Page 16 of The Penalty

Go inside. I need to go inside.

The scent of flowers filled the air as I approached the house. Gardeners still hadn’t tended to the rose bushes. They bloomed among the wild brush and thorny vines.

My hands shook when I unlocked the door. Maybe I shouldn’t be here but I just fucking need something to quiet this anger and fear and utter regret that’s been plaguing me.

Heavy silence filled the dark foyer. The door clicked shut, echoing throughout the space. I’d only been in this house twice but I felt closer to her in here.

I didn’t even mind sitting on this repugnant gold couch.

Color choices aside, it was a lovely old home. It just needed to be restored from the inside out.

“Beautiful but broken,” I whispered.

My heart wrenched. That applied to so much more than this cottage.

I looked at the shadows on the walls, letting my gaze trail over to the staircase. If I’d never run up there…

Standing up, I walked through the double doors to the sitting room. Running my hand along the sturdy lines of the wood paneling gave me an idea. I renovate homes in much worse shape each year. This house didn’t need a major rebuild but it definitely needed some sprucing up.

I could easily sand the floors, and some of the paneling. Maybe strip the wallpaper and give the walls a fresh coat of paint. Victoria is my neighbor after all. What good is it living down the street from her if I don’t give her a proper welcome to the area?

A laugh rumbled in my chest. Yeah, she knows this area well enough. But still. I want to do this for her. She did ask me for some contacts to help with fixing up the place.

I texted one the contractors I’ve worked with for years to let him know I’d be starting a new project this summer. Then, I texted my home security guy. If Jordan insisted on circling this house like a vulture, I wanted it protected with the most state-of-the-art system money could buy.

Satisfied, I returned to the foyer and sat on the stairs. I should probably leave but I wanted to feel close to her for just a little bit longer.

It took an enormous amount of restraint not to text her. Instead, I scrolled through her social media.

Not my best plan.

I kept going back to the photos she’d posted from the Met Gala and some league event. Desire twisted and pulled on my heart the longer I stared at the pictures. Victoria’s smile always affected me. Its radiance made a mark on my soul the first time I saw her.

And fuck me, this dress.

Her sexy body poured into gray satin and lace that hugged her curves with innocence and enough seduction to heat my blood.

Green eyes. Sun-kissed ivory skin. Red hair swept over her shoulder in loose waves. Glossy lips. All smiles and beauty and effortless grace.

The muscles in my jaw snapped into a rigid line.

How does pushing her away keep her, as you put it, safe?

Dr. Frances’ question burned through me, exposing not only this colossal fuck up but every shitty mistake I’ve made.

I hung my head and sighed. I just need to get through the rest of this week.

“I can’t do it that day,” I said, folding my hands on the desk. “I’ll be out of town.”

Three sets of eyes locked onto me. None of them looked particularly pleased. This ad campaign for a new designer watch was scheduled to launch for the holidays. I’m actually quite excited about it so I’m not sure why they’re annoyed since it’s barely June.

“We’ll just plan for when you come back then?” the account manager asked.

I stared blankly at him.

Julian. That’s his name.

“I’m not planning on coming back until July. Will that throw off the launch schedule?”

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