex, huh?"

I ran my hand through my hair. "No. I mean, I told you about my past."

"Does Rob know about everything? He won't let you go...overboard?"

"Yeah, he knows." He’d been with me during a lot of my lowest lows. And it was one of the reasons why I’d invited him to stay while Penny and I were on a break. I’d needed him.

"So you're in good hands.”

"I guess." I smiled down at her. "If he's ever bothering you, just let me know. He's all talk. He's harmless."

"He's fine. I'm getting used to taking care of myself."

I frowned. What did she mean by that? I was here to defend her. Always.

"I just mean I'm getting thicker skin. I didn't mean because you aren't taking care of me."

"Okay." But her words twisted around in my head. I tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. I needed to step up my game. "Tomorrow I'd like to go shopping for some stuff that will make our apartment more comfortable. Whatever you want. I want you to feel at home here."

"That sounds perfect."

I leaned down and kissed her again. "Try not to fight with the press while I'm gone."

"I'll be on my best behavior,” she said with a smile.

"Me too. Text me if you need anything." I gave her one last kiss before pulling away from her.

"I will." She picked her pants up off the floor and folded them.

I smiled at her on my way out the door. But as soon as I was out of her line of sight, my smile dropped. I knew I’d told her I would be on my best behavior. But that was definitely a lie.

Penny said she’d gotten a thicker skin, but I didn’t want her to need that. I was here to protect her now. And I knew exactly what I was going to do. Exactly what she’d asked me not to do. I was going to beat the shit out of Professor McCarty. No one touched my girl without consequences.