Page 47

47

BEN

“Come on, ladies. I haven’t got all night.” Pacing back and forth in Angie’s kitchen, I check my watch again and sigh when I note we’ll be late. I hate being late, even if it’s the ‘fashionably late’ kind.

“Come and sit down. You’ll wear a hole in the floor with the amount of pacing you’re doing.” Jameson laughs as I frown but reluctantly listen.

“I don’t understand why it takes so long. They had their hair and make up done earlier, all they have to do is put a bloody dress on.” I slump onto the sofa next to him and let my head rest on the back.

“Typical man.” Jameson smirks and takes a sip of his beer and I follow his movement with my eyes, refusing to move my head.

“You know you’re a man too, right?”

“Yeah, but I’m a man who grew up with Mama and Penny. I know to be patient and not get all stressy, because they do not like that at all. I watched Pops and Jenson learn that the hard way.” He grins, waggles his brows, and sips the beer again.

“You’re a wise man, Jameson. Probably the wisest of the bunch.” I’m glad he’s here. My nerves are frazzled and Jenson would’ve just made them worse with his grinning. The fact the game was changed to a day game tomorrow instead of a night one is a blessing in disguise. We have a strict policy about not going out the night before a day game, and seeing as Jenson is still trying to make amends for his misdemeanour, he wanted to set a good example for the team. So I’ve got Jameson escorting Angie instead. Which totally works in my favour. Having both of Penelope’s best friends here tonight will, hopefully, go a long way into pleading my case.

He tips his beer to me and nods his acceptance of my praise. Footsteps draw our attention to the stairs, and Angie comes down wearing a beautiful navy blue dress. Jenson would’ve had a fit if he’d been here.

“You look beautiful, Angie,” I tell her.

She smiles as she takes the last few steps towards us. “And what does my date think of my outfit?”

Jameson’s eyes fill with a familial affection as he stands, takes her hand in his, and dips low to place a kiss on it. “You are beautiful. If I wasn’t gay, and you weren’t ridiculously in love with my brother, I’d be all over you.”

Angie giggles, slaps his shoulder playfully, and embraces him in a hug. Watching their antics, anticipation builds in my stomach.

“Boss, will you take a picture so I can send it to Jenson?” Angie thrusts her phone in my hand and I turn to face both of them. I quickly snap a few pics, a nice one for Mama and then another for Jenson—Angie bent over, displaying her cleavage, as Jameson stands behind her, his tongue sticking out whilst Angie winks. He’ll either think it’s hilarious, or want to kill his brother. Either way, his reaction will be good.

Through our laughter, I’ve missed the footsteps on the stairs, and instead of watching her descend them, I turn and find Penelope watching us at the bottom of them. I’m frozen. I literally can’t move. She’s gorgeous. Her hair is swept up into a knot on the back of her head with little tendrils loose and framing her face. The makeup she’s wearing highlights her cheekbones, her eyes are sexier than I’ve ever seen them, and her full lips are begging me to kiss them and smudge their gloss.

My eyes scan over her body and take in the dress that’s clinging to every inch of her. A light growl emanates from my chest when I see the thigh high split and her silky smooth leg poking out from it. She tilts her head, her eyes looking at me with anticipation and hope, and I realise I haven’t said a word since turning to face her.

“Little One, you look… You’re… Fuck! You’re out of this world gorgeous. That dress was made for you. Come here.” The demand in my voice takes me by surprise, but her eyes darken and she quickly covers the short distance between us.

My hand brushes her cheek, the tendril of hair coiling around my finger, and I let the silky strands fall away. I’m gaping at her, I know I am, but I can’t look away. “I want to kiss you so badly right now, but I don’t want to ruin your makeup.” My voice is a whisper, and her shoulders relax slightly as my fingers toy with the thin strap on her shoulder. I let them trail up and down her arm and watch in satisfaction as goosebumps erupt on her skin. I dip my head to place a gentle kiss on her shoulder, and she sighs.

“Erm, sorry to interrupt but our car’s here.”

Angie breaks the spell and I whip my head up to face her and Jameson. I’d completely forgotten they were there. And from the grins on their faces, they enjoyed my little show.

“Right. Let’s go then.” My voice is all business, but as I reach my hand to Penelope’s lower back to guide her, I freeze. My fingers brush against bare skin and another growl falls from my lips. I take a step behind her and the breath catches in my throat when I notice the lack of material covering her back.

She turns her head to the side, speaking over her shoulder. “Surprise. I hope you like it, sir.” She whispers the last word and I am instantly hard.

Groaning softly, I step behind her and press my front against her back. She gasps when she feels my erection against her arse. “This is what you do to me, Little One. You, not the dress, or the make up, just you. But this…” I run my finger down the curve of her spine and smile when she shivers. “Being able to touch your skin all night. It’s absolute perfection.” I dip my lips to the base of her neck, letting my tongue taste her skin, and again goosebumps erupt all over her. “I can’t wait for tonight. Utter perfection.”

I swipe her coat off the hanger and drape it over her shoulders, placing a gentle kiss to her cheek as I do. Guiding her slowly out of the house, I no longer care whether we’re late or not. Because all that matters is that this beautiful, perfect creation is mine. All mine.