Big Dick Energy - Cindi Madsen Page 0,34

as Penelope made it clear we weren’t dating and never would be. Sure, I’d met funny women and had a few female friends who cracked me up, but no one had ever kept me on my toes quite like Penelope Jones did.

“I was just noticing how short you are without the heels.” Too late, I realized it was what her ex had told her, and considering the way her smile dropped, she’d also noticed. “That dress is stunning on you. And the bright pink lips…” Well, I couldn’t stop staring at them and thinking about pressing my mouth to hers, but I couldn’t very well say that. I’d bungled up this interaction enough as it was. “I’m digging that lipstick.”

“Let me guess,” she snarked. “Pink’s your favorite color.”

“It is today.” Just like in the Aerosmith song. Bantering with Penelope never failed to divert all my thoughts to getting my mouth between her thighs. If I didn’t reel myself in, I’d not only be the perv sporting a boner at the office but be in danger of undoing any progress I was making. “Because of your shoes,” I quickly added. “The lack of spiky heels means this face you think is so pretty is that much safer.”

She rolled her eyes. “I knew I’d regret that slip of the tongue. Here I thought it might’ve escaped your notice.”

Judging the innuendo involving slipping her my tongue as too bold, I snagged a hold of the other part of the sentence. I stepped closer and lowered my voice. “Nothing gets by me.”

Not the rise and fall of her chest, or the slight parting of her lips as she peered up at me.

My fingers twitched with the urge to graze her cheekbone. In order to prevent myself from following through and giving her a reason to avoid me again, I fisted my hands by my sides.

Then I forced myself to prove that my observation skills extended to more than her lips and her skirt and her sexy legs. “Your bruise is looking much better.” The swelling was minimal, the skin more of a yellow and purple than black and blue. “How’s it feel?”

She lifted her foot and twisted her ankle one way and then the other. “It’s all right. I should be back to wearing tall shoes that double as weapons by next week. I usually wear flats with this dress anyway; heels tend to hike up the skirt to Showgirl territor—and that’s not important, so moving on.”

I thought it was the most important thing I’d heard in my entire life, and I went ahead and pictured it, too. I also couldn’t help but revel in the fact that I wasn’t the only one stumbling over which words to use.

Penelope slung her laptop bag over her chest, the strap dividing and conquering her breasts, and I’d never been so jealous of a strip of fabric. “Come on, cowboy. While I appreciate your offer to drive, I already booked the company car. Mr. Bishop likes us to have drivers in case the clients want to have a glass of wine or pop some bubbly. That way, the company isn’t liable for anyone driving under the influence. Something I fully support, B-T-dubs.”

“B-T-dubs?” I asked as we walked toward the lobby, my eyes dipping to the swish of her skirt. Was it so bad that I wanted to see how high the hem would creep if she bent over?

“By the way. B-T-W.”

“Why’s the dub plural then?”

“Um, doubles U,” she said, as if that made sense. Then she picked up her pace and what could I do but follow?

13

Penny

“Yes, offer beer, but if you also offer top-shelf whiskey, you’ll attract a classier audience as well.”

“Ah yes. Getting drunk off the fancy stuff automatically keeps fans from misbehaving,” Archer said, and I gritted my teeth so hard I feared I’d crack a molar.

Every time I thought we’d found some middle ground, I discovered the peace pipe he’d extended my way was packed with bullshit. If only his gray suit was smeared with it so I could stop thinking about how nicely it showcased his muscular frame.

If a woman wore a sexy dress, she’d be blamed for men objectifying her. Yet males had the audacity to strut around in suits that set ovaries on fire with no repercussions. Can we say double-standard?

I swept the former bangs that still weren’t long enough to stay put behind my ear and focused on the committee members instead of my smarmy rival. “Say they do