Page 45 of One Pucking Wish

“No, it’s not. You don’t have to believe me now, but you’ll see. The attraction you have isn’t just about sex.”

I jump up from the sofa and start pacing the living room floor. “How could it not be? I can’t stand the guy. He’s literally the bane of my existence. A hothead who makes my life so much harder.”

She shrugs. “You can’t choose who you love, Pen. When it’s there, it’s there. I think you and Gunner are very similar actually.”

“Once again.” I try to remain calm. “I do not love him. And how in the hell are we similar? We couldn’t be more different.”

“Well, you know what they say—opposites attract.”

I huff out a laugh. “You know, you don’t have to give advice, especially when everything that comes out of your mouth is contradictory. First, you say that we’re similar, and then you say that we’re opposites of one another. My head is already a complete mess without trying to connect the dots of your unsolicited logic.”

“You can be both.” She chuckles. “In some ways, yeah, sure, you’re very different. But in others, you’re the same.”

I dip my chin in an exaggerated nod. “Oh… now it makes complete sense. Ugh. This is not helping.”

“It’s hard to explain because you’re both such a closed book that I don’t know what it is for sure. But you have obvious differences that everyone can see, right? That’s the opposites part. However, you’re both very private, quiet, standoffish, and broody. And I don’t know for sure, but I feel that you’re both that way for a reason, and maybe the reasons are related like you share a similar experience that made you jaded. Has he talked to you about his past?”

“No. Why would he?”

“Have you told him anything about yours?”

I pin her with a stare. “Is that a serious question?”

She grins. “Maybe you two should talk and get to know one another. Discover why you have such a connection. I’m telling you, your feelings aren’t going to go away.”

“My feelings,” I scoff. “You know, you’re really annoying. If you weren’t my best friend, I’d hate you.”

She throws her head back in laughter. “Ha! Told ya. I knew I was your best friend.”

“Listen, I don’t have feelings for Gunner. I have lust, and believe me, that will go away. Sure, he’s good in that department, but that is where my attraction to him ends. I can get my needs met some other way. I’ll hook up with someone else or do it myself.”

“No vibrator is going to satisfy you like Gunner does, babe. Sorry to break it to you.”

I shake my head. “I made a huge mistake. I can’t figure out why I did it, but I’m telling you right now that I will never sleep with Gunner again.”

“Is that so?” His deep voice startles me, causing me to yelp. Looking behind me, I find him leaning up against the threshold to the living room. He looks at Iris. “Leave.” And as if he realizes what a dick he sounds like, he throws in a short, “Please,” after a beat.

Iris jumps up from the chair and hurries out of the room, throwing a quick, “Bye, bestie! Have fun!” over her shoulder as she exits.

What a traitor.

CHAPTER

EIGHTEEN

GUNNER

Ican tell she’s been crying, and I’d be lying if I said that didn’t twist my insides into knots. Penny is one of the strongest women I know, and while I don’t entirely understand it, her appearance and reputation are very important to her. She always comes off as completely in control, and losing ourselves to our desires in a closet during a work function is hardly in control.

She wraps her arms across her front, each hand clutching the opposite arm as if she’s holding herself together. “What are you doing here?” she questions before releasing a long, low sigh.

“I came to see you.”

“Why?”

I drag my fingers through my hair and blow out a breath of air. “Fuck if I know.”

It’s humorous, really, how two people with very little emotional maturity can fall for one another. I don’t know much, but it’s clear that we’re both royally screwed up when it comes to intimacy and relationships.

---