Unexpected Love

My mouth felt as dry as a desert, but I managed to croak out a, “Thank you,” as I strapped Tucker into his swing. I felt the heat radiating from her body when she stepped close and set the pancakes and syrup on the table, but I curled my hands into tight fists to keep from reaching for her. I needed her to go. Fast.

“You’d better get going,” I gritted. “Mallory is probably worried.”

“Um…okay.” She sounded disappointed, and it gutted me, but it was for the best right then.

I managed to keep my eyes averted by staring at the calendar hanging on the refrigerator. Less than a month.

Her bare feet slapped against the tile as she walked across the kitchen. I let myself have one last glance at her retreating back, and that was when I remembered what she was—or rather wasn’t—wearing. “Penelope,” I growled as I stalked toward her. She halted and looked back at me over her shoulder. When I was right in front of her, I whipped off my shirt, and she gasped, but it was muffled by the material when I tugged it down over her head. She pulled the shirt all the way on, and when it settled around her, it practically swallowed her whole. It fell to her knees, hiding her lack of panties, as well as bra. I nodded in satisfaction, pleased that she was now covered up…and turned the fuck on at seeing her in my clothes.

I put my hands on her shoulders and spun her around. My eyes dropped to her ass, and I growled, “Don’t forget what I said, angel.” Then I gave her a reminder tap on one butt cheek before giving her a gentle push in the right direction. She started moving, but twisted her head back, looking completely confused. Though I knew she deserved an explanation, I didn’t want to lay all the cards on the table until I was legally able to follow through with my plans. So, I simply lifted my chin in farewell and turned around before I gave in to the temptation to ask her to stay.

Chapter 8

Jonah

I surveyed the newly renovated bedroom and nodded, confident that Penelope would be pleased with the result. At first, I had intended to hire someone to redo the room across the hall from the master and hoped that it fit Penelope’s ideas, but then I realized there was a perfect solution to making sure she had exactly what she wanted. Her Pinterest boards were mostly devoid of anything baby related, further irritating me with her family for making her feel like she needed to hide that desire. I wasn’t deterred, however, because I had no doubt I would find everything I needed from her secret boards.

I hacked her account and hit pay dirt and copied everything that applied to my goal. The idea of a stranger putting the room together didn’t sit well with me, even if it was created from Penelope’s dreams. When I mentioned it to Thatcher, he suggested I recruit his wife, Imogen, who was an artist. Blair and Jamison’s wife, Hazel, also offered to help. Gratefully, I’d given them all the research and let them run with it. Now that it was finished and I was seeing the final product, I made a mental note to ask their husbands how I could truly thank their wives. Like me, my friends were possessive bastards, and I didn’t want to risk giving the ladies a gift that would get my ass kicked.

With a last look around, I smiled, then exited the room and shut the door. I headed for my room to get ready for the day I had planned. As I passed Tucker’s room, my stomach clenched. Tucker was staying with Blair and Justice overnight, which had been a very difficult decision. Even though I knew he was safe with them, it was still hard to trust the care of my little man to anyone except Penelope or me. However, it was best for him to be away in case things didn’t go as smoothly as I hoped. There was no sure way to know if Penelope would accept her future without argument. And even if there wasn’t any yelling, eventually, there sure as fuck would be a whole lot of screaming going on. By morning, I intended to be well on my way to being a daddy again.

* * *

“Jonah!” The shrill screech of my next-door neighbor’s voice rang out in my entryway, and I sighed as I jogged down the stairs from the second floor, avoiding the men carrying up boxes.

“Mallory,” I greeted her dryly as I planted my feet and folded my arms over my chest. “What do you want? I’m very busy.”

She set her hands on her hips and gave me a murderous glare. “So I’ve been told. Want to explain what the fuck you think you are doing having all of my sister’s stuff moved into your house?”