Recipe for Temptation - Gina Gordon Page 0,27
hands on her shoulders and pulled away, his breaths heavy and staggered. “I really don’t like you,” he muttered. At her stifled whimper, he realized his mistake and ran his hands down her arms to grip her wrists. “I mean, I don’t like this Penn.”
He’d surprised himself with that comment. Her inability to filter her thoughts and actions had always made him a little uncomfortable. But seeing her like this…stifled, with that vivacious light missing from her eyes, it was hell to see.
She turned away. “It is what it is.”
Not if he had anything to say about it.
It wasn’t lost on him that every time they were alone together that light returned. Even now, her eyes sparkled with more than just desire. They sparkled with safety. Comfort. While that pleased him to no end, it also made him sad. She had nothing to be ashamed of. Nothing that required approval. Nothing that was the least bit worth hiding. He was going to prove to her that her family would welcome the changes, embrace the real Penn.
When they were both showered and dressed, they headed to the lobby to meet her family.
She was wearing a white dress with flowers. And cute little flip-flops that matched the color of her toenails. She’d piled her shiny black hair on top of her head and had secured it with a pink paper flower. But what should have been cute on any other woman was downright sexy on Penn. He wanted to take that flower and use it to get her off. To stroke the soft paper over her clit and watch as she shook in his arms.
They reached the lobby, and suddenly, Dave grabbed Penn around the neck before bringing her in to swipe his hand over the top of her head. “Are you ready to eat some sand today, Pennie?” Dave played the annoying older brother really well. Like, Emmy nomination good.
“My hair, you assho—” She tore herself away from his grip with a sneer.
In what world did Penn ever stop herself from uttering a curse word? There was that goody two-shoes image again. Cole would have to do something about that.
Baby Hannah let out a wail from her stroller, and Beth immediately bent to comfort her. Everyone’s attention swiveled toward the baby.
Penn’s entire family was waiting for them. Only Harold and Dave wore the Foster Family Fun-cation T-shirts. This time, the color was a teal blue. Did they have a different color for every day of the week?
Where was his T-shirt?
He huffed under his breath. For the first time since he’d arrived, guilt washed over him. He shouldn’t be thinking about iron-on T-shirts. He should be thinking about the club and how it would help so many kids and families. But he was here for a good cause. Not just for his sanity, he was here for Penn.
“I hope you brought your A-game, celebrity chef.” Dave pointed at him. “Beach volleyball is my specialty.”
“Specialty or not, you’re going to lose.”
When he looked down, Penn stared up at him with appreciation, maybe even a little awe. She had done so much for him over the last three years without even knowing it. Backing her up with her family, helping her beat them was the least he could do. And he would have done it for nothing, even if she hadn’t done her damnedest to come on to him. He was a red-blooded male. There was only so much teasing he could take.
Watching and feeling her shudder in his arms was the sexiest, most erotic thing he’d ever experienced, and he wasn’t leaving this island until it happened again. Many, many, many more times. As many times as her body would allow. Because even if he was tapped out, he had hands, a mouth, and a tongue that he could put to good use.
Chapter Seven
Penn’s mouth almost dropped to the ground when she stepped out of their rental car. Several chickens and a rooster ran around in the dirt. One of the chickens came close, even hopped through her legs as it chased after the rest of the birds.
Cole walked around the front of the car to join her. “We’re a long way from five stars, aren’t we?”
She looked down at her plastic flip-flops and silently thanked the heavens for her decision to wear them this morning. “You could say that again.”
After breakfast, they’d gone back to their rooms to change. He’d shown up at her door, urging her to hurry up so they