One Size Fits All (The Classy ‘n’ Sassy Series Book 3) (8 page)

There was an opening and he was going to take it. “Do you want to go with us? Me and Blitz, I mean?”

“I’d like that. And Scarlett will, too.”

“Okay. It’s a date then. Meet there at ten?”

“Perfect.” She fidgeted with her keys. “Good night.”

The lights on her Mercedes flashed, the sound of the door lock clicking open, and she started to turn.

What was he doing? She was going to leave. He couldn’t bear another night of tossing and turning because he missed out on kissing her.

“Penny, wait . . .”

She turned, a quizzical look on her face.

He didn’t say anything, just stepped up to her. In that moment he realized just how much he towered over her petite frame. She looked up at him, eyes begging him to continue, her chest heaving with deep breaths. And then she sucked her bottom lip in between her teeth. Oh fuck.

Thor slid his fingertips along her collarbone, as gently as he could manage. He didn’t expect the reaction he got from her. A sharp intake of breath as her eyelids fluttered closed. His touch affected her just as deeply as hers did him. And that thought made his whole body ache for her.

He slid his hand up her neck to rest at the base of her head, his thumb tracing the sharp line of her jaw. He waited for her eyes to reopen, moonlight reflecting in them.

“Kiss me,” she begged, a whisper so faint he almost didn’t hear it.

He wouldn’t keep her waiting any longer. He wouldn’t keep himself waiting.

Thor brushed his lips across hers, a sweet sigh emanating from her throat. He ran his tongue along the crease between her lips and she parted them for him. The jingle of keys hitting pavement rang in his ear, but he ignored it. Her hands on him felt too good. Her fingertips left a path of electricity in their wake as they moved up his stomach and over his chest, locking around his neck. She pulled him to her and he lost all the control he’d managed to maintain until that point.

He pressed his mouth to hers, done with soft, gentle kisses. His tongue explored her, mingling with hers, the dance of saying so much without uttering a word. Forget the polite hand on the nape of her neck, he moved that to her ass, pulling her to him, pressing his erection into her, his other hand dangerously close to copping a feel on one of those amazing tits.

A low whistle echoed in the empty lot, followed by giggling. He didn’t even have to look. Damn Seth and Shelly.

He let go of Penny and pulled away, both of them catching their breath. He rested his forehead on hers, his hands going to the roof of her car.

“You got some pretty rude friends there,” Penny said between labored breaths, a giggle of her own.

“Ex-friends.”

More laughter. Man, it was a freaking amazing sound.

“I should go,” she said.

“Yeah. Me, too.” He lifted slightly, pressing a kiss to her forehead, then another to her lips. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“I can’t wait.”

He took a step back, hoping the shadows hid his hard-on—not that she didn’t know it was there—and stumbled on some loose blacktop.

More giggles. “Good night.”

Penny sat into her driver’s seat and buckled up, giving a little wave as she pulled away. Damn. What a great ending to what had started as a boring night. And hopefully, many more like this were to come.

CHAPTER
Nine

P
enny woke
to birds chirping, angels singing, and a rainbow out her window. Or maybe she was imagining it all. Either way, she was in a damn good mood after that kiss last night.

Theo seemed kind of shy, but that had all disappeared when his lips touched hers. Hot damn! He was a fine kisser. It was strong and powerful and oh my, she couldn’t stop thinking about what he’d be like in bed. She’d thought about it on the short drive home and while she showered, and especially once she was in bed with one of her toys. There would’ve been no sleep if she hadn’t relieved her sexual tension somehow.

Once she had, it was sweet dreams all night long. And she couldn’t wait to see him again.

She hopped out of bed the next morning and twirled around her little kitchen to the music in her head as she grabbed some breakfast. After pouring kibble into Scarlett’s bowl, she headed to her room to search for an outfit for her doggie date with Theo. She pulled on a pair of skinny jeans and white canvas sneakers and a three-quarter-sleeve sweater that showed off her cleavage. Simple yet cute. Theo didn’t care about designer clothes or hundred-dollar mascara. She dusted on a little makeup, and after a quick run-though with her brush, pulled her hair into a slick ponytail.

Penny grabbed her wristlet purse and cell, just as it started to ring.

“Bryn! Hey! What’s up?”

“I need you to do me a huge favor. Pretty please!”

“What do you need?”

“Eli surprised me with a reservation at this adorable B and B. I was really hoping to go now instead of having to wait till after my Sunday shift at the shop. Can you please take my shift today?”

Shit. If it were any other day, she would. But she had a date today. And she really couldn’t wait to see Theo. But she could see him later, right? The dog park would still be open after work.

No. This wasn’t fair. Why was Bryn’s love life more important that hers? This wasn’t Penny’s day to work. It was Bryn’s. She didn’t mind helping a friend out once in a while, but if Penny could wait until after work to start her date, so could Bryn.

“I’m sorry, but I have plans. I’m actually on my way out the door now.”

“Please. I’ll pay you double.”

Well, that certainly made it more enticing. But no. Not today. “Thanks. I so appreciate that, but I can’t. It’s my only day off until Friday.”

“Ugh. Come on.” Gone was Bryn’s peppy friendly demeanor. “It’s only for a few hours. Can’t your plans wait? I know you could really use the money. And I could really use some sex without my kids in their rooms down the hall. What could you possibly be doing anyway?”

It was none of her business. And she didn’t like that Bryn was insinuating that her plans were more important than Penny’s. She may have considered adjusting her day for Bryn a moment ago, but not anymore.

“I can’t. I have to go. I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?”

A dramatic sigh. “Fine. Bye.”

That was tough, but it had to be done. Penny would deal with the fallout later. Right now, she had a hot guy and sizzling kisses waiting for her.

---------

PENNY PARKED
her car, and luckily for her, Scarlett was already in her harness with the leash firmly attached. The second she opened the door, the little dog jumped out. It was as if she knew where they were, a canine sixth sense.

Theo was already there, sitting on a bench with whom she assumed was Blitz, a gray pit bull. The dog looked so fierce siting there, but then Theo scratched his ear and the dog became a puddle on the ground, flopping down and rolling over with his tongue hanging out. Theo scratched his white belly and Blitz appeared to be in doggie heaven.

She walked toward them, sucking in a deep breath, trying like hell to let the unpleasantness of her phone conversation with Bryn fade away. But it wasn’t easy.

“Hey, you,” she said as she approached. Scarlet trotted next to Penny, but then stopped, her stance rigid, a low growl in her tiny throat. “Easy, girl.”

Blitz seemed unfazed and bounded over, lapping at the side of Scarlett’s head. Covered in dog slime, she let her guard down and next thing Penny knew, Blitz was on the ground and Scarlett was pouncing on his chest, having a grand old time.

“I guess they like each other,” Theo said, that adorable crooked smile across his face.

“I think you’re right.”

With the “kids” busy, Theo stepped to her and bent to kiss her on the lips. A simple kiss with a little tongue. Perfect and sweet and so . . . him. “Hi,” he said when he pulled back.

“Hi back at ya.”

Penny’s annoying phone conversation with Bryn melted away as she gazed into Theo’s eyes. She could stand there like that all day, but Scarlett was ready to go. She might be tiny, but that dog was strong, practically yanking Penny’s arm out of its socket. “I guess it’s time to play.”

Theo took her free hand in his and together they followed their canines to the doggie obstacle course inside a fenced-off area. Once off their leashes, Blitz bounded up one side of a ramp and Scarlett followed, then they trotted down. She followed after him to various obstacles, a total case of puppy love. Too cute.

“Hey, babe! I thought that was you.” A tall brunette stepped up to Theo and wrapped her arms around his neck, a white fluffball prancing around her ankles. He dropped Penny’s hand to awkwardly return the embrace. “It’s been ages. How have you been?”

“Uh . . . good.”

“Where’s Blitz? Fifi misses him.” Her gaze turned seductive. “And I miss you.”

“This is Penny,” he blurted, obviously flustered.

The girl flashed a grin and stuck out her hand. “Hi. I’m Natalie. Nice to meet you.”

Penny didn’t have it in her to be outwardly rude, so she shook the offered hand.

Natalie then went right back to ignoring Penny, focusing her attention on Theo. “What are you doing tonight? We should hang out.”

“I can’t.”

That’s it? That’s all he was going to say?

“Okay. I’ll text you. We definitely need to plan something. It’s been way too long.”

Those damn seductive eyes again. She was so nonchalant. So oblivious to the fact that he was on a date. She walked away, white puffball of a dog trotting next to her.

“I’m sorry about that.”

“It’s fine.” Penny knew she couldn’t get mad. They weren’t really an item. It was only their second official date. She couldn’t be jealous. Why was that always easier said than done?

She walked toward Scarlett and Blitz and the series of tubes they were running through, hoping to forget the brunette.

“We sorta used to date and I haven’t seen her in a long time.”

He could stop talking now. “I get it. It’s fine.”

“I didn’t know she’d be here.”

“It’s over with. Forget it.” It came out sharper than she’d planned.

“Okay.”

He tried reaching for her hand but she suddenly had the urge to fix her ponytail. And then the visions started. Theo with the girl, holding her, kissing her like he’d kissed Penny. And more . . . The same visions she’d had for months after she found out about Jack and the slut. Why did her brain like to torture her?

Scarlett dashed by and Penny stooped down, grabbing her before she got too far. She clipped the leash to her collar and stood. “I’m gonna go.”

“Why? We just got here.”

She refused to look at him. Refused to let him see how hurt she was. Because she knew it was stupid. “I don’t feel good all of a sudden.”

It wasn’t a lie. Her stomach roiled like she was going to vomit. Like she had so many times after Jack.

“Oh. Okay.”

She started to walk away, having to physically drag her dog, who was apparently having a blast playing with a beast that was ten times her size. What a shitty day. She should have just gone into work.

---------

THOR KNEW
Penny wasn’t sick. He’d fucked up and that’s why she was leaving. Natalie had caught him completely off guard and he hadn’t known how to handle the situation. He now knew it had all been very wrong.

And if he didn’t get his ass to Penny before she left the dog park, he might not get the chance to fix it.

“Come on, boy.” He pat his leg and Blitz ran to him. He clipped his leash on and they jogged toward the parking lot. They caught up to Penny and Scarlett just as they reached her car and he blurted, “I’m sorry.”

She stopped but didn’t turn around.

“Natalie and I are just friends.”

That made her turn around.

“That’s not what it looked like.” Penny breathed deep and let it out. “Listen. We just started dating, or whatever this is we’re doing. I like you, and judging from that kiss last night, you like me, too. I have no right to tell you who you can or can’t date or be friends with, but I can’t be with someone who has other girlfriends. I won’t be second place again.”

He took a chance and moved closer. Blitz flopped down at his feet and Scarlett snuggled up with him. “What do you mean?”

Penny crossed her arms over her chest, moisture welling in her eyes. “You know that pregnant woman we saw the other night? With Jack? He was cheating on me with her. And got her pregnant. While we were trying to get pregnant ourselves.”

What a fucking asshole.

“I thought we were trying to start our own family, but he was off with some other girl. After I caught him, he told me he’d found his soul mate.” She used air quotes. “So he left me for her. And now they have a happy life starting a happy little family.”

“Wow. I had no idea.”

She looked to the ground, shaking her head. “I don’t even care about it anymore. I was devastated at first, but not now. He was wrong for me, on so many levels. We never had a real relationship. Not like the ones I see my friends have.” She met his gaze again. “And I refuse to settle for anything less. I won’t be second place in someone’s heart again.”

She looked so sad, so defeated. He just wanted to hug her. So he did, knowing she might push him away. But she didn’t. She let him hold her.

He wanted Penny. Only her. Wanted to see where this thing went. He wanted to hold her and comfort her, take away her pain and make her smile. This felt more real than anything he’d ever felt before, with Natalie or any other woman.

He rubbed his hands up and down her back. “You’re the only one I want to be with.”

Penny relaxed into him and unfolded her arms, wrapping them around his midsection.

Blitz started to whimper and he stood, pulling on his leash. Thor looked down and then in the direction of his dog’s attention. A guy had thrown a Frisbee for his black lab.

Thor turned back to Penny. “I have a Frisbee in my truck. Wanna stay and throw it for the dogs, or do you wanna leave?”

“We can stay,” she said, and wiped at the corner of her eye with her fingers. “But I doubt Scarlett will beat Blitz to the Frisbee.”

He laughed. “Probably not, but I think he might have a thing for her, so maybe he’ll let her get it a few times.”

Thor took Penny’s hand in his, intertwining their fingers, and gave a squeeze. They walked to his truck and got what they needed, then headed back into the park, never once letting her hand fall from his.