Page 226 of If Our Hearts Collide

“If you only realize just how many rules I’ve already broken with you.”

She rolls her eyes. “Rules are meant to be broken, Collins.”

“Not in my world.”

“This whole abstinence thing you have going on”—yawn—“is the biggest surprise of the night.”

I chuckle into her hair. “I can’t wait until your pussy is in a constant state of being sore. You’ll have multiple daily reminders of where I’ve been. So, enjoy your rest now, because this bed will soon become secondary to sleep.”

Wrapping my arms around her, I close my eyes and listen for her breathing to change, before I allow my own sleep to overtake me.

If Penny realized I would cave to her every demand with her pouty bottom lip alone, then I’d be in serious trouble. The woman is ruthless when it comes to getting what she wants. For weeks she has tormented me in ways I didn’t consider a turn-on prior to her input.

Never once did I think a girl wearing my shirt would cause such a profound territorial reaction inside. Yet, the sight of her lacy panties peeking out of my tee, as she reaches up into the cupboard to pull down a mug, is one sure way to get her fucked on the countertops before four in the morning.

Apparently I’m not the only one who can’t sleep.

My mouth fills with saliva at the thought of getting lost between her legs. Even just watching her fill her mug up with water is tantalizing.

I can’t keep my head clear when she’s around. Every other cloudy thought is of a sexual position I’d like to twist her in. She is like a closed tulip that just needs the right nurturing to open up and bloom, and I have an overwhelming sense of pride that I’m going to be the man to help her see her full potential.

Her innocence is a gift—one I don’t take lightly.

Sure, Penny is not a virgin. But being with a boy versus a man are two vastly different experiences. To me, she’s never been intentionally touched with her pleasure as the focal point. From the little responses she’s given me thus far, I know her body will react explosively.

And the excitement of that coming to fruition is causing all my nerve endings to ignite.

“Do I even need to get a physical today?” she asks, sensing my presence behind her. She takes a sip of water before shifting her attentive gaze back to me.

“You couldn’t sleep anymore?”

She shakes her head, casting dancing shadows on the wall from the dimmed light of the lamp she has on from the other room. “Too much on my mind.”

“Like the physical?”

“It’s not like I’ve been with anyone since college.”

She slices up a lemon into wedges and then adds one to her cup. Stirring vigorously, she manages to spill some onto the counter.

“And before I was admitted to Soulful Mind, I’m pretty sure I got some type of examination in the Emergency Room where blood was also drawn. Then there’s the delivery guy from Seattle who tried to shove his hands down my pants and?—”

“Do you want me to find him and fuck him up?”

“Whoa, what? No!”

“Because I will and harbor zero regrets.”

“Easy there, killer.” Penny backs her ass up against the counter, and quickly adjusts her shirt, probably from the coldness hitting her exposed skin. Crossing her arms over her chest, she gives me a stern look. “And to answer your question—no.”

“You shouldn’t be letting anyone—especially strangers—put their hands down your pants, Pen. For fuck’s sake.”

“I do recall your hand being down my pants last night at the club.”

“I’m not a stranger.”

Turning, she grabs her mug and takes a sip. “And neither was the guy.”

I look at her skeptically, feeling the anger bubbling inside. She is being deliberately vague, even though she has to realize Ialready know exactly who she is referring to. Her brothers made it very clear to handle the problem, and I was all too happy to follow the order. Penny deserves so much better than to be felt up near the vending machines. “If you can’t even recall his name, then he was a stranger.” Why are we even arguing about this right now? “The fucker didn’t deserve you.” And he should be glad I didn’t break his hands for even touching her.

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