Chapter 8
8
PENNY
When Graham exits the spare room, Claire jumps right back into what we were talking about prior to the interruption. “Here’s how you live your best life. You do what makes you happy and screw the rest of the world. Well, not literally screwing the world. I mean, unless that’s your thing, then no judgment.”
“Okay, I rarely say this,” Angie chimes in, “but Claire is right.”
“Hold up,” Claire interrupts. “Let me savor this moment.”
Ignoring her best friend, Angie continues. “You need to show this guy what he’s missing out on. Just be yourself and start having fun. Life is just one big trial-and-error experiment. You’ll find your stride and then he’ll either step up to the plate or you’ll just attract someone even better. Either way, you will have won.”
I nod, allowing their ideas to marinate in my head. “My brothers are hella lucky to have you both.”
Their faces break into smiles. “One hundred percent,” they say in unison, causing each other to laugh.
“You know what we need to do?” Claire says, trying to roll off the bed.
I get up and help her. The last thing she needs is to fall down. “And what is that?”
“Let’s go shopping in the Pearl District and then grab lunch. We all could use some sexy clothes to add to our wardrobe, am I right? And there’s this new naughty shop that just opened.”
“The controversial one that caused people to protest out in front of it?” Angie asks.
“That’s the one!” Claire chants.
“Oh boy,” I mutter. I’m not even familiar with this shop, but it sounds edgy enough to possibly do the trick.
“And we can shop for something to wear to the stripper show thing that your roommate does.”
“Lovely,” I say with a laugh. “I’m sure this will go over well with my brothers.”
Claire thinks about my comment for a few seconds. “We won’t tell them.”
“Oh, yeah,” Angie says sarcastically. “They’ll never figure out we are there.”
We head out into the main living area and find the men gathered around the island, deep in conversation. They catch our movement and stop talking, but I make out enough words to know that they were talking about the cafe incident from this morning. If only I could have eavesdropped sooner. Spying might be my only way of getting any information from these men.
Graham and Nic narrow their eyes as Angie and Claire make a beeline for the exit.
“What has you all in a hurry?” Graham asks, catching up with Angie.
“Are you ready to go back home, baby?” Nic asks Claire.
She struggles to slip on her shoes. “I’m not going anywhere if I can’t get my shoes on. Pretty soon I’ll need to wear pontoon boats on my feet because of the swelling.”
We all laugh. She really is the funniest pregnant person I’ve ever met.
Nic kneels down on the ground and assists her in her time of need. “Where are you really going, Baby Girl?”
“We are going out. Girls shopping trip,” she informs him.
“Now?” Graham asks. He looks blindsided, and I imagine this can’t be the first time. These girls are so impulsive—and fun.
I stay back and silent, not wanting to get involved in this intensity.
“Yes, now,” Claire presses. “We are on a mission and want to be spontaneous and all that jazz. It’s time you let your exotic birds out of our gilded cages to go see the world.”
Ironically, I got let out of my cage today and it only brought me heartache. I want to go back inside the safety of the bars.
“We will stay together, and nothing will happen to us in broad daylight,” Angie says with a pout. “If it makes you feel better, I can bring some mace.”
“No, that won’t fucking make me feel better,” Graham snaps.
“I have an important meeting in about thirty minutes, and there’s no way in hell I’m allowing my pregnant fiancée to be wandering the streets without protection. Can’t you ladies go shopping from your phones? Buy whatever you want, and I’ll pay for it.”
Claire gives her man a look. “That sounds as boring as you’ve become.”
Graham leans down and whispers something into Angie’s ear, making her smack his arm. “I have that meeting to attend as well. Collins, can you escort them around on their adventure?”
“No offense, Collins, but we don’t need a babysitter,” Claire says, glaring up at Nic.
I think my brother is going to hit the wall or toss Claire over his shoulder and lock her away from the world for the day. I know Claire and Nic play with fire on the daily, but watching this as a front-row witness is causing me anxiety—especially when I can see both perspectives.
“I’ll accompany them,” Collins says smoothly.
Of course he will. Because if I’m going, then it makes sense that my secret bodyguard—the one I’m not supposed to know is actually guarding me—tags along as well.
Do my brothers really think I couldn’t put the pieces of this three-piece puzzle together?
“You ladies behave yourself,” Graham says with a directness to his tone.
“Always,” Angie says.
Claire smirks. “Never.”
I bite my bottom lip to keep from losing it. Something tells me that today’s shopping trip will be anything but ordinary.
We enter the elevator, and I notice that Claire can’t remove the smirk from her face, not that she appears to be trying.
“What has you so happy?” Angie asks, nudging her with her elbow.
“I love driving that man of mine crazy. Later, he’ll give me the best sex of my?—”
“Sheesh, Claire,” I yelp, covering my ears. “You know I’m related to him, right?”
She manages to look sheepish. “Sorry. But for reals though, anytime I venture out without him for a few hours, it makes him extra frisky. And with all these pregnancy hormones, I need to entice him before he starts to worry about my ‘ condition. ’ His word, not mine. I mean, if he’s labeling my”—she adds air quotes—“ condition as being horny, sign me up.”
I glance to Collins who has the decency to pretend he’s temporarily deaf. He’s good at being situationally blind too—when it suits him.
When we get to the getaway vehicle, the girls take up the back seat, leaving me riding shotgun in front. I’m not sure I want to be this close to the man who continues to drive me wild. I’m already nervous in his presence while in public, and after all the intimate moments we’ve shared thus far, my body and mind can’t help but want to find that same comfort from him, despite who is watching.
My hands twist in my lap as Collins expertly pulls out of his parking spot, up the ramp, and exits onto the busy street. He drives north toward the Pearl District, not offering up any type of conversation other than a grunt here and there as Claire dictates directions from the back seat.
I really don’t know what to expect from today’s shopping trip, but I know that it’ll be interesting at the very least.
“Stop there,” Claire shouts, nearly jumping into the front seat with us. “The little boutique on the left.”
“Got it,” he says, parallel parking with ease.
I have yet to give driving a go but doubt I’ll ever be as smooth as Collins behind the wheel. Does the man do anything half-assed?
Angie is out of the car first, getting scolded by Collins. At least I’m not the only one he overreacts with in regard to that. He ushers her to the sidewalk, helps pull Claire out, and then glares at me when I’m already joining the girls without his stamp of approval.
Too bad.
“You need to dial back the testosterone,” I grumble, staying back a few paces while Angie and Claire choose the first store.
“Or what?” he challenges. His facial expression gives nothing away.
Why is he looking so hangry? Maybe we should stop for lunch first before he sinks his teeth into our impulsive plans.
“Or you’ll have an aneurysm from whatever passive-aggressive shit you have going on inside your head. I don’t even understand why you’re in a bad mood right now. If you didn’t want to babysit us, then why volunteer?”
Collins’s eyes darken, causing my heart to pause in rhythm. “Is this what you think I’m doing? Babysitting?”
I shrug, while still trying to keep pace with the girls. “There’s no part of this job that even remotely looks enjoyable to you right now, so yeah.”
“Being of service to your brothers is honorable in my eyes. So, while I wouldn’t call this fun being out in public trying to act normal around you, I would call it part of the job—that I would like to keep.”
I direct my attention in front of me, as Claire enters into what appears to be a custom lingerie shop. Welp, this should be fun.
“You can’t possibly think this is a normal way to interact with me. If you act any colder toward me, they will know something is off.”
Claire holds the door for me to enter, followed by a rigid-looking Collins. He looks about as comfortable as a cow visiting a slaughterhouse.
The girls flank me, as we meander through the store.
Glancing around the space, it’s easy to tell that there is something here for every taste. There are items with sparkles, lace, silk, cotton, and leather.
“Can I help you ladies find anything?” a tall middle-aged worker asks. She is stunning in a pencil skirt and lace-up tank that I’m sure are both sold here. There’s no better way to show off the merchandise than to have the employees wear it during their work shift.
“We are just trying to find outfits for our next Girls’ Night Out,” Angie shares.
Claire leans toward the worker and lowers her voice to a whisper, “Which happens to be at a strip club.”
“Oh, fun.”
“So, the spicier the better.” Claire nudges the worker. “If ya know what I mean.”
“Well, you ladies have come to the right place. We actually have our new naughty collection upstairs that hasn’t even hit the main floor yet. Would you be interested in?—”
“Yes!” we chant, making Collins close his eyes for a few seconds before opening them again.
I think he has a migraine forming.
We all follow along up the stairs, as Collins takes up the rear. I can feel his eyes on me as I ascend. My breath catches in my lungs remembering the way his lips felt on my flesh just hours ago. I miss the way he tasted and how his hands roamed over my curves with reverence, yet desire.
When I get to the top, I’m already flushed and a bit out of breath. Maybe spending most of the last week in Collins’s bed has made my muscles experience some atrophy. Granted, what we were partaking in was very physical.
“Oh, this would look amazing on you,” Angie says, pointing to a black sheer dress. “Here, let’s start a pile. There’s a dressing room up here, and we can all have fun trying some things on.”
I find my size and hand the garment to the worker, who is being very helpful and accommodating. I know we are being a little loud, but she doesn’t seem to mind at all. If anything, she’s encouraging it.
After we’ve gone through the entire collection, we make our way back to the dressing room area. Champagne bottles are popped and chocolate-covered strawberries are served.
“Drink mine,” Claire says with an adorable pout. She rubs her hands over her belly. “This baby doesn’t need any encouragement to be bubbly, so drink mine for me.”
“Aww, you can feel movement?”
“All the time now.”
We go into our assigned dressing rooms and start the long process of narrowing down the keepers. The nice thing about this shop is that many of the items can be worn as an actual outfit, and not just lingerie. The quality seems top-notch while still maintaining some of the comfort.
I honestly don’t know why anyone protested outside the doors. There’s nothing here that is so out of place that it isn’t socially acceptable.
After each round, we meet at the sofa and give each other an opinion of the ensemble.
“Oh, wow, Penny. That outfit will sure get some attention,” Claire says, admiring my sleek, silver sheath dress.
I turn in the mirror, feeling Collins’s attentive eyes on me. I catch his reflection, watching how fast he averts his gaze. Maybe this whole experience can turn out to be a little fun.
The worker puts some upbeat songs on the sound system, refills our flutes of bubbly, and helps haul away any outfits we do not want. I feel lightweight and a bit dizzy—yet good.
Too good.
I stumble into my dressing room, switching outfits to something more risqué. I slip the sheer babydoll style shirt over my head, followed by a pair of lace booty shorts. The color is sea-glass green just like the skirt I arrived in today.
There’s something about this color that is making me feel confident.
Pulling my hair up, I twist it into a messy high bun using the band that I had wrapped around my wrist. A few blonde strands fall out around the sides of my face. I spin in my personal mirror, not knowing whether or not to head out into the viewing area.
“Pen? You done yet?” Angie asks.
I open my door, peeking out to find the girls eagerly waiting.
“Let’s see,” Claire says with a whine. “C’mon.”
Opening the door more, I step out.
“Holy cannoli,” Angie says with wide eyes. “Well, that’s the outfit. The color is great.”
I turn again in the mirror, catching Collins’s livid expression. What’s his problem? Why does he care?
There are no men around to witness me. It’s literally just us girls.
The dude just needs a snack.
I quietly move back into my dressing room.
“We are going to hit up the restroom,” Angie says quietly from the other side of the door. “I’m going to go with Claire to see if she needs any help.”
“Okay, sounds good.”
This time I try on the black dress that we first picked out when we arrived on the floor. My hands shake as I down my champagne, feeling my vision go a bit cloudy. Bracing myself on the frame of the door, I push it open and then?—
THUMP.