Page 23 of If Our Hearts Collide

“So this next game is called Pucker Up and involves transporting the tennis balls using only your mouth to the containers, with your partner of course. We have two minutes to see who has the most balls collected.”

“Seems easy enough,” Penny says, rocking on her heels.

“Assuming we can work as a team.”

“Just don’t drop the ball and we’ll be fine.”

I let out a chuckle at her playful pun.

“Get ready, go,” Germain yells, not giving us much warning.

Penny and I rush into position. “On the count of three, we lower ourselves to the top ball,” I instruct.

“And then we hum to the count of three and rise.”

“Sounds good.”

“One, two”—we both line up our lips on opposite sides of the top tennis ball—“three.”

“Hmm, hmm, hmm…”

I join in on the laughter and silliness as we waddle over to the empty containers to drop off our first ball.

And it’s the first time in ages that I fully enjoy doing the simplest of things such as playing a game.

“Bloody hell,” I whisper under my breath, as Penny comes out of the pool house wearing a pink ruffled bikini. It is strapless and looks so pretty, yet seductive, on her perfect body. Creamy skin, from head to toe, makes her look like a porcelain doll. She’s a flawless temptress and a feast for my eyes.

Does she even know the alluring appeal she has?

My unhinged jaw should be validation alone.

I know Penny has a fighter spirit to assimilate back into her old life, but she is clearly making another type of statement. I doubt the version of Penny prior to the incident resembles this version of Penny.

I have to respect the effort though.

Feeling underdressed in my black swim trunks and a pair of shades, I at least have the luxury of staying shielded from all of the glances I keep taking of the blonde bombshell.

I can’t even remember the last time I’ve been to a pool party. Maybe never. I definitely can’t remember the last time someone from the opposite sex has affected me this badly.

I stand frozen in place as Penny leans over the pool’s edge, lifting her arms above her head. Her breasts plump to almost spill out of the scrap of fabric. Then, she dives into the water—fully dry—barely making a splash. When she resurfaces, her blonde hair looks golden in the sunlight. She shakes her head, spraying water droplets, giggling at what I can only imagine is an invigorating feeling. She looks relaxed and carefree.

Utterly beautiful.

Graham and Nic join me, as I try to look like I wasn’t just ogling their sister. The sunglasses help to keep my stare from being obvious.

Nothing good can possibly come from my developing infatuation with Penny Hoffman. I’m not a stupid man, and yet, every thought fluttering through my brain right now is one hundred percent insane.

“Can you understand now why we’re compensating you with an abundance of money?” Graham jokes, nudging his chin toward Penny.

Nic smirks. “We might need to consider a raise.”

“On my unofficial first day?” I say with a chuckle.

“Yup,” Graham says with a grin.

“I’m bracing myself for when all the fuckers in the city start panting over her.” Nic tilts his beer at me. “Feel free to freshen up your carving skills.”

“The money is an afterthought. I’d do that for free.”

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