Page 115 of On a Fault Line

“Your independence and resilience are commendable. But don’t deliberately try to defy me, just to test my reaction. You won’t like it. And if you think I wouldn’t dare make a scene out in public—or in front of your entire family—you are wrong.”

I can tell by her eyes that she believes me. “Bye, now.” She wiggles her fingers into the air.

“You are going to be the death of me,” I groan to myself, watching as her pert ass makes its way to the front door and out onto the covered porch. Then I remember why we left the group in the first place. Penny needed her swim bag.

Catching up to her, I unlock the trunk and help her retrieve her belongings. I’m already wearing a pair of navy blue swim trunks that also double as shorts when dry, so I don’t need to change. Whatever Penny is carrying in that bag will most likely raise my blood pressure when she puts it on her body, and I’m dreading the lack of control I have over this entire situation.

“Go get dressed, woman.”

Walking back to the house, she smirks over her shoulder. “Only because you insist.”

Yup. And this is the moment I realize that…

I’m fucked.

23

PENNY

As soon as I glance in the mirror, I know I’m going to be in big trouble. When I ordered this suit online, it sounded good in theory. Now that I’m coming face-to-face with my impulsive purchase, I’m silently regretting the punishment I’m going to endure later when Collins takes it out on my ass.

This suit is going to sign, seal, and deliver that promise.

I can almost feel the sting already.

It’ll be a mistake worth making—I’m sure. That man has a way of kissing and making things better.

I do feel good. Despite the weird tan lines that might develop if I don’t apply enough sunscreen, the suit is very comfortable—more than it looks.

And it covers all the essential parts, so really he shouldn’t be mad.

Consisting entirely of dark navy fabric, the one piece is a series of straps that wrap around my body. I look like I’m tied up in bondage, yet I am wearing more coverage than an average bikini.

But this thing is s-e-x-y. It’s way sexier than anything I’ve ever worn in the pool.

I toss my scattered items on the vanity back into my bag and do one last check in the mirror. Taking a deep breath, I open the door to exit—coming face-to-face with Collins.

Even when I’m frustrated with him, I can still find a way to admire his tenacity.

He flinches over my revealing outfit, not valuing my choice to be spontaneous. Nope. He is the man who craves consistency and predictability—of which I am neither. I think I make him nervous.

Collins trails his eyes over every inch of my body. Yup, he definitely doesn’t approve. It is written all over his face in a scowl.

I kind of like this.

It’s as if I’m holding a bit of the power.

Collins might be a man of few words, but he sure as hell makes up for it in the looks his eyes give me. There is the “are you serious” look. The “get the fuck over here” one… My favorite is his smoldering eyes expression that makes me gush between my legs. But the one that stops my heart dead in my tracks is the one he is giving me now. And it means to brace myself for the fallout.

“Stop looking at me like that.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re invading my personal space.” And he does it again. I sigh. “Seriously, stop doing that.”

If his eyes alone could talk, they would tell me to get the fuck out of Dodge. He might be calm and collected, but I know his simmering temper will only mean a sore ass by morning. And while I normally enjoy the chase, I do not enjoy the friction of clothes. And tomorrow I must wear them.

“Doing what, Penny?”

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