Big Dick Energy - Cindi Madsen Page 0,55

her bliss, I say good for her. I feel like only unhappy people insist on adhering to the social norms. My mom only seemed to smile for show. Before she insisted on shaping me into a”—Penelope made air quotes—“socially acceptable young lady, I was so carefree and confident. Mostly, being forced to do what was proper only made me feel wrong. Yet I still struggle to trust my instincts when they go against the norm.”

“That happened to me on the soccer field, too. I missed several chances to score second-guessing myself.”

Perhaps I’d been a bit harsh when it came to judging my mother and her relationships. I was hardly an expert, and she did seem happier than she’d ever been before. I had a feeling Penelope meant to nudge me toward that conclusion, but I appreciated that she led me right up to it without being pushy about it.

And suddenly calculating how long it’d take to return to the condo and get her naked and underneath me was on the back burner. I found myself in the present moment, enjoying our stroll and our conversation and the nice temperature she’d mentioned. “You’re good, I’ll give you that.”

False innocence flooded her features as she flipped her hair over her shoulder and batted her eyelashes at me. “Why, whatever do you mean?”

And just like that, I was fixated on sex again.

Which was why it was time to draw a line in the sand. “Kali, do you see this gorgeous woman at my side? She’s actually going to have sex with me, so no more stalling.” I pointed at the tree. “Go potty.”

The cock-blocking dog took her sweet time sniffing every inch of the trunk she could reach. Finally, she lifted her leg.

But then a leaf fluttered to the ground.

Kali attacked, biting the fallen leaf and shaking it until it was more slobber than green.

At my impatient exhale, Penelope crouched and patted the spoiled pup’s head. “I get wanting to enjoy outside time, but as Archer told you, I actually want to have sex with him. I know, it surprised me, too.”

I shot her a look. “Ha-ha.”

“Goddess to goddess, can you do us a favor and take care of business real quick? As much as I was preaching about being in the moment, I’m about to explode from the sexual frustration. Plus, the faster we get back, the sooner you’ll get a treat.”

Penelope straightened as Kali sniffed her way to the other side of the tree. Finally, she lifted her leg. I never thought I’d be so happy to watch a dog pee.

The amount of affection that sang through my veins as Penelope flashed me a proud grin also had me envisioning more walks like this—preferably more post coitus than interruptus. “For the record, watching you walk, talk to, and even argue with a dog that embodies the definition of extra is superhot. Once we get back, you’ll totally get a treat, too.”

“Dirty talk will get you everywhere,” I said, and she laughed. The all-out one that spread sunshine through my soul.

As Kali attempted to dart toward the next tree, I scooped her up, tucked her under my arm, and then laced my fingers with Penelope’s. I didn’t even care if it looked desperate. We were going to clock a new record running home.

We were mere steps from the front door to the condominium when my phone buzzed in my pocket. I dug it out, planning on silencing it and then putting it on do-not-disturb mode.

At the sight of Izzie’s name flashing onscreen, a prickling sense of foreboding stilled my steps. “Excuse me, it’s my sister,” I said, tapping the answer button. “Hey? Is everything okay?”

“No. I need you to come get me.”

While I’d somehow known, my raging libido couldn’t help but hope I could solve the issue over the phone. I’d never leave Izzie in peril, but sometimes her definition of that involved a bad hair day or being unable to find her ear pods after searching “everywhere.”

“What’s going on?”

“I don’t want to talk about it over the phone. Please, Archer. It’s an emergency.” At the quiver in her voice, my overprotective side surged, forcing my desires to the back burner.

“I’ll be right there.”

22

Archer

On Monday morning, I’d arrived at the office early, unable to wait a minute longer to see Penelope.

As she’d come in later than usual and hadn’t so much as looked in my direction, it seemed she didn’t feel the same. Then again, after her story about her ex, she’d