Page 73 of Unbreakable Love

I readjusted in the bed, pulled my knees up and planted my feet on the mattress until I was sitting with my back to my headboard. “Sounds to me like she’s thankful for the job you’ve done raising her, Penny. You should be proud of that.”

“I am,” she sniffed. “It’s stupid because it makes me sad. Like she doesn’t need me anymore.”

“I rue the day, despise thinking of the day Josie becomes independent, and I know Maize isn’t your daughter, but she also is, you know? You raised her, Penny. And now she’s grown.”

“Yeah, it’s the growing up part I’m having a hard time dealing with.” Her words wobbled as she laughed, and it was clear she was fighting back tears.

I ran a hand through my hair. “I have to say, all of this is only making me like you more, you know. You’re an impressive woman, Penny. And I’m glad you’re giving me this chance.”

“Thanks, Gavin. That means a lot.”

We kept talking, about my family’s day, about school and the kids. We laughed through some of it and were serious through others, and by the time she was yawning and telling me she had to go, I’d not only learned a lot about Penny, but I’d also learned a lot about myself.

Bryce was right.

Once I decided to make a move, I wouldn’t do it slowly.

Because I might have just been getting to know Penelope Pesco, but there was no doubt I wanted her to be mine.

She’s asleep.

You’re sure?

Certain. Get over here.

It was Sunday night. Maize had headed back to school. Josie was asleep in her bed. We’d gone over to Penny’s house that afternoon for lunch and so Josie could meet Penny’s sister. It’d been an afternoon filled with laughter and games and Maize teaching Josie all sorts of dances she’d learned from social media apps on her phone.

It’d been an afternoon where I’d had to keep my hands to myself, to not show my feelings for Penny in front of Josie too soon. The temptation was strong, so damn strong, I almost failed, but when we said goodbye to them, I stayed back while Josie skipped down the porch and grabbed Penny’s hand.

“Come over tonight when she’s asleep.”

It hadn’t been a question, more of a demanded need.

Based on the look in Penny’s eyes, she was feeling the same. I hadn’t seen her in person since Wednesday night, but we’d talked every night, sometimes during the day when Josie was occupied.

Tomorrow, everyone went back to school and work, and life would be busy as it always was. Tonight, I was taking what I wanted… whatever Penny would willingly give.

I stepped out onto the porch and waited for her. Like the other night, she was dressed in pajama pants, with her boots and coat wrapped around her. She jogged down the street to me, her smile wide and bright like always as she saw me on the porch.

“You don’t always have to wait out here for me, you know.”

“I like taking every second I can to see you.”

Her cheeks turned pink with surprise, and hopefully, approval. “Well then. Freeze yourself out on the porch if you’d like.”

If only she knew. Waiting to see her turned my blood to boiling hot.

I opened the door and let her go in, then did a quick check to make sure all was quiet on the street before following her in and waited for her boots to hit the floor, her coat next. She shook out her thick, blond hair and was standing almost against the wall when I closed the door and locked it.

“Hi,” she said softly, tilting her to chin to look up at me.

“Hey back.” I stepped forward, settled a hand on the wall next to her head, and cupped her other cheek. She shivered at that touch, and my heart raced.

She licked her lips. “Are you going to kiss me yet or just keep staring at me?”

“I don’t think I could ever get tired of staring at you,” I murmured, but I was already leaning in. She reached for my hips and tugged me forward until my body was pressed against hers and then our lips were melting togethering.

Sweet, sweet relief coursed through me at the first brush of her lips against mine. Days of pent-up desire for her dissipating as I kissed her, opened her mouth, and dove inside. There was no warm-up, no sweet and slow before my body was pressed to hers. She was barricaded between my body and the wall and beautiful, sexy, little whimpers escaped her throat.

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