Page 154 of Tarek

TAREK

I stand watching Penny grip the doorknob. She was nervous.

“I’m not leaving.” I walk up to her placing my palm on her cheek. As she tries to bend her head, I lift it. My gaze holds hers. “You’re stuck with me. I’m not going anywhere. Do you understand?”

Penny holds my hands, and presses her cheek into my palm. “People always leave Tarek.”

“No, not this time Treasure. Now go bathe and come back out so I can take care of you.” With a small push, she walks into her bedroom.

Walking back into the kitchen I begin to take the ingredients out of the bag, my phone buzzes in my back pocket.

Pausing I pull the phone out of my pocket and answer.

“Fairisles.”

“If I don’t call you, it would seem you would never call me,” a heavy smooth familiar voice greets me.

I hold the phone between my ear and shoulders as I continue unpacking. “Father welcome back. How was Thailand?”

“Beautiful. Walter said that you are hardly home these days. Who is she?” my father asks.

“Her name is Penelope Holt,” I reply. There was a pause and dad cleared his throat.

“Sorry about that. Penelope Holt must be a hell of a girl to have your attention,”

I nod. “And she is about to have my baby. Well, twins actually.” Saying it out loud makes me feel even happier than before.

“Twins, she is having twins.” My father’s voice thickens. “Congratulations, son. I hope you will let me meet her soon.”

“Agreed.”

“I should be in your part of town tomorrow night for a meeting. We can talk then. See you around,” my father says.

“You too, Dad.” I place the phone back into my pocket, and I begin to make a meal that would make my girl and my babies happy. A roast chicken Mediterranean bowl should do the trick. It doesn’t take me long to cook the quinoa, or for me to assemble the meal.

I need to do research about what pregnant women can eat. I want the meals to have the best nutritional value. Rest. That’s what the doctor said she needs; I have to get her to my home. I have more room, there is a pool, facilities that she can use to her comfort.

As I am plating her food, Penny comes outside in a thin strap top and sweatpants.

She stands next to me and points to the food smiling. “That looks really good.”

The dimple on her left cheek deepens when she smiles.

“You’re so fucking pretty. I am so happy that you’re having my baby.”

“Thank you, Tarek. If you continue with these compliments, you will end up on your back.”

My head turns to her. “Your ass looks amazing today.”

She presses to my side. “Didn’t I just warn you?”

I drop the utensils on the table, without hesitation I pull her by the waist.

“The doctor said you should get some rest and try to relax,” I bend her backward whispering against her lips.

Penny tiptoes and presses her lips to mine. “I am tense. The doctor said I should relax. You know what relaxes me?”

“No.”

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