Page 23 of The Penalty

Her words from our last night together had imprinted onto the deepest, darkest parts of me. I wanted to do things with her, and to her, I’ve suppressed for years.

Not tonight.

Tonight I only wanted her forgiveness. Ironic, since I’d dismissed the whole forgive myself thing Dr. Frances suggested.

Great. Now I’m thinking about my therapist as I’m trying to find my girlfriend.

I shoved my hands in my pockets and followed a handful of other guests outside. They walked toward a section overflowing with trees and seasonal plants. I doubt she’d be there. It was such a pleasant night, I bet she found a spot to admire the city.

Another couple strolled toward a hightop table nestled to my left. I kept moving forward until I noticed a small table almost hidden from view. It was flanked by decorative trees and an ivy-covered wall.

When I slowed down and paused behind the redhead in a silver silk gown, my heart felt at peace for the first time in weeks. Her shoulders slumped a little when she tugged an olive off the skewer into her mouth.

She was indeed nursing a martini.

I lowered my gaze, savoring the slit climbing her left leg, exposing her smooth thigh. Lust pulsed through me.

Mine. If she’ll still have me.

I relaxed my stance and said, “So, Victoria is it?”

Victoria

Of all the ways I’d pictured my Sunday afternoon going, driving along the coast with Xavier Maddox was not one of them.

But here we are.

All things being equal, I’m still sort of shocked he showed up at the fundraiser last night. There’s so much more explaining he has to do. With the way we operate though, I’m not surprised.

We have a habit of fucking first and talking later. True, last night is on me. I let him off the hook. I wanted to indulge in my fantasy of having sex in public. It was more mind-blowing than I expected and I have zero regrets. Besides, he has a full three weeks’ worth of apologizing to complete.

“You should let me drive.” Xavier’s silky voice filled the car. “I’ll get us wherever we’re going much faster.”

My response was to press down on the accelerator. The engine rumbled as the car picked up speed.

“This fast enough for you?”

“Maybe.” He squeezed my thigh. “Where are we going?”

“Just a little spot on the beach. It’s a private area for residents only.”

The warmth of his hand trailed under the hem of my sundress. His touch was casual but possessive, sending a pleasurable shiver down my spine.

“You have a house here?”

“No. I sold it years ago but the couple who bought it still let me use their private entrance to the beach.” I glanced at him for a second. “My dad helped with their investments. They’ve been family friends forever. I always thought they let me use it out of pity but…” I shrugged, turning down the street toward another house I haven’t seen in a long time.

Fortunately, I could park away from the house on a small section of the long driveway. A nearby path led to the water. I grabbed a blanket from the backseat and guided Xavier, listening as the sound of the waves crashing against the shore became louder and louder. When we finally reached the clearing I paused and took in the Atlantic.

Dark, powerful, majestic.

“You’re not going to toss me in there, are you?”

“Maybe. Why? Can’t swim?”

“I can swim just fine, city princess. Which way?”

I led him toward one of my favorite spots, laid out the blanket and sat near some grass covered dunes. The sun wasn’t at its full summer strength yet. Even though it beat down on us, it wasn’t unbearable.

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