Page 54 of Just Business

“Stay here tonight?”

I arch a brow at her, and a pink flush creeps up her neck. “Not for that. That's not what I’m saying. I’m just not ready for the night to end.”

“If you’re sure, then yeah. I’d like that,” I say, my heart picking up its tempo. “Let me run and pack.”

Penny nods and rises to head to her room, but this time it’s me who stops her.

“I’m glad you’re coming with me,” I say softly, looking up at her.

“Me too, Austin. Me too.”

Before I get to her door, an idea hits me. “Pack a swimsuit! Preferably that yellow one,” I call out, not looking back. I head into the night with her laughter following behind me.

My bags are packed and loaded into the van in record time. After a quick shower, I let myself back into Penny’s house.

“I’m back!”

“Up here!” Penny replies, and I head up to her room. When I step in, my breath hitches. She’s freshly showered, wearing a tank top and tiny sleep shorts. Her hair is piled up in a big twist on top of her head, wisps of it curling at the nape of her neck. I might have thought she was stunning the night I met her, but now that I know her—really know her—seeing her like this just about does me in.

After she zips her suitcase closed, we head to her bathroom and brush our teeth together. Is it too soon to imagine doing this with this woman every night for the rest of our lives? Hell, yes, it is, but I can’t stop my musings as we go through our nightly routine together.

Once we’re in her room I turn off the overhead light leaving only the soft glow of the bedside table lamp and we climb into bed.

She reaches, switching off the light and scoots over, spooning her back up against my front. I wrap my arm around her waist, breathing in her floral-scented shampoo, and something else that I’m learning is distinctly her.

“Hey,” she whispers.

“Yeah?” I whisper back.

“I’m kinda excited about the trip. It’s been a while since I stopped working and went anywhere.” Penny’s voice holds an edge of excitement—the exact reaction I hoped to hear.

“You don’t know how happy that makes me. This’ll be a good few days.”

A few minutes pass, and I think she’s asleep, but then I hear her whisper, “G’night.”

“Night,” I say and lightly kiss her shoulder.

My arm is draped across Austin's torso and one leg is wedged between his. My hair has come out of the bun and it’s everywhere. There’s even a few wayward strands in his mouth. I should probably be embarrassed by the way I’ve barnacled my body to his, but everything here feels natural. It feels right. And that thought should terrify me, but after last night this feels like something we’ve done before, or maybe something we should keep doing.

Austin begins to stir, cracking one eye open as he drags his hand up to remove my hair from his mouth. I can’t help the giggle that bubbles up and I bury my face into his chest. I start to peel myself off him, but he grabs my waist and pins me to him.

“I like waking up like this,” he says, sleep making his voice gravelly. “No need to be embarrassed. How’d you sleep?”

“Best sleep ever,” I respond, tracing lazy patterns on his chest. I brazenly drag one finger down his torso to the waistband of his shorts.

“Penny,” he growls out on a shiver. “Keep doing that and we might get a late start.”

My fingers continue the pattern and I hear his breathing change. Before I know it, he’s flipped me over and I’m caged in below him. The air around us shifts, electricity sparking.

He leans down, dropping one single kiss on my closed morning-breath mouth. “Our flight leaves in two hours”—kiss—“and if I don’t get out of this bed right now”—kiss—“I’ll be doing something else for the day.” Another kiss.

Austin stands to head to the bathroom, leaving me lying there with my head spinning. A day spent in bed with him doesn’t sound like the worst idea, but I know he’s right; we’ve got to hit the road. How did the tables turn so quickly, making me the instigator?

We get dressed separately, and I throw on my favorite cutoff overalls and a yellow tank top. I give myself one last once over in the mirror and head down to my kitchen to grab a granola bar.

Once my bags are loaded we climb into the van, and nostalgia hits me out of nowhere.

“I think I’ll miss this van,” I admit aloud.

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