Each day, each second I’ve spent without her lately has been torture. She’s home for good from school now and I want the rest of her days to be where she belongs, by my side.
I’m not sure Mike would rush to agree with me on that point. But I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it.
I just need her to say yes, I just need her to say she’ll go with us. I’ve known Penny her whole life, and I know how much she hates making on the spot decisions, but I hear myself practically demanding her to come with us.
Mike gives me a dry look, he wants Penny to come with us as much as the job itself, but I can sense he feels something else.
It wouldn’t take a genius to work out the feelings I’m broadcasting for her, plus I can’t stand up right now because my dick’s so damned hard.
When she tells me she’ll do whatever I want, I have to fight the instinct to reach out and pull her close. I have to hold back my own reflex which is to kiss her.
“That’s my girl!” Mike exclaims, drawing a low growl from me as I also fight the urge to correct him.
I don’t want to ruin the moment. I’m over the moon she’s coming but if anyone’s gonna lay claim to Penny being their girl from now on, it’s me.
“This is great, I gotta call Mack about the shop. I’ll be right back, you okay buddy?” Mike asks, giving me some more of his sidelong looks from before.
I realize I’ve screwed a pillow from the couch up in my hands, covering myself with it as I force a strained smile.
It is great news, but suddenly the prospect of having Penny within my reach, and her dad two inches from her the whole time, feels like it might be a plan that’s about to backfire.
“He’s fine daddy,” Penny says swiftly before Mike exits to make his call, rescuing me and demanding I tell her all about her new job.
Her hand covers mine and we both give a start from the sudden jolt of intense feeling.
Once Mike clears the room I can grab her, I want to take her into my arms.
“You’ll be under me, Penny. Directly. Can you handle that?” I ask her, cocking a brow and feeling my lip curl into a devilish smile.
CHAPTER THREE
Penny
There are a million things to arrange, but at the same time it feels like everything’s already done.
All that matters is that for once in my life I said yes. I haven’t hesitated or found a reason not to do something because of how I feel or what might happen.
I’m banking on something happening between Steve and me… it’s the reason I said yes.
I’d go anywhere to be near him and this is the perfect opportunity.
My dad comes back into the room and Steve snatches his hand away from mine, or do I snatch mine away from his?
Either way, the magic feeling between us is severed and my dad gives me and then Steve a strange look.
“Everything alright?” he asks, giving Steve a more serious look before telling us both that he’s good to go, that the auto shop he runs is in capable hands while we’re away.
“I’d better head off then,” Steve announces, standing up and eclipsing the room in front of me. I want to reach out for his hand again, to kiss it. To tell him not to go anywhere, but my dad seems to agree.
“Sure thing, I bet you have a lot to do in the meantime. We’ll make our way to the track first thing. That means a four a.m. start, Pinky,” Dad sighs.
I’m not a morning person, but I’m already counting the minutes before I see Steve again.
I would suggest he stay here with us tonight, but there’s an edge of tension in the air between dad and Steve now.
Idiot! I shouldn’t have hung onto his hand like that.
“Alright, Mike and thanks a million again. I’d rather have you heading up the pit crew than anyone else. Qualifying isn't until the afternoon but there’s a lot to go over before then. Here’s your passes for the track and pit area, the team managers will formalize everything with your own contracts,” he says, looking down at the floor so he doesn’t have to look at me again.
“What exactly is Penny’s job, again?” Dad asks, a subtle edge to his voice as his eyes narrow.
“She’s part of your crew, Mike. You know that.” He submits, but I can see his jaw tighten and he can’t help himself, stealing an intense glance from me.
A look that says only one word, mine. Despite whatever my dad might think.
“Well, as long as we’re clear on that point,” Dad adds, forcing himself to lighten his mood. “It’s a great opportunity, we’re both grateful, Steve.”
An awkward handshake for my dad and barely a murmur to me from Steve and he’s gone again. His scent hanging in the air, making me want to linger in the hall for the rest of the day and just breath him in.
But I can’t.
“What the hell was all that about, Dad?” I suddenly hear myself ask, almost screeching over Steve’s car pulling away.
“The man gives you the job of a lifetime and all you can do is sound so mean!” I blurt out, but my dad’s face is firm.
“I don’t think that’s fair, Penny,” Dad growls, his own jaw tightening as I remember he only calls me Penny when he means business.
A wave of embarrassment washes over me, and I realize how childish I probably sound, how much like a child with a crush on his best friend Steve…
Dad’s look softens, silently telling me he knows more than I think.
“It’s a big change honey, I understand. Steve and I went over a ton of things before you got home… it’s not
